Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 333 – Gameweek 30+ Free Hit and Bench Boost Drafts

Joe is joined by Andy and Az to discuss Double Gameweek 30+ and reveal their squads for the start of the season.

With unlimited transfers available and chips to choose from, our trio have markedly different teams and strategies for the remainder of the campaign.

Andy and Joe are without a second Wildcard, so are opting to ignore the extra transfers managers have been given and are playing their Free Hit chip instead. They reveal the thinking behind this move as well as the players in the frame for a place in their sides.

Meanwhile, Az has the luxury of Wildcard still to play so may well have the advantage over those Free Hitting. He is also opting to play a Bench Boost chip.

However, Andy and Joe don’t make it easy for Az to choose. His selection of a certain Arsenal midfielder draws particular derision, as well as the occasional metaphor or two.

Could Az be the Darth Vader of this Gameweek with his chip advantage? Or are his troops little more than Loony Tunes creations?

As well as revealing their Gameweek 30+ line-ups they also look through the wealth of Double Gameweek players to choose from, with Sheffield United defenders and Manchester City attackers topping the bill.

They are not forgetting single Gameweek options too, especially those facing traditionally awful defences.

Long-term plans also feature, as they look ahead to the remainder of the season and the fixture swings ahead.

Clean sheets also get an airing. In addition, Joe picks a differential for the next set of fixtures, even if he struggles to pronounce his low-owned selection’s name.

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.

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1,006 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Irish Villan 1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lads, can I squeeze anymore out of my first 11 for this week? I have 2.5M in the bank.

    Henderson

    TAA, Laporte, Egan, Targett

    Salah, KDB, Grealish

    Auba, Aguero, Samatta

    Thanks for the advice!!

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure on Samatta - could you go 4-4-2? Maybe with a SGWer?

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Jimi over Samatta if you can afford it!

        Would sooner have Ederson and SHU defender over Hendo and Laporte, highly doubt Laporte will get 60 mins in both games.

    2. Irish Villan 1985
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks lads!!!

  2. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    BB30 + WC31 team, going all in.

    Henderson
    TAA Egan BashamTargett
    KdB Pepe Grealish El Ghazi
    Auba Kun

    Ederson Soy Barnes Nketiah

    0.2 itb

    Choose cpt:

    A) Kun
    B) KdB
    C) Auba

    Cheers.

  3. Gameweek 30+ Captaincy
    Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    ‘It’s Aguero, captain, double gameweek!’

    I think i’m with Joe on this one, we know the Man City players will be rotated and Pep will make full use of his substitutes, but when one of the Premier League’s most explosive ever players is fit and has two attractive home fixtures to go at, I don’t think I could look anywhere else, it’s Aguero for me too.

    The threat of Gabriel Jesus does loom large though and there are plenty of managers out there going with Brazilian as their Man City striker of choice, with both players quite likely to be getting decent minutes over the two games, will you be putting your faith in Jesus?

    In the Captains Poll, Kevin De Bruyne is the people’s choice and with a greater surety of starts over the season and having already hauled against Arsenal in the reverse fixture, the Belgian could be considered the safe option.

    Anyone for Aubameyang? Looking to steal a march with Sterling?

    Who are you captaining this gameweek and why?

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I know KDB has security of starts but with five subs available and two beatable defences, it had to be Aguero for me. Main ML rival is gonna triple captain him anyway so it's safer

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Kun, it just has to be!

    3. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Lundstram, because he's Lundstram.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I would have considered him if he was a sure starter

        1. Kudo Warrior
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          With the probable Fleck and O'connell news I don't see him not starting or heavily featuring in both games...

      2. Kudo Warrior
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Same.

    4. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      KDB! Purely he seems more likely to start both (although very few will) and seems certain to start tonight. It's less risky too as everyone has KDB.

