Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 36+

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 36+. Today’s deadline is at 19:15 BST – still time to consider those all important transfer and captaincy decisions.

Following a Gameweek in which many differential options scored well, managers are on the lookout for the next opportunity to help them climb the ranks.

The two outstanding bets appear to be a flutter on the Pep Roulette or a fired-up Chelsea against an already-relegated Norwich City.

A total of six players from these teams feature in the Scout Picks.

Pep Roulette

Since the restart, Manchester City have been creating by far the best chances of any Premier League side. Their expected goals total of 19.21 is way ahead of the second-best team for this statistic, Chelsea, on 12.73.

But we don’t need stats to tell us City are a good bet – the problem is picking the right player.

Joe stunned Az and Andy on the Scoutcast this week when the typically safe and unadventurous manager revealed he is looking to sign and captain David Silva.

And Joe is not alone in coveting El Mago.

Gran Canaria’s most successful footballing export is picked out by Pro Pundit Tom Freeman in his regular differentials piece. 

After being omitted from the starting line-up against Brighton, he is fancied to start against a Bournemouth side missing influential centre-back Nathan Aké

Since the restart, and bearing in mind he’s been limited to just four starts, Silva has had more opposition half touches than any other teammate. He also sits top for successful passes in the final third, and second for chances created and big chances created.

– Pro Pundit Tom Freeman

At under five per cent ownership, the Spanish playmaker looks to be this week’s standout differential.

However, in David’s Captain Sensible article, it’s the Brazilian Jesus who tops a number of key stats.

Over his last four matches, Az’s favourite player has taken 16 shots inside the box, including six big chances.

And while opponents Bournemouth have been better at the back in recent games than one might expect, that really shouldn’t put us off:

The four teams who have most recently faced Manchester City are all in the bottom half for this statistic, especially Brighton and Newcastle, whose xGC scores took a battering during a battle with Guardiola’s relentless attackers.

– David

Of course the big question is who will start for City?

As mentioned, David Silva is widely expected to be named in the starting XI but nothing is certain with Señor Guardiola.

To help us, site moderator Legomané has put together a useful colour-coded matrix:

Detailing the minutes played by each key asset, it gives us a clue about what we might expect against Bournemouth.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that following their outing against the Cherries on Wednesday, Pep’s troops have just two days rest before their important cup semi-final against Arsenal. A match in which the rotating Catalan is sure to name his strongest line-up.

Chelsea to bounce back?

Frank Lampard was fuming after his side’s defeat at Sheffield United.

They were better than us physically, in the mind and with the ball, so you lose the game. They were stronger than us. We don’t have crowds at the minute so you hear every voice and all I could hear was Sheffield United voices, so they were stronger in that sense.

– Frank Lampard

Fair to say we can expect a reaction against Norwich City.

And following Daniel Farke’s side’s capitulation at the hands of West Ham – and a delighted Michail Antonio in particular – the Blues are expected to profit.

Willian and Christian Pulisic would appear to offer the best routes into the Chelsea attack. David notes: 

If Willian is going to play, he seems the most complete Chelsea asset when weighed up across all the categories. He is the most creative, competes reasonably with Pulisic and the two forwards for shots in the box but gets bigger chances and is more accurate than the American.

– David

Managers could benefit from early team news ahead of today’s deadline, and that could bring Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham into the equation.

The pair have shared minutes since the restart. But a place in the first XI for either would surely mark them out as an enticing differential, albeit not one that would be a reliable starter for the remainder of the season.

And let’s not forget West Ham and Antonio. The out-of-position midfielder is thriving in the centre-forward’s role, and his promising underlying stats ahead of the Canaries clash persuaded well-known Scoutcasters to invest.

Greyhead was his usual puntastic-self in the latest installment of The Great and the Good. The chronicler of the FPL Rat Pack reported on the positive rank swings for Az and Andy, who both benefited from Antonio’s incredible haul. The Hammers’ talisman remains a differential at just 3.4 per cent ownership.

Scintillating Saints

Southampton scored the last goal of Gameweek 35+ to level the scores at Old Trafford. The Saints started strongly with Stuart Armstrong scoring the opening goal of the evening. 

But while the Scot has been putting in some excellent performances of late – producing attacking returns in four of his last six matches – the focus for many is on Danny Ings.

Still in the race for the Golden Boot – four goals behind Jamie Vardy – he has the backing of his manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. Speaking after the win over Watford in Gameweek 32+, the Saints boss enthused: 

I think anything is possible [with regards to the race for the Golden Boot]. We will play with him the last six games and then he will have six chances to score. If he gets the chance you can see how fantastic his finishing is at the moment. He seems fitter than ever. He was very hard working in the shutdown and that gives him now fantastic physical options.

– Ralph Hasenhuttl (speaking after victory over Watford in Gameweek 32+)

However, the demands of the fixture schedule is giving FPL managers pause for thought.

