Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 6

It’s time for Gameweek 6 of this season’s Scout Picks, where every Friday, myself, Mark, Jonty and a different member of the Community pick an XI for the upcoming round of fixtures. Each week, our line-ups go head-to-head and over the course of the season we’ll be keeping a tally of the points as we go along.

Similar to the last three Gameweeks, we’ve kept the budgets at 83.5m apiece for our starting line-ups.

The Community – Managed by Giggs Boson

gw6picks

Calculated risk is the essence of this game. There are some players, Diego Costa for instance, that hold such potential for points that the risk of going without far outweighs the reward of a potential replacement. Although I like to maintain a high risk strategy, there are a core of players for this Gameweek who should not be excluded for the sake of a low percentage gamble.

I have decided to double on the Burnley defence for obvious reasons. Three 0-0’s in a row cannot be ignored, especially when they face West Brom, a team who have scored just one goal since Gameweek 1. In my opinion, a “flimsy defence” is an illusion as 4.0m defenders can easily snatch four points for a clean sheet, just like an expensive defender, given the right fixture.

I initially had Papiss Cissé in the team, a top player who was once 9.0m. But after Magpies boss Alan Pardew said the striker, who is also carrying a knock, would be eased in I decided to remove him for Graziano Pellé. His Southampton team mate Sadio Mané is untested in the league, but his pace and eye for goal made him a punt I could not resist in the face of a tasty home tie with QPR – his speed will surely trouble the R’s Rio Ferdinand. I wanted some Arsenal in the team for the notoriously high scoring North London Derby, so I decided to pick Mesut Özil who seems to be rising in form, and has a share of set-pieces.

Jonty

gw6picks Fixtures, form, the members tables and some persuasive analysis by community writer The Puntmaster have driven my decisions this week. With just one goal this season and striker Danny Ings injured, Burnley look incapable of scoring which has prompted me to double up on West Brom’s defence with Ben Foster in goal and Craig Dawson in my backline.

Puntmaster’s persuasive analysis of Dawson’s set piece threat was instrumental in my selection here. Meanwhile, Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand and Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic offer both attacking threat and clean sheet promise when QPR and Aston Villa visit.

In attack, Southampton’s Graziano Pelle has notched up the most shots in the box this season, while Diego Costa, who was rested in midweek, has scored seven times and is another essential player this week. The Merseyside derby is always full of goals and Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku should be involved. Both are in the top ten for shots in the box this season and have five goals between them. Lukaku is another Puntmaster pick as well. Both Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria and Cesc Fabregas feature after riding high in my chances created table for midfielders over the last two Gameweeks.

Finally, Mark’s favourite and yet another of the Puntmaster’s selections, Victor Moses, is included after I noticed he has delivered more successful crosses than any other midfielder so far this season.

Mark

gw6picks For me, it’s another Gameweek where risk-taking is difficult to justify. Backing Chelsea and Southampton looks a necessity, with Diego Costa and Grazianno Pelle picking themselves. I’m going to double on the Saints attack with Dusan Tadic in midfield because I just don’t have confidence in the QPR rearguard and Ronald Koeman’s team are bouyant – I’m expecting a merciless display from them.

Ryan Bertand also finds a place in my three-man defence, with the obligatory selection of Branislav Ivanovic – every inch the right-winger at Stamford Bridge. Phil Bardsley completes the rearguard, just because he’s shown a threat and I fancy him to raise his game against Newcastle, being a former Black Cat. Burnley’s lack of firepower is reflected by my selection of Ben Foster in goal.

I’ve tried to have variety in midfield. I fancy Gylfi Sigurdsson to silence any creeping doubts with a haul at Sunderland, while I can see plenty of goals at Selhurst Park, with Jason Puncheon my weapon of choice in the Palace ranks against Leicester. I wanted to take a risk on Alexis Sanchez but there’s still doubts whether he’ll get the start against Spurs so I’ll have to revert to Raheem Sterling – it’s hard to see the Merseyside derby being tight given the defensive records on show.

Up front, I’ll retain Wayne Rooney – simply because I still value pitch time over the promise of Radamel Falcao and I want to see how Louis van Gaal sets up at Old Trafford.

Paul

gw6picks I’m tripling up on Chelsea for a plum home clash against Villa. Branislav Ivanovic (10 shots inside the box so far), Cesc Fabregas (18 chances created) and Diego Costa (eight big chances) all look the perfect combination of form and fixture against Paul Lambert’s side.

A couple of Southampton players also make the cut. Ronald Koeman’s side have afforded opponents a mere 19 efforts inside the box – lower than any side – and that convinces me to bring in Ryan Bertrand. Graziano Pelle also comes in on the back of three goals and an assist in the last three.

Elsewhere in defence, West Brom’s Ben Foster faces a Burnley side without a goal in three matches, whilst Vincent Kompany travels to Hull – the team with the least number of close-range attempts this term.

