Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 349 – Targeting the best premium FPL players

Joe and Az are joined by FPL Family’s Lee to look ahead to Gameweek 6.

For once this season the entire Scoutcast crew had a great Gameweek, thanks to some honesty from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola over the absence of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m).

The Belgian’s injury opened the door to a flurry of Wildcards from Az and Lee and gave Joe the opportunity to roll back the years and place his trust in Harry Kane (£10.8m) as captain.

With premium picks like the Spurs striker performing well each week, many Fantasy Premier League managers are adjusting the way they approach the game.

Accepting the “opportunity cost” of switching heavy hitters and targeting as many captainable assets as possible are among the strategies Joe, Az and Lee discuss.

Could Liverpool defenders make way? That’s certainly an option being considered by Joe as he looks to shoehorn a Liverpool midfielder in his already premium-heavy side. But is Sadio Mane (£11.9m) over Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) really “trying to be too clever” as Az suggests?

Aston Villa’s cheaper assets could be the enablers FPL managers need, especially ahead of a long, kind run of games. The merits of the likes of Jack Grealish (£7.2m) and Ross Barkley (£5.9m) are among Villa players the crew consider.

There’s a smoother edition of Rough with the Smooth this week, fixtures to frisk and captaincy and transfer plans to reveal.

In addition, Lee takes his turn to pick a differential. If he can select a player who actually sets foot on the pitch, he has already done better than Joe’s failed selections so far this campaign.

This Scoutcast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to get notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

371 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Barnes to Mane worth a -4 when I have Salah already?

    I was planning on doing Foden to KDB but fed up of Barnes and Foden can move to Barkley eventually.

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Like it.

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Could work, don’t think we’ll concede bags though

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

      Would say worth as I don't see Barnes getting anything in his next game.

    4. Samir16
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      yeah there was an entire article on how liverpool are currently attacking a lot more down the left plus SHU haven't defended their right flank well this season in terms of chances conceded. so I'd say going for the mane salah double up could be worth it.

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

      I think its a good option

    6. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all

    7. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That seems like a good transfer even for a hit

  2. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1FT 2.8itb help plz

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      team looks good, roll FT.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ty

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

        Hahaha

  3. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1FT 2.8itb help plz..

    McCarthy
    Taa Doh Mitchell
    Son Hamez Greal Podence
    Werner ings dcl
    (Nyland, Barnes, KWP, Egan)

    A) Barnes to Rash
    B) Ings to Kane
    C) Save FT

    1. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Time for bench boost?

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

      too much money on the bench what are you doing?

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

      I would get Kane somehow

  4. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Boring but play one of:
    A) Soucek
    B) Bissouma

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

      Soucek is in my team with Bissouma on the bench. Hadn’t really given it any thought so I’d say A

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

        A.

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

      A

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek.

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sue Cech

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

        What he do to u

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

      Cheers guys. I like Soucek, just that fixture for Bissouma looks good too.
      Will go Soucek.

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

      Bissouma
      Best fixture of the season IMO

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

      Actually I prefer playing 4-3-3 if it's between those 2.

    8. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Easy A

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

    Foden and Robertson or Chilwell and Rodriguez?

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

      Chil and Rod

  6. Tomerick
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence or Barkley?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barkley

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Comfortably Barkley, for me.

    3. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Been considering this one myself as a Podence owner with £0.4m in the bank (enough to make the switch). Didn't watch the Wolves game on Monday, but read that he was their best attacking player and would've had an assist but for a marginal VAR decision. I'm going to hold for next two GWK's given the fixtures Wolves have (Newcastle defence has been generally appalling) but if I was on WC I'd probably go for Barkley.

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

        Won't have been an assist but yeah he was the closest scorer out of everyone.

      2. Tomerick
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah I think I’m inclined to do the same but worried about a price rise as it will lock me out. I suppose I’ll have 2FT after Newcastle

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No context given here (always amazes my why people don't give full context when asking these sort of questions), but whatever it is the answer is probably Barkley.

