Scout Squad
17 February 2022 616 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards for Double Gameweek 26 are debated by the Scout Squad panel.

For those new to this feature, it’s a weekly piece that always takes the form of a ‘Free Hit’-type selection for the upcoming Gameweek.

Fantasy Football Scout contributors Az, Sam, Neale and Tom each propose an 18-man long-list of Fantasy players, explaining their notable inclusions and omissions in the article below. Az and Sam’s picks were submitted prior to Liverpool’s win over Inter on Wednesday, a match in which Diogo Jota (£8.5m) sustained an ankle injury, but the Portuguese midfielder remains in their squads on the off-chance that he is passed fit in Friday’s pre-match press conference.

The Scout Squad also serves as a precursor to the Scout Picks, as the players listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for final our weekly selection ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

If you didn’t see it previously, we’ve started doing a ‘bus team’ Scout Picks earlier in the week in order to share our initial selection thoughts with Fantasy managers who perhaps couldn’t be around closer to the deadline – but we’ll still be publishing our final squad as we were before.

Each writer must meet the following requirements:

  • At least one goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less
  • At least one sub-£5.0m defender
  • At least one midfielder listed at £6.5m or below
  • At least one forward priced at £7.0m or lower
  • No more than three players from the same club

SCOUT SQUAD’S PICKS OF THE BEST FPL PLAYERS FOR GAMEWEEK 26

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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  1. grennans2
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsdale - DDG
    TAA - Tierney - Cancelo - Digne - Coufal
    Jota - Bruno - Bowen - Foden - Gray
    Watkins - Dennis - King

    Best option if Jota is confirmed out? Planning to FH in GW27 so want to target this double

    A) Bruno & Gray > Salah & Saka (-4)
    B) Bruno, Jota & Coufal > Salah, Saka & VVD (-8)
    C) Jota, Watkins, Digne & Coufal > Salah, Broja, VVD & White (-12)

    1. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Dont know your funds in bank but Jota to Salah is optimal (keeping Bruno) but, failing that, A

  2. Fit_to_drop
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Foster* King* Cancelo Broja

    This an acceptable BB? Dont have a TC chip.

    1. Oooo Matron
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do it

    2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yer, I would. That or BB36.

    3. mox81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same here, I've got the TC option but still struggling to not look beyond BB

  3. Oooo Matron
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any better - 4 than Jota & Cash to Saka & Van Dijk? (can't afford Robertson by 0.1)

    Current team:
    Ramsdale
    Trent Cancelo Tierney
    Jota Salah (TC) Bowen Fernandes Foden
    Dennis King

    Subs: Foster, Watkins, Cash, Guehi

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think thats a good use of a -4. Like the VVD pick. Prefer it over Robbo who might get hooked early or worse still, not start 1 game. I have the 2 watford lads up front also. If for the only reason, not much else out there.

  4. The White Pele
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Steele to Sa for -4 or play DDG?

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cant stretch to Ramsdale?

      1. The White Pele
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        have White. would you double up?

  5. kevbizarre
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    BB or TC?

    Already done -8 to get this team so don’t want to take any more hits

    Ramsdale
    TAA Fermina Cancelo
    Bowen, Salah (c), Saka, Fernandes
    Antonio, Jiminez, Edouard
    Subs - Sanchez, Shaw, Ramsey, Livramentino

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      TC, Livramento may have lost his spot for now and is only back from injury and I don't fancy MU defence

      1. kevbizarre
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      TC

      1. kevbizarre
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      TC

      Doesn't matter how good the bench is, get that TC on Salah. There will never be a better TC opportunity, but there will be another great BB opportunity in GW36. TC is bottleneck, so prioritise it.

      1. kevbizarre
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  6. TopBinFC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Firmino for a one week punt then? After all its only a game and a bit of fun, so why not

    1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Haha on that rationale: do it!

      1. TopBinFC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He becomes Broja in 27

        1. space mercenary
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Has anyone told him?

          1. TopBinFC
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            LOL

        2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Great move - looking to get Broja in soon, too. Only (killjoy) issue with Firmino is - while an excellent linchpin for Liverpool - he's not a great FPL asset.

