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. AMP
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with Ramsdale?

    a. Ryan -4
    b. McCarty -4
    c. do nothing ... probably 0 points

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

      C

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

      It's probably a -2 at worst if you don't have another playing keeper. Worth a transfer if you ask me.

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

        dont have playing GK

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

      c

  2. Clinton19
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Grealish or change to?
    Mahrez
    Buendia
    Cantwell
    Neto?

    Have 3m itb and 0 ft meaning it would cost -4 to do.

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

      stick. some decent fixtures upcoming.

      1. Clinton19
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you

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

    Play one

    A Lundstram (ars)
    B Aurier (wat)

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

      A

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

      B

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

    5. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

    Nice team, A and roll

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

    Which two to bench?

    Traore
    Martial
    Soyuncu
    Robbo (Have TAA and Salah)

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

      AB

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

        hmmm.. thanks, currently on BC

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

          AB

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

    Thinking I need Mane, to go along with Salah...

    Thoughts on this?

    This week: Ramsdale ----> McCarthy
    Next week Robertson, Martial ----> Stephen's & Mane (-4)

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

      McCarthy move sounds good.
      Don't know about the Mane move for a hit

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

      Don’t think you should be removing Robbo for Mané for a hit.

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

      Keep Robbo

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

      Robertson and Martial could easily outscore Mane and whoever you are planning to play in GW 24 so definitely not worth a -4.

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Robertson out for a hit, off the back of 6 consecutive clean sheets, just ahead of a DGW is definitely peak Fantasy Football Scout Forum material 🙂

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

        So is that a yes?

  7. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Need to be risky a little Bit
    Captain?

    1. Salah
    2. Mane
    3. Kdb
    4. Vardy

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

      1 then for me

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

      They aren't the right options if you want to be risky

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

        This lol

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

      1

    4. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I have the same 4 options and i have picked KDB.

      I see the game vs united being tight and Leicester are not firing as they were a few games ago.

      Sometimes not always about being different. It's about who you think will get the most points

    5. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

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

    Team ok to go? Bit concerned that whole bench will not start so is it worth free transfer on Kelly to Stephens? ( for info next week doing Aguero to Ings, Richarlison to Mané)

    Ryan
    TAA Lundstram Söyüncü
    Salah (vc) KDB Grealish Cantwell
    Aguero (c) Vardy DCL

    Button Rico Kelly Richarlison*

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

      Save

  9. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1.33 anytime scorer odds for Aguero. Don't think ever seen such low odds for that

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

      If he starts, in my opinion it would take a miracle for him not to score with the form City and Palace are currently in. Palace defence is often praised but they've been giving away so many chances to much weaker teams than City and Liverpool lately.

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

      Recency bias

  10. MikeLowrey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Roll the FT?

    Henderson
    TAA Digne Lundstram
    Salah KDB Mahrez Martial
    Vardy Pukki Maupay

    (Button Soyuncu Dendoncker Kelly)

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

      Is Pukki fit to start?

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yes

      2. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yep

  11. Clinton19
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Please help!!
    Keep Grealish or change to?
    Mahrez
    Buendia
    Cantwell
    Neto?

    Have 3m itb and 0 ft meaning it would cost -4 to do.

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

      You just asked that in another post. Same answer

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

      I would go Mahrez but any move not worth a hit. I got him in on WC but always a chance he may not start.

  12. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Evening

    Considering what Anchelotti has said about Holgate is it better to bench him and play Lund in case Anchelotti sticks holgate on for the last 2 mins???

    Or is Anchelotti bluffing?

  13. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 FTs and not sure what to do. Any advice?

    Henderson
    TAA Lundstram Söyüncü Rico Kelly
    Salah Mané KDB Maddison Traore
    Vardy Ings Greenwood

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good team

      Maybe look at changing soy over time

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

      Looks good. Maybe just Rico or Kelly out for Williams and roll FT

      1. mr messi
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, was considering that

  14. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno Fernandes looks upset leading Sporting out v Benfica

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

    Pukki punt (on WC) v Bournemouth then switch for Firminho next week?

