Scout Squad

The Scout Squad: FPL Gameweek 16

With the dust still settling on Gameweek 15, the Scout Squad panel return to offer their long-list of players to be considered for our regular Scout Picks feature before “we go again” this weekend.

The 72 nominations will be narrowed down to a squad of 14 (with the starting XI not exceeding £83m) ahead of the Gameweek 16 deadline at 11:30 GMT on Saturday.

Regulars Joe, Az and Peter – who have five top 1k finishes between them – are this week joined by myself, filling in for the unavailable Paul.

The panel expands on their notable selections and omissions in the article below.

JoeAzPeterNeale
GKLukasz FabianskiLukasz FabianskiBernd LenoLukasz Fabianski
Jordan PickfordJordan PickfordLukasz FabianskiJoe Hart
Joe HartMartin DubravkaJoe HartJordan Pickford
DFMatt DohertySead KolasinacHector BellerinLucas Digne
Lucas DigneDejan LovrenLucas DigneSead Kolasinac
Sead KolasinacLucas DigneMatt DohertyMatt Doherty
Chris SmallingCedric SoaresLewis DunkFabian Balbuena
Sean MorrisonLeon BalogunSean MorrisonTrent Alexander-Arnold
MFMohamed SalahMohamed SalahRaheem SterlingMohamed Salah
Raheem SterlingSon Heung-minMohamed SalahGylfi Sigurdsson
Gylfi SigurdssonAnthony MartialGylfi SigurdssonRaheem Sterling
Felipe AndersonFelipe AndersonFelipe AndersonFelipe Anderson
Callum PatersonRaheem SterlingCallum PatersonJB Gudmundsson
FWHarry KanePE AubameyangAlexandre LacazettePE Aubameyang
Alexandre LacazetteAlexandre LacazetteHarry KaneHarry Kane
PE AubameyangHarry KaneRaul JimenezRaul Jimenez
Romelu LukakuJavier HernandezSalomon RondonAlexandre Lacazette
Raul JimenezSalomon RondonCallum WilsonSalomon Rondon

Most popular picks: Lukasz Fabianski, Lucas Digne, Mohamed Salah, Felipe Anderson, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Alexandre Lacazette (four), Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford, Matt Doherty, Sead Kolasinac, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Raul Jimenez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Salomon Rondon (three)

Joe said…

The balance of power switches firmly to premium strikers this week as Harry Kane looks for his sixth goal in seven league games when Spurs travel to Leicester.

With Barcelona up next a few days later in the Champions League, the striker could see his minutes curtailed but I think he’ll start against one of his favourite clubs to score against. Over his last three league encounters with the Foxes, Kane has scored an impressive seven times.

Arsenal’s home tie with Huddersfield looks irresistible. I’m advocating fielding both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette for this.

The latter looks set to start, after making an impact with an assist off the bench against Manchester United last time out. Even if his strike partner misses out on a first XI berth I’m still confident of returns, after the Gabon international delivered two double-digit scores in a row as a substitute in Gameweeks 8 and 9.

If my colleagues only opt for one of this Gunners duo I’m backing Romelu Lukaku to take a striker’s spot for Fulham’s visit. A brief 27-minute run-out against Arsenal, plus a possible injury to Anthony Martial, should ensure he returns to the starting line-up. With attacking returns in two of his last four appearances, he should prosper against a Fulham side that has yet to record a clean sheet under new boss Claudio Ranieri.

Wolves once again provide value.

Attacking points in each of their last two matches sees both Matt Doherty and Raul Jiminez win my support for their trip to Newcastle.

Cardiff look another good team for bargain-hunting as they host a Southampton side that won’t have had much time to get used to the tactics of new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl. Should the Saints breach the Welsh side’s backline then defender Sean Morrison could still notch points, having earned assists in each of his last two starts. Callum Paterson could also prosper up front, with three goals in his last seven matches.

Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah’s benching against Burnley gives me confidence he will start and do well away to a Bournemouth side that has conceded more shots in the box than any other team over the last four Gameweeks. In fact, the Cherries last earned a clean sheet back in Gameweek 10.

Az said…

I can’t see many clean sheets as this hectic week of Premier League action comes to a head, so I’m happy to spend in my attacking slots as I look for some budget defenders.

Sead Kolasinac is a player I’m strongly considering in my own team, and his fixtures and attacking intent look to make a mockery of his £4.9m price tag. In fact, all my chosen defenders are under £5.0m and present good value for money, as well as seemingly secure starting spots.

