Scout Picks

Man City triple-up for Gameweek 4 Scout Picks

A Manchester City triple-up underpins the Scout Picks squad for Gameweek 4 as they prepare to host Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Selecting just three of their players proved difficult and we had to make some difficult choices sifting through David, Neale, Paul and Geoff’s Scout Squad submissions.

This week we line up in a 3-5-2 formation coming in at £82.9m, just £0.1m under our budget of £83.0m.

Goalkeeper

Tom Heaton is our selected goalkeeper for Gameweek 4

Budget goalkeeper Tom Heaton (£4.5m) is our man between the sticks for Gameweek 4 after all four of our Scout Squad pundits included him in their submissions. Aston Villa travel to a Crystal Palace side that has largely struggled in front of goal this season. They may have found the net twice on the counter-attack at Manchester United, but prior to that, they had blanked in favourable fixtures in Gameweeks 1 and 2. Last season the Eagles scored the fewest home goals of any side that survived relegation too. Given Heaton’s history for making saves, we believe he could provide excellent value this weekend.

Defenders

Liverpool’s defence has not inspired confidence this season but Alexander-Arnold is offering plenty of attacking threat

Liverpool’s defence has been hard to trust for clean sheets so far this season, but Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) is still displaying plenty of attacking threat. His 11 chances created so far this season is the second-best in the entire league, of any player in any position, such is his threat both from set-pieces and from open play. Therefore, he stands an excellent chance of being involved in Liverpool’s goals at Burnley. Three of our Scout Squad pundits selected him as the best choice defender this week, David putting him in the second slot.

Lucas Digne (£6.1m) gets into the Scout Picks for the third week in four as Everton prepare to host Wolves on Sunday afternoon. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have been particularly goal-shy in the Premier League so far this season, finding the net just twice, once from the penalty spot and once through a world-class textbook Ruben Neves strike. The Europa League commitments appear to have taken a toll on Diogo Jota especially so it looks as if we’ll be in for a low-scoring affair at Goodison Park. Meanwhile, Digne continues to take set pieces for the Toffees, finding the net with one against Lincoln midweek.

With Brighton coming to the Etihad Stadium in Gameweek 4, a Manchester City defender should prove important. That’s why Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) gets back into the Scout Picks for the first time since Gameweek 1 after David and Paul tipped him in their submissions. Pep Guardiola’s men have conceded the fewest shots and goal attempts in the box over the first three Gameweeks, arguably unfortunate to let in two set-piece goals in both of their most recent outings. Meanwhile, Zinchenko played more key passes than any of his colleagues in the Gameweek 3 win over Bournemouth.

Midfielders

Raheem Sterling was unanimously voted as the best midfield option by our Scout Squad panel

Raheem Sterling (£12.3m) is the best midfielder for Gameweek 4 for each one of our Scout Squad panel. The Manchester City attacker has five goals in his first three matches of the campaign and is also top of the league for shots inside the box and big chances. After registering a goal and two assists in two league matches against a more defence-minded Brighton outfit last season, it seems unlikely that Graham Potter’s new-look forward-thinking side will stop Sterling’s excellent run of form at the Etihad Stadium.

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is welcomed back to the Scout Picks XI after a week out in the cold, one in which he punished our lack of faith with a 15-point haul. The Egyptian very much looked back to his best against Arsenal, after underwhelming performances in Gameweeks 1 and 2. Burnley at Turf Moor is not an especially easy fixture, but if Liverpool are to make a breakthrough this weekend, Salah is the most likely to score based on his penalty-taking duties, and more shots on target than any other colleague so far this season.

Kevin de Bruyne (£9.7m) has been an exceptional creator in the league so far this season. He has played more key passes than any other player across the first three Gameweeks, fashioning the most big chances during that time too. We had to choose between Manchester City’s midfield maestro and centre-forward Sergio Aguero for the final member of our triple-up – it was the Belgian who triumphed. We believe that de Bruyne offers better value than his Argentinian colleague and has greater long-term appeal as a more nailed-on member of the first-team, Gabriel Jesus already making great progress coming back from his hamstring injury.