    Have exact funds though, Worried if Firminho price will rise?

    (I know this has been asked loads of times, but how do you find out?)

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

      http://www.fplstatistics.com/

      Pukki likely to drop tonight and Firmino likely to rise.

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

        Thanks!

  16. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Great, now Richarlison is cooked to add to my Rashford woes. How would you use the funds? 17.1 to spend

    a) Ings and Mahrez
    b) Aguero and Cantwell

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

      B imo

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

      A

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

      Tough choice- for this week B but longer term A

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

      A of you plan to pay Cantwell every week

    5. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  17. FPL failure
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford to Firmino for free worth it?

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

      Going to Pukki then Firmino next eek!

    2. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yea

  18. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    Guiata

    Sidibe Soyuncu Taa Hanley

    KDB Salah Mane Cantwell

    Ings Vardy

    Bench:Button,Lundstram,Greenwood,Richarlison

    0 ITB 1 FT

  19. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    For one last time
    Mahrez or son for this week?

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

      Mahrez

    2. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez

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

      Mahrez

  20. Dreaming of glory
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    To fund TAA in, would you:

    1. Grealish > dendonker
    2. Jiminez > Calvert lewin

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

      2

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

      B

    3. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2

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

      2

    5. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks lads!

  21. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Worth taking rashford out for a hit? Especially if the cash leftover gets me TAA next week?

    If so rashford out for who?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pukki or deeney or other?

    2. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If he looks like he will miss midweek as well then yea and maybe firmino as u get 3 games in 2 gws.
      Otherwise probably not

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Well if I get rid of rashford for a hit then I would get TAA as I have Mane and salah. Not enough cash for firmino.

  22. Moinal
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    DCL or Maupay???
    Ditching Rashford to get Liverpool big hitters

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

      Mau

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

      DCL

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maupay for the next two

  23. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best mid ignoring price:

    A) Son
    B) Maddison
    C) Alli
    D) Richarlison
    E) Mahrez
    F) Martial

    Thanks

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

      Son

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hard to say, quite even

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

      Son

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

      E (if also ignoring nailedness lol)
      A
      F
      B
      .
      .

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

      Maddison and Martial

    6. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez
      Son
      Martial

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

      Add in Dilva

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers all

  24. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Martial or Cantwell? Leaning towards Martial ( and Im a ManU fan)

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

      Bench Martial, play Cantwell

    2. Mid budget coach
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      With Pukki back, Cantwell potentially gets both an assist and a goal, at worst an assist.
      Martial has blanked with weaker defences than Liverpool's

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

      Im benching Martial

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

    Got TAA. Bring in Robertson now or can wait until next week?

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

      I think it can wait

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

      Wait

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

    Planning Rico to Robbo for GW 24, but Rico's price looks likely to drop. Worth taking the hit now (and playing Robbo over Saiss)? or just swallow the TV loss?

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

      Just wait unless it prices you out. Not worth -4. Liverpool could concede goal v United or Robertson might pick up injury or red card

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

        that's my thinking too. Also, FPLstatistics could be wrong again

  27. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How about this?

    0FT + 2.3ITB - added tanganga + firmino for kiko + rash (still not done)

    foster
    robbo, sidibe, tanganga
    salah (c), kdb (vc), grealish, sarr
    vardy, firmino, maupay

    subs: button, lundstram, dendoncker, kell

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

      Why the Tanganga move this week?
      Rash -> Firmino and roll the other FT
      Play Lord

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

        Save money, no where else to do it

  28. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Martial to Mahrez for free?

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

      No

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

      No

    3. Party time
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Do it & good luck

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

        Yes, I did

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

      Any ideas?
      2FT's. 0.2 spare.

      Henderson
      Soyuncu - TAA - Lundstram
      Mane - Alli - KDB - Martial
      Vardy - Jiminez - Ings

      Button - Dendonker - Rico - Kelly

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

        Where has all your money gone?!

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

        Alli to Salah for double

    5. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What was said about Holgate?

      Am I mad captain KDB over Vardy?