Scout Picks

Gameweek 17 Scout Picks draws on Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal and Palace

We have placed our trust in defence and midfield for the Gameweek 17 Scout Picks.

For the first time this season, we have lined-up in a 4-5-1 formation, coming in exactly in line with our £83.0m budget.

How many of these do you own?

Goalkeeper

Vicente Guaita (£4.8m) earns a place in the Scout Picks on account of Crystal Palace’s meeting with the Premier League’s lowest scorers Sheffield United. The Blades have found the net just eight times this season and only two teams have registered fewer big chances over the last four than them.

Defenders

Andrew Robertson (£7.4m) has great potential for a haul in Gameweek 17. Southampton have now gone three games without a goal and rank second-bottom for shots in the box over the last four matches. Meanwhile, no defender has created more chances than Robertson in their last four matches.

Romain Saïss (£5.0m) is back in the Wolves team again and doing what he does best: offering threat from set pieces. Over the last four matches, no defender can match the versatile Moroccan international for shots in the box.

Rob Holding (£4.4m) is a great budget enabler in an improving Arsenal defence with appealing fixtures. In Gameweek 17, the Gunners face a West Bromwich Albion outfit with two goals in their last five at home. Arsenal themselves have conceded the third-fewest number of big chances in their last two – Holding registering 90 minutes in eight of the last nine.

Erik Pieters (£4.3m) is our representative from the Burnley defence as they prepare to host Fulham. We fancy the Austrian to start either at left-back in place of Taylor, or even in midfield with ongoing injuries in wide areas. The Clarets have kept four clean sheets from a possible five against sides in the bottom eight this season while Fulham are unlikely to be at full-strength in light of recent positive coronavirus (COVID-19) tests.

Midfielders

Salah building up massive power in top 10k after Gameweek 14 haul

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) has been unfortunate to blank in each of his last two outings, failing to convert a number of clear-cut chances at Newcastle. Even though Southampton have kept clean sheets in each of their last two, Salah does have attacking returns in six of his Premier League away matches this season.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) has been a reliable source of points in 2020/21, blanking just twice since Gameweek 8 and registering five double-digit hauls in that time. He has seven of those in the whole campaign, more than any other Fantasy asset.

Son Heung-min (£9.7m) gets into the Scout Picks on account of his fixture rather than form. After racing to 100 points in the first 11 Gameweeks, the Spurs midfielder has just a goal and assist in the last four matches. However, during that time, games involving Leeds have yielded an average of 5.3 goals. The Whites’ expansive style is sure to open up space for Son to thrive in once again.

Unsurprisingly, Wilfried Zaha (£7.4m) is our chosen representative from the Crystal Palace attack which hosts basement boys Sheffield United on Saturday. Selhurst Park has been a reliable venue for Zaha this season, where he has scored or assisted in all but one home game he started against sides outside the top eight.

Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) has been pivotal to Arsenal’s recent mini-revival, registering a goal and two assists over the last two matches. He faces the Premier League’s worst defence in Gameweek 17, West Bromwich Albion conceding on average 2.2 goals per game this season.

Forwards

Harry Kane (£11.0m) completes our double-up on the Spurs attack for an appealing home match against Leeds. The Whites’ high-intensity setup has led them to concede 12 big chances across their last four, the third-most in the division. That should be enough to bring out the best in Kane once again.

Substitutes

  • Alex McCarthy (£4.7m)
  • Matthew Lowton (£4.4m)
  • Chris Wood (£6.2m)
  • Christian Benteke (£5.5m)

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because we use Fantasy Football Scout data so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 17:

THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The Community Member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Forever In Our Shadow beat the Scout Picks in Gameweek 16, their 66-58 victory pulling the Community Champions into an 8-8 scoreline for the season.

AA33 is the current leader, defeating the Scout Picks by a 53-point margin in Gameweek 2.

2,832 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How likely is Balbuena to start both in the DGW? Thinking of shifting him on for someone nailed with my ft before I FH next week

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very unlikely

    2. lugs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dawson is lurking so its hard to tell right now

  2. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Final time asking,

    bench one of Stones (Che), Dallas (Tot), Coufal (Eve) or Mitchell (Shu).

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Coufal

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

      Coufal

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mitch won't start so easy choice

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        low likelihood to be a sub so I'm quite happy to start him for the SHU fixture.

    4. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers

  3. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Alioski or Holding? (fh 18, bboost 19)

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bob

    2. Epicfai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Alioski

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

    I’m going to downgrade DCL for a few reasons, one of which is to bring in a City defender for 18/19 onwards for Taylor.

    With the doubt over Cancelo, however, I’m thinking of doing Taylor to Pieters for this week.

    FH next week then Pieters to Cancelo.

    Make sense?

    Thanks

    1. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What if Cancelo is still out?

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ah here, what's wrong with Cancelo?

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

          Rumoured to be one of the players who tested positive but Pep won’t confirm. I’d hold if you have him but not sure I should bring him in this week.

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

        Dias / Stones, reassess?

