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. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Barnes, kdb to auba, yarm? For -4?

    Pope
    Taa zinch lund tomori
    Salah sterling cantwell kdb
    Barnes pukki abraham

    Subs, rico, dend

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

      Yeah i would

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

      Very tempting, I probably would

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

        Done, now I can stop thinking! I have my wc if injuries happen

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

          Good luck!

  2. Fantasyamateur
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What's the latest on Cantwell..? Rico to play if he's not ready, and tempted to do KdB to Mahrez (FT) to have a better option.

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

      Sounds 50/50

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

        Perhaps 60/40 to play

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

          I'd say more 63.7/36.3

      2. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Or 75/25 according to FPL

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

      He trained, and he has also been called up to the Engalnd U21 squad. So I am hopeful of him starting.

  3. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Sterling or Kun?

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

      Sterling

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

      I’d go sterling. Even if I had both

    3. tinear
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Have both, going with Raz and thinking of Kun to Auba

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

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

    Which, and which mid? Yarmolenko seems popular? WC still available.

    Team linked x

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

      A

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

        Thanks for the reply. I’ve been set on that all week but just realized I could do B as well.

        Why A over B, out of curiosity?

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

      Only KDB out.. Burnley has a good fixture no?

  5. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Saka?

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

      Like?

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

        Basically was he just rested midweek?

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

          Oh yeah think so

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Think he had McD for dinner

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

      Will start on Sunday

  6. Mr Q
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play greenwood or dendoncker?

    Or -4 dendo to saka?

    1. Mr Q
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Or play periera (liv) ?

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

        Pereira

  7. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    already owning sterling

    aguero -> auba
    for oneweek and then reassess

    what do u think guys?

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

      Someone else did that already so go for it

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

        i'm afraid than aguero might start

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

    Pick one for this gameweek. Cheers
    A) Lowton (have pope)
    B) Cresswell

    1. Mr Q
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cresswell

  9. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A) Auba
    B) Sterling
    C) Salah

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

      Auba or Sterling
      Coin toss

  10. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Finally used my 2 fts(Barnes and Kdb to Auba and Yarmo)
    Teams looks like this:
    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Lundstram
    Sterling(c) Salah Yarmo Mount
    Auba(vc) Pukki Tammy
    4.0 Cantwell Rico Soyuncu

    Hurt letting go of kdb but he ll be back in really soon. Cheers all.. And good luck for the weekend.

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

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

      If I were to bring in Auba and Yarma we would have identical squads. Only thing is I'm 0.6 short - guess I should have paid closer attention to price changes!

      Think I will still grab Yarmo but get Vardy instead - he does have a great record against the top six

  11. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Should I do Digne, KDB & Barnes > Tomori, Mount & Auba for -4?

    I will then do Salah > KDB next week

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

      I would

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

    Here we go all set for wildcard and a plan for Kdb too.

    Pope
    Trent Tomori Lundstram
    Sterling Mahrez Son Mount McGinn
    Aubamayang Abraham

    Button Kelly Soyunci Greenwood

    Exactly 1.3 itb. When I take out Mahrez (8.6) it leaves me with 9.9 and that is what Kdbs price will drop to tonight so I can bring him back in for next week. Have I got that right ??

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      As long as kdb doesn't do a martial and never drop that looks about right.

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

        ^this

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

        Thanks Valar. What do you think of the team WC wise ? Anything you would change?

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          You obviously know the risk of going without Salah/mane..but as long as you accept that they will also return points(they won't suddenly stop scoring) and you stick to your guns its a good team. The mahrez to kdb escape plan is the icing on the cake. I'd never go with a non playing attacker but the way you've set up I'm assuming you are cool with it.

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

            Yeah I get what you mean. Salah is my main concern because I know his ownership is massive and if he explodes then it won't be pleasant at all. He has tough fixtures but he is a big game player so I guess I am taking a risk there. Mahrez is a 1 week punt tbh. If it pays off then great if he gets dropped then Kdb in is a easy fix. City's fixtures are too good to ignore. But I totally get what you mean. Thanks for the input. Appreciate it and good luck.

      3. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        -98.8% now. I believe he will drop .1 soon. Too many other injury worries now and he is certainly ruled out and most expensive red flagged asset.

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

    Odds for Mahrez to start? He should get his rest now imo, but KdB is out and itb close. 60/40?

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

      Yeh i'd say around that

  14. jimbo90
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Repost as previous post got lost.

