Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 20

Don’t move from the sofa! Before the dust has had a chance to settle on Gameweek 19, Gameweek 20 is upon us. And with most teams having less than 48-hours rest between matches, Fantasy Premier League managers prepare themselves for rotation and unfamiliar starting XIs. 

Gameweek 20 also marks the halfway point in the season. And in what has been a topsy-turvy year for many, ranks remain tightly packed – less than a hundred points separates the top 100k from the top million, and there’s 135 points between the top 1million and the top 10,000. With 19 Gameweeks to go there’s all to play for. 

The tight turnaround presents an opportunity for FPL bosses. Predicted Line-Ups will be of particular interest, while Fantasy Football Scout’s Captain Sensible and Scout Picks will help with the all-important armband and transfer decisions.

What’s more, managers have just been handed their first Double Gameweek of the season. Liverpool and West Ham’s postponed Gameweek 18 encounter has been rearranged for Gameweek 24, giving both teams two matches instead of one in that particular round of fixtures. 

Typing faster than a seven-year-old unwraps Christmas presents, Neale examined the implications for Fantasy bosses. He noted that it’s the first-ever Double Gameweek for Mohamed Salah and perhaps an opportunity to deploy the Triple Captain chip. That 135-point gap will be bridged in no time.

The Egypt international currently leads the captain poll for Gameweek 20. Ahead of Sunday’s match at Anfield, Liverpool have been afforded 24 hours more rest than their opponents Wolves. And how will last night’s dramatic second-half comeback against Manchester City affect Nuno Espírito Santo’s men?

Earlier this month the Wolves boss described his team’s schedule as “crazy”, “absurd” and “not human”. So despite very little rotation so far, changes would seem likely. Meanwhile counterpart Jurgen Klopp had this to say following his side’s comprehensive win over Leicester City:

Fresh legs always helped us now since we changed a little bit more frequently. Like in the Everton game in the league, for example, we made five changes and they were absolutely necessary on one side but really impressive performance-wise. So, we will do that as well now, of course, we have to and we will. That’s how it is. We have four more adult players [to rotate]… for the others it will still take a while, so that’s our squad and we have to deal with it as good as possible.

– Jurgen Klopp

The good news for Salah owners is that he was withdrawn early on Thursday and could therefore be less at risk of rotation. The Egyptian was also very unlucky to blank at the King Power.

A combined Captain Sensible and Scout Picks article this week highlights his potential. Man City players also standout with Raheem Sterling topping the points predictions on this site’s Rate My Team.

Kevin De Bruyne performs well in a number of categories and, like Salah, was withdrawn early in Gameweek 19. With Guardiola confirming after the game that his substitution was made with Gameweek 20 in mind. Manchester City top the latest DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds provided by G-Whizz.

As Andy noted in his Gameweek 20 Q&A video, players rested in Gameweek 19 would seem more assured of a start this weekend. Danny Ings is one such player, and the in-form Southampton forward is expected to return to the starting XI for this afternoon’s match against Crystal Palace.

He also fancies Christian Pulisic to return to the Chelsea side and urges managers to keep faith with Tammy Abraham. He reasons that new Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta won’t have had enough time to improve their defence significantly. Only three teams this season have conceded more goals at home than the Gunners. 

Manchester United fan Andy offered his thoughts on Paul Pogba. An injury to Scott McTominay could see the Frenchman occupy a deeper role and with Marcus Rashford seemingly on penalties, Andy feels Anthony Martial is the midfielder of choice.

Elsewhere an injury concern for Dele Alli means the Spurs midfielder is a doubt for the trip to Norwich. He’s not included in Neale’s predicted line-up and is replaced by Lucas Moura in the Scout Picks.

Jamie Vardy does, however, make the Scout selection despite not being included in the predicted starting XI. He has form and an enticing fixture in his favour although, as Pro Pundit Holly points out in her hot topic, manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed there will be rotation for West Ham.

Finally, following his impressive 24-point haul in Gameweek 19, Andy asked whether we should bring Trent Alexander-Arnold straight back in. However the Liverpool full-back is still at risk of suspension – currently on four yellow cards, a booking against Wolves would see him miss Gameweek 21.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

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Best of luck for Gameweek 20!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,278 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Safe to captain Kane?

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He always starts

  2. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Pope to Ramsdale (bha, whu, WAT, nor, BHA, AVL, shu, bur, CHE, liv)

    B) Pope to Gazz (nor, sou, LIV, wat, NOR, MCI, avl, che, WOL, bur)

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What happened to Lloris' return date? Probably ramsdale

  3. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Chances of Mendy starting, a PL game, ever again?

    1. Kip
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      100%

      Rotation of first 11 between CL games

  4. UnitedFan
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson > Ryan or Foster?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would save FT if that’s an option

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I personally went Foster

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

    Which one to play

    A) Kiko
    B) Kelly

  6. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Think I'm settled on this WC, money ITB to do Ings to Jimenez next week, thoughts?

    Ryan Button
    TAA Lundstram Soy Rico Kelly
    Salah KDB Martial Maddison Grealish
    Vardy Ings Greenwood

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Can someone remind me why I sold jimi a few weeks back for rashford ahead of tammy?

