Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 4

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 4, the final round of fixtures before the October International Break. It’s another 11:00 BST deadline before the action gets underway with Chelsea hosting Crystal Palace in the early kick-off.

This week’s Guide focuses on Manchester City’s enticing encounter with Leeds United, and offers advice from a selection of Fantasy Football Scout contributors on the best players for our FPL teams.

STOP PRESS: Sadio Mané (£11.9m) has been ruled out of Gameweek 4.

Diogo Jota (£6.3m) is Neale‘s tip to replace the stricken Senegalese in the Liverpool starting XI. The doyen of the Team News has made his informed line-up predictions ahead of the weekend matches.

Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho has been keeping FPL managers guessing. Having originally ruled Son Heung-Min (£9.0m) out with a hamstring injury until after the international break, the Portuguese later opened the door to an early return:

I don’t believe [he can play]. But because he is so optimistic and always trying to give us positive feelings and hopes, I don’t want to say he is completely out – because maybe he can surprise us.

– Jose Mourinho

Son replacements were discussed on the Scoutcast. Commenting on the South Korean’s awkward £9.0m price tag, Pro Pundit Holly Shand suggested managers have an opportunity to reshape their attacks::

It makes sense just to go right down and if you’re in a 3-5-2 like we are Az, or if you’re not happy with your strikers anyway, you can get yourself a whole new forward line, get a load of attacking penalty takers.

– Holly

It’s been a high-scoring start to the season but without doubt the headline over the first few weeks has been the number of spot-kicks awarded. Should we all be stocking up on penalty takers and turning our FPL teams into ‘Penalty FC’?

Neale took an in-depth look at the players we might consider targeting should the present rate of spot-kicks continue. However, a Premier League meeting on Tuesday resolved to allow referees “greater subjectivity within the existing rules” in regards to handball decisions.

Although the controversial penalty awarded against Eric Dier (£5.0m) would still have stood.

Penalties were also a topic touched on by Pro Pundit Lateriser this week. Following a disappointing start to his Wildcard in Gameweek 3, the three-time top 200 manager is considering saving a transfer ahead of the international matches. 

As fellow Pro Pundit Zophar highlighted in the latest installment of The FPL Wire, some national teams are playing three times in the upcoming break, therefore saving a transfer could be a sensible decision.

And with three Manchester City players in his side, Lateriser is hoping for a green arrow to propel him up the leaderboard.

Pep Guardiola’s troops travel to Leeds United in what promises to be a high-scoring match. G-Whizz informs us that the Whites have just a nine per cent chance of a clean sheet but even that feels slightly generous given what we’ve seen so far.

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier (£4.5m) made a string of impressive saves to keep Sheffield United at bay, after conceding four to Liverpool on the opening day. 

Writing in Captain Sensible, Jan Sienkiewicz notes:

Unless Bielsa decides to play in a more defensive fashion against Manchester City, which I think is quite unlikely, we should expect to see plenty of goals in this game.

– Jan

As a result, Jan feels that Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) can offer better explosivity this week than Salah and Mané.

Speaking in the Captaincy Video, David feels that it’s the Beligan who can deliver the bigger points tally out of the two:

I don’t think Man City are as dangerous when Sterling has to play the centre-forward role. So I also don’t think Sterling is as dangerous when he has to play the centre forward role because it’s not really what he’s used to… De Bruyne is playing this advanced role, his stats so far have been more rounded than Sterling – he’s created more chances than him: nine chances that he’s created and four shots on target, Sterling only with two.

– David

Outside of the armband dilemma, Pro Pundit Tom Freeman has singled out Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m) as his headline differential pick.

Following his return from a positive COVID-19 test, the Algerian has completed 90 minutes in three successive matches. And he has the potential to deliver points as a goalscorer or creator, having registered 11 goals and 14 assists last year.

While an insight from Neale in his big numbers article offers further encouragement:

Fifteen chances conceded by Leeds United from their left flank this season, the highest total in the division from that side of the pitch. The Whites are up against Manchester City this weekend, and that possible weakness will be of interest to Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m) and, depending on the formation, Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m).

– Neale

The excellent form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.5m) makes him the most popular acquisition for the second successive Gameweek.

Zophar consulted the stats after three matches before making his transfer decision: the Evertonian joining for the yet-to-impress Timo Werner (£9.4m).

