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. Snipez21
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is this worth -8

    KDB + Son + Wilson
    To
    Sterling + Cantwell + Auba?

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

      No

      1. Snipez21
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Any reasoning?
        KDB injured
        Spurs out of forum
        Wilson tough away fixture

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

          You seen Arsenal defend mate?

          1. Snipez21
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Wilson away form is garbage

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

          Just do kdb to Sterling

          1. Snipez21
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Can’t afford it would need to take a hit elsewhere

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

    Which pair do you prefer?

    A) Auba Yarmo

    B) Haller Son

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A

  3. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If you're on WC, would you have Robbo or TAA? Liverpool fixtures are pretty bad and they arent looking too good at the back so far

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

      Taa

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

      They are not keeping cleanies and it's not that Alisson will get them cleansheets straight away when he comes back, I think it will take time and fixtures suggest it won't be easy. TAA best option.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      TAA. On corners, freekicks and delivering crosses on the plate every game

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

      I am on neither

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

      Both.

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

    Chelsea fans, what are the chances Hodson Odoi start this gameweek?

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

      A good chance I reckon - 60:40 for me

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

        Thanks. Start him or Cantwell?

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

          CHO if you already have him.

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

        Good luck if you go for it, he was my pick for differential of the week.

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

          Thanks mate, GL to you too. May your arrow be green.

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

    I can't decide who to bench, can you pick up one for me?

    A McGinn
    B Vardy

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 5 months ago

        A

      • La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Neither

      • ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        None

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

          Can I play with 12?

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

            Post your team.

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

              Pope
              Taa soynucu Lundstram tomori rico
              Mount Mahrez McGinn mane Sterling
              Abraham Pukki vardy

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

                I will bench Mount. There is a chance he doesn't start imo.

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

                  How come?

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

                    He has been a bright spark for them, but I can see a benching in all honesty. He was a bit jaded when he came off in the CL.

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

                      Chelsea have many options in Pedro, CHO, Willian etc

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

        A - Vardy has a great record vs Pool

      • HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        B. Cant bench mcginiesta after scoring in consecutive matches and faces norwich

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

        Must be someone else you can bench?

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

          No, already 3 play with 3 defenders, look above my team

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

        A

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

      Salah + Greenwood > Aubameyang + Jorginho

      Leaving 2.5m ITB to do Dilva > KDB next week if fit again

      Yes or no?

      Pope Button
      TAA Robertson Tomori Soyuncu Lundstram
      Salah Sterling Dilva Mount Cantwell
      Vardy Pukki Greenwood

    3. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Captain

      A) Aguero

      S) Sterling

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 5 months ago

          A and vice sterling

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

          Sterling

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

          S

        • HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          S

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

          A

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Adrian to Pope or Ryan? Ryan slightly better fixtures and seems to be picking up bonus even when conceding lately

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

            Pope

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Any particular reason why over Ryan?

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

            What to do with this team??
            Unsure about Kun captain and worried not having Sterling.

            Pope
            TAA, Otamendi, Lund
            Salah (C), KDB, Mount, Yarmo
            Aguero (C), Abraham, Pukki

            Button, Cantwell, Rico, Soy

            KDB and Cantwell being injured have made me short on subs. Honestly, pretty confident Rico can produce some sort of attacking return against Arsenal. Any other suggestions?
            Cheers

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

            Best 1 week punt?

            (6.5 maximum)

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Give us some options

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

                  McGinn? Yarmo? Wood?

              • ZeBestee
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                I have gone CHO. Anticipating a start hopefully.

              • Homer21
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Tomori

              • Business Cat
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Josh King?

              • Treadstone
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Saka

            2. 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 or 3 (-4)

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Just 1

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      And don't Bench him,

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

                    Hold. Zinchenko likely to start.

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

                      Ditch kdb ??
                      Wc next week

                • chocolove
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Current team

                  Pope (Fodder)
                  Ota Tomori Lund (Soy, Rico)
                  Son Mount McGinn Cant (KDB)
                  Aguero Firmino Tammy

                  Thinking of KDB + Aguero to Sterling + Auba for -4
                  My capt will be one of Sterling/Auba after doing this

                  Yes or no?

                  1. Homer21
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    Yes

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

                    Don't loose aguero

                  3. La Roja
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    YES

                • machickenz
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Help please! Which trade should I make from these options?

                  A) Pukki + KDB > Aubemeyang + Yarmolenko
                  B) Pukki + KDB > Aubemeyang + Jorginho
                  C) KDB + Cantwell > Mahrez + Yarmolenko

                  1. Homer21
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    C
                    A
                    B

                • Roy Rovers
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Anything worth doing for this GW?....used my FT so would be for a hit.

