Scout Picks
26 January 2021 1761 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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Manchester City assets form the spine of our Gameweek 20 Scout Picks team.

We have chosen three of their players as they prepare for a favourable trip to West Bromwich Albion.

This XI of our favourite players for Gameweek 20 has been chosen using the Scout Squad submissions made by DavidTomAndy and Geoff over the weekend.

We line-up in the classic 3-4-3 formation this week and come in at £80.6m, £2.4m inside the budget of £83.0m.

GOALKEEPER

Fantasy Premier League’s top-scoring goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (£5.1m) was an easy inclusion in this week’s Scout Picks. Eight of his nine clean sheets have come against sides in the bottom half of the table this season while Burnley remain the joint-lowest scorers in 2020/21 with 10 goals.

DEFENDERS

Gameweek 19 Scout Picks features all double game players

After earning a rest in the FA Cup and against Crystal Palace in Double Gameweek 19, João Cancelo (£5.8m) looks set to return to Manchester City’s starting XI for Gameweek 20. With Aymeric Laporte back in the picture, he is arguably a more sure starter than the centre-backs moving forward and, considering his impact and the fact he hit the bar against Aston Villa, an away trip to West Bromwich Albion carries huge points-potential for the full-back.

Harry Maguire (£5.4m) is the most nailed-on way of capitalising on Manchester United’s appealing home fixture against the division’s joint-lowest scorers Sheffield United (10 goals). The Red Devils have clean sheets in three of their last five league matches and in three of their last four at Old Trafford too. Meanwhile, no Manchester United defender has put up more shots in the box this season. 

Newcastle have failed to score in five of their last six Premier League matches, which bodes well for Stuart Dallas (£4.8m). The Leeds full-back scored in his last meeting with the Magpies and has the third-highest number of touches inside the box of any colleague over the last four matches.

MIDFIELDERS

Phil Foden hauls again as City defence shines in win over Brighton 1

Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) has proved something of a ‘flat-track bully’ this season, having done well against the struggling sides thus far. Of his 10 attacking returns, eight of those have come against teams in the bottom half of the Premier League table. Only two FPL midfielders have been involved in more goals against such opposition this season. A Gameweek 20 meeting with West Bromwich Albion could see Sterling deliver once again.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) is one of those two midfielders, with five goals and five assists against teams inside the bottom half of the Premier League table in the first 19 Gameweeks. Manchester United’s penalty-taker is also top among all players in the Premier League for shots on target over the last four matches.

Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) is our chosen representative from the Leicester attack as they prepare to face Everton. While James Maddison has outscored him over the last four matches, Barnes has produced more touches in the box, shots in that area of the pitch, big chances and shots on target over the same period compared to his colleague.

Ilkay Gündogan (£5.6m) has been a Fantasy revelation since moving into a more advanced role for Manchester City. As well as assuming the responsibility for penalties in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, the German international ranks best or joint-best among all colleagues for shots in the box, big chances and shots on target since Gameweek 13.

FORWARDS

Harry Kane (£11.2m) is our chosen Spurs attacker ahead of a meeting with Liverpool. The Reds have one clean sheet in their last three Premier League matches and displayed even more fragility in their FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. We fancy Jose Mourinho’s men to find the net on Thursday and considering Kane has created more big chances, shot more times in the box, produced more shots on target and has a higher goal conversion rate than Son Heung-min in the last four matches, the striker gets the nod.

Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) has just one goal in his last five matches but a trip to Newcastle bodes well for the Leeds forward. They are facing a shortage of defensive options for Gameweek 20 and have conceded the third-highest number of big chances over the last four matches.

Michail Antonio (£6.4m) has goals in each of his two matches since returning from injury and faces a Crystal Palace side in Gameweek 20 without James Tomkins, one of the key factors in their recent defensive improvements.

SUBSTITUTES

  • Alex McCarthy (£4.7m)
  • Lewis Dunk (£4.8m)
  • Matt Targett (£4.7m)
  • Bukayo Saka (£5.3m)

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 20:

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

  1. Al-Chemy
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Reckon I've got the right starters/bench?

    Martinez
    Dallas Cancelo Cresswell
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish
    Kane Antonio Bamford

    Subs: Steer Chilwell Mitchell

    Or should I start Chilwell?

    1. The Final Boss
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Start chilly ahead of Creswell..

    2. Champione
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Play Chilwell over Dallas imo

  2. The Final Boss
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Early plan is to do -8

    Kane gundo cancelo for vardy kdb lamptey

    Now since rash is fit is it fine to do rashford in place of gundo especially we don't know what role gundo will be playing in the absence of kdb.

