Scout Picks

Gameweek 23 Scout Picks includes Liverpool and Chelsea double-up

We have double-up on Liverpool and Chelsea assets for Gameweek 23 in our latest Scout Picks XI.

Every week we chose our optimum line-up for the upcoming round of Fantasy Premier League action.

We spend some time deliberating over the Scout Squads submitted by David, Neale, Paul and Geoff earlier in the week to find the best selection.

For Gameweek 23 we are lining up in a 3-4-3 formation and come in at £83.0m, £2.0m under our budget of £85.0m.

Goalkeeper

Recent improvements at Arsenal have opened new options for Fantasy managers including goalkeeper Bernd Leno (£5.0m). During Mikel Arteta’s time in charge of the Gunners, only three teams have conceded fewer big chances than them, a far cry from how they looked at the back under Unai Emery. Furthermore, during that same period, upcoming opponents Sheffield United are second only to Burnley for shots on target.

Defenders

Liverpool have kept six clean sheets in a row now and sit top of the Premier League for fewest shots in the box conceded during that time. Meanwhile, no player has fashioned more big chances than Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) during that period.

Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle could produce returns at both ends of the pitch for Reece James (£5.0m). Having started each of the last two matches, the right-back put up 10 crosses in Gameweek 22, more than any other defender. Meanwhile, only four teams have allowed fewer goal attempts in the box than Chelsea since Gameweek 19, a period in which Newcastle sit inside the bottom four for shots on target.

There was plenty of interest in the Brighton defence for Gameweek 23 in our Scout Squad submissions. Lewis Dunk (£4.8m) is the man who makes the final selection. Upcoming opponents Aston Villa have blanked in two of their last three away trips so there is clean sheet potential for the Seagulls this weekend. Meanwhile, given how poor Villa’s defence is, it could serve Dunk well that he has had more headed attempts than any of his colleagues in 2019/20.

Midfielders

Another big Salah haul asks tough questions of FPL managers

Liverpool do often struggle when they face Manchester United but their attacking assets come into Gameweek 23 in fine statistical form. We’ve gone with Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) as our chosen representative as he has been displaying goal threat and creativity in equal measure over the last four Gameweeks.

Kevin de Bruyne‘s (£10.7m) creativity has made him a hugely reliable asset of late and the return to form of those around him has only boosted him further. Having fashioned three big chances in the last four Gameweeks (the joint-second-highest in the league), we expect more returns against Crystal Palace. The Eagles may prove hard to break down but they are still without a clean sheet on the road since Gameweek 16.

James Maddison (£7.7m) comes into the Scout Picks as a late change following Richarlison’s reported injury on Friday afternoon. We thought about replacing him with a fellow Everton colleague but the Brazilian missing out on Gameweek 23, as well as Gylfi Sigurdsson, may well reduce their attacking potential at West Ham. Instead, Maddison comes in ahead of a meeting with Burnley’s obliging defence. In the last four Gameweeks, only two sides have conceded more goal attempts from set plays than the Clarets.

Todd Cantwell (£4.9m) and his Norwich colleagues are fortunate enough to face Bournemouth at their lowest ebb in Gameweek 23. The Cherries have conceded 10 goals in their last four matches while Cantwell has registered a 10-point haul in each of his last two starts at Carrow Road.

Forwards

 1

We expect Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) to get back to his earlier season form in a Gameweek 23 trip to Burnley. While he has struggled recently, the Leicester man’s last three outings were against Manchester City, Liverpool and Southampton, who it turns out are now one of the best defences in the league. By contrast, Burnley have given up 23 goals in seven matches against last season’s top-six in 2019/20, more than any other side. While that mantle does not technically apply to Leicester, they have played like a team of this quality for much of the campaign and should make life very hard for the Clarets.

Tammy Abraham (£7.8m) has been creeping under the radar to some extent recently, producing attacking returns in each of his last three outings. This weekend he faces a Newcastle defence that has conceded the second-highest number of big chances over the last four Gameweeks.

No player has had more shots in the box than Danny Ings (£6.8m) over the last four matches, suggesting his incredible run of form is sustainable. Gameweek 23 pits Southampton against a Wolves side flagging a little as their relatively small squad struggles to compete on so many fronts this season. We are expecting Ings to extend his current run which stands at five goals in as many matches.

Substitutes

Mathew Ryan (£4.9m) is an alternative option in the Brighton defence with 13 saves in the last four Gameweeks.

It’s three clean sheets in the last five for Everton so we’ve included budget option Mason Holgate (£4.4m) on our substitute’s bench.

