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

    Salah+Greenwood > Auba + Yarmalenko -4

    (And avoiding starting Dendoncker so may recoup some of the hit)

    Risky but feel like Auba will match if not outscore Salah over the next 3-4 weeks

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

      What about KDB?

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

        Got him in at 9.5 so happy to bench him and hope he's back after international break

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

    All set to save until Ceballos played 90 and KDB got injured. May be stubborn but means likely 1 pointers from Ceballos and Greenwood

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      GL

  3. thepeen555
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Then again I say about KDB price but infact to play 343 I gotta bench a midfielder this week. And replacing KDB would be the choice of benching Maddison or McGinn or Mount.
    Others would be Marhez in place of KDB or mane.

    Strikers playing this week are pukki, Tammy and aguero.

    Think it needs to be a Kdb bench job rather than a transfer right????

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        In which case I’m thinking of changing vvd for TAA now but would be a -4

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

    Sterling or Salah for cap for the love of God?

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

      I'm going Sterling but I always get it wrong so...

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

      Sterling

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

      For the love of god not sure, for fpl, flip a coin. I believe OR Salah will be most captained. For top 10k will be Sterling

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

      Well it's sterling, obviously. What on current for indicates that Liverpool will find it easy to put goals past Leicester.

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

        *form

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

        Brendan's Liverpool used to leak goals and even Spurs created loads of chances against them 2 weeks ago. Sl you never know. Stranger things have happened.

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

      Sterling for me.

  5. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1 FT 1.1 itb

    Pope
    TAA Ota Lundstram
    Sterling(c)Mane Mount Cantwell
    Tammy Haller Pukki
    (4.0 Rico KDB* Aurier*)

    A) Save
    B) Aurier to Tomori
    C) Haller and KDB to Yarmo and Auba (-4)

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

    A) KDB > Yarmolenko
    B) KDB + Nakamba > Yarmolenko + Mount for a -4
    C) Hold the FT

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

    Screw it. Time to live a little. Only 0.2m saved in KDB and be 0.1 after tonight. KDB to Son or Mahrez?

    1. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Think spurs will lose tbf. They are not in a very good place right now

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

      Both might not play. Son because he has Watford.

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

        Why might Son not play?

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

          Son will play

          Poch isn't insane

    3. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Don't rely on KdB dropping. He might, he might not

    4. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      My sentiments exactly and went Mahrez

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

      I took a risk and went for Mahrez. Hope he'll start....

  8. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope (Button)
    Otamendi Digne Lundstram (Kelly, Matip)
    Mane KDB Son McGinn Cantwell
    Aguero Abraham (Greenwood)
    1FT 0.3ITB

    A.Save , keep KDB and play Kelly
    B. KDB>Mahrez
    C. KDB>Mahrez and Matip>Robertson for -4
    D. KDB>Mount and Abraham>Aubameyang(C) for -4
    E. KDB>Yarmolenko and Abraham>Aubameyang(C) for -4

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

    Hi FPL-legends, bench strong enough to save KDB? Lundy over KDB?
    Need advice

    Pope
    Alderweireld - Lund - OTA
    Mount - Mané - Cantwell - Sterling (C)
    Pukki - Haller - Abraham

    Digne - Soy - KDB

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

      Lool you're chilling

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

        As chill as playing Lundstram over Digne?

  10. Ed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone know if AWB is going to play?

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

      If he is fit he'll play

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

    1FT. 1.3ITB

    Pope
    TAA, Otamendi, Lundstram, Tomori
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, Cantwell
    Abraham, Pukki

    Button, Greenwood, KDB, Soyuncu

    A) KDB to Son/Dilva/Mahrez (bought KBD for 9.6)
    B) Save

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

    Balls, got it wrong. Need to save cash to get KDB back, so should I do...

    Azpilicueta + Cantwell > Rico + Mount

    Yes or No?

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

      No

  13. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    so where are we on the son/mahrez debate? we’re going mahrez right?

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

      Son for me I think, be devatatsed if Mahrez was benched

    2. MTPockets
        4 years, 5 months ago

        no but many are

      • MarvelouSuccess
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Could be bilva on the right though

      • thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        50/50 I think.
        I would go mahrez if it was me.

        But it’s internationals next week so I don’t know why it’s such an urgent requirement

      • DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Will Mahrez play for Algeria in 2 next week?

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

        Just put in mahrez for son based on next 4 games, then getting son back in after that

      • abaalan
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        What about Pepe?! That Bournemouth game looks ripe for arsenal....or is saka better 1 week punt?

    3. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I was out all week, and found out the devastating situation of my team, please help

      Pope Button
      Matip (injured) - Ota - Lundstram - Hanley(injured) - Soy (liverpool away)
      Sterling(c) - Salah - James - Cantwell - KDB(injured)
      Tammy - Barnes - Pukki

      1FT, 1.5m ITB

      What Would You Do ?

