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. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pick 2 out of 3

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

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

      AC

    2. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A 100%, tough call between B & C

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

      A and C

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      AC

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

    Is Lloris Cancelo Holding Wilson and Lacazette instead of Stones Michell and Charlie Taylor worth the Free Hit Chip?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think your better off saving FH for big blank (GW29).

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

        That gameweek could have a couple of games according to Ben Crellin's predictions. Not worth saving a FH for

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

      save

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

      Suggests you already have the big hitters and can get away with saving the FH.

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Prob save the chip if you have the main core of players KDB, Bruno, Son and Kane

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

        Have all those plus Saka, Stones and Dias. (and Mitchell and CTaylor)

  3. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gents, I'm on free hit, is there a general consensus for who makes good bench fodder, i.e. cheap but will at least play in the event of a first team no show? Also, any risk of Darlow not playing tonight? I saw Bruce's press comments.

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

      Yedlin flavour of the month for bench fodder.

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

      smith rowe at 4.4 is great for bench

      re Darlow... I was set on him. Then added Dubravka to my bench. now thinking of going Lloris & 4m

      1. Steve McCroskey
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks chaps

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

      There's not a 'general' consensus. You need to tell people how much you can afford to pick he best picks.

      Darlow is at risk of potentially not starting, based on Bruce's comments.

      1. Steve McCroskey
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think I meant more like flavours of the week; cheap players that will at least start. For what it's worth I'm looking at cheap defenders

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

      Smith-Rowe, Mitchell, Kilman, a few 4.3 defs i've listed below, Brewster.

      Yes he said he don't know who'll start. Hoping for early team news.

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

    So my strategy for this FH is going cheap in defence to afford Sterling. Reasoning is i can see a lot of goals for ManCity as they are hitting form, and SHU-NEW looks like low scoring. Who's the best 4.3def out of Bogle, Ampadu & Yedlin?

    Pickford
    Cancelo Holding X
    KDB Sterling Son Bruno ESR
    Kane Wilson

    4.0 Mitchell Kilman Brewster

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

    Would you FH or FT(-4)for this team?

    McCarthy Steer
    Robbo Dias Dallas KWP Kilman
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek Bissouma
    Kane DCL Bamford

    2 FT 0 itb

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

      I'd use 2 or 3 transfers but you have the essential premiums there already so no need to FH.

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

        So who do you recommend besides thinking Salah > KdB

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

          DCL to Wilson i guess.

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

    Saiss or Wan Bissaka for one week?

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

      AWB

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

      AWB for me

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

      Asked the same question on previous page. I think AWB.

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

    laca or rashford for this gameweek? bookies give laca more chance to score

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you already have Fernandes I'd say Laca, don't really fancy the united double up

  8. Jaunty Jonty
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this enough to limp through without FH?
    Feel like I'm covering most of the big guns with just a -4

    No GK
    Stones, Dias
    Saka, Son, Bruno, KDB
    Kane

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

      Agree, you'll likely be alright.

      1. Jaunty Jonty
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks - agreed!

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

      yes

      1. Jaunty Jonty
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nice one cheers

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

      You're fine. I have

      Pope
      Cancelo, Dias
      Bruno, KDB
      Kane

      And I'm going to try limp through it too.

      1. Jaunty Jonty
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yup nice one. Fingers crossed!

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

      Yes

  9. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Postponed Villa game hurts, as planning to navigate without a FH. Already used my free to go Salah to Son. Would you stick or twist with this lot:

    Lowton - Dias - Dier - Holding
    KDB - Fernandes - Son
    Kane - Brewster

    Non playing: Martinez, Forster, Coufal, Soucek, Grealish

    1. Jaunty Jonty
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Basically what I'm doing too - just hold and limp through I reckon. Covered most of the big points getters.

      1. marpy016
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, my thought as well. Would have liked to have had some Arsenal attacking coverage, but can't have them all.

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

      I would stick.

      1. marpy016
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, best of luck this week!

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

    Struggling on the last few spots.
    Which of these combos is best?

    A. Lloris+Stones+Saka
    B. Darlow+Dias+Saka
    C. Darlow+Stones+Neto

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

    For free transfer, would you rather do

    A. Ryan > Areola
    B. DCL > C Wood

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

      B

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

      B

  12. Thewonderfulgame
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sub Debate..

    A) Brewster + Saiss

    or

    B) McGoldrick + Clark

    1. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

  14. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On fh.
    Start

    A) AWB
    B) Schar

    The remaining one will be first sub.

