Scout Picks

Gameweek 38 Scout Picks – Goals expected outside Man City and Liverpool games

We’ve included three attacking players from Liverpool and Manchester City for our final Scout Picks of the season.

The two title-chasing clubs may be the only ones with anything left on the line to play for other than proud, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be goals elsewhere.

Using the Scout Squad submissions by Paul, Neale, Az and Peter, and an analysis of the Fantasy Football Scout members data, we have come up with a XI for you.

For the last time in 2018/19, we line up in a 3-4-3 formation and at a total cost of £82.8m, we are £0.7m inside our budget.

Goalkeeper

Sergio Rico (£4.4m) finds himself in the Scout Picks at just the right time to make sure we didn’t go the whole season without including one of Fulham’s defensive assets. Name-checked by three of our pundits, and selected as the best option by Paul, the Cottagers’ shot-stopper faces a Newcastle attack that has managed just three big chances in their last six away matches, the worst of any team in that time. Meanwhile, no goalkeeper has more saves than Rico in their last six at home.

Defender

Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) was an easy inclusion for the Gameweek 38 Scout Picks. Manchester City have kept 10 clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League outings and travel to Brighton on the final day of the season. The Seagulls are bottom of the league for shots on target, big chances and goal conversion over their last six at home. Laporte himself has added two attacking returns in the last six Gameweeks and his threat from set pieces is always in his favour.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.8m) is once again our chosen representative from the Liverpool defence. Price continues to be on the right-back’s side as well as his attacking potential. Compared to colleagues Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk, the England international has the superior minutes per chance and minutes per chance created in the last six home matches. In that time, Liverpool are in the top two for fewest shots allowed in the box and big chances conceded.

Luke Shaw (£5.0m) completes our three-man defence ahead of Cardiff’s trip to Old Trafford. Manchester United may not be in the best form right now but the Bluebirds have been sufficiently poor on their travels this season that we believe a clean sheet at least is on the cards. In their last six away matches, Cardiff have been in the bottom two for shots inside the box and big chances. Meanwhile, Shaw himself has created more big chances than any other defender in the last six matches.

Midfielders

Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) should be back in the Liverpool side on Sunday afternoon for the visit of Wolves following his concussion and he comes into Gameweek 38 as the Scout Squad’s unanimous best midfield option. The Egyptian remains on an incredible run of form that has seen him get at least one attacking return in each of his last six matches in a row – his longest stretch without a blank all season. In those fixtures, no player has registered more shots on goal, efforts in the box or shots on target than Salah either. Wolves might have a good record against the top-six but considering they rarely keep clean sheets, Liverpool’s Egyptian star certainly has what it takes to reward his owners in Gameweek 38.

Raheem Sterling (£11.7m) is our chosen Manchester City attacker for the trip to Brighton. In the last six away matches, none of his colleagues has managed more shots in the box or efforts on target, while he also has the best expected goals (xG) score among Manchester City players in that sample. That has translated to 11 attacking returns on the road this season, more than any of his team-mates in 2018/19.

Sadio Mané (£10.3m) has been one of the most reliable attacking options in home matches this season. The Liverpool man has 12 goals in his 11 Premier League outings at Anfield, which have come from some encouraging underlying statistics. In the last four at home he has the second-highest number of big chances among all players, as well as the second-best xG too. Just as is the case with Salah, Wolves’ have asked tough questions away at top-six sides in 2018/19 but are yet to keep a clean sheet.

Nathan Redmond (£5.5m) looks like one of the most appealing budget midfielder for Gameweek 38 as Southampton host Huddersfield on Sunday afternoon. The Terriers are bottom of the league for shots allowed in the box over the last six away matches, as well as for their 18 goals shipped. Meanwhile, Redmond currently ranks fourth for big chances and third for xG out of all players in their last four at home.

Forwards

Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) looks set to enjoy the final day of the 2018/19 season. In the last four home matches, no player has registered shots inside the box, more efforts on target or more big chances. That has yielded five goals and an assist ahead of a meeting with Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. The Blues are still without a clean sheet on the road in 2019, will be without the injured N’Golo Kanté and Antonio Rüdiger while doubts hang over the fitness of Andreas Christensen too. Furthermore, Chelsea come to Leicester just a few days after playing 120 minutes against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League, which will have almost certainly drained them physically and mentally.

