Scout Squad

The Scout Squad picks for FPL Gameweek 30

The Scout Squad panel reassemble to champion the standout Fantasy picks for the coming weekend.

There is a lot of uncertainty about how much disruption the coronavirus pandemic will have on the Premier League season over the approaching weeks and months but, at the time of writing, we’re operating under the assumption that all ten Gameweek 30 fixtures will go ahead.

Regular readers will know the format of this recurring feature but for the uninitiated, staff members Paul, David, Neale and Geoff each propose an 18-man squad of players for the approaching Gameweek and explain their notable inclusions/omissions below.

The 72 nominations listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £85m) for the weekly Scout Picks selection ahead of the Gameweek 30 deadline at 11:30 GMT on Saturday.

There are requirements for at least one sub-£5.0m goalkeeper, at least one defender costing £5.0m or less, at least one midfielder listed at £6.5m or below and at least one forward priced at £7.5m or lower.

Each panelist is restricted to no more than three players from the same team, as is the case in FPL.

We will again be adding a captaincy to the Scout Picks, with details of that revealed on Friday.


 DavidNealePaulGeoff
GKKarl DarlowKarl DarlowKarl DarlowKarl Darlow
 Bernd LenoBen FosterBernd LenoBernd Leno
 Dean HendersonVicente GuaitaDean HendersonDean Henderson
DFMarcos AlonsoAndrew RobertsonTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-Arnold
 Trent Alexander-ArnoldMarcos AlonsoMarcos AlonsoMarcos Alonso
 Matt RitchieAaron Wan-BissakaFederico FernandezMatt Doherty
 Matt DohertyJohn EganGeorge BaldockGeorge Baldock
 Jack StephensMax AaronsGary CahillAaron Wan-Bissaka
MFBruno FernandesSadio ManeSadio ManeSadio Mane
 Sadio ManePedroKevin De BruyneKevin De Bruyne
 PedroBruno FernandesBruno FernandesBruno Fernandes
 Ismaila SarrRiyad MahrezIsmaila SarrIsmaila Sarr
 Michail AntonioIsmaila SarrMichail AntonioJames Maddison
FWOlivier GiroudOlivier GiroudSergio AgueroSergio Aguero
 Dominic Calvert-LewinPierre-Emerick AubameyangPierre-Emerick AubameyangPierre-Emerick Aubameyang
 Jordan AyewDominic Calvert-LewinJamie VardyJamie Vardy
 Raul JimenezRaul JimenezRaul JimenezRaul Jimenez
 Roberto FirminoTeemu PukkiTeemu PukkiDanny Ings

Most popular picks: Karl Darlow, Marcos Alonso, Bruno Fernandes, Ismaila Sarr, Sadio Mane, Raul Jimenez (four), Bernd Leno, Dean Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (three)

DAVID SAID…

An injury to Martin Dúbravka has introduced Karl Darlow as an interesting budget goalkeeping option as Newcastle host Sheffield United this weekend. The Blades come to St James’ Park in the bottom five for shots on target over the last four matches, while the Magpies have not conceded at home since Gameweek 21.

That’s why I’ve also included Matt Ritchie after he switched to midfield and started taking penalties for Newcastle, admittedly missing one last time out.

Marcos Alonso is my first-choice defender for Gameweek 30 considering his recent resurgence. While Villa are having defensive issues, the left-back has registered the same number of penalty box touches as Mason Mount over the last four, while Dean Smith’s men are struggling for goals.

Bruno Fernandes looks like an excellent midfield option for Gameweek 30 as Manchester United travel to face Spurs. Over the last four matches, Jose Mourinho’s troops have conceded the second-highest number of shots in the box and are in the bottom five for big chances conceded. Meanwhile, Fernandes, on free-kicks and penalties for the Red Devils, has blanked just once in his first five Premier League appearances.

Sadio Mane gets the nod over Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s trip to Everton, considering his superior goal-scoring record on the road this season. That’s why I’ve also included Roberto Firmino, who has the most goals of any Liverpool player away from home in 2019/20 – and could be spurred on by his first Anfield strike of the campaign netted against Atletico Madrid midweek.

I’ve included Pedro as an exciting differential in midfield ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Aston Villa. I’m expecting an easy win for Frank Lampard’s men considering the ongoing defensive struggles at Villa Park and, in the last four matches, Pedro has created more chances and registered more shots in the box than any other Chelsea player.

Not far behind the midfielder for efforts inside the penalty area is Olivier Giroud, deputising for the injured Tammy Abraham. The Frenchman has started the last three Gameweeks in a row and registered attacking returns in each of them.