Fully recovered from his dead-leg against Norwich, Mason Mount (£6.2m) makes his debut in the Scout Picks XI. He is the latest differential option to get promoted to the top-flight of FFS advice, this week ahead of Sheffield United’s trip to Stamford Bridge. The Blades are not likely to be pushovers on Saturday afternoon but Mount looks like one of Chelsea’s key players under Frank Lampard already. He ranks top among his colleagues for goal attempts and shots on target, which is why the midfielder averages 6.7 points per game so far.

Todd Cantwell (£4.7m) is looking like a very effective enabler this season given his budget price and attacking potential. The ongoing injury to Norwich midfielder Onel Hernández should ensure the 21-year-old continues to start games on the left flank of Daniel Farke’s attacking 4-2-3-1 formation. That has allowed Cantwell to register three attacking returns in the first three matches of the season. Against a West Ham defence that has not looked solid at all this season, we are backing the budget man to continue his run of form.

Forwards

Sébastien Haller makes his Scout Picks debut for Gameweek 4

Sébastien Haller (£7.4m) gets into the Scout Picks after being tipped by all four of our Scout Squad pundits. Paul was especially fond of the West Ham man, selecting him as the best forward for Gameweek 4. Norwich’s defence has been quite obliging in the early part of the season, conceding more shots on target than any other side, and letting in the highest number of goals so far (eight). Haller looks a decent candidate to capitalise on the Canaries’ weaknesses at the back, having found the net twice against an equally leaky Watford defence in Gameweek 2.

As David mentioned in his Scout Squad submission, Teemu Pukki (£7.0m) has almost become an auto-include for the Scout Picks at this point. He has five goals in the first three matches of the season and from what we can see of the underlying statistics, this output in terms of attacking returns looks sustainable. We’ve already covered how poor West Ham’s defence has been in recent weeks in our entry for Cantwell, so against them, it seems unlikely that Pukki’s scoring run will come to an end.

Substitutes

Emerson (£5.5m) has been showing plenty of potential in the early weeks of 2019/20. The Chelsea left-back is joint-top for attempts on goal among defenders and is joint-second for efforts inside the box. Clean sheets have not been forthcoming for the Blues just yet, but a home match with Sheffield United could be the perfect opportunity for Emerson to deliver his first returns of the campaign.

Daniel James (£6.0m) has been a rare positive spark for Manchester United so far this season, finding the net on two occasions already. The injury to Anthony Martial should see his place in the side assured for Gameweek 4 and given he has had more shots inside the box than any other Red Devil in 2019/20, his goal threat is already making itself known.

Joelinton (£5.9m) gets onto the Scout Picks bench after also making into our Spot the Differential article for Gameweek 4. The Newcastle forward managed to find the net with very little service against Spurs last weekend and may enjoy more opportunities against a Watford defence that has started the season in poor form.

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 4 is InsaneFC.

They have opted for a 3-4-3 of Kepa; Zinchenko, Digne, Alexander-Arnold; Sterling, Lanzini, Mount, Maddison; Haller, Aguero (c), 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 close defeat for the Scout Picks in Gameweek 3 as FPL Mike the Knight won by a 46-44 scoreline.

That means Hot Toddy’s 10-point winning margin from Gameweek 2 remains the current score to beat.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 3

4,990 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play one

    A. Lundstram
    B. Rico

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rather not

  2. Captain Remorse
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    **WARNING** The following post may be construed offensive by certain owners.

    Which goal-keeper would you play this week?

    A/ Ryan or
    B/ Button

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

      Hahahaha

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

      Still A

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

      Lol.

    4. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Button

    5. Wizard of Ozil
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Button. at least he wont get a minus score like Ryan

    6. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Always button.. If Ryan gets a red card button can save the penalty 🙂

      1. Captain Remorse
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Genius, answer!

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

    It’s crazy how tight the scoring is.

    I feel I’m doing ok, only 20 points off top 10k... but then I realised I’m only 14 points ahead of 500k!

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

      I'm -4 points off the top 10k 😎

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

      At 10.2K, I'm 30 points behind the 50th. That's about three wrong S vs S captains and a Lund bench away

      Early days though

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

        Right. It’s those small details accumulating over a season.

