Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 349 – Targeting the best premium FPL players

Joe and Az are joined by FPL Family’s Lee to look ahead to Gameweek 6.

For once this season the entire Scoutcast crew had a great Gameweek, thanks to some honesty from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola over the absence of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m).

The Belgian’s injury opened the door to a flurry of Wildcards from Az and Lee and gave Joe the opportunity to roll back the years and place his trust in Harry Kane (£10.8m) as captain.

With premium picks like the Spurs striker performing well each week, many Fantasy Premier League managers are adjusting the way they approach the game.

Accepting the “opportunity cost” of switching heavy hitters and targeting as many captainable assets as possible are among the strategies Joe, Az and Lee discuss.

Could Liverpool defenders make way? That’s certainly an option being considered by Joe as he looks to shoehorn a Liverpool midfielder in his already premium-heavy side. But is Sadio Mane (£11.9m) over Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) really “trying to be too clever” as Az suggests?

Aston Villa’s cheaper assets could be the enablers FPL managers need, especially ahead of a long, kind run of games. The merits of the likes of Jack Grealish (£7.2m) and Ross Barkley (£5.9m) are among Villa players the crew consider.

There’s a smoother edition of Rough with the Smooth this week, fixtures to frisk and captaincy and transfer plans to reveal.

In addition, Lee takes his turn to pick a differential. If he can select a player who actually sets foot on the pitch, he has already done better than Joe’s failed selections so far this campaign.

This 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

371 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dybala10
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Barnes to Mane worth a -4 when I have Salah already?

    I was planning on doing Foden to KDB but fed up of Barnes and Foden can move to Barkley eventually.

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Like it.

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Could work, don’t think we’ll concede bags though

    3. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Would say worth as I don't see Barnes getting anything in his next game.

    4. Samir16
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      yeah there was an entire article on how liverpool are currently attacking a lot more down the left plus SHU haven't defended their right flank well this season in terms of chances conceded. so I'd say going for the mane salah double up could be worth it.

    5. aapoman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I think its a good option

    6. Dybala10
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Thanks all

    7. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      That seems like a good transfer even for a hit

  2. Tsparkes10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    1FT 2.8itb help plz

    1. No Professionals
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      team looks good, roll FT.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Ty

      2. karsworde
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Hahaha

  3. Tsparkes10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    1FT 2.8itb help plz..

    McCarthy
    Taa Doh Mitchell
    Son Hamez Greal Podence
    Werner ings dcl
    (Nyland, Barnes, KWP, Egan)

    A) Barnes to Rash
    B) Ings to Kane
    C) Save FT

    1. Bank$y
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Time for bench boost?

    2. F_Ivanovic
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      too much money on the bench what are you doing?

    3. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I would get Kane somehow

  4. waltzingmatildas
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Boring but play one of:
    A) Soucek
    B) Bissouma

    1. AnfieldLad
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Soucek is in my team with Bissouma on the bench. Hadn’t really given it any thought so I’d say A

      1. aapoman
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        A.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      A

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Soucek.

    4. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Sue Cech

      1. Zimo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        What he do to u

    5. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Cheers guys. I like Soucek, just that fixture for Bissouma looks good too.
      Will go Soucek.

    6. Amey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Bissouma
      Best fixture of the season IMO

    7. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Actually I prefer playing 4-3-3 if it's between those 2.

    8. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Easy A

  5. Holmes
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Foden and Robertson or Chilwell and Rodriguez?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Chil and Rod

  6. Tomerick
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Podence or Barkley?

    1. I Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Barkley

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Comfortably Barkley, for me.

    3. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Been considering this one myself as a Podence owner with £0.4m in the bank (enough to make the switch). Didn't watch the Wolves game on Monday, but read that he was their best attacking player and would've had an assist but for a marginal VAR decision. I'm going to hold for next two GWK's given the fixtures Wolves have (Newcastle defence has been generally appalling) but if I was on WC I'd probably go for Barkley.

      1. ivantys
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Won't have been an assist but yeah he was the closest scorer out of everyone.

      2. Tomerick
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Yeah I think I’m inclined to do the same but worried about a price rise as it will lock me out. I suppose I’ll have 2FT after Newcastle

    4. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      No context given here (always amazes my why people don't give full context when asking these sort of questions), but whatever it is the answer is probably Barkley.

