Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 359 – Making plans amid the fixture chaos

Joe and Az are joined by Rich, aka Flapjack, to look ahead to Gameweek 17 and attempt to make sense of an impending fixture pile-up in the New Year.

With rates of COVID-19 escalating across UK, the top-flight schedule was left decimated in Gameweek 16. First Manchester City’s weekend clash with Everton was postponed, then Tottenham Hotspur’s Wednesday night encounter with Fulham was put back. Both matches will have to be rescheduled at a later date after a high number of club staff and players at City and Fulham contracted the virus recently.

With festive rotation also hitting hard, Fantasy Premier League teams were left threadbare, with all three outfield substitutes needed for those lucky enough to have strong benches.

Our Scoutcast trio digest the latest scheduling developments and how the postponements are likely to impact on their carefully laid plans around Blank Gameweek 18’s limited fixtures and Double Gameweek 19.

While some who held their Wildcard back in Gameweek 16 were fortunate to have already jettisoned Manchester City and Spurs assets, others were less lucky and were several players shy of a full squad.

Elsewhere, the merits of City talisman Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) are discussed. Could he once again be a prized asset? Or is he too expensive for his limited open play goal returns?

With the tight turnaround of matches, there has not been time for a Gameweek 17 captaincy video. Thankfully, the Scoutcast is able to help out, with armband options for the next set of fixtures on the bill. Could this be a chance for Spurs investors to reap rewards?

Fixtures are also frisked and transfer plans are revealed during this episode, which was streamed live on YouTube during Liverpool’s visit to Newcastle United. With all three of the crew captaining Reds midfielder Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), there are a few tense moments during the show.

Meanwhile, the Scoutcast delivers some sad news that Az is stepping down from regular co-hosting duties due to other commitments. This ends a four-year stint regularly joining Joe, Andy and Mark on the longest-running Fantasy Football podcast. Joe’s new regular host will be revealed in the New Year.

This latest episode of the 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

470 Comments Post a Comment
  1. arkom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dallas / Justin / Coufal / Matip / Taylor
    Bruno / Mane / Salah / Son / Soucek
    DCL / Bamford / Wilson

    1 FT (0,6££ ITB)

    Will play FH gw17 & BB gw18.

    What to do.. Matip to who?

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Zouma? chilwell?

      Do you think Taylor will be fit for the double then?

      1. arkom
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I dont know. Maybe I'll swap both out..

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

      Taylor has done his hammy

  2. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez Meslier*
    Robbo* TAA* Dias Ayling* Dunne
    Salah* Bruno* Son Soucek* Reed*
    DCL Adams* Bamford*

    *Double game week players

    2.2 itb 0ft

    I want to upgrade Dunne to Chilwell for the double then BB (Covid permitting) and FH in 18
    if i want Chilwell in will i need to do it for -4 now. or will I get one more free transfer to use before 18. struggling to get my head round it.

    Cheers

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You’ll need to do it now

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        when Ive free hit in 18 , and that game week commences, there wont be a ft to use in 19 then?

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          1 ft always

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you FH for GW 18 then you can't also make a transfer that week; your team will revert to how it was at the GW 17 deadline. However, you can then make 1FT (and take hits) in the lead up to the GW 19 deadline as normal. So you can get Chilwell in between 18 and 19.

      I think you're question is a bit misleading because you write 'before 18' where I think you mean 'before 19'?

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        great thanks for explaining it so well. yes my mistake I meant before 19.

        Thank you very much

  3. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed:

    Am I G2G for the next GW? Bench order sorted or would you rather play someone else?

    Martinez
    Dallas - Dier - Holding
    Bruno - Soucek - KDB - Salah
    Bamford - Kane - DCL

    Bench: Meslier - Coufal - Anguissa - Stones

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Aye

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd have Stones higher than B3. I'd be tempted to start him (if the game goes ahead)

  4. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    is double city def a bad idea for this gw?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seems like a pretty good idea to me

    2. klopp2567
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      which two?

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not ideal this week, but going forwards, yes

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No but be aware Walker is out and Cancelo is rumoured to be one of the 3 other than Jesus and Walker to have covid

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

      No, both sides will be conservative and the match looks like it will be low-scoring.

  5. Michu 9
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys, I need your help.

    My points are 40 (-4) and my gameweek ranking is 3,402,000.

    I don’t understand if I qualified for the cup or not, because I saw people with 36 that are already out.

    Thanks in advance

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It doesn’t count hits. So your quali score is 40

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This cannot possibly be true

    2. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Scroll down on your Points or My Team page and you’ll see

      1. The Gambler.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Once it updates

  6. klopp2567
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Too bad Gw for first time after Wildcard in 11 years , scraped 42 somehow.
    1 FT and 0.7 ITB , any suggestion what to do , don't want to
    roll the FT as FH is on cards

    Johnstone Areola
    Taylor Dallas Kwp Castagne Coufal
    Son Fernandes Salah Soucek Lookman
    Bamford Vardy Tammy
    Please help.

