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. SH
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Help me sort this mess, please!

    Heaton
    TAA Digne Zinch KWP* Lund
    Salah KDB Moura*
    Kane Pukki

    4.0 Martial* Greenwood Dendo
    1FT, 0ITB

    1) Martial/Moura > James/Mount
    2) Kane+Martial/Moura > Kun+James for -4
    3) Kane+Martial/Moura+KWP > Barnes+Sterling+4.4 def

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

      Option 3 for -8 hit

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

      I like option 3

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

        Keep Martial/Moura?

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

          Since Martial is injured, keep Moura

  2. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Chances of Greenwood starting tomorrow?

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

      50%

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

      Seems nailed

  3. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone going Salah (C) over Sterling??

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

      I am

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

      \o/

    3. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It makes sense, as Citeh share their points between players. Pool, is Salah or broke

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

        This is blatantly untrue. Mane and Firmino can easily get the goals/assists.

        1. Evasivo
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yes, but not as often as Bernardo, Silva, KDB, etc

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

          I fancy a couple of pens tomorrow

      2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Mane shared the golden boot with him Last season and has outscored him twice already this season

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

      Most of this week ive been on Salah but currently on Sterling. Mainly because most of my ML rivals dont have Salah and will probably captain Sterling

    5. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ok good I’m not the only mug 😉

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

      Absolutely not

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

      Me

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

      I am. Could change.

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

      I had it on Salah but decided on Sterling after the 1st post on this article. I think Norwich look terrible defensively. If Sterling starts he’s got just as much chance as anybody to haul. If not Salah can take the VC. Can’t see City not winning comfortably even with replacements. Don’t see Sterling coming on for a cameo appearance if at worst he’s benched.

  4. BooYaKasha
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Last decision on a WC

    A. Mount and Pukki
    Or
    B. McGinn and Haller

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pukki and Haller on par but Mount overated imo

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Quick question. Would you pick James over Mount?

  5. P-h-o-e-n-i-x
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Martial + Wan Bissaka + Jota - > Lanzini + Otamendi + Barnes for - 4

    Any thoughts? Should be done or not?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, IMO.

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

      Looks fine.

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

      Yay

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

      Have you already got mount?

      1. P-h-o-e-n-i-x
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yes. Already got Mount

  6. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Greenwood or Cantwell first on bench?

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

      Same question for me and thinking Greenwood

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cantwell, 2 points better than 1.

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

      Easy Cantwell.

    4. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers

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

      Greenwood
      I think he should start

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

      Easy Greenwood. Floor 1 point lower, realistic ceiling 5 higher

  7. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Perez to

    A) James
    B) Mount
    C) Other options

    And your reasoning, if any.

    6.4M max.

    Thanks.

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

    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

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

        Why Tammy? Form and fixtures after Pool?

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          As long as he's nailed on he should score with those fixtures.

  9. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Going Aguero captain and Salah vice, ahead of Sterling and KDB.

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kun c Is a no brainer

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

      order is Aguero > Salah > Sterling > KDB imo

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

    not including this week, which combo do you prefer? the top one?

    Matip, KDB, Ayew

    VVD, Iwobi/Ceballos, Wilson

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Top

  11. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Captain?
    A. Salah
    B. Sterling
    C. KDB

    Thanks.

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

      Raheem de Salah

  12. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    0 transfer and 3.2m in the bank.

    1. Barnes in for Greenwood -4
    2. Ceballos in for Dendoncker -4
    3. Taket No hit

    Pope

    TAA Digne Mings

    Sterling KDB Mane Mount Dendoncker

    Haller Pukki

    Button Lundstram Dunk Greenwood

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

      3 and play Lund over Donkers

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

      Would be tempted for 1

    3. Henning
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thanx.

  13. FPL Panda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best martial replacement ?

    Currently on Ceballos

    Iwobi or Mount in the mix too

    Cheers

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Is Iwobi nailed?

  14. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    SALAH or STERLING for captain?

