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

    James was never nailed for more than a few weeks to be fair

  2. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What did James owners expect?

    Azpi usually plays 38 games a season; he wasn't going to sit on the bench for long.

    Plus last week's defence conceded 3 goals to West Brom!

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

      Agreed but James was probably their best player on pitch.

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

        Too many bad errors last week. Lampard was always going to try and tighten things up.

      2. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Well If I had to pick best Chelsea player in that game... maybe it was James. West Brom just let him swing crosses in and he is good at that, did nothing special

      3. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        True

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Unreal aint it. Anyone who watched the game with non fpl on the mind would see he was a defensive calamity and his crossing wasn't even that good.

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

        When your defence concede 3 goals to the worst team in the league you're going to change the defence. Simples.

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

      The know it all trolls are here as well.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I said similar on here yesterday.

      2. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It's not trolling. It's basic common sense. Azpi has been their most nailed player in recent years.

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

          Not true at all for this season. Hes a dinosaur.

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

      Yes he shouldn't play or Chelsea will never keep a clean sheet this season.

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

      Boorish know-it-all

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

    5M defenders going from 100 to 0

  4. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    James owners in the mud.

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

      Nah Lamptey first sub

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

        That's who I've got if Saiss is gone. Nothing terrible about Tariq!

      2. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No point when he comes on at 80 minutes

  5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Timo LW again. Negative OOP.

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

      POO

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

      Get rid already!

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Got rid after GW 1

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just transferred him out for Jimenez

  6. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Well done CHO cappers

  7. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I think James is benched because of Hudson-Odoi. They occupy the same space in the attacking phase.

    When Ziyech returns, James will return imo.

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

      Maybe because he can't defend against the likes of Eze, Zaha.

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

        This is good point.

      2. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly this

      3. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That wouldn't be his role. Palace attack on the counter so it's the attacking shape that matters.

        When Chelsea next play Palace they won't bench Ziyech just so they can play a more defensive RB against Zaha and Eze. It doesn't work like that. During the transition, Kante will be covering that area along with the RCB.

    2. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeh thought the same. CHO will be attacking on the outside

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Personally feel Chelsea look leaderless when Azpi isn't on the pitch. There is no one in that team, other than Azpi, who has the leader character.

      Chelsea have always had leaders - Terry, Lampard, Cech, Ballack, Drogba etc.

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/09/27/quiet-calvert-lewin-continues-ruthless-streak-as-rodriguez-blanks-again/?hc_page=5&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_22543034

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

    James dropped.
    Now need Saiss to get the same.

    This season is chaotic !!

  9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    James fail

  10. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Scenes if James, Saiss and TAA (COVID) don't play this GW 🙁

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

      Lamptey and Mitchell to the resque

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why would Saiss not play?

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

        Because he's not nailed.

        1. Feed tha Sheep
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Since when?

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

    Can't believe that James is benched. Brutal.

    I guess that makes my decision on who to remove after the break easy.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably drop in price quickly tho - I was already going to upgrade him, annoyed I didn’t do it this week

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

        That's fine. He has 0.1m drop leeway for me. Bought at 5.0m.

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

      Yes he is out now

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

      Pretty disappointing, also difficult to see who to replace him with. Perhaps a 4.5 and start Lamptey every week, let's see.

  12. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Brilliant start to the GW. Have a fear I wont have 11 this GW - James with Vinagre and Podence doubtful!

  13. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner to Vardy was mistake wasn't it? Especially if Ham sit in and play on the counter

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      yep massive mistake

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      At least start the moaning tomorrow after leicester game

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lol soz

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

      Yeah

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

      Their wingers and full backs are capable of winning penalties so no issues with that.

  14. Magic Box
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz no.10.

  15. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Finally time for a Chelsea clean sheet.

  16. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bleurgh. JAMES.

  17. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    This is going to be one more GW from hell. James out and Werner on the wing.

  18. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    There's the James answer then. Not nailed.

  19. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    This game actually causes me depression

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Then stop

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

      Really wouldn't bother with it then or at least take a break from it.

    3. i am jose mourinho
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      My OCD at the highest level ever

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Let the gameweek play out in full. Things are usually very different by the end.

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

    Jonty used his wildcard :O

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

      I like his approach this year.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      So much for "wildcarding from a position of strength".

  21. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Glad I got James at 5 and not 5.1.

    Sure this week will bring other priorities!

  22. Party time
      3 years, 5 months ago

      James against tired legs

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

        GOLD

    • Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No mount either

      Puli will defo come on and eat into Werner mins

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Unless he subs Abraham and Werner moves up.

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Or else he will come on for Abraham and Werner number 9

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

        It sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself for selling him

      4. EL_FENOMENO
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Pulisic will move Werner up top

    • FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chelsea team is starting to take shape. What formation is going to be chosen when Pulisic is fully fit? Abraham dropped and Werner as a 9? Can Pulisic or Werner play RW?

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

        Puli LW Ziyech RW Timo up top

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Havertz in the hole. Yikes, that’s nice.

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

      wow

      Well James is burnt now, Podence first sub I'm gunning for him now

    • The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chelsea team came out late on Twitter coz lamps was convincing James that he shouldn't start this game?

    • abk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Come on Werner

    • fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cracking start to the gameweek, rumours of Saiss being dropped and Reece benched

    • Pedram
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No James Reece, this week is gonna be great

    • Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A shame James is benched, but owners like me knew the risks. Time for Lamptey to do his thing!

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        C.Taylor off the bench for me

      2. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cameo?!

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

          Don't mention it

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

        Cameo isn't out of the question unfortunately.

      4. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It is a good call imo. Those crosses last time were atrocious

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

          Yeah, he was their best player but that's only because Chelsea's only offensive strategy was pass to him and cross. Combine that with defensive susceptibility and it makes sense that he's been dropped.

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

        Solid replacement