Scout Picks

Gameweek 26 Scout Picks – Liverpool and Man United backed for big wins

We are backing Liverpool to return to winning ways in Gameweek 26 as Bournemouth come to Anfield.

That’s why defensive and attacking assets from Jurgen Klopp’s men make it into the Scout Picks this weekend.

We are set up in the traditional 3-4-3 formation for Gameweek 26, and at £81.3m we are £2.2m inside our budget.

Goalkeeper

With votes from three of our pundits, Crystal Palace man Vicente Guaita (£4.2m) gets the nod in goal this weekend. The Eagles’ home defensive record this season is still only bettered by Liverpool and Chelsea, while West Ham are yet to score an away league goal in 2019, their last one coming at Southampton back in Gameweek 19.

Defenders

Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) remains our go-to Liverpool defensive option ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to Anfield. The Cherries have been woeful away from home in recent months, losing their last seven road trips by a combined score of 20 goals to three. Just one of those goals scored has come in the last five of those, which bodes well for Liverpool in their hunt for a first clean sheet since Gameweek 22. With Bournemouth’s recent defensive struggles away from home, there could be attacking returns on offer for Robertson too. No defender has more touches in opposition penalty boxes than the Scottish international in the last four matches.

The Scout Squad are hoping that Matt Doherty‘s (£5.3m) FA Cup heroics against Shrewsbury Town were the warm-up for a star performance against Newcastle on Monday night. His prolonged presence in the final third continues to promise attacking returns, while the Magpies have been particularly shot-shy away from home. In the last four matches on the road, Rafa Benitez’s men are bottom of the league for goal attempts inside the box, efforts on target and total big chances. A second consecutive clean sheet at Molineux looks likely for Doherty and his defensive colleagues.

Sead Kolasinac (£5.0m) completes our trio of full-backs likely to earn points at both ends of the pitch in Gameweek 26. Arsenal travel to a Huddersfield side currently bottom of the league for big chances over the last four Gameweeks, with only West Ham registering fewer shots in the penalty box than them in that time. Meanwhile, left wing-back Kolasinac has the joint-second highest number of touches in the opposition penalty area among defenders since Gameweek 22.

Midfielders

Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) gets back into the Scout Picks once again, chosen as the best midfield option by three of our pundits. Peter was the only one to put him in second place. The Liverpool man should benefit from Bournemouth’s recent poor away form, as they have conceded an average of 2.85 goals per game in their last seven on the road. No team has allowed more big chances in the last four away matches as Eddie Howe’s men.

Son Heung-min (£8.8m) has been boasting remarkable consistency in FPL over a long period of time now. Since Gameweek 13, the South Korean has averaged 9.2 points per appearance. It has become impossible to ignore the Tottenham man now, especially as he continues to have his place in the side guaranteed by ongoing injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Leicester come to Wembley Stadium having shipped plenty of chances away from home recently, just three sides have allowed more in the box over their last four road matches.

Paul Pogba (£8.7m) looks set for a strong showing in Gameweek 26 as Manchester United travel to face Fulham. The Cottagers have not made many defensive improvements under Claudio Ranieri and are second worst for shots conceded in the box during their last four home matches. Meanwhile, Pogba is still joint-top of the league for shots on target over the last four Gameweeks, having registered more efforts on goal than any other player in that time. With some creativity to his name over that period too, goals and assists are both likely at Craven Cottage.

James Ward-Prowse (£5.1m) is our chosen representative from Southampton this week as they host a Cardiff side typically poor away from home. The Bluebirds are susceptible to set pieces too, in which Ward-Prowse remains involved for the Saints. He has three goals in his last four matches and has created more chances than any Saints player in that time.

Forwards

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) comes into the Scout Picks for Gameweek 26, deputising at the eleventh hour for his colleague Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The latter was originally going to be included in spite of his recent illness but his absence from the training pictures on Friday have left enough doubt in our minds to select Frenchman Lacazette instead. As already mentioned, the Terriers have allowed a large number of big chances in their last four home matches, which should provide the right amount of opportunities for Lacazette to secure a points haul.

Marcus Rashford (£7.8m) completes a Manchester United double-up to fully capitalise on Fulham’s defensive frailties. We’ve already covered how vulnerable they look ahead of Gameweek 26, still the most scored-on team this season having shipped 55 goals. Rashford is joint-top of the league with Pogba for shots on target over the last four Gameweeks and has blanked just once since Gameweek 20.

Raúl Jiménez (£6.7m) looks set to continue his rich vein of form when Newcastle come to Molineux on Monday night. The Wolves man has four attacking returns in his last three outings, offering a healthy balance of creativity and goal threat. Meanwhile, the Magpies have not travelled well in their last four away matches. They are joint-bottom of the league for big chances conceded in that period, level with Bournemouth.

