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. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Salah, DCL and Kilman to Rashford, Kane and Mitchell for -4 to give me this lot below with 9 players this GW.
    Son and Kane will go out for another -4 in GW19 for Salah and Antonio to give me 11 DGW players.

    (Martinez - Foster )
    Dias Cancelo Dier Mitchell ( Coufal )
    KDB Fernandes Son Rashford ( Soucek )
    Kane ( Davis, Bamford )

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Excellent plan imo. No brainer for me

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  2. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka vs ESR. I fancy ESR as more of a differential but is Saka's upside so much bigger to justify going with him instead?

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think Saka is worth the extra money, far better stats

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate

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

      It entirely depends what you're doing with the extra funds for me.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Having a fully serviceable bench in case of postponements. Otherwise it will be all fodder

    3. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guess I'm asking sort of the same question below.
      Saka is amazing, always involved, integral part of the attack.
      Smith Rowe gets himself in more dangerous positions, but is more in danger of being subbed/having minutes managed..
      Tough one.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I do think ESR offers great value and allows me to have a decent bench. Need at least one pick that is more of a differential I think. Most people are going with Saka

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

      I'm not compromising on Saka. You're a member go look at Saka's stats.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have done and they are indeed amazing. When comparing Saka with ESR though I feel like the comparison may be a bit skewed due to the fact that ESR has played only 3 games and in recent times. His stats are good too. Think the upside of having Lloris in goal over Leno and having a decent bench outweighs Saka.

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

      Saka. And it is not even close.

  3. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you remove for Stones?

    A. Mitchell (Although Mitchell plays this week, likely to be a 1 or 2 pointer at best)
    B. Konsa (Konsa could be handy with plenty of dgws down the line)

    7 playing this week if I remove Mitchell, 8 if I remove Konsa.

    Gw 18 team:
    Cancelo Taylor Mitchell
    KDB Bruno Anguissa
    Kane

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Konsa

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

      That's not a good enough team to not FH or WC imo.

      You're going to drop huge places with that lot.

      You only really have 4 effective players this week.

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If I FH, I will lose KDB & Cancelo who I got in this week along with a saved FT.

        Will have to take hits to get them in gw 19.

        Just a hit for Stones this week will leave me with all the big hitters(except Son) and double city defence.
        Should be OK for this week I guess.

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

          I disagree. I think you should WC. Burn the extra FT.

    3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I thought Taylor was out injured...?

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Touch and go this week according to Dyche.
        Has a double coming up and is useful as a bench fodder.

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

    Newcastle fans, who do you expect to line up in defence this week? Looking to bring in either yedlin or clark

  5. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Slight change to last team posted. How's this FH team looking now??

    Darlow
    Cancelo / Tierney / Lascelles
    Saka / KDB / Son (c) / Rashford/ Bruno
    Kane / Lacazette

    Bench is all fodder.

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

      Lascelles is unlikely to play.

  6. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundogan or Saka?

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

      Having the same debate but leaning gundo

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

    I'm eagerly awaiting Pep's presser if Sterling is fit I'm considering doing something pretty maverick.

    Lloris
    Cancelo Dier Lindelof
    KdB Sterling Fernandes Son Saka
    Laca Cavani
    (McGoldrick first sub in case Cavani is out)

    No Kane!

    1. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Whens the presser?

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

      What if Lindelof doesn't play?

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

        Then I get Mitchell. But I think Lindelof is nailed on to play. Bailly is unfit and he trained yesterday.

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Is Mitchell going to play though?

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

            It doesn't matter. He won't be needed.

    3. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck. Respect.

  8. fplconte
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who is more important:

    Son this week, or Salah next week

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah next week

  9. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Leno - AWB - Saka

    B) DDG - Tierney - Smith Rowe

    What combination would you prefer?

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

    Down to 8 with 2 transfers already made (-4 hit)

    Holding Dias Maguire Stones
    Sara Son KDB(c) Bruno(v)

    Time to FH or hold ? My rivals all have Kane.

  11. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH template team. G2G?

    Lloris
    Cancelo Tierney AWB
    Fernandes KDB Son Saka
    Kane Lacazette Wilson

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

      Yep looks good! I've got Rashford Dias over Laca Wilson!?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Template the way to go for me. Just want to be in a good position at the half way mark. Then can reassess after FA Cup 4th round.

  12. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah, Podence and Watkins to KDB, Neto and Bamford for a hit?

  13. Live Lad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    One Man U defender or City defense double?
    Thanks.

