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

    Hello.

    I am sat at 11.5k OR. Would you make the move: Jimenez > Wilson (-4) to the below team? Or not?

    Lloris
    Robertson / Laporte / Walker / Valery
    Salah (C) / Mané / Redmond
    Aguero (VC) / Vardy / Jimenez

    Foster // Jota / Hojbjerg / Masina

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

      It’s very close. I did but I don’t know

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

    Any reason for Kun not included on scout picks ?

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

      Three premiums in midfield, plus Vardy. I can see the logic in BHA CBs potentially bullying Aguero.

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

      Aguero away returns are rubbish

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

      Humm okay

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

    Who scored more Mane or Fraser?

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

      Scores*

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

      Mane imo

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

    Bottomed. Repost.

    Captain mane or sterling and why?

    Or punt on Wilson or laporte?

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

      I have Sterling Aguero Mane and atm have TC Sterling TVC Aguero but plan to get Salah and make him TC
      Mane doesn't register for me

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

        Why?

        Mane normally does very well at home and they’ll probably be going for it, unlike city. Only thing is they’re playing wolves while city is playing Brighton who might now be in the beach

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

          I had him C 2 goals no baps. I prefer the other 3

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

            Cheers!

  5. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hey guys any suggestions?

    Foster
    Robertson Shaw Bennet
    Salah Son Jota Delofeu
    Kun Laca Jimenez

    bench: Ryan Hojbjerg Valery Duffy

    1.1 itb, 1ft

    Thanks!

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

      Yes!!!! Play Southampton players bench Wolves defender

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

      I'm benching Jiminez and Doherty.

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Will do that, it just stayed like this from last week. Thanks!

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

      Play Valery over Bennett. Son to Bilva/Redmond/Fraser?

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Was thinking maybe Son&Laca to Sterling&Zaha maybe. Would you keep Laca?

  6. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Which one. Please help. Thanks

    A) Fraser and Vardy
    B) Pogba and Wilson

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Or C) Fraser and Wilson

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

      B

    3. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Pilih A

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

    Choose one 🙂

    Babel or Fraser?

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Fraser

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Fraser

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

      Ta

  8. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Need a couple of differentials.

    Son, Jimi > Dilva, Rashford -4?

    Lloris
    Robbo, VVD, Valery
    Mane, Pogba, Dilva, Bilva
    Aguero(C), Rashford, Wilson

    Foster, Jota, Doherty, Duffy

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

      Personally going for Fraser/Babel and Rondon. Go with gut, Rashford is decent but wouldn't go Dilva imo

      1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        You reckon Babel/Fraser is worth a hit?

        Also, congrats on promotion.

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

          Ty honestly hope you join us :). Think they're worth it more than Dilva tbh

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

            Why not Bilva?!

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

    Shaw to Kompany (-4) worth it?

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Who is bench defender? Not worth imo

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

    I may end up having to start Hjobjerg this week.

    Anyone watch him know how he's been looking? It's a great fixture at the very least.

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

      I don't understand. He's straight in my 11. Jiminez on the bench.

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

      Funny enough he has a goal and 2 assist last 7 which is same as Jiminez returns sane period

  11. IamthenextTeemuPukki
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I am at OR 10,825, so close to making top-10K

    Son & Jimenez to Vardy and....

    A.) Redmond
    B.) Fraser (already have Wilson)
    C.) Another option? (please name)

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B

  12. Adriano
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Fraser or Bilva?

  13. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Which is the better pick?
    A. Pogba & Shane Long
    B. Redmond & Rashford

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

    Son, Kolas, Jiminez to Fraser, Laporte, Rondon?

    Lloris
    Valery Robo Laporte
    Fraser Mane Lucas Sterl
    Aguero Rondon Origi

    (Foster, Jota, Doh, Masina)

  15. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Something has just changed. Whoever is the first person to notice it will get a shout out on the next scoutcast.

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

      You had a haircut?

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

      New grav??

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

      Price changes at new time?

    4. GertJan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Your new avatar on Twitter?

    5. Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Number of years being a member total?

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

      Article author now visible on mobile? (Can't 100% remember if that is/was still an issue.)

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

        Also, 'Articles' page now working. (Clicking 'Older' works; more articles on one page.)

        I know that was a problem before, but never re-checked so many have been fixed weeks back 😀

    7. Stojamin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      League name changed

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

        Bingo

    8. Stojamin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’ll link my team to give you something to talk about on the scoutcast haha

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        *Thumbs up*

    9. Viper
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      'Get well soon Joe'

    10. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      ' FPL PRICE UPDATES' tab?