Pro Pundit Zophar updated us on the varying rest periods for Premier League teams in this latest offering. Southampton’s “harsh schedule” could make the six-time top 5,000 boss reconsider his planned move:

I was originally thinking of doing the Jamie Vardy to Ings move but the Saints’ congested schedule has me a bit worried. Ings has been a machine of late but his fitness issues in the past are well documented and will they possibly flare up again with matches so close? The Saints’ pressing style could suffer too with low recovery periods. Something to ponder.

– Pro Pundit Zophar

Vardy Party, Manchester Six and Misfiring Salah

Selling Jamie Vardy is a dilemma for many in the community.

Maximus Bonimus Pointimus sought opinion in a hot topic – Leicester’s fixtures and a number of first-team absentees could potentially see the Golden Boot leader shown the door.

Compared to Pep’s squad spinning, Ole Gunnar Solskjær is wonderfully reliable. The Norwegian named an unchanged side for the fifth game running against Southampton.

Although selecting the right three to own still requires some thought, with a number of options vying for a place in our squads. Pro Pundit Sam invited opinion on the ideal trio in the comments section.

Meanwhile, TheFantasyFreÆK shared his insights in his regular Gameweek review. Top of the agenda was just how unlucky Mohamed Salah-owners had been:

Salah recorded as many big chances as Sterling (two each) and in fact, fared better for shots in the box (four vs three) and minutes per expected goal involvement (66 vs 74).

– TheFantasyFreÆK

With impressive underlying stats – the Egyptian tallied eight shots in his previous outing against Brighton – Salah remains a contender for the captaincy.

Final checks

FPL relaunches with/without unlimited transfers for all managers

Don’t forget to check out the latest Team News and Predicted Line-ups brought to us by Neale and, as usual, G-Whizz has been kind enough to supply the best odds of a clean sheet.

Lastly, a heads up that the penultimate FPL deadline of the season is this coming Saturday at 16:30 BST.

Community Competitions

A full round-up of community competitions will follow this article.

The Head-to-Head leagues have been updated for Gameweek 35+, results and tables are currently showing on the main Head-to-Head page.

The fixtures for Gameweek 36+ are below:

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,186 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martial or Bruno for the last spot on my FH

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno

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

      I'd go Bruno - more consistent.

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

      Bruno

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

      Bruno

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

      Thank you all.
      Bruno it is!

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

    Sterling captain let’s go!

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Let's go worry will he start.

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

      In the words of Eurovision..

      Null point

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

    Who is likely to give more save points?

    A) Martinez (LIV)
    B) Krul (che)

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

    Salah + Mahrez > Sterling + Willian?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'd keep Salah.

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

      Just do Mahrez to Willy.

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

        Mahrez + Vardy to Jesus + Willi then?

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

          yes looks good

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

      Yes

  5. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Taa to Azpi for free?

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

      Why not

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You will regret it after this week

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

    Martinez
    Trent Doherty Lascelles
    Salah KDB Mahrez Bruno Willian
    Rashford Jiminez

    Button Greenwood Holgate Kiko

    2ft and 0.1itb any ideas what to do?

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

      Mahrez and Salah to Sterling and Pulisic?

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

        This

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

        double chelsea midfield?

  7. Ed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone know if we are expecting early team news?

    Will bring Alonso in if he's confirmed starting.

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

      Google Twitter FPL Rockstar about five past 7

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

        Cheers

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

    1. Hope aurier or holgate play
    2. Aurier to digne (-4)

  9. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone going with Willy,Puly and Giroud?

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

      I was but changed giroud to Dave

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Puli, Giroud and azpi... team news dependent

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Considering it if I get early team news and they all start.

  10. mash
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rival (30 points ahead) has Pulisic and Jesus, I have neither. Use my 1FT to get one, or both for a -4?

    1. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Get puli

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

      Counter Jesus with Silva or Foden.

      You need a big couch to go without Pulisic.

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

        Forgot to mention I already have Foden and he doesn't. Very fearful of going without Pulisic, but the straw clutching part of me hopes Chelsea get an early lead and then sub key players to save them for the semi final at the weekend

    3. luke
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why? You’ll just keep following- find your own path little bird, you might even catch him...

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

        This

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

        Very true!

        My current differentials: Pope, TAA,Salah, Fernandes, Foden, Vardy, DCL, Nketiah*
        His differentials: Ederson, Zouma, Pulisic, Saka, Traore, Rashford, Jesus, Jimi

        My high risk, high reward option is Salah and DCL to Sterling and Ings for a -4

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

    Crazy to go without KDB on free hit?

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

      Nope, I'm doing it, swapping for Foden

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

      Most are going without

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

      I'm too scared to take him out on FH...

