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. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    When will richarlison give his fittnest test

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

      Err...

      After the deadline...

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

      In last training session

  2. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Going with Salah captain over KDB as I feel Mane out will give Salah more chances

    Anyone else agree?

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

      That's the theory based on last season

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Depends . We don't know how greedy Jota will be in this set up.

    3. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That is what everyone seems to be saying

    4. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Villa aren’t whipping boys, won’t be many chances regardless

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

    Play one

    A. Davies
    B. Mitchell
    C. Egan

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

      A

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

        Could be benched though after playing the full game mid week?

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

          Yeah but unlikely to make a sub appearance atleast

          Egan 2nd sub

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

          1st sub I mean

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    3. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A with B first sub

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

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

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

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

      A

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

    can i pls get a quick vote

    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

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

      A

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

        it is the strongest first 11 but im worried about jack robinson and stephens being back ups and having to start lamptey and soucek week in week out

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

      C

      Can't rely on Lamptey and Soucek every week

    3. N00B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

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

    Werner + Son>

    A) Jiminez + B.Fernandes
    B) DCL + Sterling

    A being on penos is the main reason I’m considering. Plus already have KDB and Richarlison

    1. Muscout
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  7. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Choose 1 to bench
    A. James
    B. Justin
    C. Klich

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

      Justin

    2. nani is michael jackson
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Klich!! City we’re giving up pens for fun last week.

  8. PM
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    QUICK POLL

    1. DeBruyne, Watkins, 4.4 def (4pt hit)
    2. Mahrez, Watkins, Robertson
    3. Trossard, Ings, Robertson (4 pt hit)

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      3

    2. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2

    3. Muscout
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2

  9. smash
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Isn't Pep meant to in awe of Bielsa or something like that, don't think he'll go easy say City are 3 up and prevent it becoming a bloodbath?

    Currently deciding between Sterling & Salah for armband

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling the obvious choice from those. I'm having an issue with KDB Salah

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

      Pep never goes easy

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

      No.. How exactly would he get that across to the players without sounding like a idiot

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

        Take off attacking players and bring on more more defensive based ones, hold the lead? Dunno I'm just overthinking it all!

        Sterling locked in! good luck all.

  10. i_am_bha2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Vardy or Salah for GW4

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

      Salah

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah

    3. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah

  11. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    play Lamptey or KWP?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      KWP

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      KWP

    3. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      KWP

    4. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      KWP this week

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

    Bamford.

    Is he nailed and a decent point scorer, to complement a stack of premiums?

    1. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      So far so good, but their next fixs arent great

    2. Critical Observer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Awful player surfing a tide of unprecedented luck, smart money is on "stay away".

    3. Futureform
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Interesting thoughts. Do Leeds create very good chances that Bamford can just tap in regularly though?

  13. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Current Team
    Martinez
    Robertson Saiss Justin Rjames
    Salah Kdb Foden Podence* Son*
    Werner Dcl 4.5mm
    Mitchell
    Who to start from Podence/Son? Or should I do -4 for Son and bring in Jiminez for 4.5 Fwd considering even Foden is bench risk?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son to Mahrez

  14. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?

    Ryan
    TAA Robertson Saiss Justin
    KDB(c) Son* Barnes
    Jimenez Ings DLC

    Bench: Walton, Bissouma, Ayling, Reed

  15. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Triple digits incoming?

    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Justin
    Salah KDB (C) Rodriguez Foden
    Jimenez Ings DCL

    Nyland Vinagre Bissouma Mitchell

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Quadruple

    2. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If you change to Salah captain maybe;)

    3. ksmith5666
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably scrape 20 pts, the way this season is going!

    4. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lucky if you hit double tbh

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

      i think u can get 100 if City go crazy! Can advice me.above bro?

  16. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best 4.5 defenders to have for the next 4-5 fixtures?

    1. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Might be 4.7*

    2. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      KWP

  17. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Podence or Reece James?

    1. Tom
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      James

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

      I'd start podence and hope that he starts or doesn't play at all

  18. nadman89
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    i need vinagre or ASM to play to get 11 , any chance both dont play?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      95% both don’t play

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Asm sounds like fit again

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

    Can I just say as a neutral, I'm super super excited to watch City vs Leeds this afternoon.

    Two outstanding managers competing with their respective philosophies in England where the lights are on brightest. It's gonna be a fantastic match.

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pep is overrated rather than outstanding

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        What a terrible opinion

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Why is it terrible? Look at the facts

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Overrated after all he’s done for city?

