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. Kaiser123
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I’m thinking of saving a FT this week. What you reckon?
    Pope
    TAA DIgne Zinc Lund
    Sterling (c) Salah Mount Cantwell
    Tammy Pukki

    Button Rico Greenwood KDB

  2. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    Digne TAA Otamendi Lundstram
    Cantwell* Salah Sterling (c) Mount
    Pukki Abraham
    Heaton-Kdb**-Greenwood-Rico
    1.1itb 1ft
    Might be on wildcard next week so it's a tough call.
    A. Hold and hope.
    B. Kdb to Mahrez/Son/Dilva.
    C. Cantwell to Yarmolenko/Saka/McG

  3. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    After a week of chopping and changing my WC team I have ended up with this. Initial thoughts guys ?

    Pope
    Trent Tomori Soyunci
    Sterling Mount Son Mahrez McGinn
    Vardy Aubamayang

    Button Kelly Lundstram Greenwood

    Thanks,

    1. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Noice hoping to bag Vardy after this game

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      think it's great actually

    3. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks. Anything you guys would change.

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Mahrez is the only one who is a slight risk but no one better really. Unless Greenwood to Tammy or Firm and Mahrez downgrade

        1. King Henrik
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I am gonna go with Mahrez and downgrade Vardy to Abraham. This leaves me with 1.4 itb to bring in Kdb for the next week. Abraham's next 3 or 4 fixtures are just as good as vardy's imo. Would rather have Kdb and Abraham than Mahrez and Vardy.

  4. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    Lundstram, Mings, Aurier*
    Mane, Sterling, Mount, Cantwell
    Aguero, Auba, Tammy
    (Button, Kelly, Soyu, Luiz)

    Should I do Aurier to Cresswell with my FT?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Could do or Tomori

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

    Kdb is on -98 such a huge outflow in a, matter f hours

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

      Hold
      The
      Line

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

      That red flag did the job

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

    Worth to WC this losers?

    Pope
    Cresswell VvD AWB* Lundstram
    KDB* Salah Mount Son
    Aguero Pukki

    McGovern Rico Wickham* Dendoncker

    0FT

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

      No. Maybe if intl break if you must

  7. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who is the best striker for up to 6.5 mln?
    As a replacement for Jota.

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

      None.

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

        Correction, go King 😉

    2. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wood

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

      Wood

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

    Bottomed

    On WC

    A Mane Vardy
    B Son Auba

    Help me lads

    Thanks Amey 🙂

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son Auba for the moment due to fixtures, or Son and Vardy even.

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

        Not a fan of expensive strikers.
        But I am afraid of auba.

        Although fixtures might be green but they aren't easy. Also when Lacazette is back....

        1. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I'd imagine his output will increase with Lacazette back. He's not exactly surrounded by creative talent at the moment.

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

      Vardy Auba

  9. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I am with my WC active right now and facing this dilema:

    I got Cantwell at 4.8 and he is my current 5th mid. Given I play 343 or 442 and rarely play 352, does it make sense to downgrade him to someone like Dendonker at 4.4 and have 0.5 extra itb? I have only TAA for Liverpool right now and that extra cash could be handy to get Firmino or Mané in 5 gw time.

    Pope - McGovern
    TAA - Ota - Soy/Tomori - Lund - Rico
    Sterling - Mahrez - Mount - Yarmo - Cantwell*
    Auba - Abraham - Pukki

    3.5 itb to bring Vardy and KDB for Pukki and Mahrez

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

      Given what you’ve said, that definitely makes sense in your case.

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Makes perfect sense to downgrade if you will rarely play him.

    3. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I don't want to see loads of points in my bench. I guess it would be a kind of luxury bench.

  10. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Okay, barring any super late/super early news, my team is set at 4-3-3

    Pope
    TAA, Robertson, Lundstram, Diop
    Sterling, Saka, James
    Vardy, Pukki (C), Wilson

    I might move the armband, but it's all about differentials since every other KdB owner who also owned Sterling has surely picked the latter as Captain. Pukki was ahead of Salah in the poll until yesterday too.

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

      Could be golden. Could also flop.

      GL

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

      That midfield 😮

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

        KdB is injured, and Ceballos isn't guaranteed to start. If I thought both he and Saka would play 90 minutes I'd drop James. If I've to pick one, I'm picking Saka as the player who HASN'T had bad games. That back row and my forward line is stacked.

    3. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Where is all your money? Even with Salah, that team looks threadbare.

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

        Ceballos, AWB, KdB on the bench. If people want to panic sell the Belgian that's their concern, but I'm not inclined to panic this season.
        Including Ryan as my spare keeper, that's 25.7 not playing... 74.5 in the starting XI. I have 0.7 in the bank for emergencies. I only let that drop low (0.0 - 0.2) when I know for certain what my transfers are for the coming 2 GWs.

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

    Ladies and gents. 1 FT 1.4 ITB, WC still available

    A) Barnes to Abraham
    B) KDB Barnes to Auba 6.8 (-4)

    Would lose a bit of money on Kev. Team linked.

    Much appreciated!

    1. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      the problem I see is once you get Auba it will be hard to get rid. I how are you going to get KDB back?

  12. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Barnes price dropping tonight?

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

      F.. me 😕
      Would be outpriced for next gw transfers.
      I hate myself for getting Burnley strikers

  13. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    6.2 to spend on midfielder to join the following crew. Who is the best shout?