    Current team is:

    Pope
    Digne TAA Lund (Mings Soy)
    Salah Sterling (c) Mount KDB Ceballos
    Tammy Pukki (Greenwood)
    1FT / 1.0 ITB

    I'm lost. Any suggestions? Would like to get one of maddison or vardy after the liverpool game

  15. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    0.7ITB, 1FT
    Pope (Button)
    TAA Otamendi Lundstram (Rico Soy)
    Sterling KDB* Son Cantwell* (Nakamba)
    Aubameyang(c) Abraham Pukki

    Don't like the look of any of the bench options to come on for KDB and possibly Cantwell.
    A) Save, play Rico and hope Cantwell is fine
    B) Nakamba > Saka, bench Rico
    C) Rico > Tomori
    D) Nakamba, Rico > Saka, Tomori

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

    Going KDB -> Pepe... who's with me?

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

      Not me. I’m between two options above

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

      Depends on ur bench really. If ur adamant in getting rid of KDB than its ballsy

    3. Hand of clod
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      So many better options than him. He hasn't impressed me at all. Was really poor against Man U.

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

        I've been looking at Lille highlights and Pepe looks class in them, maybe the opposition is worse.

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

    How likely would you experts say it is that KDB price drops back to around 9.7 or so?

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

      Doubt it

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

        FPL Towers might not let him drop too much, hes too cheap

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

      No way but I am not an expert. Look at martial's case

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

      Unlikely

    4. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Max would be 9.8 if he drops tnite and over the weekend if other big hitters produce.

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

        This

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Doubt it. But will he be price locked after red flag is removed? That would mean probably .1 price drop imo.

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

        Only if the red flag goes directly to clear. Doesn't seem to happen that often now, usually downgraded to yellow first.

  18. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play
    1.Lowton
    2.Digne?
    Also
    I may have to play both if I hold KDB so Is playing both a good option?

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

      Lowton , if u have to play both u have to. Ha any FT?

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

        Yes I have. But can't decide about KDB hold or sale

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

    Pukki owners, how much does he cost and how many points so far?

    I am holding. Majority of his returns will be at home.

    Obviously questions will be asked this weekend but one cannot simply get rid before the deadline 🙂

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

    No Mahrez No Party !!

  21. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Good to go?

    Pope
    Tomori TAA Lundstrum
    Sterling (v) Son Mount Cantwell
    Aubameyang (C) Aguero Pukki

    Bench: McGovern, Rico, Kelly, Nakamba

    Thinking of doing either of these next week:

    a) Pukki>Abraham (C) and TAA>Pereira (-4 )
    Then rotate Rico, Kelly and Cantwell while leaving 0.4M ITB if I need to upgrade any of them when I have a FT

    b) Cantwell>Maddison and TAA>Soyuncu (-4)

    c) Pukki>Vardy (C) and TAA>Soyuncu

    d) Just leave it be

    We’ll see how the international break goes though. Good luck to you all!

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

      D) for me. Don’t get why you would sell Pukki before a home game vs Villa?

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        next week moves

  22. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bought KDB at 9.5 now can't decide to hold or swap him for Son.

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

      Hold

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

        But why? Son has 2 good fixtures and I can then swap KDB for son No?

  23. AandyzZ
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Why on earth would Aguero not start after 4 days rest and no international games over the break...

    He starts.

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

    On the verge of doing this for -4

    TAA, KDB & Pukki > Otamendi, Bilva & Auba

    Do it?

    A Great moves
    B No way

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

      Not for me

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

        B

    2. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

    One last time, KDB to Mahrez ft yes or no, first to 5 wins.

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

      No

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      yes

  26. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I’m on this bad bunch of mofos atm:

    Pope
    TAA Lunds Ota
    Salah Son Mount Cantwell
    Tammy (c) Pukki Barnes

    Bench of VVD, KdB, Hanley

    Should I
    1) leave as is and roll FT
    2) Salah to Sterling
    3) downgrade Son and VVD to get Aubameyang

    Something else?

  27. MrFrodo
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I keep benching the wrong player so I’m hoping for some help. I need to bench one out of this lot.

    A. Pieters
    B. Jorginho
    C. Lundstram
    D. James

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

      You should take Lunds off the list and decide from there.

  28. Dele
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do we like...?

    KDB, Son, Greenwood >>> Mount, Yarmelenko & Aubameyang

    Yay or nay?

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

    Convince me Yarmolenko as a short term punt isn’t a trap

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He is a 7 million mid priced as a 6 million mid. Don't expect points every week but he ll keep ticking over.

  30. Muggy Lemons
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Really struggling with who to play between Lundstram and Digne. Lundstram likely the more sensible choice but benching Digne at Turf last season is haunting me.

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

      If you would even consider benching Digne away to Burnley, you should never own him.

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

        I agree. I wouldn't have considered it when I bought him. Rolling my transfer this week and plan to upgrade him over the next few weeks. Doesn't really aid my dilemma this week, though 🙂