Scout Picks

Sterling and Aguero tipped for big scores by Gameweek 5 Scout Picks

We have spent the big bucks on our Manchester City attacking assets this week as they face a Norwich defence in dire straits.

This week the Scout Picks XI features three players priced over £12.0m but we have still managed to stick to our £83.0m budget.

Our 3-5-2 formation comes in at £82.9m, £0.1m inside the limit.

Goalkeeper

Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has an appealing fixture this weekend

Adrian (£4.6m) was not selected by any of our Scout Squad pundits this week, but we’ve brought him in as an enabler. There was overwhelming support for a double-up on the Liverpool defence but we only had enough in our budget for one of their premium options. With Alisson still out injured, Adrian should keep his place in goal.

Defenders

Alexander-Arnold remains our chosen Liverpool defensive option ahead of Gameweek 5

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m) was the most popular Liverpool defender among our Scout Squad pundits. David, Paul and Geoff all selected him as the best option in this price bracket, Neale choosing him in second place. The right-back heads into an appealing meeting with a goal-shy Newcastle side and three assists in his first four matches. The potential for a double-figure haul, made up from returns at both ends of the pitch, continues to be high for Alexander-Arnold.

The inclusion of Matt Lowton (£4.5m) was a way of granting the request from our Scout Squad for Burnley defensive cover. Nick Pope was a popular choice but we had to go with Adrian in goal. Lowton comes in based on Burnley’s clean sheet potential for a trip to Brighton, and having created more chances than any of his defensive colleagues so far this season.

John Lundstram (£4.2m) continues to make a useful budget enabler for Fantasy managers. Sheffield United remain one of the tightest-looking defences in the Premier League, having allowed just 22 shots in the box across the first four Gameweeks (fifth-best). Meanwhile, Lundstram himself is behind only two players in the top flight for big chances created.

Midfielders

Sterling should enjoy his trip to Norwich on Saturday afternoon

Despite a blank against Brighton, Raheem Sterling (£12.3m) is straight back in the Scout Picks. After the first four matches of the season, the Manchester City midfielder is still just one behind the current Golden Boot front-runner with five goals and during that time, no player has been afforded more big chances. Meanwhile, Norwich’s defence looks in tatters for Gameweek 5. They have conceded more than any other side so far and are likely to be without at least three centre-backs in Ben Godfrey, Christoph Zimmermann and Timm Klose this weekend. Furthermore, right-back Max Aarons has been ruled out, Grant Hanley is unlikely to be able to feature from the beginning and Tim Krul is also a doubt to start now.

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) was the most popular midfielder for Gameweek 5, tipped as the best in this position by three of our pundits, David selecting him in second place. In both of his Premier League matches at Anfield this season, the Egyptian registered a double-figure haul and he will be fancying his chances against Newcastle. The Magpies might have the ability to frustrate top six sides, as they did at Spurs in Gameweek 3, but Salah still got three attacking returns against them last season.

Mason Mount (£6.4m) is one of a handful of mid-price midfielders who appear to have the ability to offer decent value this season. He has two goals so far and could have arguably had more than that. Ahead of a trip to Wolves, the Chelsea midfielder has registered the same number of shots on target as Sterling, and more than any other option priced at £6.5m or below.

The absence of some key personnel for Manchester United should both help Daniel James‘ (£6.1m) chances of starting and increase the need for him to deliver. In the last two matches, the value midfield option has had seven shots inside the box, the second-most in the whole division. With Leicester yet to keep a clean sheet on the road so far this season, James looks a good bet for more attacking returns this weekend.

John McGinn (£5.6m) is the final member of our value midfield trio as he prepares to face West Ham on Monday night. With attacking returns in two matches so far this season, the box-to-box option will fancy his chances against a Hammers’ defence that has conceded more big chances than any other side so far.

Forwards

We’re backing Aguero to have another enjoyable afternoon in Gameweek 5

Our Scout Squad panel was unanimous in selecting Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) as the best forward option for Gameweek 5. That decision was reached even before the Norwich defensive situation got worse on Friday afternoon. The Argentinian has scored in every match this season, currently leading the Golden Boot race, and is likely to deliver even if he has his minutes managed in light of Gabriel Jesus’ return from fitness simply because Norwich’s problems at the back are so bad.

Sébastien Haller (£7.5m) completes our line-up ahead of a trip to face Aston Villa on Monday night. Dean Smith’s men have allowed more shots than any other side so far this year, while Haller has three goals in his last two matches.

Substitutes

Nick Pope (£4.6m) was the most popular budget goalkeeper in our Scout Squad submissions but we had to bench him to accommodate our Liverpool defensive double-up.

We were also able to work in some Manchester City defensive cover so Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.6m) has to be content among the substitutes. With Norwich unlikely to park the bus against them, there is perhaps still a slight chance that they find a way through.

Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) gets a place on the bench as a cheap alternative West Ham’s centre-forward. The midfielder has created more chances than any of his colleagues so far this season.

Ashley Barnes (£6.7m) has impressed in the early part of the campaign but we ran out of money to get him in the Scout Picks starting XI. 

The 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 5 is Warby84.

They have gone for a 4-3-3 of Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Otamendi, Maitland-Niles, Lundstram; De Bruyne, Salah (c), McGinn; Aguero, Haller, Vardy.

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 defeat for the Scout Picks in Gameweek 4 as InsaneFC won by a 75-64 scoreline.

That makes his winning margin of 11 points the new score to beat for the 2019/20 season.

5,594 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling(C) cant go much wrong. Hear me out

    - Best case scenario- He starts and plays 60min. Enough time to do significant damage

    - Good scenario- Sterling rested and doesnt feature as city win comfortably. Your Vice captain comes into play

    - Worstcase scenario- City drawing at 60 mins and sterling comes on for 30 mins against tired legs. Still enough time to score

    Honestly dont think pep will put in sterling if city are winning . Thoughts?

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

      Ofcourse You can play safe with Salah against newcastle but seeing that bare thread second string norwich dedence in risking Sterling

    2. DaniCT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No way in hell I will not start this GW with the 3 big city players. Minus 8 or wild card?

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Worst case is he comes on for a few minutes at the end but I do agree with you, think Sterling either starts or doesn't play at all. There will be other players on the City bench who need the minutes more.

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

        Yh thats highly unlikely. Why would pep put in sterling if city are winning?

        Cant see any logic in that

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

      You're messing with my head 😀

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

    Matip and Haller
    or
    VVD and Barnes

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      MH

    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      The first one...supposing Matip nailed for now

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      VVD Barnes if you already doesnt hv a liverpool def

      Otherwise Haller+ Ota

    4. E-high
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Vvd and barnes

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A

  3. fridge
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Hi all

    Decided to save my FT this week

    Starting 11 and bench order look good?

    Pope
    VVD. Zinc. Coleman
    Salah. Sterling. KDB. Mount
    Pukki. Haller. Jota

    Button. Montoya. Lundstram. Donker

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lund before Montoya. Gtg!

  4. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Robbo -> TAA for free or save FT?

    1. DaniCT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Save.

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

      Save

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I would do it

    4. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I would

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Was hoping this would help with my Lowton or Lundstram conundrum 😆

  6. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    King to Barnes - too sideways?

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

      I would say keep King for now

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      That is not a sideways move, I'd do it tbh assuming Barnes is fine which he should be.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Id do it. Barnes most goals behind Mane Kun in 2919 and got great fixtures.

      King relies on pens and is very inconsistent

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

    I'm going to break up my template team. Which of these:

    A) Salah + Luiz > Pepe + Pulisic
    B) Salah + Pukki > Firmino + Pulisic

    1. DaniCT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      None.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Don't make silly moves for the sake of it. Pulisic is a terrible pick.

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

        You're probably right. I still think Pulisic will come good soon.

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

    If I go Sterling (C), who to (VC)?

    KDB or Salah?

    1. Party time
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Salah

      • JohnBlack
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Salah

      • DaniCT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        If sterling will not start KDB will run riots. So definitely KDB.

        1. Party time
            4 years, 6 months ago

            If Kdb & Sterling don't start then he will run riot with his rank

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

              Don't worry, already managing that somehow!

        2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Salah

      • Drogba Legend
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Which option below:

        Pope
        Zin - Lund - Robbo - Digne
        Sterling (C) - KDB - Salah - Mount
        King - Haller

        Button - Montoya - Dendonk - Greenwood

        A) King > Barnes
        B) King > Abraham
        C) King > Pukki
        D) Montoya > 5.7 defender
        E) Save

        Cheers

      • Party time
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Good luck everyone!

          1. Dr. Agabuse
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Eight o clock i close this site and go meditating. Then fresh air. Ging nuts.
            Good luck to you too.
            And come on you gunners!

            1. Party time
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Hahaha... I am not a gunner tho 🙂

          2. afs2239
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A) eballos, James and Haller/Wilson

            B) pepe, james and greenwood
            Which is better
            In wc

            1. Dr. Agabuse
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              A but Son for now

          3. Dr. Agabuse
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Lanzini
            Mount

            Lanzini
            Mount

            I still remember Lampard reminding that young Mount will not play all the games this season but so much threat and a good player on the eye too.
            Did anyone see the match vs sheffield. Why was he so unanoymious. Was he? Posed no threat or creativity according to stats

            1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Even the Top players have off days, It was just one of them, nothing to worry about, both Lanzini and Mount are amazing picks, Gotta say I slightly prefer Lanzini.

