Scout Picks

Salah and Sterling headline Gameweek 2 Scout Picks

Liverpool and Manchester City’s big guns are still important assets for Fantasy Premier League managers to own for Gameweek 2.

Once again, we have three premium options selected in our Scout Picks for this weekend, what we believe to be the best starting XI for the upcoming round of action.

This has been chosen using the Scout Squad selections made by David, Neale, Paul and Geoff earlier in the week.

For Gameweek 2 we line-up in 4-4-2 once again, this time coming in at £82.6m, £0.4m inside our budget of £83m.

Goalkeeper

Ryan scored nine points in Gameweek 1

Mathew Ryan (£4.5m) was an eleventh-hour addition to the Scout Picks after news of Adrian’s injury filtered around the Fantasy community. The Liverpool goalkeeper was originally given the nod but doubt over his starting place meant we had to drop in. Ryan is his replacement after facing no big chances in Gameweek 1 while West Ham could be without both Felipe Anderson and new signing Sébastien Haller.

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Liverpool against Norwich

While Liverpool’s defence has not inspired confidence in Fantasy managers this week, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) was still a popular option in the Scout Squad submissions. Neale, Paul and Geoff selected him as the best defender for Gameweek 2, David slotting him into second place. Despite conceding against Norwich, the right-back was top for key passes and big chances created at Anfield on Friday night.

Lucas Digne (£6.0m) was another hugely fashionable option according to the Scout Squad pundits, tipped by all four of them. While there are cheaper assets in the Everton defence, the £0.5m is worth paying this week for Digne’s involvement in set pieces. Watford conceded more chances from dead-ball situations between Gameweeks 21 and 38 last season. The Hornets also failed to register a single big chance in Gameweek 1, so a clean sheet is also on the cards for the Frenchman.

Neale and Geoff both selected Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£5.0m) in their Scout Squad selections ahead of Burnley’s visit to the Emirates stadium. Arsenal kept a clean sheet in Gameweek 1 and it was the right-back who got the assist for their only goal of the game.

After being the talk of the town for the last few weeks, John Lundstram (£4.0m) makes his Scout Picks debut for Gameweek 2. The Sheffield United asset faces a goal-shy Crystal Palace side this weekend and created two big chances in Gameweek 1, the joint-highest in the whole division.

Midfielders

Mohamed Salah scored against Norwich City in Gameweek 1

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) remains our favourite option in the Liverpool attack ahead of the trip to Southampton. The Saints were particularly leaky at home last season, only Manchester United managing fewer clean sheets in front of their own supporters. Furthermore, Salah was top of the league for shots in the box and shots on target in away matches in 2018/19. Any concerns over his 120-minute outing midweek were eased by Jurgen Klopp’s assurances in his Friday press conference.

While Salah was the unanimous first-choice midfielder, Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) occupied the second-place spot for all our Scout Squad pundits. No player had as many shots on target as him in Gameweek 1, while Spurs did not look too assured at the back against Aston Villa.

Like his defensive colleague, Gylfi Sigurdsson (£8.0m) looks set to benefit from Watford’s vulnerability to set-pieces in Gameweek 2. The Icelandic international created 45 chances in home matches last season, only Eden Hazard and James Maddison fashioning more than that.

Something of a left-field inclusion in the Scout Picks this week is Norwich City midfielder Emi Buendía (£6.0m). We were a big fan of Teemu Pukki in the Scout Squad but needed to save some money for spending elsewhere. Buendía is not necessarily a massive step-down though. He created three chances at Anfield on Friday night and his role in set pieces could help unlock a Newcastle side that conceded the joint-most chances from dead-ball situations in the whole of 2018/19.

Forwards

Aubameyang got the only goal in Arsenal’s win at Newcastle on opening weekend

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) has a fantastic record of scoring against Burnley, with a brace in each of his last three matches facing the Clarets. He was also afforded the joint-highest number of big chances in home matches across the 2018/19 season.

There was plenty of backing for Bournemouth’s attack in the Scout Squad submissions but we, unfortunately, ran out of cash for one of either Callum Wilson or Ryan Fraser. Josh King (£6.5m) deputises for his Cherries colleagues then, as we expect a return to last season’s attacking form in an open game at Villa Park.

