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. Ravager
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Suggestions on who to downgrade to afford Son > Sterling?

    0.6 ITB 2 FT

    Lloris (Boruc)

    Doherty Robertson Laporte (Duffy,Valery)
    Mane Redmond Jota Pogba (Son)
    Jimenez Vardy Aguero

    Currently on Pogba > 6.0 mid?

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Jiminez to fodder ?

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

        True. Cheers

  2. Ron C John
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Guaita

    Davies TAA Duffy

    Hazard Salah Mane Son

    Gray Jimenez Wilson

    Sub: Boruc, Wan Bissaka, Bednarek, Torreira
    FT: 2
    Bank: £0.2

    Son injured, jimenez vs liverpool, duffy vs man city.. any thought please?

    1. Ron C John
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      *son red card

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

    Best budget striker for Jimenez?
    A) Rashford
    B) Wilson
    C) Perez
    D) Rondon
    E) Wood
    F) Arnautovic
    G) Zaha

    1. Ron C John
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B or G. Probably B

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

    "David De Gea, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford should all keep their places from the Huddersfield game." - MEN

    1. Ron C John
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      pogba?

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

        He needs to auditiojn

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Luke Shaw thats not even in the squad?

      1. MMN
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Shaw not in squad?

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

      I want this game treated like audition and no need for Shawy and Lindy to take part - both have been good this season

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Like a casting couch audition ?

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

          How do feel about earning a lot of money fast?

        2. Teahupo'o
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          😀

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

          Im a good American Christian and dont know what you mean

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

            Haha!

    4. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Would love it if Pogba is benched

      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        So you are actualy afraid?

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

        From same article.

        Predicted United XI: De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw; Herrera, McTominay, Pogba; Chong, Greenwood, Rashford.

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

          I dont agree

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

            Write MEN an email and let them know. 😉

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

          De Gea, Dalot, Bailly, Jones, whatever other LB we have, McTominay, PogBOOM, JLingz, Lukaku, Martial, Greenwood

          These are the players whose Utd future hangs in the balance that needs to prove themselves

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

            Are you drunk?

            You have 3 players in that team who are confirmed out injured. 😆

      3. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Me too

    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      The squad article came again the predicted lineup.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        after*

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

        Oh really? They just posted the predicted lineup on Facebook about 10 minutes ago, lol.

        I'm starting to think they're not a very reliable source of information. 😆

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Article came out a few hours ago. That's the main issue.

  5. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Play Jota or Jiménez or bring Wilson in -4?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson

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

      Take -4 - I am

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Love this lads- was hoping for this!

        Son > Redmond a good move too?

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

          Yup- another of my planned moves

          1. Athletic Nasherbo
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            For a -4 though?

  6. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    A. Vardy and Redmond
    B. Fraser and Redmond
    C. Vardy and Fraser
    D. All 3 (jota out for - 4)

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

      My rank is trash if that helps 🙂

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Boo, everyone gone to bed?

      1. Calderano FC
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        C

    3. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      D

    4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      C

  7. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Any takers for playing a Brighton defender/gk for the sheer absolute madness that they could do something special?

    1. Game&Watch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Im 99% sure that they will concede, but dont think it will be more than 0-1 or 0-2 so Ryan could be a decent shout for saves..

  8. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Play Valery or Long?

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

      Play every Soton player you have

  9. Richd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I wish I didn’t look at Redmonds career scoring record. It’s 1 in 10 lol

    Maybe Fraser is just a nice safe floor. But I’ve never had a goal from a Bournemouth asset despite having Brooks and Wilson a LOT

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Im hoping Fraser will be case of obvious pick is the correct pick.

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

      He's a flog but it's a good fixture

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'm having a hard time picking Redmond over Fraser too.

      It's the punty-er choice and the fixture but he's so wasteful sometimes. At least Wilson has a top decent stated goalscorer shooting for him too

    4. semiconductor
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'm on him but can't accept it so far lol

  10. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Transfers done. Last question of the season: Doherty or Cathcart first off the bench?

    Foster
    Laporte TAA Valery
    Sterling Salah Mane Redmond Deulofeu
    Aguero Jimenez

    (Ryan, Cathcart Doherty DCL)
    0FT 0ITB

    1. Game&Watch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Catcarth. Don’t expect a cleanie from either of them though..

      1. Teahupo'o
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. That's the dilemma with the noncleanie. Doherty has more attacking potential but then again so does Liverpool as opposed to West Ham.

        1. Game&Watch
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Agreed, tough decision. Normally Doh won’t deliver much against Pool away, but it’s a close call.

