Scout Picks

Gameweek 29 Scout Picks – Second chance for Salah

It’s all about second chances in the Gameweek 29 Scout Picks this weekend.

A number of options who let us down midweek have been given another opportunity to shine in our selection of the best XI for the upcoming round of fixtures.

We’ve reviewed the Scout Squad submissions made to us on Thursday and have come up with a 3-4-3 side well within our £83.5m budget.

Goalkeeper

Mat Ryan (£4.4m) was overwhelmingly backed as the best goalkeeper option for Gameweek 29 by our Scout Squad panel. All four of them selected the Brighton man in the number one slot ahead of Huddersfield’s visit to the Amex Stadium. The Terriers may be in good spirits off the back of Tuesday’s win over Wolves, but their away form is still fairly poor. In the last four road matches, Huddersfield are the only side not to have created a single big chance, while Brighton have clean sheets in two of their last four at home.

Defenders

David Luiz (£5.9m) was chosen by all four of our pundits, with Joe and Peter selecting him as the best option for Gameweek 29. On Sunday afternoon, Chelsea travel to a Fulham side no longer managed by Claudio Ranieri, now under the temporary control of caretaker manager Scott Parker. The Cottagers have now failed to score in three of their last four matches, and could even play a less expansive style of football in Parker’s first game in charge. Meanwhile, only Manchester City have conceded fewer shots in the box over the last four matches as Chelsea.

Despite the disappointment of the Gameweek 28 defeat Huddersfield, Matt Doherty (£5.4m) gets back into the Scout Picks once again. Two of our pundits, Neale and Az, actually chose the Wolves man as the best defensive option for Gameweek 29 with Cardiff coming to Molineux on Saturday afternoon. Only two teams have recorded fewer shots on target in the last four away matches as the Bluebirds, while Huddersfield are the only side with fewer big chances in such fixtures. Meanwhile, Neil Warnock’s men have conceded six times across their last three road trips, suggesting the possibility of more attacking returns for Doherty.

Tipped by three of our pundits, Luke Shaw (£5.1m) gets into the Scout Picks for Gameweek 29. Manchester United may have only kept one clean sheet at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so far but things are improving for them at the back. In the last four home matches, only Manchester City and Chelsea have conceded fewer goal attempts in the box as the Red Devils, who are joint-third best for big chances allowed in that set of fixtures. Meanwhile, Southampton are in the bottom five for big chances of their own across the last four away matches. Shaw was an attacking threat against Crystal Palace and Solskjaer said after the game he is keen for him to get forward more when he faces his former club this weekend.

Midfielders

Controversially, an executive decision has been taken to include Mohamed Salah (£13.5m) in the Gameweek 29 Scout Picks in the place of Sadio Mané, who was tipped by all four pundits. The Egyptian may have blanked four times in his last five matches, but we feel that a big score is coming from him soon, and is possibly more likely this weekend than one for Mané. Salah is ahead of his Senegalese colleague for goal attempts, shots on target and chances created in the last four Gameweeks, while he has more than double the number of touches in the penalty box. Everton look particularly vulnerable this week, allowing more shots in the box and big chances than any other side in the last six home matches.

Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) was practically the first name on the team sheet for the Gameweek 29 Scout Picks ahead of his trip to Bournemouth with Manchester City. The midfielder looks certain to start after a midweek benching and has scored in every Premier League match he has ever played against the Cherries. Eddie Howe’s men will be without key personnel in defence and midfield again while Sterling himself is averaging a shot every 27.3 minutes and a key pass every 31 minutes in the last four Gameweeks.

Captain poll winner Paul Pogba (£8.9m) was always going to earn a place in the Scout Picks this weekend. The Manchester United midfielder was namechecked by all four pundits in this week’s Scout Squad article, with Peter even selected him as the best option in this position. No player has more shots in the last four home matches as Pogba, who has blanked just once at Old Trafford since Solskjaer took over.

Harvey Barnes (£5.5m) is another player who gets another try at the Scout Picks despite a midweek blank. Nobody has had as many shots as the Leicester midfielder in the last four Gameweeks, with just one Fantasy option managing more in the penalty box too. Barnes has admittedly struggled with accuracy so far but a change in management and increasing regular game-time could help solve that issue away at Watford, who have the joint-second worst number of big chances conceded since Gameweek 25.

Forwards

We are expecting the Brendan Rodgers era to start with a bang at Watford as Jamie Vardy (£8.9m) gets the nod up front in the Scout Picks. He is certain to start for the Foxes and has been shooting with frightening regularity over the last four Gameweeks. In that time, he is averaging a chance every 27 minutes and, as we already mentioned, Watford’s defence is not looking too strong for Gameweek 29.

Raúl Jiménez (£6.9m) is another one of our second-chance heroes ahead of Cardiff’s trip to Molineux. In the four matches prior to the defeat at Huddersfield, the Mexican was top of the league for shots inside the penalty box, so one bad match doesn’t put us off him. We are backing Nuno Espirito Santo to get things back on track at home against Cardiff, who have conceded 1.8 goals per away match this season.