              1. Dr. Agabuse
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Thx

          4. thomas19390
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Pope,Button
            Digne,Matip,Otamendi,Taa,Lundstram
            Salah,Sterling,Mount,Kdb,Cantwell
            Haller,Barnes,Greenwood

            Thoughts on this WC team?

            1. Drogba Legend
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Looks fine, Matip and Ota rotation worries eventually but rest looks fine

          5. Cheshire Duck
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            still on a wildcard ... which combination is better ?
            A) McGinn & James
            B) McGinn & Ceballos
            C) Ceballos & James

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

            I'm thinking of getting rid of Kane for a hit, him getting a hattrick would be the perfect final troll of owning him.

            1. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Scored a lot of goals recently tbf to him

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

            On WC

            (A)
            Adrian (Pope)
            Digne TAA Mings (Lundstram, Rico)
            Salah Sterling KDB James Ceballos
            Pukki Haller (Ayew )

            or

            (B)
            Adrian (Pope)
            Digne TAA Zinch Lundstram (Rico)
            Salah Sterling KDB (Hayden, Cantwell)
            Pukki Haller Abraham

            1. KunDogan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              B

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

            Is Otamendi the best City defensive option?

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

              For money wise yeah

            2. Cheshire Duck
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              most likely to start imo

          9. jonnybhoy
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Son to KDB on a free? Feel KDB is a must

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

              Done dealeo

          10. Lexi2014
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Moura and King -> Ceballos and Haller

            Yay or nay?

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

              Yay if no hit

          11. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Arent clickbait titles supposed to tell us something we dont already know?

          12. Dr. Agabuse
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Anyone seen Mount vs Blades?

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

              I’d be interested to hear any feedback too

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

              Ran into the box several times but wasn't lucky with the ball.

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

            Feel like having only Sterling from city isn’t enough v injury hit Norwich.

            1FT, 0.3itb...Any suggestions?

            Pope
            TAA - Digne - Robertson - Lundstram
            Salah - Sterling - Mount - Robinson
            King - Kane

            Subs: Montoya - Cantwell - Greenwood - 4.0GK

          14. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            strange question, but which combination of players would you prefer for the next 4 weeks+:

            A) -8
            VVD Montoya
            KDB D.Silva
            Ayew

            B) -4
            Ota Matip
            KDB Martial
            Ayew

            C) -4
            VVD Ota (-4)
            Martial Iwobi
            Wilson

            1. SADIO SANÉ
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              forget this 😀

          15. rdamjan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            If someone is interested in $100 Champions league fantasy (official game) money league, check this out:

            https://www.reddit.com/r/FantasyCL/comments/czpkgk/100_ucl_fantasy_league/

            Hopefully we get some more managers involved

            Feel free to ask for more information if you are interested

            1. gribude
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Everything is run through reddit?

              1. rdamjan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                What do yo mean by that? Payment is via paypal. The guy who run the league, mainly runs NBA leagues, you can check him... But last year he run World cup and Champions league, next year he will also run Euro... We have groupme for chating. I can invite you if you are interested...

          16. Daaf
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Bit of a conundrum here, transfered in Ceballos but not sure if I should play him this week. Also got Rashford(Yess I know) but Man U looks like they can barely put out eleven men but Rashford probably has penalties. I also have Soyuncu who play Man U.

            Who to play?

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

              I would play Rashford over Soyuncu

            2. Dr. Agabuse
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Defo play Rashford and Ceballos next.
              Dont play Soyuncu

            3. Daaf
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks lads. You're probably right! A hit seems excessive, but not too confident about a return from Rashford.

          17. Lazerball
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Help me out!

            A. Moura, Mount to KDB, Cantwell -4
            B. Moura, King to KDB, Ayew -4
            C. Moura to Dilva
            D. Moura to Bilva
            E. Keep Moura

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

              All not attractive options to be honest. Can't you get richarlison? Might be worth a shot with decent fixtures, similar budget.

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

                B out of these though, kdb looks great.

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

              B

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

            Is Auba worth a punt for captaincy this GW over Sterling, now with lacca out ?

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

              It's risky, could work out great but I'd be more confident next week against Villa.

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

                Thnx mate will stick with Sterling until next post 🙂

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

                  At least he is central with laca out. I don't know about ozil though, pepe on the right seems likely. Nelson on the left is an option, but that doesn't fill me with confidence. Good luck though!

          19. Bubz
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Is Greenwood likely to start due to the injuries?

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

              Fooking ole wants to up the average age now , so probably not

            2. Winston.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Thinking about this too... might start, but nobody knows...

          20. nicecat
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            What would be a decent forward duo alongside Greenwod?
            Abraham / Haller / Pukki / Jimenez / Barnes / Jota / King / Wilson

          21. Auba100
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Does anyone know If Emerson will be fit?