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. gers23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Maguire to Azpi for a hit? Purely to block a rival i am 57 ahead of.

    1. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Never

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

      53 ahead after that (you think Azpi outscores Maguire by more than 4 this week?)

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

    Benching headache (self-inflicted). Opinions welcomed:

    A. Jimenez (shu)
    B. Greenwood (avl)
    C. Foden (NEW)
    D. Son (bou)

    1. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      Unpopular opinion: Greenwood

      Has to be A or B I think

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

      Greenwood

  3. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How many of you going for a city triple up in attack?

    1. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just 2 + Mendy for me see below

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

      Which ones is the key Q

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Had that last GW with Kev, Raz and Riyad. Blew up in my face. This time it's triple United attack.

      1. Pickle juice
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yup ..............Foden kdb and mahrez

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

      No, KDB (c) and Foden is enough City for me.

    5. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez and KDB(C)

  4. The Strokes
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope (WHU)
    TAA (BHA) – Mendy (NEW) – AWB (AVL) – Doherty (SHU) - Aurier (BOU)
    Salah (BHA) – KDB (NEW) c – Bruno (AVL) – Martial (AVL)
    Jesus (NEW) -

    3.9 – Jimmy (SHU) - Nketiah (Lei) – Saka (Lei)

    Rtg?

  5. Cesc Pistols
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Cantwell + Rashford ➡ Son + Greenwood for -4.

    Yay or nay?

    1. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Might pay of but I wouldn't take Spurs players just for Bou.
      I would play them if I have but not transfer in.
      Don't like their form

      1. Cesc Pistols
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Fair point, especially considering Rash could easily outscore Greenwood.

  6. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I'm about to settle on Kane captain. How much of a risk/reward?
    Bruno/KDB the obvious choices but.....

    1. The Strokes
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It's now or never I would say

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

      good a time as any. Good luck

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think owning kane is enough Kdb eo will be close to 150%

    4. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers lads. Good luck all!

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

    Only KDB and Aurier in my team for MCI and TOT and keeping Salah, is this a red arrow by default? 1FT btw but no obvious transfer without hits.

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

      Not really, should be fine for next 2 atleast

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

        Always itchy and probably just do nothing for now thx

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

    Mo or Mahrez to KDB ?

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

      Mahrez

  9. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good to go?

    Pope
    Doherty TAA Wan-Bissaka Aurier
    Mane Mahrez KDB Fernandes Foden
    Rashford

    Subs: Jiminez, DLC, Lascelles

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

      Captain KDB

  10. funnyoldgame
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is playing Sterling, KDB and Mahrez too big a risk?
    Would you swap Mahrez to Son?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No
      No

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

      Yes (because I don't expect their next 2 to be high scoring)
      No

  11. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Gtg? Bench order ok?

    Marty
    TAA Doherty Saiss
    KDB(vc) Fernandes(c) Willian Martial Pulisic
    Rashford Kane

    Button Taylor Robinson Nk

    Cheers and Good Luck!

    1. funnyoldgame
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      looks good to go

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      £5.9m in the bank, which feels ridiculous...

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

    Time to bench Bruno? Concerning that he didn't take the last penalty. And he might get injured in training tomorrow

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

      Try harder, team troll

    2. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Haha

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ha. Ok

    4. funnyoldgame
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      haha. I heard he might have a collision with Pogba in training.

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

        That was an actual troll website that The Mirror fell for before last GW's match.

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

      I read he and Pogba are encased in bubble wrap during training. He should be fine, I'd think.

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

    Gtg? Ings on bench right?

    Kepa
    Azpi - Doherty - Aurier
    KDB - Martial - Bruno - Pulisic -Foden
    Kane - Rashford

    (Martinez, Ings, Justin, Taylor)

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

      Looks good, yeah id bench him this gw looking at your team

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

      yep as you are

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

    G2G?
    Pickford
    TAA Boly Aurier (Justin) (Lasclelles)
    Salah Martial KDB Fernandes (Oriol Romeu)
    Greenwood Jiminez Jesus
    0.0-0FT
    Thank you

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

      You know you are G2G. Nice team

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

        Cheers Bobby I hope you're right

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

    G2G or use my FT on my defence? 0.6m ITB. Cheers

    Patricio
    Lascelles- Doherty - TAA
    Mane - KDB - Fernandes - Mahrez
    Greenwood - Jimenez - Rashford

    (Martin) - ASM - Holgate - Simpson

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      nice team

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

        holgate - lascelles - simpson likely to not play is my issue this week

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

          Agreed i would switch out Lascelles for Holgate away to city will be tough for Newcastle to keep respectable.
          Save your transfer this week

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

            cheers - its likely i'll only be having 10 players so not worth using my FT on a playing defender?

