Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 25

Welcome to a slightly earlier than normal Fantasy Football Scout Gameweek Guide ahead of Saturday’s 11:30 GMT deadline

After a divisive Double Gameweek in which many suffered from Triple Captaining Sadio Mane, we’ve had wise words from several of our Pro Pundits. In his Meet the Manager interview with Joe, Utkarsh Dalmia (aka Pro Pundit Zophar) reminded us:

Evaluate the decision, not the outcome.

– Pro Pundit Zophar

Clearly Mane was an excellent choice and it’s extremely unlucky he went off injured after just 33 minutes against Wolves.

Referencing Poker in his latest piece Lateriser cautioned that it would be very easy to go ‘on tilt’ after facing a bad beat. He echoed the words of fellow Pro Pundit Simon March, who has spoken in the past about the “What the heck? Effect” – where we are more likely to take risks following a loss:

Keeping your temperament in control is incredibly important.

– Pro Pundit Lateriser

This week, in his article discussing the ‘sunk cost fallacy’, former FPL winner Simon brought us more thoughtful advice:

Literally, the only thing that matters in this game are the points you score going forward so we’d do well to ensure that we make our decisions on that basis, no matter how loudly our past decisions might continue to echo in our ears.

– Simon March

So what moves should we be considering ahead of Gameweek 25?

The Scoutcast trio of Joe, Az, and Lee were unanimous in their recommendation of switching Mane to Salah, if you don’t already own the Egyptian.

Joe and Lee both feel that with a crunch Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid following hot on the heels of their Gameweek 26 trip to Norwich, Mane is unlikely to get many minutes even if he is fit to play.

However, for managers who already own Salah, the options to replace the Senegal international in our squads – in the words of Pro Pundit Ash – look bleak.

Raheem Sterling is similarly priced but is lacking in form. While Son Heung-min has had the second-highest number of goal attempts (14) this calendar year among midfielders but embarks on a poor run of upcoming fixtures, with the exception of Aston Villa in Gameweek 26.

Shifting funds to our front lines may be the way to go.

Pro Pundit Holly Shand points out that Aguero is making a compelling case to be included in our Fantasy squads when she cast her eye over the goal threat, creativity and clean sheets for January. While Aubameyang is tempting Pro Pundit Andy. The Arsenal forward faces Burnley (away), Newcastle (home), and Everton (home) in his next three matches.

And a cut-price striker has caught the attention of several managers. Pro Pundit Tom Freeman highlights Chris Wood in his differentials article:

With Arsenal, level with Burnley on 30 points, due at Turf Moor on Sunday, Wood’s aerial ability could be key. His five goals from set plays are more than any other player this season, whilst only Newcastle United have conceded more attempts from dead ball situations than the Gunners.

– Pro Pundit Tom Freeman

Community member Luv4rotties agrees, as he told us when he considered Mane replacements earlier this week. While Top Gun Luke is hoping the New Zealander will kick start his surge up the ranks.

And Pro Pundit Zophar also talked up the Kiwi when disclosing his plans for his FPL team.

Finally keep an eye on the moves of The Great and The Good. Greyhead was in pun-tastic form as he brought us a light-hearted look back on the Double Gameweek. Many of these managers boast excellent track records, and it’s somewhat reassuring to know that they suffered like millions of others.

Armband Candidates

Mohamed Salah is the runaway leader in our captain poll following his Double Gameweek heroics with over 56% of the vote.

But as David reported in his usual in-depth Captain Sensible article, Liverpool’s upcoming opponents could provide a stiff examination of their attacking credentials:

Southampton have been in fantastic shape, which may cause some slight concern for those hoping to trust Salah with the armband. Over the last four matches, when the Saints have faced Spurs, Leicester, Wolves and Crystal Palace, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men have conceded just 22 shots in the box, just 5.5 per game. Considering that Southampton will be away from home against Liverpool, this data suggests that if they, as suspected, park the proverbial bus, it could limit Liverpool’s attack.