    11. Stojamin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Did I get a shout out in the end?

  16. gullibaldurs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    On top of my ML. Considering what to do with Son.

    A) Son > Pogba
    B) Son & Jimenez > Pogba & Wilson -4 (The guy chasing me has Wilson)
    C) Son & Jimenez > Fraser & Vardy -4
    D) Something else.

    My lead is quite big but we don't have many of the same players.

    Any suggestions?

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

      E) Jimenez > Wilson, play Hojbjerg vs. HUD and just bench Son.

  17. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hi, anyone here C Mane?
    Ta.

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

      Yes me

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

      Sterling Aguero Salah all ahead of Mane for me

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

      There will be loads

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

    If you have Robbo Would you
    A- Keep Him
    B- sell to Get Salah as i have three from Liverpool

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

      I'm about to do something similar to B. Sell to get Mane.

  19. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    13 points behind ML leader.

    Son, Jota, A.Gray to Pogba, Redmond, Arnautovic for -4.

    Do it or not?

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

      Wouldn't bother with Arnie away for a hit

  20. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    What is the odd of Shane Long being a starter?

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

    How’s this looking, lads?

    Gunn
    Robbo-TAA-Laporte-Bednerak
    Sterling-Mane-Pogba-Hojbjerg
    Aguero-Zaha
    Subs: Lloris, Jiménez, Jota, Cathcart

    A) Good to go
    B) Switch starting 11?
    C) Jiménez to Wilson (-4) bench Bednerak.

    Cheers all and good luck to you this GW.

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

      Great but Zaha has terrible home form but it's last game so who knows

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

        Thanks, Kiwi. Good luck to you.

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

    I cannot understand how people are reluctant to start Hodgebodge at home to Huddersfield. He's a decent goal threat

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

      I have him first sub would you start him over Jimmy tho?

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

        Jimi is my first sub. Last 7 games they both have 1 goal and 2 assists and one has a much better fixture

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

          I have been back and forth with the two rather siding with Jimmy but now leaning more towards going Holberg 3-5-2 and Jimmy first sub and that stat gives me more confidence it’s not a bad idea cheers mate

  23. lugalooch
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Chasing 30 points in a ML with abench boost ?!

    Am I crazy taking a -4 punt on lorente > perez v Fulham?

    Also bringing in Medina + Son > Laporte + Fraser

    Thanks

  24. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Which is the better pick?
    A. Pogba & Shane Long
    B. Redmond & Rashford

    Cheers

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

      As you'll see below, can't choose between Pogba and Redmond but slightly prefer Rashford to Long.

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

        B

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

      Very unlikely but small doubs that Pog and Long may not start so B more secure and also exciting imo

  25. Serendipity
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Got 1 FT for Son ---> Pogba or Redmond. Not going to spend the Redmond cash if I go for him.

    Keeping switching between them but can't make up my mind because both are equally tempting and equally off-putting! Who scores the most points (or who's most likely to be benched)?

    Leaning towards picking Pogba but feeling a benching might be coming. I imagine others are torn as well.

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

    All replies appreciated.

    1) Jimi to Rondon (-4) gut says yes
    2) Play Origi or Jota
    3) Capt Kun, Sterl, Mane or Laporte

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

      1 - No
      2 - Origi
      3 - Sterling

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

      1- I personally would rather have Mitro in that game
      2- Origi
      3- Mané for me

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

      1) Only would do this if the bench option to come on for Jimi is weak.
      2) Jota.
      3) I'm going back and forth between Mane and Sterling.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      1 no - unless you’re chasing big time
      2 Origi
      3 Mane

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

      Cheers lads. Probs go

      1) Yolo
      2) Origi
      3) last minute gut 🙂

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

    Robbo + Son + Hazard >
    Laporte + Fraser + Salah
    For -8 PTS ?
    YAAAAY
    NOPE

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

      Any help ?

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

    Defending a 15 point lead. Which of my rival's main differentials is most essential to cover?

    Laporte
    Pogba
    Mane
    Vardy
    Zaha

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

      Mane followed by Vardy

  29. Serendipity
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    1) Only would do this if the bench option to come on for Jimi is weak.
    2) Jota
    3) I'm going back and forth between Mane and Sterling.

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

      Cheers.

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

    Starting XI and bench order ok?
    Lloris
    TAA Shaw Laporte Valery
    Mane Deulofeu Sterling
    Agüero (C) Vardy Wilson

    Foster - Jota Bednarek Son

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

      I think Watford more chance of CS than Spurs

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

        With Richarlison and DCL ruled out? Dont agree.