Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best FPL players for Triple Gameweek 35

Fantasy Football Scout regulars David, Andy, Tom and Neale return to pick out their favoured players for the upcoming Gameweek in our weekly Scout Squad feature.

The ‘Free Hit’-type selections unsurprisingly feature an abundance of players with two fixtures in Gameweek 35, along with the obligatory threesome of Manchester United assets ahead of their triple-header.

Each panelist has put forward an 18-man long-list of Fantasy Premier League assests and will explain their notable inclusions and omissions below.

The players listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for the weekly Scout Picks selection ahead of the Friday night deadline.

Each writer must meet the following requirements:

  • At least one goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less
  • At least one sub-£5.0m defender
  • At least one midfielder listed at £6.5m or below
  • At least one forward priced at £7.5m or lower
  • No more than three players from the same club

SCOUT SQUAD PICKS

DavidNealeTomAndy
GKVicente GuaitaVicente GuaitaVicente GuaitaVicente Guaita
Emiliano MartínezEdouard MendyEdouard MendyJordan Pickford
Edouard MendyEmiliano MartinezFraser ForsterEmiliano Martinez
DFHarry MaguireTrent Alexander-ArnoldHarry MaguireAndrew Robertson
Trent Alexander-ArnoldHarry MaguireTrent Alexander-ArnoldHarry Maguire
Timothy CastagneTimothy CastagneLucas DigneTrent Alexander-Arnold
Lucas DigneLucas DigneTimothy CastagneTimothy Castagne
Tyrick MitchellRob HoldingAntonio RüdigerAntonio Rudiger
MFBruno FernandesMohamed SalahBruno FernandesBruno Fernandes
Mason GreenwoodBruno FernandesMason GreenwoodMohamed Salah
Mohamed SalahDiogo JotaMohamed SalahMason Greenwood
Wilfried ZahaWilfried ZahaWilfried ZahaWilfried Zaha
James Ward-ProwseAnwar El GhaziJames Ward-ProwseBukayo Saka
FWDominic Calvert-LewinKelechi IheanachoKelechi IheanachoDominic Calvert-Lewin
Kelechi IheanachoDominic Calvert-LewinJamie VardyJamie Vardy
Ollie WatkinsOllie WatkinsDominic Calvert-LewinKelechi Iheanacho
Jamie VardyEdinson CavaniOllie WatkinsOllie Watkins
Chris WoodChe AdamsChe AdamsChristian Benteke

Most popular picks: Vicente Guaita, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire, Timothy Castagne, Mohamed Salah, Wilfried Zaha, Bruno Fernandes, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins, Kelechi Iheanacho (four), Emiliano Martinez, Edouard Mendy, Lucas Digne, Mason Greenwood, Jamie Vardy (three)

DAVID SAID

Of all the teams playing twice in Double Gameweek 35, Crystal Palace have the best schedule from a defensive perspective.

Their trips to Sheffield United and Southampton have excellent clean sheet potential which is why Vicente Guaita is my top goalkeeper for this round, while Tyrick Mitchell, who reclaimed the left-back berth in Gameweek 34, is also in my Scout Squad selection.

No Premier League team has conceded fewer goals than Manchester United over their last six. Harry Maguire has played every minute this season and last so he is arguably the most likely to feature in all three of their Triple Gameweek matches.

With Liverpool now playing twice in this round, Trent Alexander-Arnold is a key option to own. No defender has created more big chances than him in their last half-dozen appearances.

Chelsea are still the best team for lowest expected goals conceded (xGC) score over their last six, which is why I’ve gone for Edouard Mendy and Andreas Christensen, the latter having started each of the last three league matches in a row.

Bruno Fernandes has also been an ever-present for Manchester United since their return to European football, so I cannot look past him in midfield. While the returns have dried up recently, he remains in the Premier League’s top 11 for minutes per expected goal involvement over the last six.

I have also included Mason Greenwood in my selection considering the recent out-of-position exploits that have seen him sit behind only Mohamed Salah for total shots in the box over his last six outings.
Crystal Palace’s aforementioned fixtures are also kind for attacking potential too. Over the last six, Sheffield United and Southampton are both in the Premier League’s worst three for conceding big chances.

Meanwhile, Wilfried Zaha has two attacking returns in his last four starts since returning from injury.

Since Gameweek 29, no Premier League player has been afforded more big chances than Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which should see him get something against West Ham and Aston Villa; two sides who have obliged of late.

Kelechi Iheanacho is an obvious inclusion considering the continuation of his form. Since Double Gameweek 26, he has produced nine goals and two assists and sits top of the Premier League for shots on target over the last six.

