Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 16

With the deadline for Gameweek 16’s midweek set of fixtures just a few hours away, we take some time this afternoon to reveal the players who have won selection in our Scout Picks.

The continued quest for value between the sticks has brought us to Darren Randolph (4.4) for the first time.

The 0.6% owned Irishman has delivered save points in three of four appearances since wrestling the number one jersey from Adrian, but it is West Ham’s clean sheet potential that persuades us to take a punt this week.

Randolph hosts a Burnley side that has managed to score just once away from Turf Moor and has mustered fewer goal attempts than any other team on their travels.

We’ve also opted for value in selecting West Brom’s Jonny Evans (4.5), when Swansea City drop by the Hawthorns.

The 7.4% owned Baggies defender has a goal and clean sheet across his last two fixtures, while Swansea’s attack has stuttered away from the Liberty Stadium, scoring just six goals in seven road trips. Evans gets the nod over team-mates Gareth McAuley (£4.9m) and Chris Brunt (£4.9m) in order to keep us within the 84 million budget.

The money saved by opting for this bargain basement duo has enabled us to splash our cash on two heavyweight defenders, offering the prospect of returns at both ends of the pitch.

Despite missing six matches through injury, Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld (6.3) has registered 10 goal attempts and hosts a Hull City outfit that has conceded 32 times, more than any other Premier League side.

Clean sheets prospects are also high for the 10% owned Belgian, with Mike Phelan’s troops only mustering five goals across their seven away outings.

There’s no shifting Marcos Alonso (6.3) from our weekly Picks on current form, particularly while Chelsea’s schedule continues to shine.

The 7.8% owned Spaniard has only failed to deliver a clean sheet or attacking returns in a single match since making the left-wing back role his own in Gameweek 7. He travels to a Sunderland side that has conceded 14 goals at the Stadium of Light.

In midfield, a couple of value players are drafted in to ensure we can maximise the number of premium attacking picks in our budget.

Wilfried Zaha (5.6)’s form alone warrants selection.

The Crystal Palace winger has delivered attacking points in six of the last seven Gameweeks, including a sensational 16-point return via a goal and two assists away to Hull City last weekend.

Zaha has been drafted in by more than 91,000 FPL managers since that Tigers encounter.

While Manchester United’s visit to Selhurst Park may not appear profitable on paper, we feel that a blooming Zaha will be keen to punish his former club who will also be forced to shuffle their defence in the absence of the suspended Antonio Valencia.

West Brom’s Matt Phillips (5.4) has also made a mockery of his lowly price tag.

In the last five Gameweeks, the 7.4% owned Scotsman has scored three goals and recorded the same number of assists.

Gameweek 16 visitors Swansea offer him an extremely enticing fixture, with Bob Bradley’s troops conceding 15 goals on their travels, securing just a single shut-out.

With this pair in place, we can afford away specialist Alexis Sanchez (11.7) for Arsenal’s visit to Everton.

No other midfielder has scored more goals, had more shots on target or created more chances on their travels than the 35% owned Chilean. A 23-point FPL return in the Gunners’ last away tie, against West Ham, offered a timely reminder of his explosive potential on the road.

We have tripled up on Spurs assets and handed a place to Christian Eriksen (8.4) ahead of Hull’s visit.

The 8.8% owned Dane provided three goals and an assist in two appearances prior to last Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United. Central to Spurs’ dead-ball scenarios, he looks likely to be a pivotal figure in Wednesday’s contest.

West Ham United’s 9.6% own set-piece specialist, Dimitri Payet (9.1), has been quietly racking up attacking returns across a testing run of fixtures.

He has scored or assisted in all of his last three league outings, against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

The schedule is about to smile on West Ham and Payet, with Wednesday’s London Stadium meeting against Burnley certainly tempting investment. The Clarets have conceded 15 goals and kept just one clean sheet on their travels.

Our trio of Spurs options is completed by Harry Kane (11.3), who tops our Gameweek 16 Captain Poll for good reason.

