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. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Having a last minute wobble on changing captain away from KDB... thoughts?

    A. Kdb
    B. Salah
    C. Jiminez

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

      A

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

      B

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. Dangerous Dave
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah

    5. Gatsby
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Im similar.

      Really tempted to go Jimenez, but Wolves were so poor against West Ham.

      KDB safe option if u own all 3 imo.

    6. Khark
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    7. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm wobbling from DCL to KDB...

    8. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Stick

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

      B

    10. FPL-Albion
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    11. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think I’ll stick. Will be too painful if he explodes and I move away!

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

        Vardy bonanza

    12. coolmule
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C

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

    Son to Mahrez or roll transfer and play Podence or (if he's def. out) Costa as 1st sub

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

      A

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

        Thanks

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mahrez

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

      Lol. Son might even start.

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

        no chance imo

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

    Reece James or Saiss on WC? Thankss

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

      James

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

      Saiss

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

      I’d rather have Coady

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Saiss

    5. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Coleman?

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

        have triple everton already. cheers everyone

  4. Dangerous Dave
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    DCL or INGS for CPTN?

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

      A.. both will score

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

      Ings

    3. FPL-Albion
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ings out of them two

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ings

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

    Just to let everyone know...

    I hate DCL as a fantasy option, have slated him on here so many times - ALWAYS burns me.

    I have reluctantly brought in DCL for Martial for my FT. This is the point where DCL blanks for the rest of the season, he always does with me - and i'm okay with this as it stops everyone else getting the points too.

    Just a heads up so you all know who to blame when he starts firing blanks.

    1. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Same here

    2. FPL-Albion
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks for the heads up

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

      Probably the worst week to bring him in for Martial. You missed the party.

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

        Thats okay, im here to kill any further parties.

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

    Sterling triple captain ... Done ✅

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

      Love it. Good luck mate

    2. Dangerous Dave
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That could prove very lucrative my friend. Good luck.

    3. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mate Leeds are going to win today.

    4. schlupptheweek
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I've captained him, so be careful

    5. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice. Ballsy but could be a great shout.

  7. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play 1:

    A. Doherty
    B. Soucek

    1. Dangerous Dave
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  8. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does anyone think Pep will over think the tactics against Leeds and lose

    1. Dangerous Dave
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No. City will beat them. Possibly by a big margin.

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hopefully his injuries mean he doesn’t have much space to overthink

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Quite possibly 4.3 Leeds or 3.2 which is a fantasy football win.

      Or 2.4 City.

      Hard to call, with fans I'd say Leeds would have more chances of a result at Ellend Road.

    4. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nar City will win 6-4 haha

  9. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    taylor.or bissouma 1st sub. Incase podence dont start

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

    Sterling a better option than KDB this week? I am just thinking he is.

  11. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why all the city love just because Leeds attack?

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

      No. They have Koch and he's the worst german defender in the Prem I've seen so far.

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

      Then they dont spend as much time in defence

  12. FPL-Albion
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1FT 0.9 in bank

    Happy with my team except for Watkins (£6.0m) up front v Liverpool

    Do I transfer for Che Adams or save?

  13. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Auba >>> KdB worth it for a -4?

  14. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I think I’m capping Werner. Anyone else?

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

      The thing about captaincy justification is that you need form and fixture

      Werner proved he had neither last week

      What's the justification this week?

      Note that we can't predict the future, but we can discuss logical reasoning and add hope/gut feelings to that

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I may change my mind. Just don’t know tbh.

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

      Same but early kick off put me off, that is the only reason,

  15. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi. Any final hour rumors?

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

      Son won't start

  16. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play it safe on neto or go podence?

  17. ZakyJ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench one:
    1Saiss
    2Justin
    3Reece
    4Podence

    Thinking Podence as due to fitness he might start on bench and come on for a short period?

  18. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    decided to WC over IB. Is the tactic to get all the possible double risers? However, I see some players I want might rise by at at least 0.1 anyway

  19. Conroy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz or Barnes??

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

      short term barnes. when chelsea gel, hav.

  20. 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. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Don't drop Bruno, difficult to get him back in at that price and it'll drive you mad every time he gets a jammy peno

  21. liboo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain jota
    Yay or nay ??

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

      No

  22. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    The salah or KDB captain choice is driving me mad...
    Whatever i decide will be wrong.
    First the five gets the nod:
    A)Salah
    B) KDB

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Salah it is then.
        Anyone able to give me a good reason?

        1. Dangerous Dave
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          He's the best player in the world.

  23. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    People looking at Ings and Jimenez and refusing to get them, probably due to their price hikes from last year. Same Mistake Mark Sutherns made on numerous occasions(refusing to pay more for a player that what others paid...)

    Would you be happy if Ings and Jimenez repeat last years scores and get around 200 pts @ 8.5m?

    I would.

    1. Dangerous Dave
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Absolutely correct.

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think people are not getting Ings because of the following fixtures after WBA. Jimmi is quite popular.

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

        His fixtures look great to me., Cheslea just conceded 3 vs Wba that dont even have a striker.

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          For me, Ings is fixture proof. Soton perform better away from home too.

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      8.5m for soton striker lol
      1% chance he will get 200 again

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

        Yeah, with all the penalties been awarded and Ings being on penos he prob wont do well.
        🙄

    4. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It’s normal, people are stingy. Its like with anything. I’m hesitant to pay 7M for Grealish even though he will likely get 8+g 8+a again which is good value

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

      I would be very happy pity i dont own either at present but Jimenez coming in after IB

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

      Me too
      Cost me a WC though to correct myself

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

      Tbf to Mark, he's learning. You can see his thinking evolving when he talks about the game on Blackbox. He readily acknowledges he was too stubborn last year. This year, he took a hit for DCL this week, a move he would never have done last year.

      His team is looking very good right now and I think he'll have a terrific season.

      As for Ings and Jimi, I agree. It is looking very much like a mistake to not go for them. Better to evaluate them as individual assets than let past value cloud of them.

      We see it often with players that got price hikes with maybe the exception of KdB.

    8. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ings is now penos too. I think he’s bargain tbh. I can see him hitting 180 pts easily

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

        Not sure ings on pens is a good thing. Not particularly good at them

    9. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I have both now

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

      Penalties are a major bonus for Ings and if they add RLC to the squad that's even better.

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

      Still uncertainty of team rather than player at this early stage perhaps? I think they are priced correctly and i own one and wuih i owned both. Martial to do a home hauk hopefully...

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

        Haul ..

  24. RedAlpha10
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best 8m and below attacker except DCL and Barnes???

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Rich, Maupay.

      1. RedAlpha10
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thank you

  25. TJ
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    play Lamptey or Mitchell?

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamp

    2. Pinky Blinders
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamps for benefit of attacking potential as well

  26. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best mid for under 7.8.
    To join
    KdB Zaha JWP Salah

  27. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Have gone for a gamble on Hudson Odoi in for a one week punt.

  28. RVP 20
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain guys?

    KDB/Salah/Jimenez

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

      B

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

      Mo

  29. BIG TONES
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez or McCarthy on WC?

  30. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Am on Salah C what do u think ?

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

      Im with you

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

      i went with it , being last game made it even better

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

      same here

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

      Cheers