Despite a Gameweek 28 blank, Ashley Barnes (£5.7m) gets an upgrade from the bench to the starting XI of the Scout Picks. He was namechecked by three of our pundits and certainly looks the best of the options priced under £6.0m up front. The Burnley man is still second for shots on target over the last four Gameweeks and this week faces a Crystal Palace side that has conceded six goals in their last three away trips.

Substitutes

Shane Duffy (£4.7m) has an outside chance of a decent haul this week as Brighton host Huddersfield Town. We’ve already covered the Terriers problems in front of goals on their travels, but Duffy could also add some attacking threat too. The centre-back is still averaging a chance ever 30 minutes in the last four Gameweeks.

Earning votes from two Scout Squad pundits for Gameweek 29 was James Maddison (£6.6m) ahead of Leicester’s trip to Watford. The midfielder has created more chances than any other player in the last four Gameweeks.

Salomón Rondón (£5.9m) could be the latest forward to frustrate the West Ham defence in front of their own fans. The Hammers still have just two clean sheets at the London Stadium this season while no player has more shots inside the penalty box in the last four Gameweeks as Rondón.

The Community Champion feature will return in Gameweek 30.

808 Comments Post a Comment
  1. My Name Is Prince
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Son —> Haz -4 yay or nay?

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      It makes son sense.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Nay

    3. My own Personal Jesus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Considering the same for free. The alternative is Auba or Jiménez to Vardy.

    4. ceejay106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      I’ve just done it and captained Hazard. Already did Auba to Vardy this week. Planning ahead for GW31 and chasing 40 point deficit in ML so time for bold moves!

    5. JohnBlack
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Yay

  2. Shteve
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Hard to believe no Chelsea attacking cover in the scout picks

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Salah over Hazard looks plain odd to me!

      1. Shteve
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        I agree plus having both Harvey Barnes and Vardy for an away match at Watford seems odder!

        1. Demel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          I think Watford are a better team than Leicester.

      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Truly this.

        Would have put Mane in, but no Haz against Fulham?

        Baffling indeed.

        1. Demel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          I agree there is an argument for Mane. But Hazard trumps both this week.

  3. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Salah 😮

  4. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Ederson
    Shaw - Robertson - Doherty
    Sterling c - Hazard - Pogba - Son
    Aguero - Jimenez - Rashford

    Fabianski - Schlupp - Camarasa - AWB

    Bank 1m

    Let's go baby!

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Team looks good!

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Thanks.

  5. Cruz88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Salah and Anderson can be switched to Mane and Has...got me tempted

    1. Cruz88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Haz

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        That would definitely tempt me.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Keeping Ando for 31 and 33

      1. Cruz88
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Keeping him for the last few months hasn't seemed to do me many favours

      2. Cruz88
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        And Haz also plays those weeks right?

  6. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Which one?
    A- Aubameyang & hojberg to hazard & DCL (-4)
    B-aubameyang & hojberg to higuain & Antonio (-4)
    C- aubameyang to Barnes (FT)

  7. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    WOT no Kun in the scout picks!

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Why have Kun when you can get Rondon!

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Spent all the dough in midfield

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Good point. I shall sup my ale this evening a contented man WR

      2. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Shouldn't have spunked it all on Salah.

  8. R.C
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    I sold Salah

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Good for you. Make sure there is enough space behind your sofa

    2. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Same.

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      If you got Mane I'd say you probably made the right decision.

    4. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      +1

    5. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Doomed

  9. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    7 in the line-up. Surely will be in trouble.

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      I am happy with just 5.

    2. Costa in Wengerland
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      4 here

    3. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      6

    4. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Happy with 4.

    5. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      4

      Doherty, Salah, Pogba and Jimenez.

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Same here mate. Good luck. Who you captaining?

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Haz.

          Sorry for late reply.

          1. YEAH PITCH!
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            No worries. Good luck mate.

    6. mookie
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Only 3 here

    7. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      5

    8. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      4

    9. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      7 here too

  10. Costa in Wengerland
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    None from Liverpool defence in scout picks lol

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Leicester love in.

  11. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Fabianski
    Robertson - Doherty - Luiz
    Salah - Pogba (c) - Anderson - Son
    Aguero - Jimenez - Rondon

    Hamer - Westwood - WB - Digne

    1.9m ITB & 1FT

    G2G or could I make a transfer to improve my team ?

    Thanks guys.

  12. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    A) Barnes + Salah
    B) Vardy + Mane
    Got 2 fts but can't decide between the options above

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      A

  13. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    This Scout Picks is a fine example of being blinded by how good you think players you own are. It is a team full of players who will feature in GW31 but may not really be the best options this week.

    1. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Well said Guy

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      This

    3. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      I completely agree. Strangest picks I've seen in a long time

    4. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Who should be there?

  14. Flaming Flamingo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Am I the only one who finds it odd that Harvey Barnes made it into the scout picks over Deulofeu?

    1. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      odd he made it in at all...

      1. Flaming Flamingo
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        I say Deulofeu because he's basically the same price, out of position and one game removed from a 23 point haul. I like Barnes as an option (I'm even bringing him in this week), but I find choosing him over Deulofeu for this particular week peculiar.

