Scout Picks

Gameweek 25 Scout Picks – Man City and Everton players make the cut

We’ve included a decent sized contingent of Double Gameweek players in our Scout Picks for the weekend.

With Manchester City and Everton both playing two matches, that is reflected in our handpicked best XI.

This week we line up in a 3-5-2 formation, and at £83.4m we have come in just £0.1m under our budget.

Goalkeeper

We may have our doubts about Manchester City’s defence, but Ederson (£5.6m) still gets the nod in goal for the Scout Picks this week. If we’re looking for certain starters in Pep Guardiola’s team you don’t get much more secure than their goalkeeper, who has 10 more points than any of his defensive colleagues this season.

Defenders

Andrew Robertson (£6.7m) has the potential to benefit at both ends of the pitch against West Ham. The Hammers did not register a single shot in the box or on target against Wolves last time out with Manuel Pellegrini revealing he would have to go back to the drawing board with his team. Meanwhile, West Ham still have just clean sheets at home all season,

An ongoing groin injury to Ben Davies means that Danny Rose (£5.8m) looks set for another start in the Spurs defence against Newcastle. The Magpies come to Wembley with the lowest number of shots in opposition boxes over the last four away matches. Only two teams have recorded fewer big chances in that time than Newcastle while, Spurs have conceded the fewest since Gameweek 21. A clean sheet looks likely for Rose then, who has created a chance every 45 minutes in the last four Gameweeks, getting an assist against Watford.

James Tarkowski (£4.7m) is our representative from the Burnley squad this week as Southampton come to Turf Moor. The Clarets have two clean sheets in their last four at home, while the Saints come to Lancashire with just 19 shots on target in their last four away matches. Only Newcastle have fewer in that time.

Midfielders

Raheem Sterling (£11.3m) kicks off our Manchester City attacking contingent ahead of their Double Gameweek fixtures. The England international scored on his last league meeting with Arsenal, all the way back in Gameweek 1, and has four goal involvements in his last five outings. Having started the last six Premier League matches in a row, while Riyad Mahrez has been used heavily in the cups, we are backing Sterling to start at least one of City’s next two and play a decent number of minutes across the Gameweek as Guardiola’s men look to keep the pressure on Liverpool in the title race.

Leroy Sané (£9.7m) completes our Manchester City representation in this first Double Gameweek of the season. We believe he is actually more likely to start both matches than Sterling or Sergio Aguero, as Benjamin Mendy works his way back to full fitness following his latest long lay-off. The German international has two goals and two assists in his last four Premier League outings and has a higher expected assist score in that time than any other player in the division.

For the first time since the autumn, Sadio Mané (£9.5m) comes into the Scout Picks as our chosen representative for Liverpool. It has been a long time in coming but the Senegalese international is now outperforming Mohamed Salah statistically over the last four Gameweeks. He has had one more effort on target than his Egyptian colleague, 10 shots in the box to Salah’s seven, and 11 total efforts to his team-mate’s eight. They are pretty close for chances created too, Salah ahead by one. Therefore, we can justify saving £4.1m of our budget by picking Mané ahead of a trip to West Ham in Gameweek 25.

Mauricio Pochettino appears optimistic that Son Heung-min (£8.6m) will play a part in Spurs’ Gameweek 25 meeting with Newcastle on Saturday lunch-time, which is enough for us to include him in the Scout Picks. The South Korean is still on an incredible run of form that has seen him average nine points per appearance since Gameweek 13, while he has registered an effort on goal every 25.6 minutes in the last four round of matches. With Spurs’ key attacking men still out until March, the stage is set for Son to continue operating as their main man.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.4m) is our chosen representative from Everton as they play Wolves and Manchester City over the course of the Gameweek. Richarlison was in consideration after ending his goal drought against Huddersfield but with just two efforts on target in the last four matches, we had to look elsewhere. Sigurdsson has a superior accuracy (36% to 18%) and his role in set pieces means he has created seven more chances than his Brazilian colleague since Gameweek 21.

Forwards

Marcus Rashford (£7.7m) leads a cheap forward line for us this week as Manchester United travel to face a Leicester side that has struggled at home of late. They have lost all but one of their last four at the King Power Stadium, conceding six goals in the process. Meanwhile, Rashford is joint-top of the league for shots on target in the last four Gameweeks, notching attacking returns in eight of his last 11 Premier League outings.