    Suggestions needed guys.TIA

    1. Pooodle
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yup both options look good and sounds like Rashford will be fine

  3. Pooodle
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best option for this week?

    A) Coufal
    B) Rashford -4

    1. Champione
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A because doubts over Rashford's injury problems

      1. Pooodle
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Solksjaer said Rashford's available today though

    2. Dickie1898
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Tough, contemplating the same myself. Leaning towards A.

      1. Pooodle
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I'm the same as I do have a slight doubt if Rashford will start - but as someone who is ranked in the 600k range I'm finding it hard to overlook the upside of Rashford getting a couple of returns with only 12% ownership...

        1. Dickie1898
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Fair play mate. I'm confident he starts, it would just block a move for Kane next week for me. Really fancy Rash to do well though.

          1. Pooodle
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah that's fair. I've already got Kane and was thinking of bringing Son in for free next week anyway, so it's just whether Rashford is worth a one week punt.

            Problem is if you bring him in for a hit and then he's benched it would be a real bummer, but OGS's comments did sound good...

  4. Champione
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any last minute advice on this WC? Obviously missing Kane, and also not sure about GK combo and Digne. Planning on BB in GW26 and hoping for a small double involving Everton/Southampton and City in GW24. 0.0 ITB.

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Shaw
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan
    Ings DCL Bamford

    McCarthy Digne Lookman Targett

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      looks pretty well balanced to me.

      1. Champione
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        cheers

    2. Pooodle
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think you're going to have a bench headache each week with those 4 expensive defenders.

      1. Champione
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely but hopefully a strong bench also will add some value as I won't have a wildcard for later in the season

    3. Peter Ouch
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nice one!

      1. Champione
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, think I'll try this one

  5. McPollolocco
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who captain?

    a) Salah
    b) Kane
    c) Bamford
    d) Ings?

    1. Champione
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      BACD for me

    3. The Final Boss
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford

    4. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

    5. Balls of Steel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

  6. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pick 1 to play:

    A) Holding
    B) Justin
    C) Soucek
    D) Adams

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yikes, I have all 4 and I'm playing C and D over A and B.

      But I'm really not sure on Justin vs Soucek. What are your thoughts?

    2. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I think Everton will score with Jrod and Rich back.

        I was going to play Holding as Ars have kept 4 clean sheets in a row. I also have Antonio - which is why i'm reluctant on Soucek.

        Worried about Adams' form.

        Hmmmm. No clearer!

    3. Champione
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      D

  7. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Selection problems

    Who to play...
    1. Dallas or Reece James?
    2. Foden or Antonio

    1. The Final Boss
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      RF

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      JF

    3. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      that is tough. Think it prob has to be: RJ + Foden?

    4. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      DA

    5. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      DA

      1. EL TANO
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Listen to the Russians

  8. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more Salah or Sterling for the next 3 weeks?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling for my money (50p)

  9. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Trying to find the minerals to get Pereira in but will he oust Justin/Castagne or even go OOP?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think we can say much about position but I would imagine he is eased back in?

  10. KAALI_DAAL
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you get Kane in for a hit this GW, or for free next GW?

    Fixture is tough.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn’t get him for free this week.

    2. Champione
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would take the hit

    3. Pooodle
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Next week

    4. Salan
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Fixture is not tough.

  11. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hmm. Just wondering if Rashford will play. Been my target all week. Don’t really want GUNDONGAN.

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn’t buy but will start him for sure on expectation that he plays

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Just realised how unhelpful this answer was

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          No I understand.

    2. The Final Boss
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Same situation..i don't know where gundo will play in the absence of kdb..

    3. Rolls-Royce
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think he starts from the bench. No need to risk him vs Sheffield United.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah. Shame as I have no other ideas.

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I think it's a good week for a punt.

          *spoiler*: I went for Son.

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t know why that auto corrected to all caps.

    5. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      As an own Rash and not expecting him to start. Knee injury is t something to mess about with and they have other options. Ole’s comments were very positive though

      1. Pooodle
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I'm wondering the same. Ole's comments were good, but it does seem silly to risk a knee injury with a short turnaround against the worst team in the league...

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah this is my thinking. Ah well.

  12. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start Coufal or Raphinha?

    1. Tanaka'd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd probably go Raphinha

  13. Taegugk Warrior
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    It is weird, confusing either play Robbo or Mitchell...

  14. No_Mo_Salah?
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Afternoon.

    So... I drew with my opponent in the cup last week (71 vs 71) - but I am out and they are through. Does anyone know how this is decided in the case of a draw?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Number of transfers

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry, wrong tourney

    2. Vlekz
        5 years, 1 month ago

        More goals scored.

      • Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I found out this information by simply clicking on view cup details. Use this tin the future to help.

        If a cup match is drawn, then the following tie-breaks will be applied until a winner is found:

        Most goals scored in the Gameweek
        Fewest goals conceded in the Gameweek
        Virtual coin toss

        1. No_Mo_Salah?
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks for this - that was clearly the logical thing to do! Thought I had it in the bag until Pope clean sheet and just realised I wasn't through.. Oh well!