After Bournemouth’s troubles on their travels earlier this season, Callum Wilson (£6.8m) has all of a sudden become the king of football on the road in the closing stages of the campaign. In the last four away matches, no fit player has been afforded more big chances or a higher xG score. Furthermore, in such games, Wilson is also second-best for shots on target, so he stands a good chance of converting his opportunities. His Gameweek 38 opponents Crystal Palace are in the bottom four for goal attempts conceded in the box over the last four home matches, are without centre-backs James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho while Scott Dann is now a doubt.

Shane Long (£4.7m) completes our Scout Picks team for Gameweek 38 as another option who gets to enjoy facing that travel sick Huddersfield side. We’ve already covered how vulnerable the Terriers will be when they come to Southampton, as Redmond also has decent points potential this week. Long himself has actually been afforded more big chances than the midfielder in his last four home matches, ranking third best in the whole league. His accuracy of 57% over that period suggests his chances of converted more big opportunities are quite high.

Substitutes

Budget man Yan Valery (£4.1m) gets a place on the bench for Gameweek 38 ahead of Huddersfield’s visit to Southampton. The Saints have not exactly been adept at keeping clean sheets under Ralph Hasenhüttl but their visitors on Sunday remain the division’s joint-lowest scorers on the road in 2018/19.

Like his colleague Wilson, Ryan Fraser (£6.3m) has been impressive on the road of late with six attacking returns in his last Premier League away trips. He will also get to play against a potentially makeshift Crystal Palace side who have struggled at home this season.

Marcus Rashford (£7.3m) is probably one of the few attacking Manchester United options we can be confident will get a start against Cardiff on Sunday afternoon. There is not a great deal of form to go on for the forward but given the Bluebirds are in the bottom three for shots conceded in the box over the last six away matches, he should get plenty of chances.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 38 is Karan14. He has opted for a 3-4-3 of Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Kompany, Laporte; Redmond, Bernardo Silva, Pogba; Wood, Mitrovic, Zaha

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.

It was a win for the Scout Picks over Greyhead in Gameweek 37 by a 46-45 scoreline. fclackless‘s winning margin of 33 points (77-44) in Gameweek 10 is still the current target to beat.

3,966 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    A. Vardy
    B. Bilva
    C. Sane
    D. Laporte

    1. Fraser
    2. Wilson
    3. Arnie

    Max one forward though.

    Currently leaning towards 2D

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A1

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I would agree, 2D. A1 is also decent but depends who the other defender is.

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers! My defense is robbo valery Shaw so don’t need another defender but I think Laporte is pretty much guaranteed at least 6 and could also easily get an attacking return and baps

    3. datamunkey
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      This question like SO MANY this week emphasises the GW38 conundrum, so many good viable options and very unclear and 50/50 games.

      Agree with above but would lean toward A1 given typical last GW favouring the goals...

  2. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Evening all!

    Lloris
    Robertson / Laporte / Valery
    Salah / Mané / Son* / Jota
    Aguero / Vardy / Jimenez

    Foster // Yoshida* / Hojbjerg / Masina

    A) Son/Jimenez > Redmond/Wilson
    B) Son/Yoshida > Kompany/Redmond
    C) Son/Yoshida > Walker/Redmond
    D) Son/Yoshida/Jimenez > Walker/Redmond/Wilson (-4)
    E) Son/Yoshida/Jimenez > Walker/Redmond/Wilson (-4)

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I wouldn’t take a hit.

      B or c for me. Not sure what the difference is between kompany and Laporte

  3. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Jota Jiménez Son out
    Wilson Fraser Pogba in
    -4points

    Yay or neigh

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yes imo

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Seems good

  4. pol
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    bottomed on previous article, I know it's a long post but would appriciate some opinions on the below:

    I am trailing in my ML by 5 pts leader took a 4 point hit do 2 Transfers Which transfers would you do:
    A- Son + Jimenez > Pogba + Zaha (-4)
    B- Son > Pobga and play jimenez
    C- Son + Doherty > Pogba + TAA (-4)

    My team:

    Lloris (Foster)
    Shaw Bednarek Laporte (Yoshida Doherty)
    Mane JWP Stelring(C) Son (Jota)
    Rashford Aguero Jimenez

    Leader team: (I am assuming he got Mane/Salah for Son)

    Ederson (Boruc)
    Laporte TAA Trippier (Keane Doherty)
    Hazard Sterling Poba Son (Jota)
    Jimenez Ings (Deeney)

    1. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B and captain aguero

  5. nibby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Bottom of last page. So repost
    Help Needed Fellas!!! Chasing my league opponent by 5 point.

