Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 5 Scout Picks features Liverpool triple-up

A Liverpool triple-up forms the spine of our Gameweek 5 Scout Picks for Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

After Sam, Az, Neale and Tom submitted their Scout Squad selections earlier this week, we have chosen our best players ahead of tonight’s 18:30 BST deadline.

We line up in a 4-4-2 formation and we’ve used every penny of our £83.0m budget.

GOALKEEPER

With our expensive purchases further forward, we needed a £4.5m option for goalkeeping duties this week. Aaron Ramsdale (£4.5m) fits the bill after a debut that earned huge plaudits from his manager, and it was no surprise that the Gunners finally recorded their first clean sheet of the campaign when they had their first-choice back four all available for the first time. The rotation risk can’t be eliminated, especially after this match, but a clash with Burnley doesn’t seem like the time to reinstate Bernd Leno (£4.9m) give his inability to handle crosses.

DEFENDERS

Thomas Tuchel’s Blues have had the best backline in Europe since January and are yet to concede from open play this season. Weekend opponents Tottenham Hotspur offered very little in the final third in Gameweek 4, registering just two shots, and are a lowly joint-18th for big chances created in 2021/22. That lack of goal threat, plus an injury crisis in north London, makes us keen on Chelsea representation at the back. It’s always a nerve-wracking game trying to second-guess Tuchel’s line-ups but Reece James (£5.6m) at least had a ‘rest’ last weekend thanks to suspension and his tallies of four shots and five key passes in just 161 minutes of pitch-time really catches the eye.

On the subject of solid defences, Manchester City’s often doesn’t get the attention it deserves thanks to their exploits further forward. The reigning champions are on a run of three clean sheets and have remarkably only conceded one shot on target since the opening weekend, with even Ederson (£6.0m) smothering that effort at source. With injuries to other centre-halves and concern over possible rotation at full-back, mainstay Ruben Dias (£6.0m) is the safe play.

A home match against Palace might have looked like a stonewall banker for a clean sheet under the dour Roy Hodgson but Patrick Vieira has got the Eagles playing with a bit more attacking verve since his appointment. But shut-outs are only a small part of the reason why we love Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) so much, and the Liverpool right-back is in red-hot form: over his last 14 matches, the prolific chance creator is averaging 7.8 FPL points per match.

Marcal (£4.6m) delivered the goods for us last week but we’re changing flanks for Wolves representation against a Brentford outfit who look solid at the back but who are struggling up top. Marcal has generally been providing service from out wide but Nelson Semedo (£4.9m) is the one who has been more regularly drifting infield into threatening goalscoring positions and had two of the six big chances that Wolves created last weekend. Semedo’s 11 penalty box touches is a tally beaten by only two FPL defenders this season.

MIDFIELDERS

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 2? 6

The solid centre-half pairing of Marc Guehi (£4.5m) and Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) look like they could really improve the fortunes of Palace’s backline this season but after Liverpool racked up 52 shots against Leeds United and AC Milan in the last week, we can’t look past the Reds on home soil. Serious consideration was given to a rested Sadio Mane (£11.9m) after he registered an eye-catching 10 goal attempts against the Whites but it was unsurprisingly his two attacking comrades who instead received the bulk of the votes in this week’s Scout Squad.

Mohamed Salah‘s (£12.5m) totals of 16 goal attempts, 14 shots in the box and 12 chances created all rank among the top three players in the Premier League this season, while his points-per-match average of 9.5 is the best among FPL midfielders. And Diogo Jota (£7.7m), as he did for much of the previous campaign, is right up there Liverpool’s premium midfield pair for underlying stats: a total of 0.99 big chances per 90 minutes is even better than what Salah is managing this season. Had it not been for Mane’s wastefulness in Gameweek 4, the Portuguese – who carved out six chances last Sunday – would have dodged a blank.

With slight concerns over Ferran Torres’ (£7.2m) minutes after five successive starts for club and country over the last fortnight, we’ve opted for a relatively rested Ilkay Gundogan (£7.3m) as our not-entirely-risk-free route into a potent Manchester City attack. Gundogan evoked memories of last season’s purple patch with his stats against Leicester last weekend, racking up six shots and four key passes.

We have yet to see the best of Leeds this season but as luck would have it, along come Newcastle United. The Magpies are woeful at the back, bottom of the table for goals conceded and big chances allowed. They also shipped seven goals to Marcelo Bielsa’s side last season across their two meetings. Raphinha (£6.5m) has yet to catch fire but still sits 14th among FPL midfielders for expected goal involvement (xGI) despite facing fairly sturdy backlines in Manchester United, Everton and Liverpool.

