Scout Picks
29 December 2025 322 comments
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For the final time in 2025, we’ve chosen who we think are the best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for the upcoming Gameweek.

As usual, we are limited by certain restrictions.

  • An £83.0m budget for our starting XI
  • An overall squad limit of £100.0m
  • No more than three players per team

GAMEWEEK 19 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

FPL Gameweek 11: Best clean sheet odds

We have chosen Robert Sanchez (£4.9m) as our goalkeeper as Chelsea prepare to host Bournemouth. Simply put, the Cherries have been in abysmal form lately, failing to win any of their last nine matches. Chelsea, meanwhile, are the division’s fourth meanest defence in terms of goals conceded, with only Arsenal surpassing them for clean sheets this season. With the risk that Enzo Maresca may opt for a bit of rotation outfield, we’ve stuck with the tried and tested between the sticks.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: 164

Nico O’Reilly (£5.3m) looks likely to get another start for Manchester City as they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Arsenal are the only side to have kept more clean sheets than the Cityzens this season, but O’Reilly’s appeal is equally about what he can deliver at the other end of the pitch. Since his first start of the season in Gameweek 4, only one defender has recorded a higher expected goal involvement (xGI) figure than the England international.

Let’s face it, Newcastle United have hardly convinced on the road this season, but a trip to Burnley convinces us to select one of Eddie Howe’s defenders. Consequently, Lewis Hall (£5.2m) comes into contention. He was one of Newcastle’s standout performers in Gameweek 18 and was unlucky not to score, striking the underside of the bar with a thunderous effort. He’s also banked defensive contribution (DefCon) points in three of his last four starts.

Nikola Milenkovic (£5.1m) gets the nod for the visit of Everton. The Nottingham Forest centre-half has impressed recently and faces a Toffees attack that has failed to score in three consecutive games. Deprived of all three of their first-choice attacking midfielders at Turf Moor, David Moyes’ side were toothless. Milenkovic has delivered DefCon points in 50% of his starts under Sean Dyche, a greater percentage than Murillo (£5.2m, 42.9%).

We call upon Patrick Dorgu (£4.1m) as our final defender ahead of Manchester United’s plum home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Unleashed as a right winger in Gameweek 18, the Danish international scored the winner and racked up three shots. With winless Wolves expected to park the bus, Dorgu should spend the majority of Tuesday’s encounter camped in the opposition half. He’s also nicely priced for this limited-budget XI.

MIDFIELDERS

Liverpool v Bournemouth team news: Ekitike, Wirtz, Frimpong + Kerkez start
 

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322 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Why most of us here are dinosaures?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Still can’t recall green arrow over Christmas lol

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        You are scarred by that 😀

    2. Gazwaz80
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 22 hours ago

      Only a Dinosaur can spell Dinosaur 🙂

    3. beerhockeyrock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 16 hours ago

      That's Dino Suarez (with a z)
      Luis Suarez lesser known and less bitey brother.

  2. G Banger
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Senesi going, who to?
    a) MUN (Dalot / Dorgu)
    b) NEW (Thiaw / Hall)

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Gosh, that’s tough now, money should matter yeah?

      1. G Banger
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        I have the money for all, doesn't limit my next transfer to get Gab, havent thought further

    2. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      In same position as you and I’m going Hall

  3. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Raya
    VVD Senesi O’Reilly
    Wilson Cunha Foden Rice
    Thiago Ekitike Haaland

    Dubravka Minteh VanHecke Gudmundsson

    2FT, 1.7itb

    GW19 Bench Boost… Gudmundsson >>

    1. Dorgu
    2. Hall

    Thanks

    1. FCSB
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Or Senesi and Gudmundsson >>

      Dorgu and Hall

      ??

  4. shorey143
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    3 FT so enough saved. Would you do the following

    Mount and Saka for Cunha and Minteh

    Gonna go against Arsenal next few then decide best 3

    Minteh 3 good fixtures next 4

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Not keen on these moves.

