Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice to Double Gameweek 25

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Double Gameweek 25 ahead of today’s 18:30 GMT deadline.

Leeds United and Southampton are the two teams with the extra fixture – the Saints travel to Elland Road on Tuesday evening.

The other main talking point as we plot our moves for the current round of fixtures and beyond, is the potential of more Double Gameweeks in the near future. Pep Guardiola hinted that Gameweeks 26 and 27 will be Doubles for his side but at the time of writing, we await confirmation from the Premier League.

Captain Candidates

Patrick Bamford (£6.9), Raphinha (£5.4m) and Danny Ings (£8.5m) are the leading trio in the captain poll, with the highly-owned Bamford the popular choice.

The best-value forward in FPL, returning over 19.1 points per million spent, Bamford has garnered over 50 per cent of the vote. This in itself poses Fantasy managers an intriguing shield/sword dilemma:

[Bamford]’s currently in just over 53 per cent of teams, the bulk of those will captain him so if you don’t captain Bamford you will probably get pretty much no ranking gain from him, [and] you could possibly get a red arrow if there’s a surge of support in people drafting him in. Whereas Raphinha was in under three per cent of teams [so] if you captain him the gains could be absolutely huge.

– Joe, Captaincy Video

The potential for either Leeds player to do well is there, especially in that Tuesday fixture. As Jan pointed out in his Captain Sensible article, Southampton have given up 11 big chances in the last four matches, the joint-most in the Premier League, while only Liverpool have a worse expected goals conceded (xGC) figure.

Encouraging stuff. But two bits of team news could influence our decisions.

Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) will miss the first match against Wolves and could possibly sit out the Southampton game too. While Ralph Hasenhüttl revealed that Southampton will be without Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.7m) for a few weeks. 

Without Kalvin Phillips they are really not the same team, he is the guy that holds the whole thing together both defensively and going forward … he’s missed five games this year and … Bamford’s blanked in three of those five games so it makes me a bit worried about him.

– David, Captaincy Video

Speaking on the Scoutcast, “professor of LeedsSeb, as he was dubbed by Joe, conceded that Phillips offers more than Pascal Struijk (£3.9m) in an attacking sense. But, nonetheless, his optimal Leeds trio for the Double would be Bamford, Raphinha and Jack Harrison (£5.5m).

The absence of Walker-Peters is good news for Harrison in particular. The Saints have conceded 17 chances down their right flank over their last four matches and with Walker-Peters missing out, it means we could see one of the centre-backs filling in.

Although, Brazilian Raphinha could also benefit:

Harrison and Raphinha have swapped sides a couple of times in the last few matches … Harrison was obviously subbed off last match … but Raphinha actually moved to the left with Hélder Costa coming on the right, so there is a chance you’ll see Raphinha on the left.

And on Harrison himself, his last two goals I believe, certainly his last goal, came straight down the middle. So if he’s up against the weak full-back that might be more for the assist [but] for the actual goals we might see him making those runs through the middle.

So I think realistically, what’s the crux of this conversation, it’s all quite close. Get the three attackers if you can, if you can’t get Bamford and Raphinha.

– Seb

Raphinha and Harrison touch heatmap last four matches

When it comes to deciding who to captain, it’s worth noting that Raphinha takes corners while Bamford is expected to stay on penalty duties.

No Premier League team has conceded more spot-kicks this season than Wolves (seven). And Southampton are not doing particularly well in that department, either, having given up four penalties  in 2020/21.

But Danny Ings should not be discounted, the Saints talisman has recorded six attempts on goal in his last two Premier League fixtures, including three big chances. And Southampton’s high-press could prove effective against Leeds, as Arsenal discovered in Gameweek 24 scoring four goals. 

Speaking on FPL Black Box, Pro Pundit Mark revealed that he is contemplating buying Ings with one of his two free transfers, factoring in that Southampton may have three Double Gameweeks in the next four. Although, as Greyhead noted in the 100th edition of The Great and The Good, how many of us will trust Danny Ings’ fragile hamstring to manage two games in quick succession?

And, as Jamie pointed out in his Members-only analysis of Southampton, if Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side are to get the best out of Ings, then they will need to create more chances, with the Saints creation ranking near the bottom in their last six matches.

Nonetheless, Ings is the only Southampton player included in the Scout Picks starting XI alongside a triple up of Bamford, Raphinha and Stuart Dallas (£5.0m) from Marcelo Bielsa’s troops.

Pro Pundit Plans

Along with Jack Harrison, the other players who could exploit the weakness down Southampton’s right side are Timo Werner (£9.2m) and Marcos Alonso (£5.7m).

I get the feeling that [Alonso] could drop a 15-pointer in any game if he continues in the same attacking vein. It looks like Tuchel is going to persist with the 3-4-3 formation and his comments with regards to Alonso seems particularly encouraging.

– Lateriser

As high-flying Pro Pundit Andy mentioned, the Spaniard offers massive potential at both ends of the pitch if you can cope with him missing the odd game.

Chelsea were picked out by both Andy and Lateriser due to their appealing fixtures, despite a difficult-looking Gameweek 26.