Substitutes

Martín Montoya (£4.5m) makes the bench this week, after Neale and Paul included him in their Scout Squad selection. The defender looks likely to retain his place at right wing-back for the visit of West Ham, who could be without key attacking personnel.

John McGinn (£5.5m) made a great start to life in the Premier League scoring on his top-flight debut at Spurs. Bournemouth come to Villa Park in Gameweek 2, with a defence that’s hard to trust, so we won’t be too shocked if McGinn gets more attacking returns this weekend.

As already mentioned, we didn’t have the cash for Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) in our final XI but we still think he will do well in Gameweek 2. He had three shots in the box against Liverpool, the same number he had per game in the Championship.

The Scout Picks Captain

As we mentioned last week, the Scout Picks now has a captain in the 2019/20 season.

This skipper is chosen using the conclusions of the latest Captain Sensible article and a four-way vote between David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek will be known only to those who have signed up to Membership for the 2019/20 season.

It will be revealed to the public only when the deadline for the Gameweek has passed.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 2 is Hot Toddy.

They have opted for a 4-4-2 of: Leno; Digne, van Dijk, Coleman, Alexander-Arnold; Fraser, Martial, Sterling, Richarlison; Aubameyang, Pukki.

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.

Unfortunately, our Community Champion did not submit a team in Gameweek 1.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 1

3,382 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Soodcfc
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mahrez + Siggy
    Or
    Sterling + Mount

    1. CoffeeBean
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B. But would look for a different option than Mount

      1. Soodcfc
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Who do I get in the 6-6.5 mil category. Have pukki so don't want buendia.

        1. CoffeeBean
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I would stretch to Zaha or even Perez. If not possible than I rate Gudmundsson and McGinn over Mount atm.

  2. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Tempted with TAA captain

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Go for it. Get your balls out.

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Zlatan would triple C TAA and not even check the result

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Totally cool captain choice 🙂

  3. Ruud000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed...

    Does anyone have team IDs for a few of the big names please?

    Mark
    Villa Ronka
    Anyone else?

    Always enjoy seeing how they are getting on.

    Thanks

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      See Greyhead article. Happy stalking!

      1. Ruud000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Funny, they have been on here asking for your team ID
      🙂

      1. Ruud000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’m a casual

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Neat link

      2. Ruud000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Spot on, thank you

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I always hope they are failing miserably..I'm usually dussapointed

  4. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    a)Pukki + Coleman
    b)Buendia + Digne

    ?

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wildcard?

      A

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        yeah, I'm on A.

        x

        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          GL. Personally not sure why u wildcarded. Your team looked good.
          Hope you have Auba at least ?

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            yep, just having fun.

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              -Mane back
              -Want Auba
              -Want Pukki
              -Want McGinn

              Some of the reasons.

              1. super zlatan
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                I fancy the mané/Salah double up. Could be profitable.

          2. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            captain this week Zlat?

            1. super zlatan
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Salah

              1. Rinseboy
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                top man good luck

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

      A

  5. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Need to log off. My team is all sorted for this week, no headaches...
    ...So out of boredom I guess I started considering playing Pope over Heaton.
    It can work right ? 😉

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It can - think both will concede but Pope might get more saves, but may only be a point in it. Play Heaton though, otherwise you probably should have started with Pope 4.0 instead.

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        To be honest I'm not a fan of rotating GK's, the only reason I have both of them is beacasue I couldnt decide between them and wanted to give myself more time to pick one for the season.

  6. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pukki got a rise hahaha

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Glad it made you happy

  7. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Have Pope as my no. 1. Worth swapping him to another Goalie in Heaton or even Ryan? Or just save and play him?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just play Pope - once GW 2-4 are out the way fixtures are great.

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Play Pope.
      I have him and Heaton and still not sure which one to play today, Pope can rack up save points today.

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This gw is an easy pick - Heaton

    3. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Stick with Nick...