FORWARDS

The best FPL forwards to consider as Calvert-Lewin and Antonio replacements 7

On the subject of the Friday night game, Patrick Bamford (£7.9m) was cleared to play by his manager to quieten the social media frenzy around a possible ‘pinged’ hamstring. Among the top five Fantasy forwards for penalty box touches and shots in the opposition box despite the tricky start to the season, the striker averaged 5.89 points per match in away fixtures last season and four of his five double-digit hauls came on the road.

It was a toss-up between Romelu Lukaku (£11.6m) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.6m) for our premium forward slot. With little to separate their own credentials, it’s as much about the opposition this weekend. Nuno Espirito Santo’s counter-attacking Spurs look like they will fare better against the bigger teams this season but are ravaged by injury going into Sunday’s game. West Ham, meanwhile, have registered just two clean sheets in their last 15 Premier League fixtures (both against Southampton) but may well set up in a more defensive shape in east London, as they did in both league meetings with the Red Devils last weekend. The Portuguese gets the nod, marginally, with the Hammers’ loss of an out-ball in Michail Antonio (£7.9m) likely to invite more pressure and the form of Craig Dawson (£5.0m) iffy.

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

FPL Gameweek 2 round-up: Sunday goals, assists, bonus and injuries 4

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The community member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

BobMcMayday, who triumphed 74-68 in Gameweek 4, has set the target to beat.

Our champion this week is Boleyn Boy.

The Scout Picks are 3-1 up on the community this season.

1,419 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Final decision keeping me hanging still

    Choose one to bring in:

    A: Torres
    B: Greenwood (have Ronaldo)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Pretty positive he starts?

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      *Will wc GW8

    3. Crookers
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  2. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is Pereira (Lei) going to start or is he injured or out of favor?

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

      Would like to know this as well!

  3. WHUFCSmith23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What are peoples thoughts on having a non playing 3rd sub?

    Better to have the money in the starting 11 right? Has anyone ever needed to play their 3rd bench player?

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

      Some might need their 3rd bench spot this week.

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      depends how nailed your starters are and which 2 options you bench - e.g. Livramento and White can cover quite well

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

        Just not happy to need Livra this week 🙁

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

      I can't think the last time I did.

      I've gone with the strategy this week (Street) whilst on WC in order to fit TAA, Salah, Ronnie & Lukaku.

    4. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Probably almost never needed. But I do have 3 playing subs. 2 of them won't get more than 2 points most weeks though

  4. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Start 1 :

    A. White
    B. Webster
    C. Sissoko

    Thanks

    1. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      a

  5. PortisRed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Are there any 4.5 mil forwards with a reasonable chance of minutes?

    1. pjacobsson
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      not atm

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

      Nope. Broja seems to be the only one 5.0 and below with chances for some minutes.

  6. Spurrsy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    WC set?

    Ramsdale
    TAA/James/Semedo
    Salah(C)/Raph/Gray/Jota/Sissoko
    Lukaku/Ronaldo

    Steel/Duffy/Livramento/Scarlett

    0.2 in bank.

    1. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ramsdale is one bad game from being dropped back to the bench imo. Enjoy while u have him. Rest looks good.

    2. pjacobsson
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      dont do it. dont go with 3 of salah ronaldo and lukaku.
      Salah is given then pick either lukaku or ronaldo.

  7. Tribecca
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Laporte to start? Or transfer to Ake?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Laporte is injured.

    2. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Laporte not fit apparently. I would still not get Ake

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

      Run from City defence until Laporte or Stones is fit

  8. myteamissheeeeeeeet
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I have a question please for any Watford fans or well educated FF fans. Is Dennis from Watford a shout? I can get a forward for 5.4 and he seems to be the best option. Otherwise I’ll have Ronnie up top on his own.

    Any advice would be great please!

    1. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Not imo

    2. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He will play at least but whether he gets you points is another matter

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

      I would go for Broja. Although if it were to play week in week out, less sure.

  9. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Lost on last page

    A Cancelo and Raph
    Or
    B Marcal and Jota

    ???

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Oof, how topical, B for this week.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        This is a wc as you probably know

        1. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I'm going Cancelo and Raph but with cover. Also have Jota and Semedo fwiw

          1. Stupendous
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            I have Semedo
            Would be security with the Raph news with the extra wolves Marcal pick and Jota for Raph.

            Not sure I want double wolves but might the best option or perhaps White?

    2. pjacobsson
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      cancelo + ralph for long-game!

  10. luk46
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Coufal > Semedo or bank the ft? If I do it, is playing Gilmour over Toney sensible?

    1. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      i would bank...i am starting coufal...

  11. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best GK pairing on WC?

    Sanchez/Steele 8.5
    Krul/Gunn 8.5
    Schmeichel/Ward 9.0

    Any other s#uggestions?