    2. AF90
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who are you downgrading DCL to? Thinking of doing the same....do fancy him to score today mind!

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

        It’s a risk but I’m going for Wood. A punt for this week, FH next week then he’s got a double19 and a decent GW20 fixture

        And the Cancelo / Dias upside could be nice too

  5. theDillinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have transfer to burn before FH.

    De Bruyne -> Son punt for the week?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB does wel vs Chelsea

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He likes scoring against Chelsea

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

        Enough to offset hokey potential with Son up against Leeds?

    2. notlob legin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That's what I've done and captain this week on Son

      1. theDillinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Very tempted

  6. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm set. Have a bad feeling about this week.

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Captain?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Kane

    2. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It will be fine.
      Only reason to have a bad feeling this GW is if you're captaining Pickford.

  7. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Its not difficult just hold fire on City assets till the situation is clear. Chelsea away is not easy followed by a rest period. With that fixture run taking a hit will pay off long term if you want them in rather than guessing now.

  8. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    bottomed....

    FH right?

    GW18 players:

    Martinez
    Dias
    Bruno Son
    Watkins Kane

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      couple of changes and you can field a suitable side imo

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

      No FT left? If no then FH ...

  9. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Manchester CityPep Guardiola on Man City's Covid-19 absentees: "Tomorrow you will see the line-ups and three important players not there, so you will know exactly - but I'm not allowed to tell you..."

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lol

    2. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Interesting. Which of the five are 'unimportant'

      Ed, Walker, Torres, Cancelo, Jesus

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      cant wait!

    4. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      At least the game is on for Chelsea owners!

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A...kane

    B...bruno

    Thanks

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  11. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Really struggling to sort my starting 11 & bench out, does this look about right or any changes?

    Martinez
    Dallas - Stones - Holding
    Salah (c) - KDB - Bruno - Soucek
    DCL - Kane - Bamford

    Bench: Meslier - Dier - Coufal - Anguissa

  12. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any update on the Fulham game? likely to go ahead?

      1. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Enough to put doubt into it for me. Thanks, i only have Lookman who hasnt been a great pick anyway.

  13. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there an article about when the likely blank and double gameweeks are for the remainder of the season?

  14. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for the repost! FPL Draft

    Bellerin or Tierney?

  15. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KWP to Mee? It is for free

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mee likey

  16. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth going Justin instead of Stones for DGW ?

    Have Cancelo and Lei fixtures looking good.

    1. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Could well be

  17. Nesvy
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Better pick only for DWG19.

    a/ Areola
    b/ Johnstone

    Thanks

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B imo

  18. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Cancelo to Holding this gw?

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Considering it

  19. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pep Guardiola: "The #PL told us not to [reveal positive Covid-19 test names]. We have to respect the privacy of the players maybe. Tomorrow you will see the lineups and three important players not there so you will know exactly but I'm not allowed to tell

    That last part about 3 important players is making me really unsure if I want Kdb and Dias in my team for this GW.

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's just the usual Pep rubbish talk:
      In the end the 'special super super players' will turn out as Zinchenko, Foden and Torres.

  20. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno or Son (C) ?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      keep switching back and forth

    3. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going Son for what it's worth. I just have slight boredom fatigue with Salah armband and want to flex against the status quo just once in a while. Bruno would be status quo for me this week (he is my VC).

    4. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son for me

  21. Fero1905
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My GW 17

    Martinez
    Zouma Coufal Taylor
    Salah Fernandes Son Saka
    Bamford Vardy (C) Kane

    Steer --- Soucek---- dunne----- Kwp

  22. TJ
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    play Watkins or Raphinha?

  23. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, is Mitchell expected to be benched again ?

  24. Brayden29
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With all this latest drama I am really stuck now and in need of some help please, have 2 FT and 0.1 cash:
    Martinez (McCarthy)
    TAA, Robbo, Dias, James, Dunne
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Bruno
    DCL, Watkins, Brewster

    Thank you!

  25. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Trent > City defender for free in anticipation of DGW19 worth it or not? Played WC last week and so have a good squad primed for the doubles.

    1. onceuponatyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I did Trent to Cancelo last night, purely as I also had Robbo though.

  26. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I kind of want a west brom defender - Furlong a good pick? They have a decent DGW, and rotate decently with Dier and my West Ham lads.

    Mccarthy (Johnstone)
    Robbo Dier Coufal (Taylor*, Balbuena)
    Salah Soucek Fernandes Son (Raphinha)
    Bamford Kane Rodrigo

    Any reason not to do Taylor > Furlong? Is there a better choice? I'd bench Furlong this week.

  27. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys have 2 queries:
    1) any news on C Taylor?
    I was thinking of bring in Stones/Dias if he is out for long.

    2) Is Spurs getting dgw in 19 with Fulham match?

  28. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    transfer Mahrez our for Zaha? Yes/No

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm keeping for now. Must have a decent chance of starting with many players out since he already had covid a while back

  29. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Oh god Fulham game in doubt now

  30. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Time for mahrez to grab his chance. Don't let me down again lad.

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      does he start?