  8. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Vandijk/digne/Zinchenko/lundstram
    Salah(c)/sterling/fraser/robinson
    Vardy/Jota
    0.5 itb
    (Button/Moura/Rico/Greenwod)

    A. Save FT
    B. Moura to Sigurdson
    C. Moura to Martial

    1. International Richard
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd have gone C before the price rise. A now.

  9. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ok, I'm out of here

    Heaton
    TAA Coleman Dunk
    Sterling Mane McGinn Cantwell
    Kane Pukki Auba

    Donkey Lundstrum Kelly

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What price is cantwell?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        4.5m plays just behind(wing) Pukki.

        created 3 chances vs livp. Nice rotation with Donkey.

        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          One thing to consider is Trent > vvd for nailesness.
          Even have the 0.5 in bank for options in case a 5.0 defender /5.0 mid emerges.

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            yeah, could also give me Digne over Coelman. Everything will chance once Son is back. I will re look my team after IB.

            1. super zlatan
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              0.5 in Bank gives flexibility.

              Vvd and digne is nice.

              Alternatively go with our team, with view to saving trade gw3. As you say, gives you more options over IB.
              Vvd just looks a serious threat from all corners. I wish I had got him originally. He was in all my draft teams until the last minute.

    2. Delhidynamo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      loaded!

    3. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I really like that IF you didnt start GW1 with Mané

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I didn't.

        Auba/Mane/Coleman/Pukki/Mcginn/Cantwell are the new players in on WC.

    4. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bad team. Hit WC

    5. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not worried about Salah (pens/setpieces and whatnot)?

      I settled for something like this:
      Heaton 4.0
      VVD Dinge Dunk (Lund Rico)
      Salah Sterling Siggy McGinn (Dedonk)
      Kane Pukki Jota/Maupay

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        cant have them all. Mané will score almost as many points as salah this season imo

      2. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        nah, time to have some fun. I went without him last season and won my ML.

  10. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Trent and Robbo owners ....

    Happy to keep both?
    Worth downgrading one in next few weeks?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Happy to keep them for as long as it's possible.

    2. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Have both and will keep. Not sure TAA is as nailed as Robertson.

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have VVD and TAA. Attacking returns...

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

    Bench one:
    A) Zinchenko
    B) Lundstram
    C) Ayoze Pérez
    D) Lucas Moura

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        B

    3. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    4. amitmishr
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      D

  12. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any idea Trossard will get a start? If not then who is the best to swap to for 6m or below?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think he will, quietly confident of a haul. If he fails today am looking at either McGinn or Buendia as replacements

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        And Mount/Barkley

    2. Delhidynamo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm considering downgrading to a 4.5(Cantwell/Dendoncker) and reinvesting the money for an upgrade

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

      2. International Richard
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Exactly what i'm considering, but its to replace Barkley

      3. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah good idea.

  13. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan
    TAA Robertson Stones digne
    Salah Sterling Robinson McGinn
    Kane king

    Button Dendonck Kelly Greenwood

    Quite tempted by the Aubameyang Kane hokey cokey
    Would captain Aubameyang

  14. Zlat-man
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Heaton;
    Zinch Lund Duffy (shaw kwp);
    Sterling (S)iggy kdb mili (dendo);
    Kane King Jimi;
    0.5 itb,1ft
    Feeling so tempted to do
    KwP > Coleman and play him over Zinch. Eve fixtures are so good!
    Do it? Or save?

  15. Delhidynamo
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Trossard, Bilva and Taylor all surviving the drop this week is lucky

    who'd be your priority to fix next week?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Trossard if he doesn't start. I hope he does though.

    2. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keep an eye on Trossard this gw. Could ship to McGinn if he doesn’t appear to get decent game time.

      1. Delhidynamo
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        hopefully he gets some gametime! don't want to kick him out with the fixtures ahead

        Taylor downgrade to a 4.0 would be the ideal transfer

  16. datamunkey
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Perez (keep), Moura > Donks, Wilson > Kane
    B) Wilson (keep), Perez > Donks, Moura > Son

    1. Zlat-man
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Asking for gw3 i suppose.
      See how P and W play in gw2

      1. datamunkey
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah possible mini WC, would like that 3rd big hitter. Also have Trossard tho so that may need to take priority; hoping he starts today

  17. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick two to play this GW:

    A Montoya
    B Zinchenko
    C Trossard

  18. radawson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Have FPL changed where you can see your rivals team value, gameweek transfers made and transfer history?

