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

    A) Play Kiko (get Martial next gw)
    B) ASM -> Foden

    Patricio
    TAA Maguire Doc Kiko
    Salah KdB Bruno Pulisic
    Rash Jimi
    (Button - ASM Nketiah Lascelles) 0.8itb 1FT

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

      B

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

    Start:

    A - Foden (have Mahrez and KDB)
    B - Jimenez

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Similar issue. I'm starting Foden for sure as I bought him in for a hit this week.

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

      A

  3. Snapes on a Plane
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last question before i log out. Kiko or Femina to start along with Doherty?

    1. Snapes on a Plane
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Saiss*

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

      Kiko

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kiko!

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

      You need to start Kiko and feminia

    5. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough call, wouldn't wanna be in your shoes!

  4. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah & Gayle > Kane & Foden/Bowen (-4)

    Would mean benching Greenwood!

    Yes or NO!!!

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not a popular move.

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

      Nay

    3. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers guys

  5. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to bench?
    A. Pulisic
    B. Greenwood
    C. Jimenez
    D. Mahrez (Might not start?)

    Currently on Jimenez

    Captain?
    1. KdB
    2. Bruno
    3. Rashford
    4. Foden

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

      C1

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers! 🙂

  6. BrooksWasHere
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is it madness to do

    a) Martial > Foden + Nketiah > Greenwood for a -4?

    Reasoning being Martial looked barely involved v BOU (despite the points!), Greenwood looks v. dangerous, Rashford might be back on pens

    Other options are:

    b) Hendo > Foden or
    c) Hendo > Sarr

    Team is:

    Dubravka

    Doherty, TAA, E Stevens

    Bruno, Martial, KDB, Hendo, Son

    Jimi, Rashford

    (Reina, Saiss, Nketiah, Justin)

    Cheers for any help!

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

      You lost me at transferring out Martial.

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

        I know - just feel he's most likely to go missing and blank out of those 4 man u attackers, and Greenwood frees up loadsa cash

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

          Possible but, I think thats like selling Sterling to get Mahrez. I don't think its wort a -4.

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

      Nobody knows for sure. But, yeah.
      Just do B

    3. BrooksWasHere
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cool, appreciate the input

    4. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I don't think Rashford has all the pens. He will rotate them with Bruno.
      Martial will be involved in most things United do. I have Bruno, Greenwood and Rashford but I would love to have him instead of Rashford, who looks like he's become more of a provider than scorer since the restart.

      I'd do B. Hendo has hardly any attacking potential. Foden looks like he'll start 3-4 of the last 5 games. Having Said that Sarr is a great differential this week.

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

        Yeah I agree - Rashford has played so wide/deep at times, and looks like he's lost his confidence a bit. Just the penalty situ made me think twice about getting rid. Hendo was just a placeholder - Sarr has great fixtures but Watford have looked a bit flat lately. I'm leaning towards B. Cheers!

  7. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play Saka or Jiminez?

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

      Saka

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

      Jim

  8. dicky2014
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fpl Rockstar on a Ross and Rachel then?

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

      he's in the pub with me away from distractions of fpl

      1. dicky2014
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Might join you

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

          sure the more the merrier

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

      Yeah. Good luck to 'im!

    3. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah but still wouldn't be surprised to see Eddie Van Halen in about half an hour lol

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

    Currently ive gone for DCL over Jimenez....crazy or a coin toss?

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

      Toin coss. In the same position when I do transfers.

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

        Lol

    2. Baron Penguin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Absolutely, no idea myself

  10. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A. Rash/Guen>Green/Foden
    B. Salah/Guen/DCL>Antonio/Foden/kane (-4)
    C. Salah>Sterling (save FT)

    Have KDB, Bruno & Martial from Manchester teams. ML chaser has currently Ings/Foden/ASM v DCL/Martial/Guend

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

    Salah to Sterling for a hit yay or nay?

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

      Considering

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

    VVD or Azpil on a FT? (have TAA)

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

      Azpi, R.James if you want to play a bit risky but higher potential

  13. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If we get early team news and Pulisic doesnt start would you ditch him for -4?

