Scout Picks

Gameweek 34+ Scout Picks focus on Manchester clubs

The Gameweek 34+ Scout Picks has double-up on Manchester City attacking assets for their meeting with Newcastle.

We are expecting a reaction from Pep Guardiola’s men after their defeat at Southampton, which should produce big points for key FPL options.

As per usual, the editorial team have chosen this XI, this week lining up in 3-5-2 once more, coming in at £0.3m below our £85.0m budget.

Goalkeeper

Despite something of a blip against Arsenal in Gameweek 33+, Wolves’ defence is still one of the best over the last four matches, recording the lowest expected goals conceded (xGC) score in that time. For that reason, Rui Patrício (£5.3m) was an easy inclusion in the Scout Picks as Nuno Espirito Santo’s men travel to Sheffield United.

Defenders

No defender has created more chances than Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) over the last four matches while Crystal Palace have conceded more shots in the box than any other side in the same period. Meanwhile, the Eagles have scored the fewest goals at home this season, potentially setting Azpilicueta up for a double-figure haul at Selhurst Park.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) is our choice from the Manchester United defence as they hope to right the wrongs of conceding twice against Bournemouth. Aston Villa have lacked too attacking threat since they made the switch to a more conservative defence, while United have clean sheets in six of their last nine matches. Meanwhile, Wan-Bissaka has found some creativity recently, denied a third assist in as many matches by the offside flag in Gameweek 33+.

Craig Dawson (£4.8m) has registered the joint-most shots in the box of any defender over the last four matches and also tops this chart among all Watford players, including the attacking midfielders and forwards. That gives him the advantage against a Norwich side who still have not scored since the Premier League restarted.

Midfielders

 1

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) and Liverpool may have struggled in their last two matches, but there were some glimmers of hope in the second half against Aston Villa. We’ve gone with the Egyptian as he tops the charts for shots on target and chances created among his colleagues over the last four.

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) has delivered attacking returns in every match he has started since Gameweek 30+. In such outings, he has produced three goals, two assists, two double-digit hauls and an average of 12 points per game. Considering the rest he had at the weekend, the Belgian looks ready to start against a Newcastle side that could not keep clean sheets against Aston Villa, Bournemouth and West Ham.

Son Heung-min (£9.8m) forms part of our Spurs double-up against a woefully out-of-form Bournemouth defence. The Cherries have conceded more goals than any other side since the Premier League restarted (12), while Son was the more dangerous Spurs asset in their win over Everton.

Bruno Fernandes (£8.9m) has been on fire recently. Even handing a penalty to Marcus Rashford against Bournemouth, the Portuguese international was still able to make use of his direct free-kick and creativity abilities to score and assist twice. Since the Premier League came back, Fernandes has averaged 10.5 points per Gameweek, more than any of his colleagues. That’s why we have him down as the most likely Manchester United player to breach Aston Villa’s improved defence.

Phil Foden (£5.4m) also gets to face that brittle Newcastle defence in Gameweek 34+, the Englishman equally as dangerous as De Bruyne in recent times. He has returned points in every home game since the restart, racking up four goals, an assist, two double-digit hauls and 34 points.

Forwards

Harry Kane (£11.0m) may have put on a sub-par display against Everton, but that Bournemouth defence is too good an opportunity to turn down. Despite appearances, Kane has still been afforded the second-highest number of big chances since the Premier League came back. If the Cherries continue in their current form on Thursday night, he could be handed even more than usual.

Mason Greenwood (£4.6m) has quickly become an auto-include budget option for Fantasy managers. He has started the last three matches in a row, impressing in all of them. With his place in the side finally locked down, Greenwood’s two double-digit hauls in as many outings are enough to warrant inclusion even against Villa’s improved back-line.

Substitutes

Ben Foster (£4.9m) is an alternative route into the Watford defence as they prepare to host a toothless Norwich side.

Joe Gomez (£5.3m) is still a budget-friendly route into Liverpool’s defence that got back on track with a clean sheet against Aston Villa at the weekend.

Eric Garcia (£4.5m) is a cheap route into the Manchester City defence who could repay those who take a punt on Pep Roulette midweek. The Citizens have conceded the joint-fewest number of goals in home matches this season (12).

But Dwight Gayle (£5.0m) also offers potential even against Manchester City. Since the Premier League came back, he has received more big chances than any other player, registering a goal or an assist in each of his last three outings.