Ismaïla Sarr has been an excellent player for Watford at Vicarage Road registering a total of four goals and three assists across his last five home matches.

Despite a poor outing for Everton in Gameweek 29, Dominic Calvert-Lewin keeps his place in my thinking. I am sure that Monday’s Merseyside derby will not be a one-sided affair, with the Toffees likely doing everything they can to frustrate Liverpool. Meanwhile, Calvert-Lewin remains joint-top of the division for shots on target over the last four matches of fit players.

Sharing that mantle with him is Jordan Ayew, who has now scored or assisted in each of his last three matches and faces Bournemouth’s shaky defence in Gameweek 30.

NEALE SAID…

Liverpool’s post-winter break wobble and Alisson’s likely absence at Goodison Park should play into the hands of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Everton’s attack on Monday evening, although the Toffees themselves are ropey at the back and without a clean sheet since Gameweek 22.

I anticipate goals in the Merseyside derby, then, even if we may not see the seven scored in the reverse fixture.

Djibril Sidibe served up a disastrous display at Stamford Bridge last weekend and the right flank has been a problem area for Everton of late, with the Toffees having conceded more chances from that wing than all bar two clubs since Carlo Ancelotti first took charge.

Andrew Robertson and Sadio Mane could make hay down Liverpool’s left, then, although I would expect Ancelotti to take some preventative measures after his side’s pounding in west London.

Saturday’s match on Tyneside looks anything but a thriller and indeed fewer goals have been scored at St James Park this season than at any other ground in the top flight.

Add Sheffield United’s defensive solidity into the mix (they are conceding at less than a goal per game away from Bramall Lane) and we are in ‘last game on Match of the Day’ territory.

Karl Darlow is set to take the injured Martin Dubravka’s place between the posts and offers us a decent sub-£4.5m goalkeeping option, while the Magpies’ vulnerability to headed attempts and efforts from set plays leads me to John Egan: the Blades’ stopper has had more of those than any of his fellow Sheffield United defenders this season.

I also look to Carrow Road for what might seem like an unlikely home clean sheet on paper, but delve a little deeper and the prospects look positive.

Norwich City have conceded on only two occasions in their last four matches in East Anglia, with Leicester shut out altogether a fortnight ago and Liverpool limited to a solitary Mane strike in Gameweek 26.

Max Aarons, creator of two goals over the last six Gameweeks and supplier of seven big chances in 2019/20 (only three defenders have carved out more gilt-edged opportunities this season), is my chosen representative in the Canaries’ defence.

At the other end of the pitch, I’m backing Teemu Pukki to exploit a Southampton backline that has allowed more big chances than all teams bar Aston Villa over the last six Gameweeks.

Opposition weaknesses often play a big part in my Scout Squad selections and Dean Smith’s side are perhaps the most obliging team in the division on that front.

Goals, big chances, shots in the box, attempts from set plays, shots on target: whatever metric the Villa defence is measured by, they are in the bottom two for it this season.

Chelsea are in fine form at present, too, so my triple-up on Olivier Giroud, Pedro and Marcos Alonso requires little elaboration.

Elsewhere, a tired-looking Tottenham Hotspur are there for the taking for Manchester United, with a depleted Spurs frontline offering Aaron Wan-Bissaka an excellent chance to add to his tally of four shutouts in five matches. As we came to learn last season, whenever there’s a clean sheet, Wan-Bissaka is generally in contention for bonus points.

Watford’s home form also leads me to a double-up on Ben Foster and Ismaila Sarr.

Foster has seven clean sheets in 14 matches at Vicarage Road this season, while Sarr has seven attacking returns in five appearances on home soil since Nigel Pearson first took charge of the Hornets.

PAUL SAID…

Manchester City’s upcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid next week (should it go ahead) has a major influence on my selection of big-hitters.

I’m backing Kevin De Bruyne to return to action to step up his match fitness, which earns the Belgian a spot ahead of Mohamed Salah in my midfield.

At the back, an injury to Martin Dubravka brings Karl Darlow into contention as a cut-price keeper for Newcastle’s home clash with Sheffield United.

The Magpies have kept three successive clean sheets at St James’ Park, which also merits Federico Fernandez an inclusion as a differential.

Owned by less than 3.0% of squads, the Argentinean has claimed eight bonus in that trio of shutouts. Indeed, Fernandez has averaged 5.5 points per home start this season.

Elsewhere at the back, Gary Cahill has stepped up his goal threat ahead of Palace’s trip to Bournemouth.

Only two defenders have bettered his five shots in the box in the last four Gameweeks and with Steve Cook a big doubt for the Cherries, Cahill’s aerial presence could prove decisive at set plays.

