Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best players to own for FPL Double Gameweek 19

The Scout Squad are back to pick their best players for Double Gameweek 19 – fresh from the recent changes to the fixtures.

The assets listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for the weekly Scout Picks selection ahead of the FPL deadline at 11:00 GMT on Saturday.

In each writer’s squad, there are requirements for at least:

  • One goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less
  • One sub-£5.0m defender
  • One midfielder listed at £6.5m or below
  • One forward priced at £7.5m or lower

Each panelist is also restricted to no more than three players from the same team, as is the case in FPL.

We will again be adding a captaincy to the Scout Picks, with details of that revealed on Friday.

TomAndyGeoffDavid
GKLukasz FabianskiEdouard MendySam JohnstoneSam Johnstone
Edouard MendyDavid de GeaEmiliano MartínezAlphonse Areola
Bernd LenoEmiliano MartínezAlissonIllan Meslier
DEFRúben DiasAndrew RobertsonTrent Alexander-ArnoldRúben Dias
João CanceloJoão CanceloJoão CanceloAndrew Robertson
Andrew RobertsonRúben DiasJohn StonesJoão Cancelo
Ben ChilwellBen ChilwellVladimir CoufalVladimir Coufal
Vladimir CoufalVladimir CoufalAaron Wan-BissakaReece James
MIDKevin De BruyneKevin De BruyneMohamed SalahKevin De Bruyne
Mohamed SalahBruno FernandesKevin De BruyneBruno Fernandes
Bruno FernandesMohamed SalahBruno FernandesSadio Mané
Ademola LookmanChristian PulisicTomas SoucekTomas Soucek
Hakim ZiyechTomas SoucekAnwar El GhaziAdemola Lookman
FWDJamie VardyJamie VardyJamie VardyJamie Vardy
Harry KaneMichail AntonioCallum WilsonMichail Antonio
Patrick BamfordEdinson CavaniOllie WatkinsHarry Kane
Michail AntonioRoberto FirminoMichail AntonioPatrick Bamford
Anthony MartialOllie WatkinsAnthony MartialEdinson Cavani


Most popular picks: João Cancelo, Vladimir Coufal, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Jamie Vardy, Michail Antonio (four), Rúben Dias, Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah, Tomas Soucek (three).

TOM SAID…

I’ve doubled up on Manchester City’s defence again this week, ahead of back-to-back home games against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. Pep Guardiola’s side have now given up just three goals in their last 14 matches in all competitions, and are yet to concede with Ederson, Rúben Dias and John Stones in the line-up. João Cancelo is also given the nod, and though he isn’t assured of two starts, is worth the risk given his attacking numbers. 

West Ham United also get a defensive double-up from me, via Lukasz Fabiański and Vladimír Coufal. The Hammers have proved difficult to break down in recent matches, while their double includes games against Burnley and West Bromwich Albion, two of the worst attacking teams in the league.

Keepers Edouard Mendy and Bernd Leno, plus defenders Andrew Robertson and Ben Chilwell complete the picks at the back.

Further forward, it’s hard to overlook Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes and Jamie Vardy, and their inclusion needs little explanation, so I’ll focus on some of my other picks.

Ademola Lookman is something of a left-field inclusion given his fixtures, but if Fulham are going to get anything from this double, he’ll be involved, while West London rivals Chelsea are perhaps being overlooked. They’ve come in for some criticism after a run of one win in six league games, but overall performances haven’t been too bad. Hakim Ziyech has now started back-to-back games, and when fit is the one who can make things happen.

I’m also backing Michail Antonio. Though he looks short of match fitness, he needs games, and as West Ham United’s only recognised striker, should see enough minutes across the two fixtures. However, including him means there is no room for team-mate Tomáš Souček, which is a little unfortunate. It goes without saying I think he’s a quality option though.

