Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 359 – Making plans amid the fixture chaos

Joe and Az are joined by Rich, aka Flapjack, to look ahead to Gameweek 17 and attempt to make sense of an impending fixture pile-up in the New Year.

With rates of COVID-19 escalating across UK, the top-flight schedule was left decimated in Gameweek 16. First Manchester City’s weekend clash with Everton was postponed, then Tottenham Hotspur’s Wednesday night encounter with Fulham was put back. Both matches will have to be rescheduled at a later date after a high number of club staff and players at City and Fulham contracted the virus recently.

With festive rotation also hitting hard, Fantasy Premier League teams were left threadbare, with all three outfield substitutes needed for those lucky enough to have strong benches.

Our Scoutcast trio digest the latest scheduling developments and how the postponements are likely to impact on their carefully laid plans around Blank Gameweek 18’s limited fixtures and Double Gameweek 19.

While some who held their Wildcard back in Gameweek 16 were fortunate to have already jettisoned Manchester City and Spurs assets, others were less lucky and were several players shy of a full squad.

Elsewhere, the merits of City talisman Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) are discussed. Could he once again be a prized asset? Or is he too expensive for his limited open play goal returns?

With the tight turnaround of matches, there has not been time for a Gameweek 17 captaincy video. Thankfully, the Scoutcast is able to help out, with armband options for the next set of fixtures on the bill. Could this be a chance for Spurs investors to reap rewards?

Fixtures are also frisked and transfer plans are revealed during this episode, which was streamed live on YouTube during Liverpool’s visit to Newcastle United. With all three of the crew captaining Reds midfielder Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), there are a few tense moments during the show.

Meanwhile, the Scoutcast delivers some sad news that Az is stepping down from regular co-hosting duties due to other commitments. This ends a four-year stint regularly joining Joe, Andy and Mark on the longest-running Fantasy Football podcast. Joe’s new regular host will be revealed in the New Year.

This latest episode of the 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

470 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    How's the look of Zaha, Saiss and Saka for this week and BGW18?

  2. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    When these postponed games will be played? Possible double GW-s?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      DON KNOW YET.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Pipe down horse

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Whoops.

      2. The Train Driver
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        WHOA

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Left the caps on, oh well.

          1. turd ferguson
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            Honest mistake horsey

  3. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A...bruno v villa

    B...kane v Leeds

    Thanks

    1. Dog and Fox
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      B

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Toincoss

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      B , Harry rested and due a haul

    5. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Kane. Un*ted aren’t as good at home and Villa have done very well away from home this season. Only conceded twice once and kept 5 clean sheets.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  4. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Need a 4,8m defender to replace CTaylor and has a game in gw 18. Any better options than Holding??

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Holding best as far as I can see.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Join the Holding wagon... Choo chooo.

  5. NUFCAndrew
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    What to do with this? 2 FT’s 1.3 ITB

    McCarthy Forster

    Robbo Cancelo Dallas Coufal Ferguson*

    Salah Bruno Grealish Bowen Bissouma

    Kane DCL Bamford

  6. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Chaylor.....keep or sell?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      His role for SHU FUL has evaporated for me so sell

      1. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Didn't look at him like a 2 game role guy, makes sense.

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        YEAH THIS.

  7. Alli
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    FH next GW. Probably Kane > Vardy or Son > Rashford after that.

    Any transfers needed now?

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Robbo - Coufal - KWP - Justin - Dallas
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Soucek - Raphinha
    Kane - Adams - Bamford

  8. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Sticking to BB19 anyway. Pick two to remove until then:

    A) taylor
    B) grealish
    C) son
    D) martial

    1. Maddamotha
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      AB

      1. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Currently at 0.0, fh chip screwing things up.

        -4 martial taylor to Antonio coufal could enable me rashford for bb19

        1. Maddamotha
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          I like the Antonio pick, considering bringing him in myself. Will he play both games gw19 tho?

