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

    King -> Haller worth a -4? Won't afford next week

    1. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      yh

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

      Skip the money thing, could get someone cheaper than James (e.g. Ceballos, Iwobi, Yarmo) and still afford Haller

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

        You are drunk

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

          Well, I'm choosing between
          A) Moura + Trossard + King -> Mount + James + Haller (-4) or
          B) Moura + Trossard -> Mount + F.Anderson/Lanzini

          Will be priced out of A given drops for Trossard and King and a rise for James but could still get Haller for free next week if I choose someone cheap enough to leave space for that, rather than James

  2. Shakshuka
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Can I squeeze by with a save here? Cheers

    Ryan
    Awb* robbo stones digne
    Salah sterling kdb mount
    Pukki haller

    Button rico dendocker greenwood

    1. Artemis Titans
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Might be better putting Greenwood as first sub.

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

    Perez > James

    Sound sensible with 2FT's?

    Team is in a bad state. However VVD, Robertson and Kane all have pretty nice home fixtures. Meanwhile nobody knows about Zinchenko and KWP. I'm thinking hold the other FT and have 2FT's for next gameweek when we might know more.

    Pope
    VVD - Robertson - Zinchenko - KWP
    McGinn - Salah - Sterling - Perez
    Kane - Pukki

    Button - Rico - Hayden - Greenwood

  4. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Ceballos or McGinn more nailed?

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

      195 minutes vs 360. Thats before EL.

    2. The Dead Parrots
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      mcginn

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

      McGinn is absolutely more nailed. Ceballos has more potential upside given Arsenal's fixtures, but riskier.

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mcginn but ceballos miles better

  5. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Fairly sure Salah has scored the last two or three times he has played Newcastle.

    4 nil was it last time at Anfield?

    They are gonna maul the Geordies and that sitting back bus parking of theirs.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Points only count in the current fixture

  6. TM44
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Team for this gw, Gtg? 1ft £0 ITB

    Pope

    Digne zinc lundstram Taa

    De bruyne sterling Salah (c) mount

    Pukki haller

    Subs: button, greenwood, soyuncu, cantwell

  7. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Save.....?

    Pope
    VVD Digne Lundy
    Raz Salah KDB Ceballos
    Vardy Pukki Greenwood

    Cantwell Montoya Zouma

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I know i know its boring... think i should save and go 3 ft (-4) mini wc

  8. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    AWB, Martial to TAA, Ceballos (-4) no brainer?

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

      Love Taa
      Ceballos can be a good punt. I prefer McGin in that price range though

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Already have Wesley so nty 🙂

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

          Ahh
          Go for it.
          GL 🙂

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Martial back’ next week

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Is he though? OGS said he was a chance for this weekend in last press conference. If he misses next week it’s a disaster to hold

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I sold the day he got hurt and wish i had held. Thought he was in for 2 or 3 drops. I love their upcoming fixtures

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Agree with you, that’s why I still have him. I wish there was more certainty with his return date though

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Ogs said he and pogba were closest

  9. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    When is price rise?

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

      In 1 hour 47 minutes.

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

      1 and half hour away

    3. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks.

  10. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Can Martial still drop? Heard if he his redflagged then price changes are locked for that player for a few days.

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Can definitely drop. Players are only price protected for 7 days when a red flag is removed

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

    who to replace AWB with?

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

      Otamendi

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        This

  12. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    How is this WC team ?

    Pope (Button)
    VVD Digne Zinchenko Lundstram (Kelly)
    Mane Sterling Ceballos Mount (Cantwell)
    Aguero Haller (Greenwood)

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Like all the rest... cap kun

  13. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pope
    LAPORTE Robbo TAA Digne
    TROSSARD Sterling Salah Mount
    Pukki Haller
    (4.0 Greenwood Dendoncker Rico)

    a) Laporte & Trossard > Ota/Zinch & Dilva (-4)
    b) Laporte & Trossard > Ota/Zinch & Ceballos (-4)
    c) Laporte, Robbo & Trossard > 4.0, VVD & KDB (-8)
    d) Play WC to get in KDB/Kun

  14. DT42
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth a -4 to replace Martial?
    Max 7.9m for replacement and no options look like they will be 5 points better than Greenwood off the bench.
    A. Save
    B. Switch Martial to ....? Thanks

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I'd save. Big differential next week. I can't decide. If I downgrade then I can get TAA in so Ill probs get rid

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

      Exactly the same situation, thinking mount as want him long term

  15. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Would you do any of these for free or save FT for a mini WC next week?

    1. Heaton to Pope
    2. Robertson for TAA
    3. KWP to MNiles/Kolasinic/Burnely
    4. Save

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

      all of those are sideways moves. save.

