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. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Sterling failure this week and I’m wildcarding

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

      Better start planning

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

    Rico to

    A Williams
    B Stephens

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

      B

  3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Tough GW. Lost flappy, Rash and Richarlison this week....no back up keeper and no idea ...!!!

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Unlucky mate. Also lost Fab and Rich. Gone McCarthy & Mahrez replacements

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yes don McCarthy as a rest of Season keeper. Traore off the bench and Cantwel(

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      hi Mate, would you sell Richarlison for Mahrez for a -4 hit ??
      I do have Traore who is away to Southampton ??

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Possibly not for a hit mate. GL

  4. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bottom!!

    GW23 Team:

    Ryan
    Dunk TAA Robertson Aurier
    KDB Grealish Maddison Traore
    Vardy Jiminez

    Button Lundstram Martial Rashford

    Should I do Rashford -> Ings (-4) and bench Aurier

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

      I would for free,not for a hit

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

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

    1 FT 0.8 itb
    1) Kelly/Rico to Dunk
    2) Save
    3) something else

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2 - Easy Save

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

        Cheers

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

      Think Kelly Rico’s days may be numbered but save for now

  6. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Haller for (EVE), (lei, LIV) or skip the nonsense and get Ings (WOL) (cpl)?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ingsy

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

      Get Ings imo

    3. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ralph hinted at possible rest for Ings whether thats against palace or in the FA Cup is anyones guess

    4. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Haller for only a 2 x GW Punt ....I see points v Everton and LFC

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

      Haller

    6. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm thinking of doing Ings -> Haller after this gw (probably won't but it's an option) - if he plays at the weekend he may be rested midweek and then (liv)

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

        If I'm Hassenhutl, Ings plays Wolves and Palace 100%. I don't think they'd expect anything from the Liverpool game.

    7. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Getting Haller personally but I already have Ings

    8. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

    9. Like an Egyptian Magician
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings no brainer

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

    Im still good to go right? - All comments much appreciated! 🙂

    0ITB - 0FT

    Ryan

    Soy - Lunds - TAA
    KDB(V) - Mane - Martial - Salah
    Ings - Vardy(C) - Abraham

    (Button - Dendoncker - Williams - Reid)

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

      G2G

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

      great!

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

      Quality. I have the same team but DCL for Abraham so guessing you have crazy good team value!

  8. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    0.7ITB, 1FT
    McCarthy button
    TAA Digne Soy Lund Rico*
    Mane KDB Martial Alli* Traore*
    Vardy Abraham DCL

    How does this sound?
    This week: Traore > Cantwell (for funds, could start ahead of Martial/Alli this gw)
    Next gw: Soy, Abraham > Robertson, Ings (-4, 0.2ITB)

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sensible moves

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

        Alternatively could do Traore > 4.4 and do Rico instead of Soy > Robbo but i'm not sure theres much point keeping Soy given I have TAA, Robbo, Digne and Lund to choose from for a back 3..

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

          Did get him for 4.6 tho

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

    Which one of these would you do??

    A) Jimi to Ings (start C.Taylor vs Lei)

    B) Jimi to Maupay (start C.Taylor vs Lei)

    C) Kiko to Hanley (start Hanley vs Bou)

    1. Party time
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Roll ft

      • JoeSoap
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        A

      • Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Godfrey back so Hanley may be benched

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

      A. Aurier>TAA (1m left)
      B. Rico>TAA (0.4 left)
      C. Save & have 2FTs next week. At the minute planning on getting Robbo next week by downgrading Maddy. Or could go Gomez.

      McCarthy
      Aurier, Soyu, Lundy
      Salah, Martial, KDB, Maddy
      Vardy, Ings, Jimmy
      Gazza, Rico, Dendo, Kelly

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

      It feels odd benching Martial in favor of Cantwell, but Liverpool probably have a better than 50% chance of keeping a clean sheet, yeah?

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

        Yeh i'm leaning this way also. Will Martial be on pens IF Rashford is out?

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

          We wont get a pen at Anfield anyway.

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

            Since the rules don't apply to Robertson, I am inclined to agree.

        2. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          If mata plays it´s mata, if not Martial

      2. Party time
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I am benching Martial this gw although that could bite me in the bum

        • Like an Egyptian Magician
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          The thought of benching martial for cantwell wouldn’t even cross my mind. Surely start martial!!

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

        Team G2G??
        Henderson
        Robbo, TAA, Sidibe
        Mane, Grealish, KDB, Martial
        Tammy, Ings, Vardy
        Subs: Ramsdale, Lunds, Cantwell, Montoya
        Should I start Grealish or Cantwell?

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

        Any C Firmino cappers in 24?

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

          Punty as ....

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

          Bobby or Salah fir me lad

        3. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          me

      5. Don Van Vliet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        How difficult is it to get the capitalisation right for De Bruyne, seriously?

      6. Mufc202020
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hi all,

        Do we know if Rashford will decrease overnight??

        Thanks!!

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

          probably will

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

          Likely, he was 'meant' to last night!

          1. Mufc202020
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks both!

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

        Play Lund / Aurier / or burn a free transfer to get in Dunk?

