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. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is TAA to Azpilicueta a bad idea?

    1. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Very

      • ChickenTikkaMoSalah
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Could pay off. Azpi’s stats are very good offensively and defensively

      • iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Si

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

      Decisions, Decisions....which is the better option here?

      Hendo Mccarthy
      Taa maguire soy boly Stephens
      Salah kdb bruno martial mahrez
      Jiminez dcl nketiah

      A...maguire, dcl and jiminez to cresswell greenwood and kane - 4

      B....salah and nketiah to foden and kane

      Thanks

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

      Help please

      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

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Has anyone taken a hit to bring in Kane?

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

        Yes

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Are you captaining?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            nope

      2. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        sticking with son , kane looked awful

    5. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Any late Holgate news?

    6. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pope
      TAA | Aurier | Seiss
      KDB(c) | Salah | Son | Bruno(vc)
      Greenwood | Jimenez | Rashford
      Martin | Holgate | Kiko | Guen

      1 FT & 0.5 ITB

      Salah + Rashford >> Martial + Kane (-4) for some fun?

      1. We ain't got no histor…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Don’t understand the Kane love. 1 return in last 4 matches

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Still good stats

        2. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          2 in 4, and had 3 goals ruled off in one game...

          he's going to be involved, and its really a boom or bust move imo

          1. We ain't got no histor…
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Not while playing under Mou. I would personally stay away

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

          Opposition.
          I still ain't.

          1. We ain't got no histor…
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Help me with my bench headache posted below mates

    7. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why does it feel like pulisic wìll score a hattrick

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        It always does before deadline

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He's taking up magic.

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

      Play one:

      1. Alonso vs CRY
      2. Egan vs WOL
      3. Fernandez vs MCI

      1. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        1. Unlikely to be sub so 2 auto sub if needed

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        1

    9. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I own kdb & mahrez with lascelles being injured I have no bench players for next week. So getting Foden this week isn't probably advisable as all 3 city players could be benched next gw

      Am I better better off with Pulisic or Foden over next 2 weeks?

      A. Foden
      B. Pulisic

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

        Would like to know the answer to this too

      2. SpiritRising
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Would probably play Ings over mount Everton not looking great and saints are in form.

      3. SpiritRising
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Pulisic easy decision

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

          Yes, I have bench options but still don't want triple City. They get brought on for 1-point cameos and block your bench points.

      4. SpiritRising
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        The main man for a team with something to play for against what is still a bit part player for city who will probably start 1 game of the two. Foden has been playing well but he is performing well over the expected stats

    10. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone going captain Bruno over KDB?

      Not seeing too many!

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

        Hopeful there'll only be a point or two in it regardless

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm about to toss a coin

      3. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yup i went with it only because united play a day later .

    11. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Chillwell to aurier worth a -4? Given that my back line has Chillwell, Lascelles and holgate.

      1. Apwilkin
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        TAA and Doherty are the other 2. Just those three are the injured ones.

      2. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        can also do lascelles or chillwell to kiko or craig dawson

    12. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Playing BB, might just put KDB(C), Bruno and Martial on my bench to make it look cool

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah and forget to confirm it

    13. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A) Salah, Jimenez to Mahrez, Kane
      B) Salah to Sterling
      C) Salah, AWB, Pulisic to Mahrez, VVD, Fernandes (-4)
      D) Salah, AWB, Jimenez to Fernandes, VVD, Jesus (-4)
      D) Other

      2 FTs and 1.2m itb:

      Patricio,
      TAA, Doherty, Aurier/AWB,
      Salah, KDB, Foden, Martial, Pulisic,
      Rashford, Jimenez.

    14. We ain't got no histor…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bench one Gents:

      A. Foden
      B. Ings
      C. Jimenez
      D. Greenwood

      * Starting KDB & Mahrez

    15. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A - Salah and DCL to Kane and Willian
      B - De Gea, Jiminez and DCL to Pope Greenwood and Kane -4

    16. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone triple captaining KDB?

      1. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        im keeping it for chelsea norwich week 36

      2. mearley14
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm contemplating it

    17. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bench Saka or Jimenez?

      1. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        saka

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

      Foden or sterling if money not an issue? cheers x

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

      Salah + DCL to Kane + Foden for -4 (+4.2 itb)
      Yes or no?

    20. gomez123
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep Salah or get rid for free to Sterling/Foden??...

      1. Orion
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Have to keep Salah

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

          Why? Pool not looking the same

      2. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm selling for Sterling.

    21. Jukes
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Should I bench:

      - Jiménez (tired)
      - DCL (although might be due for a bag)
      - Salah (could be rested then a 1 point sub appearance)???

    22. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      GTG?

      Pope
      TAA Doherty Kiko
      Salah KdB(C) Son Pulisic
      Rash Jimmy Grenwood

      3.9 Fernandez Holgate Geundouzi

      1ft, 1m itb

      Want to keep Son for Bournemouth and then next week get Bruno in.

    23. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      3 flags in defence

      1. Apwilkin
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Same... debating on taking a -4 to deal with it, or just rolling the dice and hope one of them comes on.

    24. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      chances kabasele starts?

    25. Transferred Out
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts on bringing in Eric Garcia for Cathcart?

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

        Yes

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

      Pope Button
      TAA Doherty Aurier Bolly Robinson
      Salah Mahrez Son Fernandes Foden
      Rashford Jimenez Greenwood

      A) Jimenez + Son > Kane + Antonio
      B) Jimenez + TAA > Kane + Cresswell
      C) Jimenez + Doherty > Vardy + Cresswell
      D) Save FT + bench Jimenez

      A+B+C all mean benching one of Greenwood/Foden

    27. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1. Move out Lascelles
      2. Move out Holgate
      3. Move out Simpson

      A. Bring in Digne (-4)
      B. Bring in Azpi (-4) (can't do Simpson to Azpi)

      1. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        simpson for kiko femenia?

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

      With 6 players in questionable forms (0 FT):
      Targett injured
      Lascelles doubtful
      Stevens, Doherty, Jimenez, Saka, are either not playing or out of form

      Is it crazy to do a hit or just play 3 of them (would be Stevens, Jimenez, and Doherty) and hope for the best?

    29. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hello..rapid fire question.
      Pick 1 to bench please:
      a) mane
      b) foden
      c) jiminez
      d) rashford
      e) greenwood
      f) pulisic

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

        jimi or mane

      2. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        B or C

    30. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Struggling to decide. Time to part ways with Soyuncu?

      A) Garcia (New H)
      B) Gomez (BHA A)

      Take a punt or play safe?