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

    Best Adrian replacement? Would be doing this transfer next week for free!

    1. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pope

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

    Anyone seen the Doosra Stats posted? Always interesting to see...

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

      look in hot topics

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

        Sorry dont see it

  3. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Zinchenko's chances of starting this week?

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

      6.5/10

    2. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      8

    3. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      High imo

    4. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He will start. Mendy might take over eventually but gently gently now. Zinchenko will start

    5. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Should start, can't see Mendy playing twice a week for now.

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

    1) zinc to ota (bench kdb)
    2) kdb to son
    3) kdb to mahrez
    4) 1 and 2/3 (-4)

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

      2

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

      I can't see Mendy starting after playing 90 midweek, why would pep risk it.
      I'd say KDB to Mahrez/Bernardo/Silva, whoever you think will start..... Flip a 3 sided coin

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

    Starting Lundstram or Cantwell is such a tough decision......

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

      Cantwell

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

      Cantwell is flagged. Watford are pants.

    3. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go Cantwell

    4. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm starting both

    5. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lundstram or both

    6. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lund always Lund

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

    A. Montoya>Lundstrum
    B. Robinson>McGinn
    C. VVD>Otamendi
    D. Save/other (ft & 1.9 in bank)

    Pope
    VVD, Robbo, Kelly
    Sterling, Salah, Dilva, Mount, Robinson
    Pukki, Abraham,
    Heaton, Soyu, Montoya,Greenwood

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

      Greenwood to Wood? Unless VVD to Ota this week, then Greenwood to Abraham/Pukki/Wilson/Haller next week.

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

      Wood not a bad shout as may play WC after IB. VVD/Ota this week I like though would be just short of Green>Haller next GW. Thanks for input.

  7. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If Mahrez plays on 17th for Algeria he won’t be back for City game 2 days later?

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He’s not involved in that 17th Oct match - so I have seen on here

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

        why wouldn't he be involved? I assume Algeria would select him?

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

      Who are they playing on 17th? AFCON qualifications start in November if I recall corectly.

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

    Best BHA attacking cover? If Bayern can do that to Spurs, imagine what could happen tomorrow

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dale Stephens to run riot

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

    does anyone know a good remix of white town - your woman? That song has so much potential

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Now there’s a blast from the past!
      Always reminded of The Imperial March off Star Wars.

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

        sick song imo

        1. Boss Hogg
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Oh yeah. I loved it when it came out. Must be nearly 25 ago now?

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

            1997 i think, fck that makes me feel old

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

        sweet thanks man, I wish someone would remix it with a prodigy song. 😀

  10. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Need a defender for 4.5 or less. Already got Lundstram.

    a. Rico
    b. Fredericks
    c. Someone else?

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

      Lowton? Although Soyuncu, Tomori and Mings would be worth the small extra.

  11. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    Otamendi, Cresswell, Tomori
    Salah, Mount, Son, Cantwell
    Aguero, Pukki, Abraham

    Button, Lascelles, Engels, Nakamba (3.2ITB)

    Recon this is fine to leave as is?

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

      Cantwell flagged so you might upgrade a bench player (Nakamba or Lascelles) in case he does not play and put the upgraded guy first on bench?

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

    Kun is such a safety blanket and I can't actually transfer him for Auba. GTG otherwise?

    Pope
    TAA Alonso Otamendi Lundstram
    Sterling Son Mount
    Aguero(c) Abraham Pukki

    Woodman James Dendocker Montoya 0.1 ITB 1FT

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

      Missing Salah mate.

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

        Have a WC to fix it when it all goes wrong.

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

      Would captain Sterling, for security of start. Otherwise G2G

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Like your team. Good to go!

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

      I’d go Auba and then fix it on WC if needs be

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

        If it’s free that is

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

          Yeah free move for Auba

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

            Wow that must be tempting

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

      Nice team but I’m not sold on the Alonso pick myself. I suspect there might be good stats to back it up though. Good luck

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

        According to stats he's third among defenders in terms of expected goals involvement since GW5.

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

    Soy or Tomori?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soy next week

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

      Do you need to play this GW?

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

        No, can bench. Currently on Soy

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

          Then go Soy, good luck.

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

            Cheers, you too

  14. Tauruspt
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed

    1FT what move would you make?

    Pope
    Taa vvd ota digne lund
    Salah dsilva cantwell*
    Vardy pukki

    Button greenwood kdb* martial*

    1. donkey73
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      kdb mart to sterling saka

  15. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hayden > Saka

    Sound good? Kind of a weird transfer.

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

      Gtg

  16. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. Kdb to:

    1. Mahrez
    2. Son

    B. Kdb and Haller to:
    Yarmolenko and aubameyang -4

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

      2

  17. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bring in: Yarmolenko or Mount (have Tammy already) ?
    Or should I bank a FT ?

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

      Mount

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

      Probably Mount if you can afford, but Yarmolenko is 0.6 cheaper and the hammers have great fixs

  18. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Ready to go? Or pop WC? Done transfer already.

