Scout Picks
16 January 2026 295 comments
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Following the Scout Squad submissions of Marc, Sam, Tom F and Neale, we have finalised our Scout Picks for Gameweek 22 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

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 22 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

Big Numbers: 22 stand-out stats for FPL Gameweek 12

The betting money wouldn’t be on a goalfest at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland and Crystal Palace among the division’s lowest scoring teams in 2025/26. Robin Roefs (£4.9m), who has kept two clean sheets in his last three home matches, is currently averaging more points per match (4.5) than any other goalkeeper this season.

DEFENDERS

FPL pre-season: Wirtz assists, Frimpong OOP + £4.5m def brace

If you’re looking for attacking returns from your defenders, Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.7m) and Jeremie Frimpong (£5.7m) are among the first names that come to mind.

Gabriel has amassed 30 points over the last three Gameweeks since returning from injury, thanks to two goals, two clean sheets, three bonus and two defensive contribution (DefCon) points. The Brazilians’ penchant for goals from corners could be key this week, with opponents Nottingham Forest among the worst four teams for set-piece goals conceded (10) in 2025/26.

As for Arsenal, they boast the most shut-outs (10) and fewest expected goals conceded (xGC, 15.2), so Gabriel has the potential to earn points at both ends of the pitch.

Meanwhile, we’re backing Frimpong to torment Burnley at Anfield in Gameweek 22. Liverpool have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches, with the Dutchman contributing three assists during that spell. Also on target in the FA Cup win over Barnsley on Monday, Frimpong should be afforded plenty of license to bomb forward from full-back.

There’s admittedly a bit of hesitancy towards picking Tottenham Hotspur players right now, but opponents West Ham United have failed to score in three of their last five matches, which bodes well for Micky van de Ven (£4.6m). The Hammers are also joint-bottom for set-piece goals conceded, another route to points for the Dutch centre-back. Boosted by the arrival of Conor Gallagher (£5.5m), it’s worth noting Spurs have ground out two clean sheets since Boxing Day, ranking fourth for xGC over the last four Gameweeks.

MIDFIELDERS

FPL notes: Calafiori ban + Rice the top-scoring midfielder
 

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295 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Baros Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 12 days ago

    A) Timber & Enzo
    B) Chalobah & Rice

    First to three..go! Thanks

    1. Punned It
        2 months, 12 days ago

        B

      • Cheeky Reijnders
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        B

      • Jebiga
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        B

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 12 days ago

      I really don’t like Enzo as an option this or next week, maybe I’m just stubborn but don’t think it’s good buying into Chelsea without knowing how they will shape, also Brentford is not a good fixture to start with.

      1. One More Hit
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        I've not had him all season. My lad had Pedro Neto for a fair few weeks but got rid last week. Chelsea just too inconsistent

      2. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Could be then Rogers as kind of set and forget, or Wirtz for next 2 weeks and reassess. Either way, would have 3FTs in GW24 and switching Ekitike to BrunoF, third FT could be Foden to Enzo, Saka to Palmer, or that Wirtz/Rogers out. Thoughts?

      3. KunDogan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Agreed

      4. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        I would love to buy Semenyo but probably too xMins concerning?

      5. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Yeah I don't get the pick

    3. One More Hit
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 12 days ago

      Rolling to get 3FT next week feasible?

      Roefs

      Gabriel - Timber - M Nunes - Van Hecke

      Rice - Rogers - Foden

      Haaland - Ekitike - Thiago

      Foden is feeling like a week spot but quite keen on a mini WC in a future week

      1. People in Preston
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        If you're happy to hold Foden, just roll.

    4. EffPeeEll
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 12 days ago

      I have Erling, Cherki, Bill Foden, Guehi and Semenyo. wtf. will i be able to retain all 5?

      1. People in Preston
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Yes. But you can't make a transfer moving forward until you remove two of them.

        If you have FTs great. If you have 0 FTs it's a -4.

        1. The Tonberry
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Rumour has it that Pep is also keen on signing Dubravka

          1. tucaoneo
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Pep really said: Nice FPL team you got there. Would be a shame if I buy all of them.

        2. People in Preston
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          * 1FT it's a -4.

        3. EffPeeEll
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 11 days ago

          Thank you

    5. Stap
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 12 days ago

      Who to bench:
      - Pick 2: Tarkowski, Chalobah, Mukiele, O'reilly
      - Pick 1: Wilson, Rice, Tavernier, Foden

      Now I have Mukiele, O'reilly Tavernier on the bench

      1. Punned It
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Tark, O'Reilly, and tricky. Tavernier or Foden.

      2. Cheeky Reijnders
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Current Midfield:

        Cherki, BrunoG, Saka, Foden, Rogers.

        Would you transfer Cherki > Rice or roll?

        Thanks.

      3. J to the T
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Bowen and Gravenberch to DCL and Gakpo for freee?

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Yes, on Bowen to DCL. Gakpo could work short term, but looking past this weekend rather have Wilson, Enzo/Neto, or even Bruno G for his price. Assume you already have Rice (or would need to make more transfers to get)?

