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

    2 weeks of IB and on the WC and this morning I end up with triple Burnley and only 2 Pool and 2 City players. What's wrong with me?

    1. BoomXhakaLaca1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pope, Barnes and?

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

        Pieters

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

        Pieters, who else? A sheep following the herd.

        1. BoomXhakaLaca1
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Not too bad to be fair, keeper wouldn't really bother me anyway 🙂

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

      Imagine if they lose at Brighton today...

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

        Indeed I'm contemplating to play Mings instead of Pieters, but I've got Haller. So If I want him to score big that means I'm hoping for Mings to have a crap score. Schizophrenic.

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

    Keep Kelly or Rico on a wildcard? High stakes stuff ... neither will play this week (With luck)

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

    Could Mendy start in place of Sterling? cause that would be one where Sterling might come off the bench for him?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Not a chance. Mendy isn't match fit . If he does start it's for Zinchenko

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      this is the best "Sterling to get a rest" post i´ve seen. Ha ha

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

        haha I really cannot decide here

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

      Can't see it.

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

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA VVD Digne Zinchenko
    Salah(v) KDB Mount James
    Aguero(c) Barnes

    Button Lundstram Greenwood Cantwell

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

    Ceballos or McGinn?

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

      Dani

  6. BoomXhakaLaca1
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Remember when the only legend city had was Richard Dunne..... Good times

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Stephen Ireland

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

    Pope (Button)
    TAA Zinchenko Lundstram (Dunk Rico)
    Salah Sterling KdB Ceballos (Dendoncker)
    Barnes Pukki Haller

    RMT. On a WC and 0.6 ITB. Any changes I should make?

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

      Dendoncker to Cantwell perhaps? Which would you prefer to come off your bench?

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

      Not a fan of the Ceballos pick

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

    Big decision time...

    A) Salah / Aguero / Pukki
    or
    B) Sterling / Aubameyang / Firmino

    B would mean having to find £0.4m by downgrading either Digne, Zinchenko, or Mount

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

      A

  9. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Play AWB or Lundstram?

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

      Prb awb

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      With a depleted United vs Leicester i would not be very confident they keep them at bay, and Lundstram OOP in a decent enough home game, says Lund to me.

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

    Which would you rather have on a wc team?

    A) Salah & Otamendi (sterling capt next 2gws)
    B) kun & Alderweireld ( would capt kun next 2 gws)

    Pope
    TAA / Digne / xxxx (lundstrom/rico)
    Sterling /Kdb / James/ cebellos /xxxx
    Haller / pukki / xxxx

    If salah fodder comes into attack, if kun fodder into mf

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

    Martial ----> Cellabos or Dilva?

    Already got KDB and sterling

    1. BoomXhakaLaca1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cellabos then

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Latter is nailed today and prob next week, but i think you need a plan to move him perhaps, or have a decent bench cover. 7.5 is a very reasonable price for a City mid, same goes for Ceballos ofc, but could have both i guess

      Dilva away to Norwich, that looks juicy. When we go into the part of season where CL begins, perhaps we can see if Pep carves out a pattern in his team sheets. Would be lovely to have a 7.5 mid that plays league matches, and less in CL. I have him in mind when i have 2 FT next week

  12. Bumbaclot
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pope
    TAA/vvd/zinch/digne
    Salah/sterling/siggy/James
    Tammy/pukki

    Anyway I can squeeze lundstram in here or would you be happy to just bench him? Thanks guys

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

    Which front 8 to go with on Wildcard?

    A) Salah, Sterling, Ceballos, McGinn, Yarmalenko, Aguero, Barnes, Greenwood

    B) Salah, Sterling, Guendouzi, KDB, Lanzini, Pukki, Barnes, Greenwood

    1. some witty pun
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

      Just personal opinion but for me kdb is essential on a wc, he was the reason I pulled the trigger on the wc..

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

        @JASON_NI, it's 2 out of Augero, KDB and Sterling to choose from. Impossible to have all 3 in the team.

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

          In that case, for me its Sterling and KDB.
          Obviously Aguero is super as well, but I feel KDB is too good value to turn down.

          I was in same dilemma, and am thinking of dropping salah for 2 gws, to bring kun in(can capt him) then switch back to salah down the line.

          That will give me all 3, and the obvious downside is no mo for newcastle

  14. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Which 1 would you bench?