      Bad decision!!

  7. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Soy or Rico??

    1. Better Call Raul
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy

  8. alfast1c
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Why no one is mentioning Kane for captain choice? Is he going to be rested, any news?

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm looking for the info too.. He has a nicefixt playing against norwich

      1. alfast1c
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Iam going to "risk it" with him.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nah, low ownership here

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

      He is my captain choice over Salah. Starts 100%

    4. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He will play. He'll get his rest after Saints. Kane is super fit

  9. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think Ricardo Pereira will start today?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No

  10. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    help here which WC team?

    team A
    ryan rams
    soy lund taa aurier kely
    kdb mane martial grealish traore
    vrady deulofeu/ayew/maupay kane

    team B
    ryan/rams buton
    soy lund taa aurier kely
    kdb mane martial moura X
    vardy aguero X
    (cantwel maupay or traore ayew)

    team C
    ryan rams
    soy lund taa aurier kely
    kdb mane moura mads martial
    vrady deulofeu/ayew/maupay jimi

  11. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2 FT, 0 ITB. Advice greatly appreciated!

    Pope
    TAA, Aurier, Kelly
    Mane, KDB, Cantwell, Alli*
    Vardy, Rashford, Ings

    (Woodman, Lundstram, Simpson, Son*)

    A) Son & Alli -> Salah & Traore
    B) Son & Alli -> Sterling & Grealish
    C) Son & Rashford -> Salah & Maupay
    D) Son & Rashford -> Kane & Martial/Maddison
    E) Son -> Martial/Maddison

    Thinking B due to City fixtures and can swap Sterling for Salah for DGW24?

    Cheers

    1. PortoGuy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  12. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anything worth a hit here or GTG? Thanks :

    Ramsdale
    TAA / Soy / Rico
    Mane / KDB / Alli* / Zaha
    Vardy / Rashford / Jimenez

    Button, Kelly, Dendoncker, Lundstram

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ...oops, have 0FT 1.5ITB.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      GTG

  13. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hold or make the move? I’ve got A.

    A) Dele, Rashford
    B) KDB, Jimenez

  14. Obamawang
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best medium term option: Rashford & Grealish or Tammy & Maddison?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      First one

      1. Obamawang
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, man.

  15. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Conflict of interest in the early kickoff as I have Ramsdale, Rico and Maupay. Would you still start all 3?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

  16. A girl has no name
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guys, thoughts on Son Vardy Alli to Salah (C) Aguero Moura for -4?
    Brought in Vardy late at 9.9, hence will only lose 0.1 to bring back.

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do it!

      1. A girl has no name
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Is the hit worth it? Essentially could just go Son Ali to Salah Moura for free? Have a good bench to cover Vardy.

  17. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best 4.4m def option?

    A) Webster
    B) Kiko
    C) Rico (Ramsdale double)
    D) Kabesele
    E) Kelly (lose place soon)

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. West Hammered
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  18. tissae
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Should I do it? 2 FT

    Abraham + Nakamba --> Ings + Grealish

    Nakamba is perma bench for me right now, so Grealish might be stuck on a bench aswell

    Or just go Abraham --> Ings?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just Ings in that case

  19. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Today is going to be fun to see all these altered line ups

  20. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain Kane or Salah?

    1. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      kane!

  21. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play 1.
    A. Rico (have maupay fwiw)
    B. Kelly
    Cpt.
    1. Kdb
    2. Mane.
    3. Vardy

  22. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What do you people think about Callum Wilson? Worth taking the risk for next few?

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would want to see him show some form first 1- observe for the next game of 2 then you bring him in for the really good fixtures if he looks good.

  23. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Why are some suggesting Vardy won't start?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Brendan said it

  24. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I'm only keeping Zaha because he's nailed and I need that 2 pointer. Sad, sad story.

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i just hope you will do a better job at Arsenal.

  25. Eirern
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Okay experts: Maddy, Martial or Moura and why?

  26. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Soyuncu Willems Kelly Lund
    Salah KDB Grealish Alli Nakamba
    Vardy Rashford Abraham

    A. Williams Abraham => Simpson Firmino -4
    B. Nakamba Abraham => Mane Ayew/Greenwood
    C. Save

  27. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Greenwood’s had a 90 last game. Further gametime may be restricted in the upcoming games.

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It will defs be
      Rashford Martial James
      In GW20

  28. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli to...
    A - Mahrez
    B - Moura
    C - Grealish
    D - Traoré
    E - Other
    F - Keep

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A this week only

      C long term value

      Prob keep

  29. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    On WC g2G?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Aurier Soy
    Salah KDB Grealish Martial
    Vardy Kane Maupay

    McGovern Webster Traore Lund

  30. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Foster, Rico, Kelly, Mane, Grealish, Maupay
    B) Ramsdale, Kiko, Sidibe, Salah, Traore, Maupay
    C) Foster, Rico, Aurier, Salah, Traore, Maupay

    XXX, McGovern
    TAA, Soyuncu, Lundstram, XXX, XXX
    Maddison, KDB, Martial, XXX, XXX
    Vardy, Ings, XXX