          1. J to the T
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Yeah I have rice and saka already.

            Team is

            Raya
            O’Reilly VVD Cash
            Saka Foden Rice Wilson
            Haaland Thiago Bowen
            Bench dubvakva Gravenberch Rodon Keane

            1. Boxwoods
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 months, 12 days ago

              I would just do Bowen to DCL unless you really want to punt on Gakpo for this week. Bench headache if you bring him in.

        2. JohnnyB10
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 12 days ago

          I own them both, will just roll this week, save a ft.

      4. DagheMunegu
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Bench one

        A O'Reilly
        B Rodon
        C Van Hecke (have Verbruggen)

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          A

      5. DRINKWINE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Semenyo on a wc, yes o no? need to take some gambles to turn around my season

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Yeah, go for it. But don't take a lot more gambles with the lineup in case it goes sideways.

          1. DRINKWINE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            This is how it looks like:

            Roefs - Dub
            Senesi - Alderete - Timber - Gabriel - VdV
            Rogers - Bruno F - Wilson - Rice - Semenyo
            Haaland - Thiago - Kroupi

            1. Boxwoods
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 months, 12 days ago

              Looks good. Could you stretch Senesi or VdV to Chalobah?

        2. DRINKWINE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Also, what about Guehi?

          1. Boxwoods
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Rather Chalobah or Tark for a little more.

      6. Jebiga
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Who to bench?

        1. Thiago
        2. Calwert Lewin
        3. Foden

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          No other options?

          1. Jebiga
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Bruno gimaraes, Enzo, rice, haland, wirtz...

            1. Boxwoods
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 months, 12 days ago

              Personally would bench BG or Enzo (maybe even Wirtz, I know) over the three you proposed. It's a tough call though.

              1. Jebiga
                • 13 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                I might captain wirtz 🙂
                But I know that haland hates united that much that it's very difficult decision

            2. ITS AMAD WORLD
              • 3 Years
              2 months, 12 days ago

              I'd honestly bench Enzo. Palmer will start so Enzo won't have penalties and he'll be playing deeper.

              1. Jebiga
                • 13 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Just check how much "number 8" players are in top fpl positions...

        2. WVA
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Foden

          1. Jebiga
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Foden simply loves united away...

        3. Jebiga
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          I benched Thiago currently 🙂

      7. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Tarkowski v Villa or Reinaldo v Palace?

      8. Junks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        2FT 0.9ITB
        Kelleher Dubravka
        Cash Gabriel LewisPotter Keane Alderete
        Rogers Wilson Wirtz Foden Garner
        Woltemade Haaland Ekitike

        Really struggling to decide on andbe happy with the best Keane replacement so Is it worth rolling this and starting Alderete and having 3fts for next GW to then downgrade Woltemade and upgrade Garner & Keane?

      9. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Rolling with 4 Man City? Madness?

        Henderson
        Gabriel, OReilly, Timber
        Saka, Semenyo, Cherki, Wilson
        Saka, (H)aaland, Thiago
        Dubravka, Stach, Andersen, Dalot

        1FT

        1.8ITB

        1. ITS AMAD WORLD
          • 3 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Wouldn't have O'Reilly tbh

      10. damiang2233
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Frimpong, Wirtz & Thiago in for Keane, Foden & Bowen on a FT?

        Thoughts please?

        1. aleksios
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Keep Foden

          1. damiang2233
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Really what reason? Blanked last 4 weeks

      11. FCSB
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Raya
        Hall Gabriel VanHecke
        Cunha Foden Rice Wilson
        Thiago Ekitike Haaland

        Dubravka Minteh O’Reilly Dorgu

        2FT, 0.5itb

        1. Minteh >> Tavernier
        2. Cunha >> Enzo
        3. Cunha >> Rogers
        4. Save FT

        Thanks

        1. aleksios
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          3

      12. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 12 days ago

        Gvardiol and Guiu to Mukiele and DCL for free?

        Verbruggen
        Gabriel, Timber, Cash
        Saka, Foden, Rogers, Gordon
        Haaland, Watkins, Guiu*

        John*, KDH*, Keane*, Gvardiol* 2ft 0itb

        1. I have no Wirtz
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Sounds good

          • aleksios
            • 10 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Yes

          • Boxwoods
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Good moves

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 12 days ago

          Timber to Gabriel please help me decide:) yes or no for free ?

          1. aleksios
            • 10 Years
            2 months, 12 days ago

            Both if possible

          2. I have no Wirtz
              2 months, 12 days ago

              I did that move in gw19, never looked back. Still a good move.

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 11 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Lucky you 🙂

                1. I have no Wirtz
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    You could be so lucky too. All I am saying if you are set to only have one Arsenal defender like me, then Gabriel is worth it.

              2. bitm2007
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Timber to Gabriel? I'm looking at getting both.

            • Skout
              • 6 Years
              2 months, 12 days ago

              Roll? 1FT, 0.3 itb

              Petrovic
              Gabriel Timber Thiaw
              Foden Cherki Saka Cunha
              Haaland Thiago Watkins

              Dubravka Stach Rodon Reinildo

              1. aleksios
                • 10 Years
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Yeap

            • I have no Wirtz
                2 months, 12 days ago

                Who to start?