    Salah
    Sterling
    Dendoncker
    Mount

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

      Yarmolenko?

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yarmolenko

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

      if just 2 gws then Mcginn. 5 gws patience then Yarmolenko

  14. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    As KDB is out I have to play one of Soyuncu, Greenwood or Montoya.

    Was gonna save FT for international break but should I do Montoya to Tomori for free?

    1. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not a bad shout

  15. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Injury problems, what to do?

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Digne Lundstram
    Salah Sterling KDB* Mount Cantwell*
    Haller

    Button Jota* Greenwood Rico
    2ft. 0itb

    A) Jota to Maupay
    B) KDB, Jota to Auba, Saka (KDB bought for 9.5)
    C) Jota, Cantwell to King, Saka
    D) Jota, Digne to King, Otamendi (play Rico or Greenwood if Cantwell out)

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

      Nerves of steel if you still own Jota.

      C

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

  16. the vanisher
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    if you owned BOTH who would you captain:
    A. Aguero
    B. Sterling

    thanks

    1. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sterli g

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

      Has to be sterling as Kun wont start mostly after the Zagreb 89min gameplay time.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        It will be 5 days ago by time they play. I think your advice is...reckless

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

          If 1 week doesnt suit Pep to rotate Kuk then 5days hardly helps. Your name suits u pumpkin head

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Well that's both of us then...

            He had a niggle in the Everton game btw

  17. HNI
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Guess KDB to Pepe(BOU) is my Punt for this Gw. Son and Mahrez sadly looks doubts to start, Auba is far from my funds and Bou really tremble in matches vs Ars

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Those fixtures for Arsenal are sublime.

  18. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Should I save FT??
    Heaton button
    Otamendi TAA lundstram diop Hanley
    Kdb cantwell mane son marvelous
    Aguero pukki Tammy

    1 FT 0 ITB

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

      Who is Marvelous?

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Villa mid

    2. Party time
        4 years, 5 months ago

        2 fts should come handy during the IB

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Talk today about the Mahrez KDB issue
      Play Mahrez KDB Sterling with 2 good benchers (Lund and Cantwell)
      Taking it they play 2 out of 3 games it could still be worth it.
      Cameos the only problem but 25 minutes on the pitch is good enough for any of them.
      If Bilva is suspended the argument is strengthened.
      My concern as picked up in a hot topic the other day is how much KDB makes the likes of Mahrez so much better.

    4. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Appreciate any comments on this team,
      Also lowton or cresswell ? Cheers

      Pope , TAA , Tomori, Creswell
      Salah, Sterling(C) Yarmo, Mount
      Wood Kane Teemu

      Bench: Heston// Lowton , Guend, Kelly

    5. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      AMN likely to not start on Sunday?

    6. Macam Dave
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pick X) lowton or Y) cantwell (assuming cantwell fit).

      Noting I have pope in goal and pukki up front. Thx

      1. Ole's at the wheel
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        LOWTON

    7. Jones Town
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Who would you drop to get Auba? I'm tempted by Pukki...

      A) Abraham
      B) Wilson
      C) Pukki

      Thanks! 🙂

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Pukki but not this week

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

        Abraham

      3. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Puuukiii, maybe, however in hovering over captaincy for this week. Probably Wilson giving loose change it will leave you with.

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

        Wilson

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

          One of the most consistent performers?

    8. Better Call Raul
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Have some cash itb:

      KdB + Greenwood --> Auba + Saka look good for a -4?

      I'm not convinced Laca will bench Saka straight away after IB

      Alternatively could avoid the hit and do either Greenwood -> Wood or Kdb -> Son/Mahrez but would then have to start one of Soy or Rico vs Liv or Ars

      1. Better Call Raul
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Could alternatively bring in Vardy + Yarmo for a -4 and bank the change

        1. Ole's at the wheel
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          This^

    9. Tekkerslovakiaftw
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Best replacement for kdb?
      0 itb

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

        Son

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

        Son

    10. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Have 2 FT

      Sterling, Mane, Mount Cantwell, KDB
      Kane, Pukki

      A KDB & Kane > Auba & Son
      B KDB & Pukki > Yarmo & Auba
      C TAA, KDB, Pukki > Otamendi, Maddison/Bilva & Auba -4

    11. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Evening. 0itb. Wildcarding after deadline. Thoughts on Cantwell to saka as a one week punt?

      Pope
      Vvd ota guilbert (rico soy)
      Salah sterling james Cantwell (kdb)
      Haller abraham pukki

      Thanks

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Why the heck not?!

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

          Exactly!

    12. Lallana Del Rey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pope
      TAA Robbo Otamendi
      Sterling(c) Salah KDB Mount Cantwell
      Abraham King

      (4.0 Lundstram Rico Wickham)

      0.8 itb, 1ft
      Before the KDB injury I had planned to do King —> Pukki, but not so sure anymore. So

      A) King —> Pukki
      B) KDB —> Son
      C) King, KDB —> Auba, McGinn (-4)
      D) Hold
      E) Other moves?

    13. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kdb and Barnes > Mahrez and Abraham for a -8, yay or nay ?

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

        Nay

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

        No

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

      You would think Poch is going to bench the underperformers vs munich. Dele, sissoko, rose id guess. Not sure why he would bench son after playing 60 last wkend, in form & away vs attacking team.
      Thoughts?
      I clearly brought son in this gw.