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

        What would you do here? Kinda stuck

        Ryan
        TAA - Soy - Taylor
        Salah - Mane - Kdb - Martial
        Vardy - Jimi - DCL

        Subs: Button - Lunds - Kiko - Romeu
        2FTs & 0itb

        A) Jimi to Ings (start C.Taylor vs Lei)

        B) Jimi to Maupay (start C.Taylor vs Lei)

        C) Kiko to Hanley (start Hanley vs Bou)

        D) Other suggestions?

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

          easy A

        2. Viper
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Martial -> Trossard

        3. Like an Egyptian Magician
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Jimi to Ings and Taylor to Dunk

      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. Like an Egyptian Magician
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Save and start Traoré. Or do Traoré to grealish. I’d keep Rashford..

      10. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Salah C too crazy ?

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

          I’m tempted

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

          No

          United are a shambles

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

          Nothing ever crazy about captaining Salah

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

          Not at all

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

          United hasn't performed well vs Utd in the past but could work

        6. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          thx for replies. Dont like fact that Salah has 0 goals and 0 assist in 4 games vs United

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

        Got 2 FT.

        A) Rashford to Firmino
        B) Rashford to Pukki
        C) Rashford and Traoré to Firmino and Cantwell

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

          dont like any, sorry

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

            Neither do I really

        2. Kay317
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Pukki for one week

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

          A but i prefer Maupay over Pukki.

        4. Like an Egyptian Magician
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          But Rashford isn’t out long term

      12. whosBenj
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Best 5.0 forward? Greenwood to start in Rashy's absence?

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

          dont count on many starts

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

            My thinking is Rashford to start against Liverpool and be benched for Burnley

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

          Ayew is just 17 points shy of Firmino

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

        Gtg?

        Hendo
        TAA Perreira Lund
        KDB Mane Cantwell Alli
        Vardy(C) Maupay ings(VC)

        (Martin, Martial, Rico, Williams)

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yep.
          Nice

      14. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I have bought in VAR as my 3rd LFC

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

          It is what it is

          Poor finishing and big chances missed have helped them more than VAR

        2. Party time
            4 years, 2 months ago

            He'll probably get benched

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

          So a lot of teams have to chose between benching Lundstram or Martial.

          Which one would you bench and why?

          1. Like an Egyptian Magician
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Surely bench lundstram. Expected range of points is 1 to 6 for Lund and 2 to 10 for martial.. Martial higher ceiling

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

            I am benching both.

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

          Team G2G??

          Henderson
          Robbo, TAA, Sidibe
          Mane, Grealish, KDB, Martial
          Tammy, Ings, Vardy

          Subs: Ramsdale, Lunds, Cantwell, Montoya
          Should I start Grealish or Cantwell?

          1. Like an Egyptian Magician
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Grealish

        5. Viper
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Good to go? Worryingly lack of differentials I think.

          Henderson

          TAA Soyuncu Robertson (Lundstram Kelly)

          Mane KDB Cantwell Maddison (Traore)

          Vardy Ings Maupay

          1. Like an Egyptian Magician
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I’d do maupay Traoré to fodder grealish

          2. Tambling5
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Have similar team, but Ryan for Hendo, Stephens for Soy, Grealish for Cantwell, and Rash for Maupay. I have similar concerns that it's too template to go up many places, but asked on here in the week and replies all told me to stick with it saying good team.

        6. Kay317
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Start 2:
          A) Sidibe
          B) Traore
          C) Lund
          D) Rico
          E) Connolly

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

            AC

          2. Ten Season Wonder
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah agree... A&C

        7. LordEllison
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          2 FT and 0.0 ITB, abit stuck on what to do with Rich and Rashford, any ideas? thanks.

          Henderson Button
          TAA Kelly Soyuncu Dunk Lundstram
          Salah Maddison KDB Richarlison Dendoncker
          Vardy Rashford Ings.

          1. Like an Egyptian Magician
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I’d take a hit and do Rashford dendoncker Richarlison to fodder martial mahrez

        8. Ten Season Wonder
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Like most of us, my team is set and I'm looking at next GW...
          What would you do here...... (my current squad below)

          Should I do...
          A). Tammy --> Firmino (for free)
          B). Tammy + Madds -->> DCL + Salah (-4)

          McCarthy - Butters
          Trent - Soy - Kelly - Lundstram - B.Williams
          Mane - KDB - Martial - (Madds?) - Cantwell
          Vardy - Ings - (Tammy?)

          (easier way of putting it is - Is Salah worth a hit over Firmino?)

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

            B next week free

            1. Ten Season Wonder
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              sorry I meant for next GW. I will only have one FT next

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

            Larger question is the value of DGW24 over GWs 25 on.

            1. Ten Season Wonder
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              huh?

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

                Firmino may be fine in 24 but who would you rather have from 25 on? Surely only one answer there.

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

          Need a Richarlison replacement...

          Ryan
          Soy - Gomez - Digne
          Mane - KdB - Cantwell - Martial - *****
          Aguero - Vardy

          Stek - Lundstram - Rico - Greenwood 2.0 itb and 1 free transfer

          A) hold and play Lundy
          B) Son
          C) Maddo
          D) Mahrez

          Thanks!

          1. Like an Egyptian Magician
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            D