                  Pope
                  Otamendi VVD Lundstram
                  Salah (vc) Mount McGinn Cantwell
                  Aguero (c) Wilson Pukki.

                  Button Mings Rico KDB

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

                    Gtg

                    1. Roy Rovers
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      Cheers

                  2. Homer21
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    No hits required

                    1. Roy Rovers
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      Thanks Homer

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

                    Gtg

                    1. Roy Rovers
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      Ta

                • Ci Siamo
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Is Sterling still a better captaincy option than Auba without KDB in the team?

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

                    Yes, city at home always bette than anything else

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

                      This

                • Subzero (-4)
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Need to sell kdb this week as I only have 10 players. Is kdb to marhez too risky in regards to start for marhez? I only have .1 invested in kdb so pricing not an issue. Was looking at Pepe for a one week punt also. So:

                  Pepe
                  Marhez
                  Yarmalenko?

                • MFPL
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Which option for KDB and Barnes?

                  A) Aubameyang and Yarma
                  B) Abraham and Mahrez

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

                    A

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

                    A

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

                    A

                • The Wizard of Ozil
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Anyone giving Auba the armband over Sterling?

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

                    I was considering him over sterling.

                    Went with Salah

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

                      Haha

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

                    I’m going sterling over auba

                • cescpistols111
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Bench order G2G?

                  Heaton
                  Robbo Otamendi Lowton
                  Sterling (c) Mane (v) Mount McGinn
                  Kane Haller Pukki

                  Button Lundstram Aarons Dendoncker

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

                    Gtg

                • WE GO FOR IT
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Pick one:

                  A. Son + Mahrez + Vardy - 4
                  B. Yarmolenko/Maddison + Mahrez + Auba - 4
                  C. Salah + Maddison + Haller
                  D. Salah + Yarmolenko + Vardy

                  1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    D

                    1. WE GO FOR IT
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 5 months ago

                      Cheers! 🙂

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

                  ALL SET...

                  Good luck people

                  Pope
                  Lowton Otamendi Fredricks
                  Salah(c) son cantwell sterling
                  Auba (vc) pukki abraham

                  Button Henley Soyunchu hayden

                • Whats the Huth
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Heaton. (Button)
                  Otamendi. Digne. Lundstram. TAA. (Rico)
                  Salah. Sterling (C). Cantwell. Mount. (KDB)
                  Pukki. Abraham. (Greenwood)

                  WC available. 1FT available. 1.3ITB.

                  GL all

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

                    Nice team. Good luck

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

                    Good Luck, nice team.

                • willevete
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  FPL draft SCORING!

                  Who should i start this GW:
                  Mendy
                  CHO
                  Jesus

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

                    Jesus

                  2. La Roja
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 5 months ago

                    CHO

                • The_Fish
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Tammy, Wilson, Pukki.

                  Which one to drop next week for Vardy?

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

                    C

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

                    I am dropping Pukki if he doesn't score today.

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

                      I think many are doing the same.

                • Golden Delicious
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Who would you go with this week?

                  A - Pepe
                  B - Son
                  C - Mahrez

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

                    C

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

                    I already have Son, went KDB > Pepe

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

                      That's brave, Pepe looked so bad on Monday

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

                        Yeah, didn't look good at all till now (except maybe for some minutes against Liverpool)

                • CAPA
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Had Wesley since the start and his 2 goals have been great when they happened! Usually disappointed with him though.
                  Is Wesley to Auba worth -4?
                  Won’t be captaining Auba, will go with Sterling.

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

                    Any help would be appreciated?

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

                      It should easily pay off over the next few weeks, if not straight away.

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

                        Thanks. That’s helpful. Agreed. Done it!

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

                  Salah + Greenwood > Aubameyang + Jorginho?

                • Mr Bird
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  So De Bruyne was -104% to go down last night and he’s -117% this morning having not dropped... Any ideas what happened there?

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

                    He's just that good, breaking the game.

                • twoplustwo
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Is KDB to Mahrez worth -4?

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

                    Had KDB since GW1 fwiw

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

                      You got him for 9.5 and thinking of getting rid off for a hit... for one week?

                • FDMS All Starz
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  Which is better? 1FT & Bought Kdb at 9.7

                  A) Kdb (Dendonker 1st sub) (save FT)

                  B) Kdb (Saka 1st sub) (free)

                  C) Mahrez (free)