Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 323 – Reacting to the Double and Blank Gameweeks

This week is pivotal for Fantasy managers as they look to navigate their way through a tricky set of fixtures as the season nears its conclusion.

The midweek announcement of a Double Gameweek 29 for Manchester City and Arsenal is among the key developments that our Scoutcast trio of Joe, Pranil (Lateriser12) and Az discuss in this busy episode of the Scoutcast.

They are also keeping a close eye on how Blank Gameweek 31 is shaping up, with this latest episode broadcast on Tuesday during Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup .

The deployment of chips will clearly be crucial in the Gameweeks ahead, so our trio look to cover as many permutations as they can.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of other topics to consider, including the ‘form versus fixtures’ debate that Southampton and Everton’s strikers are creating.

Teams and players who are highly motivated also come under scrutiny, with relegation and European places still up for grabs. In contrast, those already dreaming of their holidays are also debated in their chat.

The ‘Rough with the Smooth’ round-up of your Gameweek 28 scores focuses on how Leicester’s wavering form has been a hindrance for some and a blessing to others.

Az takes his turn to pick a differential, with a former favourite firmly in his sights.

Clean sheets get an airing and the Scoutcast crew round up proceedings with a look at their transfer and captaincy plans for Gameweek 29.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel 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.


BLANK GAMEWEEK 28 FPL MATCH REPORTS

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

1,978 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Worth doing Mcarthy to Leno for -4 ?
    McCarthy fixtures getting worse and arsenal have good fixtures plus the DGW. Feel like -4 gets covered in the DGW itself.
    Thoughts?

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

      Nope.

    2. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No chance.

      Southampton vs one of the worst (if not the worst) attacking teams in the league and Arsenal have a double including City away. Not sure how you’d reasonably feel -4 is covered in the DGW alone.

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy - home to NEW - good chance of 6 points
      Leno wont get 10 over 2 games given they play city away in one of them.

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      haha nope

    5. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks for the feedback.

    6. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nahhh

  2. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Will we know all the blanks before next gw?

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      All the blanks for GW31 will be confirmed tonight. GW34 blanks (if any) not known till after the FA Cup quarter-finals in GW31.

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      might be able to make a judgement on GW34 from the teams that qualify this round and especially after last eight draw

  3. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Might sound a bit weird, but who'd you keep from
    VVD & Vardy going forward ??

    Really can't bring myself to sell Vardy although that has stalled my green arrows recently.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      tough one, LIV not kept a CS in a few games and LEI and Vardy have been poor. Keep VVD for BGW31

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly !
        Same thinking tbh. Just have too much faith in Vardy

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Vardy hasn't delivered since last year, got to get rid

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah
            You're right

    2. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Well given VVD plays in 31, I would hold for now.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate.
        All for that guy Doherty 😀
        He's in Insane form & I'm worried he'll keep it up for the rest of the season.
        So ...

    3. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      do you have Auba? If you have an option, I would give Vardy 1 more GW with Villa home next gw.. from this GW forward I would say VVD

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I don't have Auba.
        Not intending to bring him tbh.
        Won't © this GW & can't play FH in GW 31 so not sure about getting him atm

  4. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    a) Vardy + Barnes -> Auba + Saka (-4)
    b) Vardy + Stevens -> Auba + C.Taylor (-4)

    in addition Ings -> Jota (-8). I have Jimenez and Boly
    1) Yes
    2) No

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B2 - bring in Jota next GW

    2. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      None

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

      a

  5. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    2Ft folks, is it worth this ?

    Fernandez and Vardy to Pépé and Jimenez

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      no

  6. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    RMFHT please

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Lascelles
    Salah, Mane, KDB, Saka
    Auba (C), DCL, Jota

    Fodder, Fodder, Fodder, Fodder.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mane > Pepe

    2. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Waste of a FH if not getting 5/6 double gameweek players

    3. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What's the reason for this free hit?

      1. FOMFF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Already used my WC. ML rival has Auba and don't want to rip the team apart.

  7. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Do a shot every time Lee fpl family says 'for his/their part.'

  8. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Should I do Vardy&Bobby to Auba&Jimmy for -4 or only Bobby to Jimmy? Or keep both and hide behind the couch?

    The team is:

    Ramsdale Martin
    TAA Taylor Soy Cathart Egan
    Salah KdB Martial Barnes Dendo
    Vardy Bobby Ings

    1ft, 1.0 itb

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would take the hit

    2. The Colonel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in same scenario but want to shift one of those plus Martial (two tough fixtures then a blank).

  9. R.C
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Are KDB and Otamendi nailed for both the games?

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      definetly not maybe

    2. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      KDB should be

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      nope

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pebbles probably plays one, don't think he could be trusted with Otamendi - both might start Burnley to give Fernandinho a rest before Real.

