Scout Squad

The Scout Squad picks for FPL Gameweek 5

We have submitted our Scout Squad selections for the much-anticipated Gameweek 5.

In this regular piece, our four members of staff – editorial’s Paul, David, and Neale as well as community manager Geoff – each send in an 18-man squad of Fantasy assets (with the focus on the coming Gameweek) and elaborate on their notable inclusions/omissions.

The 72 nominations listed below will then be narrowed down to a squad of 14 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83m) ahead of the Gameweek 5 deadline at 11:30 BST on Saturday morning.

As we discussed last week, we are making some slight tweaks to the way we do Scout Squad and Scout Picks this season.

We have placed stricter regulations on our panelists: there are requirements for at least one £4.5m goalkeeper, at least one £4.5m or cheaper defender, at least one midfielder priced £6.0m or below and at least one forward priced at £7.0m or lower.

As was the case last year, each panelist is restricted to no more than three players from the same team.

We have also be added a captaincy to the Scout Picks this season, with details explained on Friday.


 DavidNealePaulGeoff
GKDean HendersonHugo LlorisHugo LlorisHugo Lloris
 Nick PopeNick PopeDean HendersonDean Henderson
 Kepa ArrizabalagaDean HendersonNick PopeNick Pope
DFTrent Alexander-ArnoldVirgil van DijkTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-Arnold
 Andrew RobertsonTrent Alexander-ArnoldAndrew RobertsonAndrew Robertson
 Oleksandr ZinchenkoJohn LundstramOleksandr ZinchenkoNicolas Otamendi
 Lucas DigneAaron Wan-BissakaLucas DigneLucas Digne
 John LundstramJames TarkowskiJohn LundstramJohn Lundstram
MFRaheem SterlingMohamed SalahMohamed SalahMohamed Salah
 Mohamed SalahRaheem SterlingRaheem SterlingRaheem Sterling
 Daniel JamesDavid SilvaChristian EriksenChristian Eriksen
 Mason MountMason MountRicharlisonGylfi Sigurdsson
 Nicolas PépéJohn McGinnJohn McGinnJohn McGinn
FWSergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio Aguero
 Ashley BarnesDiogo JotaRaúl JiménezSébastien Haller
 Sébastien HallerAlexandre LacazetteSébastien HallerRaúl Jiménez
 Jamie VardySébastien HallerAshley BarnesWesley
 Pierre-Emerick AubameyangAshley BarnesWesleyAshley Barnes

Most popular picks: Dean Henderson, Nick Pope, Trent Alexander-Arnold, John Lundstram, Raheem Sterling, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero, Ashley Barnes, Sebastien Haller (four), Hugo Lloris, Lucas Digne, Andrew Robertson, John McGinn (three)

DAVID SAID…

Selecting a goalkeeper for the Scout Squad seems to get harder and harder each week.

For Gameweek 5, I’ve gone with Dean Henderson as the marginally best option ahead of Southampton’s visit to Sheffield United.

The Blades’ goalkeeper has got a good record for saves and his side has largely kept things tight so far this season.

In defence, I’ve gone with a double-up on Liverpool options in their most favourable fixture for some time.

Newcastle come to Anfield with very few goals to their name so far in 2019/20 (three), while we saw glimpses of the Reds returning to their best at the back against Burnley last time out.

I’m not completely convinced Manchester City will keep a clean sheet at Norwich but if they are to do so, Oleksandr Zinchenko has shown in recent weeks that he is a good option.

The same games for Lucas Digne as I think Bournemouth’s attack will cause Everton some problems, but the left-back has enough offensive potential to make up for it.

John Lundstram completes my defensive submissions given his clean sheet potential and creativity so far this season as a central midfielder.

In midfield, I’ve gone with Raheem Sterling as the best option, despite his poor showing against Brighton. He showed just how much of a world-class option he is on international duty and ultimately, I think he’s got the much better fixture than Mohamed Salah this week.

While Newcastle demonstrated the ability to frustrate with banks of bodies behind the ball in their Gameweek 3 win over Spurs, Norwich are yet to show any defensive know-how this season and have by far the worst record at the back so far.

Daniel James has impressed me with his penalty box presence and other goal threat underlying statistics, while Mason Mount looks like Chelsea’s most likely to score points in midfield.