The squad is completed by Harry Kane and Patrick Bamford, who despite having just the one fixture have the potential to outscore most other forwards this week, plus Anthony Martial

ANDY SAID…

It is not often you come up with a squad to submit and find yourself trying to put in more than three West Ham players. They arguably have the best set of fixtures in Gameweek 19 – Burnley (home) and West Brom (home). 

Michail Antonio is a bit of a favourite of mine and now he’s fit and got through 90 minutes I can’t leave him out. He’s averaging 0.47xG per 90 minutes so fat this season. It’s down on 2019/20, but still excellent given his price. The fixtures are too good to ignore defensively as well. 

No-one has scored fewer goals than Burnley’s nine so far, with West Brom only scoring two more with 11. A double-up on defence is certainly an option but with Tomas Soucek taking up a cheap spot in midfielder I’ve only picked Vladimir Coufal

In their last six matches Coufal has created 11 chances, that’s six more than Aaron Cresswell.

We’re still waiting on news of a potential injury to Anthony Martial after limping off against Burnley, but if he does miss the next couple of games it would seem very likely that Edinson Cavani will play as central forward. 

We’ve seen limited minutes from the Uruguayan so far but he’s shown promising numbers with 0.59xG per 90 minutes. The Liverpool game is tough for anyone but if he could nick a goal there he’d then look to top up the FPL points for the week against Fulham.

There is obviously a risk with picking Aston Villa players because we don’t know who may have tested positive and won’t be available but given they are now playing Newcastle I’ve added a couple into the squad for consideration with Emiliano Martínez and Ollie Watkins

No regularly playing goalkeeper has a higher points per match than Martínez at 5.5, and with save potential against Manchester City followed by a Newcastle fixture you’d expect a clean sheet in there’s lots to be gained from him.

Despite only scoring one goal against Brighton it’s difficult to not triple up on Manchester City again with Kevin De Bruyne being the only attacker I’d be confident of predicting a start for. They are showing no signs of stopping when it comes to defensive returns and I think Cancelo owners will be hopeful of an attacking return soon enough. 

Interestingly he only created one chance against Brighton and had one shot in the box, but seeing his positioning from the eye test, he’s sure to be involved soon.

GEOFF SAID…

Barring any future Double Gameweek 19 fixture changes, my selections come from teams with two fixtures in the round; whether or not my picks will start both fixtures is, as always, unclear.

I continue to look for value in my goalkeepers to enable a stronger attack: Sam Johnstone and Emiliano Martinez are therefore my top picks before I look to Alisson, who has the highest points potential.

Trent Alexander-Arnold looks the best option in defence with hugely promising underlying stats, particularly over the last 4 games. João Cancelo continues to look threatening and should see attacking returns soon, and City have two strong Double Gameweek 19 fixtures. John Stones, Vladimir Coufal, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also worthwhile options.

Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne are the top midfield picks this week, slightly ahead of Bruno Fernandes and his four yellow cards. Tomas Soucek is a strong pick and will insultingly be called a ‘no-brainer’ by many pundits, while Anwar El Ghazi is another budget enabler.

In attack I first look to Jamie Vardy, who I expect will be fit and will score well – while not a captaincy option for me, as I’ll look to my midfield, he may be a shrewd armband contender for those looking for a punt. Callum Wilson, Ollie Watkins, and Michail Antonio look a nicely-priced trio, while Anthony Martial is a differential for those looking to United for a double in the Double. 

DAVID SAID…

I am expecting Sam Johnstone and Alphonse Areola to use their respective pair of fixtures to rack up the saves in Double Gameweek 19.

The two goalkeepers are both inside the top five for stops this season (74 and 59) and face opponents that are sure to create chances against them.

I will be keeping my eye on injury updates from West Ham on Friday though. If David Moyes rules out Lukasz Fabianski then I will be very keen on the kindly-priced Darren Randolph.

Manchester City have conceded three goals in their last 13 matches in all competitions which is why a defensive double-up of Rúben Dias and João Cancelo is so appealing, especially as I’m not particularly taken with attacking options outside of Kevin De Bruyne.

