Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 360 – Opportunities for FPL managers during Blank Gameweek 18

Joe is joined by Karam and new regular Scoutcast host Seb to try to make sense of the fixture change impacting on Gameweek 18.

Content creators are having a tough time of late. As soon as a video or podcast is painstakingly researched and presented, a major announcement changes everything. Lately, that has been due to COVID-19, with players forced to isolate and games postponed.

This time around the Scoutcast has escaped such changes by scheduling its latest episode last night (Monday, January 11), just hours after it emerged that Tottenham’s game with Aston Villa on Wednesday had been put back due to COVID-19 concerns.

Instead, Jose Mourinho’s troops will take on Fulham in a hastily rearranged game that falls far more kindly in the Gameweek for owners of Spurs stars Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.8m).

Understandably, this important fixture change tops the bill in a show that marks the debut for Seb as the Scoutcast’s new regular co-host with Joe.

Also joining this week is Karam, who has had his own experience with coronavirus recently. He reveals how he was been isolating after a positive test and thankfully is now fighting fit to once again tackle this most irregular of seasons.

Our trio reveal their Gameweek 18 plans and the players they are targeting. Joe has already pressed the button on his Free Hit chip but Karam only needs one or two transfers to field a credible side. Meanwhile, Seb is Free Hit-curious, and undecided on whether to deploy this chip.

Differentials during this limited set of fixtures are also taken in. Are Wolves and Everton players being unfairly neglected?

Elsewhere, Arsenal’s low owned gems are scrutinised and long-term fixtures are frisked in a show that aims to ensure Fantasy Premier League managers are well prepared for today’s Gameweek 18 deadline.

The Scoutcast will return on Thursday night, when Joe, Seb and their guest will dust off their notes once again and focus on the coming weekend’s Double Gameweek 19.

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

1,227 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ALegendJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    451 with Backline of

    Leno
    AWB Cencelo Dias Dier

    Would you remove any for Wilson to play 352?

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

      Sheffield United really are that bad... and Arsenal really aren’t that great.

      I am going Wilson over an Arsenal defender.

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

      Would I switch a defender with limited goal/assist potential for a 6.1 PPG forward who's up against shu?

      Well, yes.

      Which one... I don't know. They're all on a roughly similar level?

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

    a) Leno + AWB
    b) DDG + Dier

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

      C. Leno + Maguire

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

        That’s also an option.

        I think my question is:

        Arsenal defence or Spurs defence?

        1. ALegendJ
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Spurs

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

    What would people class as the 'template' FH this week?

    1. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Go through the past couple of pages, you will very quickly see a theme emerging

      1. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lloris/Leno
      Cancelo Stones Tierney/AWB
      KDB Bruno Rash Son Saka
      Kane Laca/Wilson

      There's variations here and there dependent on tv but this is what most teams I see look like.

  4. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last decision on FH is DDG vs Loris. Anyone got any interesting takes on who is the better pick of the two this week?

    1. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd pick the GK from the team that didn't concede 2 goals to sheffield....

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

      It’s all relative to your Spurs and United defence picks

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        My defenders are double city and arsenal so doesn’t matter

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

          As a United fan I say Lloris

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

      Lloris, clean sheet odds slightly better plus a better defence in general

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

      Lloris

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

      Lloris. Spurs better in defense. Plus Lloris has no competition.

  5. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    so tempted on a punt to field a 11 so basically a -2 1 week only as out for Salah next week

    jwp to

    a) sigg
    b) james r
    c} traore
    d} smith-rowe
    e) neto

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

    Which option for the run in?

    A) Sterling, Richarlison
    B) Rashford, Jesus

  7. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Might just do a -4 (Targett to Stones) and run with this, saving FH. Thoughts?

    No Keeper
    Cancelo | Stones | Lowton | Mitchell
    KdB | Bruno | Son
    Kane

    Trying to think who I don’t have for the blank who I’d want and struggling

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Big 4 players covered.
      These gameweeks good to get rid of any deadwood. Even if replacement just plays this week becomes a -2 hit

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Arsenal players and 2nd City attacker

    3. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You have the essentials there. Maybe Rashford?

  8. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) yedlin
    B) Clark

    Who is the safer pick? Heard Clark has been good this season but he’s not in the predicted line up whereas yedlin is

    1. Jdpz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yedlin

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

      Yedlin.

  9. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    -16 or WC?

    (refuse to use FH, saving for gw29) Could make it -12.

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

      Do the -16 in 29 instead

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

        No as I stated I won’t be doing that.

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      WC

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

        Yes potentially leaning this way.

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

    Currently on this 9 with a -4

    Dias Taylor Mitchell
    KDB Son Bruno ESR
    Kane Brewster

    Is it worth doing Taylor (injury risk) or KWP (get to 10) for another -4

  11. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play
    a) Neto
    b) Smith-Rowe

    1. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    What's the likelihood of the Leeds/Sot game getting pushed out i.e. no dgw for leeds?

    Any indication of when the announcement will take place if its pushed out?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably after deadline, i think people think the possibility is higher than it is really.

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

      All depends on Shrewsbury’s situation.

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

      It probably is dependent on Shrewsbury's players Covid tests more than anything now.

      Leeds seem up for moving the game.

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

      Hmmm so basically 50:50.

      Can’t decide who to get rid of between Dallas or Watkins. Currently have 7 strong gw18 players but keen to take 1 hit to get to 8.

      So either Dallas >> Tierney (-4) or Watkins >> Wilson (-4)

  13. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH comments?