If I was Wildcarding this week, I’d go Kevin de Bruyne over Sergio Aguero, but as we are only selecting for one Gameweek with the Scout Squad, I’ve gone with the Argentinian in my selection.

Despite limited minutes this season (which is part of my concern long-term), Aguero is level with Salah for shots in the box and just one behind Sterling for shots on target. Given how poor Norwich’s defence is, I’d expect him to rack up the points here.

Ashley Barnes is also a great inclusion ahead of a trip to Brighton based on his eight shots on target thus far this season, only Teemu Pukki has more.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pépé are included as my outside bets as I think the change of management at Watford has occurred too late for them to prevent Arsenal scoring big at Vicarage Road.

NEALE SAID…

I was talked out of a Manchester City attacking triple-up when it came to the Scout Picks last week but I’m not wasting a City slot on a defender in Gameweek 5, particularly with Aymeric Laporte sidelined and with Norwich unlikely to curb their attacking instincts too much when Pep Guardiola’s side visit Carrow Road.

Kevin De Bruyne was irresistible on Monday night and I own the Belgian midfielder myself in FPL but I’m a mite concerned that he could be handed a well-earned breather over the coming week (hopefully in the Champions League), so for that reason alone I’ve gone with the rested David Silva along with the obligatory duo of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero – ‘El Mago’ has the same xA as De Bruyne this season and is the only fit attacking midfielder on City’s books who didn’t represent their country over the international break.

Liverpool look the likeliest source of a clean sheet this weekend and I’ve opted for Virgil van Dijk alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Newcastle’s vulnerability to set-piece situations and headed chances (they were bottom of the table for both in 2018/19) the logic behind that double-up. The two defenders, indeed, combined for a goal at St. James’ Park in May.

Outside of Liverpool, I struggled for defenders this week.

John Lundstram is the obvious budget pick given that a well-organised Sheffield United defence are up against Nathan Redmond-less Southampton, who have scored from just one of their nine big chances this season. Che Adams, meanwhile, has yet to register a shot on target.

Manchester United’s defence hasn’t been that bad this season: they have the second-best xGC in the division and no side has conceded fewer big chances.

Should he be fit and up against James Maddison (as I suspect might happen), Aaron Wan-Bissaka should get plenty of tackles in to aid his cause on the Bonus Point System. Stop Maddison and Leicester’s creativity suffers, so I’m taking a leap of faith with the United right-back given his history of nullifying in-form wide midfielders.

Burnley have coped very well against wing-back systems this season (a clean sheet against Southampton and only a last-gasp penalty conceded against Wolves) so I’ll root for one of the save-accumulating Nick Pope or the goal-threatening James Tarkowski against a potentially Trossard-less Brighton in the Scout Picks – two players we discussed at length in this week’s Scoutcast.

I’m hoping Mason Mount gets a run-out on the left flank this weekend, as he’ll be up against Adama Traore at Molineux – the pacy wing-back is excellent going forward but leaves a lot to be desired defensively, while Wolves will also be without the suspended Willy Boly.

Chelsea’s defensive problems are well-documented and I can see goals in this fixture, with a relatively rested Diogo Jota (no start in his last three games for club and country) capable of wreaking havoc in the visitors’ backline with his driving runs.

Alexandre Lacazette should be fit for Sunday’s trip to Watford and, as the central striker in Arsenal’s attack, I’m backing the Frenchman over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in my Scout Squad: Lacazette had six shots to Aubameyang’s one while both players were on the field in the north London derby and has the best minutes-per-chance average among FPL forwards who have played more than 100 minutes this season.

PAUL SAID…

Pinpointing the best options among the Liverpool and Man City contingents could be decisive as both have very favourable Gameweek 5 fixtures.

I’m backing both sides at both ends of the pitch, with Oleksandr Zinchenko’s attacking potential a big factor in his selection.

The City left-back has been far more creative on his travels in the opening four matches.

Away from home, his six key passes ranks top among FPL defenders, compared with his single chance created at the Etihad Stadium.

The influence of Christian Eriksen could be vital if Spurs are to break down a stubborn Crystal Palace side.

Despite starting only two of the first four Gameweeks, the Dane’s five shots on target and eight chances created both rank top for Spurs.

Added to his appeal is Eriksen’s goal and assist in a 2-0 home win over the Eagles last season.

