Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 322 – Tackling the Blank Gameweek

Gameweek 28 marks one of a number of fixture hurdles facing Fantasy Premier League managers during the season run-in. Tough decisions lie ahead, with Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Sheffield United all skipping a league match due to the clash with the EFL Cup final.

Out Scoutcast trio of Joe, Karam and Az are on hand to answer your questions about whether the likes of Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m), Jack Grealish (£6.7m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) are worth benching or replacing.

Meanwhile, Manchester United finally have a creative player in their squad. This latest episode considers how Bruno Fernandes (£8.2m) is shaking up the Red Devils’ attack and the FPL template, as one of a number of emerging mid-priced midfield gems.

Leicester City’s fixture turn, starting at relegation certainties Norwich City this weekend, also comes under scrutiny. Is Jamie Vardy’s (£9.7m) reputation enough to reward his backers? Or are their better, low-owned Foxes that deserve more attention?

Karam takes his turn selecting a differential for the next month, following Holly’s great choice of Manchester United’s Fernandes last week. There are clean sheets to consider and Az’s ‘Rough with the Smooth’ round-up of your Gameweek 27 scores takes in one Scoutcast regular’s audacious Bench Boost success.

This Scoutcast was first beamed on Tuesday 25 February via our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to get notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

422 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Holgate TAA Gomez Rico*
    Salah Dendoncker Traore*
    Vardy Jimenez
    (Button Egan Grealish KDB Auba)

    2FT & 0.1ITB - currently have anywhere between 8-10 players depending on Rico & Traore:

    a) Rico & Grealish > Stephens & Barnes
    b) Egan, Grealish & Dendoncker > Saiss, Armstrong & Barnes (-4)
    c) Egan, Grealish & Traore > Taylor, Fernandes & Saka (-4)

  2. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who do you not have that you need this week?

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

      Mané I guess

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Same but deciding to bench KDB.

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

          Lining up like this for a -4

          McCarthy
          TAA Robbo Doherty Webster
          Salah(c) Fernandes Barnes
          Vardy Jimenez Ings

          1. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Similar from me for -4

            Pope
            Trent, Robbo, Soy
            Salah, Traoré, Maddison, Bruno
            Ings, Vardy, Jimenez

            McCarthy, Taylor, Boly, KDB,

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That’s a good question.
      As long as you have three Liverpool players you should be happy.

      No stand out fixtures.

  3. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Firmino it Vardy for captain folks?
    Chasing big time and need a differential

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If u believe in fixtures over form then sure. I personally not getting Vardy till he shows some attacking stats

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looking at Trent myself?

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Salah or Trent for me

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

      Firmino much more of a differential than Vardy, why not him?

  4. HNI
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Looks like things will get interesting in March Gws with spread of coronavirus growing. Serie A matches already getting suspended. Uk not far behind

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mega GW38 or games played behind closed doors on the way.

      1. HNI
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        The thing is coronavirus is bit overrated with fatality if 2.4% compared to 0.4% for common flu. But then we very paranoid as human beings

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Totally agree. The press aren't helping one little bit on the paranoia front. Thankfully our government don't appear to be buying into it, like Italy's has.

  5. JamieC180
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Boly or Sais? Sais would allow me to swap in Grealish for Traore if necessary - do we reckon he's OK?

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Both Traore and Sais not 100% nailed. Keep Grealish long term and get in Boly/Doherty

      1. Gommy
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Saiss has played 90 mins for the last 7 consecutive league games, who's the risk to his minutes?

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

      Boly for me

  6. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Salah or Vardy captain, and why ?

    1. JamieC180
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah has form and good fixture, Vardy has no form and great fixture. I'd go with the prior myself - if United can stick three past Watford, Liverpool are not going to have a problem.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah if leading.
      Vardy if chasing....and even then it might be too early for a punt.

  7. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can anyone advise me what the best strategy is for using remaining wildcard, free hit and bench boost chips (what weeks to use them in)?

    I have enough players for the next GW so no need to FH then

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save your FH until 31, and see how many players you’ve got involved.

      Save WC until the DGWs are known, and plan WC/BB use around them. Likely to be 34/37.

