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.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

Rolling monthly subscriptions are now available, with the first month costing only £1.99 for a limited time only. Click here to sign up or upgrade your account.

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. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli traveled with team so Keep him ?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      For sure, maybe be nothing wrong at all

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

      I am

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

      Yes

      1. Eastman
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No mention of doubts on Sky Sports. Son out so if fit he’ll play

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

      Upgrade Alli to lingardhino

    5. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Surely he doesn't start though?

  2. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who’s more likely to start?
    A) De Bruyne
    B) Mane

    1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB I reckon

    2. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Mane for me

    4. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A for sure

  3. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guys, do you think Pep will start Sterling today?

    1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No. But he might tomorrow

    2. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No
      Tomorrow

  4. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Many tweets saying dele has travelled

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

      Yep
      Doesn't mean he'll start though 😮

  5. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What’s the latest on Alli, unlikely to feature today?

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

      He should feature. IMO

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

        And why?

  6. marcus2704
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    This is my team currently, with 1FT and 0.2ITB.

    I had my first red arrow for a while and have a feeling this week will be another.

    Would you stick with it, or make any changes?

    Pope
    Aurier - Soyuncu - Rico
    Mane - KDB - Alli - Salah (C)
    Vardy - Rashford - Ings

    Subs: Lund, Kelly, Dendo

  7. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    captain Mane KDB Vardy or Rash?

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      going KDB myself

  8. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Dunk* Aurier
    KDB Mane Alli Reiss Nelson
    Vardy Rashford Ings ©
    Guiaita cantwell webster lundyy
    Thoughts
    Any hits needed?

  9. Kaptenen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Help me on this benching headache!!

    A) Soyuncu (wha)
    B) Fernandez (EVE)

    1) Jota (liv)
    2) Cantwell (TOT)

    currently on B1 but can not make up my mind..

    1. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B2

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B2

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

      Play A2 imo

    4. zdrojo187
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B2

  10. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG? 😎 on a -4.

    Pope
    TAA • Soy • Aurier
    Salah(C) • Mané • Richarlison • KDB • Grealish
    Vardy • Maupay
    (McGov. Greeny. Rico. Lundy)

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

      Looks great.
      Would you move Alli out in my situation?
      Ryan
      TAA Soyuncu Rico
      Kdb Alli Pogba Mane
      Jimenez Vardy Maupay
      Button Kelly Lundstram Dendo

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I don’t think so mate

  11. Gruu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT please

    Ryan Button
    TAA Soy Lund Rico Kiko
    Salah KDB Dele Martial Maddison
    Vardy Ings Greenwood

    0.2m ITB

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nice

  12. MattyW
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain .. KDB or Moura
    Thanks!

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB

  13. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy captain, wc on maupay or KDB

  14. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GELLINMAGELLAN 2 Years6 hours, 39 mins ago
    For?

    Reply
    0

    JAMES 101 7 Years6 hours, 41 mins ago
    Play 3

    A. Soy (whm a)
    B. Aurier (nor a)
    C. Lunds (mci a)
    D. Rico (bha a)
    E. Kelly (sou a)

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Feel free to ignore the preamble...

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Abc

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

    Salah Kane or Kdb Best captain?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

    2. SoShy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Going Kane

  16. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Start
    A) Kelly vs SOU
    or
    B) Rico vs BRI

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

    Move?
    A. Alli to Martial
    B. Hold.

    Captain? Rotatafear...
    1. Kdb
    2. Mane
    3. Vardy

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B in your case probably. That’s why I’ve gone for Salah for the armband. 2 for you

  18. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Warning to Salah captainers. I chose Jesus last gw and Son the gw before.

    1. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes that swings it for me to Kane

  19. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which pair to bring in on 2 FTs for Alli and Rashford? (I have Mane and KDB)

    A. Salah and Maupay
    B. Martial and Kane
    C. Aguero and Moura

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kelly vs Lundstram:

    Cs not likely for any of them.

    But city leaky, Wolves scored 3, so maby Lundstram has better chances to get more points/attacking returns?

  21. Slippery Pete
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Seriously considering Ings for captain. Rested, team in form, against a depleted palace defence. Anyone else?

    1. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don't

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

      Yep

  22. SoShy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Getting in Kane for Tammy and Captaining.. convince me otherwise?

    1. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Convince me to do the same or I’m going Tammy to Rashford

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

        Have Rash already.. solid pick imo.. only played 60 minutes

  23. PaulParker
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Wildcard thoughts please gents?

    Ryan
    Lund - TAA - Soy
    Salah - Mane - Grealish - KDB
    Jimi - Vardy

    Heaton - greenwood- Rico - Kelly - Cantwell

    Or sacrifice Mane for Martial to fund Kane (Take out Jimi)

  24. Wet Knee Houston
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Everton fans, any chance of Holgate losing his place soon? What's his situation? (i don't have any problem with him being rested for a game, i'm interested in his position in the pecking order) Thanks.

  25. Defochibe
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tammy to firmino or rashford?

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

      Rash

  26. HTL
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any Toffees think Holgate will be rested?

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      (Non Toffee)
      Ancelotti has said that Keane is coming in ....... or did he mean Kean? 😀
      The FFS Team News predicts Holgate benched, which will upset me because I have him.

  27. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Trying again

    Play 3

    A. Soy (whm a)
    B. Aurier (nor a)
    C. Lunds (mci a)
    D. Rico (bha a)
    E. Kelly (sou a)

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A,B,C

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

      A B D/E

  28. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tammy to Ings and Mane to Salah -4? or stick?

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

      Stick.

    2. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      First one, maybe

  29. Remo85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Heeeeelp

    Team:

    Sch
    Kelly, Soy, Sid
    Alli, Mount, KDB, Rich, Moura
    Vardy, Rash

    Bench: ings, Lundstram, Pieters

    Do I start ings, if so, who for?

  30. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    It's a shame PL clubs don't tend to release their matchday squads a day or two before the match like most big European clubs do. That would make our FPL planning slightly easier.