    1. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      If funds not concern, then either the Leicester or Wolves lads

  12. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Well at least there is still some time left for some more reliable news re Raphina.

  13. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Start Digne or Tierney?

    1. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Tierney

  14. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best 8.1m if I ditch Raph?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      MID

    2. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jota

    3. George James
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jota or Torres

  15. Westfield Irons ⭐️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Gray in for Gilmour and benching Antonio.

    Does this look OK?

    Sanchez
    Trent Shaw Duffy
    Salah(c) Jota Greenwood Benrahma Gray
    Ronaldo Toney

    Toney survives another week and has kind of blocked preferred move to a Wolves DEF (wouldn't transfer in a player v a striker I'm forced to play - don't tell me Gilmour should start!). But I like the look of Gray for next 2 in particular Norwich in GW6. Antonio back for GW6 with Toney benched. Banking transfer in GW6 for 2 x FT's in GW7 for 2 x Chelsea transfers in...

    Good luck all

  16. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) Traore/6.1 Mid (3-5-2)
    B) Alonso/James (4-4-2)

  17. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Gilmour is due anyway

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      How many months has it been?

    2. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      fresh from a rest...

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Due some new boots?

  18. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Your team's sitting on 2 pts. I dont care if you've got one leg raph, you need to play

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bloody typical when you get or hang onto these players for specific fixtures, then they get injured and miss the prime games. Same happened when I brought DCL in last week.

  19. George James
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Going with this on WC.
    Thoughts?

    Sanchez
    TAA • James • Semedo
    Salah • Doucore • Jota • Torres
    Ronaldo • Bamford • Jimenez

    Steele / Williams / Sissoko / Livramento

    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      feel like Raphinna will be better choice than Torres

    2. Westfield Irons ⭐️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I think you might regret Doucore.
      Why not Semedo>Marcal Doucore>Gray
      Jimenez? Not sure either, unless he is a placeholder for Antonio? Then yes.

  20. Manani
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    anything worth a hit?

    Sanchez
    TAA Coufal Digne White
    Sarr Raphinna Jota Salah Benrahm
    Lukaku
    (4.0keeper Livermento, Antonio, 4.5mfwd

  21. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Nobody panic, but I heard DCL could be out!

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      nonsense

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Source?

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        My mums brothers friends sister, Larry saw it in a chat room about toffee cup cakes

  22. M2.0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What to do here guys?

    ————-Sanchez———————
    — Semedo - Reg - TAA - James -
    Salah - Jota - Raph - Torres - Sarr
    ————— Ronaldo —————-

    4.0, Livra, Antonio, 4.5

    a) Reguillon > Marcal
    b) Something else
    c) Save FT

  23. racerx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who is the best 4.5 defender to replace Webster?

    1. pjacobsson
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      i would go for b williams + livramento as 4.0 and 4.1 defenders and then 3 good ones such as TAA JAMES and Cancelo

      1. racerx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Good idea, thanks!

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I love the smell of FPL panic on a Friday afternoon . Give it to me

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Can’t see that anywhere on sky

  24. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    For the next 2: Shaw(-4) or Rudiger?

    1. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Rudiger

  25. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Leeds haven’t been having much luck with injuries. Is Bielsa overworking the players? I know they have a very tough training regime.

  26. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else think Ronaldo could easily bag a brace? I see plenty goals in MUN vs WHU. Thinking of switching the armband from Salah...

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It's possible...

    2. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I stuck (c) on Ronaldo when FPL updated last weekend and haven't changed it since. Think Palace have a chance of frustrating Liverpool.

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      West Ham could be tired and out of sorts.

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yep. Soucek played 90 last night and Rice played 80+. So a thursday night hangover looks likely.

      In the Euro's Rice struggled to play every few days, and had to keep coming off early because his legs were dead. Could be an issue chasing Bruno and Pogba for 90.

      Think I'm going Ron (C). Palace look good, and tight defensively, they aren't Leeds.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks for the confirmation I needed lads! Good reasoning this GB

    5. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The goat is always capable

  27. Rash
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Help please!

    I have DCL and Antonio so need to make some moves..

    Do I play dullard and go DCL to Bamford (triple Leeds with raph Harrison)

    Or go bold and do DCL Antonio to lukaku Hwang -4

    Sanchez
    Trent James coufal
    Salah Raphinha benrahma Harrison
    DCL* Antonio* Ronaldo

    4.0 bissouma Duffy livorno

  28. popey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    WC tinkering ramping up

    a) 343 Sarr - play the fixtures
    b) 433 shaw/cancelo/second chelsea def

  29. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Ayling
    B) Coufal
    C) Gilmour

    1. pjacobsson
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Gilly or coufal, Ayling should be 100% in ur team this GW if u have him!