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. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If Willian doesnt start, who should I quickly replace him with?
    Martial, Antonio, Salah...

    Dea Gea
    Azpi(Alonso) Digne TAA
    Sterling - Bruno Foden Pulisic
    Jesus Ings

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

      If feasible Salah

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will need to downgrade TAA to maybe Doherty

    2. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio for me.

    3. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Is there a chance he's rested? I mean, I get it with the number of games, but hadn't really considered he'd be rested.

      1. Pulisic 4 President
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hadn't heard anything of the sort either.

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

    Best way to have City players is to keep them !!
    Hold those horses boy's 😀

  3. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No Salah in scout picks, no one is talking about him and I'm poor at picking captains.

    Salah (c) it is then 🙂

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

      Arsenal have been more solid lately

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

    I wonder if it's worth to take a hit for Mane -> Sterling move?

    Henderson (Button)
    VVD, Digne, Doherty (Simpson, Hanley)
    Mane, KDB, Antonio, Pulisic, Fernandes
    Rashford, Ings (Greenwood)

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

    Team likely to get CS other than Chelsea?

    1. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Man City probably

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      City, not sure about Chelsea.

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

      united

  6. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH G2G?

    Pope
    AWB - Digne - Azpi
    Pulisic - Willian - Bruno - Sterling - Dilva
    Jesus (C) - Ings

    Martinez - Rashford - Lamptey - 3.9.

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

    giro or ings
    bruno or martial

    in FH team

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      G and B

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

    Current free hit Team What do you guys think? Any changes??
    Dea Gea
    Alonso- Azpi - Digne
    Pulisic- Sterling- Silva- Foden- Martial
    Rashford- Ings

    do you guys think Im gtg

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good mate, who's that captain?

  9. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GTG with this FH team?

    Pope
    Azpili, Alonso, Digne
    Sterling, KDB, Pulisic, Bruno, Antionio
    Jesus, Ings

    (Button - Greenwood, WBissaka, Diop)

    Captain: Jesus
    Vice-captain: Sterling

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Do you trust Everton to keep a CS? I'm not sure I do.

      1. T.Henry14
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I don't know, I expect

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

      Kdb and Sterling gonna play the whole match?

      1. T.Henry14
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I don't know, maybe yes, maybe not

  10. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Can't quite decide captaincy this week.

    A. Salah - Looks sharp but Pool as a whole not at their best. Salah loves playing Arsenal though and has the potential to score double digits.

    B. Foden - Likeliest starter out of all city assets this week and can easily have 2+ goal involvemens in what is likely to be a rout for City.
    Tends to do well at home with 2 double digits in his last 3.

    1. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Im doing C Foden VC Salah

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

      I think Salah is a good option.

  11. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best defences to target on FH?

    Chelsea - Alonso
    Wolves - Doherty

    And keep TAA for attacking threat or roll the dice?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Alonso if he starts.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yep, got him.

        Van Dijk due a goal?

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

      Cancelo?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Am going triple City attack

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep Trent. Azpi from Che. Utd or Digne instead of Doh.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        thanks, am putting De Gea in goal I think.

  12. ajwerson
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FREE HIT ALERT!
    How does it look?

    Alternative 1:
    Pope
    TAA - Azpi - Digne
    Fernandes - Antonio - Sterling - Willian (V)
    Rodriguez - Ings - Jesus (C)

    Alternative 2:
    Pope
    TAA - Azpi - Digne
    Martial - Antonio - Sterling - Dilva (V) - Willian
    Ings - Jesus (C)

    Any fast tips? I've panic and I need to win my league 😀

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2 for me.

    2. Martial Matas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      With sterling and jesus (c), I like the look of 1. Rodriguez is a diff pick - could pay off!

  13. Hits Central
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain Pulisic or Dilva? Have sterling, Jesus as well. For me it’s been Dilva and Pulisic. Dilva high ceiling but I think Pulisic gets the full game.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      silva should get full game too

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

    KdB to Puli for -4?

    Have Sterling and Foden. Jimi 1st sub

    Thanks.

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

      Yep.

      1. Pulisic 4 President
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No.

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

    Best keeper this gw?

    Excluding Ederson , Kepa and De Gea

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

      Pope probably, maybe McCarthy

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      am thinking Henderson

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

      Pope

  16. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain
    A) Foden or
    B) Bruno
    C) Pulisic.

  17. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who's everyone captaining?

    1. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden! Eeek

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

        hmm tempting

    2. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic or Sterling for me. Currently on Pulisic.

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

        same

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling!!!

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

        Don't have him
        Gulp

    4. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling, I know all but highest ceiling.

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

      Salah

  18. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    TC Options:
    A) Willian (NOR this GW)
    B) Jesus (BOU this GW or NOR GW 38+)
    C) KDB (BOU this GW or NOR GW 38+)
    D) Fernandes (CRY this GW or WHU in GW 37+)
    E) Auba (WAT in GW 38+)

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

      This week tempting but probably going 38 myself

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

        which player are you going with?

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

      Was thinking about this today and I'm most tempted by KDB in 38 I think. I think City are trying to build up a head of steam for Champs League and Norwich don't strike me as a 'suddenly play well once relegated because pressure is off' type team. More a 'get depressingly pummelled by far superior players on final day of season as if to confirm that they definitely deserved to be relegated' type team.

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

        yeah im thinking KDB or bringing in Auba against watford

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

          i have auba and that could be a good shout cos I think Watford will be safe and on the beach by then... although Arse will also have nothing to play for (Auba in golden boot race, I guess)

  19. lugalooch
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Drop one

    A) Giroud
    B) Antonio
    C) Foden
    D) Greenwood

    Thanks

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D

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

      D or A

  20. Judders
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On a FH and trying to chase. Team is this currently. Alonso to Azpi pending team news. How's it looking?

    Pope,
    Alonso, Digne, Trent
    Sterling, D. Silva, Martial, Bruno, Pulisic,
    Ings, Jesus

    Button, Greenwood, Stephens, Kiko

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

      Still undecided on captain. Probably Pulisic or D. Silva

  21. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy to Giroud or Jesus? I have Puli and KDB/Foden.

    Cheers

  22. Fishy-o
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else BB this week?

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

      Yep I am

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

    Salah or puli captain?!

  24. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mane or KDB most points this week?

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

      Mane chance KDB be rested for FA cup

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

      puli

  25. Alli
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start Mahrez or Gwood? Or Mahrez > Pulisic for a hit?

    Pope
    TAA - Doherty - Digne
    Mané - KDB - Fernandes(c) - Foden
    Rashford(vc) - Ings - Greenwood

    Martin - Mahrez - Saiss - Lascelles

  26. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Moves made, saving my FH for 38+! Last decision, start Jimenez or Greenwood?

    Martinez
    TAA • Doherty • Holgate
    Salah • Martial • Sterling(C) • Bruno • Foden
    Vardy • XXX
    (3.9, XXX, Lascelles, Kiko)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Or take a -4 for Giroud? Hmm

  27. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rashford or Jesus?

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

      Jesus.

  28. WannabeScout
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Giroud or Jesús for - 4?

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

      Jesus or save

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      gru if alrady have two city mids

    4. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus.

  29. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    current mid
    Mane martial Fernandes Sterling Kdb

    Sell any for Dilva/Foden/Willian/Pulisic? it would be for a hit

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

    On FH

    A) Willian and Rashford
    B) Martial and Giroud

    Already have Pulisic

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

      A

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B then for me

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

      A.