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        P*ssy

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

    RMT

    Pope
    Azpi AWB Doherty
    KDB Sterling Bruno (C) Martial
    Vardy Ings Deeney

    Button / Robinson / Lascelles / Guendouzi

    We good to go?

  13. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Willian in the article pic.

    Damn. Tempting me now......

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

      lol same.. thinking of doing Bruno to Willy and Giroud to Rashy... on FH

  14. Sleep Talk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick two. On a free hit:
    Pulisic, Willian, Antonio

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

      Definitely Antonio. He is their main attacking focal point

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

      Pulisic, Antonio

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

      Willian Antonio

  15. Mr Arsenal
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Alonso for a hit

    That's his sort of game - typical 12 pointer

  16. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Like the matrix. So basically, when Sterling has had 4+ days of recovery he has played 90-90-90-78-90 minutes? (optimistic Sterling captainer!)

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He doesn't get 4+ days of rest this time?

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

        Well 3 days, 20 hours...

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

          Its 72 hours after the end of the match

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

            He played Saturday night and is playing Wednesday night. What am I missing? 🙂

  17. TwiggsJameson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I've hung onto Alonso since the restart. Fingers crossed, I hope he starts.
    In the old days he'd be captain material for this one.

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

      Ha, reply fail.

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

      Only in a back 5 tho rly

  18. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have only 2 playing defenders.

    Would you do Aurier to Azpi/Alonso for -8 (already on -4) or play Aurier ?

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

      Yeah I'd do it. I think Azpi/Alonso will have a good chance to pay back that 4 point hit, if not more.

  19. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden C, whos with me?

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

      Do you have sterling in your team?

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

        No, Im between Dilva and Foden captain.

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

          Both are good choices mate - flip a coin

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

    I don’t actually even think Pep would want the likes of Jesus, Sterling and KDB to have a full week of rest before the FA cup

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who knows what he thinks.

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

      No so prob come on for 30 mins

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

        60 mins for all 3

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

      KDB won't start.

      Jesus might not but will come on for Sterling after 60-70mns.

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They won't. Give them 30 mins each to keep them ticking over.

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

        Nahhh Stering and Jesus start for sure. Kdb not sure

    5. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Only Jesus might start...

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

        Stering definitely starts imo

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

          None of you know...thats the only fact of the matter.

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

            Jesus christ, sick of people saying this. Obviously we don’t know, doesnt mean we’re not allowed to give our opinions and speculate!

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

              Hey buddy, may I ask what convinces you that Sterling would start. The reason I ask is because I’m not sure whether I should captain him ahead of Fernandes?

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

                Because he played 30 minutes vs Newcastle and 58 minutes the game prior vs Southampton. That is more than enough rest for a player like Sterling. He’s also in the form of his life and Pep will want to keep him in rhythm. Then there’s the fact he is the biggest candidate to play up front if Jesus is benched. Then there’s the fact Mahrez is a due a rest which increases his likelihood of playing even more. I honestly dont know why people think Sterling wont start.

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

                  The reason I’m sceptical is because he played 90 mins the other night and with the FA Cup game coming up, why would he play Sterling in a game that doesn’t really matter.

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

                    Why wouldnt he play him? He’s not tired and has just had his rests. Footballers need to play football not sit on the bench waiting for important matches

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

                      Mate! You’re a legend.. I think I needed a push to put the armband on Sterling. Based on various websites, Sterling is predicted to play tomorrow. Looking at the captaincy polls, quite a few people are going to take a chance and captain Sterling. So if he doesn’t score any returns, the impact might not be that high. Thanks. I really appreciate your input on the matter..

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

                        He’s my C too! Lets hope we get a big score

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

                        who are your other city players?

  21. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    TC Puli or Jesus

  22. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who are top 10k captaining?

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Different people.

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

      Sterling

  23. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I don’t like hits on defenders but I have Aurier Holgate and Lascelles all flagged

    Aurier to Alonso for a -4 ?

  24. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sell KDB or keep FT?

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

      Keep FT

  25. All For One
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson
    Doherty, Saiss, Taa
    Antonio, Bruno, Kdb, Pulisic(C)
    Greenwood, Rashford, Auba

    Mccarthy, Holgate, Mahrez, Lascelles

    GTG?

  26. BremerHB
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Digne or Doherty on FH?

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

    Sterling (C) who's with me

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

      Captained him last week. But pep plays them alternate weeks. Gone for dilva with a fh this week. Will captain him again in week 37

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah. Hat-trick of attacking returns incoming.....

  28. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Jimmy out to ings for hit mad?

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimmy could score against Burnley I wouldn't for a -4 hit

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

        Ta

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

      If you're going to keep Ings for the rest of the season, perhaps. Just for this GW, no.

  29. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden or Fernandes for vice captaincy?

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

      Bruno

  30. Pattwood
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Am I crazy to consider KDB to DsIlva