West Brom, Leeds and Palace are all in the bottom three for expected goals conceded this season, with Everton the seventh-worst team in the league. The fixtures from Gameweek 27 look prime for goals.

– Andy

Werner, who has started Chelsea’s last four matches under new boss Thomas Tuchel, has accumulated the joint-highest number of big chances (five) over the last four Gameweeks. 

Lateriser also noted that for those who are not Wildcarding in Gameweeks 25/26, there is a decent fixture swing in Gameweek 31, and it could be a good time to Wildcard. Something fellow Pro Pundit Az is planning to do, his thinking no doubt supported by some colourful spreadsheets!

Meanwhile, Werner was not one of the forward options being considered by Hall of Fame No 1 Fábio Borges.

The consistent top 10,000 manager is looking to replace the injured Michail Antonio (£6.6m) in his side and, after running the rule over several candidates, it boiled down to getting Danny Ings now or benching Antonio before buying Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) for Double Gameweek 26.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

This is your last chance to enter the open-to-all Fantasy Football Scout Cup with qualifying for the first round taking place in Gameweek 25. Qualifying for the Members Cup – entry for Premium Members only – gets underway in Gameweek 26.

A total of £300 in prizes is available across the two tournaments.

RedLightning rounded-up the latest Community mini-leagues and competitions.

Impressively, the two main FFScout mini-leagues are the top two Leagues in FPL, followed by Andy’s own mini-league. Well done to the top five managers in each of those mini-leagues.

There’s been another small tweak this week by Mat (aka matzi11a) to the fixtures and results displayed on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page.

From now on the scores and tables will update each night, so managers can see how they are getting on as the Gameweek unfolds.

The fixtures for Gameweek 25 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,870 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    last dilemma -

    a) Vestergaard
    b) Rudiger

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      B for me

      Just don't see value in Soton defence, esp if the 26 double isn't on

    2. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      B

  2. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Gundogan is playing or not??

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Nobody knows.

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Ask Pep.

      I read from comments that its not assured. Risk of late sub appearance. Especially with CL in midweek

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yes. Just bumped into Guardiola at Shell Garage. Shouted from across the petrol station if he’s starting or not. Can’t guarantee but may have some involvement.

    4. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Gundo trained just part of the training session today, we will see tomorrow how he feels

    5. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Wait... let me call him

      1. Jonny HOW SON?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Tried 2 times, he isn't picking up

        Sorry

  3. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Any of the following worth a hit?

    A. Antonio>Ings
    B. Mitchell>Dallas/Dunk

    Pope
    Cancelo, Dias, Mee
    Fernandes, Grealish, Salah, Gundogan, Raphinha
    DCL, Bamford
    Steer, Coufal, Mitchell, Antonio

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Debating on A. myself.

    2. gonzalocampos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      NO, you'll be benching a mid that potentially can give you points. Not worth it.

  4. HammersXI
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Raphinha ot Bamford captain? Hovering around 100j..

    1. HammersXI
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      100k. Love the typo

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I'm on Raph

      1. HammersXI
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        I changed it to Raph but I saw he isn’t especially strong with bonus

    3. mwa1t
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      At 100k and i'd go Bamford. I need to make up rank so going Raph

      1. HammersXI
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Was thinking whether it’s wise to take such a risk at this point of the season. Have been stuck at 100-150 these few weeks

    4. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Bamford if you think he'll score more

      1. HammersXI
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        I’m a leeds fan, I expect both to do well. It’s so surreal captain a leeds players and IVE gotten it badly wrong the whole season

  5. Clickzy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Play 3:

    A) Dallas - WOL (A), SOU (H)
    B) Strujik - WOL (A), SOU (H)
    C) Dias - ARS (A)
    D) Stones - ARS (A)
    E) Rudiger - SOU (A)

    Cheers

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      ABC

  6. WorldCup82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Can anyone help me if I should WC or not??

    I have a lot of crap fodder on the bench so I'd need to WC now if I am going to use a bench boost for 26.

    I have 2 free transfers
    Option A: Son, McGoldrick -> Raphinha, Ings; 15 fixtures in GW25; 18 in GW26 (Without bench boost, which would be useless with my current team)
    Option B: Wildcard

    Current Squad
    GK: Johnstone, Walton (doesn't play)
    DEF: Cancelo, Stones, Mee, Holding, Mitchell
    MID: Salah, Fernandes, Sterling, Son, Lookman
    FWD: Bamford, Watkins, McGoldrick

    1. gonzalocampos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      You dont need to BB on 26, try another week.

  7. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Alonso worth a go on wildcard? Is he nailed now?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yeah think I'd get if I was using WC.

    2. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      bit too lumpy for me without knowing for sure if he is nailed.

  8. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Anyone going Bruno (c)?

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Tempted, easily score more than any of the dgw players

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Even Salah (c) might be good.

    3. Spg76
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Only 90 mins plus injury time possible. It’s a tough call

  9. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Bamford EO this GW in the top 1m?

    1. mwa1t
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Probably very near 100

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        As low as that?

