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. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which one is worth a hit?
    A) Raphina - Gundo
    B) CTaylor - Stones
    C) Neither
    D) Both

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. rubberdignerapids
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe B if it's longterm and you have poor sub options

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Have a strong bench so perhaps not then. Thanks

    3. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

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

    nervously waiting for Trash news

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Few reports saying fine minor but not sure will risk him. I think a dont buy dont sell

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

      I don't reckon he plays. Martial Cavani Greenwood or even Mata or James could even get a game.

  3. JelliedSpark968
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking Raphinha + Vardy + Firmino > Barnes + Watkins + Kane (-4). Antonio isn't an option

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Raphina and just do Watkins and Kane for free- you can sort Raphina out next week- His chances of returns against a woeful Newcastle look better than Barnes without Vardy and for a hit

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

        agreet

      2. JelliedSpark968
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        If I do this I'll have a weak bench, and I have a good feeling about Barnes this week

  4. the egyptian king
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play 1:

    a) Coufal (cry)
    b) Soucek (cry)
    c) Wood (AVL)

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      with Zaha back I'd go Soucek.

    3. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

  5. Blue Moon Rising
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling, Kane and Dias in for Vardy, Salah and Robbo (-8)

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling is a nice one, could work wonders

    2. rubberdignerapids
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely not. Just Vardy to Kane for free

    3. G Banger
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not a fan of a -8 at any time, maybe just Dias in this week, depends on the rest of your team

  6. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who to start from these?

    A) DDG
    Or
    B) Martinez

    Currently on A

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

      A

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

      A

    3. JelliedSpark968
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      A

    5. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I see a 6 pointer in either case but A seems to have a better chance

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

      A
      Though could OGS play Henderson again like in the last fixture vs. Sheff Utd?

      1. Obi Wan Elokobi
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Then I just get Martinez off the bench

    7. ivantys
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      SHU more likely to score than Burnley

    8. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  7. G Banger
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one of the following please 🙂

    A) Holding
    B) Coufal
    C) Soucek

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      agreed, A

    3. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

    5. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  8. Begbie.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Rashford or Sterling?

    *assuming Rashford is fit.

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling

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

      Rashy

    3. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would prefer Rashford from those two

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

      Rashford 25%

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

        https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

        actually 50% now

    5. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rashford

  9. Runaway
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    Cancelo (V) Stones Coufal
    Salah Bruno (C) Son Grealish Gundo
    Bamford Wilson

    Forster Dallas Dier Brewster
    0 FT, 6.4 ITB

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good.

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

    Bench 1

    A) Justin
    B) Dallas
    C) Coufal

    1. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Justin

    2. JelliedSpark968
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

  11. Steve
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    anyone else that gundo & kdb look wrecked in the photo used for this article?

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

      *noticed

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

    McCarthy,
    Robertson, Cancelo, Coufal, Stones,
    Salah, Gundogan, Bruno, Son,
    Adams, Bamford

    Forster, Soucek, Mitchell, Brewster

    1ft 6.2itb

    Looking to move Adams on. Best replacement?

    A Kane
    B DCL
    C Martial
    D Cavani
    E Ings

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      in order:
      A,B,E,D,C

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

        Cheers.

  13. No Professionals
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Still unsure

    Johnstone
    Dias stones Dallas Coufal
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan
    Kane Bamford Antonio

    Steer soucek Mitchell Alzate
    0ft 7.7

    Happy to take a hit, which would you do

    A) Johnstone to Martinez
    B) Johnstone to de gea
    C) Alzate to son (bench Coufal)

    1. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd only consider C out of those for a hit.
      Son is in form.

  14. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you take a -4 to do either Coufal or Wood > Cancelo or Kane? if the former I would play instead of Dallas

    Current team

    McCarthy
    Maguire / Stones / Dallas
    Salah / Gundogan / Son / Fernandes
    Wood / Bamford / Antonio

    Johnstone / Soucek / Coufal / Targett

  15. woodles
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy to Kane (play Bowen) or Bowen to Salah (bench vardy)??

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

      Kane vs Salah depends on your preferred captaincy options next week and ahead

  16. Tabbara
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bench :
    Rodrigo or Dallas

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

    KDB to Gundogan or Sterling?

    Getting Gundogan would allow me to upgrade Brewster to Kane.

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

      2 good options vs 1 good option.

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

        Stay at Madrid you fraud

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

          I'm coming back to Chelsea to save them.

    2. luk46
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Gündogan then, dont think Sterling will massively outscore him anyway

  18. Xna
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling cappers? Just need assurance by similar minded...

  19. JamieC180
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:

    A) DCL
    B) Justin
    C) Coufal
    D) Soucek

    1. JamieC180
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      bit of a headache, this

  20. Ninjaa
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    3 from :
    A. Stones
    B. Targett
    C. Justin
    D. Coufal
    E. C.Taylor

    3 from:
    1. Saka
    2. Wilson
    3. Bamford
    4. Antonio

    Many thanks

    1. luk46
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A B D

      2 3 4

      1. Somnus
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This

  21. Chilli2k
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Start Coufal, Trent 1st Sub, Dallas 2nd Sub

    OR

    B) Start Trent, Coufal 1st Sub, Dallas 2nd Sub

    OR

    C) Start Dallas, Coufal 1st Sub, Trent 2nd Sub

    1. JamieC180
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A for me

  22. Nespinha
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pick a duo to play:

    A) Son + Cancelo (-4)

    B) Son + Adams/Raphinha

    C) Sterling + Adams/Raphinha

    1. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C with Raphinha

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

        If I can't sterling then Cancelo won't be possible next week.

        Defense is Stones Robbo Balbuena Dallas KWP

  23. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Worth -4 to get Son for Rashford or Saka?

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

      Play Saka

    2. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No, I'd play Saka

  24. No Professionals
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    2 things are guaranteed this week

    Fernandes blank
    Gundogan blank

    (I own both and am captaining fernandes)

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

      It's always who you captain that blanks

  25. DAVESAVES
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play:
    A) Coufal
    B) Dallas
    C) Stones -4

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

      B

  26. deanchatt
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Big headache this week and need your help folks
    Which one player to bench from these for this GW?
    Antonio Bamford Kane Son Salah Bruno Maddo Gundo

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

      That's tough. Maddison maybe

  27. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thought I was decided, but unsure now.
    Which do you prefer?
    A) KDB - Son
    B) KDB and Wood - Gundo and Kane (-4)

    1. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on long term thinking.

      Do you think Gundo outscores Son this week?

      Do you want Kane or Son for longer term?

    2. Somnus
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      More because I'm not a fan of Burnley attackers, I think go for it with the -4

      1. Bagheri Arce
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Do you need to play wood tho?

        Could you bench him?

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Would definitely be benching wood.

  28. Bagheri Arce
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    £7.7m itb feels naughty.

    Anything worth a hit?

    Marty

    Stone/Robbo/Coufal

    Salah/Gundo/Br(u)no/Rafa

    DCL/Watkins/Bam

    Or just wait and do a Leeds boy to Kane/Son next week for free?

    1. More Cowbell
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      g2g

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

      wait

      1. Bagheri Arce
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cool. Thanks guys

    3. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      GTG

  29. Somnus
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    To start one alongside the City duo;

    A) Targett
    2) Coufal

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

      Depends on your GK, if Martinez I'd say go with Coufal

      1. Somnus
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        McCarthy

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

          Targett it is then

  30. More Cowbell
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1 please?
    a) Konsa (bur)
    b) Coufal (cry)
    c) Justin (eve)
    d) Dallas (new)

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

      C

    2. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C