Substitutes

Jan Bednarek (£4.0m) still offers decent value for his owners and is worth considering for a place in the starting XI in Gameweek 26. Cardiff come to Southampton with the fewest away goals of any side in the league this season.

Pascal Groß (£6.7m) has jumped back onto the Fantasy radar in a big way after creating a whopping 10 chances against Watford last time out. With Burnley the next visitors to the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon, two of our Scout Squad pundits included him in their submissions.

Fernando Llorente (£5.7m) has had more penalty box shots than any other player in the Premier League in the last four Gameweeks, despite playing just 219 minutes in that time. We think he’ll be back in the starting line-up against Leicester on Sunday after improving Spurs from the bench in their win over Newcastle.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 26 is Pep pig. They have opted for a 3-4-3 formation of: Ryan; Duffy, Kolasinac, Koscielny; Martial, De Bruyne, Son, Salah; Aubameyang, Firmino, Murray.

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 Double Gameweek 25, Joax2 winning by a 86-56 scoreline.

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

4,069 Comments Post a Comment
  1. chrisjdgrady
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Do we think Jota will start?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      no

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Why?

  2. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one of each:

    1) Ederson (CHE)
    2) Guaita (WHU)

    a) Robertson (BOU)
    b) TAA (BOU)
    c) Doherty (NEW)
    d) Jonny (NEW)
    e) AWB (WHU)

    1. chrisjdgrady
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ed an Jon

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

    Who scores more?:
    A) Sane
    B) Laca -4

    1. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

  4. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    1 FT, 2.0 ITB

    Fabianski
    Tomkins* | TAA* | Trippier
    Sane | Salah | Richarlison | Pogba
    Jimenez | Firmino | Rashford
    Button | Camarasa* | Pereira | Luiz

    A) Sane -> Son
    B) Firmino -> Aubameyang
    C) Luiz -> Kolasinac
    D) Other moves?

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I did A

  5. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    RMT

    Fabianski
    Robertson Doherty Bednarek
    Salah(C) Son Pogba KDB Richarlison
    Rashford Jimènez

    Hart / Deeney / Bennett / Digne

    We good to go?

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Solid

    2. Taking one for the team
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good, however I’m undecided about starting Deeney or KDB in my team as well

      1. FPL Mentor
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah i was just about to ask that. I keep switching between the two. Got that Deeney is "due" feeling. But then can we really bench a player of KDBs quality over Troy Deeney?

        1. Taking one for the team
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I know, it sound crazy to bench KDB but it’s a tough call based on fixtures. KDB against Chelsea or Deeney against Everton, plus pep roulette to consider. I’m torn tbh

  6. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one

    A) TAA*
    B) AWB
    C) Digne

    Decision may be made for me

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

      B

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

      A & C offer greater potential attacking returns imo.

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

      a

  7. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Turns out the pic of Auba is old, in today’s training Guendouzi is not wearing leggings:
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R18veuJ_xGg

    But in the pic posted earlier he is wearing legging:
    https://twitter.com/stuart_photoafc/status/1093970601398726657?s=21

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      #LeggingsGate.

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      so Auba didn't train today?

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        The only pic showing him training seems like old pic, so yes he didn’t train today

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

      Leggings?

      No player of mine will wear leggings. Auba back to Kun (-4) done

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Disagree. Look at the colour of his boots and socks in the vid and the pic - they are the same.

      Now look at the colour of his boots from Wednesday training - they are orange:
      https://www.arsenal.com/news/pictures-grind-continues-colney

      I think the pic and the vid are from today, but he just took off his leggings

  8. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play who:

    a) AWB
    b) Digne

    1. Taking one for the team
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      AWB

  9. Oscar Slater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The bookies reckons Manchester City have a better chance of winning this weekend than either Manchester United or Arsenal. That's quite an eye catcher as both the London clubs are playing poor championship bound teams, albeit away from home. The bookies know their percentages quite well though so you can take it for granted that City are going to stuff Chelsea.

    I'm keeping Sergio. Mr Rashford, Mr Aubameyang & Mr Lacazette can wait a little longer.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I really think Aguero won’t get anything this weekend but i hope he does well for ya.

    2. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      i think "stuff" is slightly hyperbolic.

      hope you're right tho

  10. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best max 4.6 MID who i can play in GW 27 ?

  11. Zizou
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    1) etheridge or guaita (play 1)

    2)bennett, AWB, doherty, digne (bench 1)

    thanks

  12. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think Siggy will start?

    1. Webbinho
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, nailed

      1. Sergio Giorgini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Not nailed surely - benched last week?

    2. Taking one for the team
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yup

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

    Play two (atleast one def) and order the rest for bench:
    Laporte
    TAA
    AWB
    Jota
    Richarlison

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Play TAA and Jota.

