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. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    play one;

    a. boruc
    b. ryan

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

      Travers supposed to be playing so choice is made for you

  2. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Sane too riskyvas a punt?

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

      Yes imo

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

      Yep. He won’t start. Pep was fuming with him in the last game, I’d be surprised if he even featured at all.

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

    Which would you go for (I have Long as well):

    A) Pogba and Fraser
    B) Pogba and Redmond
    C) Vardy and Redmond
    D) Wilson and Redmond

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

      D

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

    Start 2:
    a) Kompany (bha, -4)
    b) Robbo (wol, already starting Trent)
    c) AWB (bou)
    d) Jimi (liv)
    e) Jota (liv)

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B
      E
      D
      C
      A
      In this order.

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

        Cheers

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

      Have to start Robbo imo.
      Second spot between Jota & awb.
      I'd start Awb.

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

        Lots of love for Jota over Jimi, any reason in particular?

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

          Hot form and higher ceiling.

          I’m torn as Jim is the top 6 specialist. Feels a coin toss

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

            Yea, Jiminez's form vs the top 6 plus his recent comments make me lean towards him

            1. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Jotas form plus both myself and my rival have Jiménez but only I have Jota . Although leading by 9 im chasing as he will be playing BB so need some differentials.

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

          He should have scored 3/4 more recently. Unlucky imo.
          And less owned too 🙂

  5. R.C
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha or Wilson?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      For a -4

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

      Wilson

    3. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson

  6. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Best goalkeeper for this week? Not allowed to select Alisson or Ederson. Scout picks and FPL scout have both picked Rico vs Palace away

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Rico plays NCastle

    2. Root
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Gunn

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

      Pickford?

      That Everton defensive form against a burnt out Spurs attack

  7. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Best defender for gw38 for 4.7m or less?

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

      Valery

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

        This

      2. Whats the Mata?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Same thinking here, although seems like everyone has him. But sadly cant see any other option there.

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

          Everyone here 😉

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

    A. Mane Hazard
    B. Salah Fraser (-4)

    Pick one please 🙂

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

      Close, A edges it for me. Help above Amey?

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

        Thank you.

    2. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Has to be A. Easily.

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

        Thank you.
        Overthinking has started in my mind i guess 😀

        1. Whats the Mata?
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          True.
          Mane and Salah should score similarly.

          So basically you're asking Fraser to outscore Hazard + 4points?

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

            Yep.
            Valid point 🙂

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Both could come in. Depends on if Chelsea decide to turn up away from home.

      I’m stuck with Hazard and not all that confident.

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

        Ha ha
        Exactly. Fraser against Awb can be interesting too.

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

        Itchy fingers to go for Salah from Hazard and losing double Liverpool defence here

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

          Ha ha

    4. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mane ,Fraser

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

        Thank you 🙂
        Redmond is my lottery pick this gw buddy. Not going to ignore him.

  9. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone considering Moura?

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Have considered but not getting due to other issues.

    2. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      He looks good but what puts me off is Spurs record in the PL after a midweek UCL game plus Everton's defensive record.

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, good choice imo

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

    Son & Firmino -> Salah & Long (-4)

    GTG?
    Lloris
    TAA Laporte Valery
    Salah Hazard Mane Bsilva
    Long Aguero Jimenez

    Foster Cathart Hojbjerg Shaw*

    *rumors that Shaw its not in the squad.

    Leading by 6 points, second one have Redmond but i hope that Long will be involved is some of points that Redmond may earn.

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Where are the Shaw rumours??

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

        Comments above, few times. Fake news?

    2. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Source for the rumor?

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

        Manchester Evening News...but it was complicated...read it by yourself

  11. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Sorry RP!

    Lloris
    Robertson Laporte Shaw Bednarek
    Salah(vc) Son Sterling(c)
    Rashford Jiminez Gray

    Foster Jota Doherty Camarasa

    I have 0.5m itb and 1ft...

    A - Son+Gray > Redmond+Vardy
    B - Son+Jimmy > Antonio+Vardy

    For -4 final GW effort!

    Leaning towards A due to Jimmy being nailed. Chasing 15 points in ML and 34 ahead of third... Rivals do not have Vardy so I will probably captain him.

    Thanks!

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

      A

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

      A

    3. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A

  12. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Would you play Lloris or Foster?

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

      Lloris

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Lloris but I might start Foster due to owning Siggy

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

        Check Siggy pen record my friend 😉
        Pen save + goal after rebound !!
        Hmmmm

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

      Cheers

  13. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Pogba or Redmond

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Redmond

  14. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Here is my free hit team

    Ryan
    TAA, Laporte, Valery
    Mane, Salah, Bilva, Redmond, Fraser
    Aguero, Long

    Bench: Foster, Wilson, Suttner, Connolly

    I am missing the likes of Vardy, Sterling, Rashford, Pogba. Any changes needed? I still have 5.3m in the bank

    Thanks

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

      Bilva -> Sterling?
      Who will be your C?