          1. Nespinha
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            It's a punt. I see two options for BB19

            A) taylor Grealish martial - - - coufal rashford António (-8 must do it now)

            B) Taylor Grealish - - - coufal Barnes (-4)

  9. 03farmboy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Would you transfer out balbuena for lowton?

    1. Nespinha
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Nope, he was rested

  10. Vazza
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Who is a better pick for the DGW19, which is just over two weeks away

    A. Ayling
    B. Alioski

    1. Forcella Boys
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Alioski atm as Ayling playing CB, Leeds fullbacks are an attacking threat.

  11. tommo123
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Most still free hitting in GW18??

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Got to see if there's any football first.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Don't think so. Can get about 8 out with a hit so that's probably enough.

      1. Mufc202020
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Will you be fh gw19?

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No. Will have 7 with zero hits.

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Any pressers today?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Just seen tweets

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      When’s the rest?

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Tomorrow I guess, probably won get all before the deadline.

  13. Forcella Boys
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    If I have 1FT for GW17 & FH in BGW18 would the FT rollover to DGW19 or would I just have 1FT ?

    1. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      You’d just have 1FT

      1. Forcella Boys
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Ta mate

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      They do not accumulate.

  14. Straya
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Any Arsenal fans is Holding nailed for next 3 GWS?

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah he is.

      1. Straya
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yep

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Yes. Number 1 CB right now.

  15. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Start Martinez v Man U (A) or Johnstone v Arsenal (H)?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Marti

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      The first I guess

    3. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I would start Martinez

      As a Leeds fan, can you please help me.

      Would you expect Alioski to be nailed for the next 3 to 4 gameweeks. I need a Leeds defender for the DGW19 with a 4.5m budget and the choice is between Ayling and Alioski.

      Any suggestions please

      1. Bielsa Murderball
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Alioski is nailed on for the short term...so Alioski

      2. The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers!

        I’d say so, the only dilemma comes when we’ve got a fit first choice CB pairing of two of Cooper / Koch / Llorente as that would move Ayling back to RB (currently playing CB) and Dallas back to LB (currently playing RB to cover Ayling)

        1. Vazza
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks mate. Makes sense. Happy New Year and all the best with FPl

          1. The Mighty Whites
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            You too pal!

  16. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Initial plan was A but defence looking a little shaky now and no Spurs still worries me. Plan was FH18, BB19 but who know now? Any other ideas welcome. Thanks.

    A. KDB+DCL >> Rashford+Vardy
    B. KDB+Dias >> Son/Rashford+TAA

    McCarthy
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Raphinha
    DCL, Bamford, Adams
    (Johnstone, Dallas, Soucek, C.Taylor*)

    1. JollyGoodYellows
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I think you need to decide if you're going to FH in 18 first. If you don't then you should keep KDB + DCL + Dias.

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        This

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      I'm looking at getting KDB in for GW18.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Well I have 3 players at the minute, 2 might be out with covid. Most likely FH18 and BB19 still

  17. Maddamotha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    A) Justin or Dallas
    B) Barnes or Raphinha

    1. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Dallas and Raphinha for me

      1. Maddamotha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Big up homey

  18. Fudgy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    This reminds me of last season before the season got put on pause. Absolutely pointless making or thinking about transfers until there's more information.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Or coming on here, but...

  19. Mane Mane Mane
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    If I plan on playing my free hit next week and then my bench boost on 19 how many transfers do I have. Is it just this week. Or can I still make some with those chips in play?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Transfers dont accumulate with FH

      1. Mane Mane Mane
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Sorry but will I have the chance to make 1 FT for the week I play free hit or will that not work?

        1. Jimmers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Any transfers made in the FH week are taken as FH transfers only.

          1. Mane Mane Mane
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 10 months ago

            Thankyou and is that the same case with the bench boost?

            1. Jimmers
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 10 months ago

              If you FH in GW18, your GW19 team initially will be the team you use for this gameweek (GW17). You will have 1FT available. So you could make transfers this week in preparation for GW19 and the BB

              1. Mane Mane Mane
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 10 months ago

                Okay cheers pal, I’m going to take a -4 hit this week. So with GW19 I can make one free transfer along with playing my chip. I don’t need to make the -4 into a -8 no? Sorry if I seem a bit slow, just want to make sure I’m making the right decision haha.