  15. CostaCoffee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Not sure if it’s been said here yet but Ian Maatsen (left back) has been left out of the Chelsea u23 team tonight meaning he’ll probably be on the bench at Wolves. Would assume that means Emerson is out for the weekend

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

      Haven’t got Emerson but this is great info!

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

      Good insight
      Cheers

  16. Alli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    A) Martial > Mount/James
    B) Martial, Jota > Mount, Haller/Barnes (-4)
    C) Martial, Jota > James, Tammy/Haller/Barnes (-4)

    Ryan
    VVD - Digne - Zinchenko - Dunk - Diop
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Martial*
    Pukki

    Heaton - Jota - Greenwood - Cantwell

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

      Thinking A myself

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

    best 5.6m and below defender that is not city?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I like Pieters, but he's not a popular options. Emerson?

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Matip or Coleman

    3. Markus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Matip if happy with rotation. Not much else going on there really

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

        already have TAA, should I go even lower with Sou?

        got Lund as my other budget defender

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

      Matip.

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

      Matip
      Tarkowski

  18. hogree
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Two dilemmas before gameweek starts

    Start:
    Pope or Heaton
    Montoya or Greenwood

  19. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Safe to bank the FT?

    Pope
    Digne Mings Lundstram
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
    Aguero Pukki

    (Button, Greenwood Rico Soyuncu)
    1FT 0.2ITB

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

      Yes

      1. Teahupo'o
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Play one

    A Diop
    B Cantwell ( playing Pukki)

  21. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Do we think abraham will go up tonight?

    Want to turn kelly into guillbert but only have 4.3 at the min!!

  22. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Cant ignore Aguero on WC I think with this injury riddled Norwich side and him having two weeks rest. As nailed as it gets coming off an international break.

    Kun (C) it is.

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

      WCing this week and not getting Aguero would be a strange decision imo, I've seen people doing it

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

        Yea I had a rethink earlier today, it just makes too much sense to own him.

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

      Do you think it's best to drop Salah ot sterling then?
      Its the only way to get kun in.. and not sure I want to do either!

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

        Sterling dropped for me. Long term I think Salah is safer for consistent minutes over time. Hard choices though.

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

    Guys didn't saw Leicester games? How is soyun?is he a more attacking threat? Tia

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

    Wtf just happend.
    Lanzini rose to 6.6?

    When i made my Martial Lanzini and King to Haller transfer it went thru and then there was Martial and Haller which is impossible bc of price and then i reloaded the page. It was back to King and 2Ft. I wanna do it again and Lanzini is 6.6 all of a sudden. ??????????

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

      Dont really follow what you are saying.. lanzini rose last night..

  25. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who should be transferred in??

    A. Haller
    B. Barnes

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

      Haller

  26. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Start 1

    A) Dendonker (CHE)
    B) Montoya (BUR)

  27. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Any chance of Rico getting back in the Bournemouth squad? Need a 4.0 enabler...

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

      Is Smith fit? He had a hamstring last game. He should start if he is out. And if he plays a blinder he could be a starter.

  28. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Help me with finishing my WC???

    Pope-Button
    TAA-Otamendi-Souyncu-Lundstram-?
    Salah-Sterling-KDB-Mount-?
    Haller-Pukki-?

    A. Digne, Cantwell, Greenwood
    B. Pieters, Ceballos, Ayew

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

      A

  29. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on Martial? Was there a Man Utd press conference today? In fact, were there any? Can’t find a useful link on bbc sport...

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

      Check the Hot Topic
      It's awesome
      Everything clubbed together

  30. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    If you had Aguero would you captain him over Salah/Sterling?

    I am on the fence as scared of rotation, this is the problem with owning him. Will probably shift him for Auba after City play Watford

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

      Captain him

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

      If I had ageluero would capt him

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

      (C) this week. That move you are considering could be a genius move imo.

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

      Have all three, captaining Kun. Differential pick as I need to make up rank.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        You'll be surprised how undifferential it is come tomorrow