Fantasy Premier League

Saints march into Scout's selection

By The Scout 14 Oct 2016
Dusan Tadic, Southampton

Southampton trio provide the backbone of the best picks for Gameweek 8

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Dusan Tadic (£7.2m) took to the international stage to bolster his Fantasy Premier League stock.

Two goals and four assists over two matches with Serbia ensured the Southampton playmaker a starting berth in this week's Scout Selection.

With a pair of assists and a goal in his last four Premier League outings, Tadic is in fine fettle ahead of the St Mary’s meeting with Burnley.

The Clarets have played only two away matches so far this season, conceding six goals - a key factor behind us turning to Charlie Austin (£6.3m) in attack.

GW8-Scout-Selection.png

The former QPR marksman is set to lead the line for Claude Puel's side, having claimed two goals and an assist in his last three outings.

Virgil van Dijk (£5.4m) completes a hat-trick of Southampton assets in the XI.

The Dutchman has marshaled the Saints' defence to three successive Premier League clean sheets, with Puel's men earning six consecutive shut-outs in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Burnley arrive on the south coast boasting only five goals and three big chances created - the fewest of any Premier League side.

The Saints' centre-back lines up alongside Arsenal's Hector Bellerin (£6.5m), who will go in search of a third consecutive clean sheet when Swansea City drop in at the Emirates.

AFC Bournemouth's Adam Smith (£4.6m) completes our back three.

The Cherries are seeking a third successive home shut-out when they host Hull City at the Vitality Stadium.

Smith has already returned a goal and an assist, while Mike Phelan's side have mustered only 40 attempts on goal on their travels - only Sunderland have registered fewer.

With that in mind, we turn to Stoke City's Lee Grant (£4.0m) as option between the sticks ahead of a home meeting with the Black Cats.

The loanee from Derby County was outstanding in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford last time out, making eight saves.

Stoke City also add to our attacking options.

Marko Arnautovic (£7.2m) sits alongside Tadic in our midfield having fired a brace for Austria against Wales over the break.

Arnautovic returned 11 goals last season and tops the Potters' ranks for both goal attempts (14) and penalty box attempts (nine) this term. 

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez (£11.3m) and West Ham United's Dimitri Payet (£9.4m) complete the four across the middle.

Sanchez is impossible to ignore given his pivotal role as the Gunners' central striker. With three goals and an assist in his last three outings, the Chilean claims our armband.

Payet has created more chances than any other Premier League player over the last four Gameweeks and has also registered 17 goal attempts.

He visits a Crystal Palace side who are yet to claim a clean sheet and without the influence of the injured Scott Dann.

Despite overlooking him as our captain, Sergio Aguero (£13.1m) earns a recall to the selection.

Everton v Crystal Palace - Premier League, Benteke goal cele, 300916
Christian Benteke has scored three goals from four attempts on target over his last four Premier League appearances

A record of nine goals in his last two Gameweek 8 appearances is a reminder of the Manchester City striker's explosive FPL qualities.

With a UEFA Champions League tie beckoning in midweek, Pep Guardiola may hook Aguero on the hour-mark against Everton, although that's time enough for the Argentinian to inflict damage.

Christian Benteke (£7.7m) completes the line-up.

The Belgian struck a hat-trick against Gibraltar over the break, maintaining a run of form that has brought three goals in his last four Gameweeks.

Benteke collides with a West Ham defence that has shipped 17 goals, including nine in three away trips.

For all the latest Fantasy talking points, follow @OfficialFPL on Twitter. The deadline for Gameweek 8 is 11:30 BST on Saturday 15 October.

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