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. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    So Mark is the community champion this week then yeah? They’re just opening the door for his triumphant return.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Wow. Is this true? Will he be at breakfast club? Wow oooiih myyyy gooood

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Has to show his face now and again to keep the cretins on their toes

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Feels like a WWE statement 😮

    4. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      As in, they’ve picked a highly dubious scout picks so here’s my conspiracy theory as to why.

  2. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    I don’t want to burn a transfer? Thoughts?

    Debravka
    TAA Doherty Pereira
    Salah Son Sterling (c) Mane Pogba
    Jimenez Rashford

    Hamer Rondon Kolasinac AWB

    2 FT 0.6 ITB

    1. Any transfers?
    2. Starting 11 GTG?
    3. Bench GTG?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Kolasinac out for Tarkowski maybe?

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Ooh I don’t like that

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Awesome team. Maybe Kola to someone who plays 31 and 33

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        I’d love to do Luiz but I’m 0.3 short.

        I could do AWB + Kolas > Luiz + Bednarak or Debravka + Kolas > Fab + Luiz but I’m not sure on either of them

    3. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      If you’re building to 31/33 then yes burn a transfer at least on AWB OR Kola

    4. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Hamer->Boruc?

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        I am thinking this too, feels so wrong

        1. BATISTUTA ®
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 19 days ago

          And loose a transfer for nothing ? you only need 1 gk for 31/33 ...

          1. TRE2
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 19 days ago

            Newcastle may blank 33

            1. BATISTUTA ®
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              so make the transfer if they dont end up playing ... he should make sure he has 11 by 31... there’s 2 ft from 31 to 33 to fix things up

              1. AYLD28
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 19 days ago

                What do you think of Kolasinac > Diop?

                Or Kolasinac + AWB > Luiz + Bednarak

                1. BATISTUTA ®
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 19 days ago

                  Can you Kola AWB -> Luiz Diop ?

                  1. AYLD28
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 19 days ago

                    No 0.3 off that

              2. TRE2
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 19 days ago

                I agree, I just read the question like he considered to not make a transfer at all, and Id rather change the gk. But in his position id probably do a defender transfer to someone who plays 31/33

                1. BATISTUTA ®
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 19 days ago

                  There we go, both agree 🙂

  3. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    0.1m short of Barnes 🙁 I will do early transfers nest year as Mark says

  4. Willos Wanderers
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    Bench A) Digne (LIV) or B) Hayden (Whu)?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      B

    2. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      A

    3. zuio
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      b

  5. Manani
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    Son > Sterling?

    feels wrong bringing in a blanker at this stage

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      They both blank in GW 31, so I guess it depends on who scores more in the next couple of GWs.

      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        i am thinking about bringing someone in other than sterling (not sure who yet at this point)

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 19 days ago

          I did Son to Hazard this GW 🙂

    2. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      I would not ... feel like Son and Salah returns incoming

  6. R.C
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    jota replacements for DGW32?

  7. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    Jota > Barnes to use a FT?

    Covers GW31 too

    1. BATISTUTA ®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Go for it

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Brooks looks handy?

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Read the article 🙂

    3. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Mid > Fwd?

  8. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    Auba to Vardy or Higuain?

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Sorry not clear - pick either Vardy or Higuain.
      Cheers

      1. BATISTUTA ®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Higuain

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Higuain.

  9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 19 days ago

    We actually could be spoiled for choice with Bournemouth attackers from next week onwards with Wilson & Brooks back

    Fraser
    King
    Wilson
    Brooks

    Double up certainly viable as all are cheap as chips & have good fixtures in a decent enough attack & no blanks

    Triple up on the cards??

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      My concern is we may be too spoiled. So easy to get it wrong since points won’t be concentrated.

      I’m also struggling to find a slot for them since i foolishly jumped on arnie last week. Smdh.