Jack Stephens (£4.3m) is a cheap route into the Southampton defence which has impressed recently.

Leandro Trossard (£5.8m) makes it onto the Scout Picks bench ahead of facing that hugely obliging Aston Villa defence on Saturday afternoon.

The Captain

The Scout Picks has a captain for the 2019/20 campaign.

This skipper is chosen using the conclusions of the latest Captain Sensible article and a four-way vote between David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek will be known only to those who have signed up to Membership for the 2019/20 season.

It will be revealed to the public only when the deadline for the Gameweek has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 23: 

Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 23 is Rude Reviewer.

They have gone for a 3-4-3 of Schmeichel; R James, Mendy, Dunk; Sterling (c), de Bruyne, Son, Richarlison; Abraham, Vardy, Maupay.

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

Community Champion Pep Pig was defeated by the Scout Picks in Gameweek 22, losing by a 72-64 score-line.

The current winning margin of 17 points recorded by irfansheikh in Gameweek 7 and AK in Gameweek 10 remains the score to beat.

3,938 Comments Post a Comment
  1. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    KdB or Vardy captain? Doing my head in

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB - Vardy not historically great against Burnley (3 goals in 9 starts vs the Clarets)

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

        Not seen that.
        How do you see Pool vs Utd?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Tight close game as they have been recently. 1/2-0 Pool with goals in second half.

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

            Take that 🙂

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

      Me too keep switching......

    3. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

    4. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same, and I don’t like the differential options in my team either. Everyone could get 6 points at best.

    5. toerag
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      kdb

  2. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford to Ings yes or no?

    leaves me this options next week

    a. Rico to Robertson exact cash
    b. Son to Salah
    c. Abraham to Firmino

    1. Bored Bear
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah why not

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

        Because he is due a rest

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

    Son or Moura?

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

      Son

    2. fridge
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Son

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Son

  4. fridge
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pls pick two to start

    A) Aurier
    B) Lundstram
    C) Martial

    1. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aurier and Martial

    2. zdrojo187
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      AB

  5. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Alli and Maddison to Grealish and Mane forr -4. Was going to do it next week for free

    1. zdrojo187
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save

    2. Bored Bear
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No. A&M could easily outscore them never mind -4

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

    Bottomed,
    First on bench?

    A- Lundstram (ars)
    B- Traore (sou)

    1. shawry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. zdrojo187
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. Bored Bear
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

  7. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Repost

    Hi Managers!

    Captain?
    Right order of starters and bench?

    Kasper
    Dunk Lundstram TAA
    Salah Mane KDB Maddy
    Vardy(C) DCL Ings

    Subs: Button, Rico, Hayden, Kelly

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

      Vardy

  8. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    6 picks

    Nailed on for a 22 pointer GW

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

      Usually the more you have the lower the score 🙂

    2. toerag
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      😆

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      7 picks here

      Im doomed 😉

    4. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      4. Massive green incoming

  9. Here's Tom with the We…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Have TAA and Mane.
    A) Soy to Robbo
    B) Rash to Firm
    C) Rash and Martial to Tammy and Salah -4

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

      B

  10. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    bottomed (sorry if you just don't care)

    Aurier and DCL out
    Williams (as a 5th def) and Ings in for FREE

    Already got Mane Salah and TAA for the DGW

    what are we saying?

    Bonus Q: Alli to Mahrez for -4 as a long term swap?

    1. zdrojo187
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      1.Yes
      2.Mahrez isn't nailed enough as a long term swap

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

      Yep

  11. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    If you have Ings already, then is there really much point getting rid of Rashford if there's a chance he could play at home to Burnley on Wednesday?

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

      Keeping look how many points he has, rank killer.

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

    Ooops meant edit my last.

    Richarlison >

    a. Son (issue is this stops me trading Alderwereld to VVD next week)
    b. Moura
    c. Doucoure

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

      *this is a 4 point hit

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        who would play from your bench?

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

      Dendoncker

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

        good shout

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

          Son and trade to Gomez

  13. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Cantwell or DCL ?
    In my ML many have DCL.

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      the D

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cantwell has 5 goals 2 assists in 8 pl home starts.

      So id chose him

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

      c*ntwell

  14. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Totally against form, but with a couple of defenders back and 3 nice fixutres, BOU will probably get 3 clean sheets in a row
    They've managed to screw me already with their freak results vs MUN and CHE

  15. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy(bur) vs KDB (CPL) for captiency..
    Who do you prefer more?