          1. TopBinFC
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            But for one GW with Jota potentially out, playing in the middle with mane and salah either side, against Norwich and Leeds, what could possibly go wrong.......lol

            1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Haha do it. I've just seen your post below - I'll not try and dissuade you 😉

    2. AJW
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That's the way the cards are stacked for me this week - it's gonna be less of a points hit to get in Firmino with my other 2 Pool assets (Salah + TAA) than if I have to try and get Robbo (involves more manipulation!). So, dunno - hope it's the smiling Brazilian's week! 😉

  7. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    To replace Martinelli, would you:
    A. Get Cornet (-4)
    B. Get Odegaard (-4)
    C. Play Foden bench Martinelli

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C. and save a transfer. Martinelli will have another double

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah thx as long as he's not RC-ed again 😛

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C if you want Martinelli long-term (as I do). Maybe the silver lining is that he becomes more of differential for us in the next DGW

  8. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    How does this sound for a GW26 draft?

    Ramsdale (Foster)
    TAA, Cancelo, Coady (Dias, Digne)
    Jamsey, Bowen, Salah (TC), Son, Saka
    Lacazette, Dennis (Toney)

    DDG, Jota, & Maupay to Ramsdale, Saka, and Lacazette for -8. Will FH27.

    1. TopBinFC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Tasty

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks 🙂

        Also considering Dias/Digne to Tierney and playing 4-5-Dennis.

        1. Fit_to_drop
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I am doing 4-5-Dennis this week

          1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Oh nice. If I did that, I'd leave Jota in XI with Digne first sub.

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Would you get Mahrez (eve), Foden (eve) or JWP (NOR) for GW27? Planning to WC28.

    1. TopBinFC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Foden

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Assuming you've not got MCI mids? I.e. no KDB? I'd go Foden or JWP. I really like JWP for the next few games; will be getting him in FH27.

    3. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm getting Mahrez & JWP on FH27. Mahrez & Son look like great captaincy candidates

  10. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I'm sitting on Jota + Emerson Royal

    What do you guys think is best?

    A) Both out for Saka + Kilman -8
    B) Both out for Robbo + Odegaard -8 and FH27
    C) Jota > Saka -4 keep Royal

    I feel like option A is the most balanced but doesn't maximize points since I only have 2 Liverpool. B is best for this week but next week I'm forced to FH or else sell Robbo right away. C depends on Emerson Royal playing all 3 games which I'm not convinced he will.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am on B potentially

    2. TopBinFC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C for me, less of a hit

    3. space mercenary
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think B has the best chance of your future self thanking you for the moves 🙂

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah but also the greatest chance of me cursing myself if Robbo gets rested one of the games since the entire move is built for him. Buying Odegaard over Saka I'm not too confident on either. So it's all on Robbo delivering a double digit return.

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Robbo will deliver double digits

    4. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure Ode will return as he seems to be more of a AA player & Robbo surely gets a rest as it’s not like they have a mug as back up anymore.

      I would go A but you are better player than me & I enjoyed your meet the manager. You talk a lot of sense!

    5. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Tough decision. Much as I like Robbo, it sounds like maybe he doesnt really fit your strategy & it does put a lot of pressure on his performance in just 1 GW, whereas Saka/Odegaard will be there for a few weeks & probably another double so you might regret sacrificing your 1st choice Arsenal asset more (if you clearly prefer Saka to Ode)

  11. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this -8?

    Bruno, DDG, Maupay -> Salah (TC), Ramsdale, Wegsy

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Depending on the tactics for next few weeks but in isolation I would do it providing Wegsy risk is acceptable for you

  12. What defenders are you targeting?
    Atimis
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What is your def setup going forward ?

    Recon Chelsea def will be needed since GW27/28 so are you gonna play 4 at the back ?

    Or just scarifying one of Robo/Laporte to go TAA/Cancelo/James ?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      TAA Cancelo Rudiger WOL ARS

    2. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Taa/Tierney/Cancelo/Digne/James

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Tierney is a good shout...

