Scout Picks

Gameweek 8 Scout Picks retains faith in Salah

We have kept faith in two of Liverpool’s most attacking players for the Gameweek 8 Scout Picks.

The visit of Leicester to Anfield has concerned some invested in Jurgen Klopp’s men but are still expecting a positive result.

The Scout Picks has been carefully put together using David, Neale, Paul and Geoff’s Scout Squad submissions from earlier in the week.

For this weekend we line up in a 4-3-3 formation and come in £0.5m under our budget of £83.0m.

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope has a favourable fixture this week as well as good form at home in 2019/20

Nick Pope (£4.6m) was a simple inclusion in the Scout Picks this week ahead of Burnley’s meeting with Everton at Turf Moor. The Clarets have already kept two clean sheets at home this season, against Southampton and Norwich, while Marco Silva’s men have found the net just once in three road trips. Meanwhile, Pope is currently fifth in the league for saves (24).

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a regular inclusion in the Scout Picks this season

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) remains a favourite of the Scout Squad panel, chosen as the best option in defence by three of them this week. Liverpool may not have kept a Premier League clean sheet at Anfield this season but they have conceded the fewest big chances of any side in the last four matches. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold remains the top defender for chances created in that period, fashioning eight more than any other player in his position.

Nicolas Otamendi (£5.5m) continues to be the most nailed-on Manchester City defender, which should see him do well against Wolves this weekend. The visitors had another exerting Europa League encounter on Thursday night and had to play nine of the players who beat Watford in Gameweek 7. That is far from the ideal preparation for a trip to the Etihad Stadium when Wolves have had troubles in front of goal this season. Only four teams have scored fewer goals than them on the road in 2019/20, while Manchester City have conceded the fewest number of shots in the last four matches.

Matt Lowton (£4.5m) joins the Scout Picks as part of a Burnley defensive double-up. We’ve already covered the Clarets’ clean sheet potential in Gameweek 8, why it’s the right-back getting the nod is his creativity. Erik Pieters may have more assists of any other Burnley defender this season but Lowton has created more chances than any other colleague bar Ashley Westwood. 

Despite graduating from the £4.0m bracket, John Lundstram (£4.5m) can still offer plenty of value in Gameweek 8. Watford remain in the bottom three for big chances this season while Sheffield United kept a clean sheet on their last away trip. Meanwhile, Lundstram continues to be a creative force for the Blades, only four players in the whole league fashioning more big chances than him in the first seven matches.

Midfielders

Salah has been reliable in home matches in all competitions this season

The Scout Squad have retained faith in Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), even ahead of a tricky meeting with Leicester City. The Foxes defence has been in good shape in recent weeks but Salah has done very well at Anfield this season. Every Premier League match there in 2019/20 has seen him produce attacking returns and if we factor in the latest Champions League outing, he has six goals in all competitions in front of his own fans this season.

A midweek rest for Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) should put him in a good place for the visit of Wolves to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Not only did the midfielder get most of the Dinamo Zagreb off, he also provided a goal and assist when he took to the pitch as a substitute. As already mentioned, Wolves have not had the best preparation for this trip and have conceded in each of their last two away matches. Gameweek 8 was another one in which we also like the prospects of Aguero but we could not quite squeeze him and Sterling into the line-up, the latter definitely a much more likely starter this weekend.

Two goals in two for John McGinn (£5.8m) has firmly placed the Aston Villa midfielder on the Fantasy radar once again. So far this season, only two players have registered more shots on target than McGinn, which bodes well for a trip to Norwich this weekend. The Canaries have conceded 15 goals in the first seven matches, only Watford have shipped more, and are yet to keep a clean sheet at Carrow Road in 2019/20.

Forwards

Fresh from a midweek rest, Aubameyang is back in the Scout Picks once again

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) is still yet to blank this season so it is hard to see his scoring run ending in a home match against Bournemouth. The Cherries have conceded five times in their three away matches this season and have historically struggled at the Emirates Stadium.

Tammy Abraham (£7.6m) looks in a good place to reward his owners’ patience in Gameweek 8. In the last four matches, he is behind only Aguero for shots in the box and tops the league for efforts on target. A continuation of that trend at a Southampton side without a clean sheet at home this season should see Abraham do well.

Gameweek 8 should be the week that Teemu Pukki (£7.2m) returns to the Fantasy conversation. While Norwich have struggled on the road this season, they have been full of goals at Carrow Road. Pukki himself has averaged 13.3 points per game there in 2019/20 while Aston Villa have conceded seven goals across their three away matches so far.

Substitutes

Given that we fancy Sheffield United’s clean sheet chances this weekend, it makes sense to include Dean Henderson (£4.5m) on the bench. He was selected by three of our Scout Squad panel.

