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. Rolly794
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Final Team ! Good to go ??

    Pope-Button
    TAA- Digne- Otamendi- Lundstram- Rico
    Sterling(C), Mane, KDB, James, Cantwell
    Pukki, Abraham, Barnes

    with 0.1 in Bank.

    Quite keen on this Option as differential-----
    A) Auba/Kane for Barnes and KDB for Mcginn

    Any other suggestions are welcome

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      G2G

  2. Lebowski85
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Tough captain choice this week. I've gone for Sterling....to offset any Aguero haul & he could haul himself. Newcastle's result against Spurs has unnerved me...could be a 1-0

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Good reasoning IMO. Do you own KDB too?

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Currently on sterling but Salah always seems to do well at Anfield and I have KDB which could be the surprise.

        Throw into the mix that all 3 could have minutes reduced with champs league mid week!

      2. Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I do own KdB. Should more than cover my lack of Aguero

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      For me any city player.
      If you c raz make sure you have a strong vc

    3. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Don't think think there is a correct answer for this question!

      Simple....go with your gut and at the moment my gut is all over the place

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        What did you eat last night?

        1. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Curry......Could be the reason 🙂

  3. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A) Sterling
    B) Salah

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

      A

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Honesty- just scroll back and see this question being asked over 1000 times

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Captain Sterling.

      2. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        X 10

    3. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling out of the two IMO.

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

      A

  4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    BHA vs Burnley, just please finish 0-0

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

      Alright then. 5-4

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        1-0 Burnley please.

  5. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Guys! One last time before im set.

    Is triple CITY and BUR too much? Previously had Digne, Mane and Cantwell instead of Salah Ota and Dendon but everyone in mini league has Salah. 

    Pope 
    TAA Ota Lowton Mings Lunds
    Salah Sterling KDB
    Barnes Auba

    Button Dendon Hayden Green

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

      Digne Mane Cantwell >>>>> Salah Ota Dendoncker

  6. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Also, anyone know any good pubs in Hamburg to watch Premier League games?

    Ta

    1. rick ding whoop
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      London Pub
      Hans-Albers-Platz

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Danke

      2. Party time
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Wirklich?

    2. Super Nashwan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Who to start pukki, soyunoncu or Cantwell?

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

        Pukki

      2. MTPockets
          4 years, 6 months ago

          pukki

        • Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Soiboi

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

        G2G?

        Heaton

        Vvd - Robbo - Digne - Walker

        Salah - David Silva - Mount - Sterling

        Pukki - Wilson

        Captain: Sterling

        What about the captain? and good luck all!

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

          Salah captain for me

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

        Any Kane captain love?

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

          Suicidal behaviour detected

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

            Pain for pleasure

        2. FPL Forward Thinker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Ha

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

          He’s an option but not many people own him

          1. FPL Forward Thinker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I own him but I’d rather captain Wesley

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

              RIP

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

          o/

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

        G2G?
        Adrian
        Digne, Pieters, Lundstram
        Sterling, Mane, KDB, Mount, James
        Aguero(C), Pukki

      6. FPL Ultras
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Pope
        TAA | Digne | Dunk
        Sterling | Salah | KDB | Mount | McGinn
        Pukki | Rashford

        Please choose one:
        A) Mount, Rashford --> Dilva, Barnes (for -4)
        B) Do nothing (save FT)

        Thanks guys!

        1. FPL Ultras
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          0 itb

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          B

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thank you

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

          I would be tempted by Rashford to Barnes for free

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks! Is Barnes nailed though?

        4. doy
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          B

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thank you

      7. Energetics
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lundy, Mings, Pukki, Cantwell?

        Start one and order the sub bench.

        Currently have Lundy starting, Pukki, Cantwell, Mings on Bench

      8. i wanna ORD
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lundstram or Montoya?

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

          Lundy

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

        A back four of Walker Ota Stones Zinch suddenly looks quite average. Good thing the rest of the team is insane

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

          The opposing teams will barely have the ball!

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

        9 players playing today
        1 on Sunday (Digne)
        1 on Monday (Haller)
        What about you guys ??

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

          Same atm.

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

            Nice

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

          8 today, Digne Wesley and Lanzini to go after that

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

            Good punt on Wesley

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

              Wesley or Barnes for this GW mate?

