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. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Still struggling to pick a captain this gw. Sterling or Auba. Surely has to be Auba right?

    1. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same dilemma. I’m going sterling

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

      Sterling

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I know the feels. City (and rested Raz) vs a tired hopeless Wolves or Arsenal (average attack with Auba the beast) vs a decent Bnmouth. Might just have to switch back to Raz. Thanks guys.

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

      Sterling far safer.

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

        Evening Camzy, as a fellow Son owner how you feeling about his chances of starting tomorrow ? Could really do without a benching what with KDB and Cantwell on board too.

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Spurs can't afford to bench their best player

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

            Kane never gets benched, he even makes the CL final if unfit

            1. The Overthinker
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Best attacker* 😉

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

                😀

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

            Hope you are right, FFS don't agree with their predicted line up though. Son certainly wants to play....

            https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2019/october/heung-min-son-i-was-hurt-just-like-the-fans/

  2. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bench digne or cantwell?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tough, Digne has previous v Burnley if I remember righty

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

      Digne

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cantwell

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

    Auba is gonna troll me. Eff it

  4. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB > Mount for a hit?

    Then Greenwood > Vardy next week for free

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

    Save? 0 ITB

    Pope
    Robbo VVD Diop Lund
    Salah Sterling(c) Cantwell
    Tammy Pukki Barnes

    Button McGinn KDB* Baluta

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep solid

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kdb>Son. He's gonna doubledrop anyway

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

    On a WC which of the 2 midfield options looks best?

    Pope
    Rob, Tomori, Lundstram
    Sterling, Mount, *****, *****
    Wilson, Auba, Abraham

    McGovern, Cantwell, Soyuncu, Kelly

    A) Son and McGinn. 1.6 ITB to use on 1 of the strikers to Vardy or to help get Salah back
    B) Salah and Dendoncker. 0.2 ITB. Rotating between a 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 most weeks.

    1. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Salah and Saka

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

        Saka seems like a wasted transfer down the line, even as a 5th mid.

  7. SAINTS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best midfielder for this week only. I already have Salah, Sterling, Wilson and McGinn.

    1) Mane

    2) Son

    3) Mahrez

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      3

    2. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      3

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      3

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

    Bench 1

    A Rico
    B Diop
    C Cantwell

    1. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  9. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Saka in for ?

    A) James
    B) Cantwell

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      neither

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

    Pope/Heaton
    VvD Digne Tomori Diop
    Salah KdB* Mount Son
    Wilson Pukki
    Ayew Soyuncu Stephens

    1 FT, 2.2 ITB

    Salah + KdB -> Sterling(c) + Mane (-4)

    Would you make these moves?

  11. Bis_78
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) TAA + Azpilicueta
    B) Robertson + Alonso

    1. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A)

  12. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Transfer out Adrian for a hit? Yes or No?

    1. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

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

    Anyone going with David Silva? Looks more assured of a start than Mahrez this week and doesn't have international duty so likely to start GW9 as well.

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You're right! He is a great option!

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

      I think it could work out very well.

    3. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I thins it's a good idea

  14. Tommo1888
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What’s the consensus on Aubameyang- likely to start blanking when Lacazette returns
    Keep his position as he seems to be the most consistent arsenal player or keep returning but less frequently as he’s shunted to the wing ?

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

    Weirdly enough Tammy’s goalscoring stats actually look more sustainable than Auba’s......? Am I wrong?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      no huge reason he can't more or less keep pace, same with Vardy imo

  16. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Injuries giving me a real headache this season... Is it worth selling Martial now? They have some nice fixtures after Lfc and buying him again looks like a waste of a transfer. Not sure over potential replacements too.

    What do you think about Siggy? Only 7.6 now and maybe it's the time he bounces back as Everton have pretty good fixtures coming. I was thinking about changing formation instead maybe and going for Wilson or Haller as a 3rd striker but this would be another -4...

    There's also Lundstram who can cover either Martial or KDB not playing and you would think he's just for situations like this but I don't feel very confident having to play Lundstram and Che Adams (yeah still haven't find a time to sell him. and btw he is dropping probably soon so that would be a good idea to sell him...).

    This is my team, if you have any suggestion/idea I will be very happy to hear.

    TAA - Otamendi - Digne - Lundstram - Rico
    Sterling - KDB - Son - Mount - Martial
    Abraham - Pukki - Adams

  17. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1FT 0.2ITB

    Hendo
    TAA Digne Diop
    Salah KDB Sterl Ceballos Mount
    Barnes Pukki
    (Stek, Greenwood, Soy, Montoya)

    A) Save
    B) Ceballos to Saka, Monty to Lunny (-4)

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

      I'd just do Monty to Lunny

  18. snowman
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Barnes or wood?

