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. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    for -4:

    Saint-Maximin to

    A. Pulisic
    B. Willian
    C. Foden (have Kdb and Mahrez)
    D. Antonio

    1. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic for me

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

      C if chasing, if not go for A

    3. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A easy

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

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

    A) Chilwell > Aurier
    B) Chilwell & ASM > Aurier & Foden
    C) Other?

    1ft 0.2itb

    Cheers

    1. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A but Digne

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

    Rashford or Greenwood for the rest of the season?

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

      Greenwood

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

      Greenwood for funds

    3. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have both. Rash will be the first to leave my team.

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

      both

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

        Do you prefer Rashford ahead of Martial and Bruno? .. can't have both strikers with those two mids

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

          Bruno, Rashford and Greenwood ... lots of choice in midfield to rotate in City, Pool, Spurs players each game week, not so much choice up top imho

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

      ya prob can use the rqshford money somewhere else

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

    Foden or mahrez

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

      Foden

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

      For the price Foden

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

      Mahrez

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

      both

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

      if playing one and benching one then def play mahrez

    6. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Got both this afternoon and Kdb C

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

    Final decision. Doherty or Aurier this week?

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

      Find a way to play both

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

        This

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

        On a fh and only really want to play 3atb. Could drop one of my liverpool defenders but I reckon they have a great chance of cs

    2. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Aurier

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

      both but aurier if youre chasing.

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

      I'm playing Doherty ... Aurier 1st (or 2nd) sub

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

    Saiss or egan?

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

      Saiss

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

    Play jimmy or saka?

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

      jimm ofc

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

      Jim

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

      J

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

      jimmy imo

    5. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m also undecided re Saka. I have him in my team at the moment ahead of Doherty. I’d probably play Jiminez here though

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

      Thanks guys

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

    Worth using my 1FT to do Lascalles to Garcia?

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

      Sure

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

      If no other pressing issues (and not just for Garcia to sit on your bench) I'd say yes, absolutely

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

        It's that or play double wolves defence?

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

      Could be great

  9. lankdog
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah > KDB worth it for free? Can't work out another way to fit him in without taking a hit or getting rid of Son (which I don't want to do)

    Team is

    Rui
    TAA Aurier Kiko
    Salah Son Bruno Mahrez Martial
    Jim DCL
    Button Nketiah Holgate Lascelles
    0.1 ITB
    Have 2FTs and already doing DCL >> Greenwood

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

      I tried to accommodate both also but went for the swap.

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

        Yeah think I'm going to as well - bit of a sideways move but fixtures and ownership justify it I think

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

    Martinez to 6.6 gk ? Which gk

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

      Edersen

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Allison

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

        Seems to be a few of us with money we can't spend!

  11. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you play Boly over Jimmy? Feels kinda wrong but fancy a Wolves clean sheet over many attacking returns.

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

      no

  12. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Think I'm ready!

    Hendo
    TAA Doherty Digne
    Bruno KDB(C) Mahrez Pulisic
    Kane Rashford Greenwood

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

    Should I bench Saka or Jimenez?

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

      S

    2. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm starting jimi if that any help

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

        I benched Saka last week and he got 10 points so that's what's got me thinking

  14. bolstfu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one defender for Calvert-Levin:

    A: Alexander-Arnold
    B: Aurier
    C: Doherty
    D: Magurie
    E: Bench Calvert Levin

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

      D

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

        Forget this, I had a completely brain malfunction and thought maguire was still at Leicester lmao. I'd probably bench DCL

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      e

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

    Saiss or Kiko to start this week along with Doherty?

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

      Kiko. spread the risk

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

    Hardest decision post lockdown:

    Jimi and Rash to Kane and Greenwood for free?

    Yay or Nay?

    1. Conor1
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes 100%

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

      Yes. Do it.

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

      Looks great

    4. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would anyone do this for a hit (-4)

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

    Bench 1

    Pulisic
    Foden
    Sterling
    Bruno
    KDB
    Kane
    Jota
    Greenwood

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

      Jota

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

      Jota

    3. Ejaaz11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      jota

    4. Reg83
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      jota

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

      Jota

    6. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jota

  18. lampsblues
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Patricio
    Doherty TAA Wan-Bissaka
    Salah KDB Fernandes Son Pulisic
    Greenwood Jiminez

    Subs: Aurier, Nketiah, Lascelles

    A) Salah ->Sterling
    B) Son+ Doherty-> Sterling, Garcia (-4)
    C) Save transfer

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

      Save

  19. Return of the FF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    G2G?

    Hendo
    Walker, Doc, TAA
    Salah, KdB(C), Puli, Bruno, Martial
    Jimmy, Greenwood

    Nyland, Taylor, Saiss, Nketiah

    Re-order subs? FT been used

  20. ㅤRising
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Save FT or take a punt on someone?

    Patricio
    Doherty TAA Aurier
    Salah KDB Mahrez Fernandes Martial
    Greenwood Jimenez

    3.9 Taylor Holgate Nketia 1.0ITB

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

      Save

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

    Route A or B?

    A) Maguire, DCL & Jiménez
    >>> Azpi, Greenwood & Kane -4

    B) Maguire & Ayew
    >>> Azpi & Greenwood (play Jiménez and bench DCL)

    Really need help on this one please

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just do Jim + DCL to Kane + Gwood? Or do you have 3x united already?

  22. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain

    A) Kane
    B) KDB

    Comftably leading my ML with 170+ points. Ranked 27k. Chasing top 10k. Safe bet would be KDB because of EO. What do you think? Is Kane differential enough as it is?

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

      KDB - you're close enough to not have to take major risks

      1. Ace Ventura
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm going Kane. He is so overdue and has to score against Bou surly...

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t worry about EO, who do you think scores more points this week?

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

      Tricky one mate. The bet is more about kev blanking than kane hauling, yeah? And I'd back kev to be in the points.

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

    Pick one to cap
    A) Bruno
    B) KDB
    C) Kane

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

      B

    2. Ace Ventura
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm on C - so avoid C.

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same dilemma. Look above. KDB the safe choice, Kane the differential and more exciting choice.

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

    Holgate to Garcia & play Aurier, Trent, Garcia. Bench Boly/Taylor

  25. Football Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ings out for Greenwood (4 point hit) or just keep Ings?

    Thanks

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

      probably keep

      1. Football Guy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers, feel like thats the safe option as Greenwood would have to get 4 points just to break even, but then again he's in great form and Utd seem to be smashing goals in atm...

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

    So I decided to use my FT on my defence but I really want Foden still.

    Should I:

    A) -4 to get Foden in for Grealish and bench Saka
    B) or just keep Saka alongside this midfield Bruno, KDB, and Pulisic

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

    Any early news?

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

      Bolsonaro has COVID

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

        OMG

      2. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        75% on FF.

  28. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play 1 of each? Currently on Ings and Kiko.
    A) Ings
    B) Jimenez

    1) Kiko
    2) Saiss

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

    Bench boost?
    Mc Carthy, Foden, Soyuncu, Lascelles

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

      I wouldn't

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

      Lascelles injured and away to City. Probably not

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

    Im going double Wolves defence and benching DCL. Convince me otherwise.

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

      DCL is due

      1. Strongback2011
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        agreed

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

      Same