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. Lav
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Lundstram or Holgate?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mason

  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    For those who owned Rashford in GW22, did you

    a) sell
    b) keep
    c) might sell before deadline

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

      B/c

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B or C for me

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

      Just get Ings. You know you want to.

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

      A

    5. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Keep

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

      Depends what you bought him for, he'll be back on Wednesday and is a season-keeper imo.
      Would sell if you don't have decent subs.

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

        So you think he will be back on Wednesday?

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

      Sold that evening (for Ings) ...

    8. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      sold today to DCL as part of plan for Alli to Mane next week.

    9. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A before the Ings rise

  3. FPL.team
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I finally plucked up the courage to sell Sterling this week... For Richarlison 🙂

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

      Oooof

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

      uhhh....

    3. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That's a massive shame, because he'll definitely start against Palace... and score two points.

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

        2pts more than Richarlison and a FT down the drain.

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That's awful. I'd like to say these things balance out in the end, but...

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

      Last week it was Kuns comeback I think this week its Raheems turn

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

        Just what I wanted to hear 🙂

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

      He's not started the past two games, and in general poor goalscoring form - may also drop in price as well.
      Sorry to be a ball of negativity here. 🙁

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

        That sounds like positivity to me 🙂

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

          Yes, rested and due a haul it sounds like. I am captaining.

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

            I thought the same last week and captained him 🙂

  4. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play 1:

    A) Lundstram (ars)
    B) Stephens (WOL)

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

      I’d go lund

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

      A

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

    Guys, do you think Rashford is going to play against Burnley?

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

      no

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

      No idea

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Could feature tomorrow, could be out for weeks. Don't think OGS knows.

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

      think it is unlikely

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

      I think they will get him patched up for Sunday then its anyones guess for midweek

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

      Do we know if it's a muscle problem or just a knock? Cause a knock will just hurt, can be treated with painkillers etc. But doesn't really increase the risk of a further injury. It does increase the risk of Robbo targeting his sore spot with his knee though

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

    Should I get rid of Rich? (7.9 to spend)

    And start Hanley or Lund and why?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rich back soon.
      Hanley: lads, it's Bournemouth

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

    are price changes at 12:30 or 1:30?

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

      I think it varies unfortunately

    2. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      1.30

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on what time Mark goes to bed.

    4. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah.

  8. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    yay or nay on these moves (2 FTs)?

    Rash > DCL
    Ramsdale > McCarthy

    Leaves 5m in the bank to strengthen with 3rd Lpool next GW

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

      Yes

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Y

  9. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    ryan (rams)
    soy lund taa (sidibe simpson)
    kdb mane mads tarore (martial)
    dcl maupay vardy

    which?
    A) gw23 g2g, gw24 martial/mads ramsdale -4 to salah button/mcarthy
    B) gw23 martial -4 to son, gw24 maupay/dcl madds -4 to firmino grealish/sarr/docoure

  10. FPL-Albion
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) rashford to ings
    B) save and hope rashford plays or Greenwood instead

  11. Almathkourq8
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which one is good for DGW?

    A) Rich + Rash to Salah + DCL
    B) Dunk + Fabianski to Martin + VVD
    D) Rash+ Rich to Firm + Martial
    E) Rich + Rash to Salah + Maupay

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

      Definitely C

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

        I’d go A really looks a good move

        1. Almathkourq8
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks mate lol forgot the C

  12. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I have a strong team, but I feeling that I missed something. :/

    What to do for medium term?

    Ryan
    TAA, Soy, Lund
    Salah, KDB(c), Martial, Cantwell
    Vardy, Firmino, Ings

    (McGovern, Rico, Kelly, Richarlison*)

    0 ft & 0.7 itb

    Maybe Richarlison to Alli?
    Or downgrade Ings to DCL/Maupay and then Richarlison to Son.
    Of course, first to see Spurs vs Watford.

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

      Save, reassess next week

  13. FPL.team
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Richarlison to anyone (-4) or just play Brandon Williams?

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

      I would play Brandon. Could go HAM this week

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

      Prob worth holding with a good midweek fixture you should get info by then

  14. Dain Bramage
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Crap team

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

      Agree.

