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. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 FTs and 1.0 ITB

    Ryan
    TAA Lundstram Soy
    Salah KDB Maddison Martial Grealish
    Vardy Jimenez

    (Button Rico Greenwood Kelly)

    Nothing I really want to do this week tbh, plan next week was roughly Jimenez and Rico to Maupay and VVD. Will lose 0.1 on Rico if he drops today so may as well ship him out.

    A) Rico to Stephens
    B) Rico to Williams
    C) Something Else

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers.

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

    A - Rashford-> Firmino
    B - Lundstram & Rashford -> TAA & Ings

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say B on face value if it's for free, depends how much value you have tied up in Lundstram though.

  3. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Cantwell or Martial?

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

      Cantwell.

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

      Cantwell

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

      I have the same dilemma, planning to play Cantwell

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

    Anything worth changing here (1 FT):

    McCarthy
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram
    Salah Mane KDB Maddison Grealish
    Vardy Ings

    McGovern Hanley Greenwood Williams

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nope, GTG.

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

      Save the FT, looks good for this week and next week!

  5. Gold Coast
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Lundstram ARS(A) or Dunk AST(H)

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

      Dunk

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

    Who to captain?
    (A) Vardy
    (B) KDB
    (C) Salah

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      b

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

      C

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    5. TM44
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B)

    6. just a man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

  7. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any advice on my WC card?

    McCarthy
    Alexander-Arnold / Dunk / Stephens
    Salah / Mané / De Bruyne / Cantwell
    Vardy (c) / Ings / Calvert-Lewin

    Button / Williams / Lundstram / Cantwell
    Bank: 0,3

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      *
      McCarthy
      Alexander-Arnold / Dunk / Stephens
      Salah / Mané / De Bruyne / Martial
      Vardy (c) / Ings / Calvert-Lewin

      Button / Williams / Lundstram / Cantwell

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

      Yes,you have 2 Cantwell

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

        Similiar to my team so gtg

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

      Looks pretty good. Is 2nd Cantwell Dendo?

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

        Oh hes Martial. Would bench him this gw for Cantwell tho

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure I'd take Williams on a WC, you also have 2 x Cantwell.

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

      Why not save some cash with Webster or Holgate over Dunk?

  8. 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..

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I would play Lundstram over Hanley.

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

        50/50 for me..!

        Would you just hold Richarlison or get rid?

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Would be tempted to hold if only looks like he's out for this GW.

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

    Bench one please

    A) Dunk
    B) Lundstram
    C) Holgate

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      C - sounds like Holgate is being rested

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

      C

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

    Greenwood >>

    1. Maupay
    2. DCL
    3. Hold

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Is he on the pitch for you?

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

        Nope, bench.

        But Rico is starting 🙁

        Better to hold Greenwood and improve defence?

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, I'd ship Rico first.

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

            So get Dunk in and keep Greenwood for now? And play 442

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

      3 if you can bench Greenwood this week

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

        Rico would be playing instead...

        Better to hold Greenwood as my 3rd fwd and improve my defence to play 442?

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

      3

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

      Not 3 if you are playing Rico

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

        So my options would either be:

        1. Rico / Kelly >> Dunk
        2. Greenwood >> DCL / Maupay
        3. Dendoncker >> Doucoure

        ??

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

          Rico -> Dunk seems best for this GW

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

            Thanks mate and good luck this weekend

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

    Any advice on this team its kinda fell away this week

    RAMSDALE Martin
    Kelly Soy Evans Robbo Lund
    Mane KDB Martial RICHARLISON James
    Mousset Vardy RASHFORD

    1FT 0.8ITB

    Thinking of just doing Ramsdale to Henderson + utilising subs? Any ideas are appreciated

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

      What is your plan for next week?

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

        Unsure tbh mixing about with a few teams to get Salah or TAA in

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

    Good to go? Bench order look right?

    McCarthy
    Trent - Digne - Lundstram
    Salah - Mane - KDB(C) - Mahrez - Cantwell
    Vardy(VC) - Ings

    (McGovern - DCL - Kabasele - Rico) 0FT 0ITB

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

      Solid mate

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

        Cheers

  13. mash
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Looking for some advice on a couple of things! Current team:

    Ryan
    TAA Lundstram Soyuncu
    Mane KDB Maddison Cantwell
    Vardy Abraham Jiminez

    Button Martial Aurier Rico

    2FT, 1.0 in the bank

    1) Madness to bench Martial while playing OOP, albeit in a tough fixture? Any of the front 7 worth benching instead?

