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. Lukey27
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wildcarded GW4 and just took my first -4 for the season.
    How does this compare?

    1. Lukey27
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      OR 73K

    2. Mr Peanutbutter
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Was OR 60k with 3 hits and now wc played. then gw 7 happened and I went to 300k

      1. Mr Peanutbutter
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        no*

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wildcarded from 100k to 1.6 mil

      sweet

  2. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero (c) over Sterling, right?

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

      I have neither and it fills me.with fear

    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I think so

      1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

        1. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          It’s who I’m on at the moment, just worried no KDB could change that

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

            he scored 21 in each of the last two years one with kdb and one without
            so although the overall team chances created might go down without Kdb Aguero can still haul
            Having said that I own both and am currently on sterling

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

      Have both and going with sterling.

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

      sterling (c)

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

      Sterling

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

    On wildcard...

    A) CHO Yarmolenko Greenwood (352)
    B) 4.3 Cantwell Abraham (343)

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

      Don't think Cantwell is good enough for a 4th mid, but I like Tammy most out of the lot, not sure on CHO just yet - not B in its current format.

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

        Didn’t mean to repost but see below mate

        Could be McGinn until CHO starts

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

          Yeah, prefer McGinn & Yarm then!

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

    Should i play Mcgovern ahead of pope for 1 week punt ?

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

      Nah, can't defend with their main defenders & GK never mind 3rd choice and a makeshift back 4.

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

      no

  5. Mr Peanutbutter
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    would you rather captain son or mahrez?

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

      Mahrez

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

      mahrez

  6. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On wildcard...

    A) CHO Yarmolenko Greenwood (352)
    B) 4.3 Cantwell Abraham (343)

    Roberto McGovern
    TAA Tomori Soyuncu Lundstram Rico
    Sterling KDB Son ***** *****
    Auba Vardy *****

    Cheers.

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

      KDB injured, swap for someone else and leave funds for when he's fit

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

        Best midfielder/attack for this week only?

        (6.5 maximum)

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

          mcginn or yarmolenko, probably yarmo based on potential higher ceiling

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

    Thinking about -4 for Aguero to Auba, worried about Aguero not starting. Yay or nay?

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

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

      not for a hit

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

    worried about kun start? thinking kun to abamayang cap this week?

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve just brought him in for a hit and captained him, so no

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

    A - Otamendi & Mahrez
    B - Tomori & Son

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

      a

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

    just had confirmation that Mahrez will come on for 10 minute cameo, miss a penalty and be red-carded, this is because I transferred him in, sorry!

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

      Boo hoo

  11. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Heaton
    TAA Robbo Otamendi Montoya
    Salah Sterling (C) Mount Cantwell
    Abraham Pukki

    McGovern; Rico, Greenwood, KdB

    1FT 0.4ITB

    G2G or would you use the FT?

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

    Bottomed. Hit taken, locked and loaded. Team good to go? Dunk or Rico first sub?

    Pope
    Taa ota lund
    Salah sterling (c) mount Yarmolenko
    cantwell
    Kun Pukki

    Button dunk Rico greenwood

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

      gtg, dunk first sub, unless it's likely greenwood gets a start (I doubt it)

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

        Cheers

  13. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Kane OUT Auba IN confirmed. First time i have Auba since he came to the league...

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You capping Auba?

      I’ve had it on him all week, now debating between Auba and Sterling, but think i’ll follow my gut and keep it on Auba.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yep. He is my C but i dont have Sterling

    2. Lukey27
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sideways trade much?

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Dont think so. Auba has much better fixtures

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        It’s not sideways though, it’s a huge improvement

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

    KDB to fall in price today?

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

      Very likely.

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

      yes

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

      Thanks

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

        no. 🙂

    4. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He didn't. Wait & See Martial ver 2.

    5. Lukey27
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      100%

  15. Boo Ya Ka Sha
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you start out of: Barnes, Cantwell, Lundstram

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Old man Lundy

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

      The new King of FPL.

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

      Cantwell, Lundy first sub

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

    Hi Guys, would you play Lowton (EVE) or Cantwell (AVL). I really can’t decide !

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Have to favour the attacker in Cantwell

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cantwell imo

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

      Confirmed my thoughts, Cantwell it is. The scout picks double Burnley defence threw me!

  17. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to mahrez or save ft and play Lowton?

    Could wc next week to bring in Leicester players and get KDB back although my team is in fairly good shape (could still use a tweak or two)

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

      With WC in hand you are free to play fast and loose. Mahrez should start but you never know with Pep

  18. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    When will Wickham’s red flagged be removed? Hodgson has revealed he has returned to training. Price protection on him would be glorious

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

      Probably goes orange/yellow tomorrow, no protection.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Should be marked as available and locked if he is back in training..