  7. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If Taylor is out for a while, Taylor > Justin for a FT.

    Other Defenders, Dallas Stones Mitchell and Coufal

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Similar boat and considering same move

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I brought Taylor in for past GW. And Matip the GW prior. "Gutted" isn't even the word. . . !

        1. _Gunner
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Same moves mate.
          Exact same moves, terrible luck

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bad fixtures coming up, I'm selling for Dallas and his DGW.

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

      That’s what I did

  8. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A little deperate here, could use some advice here.
    GW17 = WC (I know, risky, but I have to do something!)
    GW18 = free hit
    GW19 = bench boost

    WC team:
    McCarthy
    Chilwell - Justin - Cresswell
    Salah - Neto - Son - Fernandez
    Bamford - DCL - Wilson

    Martinez - Dallas- KWP - El Ghasi

    Appreciated!

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3 chips based around 1 DGW.

      Too much, too soon for me

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This , do'nt know your current team but try to avoid using the WC so early . Maybe just play FH in 18 if you have few players TC possibly in 19 ? Keep WC and BB for later

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

    Could Nat Phillips get more starts?

    Looking for Taylor replacement (other potentials: Pieters, Lowton, Holding)

    Already own 3 Leeds

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nat Phillips is a train wreck of a defender. Completely out of his depth. But his current competition is Williams, so who knows.

    3. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If Taylor is 100% confirmed out for weeks, I’m all over Pieters. Otherwise will probably look at Lowton.

      Amazing what one CS does, I remember a poster being laughed at for suggesting Holding about a week back, now he’s everyone’s recommend.

      I don’t mind him, but if you believed in Burnley DEF before, I don’t think there’s a reason to move off

  10. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I plan on playing bench boost for GW19 will I be able to make a transfer on that same week or will I need to do them all now?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 FT per week. You can do as many as you like(obv @ a cost )

      1. Mane Mane Mane
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I just mean because I’m playing one of the chips I’ll still be able to make a transfer on the day won’t I?

        1. BOATIES FC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          ive asked the same above and I'm getting differing responses...

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

          You can use transfers in BB or TC week

          1. Mane Mane Mane
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers

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

            basically their is no restriction in making transfers in any week

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You can make 15 transfers if you like when you play BB (hits involved obviously;)

      It's only FH & WC that affect transfers made that week

      1. Mane Mane Mane
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, you can make as many transfers as you want on GW19 while playing your BB, but only one will be free, the rest will be hits.

  11. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench this week?

    A) Zouma (City H)
    B) Dias (Chelsea A)
    C) Holding (West Brom A)
    D) Justin (Newc A)
    E) Wood (Fulham H)

    Benching Wood at the minute but really not sure if it's the right call

    1. Sherif halawa
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin/zouma

    2. highsguy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Zouma

    3. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think you should bench Wood. if you aren't playing him vs Fulham no point owning him at all really

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True, this'll be the third gw i will have had him and he hasn't returned yet, but even ignoring that a lot of people are taking Fulham to be much worse than they are currently, only lost once in their last 6

    4. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Zouma

    5. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Zouma

    6. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guess I'm going with Zouma, cheers guys

  12. Sherif halawa
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Antonio play the DGW Games?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no one knows

    2. Carlton_Goal
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If he doesn't get injured again I think it is likely he would start one and come off the bench in the other. My guess is as good as yours though

  13. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo for the DGW19?

    A) Antonio & Robbo
    or
    B) Firmino & Pieters

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A all day. Robbo is the man.

  14. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which 3 of these defenders would you put in your starting 11 this week?

    1. Dier
    2. Dallas
    3. Stones
    4. Holding
    5. Coufal

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      345

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 because Leeds are bad at defending set pieces

      4 and 5

    3. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      345

  15. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What am I supposed to do next here?
    Any possible optons- Need to use the ft with FH next GW.

    McCarthy.
    Robbo, Stones, Dallas, Coufal.
    Salah, Son, Mane, Fernandes.
    Bamford, DCL.
    Forster, Lookman, Brewster, Ferguson.
    1ft, 0.4m ITB.

    Plan is FH 18, TC 19- Have 9 DGW'rs atm.

    Stones + Son (DCL bench) are my single weekers in 19 for now.
    May shift Lookman if their game is off too.

  16. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When I am finally ready to ditch Brewster he gets back to back starts and plays BGW

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

    1. Grealish to Raphina
    or
    2. Adams to Rodrigo (have Bamford)

  18. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    thoughts on Luke Shaw as a replacement for Taylor? mental pick?

    Got 5m to spend.

