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. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who to play - Zinc or Lundstram ?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Zinc

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

          Yeah that’s who I’m on presently. I see him as a set and forget, but the scout picks were making me consider switching

      • Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Zinchenko

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

        Z

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

          Cheers guys, pretty unanimous then 😉

      • Bilbao Baggins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Defense who's team will get 20 plus clean sheets or defender who is in okay newly promoted defence who will be delighted with 10 clean sheets for the season. Zinc

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Play
      A) Rico (avl)
      B) KWP (mci)
      C) Dendo (MUN)

      Or:
      D) KWP to Montoya (WHU) and play him

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

        C

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Did you watch Wolves game, was he attacking?

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

            Yes, similar to Jimi believe it or not

            C

            1. Pukki Party
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Oh, cheers.

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

      Great day of Sport today:

      New Zealand v Australia in the rugby
      Ashes Cricket all day
      Arsenal v Burnley
      Wales v England in the rugby
      Man City v Spurs

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        And Barnet vs Chesterfield. A Martin Allen derby

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

          Edgar Davids played in the Conference with Barnet.

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Mindblown

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

        Yeah, shame the 2nd test has been spoiled by the rain. Nailed on draw now

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

          Given England's recent record there (42% win rate since 2001) that might not be the worst outcome. Still need three positive outcome in the final three tests though.

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

            Yes true. I was surprised they played the first test at Edgbaston....normally sits 3rd in the series and a home banker. Not overly confident if I’m honest

    4. Bonita
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Play Barkley or switch to Dunk or Lund?

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

        Play Barkley

        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Will he start? How sure?

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Does it matter?

            1. Letsgo!
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Lol of course it does matter? Wtf are you talking about? You mean you want him not starting and sub in at 70 mins and do nth? Do you even know how to play fpl?

      2. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I have the exact same issue as you, jus that mine is either kelly start or barkley start.but problem is it doesnt seems like barkley gonna start for chelsea??

        1. Bonita
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          He did go in as a sub in Super cup. Could Lampard start the same squad that featured vs. Liverpool?

          1. Letsgo!
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Really nt too sure. Headache.

    5. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      At 11.31 how can I get Sterling into my team with 2 FT??

      Pope
      TAA Digne Walker
      Salah KDB Martial Perez Dendonker
      Kane King

      Heaton KWP Pieters

      0 ITB

      1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        And Greenwood on the bench

      2. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Why do you have two Ft for this week? Isnt everyone having just 1 Ft this week?

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

        You won’t, site will be unavailable

      4. Rock n Grohl
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You're not going to like it but it looks like defenders need downgraded. But it's a -4 by looks of it. Unless you want to go without Kane?

      5. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Mission impossible. Servers are busy.

        And with that team structure it is difficult impossible without dropping Salah. Kane to Pukki or someone else, Kdb to Sterling?

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

      Which one to play, rest on bench: perez, lundstram or montoya?

      1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Perez

      2. Djemba12
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lund

    7. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who remembers the fable of Ryan Taylor?

    8. George James
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane >> Auba hokey cokey???

      anyone....

    9. New Post
    10. Party time
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Var to rule out some goals today 🙂

        1. Djemba12
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          1. Party time
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Just beautiful

        2. Rock n Grohl
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Slash, Siggy and Digne

          Or

          Mane, KDB and Coleman

          Which is best ? Have Sterling and Auba as well.

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

            Enough of the rock heavyweights Grohl!

          2. One Man
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            B

        3. Rock n Grohl
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          * Salah not Slash lol

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

            We hear you Dave 🙂

        4. Clinton19
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Hi guys, I have Fraser and Wilson in my side... My Gk is Heaton and pope... I don't have any arsenal players. Should I put pope or heaton in the nets today I'm leaning towards heaton so if Fraser and Wilson blank he should bank some points?

          1. Letsgo!
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Start heaton

          2. Simon B
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Same problem. Set on Heaton all week, now I’m wavering

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

          Need some help
          Pick two to play this GW:

          A Montoya
          B Zinchenko
          C Trossard

          1. Letsgo!
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            First two

        6. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Pope
          Kelly stones taa digne awb
          Perez salah sterling
          Auba(C) king

          Subs button barkley dendoncker greenwood,

          Good to go?

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

          Van A or Lundstram?

          1. Djemba12
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Lund

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

          Digne (C)?

        9. primal33
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Anyone else worried that Salah won't play more than 60 mins today? Sterling seems the better captain option to me.

          1. Djemba12
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Sala rests a lot on the pitch. Think he’ll be fine for the full 90 unless LIV are a couple goals up

        10. One Man
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A. Coleman & Pukki/King

          Or

          B. Laporte & McGinn/Robinson ?

          1. Djemba12
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            B

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

          Is the FF app not working properly for anyone else? Can’t see my points.

        12. Ludde
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Lundstram or Zinchenko this GW?

          1. Djemba12
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Zin

        13. One Man
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Stones should hold his place ? Or will he ?

        14. One Man
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A. Stones

          Or

          B. Coleman ?

        15. Djemba12
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Anyone on Harry Wilson as a starter yet or still too early?

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Not yet - but one to keep an eye on.

        16. _werre_
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Does my team need any surgery or should I save my FT?

          Pope
          Robbo Digne Kelly
          Salah KDB Martial Perez Fraser
          Kane King

          Heaton Lundstram Greenwood Taylor

          Can’t seem to make up my mind whether I should start Heaton and replace Kelly with Lundstram?

        17. Simon B
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Self inflicted keeper dilemma

          ?
          Digne, VVD, AA, Zinc
          Fraser, Sterling, Mo, Pérez
          Jota, Wilson

          Pope or Heaton?

        18. villain27
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Swap Pérez for Lanzini or just bank the transfer? West Ham have a lot of options is putting me off slightly!

        19. GOONER
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Owners of Lucas Moura, what will you do with him?

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

            Honestly still undecided. Want to move for Pulisic next week so straight transfer there. But for some reason still doubting whether to start him today over Lundstram... mental

        20. dorse
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Trossard > Beundia or roll the dice another week and keep FT? Dendonker as back up if Trossard doesn't play.

        21. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Who else has left their team with exactly the same players, formation and captain as last week?

          1. Ch3ckNorriZ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            +1

          2. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Only have Heaton coming in for Pope. The rest is exactly the same.

          3. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Me, with 92 points on the board, my side is settled (even my 3 Wolves attackers who blanked!). Still temped to pass the armband from Salah to Sterling, but prob won't.