    A. Montoya
    B. Mount
    C. Robinson
    D. Pukki

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

      Got to be A, although I have to play him unfortunately. Hoping for a 0-0 with Pope and Montoya in my team

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

      A probably

    3. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A or D, with Laporte out I'd say enough reason to pick Pukki. So bench A

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

      Thanks all. Currently on A.

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

    James or Lanzini folks?

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

      Lanzini all day

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      The one that plays for the better team ... lanzini

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

      Toss a coin

    4. Mr G
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Same headache...

      Lanzini in a head to head for sure but means downgrading City to Burnley defence for me...

      Lanzini still worth it?

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

    Right starting 11 guys?

    Ryan
    Digne TAA Lowton Diop
    Salah(C) Sterling(vc) KDB
    Barnes King Pukki

    Button Dendo Cantwell AWB

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

      not tempted by Sterling then mate?

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

        Very!

  17. Water_Pink
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Start pukki or soyuncu

    1. amit1964
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      beacouse i t is united - soyuncu

  18. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    the only player in my team i cant watch live this weekend is mason mount 10/11 #drools

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

      King for me! He misses so much that I want Haller instead

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

    Need some more inputs!
    Worth doing Josh King ( EVE sot WHAM) to Haller (avl MUN bou) for -4? I was unsure before as bou matches are easier and King on penalties but then bou has many sharing points whereas Haller looks the point of attack

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

    G2G?

    Heaton

    Vvd - Robbo - Digne - Walker

    Salah - David Silva - Mount - Sterling

    Pukki - Wilson

    Captain: Sterling

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

    Following Laca injury is it worth to do

    Salah Haller => Son Auba on WC? Can return to Mane/Salah after better fixtures.

    A. Yes
    B. No

    1. Come on you Kante
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

  22. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    With the good fixtures most of the players have this week I think the success of the GW depends entirely on getting the captaincy right between Salah and Sterling. Anyone convinced they now which way to go and why?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      True

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

      this is so tough! really wanna go Sterling a be brave. Surely with VC on Salah it's pretty safe?

  23. Come on you Kante
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    If you HAD to choose who would you go for:

    A/Emerson
    B/Maitland Niles

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

      Neither

      1. Come on you Kante
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        lol “HAD to choose”

  24. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Right my WC is ready but too scared to post it on here at this fairly late stage 😀

    All I know is that I’m playing the psychological game where I have tried to have players spread over the weekends (spread the fun) and tried to make it good too!

    Callum Wilson being one of those examples

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

    captain Pope today? Brighton without Trossard is like Portugal without Ronaldo

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

      Yea definitely...

  26. CAPA
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Do we think Greenwood will start today?

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

      Very unlikely to start imo.

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

      Guess work, but I think not. They need a win and to chance leading the line with someone yet to start in prem, I just don't see it. Man u losing or drawing, I see him on at the 60mins mark

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

      The Guardian does. I'm not convinced. Think it'll be Rashford, Lingard, Mata, James with Matic and McTominay behind. He might get more minutes though

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

        Lingards injured

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

          Lingard was ill rather than injured I think.

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

            Fair enough, still being reported as likely missing by the likes of Simon Stone

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

        Telegraph has him starting too and Solskjaer said expects all squad to play a part. But I’m doubtful hence the question.

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

          Cheers guys

  27. Aldoman
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    not sure about my WC team..

    pope/henderson
    VVD/zinchenko/digne/lund/hanley
    mcginn/debruyn/mount/ceballos/son
    aguero/pukki/firmino

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

      Firminho unlikely to start after international break

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

        Not so sure about this. Yes he played in the early hours of Wednesday morning but he was back in training on Thursday. If he's been given a rest due to international fatigue he'd have surely been given Thursdays training session off.

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

          Cracking the whip on him then Pool are. I stand corrected...

  28. Come on you Kante
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Order top 3

    Zinchenko Stones Otamendi

    I have Walker.

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

      Ota Zinch Walker

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ota walker zinc ( borrowed time,forget him)

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

    odds for maupay to score are 2.2

    best for anyne outside the biggies from city pool and kane

  30. higgi1989
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Well folks, torn between:
    1. Diop, Mount, Greenwood (playing 3-5-2 with Greenwood on bench)

    2. Otamendi, Hayden, Abraham (playing 3-4-3 with Hayden on bench)

    Any advice?

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

      2 I guess