I’m backing Raul Jimenez to extend his return to form at home to Chelsea.

The Wolves striker has scored in each of the last two Gameweeks and has a decent record against his visitors, netting in both their meetings last season.

Despite a collective lack of faith that has earned him over 618,000 transfers out, Jimenez is level with Roberto Firmino, for example, for both shots on target (five) and expected goals (1.79).

Goals look on the agenda at Villa Park on Monday evening.

Both Aston Villa and West Ham have conceded 46 shots inside the box – only Norwich, with 47, have been less resilient.

Sebastien Haller seems the attacker most likely to profit, though the hosts’ frontman Wesley is a decent cut-price differential with ownership under 2%.

The Brazilian bagged a goal and maximum bonus in his last home fixture and has fired seven shots in the box, more than any team-mate.

GEOFF SAID…

Hugo Lloris has a good chance at his first clean sheet against Crystal Palace, who failed to score in Gameweek 1 against Everton and Gameweek 2 against Sheffield United. 

With that clean sheet against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 2, Dean Henderson has a 50% clean sheet return rate at home, and hosts Southampton who have failed to score in 50% of their away games.

Nick Pope is my third pick despite failing to keep a clean sheet in the last three matches. He did, however, play teams from last season’s top seven over that period, keeping a clean sheet against Southampton on opening weekend.

I’m going with a Liverpool defensive double up at home to Newcastle, opting for the attacking threat of Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson

While Zinchenko looks a good option I’m banking on attacking threat from Nicolás Otamendi, after Laporte’s injury.

Lucas Digne already has two clean sheets this season and I predict that will continue away to Bournemouth. John Lundstram rounds out my defence as a nice OOP budget option at home to Southampton.

Mohamed Salah and Raheem Sterling shouldn’t surprise anyone at the top of my list. Fellow Scout Paul has convinced me of the merits of both Christian Eriksen and Gylfi Sigurdsson this week: a look at Eriksen’s shots on target and chances created, and Sigurdsson’s key passes and shots on target, is quite convincing. 

John McGinn has attacking returns in two out of four Gameweeks, and West Ham have already conceded nine times this season.

Up-front, I’m counting on a Sergio Aguero start, with Norwich’s injury problem growing by the week. With three goals in the last two matches, Sébastien Haller claims my second slot. Three strikers with good fixtures round out my picks: Raúl JiménezWesley Moraes, and Ashley Barnes.

1,243 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fab
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Zinch or Ota on a WC? Why?

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

      Otamendi
      Very much nailed after Laporte's injury! Has a goal threat as well! While Zinchenko is a rotation risk now with UCL & cup games starting and Mendy & Cancelo are back as well!

      1. fab
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        cheers!

    2. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I would go for neither and rather watch what Pep surprises us with. You can still bring in a City defender next week once you know how strong their defense is with the rotation starting around their busy schedule now

      1. fab
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        don't see the point in this as it would force a transfer next week. Surely better to pick one now and hopefully avoid a transfer?

        1. 11 smelly shirts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          If your strategy is to save a transfer next week, then you're right. I was more coming from the perspective that the City defense has a risk of rotation and if you go for Otamendi and he's benched you save a transfer next week, but it gives you 0 points this weekend (or whatever your bench player achieves) this week - different strategy = different solutions

  2. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Any changes needed for this WC team guys? 0.2 itb

    Pope Button

    TAA Digne Soyuncu Lundstram Mings

    Salah Sterling KDB Cantwell Dendoncker

    Pukki Haller Abraham

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Sir Terrence of Templateshire. Looks fine.

      1. Party time
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Hahahaha

        • CrouchDown
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Hahaha agreed. Happy enough with it though there’s no punts that really appeal to me atm

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Nothing wrong with that - good luck 🙂

            1. CrouchDown
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks mate you too

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        The price spread on forwards no great. Outside of Barnes and one of them fails how do you get a main man in if he starts performing? Just asking

        1. CrouchDown
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I guess it would take 2FT but I usually make two at a time anyway. Downgrade one the MFs and upgrade FW to Kun/Kane/Auba

      3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Template for a reason

        Looks good

    2. AceKn1ght
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Who would you bench?

      A) King
      B) O’Connell

      Thanks!

      1. MTPockets
          4 years, 6 months ago

          B (disclaimer - I had to look up who O'Connell was)

          1. AceKn1ght
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Hahaha... Should have gone for Lundstram at the start of the season!