Meanwhile, his colleague Jamie Vardy ranks joint-top with Iheanacho for big chances created over the same period. Friday’s meeting with Newcastle is, of course, more appealing than a Tuesday-evening trip to Old Trafford but I wouldn’t be too surprised to see the Foxes find the net there.

NEALE SAID

As so often happens, there’ll no doubt be a ‘single Gameweek’ player who outscores most of those with two or even three fixtures in Triple Gameweek 35.

But seeing as though we’re effectively picking a Free Hit side in this feature, the ‘two bites at the cherry’ mindset still wins out every single time.

And nothing sums up the faint ridiculousness of this blinkered Double Gameweek approach than talking up Crystal Palace players, not one of whom features in top 45 highest-scoring FPL assets of 2020/21.

But their double-header against Southampton and Sheffield United is unquestionably the most favourable of the nine teams with two or more fixtures, even if the Eagles themselves routinely flatter to deceive.

A little surprisingly given how much we tend to given them a wide berth, only four clubs have kept more clean sheets than Palace this calendar year. Vicente Guaita racked up a combined 17 points in the reverse fixtures of his Gameweek 35 matches, too.

In the Saints and the Blades, Wilfried Zaha – who has played a part in 45% of his side’s goals when he has featured – will be facing the two teams with the worst defensive records in 2021. He’s in my squad should Roy Hodgson pass him fit on Friday, despite the misgivings over Palace as a whole.

Among the sea of state-the-bleeding-obvious picks elsewhere, Anwar El Ghazi requires a bit of explanation.

Providing Jack Grealish remains out as expected, the £5.2m-rated Dutchman could prosper against a jaded Manchester United XI and an Everton side that Villa defeated 2-1 in an end-to-end spectacle last week.

The trigger-happy El Ghazi’s minutes-per-chance average of 24.2 is the best among FPL midfielders with significant game-time this season and he’s on penalties to boot. More importantly, he’s currently in Dean Smith’s good books – which is not always the case.

While many of my peers have plumped for Mason Greenwood, I’m going to put a bit of faith in Edinson Cavani.

Most United players will have at least one benching in Gameweek 35 and the veteran Uruguayan will no doubt share game-time with Greenwood (and others) over the next week, with the latter probably edging the minutes.

But no player has scored more Premier League goals off the bench than Cavani this season and his goals-per-90-minutes average (0.58) is better than that of any United asset.

Injuries to David Luiz and Danny Ings partly influence my selections of Rob Holding and Che Adams, meanwhile.

TOM SAID…

Double and Triple Gameweek players unsurprisingly make up my entire 18-man squad this time.

More often than not, Crystal Palace have struggled at the back this season, but for the best part of an hour did contain Manchester City last weekend. With Roy Hodgson in charge, they will always set up with a defence-first mentality, which leads me to goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. The 34-year-old has kept six clean sheets since the turn of the year, with the Spaniard accompanying Edouard Mendy and Fraser Forster

While Everton’s defence isn’t exactly watertight either, I’ve found a spot for Lucas Digne, who put in another good performance against Aston Villa last time out. The Frenchman registered his ninth FPL assist of the season, and could play as a wing-back if Carlo Ancelotti reverts to a back-three system.

I also like Harry Maguire, who has played every minute of every league game this term, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Timothy Castagne and Antonio Rüdiger.

Further forward, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Mohamed Salah, plus Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy are obvious inclusions, so I’ll dedicate a bit more of my time to some of my other picks.

Talisman Wilfried Zaha has been playing through a potential groin injury in recent matches, but providing he is passed fit, could be an excellent differential option, given that the Eagles have arguably the best pair of fixtures. The 28-year-old has already reached double-figures in terms of goals in the Premier League, while opponents Sheffield United and Southampton both rank in the bottom two for big chances conceded in 2021.

Elsewhere, James Ward-Prowse’s dead-ball deliveries could be key, with team-mate Che Adams, plus Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins completing the forward list. The latter was the best player on the pitch against Everton last weekend, setting the tone with his pressing from the front. He’s now produced returns in five successive matches and is up to 15 goals in all competitions this season. I’d put Calvert-Lewin slightly ahead, but it’s close, and both are brilliant options in Triple Gameweek 35.

ANDY SAID

I don’t particularly trust Crystal Palace from an attacking point of view. In fact they are the worst team when it comes to expected goals this season with 27.43. But sometimes you have to just back the fixtures and it doesn’t get much better than Sheffield United and Southampton. Sheffield United have conceded the highest expected goals this season, which is also the case in the last six matches.