Harry Maguire (£5.5m) came close to making it into the final XI based on Newcastle’s problems in front of goal this season. Ahead of hosting Manchester United, the Magpies are yet to score more than once in a match this season and have blanked twice at home already.

John Fleck (£4.8m) could be a tidy differential for anyone looking to capitalise on Sheffield United’s favourable trip to Watford. He is joint-top among his colleagues for chances created over the last four matches and is second for shots inside the box.

As we discovered earlier this week, Chris Wood (£6.2m) stands a good chance of continuing his scoring run when Everton come to Turf Moor. In the last four Gameweeks, only three players have been afforded more big chances than the Burnley striker.

The Captain

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.

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 8 is Vobinho in Wengerland.

They have gone for a 3-4-3 of Dúbravka; Holebas, Schär, Alonso; Zaha, D Silva, Willian, Saka; Firmino, Aguero (c), Kane.

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 win for the Community Champion in Gameweek 7 as The Greenback Boogie won by a close 54-52 scoreline.

irfansheikh‘s winning margin of 16 points from Gameweek 7 is the latest score to beat for the 2019/20 season.

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

5,269 Comments Post a Comment
  1. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah haul is inevitable this GW

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You would be insane not to have him right now 🙂

  2. mookie
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    7 picks again. :C

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      4, damn. They chose my terrible defence... (guys that defence is terrible)

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

      Same. Fail.

    3. mookie
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Oh well, at least I have Son, who they don't "think" will start this week.

  3. Squires FC
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Kdb -> son ft done. Poor bench options so had to be done.

    1. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm considering this too.

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dont be surprised if Son is benched after Poch’s comments.

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

        Zero chance Son is benched

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

          He didn’t play the full 90 mins vs saints

      2. Squires FC
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Poch more likely to bench the underperformers of the munich game imo.

  4. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Team gtg?

    Heaton
    TAA Otamendi Lundstram
    Saka Son Mahrez Yarmolenko
    Auba(C) Vardy Tammy

    Button Rico Aurier KDB

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

    Opinions on my WC team lads

    Pope
    Taa Dunk Lundstram soynucu rico
    Mane McGinn Sterling mount Mahrez
    Pukki abraham Vardy

    1. Fantasy Challenged
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No love for Aubameyang?

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

        No love for expensive strikers

        Maximum 200 points in a great season

        1. Fantasy Challenged
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Fair enough. Don't need to keep them long term. Hopefully just have them for a good run of form then ditch.

    2. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB plan?

  6. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling or Auba for captain?

    im leaning Auba atm

    1. Sam feasts
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling, Wolves will be knackered - Who knows which Arsenal will turn up.

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        good point

  7. fridge
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Last 2 players I've brought in have been sent off so looking for an improvement on that this week...

    1FT, 1.5 ITB

    Pope
    Zinch. Maitland. Lundstram
    Salah. Sterling. KDB. Mount. Cantwell
    Haller. Pukki

    Button. Jota. Montoya. Aurier

    A) Jota > Abraham
    B) Zinch > Ota
    C) both for -4
    D) something else

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  8. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would absolutely love a 0-0 from the BUR EVE game

  9. Fantasy Challenged
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Please help me out here guys and gals.
    I've been waiting to play my WC around the international break, but can't decide if I should go for it now (due to a combination of injuries and other things) or wait a week. Currently only have 1 FT and 0.5 ITB.

    Current Squad:

    Pope
    Rob Digne* Lundstram Dunk*
    Salah* Sterling Mount Cantwell
    Barnes* Wilson

    Button*, Greenwood*, Soyuncu and KdB*

    Current WC draft:

    McGovern*, Pope
    Rob Soyuncu Tomori* Lundstram Kelly/Rico*
    Sterling Mount Son* Cantwell Yarm/McGinn*
    Wilson Aubameyang* Abraham/Vardy*

    Currently going Wilson/Tammy over Vardy based on gut feeling. Don't expect Vardy to do as well this week. I can easily bring him in the following weeks if need be with the extra cash. I don't mind dumping KdB as I bought at pretty late. Also don't mind holding Son a few weeks extra if need be.

    What do you think? Wildcard Yay or Nay? Any suggestions? All welcome. Thank you

    1. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nay. KDB to Son and I think you’ll be fine for this week.

  10. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hi! 1ft and 0.0 to spend, not afraid of hits. What do you recommend for me, the madlad?

    Heaton
    TAA Robbo Otamendi Lundstrom
    Sterling Salah Cantwell KdB
    Pukki Abraham

    Button Digne Dendoncer Greenwood

    1. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB to Mahrez or Son?

    2. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just hope Caldwell will play!

  11. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on a -4 to do KDB & Greenwood to Auba & Yarmolenko alongside this lot:

    Sterling, Salah, Mount, Cantwell
    Tammy, Pukki

    No WC

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

      Do it. Might do the same.