    5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It’s Pep. No such thing as nailed on.

    6. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If Mendy isn’t playing tonight I think he could play both

  10. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GTG or hits needed?

    Pope
    TAA Saiss Egan
    Bruno Mane Mo Kdb(c)
    Jota Ings DCL

    Bench: Gazza Stephens Fernandez Hayden
    0 FT, 3.6m ITB

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Just going with KDB into the DGW? (not saying you're wrong! I'm only going with Auba)

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        If I was to go with only 1 player in the DGW then it should be Auba

  11. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    0FT 0ITB
    Huge couch or make a transfer?
    Henderson
    Cahill TAA Boly
    Salah Bruno Fleck Mané
    Jiminez Ings Auba.

    Bench:McCarthy,Adama,Lascelles,B.Williams.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What do you need the couch for?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not having KDB

  12. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hayden to Saka is worth a -4 hit?

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Who are you benching if you do this?

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on who you’d play otherwise. You’d surely bench Hayden, right?

      1. FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ya the benching is going to be a dilemma.
        My team:
        McCarthy button
        TAA Chilwell Saiss Lascellas Stephens
        KDB Mahrez Salah Barnes Hayden*
        Auba Ings Jimmy

  13. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Jimi to Jota feels so sideways but is it worth it to get Auba?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Get Auba

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      not really... Jimenez on pens

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      why not?! Auba is nailed with two games and you cover wolves forward with Jota who is on form at the moment

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Might be, can always get Jimmy back in 31.

  14. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Fernandes>Mahrez worth a -4?

    1. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No. Doubt Mahrez plays both

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        this

    2. Kuzser
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t think so

  15. Nubi
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Rams mcgov
    Taa Robertson Saiss Holgate Lascelles
    Salah Kdb b.fernandes Grealish dendo
    Vardy Jimenez Ings / / 1ft 1.2 itb

    Options im exploring for -4
    A. Vardy / grealish to auba & saka
    B. Vardy / robertson to alonso/gomez/c.taylor
    C. Maybe another suggestion which im not seeing clearly ? Thoughts ?

  16. Kuzser
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I’m 1.5m short from that team below.
    Who would you sacrifice here?

    1) Doherty-> Saiss
    2) Pepe Sarr -> Fernandes Doucoure
    3) Vvd Sarr-> Gomez McNeil
    4) Pope Sarr-> Button Doucoure (button Pepe-> Pope Richarlison for gw31)

    Pope- McCarthy
    Taa-VVD - Doherty- Cathcart- Taylor
    Salah-KDB -Pepe - Sarr -Saka
    Auba - Dcl- Jota

  17. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which one would you pick?

    A) If I dont play my WC now, I can get only 7 players out for free GW31. FH34, WC35-36 and BB37. (can get all dgw players for BB GW37)

    B) If I play my WC now, I can get 11 out GW31 and Auba for double. FH34, BB37. (cant get all benefits to BB37 and have to start bring in players who haves a dgw37.)

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm doing B

  18. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can't decide who to start between Grealish and Soy? Leicester better chance of a cleanie than Grealish goal?

    1. MSTRKRFTSMN
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      How have you still got Soy?

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not lost any value, and I had other fires to put out

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish
      One moment of brilliance enough to take CS away

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Amey speak with straight tongue. 🙂
        Our defence looks dodgy to me - I'll be shipping Soy when I WC.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Ha ha

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'm on Jack atm yes. But that could be said for any defender, bar the Trents and Dohertys...

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Leicester play with high line so are susceptible to mistakes imo.
          But yeah, go with your gut

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers mate

  19. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is the DGW in 34 or 35?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      34 & 37 - 35 should just be a normal one.

  20. Fozzyb34r
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Iheanacho and Grealish to Auba and Fleck (-4)?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  21. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who to sell out of Jimenez, Jota, and Ings to make way for Auba for -4?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ings

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I am toying with Mane-> Pepe, Ings-> Auba. Worth it for -8?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          If Mane isnt starting, then it can work. Otherwise it could horribly go wrong.

          Auba(c)?

          1. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            If I get Auba, I'd captain him.

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Are you going to capt Auba,
      Otherwise I wouldn't bother, for a hit.

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Possibly. But Salah can easily better Auba's output this GW.

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don't sell either of the Wolves players - that would be bonkers with their form and a game in 31. It would have to be Ings, then you'd probably have the optimum forward line for this week.

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Would you, Mane-> Pepe, Ings-> Auba for -8?

        I might pull the trigger if Mane is benched.

    4. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky. Ings could deliver this weekend. But Ings if u have to

  22. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Currently on -4 anything else worth a hit?