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, going for a 451

      TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - James

      To me personally, James is essential from GW28 onwards. If he stayed fit for a whole season, he could hit 200pts. One of the highest scoring players in the game, and yet dirt cheap, with great fixtures, and 2 unscheduled DGWs.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        R.James has a higher points-per-game than Jota, KDB, and Sterling ffs 😆

        1. Pompel
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Not when I owned him from GWs 14 - 20, he didn't 🙁

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Ooh rough. Chelsea losing Chilwell affected their defence for sure.

            I'm hoping Azpi plays LWB when James in back so they tighten up a bit. Don't trust Alonso, hopefully Tuchel doesn't either.

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

      TAA Cancelo Laporte Tierney Dalot.
      One will go to James soon

    5. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Currently have the standard two + Tierney Saiss and VVD. VVD will go next week so I can field 10 in BGW27 but I'll probably get James in afterwards for whoever I move him to. That being said they were really poor defensively recently so I may wait and see if they've improved.

    6. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking 5-3-2 cos strikers are inconsistent

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        So many great mids though.

        Salah, Son, Bowen rock solid reliables. Then you have Foden, Sterling, Coutinho, Saka/Martinelli, potential DGWers like Maddison, Raphinha, Mount/Ziyech etc.

        Want 5 personally to bounce through the doubles.

    7. TopBinFC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do we know when james will be fit again?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Planning to return this GW against Palace apparently.
        https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10499683/Reece-James-boost-Chelsea-defender-targets-return-action-Crystal-Palace-clash.html

        Sorry for the source.

        GW28 is over 2 weeks away, so surely be fit for that.

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Wow. That's a lot of ads in one article. Blimey

          Thanks, still 🙂

    8. fricky_
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo TAA Digne James Tierney i reckon

    9. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely scarifying.

    10. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      TAA Cancelo James Tierney Aït-Nouri for me

      I currently have Digne in James's place. Would be a straight swap in GW28, with the Ronaldo funds

    11. alexmj
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Tarkowski

  13. Ninja Škrtel
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    OK lads, this is my current team, I'll do TC on Trent cause tbh the season is over for me so why the hell not?

    I have 7 DGW players, considering Antonio>Laca just to add one more..what would you do?

    Rams
    Trent (TC), Robbo, Tierney
    Salah, Ramsey, Bowen, KDB
    Antonio, Dennis, Edouard.

    Forster, Cancelo, Gilmour, Duffy.

    1. Salarrivederci
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Like TAA (TC).
      Antonio -> Laca is good, but maybe Jimenez is better?

      Would play Cancelo > Ramsey, Edourd, Antonio and Dennis tbh

  14. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys,
    Best move?
    A) Jota to Saka
    B) Bruno to Son
    C) Dalot and Jota to Robbo and Odegaard (-4)

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A or C, Bruno played well the other night and there will be goals in that MAN LEE fixture. I think C might even shade A for overall return.

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

        Cheers. Seems a shame not to have 3 Liverpool for the double so might just go for it. Cheers

    2. fricky_
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  15. FF Dirtbag
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Team for next GW: 1 FT and 0 ITB.
    DDG
    TAA* Cancelo Laporte White*
    Salah*(TC) Jota* Fernandes Bowen Saka*
    Weghorst*

    Gunn; Maupay, Broja, Webster

    What to do?
    A) Take out Jota?
    B) DDG -> Ramsdale and bench Jota
    C) save FT

  16. Vlad Tepes
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Just a thought, is it not smarter to FH GW26 (got 2 FH left), If you not are stacked on Arsenal and Liverpool players (only have 1 Arsenal and two Liverpool (TAA/Jota) atm) Instead of taking lots of hits, could still put up a strong 11 GW27 with those above on the bench.

    Jota injury complicated things, the bad thing is I will lose my 2 FT.

    1. Vlad Tepes
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      noticed now that I cant TC salah or BB if I do that =)

    2. TopBinFC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You need Salah regardless going forward

      1. Vlad Tepes
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes but can get him in GW28? he blanks 27.

        1. TopBinFC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Likely price rises

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have the same bit I'm taking -4 to get Salah and two more arsenal. FHing in 27

      I guess it depends on the rest of our teams too. Do u have Burnley/soton players?

