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. learnedlizard
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pope
    lund TAA Digne zinc
    mount salah(vc) mcginn raz
    (k)un pukkiparty

    subs:
    button mings guendouzi greenwood
    gtg?

    1. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nice.

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

      I would play Mings ahead of party

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

    Do you think at least 2 play out of Sterling, KDB and AWB?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Dont know bout AwB . Sterling and Kdb definitely play

    2. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nope.

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

      Yes

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

      66.6%

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

      Probably yea

  3. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pope
    Robbo Otamendi Coleman Montoya Lundstram
    Sterling (C) Salah KDB
    Rashford Haller

    Cantwell Dendo Wickham

    G2G?? No hits taken and WC intact.

    1. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nice.

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

      GTG

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

    I have successfully avoided the lure of using FT during the IB & Rolling the FT this gw.
    It's very tough to save a FT 😀

    1. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Blue Peter badge on route.

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

        🙂

    2. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Good for you.
      I did it too, by activating my WC

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

        Ha
        Nice. I did WC las gw

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

      3x drinking nights over IB _so 3 x-4 =-12 😯

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

        -12

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

          Purple badge

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

          😀

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

    Start which one?

    Pukki
    Dedonker
    Greenwood

    1. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pukki

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

        This

  6. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who to get:
    A) Mcginn
    B) James
    C) Ceballos
    D) Other (below 6.3)

    1. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      B C A

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

    Sorry, bottomed.
    WC.
    Pope
    TAA(VC)-Ota-Lunds
    Salah-Eriksen-Pepe-Lanzini
    Aguero(C)-Abraham-Ayew
    Button-Cantwell-Prodl-Hanley
    G2G???

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      You need a Sterling or Kdb

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

      No need to be fancy with Eriksen. Get KDB in

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

        This

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

      Very unsure

      Do like Erik and Pepe. But Ayew Lund Cantwell even rotating for 2 spots with zero bench is a stretch.

      The only solution I see if you keep that midfield is to lose Mo for Mane or Lanzini for McGinn say to get a 4.5 defender anyway.

      But really if you want Arsenal then it should be Auba and KdB rather than Pepe Kun

      1. SirT83
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed

  8. Lav
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    The (c) switch done. GTG?
    1 FT 1.2m ITB

    Pope
    Robbo VVD Digne Lund
    Salah(vc) Sterling(c) KDB McGinn
    Pukki Barnes

    Button Diop Greenwood Dend

    1. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Good luck.

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

      Yep g2g

    3. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      We have the exact same squad except I have Wilson instead of barnes and Dunk instead of Rico. Hopefully GTG.

  9. R.C
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Play who?

    1. Pukki
    2. Lundstram

    1. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pukki

    2. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lundstram

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

    Waiting for the Pep Roulette to strike tonight. When things become so obvious as in case of Man City v Norwich, there has to be a wicked twist.

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

    Save FT & GTG? (0 ITB)

    Heaton
    VVD Digne Lundstram
    Salah Sterling (c) KDB Ceballos Dendoncker
    Kane Pukki

    Soyuncu Rico Greenwood

    Cheers.

    1. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      GTG.

      1. Rihanovic
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Help above please.

  12. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Morning chaps. Excited?

  13. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    WC gtg?

    Pope
    TAA / Dunk / Otamendi / Lund
    Salah / KDB / James / Son
    Pukki / Aguero

    Bench: Button, Ayew , Cantwell, Rico

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

      Yeah I like it

    2. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nice, help above please.

    3. Sahil.....
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ayew out lund in??? I wouldnt do that...

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

    Pope
    TAA Zinchenko Digne
    Salah KDB Mount Ceballos
    Aguero Haller Abraham

    Button Lundstram Cantwell Rico/Kelly

    On wildcard, would you do Abraham and Rico -> Barnes and Soyuncu ?

    1. Rihanovic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nice
      Yes, Rico won't start.
      Help above please.

    2. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No. I'd keep

  15. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Where's the captain poll? Can't find on mobile.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Found it.

  16. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Play Pukki or Lundstram?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      The goat

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Daniel Bryan? How much is he? Might get him in my WC team. 😉

        To answer the ops question, I'd start lundstram

    2. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lundstram

  17. smix
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Play 2 out of the below 3:
    A. Lundstram
    B. KWP
    C. Pukki

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

      Leaning towards A and B

  18. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    David silva worth a punt as a replacement for martial?

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

      Well rested and in form. A wonderful player to watch.

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

      Definitely

    3. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes got him today. Have 3 City mids now though! Thought he would be a better option than the likes of Iwobi, Ceballos, McGinn etc as I already had Lanzini and Mount.

  19. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    a) Aguero + Greenwood
    b) Haller + Vardy (or upgrade something else)

  20. maratus
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mount or McGinn

    1. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mount

  21. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 defender going forward?

    1. Giovanni Giorgio
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lowton?

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

        Yeah I’m on him or Soyuncu

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

      Soyuncu

  22. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    How likely is a Ceballos start?

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

      90%

    2. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Imo very high

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

    Henderson
    Digne matip vvd lundsturm zinchenko
    Sterling(C) mane kdb mcginn
    Haller

    Pope ayew pukki trossard

    0 itb
    Already on a - 4 switching out jota rico for ayew matip. Trossard injury means one less benching headache. Not hoping much from ayew and pukki as I see 2 pointers from both.

    To replace trossard, I've got either gudmunsson/mcneill from Burnley or Harry Wilson from Bournemouth. Who would you guys go for?

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

      McNeil

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

      Interesting set up

      Don’t see either of those being a minus 4. Wilson I do like though from next week.

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

      Just spotted double SU defence - bold

  24. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Otamendi or zinchenko?

  25. schwing
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a direct link to the FFS H2H leagues?

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

        Cheers

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

    A. Mount, James, Vardy

    or

    B. McGinn, Cantwell, Aubameyang

    1. mrpink32
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

    Play KWP or Pukki ?

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      KWP

  28. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Gtg? 1FT, 0.3 itb.

    Heaton
    VVD, Digne, Montoya
    KDB, (S)terling, Lanzini, Dilva,Mount
    Kane, Rashford

    Button, Diop, Greenwood, Rico

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

      Rash to Haller in my book.

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thought about it a lot. That would mean I have 2 WHM attackers. So, could not decide. Hoping that Mata provides good balls to Rashford. Could end up with Haller by the deadline though. Thank you for the suggestion!

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

      Save

  29. sea cucumber
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Please help on a WC:

    A. Otamendi, KDB, Pukki, Abraham
    B. Maitland-niles, d.Silva, greenwood , Aguero

    Rest of the team
    4.0 Adrian
    Soyuncu TAA Lund Pieters XX
    Geundouzi Salah Sterling Mount XX
    Barnes XX XX

    Thank you

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

    Mane or Sterling (c)...cant believe I'm still undecided

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

      🙂

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

        Did you see salahs tweet?

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Raz

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I think he either plays or does not at all. I do not think his services will be required after 60mins against this Norwich team. Pep will give minutes for Cancelo, Foden and Jesus imo.