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

    Which pairing scores more over the next 3 GW's do you think? Ta.

    A - VVD & Fleck?
    B - Robbo & Martinelli?

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

      A

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Thoughts on Allison as a third Liverpool player!?

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

      Nah too many potential points in every other position, 100% would not even consider.

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

        Fair enough!

        Only thing is though he is in my budget! Gomez...?

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

          Nah try find a way to get VVD if you can?

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nope. Find the .4 and get big Virg.

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

        Virg it is thanks all!

  3. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Going with this team!

    Pope - Hendo
    Taa - Gomez - Stevens - Stephens - Lascelles
    Salah - KDB - Grealish - Traore - Trossard
    Auba - Ings - Wood

    Grealish to Son next week with 4.7 ITB

    Let me know what you think

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

      Not a fan of Son move to be honest.

      Benching headache every week also

      Trossard and Wood to Hayden and Kun?

  4. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    worth minus 8
    Kelly Abraham > Auba Williams

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

      I would say no

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Might do if you are priced out on Auba rise.

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        yeah had money until Abraham drop now 0.1 out

  5. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) Robertson, Stevens, Traore, Saint Maximin
    B) VVD, O’Connell, Martial, Hayden

    A or B lads?

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

      A

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

        A

      2. milanista10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, have been on A for ages, last minute tinkering & thinking of getting Martial but I don’t think it’s worth those sacrifices!

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

    A) simpson to lascels, bench mane soy play martial.

    B) mane simpson -4 to robo fleck/grealish, bench soy martial

    1. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A for me

  7. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy
    Trent Kelly Lund
    Salah Mane KDB Traore
    Jiminez Vardy Haller

    Button Rico Dendonker Soy

    Save and play rico over mane? or mane to grealish?,

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

      Mane isn’t going to play so either way Rico is playing.

  8. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    How nailed is Harry Wilson/Barnes

    Can’t decide between

    Wilson
    Barnes
    Fleck
    Almiron

    Cheers

  9. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can't wait for PANTS DOWN at 11:30

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

      Is that when unchie comes with sweets?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Loo

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Lol*

  10. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Happy Brexit guys X

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      same to you

  11. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy
    TAA, Lund, Rico
    Salah, Grealish, KDB, Traore
    Vardy, CL, Ings

    Martin, Felipe, Dunk, Kelly 6.3m itb

    CL OR Ings to Aguero for -4? Yes or No?? If so which one to take out?

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

    A) Mane to Grealish
    B) Keep Mane, Kelly to Lascelles
    C) Hold
    D) Something else

    1FT 0.2ITB
    Ryan
    TAA Lundstram Williams
    Mane* Salah KdB Martial
    Vardy Ings DCL

    McGovern Kelly Soyuncu Dendoncker

    Thanks!

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

      B

  13. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    After the deadline tomorrow, how does this sound for -4?

    Aguero, Martial & Grealish
    To
    Auba, Son & Traore

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

      Don’t sell Aguero before West Ham at home

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ah good point, he'll probably be benched on Sunday and start next week right!

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

          I don’t see him being benched either game. Winter break coming up and he is on form.

          Sterling dropped if anyone

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Hope so!

  14. Saxe-Gotha
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Will Ighalo have to go into quarantine for 2 weeks?

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

      I hope so

  15. Mufc202020
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Advice on wildcard please

    Henderson McCarthy
    TAA Gomez Lascelles Stevens KWP
    Salah Fleck KDB Grealish Mooy
    Jiménez Auba Ings

    Also who would you bench! Thanks!!

    Bottomed

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

      Don’t have a benching headache.

      Mooy to Hayden and bank the cash

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

      KWP too early, he won't be starting for a couple GW's at least just get Stephens, rest is GTG.

  16. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Why is Cantwell dropping when he's about to haul at the weekend?

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

      Away game.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Norwich are tripe

  17. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Whats Ighalos FPL price? 😆

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No sign of him or Bruno Fernandes yet!

      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Bruno's 8.0m

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

        Bruno is in at 8.0, Ighalo will be tomorrow.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Too much.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Away to Newcastle is like at home lol. He'll punish the sellers!

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Reply fail, ignore

  18. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    likelihood of tammy playing?

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      50/50

  19. alfast1c
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play 2!

    Lundstram-Kelly-Rico-Soyuncu

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

      got same defender, playing lund kelly

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

      Lund soy, kelly not sure will start

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

    Son for 2 weeks better than Grealish for 2 weeks?

    Yes or No?

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

      Spurs are awful
      Villa are awful

      Grealish has form and better fixtures

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Well yeah, but that's over 3m difference

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably not, especially if its Grealish +FT.

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

        Wouldn't be Grealish and FT.

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

          I'd get neither in so 😛

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

    Which?

    A) simpson to lascels/4.3 def.
    B) sidibe to 5.7 def./egan

  22. sammymitch99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard team Yay or nay

    Henderson (Button)

    TAA, Gomez, Dunk, Holgate (Williams)

    Grealish, Salah, KDB (Cantwell, Hayden)

    Aguero, Auba, Jiminez

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish, KDB, Auba, Kun miss GW28

  23. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play 1:
    a) Lundy
    b) Chilwell
    c) Kelly
    d) None of them. Use FT

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

      a

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

      a

    3. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys

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

    a) mane > traore for free and play rico & soyuncu
    b) mane ayew > traore auba -4 and play rico (soyuncu bench)

  25. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you prioritise? (To bring in)
    A) jiminez
    B) Vvd

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

      B

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

      B

  26. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Haller to Jimenez for a hit?

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

      Go to bed

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No, get next week

  27. alfast1c
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy >> Firmino -4pts

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hell no

  28. UKG
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Tammy to Kun
    Mane to Maddy / Perez

    Or

    Tammy to Auba
    Mane to Bruno

    Either for free

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why would you het Bruno?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        If he's anything like at Sporting he'll be a steal at 8

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          IF.. He is unproven in PL. Let him settle in first

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I know, it's risk vs reward. If it pays off you have a great differential, if it doesn't you swap to the many other great mids around that price.

  29. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Current team:

    McCarthy
    TAA Holgate Lundstram
    Salah (C) Mane* KDB Martial
    Vardy Abraham* DCL
    ____
    Button; Hayden Aurier Reid

    0.2 ITB 0 FT

    Potential WC team:

    McCarthy
    TAA Gomez Lundstram
    Salah KDB Martial Traore
    Aguero Aubamayang DCL
    ________
    Button; Aurier Hayden Reid

    WC - yay or nay? If nay would you suggest taking a few hits?

  30. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A: Pope + OConnell
    B: Henderson + Lascelles