      1. Tomerick
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        The context is FPL. A simple matter of which player people would prefer in their team right now.

  7. Chrisitis
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Vvd/Wilson -> Kilman/Kane?
    Already have Saiss.

  8. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    How’s she looking? 1.2 ITB

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Saiss Lamptey (Taylor Mitchell)
    Salah(c) Son Havertz JRodriguez Podence
    Kane DCL (Davis)

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Mint.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Perfect

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Very tasty.

      Would have said Podence > Barkley. But you’ve maxed out on Villa. A shame 2 are bench fodders taking up space!

  9. cescpistols111
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    G2G or would you make any other change? 0FT, 0.0 ITB.

    Ryan
    Robertson Dallas Kilman
    Salah (c) Sterling Son (v) Grealish
    Werner DCL Wilson

    Button Bissouma KWP Taylor

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      GTG.

  10. Bank$y
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    What’s the verdict on KDB? Back this week?

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Don’t think anybody really knows.

      I reckon a few minutes at the weekend, then starts the following week

    2. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      We'll find out when pep plays him cuz he never tells us

  11. Ginola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Do you guys think King Arthur Masuaku is a good option from GW8 onwards? Contemplating him on my WC instead of Dallas. Worth the gamble?

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Could go for Ayling now, and have him earmarked ad GW8 transfer? Can't see his price going up before then.

      1. Ginola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        I'm on WC this week.

        1. Ginola
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          + GW8 I'll bring in Antonio.

        2. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          If you have the right players for the next 2 gameweeks then sure why not. My point was that you could maybe use Ayling in GW6 or 7, you could always roll a transfer to get Antonio and Masuaka in late.

          1. Ginola
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            Ah, I see. That would mean an extra transfer in GW8 and I'm not totally convinced by Ayling or Leeds defence in general. Especially now Phillips is out until December. Thanks.

  12. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Shall I make this move?
    Jimenez and R James to Kane and Ayling?

    1. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      For a -4 by the way!

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I think so..

  13. ivantys
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Secretly hoping Vardy drops to 9.7/9.8 when I get him back in GW10.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Lovely fixtures but I prefer Aguero/Werner personally for Kane replacement

      1. ivantys
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        That's my plan to rotate with kane, and the other 2 don't rotate that nicely with kane.

      2. Brosstan
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Kane 'replacement' is a disaster waiting to happen

  14. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Is Barkley just a fad after 2 good games, or do the stats say that he is worth jumping on? Have a 6.0 sized hole in my WC midfield, I'm asking as someone who hasn't seen the last 2 Villa games and doesn't know much about underlying stats.

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Get Barkley, looks good on the eye and the stats.

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Get Barkley

    3. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I still prefer Trossard, that pool game was a fraud one off game and shouldn't judge on that game while the second game they never really had many shots.

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Funny you say that, as the shortlist is currently between Barkley and Trossard....

        1. ivantys
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Brighton are really more attacking than Villa this season even though they couldn't defend.

    4. Tempestic
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I got him in last week and dont regret it

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Yet 🙂

    5. Klaren
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      He wasn't involved at all in the Villa attacks in the Leicester game based on eye test and the goal came from a shot from outside the box. He was very advanced vs Liverpool though.

      Hard to reach a conclusion based on 2 games.

  15. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Got some tough decisions this week, no Spurs the obvious but not sure who I'm willing to sacrifice to fit them in. Might just sort James issue and roll the other FT.

    Martinez
    Trent, Lamptey, Saïss
    Mo, Sterling, Podence, Foden
    Werner, Jim, DCL
    (James, Mitchell, Burke)

    2FT, 0.2 itb

  16. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    If Foden gets substantial minutes tonight would you start Lamptey over him this GW?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Could do, fancy Lamptey this week.

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Ideally both but I see Lamptey hauling this week

    3. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      No way you're gonna bench foden against west ham.

    4. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      No. Even if he doesn't.

  17. Make United Great Again
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Martinez
    TAA Saiss Ayling
    Salah(C) Hamez Pulisic Son
    Watkins Kane(vc)DCL

    Steer, Biss, Mitchell, Johnson.