Josh King (£6.4m) has been a hugely exciting resurgent figure in the last few weeks, relishing the role as Bournemouth’s key front man in the absence of an injured Callum Wilson. In the last four Gameweeks, only Paul Pogba and Rashford have had more shots on target, while the Frenchman is the only player to have registered more efforts in the box than King. As a very versatile player, the Norwegian also comes with seven chances created in that time, the exact same number as Pogba.

Substitutes

Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) gets a place on the bench this week ahead of Fulham’s visit to Selhurst Park. While Fulham have found their shooting boots in recent weeks, Crystal Palace still have three clean sheets in their last five home matches. Meanwhile, van Aanholt has played the same number of key passes as Pogba and King in the last four Gameweeks, taking six shots too, so could capitalise on Fulham’s woeful defence.

Ryan Fraser (£6.1m) will almost certainly enjoy his trip to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday. The Bluebirds remain susceptible to set pieces, only two clubs allowing more chances from dead ball situations in their last four home outings. Fraser is currently joint top of the league for key passes played since Gameweek 21 and is a designated corner and free-kick taker for Bournemouth.

Glenn Murray (£6.3m) has the advantage of facing the leaky Watford defence this week. The Hornets have recently slipped to the foot of the table for shots allowed in the penalty box over the last four, only Fulham conceding more big chances in that time too. Meanwhile, Murray gets most of his work done at the Amex Stadium, with seven of his ten goals coming there this season.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Double Gameweek 25 is Joax2. They have opted for a 4-4-2 formation of: Alisson; van Aanholt, Laporte, Duffy, Trippier; Sané, Hazard, Sigurdsson, Sterling; Higuain, Ayew.

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

The Scouts were defeated in Gameweek 24, AK winning by a 48-46 scoreline.

fclackless‘s winning margin of 33 points (77-44) in Gameweek 10 is the current target to beat.

6,142 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which FT is better-

    1. Ings —> Llorente
    2. Digne —> Danilo

    I’m keeping Haz and Sane is captain.

  2. Jaok
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling or sane capt?

  3. Shack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all, help needed; two free transfers and nothing itb, three players on the chopping block (Foyth, F Anderson & Vardy) but no idea where to go. Thinking of avoiding further city and getting one of Richarlison or Siggy but pretty lost beyond that. Open question I know, but help would be greatly appreciated!

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It sounds like you're wanting fanderson to rich then, assuming you can't get siggy.

  4. RossoneriHammer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    My free hit team!

    Ederson
    Keane Alonso Luiz
    Sane Son Hazard Richarlison
    Aguero Llorente Firmino

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would double up on Salah and Mane on a FH

    2. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not siggy over rich? Haz over sterling?

    3. Juhlers
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard might be too expensive considering his current form.. 🙂

    4. The consensus
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      On free hit I would def get both rich and siggy

    5. Smelbow
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I've gone-

      Heaton
      Mee Tarkowski Duffy
      Sane Sterling Rich Siggy Hazard
      Higuain Aguero

      Gulp!

  5. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is this how you see it?

    Mendy plays one game:- sane plays one game on the left; sterling plays one on right, one on left.

    Mendy plays zero games:- sane plays two games on the left; sterling plays one game on the right.

    Assume mahrez (or bernado) will play the other game on the right.

    1. Mr_Barbs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure Mendy will play a full game. Used as a sub perhaps

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think sane starts twice

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mendy can play instead of Danilo
      This Mendy Sane nonsense is based on Sane unfit and in a huff over Germany snub and Pep saying he can't possibly drop Mendy so no Sane. Sane has 5 more attacking returns than Sterling since Mendy injured

  6. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    thoughts?
    digne an bobby to tarkowski an aguero for a hit? cheers

  7. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best 4.5 mil defender?
    Van Dijk Robbo Bednarek Wb ***

  8. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Haz or pogba out for sane for free which one cheers

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Or could do Haz to sterling actually

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I done Haz > Sterling

      2. Cookie Kid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Haz to sterling if anything but I’m holding for one final troll

  9. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any murmurs about Luiz getting benched. He was as bad as anyone against Bournemouth.