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

        The context is FPL. A simple matter of which player people would prefer in their team right now.

  7. Chrisitis
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Vvd/Wilson -> Kilman/Kane?
    Already have Saiss.

  8. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How’s she looking? 1.2 ITB

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Saiss Lamptey (Taylor Mitchell)
    Salah(c) Son Havertz JRodriguez Podence
    Kane DCL (Davis)

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mint.

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

      Perfect

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Very tasty.

      Would have said Podence > Barkley. But you’ve maxed out on Villa. A shame 2 are bench fodders taking up space!

  9. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2G or would you make any other change? 0FT, 0.0 ITB.

    Ryan
    Robertson Dallas Kilman
    Salah (c) Sterling Son (v) Grealish
    Werner DCL Wilson

    Button Bissouma KWP Taylor

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      GTG.

  10. Bank$y
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What’s the verdict on KDB? Back this week?

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Don’t think anybody really knows.

      I reckon a few minutes at the weekend, then starts the following week

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

      We'll find out when pep plays him cuz he never tells us

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

    Do you guys think King Arthur Masuaku is a good option from GW8 onwards? Contemplating him on my WC instead of Dallas. Worth the gamble?

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Could go for Ayling now, and have him earmarked ad GW8 transfer? Can't see his price going up before then.

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

        I'm on WC this week.

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

          + GW8 I'll bring in Antonio.

        2. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          If you have the right players for the next 2 gameweeks then sure why not. My point was that you could maybe use Ayling in GW6 or 7, you could always roll a transfer to get Antonio and Masuaka in late.

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

            Ah, I see. That would mean an extra transfer in GW8 and I'm not totally convinced by Ayling or Leeds defence in general. Especially now Phillips is out until December. Thanks.

  12. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Shall I make this move?
    Jimenez and R James to Kane and Ayling?

    1. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      For a -4 by the way!

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think so..

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

    Secretly hoping Vardy drops to 9.7/9.8 when I get him back in GW10.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lovely fixtures but I prefer Aguero/Werner personally for Kane replacement

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

        That's my plan to rotate with kane, and the other 2 don't rotate that nicely with kane.

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Kane 'replacement' is a disaster waiting to happen

  14. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Barkley just a fad after 2 good games, or do the stats say that he is worth jumping on? Have a 6.0 sized hole in my WC midfield, I'm asking as someone who hasn't seen the last 2 Villa games and doesn't know much about underlying stats.

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Get Barkley, looks good on the eye and the stats.

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Get Barkley

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

      I still prefer Trossard, that pool game was a fraud one off game and shouldn't judge on that game while the second game they never really had many shots.

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Funny you say that, as the shortlist is currently between Barkley and Trossard....

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

          Brighton are really more attacking than Villa this season even though they couldn't defend.

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

      I got him in last week and dont regret it

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yet 🙂

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

      He wasn't involved at all in the Villa attacks in the Leicester game based on eye test and the goal came from a shot from outside the box. He was very advanced vs Liverpool though.

      Hard to reach a conclusion based on 2 games.

  15. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Got some tough decisions this week, no Spurs the obvious but not sure who I'm willing to sacrifice to fit them in. Might just sort James issue and roll the other FT.

    Martinez
    Trent, Lamptey, Saïss
    Mo, Sterling, Podence, Foden
    Werner, Jim, DCL
    (James, Mitchell, Burke)

    2FT, 0.2 itb

  16. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If Foden gets substantial minutes tonight would you start Lamptey over him this GW?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Could do, fancy Lamptey this week.

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ideally both but I see Lamptey hauling this week

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

      No way you're gonna bench foden against west ham.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No. Even if he doesn't.

  17. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    TAA Saiss Ayling
    Salah(C) Hamez Pulisic Son
    Watkins Kane(vc)DCL

    Steer, Biss, Mitchell, Johnson.