      1. shorey143
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        If I don’t take Mount out I’ll have Andersen coming in and only Dorgu for their next 3……

  5. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Quick yay or nay poll please folks

    Is Schar an option in lieu of the CC faves Thiaw & Hall? Was an absolute monster for me last season.

    Depends how long Burn & Botman are out for I guess.

    1. shorey143
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Decent bet

  6. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Would you play Dorgu (WOL) over Keane (nfo) or Wilson (cry)?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      I'd play Wilson

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        Yes, two of the above will play.

    2. shorey143
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Have to play him

  7. Keane There Dunne That
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Verbuggen
    VVD Oreilly Calafiori*
    Wirtz Cunha Rice Foden
    Haaland Ekitike Bowen

    A) Calafiori -> Hall
    B) Save and Start Clyne
    C) Alderete -> Dorgu and Start

    1. Count Olaf
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      How many free transfers? If just 1, I'd save. Those are rather short term moves. If more, I'd take the chance.

      1. Keane There Dunne That
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        2 FT
        If I do A I’d do VVD -> Gabriel next week

        1. Count Olaf
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 23 hours ago

          Good move then, I'd say yes.

    2. shorey143
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      I’d go C if you’re blessed with FTs as he can just sit on the bench after this run until WC

  8. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    DCL > Pedro on FH?

    Pedro high on the attacking returns odds list, but DCL on form

    1. Count Olaf
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Bournemouth poor defensively, Pedro nice differential

    2. shorey143
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      I’d do Pedro

  9. Count Olaf
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Best way to get Gabriel?
    A) O' Reilly to Gabriel and Semenyo to Cherki
    B) Van Dijk to Gabriel (allows Semenyo to Rogers next week)
    C) Lacroix to Gabriel and Semenyo to 6.9 mid (who?)
    D) Tarkowski to Gabriel and Semenyo to 7.3 mid (who?)

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      B

      1. Count Olaf
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        Thanks. Would you do it now or give Van Dijk the Leeds game?

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 23 hours ago

          I would think Gab out scores Vvd this week with DCL in form, Vvd good for a header tho.... Id do it this gw

          1. Count Olaf
            • 1 Year
            2 months, 23 hours ago

            Thanks!

  10. Skout
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Sell Rodon or Reinildo for Dorgu?

  11. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Truffert and hincapie out for dorgu and hall are good moves right ? Means benching timber but can really see villa scoring a goal

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Hard to argue against those 2

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        Cheers

    2. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Good punts. Personally not a fan of doing 2 short term moves on defence this season, taking into account how consistent some defenders are thanks to DC. I prefer spending transfers on attackers, though you could argue Dorgu is an attacker.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        Yes I agree but rank is bad and Def needs sorting. Cheers

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 23 hours ago

          Yes, I know. All I'm saying is it might need sorting again rather soon if you go with both Hall and Dorgu. But if you're feeling it go ahead, there's definitely potential in the next few fixtures, could be a massive success.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 23 hours ago

            Cheers captain:)

  12. JT11fc
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Thoughts here?
    Raya
    Cucu* Timber* Oreilly
    Neto Rogers Gordon Foden
    Ektike DCL Haaland

    Dub Devenny Rodon* De ligt*

    Def and no Cunha is an issue

    1. De ligt to Hall/Keane/Chalobah

    2. Do 1 plus Neto to Cunha/Palmer

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      2 with Palmer looks good

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        Thanks, hope Palmer starts after early sub, plus it helps cover no Cunha.
        Chelsea bias makes it hard to judge

    2. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Neto could be a nice differential this week. Bournemouth can't defend. De Ligt is an easy sell, yes.

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        Hope so, surely he starts...
        Just defender transfer you think?

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 23 hours ago

          Yes, I think Neto starts and gets good minutes. Maresca views him as his best winger and has to field a strong XI, can't afford to drop any points.
          Many interesting defender options, not sure who I'd pick to be honest.

