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. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anything worth the additionally FT? 5.8 ITB. BB and FH left. Chasing 115 point gap.

    Pope
    AWB / Aurier / Doherty
    Saka/ Mahrez / martial / Salah / Son
    Greenwood (c) / Jimenez

    SUbs: Martinez / nketiah / Saiss / Lascelles

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

      Looks fine, Captain choice is ballsy! GL

  2. Pulp Minion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Holgate and Lascelles both flagged,

    Chance of one of them playing? (they are both on bench so just in case one of my starters doesn't play)

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

      Lascelles was flagged before last game and still played plus he's their captain so should be safe.

      1. Pulp Minion
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah that's what I'm thinking.

        I think I'll hold the FT, next GW only a few days away.

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

    Is it OK for not having any CHE coverage?

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

      Yes

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

      Yep

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

      Yep

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

      This worries me too, but can’t have them all. Hopefully tonight Palace will remember they used to be a good defence.

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

        cheers!!

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

      CRY arent that leaky

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

        really calming lol

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

    Last minute panic.. Two FT - any thoughts?

    A - DCL & Saka to Foden & Connolly (or similar fodder)
    B - DCL & Doherty to Ings & Garcia
    C - DCL & Rashford to Kane & Greenwood

    Cheers!

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

      Fancy Foden for this GW

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

      C

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    4. bc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

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

      A or C definitely not B

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

      Thanks all

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

    Bottomed:

    DCL > Giroud for -4?

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

      Nah not for me

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

      Obviously not.

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

      Ok thanks, panic over

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

    Mane + Jiminez to Foden + Kane for free?

  7. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last Min Question if u have TAA
    would u get..
    A- VVD
    B- Doherty
    C- Azbi
    PS: FH team

    1. Dont give a fuchs
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Azpi

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

      A

    3. Alberto Tomba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hold
      TAA has no other competitions to play in, and at this stage of the season to VVD is so sideways

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

        I mean one of those with him

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

        think he's talking about a double up

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

          So Whooom 😀

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

      C

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

    Pick one:

    A) VVD - Jonny - Pulisic - Rashford
    B) TAA - Doherty - Son - Greenwood

  9. Alberto Tomba
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Will Auba's fixtures now changing from Vs to VsX pretty dramatically I can't be the only one looking to shift.

    With three Mun already and Kane and Jesus looking fairly shoddy, who are the next best options?

    Jimenez, Rashford, [ ? ]

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

      Get Kane, could get a hatty this week. But Jose tactics..

      1. Alberto Tomba
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers I went Kane just on your advice... lets see what happens.

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

      vardy?

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy

      1. Alberto Tomba
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Vardy felt a bit knee jerky. I don't think they've enough to play for as a team and he's fairly VsX

  10. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    SAKA + Mane to Foden + Sterling for -4. Bench Ings for Foden. Yay or Nay??

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

    sorry to rephrase my last question, which one of these would you bench? Thanks
    a. gomez
    b. kiko
    c. christensen
    d. garcia

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

    How many times have we said don't post unconfirmed team news just before deadline?

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

      I don’t know.

      Do you know the answer?

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

        3563

  13. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to start?

    A. DCL (SOU)
    B. Saiss (shu)

  14. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last minute captain switch from Fernandes to KDB, I will hate myself tomorrow night.

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

    Play Martinez or McCarthy?

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

    Bench 1 each.

    A) grenwod jimi
    B) taylor kiko sais

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimi Kiko

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

    Four 1 pointers for Aurier's last 4 away matches ... just saying .... moves him down to second on the bench

  18. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why do people start making stupid hits just because they get early lineup info?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Have we had some?

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

        Giroud starts over Tammy. It's pundits' opinion endorsing what any sane person would think anyway.

  19. Swanny18
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play Foden or Jimenez?

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

      I'm playing Phil and benching Jim

  20. Davidwes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play saiss or egan?

  21. Paddy Gooner
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    First on bench:
    A Taylor
    B Rice

  22. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is this bench order for my draft team correct?

    DDG
    Doherty Kabasele Zouma
    Sterling Barnes McNeil Pepe Bergwijn
    King Firmino

    Lloris Grealish Mina Ayew

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

    FPL Driver
    @FPL_Driver

    Chelsea team news in and confirmed. Pulisic, Mount, Azpilicueta and James all start. Any further information given to me will be attached in the thread below! #FPLCommunity

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

    Barnes to Foden for a hit ?

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

      I did Grealish to Foden for a hit so yeah.

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

        Thanx i think i will do it

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How's this team for this gw?

    DDG
    TAA, Boly, Egan
    Salah, KDB (C), Foden, Bruno
    Greenwood, Auba, Kane (VC)

    Bench too weak to mention.

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

    Play Doherty or Aurier with Patricio in goal?

  27. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I've switched away from Bruno as Captain in the waning moments the last two weeks in a row, and been burned both times. I just can't make it a trifecta and switch to KDB at the last second so congrats all you KDB Captainers, he's in for a big haul this week

    1. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      both great options

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

      Capping Kane. Can you help a brother out?

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

        Yes, KDB gets a big haul, and Kane gets a big haul. Everyone gets one but me and Bruno

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

    Doherty to Azpi -4?

    1. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no

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

      No!!!

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

    Start DCL or Jimenez?
    Start CTaylor or Saiss? Have Doherty

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

    Guy I’m chasing in ML has Martial, Bruno and Rashford. On FH I have bruno but stuck on Mahrez/Martial because I want cover if Utd score high. Thoughts?

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

      Guess you won't catch him if you have the same team.