    G2G?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      G2G

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice

  18. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Could someone tell me when the new BlackBox episode will be out?
    Thanks in advance

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Streaming at 9pm tonight.

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!

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

      Ride on time

  19. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    After a shocking start went from 3Mil to 775k just this week, obv still not an ideal rank but does show how fast ur season prospects can change at this stage of the season

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kudos.

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

        ty, seasons back on 🙂

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You just have broken 100 points 😮

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

        must*

    3. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I was losing a bit of interest went from 2 mil to 400000 in one week it happens when you least expect it keep at it

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

    Chances PVA doesn't start this week?

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

      50

  21. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Very torn here... Best move? 3.3itb.

    A. Ings >> Kane (play Bissouma)
    Upgrade Bissouma >> 5.6m next week.

    B. Bissouma >> Grealish

    McCarthy
    TAA, Mitchell, Saiss
    Pulisic, Salah, Rodríguez, Son, Biss
    DCL, Ings
    (Nyland, Davies, Justin, Davis)

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A but it's really hard..

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, worried about making another bad 50:50 call. 🙁

        1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That's true it could go either way..
          I guess Kane has to come in when there's a direct route available though even thought it's not ideal selling Ings..

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

      Kane is 10.8 now, you don't have enough for a 5.6 for Bissouma. If you really want kane, I'll just take a hit for Mcginn or neto, since I don't expect bissouma to get anything.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah got 5.5 now sorry

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save FT and shift to a solid 343/352 next week.
      Maybe sell Pulisic, Ings & a defender.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        And play Bissouma this week? Hmm

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

    Burnley have the second best defense in the league according to xGA with one less game if I'm looking at the stats right. Certainly food for thought for those putting the armband on Kane. Though Sheffield United are fifth with an extra game so not much difference there.

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

      Kane can score against any defence.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah is the obvious choice this week.

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

        For sure, I'm just throwing out what I'm seeing

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      True, but they've played Leicester, Saints, Newcastle, and WBA. If they didn't have one of the best numbers with that opposition, then you'd have to say their defence was quite poor indeed.

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

        yet they conceded 4 vs Lei and 3 vs New

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

      Salah, Sterling, Mane, Kun all projected to score more than Kane this wk

  23. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Been offered Ings for my Calvert-Lewin in FPL draft, would you take it?

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

      Not a chance

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No...

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

      I would consider it

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I was offered similar and I rejected.

    5. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I don't know how the draft works but I think Ings will score more points than DCL this season, better player and on pens. Will be tight though.

  24. The Wogmeister
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm getting rid of VVD to Konsa as investing in defenders seems pointless at the minute. I can then upgrade Willian > Bruno
    Any other defensive suggestions or sound ok?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I don't think investing in defenders is pointless as long as they have attacking threat but yes those look like excellent moves

  25. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Shall I hold Jimenez for one more week or get Kane in for a -4?

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

      I'd hold and get Kane next week

    2. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Straight zwap id do it

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm doing it after the midweek games.

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I did it with KDB to Greal. Good arguments for both but Kane ceiling is so high, worth the risk considering the next 3 fixtures.

  26. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling + Jimi to Kane + Rashford (-4)

    Too likely to backfire? Wait a week or pull the trigger

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wait a week 100%
      This could backfire heavily

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

      Not the right week especially for a -4

  27. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Aubameyang has been very underwhelming so far this season, most of us have forgotten about him as an option but I have a feeling he's gonna haul big against a weakened Leicester defence this week.

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

      GW12 is a better time to bring him in if I even want him at all.

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

    Do you think it's worth to do Werner->DCL?

  29. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which player is most important to own for this GW out of these three? Assuming Kane will be the most popular answer but Calvert-Lewin's ownership has been doing me damage recently, and Grealish's stats look great
    A) Kane
    B) Calvert-Lewin
    C) Grealish

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kaaaaaaaaaaaaane