Fellow Pro Pundit Andy has a similar decision to make with German occupying a spot in his side, but is considering a move for Raul Jimenez (£8.6m) instead. While for Career Hall of Fame No 1, Fábio Borges, there’s no question of selling him just yet:

Werner is a world-class forward with two excellent home fixtures ahead of him. I think these two factors overshadow all the possible reasons to lose faith in him so soon.

– Fábio

Concluding his research into the available forwards, the six-time top 5,000 manager, Zophar, agreed with Holly’s sentiment that 3-4-3 will be the successful formation this campaign:

The forward area certainly has more options than it did in previous years and I guess the only silver lining to the new handball rule is that it has made budget strikers more viable. I certainly plan to stick to my 3-4-3 formation going forward.

– Zophar

Meanwhile, during her foray into the numbers, Pro Pundit Sam Bonfield has decided to give underperforming striker Che Adams (£5.9m) a stay of execution. She suggests that his expected goal involvement (xGI) of 1.52 makes him worthy of some loyalty. West Brom should offer further opportunities to score.

However on FPL Black Box, Fantasy Football Scout founder Mark revealed that he has shipped out the Southampton forward in favour of the popular Calvert-Lewin.

And using stats from the Members Area, Mark revealed how much Wolves have struggled this season – only West Brom have a worse minutes per expected goals (xG) tally.

Nonetheless, this hasn’t dissuaded him from adding Jimenez to his squad.

Earlier this week, the Best of the Community feature focused on Chelsea and player value to find the perfect squad. It’s also rounded-up all FFScout Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions.

And finally, for those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 4 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

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

1,707 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who
    Podence (vs Ful - h) or Taylor (vs new - a)

    1. JaydenLFC87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      First one

    2. pricycle
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Obviously pod otherwise why do you own him

  2. Mike82
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone moving DCL on?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah nah

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      ...to...?

      ...because...?

      1. Mike82
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No idea lol hair brained idea, not done it

    3. JaydenLFC87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why do a thing like that ?

    4. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's good value

    5. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If you've got value tied up, then seems silly to take him out while still in form.

      I've not got him yet so taking advantage of that and hoping he struggles with his next few fixtures

    6. pricycle
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Because of last season?

  3. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is it worth keeping son?

    1. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Depends who you’re selling for. If it’s someone his price or lower I’d keep.

    2. pricycle
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think so if it will cost points. If you have a free transfer could use it

  4. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench justin or taylor?

    1. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Taylor from those 2

  5. @FPLMason
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would like to get some views regarding this. I currently own Wilson, Lascelles, McCarthy and Pereira. I will playing all of them.
    In case Lascelles is out injured, Who would you have as your first sub?
    A) KWP (Home to WBA)
    B) Taylor(Away to Newcastle)
    Cheers for the responses.

  6. BadgersBoys
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    No further news on Podence?

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nah just pay him and hope for best! If he plays he is a great pick this week for 5.5 shouldn’t hurt ur team that much if he doesn’t.

      Also 15/20 min cameo could still get Reuter’s

      1. BadgersBoys
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, agree. Thanks.

    2. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Returns^^^

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      At least he has today to recover a bit more as well.

      1. BadgersBoys
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's true. Cheers

  7. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does anyone else think we will have a lot of Covid cases after the IB? In the whole Europe number of cases are skyrocketing because of the cold weather, it's crazy to have internationals now. Free transfers or WC could be gold soon.

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah you're not wrong. It's a worry for sure. I think people need to get used to taking hits this season

    2. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm keeping 2 FTs in fear of covid issues as well as injury concerns.

    3. michaelington
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think so. Plus injuries. No idea why they are playing 3 games either.

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Huh!?

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Transfers yes. But you could easily WC in 5 Coviders without knowing till too late.

    5. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Frankly speaking I'm really worried that the season will be interrrupted at some point in November or December.

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        so am i bloody internationals ,they are so 40 years ago ,there will never be owt like italia 90 again ,nobody could give a stuff anymore

  8. Blue&White85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play 1 please

    A. Docherty (mun)
    B. Saint-Maximin (BUR)

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      b

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks.

