Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 288 – Missing

Undaunted by a heavily reduced fixture list, the Scoutcast crew deliver one of their longest episodes of the season.

There may be only five matches taking place in Gameweek 31 but Joe, Luke, Az and David discover there is a wealth of different player options and strategies to deploy.

Discarding their usual player, team and talking point format for the community questions section, they focus in detail on the best assets to own position by position this weekend. 

While there is a consensus around goalkeepers, our Scoutcast regulars find plenty to disagree about among defenders, midfielders and strikers.

Luke is packing his team with differential ‘swords’ to attack the fixtures, while David is making sure he uses his two free transfers to include some ‘shields’ to keep up with the pack. 

Az is on the search for low-owned assets too and is even considering a notorious Scoutcast ‘magic bean’. Unsurprisingly, Joe is not keen.

The number of hits to take in a Blank Gameweek also get an airing, as does advice for those deploying a Free Hit chip to cope with player reduction. 

Regular features are also included, with the round-up of the previous Gameweek giving Az a rare chance this season to boast about a good score.

Best differentials, top clean sheet shouts and transfer and captaincy plans for the Gameweek ahead are also revealed. 

This Scoutcast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Wednesday evening. Be sure to subscribe to get notice of future live episodes.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

It is also worth mentioning that FFScout moderator Rotation’s Alter Ego has collected this latest episode’s timestamps to help find particular sections. This can be found as the top comment in the Youtube version.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,497 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Firmino should start this gw right? Thinking of giving him the armband as a differential.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      No-look goals hattrick 😉

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Mane - Firmino combo has been lit lately

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Absolutely

      2. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        You had me at no look.

  2. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    My biggest competitor is 20p behind me and will cap Salah, and I have both Salah and Mané. Should I play safe and cap Salah, or cap Mané?

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Cap Salah

      1. merin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        To be safe or because he will outscore Mané?

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          To be safe and also salah will Score a goal.

          Anything from Mane will be added bonus for you

        2. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          We all know salah will hit big soon, just a matter of when, could well be this weekend?

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I have a feeling Salah will go nuts for the Fulham game. Mane is on form so you won't go wrong there as well.

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      🙄

  3. Rossaldinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Is it worth 8 points just to bring Hazard in for GW31/33? I have no Chelsea cover and the rest of the transfers are in my plans for both GWs? Free Hit GW32 by the way. Lack of Hazard worries me as I think he could score big v Everton.

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I have 7 DGW players GW32 if Citeh and Chelsea are moved. No need to FH IMO

  4. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Morning DZ 🙂
    On -4, 4.8ITB, which move to make it to eleven? Cheers.

    A. Jiménez > Higuain/Barnes/Rondon
    B. Camarasa > Brooks/Maddison/Lanzini
    C. Doherty > Azpi/Rudiger/Luiz/Aké

    [Jiménez PP5.6 SP6.2 CP6.8, lots of value tied up..was originally committed to the Higuain switch.

    Doherty PP4.9 SP5.1 CP5.4]

    Fabianski (Steele)
    TAA Pereira Chambers (Doherty AWB)
    Salah Mane Hazard Fraser (Camarasa)
    Vardy Wilson (Jimenez)

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      B brooks

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Only because that's a lot of value tied in jimi, i will pick brooks.

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        If I did sacrafice the Jimmy value, who would you prefer out of the fwd options?

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Barnes

        2. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Wilson

    3. Rossaldinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Doherty to Clyne or Daniels rather than Ake

    4. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      A, prob Higuain

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      B

    6. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I don’t own Jimenez and I doubt I would get him on a FH in 32 either with other potential choices from City, Spurs, Utd etc

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        I'm fairly comfortable losing Jimmy value, though I possibly will buy back next GW. Really want to go Higuain as he's going to be as good a diff as Salah(c) at this rate 🙂
        Really don't feel any of the mid priced options - perhaps Arnie if I knew he'd start.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          I am on Higuaín Vardy & Barnes ... something a bit different but I have owned then for 2 weeks and they have returned 4 out of the 6 games between them 🙂

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

    Camarasa to Brooks or Rashford to Wilson? Have value in Rashford and will prob get back in w34 wildcard.

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Wilson

  6. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Lossl
    VVD TAA Chilwell
    Salah(C) Fraser Hazard FAnderson
    Wilson Vardy Arnie

    Ryan Yedlin Pogba Bennett

    G2g? already on -8..

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Looks fine, missing the main Mané though 😉

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Can't have them all. Would you swap Salah for him? 😉

        Not in a million years for me.