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Shame. Went through so easily. Lucky me.

    3. Art Vandelay
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Afternoon folks

      Looking for some feedback on this decision. Leaning towards a), but reluctantly.

      A) Play ESR
      B) Vardy to Kane -4 (I will be doing this next week if I don’t take the hit)

      Cheers.

      1. The Final Boss
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A

        1. Art Vandelay
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers

    4. Galbatron2.0
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      DCL/Antonio/Bamford

      Start 2, Bench 1

      1. Tanaka'd
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Tough choice. I'd maybe bench DCL this week

      2. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        There has to be someone else you can bench?

        1. Galbatron2.0
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I'm putting faith in a 3-5-2 this week.

          Rest of the team is:

          Martinez
          Stones/Cancelo/Dallas
          Gundo/Salah/Son/Bruno/Maddison

          Bench:
          Lamptey/Justin

    5. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Would you take a -4 to get rid of Pulisic and Vardy?

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Keep Pulisic. Fancy him to do well now with his former manager at the helm.

    6. drughi
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Team gtg ?

      Mccarthy
      Cancelo Stones Cresswell
      Salah Son Soucek Bruno(C)
      Adams Kane Bamford

      johnstone coufal raphinha ayling

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Raphinha in team imo

        1. drughi
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          heard he wasnt pictured in training

        2. Tanaka'd
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          For Soucek perhaps?

      2. The Final Boss
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Raph ahead of sou

      3. TheDragon
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I’m playing coufal over Adams

    7. JP\'s
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bench one

      Bellerin or Dawson?

    8. Areyouthereyet
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Start 1

      A) Dallas
      B) Coufal
      C) Souchek
      D) Mitchell

      1. Pops15
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A or B. Tought one, I'm in the same situation and I'm leaning toward Coufal. I think Leeds just play way too open and even a side as bad as Newcastle could get a goal. They did score 2 I believe in the reverse fixture

      2. EL TANO
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A

      3. Areyouthereyet
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Tough call this round. Is Zaha fit to play?

        Might just start Dallas if Zaha is fit against Coufal

    9. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      BOTTOMED

      Hey fam! WC team. GTG?

      Martinez
      Cancelo Maguire Coufal
      Bruno(C) Sterling Son Gundogan
      Kane DCL Antonio

      Areola Targett Mitchell Burke

      1. Scrumper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Like it, but would consider Bamford or Watkins in place of DCL to free up ££ to improve your bench

        1. EL TANO
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I agree with Scrump....DCL to Watkins and maybe even Maguire to Shaw and you’ll have a decent team with cash for grealish maybe?

          1. EL TANO
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Just did the numbers and that doesn’t work for grealish.
            But it would if you wanted to do gundo to grealish down the track. How about Burke to smith Rowe anyway? Seriously, lose Burke dude, especially on a WC

            1. EL TANO
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              PS: nice team (lose Burke tho)

    10. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Start which 3 from these lot?

      A) Adams
      B) Justin
      C) Alioski
      D) Raphina
      E) Bamford

      1. Tanaka'd
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        BDE

      2. drughi
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        ADE

    11. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Start soucek or Smith rowe?? Thanks

      1. Thewonderfulgame
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        ESR- Southampton have no fullbacks
        Tierny will create havoc and ESR might get onto the end of one

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers

    12. MGMT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Which 2 would you start?

      1. Coufal
      2. Dallas
      3. Target
      4. Chilwell

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        2 and 4

      2. Wirtzel Gummidge
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        2. 4.

    13. Johan Queef
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Start 2:

      A) Dallas
      B) Coufal
      C) Raphinha
      D) Adams

      1. Mesh
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A and either B or C

        1. Johan Queef
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, that's as close as I've currently got.

    14. Scrumper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Kane, James, ESR
      Or
      Antonio, Cancelo, up to £8m mid

    15. aardvark22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Would you play Martinez or Mendy as GK this week?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Martinez

      2. 2hotty
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Marti

    16. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      G2G?

      Meslier
      Coufal Dias Cancelo
      Salah Bruno(c) Rashford Gundogan
      Antonio Bamford Adams

      Forster Holding Mitchel Anguissa

      1. drughi
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        gtg

    17. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Would you start Dallas over either Cresswell or Coufal? Currently doubled up on WHU...

      McCarthy
      Stones Coufal Cresswell
      Salah Son Bruno Soucek Gundo
      Bamford Kane

      Dallas Pieters D-Reid

      1. The Final Boss
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Dallas ahead of coufal

    18. 2hotty
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Kdb to Gundo and Watkins to Kane for a -4 or should i just do the latter at the weekend

      1. EL TANO
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Bro...do it