Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 26 Scout Picks: Arsenal triple-up, March + Estupinan fit

We have chosen our best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for Gameweek 26.

As ever, we are limited to £83.0m for our first XI. And, after a reader vote ahead of 2022/23, an overall price cap of £100.0m is in place for our 15-man squad, too.

GOALKEEPER

FPL review: Kepa hauls again but James misses out on clean sheet 2

Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m) is our chosen goalkeeper in Gameweek 26. The Spaniard is averaging 6.0 points per start at home this season and hosts a Leeds United side who have failed to score in five of their last eight matches in all competitions. Goals have been hard to come by for Chelsea since the restart, but their defence has been solid, allowing just 1.04 expected goals (xG) per game from Gameweek 17 onwards.

DEFENDERS

FPL Gameweek 15 differentials: Estupinan among three budget picks

Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes (£5.2m) kept two clean sheets in Double Gameweek 25, earning 15 FPL points. The Brazilian has the highest xG tally of all FPL defenders across the season and could potentially profit at both ends of the pitch at home to Bournemouth. That’s because Gary O’Neil’s side have conceded the most attempts from set pieces in 2022/23 and scored just one goal in their previous five away contests. As for The Gunners, they have kept 11 clean sheets in 25 Premier League games – and seven of those have come in matches against teams ranked from 12th to 20th.

Pervis Estupinan (£4.7m) was a consensus pick among the Scout Squad panel. He’s become an influential figure in Roberto De Zerbi’s 4-2-3-1 formation and has established a good understanding with Moises Caicedo (5.0m) and Kaoru Mitoma (£5.3m) down Brighton and Hove Albion’s left side. The full-back missed the midweek FA Cup win over Stoke City but has since been passed fit, making him a savvy pick against a West Ham United outfit with just one away win all season.

While Aston Villa’s underlying defensive stats don’t fill us with much hope, a nice home fixture against Crystal Palace sees budget defender Tyrone Mings (£4.3m) included. The Eagles have still only scored one goal from open play in their last 11 matches and have managed just 48 shots across their previous six, the lowest in the league in that period. They have also been at the wrong end of the table for chances conceded from set pieces all season, so Mings may not get a better opportunity to open his account in 2022/23.

MIDFIELDERS

 

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COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, a member of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks.

The community member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Boleyn Boy’s 81-54 victory in Gameweek 6 gave them the biggest win (27 points difference) of 2022/23 so far.

Our champion this week is Could get Messi who has gone for the following: Ederson; Royal, Chilwell, Zinchenko; Mac Allister, Fernandes, Martinelli, Salah, Trossard; Toney, Kane (c)

The Scout Picks are tied 12-12 with the community this season.

FOLLOW THE SCOUT’S WEEKLY TRANSFER PLANS

Premier Fantasy Tools to join the Scout Network in 2021/22 2

We’re running a Scout community team in FPL this season, with regulars like TopMarx, Geoff, Tom Freeman and more contributing to the weekly decisions.

And we’re not just looking one week ahead like we are with the Scout Picks but instead planning in advance for the weeks and months to come.

You can follow our team via the Premier Fantasy Tools Pro Planner, which you can learn more about here.

Haaland Foden


598 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Anything to do here ??

    Play Ankanji ahead of Trip ?
    Cap Martin/ Ode over Haaland ?

    2 FT
    0.0 itb

    Sanchez
    Shaw, Saliba, Tripp
    Rash, Salah, Martin, Ode
    Toney, kane, Haaland (C)

    Steele, Andreas, Akanji, Bueno

    1. Morris_B
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yes. Akanji ahead of Trip

  2. boroie
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Would you WC this?

    0FT 0.0ITB

    Kepa
    Zinchenko Trippier Tarkowski Davies
    Salah Martinelli Rashford Foden
    Haaland Kane

    Ward; Nketiah Andreas Bueno

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Henry or Pinnock guys? And why?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      It's really irrelevant

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Save the 0.1 then thanks

  4. boroie
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Perfect WC team?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Does not exist

    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Stupid question, goodbye.

    3. L S P
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Van De Sar
      Terry-Kolarov-TAA
      Lampard-KDB-Sanchez-Salah
      Henry-Haaland-Suarez

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Ronaldo?

  5. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Apparently March has the best data our of the Brighton attackers so it's between Mitoma and Mac Allister. Who to pick? Mitoma is the safer choice but he plays wide whereas Mac is now in a more attacking role and is on pens

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Mitoma

  6. Blueface
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Fellow BTLers, which 3 of these 4 to play this week?

    Salah
    Rashford
    Mitoma
    Nketiah

    Thanks!

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      first 3

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Salad
      Rashford
      Mitoma

      1. Blueface
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Much appreciated

  7. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Hiya, looking for advice.

    Kepa
    James White Tarkowski
    Salah Saka Rashford Mitoma
    Haaland Kane Nketiah
    Ward // Andreas Trippier Bueno

    Will be doing Nketiah > Toney (free).

    James doubt has really pissed me off! Would you:
    A) Still start him
    B) Start Trippier
    C) Sell for -4

    Was originally thinking about Salah > Odegaard/Martinelli for a -4 before that.