    I could switch him with my 2nd FT but would rather roll as no City defenders appeal / look nailed for both games. I am planning to replace him with TAA or Kola, neither of which are options this week.

    Cheers and GL

  10. Juhlers
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Guys, what is your preferred budget attacking player? Out of my attacking 8 players, the cheapest one is Jimenez, which seems like a waste.

    Can you suggest a good bench option?

    ---

    Current team below:

    Fab - (Etheridge)

    WanB - Doherty - Schindler - (Digne) - (KikoF)

    Fanderson - Salah - Pogba - Sane - Richalison

    Auba - Rash - (Jimmy)

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Get rid of Fanderson. Play Jimi this week. Wolves are on a roll

      1. Juhlers
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thing is, I probably want to get a budget option in for Fanderson, rather than another ~6-7m player, it seems wrong to bench that many funds every day.. 🙂

        1. sam4775
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Ward-Prowse would be an option. Getting game time, takes set pieces and Southampton improving.

  11. twoplustwo
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Alisson or Ederson on WC?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hate expensive keepers

      1. twoplustwo
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah me too...

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Allison
      No need for keeper transfer till end of the season

  12. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    will you TC this week and why?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. It's fun 😉

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        It's fun every week but why now? 🙂

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          DGW & city playing bad defenses.
          Like to play it in a dgw. 3 guaranteed DGW & have FH + BB too.
          Also backing United to defeat Chelsea in FA cup 5th round.

  13. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I am torn between
    1) Gunnarson to Siggy; and
    2)Gunnarson to Son.

    I think Newcastle will defend well and Spurs don't play well at home. I think Everton are shite though. Who do I go for and why?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If you have no transfer planned next gw go for Siggy & swap him for Son next gw.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I think I may do this. I can see Siggy get 2 points from each match though

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          If Son starts on bench siggy will outscore him then 😉

  14. Markus10
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Need some advice guys!
    Current team
    Patricio
    Robbo Luiz awb Shaw
    Salah sane(c) haz pogba jota
    Rashford
    Bench: button ings digne long
    1ft 3.1m itb
    1. Start ings instead of shaw/awb?
    2. Use ft digne-> van dyke or Laporte
    3. Haz + long -> richarlison + Kun for -4
    4.gtg

    Cheers al

    1. Killitzer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’m thinking Ings —> Llorente and starting him.

  15. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling so overrated for poor returns lately. I have him but what's with all the C or TC queries?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Relax kiwi 🙂
      It's a dgw extravaganza !!

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Captain sane - safe as houses

    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Xg better than sane. Can play anywhere across the front three.

  16. balint84
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who brings more points Son or Hazard?

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd stick with whoever you have. Likely to be similar so I'd save the FT and if you dont have Son, look to bring him in next week. I have Hazard and am sticking.

  17. sam4775
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The big question is do I need to get Aguero in at all costs, or am I g2g?

    Fab
    AWB - Doherty - VVD
    Pogba - Salah - Sane - Hazard - JWP
    Jimenez - Rashford

    Subs: Button - Niasse - TAA - Digne
    Jim

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg, captain?

      1. sam4775
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Tempted to go gamble on Hazard, but think I’ll go for Sane

        1. Specify
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Currently on no City myself, yours looks good

        2. Eytexi
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I'm going Salah if that makes you feel less insane going for Hazard. kept faith in him so hope he hauls.

          1. sam4775
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yes Salah has served me well. My thinking is that West Ham tend to turn up against the top 6, so it may not be the thrashing we all expect.

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              You need to check their record against the top 6 before Arsenal game

  18. Specify
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Morning 🙂 stuck in a bind in regards to what to do with my team.. After Digne's red card i have no dgw players currently.
    1 ft 3m itb.
    My options are:
    A) Get Aguero for Auba or Firmino
    B) Auba + Pereyra out (-4) for Aguero and either Silva's or Son
    C) Auba + Pereyra + Digne our for Aguero, Sané and a 4.2 defender.

    My other strikers are Firmino and Rashford, I could also go for a cheaper striker like Wood/barnes/King and bring in Sterling or Sané in option B.
    Thanks

    1. Juhlers
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky one.. I would not sell Auba myself right now, it seems a bad move considering GW27. Perhaps Firmino, but he is also really nice value for GW27..

