Scout Picks
23 January 2026 417 comments
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After the Scout Squad submissions of Marc, Sam, Tom F and Neale, we have finalised our Scout Picks for Gameweek 23 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 23 SCOUT PICKS

*Guehi should, of course, now be in City blue!

GOALKEEPER

FPL Gameweek 11: Best clean sheet odds

Robert Sanchez (£4.9m) is our chosen goalkeeper, partly due to the opponent (Crystal Palace) but also based on his own excellent performance last week. The Spaniard was superb against Brentford, claiming a well-deserved clean sheet, with his long kicks a particular highlight. Furthermore, only three teams have conceded fewer goals than Chelsea in 2025/26, despite the recent management upheaval. Against a beleaguered Palace outfit that have scored just two goals in their last six home matches, Sanchez’s inclusion makes a lot of sense.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: Thiago brace + knock, Collins assist + Kelleher penalty save

Arsenal have the best defensive record in the top-flight, having conceded only five goals in 11 home matches. As the highest-scoring defender in FPL, Gabriel Magalhaes’ (£6.9m) potential to score from set-pieces only enhances his appeal, as he aims to increase his 8.0 points per start average on home turf. Even against a Manchester United team boosted by Michael Carrick’s arrival in the dugout, you’d need a very good reason to overlook Gabriel in Gameweek 23.

After his transfer from Crystal Palace, Marc Guehi (£5.2m) will likely go straight into Manchester City’s starting line-up on Saturday, particularly after the midweek defeat to Bodo/Glimt. Opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers have shown improvement in recent weeks, but across the 2025/26 season, have scored just five goals in 11 away matches, the joint-fewest of any team. Even during their recent four-match unbeaten streak, Rob Edwards’ side have generated just 3.25 non-penalty expected goals (NPxG).  

Nathan Collins (£5.0m) has provided either a clean sheet, goal, assist or defensive contribution (DefCon) points in seven of his last eight appearances, a run (Gameweeks 15-22) which has seen him rack up 52 points, the joint-most of any player in FPL. Against a Nottingham Forest side that has notched just four times in their last six Premier League matches, another clean sheet could be on the cards.

MIDFIELDERS

FPL notes: Salah up top, Enzo 10, Sanchez boost + Palmer injury 7
 

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417 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. simong1
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Is Ndiaye it Enzo a better option to bring in?

    1. Boz
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Enzo easy

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Ndiaye

  2. Boz
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    What's everyone's plan if Foden is leaked not to start? I think an early swap to Fernandes, but Semenyo would be tempting

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Bench for Tarkowski

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Sell

    3. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Yes, swap for Bruno I guess. I'm definitely not benching him.

    4. Hibbopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Swap for Enzo most likely

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Sell for Schade.

    6. LoughboroughJim
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      I think it's a swap to Semenyo whether Phil is likely to start or not...

  3. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Best Defender to own from these?

    A. Chalobah (with Sanchez)
    B.Tarkowski

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      A. But Tark is also fantastic.

  4. Gazwaz80
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 19 days ago

    % Gruno will start, 50/50 maybe?

    1. Boz
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Haha Gruno. 25% from prodicted line ups

      https://x.com/Jumpthewave/status/2014734595732729931/photo/2

  5. MVDP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 19 days ago

    Poor planning on my part.
    Transfers done and still with Watkins and Rogers away to Newcastle. Don’t like that.

    1. Boz
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Good fixtures from next week

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Abraham to Villa, probably impacts Watkins mins

        https://x.com/i/status/2014749130782892235

    2. MJF
        2 months, 19 days ago

        You can’t have optimal games every week plus Villa have nicer fixtures soon.

      • Hibbopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Rogers is playing well and shooting at ton, the goals will come. Newcastle away isn't ideal but hardly impenetrable

    3. joeynse99
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Captain Haaland or Thiago?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Haaland

      2. ZAMUNDA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        If leading your mini league then Haaland, if chasing then Thiago

    4. Steavn8k
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Bench one:
      A: Mukiele
      B: Hall
      C: O'Reilly

      Currently on C, as I'm not convinced he starts, but it is Wolves at home...

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        B

      2. ZAMUNDA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        B

        1. Steavn8k
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

          Cheers both. Will take the chance on Hall then. Also has the most difficult fixture.

    5. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Cherki to Semenyo worth 4 points?

      My Mid/Attack is

      Cherki Rice Rogers Wilson
      Watkins Haaland Thiago

      1. Voronins Pony Tail
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        BrunoG on the bench

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        No

      3. ZAMUNDA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        No

      4. Hibbopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Do you have that much conviction that Semenyo will score 5-6 points more than Cherki in the same fixture? And that's just to break even, essentially.

    6. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      F4L

      What was your no Rice comment on last page all about?

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        sorry nothing to do with his availability, just surprised not to see him in the scout picks! 🙂

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

          Ta

    7. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      If one of Foden/Haaland is rumoured to be benched, start Alderete.

      If both don't start, may sell Foden to Mbeumo/Enzo/Ndiaye.

      Captaincy on Haaland, probably between Saka and Thiago if Haaland doesn't start.

      (1FT 0.1ITB)
      Raya
      Gabriel Tark Mukiele VVD
      Bruno Saka Szobo Foden
      Haaland Thiago
      (Dubravka Alderete Guiu Tavernier)

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Sound logic. Thiago is a good bet

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

          Yeah leaning towards Thiago

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        If we don't get any City leaks, start Foden/Haaland (C)

    8. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Who is the best option this week?