      1. Torres76
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Looking at Salah or Aguero

    2. Root
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Ryan against Manchester City?

      1. Torres76
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I wanted Gunn but I’ve already got three Southampton - Valery, Redmond and Long. So I need a keeper ...

        1. Root
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          de Gea

    3. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Would get Sterling in for Bilva and start Wilson ahead of Long.

      1. Torres76
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        What about Jamie Vardy? Get him for Willson??

        1. Whats the Mata?
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yes, Vardy looks great as well this week if you can stretch to him!

    4. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Ryan to Allison?

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

    Anyone looking for a differential Captain this gw I highly recommend Vardy. I think he'll punish a tired Chelsea who also have some key defensive injuries.

    You're welcome. 😉

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

      Feels like a safe 6-7 pointer to me but nothing special

  16. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Who’s gonna be your captain? Aguero? Sterling? Salah?

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson

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

    G2g? Or do I need a hit to sort it my flagging def or Jimmy to Wilson?

    Ederson
    Laporte TAA Robbo*
    Redmond JWP Mane Hazard
    Rashford Jimmy Kun

    Ryan doucoure dann* Yoshi*

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wait for late news on Robbo. If he starts, get Wilson. If not, get Valery.

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

        Where would I get that from?

  18. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Can't get Redmond as I have 3 Southampton players so which one to get up to 8.3m

    A) babel
    B) Fraser
    C) B.Silva
    D) Townsend
    E) others

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B or C

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

      Babel

  19. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Llorente or Long ?

    Already have JWP

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Long

  20. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Play Doherty and Jimenez or get Pogba - 4 to start?

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Who would you start Pogba in place of?

      I'd start Jiminez over getting Pogba for -4

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Pogba will come in for Jota, thanks for that my rival has him so thinking of blocking him

      2. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Kola and Robbo seem injured so Jimenez and Doherty look likely to start if I don't make any transfers.

  21. 404_FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    start

    a) foster (WHU)
    b) fabianski (wat)

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      A

  22. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Anything worth a hit here?

    Lloris
    TAA,Doherty,Valery
    Salah(c)Hazard, Sigurdsson, Redmond,Jota
    Aguero,Lacazette

    Foster,Jimenez, Duffy,Yoshida
    1FT 0.7m to spend.

    1. Duffy > Kompany Or Digne
    2. Jiménez > Wilson (bench Jota,play Doherty)
    3. Jota > Fraser( bench Jiménez)
    4. 2 of the above options for -4

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Has to be 1.

      Any attacker could score this week except the Brighton one's. Can see Liverpool conceding.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. Yeh that’s the sensible route. Kompany I suppose as well but Digne is so exciting to watch.

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

      1/2

  23. St. Joseph
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Wolves still way stronger than Brighton right?

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

      Both will get smashed.

      1. St. Joseph
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Or both will just lose 1 - 0

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

          Good luck with that. 😉

  24. Claudio555
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Captain Agüero or Salah?

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Kun

  25. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    1 Kompany

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks

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

      Two's better.

  26. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    A- jota to Fraser/Babel (-4)
    B-Hazard jota JWP
    To
    Salah Redmond 4.6 fodder (-12) (Salah captain)
    C- JWP to Redmond (-4)
    D- Jimenez to zaha (-4)
    E- none

  27. LloristheHounds
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    A) Shane long
    Or
    B) - 4hit for pogba

    7 points behind in ML

  28. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Will Long start?

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

      why not

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

        Ings?

  29. 420king
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    My team:
    Foster
    TAA Laporte Valery
    Sterling Mane Pogba JWP Son*
    Agüero Zaha
    (Ryan Jimenez Doherty Duffy)
    1 FT, 0.0 ITB

    Rivals team:
    Gauita
    TAA Robertson Duffy
    Sterling Mane BSilva Moura Fraser
    Agüero Rashford
    (Boruc Jimenez Lindelöf* Shaw*)
    0 FT, 0.0 ITB

    I'm 3 points ahead and still have my TC left, what would be the best moves here?

    1. Who to replace Son with? Cover his Moura/Fraser or go for Redmond?
    2. Who to TC? Thinking Agüero, but his away record is poor.
    3. Anything worth a hit?

  30. STEVIE_GERRARD
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Should I play Højbjerg or Gray ahead of King?

    Already have two saints hence Højbjerg on bench.

    Ederson (Guaita)
    Robbo Bednarek Laporte Shaw (Doherty)
    Salah Mané Pogba Sterling (C) (Højbjerg)
    Long King (Gray)

    21pts ahead of mini league, just looking for best score.