Not only does the 19.4% owned striker face that obliging Hull City backline, he also boasts exceptional recent home form, scoring a brace in his last two White Hart Lane run outs.

Thanks to those savings in midfield and defence, we have money left over to offer our final Scout Picks place to Diego Costa (10.9), who is FPL’s most popular player and leads the Golden Boot race with 12 goals.

That aforementioned fragile Sunderland defence looks to be no match for a player that has only failed to bring in attacking returns in two of his 15 Gameweek starts thus far.

At a cost of 4.5, Stoke’s Erik Pieters is another strong value pick this Gameweek.

The 4.9% owned full-back has earned a place on our bench after helping the Potters earn two clean sheets in the last three Gameweeks.

He hosts a Southampton side at the bet365 Stadium that has only managed to score six goals on their travels all season and who are without injured striker Charlie Austin.

Yaya Toure (7.5) marked his return to the Manchester City first team in style in Gameweek 12 with a brace against Crystal Palace.

Limited to a substitute appearance in his side’s 4-2 away defeat to Leicester City at the weekend, he looks set to start at home to Watford tomorrow night. With Sergio Aguero absent through suspension, the 1.4% owned Ivorian may also be on spot-kick duties.

Swansea City’s porous backline has prompted us to offer a bench place to our third West Brom pick, Salomon Rondon (6.5).

With 10 goal attempts and just one successful strike over the last four matches, my goals imminent table suggests the striker is due to reward his 5.2% FPL ownership.

The Community Champion

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season. The current champion to beat is Boris Bodega, who achieved a 33 point margin of victory over us in Gameweek 15.

This week’s champion is Bash Villa, who has an overall rank of 4,258 and is now in his sixth season. He has selected a 3-4-3 line up of: Grant; McAuley, Brunt, Ogbonna: Payet, Alli, Eriksen, De Bruyne; Costa, Kane, Rondon.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,680 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Feed tha Sheep
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    With everyone thinking Walker will be rested and Chelsea's def being very good is...
    Walker > Alonso worth a -4?

    1. pompeyfan
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      you'd look pretty silly tho if he started and kept a cleanie

    2. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No, this is what your bench is for, Walker is a long term good pick.

    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No

  2. Weilong7
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    kane or costa for the armband?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kane

    2. evilfish
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yep, or possibly Sanchez.

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

      Toss a coin.
      Kane = higher risk/reward
      Costa = safe choice

    4. Football Weekender
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kane

    5. Butland in the Village
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kane!

    6. Bellerinmondo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kane despite no Dembele

    7. Weilong7
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      thanks for the swift replies guys!
      yeah all points to a Kane being the cpt.. just worried of the unthinkable blank as hes nt that good to me still..

  3. ILOVEBAPS
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Eriksen or Costa for C?

    1. drughi
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Costa

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Eriksen

      Be bold

    3. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Diego, pick up points in most games this season and very much in form.

    4. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Costa.
      Owning Eriksen sufficient differential. Hoping Alli steals the thunder, though 😉

    5. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Costa

      1. Weilong7
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        costa if no kane

    6. Cok3y5murf
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Costa

  4. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Try your hardest guys, but that Amazon voucher is coming to me!

  5. Aman.
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Mata over zaha?

    1. evilfish
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      yep but Mind over Mata

    2. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  6. Shack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Real mixed bag of options, would appreciate a few votes
    A: Firm and Coleman to Antonio and Alonso for -4
    B: Firm to Antonio for FT, Coleman to Alonso next week
    C: Firm to Eriksen and downgrade Coleman next week (probably to Jones)
    D: Coleman to Jones, keep Firm against mid
    Cheers!

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

  7. goriuanx
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    New GK for Liverpool tomorrow.

    https://twitter.com/empireofthekop/status/808673148942057472

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      lol

    2. Costa's Counsellor
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Can't open it but is it a carrier bag floating in the wind?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Close. It's the druggie Mdmadou Smacko.