– David

He offers up Aguero as a viable alternative for our armband affections:

Aguero comes into this weekend in better statistical shape than the Egyptian (as far as goal threat is concerned) with superior figures for shots in the box, big chances and shots on target. Furthermore, the defensive data of recent matches suggests that Spurs could actually be easier to penetrate than Southampton at Anfield.

– David

However if the threat of Pep Roulette makes you feel uneasy, Salah is undeniably a good option. He comfortably tops this site’s Rate My Team and his prowess can be explained by his home form. Neale’s analysis of the key underlying stats revealed:

45 attempts on goal, 38 shots in the box, 22 efforts on target, 13 big chances and ten goals recorded by Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) at Anfield this season. No FPL midfielder can surpass any of those totals in home fixtures. Liverpool face Southampton on Merseyside this weekend.

– Neale

Salah is also one of the three ‘players to watch’ in Pep Pig’s Gameweek 25 preview and Liverpool are miles ahead in the latest DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds provided by G-Whizz.

Looking ahead

The FA Cup and League Cup results are beginning to shape the landscape for FPL managers. 

David reviewed the current permutations for Blank Gameweek 31: two matches will definitely be postponed while the FA Cup replays due to take place on February 4th and 5th will lead to further fixture disruption. 

The League Cup final will be contested by Aston Villa and Manchester City, meaning their fixtures against Sheffield United and Arsenal will be rearranged. Therefore highly-owned players such as Kevin De Bruyne, John Lundstram, Dean Henderson and Jack Grealish will all blank in Gameweek 28.

Of course these same players will also benefit from a yet-to-be-announced Double Gameweek.

Team News

Among this week’s press conferences was the news that Willy Boly is ready to return to action. 

The Scoutcast trio found his price of £4.7m enticing. The Wolves defender could be a good replacement for Soyuncu or possibly Lundstram, should the Sheffield United star find his starting role under threat.

To add to his appeal the Frenchman scored three goals from headers last season. Tom Freeman highlighted the importance of set-piece threat in his latest article. Newcastle United offer a few budget options ahead of fixtures against Norwich and Arsenal.

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

Fantasy Football Scout Memberships are now available for a reduced price of £9.99 for the remainder of the season. Rolling monthly subscriptions are also available for £2.99 per month. Click here to sign up or upgrade your account.

Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 25 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

3,434 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Sky confirm Villa turned down Ighalo last night, United then swooped in

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      *switches over to Comedy Central

    2. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Seriously?? We got some 4th choice Swansea striker instead..

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sky are always accurate so that's strange that they said that. *Insert sarcasm here*

  2. yanky
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    rank these defenders for this week, best to worst starts...

    Soy, Kelly, Rico

    1. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rico, Soyuncu, Kelly

  3. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who is more nailed?

    A) Vestergaard
    B) Bednarek

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

      Look at played mins, should tell you.

  4. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Considering that I am trailing bigtime and everyone above me has KDB - how does going KDB -》 Son sound to y'all?

    1. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bad

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

      If you take out KDB you might (probably will) slip down further

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Questions like this probably explain why you are so far behind already.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        damn

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

          Sorry.

    4. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm getting rid in 2 weeks, so could work imo

    5. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      no for me

  5. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Mane to miss one game?

    Why are people selling?

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

      because they never intended to go the rest of the season with both him and salah

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        fair points

        cheers

        I might wait and save the FT

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Need some points

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Might miss more than one, lots of cash to be sat on the bench.

      Probably some rage TC as well.

      1. Belli2007
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Injured, have Salah, can bring in Aguero.

        Can always bring him back in for Mo

    4. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If you’ve got a FT and a 12.5m asset, you may as well swap him for Salah.

      If I’d invested in him whist he was “cheap” I wouldn’t sell him.