      2. Reckoner.
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        A) Abraham & Lundstrum / Guilbert / Rico rotating
        or
        B) Jota & Otamendi

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I like B, but be careful with Jota. I own him and like him, but if he blanks vs Chelsea myself and a lot of others who've held will get rid, so you could be looking at one or two price drops next week. Not sure that's what you need just after playing a WC. Is 6.3 as much as much as you can stretch to?

          1. Reckoner.
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Yup with doing Guilbert > Otamendi 6.3 is the max left.

            I too started with Jota but only saw one of his drops before moving him on!

            1. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Think I'd be tempted by Wood, or maybe Maupay then, good luck!

          2. Reckoner.
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Maupay is a player I like, maybe I go with him for the next 2.

            Do fancy Jota to do well against Chelsea's questionable defense though and then he does have Palace and Watford. Think he maybe worth the risk.

            1. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Haha, great minds!

            2. avfc82
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Go for it then, I think he'll do well, no minutes over the international break either despite being away with Portugal.

              1. Reckoner.
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Thanks for the help, think I'm going to risk Jota. He's too good a player to carry on blanking plus they have some great fixtures coming up!

      3. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Bottomed!

        GTG? On WC!

        Pope
        TAA Digne Otamendi Lundstram
        Salah(vc) Pepe DSilva
        Aguero(C) Haller Barnes

        Button Guendouzi Hayden Soyunucu

      4. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        My team

        Heaton
        TAA Digne Lundstram
        Sterling(vc) Salah(c) Mount Zaha
        Haller Wilson Pukki

        Button Donk Kelly Aarons

        Who to sacrifice to enable Mount>KDB ???

        Tempted to hold free transfer this week to enable the move without a hit next week?

      5. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        How will the Champions League affect Mount's game time?

        1. Le Bluff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          He seems to be Lampard's main man, but whether that translates across into the UCL is a different thing altogether IMO.

          The likes of Kovacic, Jorginho and Kane all have much more experience than Mount in Europe so he could actually be more favoured for the PL matches.

          Hard to say though.

          1. Tshelby
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks for the information Balfy!
            Just wondering if he is worth it investing in with maybe CL rotation.

            1. Athletic Nasherbo
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              I agree with above- Chelsea fan.

        2. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          as lampard said hes not gonna start every game, but thats why hes priced the way he is

          1. Tshelby
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thank you Embolo!
            Going to leave him out on my wildcard than and go for Barnes

      6. Le Bluff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Core, this Salah vs Sterling for the captaincy conundrum is almost as close to a 50/50 call as there can be, IMO.

        In terms of defensive stats (Goal Attempts Conceded, Big Chances Conceded etc) Norwich's home form and Newcastle's away form are near enough identical.

        Sterling plays for the better attacking team and *should* get more chances, but does that ouweigh Salah's supposed higher assurity of gametime and the fact he's on pens, corners etc?

        I've had the armband on Sterling all week but I'm starting to waiver towards the Egyptian... namely because of the reasons mentioned above.

        Is this a classic case of overthinking/over-analysing?

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Salah was crap last gameweek, 2 weeks ago

          1. Le Bluff
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Still came away with an assist, though. And hit the post.

            Outscored Sterling too!

            My point is that it's a very close call.

            1. Yankee Toffee
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              The assist was an accident!

        2. Shatner's Bassoon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Possibly...It's not a poor decision to captain either of them with the knowledge we'll have prior to GW kick off, so I'm just staying with the horse I've backed (Sterling)

          Think there's a 'rhythm vs rest' debate to be had between the two of them...maybe?

          Sometimes not easy to burst back into life after two weeks off (although Salah's class should mitigate that); whereas Sterling has just kept delivering across the IB.... caveat there though is obviously the exertions.

          As I say, not a poor decision to stick the C on either so purely to not agonise over it, I've gone with Raz & will stick to that

          1. Le Bluff
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah, good logic. I remember Salah looking (and performing) brilliant after his week's "rest" between the Southampton game and the Arsenal game where he hauled, so that's on my mind slightly too.

            I also strangely think the fact he didn't score against Burnley will be on his mind and he'll want to put that right this weekend!

        3. ryacoo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I think Salah's greater assurance of gametime is the differentiator for me, when there's so little between them.