  19. rainy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Price Changes - 5th October 2019

    🔺  Otamendi (5.6), Son (9.8), Tomori (4.7)

    🔻  Maitland-Niles (5.0), Adam Smith (4.3), Fraser (7.1), A.Barnes (6.5), Drinkwater (4.4), Fuchs (4.4), Iheanacho (5.7), S.Long (4.7), B.Davies (5.4), Aurier (4.9), Kabasele (4.3), Neves (5.4), Adams (5.6), Joelinton (5.8), Mooy (4.8)

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

      Cheers Rainy!

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wow! No KDB

    3. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      fuuuuuuu.. Barnes :/

      1. Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Don't worry, his brace awaits

        1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Really hope for this

      2. Johan Queef
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I lost 0.2 on Wood, changed to Barnes and got zero returns and now lost 0.2 on him. I hate them both.

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB the next Martial?

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Probably

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

      Toight

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

      3-0 was expecting 3-1

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

      What was I thinking when I brought Barnes in gw3?

      4 blanks and 2 price drops later, still have him in my team whilst King and Wood whom were previously in my team had hauls elsewhere.

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

        Same here

    8. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers. No KDB on -114.3%

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

      KdB has inherited Martial's aura

    10. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers Rainy! Monty survives to fight another day!

    11. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      2 up 1 down

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

        No kdb drop is annoying..

    12. Skid Vicious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thx busy Rainy.

    13. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers rainy.

    14. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB may not drop at all during his (1 GW) absence

      FPL towers will probably give him a 0.1 rise instead to punish sellers 🙂

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

        Yeah fpl have probably realised they underpriced him (like they did with Martial) and will gerrymander the algorithm to keep his price high over the next couple of weeks. I don't agree with it but we have seen it done on occasion over the past couple of seasons.

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

          I think it's right that they don't let him drop - he's currently still underpriced at 10.0 - based on the first 7 game weeks of the season, he's performing like somebody who should be priced 11-12m. Seems sensible to me if they're intefering with the algorithm and not letting him become anymore underpriced than he already is.

          1. ChuckN
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            It's not right at all! It's completely against the integrity and spirit of fantasy sports. Their constant price manipulation is killing the competition.

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

      I guess KDB is immune from drops then. Same as Kane and Martial, all the players fpl thinks they under-priced

  20. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A - Mahrez & Otamendi
    B - Son & Tomori

  21. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    play adrian or pope to spread the risk ( have robbo)?

    1. Bring back Rafa
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pope

  22. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Just realised i’ve got 9 of the scout picks, that’s got to be the most i’ve ever had the same. Feel jittery about that 😉

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Goalfest incoming

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I bloody hope so! It’d be about time 🙂

        Who ya capping for this GW bud?

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Kun if i don't get Sterling. Feeling nervous here

          How bout you?

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Auba mate, and sorry Nabil for late reply

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

      8 here myself...generally not a good omen

  23. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    GTG?

    Leno
    Otamendi Fredericks Lowton
    Mane Mahrez Mount Cantwell
    Auba(C) Aguero(VC) Abraham

    Button; Ceballos Soyuncu Rico

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

      Downgrade Ceballos and upgrade Fredericks.

  24. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Matip to Ota for -4?

  25. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Rico before soy

    I'd captain kun over auba

    Else gtg

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rf to boroie

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

        Cheers mate.

        Any reason why you’d go Aguero over Auba?

        Concerned that Aguero might not start whereas Auba is guaranteed...

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          More explosive. Think he'll start

  26. emyoueffsee
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Damn Barnes dropped. Was going to pull the trigger on Aguero and Barnes to Auba and Tammy as I have 2 Ft's. Still have the cash, just terrified of transferring Aguero out before a home game. Good moves yes or no?

  27. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KdB is definitely another Martial, FPL restricting their drops because they originally mispriced them.

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ditto

      Plus tonnes of WC during ib will be another excuse

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

      Yep, with a flag, 2 drops in a GW might be tough to get now.

  28. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best midfielder/forward for one week only?

    (6.5 maximum)

  29. Supersonic
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Will de bruyne price drop twice between now and the next gw/when he’s back?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Doubt it.

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

      He will be flagged till the Friday before GW9 and will need drops in the same GW, less likely, no guarantee.

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe

      Could be just once

  30. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Repost...

    A - Mahrez & Otamendi
    B - Son & Tomori