    Palace::- Conceded 6 goals in last 8 pl games

    Burnley:- Conceded 17 goals in last 8 pl games

    Leaning towards Vardy as Burnley fits the category of whipping boys status while palace are more resilient.

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

      MS posted this above, Vardy not historically great against Burnley (3 goals in 9 starts vs the Clarets)

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

        So?

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

      This does tempt me I have to say. Kdb feels like dead cert for 5-9pts. Vardy looks like a 2 or a big ol' haul.

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

        Yh vardy defo have the higher point ceiling.

    3. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      9 of those for Burnley were against Spurs and City (Could still use that as a case), Palace's last 8 have all been easy. if you take a sample size of last six they are a lot closer. Burnley have been terrible against the top 6 though, Palace have been a lot better

    4. toerag
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      burnley not too bad at home

  16. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    In worse shape than I would've hoped...any thoughts here? A bit puzzled.

    Henderson
    TAA Montoya Soyuncu
    Mane Sterling (C) Richarlison* Maddison
    Vardy Rashford* Maupay

    Lundstram, Kelly, Guendouzi...1FT, .6 itb

    Thinking of holding and playing Lundstram for Richarlison. Other options...

    Any other reasonable moves? Need to bring in another Pool player next week.

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

      Just play best team auto subs will come in for non starters

  17. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    https://www.claretandhugh.info/calamity-keeper-on-his-way-back-to-spain/

    He can now enter the crud keeper hall of fame alongside Taibi. Roberto we barely knew ye...

  18. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth transferring out martial > Maddison/Mahrez

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

      Free?

  19. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG? 0 ft and 1.6 m in the bank

    Ryan
    TAA Sidibe Lundstram
    Mane KDB Sterling Perez
    Vardy Ings DCL

    Button. Traore Soyuncu Stephens

  20. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2g here?

    McCarthy
    Trent sidibe dunk
    (Vc)Kdb (c)mahrez mane grealish Salah
    Vardy ings

    Button greenwood lundy Williams

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, but Lund before greenwood

  21. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Really want Son, and actually think he’ll outscore KdB up to GW29, especially with Man City potential blank. But what to do next GW:

    A) Grealish & Rico >> Son & Robertson (-4)
    B) Grealish & KdB >> Son & Salah (-4)
    C) Grealish, Cantwell, Vardy >>> Son, Salah, Greenwood (-8)
    D) Just Martial > Salah and ignore Son

    Would captain Salah 4 times in 5 GWs after DGW so he seems essential...

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

      A or D

  22. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Do I need to change anything or am I G2G and roll my FT?

    Ryan
    Cathcart VVD Willems
    Grealish KdB (VC) Mane William
    Aguero (©) Ayew Vardy

    Subs:Button,Lundstram,Dendonker & Hanley

  23. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best Captain from Salah Mane KDB Vardy?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Toddy Cantwell

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

        Tod Warrior

    2. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb

    3. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Todd de Bruyne

  24. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Chilwell to Dunk for free?
    Yes or no?

  25. RyanKent14
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ok so think I have a good balance now, what you guys think? Was struggling with defence

    McCarthy Button
    TAA Robbo Dunk Lund Williams
    Salah KDB D.Silva Son Cantwell
    Vardy Ings DCL

    Son and D.Silva could become Martial and Richarlison in a couple of gw’s time and looking at rotating DCL and Cantwell

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

    Not feeling confident have five playing in Pool / Utd game.......
    Hoping for a few goals both sides???

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

      Hmmmm...

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      5?

  27. Mork calling Orson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any love for Joe Gomez for a guy needing a Liverpool triple up but short of cash & not willing to completely dismantle a team ?

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lovren & Matip are close to close full training so I wouldn't invest in him at the moment

      1. Mork calling Orson
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah he’s definitely at risk, will check my bench thanks.

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

      Risky with Matip back and Lovern close to being fit too. Might only play one game of the double.

  28. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How does this look for DGW24 and onwards?

    McCarthy
    Taa Lund Soy
    Salah Mane KDB Grealish
    Vardy Ings Rashford
    - Stephens BWilliams Donker

    1. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Big tick.

  29. Red Devil Swede
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you get rid of Abraham for Ings and spend the extra cash elsewhere? 🙂

    Chelsea upcoming games pretty hard while Saints upcoming games look pretty nice.

    1. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I did.

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

        So did I months ago.

    2. Vlad Tepes
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I did that, but would prob have kept him if Rash did not get injured

  30. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddest question of the year: is El Mohamady OOPS?