        4. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Not sure if 2 gameweeks of home/away data is enough to make conclusions that their form is identical because the way both teams play are poles apart.

          For eg Mane bossed Salah at home last season but its the other way round in the frist 4 gameweeks this season.

          They both are great options and tbh Mane or Aguero are equally good as well for this week atleast.

        5. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          look at the bigger sample. last season liverpool 55g at home city 38g away

        6. merin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Also, there is the fact that Sterling played for England on Tuesday, and Salah is fully rested.
          And also there seems to be a pattern that Salah performs better at Anfield than away, not sure if we should read too much into it tbh.

          I've been on Salah ever since gw4 ended, changed to Sterling because of Norwich leaky defence, and now I'm not sure again.

      7. oi no professionals
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Would you rather:
        A. Barnes and Mount
        B. Tammy and Ceballos

        1. Le Bluff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          A

        2. Yankee Toffee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          a

      8. The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        1FT, 0.3 ITB

        Pope, Button

        VVD, Digne, AWB, Montoya, Diop

        Salah, Sterling, KDB, Martial, Dendoncker

        Pukki, Barnes, Greenwood

        Martial to James?

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Wait til after Ole's presser

      9. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Would anyone play Montoya here? If so, who misses out?

        Pope
        Zinch Robbo Digne Lunds
        Salah Sterling KDB Mount
        Pukki Haller

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          nah

        2. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Pretty much same choice as me, you'd have to be brave and decide whether you think city will keep a CS or not and drop either Zinch or Pukki. I'm probably starting both and hedging bets though.

          1. Shatner's Bassoon
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            yeah think i'll play both in the hope they both return somehow. Zinch set up a few chances v Bournemouth didn't he? So maybe this time he can sneak an assist.

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              That's what I'm doing too, Montoya CS + goal incoming.

        3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Nope, team looks gtg like that

        4. Shatner's Bassoon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          cheers all

      10. Bennison
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lundstram vs Pukki??

        Bookies have Sheffield Utd @ 33% for clean sheet
        Bookies have Pukki @ 29% for any time goal scorer

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          P

        2. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Pukki seems the more exciting pick for this week

        3. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          33% + Lund goal %

        4. Stef rocks
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I am in the ezactly same dilemma.
          Lund for me mainly because, if he get a CS he might get BPS as well (not counting the slim chance of attacking return). I also have Zinchenko so would love a CS for him :). However If Pukki scores it will be 6pts maximum cause i think the result will be 1-4/5 and all BPS will go to City assets.
          Of course i might be terribly wrong 🙂
          🙂

          Of courae i migh

      11. Crisnel Ronessi
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I loooooooooovvvveeeeeee this game 😀

        1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          See how you feel Monday night

      12. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        How screwed am I with only Zinch and Sterling from city?

        1. Bennison
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Might as well delete your team and quit

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I've been close already!

        2. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Well you're only missing 1 City asset.

        3. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          will be rough it zinch doesnt start but i think he will

        4. Stef rocks
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Depend whoelse you got, but i expect NOR MCI to be a blood bath with a loooot of points. It couls be worse though, imagine people not having any 🙂

      13. Reckoner.
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        With my WC changes I now have a benching problem!

        Bench 1 of:

        A) Lundstrum (Home to Southampton)

        B) Ceballos (Away to Watford)

        C) Pukki (Home to Man City)

        1. Stef rocks
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Very close - C or B

        2. Old and Slow
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          B for me hands down...

      14. Syphras
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Söyüncü + £0.9m or Matip

        Have TAA, Zinchenko, Lunds, Lowton.

        Or could downgrade Zinc to otamendi and have:
        Söyüncü + £1m or Matip + £0.1m

        Thoughts? I have a lot of them.

        1. Bennison
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Are these all for free?

        2. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          If on wc the Ota over Zinc
          Matip v Soy depends how you can use the spare cash but Lunds & Lowton looks decent for a 3 at the back - barring Toon gw7 I don't fancy Soy's upcoming fixt if you are playing 4 at the back though.

      15. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Question to Auba owners - is it time to sell him, if he starts on the wings again this weekend?

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Id probably wait for a couple of gameweeks given the fixtures.
          But he really needs to start outscoring Haller, Pukki, Barnes, Tammy, Vardy, Firmino by a decent margin to be worth the extra cash.