Southampton are also in the top five worse teams over those half-dozen games, hence Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke being included. My Manchester United attacker choices this week would really depend on the line-up versus Roma, but it was promising to see Mason Greenwood selected in the original team for Liverpool. He’s had 17 shots in the box over the last six matches, nine more than both Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford. Considering only four players (and no midfielders) have a higher expected goal involvement over the last six than Fernandes, he has to be in.

Luke Shaw continues to top chance creation tables for defenders, but it’s also interesting to see Lucas Digne in the top five over the last six matches. Timothy Castagne has also increased his attacking output, especially since playing on the right side, with eight chances created and three shots in the box over the same time period.

578 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Greenwood or Zaha?

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm in that same dilemma. Zaha means one less hit in gw36.

    2. RovingRamsey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would wait for tonight's team news but surely can't overlook a TGWer! Depends on the rest of your team for 36 too.

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        This

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

        Greenwood likely DGW'er for practical purposes though. But his stats are good

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

    Who scores more in the next two weeks?

    A) Zaha (Sheffield Utd, Southampton, Villa)

    B) Son (Leeds, Wolves) +4

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B, he might even without the +4.

  3. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    "I also like Harry Maguire, who has played every minute of every league game this term, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Timothy Castagne and Antonio Rüdiger."

    What does this mean?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I also like Harry Maguire (who has played every minute of every league game this term), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Timothy Castagne and Antonio Rüdiger.

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It means I like Maguire, Trent, Castagne and Rudiger as defensive options this week?

  4. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What to do here guys?

    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Dias, Rudiger, Fofana, Coady
    Salah, Son, Jota, Lingard, Saka
    Kane, Iheanacho, Vydra

    £2.4m ITB 2FT

    Need to consider gw36 too as I have no chips left

    1. TubThumper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son to Bruno. Dias or Fofo to Mitchell?

  5. RovingRamsey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on this Wildcard draft?

    Guaita
    TAA Digne Maguire
    Salah Bruno Greenwood Sig
    DCL Nacho Kane

    Forster Phillips ASM Dallas (£0.0itb)

    Could do Zaha/Lookman instead of Sig/ASM too.

    Planning to do Bruno -> Son/Bale or Greenwood -> Lingard in 36 to field 11!

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Looks good would maybe go zaha over sigg

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I am planning to go without Kane, but can't say he's a bad pick. Guaita is good pick for this gw, but you are possibly stuck with him for the rest of the season, McCarthy starts next week. Meslier over him imo and Forster this week?

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Guaita / Meslier
      TAA, Digne, Maguire / Dallas, Coufal
      Salah, Jota, Bruno, Greenwood / Bale
      DCL, Watkins, Nacho

      My current Kaneless draft for comparison^. The problem with it is that getting Kane costs -4 (Bruno to Raphinha, Nacho to Kane) or I could do just Bruno to Son next week.

      1. RovingRamsey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I do enjoy the distribution of funds when you go Kaneless! Can't bring myself to go against HK in a golden boot race though, you're a braver man than I

    4. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’m planning to use WC in .36 to clear banks

      I have 10dgw

  6. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Current team 1FT..what to do?

    Martinez
    Shaw TAA Holgate Rudiger
    Salah Greenwood Jota Son
    Kane Inheancho
    (Lingard, Bamford, Burn)

    A. Bamford > Watkins
    B. Son & Bamford > Bruno & Davis (bench) (-4)
    C. Son & Lingard > Bruno & Bissouma (bench) -4
    D. Son Lingard Bamford > Bruno, Bissoumna (bench) & Watkins (-8)

    D would give me two extra players for next GW.

    1. RovingRamsey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C for me - think Bruno is a must this week

  7. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Ward nailed for palace?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That sea of green for the next 3 look very tempting doesn't it lol.

      Played 90 mins each game for the last 9 matches so I think he is pretty nailed.

  8. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Good analysis in the article.

    Good luck to any free hitters going in this week over next.

  9. IBBIKA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which transfer do I make:

    Maddison out for Zaha
    Evans out for maguire
    Mendy out for Pickford ???

  10. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    BB activated . 2 ft and only 5 players for gw 36.

    Leno Forster
    TAA Shaw Rudiger Holding Castagne
    Salah Bruno Son Greenwood Jota
    Nacho Vardy Vydra

    Was thinking of -8
    Vardy Vydra Leno Rudiger out for Dcl Watkins Guaita Digne

    What do you guys think ?

    1. TubThumper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'd do it given BB and blanks in 36. Should at minimum cover your spend and the rest is upside.

