Scout Picks

Manchester United defensive double-up in Gameweek 3 Scout Picks

We have chosen the Scout Picks XI for Gameweek 3 with a heavy focus on Manchester City and Spurs.

This was selected after much deliberation over the Scout Squad submissions from David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

The 4-4-2 formation is used again and our team comes in at £82.0m, a whole £1.0m under the budget of £1.0m.

Goalkeeper

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea might not have much to do on Saturday

David de Gea (£5.6m) is handed a place in goal for the Scout Picks ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit to Old Trafford. The Eagles are one of two teams without a goal this season, and have failed to score away at Manchester United in the league since 2004. Meanwhile, the Red Devils’ defence has been much-improved following summer signings, offering the second-best expected goals conceded (xGC) score so far this season.

Defenders

Kyle Walker-Peters in action for Tottenham Hotspur

Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) is our man from the Manchester City defence for Gameweek 3. The centre-back remains the most likely starter for the reigning champions following recent news about Benjamin Mendy. Pep Guardiola’s men are top of the league for xGC in the first two Gameweeks while Bournemouth’s attack is yet to impress in front of goal.

We have decided to double-up on the Manchester United defence for Gameweek 3, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.6m) our chosen man in this position. The right-back was selected in the top two defenders by David, Neale and Geoff. On top of what we already mentioned in de Gea’s entry, in the first two Gameweeks, Crystal Palace are bottom of the league for total goal attempts, shots inside the box and big chances. Meanwhile, Wan-Bissaka is joint-second for crosses among Manchester United players in 2019/20.

Kyle Walker-Peters (£5.0m) gets into the Scout Picks XI ahead of Newcastle’s visit to Spurs in Gameweek 3. The Magpies have been particularly poor going forward so far under Steve Bruce, only two teams fashioning fewer big chances than them so far. Meanwhile, Walker-Peters has some creativity to offer, putting in four crosses against Villa in Gameweek 1.

John Lundstram‘s (£4.1m) value made him an irresistible inclusion in the Scout Picks for a second week running. This week, Sheffield United face a Leicester side currently joint-bottom of the league for shots on target so far this season, while the Blades’ xGC is bettered only by the five clubs in 2019/20. Meanwhile, Lundstram himself looks set to continue in his central midfield berth and is currently joint-second for big chances created in the Premier League.

Midfielders

Sterling was the number one midfielder for each Scout Squad pundit in Gameweek 3

Raheem Sterling (£12.2m) was unanimously chosen as the best midfield asset by our Scout Squad panel. The Manchester City man has four goals in his first two matches, is joint-top of the league for shots in the box and faces a Bournemouth defence in Gameweek 3 that failed to keep a clean sheet against either Sheffield United or Aston Villa.

Sadio Mané (£11.5m) was the most popular Liverpool midfielder ahead Arsenal’s visit to Anfield. Against Southampton, he played more key passes than any other player on the pitch and had the most shots on target too. Meanwhile, Salah’s underlying statistics have been a little underwhelming so far this season. The fixture looks good, of course, with Arsenal bottom of the league for clean sheets away from home in 2018/19.

As Manchester United’s safely established new number nine, Anthony Martial (£7.7m) makes it into the Scout Picks for the first time this season. The Frenchman is playing out of position and already has two goals in as many games in 2019/20. Crystal Palace have conceded an average of 1.8 goals per game in their last five Premier League visits to Old Trafford and are still without their first-choice centre-backs James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho.

Leandro Trossard (£7.0m) impressed us with his slightly later than expected debut in Gameweek 2. He was the chief goal threat for Brighton against West Ham, which suggests he’ll have similar joy against a Southampton side that has conceded five times in two matches so far this season.

Forwards

Kane was the most popular forward among the Scout Squad pundits this week

Harry Kane (£11.0m) was the overwhelming favourite forward for our Scout Squad pundits for Gameweek 3, selected as the best option by all four. Spurs host a Newcastle side that has conceded an average of two goals per game so far this season, while Kane was top of the league for shots in the box after newly-promoted Aston Villa came to north London in Gameweek 1.

Teemu Pukki (£6.8m) was the one that got away in Gameweek 2, as we left him on the bench for his hat-trick against Newcastle. We won’t make the same mistake this time around, including him in the Scout Picks XI for the visit of Chelsea to Carrow Road. The Blues’ defence, still without a clean sheet, has not looked too assured yet this season, while Pukki is currently top of the league for shots in the box and shots on target.

