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. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Transfers made! GL all!

    Ryan
    TAA Soy Lund
    Grealish Salah Mahrez Traore KDB(vc)
    Pukki Vardy(c)

    Button Greenwood Rico Kelly

    I have 3.9m itb to enable Mahrez > Mane or Rico > Robbo next GW - More likely Robbo!

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

    Would you sell Calvert Lewin and richarlison for cantwell and firminho (-4) here?

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

      Yeah think I would!
      I just sold my Everton assets on WC as I believe Richarlison is that good and vital to them as a team! Funnily enough I sold Firmino in the process 🙁
      Bobby + Richarlison + Digne to Aguero + 4.3 + Robertson

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

    Bottomed Team set up right?

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

    foster Sarr lunds Williams

    Sarr grealish or cantwell?

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

    Suggestions please
    Keep Grealish or change to?
    Mahrez
    Buendia
    Cantwell
    Neto?

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

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

      It's practically gona be a one week punt

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

      Not for a hit

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

      Keep

    4. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hold

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

        Thanks for convincing me

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

    A really boring one for ye chaps! Start:
    A. Stephens
    B. Martial

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

      B as with Rash out,martial will take penos. I am.benching Martial though for Cantwell vs BOu

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

      Has to be Martial for me.

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

      Martial

    4. 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
      3) Alli + Cantwell + Robbo

    5. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aren't you a united supporter?? Gotta be B

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

    Wildcard team locked and loaded...!

    Krul
    VVD / Dunk / AMN
    Mane / KDB / Son(c) / Grealish
    Vardy / Firmino / Ings

    McCarthy / Dendonk / Lord / Cahill

    Defence could be a bit stronger, but all in all, seems pretty decent to me.

    Firmino will likely become Rashford at some point after DGW.

    What do we think...??

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

      I would have McCarthy and a 4.0 keeper

      1. Jamb0
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        +1

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

      AMN..?

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

    play Stephens or Lundstram?

  8. Louis123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Brandon Williams as the cheapest differential? Means I get to keep Rashford for the coming schedule. Also means I’d have Gomez, Mane and Salah for the DGW.

    Otherwise I sell Rash for either Maupay or DCL and get either Robbo or TAA.

    Thoughts?

    Many thanks.

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

    Help needed chaps

    I've got Ramsdale currently who's 50% doubt and Button on bench?

    1ft

    What to do? Who shall I bring in? Or save?

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

      Save if you are fine with playing with 10 men. I would get Henderson or McCarthy

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

      I reckon he will play more like 80%

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

    Current
    Ramsdale
    Kelly rico lund taa stephens
    Kdb mane richarlson grealish dendonk
    Vardy rashford ings

    Wildcard to
    Mccarthy
    Holgate(rico)
    Salah hayden (richarlson grealish)

    ????

  11. Snapes on a Plane
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one to bench?
    A) Tarore (sou)
    B) Alli (wat)
    C) Martial (liv)

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

      Ali

  12. schultes warriors
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone taking punt on augero?

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

      Not with pep roullete

      1. schultes warriors
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hahah! Good one - put maddison last weekend for richarlson - changed them on Tuesday again ... what a muddle..

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

      Many are after the 20 pointer

      But Pep could break hearts again, it won’t be the first time, and it won’t be the last either

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

      Yep, chasing so need differentials. Had to ship Vardy though...

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

      Did last week ; Jesus has improved but I expect Sergio to start unless unfit.

  13. Burger_and_Chips
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which two to start?

    A. DCL
    B. Cantwell
    C. Grealish

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

      B c

  14. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Danny Ings captain locked. Who is with me?

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

    Guys captain KDB, vardy or Maddison?

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

      i m going for KDB mate

    2. schultes warriors
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

  16. imvs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    should i start?
    A. cantwell(BOU)?
    B. Grealish (BHA)?
    C. Dunk (AVL)?

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

      ACB but would like to play them all

  17. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can you tell me how to get mane salah and aguero or should i just ignore aguero

    wildcard active
    Team Before wildcard
    Martin/button
    TAA Soyuncu Aurier Rico Kelly
    Mane KDB Grealish Richarlison Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Greenwood

    Team after wildcard
    Martin/button
    TAA Soyuncu Aurier B. Williams Kelly
    Mane KDB Grealish Richa Cantwell
    Vardy Aguero Greenwood

    Changes please.

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

      aguero gets rotated a lot and CL is approaching too.
      i guess aguero isnt a good idea for now

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

    should i start?
    A. cantwell(BOU)?
    B. Grealish (BHA)?
    C. Dunk (AVL)?????

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      The order is correct.

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

    Is my squad deep enough to cover the rotation that will likely happen over these next 2 gameweeks?

    McCarthy button
    Trent sidibe dunk lundy Williams
    Kdb mahrez mane grealish Salah
    Vardy ings greenwood

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, expect everyone to feature for you bar button.

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

    Should I swap out Richarlison..or

    GTG?

    Guiata

    Sidibe Soyuncu Taa Hanley

    KDB Salah Mane Cantwell

    Ings Vardy

    Bench:Button,Lundstram,Greenwood,Richarlison

    0 ITB 1 FT..

  21. Lallanalambanana
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who should I buy? Selling Rasford and saving money for Salah next GW. Budget is 6.3 or less. Options-
    A) Deeney (TOT,avl,EVE)
    B) Clavert-Lewin(whu,NEW,wat)
    C) Maupay(AVL,bou,whu)
    D) Ayew(mci,SOU,SHU)
    E) Deulofeu (TOT,avl,EVE)

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Maupay fixtures look best, but he's hardly in form. I have the same dilemma.

      1. Lallanalambanana
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        It's a tough one. I've been going with Deeney but those Brighton fixtures are tempting

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Similar position but I’m leaning towards DCL.

      1. Lallanalambanana
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Whichever one I pick, I know it will be the wrong one

  22. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Surprised to see Holgate on the scout picks bench given Ancelottis comments.

    Do we think he might start? Deciding between Lundy and Holgate for the third defender spot. Any thoughts?

  23. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hope aguero is benched to silence the smug owners (bitter non owner).

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I hope your whole team crashes and burns

      *except any that I own

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

      My entire wild card was based around him ...

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

      No chance Pep likes players to get in rythym

  24. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Being advised to pick Maupay over DCL on here.

    I know EVE have injuries but Maupay hasn’t scored in like 500 mins!

  25. AndyJMac85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Henderson

    TAA
    Sidibe
    Soyuncu

    Mane
    KDB
    Maddison
    Cantwell/Mahrez

    DCC
    Vardy
    Ings

    Bench - Lundstram, Mahrez/Cantwell, Rico, Button

    Who would you start with - Mahrez or Cantwell. Will Palace keep City out. Will Norwich score big against Bournemouth at home???

  26. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Henderson Button
    TAA Chilwell Lundstram Lowton Kelly
    Mane KDB Maddison Traore Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Abraham

    Chilwell + Traore + Rashford --> VVD + Mahrez + Maupay for - 8pts

    YAY or NAY?

  27. Jakew99029
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Help please...
    GW23 only
    A) Salah and Ings or b) Willian and Aguero?

    More important to have Chelsea or Southampton attacking players?
    Fingers crossed Aguero is playing also.

  28. Indio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Cantwell or Grealish?

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

    There’s a halftime highlights reel of Dele Alli’s goals from the 16/17 season

    Is it the same player on the pitch these days?

    I think he actually peaked at 20

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      They got confused and have accidentally been starting Ali Dia.