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

      Depends on the fixtures for 31 are, maybe FH then, maybe 34. BB likely 37

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Wait until next weeks FA Cup games have been completed, and 6th round draw has been made. The best strategy to negotiated the blanks and DGW's should be a lot clearer then.

    4. HNI
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      BB for bigger dgw, FH for smaller one. Blank Gw just get along as upside is limited especially if Chelsea knockout Liv and you will have 3 bgw players there itself

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

    A. Kelly>C Taylor
    B. Rico>C Taylor/Lascelles/Ward
    C. Anything better (zero in bank)

    McCarthy
    Robbo, TAA, Kelly
    Salah, Martial, Dendo, Traore
    Vardy, Ings, Jimmy
    Gazza, Rico, KDB, Lundy

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I think any of those 2 to Taylor is prob the best option. I thought of Joel Ward too but need to see them for 1 more game before i jump back on them as a reliable defensive unit.

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

        Thanks. Slim pickings this week for me. Will be content if all 11 start.

  9. HNI
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any Italians here in the know regarding travelling restrictions wrt Coronavirus? I am travelling to Florence and Napoli in end of April with all bookings done, most of them partial refunds but still

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You are looking for Italians on here rather than seeking advice from the many official sources?

      1. HNI
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Most official sources over react and not pragmatic

      2. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Matt Hancock speaking at PMQs right now, I’d still prefer random internet stranger to give me advice than trust him.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Good point 🙂

        2. HNI
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          hahaha

      3. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I don't imagine many on here have left their bedrooms anyway so they should be used to self isolation

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I work for an Italian company, based in Rimini, just south of the current boarder line of quarantine.

      A colleague of mine flew out this morning, to Bologna, with no issue.

      Florence and Napoli much further south, but who knows what the next few weeks will bring.

      1. HNI
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Noted

    3. Mikha In A Tutu
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What a spaz.

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      The guy who works at Bella Italia told me it will be fine (as he coughed into my carbonara)

    5. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm not touching my Panini card collection till I hear the all-clear.
      Just saying.

  10. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    (C)!Vardy

    Let's start the parttyyyyyyy

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I am tempted but doing really well playing it safe atm!

    2. melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      im joining

  11. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Couple of quick questions

    1) Chances of Rico starting this gw?
    2) Any injury news on D.Stephens from bright? might need him to come on as 1st sub
    3) What to do with Grealish? Bought @6.2 and can sell @6.4. Keep or twist for either perez/barnes

  12. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which move is better, both for free:
    A) Grealish+O’Connell to Barnes+R James
    B) Auba+Grealish to Vardy+Barnes

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't like the James part of top move. Dont like the Auba to Vardy part of bottom move (but I can see why others are trying it)

  13. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you take a hit to do Traore to Bruno? Or play Traore?

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Try getting Bruno for a blank player. I took risk and brought him for kdb but kdb has just one good match BUR where he will be rested with UCL match in 75hrs

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      traore will play this one

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lets see how much he play in Europa

    4. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Play Traore imho.

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

    Hendo to Patricio and gtg? 0.9m itb

    Hendo
    TAA Robo Stephens
    Martial Salah Traore Cantwell
    Vardy Jimenez ings
    (Martin, Williams, Rico, KDB)

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

      Yep. I went for Pope to get Doherty in later.

  15. Mikha In A Tutu
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ok guys, I have a problem. I have this defence: arnold, rico, lundstram, hanley and kelly.
    I have no free transfer but I do have 1.6m in the bank. Shall I make a transfer for -4 and who?
    A) Maguire
    B) Wan-Bissaka
    C) Saiss
    D) Walker

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do you have a WC?

  16. kime67
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Abraham to auba or traore to bruno

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      the latter

  17. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Just save the ft?
    McCarthy
    Taa - vvd - William's- saiss
    Maddison - salah(c) - martial - dendo
    Ings - jimi
    Rico - (Kdb- auba)

  18. Sterling Archer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Heading into 28 optimistic looking for my 8th Green in a row!

    Pope
    Soyuncu TAA Robbo Holgate
    Cantwell Salah Martial
    Ings Jimenez Vardy

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck.
      I’m not optimistic about 28 at all. Hopefully that works in the same way as my extremely optimistic view of 27 was.

  19. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rico will start this GW

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks Ed.