    Can't see it anywhere.....

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      See hot topics

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

        Cheers! Nice update I reckon

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yes it is

  19. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Likelihood of Maupay starting?

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Start

    A) KWP
    B) Rico

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 7 months ago

        B

    2. JAYPEE
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Play either: Zouma or Lundstram and bank the transfer.
      OR
      Zouma to Montoya/Dunk and get 0.5 ITB.

      Suggestions please.

      1. datamunkey
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Bank; see how Chelsea do tomorrow

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wilfried Bony for free anyone ? 🙂

    4. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anybody overthinking?

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I do

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It happens.

      2. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Looooool

      3. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        thinking why did I miss out on Martial and McGinn price rises and didn't take a hit for Tross and Moura out this week. arrgghhh. Thinking my season is over

        1. datamunkey
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Defo overthinking:)

        2. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Come on . It isn't over. This is just the start. Even if this turns out bad ( there's a 50% probability that it turns out good) , you have 36 gameweeks to recover.

          Hang in there. Everything happens for a reason

          1. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            you're the man. Thank Overthinker

            1. The Overthinker
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Cheers

    5. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      G2G with bench choices? Rico has a nice fixture and maybe OOP, but I’d back villa to score:

      Heaton
      Digne, Robbo, TAA, Montoya
      Salah (C), Raheem (V), Martial, Perez
      Wilson, Jimenez

      Button; Rico, Greenwood, Dendo

    6. Supernova
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bench one of Zaha, Pukki, Bernardo.

      (draft team hence a bit weird)

      1. Zlat-man
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        B, out of them 3. Lowest ceiling probably

    7. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who to play Pope or Heaton?
      Have Wilson and Fraser...

    8. ebb2sparky
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Which 2 to start from;
      Moura,
      Ings,
      Dunk,
      Lundstram,
      Dendoncker

      Currently going with Moura and Dunk but don't fancy spurs getting much at city or Brighton keeping a clean sheet! Maybe Ings in for dunk in case Liverpool are tired from mid week?

    9. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I honestly didn't realise just how many people followed the FFS guys until I saw all these Trossard posts. Crazy! Wonder what percentage of owners even know what he looks like

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Peeps dont give a tross, they just want points.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              4 years, 7 months ago

              That's fair enough, just feel there's better ways than getting in a random player you know next to nothing about based on the recommendation of some experts

              1. datamunkey
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Preseason form played a big part for many to be fair

              2. el polako
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Agree, but can also see appeal of finding cheap-ish differential which may give you an edge over "casuals" in mini league 😉
                So dont blame those who after watching youtibe influencers or reading articles in here decided to take a punt and if its only 1 or 2 players like that in 15 man squad then it can be easily rectified should things go wromg.

                My punt this year is Haller - altough I seen bits of him before in Bundesliga.

          2. Pacer.
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Never select a player who is an anagram of R D R TOSSA

        2. UnitednationsXI
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Morning all,

          So, whats the verdict on the captain? Salah or Sterling?

          1. datamunkey
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Tempted by Sterling but...

            a) Southampton defence
            b) Rank loss if Salah goes big

            Going safe & dull at this early stage

            1. Pacer.
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              You know safe and dull is the home player who hit a hatrick last week right!?

              What you're doing is following the crowd and writing off half a dozen points *winky etc*

          2. Ozzy smith
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Sterling.

            1. amitmishr
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Salah and Sterling owner, and going to captain digne.
              Kid likes the name digne and thought why not have fun. Anyways won't do great either ways. Atleast he can too have fun

        3. gellinmagellan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Can't decide which two to bench apart from Dendoncker and GK. Help!
          Pope (Button)
          Zinchenko Robertson Digne Dunk Lundstram
          Salah KDB Moura Trossard (Dendoncker)
          Kane Jota King

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I would bench Zinc, Dendo and Lundstram. Button not going to start.

          2. ebb2sparky
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Probably bench lundstram and dunk although maybe play dunk instead of moura?