    Meslier Fabs
    TAA Justin Coufal Dias
    Son Salah Raphinha Bruno Soucek
    Vardy Wood Bamford

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Most times I've watched him recently I've actually thought he's been very good (think he got MOTM against City and was well deserved) but MU are too leaky and he's rotating with Telles so I think it's not worth it

  19. wattalowz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you still accumulate a free transfer in a GW where you free hit? I.e. if I have 1FT going into FH18 then will I have 2FT in GW19?

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You are always on 1 FT the week after a FH or WC.

      1. wattalowz
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks didn’t know this. So it’s pointless saving a free transfer this week if I’m planning to free hit GW18?

  20. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who’s best captain this gameweek?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We should do a poll?

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

      Agueeeerrrrrooooooo

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane against Leeds

  21. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What’s the minimum number of players you would consider before playing free hit gw 18? I’m looking at 6 + Brewster

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Quality over quantity

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not sure tbh... Besides the City fixtures, I'm not sure there's too much quality on offer. I'd say youd be OK with 7/8.

        1. Uncle Gamst
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          This my proposed FH what do you think?

          Darlow (shu)
          Dias (BHA), Dier (avl), Fernandez (shu)
          Son (avl), Kdb (BHA), Neto (EVE), Zaha (ars)
          Kane (avl), Aguero (BHA), Wilson (shu)
          Sanchez (mci), Holgate (wol), Elneny (CRY), Douglas

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

      6-7 will do the job

      I wouldnt play FH even with 4-5 players

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        +1

      2. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I mean, if you hav 4-5 players, and a FH obviously involves 11 playing players, there could be a massive difference in score there. With a FH you'd also get the presumably best players for that week.
        You saw the difference this week with some only fielding 7-8 players in my ML and i beat them with over 20 points.

      3. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Please see my reply to Leif.

        Currently my BGW squad is:
        Sanchez, Bissouma (mci)
        Dier, Son, Kane (avl)

  22. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Watkins to Antonio for free? Or is it too soon for Antonio?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still a bit too soon for my liking. Would want to see him start a game and compete a full 90 mins

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have left money in the bank so I can do Adams to Antonio but I wouldn’t risk it until just before the GW19 deadline.

  23. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1FT. £0.5m

    Martinez
    Robbo Stones Zouma
    Salah Rashford Bruno Soucek Son
    Bambam Vardy

    (Steer Dallas 3.9 4.4)

    FHing gw18. Assuming it’s not a train wreck.
    TC Salah gw19. Assuming it’s not a train wreck.

    A. Martinez to Pope
    B. Stones to Chillwell
    C. Something else?

  24. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Taylor will be back in time for GW19? Just over 2 weeks away

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The worry is he doesnt make WHM but is back for LIV. I would say we need Dyche to comment.

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If he is out I might have to scrap my bemch boost plans for GW19 - frustration

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Get Lowton

          1. TheDragon
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Issue is it’s another transfer so another 4 points

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would'nt risk banking on it but hopefully you will get some news closer to the double

  25. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Everyone is talking about Son, as the best captain option this week, and rightly so, he's deadly on counter, and expansive Leeds will leave the space open for him.

    Could Kane be even better option, as Leeds are so susceptible through the middle? Bruno Fernandes and McTominay scored two goals and got an assist each against Leeds, and they operate in the same area as Kane (I would say McTominay especially 🙂 ) Also, Ayling and Struijk is not the best CB pairing.

    I know that actually on the pitch Son is occupying the #9 position more then the nominal left wing one, but I think Kane could do serious damage running in from behind in the central area.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Defensive midfielders don’t usually run in from behind in the central area though

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is my conundrum. I've brought Kane in alongside Son for this GW and can't decide. Son is arguably the one that leads the breaks the most, and being on corners against a team so poor at defending them is a bonus, but Kane can shoot from nearly anywhere and Son leading the break doesn't mean he's always the one shooting from them and if it's not him it's nearly always going to be Kane and he's naturally a threat in the box in-play and from setpieces too and is on pens.

      1. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly, the way I think about it is, Kane receives the ball, passes to the flank, the winger or full back carries it, and then tries to find Kane in the box. I think Son could get hattrick of assist, same as Martial.

    3. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I was initially on Son but strongly considering moving to Kane for similar reasons, and of course he's due a pen .

  26. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which to start?
    a) Dias
    b) Coufal

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Close, but am on Dias myself.

  27. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB to Son for free?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think so

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes.

  28. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any update on Reece James? Thinking of doing Welbeck, KDB, James to Vardy, Rashford, Dallas for -4, worth it?

  29. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    so lost, have 1 FT and 0.3 ITB, please help!

    Mendy

    Mitchell Cress KWP

    Soucek KDB Salah Bruno

    DCL Kane Bamf

    Forster Taylor Lamptey Riedwald

    1. C_G
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      sorry have 0 ITB not 0.3

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If using FH gw 18 then Taylor to Alioski for the double.
      If not using would save and have 2 FTs for the double

  30. Chillers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Charlie Taylor, KDB and Firmino out for Robertson, Rashford and Antonio for a minus 4 ?