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

      Wood in better form than Barnes

    2. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wood

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

      Neither tbh

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

      Current form is Wood but whatever you pick, the opposite will scores

    5. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Time for wood to ride

  19. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which option is best for next gw

    1) zinc to ota and bench kdb for lund
    2) kdb to son

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

    Tottenham fans, will Son start? How do yous think you will react?

  21. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hello, who to start out of Cantwell, Mount or Firmino, and why? Thanks in advance for your replies 🙂

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

      Joke?

      Easily Bobby Mount Cantwell in that order

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

      In this order - Firmino, Mount, Cantwell.

    3. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would like to have such problems 😛 I think I would play Firmino, Mount, Cantwell in this order

    4. Trippier Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Think I'll do what you've suggested - Cantwell scored 23 over last 3 home games though, but he's injured and blanked the last 2... oh well

  22. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else thinking of wildcarding over the international break? If so, who are your must haves?

    Mine are:
    - TAA
    - Sterling
    - KDB
    - Aubameyang
    - Vardy / Maddison

  23. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who do you think is a better long term pick - Wilson or Abraham?

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      For the season, Wilson

      For the next 5 weeks, Tammy

  24. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Was planning on holding my FT to have 2 going into the international break, but KDB out and Cantwell flagged has me worried.

    Pope (EVE)

    Digne (bur) - Lundy (wat) - Zinch (WOL)

    Mané (LEI) - Richarlison (bur) - Maddison (liv) - Cantwell (AVL) (flagged)

    Auba C (BOU) - Tammy (sou) - Pukki VC (AVL)

    Bench: Button, Rico, Soyunucu, KDB

    Have 0.7 itb and 1FT.

    1) Keep the FT
    2) KDB > Son (then get back after break for Son or Mané)
    3) Soyunucu > Sokratis
    4) Something else

    Thanks!

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      2

  25. Wiseguy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Despite having KDB from the start, I have taken the punt on Mahrez. Most likely to backfire but the potential reward could be huge. If nothing else, it will make tomorrow afternoon exciting

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why not?

      Realistically, the worst that can happen is he gets 1 point cameo. Still more than KDB will earn you this week.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      City play Sunday

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

      Hate to be a pedant, but they play Sunday I believe.

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

    Pope
    Digne TAA Otamendi Lundstram
    Salah Sterling (c) Cantwell* Mount
    Pukki Abraham
    Heaton-Kdb**-Rico-Greenwood (1.1itb,1ft)

    Struggled with this one. Had planned to WC in the break for Auba/Vardy but I appreciate it looks okay.
    A. KDB to Mahrez/Dilva/Son (SP 9.7, so lose 0.3 currently).
    B. Cantwell to Yarmolenko/McGinn (lose 0.1)
    C. Save FT and probably delay WC.

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If you are gonna wc during the break, why not take a punt this week?

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

        Well, I'm not 100% - but yes I'm open to deadending 🙂

        1. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Irrespective of whether you wc on not, I will suggest mahrez

  27. Sloths
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    With De Bruyne out, Cantwell risky and Aguero a bench risk I'm considering a 4 point hit but not sure where would be best.

    Any ideas from good players appreciated!

    Team is;

    Pope/4M
    Soyuncu, Pieters, VVD, Otomendi, Lundstram
    Salah, Son, De Bruyne, McGinn, Cantwell
    Aguero, Pukki, Wood

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m doing pants this season, so that counts me out of your recommendation list.

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

    Would you do on 2FTs:

    KDB + Son -> Sterling + Yarmo

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

  29. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    digne to ota for free?

    means a tomori/lundstram/rico benching headache every week tho 🙁

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pereira?

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        hadnt considered him hmm

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just did AMN to Ota for free. I’m keeping Digne for now.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        dont worry now ive got rid hell become a striker

  30. jaguar shark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Ok, talk me off the ledge... I really want to burn four points transferring Mane/Barnes to Yarmolenko/Aubameyang. Surely I should captain Sterling and wait until after the international break to make that move... right??

    ---
    Pope
    VVD / Otamendi / Lundstrum
    Mane / Sterling / Mount / Cantwell
    Barnes / Pukki / Abraham

    Button / KDB / Kelly / Soyuncu

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      yes, wait