In midfield, I’ve backed Mohamed Salah as my number one pick, despite taking him out of my own team last week. Jurgen Klopp has looked to rest his squad against Burnley, so you have to expect a strong starting line-up when they visit the Cherries. But Son Heung-min, Anthony Martial and Felipe Anderson aren’t far behind, and also offer great points potential for a fraction of the price. Raheem Sterling sees himself fifth but has to be included after having a nice night off against Watford – he looks certain to play and cause the Chelsea full-backs some real trouble.

Up front, the Alexandre Lacazette v Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang debate rages on – so I’ve gone for both of them. Lacazette didn’t start against United, but will surely be let off the leash against Huddersfield. This looks like it could be a rout, so doubling or even tripling up on Arsenal in this game and beyond looks a very viable strategy.

Harry Kane loves scoring against Leicester and rewarded those who brought him in early against Southampton. An injury to Marko Arnautovic also makes Javier Hernandez and Lucas Perez attractive options. Both of these West Ham strikers are the same price and are in decent form, as is Salomon Rondon, who is doing well for Newcastle at the moment.

Peter said…

Anyone who miraculously survived the carnage of Gameweek 15 need only look as far as last week’s Picks for evidence of the treacherous waters which we will be navigating into the Christmas period. Four players failed to start, two withdrew with injuries and one saw red meaning that the average minutes played across the 14-strong squad was just over 57! As context for some of my selections this week, it’s safety first but with everything firmly crossed.

Riding the coat-tails of the opposition of Fulham and Cardiff has proven a winning strategy for much of the season, but not so this week. A fit and firing forward from the Red Devils would be licking his lips as the Lilywhites pay a visit but FPL managers are left ruing a lack of form (Romelu Lukaku), lack of fitness (Anthony Martial) and lack of form or fitness (Alexis Sanchez).

We also await evidence that the Saints – under their new manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl – will experience any new manager bounce. As a result, it’s Cardiff who provide my only players from these two fixtures, with Sean Morrison and Callum Paterson respectively creeping into the fifth defender and midfielder spots.

It speaks volumes that the one fixture I’m confident enough to triple up for is the Terriers visit to the Emirates. Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin and Alexandre Lacazette all come in as my top picks, although I’ll be hoping for my own FPL team that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang avoids any spectre of rotation.

My midfield top choice goes to Raheem Sterling despite a tricky visit to Chelsea. After sitting out Tuesday’s victory against Watford, the England man will be keen to pick up where he left off as City pay a visit to a Chelsea team which conceded twice against Wolves on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, I have double hopes for the Hammers (hosting Palace), Wolves (away at Newcastle) and Everton (who entertain the Hornets), although for me there are very few standout players this Gameweek.

Neale said…

I’m backing Wolverhampton Wanderers against my own side this weekend.

Although Salomon Rondon features in my 18-man squad (as filler, as much as anything else), I sense Matt Doherty and Raul Jimenez could repeat their midweek heroics and leave Tyneside with more than mere appearance points.

Newcastle United appear more at ease in away matches or in fixtures against the “big six” and I think Rafael Benitez struggles to balance his instinct to play conservative football with the palpable pressure to attack when the Magpies host sides around them in the Premier League table.

West Ham United and Leicester City have exploited that uncertainty at St. James’ Park this season, while Watford should have been out of sight at half-time in a game Newcastle somehow ended up winning.

Newcastle are particularly vulnerable at set plays and in the air, so Jimenez (ranked joint-third for headed attempts among FPL forwards) may benefit from those shortcomings.

Doherty could have a field day against makeshift left-back/wing-back Javier Manquillo, meanwhile, if Paul Dummett fails to recover from injury.

I’m anticipating a top-heavy Scout Picks in Gameweek 16 so I’ve focused on cut-price options at the back and between the sticks.

I’d be happy with either of Lukasz Fabianski or Fabian Balbuena (hopefully recalled after a rest in midweek) as the West Ham representative against a Crystal Palace side who were disappointingly poor in the M23 derby – the Eagles only breaching the Brighton defence from the penalty spot despite playing for over an hour with a man advantage.

Lucas Digne is my number one pick in defence after a luckless week for the Frenchman. Digne was seconds away from a nine-point haul in the Merseyside derby and ought to have emerged from the draw with Newcastle on Wednesday with at least one assist to his name (Cenk Tosun and Gylfi Sigurdsson spurning the two “big chances” he created), so I sense he’s “due” a sizeable return against a Watford side who are winless in five and who have conceded more big chances than all bar four teams during that spell.

Bournemouth conceded 17 shots in the box at home to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night, which elevated a rested Mohamed Salah to my number one pick in midfield – despite the fact I will likely be ditching the Egyptian on a wildcard this week.

