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. E25
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who to cap?

    A) Kane
    B) Laca
    C) Sterling
    D) Sane

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Laca

    2. FPL Mentor
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Flip a coin on C or A.

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

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

      Kane

    5. bronzadonis
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

    6. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I have all 4. Currently on B.

    7. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

    8. SB8
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Laca

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

        Cheers all!

  2. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hart
    Alonso Robbo Laporte Doherty
    Salah D.Silva Richarlison
    Kane Jiménez Arnie*

    Hamer / Brooks / Bennett / Højbjerg

    1FT 1.6m ITB

    Arnie & Alonso 》 Lacazette & Bellerin -4?

    Hows that look?

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      like it though I think I prefer Lola over Bellers

      1. FPL Mentor
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Kola nore nailed and offer as much attacking threat as Beller?

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

          More nailed? Why you say that?

          1. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            think he forgot the question mark at the end of that sentance

            1. FPL Mentor
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              🙂

          2. FPL Mentor
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Not my opinion.I was asking.

        2. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          less nailed but holding out could help him. Looks more attacking from the games I have watched tho which is the appeal

          1. FPL Mentor
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks for the feedback, I'll have a peak on the comparison tool.

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

    start Hojberg, Yedlin or AWB?

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

      AWB

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        away to Hammers? I was actually thinking Hoj!

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

    Martial news? Is he training

  5. Jaok
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    WC, were should I put the extra 0.7?
    Many thanks!

    Fabianski
    Doherty TAA Laporte
    Sterling Son Richarlison fAnderson
    Kane Auba Jimenez

    Hamer Awb fernandez hoybjerg

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      If happy leave it in bank. Always handy when the unforseen occurs

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

      I personally would downgrade Laporte and upgrade Son to Sane bc I really hate when Son's minutes get managed. I have a feeling Sane will be used a lot with Mendy out

  6. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who To Play ?
    A- Camarasa SOU (H)
    B- Balbuena CRY (H)

    1. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      a

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

      🙁

    3. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I would play Camarasa

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers

  7. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Play

    A) Bennett

    B) Wan-B

    C) Masuaku (I know...)

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      C

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B. Chance of clean sheet and BPS

  8. vardys party
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Ryan (button)
    Rudiger Robertson laporte balbena Bennett
    Salah Sterling rich kenedy holjlberg
    kane Jimenez Arnie

    1 ft nothing in the bank

    Thoughts? I'm thinking of getting auba for Arnie and taking out Salah for Felipe Anderson?

    1. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      solid moves.

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'd keep salah for bou match. Arnie to Wilson/Hernandez/mitro

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

      Weak bench. Consider strengthening for Xmas rotation.

  9. Lukaku91
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    play one gw 16

    a) Ryan
    b) Patricio

  10. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Any input greatly appreciated lads!

    A. Arnie to Hernandez
    B. Alonso + Arnie to kiko + laca (-4)

    *Wc still intact

  11. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who would be your top 4 defenders to go with on a WC?

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      TAA Doherty Trippier Kola

    2. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      TAA Digne Kolasinac Laporte

    3. One Man
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      TAA. Doherty. and 2 more

  12. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Rate my team seems a bit out of whack this week. It suggests benching laporte and behind Holjberg on the bench too!

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      This season:

      Arsenal 0-2 City
      Liverpool 0-0 City
      Spurs 0-1 City
      City 3-1 Utd

      City don't concede much against these teams

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yep that's my thought exactly.
        Hence i was surprised it has him at 2nd sub

  13. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Arnautovic + Martial > Lacazette + Snodgrass?

    Fabianski Foster
    Robertson Laporte Doherty Balbuena Wan-Bissaka
    Salah Sane Martial Richarlison Camarasa
    Kane Arnautovic Jimenez

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Hold Martial.

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Bring in Wilson and hold Martial

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        No arsenal cover then

        1. One Man
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Yes. However you don't gain points by covering all the top teams. You gain points by having the best players.

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

    Sorry for repost

    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

  15. S.Agueroooooo
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    just now
    A) salah + arnie > auba + eriksen/ richarlison/ sane (-4)
    B) alonso + arnie > laca + azpi/ trippier/ TAA (-4).

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

      If I was to choose one it would not be B as I wouldn't sell Alonso. But I'm not sure A is worth a hit tbh. You'd need Auba to outscore Salah to make it work and Salah could do well at Bournmouth.

      Please help below thanks.

  16. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A) Salah to Sterling for a hit
    B) Do it next week for free

    I have Sane and no other Liverpool attack.

    ???

    Thanks.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Free next week

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A hot to lose salah vs bou... mad

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        *hit. Damn new phone

      2. jg7u
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        This.

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

      Thanks all. I'm leaning towards B.

    4. S.Agueroooooo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B easy

  17. FC Barkerlona
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Just done Duffy + Arnie > Kolasinac for -4 leaving me with this:

    Fabianski / Ryan
    Alonso / Alexander-Arnold / Doherty / Wan-Bissaka / Kolasinac
    Felipe Anderson / Alli / Sané / Sterling / Kenedy
    Kane / Wilson / Mitrovic

    £1.5m ITB

    Need to move on Ryan + Kenedy soon but liking the options available going into rotation season.

    Thoughts?

  18. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Does selling value count for you if on WC? Im sure I heard something once that you cant make money on WC anymore?

    1. L P
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No you can, the wildcard transfers don't move the prices up or down (overall).

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Works exactly as it does if you use standard transfers. No difference.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks gents.

  19. Madderegern
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    B dammit

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

    Folks, is Arnie dropping tonight?
    I think he’s on -83 at the moment

  21. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    To fund Arnie to Laca? Cheers

    A. Alonso to Bellarin/TAA
    B. Hazard to Son

    Fab Patricio
    Alonso Laporte Robbo Doherty WB
    Hazard Sane Richarlison FAnderson Hodj
    Kane Wilson Arnie

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A with taa if you're bench can deal with rotation (should be less with gomez injured

  22. SB8
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Is Paterson nailed for this weekend?

  23. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A. Auba and Fraser
    B. Laca and Anderson

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

  24. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    a) Sterling, Laca, Fraser
    b) Sane, Auba, Rich

  25. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Pereira to Kola for a hit?

  26. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Have I missed something regarding Kolasinac? E.g. something Emery's said? Monreal is back this weekend or soon after, which is a massive spanner in the works.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Monreal is being assessed ahead of the game against Huddersfield

      https://www.arsenal.com/news/team-news-holding-ramsey-ozil-koscielny

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

        I know

  27. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Kolasinac, Torreira and Aubameyang need a rest. They looked knackered on Wednesday and could be in the red zone. We can't afford more injuries to important players.
    We should be able to beat Huddersfield with 3 rotations in the team. Xhaka is back so that's a big plus. No clue about the Özil situation.

  28. Lukaku91
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    ryan or patricio for next week

  29. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Did Martial&Hazard to Sane&Sterling for -4. Is it going to backfire?

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

      This week, probably.

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I would't have sold Martial. He has averaged over 8 points in each of his last 8 games.

  30. Ambrosiana Inter
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Bellerin or kolasinac?

    1. SB8
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Bellerin is safer