      A....bruno at arsenal

      B...ndiaye v Leeds

      Thanks

      1. ZAMUNDA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        B

      2. F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        b

    9. The Blackadder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Pick 2 of 3 to start please
      A. Rogers
      B. Rice
      C. Wilson

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        BC

      2. ZAMUNDA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Harry Wilson or Callum Wilson? If Harry then A and C

    10. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Ekitike -> Thiago for free?

      Yes or No?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        No

      2. ZAMUNDA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        No

    11. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      I got Odegaard last week for a differential. Didn't work out very well, as he was subbed before 60 minutes...but he was rested mid-week...should I keep or sell him?

      1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Keep for this week if you have no other issues

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

          well I do have the small issue of not owning Semenyo

      2. F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        keep

    12. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Which one I should bench?

      Wilson, Saka, Rice, Bruno G., Rogers
      Haaland, Ekitike, Calvert-Lewin

      Thank you and good luck!

      1. Voronins Pony Tail
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        BG

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Well your not benching Haaland at home
        to wolves so cross him out

        I’d bench Bruno g or dcl

      3. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        DCL

    13. AC Pilkington
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Foden to Semenyo (-4) worth it?

      1. ZAMUNDA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        No

    14. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Am I missing something with Saka? Had him for weeks and he has done nothing. Arsenal fan on here said he’d start last week, surely it’s time to go? Then I see him in the Scout Team. Even the reason is strange.

      1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        He is gone after this week for me

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Based on united being crap

      3. Manani
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        I think people think he’s due for a start.

        I have sold him

    15. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      REPOST
      Team for the GW - 2FT and £1m ITB

      Verbruggan
      Gabriel / Tark / Anderson
      Rice / Saka (VC) / Semenyo / Rogers
      Haaland (C) DCL / Ekitike
      SUBS - Dubravka / Alderete / Le Fe / Senesi

      A GTG / Roll - bring in Bruno F next week etc.
      B Le Fee to H Wilson (bench DCL)
      C Ekitike/Le Fe to Thiago/Enzo (bench DCL)

      1. Manani
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Gtg

      2. bobicek92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 19 days ago

        A, keep Le Fee for Burnley at home

    16. Manani
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Order of these?

      Got Gabriel

      A. Timber
      B. Orilley
      C. Mukiele

      1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        That order

      2. bobicek92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 19 days ago

        A, C, B for me, I doubt that NOR starts

      3. Voronins Pony Tail
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        CAB

    17. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Right, locked in. Not holding out much hope.

      Kelleher
      Guehi Frimpong Gab
      Cherki Rice Rogers Wilson
      Watkins Haaland(c) Thiago

      Dub Mukiele BrunoG Gud

    18. Hibbopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      What happens if Foden starts for the 20th consecutive league game and scores vs Wolves? City's fixtures after this GW really aren't bad. Does everyone find another sacrifice for Bruno, or do you think he's still sold en masse?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        If he scores he’s a keep. He scores in blocks rather than consistently through the season

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        I think he will still be sold en masse regardless of whether he scores or not.

      3. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        I sold him for Rice two weeks ago

      4. Voronins Pony Tail
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        He’s is a long term avoid now. Better options and City are pants currently

    19. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Gordon or Foden to Scahde? Or sell both for -4

      Verbruggen
      Gabriel, Timber, Alderete
      Saka, Foden, Gordon, Rogers
      Haaland, Watkins, DCL

      John Victory, Cash, KDH, Keane 1ft .1itb

      1. Voronins Pony Tail
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Gordon 1000%

      2. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        I think Gordon.

    20. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Is this good to go and the correct bench?

      Pope
      Guehi, Nunes, Gabriel
      Wilson, Saka, Rice, Enzo, Rogers
      Haaland, Ekitike

      Dubravka, Calvert-Lewin, Chalobah, Alderete

      Thanks!

      1. KiKiFC
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        GTG

    21. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Can’t believe Alderete made his way to the Scout picks bench. What are you guys upto?

      He is not a bargain-bin enabler, he’s a trash-bin defender who 1 points his life away.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Nah, don’t agree

        1. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

          He’s 1 pointed thrice in a row. Mukiele, Ballard eat up all the defcons.

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 19 days ago

            What about the games prior to those 3?

            1. fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 19 days ago

              Yeah, Ballard missed those two games he got defcons in. Look a little deeper.

    22. KiKiFC
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Boring but… play which pls?
      Senesi v LIV (H) or
      Alderete v whu (A)

      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        I would play Alderete. Good luck!

        1. KiKiFC
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

          Thanks!

      2. ZAMUNDA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        Alderete

        1. KiKiFC
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 19 days ago

          Cheers mate

    23. BrooksWasHere
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Who should I bench? One of Wilson, Gakpo or Rice ! Cheers.

      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 19 days ago

        I think Gakpo.

    24. FCSB
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Raya
      Hall Gabriel VanHecke
      Cunha Foden Rice Wilson
      Thiago Ekitike Haaland

      Dubravka O’Reilly Dorgu Tavernier

      2FT, 0.8itb

      1. Cunha Foden >> Bruno Semenyo
      2. Save

      Thank

    25. hazza44
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Who to play this week? Cheers
      A) Bowen (SUN)
      B) Gordon (AVL)

    26. Sir Burtenshaw
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Planning to do these transfers:
      Foden -> Bruno Fernandes
      O’Reilly -> Mukiele

      Was going to wait until next gameweek and let the city lads play against wolves but with both of them going up in price tonight, should I pull the trigger this evening?

      Thanks

    27. TallestJohn
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 19 days ago

      Good luck to my dad with his five Man City players this week (Håland, Foden, Semenyo, O'Reilly, Guehi).

      1-0 Wolves incoming?