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

    Ok WC active, is my team gtg?

    Pope, Button
    TAA, Digne, Zinch, Hanley, Kelly
    Sterling, KDB, Martial, Mount, Douglas Luiz
    Kane, Pukki, Barnes

    Appreciate any thoughts.

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

      Great

    2. Mufc123
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Taa to Laporte
      Mount to trossard

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

        Too many Man C players for that.

    3. tricky80
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Assuming Zinch becomes AWB moving forward? Looks good otherwise. Any Liverpool coverage?

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

        Yep, Zinch to AWB around GW10-12. TAA for Liverpool cover, just don't see the value in Liverpool attackers when they trade points each week.

    4. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      That's a magnificent team.

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

        Cheers!

  2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Deadline in 3 hours

    Let’s gets this show on the road

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

    Which is better ?
    A- Robbo + Robinson >
    Söyüncü + Martial
    B- Robbo + Wesley >
    Söyüncü + Rashford

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

    Correct first XI and bench order?

    Pope
    VvD Digne Zinchenko Montoya
    Sterling (vc) Salah Martial Trossard
    Pukki Kane (c)

    Button Lundstram Dendo Greenwood

    Thanks..

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

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

        I've gone Dendo over Lundstram. Fancy Leicester to score.

  5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Dendoncker or Ceballos?
    Also playing Double Pool defence

    1. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ceb all day

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ceballos far more ways to get points.

  6. tricky80
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Two of Cantwell, Lundstram and Maupay to play... opinions?

  7. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    G2G?

    Pope
    KWP Dunk Zinchenko
    Salah Sterling Martial McGinn
    Kane Rashford Pukki

    (Button, Lundstram Dendoncker Rico)
    0FT 0.2ITB

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

    Best 6.5m price range fwd for the next 2 gws?

    A. Jota
    B. Barnes
    C. Deulofeu

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jots just needs telling he is playing in Europe will in the Prem.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        auto correct......Jota, while.

  9. Marco Ni Motet
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Firmino as captain. Anyone else?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      6.3m players, you're never alone no matter who you captain

      1. Marco Ni Motet
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Really? Thought I was the only one in the game captaining him. Damn.

    2. Psychedelic Fish
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A decent shout, can bring good points

    3. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Me too, i'm sure i read he has a good record against the arse

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Unfortunately for the gunners he does love putting a few up the arse all right

        1. Marco Ni Motet
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Seems like a great differential. I trust him.

  10. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Had King in my XI all week but now switched to Lundstram. Crazy?

    1. the vanisher
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

  11. NED KELLY
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'm captaining mane because he's an absolute beast

  12. Johnnyboy UK
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope McGov
    Reid W Digne WB Aldew Lund's
    Martial Sterling KDB Mcginn Send
    Kane Pukki Firmino

    No Salah or Mane but Firm for coverage. Kane better for set and forget. Hoping Reid returns and only 4m. Nice 343 set up

  13. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Dunk or Montoya

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      d

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

    2FTs done this week. Correct bemch /start order?

    Ryan
    TAA Robbo Walker-Peters
    Salah KdB(vc) Martial Grealish
    Kane(c) Pukki Jota

    Button Lundstram Dendoncker Kelly

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

    Pope
    VvD - Digne - Diop - Zinchenko - Soyuncu
    Son - KdB(c) - Salah - Sigurdsson
    Jimenez
    Heaton - Wilson - Stephens - Greenwood

    1. Who to Captain?
    2. Pope (wol) OR Heaton (EVE)
    3. Diop (wat) OR Wilson (MCI)?

    Replies much appreciated!

  16. balint84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I have this team. should do something, I have 2ft

    Pope

    Zich-Coleman-VanDijk

    Salah-KDB-Perez-Martial-McGinn

    Kane(C)-Wilson

    subs: Heaton-KikoFeminia-Rico-Wickham

    what to do with my 2nd ft?

  17. Benny01_
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Walker + Dunk or Laporte + Kelly?

  18. Alli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG?

    Ryan
    VVD - Digne - Zinc - Dunk
    Salah - Sterling (c) - KDB (vc) - Martial
    Pukki - Jota

    Heaton - Dendoncker - Diop - Greenwood

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The only one I question is Jota. Other than that looks great

  19. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fpl server Meltdown.

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

    Richarlison and Perez to Lamela and Martial?

    1. Psychedelic Fish
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nah, i'd keep them for another gw, esp Richarlison, hia shot in the box number is decent, he just a bit unlucky it seems in not finding the target. Maybe Perez to Martial if you can afford it.

  21. Typo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Prob been mentioned but trossard aint 7.0 and cantwell is 4.6. Getcha facts yo

  22. Stoneleigh
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Missed press conferences with being at work - any highlights?

  23. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    FPL is down 🙁

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It is back. Just

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

    1) Start Dendocker or King?
    2) Start Pope or Heaton?

  25. pokern1nja09
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mane + Maguire or Salah + Diop on wildcard?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      M&m

    2. Psychedelic Fish
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mane Maguire

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

    Scouts chasing last week's point.

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

      I agree..many better options than pukki for this gw based on the fixture.. basing their picks on a just stats for a 2gw sample size and ignoring the fixture is a little naive imo

  27. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    who to bench out of these 3?

    A) Kiko (WHU)
    B) Ceballos (liv)
    C) Dendoncker (BUR)

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

    If you have Robbo would you keep or sell to get Martial or Rashford ?

  29. Snibben2
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What are peoples thoughts on Spurs line-up:
    I've Moura, and wonder if he gets minutes (now when Son is available)? Ndembele is out, increase Mouras chances :)?

  30. Mufc123
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mount or trossard??

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

      Tross

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

      Tross for this week. Mount has better fixtures after that.

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

        Depends if u can bench Tross