The cases of Raheem Sterling, Felipe Anderson and Sigurdsson need little explanation, while I’ve plumped for Johann Berg Gudmundsson as my fifth midfielder given that the Iceland international could potentially exploit a Brighton side missing Shane Duffy and who have conceded more attempts from set plays than all teams bar Newcastle.

I’m keeping our options open re Arsenal assets by covering both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette but I’m keen to see Sead Kolasinac make the final cut: over the last four Gameweeks, no FPL defender has racked up more key passes, big chances created or penalty box touches than the Arsenal wing-back. While Nacho Monreal’s imminent return to fitness may concern prospective Fantasy owners, I wonder if we will instead see the Spanish defender deputise for the injured Rob Holding at left centre-back rather than share wing-back duties with Kolasinac over the festive period.

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2,010 Comments Post a Comment
  1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Joe Lukaku, respect.

  2. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Please pick 1 :

    Start ?

    A) Balbuena - home to Palace

    B) Doherty - away to Newcastle

    Thanks guys

    1. Bleach †
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

    4. FutureGM123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

  3. Giggs_11
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Is rashford worth a punt in for arnautovic??
    Who is the best replcement ?

    1. Taking one for the team
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

  4. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Ok here's my WC

    Fab
    Luiz Digne TAA
    Felipe Rich Shaq Sterling Snoddy
    Auba Kane

    Hamer Jiminez Doherty WanB

    Please advise!!
    A - Snoddy
    B - Kante
    C - Jorginho

    1 - Jiminez
    2 - Chicharito

    1. skeyrd
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      wouldnt be particularly enthused with Shaqiri on a wildcard, might consider downgrading Snoddy to bench fodder and trying to finds funds for Son (instead of Shaq). this would be mean Jimenez would be an everyweek starter for the most part

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I have opted for Kane, so Shaq was my only way to get Liverpool cover.

        Cheers tho

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Is there any reason you chose Shaq on your WC?

      A1

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Just to get Liverpool attacking coverage!

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Y would u bench Doherty and Jimmy away to Newcastle

    4. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      So I could sacrifice Shaq and upgrade Jiminez to Firmino...

  5. Snuverink
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Why did Trippier get 4 clean sheet points yesterday?!

    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Subbed off before goal

      1. Snuverink
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Ow and that counts as a CS? I didn’t know that..

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He owns FPL.

    3. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Happened to TAA once when I used to own him 😉

  6. Bleach †
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Quick poll: 😎

    A) Bellerin + Trippier
    B) Alonso + Kola

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Neither

  7. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Arnie ➡️Laca

    Alonso ➡️ Kola - 4??

    Have Auba(c)

    Need to bounce back aftr dreadful 4gws.

    Triple Arsenal for the nxt while

    Salah to Sterling nxt week...

  8. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Has arsenal played in a 3-5-2 formation for a while now ie is it the system that Emery has settled on after early season Experimentation or has it been forced on them due to injuries which means they'll go back to a traditional 4 at the back soon??

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      difficult to know, wouldn't surprise me if it's a 4 again this week

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Last 3, but none were an easier home game so difficult to gauge what he does this week

    3. E25
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Have the money to do Arnie -> Laca for free. No brainer?
      Still have Wildcard FYI

      Fab
      Robbo Alonso Digne
      Sane Sterling Fraser Rich
      Kun Arnie Jiminez

      Foster / Doherty WB Hojbjerg

      1. Drogba Legend
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yes

      2. Kuzser
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yes

    4. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Last decision before gw

      I've got Auba, no Spurs

      A) Brooks -> Son
      B) Murray/Brooks -> Eriksen/Jiminez

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B

    5. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      When is the latest the first WC can be played

      1. BrockLanders
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        End December

      2. Lilac Breasted Roller
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        GW 20

    6. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      How should Raúl Jiménez be spelled?!? Is he new Trent Derby 😉

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I think you will find it is "spelt" and not "spelled", dear boy.

        1. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I think both are correct actually

        2. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Quite correct old bean . Reassuring to know that grammatical standards are being monitored.

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I do admit that I am not a native English speaker 😉

            1. Hits from the Bong
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Don’t worry mate, both are acceptable.

    7. Pedersen
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Is this a good 3gw punt?
      Robertson + Richarlison + Jiminez -> TAA + Fraser + Lacazette

      Will after 3gw reverse (Rich and jiminez tough fixtures)
      Fraser + Lacazette -> Richarlison + Jiminez

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        no, not for me

      2. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Nope

    8. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      May I get some help on 2 questions:
      1) Arnie-> Jimenez , Chicha, Wilson or Mitro? (Have fraser and not keen to double up on Bournemonth now)

      2) play Fraser or Camarasa? With Camarasa-if not playing against Southmapton at home, then when?