  12. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hope Tomori price rise doesn’t happen tonight :/

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks like he is.

  13. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    8 out of 11.. what's the scouts track record been like this season?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      ur screwed basically

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 5 months ago

          🙁

        • Rash
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Thought as much..

      2. mookie
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        If you're lucky 40+ GW

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

          38 last week so step in right direction

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      8 for me, gw fail

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 5 months ago

          🙁

        • Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Same here if I do Barnes to tammy

      2. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Have 8. Highest of the season by ar I think. Not sure if that a good or a bad thing 😀

        • Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Anyone else still got Digne? How long you hanging on before downgrading to the likes of Tomori or Soyuncu?

          Got Otamendi too who I’m wavering on

          1. DAZZ
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            2 gameweeks ago. Best thing i did.

          2. Sloopy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Keeping for now. Stubborn.

        • La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Everyone has 8 picks then? Template shaping up is it?

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Lol

            May be a different 8 for those w Lowton, Auba, McGinn than I have got

        • some witty pun
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Why is Mahrez preferred over BSilva and DSilva? He's played many more minutes

        • LordEllison
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          1 FT and 0.2 ITB any ideas on what transfer to make abit stuck. Thanks

          Pope Button
          TAA Digne Otamendi Aurier Lundstram
          Salah Sterling KDB McGinn Dendoncker
          Wilson Pukki Greenwood

        • FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I saw someone mention something about Poch benching players? Anyone know who Poch was referring to?

          1. mookie
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Scouts assume it was Son.

          2. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            not sure tbh, maybe winks? IDK, cant see Son being benched. I can see Dier coming in

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              maybe Rose as well, im literally guessing though

        • Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I have KDB and Cantwell and 1FT...Would it be wise to moclve one on to get a guaranteed starter? Or is the general consensus that Cantwell will play? If he doesn't Kelly or Soyuncu will come in.

        • The Tinkerman
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Right, still relying on Greenwood after my FT. -4 or roll the dice with this:

          Heaton
          TAA, Otamendi, Tomori
          Salah (C), Sterling (V), Mount, Cantwell
          Haller, Pukki, Greenwood

          Button; Montoya, Soyuncu, KDB

          I think it’s pretty risky with Cantwell a doubt and Greenwood is more likely to be benched than start IMO.

        • JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          surprised Yarmolenko doesn't get a mention in the scout picks.

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

            Was in the differentials

        • n-doggg
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Ceballos to:

          A. Yarmolenko
          B. McGinn
          C. Ndidi

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

            A but B isn't bad either

            C shouldn't even be considered imo

        • Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          7 for me 🙁
          The curse will continue then....

          1. Coys96
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            5 for me

          2. AuFeld
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            How's your season going so far?

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

              Pathetic
              No luck at all
              1.3m OR
              © Fail 3 times. Wrong © v© 6 times ...
              What about you mate ?

              1. AuFeld
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Similar boat. 1.2m OR. Had one really bad week in GW3 with 29 points. WC in GW4 and slowly creeping back. Chin up!

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

                  Definitely !

        • Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Remember to add 1 scout pick to your score because cantwell would have been in there instead of fleck but for the late injury. Sorry to depress you even further it’s going to be a tough one

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            😆

        • RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Son or Mahrez is too close with too many variables. What’s the random pick site? Not got a coin on me

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I can flip one for you. I’m loaded

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Which do you prefer mate? Swaying towards Son now

          2. n-doggg
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Son. Mahrez mighy get more points over the next game but will frustrated with being benched

        • French Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KDB replacement - I have Salah Sterling Mount & Dedonc

          A) Son
          B) Mahrez
          C) Anyone else?

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

            A

          2. n-doggg
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Save ft

        • CHARLIE HULL
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          3 options given the KdB news, bought him at 9.6. 1 FT and 0.5 itb.

          A) Save FT and play Greenwood/Dendoncker/Soyuncu
          B) Dendoncker to Saka, and play Saka
          C) KdB to Son/Mahrez

        • JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Really wish I could shoe horn Salah in to my WC team but he complete kills the structure of my team, so I'm having to go with Mane

          1. 7shadesofsmoke
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            diddums

            1. JELLYFISH
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              jog on

              1. 7shadesofsmoke
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                😆

                1. JELLYFISH
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Like you're avatar though I'll let it go 🙂
                  utv

                  1. 7shadesofsmoke
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    sorry man, im only on the wind up 🙂

                    UTV!

                    1. JELLYFISH
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      No worries, lets hope we're both smiling after an AV win tomorrow. We badly need it....

                      1. 7shadesofsmoke
                        • 11 Years
                        4 years, 5 months ago

                        don't we just?! would willingly take a Pukki + Cantwell red card and own goal a piece if we went home with 3 points