          1. Eleven Hag
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah! Will wait for another two GWs then - thnx mate

      16. Mikha In A Tutu
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ceballos to McGinn or hold?

        1. Bennison
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Hold

        2. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Easy hold...

      17. CrouchDown
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        (A) Soyuncu Mings Haller Abraham
        (B) Soyuncu Kelly Haller Barnes
        (C) Ota Mings Barnes Abraham

      18. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Montoya to Otamendi a no brainer?

        1. CrouchDown
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yep

        2. Stef rocks
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yes

      19. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Is this WC draft good or bad:
        Pope (Button)
        Matip | Otamendi | Pieters (Hanley, Lundstram)
        Salah | Sterling | KDB | Pepe | Ceballos
        Barnes | Haller ( Greenwood)

        1. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I think a 4th 9m+ gun (Pepe) does too much harm to the team overall with European rotations looming but for a 4 gun side I quite like it.

          1. DIMITRIS
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I tried to pick players which I think won't be rotated so much. But you are right, it is streched a little bit. If I go with it and it doesn't work, I can always take a - 4 hit and get rid of fourt 9+ mid for a - 7 mid and one premium defender. Cheers 🙂

      20. jdogg
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Laporte and lanzini

        To

        Matip and david silva

        -4?x

      21. Soonmixdin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Took a -4 hit this week as felt I needed to get in some Burnley cover.

        Did this: Greenwood + Pickford > Pope + Barnes

        Team is as follows:

        Pope
        Lundstram Coleman Maguire Robbo
        KdB Sterling(VC) Siggy
        Pukki Barnes Aguero(C)

        OTB: Ryan, Romeu, Dunk, Dendoncker

        Thoughts please gents?

        1. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Looks decent - Digne and TAA seem to be better options than Coleman and Robbo but not an immediate priority probably. Must admit Coleman especially I've found disappointing from eye tests (where as Digne has looked a very nice option easily justifying his extra cost).

          Can't fault the moves you made though.

          1. Soonmixdin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks man, I agree with your advice too - Coleman was a punt from GW1 that I need to replace and Robbo is being outscored by both TAA and VVD so my plans are to switch him to one of those.

      22. Bennison
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Have a feeling that everyone removing the proven high price defenders and going for such a cheap back line is going to really bite them in the next coming weeks

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          agree

        2. Bram
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Here's hoping although not doing it and thus not owning a 4th big gun such as Pepe could equally hurt me with my stronger def and 3 budget striker setup! At least it makes the game interesting.

      23. linkafu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        KDB or Sterling for this GW (Sterling may be benched for his 180 min in Int)

        1. MTPockets
            4 years, 6 months ago

            KDB played more minutes

          • Soonmixdin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Aguero!

        2. Mikha In A Tutu
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          McGinn to Ceballos or hold?

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            id be more inclined to do ceballos to mcginn lol

        3. FPL Doctor
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          A) Ceballos
          B) Iwobi

          1. FPL Doctor
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            and why?

        4. CrouchDown
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Rank in order of preference:

          (A) Abraham
          (B) Haller
          (C) Barnes

          1. Bram
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            B C A

            Haller lone focal point in a nice attack.
            Barnes form, fixtures and cheapest.
            Tammy possible rotation with UCL.

            1. Old and Slow
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              This, this and this

        5. Tshelby
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Waste of WC? Too template? Maybe I need to take some risks and get Pepe or someone in?

          Pope, Button
          TAA, Digne, Soyuncu, Lundstram, Kelly
          Salah, Sterling, KdB, Mcginn, Cantwell
          Pukki, Barnes, Haller

          1. Bram
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Nothing wrong with template - it's the template for a reason and it's gw5 not gw35.

        6. Heard Island Tangerine Exil…
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Please RMT:

          Pope
          Walker-Peters Zinchenko Digne
          Sterling(c) De Bruyne(vc) Ceballos Martial
          Barnes Pukki Kane

          Bench: Heaton - Mings - Cantwell - Kelly

          Have avoided transferring out Walker-Peters & Martial during the international break & it looks to have paid off with reports both should play over the weekend following returning training but..
          (A) Should I bench Pukki?
          (B) Have I got the bench order right?
          (C) Should Kane be vice captain in case of Pep-rotation?

          Thoughts please..