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

  15. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How’s this wc looking - BB19 if possible but not certain

    Pope
    Dias Cancelo McGuire
    Rashford Bruno kdb Smith-Rowe
    Wilson Kane (c)

    Areola bamford coufal souceck

  16. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Moves for GW19

    A: Rashford > Salah
    B: Son > Salah
    C: Keep Rash & Son, Go without Salah

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

      If you have Bruno then A, if not then I don't know.

  17. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ministers and politicians gunning for football, 1 or 2 more outbreaks and its finished imo

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Source? Only yesterday the health minister for England said football won't be stopping as it helps the country have some sort of normality.

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Which ministers and politicians ?
      I haven't heard anything mentioned at all.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bbc and talksport Radio this morning, clubs told to remind plays about celebrations etc and prove they can stay within the rules

        Can’t find a source on line so read into it what you will

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks for that. So actually nothing specific from any minister or politician - just idle speculation ?

          1. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Like I said, read into it what you will, if that’s nothing then have a great day

            1. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I've had a good search and not seen a thing. Have a great day.

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

    Seeing people not happy to use FH in BGW29 due to crap fixtures, but the way I see it is you don't want these players neither before nor after, so better to use FH then for an expeced 25-35 pts - compared to < 10 pts from bench players

  19. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any ideas who is going to start? Martia or Cavani?

  20. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The cancellation of the Villa-game forced my hand and I am now on FH with very little time to plan my team. Any comments welcome on my first draft:

    Darlow
    Cancelo - Maguire - Aurier - Holding
    Son - KDB(C) - Fernandes - Foden - ESR
    Kane

    Subs: Leno, Fernandez, Fabio Silva, Brewski

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

      Start Leno. If you downgrade Darlow you can get Regs for Aurier who is better and more likely to play.

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

        Cheers Banksy.

    2. Apollo Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go Dier over Aurier

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

        Didn't see Leno on your bench, yeah Banksy is right.

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

          Cheers!

  21. 1Banksy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Posted before as a reply. Any tweaks to this FH team?
    Leno
    Cancelo Stones Dier Tierney
    Bruno Son KDB Rashford
    Kane Wilson
    4.0 Yedlin ESR Brewster

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

      I'm going 451 with Saka over Wilson and using spare cash to upgrade stones to dias + including a sub GK + McGoldrick, all down to preference, have no confidence in Newcastle scoring

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

        Interesting. I have more confidence in Newcastle scoring than current Sheff U getting a sheet.

  22. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Free hit decision comes down to

    1) Leno Stones Rashford
    2) DDG Regulion Laca

    Have Tierney so 1) would be double arsenal defence and double Cory defence.

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

      I’m backing team 1 but it’s tricky

  23. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lloris (Fodder)
    Cancelo Dias Fernandez (Clark, Fodder)
    Saka Bruno Son (V) KDB (C) (Smith-Rowe)
    Kane Laca Wilson

    Anything need doing?

  24. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So your playing your wildcard, who's the must have players?

  25. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any improvements to this WC18 / BB19?

    Areola
    Saiss Stone Cancelo AWB
    Lookman KDB Bruno Son
    Kane Laca

    Martinez*, Coufal* Soucek* Antonio*

    GW19 possibilities:

    Laca,Son > Grealish,Vardy OR Watkins,Mane

  26. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are either or both worth a hit?

    James > Stones/Dias

    DCL > Wilson/Antonio/Cavani

    Both James and DCL are out for a while so I'm tempted.

  27. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have

    Cancelo, Stones, Holding
    Son, KDB, Bruno,
    Kane
    for -4 this week.
    Is it worth using a FH to bring in Laca, Saka, Lloris and Shaw?

  28. The Habib Beyes
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kinda stuck without a keeper on the blank gameweek. Is it really worth a -4 to get DDG in for McCarthy? Or just go without

  29. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH Team - any thoughts/ suggestions? (0 ITB)
    LLoris, 4.0
    Tierney, CAncelo, Maguire (Mitchell, Kilman)
    Fernandes, KDB, Son, Saka, Gundogan
    Kane, Lacazette (Brewster)

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Exact team as mine. Except I have two Newc defenders on the bench. Who’s your captain?

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

        😀 not sure, probably be KDB, yours?

        1. Here's Tom with the We…
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Going Kane I think

  30. Here's Tom with the We…
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On a FH, which one would you go for?

    A Mcguire
    B AWB
    C Saiss

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B