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. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy, Ings or Jimmy this week?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      V

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm wondering because Arsenal are tighter under Arteta and surely Everton shouldnt be rated 4 in the fixture difficulty for Saints.

        A month ago I would have said Vardy straight away.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy likes arsenal

  2. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mane > Sterling a reasonable move if it lets me do DCL > Vardy next week?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

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

      i would

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no, Sterling likely to be benched this week

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

        I did.

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

      Only if Sterling starts....

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

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

    A) Guendouzi --> Foden (Bench DCL)?
    B) Save FT?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  4. Jonty Rhodes
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start 1 of

    A) Aurier
    or
    B) Juimenez

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      the attacker

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

      A

    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    4. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      Same dilemma. I'm leaning to Aurier, he's very advanced and Bournemouth are awful. Jiminez could get a goal, but I don't see they're being many goals in that game.

  5. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to start as GK? Already have Boly in defence:

    A Martinez (LEI)
    B Patrici (shu)

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B, I think.

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

      Pat

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    4. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

    best option please

    A. Olivia Wayne
    B. Kate Riley
    C. Kate Abdo
    D. Sarah-Jane Mee

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C for me.

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

      A comfortably

    3. Jason M
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can I have A and C?

  7. There's Always One!
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play McCarthy or Hendo?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      H

  8. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    cap :

    A foden(!)
    b kane
    C salah

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

      B

  9. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Evening. Got 2ft, 0.2 and a lot of flags...

    Pope
    TAA Femenia Doherty
    Salah KDB Son Bruno
    Rashford Greenwood Jimenez

    Button Lascelles* Holgate* Hayden*

    A - doc and hayden to foden and aurier (bench Jimenez)
    B - doc and lascelles to aurier and Saiss
    C - lascelles to a 4.5 only

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      use one transfer to sort out a flag

  10. Oldie99
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    OK - ASM & DCL out to get the kids in (Foden & Greenwood) for a -4, for the following front seven:

    KDB Son Bruno Pogba Foden
    Greenwood Auba

    Bench: Jimi

    Y/N?

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

      Y

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

      Who is ASM? Forgive my ignorance

      1. Oldie99
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        SaintMaximin from Newcastle !

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

    HELP!

    Who to bench?

    A. Saka
    B. Greenwood
    C. Jiminez

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      Saka

    4. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  12. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Keep or sell Mane?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sell fir city mid

    2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep, most people on here don’t know what they are doing 😆

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

    (Bottomed)

    Patricio
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier
    KDB, Sterling(C) , Bruno, Foden
    Kane, Jota, Greenwood

    (Martin) pulisic, lascelles, Lundy

    Chasing ML leader by 100 points:

    1. Correct to bench Pulisic?
    2. Good captain differential?

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

      Id play Pulisic and bench Jota

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

      good captain punt. Could pay of big. nothing ventured...

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

        Locked in cheers!

  14. ritzyd
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Don't own KDB so Pulisi(c) it is!!

    I'm going to need a massive sofa aren't I . . . . . . . .

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You won’t if Pulisic hauls tonight

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

      no Kane or Bruno perhaps?

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

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

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

    Play Aurier or Jiminez?

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

      Aur

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

        Aurier ahead of Jimenez on the bench .... back 3 are TAA, Azpi and Doherty

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

    2 FT and 0.1 ITB, abit stuck any ideas?, Thanks!!

    Martinez Martin
    TAA Doherty Aurier Kiko Lascelles
    Salah Martial KDB(c) Fernandes Guendouzi
    Rashford DCL Jimenez

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rashford to Kane DCL to Greenwood?

  18. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to start?

    A) Henderson (WOL)

    B) McCarthy (eve)

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  19. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I’m all set.

    Ederson
    TAA - James - Kiko
    Mane - KDB(vc) - Mahrez - Martial - Fernandes
    Kane(c) - Greenwood

    Button - Connolly - Taylor - Reid

    Good luck all. 🙂

  20. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kane or Son captain then?

    (Serious question)

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

      I’ve capped Kane.

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

        Condolences

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

        Feel sorry for ya

    2. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anyones guess mate, flip a coin. Personally id go kane

    3. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Has to be Kane

    4. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gone for KDB with Bruno vice - Son and Kane in the team ... worried about travel and turnaround times

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Kane it is! Thanks all

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

    Repost, chat going fast.

    Chasing

    A Auba to Kane
    B Salah to Sterling / Mahrez
    C neither

    Thanks and good luck this week.

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

      B for free to Sterling

    2. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

        A one week punt

  22. conorbon
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain Vardy or Fernandes

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Fernandes.

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

        Thank you pal

  23. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope (Martinez)
    TAA Doherty Saiss (Lascelles Chilwell)
    KDB Pulisic Bergwijn Bruno (ASM)
    Rashford Greenwood Jimi

    Good to save this week? 0.2 ITB.

    Or is it worth shipping out Chilwell/Bergwijn/Other?

  24. conorbon
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench Jiminez, Pulisic or Mane

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimi

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

      Mane if chasing, Pulisic if not

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

        I am chasing, interesting shout

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

      None if possible but Jimenez probably makes most sense

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

        Other forwards and Mids are Vardy, Greenwood, KDB, Fernandes and Martial

  25. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ooo interesting one

    Traore dcl to Foden and Giroud/Abraham

    Who starts giroud or abraham

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

      Giroud

    2. Jason M
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Got to be Giroud better form and Palace defence will be physical which suits Giroud not Tammy

  26. Best
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Aurier & Sterling OR Doherty & Mahrez ?

    Have KDB.

    First to three please gents.......

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

      B

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

        Who starts Alonso or James 🙂

        1. Jason M
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          James wasn't convincing enough for me against Watford so can see Alonso reinstated. Azpi back at RB

  27. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which one
    A - sterling, kane and greenwood in for salah, Jimi and ings (8pt hit)
    B - mahrez and Kane in for salah and jimi (4pt hit)

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

      C- Hold

  28. orangepeel
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain Kane or KDB?

    Have TC available too just wondering if this is KDB's most nailed on starting fixture.

    Have FH too but thinking of leaving for last game as I'm chasing in my mini league with 10-15 points to make up.

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

      KdB

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

        Worth a shout for TC yeah. Look at his scores after losses (pretty much all over 10)

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

      Never Kane, looks so unhappy under Jose

  29. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Alisson

    Azpi Digne Doherty

    KDB Bruno Foden Martial Willian

    Kane Vardy

    Pope Aurier Greenwood Taylor

    GTG???

    Am on wildcard, 0.6 itb.

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KdB (c), Kane (vc)

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

    Nketiah to Deeney for a hit???

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No!