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        exactly. I will wait. His injury is not serious and he might be back straight away, and someone else could get injured, eg Salah

  6. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Not good enough for Villa but a star signing for Man U?!! Ighalo 4.5?

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

      probably just didnt want to pay his wages

      1. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah prob, i mean they had to get a striker of sorts hey? Never know might do ok?

  7. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    United Kingdom OUT for the weekend.

    RTP Unknown.

  8. white lightning
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Just after some advice on my wc team. It is currently

    Henderson
    TAA, Robertson, Lascelles
    Salah (c), KDB, Grealish, Traore
    Aguero, Jimenez, Wood (will become Ings gw26)

    McCarthy, Fleck, Stevens, Stephens

    If I want to buy Auba & keep Aguero I would do:
    KDB & Wood out - Perez & Auba in
    (a) yes do it or
    (b) no don't do it

    Thanks.

    1. Belli2007
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      tricky, KDB will get you points. probably b) for me

  9. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard - thoughts?
    Allison
    TAA * O’Connell
    Salah KDB Grealish Bruno
    DCL (Ings placeholder) Jimenez Auba

    Bench:McCarthy,Lascelles,Adama,*

    Who are the two best defenders to go for? Have 9.0 to spend.

    1. Mo Mane Mo Salah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Robbo, VVD

  10. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I’m not a United fan just a lack of midfield options. G2g?

    Henderson
    TAA Lundstram Holgate
    Salah(C) Richarlison B.Fernandes Martial
    Aguero Vardy DCL

    McCarthy Cantwell Webster Hanley

    1. Belli2007
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Fernandes definitely worth the risk although not sure I would ho him and Martial....

  11. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Still have Mane was going to bench and hope for the best.
    Anyone worth taking a -4 for?

    Midfield is currently:

    KDB, Salah, Martial, Grealish

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Your mid is ok but what about the rest of the squad?

    2. yanky
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      traore?

  12. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ryan
    TAA / Lundstram / Masuaku
    Salah / KDB / Martial / Traore
    Ings / DCL / Deeney

    Button // Rico / Pereira / Mane*

    1) Any starting XI changes in defence?

    2) Who to replace Mané with ?

    3) After making the move in #2 which attacker should I drop to the bench?

  13. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best mane replacement? (not salah KDB)

    A. Grealish
    B. Richarilson
    C. Other

    1. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A or Son

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Son or down to Traore/Fleck and get a premium striker.

  14. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A. Abraham, Kelly to Jimenez, Lascales (keep Mane)

    B. Abraham, Mane, Soyuncu to Auba, Grealish, VVD ( money itb to get Jimenez and 10m mid in 2-3 weeks)

    C. Abraham, Mane, Soyuncu to Jimenez, Son, Robertson

    1. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C if u have Salah

      1. Lignja
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not b? Than swap for Jimenez(gw27)+ Son or someone similar priced gw28

        1. JoeSoap
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Both decent options. They say u might as well do Gomez over VVD and save money.

  15. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I was waiting to hear news re: Barcelona before buying Aubamyang. It's safe to do it now, right?

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

      I reckon

  16. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    3rd time lucky

    A. Maddy>Grealish
    B. Kelly>Lascelles
    C. Save FT & assess new signings

    1FTs & 0.1

    McCarthy
    Robbo, TAA, Rico
    Salah, Martial, KDB, Maddy
    Vardy, Ings, DCL
    Gazza, Lundy, Dendo, Kelly

    1. Going To Win This Year
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      B

      1. Belli2007
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        B

    3. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all

  17. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ighalo on rejecting Barcelona last year:

    "It was meant to be a six-month loan and strictly as a back-up striker. It was nice to hear that Barcelona were interested and any footballer would be more than happy to take it.

    "But with due respect I had just finished as the second top scorer in China with 21 goals, I deserve better and didn't want to be a short-term player somewhere."
    .