    5. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’m a Gooner and my No1 FPL rule is that I’ll never (C) a player against Arsenal, so I’m going with Auba (C), Grealish (VC)

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Then you must have a poor track record on FPL pal

        😛

      2. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        That is poor FPL logic, you need to separate your heart from your head.
        Look at it like this, if Kun does get a brace against you, sure it sucks, but at least you have a small consolation of the fpl points!

        1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Feels like betting against my own team, simply can’t do it!

          1. jason_ni
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Good thing your not a Norwich fan then!

            1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Yep haha, could be worse, good luck for this GW 🙂

          2. Yank Revolution
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Youll never succeed long-term that way

    6. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Still 50/50 on Pep boys and just can’t decide. From answers that I got here on the page its 70% Kun and 30% Kev.

    7. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I am on Salah. Klopp will want to wrap up the title ASAP. Have Mane as VC. Expecting both to haul.

      Decided to keep on going Cityless. DGW29 with double City was a disaster. Gone triple Villa, double Arsenal and hope for the best 🙂

    8. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm Lundstram'ing unless Rockstar says he's not starting, fingers crossed for the second game.

      Feel like a few City players are effectively playing a SGW anyway, so worth a punt - also need a couple of miracles so Kun/KDB just won't do

    9. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero has an amazing record against Arsenal separately and Burnley separately. But we shouldn't be looking at it as City having Arsenal + Burnley in 5 days. It's really City having ABC (Arsenal + Burnley + Chelsea) in 8 days.

      Based on Sterling's underlying stats, and his known fitness levels, and my perception that he looks like a man on a mission, and after Pep's comments this morning, I am more certain about Sterling (c) KdB (vc). And then, given I won't be captaining Aguero/Auba, I feel secure in taking them out altogether and going with triple City mid + strong SGW-ers

      1. Rover
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        It's also the feeling that given the last few months, why not try something unorthodox and enjoy the anticipation of it paying off. It's a fun game in an otherwise not-so-fun period after all.

    10. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Also head says KdB and heart says Kun. Auba would be the one if city wasn’t playing at all.

    11. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Wary of injury or limited minutes with Aguero so I'm going for De Bruyne. Aubameyang isn't an option for me. If punting I'd rather go for Lundstram, Mahrez, or Grealish.

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Will KDB start all 3 games in 8 days though?

      • FPL_Sponge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Heart says Aguero and head says KDB

        Im in a strong mini-league/rank position so should probably be safe, but a couple of years back I captained KDB over Aguero in a plum home game, both did well but Aguero did better and so psychologically I haven’t been able to get this out of my head...

        Also with the return of the game I said I wanted to give enjoyment more of a priority. Sitting down to watch both matches looking for KDB on corners of the screen and whipping balls from deep and getting worried about Aguero getting into the box does not sound as enjoyable.

        So was split before writing this, but think my heart has won out and edging towards Aguero.

        Not mentioned around here enough, but FPL is a game after all. So although I take it serious and want to do well, when it’s a tough call on a decision like this, think enjoyment should be factored into people’s decision making. Good luck all!

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Nice one, good luck to you too mate.

          1. FPL_Sponge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks Gregor

      • Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        (K)dB and Gabriel (VC) Jesus. Security of starts for KdB and I might even cap him if I had Aguero, which means forking out extra for the latter seem a bit pointless. I will spend the gameweek in my customary position behind the sofa.

      • HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Agueroooooooo

      • J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        We will rise or fall together 🙂 Aguero it is. Rude not to.

        1. FPL_Sponge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Not sure how it’s come to the point that Aguero with two home games against relatively defensively poor sides in a DGW seems like a risk!

      • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Kevin De Bomber

        Penalties, DFK's, Corners

        1. FPL_Sponge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Cue Kun stepping up to the penalty spot

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            You meant v Burnley, right?

        2. niloh1
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Wait what? Isn’t aguero always the pk taker?

          1. Forza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            KDB took one against Real Madrid while Jesus was on the pitch, but Aguero was benched at the time.