        1. Legomané
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Of course not 🙂

        2. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Did it 3 GWs ago and got rid of Son for a -4 seems to working out so far for me especially as it saw Sterling come in and I captained him for the past 2 GWs...

  7. AbsolutelyNoIdea
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Have Patricio and Guaita

    Which one should go?

    Who should I bring in?

    Fab or Boruc

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Depends on your strategy..assuming FH32 I'd get rid of Pat

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Pat to Boruc

  8. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Anything to change?

    Alisson
    TAA Robbo Chilwell
    Hazard Maddison Fraser Fanderson
    Vardy Wilson(C) Arnie

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      where is Mane?

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Lol 😀

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Going without Pool attack against Fulham is risky imo. But as you have triple defense you might get away with it imo.

      1. Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Agreed, that is bold. But if you’re chasing it could be a masterstroke. You’ve got to roll those dice sometimes!

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Yeah

      2. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        It will work better trust me.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          I can't wish you luck as I'm © Salah 😛
          I think you'd get triple CS + 1 assist + 2 bps though 🙂

    3. No Salah
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I am comparing my team with yours, mine missing two midfielders and will take -8 to bring them in, which two is the question.

      Alisson
      TAA Robbo Digne
      Hazard Fraser
      Vardy Wilson (C) Higuain

      Currently thinking about Sigurdson and Madisson

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Maddison is good. Think harve barnes is better than siggy.

  9. Dave Bauer
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    No price changes overnight?

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Nope

      1. Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Cheers for confirming, I like to keep my nerd spreadsheet up to date and I was expecting one or two! 🙂

  10. Joggers Nipple
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Currently have this (10 players for 31, on -4, all chips left)
    Fabianski
    TAA Yedlin Chilwell
    Mane Salah Brooks Hazard
    Arnie Wilson

    Hamer Bedernak Doherty Niasse Pogba

    Any thing here for another hit?

    A Niasse to a 9M striker
    B Dohery/ Bedernek to any defender
    C. Stop taking hits!

    Thanks for any input

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      You could do Niasse to Vardy, probably worth another hit for me. But if not you’ve still got most of the expected big guns for this week, so I think you’re in good shape anyway.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Niasse to Vardy

    3. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      cheers both. Niasse to Vardy does tempt but oddly been looking at a defender to Ake as both 31 and 33 fixtures so good. Vardy prob a better move!

  11. Amey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Morning guys,
    Would you change anything in the team ?? (Already on a -4)
    Fabs
    Robbo Pereira Clyne
    Mane Salah © Hazard Fraser
    Vardy Higuain Barnes

    Hamer, Doherty,Awb,Jota
    0.2 itb

    Thank you !!

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      no

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Cheers mate

    2. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      No, you look to go to me. For a -4 team that isn’t far off what I’d expect from a FH team. Very nice on paper, so you’ll probably score about 15 this week!

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        😀
        Cheers mate

        1. Dave Bauer
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          I’ll probably go in with 7 of that 11 so I’ll fail with you. It’s cool. 🙂

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Ha ha.
            Nice. I'm actually expecting a high scoring gw tbh.

  12. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Which combo?
    (A) Hazard and TAA
    (B) Mane and Luiz (-4)

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      The minus four makes it close IMO. But still B for me, just.

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      b if you have another LIV def already, A if you dont

      1. Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        That’s true. I assumed you did.

        1. JasonG123
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          I have both TAA and Robbo. Who is the better option between them?

          1. Dave Bauer
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Such a personal call, I think you can make the argument for any of them. I think, in order:

            VVD
            Robbo
            TAA

    3. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      A

  13. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Is it silly to bench Aguero, Jimi, Doh and Pogba this week? Have a lot of value tied up. Need the cash to FH GW32.

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      But then Jimi, Doh and Pogba return to your team for GW 33 and have no fixture. For me , at least one of them goes

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        I currently have 10 playing GW 31 and 33. I'll have a think.

    2. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Not just silly, it’s impossible.

      1. Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        But seriously, I don’t think this week is too big a deal. If you’ll lose loads of value and you’ll want them all back for 32 and then 34 onwards, you can make a good argument to keep them all.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          It's 31 & 33 though with Pogba+Jimenez+Doherty & possibly Aguero ( depending upon fa cup result)

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Depends on the team & player's you've got for this gw.
      If you already have 3 pool, 1/2 Bournemouth, 1/2 Chelsea, 1/2 Leicester you could just get away with it.
      Points over money though. Pogba/Jimenez/Doherty/Aguero (if they beat Swansea) don't play in 31/33 so I don't see any profit in keeping all of them unless

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        *you are not going with popular chip strategy of FH in gw 32

        1. YEAH PITCH!
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Yeah. I think out of the 4 players, I would loden Pogba for Hazard. Sound solid?