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          All he has done? He has won a single league title with an unlimited budget. Atrocious return on investment

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            2 PL titles, 1 FA Cup, 3 League Cups in 4 years.

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

            Agree
            He's a fraud

            Klopp has outperformed him with less budget

      3. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Agree. Failed with Bayern and City on numerous occasions in the Champions League.

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          100%

      4. skodaole2
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I so agree with you, not even in top 10 PL managers, very overrated

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

          I love that people genuinely believe this.

          Shows how big of an edge you can really have in fantasy football when these are the people you're competing with *chuckles*

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I would argue he is correct. City have a great squad based on pure value but Pep is being exposed as the fraud he is

          2. skodaole2
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Doesn’t have to do with fantasy, for me a good manager should be tested in many different budgets. Pep has only been manager of teams with enormous budget, changed everything just for the change and his team didn’t play better than with the previous manager, apart from the results that weren’t good considering the money spent. Happened with Bayern and MCI.

            Again, my opinion. I rate him way lower than Pochettino, Mourinho, Ancelotti, Pulis, Howe, Benitez, Pelegríni etc.

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

              Managing a big team with a huge budget is incredibly difficult to do well. It's why the guys at the top are paid so well. If you plop Pulis into Man City I bet he could not achieve what Pep has.

              And you're just wrong anyway with 'his team didn’t play better than with the previous manager'. You're talking about a City team that scored 100 points in the Premier League. This is blatantly false. City have played some of the most attractive football ever seen here. And they have the results to back it up too.

              If you think that Guardiola is a worse manager than Howe or even Pochettino, you should go back and watch his 2010s Barcelona team. That team is possibly the greatest ever put together and it didn't just get there because Messi is great. Look at what has happened to them since. It's because of Guardiola and the discipline, detail and focus he brings to his teams tactically and physically.

              1. skodaole2
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                I like this discussion, could get sth interesting out of it. When they had this Barcelona team you mention Spain won the World Cup and Euro Cup with those players apart from Messi, they were just all elite players who happened to play for the same team. Then we all thought Guardiola did sth amazing but history proves otherwise imo.

                He took over Bayern and spent unbelievable money to get everyone. Bayern played their worst football ever, it the fans sites they missed all the previous managers. As for MCI, again bought all the expensive players with minimum academy work and won the minimum titles. As for football, I m sorry but imo Pochettino’s Spurs played better football, it was lovely to watch. I don’t know what Pulis would do if he took over MCI, but Guardiola can’t be considered a good manager until he takes over a team with limited budget and works with youngsters from the Academy more. Buying players ready to play for unlimited budget is not exactly a way to show managers skills. Look what Poch did at Spurs all these years (the difference in football and the mentality of the team) and you ll see my point.

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

          I needed a good laugh today

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

      Hopefully City can avoid the drop this season so we can watch it with a crowd next time.

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

      People saying this don’t understand football. Some of the stuff City has played over the last 3 years is the best ever played in the league

    4. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Feel like City will take it comfortably but let's see. Should be enjoyable though, would be even better with fans.

  20. mathiastrondal
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play:
    1. KWP (WBA) or
    2. Trossard (eve)

  21. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Fernandez Brewster
    B) Kane Ndidi

  22. Areyouthereyet
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence to Foden (-4) or save?

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

      Save

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      save

    3. Areyouthereyet
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks!

  23. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Considering captaining Mahrez over KDB or Salah. Have I lost my mind?

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      Shh, let’s fail only two of us!

      I’m on Mahrez cpt and I know that he might be benched so easily. Like the risk this season.

  24. lugalooch
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner + Son>

    A) Jiminez + B.Fernandes (on penalties)
    B) DCL + Sterling

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I did A

    2. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  25. i_am_bha2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Vardy or Ings?

  26. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Taylor or Lamptey?

    1. 111SWFC111
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Taylor

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      taylor

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

      Lamptey

  27. 111SWFC111
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC and can't decide. A or B?

    A. Bruno & Bamford
    B. Kane & Klich

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B easy

  28. 17legend85
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start podence or Bamford?

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      podence

  29. Big Hands Barry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Fernandes to Sterling worth a hit?

    1. 111SWFC111
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Unlikely, unless you plan to captain Sterling

    2. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      no

  30. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Davies to who? £5.2m to spend...

    1. 111SWFC111
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      James?

      1. boroie
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        James was my initial choice but I’m concerned that I’d be taking Davies out because he’s about to be dropped and would be replacing him with James who could also very quickly be dropped.