Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 5

It’s back to business for FPL managers after the first international break of the season. The Fantasy Football Scout Gameweek Guide returns to round-up all the latest goings-on covering captaincy, team news, stats (yes, even xG), and opinion. And find out exactly what Az meant when he said Joe had:

Taken all the ‘wild’ out of a Wildcard.

Let’s start with the perennial captain dilemma – who should we trust with the armband this week?

The main contenders once again come from Liverpool and Manchester City. Salah currently leads this site’s captain poll with 35%, while opinion is split between City pair Sterling and Aguero on 21% and 14% respectively.

Part of Salah’s appeal is that he is fully rested: the international break was a proper football break for him. Whereas Sterling started both matches for England, playing the full 90 minutes in the second match. FP Elephant kindly summarised the player activity over the international fixtures, while David goes into more detail in his Scout Notes.

To help us decide who we should trust, David dissects the credentials of the leading candidates in his Captain Sensible article. Examining player stats, opposition stats, and the RMT before making his conclusion. Neale also offered his opinion in the Captaincy Video he did with Joe.

Newcastle-fan Neale pointed out that the Magpies are likely to set up defensively with no real attacking ambition. However, discussing Norwich’s ability to contain Manchester City, he noted:

I don’t know whether Daniel Farke’s got it in him to really sit back and defend – he hasn’t really got the personnel to do that anyway – so I think this could be an absolute bloodbath myself.

Speaking of personnel, Neale reported in his team news article on Friday that the Canaries’ fitness issues had reached almost farcical levels: they will be without all four senior centre-halves and first-choice right-back.

So while the potential is there for City to do well, the problem for many is which of their players to get? 

Norwegian fantasy expert, Aleksander Våge Nilsen, currently eighth in the Fantasy Football Scout Career Hall of Fame, did his best to decipher ‘Pep Roulette’ in this week’s Panel Consultation. And it looks like he might be buying himself a big sofa to hide behind because Aleksander would go without Aguero:

I just have to take the unavoidable Aguero hat-tricks on the chin and hope KDB and Sterling can keep up.

His third City player, in addition to Sterling and KDB, would be a defender:

After Laporte’s long-term injury, an opportunity to go for the cheaper Otamendi has opened, and on a Wildcard, I think I would take that chance.

And it was on the subject of Wildcards that Az accused Joe of being a little boring with his picks. Joe is known, perhaps a little unkindly, as a dullard manager. Although with seven ranks in the top 10,000 he’s also a very good one. 

Joe discussed his Wildcard picks which include Nicolas Otamendi, Sterling, Salah, and KDB, and faced criticism for being too template – for turning his team into everyone else’s team. 

In his opinion piece, the FPL General urged managers to think for themselves:

It’s not about following the pack, the goal is to beat the pack… Trust your own judgement/research/instinct/eye test. FPL is a simple game which we overcomplicate. The only ‘Template’ you need to worry about is your own.

Joe, in his defence, pointed out that at this early stage of the season, player ownership numbers haven’t settled so in that sense it’s hard to define the template. One of the ways Joe picks players, we discovered, is through the “ear test”: in addition to watching games – the eye test – Joe also listens to matches on the radio. 

It was a topic that was touched upon by his latest Meet the Manager guest, Josh Landon, who wonderfully described himself as “maverick within a box”. Josh uses the eye test to help break through all of the noise, and as the FPL General counselled – to trust yourself. 

Stats also play a big part in our decision-making process, but one particular statistic that receives a rather mixed response is expected goals. Essentially a measure of chance quality, there are a number of new xG stats that are available to members, and Neale explained how xG can be used

Elsewhere, David provided a members-only article on the best fourth midfielder to own. A fourth midfielder is defined as a player under £6.5m. While Neale examined Burnley’s appealing fixture run – which players should we own? Three of their number make this week’s Scout Picks.

Greyhead brought us two installments of The Great and The Good. The first looked back to how our managers fared in Gameweek 4 and the second, a treat for Adele fans, examined The Great and The Good Alumni.  

A regular hot-topic, G-Whizz collected all the DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds – no surprise that Liverpool and City are predicted to do well. While for fans of Swedish football and true fantasy lovers, Meltens previewed Gameweek 23 in Fantasy Allsvenskan.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

COMMUNITY TOURNAMENTS

Last week we decided to turn the Community Tournaments section into its own article. Updates on the latest mini-league and community run competitions can be found here.

And for those who may have missed it, registration is now open for the Pundit’s Play-Off Community Tournament. The deadline for entry is 30 September.

Best of luck for Gameweek 5!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,530 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A) Kane, Coleman
    B) Kun, Soyuncu (-4)

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B - simply because Kun easily has a hat trick in him

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A more likely I'd say.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      b

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

      B easy

    5. Takedog1
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

    6. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      b

    7. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A

    8. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A

  2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Funny how Pukki went from essential to inessential after just a single blank 😆

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, that's how it goes, he'll score plenty of goals though.

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      as soon as I brought him in the party was off

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

        Sell him please.

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

      tough fixtures

      1. gooner_112233445566
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Jimenez or pukki for the next 6??

      2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Tough fixtures?

        He scored vs Liverpool and has Burnley, Palace, Villa and Bournemouth in his next five.

    4. endy919
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      the whole team is injured around him

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

    Sterling or salah for the armband ?

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      toughest question this week

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

        indeed, cant decide

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

      easy sterling

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

        is it easy really ? salahs home scores 12 and 15 so far, wouldnt call it an easy decision

      2. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I'm on him but not easy!