Substitutes

Dan Burn (£4.5m) is our representative from the Brighton defence on the substitute’s bench. Out of all Seagulls defenders, the centre-back is top for penalty box touches, shots in that area of the field, joint-top for key passes and highest for expected goal involvement (xGI).

Todd Cantwell (£4.5m) looks a decent budget option for Gameweek 3, as he will also face the inexperienced Chelsea defence Pukki goes up against this weekend. The left-winger has created the most chances of any Norwich player so far in 2019/20.

Ashley Barnes (£6.6m) doesn’t have a hugely appealing fixture in Gameweek 3 but is in decent form. Only Sterling and Pukki have registered more shots in the box so far this season, while the Burnley forward is level with Manchester CIty’s top-scorer for efforts on target.

The Scout Picks’ Captain

As we have mentioned many times since the season began, the Scout Picks now has a captain for the 2019/20 campaign.

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 3 is FPL Mike the Knight.

They have opted for a 3-4-3 of De Gea; Walker-Peters, Burn, Maguire; De Bruyne (c), Sterling, Son, Mount; Firmino, Rashford, 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.

It was a first defeat of the season for the Scout Picks in Gameweek 2 as Hot Toddy won by a 69-59 scoreline.

That makes his 10-point margin the current score to beat.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 2

1,130 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1st comment?

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

      And what a pearler... 🙄

    2. Bocaginge
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Congrats!

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

      10 extra point guaranteed this GW. Congrats!

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hahaha I wish

  2. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best option for the next 2 GW?

    A. Deulofeu
    B. Jota
    C. Wesley

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

      B

  3. Astronautovic
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Perez to mount worth a - 4?

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

      No

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

        Thanks

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

      Yes imo

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

        Thanks

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      NOPE

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

        Thank your rupert

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

      No

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

        Thanks

    5. VAR United
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I did it. Albrighton looked lively when he came on

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

    Trossard is 6.0m, not 7.0m, is he not?

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

      Yup, 6.0m

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

    Who's on the Pukki train?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Everyone!

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I took the wrong train
      Barnes

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Still, nice place to go is Barnes.

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

    West Ham are 42 percent to keep a CS. City are 52 percent to keep a CS.

    So play Diop (wat) OR Wilson (MCI)?

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

      Wilson

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

    a) Robbo and Soy
    b) Zinch and Digne

    Currently on b) but worried about no Pool defence

    1. MosF94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think B, but have a plan to get a Liv defender in if they improve their form

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

    If you still have Perez you should keep him for the next two, he's already dropped in price anyway!

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

      This is true

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

      Another blank and he will be sold in masses

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

        That also true

    3. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I've kept him but now debating whether to bench him for Lundstram...

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

      That's has been my thinking...I hope it works out, but he needs to do something soon.

  9. Strangelove
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Start 2...

    A) C Wilson (MCi)
    B) Lundstram (LEI)
    C) Perez (SHU)

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A B

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

      BC

    3. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B & C

    4. Deyanski
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Going with Wilson myself.
      Lundstram 1st on the bench.

    5. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A & C

  10. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good to go? Not sure who to bench really

    Pope
    Digne AWB Dunk
    Sterling Mane Martial Ceballos
    Kane(c) Rashford Pukki

    (Button Cantwell Lundstram Kelly)

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ceballos

  11. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Robbo Laporte Digne TAA (Rico)
    Salah Sterling Martial Trossard (Dendoncker)
    Pukki Jota (Greenwood)

    Used my 2 FT to get Martial & Pukki but still feeling very uneasy about not having Kane & KDB (particularly with their fixtures).

    a) Leave as is
    b) WC and get in Kane, KDB (amongst others)

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

      I had a very similar team and i wildcarded for similar reasons. not sure if now is right time though after price changed already

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A. Kdb blank and Kane 6 pointer incoming

  12. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Has Trossard's value skyrocketed or has the author of this article dropped a bollock?

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

      Trossard is a good short teem option, but fixtures turn terribly

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

        Awkward.

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      One is hanging low

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah he's 6m. Must be a typo.

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

      Classic Munday!

  13. mdm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Robinson or Lundstram?