      Team is:
      Fab 
      Taa Digne trippier (awb Schindler)
      Sterling sane Felipe fraser/camarasa
      Auba Kane Arnie

      1. YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Mitro

        Fraser

    9. Erez Avni
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      this time I really don't have a clue what to do... thought about maybe doing alonso and arnie out for lacazet and balbuena for hit but sounds boring...

      ederson
      bennet alonso taa (duffy wan)
      salah sane richa fraser (pereyra)
      kane arnie jimenez

      ideas?...

    10. YoungPretender
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      GTG?

      Fabianski
      Robertson Digne Doherty
      Salah Maddison Sigurdsson Fraser
      Jiminez Kane Lacazette

      Foster Alonso AWB Stephens

      If so, who to captain?

      1. Udo
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        GTG & Salah (c)

    11. Tinmen
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Folks, I have a wildcard available but is it time to use it?

      Ederson
      Robbo Alonso Digne
      Martial Salah Son Richarlison
      Kane Murray# Arnie#
      Subs Hamer AWB Hojbjerg Odoi

      Don’t really want to use it but I would only be replacing my 2 injured strikers. However picking 2 options at that price is more than difficult

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I had a similar issue, I've just kept Murray and got rid of Arnie for a hit - will probably WC next GW

        1. Tinmen
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Who did you replace Arnie with?

    12. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Patricio
      Alonso, Robertson, Balbuena
      Son, Sane, Sterling, Martial, Rich
      Kane, Jimenez

      Hamer, Bissaka, Holebas, Kamara

      2.2 itb

      Suggestions please, mates? Thanks

      1. YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Save. GTG

        1. EgyptianKing
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Think Son and Martial start? I was also considering bringing in Kola or Bellerin, and take Holebas out.

          Not worth?

    13. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Alonso to kola and martial to Eriksen for minus 8 too much

      1. mgilbert86
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Dont sell martial, it appears he was subbed off to avoid injury not because he was injured

        1. Jack Burton
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Ok heard that hopefully the case tempting to keep for fulham cheers

    14. Bring the Cavalry
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Who should I get rid of first?

      A) Martial
      B) Hazard

      Obviously thinking Martial due to his niggle the other night but hazard frees up more cash

    15. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      1 confirmed injury and 2 flags is forcing me to take a hit or two

      Which transfers do you prefer?

      A) Arnie + Trippier -> Laca + Diop -4 (0.2 itb)
      B) Arnie + Salah -> Auba + Son -4 (1.4 itb)
      C) Arnie + Salah + Trippier -> Auba + Sterling + Diop -8 (0 itb)

      Team linked in profile if more info is needed

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A.

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks bud

      2. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B

    16. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Alonso, Hazard, Arnie to Trent, Sane, Lacazette -4

      Time to have some fun. 🙂

      1. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Laca is a risk, the other moves look good to me though so probably worth it

      2. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Shame to lose Alonso but why not

    17. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Captain?

      A. Lacazette
      B. Kane

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Tasty

      2. BrockLanders
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A

    18. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A) Dunk > Kola
      B) Dunk > Digne
      C) Arny > Chica/Mitro
      D) Arny + Alonso > La(C)a + 4.7 defender (-4)

      Cheers!

      1. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        C, hard to say who’s the best option though.

    19. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      1FT, 0.6m ITB.

      Only 1 playing sub and doubts on at least two defenders...any ideas on transfers? Thoughts were possibly

      A - Salah/ Arnie to Fraser/ Kane (-4)
      B - Arnie to Jiminez
      C - Salah/ Arnie to Sane/ Aubameyang (-4)
      D - something else

      Current team is

      Pat
      Robbo Alonso TAA Trippier
      Salah Sterling Siggy FAnderson
      Wilson Mitrovic

      McCarthy WanB Billing Arnie

      Thanks

    20. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Play ederson or Patricio?

    21. jblakes
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      gtg? 1ft and 1.3mil

      ederson
      alonso bennett doherty taa
      sane sterling anderson rich
      wilson kane

      bench
      hamer frazer mitro awb

    22. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Robertson to drop?? Why is everyone selling him?

      He should likely start staturday, no?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        sheeeeeeeep

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Incorrect.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Arse funds

    23. spyda12001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      OK let me try this again - A or B?

      A) Kane & Felipe
      B) Auba & Son

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A

      2. skeyrd
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B

      3. hamgrumps
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        A

    24. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Was Luiz dropped for the game last night or rested?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        likely rested