  9. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA KWP Taylor Justin
    Salah Sterling Son* Romeu
    Vardy Werner*

    Steer Bissouma Mitchell Davies

    2ft, 0.5 itb

    Choose one you like the most:

    A) Son + Werner to Bruno + DCL
    B) Son + Werner to Rashford + Jimenez
    C) Son + Werner + Davies to Zaha + DCL + Jimenez for -4
    D) Werner to Jimmy/Dcl
    E) something else?

  10. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    play 1

    a. justin home to westham
    b. walker peters home to Westbrom

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      b

  11. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cant figure out my bench, who should be first?
    Burke, Mitchell, Dunne

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      BurkeDunne Mitchell

  12. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best captaincy this week out of KDB, Salah, Jiminez, DCL?

    Salah looks like a great pick considering he’ll be the main source of attack for Liverpool with no Mane

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's between Jimi and KDB for me

    2. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Will be going with Salah for the reason you stated.

  13. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is this GTG ? Already on a hit, but want to keep my WC for a bit longer really. Even though I am a little temptet to use it.

    Mccarthy

    TAA - Chilwell - Justin

    Salah - KDB(C) - Son - Podence

    Jimenez (VC) - DCL - Mitro

    Button - Shaw - Bissouma - Mitchell

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son is out, no?

      1. lordkippe
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, seems so. Expect Shaw to step in for him. Hoping Podence plays

  14. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Richarl, pass that test son...

  15. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rams
    Taylor justin sais taa (mitchel)
    Kdb bruno salah podence (soucek)
    Jimi dcl (davis)

    A) roll ft
    B) davis bruno -4 to barnes ings & bench taylor/justin

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  16. Fnug
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench Podence or Chris Wood?

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Podence

  17. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Better option on a wildcard

    A Robbo + Soucek ( rotate with brewster)
    B Reece James + Maddison (rotate either with Brewster if needed)

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      b

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry Maddison is actually Harvey Barnes*

  18. Mike82
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Not much love for Auba this week?

  19. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench one
    A)Charlie Taylor
    B) KWP
    C) Justin

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

    Play Taylor or Lamptey? Currently, Taylor is my first sub and Lamptey’s starting.

  21. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    guys pls advise

    A. Ings soucek lamptey with Robinson and Stephens on bench

    B. Foden soucek Digne with lamptey and Brewster on the bench

    C. Foden trossard saiss with lamptey and Brewster on the bench

  22. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Took out Auba for Mane earlier this week and after what happened to Mane, what do you guys think is the best course of action?

    1) Take point hit and bring in Salah
    2) Take point hit and bring in Jota
    3) Hold and pray Salah doesn't do anything and Mane comes back in GW5

    1. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Current team:
      Ryan // Steer
      TAA Justin Bardsley Lewis // Mitchell
      Sterling Bruno Mane* Hames // Bissouma
      DCL Jimi // Brewster

      0.5 ITB: original intention is to upgrade my defence

      1. Goonsquad245
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Definitely 1

    2. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kinda depends on your bench, but 1 probably

      1. Bruno Commando
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        My bench is Mitchell, Bissouma and Brewster, so not the best..

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mane should be back for 5 as that's 2 weeks away anyway. Also, Salah doesn't have the best of records away from home.

      1. Bruno Commando
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes, this is the reason why it's not a straightforward decision to bring in Salah. Oh wells..

    4. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1

  23. Messi man
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys.

    Transfer in Sterling or Vardy??

    Fernandes - sterling or
    Wilson & Fernandes - Vardy & Barnes -4??

  24. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain:

    A) KDB
    B) Salah
    C) Jimi
    D) Ings

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A for me.

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  25. nolard
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    GTG?

    Lloris
    TAA, Ake, Castagne, C. Taylor
    Barnes, Hames, KDB(c)
    Jimi, Werner, Ings
    ---
    Steer - Saka, Mitchell, Stephens

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep GTG

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks!

  26. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed. Start Bamford or Podence please?

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Podence still a doubt, no?
      If so, go with Bamford.

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

      Bam Bam.

  27. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How does Mitrovic + Greenwood + Doherty to Jimenez + Foden + Justin sound for a -8?

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No

  28. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Podence going to start?

  29. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you do Davis + Son to DCL + Perreira?

  30. Jinkys Oars
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rolling the transfer for after IB so need to start one of...

    A. Baldock
    B. Burke
    C. Brewster

    Any suggestions?