Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 21

Gameweek 21 must be the easiest deadline of the season to miss. Coming, as it does, after the biggest party of the year. For those of you nursing New Year’s Eve hangovers, congratulations if you are reading this before the 11:30 GMT deadline. You’ve done your FPL team proud.

For others stumbling in a little later you may want to skip the insightful debate and compelling statistics contained within, and head straight to David Wardale’s Fantasy Premier League assets of the decade.

In his entertaining review, the author of “Wasting Your Wildcard” looks back on the achievements of FPL luminaries Aguero, Baines, and Suarez as well as some less fondly-remembered players. Find out which forward reminded us to “never trust a man whose first name sounds like a cinema”.

The big debate ahead of the new decade has revolved around which Liverpool players to own. Double Gameweek 24 was recently announced and the question facing many is whether to double-up in defence or attack?

Joe and Andy tackled the subject on the Scoutcast this week, while Pro Pundit Zophar examined the candidates for our teams in his aptly titled – Which Liverpool assets should we buy for Double Gameweek 24?

The six-time top 5,000 manager has made his bed early, taking a -8 to include Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah alongside Sadio Mane. Fellow Pro Pundit and five-time top 1,000 manager, Tom Freeman, added the same trio on his Gameweek 20 Wildcard.

Owning all three of the premium-priced players is a combination favoured by just 4.17% of the current top 10,000.

Conversely, Joe and Andy prefer going with two defenders. They reason that the sacrifices required elsewhere make it difficult to justify buying two players costing over £12m. Joe commented:

In terms of squad structure for the rest of my fifteen, and the eleven I want to play each week, I think I’m in danger of actually losing points, bizarrely, if I get Mané in.

– Joe

The dilemma facing him is which defender to pair with Alexander-Arnold.

Andy noted that Robertson and van Dijk have the same points-per-match averages this season of 4.5. Could the Dutchman, at £0.6m cheaper, be the better option?

While there are valid reasons for getting either Salah or Mane, an under-the-radar option not being considered as heavily is Roberto Firmino. Priced at an appealing £9.2m Andy reported on the Scoutcast that in nine away matches this season the Brazillian has six goals. Both Liverpool’s matches in Double Gameweek 24 are on the road.

However the captaincy will surely come down to either Salah or Mane. The Senegal international has been afforded more big chances than his Egyptian counterpart in recent Gameweeks, but Salah’s position against Wolverhampton Wanderers caught Neale’s attention:

While Salah blanked on Sunday, there was at least encouragement in that he was again playing as the centre-forward in a 4-2-3-1. It was in this formation that Salah had his purple patch last season, while his 16-point haul against Watford in Gameweek 17 also came when stationed centrally.

– Neale

West Ham fan G-Whizz brought us the news that his beloved Hammers had parted company with Manuel Pellegrini. Although he seemed less impressed with the re-appointment of David Moyes. Like Liverpool, West Ham also have two matches in Gameweek 24.

Looking at this site’s fixture ticker the Hammers top the table for attack over the next four Gameweeks. Should we be considering the likes of Michail Antonio for our fantasy teams?

Rotation Boost for Captain Pick

Jamie Vardy is the popular choice for the armband in the first Gameweek of 2020. 

And with good reason too – he’s rested after missing the trip to East London to attend the birth of his child. He now looks set to resume his place spearheading the Leicester attack as they travel to the North East.

Newcastle’s defensive numbers were scrutinised by David in his Captain Sensible article, offering hope to those favouring the Foxes forward. Many are anticipating the rocking-a-baby celebration this afternoon.

Vardy is one of three Leicester City players to feature in this week’s Scout Picks.

As ever, there are other contenders vying for the captaincy. Liverpool’s Salah and Mane feature prominently as does Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne. The Citizens top the latest DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds provided by G-Whizz.

Squad rotation could be a factor when considering your captain and starting XI.

In addition to Vardy several key players were afforded rests in Gameweek 20 – Soyuncu, Jimenez and Traore among them. All three are expected to return to action later today. In his Pro Pundit article, Andy revealed that he is contemplating adding the Wolves speed-merchant to his side. 

There was positive news on the injury front concerning John Lundstram, as Neale reported in his Team News summary. The out-of-position defender missed the encounter against Man City after turning his ankle but is predicted to feature against Liverpool.

There was also welcome news regarding another defender, Aymeric Laporte, who according to Guardiola is on course to return to full training in a week to ten days.

Having played the entire 270 minutes over the festive period, rotation may affect the minutes of Dele Alli, Serge Aurier, and Harry Kane in the Spurs ranks. Although Joe feels, Kane in particular, that they are too integral to be afforded a rest

Other players possibly at risk include Calvert-Lewin, Deulofeu, Grealish, Zaha, Willian, and Abraham.

Everton striker Calvert-Lewin is near the top of Tom Freeman’s watchlist. Following today’s trip to the Etihad, the Toffees enjoy a kind run of fixtures from Gameweek 22. At £5.8m and with impressive underlying stats, he’s one to consider.

Finally, if you’ve not enjoyed the best 2019 remember, as Greyhead reminded us in bumper edition of The Great and The Good, “Ings can only get better in 2020.

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 for £2.99 per month. Click here to sign up or upgrade your account.

Join a new Mini-League for 2020?

Track your progress in the New Year by joining RedLightning’s January to May League. Scoring will start in Gameweek 21. So far 270 managers have entered, to join them the league code you need is aafkpq.

Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 21 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

Best of luck for 2020!

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

1,527 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best VC if Vardy is out?

    Salah/Mane/Jimenez/Kdb/Martial

    1. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pogba

      1. BENOIT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Lol

      2. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        1st of Jan and trolling already!