    12. LIARS POKER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Arsenal teams in the training game yesterday:

      Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Kolasinac, Ceballos, Willock, Saka, Nelson, Aubameyang, Nketiah

      Martinez, Maitland-Niles, Medley, Mari, Tierney, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ozil, Martinelli, Pepe, Lacazette

      https://twitter.com/ZRAFC/status/1273203805878976513

      Not what I wanted to see as somebody who was going to take a punt on Pepe

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Nah he’s just split the teams. No way Arsenal play the midfield of the top team!

        1. Siggy in the Middle
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          This. There's no way none of Pepe, Ozil, Lacazette, Tierney or Guendouzi play.

          1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Don’t think Guendouzi, Laca or Ozil will start, my prediction is:

            Leno

            Bellerin Mustafi Mari Tierney

            Ceballos Xhaka Willock

            Pepe Nketiah Aubameyang

      2. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Man City will spank that team 6 or 7.

      3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Mix of the two teams, no chance of Holding playing and doubt Kolasinac will either

      4. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Going to be 1st team def + att with 2nd tean mids...

    13. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Is there a 4.1 defender worth having?

      1. Ruinenlust
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Hanley

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Injured for a couple of weeks, think I just read that on twitter.

          1. Boss Hogg
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Oh, 🙁

      2. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Get yourself the man, the myth, the legend Sir Grant Hanley

        1. Boss Hogg
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Ooh, interesting.
          Is he nailed on to start for Norwich now?

          1. Tomlette Greggs
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            injured. Check Scout tweets.

      3. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Anyone else other than Hanley?
        Is Kelly a starter at Palace these days?

      4. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Team News has Robinson starting for Sheff Utd now O’Connell is out, might be Restos though.

    14. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Anyone else with a Jota and Jiménez double up?

      1. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Not for this week, but it's what my team will revert to!

    15. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Leno or Henderson?

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Hendo

    16. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      How is this BB team looking? Don't have WC and will free hit in 31.

      Ederson, Leno
      Boly, Stevens, Egan, Targett, Maguire
      De Bruyne, Sterling, Grealish, Fernandes, Saka
      Jimenez, Auba, Mcburnie

    17. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Anyone going Antonio?

    18. Obamawang
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      My final dilemma...

      (a) Laporte & Traore or

      (b) Lascelles & B Silva?

      Also, I've got 0.1m tied up in Traore.

      Thanks!

      1. Irish Villan 1985
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        A

        1. Obamawang
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Thanks.

    19. wernerhedgehog
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Buy Retsos? O'Connell is out. Worth it?

      https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1273192833332260864

      1. Siggy in the Middle
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Safer to take Egan/Bash/Lundstram/Stevens/Baldock

        1. wernerhedgehog
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          ok, though I wonder if Retsos has like an amazing header on him or the like.

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Jack Robinson?

        1. wernerhedgehog
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Some @Fplleaker guy has advised to avoid https://twitter.com/FplLeaker/status/1273132223097638914

    20. KickIt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Anyone considering Foden instead of Saka?

      1. Thescaff
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Precious 3 City spots

    21. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A or B?

      A) TAA + Saka
      or
      B) Pulisic + J Gomez

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        A. Think you need TAA

      2. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        A

    22. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Should I pick Aguero and Mount only for this gw and next gw switch to Rashford and Fernandes for -4 or should I go Rashford Fernandes from this gw? Aguero is gonna play only in the arsenal game imo

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Rashford might play v Spurs then be rested next game
        Who knows?!

      2. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'd be very nervous without Aguero - even if he does only play 1.
        Plus mount has a good fixture.
        I'm a Utd fan, but think they can wait for a week

      3. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        a

    23. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Are the rumours about Fleck being injured true and does this make it worth going Egan --> Lundstram for this GW?

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yes it does

    24. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Targett and Fernandez
      Or
      Saiss and Lascelles
      Basement question 😆

      1. Moxon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        B

    25. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Repost:
      Suddenly nervous about no Liverpool attackers (have TAA). No WC, and BB this week.
      Which do you prefer?
      A) Mane, Saiss, Jota
      B) Mahrez (swap to Son next GW), Doherty, Jimenez

    26. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I know this has been asked a million times, but any news on the Norwich Corona sufferer? Want Cantwell in my BB....