Further up the park, the form of Raheem Sterling and Angel di Maria cannot be overlooked. Sterling, in particular, looks a strong shout against Everton’s porous defence – his 10 shots in the box and seven on target is top amongst midfielders. I’ve taken the advice of our Captain Sensible article for my final two picks, bringing in Jason Puncheon as Palace square up to Leicester’s dodgy defence and selecting Danny Welbeck due to Arsenal’s attacking form ahead of the north London derby.

The Scores So Far

In a low scoring Gameweek 5 , Mark led the way on 52 points thanks to key differentials Romelu Lukaku and Steven Caulker. I picked up 49 points, whilst The Community – as managed by Doosra – pipped Jonty to third by 41 points to 40. This means that after five rounds of fixtures, I have 281 points, Mark has 262, Jonty has 240 and The Community has 236.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,881 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    ive spent the evening drinking real ale and eating chocolate..........

    im disgusting 😕

    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      disgustingly awesome

    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      But feel soooooo good

    3. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      You're my hero....

    4. Woy of the Wovers
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      There are books helping you to combine food and drink. None of them will recommend this.

    5. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Eh? You're a lad

    6. MJ6987
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing wrong with that. As long as it's not every night!

    7. Cluckfuster
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Have you tried chocolate beer?

  2. coogee
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A. Rooney/Falcao and schneiderlin or

    B. Ramsey and welbeck

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Footylicious
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      B

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      American Pudding?

  3. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Am I good to go?

    Krul
    Clyne Ivanovic Wilson
    ADM Sterling Siggy Tadic Fabregas
    Costa Adebayor

    4m Duff Naismith Hutton

    1FT 1.4m

    Should I keep free transfer for next week?

  4. Footylicious
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    My Differential this week is Chadli.
    Fingers crossed NLD is just counter attack crazy

    1. JJO
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      ? He is not fast

    2. Ramboo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A differential for the sake of a differential? Dosnt sound very good to me to be honest.

    3. Footylicious
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nope doesnt sound the greatest but when your given lemons and you chose not to play a wildcard...

    4. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Do Chadli -> Downing while you still have time 😉

      1. Footylicious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        for -4 no way...id rather play dier

  5. Jeremiah
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Which 3 to play from this bunch?

    Taylor (SUN)(A), Moore (CRY)(A), Clyne (QPR)(A) or Wisdom (BUR)(H)

    Much appreciated 🙂

    1. Footylicious
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Clyne, Taylor, Wisdom

    2. Ramboo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Clyne, Widson, Taylor.

    3. Kerz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Naylor, Clyne, Wisdom

    4. droginexile
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Taylor, Clyne and Wisdom will be my back 3

  6. Shinigami
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who to start moreno, duff or wisdom?

    1. JJO
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Moreno

      1. Footylicious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Duff/wisdom

    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Toss a coin between wisdom and duff

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A lot feel moreno won't get cleanie.
      So I went with Duff myself.

    4. Ramboo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Duff and Wisdown 0 offensive potential.

      1. Footylicious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        doesnt matter the zero potential still racks up more than 2 points

        1. Ramboo
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          So you already know the results for tomorrow? Good job, boy.

  7. Captain Shirokov
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    On the road at long last; taxed, insured and ready to go!

    😀

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Congratulations!

      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers 🙂

    2. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Bonza!

  8. st4rt__
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Repost sorry -

    Curious, best defender to replace Azpilicueta from next week? (Not Chambers as I have Cesc/Costa and not Baines because he'll be in GW8)

  9. timmyp
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Best rotating keeper with mannone?

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Rotating keepers have never and will never work to your advantage. Pick a cheaply and a 4.0 and use the cash elsewhere.

      1. timmyp
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I've also got magregor who doesn't play. Want him out for a 4.5. Heaton? Schmeich?

        1. Tommyg
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I've gone for both the burley keepers. That way you always have a playing keeper

          1. timmyp
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Guess that works when a team is on a roll as burnley are. What happens when they play Chelsea? Take it on the chin?

            1. Tommyg
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Save points. And yeah you take the hit. In my 8 years of playing this game from there is very little between the top scoring keeper and rest. Its dead position IMO.

          2. JT's Dog
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Going by their recent record not a great idea
              http://www.burleyfc.co.uk/club/114283/Home

              1. timmyp
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                Haha. Well spotted

                1. Tommyg
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 15 Years
                  10 years, 1 month ago

                  They are clearly defensively minded this season because of there lack of cutting edge.

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Stat Attack: Why Sterling will continue Liverpool's derby dominance

      https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/stat-attack-why-sterling-continue-150755927.html

      Sterling (C)?

      1. Ramboo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling (C) after 120 in midweek and against Everton. I dont even want to see the rest of the team if you have to go for Sterling as a cpt.

        Personally in going Costa with Di Maria as VC

      2. Footylicious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        the obligatory captain troll post 😀

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Good to go?

      Krul
      Clyne Pieters Trippier
      Fabregas Ramsey Sterling Eriksen
      Rooney Costa (c) Ulloa

      1. mojoindojo
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Isn't trippier injured

      2. timmyp
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Can see goals in stk v new, so any other options at back?

    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea v Villa predictions?