The Captain

The Scout Picks has a captain for the 2019/20 campaign.

This skipper is chosen using the conclusions of the latest Captain Sensible article and a four-way vote between David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek is usually known only to those who have signed up to Membership for the 2019/20 season and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted:

3,147 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys any chance of kiko benching tonight?

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm screwed if he is with Holgate and Lascelles on the bench

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I did Lascelles to Holgate earlier in the week!

  2. No Pirlo No Party
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon All. Lost with what to do with this lot. 2FT available. Any ideas?

    DDG
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Salah - KDB - Fernandes - Martial
    Jimenez - DCL - Nketiah

    Martinez - Saka - Boly - Holgate

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DDG & Nketiah - Pickford & greenwood.
      Captain KDB?

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed get rid of DDG and get more Man U attack.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dcl - greenwood
      DDg - Ederson

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Aurier over Boly is v interesting

      Clean sheet odds would strongly suggest starting Boly

      Bournemouth can’t defend but they can still score and spurs are terrible away.

      Thoughts?

      1. BrutalLogiC
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        go with the odds imo

  3. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salad + lunny + nketiah -> Foden + Aurier + Kane (-8) a good move?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't.

      Lundstram to someone pending how much cash you have.

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Three cracking differentials?

  4. RedCity
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to play?
    DCL - 343. Poor form but decent fixture
    Pulisic - 352. Form but Tricky fixture although Palace have conceded high % shots recently

    Thanks

    1. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic - form over fixtures.

    2. matthewsimon22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Puli

  5. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2FT - 0.6ITB

    Robbo, Holgate, Lascelles, Doherty, Ngakia

    Defense is a struggle this week, any suggestions? (I play 3 defenders)

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I am in similar position - tempted to not waste money and do Ngakia > Lamptey

      1. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        they play liverpool, I was thinking of just adding a watford defender and roll

        1. Bobby_Baggio
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          yes to watford and get ngakia out

  6. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Help.

    A) Start Mount (cry)
    B) Start Saka (LEI)
    C) Sell Mount (-4) and get Son
    D) Other :/

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sick and tired of Mount. Defo considering this.

    2. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Was in the same boat and didb't want to take a hit so went for Sarr.
      If I were you, I'd go C

  7. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Might sound crazy but Martial --> Mahrez (FT)?

    I ask only because I've got AWB, Martial and Bruno (and therefore can't get Greenwood) which is important because I currently have DCL and Ayew as strikers, so getting him seems important.

    1. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’d back city to score more than United but I’d like Martial going forward

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

      No

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough one, if you are set on greenwood i think id lose AWB before Martial to make room

  8. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Impossible bench conundrum. Tough this week with Foden likely starting. Thoughts?

    KBD, Foden, Mahrez, Martial, Bruno

    Vardy, Rash, Kane

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why do this to yourself?

      Triple City bound to get you at least one benching.

      1. mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I know. Planned to rotate Greenwood/Foden but chose to keep Rashford instead of getting Greenwood

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden

    4. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gut says Rashford purely because of form but then my head says Vardy. Vardy usually gets a goal against Arsenal too.

    5. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers all. Currently on Martial/Rash to bench . No right answer here

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I would bench Vardy. Least you will have a autosub if one of your City assets do not play. Martial and Rash will both play.

        Leicester are pants as well. Reckon Arsenal going to give them a hiding.

        1. mixology
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          cheers. I actually just brought Vardy in! Leicester seem motivated now every since Rodgers chewed them out at HT vs Everton

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

    Pogba to Martial?

    Alisson
    VVD Doherty Holgate
    KDB Fernandes Pogba mahrez foden
    Rashford Jimenez

    Martinez DCL Taylor Ritchie

    1ft £1.1m

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Solid move

    2. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah..

    3. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

  10. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any improvements with FT?

    A Save
    B Holgate > Garcia
    C Jimmy & Rash > Kane & Greenwood -4
    D Salah & Holgate > Mahrez & Mendy/VVD -4

    Pope,
    Trent, Aurier, Boly
    Salah, C KDB, Fernandes, Martial, Sarr
    Rashford, Vardy

    McCarthy, Jimmy, Taylor, Holgate#

    .2

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You do mot need your 3rd sub at this point.

  11. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GTG? Bench order?