  20. marcos11
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Any better defender for 4.6 than Holding up until the dgw and beyond? Current defense is Dias Dier Coufal Mitchell

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Alioski

    2. marcos11
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Already have Raphinha and Bamford, tripling up wise? Arsenal only have one fixture but their gw17 and gw19 are good with good fixtures beyond that

      1. ElliotJHP
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        I'm looking at possibly tripling up, they're great value Leeds

        1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          It takes 1 or 2 positive ases at Leeds and you'll struggle to field 11 though. I don't think a triple up on anyone is wise at the moment

  21. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Assuming no further disruptions to schedule, would you FH18 if you had these lots? Yes FH or No?

    Martinez
    Stones (Mitchell)
    Grealish Sterling Son Saka
    Kane DCL

    1. Vazza
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Probably not

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

      Probably not

    3. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      No

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Thank you folks

  22. ludaslol
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez, Steer
    Robbo Chillwell Balbuena Fergesson Coufal
    Grealish Son Salah Bruno Zambo
    Werner Adams Bamford

    2ft, 0.3 itb

    Initial plan was to FH18 and BB19. Would you still follow through it? Didn't love to see Balbuena and Coufal on the bench/out this week.

    Either way I need to use my 2 fts since I'm FH 18. Would you do something like Grealish > Soucek/Raphina and Fergesson> a defender with 2 games in 19?

  23. ElliotJHP
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Hello all, going to FH 18 BB 19.

    Is a DGW defender better than a city one? Options:

    A) Stones
    B) Allioski
    C) Cresswell

    Have Coufal, Cancelo and Dallas so would be a double up either way.

  24. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    So if there are going to be any fixture changes effecting GW17, 18 and 19 when is it likely to be announced? I've got 2 free transfers but need to do them today otherwise I could be priced out of getting Robertson who is rising in value tonight.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      There is no likely any more. Anyone who says otherwise is making things up.

  25. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    What to do here?

    A) KDB + Watkins > Raphinha + Vardy / Kane
    B) KDB + Taylor > Raphinha / Barnes + Robbo
    C) Something else?

    Where are we at with the prospect of DGW for 19?

    2FT 0,0ITB
    Martinez
    Justin Coufal Taylor*
    Salah KdB Bruno Son
    DCL Bamford Watkins

    McCarthy Soucek Zouma Struijk

    Thanks!

  26. CheesyZoot
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Is this worth a -4? If we get no news on games that is....

    KDB > Rashford

    Grealish > Son

  27. Chrisitis
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    My guess is KDB is fine. Otherwise Raz would never wrote what he did on IG.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      What did he write? Coming out of the closet, both of them?

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Which is?

      1. Chrisitis
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Kdb looked tired and Raz were asking ‘why so miserable’.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 10 months ago

          Oh right, on KDBs page.

  28. JBG
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    What transfer should I do this GW:

    A) Martinez to Mccarthy
    B) Kdb to Son
    C) Dias to Burnley def
    D) Bowen to Raphinha(Have Dallas and Bam)

    0.0itb

    1. marcos11
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      Kdb to Son if any

  29. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    3.1m itb. Free hit 18. Bb19 hopefully

    Thoughts on grealish to rashford?

    Martinez
    Robbo dallas coufal (balbuena james)
    Salah bruno grealish raphinha (soucek)
    Kane watkins bamford

    Thanks

  30. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 months ago

    Repost, lost on last article

    Taylor to Robbo done. Have will FH18, and have 12 dgw19 players. Steer, Son, Kane only players not playing twice.

    For gw17 though, bench 1:
    A) Coufal (EVE A)
    B) Justin (NEW A)
    C) Dallas (TOT A)

    1. Maddamotha
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 10 months ago

      C

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks!