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. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on the this?

    Pope
    TAA Soy Robbo
    Salah KDB Cantwell Traore
    Vardy Ings Jimenez

    Button / Martial / Lundstram / Kelly

    1 FT 0 in the bank

    Is it worth doing Jimi & Kelly > Maupay & Mendy for -4?

    Will likely ship Traore for Noble next week, hopefully will leave my team set for the double..

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Like it. But still would save instead lol

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

      I’d save there mate

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Defo sell one of traore/Raul both could be bench. Poor form as well.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'm looking at Raul > Maupay

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          No need for the hit though

          1. FPL Mentor
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers buddy

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

    Nice team, A and roll

  3. Abaddon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Evening

    Jimmy and kelly to Tammy and Williams for free?

    Yay or nay

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do you have Ings?

      1. Abaddon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ings and vardy.
        Salah, mane, kdb, grealish and cantwell

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Chelsea upcoming fixtures not that great.

    2. FPL Mentor
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yay, but be prepared for the Jimi afterburn. (I'm considering shipping the same two ^)

    3. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do Kelly to Williams only and next week decide on the replacement striker.
      Probs not Abe

      1. Abaddon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Then i really consider to play cantwell over Jimmy

  4. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A)Lund
    or
    B) Soy?

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I said Soy so far but change to Lund because of Lordism and Ars without Auba is half as dangerous in killing chances

  5. Sparkys Barmy Army
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who's scoring more points this week, Chilwell or Van Dijk?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      My money would be on VVD.

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      50 50.
      But why ask?

  6. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed

    Best FT use this week...

    1. Greenwood >> DCL [play 343]
    2. Kelly >> Dunk [play 442]

    Thanks

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I just got DCL but i would think that Greenwood will play more soon and i like him for his price.
      Still 1 by miles

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2
      Purely because Greenwood may well start more games now

  7. Sir Oki
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Whom to have in my last starting defender place?

    LUNDSTRAM
    RICO
    HANLEY

    Cheers!

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

      Ok, hand him back now.
      You don't deserve lord lund.

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        This

      2. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        You dont deserve the Lord

      3. Sir Oki
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Haha 🙂 Hey, I worship The Lord; had him since GW1 after reading an obscure 'blog post about him pre-seaison. It's just the fixture v Arsenal makes me queasy about a clean sheet when I already have Henderson in goal.

  8. Marmalade Forest
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    With two FTs, is Brandon Williams worth getting in as a 5th defender?

    Dirt cheap, Young gone.

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes by miles

  9. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Nice team, A and roll.

  10. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ryan
    Chilwell - Robbo - TAA - Lundstram
    Maddison - Salah - KDB - Traore
    Vardy - Jiminez
    (Martin - Connolly - Lascelles - Hayden)

    1FT, 1.7ITB

    What should I do?

    A) Jimi > Ings
    B) Connolly > Maupay
    C) Connolly & Chilwell > Maupay & Holgate (-4)

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

      Yes

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

        ty

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

    I have 1ft and 0.7 and moves you can see worth making? Or am I good to save?

    Ryan
    TAA-Soy-Lundstram
    Salah-KDB-Mane-Martial
    Vardy-Ings-Deeney

    Button-Kabaselle-Kelly-Dendonk

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice team, save

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

        Thanks.. was thinking possibly martial > Maddison but prob not worth transfer

        1. COLLIN QUANER
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          It'll be nice owning Martial for the midweek Burnley fixture

          1. Dr. Agabuse
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Wow didnt realise the midweek

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

    Nice team, A and roll

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

    Chilwell to Dunk for a free?

    Yes or no?

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

      Not this week

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

      No

  15. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Nice team, A and roll

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

      I’ve started a movement

  16. L S P
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hendo-Button
    TAA-Robbo-Soy-Targett-Rico
    Salah-KDB-Maddison-Traore-DDer
    Vardy-Rashford-Ings

    2 FT / 0 ITB

    A) Rashford->Maupay (3-4-3), roll FT
    B) Rashford/Traore->Maupay/Mahrez (3-4-3)
    C) Rashford/Targett->Maupay/Dunk (4-3-3, bench Traore)

    Cheers

  17. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Repost, no answer.

    Play traore or lundstram

    1ft 6.6itb
    ryan
    evans TAA dunk
    maddison KDB(C) mane traore sarr
    vardy ings

    pope lundstram connolly rico

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore

  18. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    For the peculiar observer:

    Was this the first time that an Arsenal defensive player is involved in the scoutpicks?

  19. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck for the weekend everyone.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      +1

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck to me too!

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

      You too buddy

    4. Party time
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good Luck

      • Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good luck to me. And no one else

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

      Thoughts on these moves.

      Just did Rash to Ings

      Do Vardy to Aggy (-4) and captain aguero?

      I'm 900k and want to climb the ranks

    6. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Start Cantwell and bench Grealish?

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

        My pal has this same question, what you doing?

        1. S.Kuqi
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Currently starting Grealish

      2. Party time
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Start both if possible but Grealish edges it imo

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Nice team, A and roll

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

          Hehe 😉

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

        Who scores more...

        1. Dunk
        2. DCL

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

          Dunk. Statistically, WHU defense's is looking getting better.

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

          Dcl

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

          2

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

        Nice team. A and roll?

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

          I’ll take that one... two consecutive reply fails has started a Mexican wave

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

            🙂

      6. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I brought in (C) Sterling for Rashford last GW ;( That worked out well. I was planning on keeping Sterling until GW24 for Salah, but I am considering doing it now since Sterling is going to drop. Keep Sterling another week or swap to Salah now?

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

        Would you do -4 for Mccarthy (cannot afford any above 4.6)?

        Currently have 2 non-playing GKs (heaton and ramsdale) Still, not dropping 4 points seems like instant point gain with alternatives.

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

        1 FT 0.8 itb

        Kasper
        TAA Holgate Lund
        Salah Mane KDB(c)Cantwell
        Vardy Ings Maupay
        (4.0 Martial Rico Kelly)

        A) Rico/Kelly to Dunk
        B) Save
        C) something else

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          B

      9. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        1 FT, 1.1 ITB. Help greatly appreciated!

        Ryan
        TAA, Holgate, Lundstram
        Salah, Mane, KDB, Cantwell
        Vardy, Ings, Rashford*

        (Woodman, Traore, Kelly, Simpson)

        A) Traore -> Sarr (keep Rashford)
        B) Rashford -> DCL (Kelly & Traore -> Son & Williams next week)
        C) Save FT. A or B next week dependent on this weekend
        D) Something else

        Small risk of not fielding 11 if I save FT (likely playing Kelly away to City). May be priced out of Rashford, Kelly & Traore -> DCL, Son & Williams if I don't do Rashford -> DCL today. Keen to get Son in.

        Cheers!

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

          B

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

            Cheers. 1st vote for B...

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

          You could just get Ayew instead of DCL (or even Mousset)

          Ayew could lose his spot down the line but he's a Roy favourite and currently top of the pops for season value. Actual returns almost within sight of Firmino

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

            Cheers, think hes a decent option just not sure about minutes with Tosun brought in. I fancy everton to come good and Ancelotti seems a big DCL fan

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

        Just did Rash and Vardy to Ings and Aguero (C) for -4

        Looking forward to this game?

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

          Yes I am, nice to mix it up a bit. Feeling good about it

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Haha, like it. GL!

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

              Cheers bud!!

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          With Aguero you always run the risk of benchings. Would not have taken a hit to remove Vardy vs Burnley...

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

            I agree completely, but I'm bored of Vardy and swimming around 1million rank, plus city and scoring for fun. Chance to catch some points

      11. Party time
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Anyone who knows Mark Suthern in person. Please tell him to be kind to us with them Baps this weekend.

          Thanks in advance. Allah bless you & Mark Suthern

          1. Wetdream
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Talking of which,what has happened to him ? No sight or sound all season.