      Thing is, I doubt that any MCI player is guaranteed enough to start that he is worth sacrificing 2 FTs or even a hit on.. Perhaps Sane.. perhaps.

      1. sam4775
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I think Aguero could play a part in both fixtures, but I agree that it may not be wise to shift Auba.

        If you have Salah, I’d probably sacrifice Firmino?

        1. Specify
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I do have Salah yes, Thanks.. Was edging towards taking out bobby..

  19. Juhlers
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    1 FT

    A) Fanderson -> Siggy
    B) Fanderson -> Ward-Prowse (dont yet have budget attacker)
    C) Roll transfer

    ---

    Fab - (Etheridge)

    WanB - Doherty - Schindler - (Digne) - (KikoF)

    Salah - Pogba - Sane - Richalison - (Fanderson)

    Auba - Rash - Jimmy

    1. Specify
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd be tempted by A

      1. Juhlers
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thats the problem.. So am I, but then I am stuck in the same situation when I want Son next week, I will need to spend a hit to downgrade one of my 8 attackers.. :/

  20. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you rather have Gunnarrson as your 5th midfielder and 0.5 ITB
    OR
    Camarasa and 0.3 ITB?

    Neither are likely to do much in any given week and they will be on the bench 99% of GWs anyway.

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Easy.. more money if 3rd bench player

    2. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Look at their fixtures in 27 when you might need them.

      I sold hojbjerg and held camarasa on that basis last night

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Great shout actually. I can always get rid again when I use my WC later too. Thanks.

        1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Welcome. And also, when you sell to get money there'll be an even cheaper option (puncheon probably). Good luck

  21. Doar1986
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Auba > Kun this week for free?

    props lose 0.2m on him if i want to get him back in

    1. Juhlers
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me..

      Too much uncertainty WRT. starting lineup for MCI.

  22. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I have a dilemma, I have all red flags on my bench, so Digne will come on for the Man city game, which could be another minus score, but he could get an attacking return. Is it worth leaving it to fate, or getting rid for another -4 to? Im already on a -4 with only 10 playing (before Digne)

    1. Juhlers
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      -4 to ship out Digne is asking for trouble in my book. Best case scenario is very likely to be points-neutral (i.e. if the new player gets a cleanie and Digne gets 2 points).

  23. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg?

    Begovic
    Robbo Doherty AWB
    Salah Sterling Pogba Richarlison
    Aguero (c) Rash Jimenez

    Foster Westwood Bennett Digne

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah man

    2. sam4775
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Is Begovic back in?

      1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Just covering if he does end up playing, foster can come in if he doesn’t

  24. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play
    A) bednarek (burn)
    B) Dunk (WAT)

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Too close to call?

  25. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is it me or are lots of people on here getting a bit carried away with how nailed Sane is?

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think so. Mendy looming and sterling can play inverted winger.

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I brought him in last week.. expected him to start new and he did.. 0 returns tho.
      He'll start at least one of the doubles and get 30 in the other is my guess. Am happy enough if he gets that

  26. balint84
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bilva - Salah - Hazard - Fraser - Richarlison
    Firmino - Rashford

    This is my attacking line
    I have 2 free transfers

    what would you do?

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mitb?

      1. balint84
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        0.8 🙁

    2. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Move your second keeper to boruc

    3. balint84
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      0.8 money in the bank

  27. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Over the last four, sterling has better xg than sane. Thoughts?

  28. Messi man
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys.

    Would you take out Hazard for Son and Bobby for Aguero??

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      For free, if you have salah maybe.. and stick c on kun

  29. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone using Free Hit or Triple Captain?

    Free Hit seems tempting to me. What are you guys saving yours for?

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A blank

    2. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Saving free hit for bgw using tc this week.

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sounds good. Sane (TC)?

        1. Dannyb
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Aguero

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Are you unable to field 11?
      I just think there will be better fh options later, And the pep rotation is putting me off going in deep, and Everton not massively appealing

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yup, my team seems ok!

  30. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play Ings (Burnley at Burnley) or Camarasa (B'mouth at Cardiff) this week?