Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 19

Christmas may be a time to relax for most folk but for Fantasy managers it’s the most frantic period of the season. Four sets of fixtures within the space of a fortnight, with rail strikes now adding to our rest and rotation Boxing Day concerns – the dust has barely settled on Gameweek 18 as we return with another set of Scout Picks for your consideration:

Asmir Begovic gets the nod between the sticks ahead of Stoke’s home game against Liverpool. While the Reds have picked up in performance of late, the Potters stopper has conceded just four goals in his last 10 matches; Tony Pulis’ side have already kept out their opponents at Anfield and will be confident of picking up a tenth clean sheet of the campaign.

Leighton Baines makes a return to the Scout Picks as Everton prepare to host Wigan. Roberto Martinez’s side have scored just five times on the road this season and with three goals in their last seven away fixtures, Baines’ chances of a first clean sheet since Gameweek 5 look enticing. Factor in his set-piece and spot-kick duties and the left-back’s owners will be hoping for a decent haul against a Latics side that has picked up just a single point in the previous five.

We’re opting for the cut-price Ryan Nelsen as QPR look to bounce back from their first defeat under Harry Redknapp on Wednesday afternoon. The R’s welcome West Brom to Loftus Road and will be optimistic of keeping out a Baggies side that have found the net just three times in their last five matches.

Having started nine of the last 10 Gameweeks, Matija Nastasic continues to offer a secure route into City’s backline. With just one goal conceded in their last four on the road, the champions look a good bet to register another clean sheet on their travels as they head to Sunderland – the Black Cats have scored more than a single goal just once in their last six and head into Wednesday’s match with doubts hanging over Seb Larsson and Adam Johnson.

An upturn in attacking displays brings Steven Pienaar back into our thoughts ahead of Everton’s home showdown with Wigan. The South African has played a part in four of Everton’s last five goals and has produced double figure returns in two of the last three Gameweeks – the Latics injury-hit backline has conceded twice in seven of their last eight and looks incapable of a clean sheet right now.

Gareth Bale heads to beleaguered Villa on Wednesday as Spurs look to atone for a goalless home draw with Stoke last weekend. With three lots of double figures in seven away matches, the Welshman’s could well prosper against a side that may will be licking their wounds after Chelsea hit them for eight yesterday.

Chelsea’s trip to Norwich earns Juan Mata a call-up ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. The Canaries have conceded in each of their last six and have already been beaten 4-1 by the Blues –a game which saw the Spaniard return eight FPL points. Mata’s away record is particularly enticing – he has started five games on the road this term and has returned 49 points over those games, failing to score or assist just once, back in Gameweek 1.

A trip to basement-dwellers Reading offers Michu the chance to add to his 13 goal haul. Having scored six in his last five matches, the Spaniard’s form shows little sign of letting up and he’ll fancy his chances against a Royals backline that have shipped nine goals in their last two at the Madejski.

Villa’s chances of bouncing back from their mauling at the Bridge are likely to rely on the broad shoulders of Christian Benteke. Having had a hand in eight of the midlanders’ 13 goals since making his debut in Gameweek 4, the Belgian’s contribution will be crucial as Spurs make their way to Villa Park.

Given his consistency, it’s almost an irrelevance what fixture is in front of Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman will be looking to maintain a record of eight FPL points per home start as Newcastle make their way to Old Trafford – despite his manager’s recent hint at squad rotation over the festive period, Van Persie is surely too crucial to be left out as United look to bounce back from Sunday’s draw at Swansea.

Today’s news of a possible return for Bryan Ruiz has Dimitar Berbatov firmly back on the radar. Without a goal or assist in his last seven, the Bulgarian’s prospects of picking up the points is also boosted by a home clash against travel-sick Southampton – Nigel Adkins’ side have conceded 20 times and picked up three points away from St Mary’s so far.

John Arne Riise warms the subs bench as Fulham welcome Southampton to the Cottage. There’s no denying Martin Jol’s side have been poor at the back in recent matches but their visitors have netted just twice in the last four – with a share of corners also in his locker, the left-back offers a chance of points at both ends of the pitch.

A brace in his last home game is enough to earn Adel Taarabt a spot in the squad. West Brom arrive at Loftus Road without a single away clean sheet and have conceded at least twice in each of their last three road trips – encouraging signs for Harry Redknapp as he looks to the Moroccan to engineer a second successive home.

Edin Dzeko keeps his place on the bench as City travel to Sunderland. Once again, Roberto Mancini’s recent comments regarding rotation play a major part – both Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez started against Reading on Saturday and with Mario Balotelli uncertain to feature after last week’s illness, the Bosnian could well grab a spot in the first XI at the Stadium of Light.

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3,129 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    What do we expect from Sess this week and ring the festive period?

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    1. MARVELLUS
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I have him, expecting little, may shift for a hit for Silva, due to fixtures.