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

      Good news as someone around 500k

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

        Indeed. Very early days and it doesn’t take much to go up a long way... or down a long way!

  4. Nithin
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Playing WC-
    A. Greenwood, Lanzini, Emerson
    B. Söyüncü, Cantwell, Barnes

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

      B

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

      B, but only as I want to see a little more from Emerson in A (AKA defensive solidarity) before bringing him in.

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

    Start Kelly (AVL) or Jota (EVE)?

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

      Play attacker when in doubt

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

        He's been pants so far!

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

          Yes but he’s performing in Europe and is a good player so should offer rewards at some point

  6. Salalalalah
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Martial out, get
    Lanzini or McGinn?

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

      Prefer McGinn or Mount and use funds elsewhere.

  7. Pique and De Bruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How’s she looking chaps?

    Heaton
    VVD / Digne / AWB
    Mane / Sterling(c) / KDB / Mount / Cantwell
    Pukki / Haller

    Stek / Barnes / Lund / Montoya

    Team ok, bench/order good? Was thinking maybe Mane to Salah for -4 worthwhile?

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

    Is it crazy to sell Martial?

    He'll be out for only 1 GW and I'll want him back anyway?

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

      You've answered your own question.

      I haven't got rid.

    2. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think I’m doing martial to mount. Don’t love it though

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

      Don't sell if you want him back.

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on team you have and plans. No right or wrong.

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

        Keeping myself

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

    1) best 4.5m GK?

    2) Barnes or Haller

    3) VVD + Laporte or TAA + Zinchenko

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

      Pope
      Haller
      VVD/Laporte

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

      Pope
      Haller if no money issues
      Taa + zinch for higher ceiling (and my preference), vvd + laporte for nailedness and solid scores.

  10. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Currently on a -4:

    Heaton
    VVD Digne Laporte Lundstram
    Salah KDB Sterling
    Pukki Greenwood Wesley

    Pope Martial Dend Dunk

    Big issues with Lundstram and Greenwood I’m starting 11

    A) Do nothing else
    B) Martial > Mount for -8
    C) Wildcard

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

      Hold, that is a decent team and not worth WCing. Any help below?

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

      Take the 8 point hit. If you think Mount scores more than 4 points then it's worth it.

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

        Except that whoever is in the team is also going to score something. And then if you don’t want Mount long term, there’s another 4 points there.

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

          I was working on the assumption that Greenwood and Dunk are going to get 0.

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

            Greenwood has been coming off the bench, so he will get 1 point min. He may even start.

  11. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    WC team
    Adrian (Pope)
    TAA laporte soyuncu (Lowton Lundstram)
    Sterling Salah KDB Mount Cantwell
    Pukki Wesley (Barnes)
    0.2 in the bank
    Looks good?

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

      I would upgrade Cantwell to McGinn, Wesley to Haller andget rid of Barnes and Adrian.

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

      Looks great. Digne the only big name missing from the popular picks but Laporte with the fixtures looks gold

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

        I'm benching Barnes too. Hope Cantwell doesnt flop too hard!

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

    I’m thinking: Martial > Mount
    Would anyone suggest anything different?

    Pope, Heaton
    Digne, Robbo, Zinc, Lund, KWP
    Salah, Sterling, Martial, Cantwell Dendoncker
    Kane, King, Greenwood

  13. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can’t decide what formation, so please help!

    Heaton
    V Dijk, Wan Bissaka, Digne
    Salah (vc), Sterling, KDB, Cantwell, Mount
    Pukki (c), King

    (Pope, Zinchenko, Greenwood, Rico)

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

      Seriously benching zinchenko?!

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

      Play Zinc!

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

      Wouldn't bench Zinch

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

      Who would you bench for him?

  14. Shack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Got a real head scratcher for a FT;
    A: Kiko > Zinchenco
    B: Martial > Mount
    Need either to play this week, tempted by A as saved a price drop and think Martial could be a good pick next GW, but Mount could be more explosive. Thanks!