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Depends how west ham look really, but maybe 2

      • Syd.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        I will be getting The Scottish Messi back in

      • BATISTUTA ®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Would rather triple up on pool & chelsea for 31/33 ... not planning on any BOU options

      • Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        2 is fine. Surely the other 5 are all heavy hitters in most squads now?

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 19 days ago

          True, although I'd imagine most squads would have something like Salah-Raz/Haz-Pogba-Son-Rashford/Higuain at the minute leaving 3 slots...

          I think Bournemouth may actually prove to be the pick of the litter when it comes to the GW30 onwards non-elite players - I can see them surpassing the Harvery Barnses, Ashley Barnses, Salamon Rondonses & Felipe Andersonses of this world

          Their attack is genuinely dangerous when Fraser/Wilson/King all start together - Wilson brings so much more threat, good for him & for all the other attackers around him

      • Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Brooks a great enabler. Wilson a no brainer as long as he gets straight back in the team in my opinion. Was a great asset early on this season.

      • Vobinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        I'll have to pick one attacker. I'll look to see how Wilson is doing and go for either him or King.

        I'm already taking two slots up in my defence with Boruc & Clyne - flipside is I'm able to keep playing good attacking assets as well as shoring up my defence with GW31 sides on my bench - plan is to roll out a 5-3-2 in GW31 without much hassle.

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Which one to play?

      A) Digne
      B) Pereira
      C) AWB

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        B

      2. zuio
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        b

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

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

      1. BATISTUTA ®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Yes ... rather C sterling and enjoy life

      2. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        madness might be pushing it a bit

      3. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        I brought in Hazard and have the armband on him.

      4. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Hazards form has dropped of late so he will probably run riot

    5. SM001
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      No love for Hazard and Higuain in the scout picks.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Probably because Sarri said he'll make 4 changes.

    6. paganwinter
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Planning to save the transfer. 0.5 ITB.
      And also plan to use FH for GW 32 doubles

      Any recommendation?

      Ederson
      Robertson, David Luiz, Doherty, Jonny
      Salah, Pogba(C), Felipe Anderson
      Aguero(V), Rondon, Deeney

      Subs: Fabianski, Harvey Barnes, Lascelles, Masuaku

    7. 2EyedTurk
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      On WC, planning to FH31, what do you think...
      Ryan Leno
      Luiz Shaw TAA Duffy Bednarek
      Pogba Mane Sterling DSilva Maddison
      Zaha Jiminez Aguero

    8. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      From next gw... Arnie or King?

      Need to make the decision now for funds

      1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        is Arnie ever healthy?

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 19 days ago

          That's the worry, appearently he was confirmed fit today

      2. MTPockets
          5 years, 19 days ago

          Arnie if he was reliable, but he isn't

        • Whats the Mata?
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 19 days ago

          Has to be king with the injury doubts with arnie

        • Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 19 days ago

          Thanks all

        • EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 19 days ago

          I brought in Arnie this GW, but will also have King next GW.

      3. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Digne & Son - Sterling & Duffy or NEW (-4)
        Digne - Luiz

        I really want Sterling this week....and next for that matter.

      4. SM001
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Help! Spent ages looking into my team for the forthcoming blanks and DGW's and am none the wiser. No Wildcard left but have all chips.

        Current team and lineup for this GW(29)

        De Gea
        Kolasinac / Pereira / Doherty/ Tarkowski
        Salah / Richarlison / Son / Pogba(C)
        Aubameyang / Jimenez

        Fabianski / Hayden / Llorente / Wan-Bissaka

      5. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Any insiders in whether Jota starts this gw?

        It's between him and Rondon for a starting position in my team, and due to all the uncertainty and early subs, think I'll start Rondon.

      6. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        2 to play from

        VVD
        TAA
        Pereira

        1. MTPockets
            5 years, 19 days ago

            first 2

          • Party time
              5 years, 19 days ago

              1&2

            • EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              Liverpool.