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

              I don't think id use it this week, your team looks good to me

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

                ok cheers

                1. ZimZalabim
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  u can do simpson to kiko and start him this week

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

    Tempted to do dcl to ings or Jimmy to Kane/vardy. But none of them are on fire, so I guess I might as well stick with what I have?

  17. chrispaterson1
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Son to Foden completely unnecessary ?

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

      It is when one is playing Bournemouth

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

        Agreed

  18. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    which one to start, first to 4 votes wins

    A. DCL
    B.Jimi

    thanks

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

      Einstein said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

      Clearly I’m insane as I’d start DCL

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        And yet he still kept brushing his hair the same way...

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

      DCL Everton look better at home

  19. cutch
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    who to bench?

    A) Saka
    B) Vardy
    C) Ings

    Currently on A

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

      A indeed

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

        A all the way

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

      A

  20. slamdunk
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mane out or Mane in?

    A-To Sterling
    B-To Foden
    C-Hold Mane

    Many thanks

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

      Hold

  21. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How many minutes do you reckon Mahrez will get this GW?

    1. joker14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      59

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      fifty flippin' nine again. I captained him and sold him after last GW's fiasco.

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

        You're not alone mate. Did exactly the same and it hurt bad!

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

      he bloody better get over 60 after I brought him in for last game shambles

      1. Sgt. Schultz
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This 100%

    4. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      So you wouldn't get rid of him then?

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

    Anyone taking a hit to get Kane in tonight?

  23. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one from each to start:

    a) Saiss (shu)
    b) Holgate (SOU) - injury doubt

    1) Jimenez (shu)
    2) Holgate (avl)

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

      I'm benching Jimi for Deeney, surely Deeney has to break his restart duck against Norwich?

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

    Which one would you have if you had only KDB as your MCI player:

    Mahrez
    Foden
    Laporte
    Sterling
    Mendy
    Jesus

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

      Foden

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

      I have Foden myself, but mainly because of price. If money is no issue, i would go with Sterling.

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

        thanks!

        Money is no issue..

        I will need to sell Salah for Sterling (cos Salah will almost certainly not be playing 90 mins this GW)

  25. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Can’t get KDB/Sterling without a hit so who would you captain out of these? Tempted by Jesus after pep comments lol:
    A) Jesus
    B) Mahrez
    C) Bruno

  26. reo19uk
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So last decision to make on my FH.

    A) Martinez, Aurier, TAA with Taylor as my back up player on subs bench
    B) Lloris, Azpi, VVD with no back up sub on the bench

  27. Mee and the Boys
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who should I bench between Doherty (shu), Masina (NOR), DCL (SOU) and Jimenez (shu)? Cheers in advance.

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Masina

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

      dcl

  28. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    G2G?

    Hendo
    Arier.Trent.Maguire
    KDB. Salah. Son. Bruno
    Kane(c). Jimi. Greenwood

    Subs. McCarthy. Saiss. Stephens. Hayden

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      nice Sl@t
      x

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        cheers Tina. 😉

        taking a gamble with kane capo but having a trainwreck of a season so why not, eh

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          makes sense. My season also dying a slow death...gonna take hits and fun now I reckon.

          1. super zlatan
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            whats your rank?

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

      tasty

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

    A,B,C or D?

    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. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      a

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

        Ta

  30. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys help me out with keepers here.
    I want to transfer out McCarthy (Southampton) but for whom?

    Initially I wanted Ederson but seeing the watchlist maybe Pope / Patricio? Rivals have Pope

    Tempted to transfer Cantwell --> Foden too, but I have a good set of 11 players I'm confident of earning pts, but scared that TAA / VanDijk / Salah might get rested. Other players that I have that might get rested, maybe Aurier or DCL

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

      I'm happy with Patty despite the latest setback. Good fixtures all the way.
      Cantwell>Foden is a must.

    2. joker14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Highly doubt TAA/VVD/Salah/Aurier/DCL will be rested..
      I'd go for DDG as my keeper for the next few game weeks. Unfortunately I've got a triple man u attack 😡