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Yep

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      With Robbo I have a potential loss of 2.5mil

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I am keeping Pogba, Doherty & Kun, value would take a 1.5 hit & I will want that on FH & WC

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Yes. That is what I am trying to work towards. Did you lose Jiminez then?

  14. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Schär > Chilwell worth a hit fellas?

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Was thinking the same move for -4

  15. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Was planning Doherty to Aké, but looking ahead a couple of transfers, I'm thinking the extra cash from getting Clyne instead could be handy...

    However I noticed Clyne didn't start at the weekend. Do we know why? How much risk is there of him being rotated/dropped?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      He was dropped.
      Came on fir injured Smith.
      Keep an eye on his injury before getting Clyne.
      Owner*

  16. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Which one?

    1. Jim to Wilson -4
    2. Jim Doh to Wilson Azpi -8

  17. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Rp
    Would you do Jiminez + Pogba + Son to Wilson + Fraser + Hazard(-8)? FH 32 Wildcard 34

    Would lose quite a lot of value on Jiminez

  18. Dannywaz
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Who's this mane everyone keeps talking about ?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I have MO idea about it

  19. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Got ten players for this GW. What’s my next move?

    A) Gunnarsson to Tielmans (-4)
    B) Aguero to Vardy (-4 plus reverse hit next week)
    C) Gunnarsson and TAA to Mané and Tarkowski

    Fabianski
    TAA, Robertson, Pereira, Diop
    Salah, Fraser, Anderson
    Wilson, Rondon

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      A with H. Barnes for me

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        With H?

        1. JabbaWookiee
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Ah. H Barnes

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 16 days ago

            Ha ha
            Yeah. There are two of them now a days

  20. No Salah
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Who scores more points in GW31 + 33?
    a) Ake
    b) Azpi

  21. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Which Liverpool trio should be preferred?
    Please choose one:

    A) Salah + Robertson + Mané
    B) Salah + Robertson + VVD
    C) Salah + Robertson + Firmino
    D) Salah + Robertson + TAA

    PLEASE HELP

    1. sergioaguero67
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I already have Salah and Robertson

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I have A

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I have A

    4. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      A

    5. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      I have D, but would prefer A

  22. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Sterling+pogba>haz+siggy
    Will brinh me to -12 and will. Give me 12 players for 31
    Yes or no

    Backup for higgy illness

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      No

  23. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    I have 11 players with Almiron and Perreira who I don't want.
    I could go A) Kun to Vardy and bench 1 or B) Almiron to Frazer/Brooks -4
    Worth it? It would mean getting back Kun at -.3 loss next week.

  24. AbsolutelyNoIdea
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Jiménez for Wilson or hold
    -4

    FH32

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Did it already

  25. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    When is everybody using their TC chip?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      GW32 if Chelsea game moved forward

  26. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Lanzini or Fanderson?

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Hard to recommend either atm...

  27. balint84
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Vardy + Wilson + A/B

    A) Higuain
    B) Rondón

    1. petergriff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Isn't Higuan a risk of rotation given he didn't travel to Kiev?

      Depends if you have Hazard.

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

        have Hazard & Kepa

  28. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Need to get rid of either TAA or Alisson for Mane.

    A) TAA to Maguire
    B) Alisson to any 31/33 keeper except Boruc

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      For a hit ?

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Yes

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Tough call

    2. petergriff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Tough. I wonder if TAA is rotated this week, Gomez is nearly back i think. I don't like either, but A at a push

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Thinking same

  29. petergriff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 16 days ago

    Sorry if this is obvious, but why are those FH32 doing the WC in 34 rather than 33? Surely the 33 blanks can be navigated better with a WC in that week?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      Most are set in 31 for 33 anyway and necause 34 sets up for the double in 35.

      Not many of the 33 will have a double in 35, well not the 15 players people will be aiming for in 35 for the BB they will play

      1. petergriff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Thanks. Do you know when we'll know the doubles for 35?

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 16 days ago

          Monday maybe

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 16 days ago

      People who have 10/11 playing this gw have good chance of Fielding 11 in gw 33. So..

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        This, not rocket science

      2. petergriff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 16 days ago

        Thanks all