Cahill has steered the Eagles to three straight shutouts, yet sits in just over 1% of squads.

I also fancy Michail Antonio to deliver returns and help West Ham breach the resilient Wolves’ defence.

The Hammers have impressed in recent home matches, scoring at least three goals in three of the last five.

Since returning to the starting XI in Gameweek 25, Antonio has recorded six big chances – second only to the seven of Dele Alli among FPL midfielders.

His ten shots in the box sit fourth in midfield during that period, underlining his differential appeal with an ownership under 1%.

GEOFF SAID…

Karl Darlow looks to be a secure starter for Newcastle United in the short term after Martin Dubravka picked up a knee injury, and his budget price makes him a nice pick with a home game in Gameweek 30.

While Bernd Leno and Dean Henderson are also strong picks, the cut-price availability of Darlow should allow funds to filter through to some other, high-priced options in my squad this week.

Two of those expensive assets are Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcos Alonso, with the latter having started three successive league games for the first time since October. Alonso is only behind Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah for points per match this season.

Fernandes gets my third midfield slot, behind Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne because of their respective opponents.

Ismaila Sarr is my fourth midfield selection having registered two goals and an assist in his last home game against Liverpool. In total, he has seven attacking returns in his last five starts at Vicarage Road.

Up front, I expect Sergio Aguero to profit at home to Burnley, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could punish frustrated owners who sold him after the ‘Double’ Gameweek 29 disappointment.

Speaking of punishing sellers, Jamie Vardy came off the bench and scored twice last Gameweek, kicking into form and significantly helping Leicester’s attacking fluidity.

Raul Jimenez and Danny Ings are both included in my picks, but Ings will need to start showing returns to be included in the future.

THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

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 Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

In Gameweek 29, Bilal7 beat the Scout Picks 48-40.

gwitbrock‘s winning margin of 23 points in Gameweek 25 is the target to beat.

Our Scout Picks article on Friday will have further details on who is representing the community this week.

542 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Me looking for FPL Towers in a couple of weeks time.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCdRFMp8Xwo

  2. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Amartey one of leicester players

  3. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Maddison >?

    A- Bruno
    B- Pedro/Willian
    C- Mahrez

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      A

    2. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      i have Bruno so im tempted by c)

      but out 3 Bruno safe bet other 2 gambles

    3. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      A

  4. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Sampdoria's former Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini has tested positive for coronavirus

  5. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    If Wat-Lei is called off due to this new development, is the GW deadline moved forward?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Surely moved back to 14.00?

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        That's what I meant

  6. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Someone else thinks that GW30 not going to happen this weekend?

  7. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Can't see any games going ahead this weekend.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Shame. Do you have other plans or just not paying for sports channels?

  8. The_Fish
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    We're going to have Euro 2021... I hope my tickets are still valid. Got final tickets...

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Almost certainly the outcome. League seasons cancelled in the next week, resume in June is my guess.

    2. -Klaus-
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I'm pretty certain that if it's rescheduled you get the option of going to the new final OR a full refund.

  9. Tomskipow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    2 FT after FREE HIT?
    Quick question, if I carry 2 Free Transfers to week 31 an Free Hit, will I still have 2 FT in week 32?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Nope, just one

  10. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    I cannot see the season being cancelled, only delays. Even if they have to carry on the season well into the summer and after/instead of the Euros. With only 8/9 games left im sure they can work something oht

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Out*.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Exactly, but that doesn't help in the quest to wind Liverpool fans up.

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Norwich fans be hoping this happens

    3. Netters2018
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Totally agree season has to finish just a matter of when. You cant play 80% of the season, there are just too many variables. You cant relegate norwich and you csnt say to leeds your not coming up. Reckon the season restarts late april/early may and wrapped up by mid june. No euros so pl season starts beginning of sept

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        This. Imagine spurs back in the champions league next year as well by default.

        1. fish&chips
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          This won't burn itself out by June IMO. 6 months disruption minimum. The horse has bolted

    4. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Agreed

  11. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    That looks to be that then. See you all in the summer? Whether it'll be GW30 of 19-20 or GW1 of 20-21 is anyone's guess.

  12. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Definately a season to remember.

    1. Hect.OR 98th
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      And a spelling.

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Lol

  13. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    GTG..? Bench order correct?

    Henderson
    TAA B.Williams Cahill
    Mane Salah Bruno Sarr
    Jiminez Auba Jota

    Bench:McCarthy,Boly,Fleck,Lascelles

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 17 days ago

        game over

      • Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Nothing being said there. Business as usual from the sound of it

    2. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      KDB > Bruno(c)?