Vladimir Coufal has incredibly kind home fixtures against low-scoring Burnley and West Bromwich Albion. He has also created more chances than any West Ham player over their last four matches.

Reece James looks set for a return to the Chelsea starting line-up ahead of facing Fulham and Leicester. Over his last four matches, he is joint-top among Blues assets for big chances created, the most of any Chelsea defender in that time too.

De Bruyne is an obvious inclusion considering his nailed-on role in the Manchester City team for those appealing home matches.

The fact that Raheem Sterling missed a late penalty against Brighton, in my view, reinforces the Belgian’s place in the spot-kick pecking order.

Speaking of penalties, Liverpool and Fulham have both given up five each this season – only Leeds (six) and Brighton (seven) have conceded more at the time of writing.

The fact that Bruno Fernandes faces both of those sides in Double Gameweek 19 makes his credentials seriously worth considering, especially as he is set for two road trips. The Portuguese international has pulled in 54.5% of his FPL points away from home this season.

Considering Mohamed Salah’s problems in front of goal recently, I am going for his team-mate Sadio Mané in my selection.

Over their last four matches, the Senegalese international has outshone Salah for touches in the box, key passes, big chances created and shots in the box.

Crucially, Mané also has matched Salah’s output for attacking returns over the same period (three) for a cheaper price and has fewer blanks during that time too.

I am very willing to take a risk on Michail Antonio ahead of West Ham’s appealing fixtures considering their decision to sell Sebastien Haller to Ajax on a permanent deal.

I also really fancy the single Gameweek fixtures of Harry Kane and Patrick Bamford and will be taking them both into Double Gameweek 19 to face Sheffield United (away) and Brighton (home) respectively.

1,490 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Holding & DCL to Coufal & Antonio worth a -4?

    1. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes if Antonio plays 2 games and only gets 4 points you haven't lost out so is worth the gamble. DCL is also injured isn't he? So it's almost a free transfer seeing as DCL doesn't have a game

  2. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lads, what do you suggest here?

    McCarthy / Steer
    Robertson / Dias / Cresswell / Saïss /  Dallas
    Salah / Bruno / Son / Grealish / Soucek
    DCL / Watkins / Bamford

    1. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If not playing chips, I'd lose DCL probably.

    2. deshawn7
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL for Wilson perhaps. How much ITB?

    3. Goodricke
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL to Antonio

  3. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For GW19, probably TC Salah..

    Martinez
    Robertson, TAA, James, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish
    Watkins, Bamford

    4.0, DCL*, Martinelli*, Mitchell

    1FT 0.4m

    A) TAA + Son + DCL -> Dias + KDB + Antonio for -8
    B) DCL -> Antonio
    C) Son -> Rashford (only losing 0.1m on Son if I'm selling)
    D) Son + DCL -> Vardy + Foden -4
    E) Any other suggestions?

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

    Oh ffs flappy fail

  5. Nolberto Solano
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this worth it for a -12?

    Lowton, Dallas, Son & Kane OUT
    Cancelo, Dias, KdB & Antonio IN

    1. deshawn7
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      -12 is never worth, not when you're taking both Son and Kane out

      1. Tony Moon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Have to look at each transfer individually. I took a -16 in total a few seasons ago, heading into a double GW - big risk, but paid off very well, with a net gain of around 60 points, and total score of over 150. Agree that removing the Spurs players is too risky though here, as they could easily outscore DGW players this week.

  6. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    can't believe not a single analyst has gone for Werner.

    Likely to start both games. Chelsea have a total expected goals of around 4 for their two games. He's on penalties. One of their key attacking players.

    I thought fantasy scout pundits were better than allowing 'gut feel' and 'intution' to cloud their rational judgement. Just because it hasn't clicked for Werner doesn't make it less likely he'll score/bink in the next 2 games

    1. dansully3
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's been shocking in fairness!! Abraham probably starts with Pulisic and Ziyech too.