  11. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    C Mane or Kun?
    And why?

    Cheers 🙂

    1. Game&Watch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mane. Check Pool/Mane’s GS record at home.

  12. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who to bench?
    A: Jota
    B: Llorente

  13. Rohun
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Been out for a while

    Son to Pogba for free the best solution for my one transfer?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      This is what I did!! Hardly inspiring tho haha

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Would have gone Tielemans if I fancied a flutter!!

  14. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Ignore price- who would you rather have in your week 38 team?

    A Wilson
    B Vardy

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

      Also would like to know this...
      Probably Vardy. Like both though

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

      I'm going with both. I'd definitely look at price if I'm choosing 1 of them

    3. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Tough choice but think Vardy edges it.

      Better player, at home against a tired Chelsea side with defensive injuries and who's form has been up and down all season.

      I have both players fwiw.

    4. Game&Watch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Close call, but Wilson IMO

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

    Who would you rather have?
    A) Walker
    B) Kompany

    1. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A

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

      a

  16. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    On FH

    1. Gunn
    or
    2. the scout pick Rico
    Or
    3. Guita

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

      1 notclose

  17. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Struggling here... Help please

    0.1 short of Kolasinic, Son, Jimenez to Laporte, Pogba and Rondon. What to do?

    Wasn't too sold on Pog so maybe a sign to go JWP, Redmond, Babel or Fraser instead?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Babel or Fraser for me

  18. Yoshioka
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    A) Play Bednarek (already playing Valery and JWP)
    B) Son > Bilva for -4 hit

  19. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Defending a 15 point lead

    Would you do one covering transfer for free, or two for a -4 (defend an 11 point lead)?

    (The moves in question are...)

    Boly > Laporte
    Son > Mane/Pogba

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Don’t take a hit, don’t give away 4 cheap points to cover. It means his other players now only have 11 points to catch up not 15!

      1. Winners900
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I would have taken a hit to cover Mane or Pogba. Or both if thats possible because they can expload. But I would not take a hit to get Laporte.

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

      11 point lead once u take a hit

      just do 1

    3. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      You're both right, that was a stupid idea

  20. MFC86
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Mane or Kun for TC ( don’t have Salah)

    Jimi to Wilson for -4?

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mane and yes

  21. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Why are not more people getting Rashford in as a diff?

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

      Well he wouldnt then be a differential

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

      Probably because he's quite terrible. You'd be better off going for Greenwood. Miles better than Rashford and a born finisher unlike Rashford.

    3. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      He hasn't done anything for like 10 gameweeks, not sure what's going to suddenly change

  22. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    1- Keep Robbo or sell ?
    2- better To C Salah or Kun ?

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Keep and signs point to Salah

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Keep
      Salah

  23. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Team (Loris Robbo taa valery bednarek Sterling mane redmond deulofeu Aguero rash X*) bench (Foster - bednarek & 2 of these doherty jimy son)

    Which??

    A- doherty to laporte, 442
    B- son to pogba/fraser/bsilva, 352
    C- jimy to wilson, 343
    D- doherty son -4 to laporte pogba/fraser, 352 valery bench
    E- doherty jimy -4 to laporte wilson, 343 valery bench

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      E

  24. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Son and Jiménez to Pogba And Wilson -4??? Yay or Nay fellas???

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yay for me

  25. Victor6359
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Same points as rival. He has Rashford. Would you do Son-Pogba for Man U ‘cover’ or Son to Moura? (Think he’s brought him in) or play own game? In which case I was going for Babel or Fraser.

    Cheers

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

      you’re not defending a lead so play you’re own game and don’t take the back seet

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Deffo play your own game mate let him worry about you!!

        1. Victor6359
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers fellas

  26. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Is it dumb starting Gray over Doherty?

    1. Game&Watch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      If Gray start’s hes a better option, but I reckon he wont.

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

      no

  27. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    If you have both Ryan and Brouc Would you ?
    A- Play Brouc bench Rayan
    B- Sell Ryan to Rico

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

      boruc wont play so

  28. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I hate Luke Shaw.

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

      Why? What happened?

      1. Game&Watch
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Poor fella got food poisoning eating at McDo

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

    Captain mane or sterling and why?

    Or punt on Wilson or Laporte?

    1. Game&Watch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Check Pool/Mane’s GS record at home.

  30. AF90
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    18 point lead in ML but rival has TC left....(likely either Mane or Sterling)

    A) Son -> B.Silva
    B) Son -> Pogba
    C) Son -> Fraser
    D) Son & Jimenez -> Sterling & Long -4

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

      D