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

                Barnes

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

          Sunday: digne and wilson
          Monday: heaton :)) you weak haller will be my clean sheet lol

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

            Lol
            GL

        4. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          5-3-3 😀

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

            Great 😀

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

          5 today
          3 sunday
          3 Monday

          i'm now worried my team's crap 🙂

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

            Lol

        6. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          10 today, digne tomorrow

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

            Good

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

          Everyone except Haller today.

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

            Nice

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

          9-2-0

      11. Bagheri Arce
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        With Lacazette injured and Arsenal's fixtures who are you keen on, including cost as a factor (obviously):

        A) Auba
        B) Pepe
        C) Ceballos
        D) No-one

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

          C if he starts

        2. Bagheri Arce
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I'm tempted to swap out Salah for Auba with Liverpool's fixtures not great and Auba now up top.....

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

          A or B

      12. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Start Montoya (BUR) or Emerson (wol)?

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

          Emerson is out

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers - makes things easier

      13. Dog and Fox
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Heaton
        VVD Dunk Digne pieters
        Salah Sterling KDB Siggy James
        Haller

        Save FT or G2G?

      14. royals forever
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Who to give the armband to out of

        Sterling
        KDB

        Any ideas would be welcomed

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

          I am on Sterling

        2. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I actually think KDB will smash it today but dare I captain him?? Currently on sterling but edging towards Salah

      15. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        A. TAA Haller
        B. Rico Auba

        Rico as fodder with Digne Otamendi Pieters defence

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

          B

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

          A

      16. LakhaneeFC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Quick question on team/injury news: Barnes is fit to play?

        Still has a yellow mark on him in-game

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

        Is there any precedent for the effective Martial price freeze?

        The only rationale I can see is that towers have essentially revalued him at 8.0 given he’s oop.

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

          Salah last season was protected in a similar fashion. This one seems more egregious though, its so obvious that theres some kind of tampering with the algorithm going on.

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

            Forgot that

            I really do wonder though whether there has been a covert revaluation. Presumably there’s some rationale behind this and that’s all I can see.

      18. sandman58
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        After today
        A) Dendoncker & Aguero
        B) De Bruyne & Barnes
        Have A) but 2 free transfers to chance to B) tonight
        Have Sterling and Salah

      19. saurabh.06
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Is there any chance of getting leaked liverpool line up before the deadline.

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

          slight but rare.

          you'll get rumours & it's up to you to believe or not

        2. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Currently on the way to anfield......if I find out anything.....I will be sure to keep you all updated

      20. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Aubameyang (c)??

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Next week

      21. Greyling
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Hi All. I'm on a wildcard and need assistance between Option 1 and 2? As well as who to captain this gameweeK

        OPTION 1:
        Pope/Button

        TAA, Digne, Lundstram, Pieters, Kelly
        Salah, Sterling, McGinn, Yarmalenko, Ceballos
        Barnes, Aguero, Greenwood

        OPTION 2:

        Pope/Button

        TAA, Digne, Lundstram, VVD, Kelly
        Salah, Sterling, KDB, Lanzini, Guendouzi
        Barnes, Pukki, Greenwood

      22. doy
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        If you had 1 FT and 0.6 itb, would you:

        A) Ryan to Pope
        B) VVD to TAA
        C) AWB to Mings/Arse or Spurs defender
        D) Save the FT.

        Cheers.

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

          I have 1ft and 0.6 haha
          I will save mate, next week can have a real party and change the template if arsenal goes well

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

            Cheers Pete!

      23. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Last one for me lads, a helping hand please.

        A Pope
        B Heaton

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

          A

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Heaton

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

          Pope

        4. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Both will concede I'm affraid.

          Btw I have heaton

      24. Tim2012
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Go to go?

        Pope (Button)
        TAA Lundstram Otamendi (Pieters Soy)
        Salah KDB Mount James (Cantwell)
        Aguero Pukki Abraham

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

          Fantastic

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

          Good team. Not sure about doubling up on Chelsea. Maybe get in Ceballos instead or Lanzini...?

          1. n14mul
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Agree

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

        Play cantwell or do awb to zinchenko for -4?

        Tywm