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

      Robinson is a bit of a donkey innit

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

    Feels good to save a trade

    Heaton
    TAA Coleman Dunk
    Sterling Mane Mcginn Cantwell
    Kane Pukki Auba

    Lundy Donkey Kelly

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

      Nice team

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

      You backing your Norwich boys to do well at home to Chelsea?

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

    Including Mane against Arsenal for a one week team over KDB is a bit weird

  16. TheBrazilianRonaldo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Only one from the recommended picks. Re-assuring!

  17. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can nobody bat anymore?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      So crap isn't it?

  18. Goalasm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) TAA + Montoya + Rashford
    B) TAA+ Digne + Barnes
    C) Montoya + Zoyuncu + Kane

  19. Xpointgam
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick 2 fwd ans 1 def

    A Barnes
    B Pukki
    C. Kean
    D. Haller

    E. Maguire
    F. Wan bissaka

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      BDF

  20. Lazerball
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Zinchecnko or Lundstram?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Zinch

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      ZINCH

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

      Umm...….

    4. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Got it wrong last week but probably will play zinchenko again

  21. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    VvD and Pope
    or
    Laporte and Adrian

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ta

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

      V+P

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Damn 😀

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hon WR I considered Adrián on WC also. Do you not think it’s very short term?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sure, but should get a few games and if I sell VvD I will have no Pool

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No pool whatsoever or no pool defence? I think I’d back City and Utd defence over Liverpool currently.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            None at all but that’s not really relevant to my defence 🙂

            1. FPL Blow-In
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Brave man

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

    Kane 101%
    Mane 100%
    kdB 98%
    Pukki 90%

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Took your advice and went Mane over Salah to accommodate KDB btw 😉

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

      All the starting Everton defence will be above 100% come midnight.

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

      Hot or Not ratings?

  23. Polster
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Need advice please,

    Play Lundstram or King?

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

      I'm playing Lundstram and benching King

  24. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Zinchenko
    B. AWB

    Already got Rashford & Martial.

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      AWB as zinchenko isn't secure of his spot long term

  25. nibby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Choose one
    A) Firmino + Lowton + Dann
    B) Barnes + AWB + Laporte

  26. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    can i get opinions on these WC options PLEASE?

    THE ROTATING TEAM
    pope 4.0
    awb COLEMAN SOYUNCU MONTOYA lundstram
    sterling kdb mane MARTIAL CANTWELL
    KANE pukki wickham

    THE LIGHT DEFENCE TEAM
    pope 4.0
    awb DIOP SOYUNCU MONTOYA lundstram
    sterling kdb mane MARTIAL CEBALLOS
    KANE pukki wickham

    THE SON TEAM
    pope 4.0
    awb BOLY SOYUNCU MONTOYA lundstram
    sterling kdb mane MARTIAL SON
    BARNES pukki WICKHAM

    THE NO MARTIAL TEAM
    pope 4.0
    awb COLEMAN SOYUNCU MONTOYA lundstram
    sterling kdb mane CANTWELL CEBALLOS
    BARNES pukki KANE

    THE NO SPURS HEAVY DEFENCE TEAM
    pope 4.0
    awb DIGNE LAPORTE VVD lundstram
    sterling kdb mane CANTWELL MARTIAL
    BARNES pukki WICKHAM

    1. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bit too much to take in. By the time I've got to the fourth team I've completely forgotten the first. Probably why u didn't get answers previously, sorry.

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

      jebus.

      😯

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

      Smooth - criminal (formatting)

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

      wow...that took long

      Anyway, I would go with "The Rotating Team"

  27. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG or put lundstram on the pitch?

    Ryan
    Trent VVD Digne zinchenko
    Sterling (c) Salah Siggy Martial
    Pukki Jota

    Bench; Woodman, Lundstram, Dendoncker, Wickham

  28. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Zaha to score against his old team and ruin double Utd defense for the picks ?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely haha

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No.

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      AWB will lock him down.

    4. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This would be funny.

    5. Deyanski
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I can only see them scoring by a penalty 😛

  29. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kdb & trent or Vvd & Mane. Got sterling but no pool attack if i go kdb

  30. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is VVD to AWB worth a hit, will allow me to do Wesley to Pukki for free in GW4

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

      Do you think AWB outscores VVD by 4 points? That will give you your answer

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

      don't swap defenders for -4. as clean sheet give the same additional points (4). On other hand VVD can score a goal or may be a clean sheet, who knows