        1. Costa's Counsellor
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          He'd be a good keeper. Would always cause strikers to shoot up.

      2. Thomas Magnum
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Close enough

  8. lucky luciano
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Foster
    Alonso Walker Ake
    Hazard Payet (c) Mane Siggy
    Kane Costa Nacho

    Subs: Jaku Allen Prodl Amat

    Would you use the AoA and play Allen for Ake ?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No

  9. Thomas Magnum
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Please help my team
    Heaton
    Alonso VVD Britos McAuley
    Hazard Sanchez Snoddy Firmino
    Kane(C) Defoe
    1FT 1.0ITB
    Pickford Austin De Roon Lenihan
    I'm inclined to selling Firmino because I feel he's due but maybe you guys can change my mind

    1. jdiggy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      The general consensus here is Firmino is out

    2. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Would rather spend my FT on shipping Austin.

    3. The Tinkerman
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Austin is out for months, sell him.

    4. lucky luciano
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Austin and Firmino have to go, Firmino is due for far too long
      Can see Firmino scoring against boro defense and he's just looking lost without Coutinho..

      My 2 last transfers are Austin to Nacho and Firmino to Payet

      1. lucky luciano
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        *Can't see Firmino scoring

  10. Captain Vantastic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is Firmino to Hazard worth the hit?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    3. Cato Fong 你好
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Not really, Hazard is in troll mode again!

  11. ANON.
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    1ft, 0.1 in the bank

    Heaton
    Alonso, Cedric, Evans
    Hazard(v), Mane, Firmino, Walcott
    Ibra, Kane(c), Iheanacho

    Pickford, Amat, Fletcher, Holebas

    A. Save (thinking I'll do this at the moment)
    B. Firmino to Siggy
    C. Firmino to Eriksen

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

    3. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

    4. Cok3y5murf
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

  12. raisingtheba
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on De Bruyne (C) for differential? Could play false 9 against a leaky Watford.

    1. Football Weekender
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm a KDB owner but can't trust City right now. Play it safe with Kane or Costa.

  13. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Apart from armband, only decision to be made is whether to play.

    A) Amat - slight chance of clean sheet

    B) Holebas - equally small chance of attacking returns

    Take your pick!

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Amat

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Holebas - He on free kicks and corners

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

    5. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Holebas

    6. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Holebas just , then

  14. 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    McCauley or Clyne this week?

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

      McAuley*

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Clyne

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

      Clyne

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      McAuley

  15. John t penguin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    aaaaaargh
    finally get week I can get rid of fuchs and I have no idea what to do
    rose
    walker
    luiz
    vert
    cheapo

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

      Rose

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Luiz

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Rose

    4. karvs155
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      cant get alonso?
      Maybe Jones?

  16. Jedi_Reed
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone still taking the punt on Carroll, with the Bilic update? It's him, or Origi for me at this point.

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      My question as well

  17. ILOVEBAPS
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Kosc > Alonso or Toby -4 ?

    1. Costa's Counsellor
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      YEAH

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Which one?

        1. Costa's Counsellor
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Alonsyplops

    2. Adz87
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      not for -4 imo

    3. Ginola14
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      im so tempted kosc has been ultra frustrating to own, we should have done it many weeks ago, iv just done firm to erik, and plan to do kosc to Alonso for the wk end and avoid the -4

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I know I know. 🙁
        Always thought he'd come good. Always a more pressing transfer though.

    4. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      After city, arsenal have a good run of fixtures

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        They haven't kept CS's even against weaker sides. Not worth the cash.

    5. GHB
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm doing Mustafi > Toby -4 . Fancy Sunderland to score

  18. Lizard Lips
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Heaton
    Alonso Vertonghen Evans
    Alexis Hazard(vc) Eriksen Siggy
    Kane(c) Costa Anichibe
    [Subs: Pickford Fletcher Friend Holebas]

    Everything set up correctly??