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier
    Salah, KDB(c), Son, Pulisic, Bruno(v)
    Greenwood, Jimenez
    (Martin; Nketiah, Saiss, Holgate)

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Saiss first sub imo, Nketiah not guaranteed starter.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Much appreciated.

  12. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any help appreciated, thanks.

    Play one (already starting Jimenez and Doherty)

    A) Egan
    B) Saiss

    Captain one

    1) Son
    2) Kane
    3) KDB

    1. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B3

  13. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Aurier seemed an obvious one for the Scout Picks imo. Why isn't he there? Rotation concerns?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't want to look silly for tripling up Spurs? 😉

  14. Rodgers's CHARACTER
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Greenwood and Antonio
    B) Martial and Nketiah

    1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  15. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any news from the press conferences about Pulisic minutes?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope, just appreciation

  16. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How does this look for this week? Anything you'd change, with 0.0. in the bank, 1FT?

    Ederson (Martinez)
    TAA, Doherty, Saiss (Egan, Lascelles)
    KDB, Foden, Salah, Bruno (Norwood)
    Rashford, Jimenez, Deeney

    (I know Deeney is a bit random, last minute punt at the weekend – should have got Greenwood... but happy enough with Deeney vs. Norwich this week.)

    1. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good to save.

  17. jorgenoj
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guendouzi --> Foden (Bench DCL) or save FT?

    Pope - (Martin)
    TAA - Saiss - Aurier - (Lascelles - Simpson)
    Salah - KdB - Bruno - Martial - (Guendouzi)
    Rashford - Jimenez - DCL

  18. Lumberjack
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Two FT - any thoughts?

    A - DCL & Saka to Foden & Connolly (or similar fodder)
    B - DCL & Doherty to Ings & Garcia
    C - other

    Team is:

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Doherty Saiss Kiko Fernandez
    KDB Son Bruno Martial Saka
    Rashford Jiménez DCL

    Cheers

  19. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain one
    1) KDB
    2) Mahrez
    3) Foden
    Should I chase points or play it safe with KDB ?

    1. AF90
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Play it safe still 4 more GW's to take a risk

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

  20. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Feel like I have to do Rashford for Greenwood. Don’t want to be that guy that postpones getting him in every gameweek

    (Can’t have both as already have Martial and Bruno)

    Anyone else thinking the same?

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have Rash and Greenwood

    2. Meme2011
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I did it this week

  21. fuzzymike
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope or Lloris GKP for this week??

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      pope

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pope

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lloris, it's Bournemouth.

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        exactly Pope.

  22. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What move to make to get Bruno...?

    A) Salah & AWB -> Bruno & Azpi
    B) Salah & Rashford -> Bruno & Kane

    1. Rodgers's CHARACTER
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You don't want to loose Salah

      1. AF90
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Feel like Bruno is more important right now & rest of midfield is KDB, Foden, Martial, Pulisic

  23. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling captain looks super good no?

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      im on KDB

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pep took him off in rage at 60 odd minutes last game....

      Might be good though

    3. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will he start though?

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not even sure of Kevin, let alone Sterling 😀

    5. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yea think he'll play up front. jesus will be benched

  24. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What do you think of:
    mane > sterling/mahrez, and if so which one? Thanks 🙂

  25. Thomas M.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play Aurier or Jimmy?

    Salah to:
    A. Foden
    B. Sterling
    C. Hold. Would be a triple up.

    Jimmy for a -4 to
    1. Kane
    2. Vardy
    3. Hold

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C 1 for me

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

      B 2 for me

  26. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best transfer?
    A) Guendouzi and Rashford to Martial and Greenwood play 352 DCL on the bench
    B) DCL and Rashford to Kane and Greenwood

  27. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one plz

    DCL
    Martial
    Bruno
    Nkeitah

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DCL

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nkietah easy

  28. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If you had only KDB as your MCI player and 2.0m itb, what would you do:

    A) Salah >> Sterling/Mahrez
    B) Duda >> Foden
    C) Targett >> Laporte/Mendy

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B no brainer

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  29. sneif4
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worth Doherty to Aurier? I already have Boly

    1. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not for me

  30. Aikon123
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Evening all, any thoughts on what to do with this team? 2FT £0 ITB

    Pope

    TAA - Doherty - Saiss

    Salah - KDB - Martial - Fernandes

    Rashford - Jiminez - Ings

    McCarthy, Lascelles, Saka, Cathcart