    My Team:
    Foster
    TAA Robertson PVA
    Sterling Eriksen Redmond Fraser Pogba
    Kun King
    Subs: Jimi Doherty Duffy

    Opponents team:
    Leno
    VVD Laporte Lindaloef
    Sterling Eriksen Bilva Deloufou Mane
    Lacazette Rashford

    Who should i cap?
    A) Redmond (risky but might work well)
    B) Kun (safe pick but got a feeling brighton wont make it easy game)

    Thanks!

  6. Mr Bird
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Bench one

    A) Valery
    B) JWP
    C) Long

    I’m thinking Valery but alternative views are always appreciated

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Jay Dub.

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Probably A

  7. AccountAnt80
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How many minutes does Hazard play tomorrow guys?

    Deciding whether to do Hazard to Salah (-4)?

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I would do it for sure. He might not even play.

    2. wernerhedgehog
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I think it'll pay off, but not by much.

  8. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Aguero

    B) Sterling

    C) Redmond

    D) Vardy

    1. Mikey U
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy - Man City haven't been firing past few weeks and Leicester are playing an injury hit Chelsea

  9. Waylander
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Play 1
    A) Bednerak
    B) Jiménez
    C) Jota

    Cheers!

  10. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Roofe G

  11. puffingannet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone playing Matip?

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Hes been very good lately

      1. The_Fish
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        When he plays.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yea but pointless to spend a transfer removing. Just play and hope he starts.

          1. puffingannet
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Yip that’s what I’m thinking but got Robertson too.

  12. Kub3
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How many goals will City score?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      2

    2. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Think they'll win 1 or 2-0.

      Can't see a massacre.

      1. Kub3
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah. I see 1 to be honest which is why I’m not captaining Aguero or Sterling. I see 3 or 4 in the Liverpool game

    3. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      47

  13. The_Fish
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    -4 for Jimmy to Rashford?

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Or Wilson/Vardy, but yes, go for it.

  14. Jay_
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A) Jota, Pogba, Vardy
      B) Redmond, Vardy, Laca
      C) Jota, Salah, Greenwood
      D) Redmond, Pogba, Laca
      E) Salah, Arnie, Greenwood -4

      Cheers in advance. GL for tomorrow and enjoy the summer!

      1. The_Fish
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        F. Vardy, Redmond and someone else.

    • dannyboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      My Team:

      Ederson
      TTA Shaw VVD
      Pogba Mane Fraser Redmond Doucure
      Aguero Lacazette
      (jimenez, Cathcart, Duffy)
      Bank 3,3

      I won my league, but I need to score above AVERAGE to win my head to head league
      is it worth to take a hit and if so, what would you suggest?
      Thanks!

      1. The_Fish
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Not worth a hit

    • Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I most likely have too much to catch up in my ML (60+ points) but I want to give it a shot. As of right now I just have 2 overlapping players with leader. One of them is Sterling, and even though hes a good pick undoubtedly this week I want to remove him to have an additional differential.

      Who is the best replacement? It cant be Salah, Mane, Redmond, Sigurdson or Pogba.

      Hazard seems the obvious pick but it just sucks if he gets rested and Leicester are solid at the moment. Currently leaning Maddison. Thoughts? Any input appreciated.

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Sane probably is the best differential

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Really dont see why he would play. Completely out of favor and likely to get subbed early even if he starts.

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Thanks for the input though!

          2. Bad Kompany
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            KDB and Fernandinho our so bilva moved to center mid.

            Some out options are fanderson, arnie, Babel, and perez

            1. Bad Kompany
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Vardy(c) as well

      2. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I like Tillymanz or Fraser

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Dont like Fraser with the fixture but Tilly could be better than Maddison indeed. Pretty close.

      3. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Fraser or Babel would be my pick

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Babel is interesting. Good form and Newcastle havent been that solid defensively lately

    • LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Doherty for (-4)

      A) no, keep him
      B) ➡ VVD
      C) ➡ PVA
      D) ➡ Shaw
      ?

      1. vityovics
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        A, maybe D

      2. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        A

    • vityovics
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Leading 20pts, do you see any changes worth -4?

      Lloris
      TAA | Bednarek | Shaw
      Haz | Mane | Lucas | Pogba
      Kun | Jimenez | Gray

      (Foster-Jota-Doherty-Dunk)

      1. dannyboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Not really

        1. vityovics
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers

      2. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Confident that Gray plays?