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What do you mean if Vardy is out?

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Some post saying he might be out...just covering all corners

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Sauce?

    3. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB or Martial

    4. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

  2. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who is everyone's VC?

    1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

    2. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford. Think Arsenal okay into his hands.

      1. The Sociologist
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Play!

    3. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Same

    4. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

    5. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

  3. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Where's this coming from about Vardy being out?

    1. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He’s chomping at the bit according to the Leicester Fc website...

      Maybe chomped too hard..

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Page 2

  4. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    When is Vardy's funeral?

    Will Soy still start today?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pallbearer

  5. Citizen Kane
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed
    Any changes needed?

    Ryan (Button)

    TAA, Robbo, Sidibe (Kiko, Lund)

    Mane, KDB, Martial, Alli (Cantwell)

    Vardy C, Ings, DCL

    2FT, 0.2 ITB

  6. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Dude who posted Vardy news, that was his only post here, smell troll...

    1. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It’s fun to see the bedwetters though

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        🙂

    2. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      This

  7. Dele
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy out is madness

  8. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    So if the no Vardy poster isn’t just A wannabe and Vardy rested:

    Who’ll be most people’s vice captain, Mane?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB or Salah

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

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

      Salah

    4. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I had it on Mane but now I’m scared he will rest. 😀
      Now on Jimmy.

    5. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

  9. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Jimenez over Ings for the next 3 GWs?

  10. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Aurier or Rico?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aurier

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  11. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    if Vardy is out, I may captain Traore who is 100% sure to start

  12. MoFish
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sounds like a bum steer on the Vardy out!

    I’m keeping him (C)

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Only posted three times this morning,

  13. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Posted a few times as not getting any responses.

    Team ok for this week? 
    Guaita 
    TAA Soy Rico
    KDB Maddison Mane Alli Traore
    Vardy Ings

    Maupay Lundstram Kelly
    TIA

    1. Citizen Kane
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah or Mane on WC?

      1. Retro
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Both.

      2. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for response. Just played WC last week. Not looking to use second anytime soon! Keeping Mane. 3rd pool slot plan is to bring in another defender

    2. Citizen Kane
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      GTG

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks and GL!

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. GL!

  14. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Back in England and in need of transfers. I obviously need to get rid of Pulisic in a major way. 2 FT's & 0.3 itb. Please help with suggestions.

    Pope
    TAA Kelly Toby
    Alli Cantwell KDB Grealish
    Tammy Kane Vardy

    Lord Pulisic Simpson

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr of Watford is an interesting option for Pulisic

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yes completely agree.
        Just been looking at his stats, impresssive.

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

      He is probably going to start this week

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah but that carrot has been dangling for a while, and I bloody love carrots.

    3. Igor-Stimac
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore for Pulisic and Toby to Robertson?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Actually thats pretty sexy.

  15. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Cantwell or Traore and why? I’m still torn deciding...

  16. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy -> Iheanacho -4 to guarantee a starter?

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Only if you'll captain.

    2. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

  17. Turns
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2G? Tammy -> Jimi?

    Ramsdale
    Kelly - Soy - Aurier
    Salah(c) - Mane(vc) - KDB - Alli - Grealish
    Vardy - Tammy
    ---
    4.5 - Dunk - Lund - 4.3

  18. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Jimenez or Calvert-Lewin?

    1. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm thinking Jimenez

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jimi

  19. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Wouldn't bother me if Vardy was out.

    Not overly confident in him today.

    1. Dele
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      This

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Who’s your captain Weasel boy?

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Vardy is my captain and KDB my VC.

        Worried about rotation though.

  20. only2
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to play?
    A) Kelly (nor)
    B) Greenwood (ars)

    1. Antz1lla
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. only2
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks!

  21. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling to:

    (A) Salah (C)
    (B) Mane (C)
    (C) KDB
    (D) Keep

    1. Dele
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      C

  22. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish -> Martial for a -4 point hit?

    a, yes
    b. no save

    Guaita
    TAA, Aurier, Digne
    Salah, KDB, Maddison, Grealish
    Vardy(C), Ings(VC), Jiménez

    Martin, Lundstram, Hayden, Kelly

    1. Igor-Stimac
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Keep and try for next week.

  23. Dele
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Low scoring week ahead? How much rotation are we anticipating?

    1. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Can’t be any worse than last week can it?

  24. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?0 FT 0.0 itb
    Kasper
    TAA Rico Kelly
    Salah(vc) Mane KDB Martial
    Vardy(c) Jimenez Maupay
    (4.0 Cantwell Holgate Lund)

  25. Mr Arsenal
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Sold pulisic after 4 GWs of nothingness..

    Cue a brace today.

  26. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG or bring in Ings for someone?

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA - Pereira - Aurier
    Salah - KdB - Maddo - Martial - Traore
    Vardy(c) - Abraham

    Ings - Rico - Lundstram

    Traore(wat) and Ings(TOT) feels like a coin flip, maybe Traore as I have a Spurs defender?

  27. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain

    a) Salah
    b) KDB
    c) Vardy

    First to 3 🙂

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’m seriously considering Salah, but then I’m chasing.

  28. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pogba and Greenwood to Sarr and DCL - yay or nay?

    1. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      dCl best enabler after this Gw. Defo getting him.

  29. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Long term would you rather an Everton def or Leicester?

    1. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lei for fixtures

  30. Citizen Kane
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Salah or Mane on WC?

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm the same, did have slash before wc and currently on mane on wc

      1. Joyce1998
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        *salah