    Maybe Cantwell -> Saka is the only one

    Pope (button)
    Gomez, TAA, O’Connell, Fernandez, soy
    KDB, salah, Bruno, dendonk, cantwell
    Ings, Aub(TC), Jimmy

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      G2g

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks

  23. Gaztafari
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Should I be Bench Boosting or TC Kevin this week with this team?

    Pope (TOT) McCarthy (NEW)
    VVD (BOU) Soy (AVL) PVA (WAT) Gomez (BOU) Saiss (BHA)
    KDB (ARS,mun) Salah (BOU) Fernandes (mci) Barnes (AVL) Saka (WHU, mci)
    Aubameyang (WHU,mci) Jimenez (BHA) Nketiah (WHU,mci)

    Lucky with wildcard last week putting lots of Arsenal in, blissfully unaware or potential DGWs.

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      TC

    2. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like the ideal time to bench boost to me. Everyone playing, and mostly at home. Opportunity might not present itself again

  24. FPLGeezer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hearing talk of gw34 possibly being a single gameweek with fixtures from blank gw31 moved to gw34.

    Has anyone worked out which teams would need to reach the FA cup SF's this scenario to happen or too early to tell without knowing the quarters draw?

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

      Source? I see no reason why they would do this, and they haven't done it before.

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

        Sorry misread, thought you were saying the 34 postponements would be moved to midweek 34 to make it a SGW. What you are saying is impossible though I think as different teams will blank in 31 and 34

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Interesting - where did you hear this?

    3. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks guys have seen in it comments/threads on Twitter today and last night on posts by Ben Crellin and Lateriser12 though neither has been the ones posting it but those participating in the discussions.

      Might not be possible as Jarvish says and people just speculating hence wanted to clarify.

  25. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bruno (have since his first GW) and Ings TO KDB and Nketiah/Martinelli?

    =-8 yay or nay?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nah

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Sure? Will be priced out otherwise when Ings drops!

  26. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So will DGW 34 consist of the fixtures from 28 that got postponed due to the Carabao Cup + the ones that got postponed in 31?

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It's never that straightforward will be a mix.

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

      Highly unlikely

  27. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Mane and Ings out for Mahrez and Auba (-8)???

    Would leave me with 3 dgw players for next week and, using my FTs, 9 for the blank gw in 31.

    Yes or no?

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nah.

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure
      Mahrez not guaranteed DGW

    3. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The only way I can get Auba is to sell one of TAA, Mane or Trent.

      Hmmm

    4. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pepe instead of Mahrez.

    5. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Close, but no from me.
      Mane and Ings have good fixtures this week.
      Mahrez unlikely to start twice in my opinion.

  28. FPL FREAK
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hello everyone..

    Mccarthy.
    TAA. Egan. Hanley.
    Salah. Mane. Grealish. Sarr.
    DCL. Jimenez. Ings.

    Subs: Mcgovern. Taylor. Perez. Simpson.

    Grealish + Ings > KDB + Aubameyang for -8......??

  29. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Would you go Firmino and Traore to Auba and Dendoncker for a hit?

    1. MOTHRA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably not.
      But I feel your Firmino pain.

  30. MOTHRA
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Why the love for Saka? Surely he’s limited in game time, irrespective of the DGW.... what am I missing?

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheap, so easy to bring in, worth a punt if you have a spare transfer, or if freeing up funds to turn Vardy or Ings into Auba.

    2. MSTRKRFTSMN
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      And why no sterling love? He’s due a haul and likely to start both games isn’t he?

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling has been so bad this season and he costs a fortune

        1. MSTRKRFTSMN
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          But he’ll start both games don't you think?

          1. Jullepuu
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            No guarantees of that happening

            1. MSTRKRFTSMN
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              If you had to bet on how many games he would start, what would you bet?

              1. Jullepuu
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Depends on the odds

                1. MSTRKRFTSMN
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 1 month ago

                  All 3 outcomes are 2-1

                  1. Jullepuu
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 1 month ago

                    I would guess 2 then

                    1. MSTRKRFTSMN
                      • 10 Years
                      4 years, 1 month ago

                      Hence why I think he’s being overlooked here. Personally I laughed all season while my mates cling onto sterling while I let mane rip it up instead. But I’ve not been hurt like you have by previous form. Emotionally. Deeply.

                      1. Jullepuu
                        • 4 Years
                        4 years, 1 month ago

                        He just costs too much that's all

                      2. MSTRKRFTSMN
                        • 10 Years
                        4 years, 1 month ago

                        Mane to sterling tempting me. Maybe even Salah and free up more cash

      2. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        The doomsday clock on that haul has stopped and needs new batteries

    3. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He is good for the 8th attacker spot but that's it