  17. 824545201
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any ideas for this lot, 1FT 0.4 ITB:

    De Gea - Foster*
    TAA* - Cancelo - Laporte - Reguillon* - White*
    Salah* - Bilva - Bowen - Raphinha* - Ramsey
    Ronaldo - Antonio - Dennis

    I want to get Robertson and ideally 2-3 more DGW assets instead of Bilva and Ronaldo, what are my best bets?

  18. MGD
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wait, are people shipping Jota? How bad was his injury?

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A Liverpool twitter page with 6k followers is saying 2 weeks out, could be complete BS

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am doing Jota > Salah 😛

  19. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Laca or Jimi?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Depending on GW27/28 plan I would presume

  20. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bruno, Watkins, Bachmann
    to
    Ramsdale, Broja, Salah for -8
    (Potentially Jota to someone like Saka if out injured for -12)

    Make the move now ahead of any price changes or wait it out? Got 0.3m wiggle room but I may need that for future transfers

  21. Poison Apple
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A. Son + Jay rod (-4)
    B. Watkins + X
    C. Weghorst + X

    Which is the best X if u select B or C.

    1.

  22. TopBinFC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Finally moving on Antonio this GW, but cant decide who to buy;
    1. Laca - doesnt score much, tough game v Wolves
    2. Jiminez - Nice fixture against Leicester, rarely hauls big
    3. Firmino - could be under the radar if Jota out for 2 weeks.

    I fully expect Liverpool to score the most goals out of the 3 teams, and playing in the middle surely Firmino will get a few if not an assist, someone talk me out of it......

    1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      3! 100% 3!

    2. Sharkytect
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Jiminez is right up there for Xgi over the last four games, and wolves are right up there for fixtures over the coming gameweeks. I think he is the one

  23. Poison Apple
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A. Son + Jay rod (-4)
    B. Watkins + X
    C. Weghorst + X

    Which is the best X if u select B or C.

    1. Coutinho
    2. Cornet
    C. Foden

    1. TopBinFC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B Foden
      C Foden

  24. C_G
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    should I FH? have 0 FT, 3.5 ITB

    Sanchez

    TAA White Cancelo

    Salah(TC) Bowen Jota Foden Raph

    Dennis Edouard

    De Gea Antonio Livra Dalot

    1. C_G
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      2.1 ITB not 3.5!

  25. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on what to do this week? Only Have 1 FH and i plan to use it in GW30
    2ft 3.3 itb

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Dalot Dawson
    (TC)Salah *Jota Bowen
    CR7 Dennis King

    DDG *Gray Livra D.Luiz

    Cheers

  26. Kitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I've already got Foster in my nets but shall I take a hit to get DDG > Ramsdale, will this pay off with interest?

    Also Ramsdale likely will be a set and forget keeper.

    Taking a hit on a keeper is normally a no no for me but this one is tempting

    1. 824545201
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same dilemma for me as well, i'm inclined to say it's worth it.

    2. Boz
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’m going to. Ramsdale looks the best option to the end of the season

  27. rokonto
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance gw27 gets more doubles?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      https://twitter.com/MikkelTokvam/status/1491921116927082496/photo/1

      15% chance of Wat, Wol, Lee, Avl apparently.

      1. rokonto
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  28. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    You guys think this is G2G for DGW26?

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo - Taa - Robbo
    Salah (TC) - Son - Bowen - Coutinho - Saka
    Eduoard - Maupay

    DDG - Ait Nouri - Dalot - Broja

    1. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'd start Broja / Ait Nouri over Maupay. Looking good though, potentially huge score this week

  29. CheesyZoot
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Do we expect mane to get many minutes in GW26?

    1. TopBinFC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      mane minutes

  30. Boz
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this -8?

    CR7, Jota, Diop, DDG > Laca, Saka, VVD, Ramsdale?

    2 FH still to play

    1. fricky_
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      like it