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

    Do you have a playing keeper? If not, seems like you need to do B. Otherwise they all look good, but I'd do E

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

      McCarthy

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

    Who's your C ??

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

      Vardy

  17. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Guys will u sell richar for mahrez or
    Maddison for a minus4?

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

    who should i captain ....?
    Ings vs (Wolves)
    Mane vs (Man.U)
    Vardy vs (Burnley)
    KDB vs (C.Palace)
    Tammy vs (Newcastle)

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

      I don’t see any reason to go outside Vardy or KDB. I’m on Vardy but it’s a really close call

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

      My captain picks have been shocking i will probably roll a dice on 2-3 of the top picks

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

    Bench

    A) Jiminez (sou)
    B) Grealish (bri)
    C) Cantwell (BOU)

    I’m really struggling with this one points per game and form is identical for Jiminez and Grealish with cantwell behind but cantwell has the fixture

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jim, Wolves looking knackered

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

        Wouldn't you be if your goals kept getting wiped out by VAR? 😀

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

      C

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

      Thanks all

  20. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy or KDB captain?

    1. Almathkourq8
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Going with kdb

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jamie safer

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

      On Vardy an extreme 50/50

    4. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB earlier, Vardy now. I am drinking though...

  21. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any update on Ramsdale?

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

      Riding the pine pony

  22. Ycfc
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender for 4.4mil or less?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Stephens, Cathcart, Williams

  23. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    ryan (rams)
    soy lund taa (sidibe simpson)
    kdb mane mads tarore (martial)
    dcl maupay vardy

    which?

    A) gw23 g2g, gw24 martial/mads ramsdale -4 to salah button/mcarthy

    B) gw23 martial -4 to son, gw24 maupay/dcl madds -4 to firmino grealish/sarr/docoure

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

    Jimenez >

    A) Maupay
    B) DCL
    C) Other

  25. Mattious8
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Risk playing Rashford or play a healthy Cantwell?

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

      Cantwell

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

      Cantwell all day

  26. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    RMT please. Thanks!

    Ryan
    Holgate Sir Lord Lundy Söyüncü
    Grealish KDB (VC) Mane Willian
    Ing Vardy Kun(C)

    Button Kelly Guilbert Hayden

    No transfers, 3.0 itb. Anything worth a hit?

  27. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ryan
    Lundstrum, Rico, TAA
    Richarlson*, Traore, Salah, KDB
    Vardy, Ings, Abraham

    Button, Tomori, Dendoncker, Kelly

    No FT, 3.7 itb

    Any help on changes to make to field a decent team? I don't mind taking a -8!

    A. Tomori --> Holgate
    B. Richarlson --> Grealish
    C. Richarlson --> Docoure
    D. Richarlson + Abraham —> Mane + Maupay for a -8
    E. Any other suggestions

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tomori to Robbo in prep for Liverpool next week maybe

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Id maybe keep Rich for good fixture in the week hoping injury is minor

  28. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    So much back and forth in my head. Your thoughts appreciated. 2FTs, 0.4itb

    1) Aurier > Jack Stephens and bank funds/FT
    2) Jim --OR-- Tammy > Ings and bank funds/FT
    3) Aurier, Alli > Robbo, Sarr
    4) Aurier, Alli, Tammy > Holgate, Salah, Greenwood (-4)

    Ryan, Button
    TAA, Soy, Lunds, Aurier, Rico
    Mane, KDB, Alli, Grealish, Cantwell
    Tammy, Jimenez, Vardy

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Probably just Jimmy for Ings for me

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        May give you enough to get Aurier to VVD next week for a 3rd Pool player

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

    Which team would you prefer?

    A:

    Gazzaniga
    TAA Gomez Aurier
    Mane KDB Maddison Cantwell
    Vardy Abraham Ings

    B:

    Gazzaniga
    Soyuncu Gomez Aurier
    Mane KDB Maddison Cantwell
    Vardy Abraham Firmino

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

      B

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

    I need Williams to make it one more day without rising..

    Chances?