                A)Chalobah
                B)Collins

                1)Palmer
                2)Kroupi

                1. aleksios
                  • 10 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  A1

                  1. I have no Wirtz
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      Palmer flagged though. Nothing to worry about a cameo?

                  2. F4L
                    • 11 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    a1

                2. F4L
                  • 11 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  well at least with guehi coming in donnarumma might not feel overpriced anymore

                  1. ITS AMAD WORLD
                    • 3 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    You'd still rather own Guehi over Donnarumma

                    1. F4L
                      • 11 Years
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      yeah true, but like at least dont feel the urge to sell donna now. i mean could just get both in time, not like there are many great GKs around tbh

                3. Tmel
                  • 15 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  Best 2 week replacement for Keane? Max 5.0

                  1. ITS AMAD WORLD
                    • 3 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    Mukiele

                  2. F4L
                    • 11 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    ballard

                4. AzzaroMax99
                  • 9 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  Roefs
                  Gabriel Timber Thiaw
                  Rice Wirtz Cunha Foden
                  Haaland(C) DCL Woltemade

                  Dubravka MatheusN Stach Dorgu

                  1FT 0.0 IDB left

                  Would you get Bruno G and sell:

                  a) Cunha
                  b) Foden

                  Next week probably I would get Bruno F and Cherki/Semenyo

                  1. aleksios
                    • 10 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    Yes.
                    Cunha.

                  2. F4L
                    • 11 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    would rather get rogers than bruno g tbh. sell foden

                5. aleksios
                  • 10 Years
                  2 months, 12 days ago

                  Good enouhh to save here ?
                  2 ft 0.6itb.

                  --Verbr
                  -Timber--Gabriel--Chalobah
                  -BrunoG--Semenyo--Foden--Rogers--Rice
                  --Ekitike--Haaland.

                  --Dubr--Thiago--Guehi--Keane.
                  Thanks all.

                  1. I have no Wirtz
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      Oh yes, save, looks very nice as is

                  2. bitm2007
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    Petrovic (Dub)
                    Gabreil, Alderete,O'Reilly (Keane, Rodon)
                    Saka, Cunha, Foden, Rogers, (LeFee)
                    Haaland, Ekitike, Thiago

                    3FT, 0.4m ITB

                    I'm really struggling this GW but feel Cunha, Foden & Keane need to go sooner or late.

                    A) Keane, Cunha, & Foden to Timber, Bruno.F & Wilson
                    B) Cunha, & Foden to Bruno.F & Semenyo (or Rice)
                    C) Foden & Keane to Wilson & Timber (leaves MITB to get Bruno (for Cunha), or Palmer with 2FTs before GW24
                    D) Cunha to Wilson
                    E) Hold
                    F) Something else

                    1. aleksios
                      • 10 Years
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      D

                  3. Junks
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    2FT 0.9ITB
                    Kelleher Dubravka
                    Cash Gabriel LewisPotter Keane Alderete
                    Rogers Wilson Wirtz Foden Garner
                    Woltemade Haaland Ekitike

                    A. Keane to Lacroix / Chalobah / VanHecke / Richards??
                    B. Roll & start Alderete (3fts next GW to downgrade Wolt and upgrade Garner and Keane)

                  4. F4L
                    • 11 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    you kinda get the feeling glanser will prioritise the ECL alot over the league now. really go out on a high

                  5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                    • 9 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    Going against Haaland this week. Good to go?

                    Roefs
                    Gabriel(C) Chalobah Mukiele
                    Palmer* Foden Rice Rogers Enzo
                    Haaland Watkins

                    Dubravka DCL Alderete Tarkowski

                    1. F4L
                      • 11 Years
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      gtg but not tempted to start dcl over foden/palmer?

                      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                        • 9 Years
                        2 months, 12 days ago

                        Not really, to be honest. More tempted to lose Foden for BrunoF for a hit!

                      2. F4L
                        • 11 Years
                        2 months, 12 days ago

                        *and if mukiele predicted to start at full back, alderete probably has better defcon chances. but like mukiele does seem good for attacking potential/bps so fair to start over alderete i guess if you want

                        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                          • 9 Years
                          2 months, 12 days ago

                          Hmm, good point on Alderete, maybe I should start him instead

                  6. damiang2233
                    • 16 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    Frimpong, Wirtz & Thiago in for Keane, Foden & Bowen on a FT?

                    Thoughts, is Thiago to obvious, got rid of him a few weeks back and then double digits.

                  7. Ronnies
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    Play 2 of these;

                    A) O'Reilly -:away to United
                    B) Thiaw - away to Wolves
                    C) Gudmundsson - home to Leeds
                    D) Tarko - away to Villa

                    Cheers.

                    1. F4L
                      • 11 Years
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      ab

                    2. jonnybhoy
                      • 13 Years
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      AB

                  8. MarcusAurelius
                    • 10 Years
                    2 months, 12 days ago

                    Worth taking Bowen out for -4 and replacing with one of these?

                    A)Ekitike
                    B)Watkins
                    C)Stick with Bowen

                    1. jonnybhoy
                      • 13 Years
                      2 months, 12 days ago

                      C