          1. JT11fc
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 23 hours ago

            Thanks

  13. Il Capitano
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    FH 0 ITB

    Sanchez
    Frimpong Hall Dorgu
    Palmer Saka Wirtz Cunha Cherki
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dub - Heaven Gudmundsson Guiu

    Slowly getting there on FH. Not settled on the keeper, Frimpong v City def and Saka/Palmer v Foden. Thoughts?

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Not a fan of Foden on the left so 1 of the other 2

  14. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Timber > Gabriel?

    1. OneTeamInBristol
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Yes, just did it.

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Do you have VVD?

      I think I’m going to go Timber to Hall this week and then VVD to Gabriel in GW20/GW21 depending on Gabriel’s mins against Villa.

  15. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Worth shifting Timber to Dorgu or Califiori?

    Not totally sold on Arsenal double D (have Raya) over the next few but could still perform with a few 1-0 lockups.

    Can get Dorgu in for the next 3 to save cash, in turn lets me get Rogers for Bruno G next week. Also gives me funds to get a 3rd striker back, maybe Thiago to rock a 343 again.

    Leaves me with

    Raya
    Gvard - Califiaori/Dorgu - Richards/Anderson
    Saka - Foden - Cunha - Rogers
    Haaland - Ekiteke - Thiago

  16. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Woltemade to Ekitike (C) for -4?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      No way

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Probably not… although I can see a world where Wissa starts at Woltemade’s expense this GW

  17. Whiz40
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Harvey Barnes on my FH
    What do we think??

    1. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      brave

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Very brave… although I do think he starts instead of Gordon and then back to Gordon for GW20

  18. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Any chance that mount start ?

  19. boroie
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    How do I sort this defence out..?

    Timber* VVD O’Reilly Richards* Esteve*

    A - Richards -> Dalot/Dorgu

    B - Richards & Timber -> Keane & Hall and do VVD -> Gabriel in GW20

    C - something else - let’s see your creativity

    * I have 4FTs and 0.0ITB

    1. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      B

  20. FantasyTony
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    On a free hit.

    Best defender 4.6 and under who doesn't play for United to sit on my bench as cover?

    I'm thinking Fofana for the clean sheet or maybe a jammy VdV. Not sure.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      BHA or NFO

      1. FantasyTony
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        I'm on John as keeper, a potential double feels scary.

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Van Hecke?

      1. FantasyTony
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        Not a bad shout.

  21. boroie
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    I need your professional expertise…

    Please give me the percentage chance of these 3 starting in GW19…

    A - Timber
    B - Esteve
    C - Richards

  22. Hazardous1983
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Semenyo to szoboslai gordon or guimeraes ?

    1. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Gordon

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Start Guehi or Wilson?

  24. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Who's on pens for Liverpool?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      I think Szobo

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Szobo

  25. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    What would you do here with 1ft and 0.3m.....defensive crisis and worried sememno show with city move pending.....

    Current plan is just richards to keane. But willing to take a hit
    ...thanks

    Raya
    Oreilly andersen calafiori* richards* rodon*
    Saka foden cunha semenyo Anderson
    Haaland ekiteke guiu

  26. HellasLEAF
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    One week punt Sesko or Joao Pedro

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Sesko if on FH

      1. HellasLEAF
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        I am. Thinking Sesko as well.

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 23 hours ago

          Definitely the more exciting pick.

    2. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Neither, but Sesko from the 2

  27. Ale Seizer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Who to play
    A) Gravenberch (LEE)
    B) Thiago (TOT)

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      B

    2. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      B

  28. boroie
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Bench one…

    A - Keane (nfo)
    B - Wilson (cry)
    C - Thiago (TOT)

    1. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      B

  29. boroie
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Best two defenders for a combined £9m?

  30. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Even with only 1 or 2 playable bench players, I guess I gotta hit the BB button, last chance, right?

    1. Vjm6891
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      yep. Just do it!

    2. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Yup

    3. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      Annoying with Dubravka BB points last week

      Totally lost track over the busy holiday period