    2) Plan to use 2FT next week to get Liverpool triple up - which option looks best?
    A) Downgrade Aurier to max. 5.0 def (Dunk/Holgate/Williams) now, then Martial and Abraham to Salah and Greenwood next week
    B) Jiminez to Ings now, then Aurier and Abraham to Robertson and DCL/Maupay next week
    C) Downgrade Aurier to max. 4.4 def (Holgate/Williams) now, then Abraham to Firmino next week

    Benching Martial and going for option A is my current plan, but what would you do?

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

      1) No
      2) A

  14. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    -4 already and dont think i will get 11

    Rash+Rich > Son + DLC/Maupay ?

    should get some points back from hits

    McCarthy

    TAA--Holgate--Lund--Kiko*--Rico*

    Salah--KDB--Mane--Martial--Richa*

    Rash*--Ings--Greenwood

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

    Bench traore or lundstram

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

    pope lundstram connolly rico

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

      Traore

  16. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    play one? leaning cantwell

    a)cantwell
    b)jimenez

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

      b

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

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

      A

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        thanks, it's a tricky one to decide!

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      b

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

    What would you do here?

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

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

    A) Jimi to Ings

    B) Kiko to Hanley/Williams

    C) Other suggestions?

  18. LSK
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lots of bench points incoming for a lot of us this week.

    Who is on yours? Grealish, Söyüncü and Lundstram for me.

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

      Not a bad bench boost

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

        Been thinking about it to be honest

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

          Id be happy to play any of them this week. Do you have a second playing GK?

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

            No mate, that’s what’s holding me back. Still tempted though. Saving it for a double never works out for me and makes the 2nd wildcard more difficult imo

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

    Would you change anything or good to go?Salah and Firmino or Son will come in gw24.

    Ramsdale
    Aurier/Gomez/Sidibe
    Grealish/Richarlison/Maddison/DSilva
    Wilson/Aguero/Vardy

    Button Martial/Rico/Reid
    1ft 1.3itb

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

      I don’t know if you know

      But Richarlison is out for this game..!

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

        cheers.I have Martial first sub.

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

    DGW24 my TC is going to Salah. Also have Mane.

    Who is playing their TC and for whom?

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

      May yet go Salah but GW38 has been the plan since day 1 - fun but there's a fixture there that is ever so slightly tempting.

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

        Aguero gwk 38 could be huge

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

      Probably Salah but let’s see if next GW changes anything

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

      Might do it on Trent. Own Salah and Mane aswell.

  21. themec
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Alli going down in price tonight?

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What a useless signing he's been

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

        Scored that neat chip on boxing day, nowt since then really

  22. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A Hayden to Cantwell
    B Save and play Aurier?

  23. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2fts boys

    A) Rashford -- Firmino
    B) Alli -- Mahrez

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

      good moves imo

  24. Fishy
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go?
    schmeichel
    Taa sidibe dunk
    Sarr kdb salah grealish
    Vardy ings dcl
    Bench martial lundstram Kelly

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

      Good to go.Lundstram or Dunk it's tough.

  25. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hedno
    Sidibe TAA Soy
    Kdb Alli Salah Cantwell
    Rash Vardy Ings

    Traore, Lund, Kelly 2.5, 2FT

    A Alli, Rash => Mane, DCL
    B Rash => Firmino
    C Sidibe, Kelly, Traore, Alli => Holgate, Williams, CHO, Mane (-8)

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

    Many benching Lundstram?

    Arsenal still not solid at the back plus Auba is not available. SHU might just be too much of a tough nut to crack for Arsenal.

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

      Playing the mid

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

      Agreed. Lundy starts for me.

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

      Arsenal have improved defensively since Arteta took over. Arsenal will score tomorrow. Just depends if you think Lundstram can get any attacking returns

  27. Fishy
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick a captain please
    1. Vardy
    2. Ings
    3. Kdb

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

      You go first

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

      1

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

    Anyone actually backing that Rashford will actually play???

    1. just a man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ole said he’d play through the pain I think, which indicates he would play. Whether he’ll start or not though...

  29. damiang2233
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    /Is richarlison and rashford out for midweek games?

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

      I wish we knew this, coin toss

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

      I see Richarlison has a knee injury. What happened to him?

  30. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Randolph to get as a punt from this GW and GW 24 ??

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

      Not worth it