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      No.

      Odd he made it in at all. Watford ain't half bad and no Chelsea mid or striker against Fulham???!

      1. Flaming Flamingo
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Maybe they were put off by the rotation talk? In any case I'll be going Higuain over Vardy this week so am inclined to agree.

  15. MGD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    When is the plan to use TC? I'm stressing out over this!

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Pogba DGW32

      1. MGD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Looks good but FH seems the way to go gw 32.

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          I'll use my FH later on

          1. MGD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 28 days ago

            How are you building squad for both GW31,33 and DGW 32 ?

            1. Bobby Digital
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 28 days ago

              Rolling over a transfer for GW32 and benching Doh Jimenez and Pogba GW31.

              1. MGD
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 28 days ago

                Nice, how many will you field you think? Maybe GW33 will be hard then or is that when you FH?
                Rank?

                1. Bobby Digital
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 28 days ago

                  I'll field 10 in GW31 as it stands.. can't be bothered to get a playing keeper as I have Ederson and Hamer. Will have at least 5 DGWers for GW32 and a full team for GW33. Rank 21k atm.

  16. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    son home arsenal is really not a bad fixture. not sure why all the sales.

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      I agree. I am happy with him. I guess the blank is an issue for some.

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Blank sandwiched between tough games and Spurs are generally in poor form at the moment.

    3. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      I know. Double digits incoming.

  17. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Anyone else on Higuain C?

    1. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      I am but not sure if I will stick

    2. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      If I bring him in its tempting.

  18. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    wow those scout picks are horrific... 3 leicester?! no hazard or chelsea attack vs worst defence in the league.

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Scott 'Allardyce' Parker in charge.

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Bringing Hazard in instead of Sterling and (c) him - madness??

    1. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      should be Harvey Barnes or Maddison based on the scout picks...

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Good one!

      2. Yellin' in my Ear
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        No, they're in the scout picks, therefore they're terrible picks.

  20. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Someone talk me out of Auba --> Vardy?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Good transfer.. I'm personally keeping Auba for the derby.

  21. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    What to do, what to do...?
    2FTs, 0.1itb --- Sell Anderson, Son or AWB? Plan for gw31 (Haz instead of City)?
    TIA!!

    Fab
    Robbo, Doherty, Luiz
    Hazard, Son, Pogba, Salah
    Rashford, Jimenez, Rondon
    (Button; Anderson, Bednarek, AWB)

    1. MGD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      I'd start Anderson ahead of Rondom

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        This

      2. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        You know, I thought of that, but most of Rondon's goals come away from St. James.

        1. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 28 days ago

          Check that. I misread. Anderson instead of Rondon seems good.

  22. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Thoughts on what to do next:

    Fab
    TAA / Robertson / Doherty / Periera
    Pogba / Son / Salah
    Jimimnez / Auba / Rondon

    Bench: Boruc, Bennet, Richarlson, Puncheon

    1FT and 3.6 itb

    I have all chips

  23. zuio
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    son to hazard or mane? or keep son?

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Mane, or Haz if you already have Salah.

      1. zuio
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        i have salah but im little scared of hazard getting rotated + he looked really poor againts spurs

  24. LSP
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Auba > Higuain or Vardy?

    1 FT, 1.9 ITB

    Fab
    Shaw - Doherty - Robertson
    F. Anderson - Pogba - Sterling(c) - Salah(vc)
    Rondon - Jiminez - Auba

    Hamer - AWB - Bednarak - Hojbjerg

  25. I Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Wish I was up against the Scout Picks this week. No Chelsea attack against Fulham?!

  26. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Blimey. Rodgers effect eh. 3 Lei picks? :mrgreen:

  27. Sickboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Son to Mane for -4 ?

    I intend to keep Mane through the blanks and he may play centre forward again if Firmino is out.

    Thanks

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Yeah. Get him while he's in form

      1. Sickboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Cheers!

  28. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Would you ditch Aguero or Laca this week for Vardy/Rash/Higuain? 1 for free or 2 for -4? Cheers

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      Maybe Laca but no way Aguero. I don't think Pep will rest him regardless of what he says

    2. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      It is questions such as would you do Aguero > Higuian (-4) which helps boost my rank.

  29. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    honestly though... Harvey Barnes instead of Eden Hazard. the games gone. bring back Mark and Granville.

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      There is a price limit. Barnes isn't really the issue. But I am not sure has really done anything to justify the pick. It is Salah over Hazard that takes the biscuit.

      1. Vobinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Salah over anyone really. Ok his underlying stats are good but Mane is matching him (and scoring goals). Not in form at all and has a bad fixture.

        FFS have a marriage going with Salah, they hype him up every week just because they own him I think.

  30. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Play Bennett (CAR) or Wan Bissaka (bur)?

    1. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      AWB.

    2. zuio
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 28 days ago

      wolves always disappoint againts smaller teams + awb has assist potential

    3. MTPockets
        5 years, 28 days ago

        Bennett