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

      Not A, Mendy could annoyingly be back after International Break.

    2. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  15. Chaballer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Final weekend of reminders to Hall of Fame Top 1K ranked managers to join the new league! ‘Top 1K HoF’ code = (beeps2)

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

    Have following options:

    1. Play Lund - not the end of the world tbh, keep Martial;
    2. Martial to DSilva -4;
    3. Martial to Mount/James -4 and some cash itb for further moves.

    Best one???

    1. Artemis Titans
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I did 3 to James n sterling upgrade.

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

      2

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

    Martial to Mount for -4? Have to do it before the price rise!

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

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

    Barnes/McGinn or Mount/Wesley?

  19. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Mane & Salah too much in one team?

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

      No, I have both with Sterling and KDB.
      They will score a lot of points!

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

    On a wc. Best option?

    A) Aguero James Soyuncu
    B) Rashford KDB Kelly
    C) Abraham KDB Matip

  21. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone still own Martial or has everyone flogged him?

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

      Keeping.

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He missed just this one game ffs.

  22. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Pukki worth getting in for a hit at this stage?

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

      Probably not. I'd want him from GW6 onwards though.

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

    With kwp and Dendoncker likely out...what would you do with this lot. Also not keen on trossard and Montoya (sub) Vs city. 1ft, 0.1 itb:

    Heaton / Pope
    VVD / Zinchenko / Digne / (KWP / Montoya)
    Sterling / Salah / Trossard / Mount / Dendoncker
    Kane / Pukki / (Wickham)

    Thinking replace kwp, but 5.0 for spurs fullback seems good with their decent upcoming fixtures too...

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

      You could roll FT, and do Heaton and KWP > Button and Emerson next week, or a midfield upgrade with that extra cash?

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

        Do really like the look of Emerson to be fair. Or KWP + Montoya -> Emerson + 4.1

  24. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    in how many hours will be price changes ?

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

    Question for wildcarders please.

    If you've gone for the template WC mid of Salah, Sterling, KDB, Mount, and Cantwell fronted by the three popular budget strikers (Pukki, Barnes, Haller), what are you planning to do about the subsequent benching headache?

    After Barnes plays at 'Pool, surely you'd have to field that trio every week, meaning Cantwell just becomes a strong first sub - or are you willing to mix things up according to fixtures?

    Disclaimer: On WC myself and really want that strike force, but trying to weigh up the benching implications and impact on defence before settling on all three, or just two with Greenwood. Thanks.

    1. Das Boot
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      thinking Abraham over haller here

    2. Das Boot
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      and prefer McGinn to Cantwell

    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gone with Wesley over haller so I don't feel too bad about benching him once in a while for cantwell

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Plus tomkins back soon meant Kelly was a no go for me.. Which meant I couldn't afford haller and get a good defense

    4. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      That front three leads to a poor back three

      It all hinges on 3 cheap forwards maintaining form which is outside the norm - for all three to so would be very unlikely

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

      I plan to stress myself out for hours only to realise I made the wrong choice... watching points sit on my bench

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

      I see Cantwell as my bench player for one offs.Like this week when Barnes is away at Pool. At 4.7 am happy to bench pretty much most weeks

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

        the way I see it is Cantwell is 0.2 more than what is deemed a normal bench player in the 8 attacking slots. He has just done really well in the last few games

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

          Good points, many thanks for feedback all.

    7. Partick Bateman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can't afford the template attacking 8 so not going with Barnes for next two then using 2 FTs to bring him or Wood in (if the latter starts finding the net).

  26. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mount or Lanzini? Both got nice Fixtures

  27. Felix Navidad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who to replace martial and KWP with?
    A KDB
    B Mount

    1 Digne
    2 Emerson

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A1

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

        Cheers

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          in how many hours is price changes do you know ?

  28. Rust Cohle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Start Ceballos or AWB

  29. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    jesus christ someone made a gif https://twitter.com/FplAuto/status/1167552841818550276

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

      Somebody shared it too.

  30. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Do we think Ashley Barnes will rise tonight or is that all the wild carders boosting him up on FPLstatistics?