        1. mwa1t
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          It'll be 100ish is what I mean, maybe a bit less or more. Either way it's a risk to not Cap him just based on that

          1. pavlev
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 28 days ago

            How is it a risk not to captain him? Surely I'd he's 100 per cent then just having him is the definition of zero risk?

            I was going to captian him for fear myself but I realise that actually it gives me the oppo to skip Bruno or Salah for major gains

  10. M2.0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Opinions please?

    a) Stones, Cancelo, Struijk
    b) Stones, Shaw, Dallas

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Bench order right?

    Antonio Coufal Targett

    1. ExpressoMySonny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yep

  12. mwa1t
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    In a ridiculous position here where I could be benching Dias and Gundo for Lowton and White...

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Rotation is good for your skin

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Benching Gundo for either of those defenders is silly.

      Anything can happen, of course, but *reasonable* best case outcome is the defender gets 6-7 pts to Gundo's 1.

      You really going to bench Gundo in *hope* that it nets 5-6 pts.

      1. soup natsi
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Benching an injured player is sensible

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          If he is, in fact, injured, then he will not play, and MWA1T will get the defender's points in any event. If he can play, then reasonable worse case scenario is as I outlined above.

  13. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    RMWCT (some differential picks)

    Martinez/Ederson
    Stones/Dunk/Dallas/Shaw/Rudiger
    Salah/Gundogan/Fernandes/Smith-Rowe/Raphinha
    Kane/Ings/bamford

    1.9 ITB for Raph to Barnes in GW26 & maybe upgrade ESR too

  14. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    In what order would you have these guys on the bench? Currently on...

    Dier - Soucek - Coufal

    Look right?

    1. ExpressoMySonny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Souceck first

  15. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Play Forster over Martinez just in case? Or risky 1 pointer

    1. ExpressoMySonny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Play Martinez

    2. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      What? Mccarthy doubtful?

  16. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Cancelo to start?

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yer

  17. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Hey guys Would you WC this team? I have copped big red arrows a few times recently. I don’t have gundo and I am sick of Sterling and planned to have 4 double gamweekers with my WC.

    Pope

    Mee Dias Cancelo Mitchell Cresswell

    Bruno Sterling Son Grealish Souceck

    Bamford DCL Watkins

    A) Grealish to Raph
    B) WC

    1. gonzalocampos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I did Grealish to Raphina. I am getting Watkins next week for the double. Cheaper.

  18. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Any chance to fixtures to be released before deadline ?

    1. Gomolon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Don't think so, Ben C was saying if it happened today it would be at 4pm

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      No

    3. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Not likely.

    4. OleBall
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Lol

  19. PatrickDawson1976
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I heard a rumour that Jack Grealish wasn't seen in training and that he is injured, don't know the extent .....

    1. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Given a days rest.

      1. PatrickDawson1976
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Source?

        1. Dybala10
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          The same source as yours i.e none.

          A Twitter rumour from a Villa fan doesn't mean it's concrete and judging by the replies, he has a history of BS.

      2. PatrickDawson1976
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Apparently has a sress fracture in his shin and is out for 4-6 weeks [apparently] unconfirmed reports....

  20. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Yikes. Was full sure those fixtures would be announced waaaaay before the deadline.

  21. Kermit Special
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Start Struijk or Ben White?

  22. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    play Pope (WBA) or Martinez (LEI)..?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Pope

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Pope, surely Martinez can't pull off another miracle against Leicester

  23. pricycle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Would you play DCL away to Liverpool or Grealish at home to Leicester?

    Thanks! 😀

  24. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Bench one
    1) lowton
    2) Alonso
    3) TAA

  25. GoonerSteve
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Antonio and Grealish out for Ings and Raphina, 4pt hit.

    Worth it?

    Would mean benching either DCL or Gundogan, probably DCL.

    1. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      yes ... just about

  26. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Bench order?

    A) stones
    B) calvert
    C) coufal

  27. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    165K - Bam or Raph captain?

  28. Jones Town
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Am i playing McCarthy or Pope then??!

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      there's a penalty save in McCarthy over the two games, if that helps!

    2. ExpressoMySonny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Pope

  29. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Gundo to Raphinha for just 1GW? Gonna lose 0.3 on transaction

  30. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Really can't decide between Cancelo and Dias, it's driving me nuts... Have Konsa as don't fancy Vestergard, and if I'm benching Martinez for Ederson, I can use Konsa instead...

    current wc...

    Martinez - Ederson

    Cancelo - Shaw - Rudiger - Dallas - Konsa

    Salah - Fernandes - Gundogan - Grealish - Raphina

    Ings - Bamford - Watkins.

    Plan for 26 is Raphina > Son and Watkins > DCL

    Yay/Nay? Dias or Cancelo in there to go with Ederson?

    1. Gomolon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Just do what I did and spend all your money so you can only afford one of them lol, takes the decision out of your hands!

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I would start Dias as I think Cancelo will be benched.

      1. Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        He's a bit more swiss army but it's hard to decide, Ederson + Cancelo is safe and risky. Cancelo and Dias is slightly more rotation-y

        at least the former balances out more