  7. Djemba-Djemba
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What's the better option fot thos GW
    A) BB or
    B)TC?

    1. Djemba-Djemba
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      *for this

      1. dansully3
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You'd need to post your squad so people could advise that question really

    2. Goodricke
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I was BB with 15 DGW players (took 5 weeks of planning, even made a speadsheet), then the Leeds match was postponed, and had 9 DGW players. So, now did some maintenance (-12 to get KDB) and will TC him. Save the BB for the next one!

  8. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Forster to Johnstone/Areola for a hit for BB?...
    Would mean -12

  9. deshawn7
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez Areola
    Robbo Cresswell Saiss Stones
    Bruno KDB Son Soucek
    Kane Bamford

    Subs: Areola Lacazette Dallas ESR

    Worth the bench boost? Have 1 FT as well

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

    With Bruno on a tightrope with 4 cards , I will be moving him out for Sterling. Only concern is not sure where his head is at after missing the penalty, he's a confidence player and need to see past examples how he fared after missing crucial goal scoring chances in games.

  11. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No more fixture rescheduling for GW19 right?

  12. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What would you do with this? The plan was to BB this gw but I might stick to it and take a - 4/8.

    0.8 ITB
    McCarthy Johnstone
    Balbuena Taylor Justin Dallas Zouma
    Son Salah Bruno Raphinha Soucek
    Vardy Adams Bamford

  13. simonl87
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    De Bruyne and Antonio -4
    Or
    Soucek and Vardy

  14. The Dentist
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts on the below? In case of A or B I’ll probably TC KDB, in case of C BB.

    Team:
    Martinez (Button)
    Dias - Coufal - Dier (Holding, Mitchell)
    KDB - Salah - Fernandes (Neto, S-Rowe)
    Kane - Bamford - Wilson
    ITB: 1.5

    Planning:
    A. Neto -> Soucek
    B. Neto -> Foden
    C. A/B + Button -> Johnston

  15. Bobby's Teeth
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any view on how big the next DGWs will be? Trying to understand whether I should deploy my TC chip or save it. For reference, I have not used any chip till now apart from WC1.

  16. Grealish
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on my WC team
    Johnstone
    Chilwel Coufal Cancelo
    Soucek KDB Salah Mane Lookman
    Werner Antonio

  17. Johan Queef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    THOUGHTS PLEASE. My GW16 plans all down the drain but making do.

    Johnstone (McCarthy)

    Robertson, Coufal, Cancelo (Dallas, Taylor*)

    Salah, Soucek, Fernandes, Son, Raphinha

    Bamford, Martial* (Adams)

    Leeds/Southampton have b*ggered me here.

    A) Martial, Son, Taylor -> Antonio, KDB & Stones (-8)

    B) Son & Taylor -> Foden & Stones (-4)

    C) Something else???

    I think I will still bench boost. I've got poor TV and built an unusually strong bench with this in mind. Time to get it out of the way.

    Thanks!

  18. Chris Mooney
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently - GK - Leno / Martinez, DEF - Dallas, Cancelo, Maguire, Dier, Cresswell, MID - Smith Rowe, KDB, Fernandes, Rashford, Soucek, FWRD -Bamford, Vardy, Antonio - Took a -12 for some WH assets... So BAmford would be only player with 1 game...

    Wondering should I go with Bench boost this week? i.e Leno / Dier / Dallas / Smith Rowe all 1 game?

  19. timPgoodwin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ziyech or Pulisic?

  20. youzef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Zaha and Wood to Ziyech and Antonio for a hit?

  21. Lizo2001
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cresswell and Foden
    Or
    Chilwell and Gundogan

    On a WC

    THANKS!

  22. Lizo2001
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    All could notch don’t see why not

    1. Lizo2001
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Oops that meant to be reply for Chris Mooney 🙂

      1. Chris Mooney
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers fella