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

        Thank you

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't recommend 2 as the Pool rotation is about to be tested with congestion and the Gomez issue is about to be exposed.
      It could well materialize that people holding Robertson prosper and the Trent love in loses traction.

      Of your other options, I would roll your transfer and benefit from one more week of eye test data, especially in regard to the Arse and Spurs fixture ease

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

        Thank you so much for your detailed opinion. I really appreciate it

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Your mini WC could be mint next week, gl.

  16. Big Ping
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Jota > Wilson for free?

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

      Try Haller

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

    Three captain fails in a row before this GW. Have it on Salah. Go with Sterling folks.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I haven't gotten any right

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

      This is the gw when you will nail the captaincy !!

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

        Thanks Amey. The double jinx.

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

      Stick with Salah

  18. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    which arsenal attacking player is the most nailed beside Auba?

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

      David Luiz

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pepe

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

    am I being dense or does the game now no longer show you how many transfers opponents' teams have made this GW?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Correct. Tactical decision

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

      Nope
      Only till last deadline
      Will update after this gw's deadline only

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

        sonofabitch that's irritating. I mean it doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things but I always quite liked snooping.

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

          😀

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

      I remember Fantasy Football Hub (the other website) considered giving their members a Transfer Snooping tool. Perhaps they didn't follow through for ethical reasons.

  20. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Ota or Zinch?

  21. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Martial out:
    A) Maddison in
    B) Lanzini in
    C) Mount in

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

      A

  22. Super Silva Haze
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    After playing years and years of FF. I have to admit captain choice is the key to success. It's a pure lottery. If you captain does well then you are looking at green arrows. The experienced guys will agree with me.

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

      I spent a while working this out from a game theory perspective and concluded the best thing to do is just to go with the herd (i.e. FFScout captain poll) unless in desperate need...

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

      yep correct

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

      I would agree. Rarely have a bad week when you captain hits double digits.

    4. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      100%

    5. FredrikH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      And after Monday comes Tuesday.

  23. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Evening all. Which one please? 1FT and 0.2m ITB.

    Pope
    VVD | Robertson | Zinch | Zouma
    Salah | Sterling | Ceballos | James
    Pukki | Kane
    --------------------------------
    McGovern | Lundstram | Greenwood | Dendonker

    A) Zouma > Pieters
    B) Save and have 2FT next GW
    C) Anything else

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Good ebening. Safe FT and play Lundstram over Zouma

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

        Also this

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

        cheers

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

      Save

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

        thanks

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

      I would save this week and for what it’s worth Lowton has far better underlying stats than Pieters.

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

        cheers

  24. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Last decision on WC

    A- Ceballos
    B- James

    Cheers

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      James

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

      James

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

      For some reason I feel like this question has the potential for Utd and Arsenal fans to not think with their FPL brains

  25. AgentRed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who do you think will do better over the next few weeks? Vardy or Haller?

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

      Haller for me. Fixtures and stats sway it

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Vardy. Tried and tested, fixture-proof.

  26. Talkaboutluck
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone surprised that there aren't more penalties this season with VAR out in full force. Seems like early predictions of PK takers flourishing ain't happening.

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

      Early days with VAR - next season will have more pens

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

      Poor Milivojevic dropped 0.2 already.

  27. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    how is this WC team?

    Pope (button)
    VVD Zinchenko Pieters Lundstram (kelly)
    Sterling KDB Mane Ceballos (cantwell)
    Auba Barnes (greenwood)

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Like it. Not sure on Ceballos if going Aubam aswell but could work. Exactly what I'd be looking at on a WC tbh. Sterling KDB but few differentials ie Mane and Aubam. 🙂 solid 8

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thoughts below?

    2. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good. Good coverage of big hitters

  28. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Awb for

    A. Matip
    B vertonghen
    C.no transfer

    Are matip and vertingen nailed enough for next 5 weeks or so...

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on rest of team. Thoughts below?

      1. Pickle juice
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Montoya ....syoncu .......lund .......hanley

  29. white lightning
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Just a quick question & thanks in advance. Pick 1 to bench:
    (a) Pukki or
    (b) Lundstram or
    (c) Maitland-Niles

    Thanks.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Difficult. Definately A or C though... Probs C just, thoughts below?

  30. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    AWB and Martial in the team atm...

    Can do a simple TAA, Ceballos (-4) OR Otamendi and save Martial as a differential next gw.

    Basically for next gw:

    A) TAA and Ceballos
    B) Otamendi and Martial

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A has best points potential imo, unless you have good bench back up to cover Martial