    G2G?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      G2G

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Nice

  18. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Could someone tell me when the new BlackBox episode will be out?
    Thanks in advance

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Streaming at 9pm tonight.

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Cheers!

    2. Stupendous
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Ride on time

  19. Tempestic
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    After a shocking start went from 3Mil to 775k just this week, obv still not an ideal rank but does show how fast ur season prospects can change at this stage of the season

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Kudos.

      1. Tempestic
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        ty, seasons back on 🙂

    2. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      You just have broken 100 points 😮

      1. Brosstan
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        must*

    3. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Yeah I was losing a bit of interest went from 2 mil to 400000 in one week it happens when you least expect it keep at it

  20. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Chances PVA doesn't start this week?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      50

  21. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Very torn here... Best move? 3.3itb.

    A. Ings >> Kane (play Bissouma)
    Upgrade Bissouma >> 5.6m next week.

    B. Bissouma >> Grealish

    McCarthy
    TAA, Mitchell, Saiss
    Pulisic, Salah, Rodríguez, Son, Biss
    DCL, Ings
    (Nyland, Davies, Justin, Davis)

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      A but it's really hard..

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Yeah, worried about making another bad 50:50 call. 🙁

        1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          That's true it could go either way..
          I guess Kane has to come in when there's a direct route available though even thought it's not ideal selling Ings..

    2. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Kane is 10.8 now, you don't have enough for a 5.6 for Bissouma. If you really want kane, I'll just take a hit for Mcginn or neto, since I don't expect bissouma to get anything.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Yeah got 5.5 now sorry

    3. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Save FT and shift to a solid 343/352 next week.
      Maybe sell Pulisic, Ings & a defender.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        And play Bissouma this week? Hmm

  22. Flair
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Burnley have the second best defense in the league according to xGA with one less game if I'm looking at the stats right. Certainly food for thought for those putting the armband on Kane. Though Sheffield United are fifth with an extra game so not much difference there.

    1. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Kane can score against any defence.

    2. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Salah is the obvious choice this week.

      1. Flair
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        For sure, I'm just throwing out what I'm seeing

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      True, but they've played Leicester, Saints, Newcastle, and WBA. If they didn't have one of the best numbers with that opposition, then you'd have to say their defence was quite poor indeed.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        yet they conceded 4 vs Lei and 3 vs New

    4. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Salah, Sterling, Mane, Kun all projected to score more than Kane this wk

  23. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Been offered Ings for my Calvert-Lewin in FPL draft, would you take it?

    1. Stupendous
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Not a chance

    2. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      No...

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I would consider it

    4. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I was offered similar and I rejected.

    5. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I don't know how the draft works but I think Ings will score more points than DCL this season, better player and on pens. Will be tight though.

  24. The Wogmeister
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    I'm getting rid of VVD to Konsa as investing in defenders seems pointless at the minute. I can then upgrade Willian > Bruno
    Any other defensive suggestions or sound ok?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I don't think investing in defenders is pointless as long as they have attacking threat but yes those look like excellent moves

  25. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Shall I hold Jimenez for one more week or get Kane in for a -4?

    1. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I'd hold and get Kane next week

    2. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Straight zwap id do it

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I'm doing it after the midweek games.

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I did it with KDB to Greal. Good arguments for both but Kane ceiling is so high, worth the risk considering the next 3 fixtures.

  26. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Sterling + Jimi to Kane + Rashford (-4)

    Too likely to backfire? Wait a week or pull the trigger

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Wait a week 100%
      This could backfire heavily

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Not the right week especially for a -4

  27. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Aubameyang has been very underwhelming so far this season, most of us have forgotten about him as an option but I have a feeling he's gonna haul big against a weakened Leicester defence this week.

    1. ivantys
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      GW12 is a better time to bring him in if I even want him at all.

  28. wulfrunian
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Do you think it's worth to do Werner->DCL?

  29. Jimmy Boy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Which player is most important to own for this GW out of these three? Assuming Kane will be the most popular answer but Calvert-Lewin's ownership has been doing me damage recently, and Grealish's stats look great
    A) Kane
    B) Calvert-Lewin
    C) Grealish

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Kaaaaaaaaaaaaane