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. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Right before I leave the house to freeze my are off in goal - Kdb or vardy captain?

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

      Arse

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        V

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

      KDB

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Neither, honestly, go with your outside pick!

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

  2. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    10.3 for a midfielder, I already have salah,, sarr and kdb

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’d say Son.
      I’ve brought him in on my wildcard.

  3. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Honestly feel Lunny will outpoint Martial this week, what do you guys think?

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Pereira Lundstram
    Salah(c) KdB Maddo
    Vardy Abraham Ings

    Button Martial Dendo Simpson

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I always go attacker over def. Bench Pereira

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

      Could be but won’t do that

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

      Nah

    4. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundy 1st sub. Play Martial. (Liverpool fan)

  4. Me Spurs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anybody else C ings? Starting to have second thoughts

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

      Should be good for 9 points if he can keep his shirt on

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

    3. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I think he is gonna score but I go with Vardy bec I wait Leicester to bounce back and thrash Clarets

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nah

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

    Thinking of loosing my wolves players jimenez and traore but for who ?

    A. Noble and Abraham
    B. Trossard and DCL
    C. Moura/Mount and Maupay

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

      C. Moura

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A and when Noble fails for GW24 get Cantwell.

  6. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one pls Rashford, Martial, Traore?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      the injured one

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore ofc

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Traore

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

      Tony

    4. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rash

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

      Wow Rash 2 Tony 1 Traore 2, easy decision 😀

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

      Traore

    7. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bench all 3.

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

        Play 9? 😉

  7. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is this squad GtG?

    Ryan
    TAA Soy Lund
    Grealish Salah Martial Traore KDB(vc)
    Deeney Vardy(c)

    Button Greenwood Rico Kelly

    I have 2ft and 4.9m itb.
    Plan to change Deeney > Pukki this GW.
    Then Rico to Robbo next for the DGW.
    Is it worth taking a punt on Martial > Mahrez this week too?
    Or save that transfer to possibly bring in WHU midfield for DGW...

    Other option is Deeney + Martial > Pukki + Mane - Exact cash for this!?

    Feedback is welcomed!

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      With 4.9itb get Mane in for GW24

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ings over Pukki as well

        1. Bubbles1985
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I am being too stubborn with Ings as I refused to get him and Dec - backfired!

          I don't think he will carry on and Pukki is my 1GW punt. 😀

          Transfers are now done, cheers for the info!

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

    Play Rico and Dendoncker

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dendocker

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

    Repost sorry

    Play Lund vs Ars or Stephens vs Wol? Got Henderson, Traore and Jimmy

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Stephens for sure imo

  10. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Risk and play Rico hoping for a Bournemouth bounce back or go with Lundstram?

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same boat, i’ll go with lund

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundy

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

    Team set, gtg? 2ft, £0.4m itb

    Pope

    Robbo soyuncu lund

    Grealish salah cantwell kdb (c) alli

    Vardy ings

    Subs: button, rash, holgate, rico

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

      Very similar to mine so yes like it

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pope to McCarthy

    3. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I hate throwing away a transfer. Maybe Rico > Jack Stephens, or Pope to someone with a better run of fixtures?

  12. Bojaninho
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with martial,

    Moura
    Or
    Trossard are tempting can’t quite afford Mahrez

    1. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’m considering Martial > Lucas, but leaning more towards Grealish. If you have Grealish already, Lucas is a nice 2 week differential.

  13. Halia00
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    For the starting XI 😀

    A) Digne (WHU) A
    B) Soyuncu (BUR) A

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

      B

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

      Digne- more chance of attacking return

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

      I'd start Digne if I had him

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

      A

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

      B

    6. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Digne but it’s close. Burnley have stopped having shots.

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

    Anyone think Rico might get place back after heavy defeat for Bournemouth again last week without him ( I am sure I also read here the suggestion that he was benched as not 100% fit to start) ? Or time to sell to Stephens?

    1. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico owner here. I’m keeping but considering downgrading elsewhere in defence to bring in Stephens over the next couple of weeks.

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Time to sell either way

  15. Mulla
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lads, whom to start ????

    A) Martial ( liv )

    B) Cantwell ( BOU )

    Thanks

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

      B

    2. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cantwell

  16. PAD81
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maupay or Trossard?

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

      Maupay

    2. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maupay for security of minutes.

      1. Marty McFly
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        To add, I started the season with Trossard. I think he’s class.

  17. Marty McFly
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Grealish
    B) Lucas Moura

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

      B

    2. Najoman86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  18. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I suppose the question for me is [This GW only]:

    A) Mane
    B) Mahrez

    I have the exact cash to transfer Mahrez to Mane for the DGW if I want to but also allows Rico to Robbo if I decide to double up Liv Def...

    1. Najoman86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A for me

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      this GW only...wow, toughie, real coin flip for me!

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

      Considering how poor Mane has been vs Manutd, has to be Mahrez

    5. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers for the replies!

      Mahrez is in, at home to Palace it has to be.

      ManU are shite but stifled Liverpool last time.

      Option to change Mahrez to Mane next week if I am feeling it!

  19. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Rashford or Traore when I have Gómez and TAA in defence?

    1. Najoman86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd start Rashford, albeit unlikely that he'll feature. Traore first sub

  20. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?
    Bench order OK?

    Ryan
    TAA, Soy, Lund
    Mané, KdB, Maddison, Traoré
    Vardy, Rashford, Ings

    Button, Grealish, Rico, Kelly

    1. Najoman86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      GTG. Quality

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

      grealish play over traore first sub

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        agreed!

  21. Najoman86
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best GK replacement for Fabianski?

    Ryan
    McCarthy
    Foster
    Henderson

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

      mcc

  22. HNI
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which of these looks most lovely over next 6
    1) Tammy + Grealish/Sarr + Robbo
    2) Mane + Cantwell/Stephens rotate+ Soy

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

      1

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

        Yeah, salah + Mane + kdb+ vardy just rips my low value team apart

    2. Najoman86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      1

  23. liboo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts about Pukki??

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

      Good pick for this round

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Better options than Pukki.

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      wish I owned him for this GW and a few beers in I might yet!

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

        Better go 3-5-2 if want a player at his price. Ex Sarr/Grealish. Jia can help.me above?

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

    Which one to play:

    A. Traore (sou)
    B. Lund (ars)

    Thanks

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

    Whom would you start?

    1. Lord - Arsenal (A) Or Rico - Norwich (A).
    2. Pick 2 out of Jimenez, Martial and Cantwell.

  26. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who should be on my bench and what order?

    Ramsgate Ryan
    TAA Soyuncu Rico Aurier Lundstram
    Salah KDB Perez Grealish Traore
    Vardy Rashford DCL.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico, traore & lunds

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

      Ramsdale, Rico, Aurier on the Bench. Rashy to start with Traore/Grealish first sub.

  27. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Team set up right?

    McCarthy
    Vvd taa dunk
    Mane Kdb grealish cantwell
    Vardy ings kun C

    foster Sarr lunds Williams

  28. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Currently on (C) Mahrez as a slight differential, am I about to get burned by the inevitable Pep Roulette?

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I hope not as just transferred him in for this GW!

      GL

  29. johnthepg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Radford > DCL for -4 worth or hold?

    Means I can do Madders > Salah next week

    Team:
    Pope
    Holgate Taa Soy
    Madders Kdb Mane Grealish
    Rash Ings Vardy
    (Button, Traore, Lunds, Rico)

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do it

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

    Any updates on Rashford's injury? Out for a long time?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Likely to miss Sunday