      Bench: Rich, Lap, AWB

    2. Webbinho
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Laporte and Jota

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

    Which one gents?

    A) Hazard + Kamara ---> Jota + Auba (-4)
    B) Hazard ---> Mane

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A for the stronger one

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        *me

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

          Im slightly concerned that both are yellow flagged

  15. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Not looked at anything football news related all day, only gone and seen auba is a serious doubt for Arsenal? Jesus just my luck after bringing him in.

    Is he definitely out does anyone know?

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

      Nobody knows, just guesses and theories. Im still unsure whether to bring him in or not.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ah ok, so no ‘definites’ then whichbis fair enough, just rhe way some comments sounded on here it was as if he’s defo out

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

          You'll probably read a hundred comments tonight saying he's definetly out and a hundred saying he's definitely fit. 99% nobody will know til the team sheet is out haha.

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

    Play Rich or Anderson?

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

      Anderson

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

        West Ham no away goal for months

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

          if you're against playing anderson, why ask the question?

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

            I'm discussing it with you. That's why I come to this forum, to discuss the pros and cons of decisions, which helps to make the decisions.

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

              At the moment I have an open mind on which to play of Rich or Anderson. Pros and cons for playing both.

            2. Fitzy.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Maybe put more of your thinking into the original question then, rather than just asking which player you should play.

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

                This 🙂
                Cheers fitzy, haha.

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

                  You're way too uptight mate. open a beer.

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

                    Haha it's fair that you're willing to debate a point, but yeah my opinion is anderson just based on recent performances and Richarlisons dissappointment. Good luck!

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

                I'm happy with my question. Sorry if it offended you mate.

    2. Taking one for the team
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Andy

    3. madame shelly
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rich Vs old side
      Scored in reverse fixture

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

        Anderson scored in reverse fixture too

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

        Yeah Anderson too. Might go with Rich in the end just because of ownership.

  17. wildnothing
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lloris 4.0
    Doherty Robertson VVD Digne AWB
    Salah Sané Sterling Pogba Jota
    Jimenez Llorente Rashford

    A) Sané to Son
    B) VVD/Sané to Kola/Mané
    C) Save

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

      B is for a hit

    2. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      a

  18. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start shaw or sane

    1. Taking one for the team
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw

  19. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Two decisions to make.

    Play..

    Bednarek or Digne
    KDB or Deeney

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

      Bednarek & Deeney for me

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bednarek

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        KDB

  20. Viper
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go? Saving FT.

    Alisson

    Robertson Doherty Bednarek (WB Digne)

    Salah Son Pogba Richarlison (Camarasa)

    Aguero Rashford Jimenez.

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

      looking good

  21. Captain Warlock
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Looking at either
    A) Aub & Fanderson or
    B) Vardy & Mane
    Really considering B will be quit the differential??

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

      i like B long term considering blank gameweeks, but Auba over the next three is hard to ignore.

  22. House Frey Wedding Planner
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can't decide which 3 players to bench....

    Alisson, Hamer
    VVD, Rose, Kolasinac, Bennett, AWB
    Salah, Son, Pogba, Richarlison, Anderson
    Rash, Jiminez, Lacazette

    Rich looks the weakest but it's his return to Watford so spotlight will be on him.....all the rest have decent fixtures.

    Also torn on whether or not to use the bench boost chip

  23. Manani
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    save FT? 3.6mITB

    Giata (Fab)
    Holebas Robertson Dohetry (Digne Holebas)
    Salah Son Pogba Richarlison Sane
    Jimenez Rashford (Kamara)

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

      rich to mane?

  24. daayne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any advice please?

    Ederson,
    Robertson, Holebas, Kolasinac
    Salah, Pogba, Ward Prowse, Richarlison, Anderson,
    Aguero(c), Jimenez

    Button, AWB, Barnes, Digne

    £0.7 m ITB

    Thanks

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

    Fabianski

    VVD, AWB, Doherty,

    Salah(C), Son, Richarlison, Pogba

    Jimenez, Rashford, Aguero

    Guaita, Shaw, Laporte Højbjerg,

    Correct order or should i bench someone else?

  26. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can the Arse beat the Udders without Auba?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Is Auba confirmed out?

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Inconsequential question.

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Could reply the same to you Mr. Skull

  27. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:

    A) Rich
    B) Digne
    C) Lovren

  28. snowman
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best starting 11?

    Fabin
    Bennett Kola TAA
    JWP Sterling Salah Pogba
    Rashford Firminio Jiminez

    Subs: Wan Bis Laporte Gunnarsson

  29. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sane, Brooks to Pogba, Moutinho?

    1. Webbinho
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  30. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    With taa & auba in doubt to start, and only have sane on the bench, should i do kamara to jimenez with a hit -4 or no??

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

      I would. Wolves have 4 nice fixtures up next on paper.