      1. ABoyNamedLew
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'm a fan and rumour is rife at the moment. Most recurring one is that it was a 'reserve goalkeeper' so most likely McGovern.

        I've not heard anything that states its Cantwell and the player in question has asked for it to remain private. I know this doesn't help greatly, but it's better than nowt.

        1. Jambot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I think I heard the player played in a friendly v spurs but didn’t come into close contact with any spurs players. That strongly suggests a goalkeeper

      2. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        They did a test with Norwich team doctor and it came back negative apparently
        It’s a strange one

    27. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      KDB or Aguero for the captain?

    28. gomez123
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A) Nketiah, Basham & Mount
      A) Samatta, Lund & Saka

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Second one

      2. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        A

    29. DickFranDyke
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Start one of these
      A Martial
      B Jimenez
      C Doherty

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        B

        1. Jambot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          B but I’d really want to start C too is there no way to start both?

    30. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Duda or Cantwell ?

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        cant

    31. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      On BB

      A) Henderson (triple SH) + Bellerin + Samatta
      B) Reina + Basham (triple SH) + Abraham -» One Less Double GW Player

      1. gryffsonofarthur
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        A

      2. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        B) Reina + Lunds (Oconell is out)+ Abraham

    32. phrampton534
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looking at the advantages of BB vs FH for GW30+. Seems to break down to these:

      BB positives:
      - Can make use of the unlimited transfers (tempered by the fact you'll be biased towards DGW players you may not want going forward anyway)
      - You've obviously got an extra 4 players scoring points
      - Provided you've still got a WC you can use it in GW31+ to set your team up going forward
      - Saves your FH for later on

      BB negatives:
      - You'll likely hit your TV significantly as transfers are permanent
      - If you want to fit in more premium players your bench is likely to consist of mainly weak DGW players or maybe slightly stronger SGW players
      - You'll likely want to WC straight away to reset your team
      - You've used your BB

      FH positives:
      - No impact on TV
      - Less need to WC straightaway, assuming your team was well setup already, so you can see how things progress before any major reset
      - Saves BB for later on
      - Can maximise your scoring team and just go with a cheap bench

      FH negatives:
      - Can't make use of the infinite FTs (although we've had 8 weeks of FT to tweak your team so you should be set:))
      - You've used your FH

      I was dead set on BB but the more I think about it FH may be the way to go, am I missing something!!?

    33. Fishy
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Good to go?
      Leno hendo
      Taa saiss lundstram stevens lascelles 
      Kdb traore grealish mount sarr
      Auba aguero jota 
      Looking to use bb btw.
      Wildcard next gw

    34. Kiyoshi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Playing FH (only top 11)

      Henderson
      Stevens, Baldock, Doherty
      Grealish, KDB, Mahrez, Pepe
      Auba, Agü, Samatta

      B: Henderson
      Baldock, Lascelles, Egan
      Grealish, KDB, Sterling, Pepe
      Auba, Agü, Samatta

      C: Henderson
      Stevens, Baldock, Saiss
      Grealish, KDB, Sterling, Pepe
      Auba, Jimenez, Jesus

      Any tips? Thank you very much

    35. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Last FH striker...going for
      A Jimi
      or
      B Abraham

      Vote now...

    36. jg7u
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If we get team leaks and Robinson starts is anyone tempted to pick him? Dirt cheap at 4.0.

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Or Jageilka

    37. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ballers, thoughts on this BB team:

      Leno, Henderson
      TAA, Doherty, Lord, Stephens, Egan
      KDB, Sterling, Grealish, Mount, Barnes
      Aguero, Jimenez, Nketiah

      TIA

    38. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Which and why?
      Vardy outscores Auba imo.

      Vardy Tony McCarthy D.Luiz Lund

      Auba Barnes Cantwell Egan Reina