          • barcaa7
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 19 days ago

            please help
            a-Son to Sterling(c) and Kun to Vardy (-4)
            b-Son to Hazard
            c-Son to Mane

            1. zuio
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              i am also thorn between b and c

          • Grounderz
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 19 days ago

            Need a new GK. Get a 4.5 to 4.9 GK or a premium GK?

            Team at the moment is:

            Etheridge
            VVD TAA Maguire
            Salah Sterling Pogba Anderson Mad
            Rash Jimenez

            Button Rondon Bennett AWB

          • Ziyech on the Bench
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 19 days ago

            Captain 1:

            A) Sterling
            B) Higuain
            C) Pogba
            D) Jimenez

            1. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              A or C. Prefer C

              1. Ziyech on the Bench
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 19 days ago

                ye Pogba is my VC atm with Sterling atm C.

                Don't like that Man U play champions league midweek => and Sterling got his rest

            2. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              A

          • Drexl Spivey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 19 days ago

            On a scale of 1 to 10, how much does Jiménez threaten to go apesh!t against Cardiff?

            1. Whazza
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              4

            2. fr3d
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              I expect 5-8 points

            3. rdpx
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              3

            4. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              Minimum goal and assist.

            5. MTPockets
                5 years, 19 days ago

                Somewhere between Bubbles and Clyde

            6. bitm2007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              Foster (Lossl)
              Robertson, Luiz, Doherty (Zabaletta, AWB)
              Salah, Pogba, F.Anderson, Frasar (Hojbjerg)
              Auba, Firmino, Jimenez

              2 FT's, 0.6m ITB (8 GW31 and GW33 players)

              That's my best option ?

              A) Auba and Firmino to Higuain and Barnes (then bring Mane and Arnie in before GW31)

              B) Auba to Barnes (then bring in Hazard and Wilson next GW)

            7. Ian Davis
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 19 days ago

              Patricio > Ryan worth -4?

              1. Party time
                  5 years, 19 days ago

                  No

                • BATISTUTA ®
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 19 days ago

                  2nd gk?

                • Syd.
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 19 days ago

                  Who’s your other keeper?

                  1. Ian Davis
                    • 14 Years
                    5 years, 19 days ago

                    Speroni

                    1. BATISTUTA ®
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 19 days ago

                      Would rather get a gk for 31/33 if you have to take a hit ... and ryan does not play then ... unless you plan to FH / WC

              2. Slitherene
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 19 days ago

                Correct bench order?

                A) Camarasa (wol)
                B) Tomkins (bur)
                C) Trippier (ARS)

              3. AFlynny
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 19 days ago

                Play one of TAA or Pereira (already own Robbo). Thanks

                1. GS456
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 19 days ago

                  Trent

                2. zuio
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 19 days ago

                  TAA

              4. rdpx
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 19 days ago

                bored and thinking of playing a wild card...

                Fab / Fost
                Luiz / VVD / WanB / Diop / Schar
                Pog / Hayden / Mané / Antonio / Haz
                Barnes /Kun / Higuauauaain

                1.4itb

              5. MartialMatas
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 19 days ago

                Son + Lacazette to Hazard + Vardy for a -4?

                Guaita
                Robertson VVD Lascelles
                Salah Sterling Pogba Son
                Lacazette Jimenez Rondon

                Fabianski AWB Puncheon Bednarek

                1ft £1.7m itb

                Free hitting in 32

              6. J to the T
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 19 days ago

                Have two FTs and am planning to FH 31, probably TC 32 (could BB) and then WC and BB 34 and 35 respectively. So need to build for 32/33 at the moment.

                Fab (Button)
                Kola Shaw Doherty (Yedlin AWB)
                Salah Pogba Sterling (c) Fanderson (Gunnarson)
                Rash Aguerro Jimi

                Building for 32&33 do either of these moves make any sense?
                A) Yedlin -> Chilwell and save a FT
                B) Yedlin & Gunnarson -> TAA & Oriol Romeo (need the 0.2m releases for TAA and Romeo also has a game in 33 which Gunnarson doesn’t)