  20. Igz08
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Doing Aguero -> Vardy to free up cash.

    Any suggestions on what to do with Fleck, Simpson? Transferring one out for a hit.

    Am eying up Barnes and Doherty, anyone I'm missing?

    1. Igz08
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Could also get Jimenez/Jota up front and Barnes as the midfielder

  21. balint84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Pukki
    B) Fernandez from Newcastle

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

    City have 6 fixtures in the next 20 days. Pretty much a match every 3 days...

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Won’t be a problem next year 😉

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

        So who is going to triple City 😀

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I’m keeping KdB.
          But won’t be getting any other city until after 31, and the doubles are known, as well as whether or not they’re still in the CL.

          ...next year is too far away to consider right now.

      2. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        We might have the opposite problem next year - if City only have one game a week it's going to be hard to keep all players happy. There will probably still be rotation just to make sure everyone plays enough (Jesus, Aguero, Sterling, Bernardo, Mahrez etc.)

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Absolutely.

        2. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          With the CL ban, do you think all of those guys will stay? I expect atleast 1 to leave plus Sane.

          1. Greek Freak
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            True - it's very hard to predict, and it depends on the outcome of their appeal too of course.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      two a week is nothing unusual, if Arsenal progress in the Europa they will have that for the rest of the season, plus one more game to squeeze in somewhere.

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

        I am quite comfortable going no City up to GW33 😉

  23. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Damn it these united fans will make me take another hit to do Grealish to Fernandes now

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      "Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?"

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Fool me twice...but uhm..a fool cannot be fooled again.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I pity the fool

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

      Welp, Bruno will be assisting Martial score, so you may not need a hit to benefit from Bruno

  24. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which premium defender

    a) Doherty
    b) Pereira

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not much in it.

      Lei have great fixtures, and no Europe to worry about.

      Doherty I prefer as a player, and he plays 31.

      Things to consider.

      1. Fuddled FC
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        ha.. just what I'm stuck on,. Think i will go Pereira as he has a better gw this week and slight possibility Doherty may get rested

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          If you’re quite committed to FH31, then yes Periera edges it for me.

  25. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on McNeil as a Grealish replacement? Guaranteed a game in 31 and I can bench him against City if I want to. Was all set on Barnes but McNeil helps with preparing for GW31.

    1. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I agree, or could you look at sarr?

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I guess the thing is Barnes could beat these players by more than 4 points over the next 3 weeks so it might be better to get Barnes now and take a hit for McNeil or Sarr in GW31.

        1. Geordie19
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          A hit is probably worth it, as you can save free hit

  26. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    OR 226K in GW17 to 5589 now, unchartered territory for me. Now is the hard part of maintaining this till the end, any tips from people who have finished top 10K in the past?

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      #Playyourowngame

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks bro this is what I've been doing! Not really posted my team here etc and asked ABC questions as often as the start of the season and that has been the turning point!

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Keep following same strategy, dont overthink!

      *Never finished in top 10k* 😉

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. That's sound advice 🙂

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Monitor EO

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, havent really been doing this but guess now is the time to start

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't do subtle brags - they are a jinx 😉

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not really a brag 🙂 genuinely looking for tips to sustain this rank and this pretty much the only place where I can get them

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          DM Irbox

          1. PapaWengzz
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Not following

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Probably for the best.

          2. Konstaapeli
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            😆

  27. Geordie19
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Grealish (6.5SP) to Sarr
    B) Grealish to Maddison
    C) hold FT and play Sidibe (MAN U)
    Thank you

    1. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I might go B.
      There is a possibility Sidibe may not even start

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      In order go the Sarr route, Id want to be fairly convinced that Watford are back on the up. And right now, Im not.

      1. Geordie19
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Or I could do Hayden to Sarr or Maddison for free due to funds in the bank?

  28. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1FT. Which move?
    (A) Play Holgate (MUN), save FT
    (B) Play Williams (eve), save FT
    (C) Rico to Doherty (bench Holgate and Williams)

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  29. farmerfat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    If i see another Grealish to Barnes post I may vomit on myself

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Probably avoid FFS for a few days then.

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      FPL have just done a 'Scout' post on him so expect more!

  30. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Martial, Barnes or Maddison in for Grealish? Already have Vardy and Bruno.

    1. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      🙂 see above