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      For whom? And who's first on bench?

      I doubt he won't start though.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Maybe Antonio/Sarr

        Nketiah is first on my bench

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

      No, he'd come on as sub

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

    30 points behind in ML.....Take a punt on Son captain or play safe with Bruno? (Leader will most likely be captaining KDB)

  15. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No more 6 game projections in the member area?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      5 games left. Use RMT section.

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

        Ah thanks. Was looking for projections for this GW

      2. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A bug surely?

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

        Wait, what?
        Can we do that?

  16. aardvark22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    worth a hit for TAA + Cantwell to VVD + Foden (-4) and play Foden over DCL?
    or just roll FT?

    Team;
    DDG
    TAA, Doherty,Saiss
    KDB, Bruno, Martial, Son
    Vardy, Jimi, DCL

    Holgate, Lascelles, Cantwell

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

      I'd do it

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

    Which two do I bench?

    Foden
    Jiminez
    DLC
    Aurier
    Doherty
    TAA
    Wan-Bissaka

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

      Dcl

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

    Anyone with Aston Villa insight? Will Nyland be in the goal again or has he lost that one?

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Reina will be in the goal

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

        Thanks

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

      Reina will surely start

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

        Thanks, I will find myself a new goalkeeper then

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

      Should be reina, didn’t make any mistakes last game

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

        Yes, Nyland will get out of my team

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

    Salah to Sterling or Mahrez for -4?

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

      Not for a hit.

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Considering the same with Mane, but not sure Sterling will start so probs not

  20. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Aurier, Doherty or Harry Maguire. Which one to bench?

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

      Doherty

  21. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Sais taa kiko (lascels taylor)
    Kdb mane puli son bruno
    Green rash (jimi)

    Which ?
    A) martinez to 6.6 gk
    B) jimi to vardy/deney
    C) puli to antonio/mahrez/foden (next gw son to 1 of them)
    D) FH or other transfer you suggest
    E) rol ft

  22. More_Goals
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any of these worth a hit?

    A - Guendouzi to Foden
    B - Jimenez to Kane
    C - Justin to any other defender
    D - Stick

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

      A

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who would you start ahead of Guendouzi?

  23. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    TAA - Doherty - Kiko
    KDB - Salah - Bruno - Son - Foden
    Greenwood - Rashford

    (Button - Jimenez - Saiss - Lascelles)

    1 FT - 1.0m ITB

    1. adavies33
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looking good

      Who's your Cap?

      1. AdamJ91
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        KDB most likely.

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah to Sterling is an option, but could go either way of course

  24. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    All chips intacts
    3C kdb
    Yes or no

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

      Y

  25. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play Pope or Martinez? Was on Pope all day but now flip flopping.

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

      Martinez

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

      Pope

    3. Baron Penguin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks both!

    4. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martinez

      1. Baron Penguin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you

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

    Chasing

    A Auba to Kane
    B Salah to Sterling
    C neither

    Thanks and good luck this week.

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

      (Have 3 x man UTD, and only have KDB from man City)

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

      C

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

        What's your thinking?

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

      From that, Sterling. Good for rest of the season

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

        Thanks. Would you do something else? eg: Mahrez?

  27. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Both my benched defenders are flagge (Lascelles and Holgate) but with TAA, Maguire and Boly I should be safe, right?

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

      TAA could be rested but should be fine.

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

    Any updates on Ali ?

    Also, should i -4 to remove Ali and get Son in or hold on to Ali and play Foden

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

      Play foden. I wouldn’t want to be benching him

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

      Play Foden and get rid of Alli next week

    3. FPLGOOD
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Play foden

  29. Geriatric Unathletic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Crikey. Just realised I have only 2 players at home, not sure I have seen that before in my Team. Thankfully KDB and Foden are the Home Boys :).

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Everyone same boat

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

        Yeah, and home advantage ain't all that anymore.

  30. ragonian
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any chance we’ll get rockstar team news tonight? Undecided about alonso...

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

      Alonso will not start