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo Holding Yedlin
    Son Sterling KDB Bruno ESR
    Kane

    4.0 Kilman Mitchell Brewster

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

      Personally I think it’s a couple of compromises too many to squeeze sterling in

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It's really just Spurs/Utd defence i dont have.

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

          Plus 0 bench plus ESR is a much worse pick than Saka so say the stats

          I don’t hate it but I think you lose more points overall than you make up with sterling

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah fair. Feels like bench is stronger than most on here.

        2. JabariParkersEyelid
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes but you're replacing it with Sheffield and a 4.3 Newcastle defender we don't know will play for sure.

          Those are big compromises.

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            0-0 written all over it is my reasoning.

      2. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Agree with this.

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Oh Wilson second striker

    3. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      who is ESR??

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Emile Smith-Rowe

  14. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Time to make a decision on FH:

    A) Saiss Foden Lacazette
    B) AWB Dias Rashford

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

    Is this okay? - FH

    Lloris
    Cancelo, Dias, Tierney, AWB
    Fernandes, KDB, Son, Saka
    Kane, Wilson
    4.0 | ESR, Fernandez, Brewster

  16. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This team good enough not to FH?

    Stones Holding Coleman Mitchell
    KDB Bruno
    Kane Lacazette

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

      Looks alright. Cancelo would be nice though if any FTs available.

  17. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Only the one change since first draft. DCL out. Must be a good sign! DCL>Laca funded by letting Wilson go and bringing in Gundog. Couldn't find any forwards I wanted for similar money and had nobody else to downgrade. Happy enough. Maxed out too!

    Darlow
    Cancelo Saiss Tierney
    KdB(c) Bruno(vc) Son Saka Gundog
    Kane Lacazette

    Dubravka Brewster Pieters 3.8

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

      Looks good!

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

      Darlow and Dubravka :O

      Surely it's better to just pick Lloris and forget about the keeper slot.

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

        What happen if Lloris injures himself in the warm up? I had no keeper last week so belt & braces this week!

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nah mate. Players are not supposed to get injured. Don't need to hedge that badly.

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

            I've been caught out with Ryan being dropped and McCarthy so I'm twice bitten!

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

    Better option for DGW coupled with possibility of Leeds Saints game moving:

    A) Soucek (BUR, WBA)
    B) Bamford (BHA, SOT)

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bamford

  19. BremerHB
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On FH:

    A) Neto
    B) Wilson

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

      Neither

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

        Any other suggestions at similar price range? Already got triple City and Saka.

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

      Not mad on either, but Wilson on Pens would swing it for me

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

        Cheers. Any other suggestions at similar price range? Already got triple City and Saka.

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

      B

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

        Thanks!

    4. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  20. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Leno or Lloris?

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

      Lloris

  21. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What would you change on this FH?

    Leno
    Stones Cancelo Dier
    Rashford Bruno Rowe KDB Son
    Laca Kane

    0.1 ITB

    Cheers

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That's my exact FH. So perfect.

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

        Cheers bro
        GL!

  22. mataave
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes needed?

    Darlow
    Holding - Dias - Davies - Mitchell
    Son - Fernandes - KDB - Smith Rowe
    Cutrone - Brewster

    McCarthy - Salah - Ings - Struijk

  23. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not seeing as much Rashford as expected in free hit teams. He's one of the first in for me. He's expensive but I feel my only real compromise is having (and playing) Smith Rowe over Saka, but both are low expectation budget picks.

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

      Seeing 4-5-1s with Son, Rash, KDB, Bruno, Saka midfields and Kane up top and can't help admiring them.

  24. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option please?
    a) Tierney (CRY + NEW)
    b) Saiss (EVE + WBA)
    c) Cresswell ( blank + BUR/WBA)

    To replace Balbuena this week for a -4 (will BB in GW19)

  25. Aurora Borealis?
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we know what time the FFS Team News video is due today?

  26. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GW 18 Options:

    A) FH

    B) Start 7 players plus a -4 hit (Pope Dias Anguissa KDB Bruno Son Kane)

  27. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If LEE/SOU do not have a double (and we know that before the deadline) would you take

    -8 for KWP/Dallas + Raphinha > Stones + ESR/Saka

    which would give me 2 more playing BGW players 1 more DGW defence?

    Team atm:
    -
    Cancelo Dier
    KDB Bruno Son
    Kane Wilson

    Martinez Coufal Dallas KWP Grealish Raphinha Bamford

  28. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have KDB and Cancelo.

    Dias or Gundogan?

    1. ALegendJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias imo

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

      Gundogan if on FH, Dias if on WC/FT

    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gund

  29. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on my FH please?

    Lloris
    Cancelo Tierney Saiss
    KDB(vc) Bruno Son Saka
    Kane(c) Lacazette Wilson

    4.0 Kilman Burke Mitchell

    G2G?

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

      Looks great to me, I would prefer Dias/Stones over Saiss though.

  30. dinolo
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This was my team that I set up for GW18 before injuries and COVID hit:
    Martinez
    Stones Holding Dier Konsa
    Bruno KDB Smith Rowe
    Kane Wilson DCL

    I also have Steer(AVL), Dallas, Salah and Soucek on the bench who are obviously not playing, but now Martinez, Konsa and DCL out of this GW too.

    The question now is should I take hit(s) to adjust my team for this GW (I've already made one transfer to put Smith Rowe in my team) and which player(s) should I get? I only have 0.2M in my bank. Thanks.