      2-0 Chelsea

      1. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        6-1

      2. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Spot on.

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I'm still gonna captain Costa.
          Too risky not to.

        2. Wild Rover
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          🙂

      3. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I like to predict high scoring games that never happen. 5-2

        1. Salfpilgrimlfc
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          0-1

      4. Kerz
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        4-1

      5. Saint Steve-O (@EliteFPL)
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yea, tight game, with Chelsea's quality coming through 1/2-0

      6. super711
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        0-0 ht
        2-0 ft costa and a defender

    5. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Community performance in the picks seems very weak. To be 45 points behind already seems almost 'casual'.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah it's been poor. But I think that's what the scouts intended. To stop the excessive criticism of their picks.

    6. cjw176
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Who to bench:

      Siggy or Ramsey?

      Cheers 🙂

      1. Kevin Twine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Preferably neither, but if you must - Siggy.

      2. Murder On Zidane's Flo…
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        This is my dilemma too. So torn.

    7. Jubilanus / BSC Small Boys …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      what to do?

      a) Chester and Zaha > Duff and Moses

      or

      b) Chester, Ramsey and Naismith > Bertrand, Moses, Pelle (-4)

    8. Hurnt
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Who should I captain ?

      Aguero hazard di Maria Costa ??

      1. Ramboo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I got all except Aguero. Im going Costa. Why should you not pick him?

      2. Kevin Twine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Costa.

        1. Hurnt
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks reasons I'm tempted not to go costa

          Aston villa will not take the game on and will play like they did against lfc 2nd 45 mins

          Hull will attack leaving space for aguero ??

      3. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Hazard. I've shipped one Chelsea player and have saved the money. Next week: buy Hazard

    9. GoonerBru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Please help... Here is my team -

      Duff/Ivanovic/Baines
      Ramsey/Di Maria/Sterling/?
      Welbeck/Costa/Pelle

      Guzan ?/Chambers/Hutton

      Not sure who to play between Downing or Dyer?

      1. Hurnt
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Dyer

        1. GoonerBru
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Do you not think Downing against a damaged Utd defence?

      2. Ramboo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thats a hard one! Id go Dyer.

    10. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      So Gig Boson has doubled up on BUR defence and Jonty has doubled up on WBA d. One is based on form, the other, stats.

      Needs to be a 0-0 otherwise someone is going to look very silly.

      1. Home Run Baker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Jonty will win - at home.

      2. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        It definitely won't be 0-0

      3. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Giggs Boson has Wisdom too

        1. Wild Rover
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          But not mutch 😉

          1. Home Run Baker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            I see what you did there 😉

      4. Piggs Boson
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I wish I went Foster over Heaton tbh.

        Poor decision on my part.

    11. Sepp Blattered
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ready to go?

      Begovic 

      Clyne / Cahill / Baines 

      Dyer / Sterling / Ramsey / Tadic

      Rooney / Costa (C) / Naismith

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Looks good to me.

      2. Hurnt
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        9/10. Nice team

        Need city coverage to get 10/10

    12. Qubit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      who is everyone captaining NEXT wk? Ive almost decided to go without Aguero but he is my preferred captaincy option next week

      1. Home Run Baker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Aguero is so injury-prone. Schoolboy error.

        1. Qubit
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Best scorer per minute in the league. If he gets injured ill get rid.

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Costa.
        I expect Arsenal to concede quite a few.

    13. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      PVA or Trippier?

      1. Tommyg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Isn't trip injured and out? Besides PVA. Stats are immence

    14. Samkeezy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Can someone explain how hall of fame works and how to get on it

      1. Wild Rover
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Only about ten people give a toss 😛

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Enter the FFS League, the rest will happen later.
        The better the FPL history, the better the HoF rank.

      3. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        More info here, fella...

        http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/hall-of-fame/

        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          That link will work, you don't need to be a member.

        1. Samkeezy
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks

    15. coogee
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Best midfielder under 6m (excl. schneiderlin)

      1. laGan1n1
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Downing ?

    16. Kerz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Re-posting this for those who missed it:

      ANALYSING MARTINEZ AND EVERTON’S DEFENSIVE BLIND SPOTS
      http://theexecutionersbong.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/analysing-martinez-and-evertons-defensive-blind-spots/

    17. Boss Hogg
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Play Naismith or Chadli?

    18. Salfpilgrimlfc
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Any news on Krul is he fit?

      Cant decide between costa and falcao for captain????

      Thanks

      1. coogee
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Falcao!!

    19. Louis
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Should I play Wisdom instead of anyone of these: Moreno PvA and Clyne ????

      1. Salfpilgrimlfc
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Personally no

    20. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Repost: please tell me yay or nay on using a transfer?

      Krul
      Clyne Ivanovic Wilson
      ADM Sterling Siggy Tadic Fabregas
      Costa Adebayor

      4m Duff Naismith Hutton

      1FT 1.4m

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I wouldn't have Adebayor but otherwise good.

    21. samuelhzb
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Is Krul definitely out? Have to take a -4 for him ugh