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes. Holebas 1st sub?

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Nah.

    3. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Perhaps Costa VC. Other than that it looks good.

  19. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which 3 defenders to play?

    a) VDV (STK) A
    b) Holebas (MCI) A
    c) Stones (WAT) H
    d) McCauley (SWA) H
    e) Amat (WBA) A

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A D C

  20. davies
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Can't wait to rage transfer Nacho out when he's benched tomorrow

    1. Costa's Counsellor
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Who for though? No one in that bracket that I like.

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Has to be Carroll for me to fund Vert > Alonso

        Can see the issue mind, though I like Origi

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      But who for?
      Tempted to just go Diomande and play 3-5-2

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        See above

        Not a bad shout, though I prefer Anichebe

    3. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      See below 😉

  21. The Nuttmxn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Interested in opinions, which transfer would you do out of the following:

    A) Firmino to Payet
    B) Firmino to Son
    C) Firmino to Mahrez
    D) Save FT, next week do Firmino to Siggy

    1. davies
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      D

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      D one more chance for Firmino

      1. Ginola14
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        sold him last night for erik, pool don't look the same without cout

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

      A

  22. Sid07
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Play 2 from
    1) amat
    2) holebas
    3) maculey

    1. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Bench Amat.

      1. Licious Lizard
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        +1

  23. JÆKS ⭐
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Firmino to Eriksen done!

    Hope this won't backfire....

    1. ANON.
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just did the same

    2. GoonerByron
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Should have done it last night 😉

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yea I know, was the plan but came home around 3 AM when the price rises already happened 🙁

    3. The Rock
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Same move here.

  24. Wild Rover
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Sod it, I know it's a risk but it's what I want to do. Nacho to Carroll. Done 😀

    1. goriuanx
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Contemplating the same transfer.

    2. davies
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Exactly my move next GW

      Reckon he starts tomorrow or off the bench then start vs Hull? (What I'm hoping for)

      1. Ginola14
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        as good a punt as any

      2. Wild Rover
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Well he's certainly at least playing this week 🙂

        Bilic: "We will make a decision on Carroll tomorrow whether he starts the game or makes an impact as a substitute. He is a key player”.

    3. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Never again

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Because of the TC last season? 🙄

        1. Bubz
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Yes. Along with the other weeks surrounding that TC weeks where he did nothing

    4. Chris_White
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Love it

    5. Chris_White
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Late call on Carroll: "We will make a decision tomorrow whether he starts the game or makes an impact as a sub. He is a key player." #WHUFC

    6. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Welcome to the Big Andy Club 🙂

    7. Royal5
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Risky asf. Not owned Carroll since his misrable Pool days.

  25. smithmarv
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Bench 1 of the below please....

    Phillips, Sanchez, Walcott, Hazard, Son

    Costa, Kane, Carroll

    Will play either 3-4-3 or 3-5-2

    Thanks

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Theo

      1. smithmarv
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Was leaning towards Theo... Thanks!

  26. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hey guys, need to bench one from Holebas, Amat, Diomande.

    Who should it be?

    Cheers

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Dio

  27. bojack
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Really looking forward to the midweek fixtures, I seem to remember there were a lot more of these nights during my youth in the 90s but I may be looking back through tinted glasses

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      There where 22 teams in the premierleague up to mid 90's so that meant 42 games a season and more midweek games

  28. Louis123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Where can I find the captain vote poll in here? It used to be at the bottom of the page but it's vanished??

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      it's on the homepage

    2. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      If on your Mobile top right button then under all the comments

  29. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    The hit or no-hit option?

    A) Lovren & Walker > Jones & Alonso (-4) before GW17

    B) Lovren > Friend/Aké in GW17. Walker > Alonso in GW18.

  30. Aman.
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Carroll already in.
    Is it worth doing -8 for LUIZ AND MATA/SON.

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Relax and log out