        1. vityovics
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Played 5 mins against Chelsea, IMO he will get his minutes now.. or?

    • melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Thoughts on What to do?
      Son replacement?
      Kola and Robertson are doubts?

      Leno
      *Robertson/TAA/*Kola/Valery
      *Son/Mane/Pogba/
      Aguero/Laca/Rashford

      Ryan/ Hojberg/Dunk/Neves
      1 FT,0 ITB

      Cheers

      1. dannyboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Fraser for Son, I would say

    • Perthite
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      GTG (bench/order)?
      ----
      Foster (Ryan)
      Robertson AWB Valery
      Salah Sterling Fraser Jota
      Firmino Jimenez Lacazette
      (Doherty Bednarek Camarasa)
      0.4m 0FT

      1. Perthite
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Do I switch Doherty & Bednarek?

      2. Gooner Kebab
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Salah c?

        1. Perthite
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Salah (c) Aguero (v)

    • AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Great was all set to start Ings and now they get Long in the scout picks.

      Really stuck on who to go with... if in my position who would you start?

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I own long and Ings

    • Perthite
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      The money left in the bank - do we get sent the leftover in local currency or pounds?

      1. Perthite
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Will spend it on an end of season bender for my players.

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        It gets added to your starting budget next season.

        1. Bad Kompany
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          This. I’m doing salah and sterling to two fodders to prepare for next season. Saved all my chips as well

      3. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        The player values are not pounds - but Argentinian pesos. Will let you do the math on how much you will get back.

    • gelisiguzel
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A or B?
      2 points ahead of my rival in ML but he has TC.

      a) Son to Bilva
      b) Son&Jimmy to Mili&Vardy/Rash (-4)

      Guaita
      TAA Shaw Valery
      Salah Mane Sterling Pogba Son*
      Kun(C) Jimmy

      Subs: Foster, Doherty, Success, Catchart

    • Scotty B
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      De Gea
      Cathcart VVD Bednarek
      Salah Son Babel Mane
      Lacazette Jimenèz Wilson

      Gunn Richarlison Doherty Dunk

      Which option looks better all for -4?
      A Son & Richarlison > Moura & Alli
      B Richarlison & Jimenèz > Eriksen & Long
      C Son & Jimenèz > Moura & Vardy
      D Son & Jimenez > McTominay & Aguero
      E Son & Richarlison > fodder & Sterling

    • UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      couple of quick questions:

      1) Redmond or Fraser? Already have JWP but should that make a diff?
      2) Rashford, Mitro or Wilson?

      1. Mikey U
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        1) Fraser for me, he will thrive in an open game. Redmond just doesn't produce the points.
        2) Wilson all day long

        1. UnitednationsXI
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Might go Redmond/Wilson to spread the risk

    • Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Travers
      Shaw, Laporte, TAA
      Mane, Salah, Sterling, JWP
      Vardy, Kun, Wilson
      (Bednarek, 4.0mid, 3.8def, 3.9gk)

      Good to go?

    • Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’m going to captain Arnie. Somebody stop me..

      Guaita
      Digne TAA AWB
      Salah Sterling (vc) Pogba Fraser
      Aguero Arnie(c) Rondon

      Kepa Robbo Doherty Camarasa

      1. Mikey U
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Not keen on AWB at the back, CP v BOU could be a goal fest

        1. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Could be. But Roy can always grind out a 0-0, and that would cement their league position

    • Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Have 30 points to make up in ML.
      The C should be going on which one of the following:

      A) Vardy
      B) Babel
      C) Salah (slight chance competitor adds him to his squad this week)

      Cheers

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        The one going for golden boot.

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        B)abel

      3. Mikey U
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Vardy - Chelsea will be half dead against a very impressive Leicester team who could have won against Man City

      4. Gooner Kebab
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Still C

      5. Sergeant Slaughter
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Ha, I guess all 3 have their attributes. Gut says Babel, brain says Salah.

    • Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Final prise rises of the season coming in.
      Going to be boring 2/3 months without PL/FPL

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I'm looking forward to the break tbh

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          He he

    • Mikey U
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I am 2nd in ML 4pts behind. Both me and rival have Jimenez (we share half a team).

      Considering Jimenez to Wilson, and playing a back 4 of Robertson, TAA, Laporte and Valery.

      Thoughts?