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

        You forgot one
        James (plays for Man United)

        1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          yeah sigh... Newcastle is his final chance though, esp. with their form

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

        Swap Hanley for Otamendi who will probably go up 0.1 tonight

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

          Oh, you already have him 🙂

      3. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cantwell(50/50)

      4. syke63
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        And Cantwell

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

        Chelsea have great fixtures. Maybe go for Tomori

        1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          yes im thinking matip --> Tomoroi or westham defender

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

      if Son & Mahrez both benched this week xD

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        The scenes

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

          A Son benching is highly unlikely.

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

            Dendo to Saka for -4?

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

              Reply fail (total)

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

      Start one this weekend (unfortunately):

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

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

        A because we have a lot of players injured

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

          I don't think Greenwood will start, but he's still a better option than the others.

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

      Which one of these moves is best?

      1) Salah & Barnes to Son and Auba

      2) KDB and Barnes to Mount & Auba

      3) KDB and Barnes to yarmalenko and Auba

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Option 1 is least worst, personally wouldn’t be getting rid of Salah or KDB.

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

        2FT

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

        2

    7. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cantwell, Lundstram, Ceballos

      Who to start? Other two on the bench.

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

        I like that order

    8. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Been toying with the switch for a while. Vvd to TAA at this time for a -4. Or just wait till after ints???

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

        not super likely but if VVD scores this weekend he will be outscoring TAA, not that much between them really

        1. thepeen555
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          That’s my thoughts this week. Might just save it till after int break

    9. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Best 1 week replacement KDB punt under £10m?

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Assuming you’re using your free hit? You’d be making a loss surely by selling KDB for a week.

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

          Pepe

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

          Nah only 0.1 bought him at 9.8 so wouldn’t lose much might even not lose anything by the time I get him back, just looking at decent punts.

    10. Ed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tomori or Lundstram?

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

        T

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

        Im playing Lund, oop and Sheff U great at defending.

      3. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lundstram for the CSs + attacking points IMHO.

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

        Lund, playing dire watford team

    11. No Pirlo No Party
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ryan - Button
      Robertson - VVD - Otamendi - Dunk - Lundstram
      Salah - Sterling - Mount - Cantwell - Dendoncker
      Aubameyang - Pukki - Greenwood

      2FT - 1.4 ITB

      Best move to make here?

      Considering VVD + Greenwood > Tomori / Suyuncu + Abraham

    12. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Also anyone else giving Pukki this week to see if he is can still fire before maybe shopping around?

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

        Yep he has 2 more games max I’d say

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

        Massive sales of he doesn't score.

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

        Yes

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

        Yep last game for me then switching to Vardy regardless.

      5. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I am C this week.

        1. thepeen555
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Good luck. Local Norwich peep here so would be good

      6. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I am still going to give him more time

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

      Does Son have a tough international break?
      Im wondering if Pepe could be the answer for a few weeks?

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        What makes you think Pepe is suddenly going to deliver?

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

          He’s got the sack and is now started work for DHL

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

        South Korea home to Sri Lanka 10th, away to North Korea 15th. Pepe fixtures look great. Got mahrez in for son to free up cash to get rid of Barnes after internationals

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

      How many have WC left? And is that affecting you getting rid or not rid of KDB

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

        I think KDB largely depends on how much you paid for him or how weak your bench is

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

          Sell value of 9.8m and bench of Greenwood, Soy and Montoya lol. Ceballos in starting xi also

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

        I have it, feel like I should be taking him about but kinda wanna save it for GW13 for some reason

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

          Fairs, I enjoy having it in the back pocket. If I don't play it soon enough it could hurt but ah well

    15. CMJC
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Start burn or Soyuncu? 2 players out injured and already made a transfer...
      Thanks

    16. Mooster©️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Agüero -> Aubameyang?????

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Kun is going to tear it up.

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

        Did this move myself

    17. Manani
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      thoughts on playing Dendocker/Greenwood this week and not take a hit?

      I want to keep KDB for after break and I have Matip who I want to downgrade for Souy, but seems crazy to do it this week for a hit

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I have the same issue and have decided to hold.

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

        I’m stuck playing Ceballos. Was tempted but don’t think should take a hit for a def. Not enough clean sheets going around.

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

        Saka worth a punt over denck. Saka rested Europa league

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

          but will have to take a hit for Saka who I am not sure if I want to keep in teh foreseeable future

    18. Naby K8a
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Did Cantwell train?

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

        Reports says he trained Friday, Farke says he will see if he’s ok before match

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

      A) KDB to Son/Mahrez/Pepe
      B) Cantwell to McGinn
      C) Save and play Boly vs MCI, hmm