    3. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Several Leicester players in self-quarantine ... confirmed by Brendan R

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Or you could’ve read the tweets on here 😉

        1. timmmuh
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Haha fair point. In US and just saw the news come across. Stay safe everyone.

    4. Otis Kay
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Will Arsenal's next 2 games be postponed because of Coronavirus?

      Kind need to know so I know what I'm doing with Auba + Saka...

      1. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Business as usual at arsenal

        1. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Tick, tick, tick ...

    5. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Can’t see this continuing. Suspend the Prem for the next month. Loads of DGW’s that will favour those with chips and games will be played in the summer with Euro’s cancelled.

      In other news Fuchs at 4.2 looms intriguing...

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Why? He plays LB

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Chilwell injury though aswell?

          1. Coys96
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Oh yeah, didn't know. Thought you were talking about him as a replacement for Pereira

    6. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Everytime I refresh my Twitter Feed some sporting event gets suspended.

      Dutch league & ATP Tour the latest additions.

    7. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Is Maddison to Bruno the best move?

      As Bruno has a blank in gw31 isn't it better to go for someone like Sarr?

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Just wait till tomorrow

    8. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Start 1 - anyone not fancy a Wolves/Newcastle clean sheet this weekend?

      A-B.Williams
      B-Lascelles
      C-Boly

    9. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Looks as though the season could potentially be over. No more games played. Several players self isolating. Very grim outlook.

      Grealish > Barnes (-4)?

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Won’t be over. Will be postponed

    10. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Ricardo Pereira and Maddo owner here.

      I am the weakest link, goodbye

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Ah yes, I love that show!

    11. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Vardy fine

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        How do you know?

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Stop attention seeking without links

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Link just above you and why would I be attention seeking on a fantasy football forum? 😀

    12. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Pointless even thinking about transfers until Saturday morning, comes could be called of at very short notice.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        I don't think we'll get that far. The league will be suspended tomorrow.

      2. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        It's hard not to feel bad for the FPL players in America...

    13. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Bizarre that most sporting events are being suspended, and arguably the largest competition of them all the BPL is insisting on continuing.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        dat TV money

      2. MOTHRA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        It’s just a matter of time before suspension.

      3. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Postponed*

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Sorry wrong post

      4. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Its rather irresponsible I have to say. A bit like BOJO saying we all ahve to take it in the chin kind of thing...

        1. lespaul
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          ......which he didn't say

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Really? Must be alternative reality then

      5. lespaul
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        what's the BPL?

        1. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          This. Ugh

    14. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      If there are Leic players with signs, I cant see the game possibly go through or am I missing something here...

      1. MOTHRA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        It’ll be postponed

      2. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Looks unlikely

      3. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Probably youths players.

      4. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Convenient with Pereira and Maddison injured isn't it......

      5. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        With Sarr in my team, no Leicester players, and many in my mini league having Vardy, Barnes, Perez, Soyuncu, Maddison etc., I would be happy if the game goes ahead with Leicester in a terrible state and get smashed.

        But it'll more likely be postponed

    15. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Donovan Mitchell tested positive for Corona Virus

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Who is he/she?

        1. DAZZ
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          NBA player for Utah Jazz. Team mate of Rudy Gobert who was tested positive earlier on. See below.

      2. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        [Wojnarowski] Jazz star Donovan Mitchell has tested positive for the coronavirus, league sources tell ESPN. Jazz players privately say that Rudy Gobert had been careless in the locker room touching other players and their belongings. Now a Jazz teammate has tested positive.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Is Jazz a competitive sport now?

          1. Stupendous
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            They are a very well placed and competitive team, in one of the biggest and most global sports leagues on Earth, and he is one of the up and coming guards in the league.

            You aren't really even remotely close or funny with this one mate.

            1. Brosstan
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              Im not trying to be funny. Literally irrelevant team and players that no one cares about.

    16. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Can someone just set up a poll?
      A) continue
      B) suspended
      C) cancelled
      might stop this unnecessary back and forth.

      1. KickIt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        C) ....because I had a bad season

      2. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        I think you just made a poll

    17. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      This is obviously going to be postponed. Its a huge liability with all major leagues suspended, the PL playing this irresponsible stance. There are rumours of players stating they refuse to play if PL is not suspended. Do the right thing, STOP thinking about money!

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Interesting what the mind set of the players will be, not many people have thought of this. Is a player willing to put his family at risk by playing these games?

        1. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          At the end of the day they´re just people like everyone else. With a lot more protection given their financial muscle and wide network, but as we´ve seen still can get it anyway