    3. Takedog1
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      sterling

    4. Chill, we'll call you
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kun

    5. Better luck next year
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Salah seems like the safe option as he’s been rested. Sterling will probably start but taken off early. Tough decision.

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

    bottomed

    A or B for this GW alone?

    A) James, Iwobi
    B) Ceballos, Lanzini

    Thank you

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      b

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

      B

    3. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      thnx guyz...will go with B

    5. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

  5. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Why is everyone on Button for 4.0 keeper? Aren't they risking a price drop if peope start moving?

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Only 4 mil keeper with any sort of chance of minutes (next in line at their team) I think. People rarely bother changing fodder keeper and ownership high so a drop is unlikely.

      1. The Strokes
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        This
        More ownership so will nee more sales before drop. Is in fact safer then a low ownership.

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

      thats a really good point. I've switched to stekelenberg

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        What's the team now, then?

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

          same as before, but stek instead of button

      2. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        It's not, see above.

    3. AndyCook
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Price drop only matters if you are selling, he can sit there at 4.0 or 3.9 all season, no odds to me (I guess if you had a 4.0 you could switch to a 3.9 and make a 0.1 if you ever needed it)

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      First bench...
      A. Rico
      B. Dendoncker
      C. Greenwood

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

        C

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

        b

      3. Dasher0303
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        C

      4. Jonny HOW SON?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        b

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

        A, he will start

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

          What makes you think that? Owner here.

      6. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Need a deciding vote haha!

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

          Greenwood could finally start and see a macheda or rashford debut moment here 🙂

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

        B

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

      Jota > Haller/Barnes for -4 ?

      Ryan
      VVD - Digne - Zinchenko - Diop
      Salah - Sterling - KDB - Mount
      Pukki - Jota

      Heaton - Dunk - Greenwood - Cantwell

      1. Dasher0303
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yes

      2. Brehmeren
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Doubt it will be worth it

    6. thomas19390
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cantwell,C.Wilson or Ceballos,Barnes?

      1. The Strokes
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ceb & Barnes

      2. Dasher0303
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ceb Barnes

    7. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Is Barnes sure to play today ?

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

        no

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

        95%

    8. Dasher0303
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kane and Martial to James/mcginn and Aguero for a hit?
      Or just Martial to lanzini for free?

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

      Having held to Trossard from Gw1, his injury is a drama for me. Anyone else feels the same? I counted him as a main differential this early season..

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

        was between trossard and mount for me, went trossard. Mount 8 points then trossard 2 points plus injured. Nightmare start of the season

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

          He will revenge later on

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

      G2G or use my FT 0.2 ITB? Thanks

      Pope 
      VVD Digne Zinchenko Lundstram
      Salah Sterling(C) KDB McGinn 
      Wilson Pukki 

      Button AWB Greenwood Dendoncker

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

        No issues there

    11. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      On WC and 0.3M in bank
      --> Would you do any alterations to this?

      Adrian-Pope
      Lunds-TAA-Digne-(Lowton-Hanley)
      Salah-KDB-Mount-James-(Guendouzi)
      Aguero(C)-Abraham-Barnes

      1. Dasher0303
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Try get city defence and maybe haller in there.

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

          Tried and failed due to budget 🙁

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

            Had Otamendi but preferred to get Barnes>Wesley.

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

        Solid

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

      Is there a Breakfast club link this morning?

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

          Thanks

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

      Pages changing faster than city's goals

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

      Why should I pick Haller over Wilson for the next few weeks?

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

        You shouldnt imo not seen enough of him against better opposition

    15. PM
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      QUICK POLL, on WC:

      1. Pukki, Mings

      2. Wesley, Otamendi

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

        2

    16. Sultan-Gemy2121
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      i need immediate help please..
      Pope
      Bissaka...Walker...lundstram
      salah...mane...sterling...mount
      pukki...haller...barnes

      now i have 3 options with 1 FT:
      a) Mane, bissaka to KDB, TAA...................................................-4
      b) Pukki, mane, bissaka to Aguero (C) ,mcgin,Van dijk.............-8
      c) just bissaka to matip with FT???

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

        A

    17. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I think this article is a liiittle too late for everyone

    18. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      G2G?
      Pope
      TAA Zinchenko Pieters Lundstarm
      Salah Sterling Mount
      Pukki Haller Kun

      Button Cantwell Douglas Kelly

      Or Play Cantwell over Lundstarm

      Cheers

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        g2g

    19. Frank Koscielny
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A) Abraham + Lanzini
      B) Haller + Mount

      1. Dasher0303
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        B

        1. Frank Koscielny
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers!

    20. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      first sub
      a. dedoncker
      b. geenwood
      c. kwp

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

        C

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

      Trossard+Kane OUT

      Pepe+Haller IN - 4?

      Or save FT

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

        wait, thats not interesting

      2. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        My mind is now at ease.

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

      Any Triple captainers on Aguero or Sterling here?

      1. Chill, we'll call you
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thinking about it. Was on verge of TC Aguero last week but had an attack of poultry.

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

      Play
      A. Dendoncker
      B. Rico
      C. Greenwood
      Thanks

    24. MikeStrutter
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Who would you start?

      A) Greenwood (LEI)
      B) Mina (bou)
      C) Soyncu (mun)
      D) Pukki (MCI)

      Cheers!

      1. Jonny HOW SON?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        d

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

      STERLING captain over Salah?
      Do it?

      Good luck all

    26. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Need some help guys.

      A) Heaton & Lowton
      B) Pope & Lowton

      Also:

      1) James
      2) Mount

      Own abraham.

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

        B mings/Soyunku?
        2

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

      ench -

      Coleman or Lundstram