    Pope
    Tomori TAA lundestram AMN
    Salah Sterling mount
    Pukki haller Abraham

    Bench. KDB soy 4.5

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

    Has anyone taking a break from fpl and think about "life"?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Classic overthinking.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No, trying to take a break from life ffs

      1. Party time
          4 years, 5 months ago

          yeah me too 🙁

        • SB007
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          this is life!

      2. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I think I’m addicted: can I get blocked by scouts?

      3. Atwood
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        What's life? Is that some new differential attacking mid I haven't heard of? Nailed on starter?

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

          Something which pep is - unpredictable

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

        How about life is life even with FPL?

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

        What's life got to do with it?

      6. Party time
          4 years, 5 months ago

          There is no point thinking about life tbh... Life is just a mystery on its own, from generation to generation in the end we all die one day. Just a fecking span, I prefer to think about fpl in this moment

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

          Only when my wife tells me to but its hard to concentrate because I'm thinking about FPL

        • gamesmad11
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          lame

        • Maddi Son
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Looking at the transfer list and can't seem to find life. When will he be added?

        • Party time
            4 years, 5 months ago

            What if death was something good, what if when we die we live in another world, somewhere better or what if it is bad & when we die we turn into animals, say a lizard or an insect, say a mosquito or something else lol... It is just better to enjoy fpl in this moment my friend 🙂

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

              Conclusion - death is inevitable.
              Better to try to win fpl when you have the chance

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Absolutely, but so much luck involved,from var to fpl tower etc. it is a tough task tbh but I can try to finish in the top 1000 atleast

          • HD7
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            2FT, 0.6 ITB

            A)Salah Greenwood to Yarmolenko Auba (3-4-3)
            B) KDB Greenwood to Yarmolenko Auba (3-4-3 again)

            Current team:
            Pope
            TAA VVD Ota Guilbert
            Salah Sterling Mount KDB
            Abraham Haller

            Subs: Button, Greenwood, Dendonker, Rico

          • FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Hi folks please your advice would be appreciated I’m struggling on what to do here.

            1ft 2.1 itb. 3red flags and 1yellow.

            Pope
            VVD, Otamendi, Lundstram
            Salah, Sterling, Mount, Cantwell
            Haller, Pukkhi

            Button, Soyunco, Kdb, Aurier

            A) Kdb & Wickham to Mahrez and Abraham -4
            B) Kdb & Wickham to 5.3mid and Aubameyang
            C) Aurier to Cresswell
            D) Aurier to Tomori

            Any other thoughts on options?

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

              A and combined?

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

                *c

                1. FPL Blow-In
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Would be -8 though

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

                    Aurier and Wickham to Cresswell and deulofeu/King/DCL?

                    1. FPL Blow-In
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      I considered this but those striker options are just very underwhelming don’t you think?

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

                        I like king pick.

                        1. FPL Blow-In
                          • 11 Years
                          4 years, 5 months ago

                          Fixtures are good of course. Thinking of changing Pukkhi/Haller to Vardy next gw.

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

            If you still have WC in pocket, would you feel more comfortable taking riskier moves, like those involving hits?

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

              Pre wc teams should be maverick

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

                Auba Yarmolenko (-4) in for Barnes KDB it is then

                Another week of no Tammy - hope Mount outscores him!

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

                  Think he will.
                  Imo, mount is their best player

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

                  wouldn't even call that maverick/risky tbh

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

                    this

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

              Perhaps. I'm tempted by taking a hit this GW, but I'm not sure it's the best decision this time around. I'm planning to play the WC over the internationals though, and strangely enough, I think I would be more likely to take a hit if there was another GW between this one and the International break.

          • OverTinker
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Ok Now that I have done KDB to Son please help me here
            Bench one
            1. Digne
            2. Lundstram
            3. Lowton
            thanks

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

            Is Pope the best replacement for Adrian?

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

              Yes

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

              I made that exact transfer earlier today so yes.

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

                I will be making it next week for free! Hopefully Adrian starts tomorrow!

          • zm82
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Aurier and KDB out, Cresswell and Mahrez in for a hit? Or only one of these transfers to avoid a hit?

            This is my team at the moment:
            Pope, Button;
            TAA, Zinchenko, Aurier, Lundstram, Hanley;
            Salah, Sterling, KDB, Mount, Dendoncker;
            Abraham, Pukki, King.

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

              Play Lund

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

            Which of these to start this week :(:

            A) Greenwood (new)
            B) Soyuncu (liv)
            C) Dendoncker (mci)

          • 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 doesn't look terminal.
            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.

          • Good Times
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Probably asked a few times here, but kun or sterling captain?

            Honestly it hurt when kun didn't start last week but just feel he's going to hit a few he's been unlucky not to get more goals

          • ludaslol
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Who is nailed on a Wildcard?

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

              Trent.

          • Stokelona
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Martin Keown criticising Nicholas Pépé in the press. Kind of tempting me to bring him in for KDB.