    Well now he's a short term player at United, so I guess he changed his mind... Given this ego, I assume he's been promised game time, so he could be an interesting option. The man has bags of talent.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ighalo is mid club premier league, so he’s joined the right club.

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

      It’s a loan to buy - was decent enough at another mid table side. Think he fancies his chances of cementing his spot at Utd which wouldn’t have been possible at a side like Barca

    3. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      lot better chance of minutes at united than he would have had at Barcelona

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ighalo was a boyhood Man Utd fan. Probably more to do with a chance to play for Man Utd (a club he has fond memories of) than anything else.

      But he could be a good option. He will be motivated. A bit like Adebayor whenever he was looking for a new contract.

    5. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Stay safe tonight, Ed

  18. tim
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Kun or Mo captain?

    Cheers!

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      MS

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mo due to pep roulette

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mo 4 me.

      1. tim
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers! Mo it is!

  19. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Mane keep or sell ?

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

      sell, unless you bought him for less than 12M

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        11.5

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

          I'd keep him, then. Looks like the rest of your team is fine

          1. Nightf0x
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Ryan buton
            Taa soy lund simpson sidibe
            Kdb mane salah tarore martial
            Maupay dcl vardy

            1 ft

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sell

  20. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Still not suree to ditch Lund, even im on Wc.

    Am i missing something, but why everyone thinks hes now benched ?
    Yeah, few pretty bad games, but was one of Sheffields best player earlier this season.

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

      New mid signed, Beaic doing OK, Wilder saying he might be benched and was, TSparkes thinks he's done

      1. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ok thx 😀

  21. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    bench 1:
    a. Lundy
    b. Rico

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      b

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

      B

  22. Going To Win This Year
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    RMWCT please

    Hendo Mccarthy
    Rob TAA Lund Stephen Lascelles
    Salah Kdb graelish traore Mooy
    Auba Vardy Ings

    Picked Mooy over fleck, mindful of GW28

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

      Lund out?

  23. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play two out of these folks??
    A- Ings
    B- Lundstram
    C- Traoré
    D- Hayden

    1. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      AC

  24. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    The best goalkeeper to own from now until DGW for 5.2 or less?

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Dubravka

  25. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Final dilemma...

    Henderson
    TAA Lundstram Dunk Soyuncu
    Salah KDB Grealish Traore
    Vardy DCL

    McGovern Rico Greenwood Dendoncker

    0 FT, 8.9 ITB

    Best option:

    1. Rico >> VVD [-4] (LIV double defence)
    2. Play Greenwood (WOL)
    3. Play Rico (AVL) (possibly injury)
    4. Play Soyuncu (CHE)

    Thanks all.

  26. GOONER
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Mane to KDB with -4?

    1. popcoin
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      nah, use a sub

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

      It really depends who else you have. You should probably want to have KDB regardless, but for me it would depend if you think KDB will outscore whomever you are currently planning to play by 4 points.

  27. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think Lundstram starts?

    1. popcoin
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I do.

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Palace his swansong

    4. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Likely yes, prob 75%.

    5. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The predicted line ups have him in. I think he will get this game, but he needs to really perform. Could be good for owners.

    6. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I do. Unless there has been something behind the scenes he has done enough this season to deserve a start. He has only been benched once yet loads assume he is dropped when every other player is rested.

  28. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who should make way for VVD?
    A) Holgate
    B) Lundstram
    C) Dunk
    D) Kelly

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

      Kelly

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      D

    3. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers

  29. popcoin
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Right starting 11 and bench?

    Hendo
    Trent Gomez Lund
    Salah KdB Traore Martial
    Vardy Deeney DCL

    (Button) 1. Maddison 2. Rico 3. Soyuncu

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

      Mad over Traore?

  30. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which two to start please? Foster in goal. Thanks.

    A) Lund
    B) Soy
    C) Cathcart
    D) Rico

    1. popcoin
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably A and D based on Rico's potential for assists but all about equal