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    2. kaz 96
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      2,5,2

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    3. Just Ruud
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      To start, for me that is good enough right now. 🙂
      Anything else is a bonus, literally.

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I am pondering a hit for bale and I don;t know if it is worth. He is in kind of a streak no? Also without Fletch he probably gonna play upfront.

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  2. Acquafresca
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Alright then, I know Berba is out of form, but my gut is really wanting me to do Fletcher>Berba for free.

    Options:
    A) Fletcher > Berbatov
    B) Save FT, next week Gallas+Sess > 4.2+Walcott
    C) A this week, B next week for a hit.

    Team ATM:
    Bego
    Gallas, Hughes, Cuellar
    Bale, Silva, Michu, Sess
    RVP, Suarez, Fletcher

    SUBS: Tremmel, Sterling, Sagna, Demel

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    1. Matamatician
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Fulham play Southampton at home which is an easy fixture than Sunderland's. Keep Berba.

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    2. Ricky_No
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I like Berbs, though it's been a trial to stick with him. I'm hoping that with Ruiz back he'll be more involved.

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  3. colin1201
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Marippa, wilkinson or davies to replace demel?
    Already have begovic as one of my keepers.

    Thanks for any advice

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  4. bakayoko
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    should i take out suarez out with qpr cisse and put in berba n jelavic in for a -4

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  5. bigbraff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas all.

    Any thoughts on whether Mignolet > Begivic is worth it for -4?

    Wouldn't usually risk a hit on a keeper but worried Sunderland could get hammered...

    Thanks.

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  6. Matamatician
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Please tell me if I should make any changes in the squad and the captain???
    My Team for GW 19 -

    GK: de Gea
    DEF: Rafael, Vertonghen, Ivanovic (VC), Aaron Hughes, Jose Enrique
    MID: Hoolahan, Sidwell, Mata
    FWD: Defoe, Rooney (C)

    Subs: Jaaskelainen, Shane Long, Sterling, Nolan

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  7. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Best pick?

    A: Zabaleta

    B: Nastasic

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  8. grifster69
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Hi any advice on team appreciated. Thinking of saving free so I can get bale in next gw for no hit
    Beg(foster)
    Nast shawx Baird (demel,Cuellar)
    michu mata yaya Punch(sterling)
    Rvp c Suarez Berb

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  9. Screaming Midget
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Think I'm OK to save the transfer?

    Begovic
    Lowton | Sagna | Enrique | Cameron | Nelsen
    Sess | Yaya | Sterling | Michu | Bale
    Ba | RVP | Tevez

    Sagna / Jaask out
    Bank: 0.1

    Ruiz is rated as 50/50 so if Berbatov does well I could bring him as a (C) candidate for GW20 instead of RVP (as every chance he'll be benched)

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  10. Paul Scholes -- True tackli…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain
    Torres
    RVP
    Michu
    Silva
    Mata

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    1. Nopli
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Very close call between torres and Silva .

      I would go for Silva as he is Mr consistent and is involved in almost everything. 90mins also guaranteed unlike Torres

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  11. danielbak1990
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    who to get in for garrido.. budget 4.5

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    1. ahmed_7
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      nelsen

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      1. danielbak1990
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        who to replace fellani? pineear or mata

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        1. ahmed_7
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          i have mata and he's outstanding , he's allover chelsea midfield dude

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        2. Ricky_No
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Agreed. Mata's worth it.

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  12. ahmed_7
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    worth a hit -4
    rafael and walcot out ------------ bale and nastasic in
    on the top of ma league with 62 pionts difference

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    1. danielbak1990
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      i probably would. If they were long term.

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      1. ahmed_7
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        yes dat was ma plan .. a long term asset

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

    Rate my team? Got a 6/10 by most people last week so have had a drastic rethink

    Begovic

    Riise, Shorey, Nastasic

    Mata, Michu, Pienaar, Silva

    Suarez, Defoe, Rooney

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  14. Adriana Lima
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Pleas help me guys.

    My Team:
    Begovic
    Riise Johnson Nelsean (bench: cullear simpson)
    Mata Taarabt Sterlin Michu (bench: Puncheon)
    Berba RVP Ba

    I have 1 free transfer and 0.6 i n the bank. any suggestions?
    Who on captain?

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  15. Judas
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys, this is my first comment on here, just wondering how you think my team is looking for this week?

    Begovic
    Baines, Cole, Cameron
    Michu(C), Dembele, Toure, Mata
    Long, Defoe, Tevez
    Subs: Davies, Sterling, Santon

    Not sure whether to swap Davies in for Long or not, what do you all think? Also do you think Michu as a captain is a good choice or do you think someone else would be better? Any other advice would be great!

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  16. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    hi chaps is shorey going to be benched?

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  17. Desperately Seeking Dusan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Bale or Mata? Is Mata at risk of being rotated?

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  18. Fantasy Fanatic
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Taarabt/Michu, Defoe/D.Cisse ?

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