  11. IBBIKA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which transfer:

    1)Maddison out for Zaha
    2)Evans out for maguire
    3)Mendy out for Pickford

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2

  12. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Planning ahead with transfers this week. Best duo from week 36 to end of season

    A Meslier Dallas
    B Meslier Coufal
    C Meslier Cresswell
    D Fabianski Dallas

    1. IBBIKA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  13. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    My transfers essentially come down to these alternatives
    A- Rudiger + Greenwood + 4 points
    B- Evans + Maguire

    Leaning towards B due to security of starts, also don't think rudiger will start both games
    Thoughts?

    1. tom2224
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Go for a walk and clear you head

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Link your team to be taken with any seriousness

  14. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Would you do these for -12 and BB?

    Son, McCarthy, Studjik, Azpi to Greenwood, Forster, Maguire, TAA

    2-3 matches vs at least 8 matches

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes if you're keeping Kane

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yes I am keeping Kane and may do Bruno to Son/Bale next week

  15. SuperDan
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Vardy or DCL?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      DCL

  16. Cak Juris
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Choose one for bench:
    A. Kane (lee)
    B. Targett (MUN, EVE)
    C. Nat Phillips (SOT, mun)

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  17. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    2FT 0.0m in the bank.

    Mendy Forster
    TAA Holding Rudiger Coufal Godfrey
    Salah Jota Bruno Son Lingard
    Kane Vydra Nacho

    Would you do:

    A) Son and Rudiger > Greenwood and McGuire
    B) take a -4 and do Godfrey to Digne

    Will play bench boost

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      What r your thoughts on keeping vydra?

  18. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    FH thoughts please:

    Henderson (Button)
    Holding PVA Castagne (Dunne) (Mitchell)
    Mane Salah Jota Fernandes Greenwood
    Ihenacho Lacazette (Davis)
    £1.8 itb

    so: 3x utd, 3x pool, 2x ars, 2x lei, 1x cry
    0x villa ?

    Lacazette a doubt ? see if he plays tonight ? Rashford or Greenwood ? watkins or laca or dcl ?
    Improvements ?

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Holding not nailed, PVA not nailed. Not a fan of no trent so would drop Jota to find a way to trent. Guita in for henderson so you can grab maguire

      DCL over Laca

      1. threeputt
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        i put in taa for pva and took out mane for aubameyang

        looks beter already

  19. McPollolocco
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    My team: Play bench boost this GW:

    Martinez
    TAA, Rüdiger, Digne
    Pereira, Zaha, Salah, Greenwood
    Kane, Antonio, Bamford

    Guaita, Holding, Maddison, Coufal

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Probably wise, GW36 has blanks and there will be plenty of rotation in GW37 and 38. I'm using BB with 12 DGW and free SGWers this GW

  20. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Woody popey barnsey..Sean dyche 🙂

  21. VaVaVoom14
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who gets more points just this gameweek:

    A) Kane and Maddison +4
    B) Salah and Watkins

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  22. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    For those with both Kane and Son

    What are you doing?

    A) Keep Both
    B) Sell Son
    C) Sell Kane
    D) Sell Both

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      c

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      On B at the mo

      1. lets talk about 6
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        for who?

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    4. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B, getting Greenwood in

    5. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      There are probably better options available to you selling Son for a midfielder than Kane for another forward.

    6. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      D

    7. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B or C

  23. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ederson & Son
    to
    Henderson & Bruno Fernandeson

    Yes or No?

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      do you have a playing GK in 36?

      1. Wılly
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Sanchez (whu)

        1. dbeck
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          cool, decent moves

  24. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Castagne, Maguire, Salah, Bruno, Nacho
    Can we agree on these for must haves?

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I dont think the first two are must haves. Shaw or AWB seems fine. I'd prefer TAA over Castagne

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        any other must haves in your view?

  25. lets talk about 6
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Son to greenwood for just one week? will cost -4 next week to reverse

  26. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    On BB

    Would you do Areola to Forster for -4 ?
    ( Martinez is my other GK )

    1. lets talk about 6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      no

  27. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez or Guita?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Guaita

  28. McPollolocco
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Will Holding play in the DGW, because David Luiz trained today?

  29. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I can do

    Son & Lingard >> Greenwood & Havertz with 2 FT's this week giving me 8 DGW'ers and 3 UTD

    Keeping bench light as i reckon everyone plays at least 1 but still will have Coady, Struijk on bench as cover.

    Sound good?

  30. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Guaita and Digne

    or

    B) Forster and TAA (have Phillips)

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B