    Kinda wanted to hold off playing the wildcard this week.

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Good ebening.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Hey. Happy for you reply normally but would appreciate if you don't post the same random comment on my posts for some odd reason. Cheers, have a good evening.

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Same situation.I will start him with first sub Trippier.

    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Id WC and be set for 28

      James Tark
      Salah Nketiah
      Better GK combo

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        It's not that serous of a situation. I can be set up for GW28 but wildcarding next week.

  8. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    GW26
    WILD CARD
    Sanchez-Raya
    Mee-Zinchenko-Royal-Trippier-Estupiñán
    Mitoma-Ødegaard-Saka-Rashford-Maddison
    Haaland-Kane-Toney

    What Ya Think?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Solid

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        BB 27?

        1. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          27 or 29 still close call
          Prolly 27

          28 is one FT to field 11

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Yeah makes sense given the 2 keepers

          2. OptimusBlack
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            But U have Rashford GW27

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      G2G. Very nice

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Who you benching this week?

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Benching will be awful every week

        Trippier-Estupiñán-Mitoma prolly

  9. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Would you have Sanchez over Raya? Other changes?

    Raya/Kepa
    Trippier/Zinchenko/Estupinan/Henry/Botman
    Saka/Maddison/Rashford/Martineli/March
    Haaland/Kane/Toney

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      CHE are a mess
      Now a w/o Tiago
      Im going Raya / Sanchez

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No need for double Newcastle defense.

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Just don’t know who to pick

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Might as well go Shaw then? SOU next week and a double in 29

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            You can start Zin/Henry/Tripps in 28

    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Raya is better / Sanchez got the extra games
      Still Raya for me

    4. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Cheers guys

  10. wakenbagel
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is going Botman/Schar for the 5th defender really that important? Mings looks better long term and will have Trippier so feels better to differentiate in the defence. I know about the possible double but a transfer can be made without taking hits if you want to bring them in the double gameweek. If the double schedules at 31 and you are free hitting in 32, you will not be able to carry a transfer over so bringing in Newcastle defence at 31 when they double seems like a better option than starting with one. Of course anything can happen and you might need that transfer for something else but that is always the case regardless.

    1. BUZZBOMB
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Its my last tinkering dillema. Heart says Mings but head says Schar. I just cant see Mings getting many cleanies and Schar could outscore him attacking wise also. I could and probably am wrong though and I tend to avoid any double defence as a working rule.

  11. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Play who this GW:

    1. March, or
    2. MacAllister

    And…

    A. Pinnock / Henry, or
    B. Trippier

    Thanks

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      1A perhaps

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 2 months ago

      1 B

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    My final few calls are;

    Ødegaard vs. Martinelli
    Raya vs. Sanchez
    Maddison vs. March / Mac Allister

    Only combo I can’t afford is the first 3 of Ødegaard+ Raya+Maddison

    Kepa
    Estupinan, Zinchenko, Pinnock
    Rashford, Saka, xxx, xxx
    Haaland, Kane, Toney
    (xxx, Mitoma, Tripps, Schär)

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Ode
      Toss a coin, Nipples Nava or Forster being overlooked
      Maddy

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Ødegaard-Sanchez-Maddison work?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Exactly what I have mate. Worried about no Raya but can’t get that combo

        1. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          You get the extra games

  13. abaalan
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is Badiashile the best Che def? Given injury proneness of Chilwell/James (and price)

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      None are that great with Silva out.

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      James at CB if healthy

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        run away

  14. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    start 1

    A: Gakpo (MUN)
    B: Almiron (mci)
    C: VVD (MUN)

    *A currently starting

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 2 months ago

      C

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      C probably

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Thanks lads (if ye read back)

  15. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    On a WC:

    1. Schar 5.1
    2. Botman 4.5

    Cheers

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      1 if money allows

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Why do you need 2 Newcastle defenders? Cs dried up

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        One will be my 5th defender unless for their DGW

      2. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        And for BGW

  16. richphillipst20
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    If you make say 7 transfers and press confirm (taking a hit) and then decide to play your wildcard, will you still be deducted the points from your original transfers?

    1. abaalan
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      nope WC resets it

    2. Croaker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No. Playing wildcard cancels all hits

      1. richphillipst20
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  17. abaalan
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is there a case of having Toney and Mbeumo (instead of Haaland/Kane) - means getting an extra doubler in 29 for BB, as well as extra game in 27

  18. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Play March or Mitoma?

    1. fantasist
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Mitoma

  19. Mark007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Mahrez or Odegaard to start?

    1. DonaldDrapier
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Odegaard unless you are looking for a 20 minute 1-pointer appearance.

  20. DonaldDrapier
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    What do you think of Chilwell's game time?

    As long as he is a starter I want him. Surely he is still an elite attacking defender, yes?

  21. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    FPLstats with 30 predicted fallers and 10 predicted risers
    In reality probably like 2 price changes! 😀

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      it is the way of the gods

  22. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    which one or two M's are you going for from brighton ?

    and would you go for only 1 and get JWP as a differential ? or not worth it ?

  23. GucciPanda03
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Start Shaw or Trips?

    Cheers.