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

      City double - Man U defence been pretty porous

  14. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Set on this FH team

    DeGea (4M)
    Reguillon-Cancelo-Tierny (Mitchell+3.8m)
    KdB-Son-Bruno-Saka (Burke)
    Wilson-Kane-Lacca

    Anyone missing? 😀

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. If you switched De Gea and Reguilon to Lloris and AWB you would have a template team.

  15. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need help here guys. No space for all 3 so need to leave 1 out

    A. Dias (have Cancelo)
    B. Wan Bissaka
    C. Wilson

    Loris
    Cancelo, Tierny, xxx, xxx
    Kdb, Saka, Son, Fernandes
    Kane, Laca, xxx

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

      A C

  16. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Has my Grav randomly disappeared?

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

      Yes

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

        Weird after sooooo many years, will look into it.
        Thanks

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

          Can any Mod link me to grav guidance?, beens absolutely years and years since I last did it

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

            Gravatar

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

              Just tried that and I ended up logging into an old wordpress site of mine from 2013! 😮

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

    Quick question lads?

    A) ESR + Lloris
    B) Saka + Leno (already have Tierney)

    A) would mean I also get an extra playing bench player.

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

      Don't double Arsenal defense. A. Although I'm not willing to sacrifice Saka so I got AWB over Tierney.

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not convinced that Arsenal will keep a clean sheet so A. I have Tierny in my squad simply for the potential attacking returns

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

    Who is the best DM of the last 25 years?

    Makelele, Kante, Busquets, Vieira, Keane, Yaya Toure, Mascherano?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kante.

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

      Batty!

    3. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Busquet

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

      Yaya Toure

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

      No time for this today 😀

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

      Toure was box to box

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

      Busquets

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

      Kane

    9. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lothar Matthäus

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

      Who scores more?

      A. Rashford Dias
      B. Laca Wilson

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

        Tough one. I like Laca but A seems safer

    11. Goodricke
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bottomed on last page, so reposting:
      2.1m in the world, FH time, and a strange feeling that Sheffield will not only break their duck, but will also keep a clean sheet. I present to you:

      Ramsdale, BPF
      Tierney, wan Bis, Cancelo, Mitchel, webster
      KDB, Son, Bruno, Gundogan, Saka
      Kane, Laca, McGoldrick.

      Better to burn out than fade away.

      Once more into the breach...

      or play it safe(r) with DDG?

      1. Aussie Rules
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same starting line up as me except for Lloris instead of Ramsdale. Stick to your gut feeling I reckon personally

    12. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martial or Cavani?

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        For this week only (FH)

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

        Martial - scored in all of his three starts at Turf Moor in the PL

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks Miguel!

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

        Cavani if he starts.

        Otherwise neither.

    13. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do you think Darlow is nailed enough to consider him on FH? Or would you rather just go with Leno

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

        Go Darlow if you can get Dubravka on your bench

        1. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I can't unfortunately

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

            Can you afford Areola or Sanchez instead?

            1. Jam0sh
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              No. I will play with one playing keeper, either Darlow or Lenon

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

                John it is then

      2. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm also worried about Darlow and don't want to spend money on a backup keeper. Pickford maybe?

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

      A) Shaw & Lacazette
      B) AWB & Wilson

      1. Aussie Rules
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A

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

      Would you take a -8 to field

      DDG
      Lowton Cancelo Dias
      Son Bruno KDB Rashford
      Brewster

      and then be set for 14DGW + Son for GW19 with no more hits?

    16. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Worth a -8 to bring in laca and neto for 2 blanks? Basically needs a goal to be worthwhile.

      This is on fanteam and I'll wildcard immediately after.

    17. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dont know what to do guys; got 2 FT but barely any players for the GW.. Should I FH or is it a waste of 2 transfers and should I take a few hits instead?

      McCarthy Button
      Balbuena robbo dallas ferguson Ctaylor
      salah bruno son soucek raphina
      kane dlc bam

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        FH or you could consider WC since you've got 3 Leeds and 1 soton who might not have a double next week now

    18. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For FH
      A- Dubravka + Tierney
      B- Leno + AWB

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

      Which option would you suggest?

      A) Sterling, Richarlison
      B) Rashford, Jesus

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

      Saka or Neto?

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

        Saka

      2. Aussie Rules
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Saka

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

      What you think about 4-3-3 for this gw?

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

        I think I'd rather have 7 attackers, but if you have low TV it's a viable strategy.