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. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I'm one of the 0.8m who gave sign Bruno Fernándes. Where's my medal?

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

    Is Greenwood likely to start? I’d say no. Thoughts?

    1. janowsc
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would also say no, but who knows. Always good for 1 point

    2. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Seriously doubt it

  3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Will we get a Leicester teamsheet pre deadline?

    Really want to capo Vardy, but he needs to start

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hardly ever happens does it :-(. Not sure Chelsea will leave a lot of space in behind either

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

    Start 2 of
    1) Kelly
    2)Rico
    3) Soy
    4) Lundstram

    Start 2 of
    A) ings
    B) fleck
    C) Traoré

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have all of them, playing 2/4 and all of a, b, c. Tough to drop one of them, gotta be Ings tho due to fixture

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      2/4 and a/c

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

    Play one, Ings or Cantwell?

  6. ppv
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I am playing Mings ahead of Ings but have Ings ahead of Cantwell on the bench

  7. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Cantwell or Ings to start?

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ings

    2. ppv
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If you have 2 Liverpool defence then I would play Cantwell but could backfire obviously

  8. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1) mane to son
    2) mane + maupay to martial + auba -(4)
    3) mane + maupay to son + jiminez (-4)
    4) mane + Lund to son + vvd (-4)

  9. tom66
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Jorginho (4.9)? 3 goals in the last 5. On WC this week.

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's on penalties too.

  10. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) Holgate > Gomez (-4)

    B) Play two from Lund / Soy / Holgate / Kelly

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Which?

        Lund & Kelly might not play and the others will concede imo

        1. MrZ
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Soybean imo

  11. mlm
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA VVD Lundstram
    Salah(c) KDB Martial Maddison Cantwell
    Aguero Jimenez
    (Ings Kelly Aurier)

    0TB, 0FT

    GTG?

  12. DF
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any palace fans reckon Kelly gets another game?

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Unlikely as Kelly is a poor RB. Better at CB
      I would say 75% Ward starts.

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

        Thanks for that mate. I'll bury him on the bench and deal with him later

  13. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Pope,
    VVD, Lascelles, Lunds
    Salah, Grealish, Traore, Fleck*, KDB
    Vardy, Kun

    McCarthy, Ings, Rico, Williams

    On WC, 1.8ITB

    any feedback wlecome.

  14. michudagawd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Should I start Targett over any of these players? Sidibé, Cantwell or Traoré.

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

      no, i doubt Villa will keep a clean sheet

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

        Yeah little chance of CS but Targett is very attacking of late as a wing-back so potential for some goals or assists.

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

      Play Traore imo lad

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

        Targett in over Sidibe or Cantwell?

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Over cantwell

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

        Cheers for your input.

  15. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    hendo button
    taa vvd soy lundstram kelly
    kdb mane maddison mount martial
    vardy ings greenwood

    1) mane to salah
    2) vardy to jimmy
    3) mount to traore
    4) any other moves

    1FT 0.6 ITB
    thanks!

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mane > Salah

      Think Vardy will play and score V CHE too

    2. DF
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Think it's 1 mate.

    3. Weilong7
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      thanks all.. yeah 1 seems to be the move to make

  16. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Henderson or dubravka ??

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

      Hendo

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

        Thanks mate

  17. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Trent (C)??

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

      No reason why not.

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not confident of a CS

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure. Ihave a feeling Ings will score but lose 3-1. I guess TAA could assist. I've gone with
      Salah (c)
      TAA (vc)

    3. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’m going salah but if I didn’t have salah I might be on that

  18. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ighalo’s price? 8.0?

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

      6.5m

  19. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Auba trap, yes or no?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely not. The only issue with him is the GW28 blank, but then again you wouldn't expect him to get that many points against Man City away.

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

        The man wants to leave, he will do a professional job but I cant see him breaking his back like martinelli to impress

    2. juho
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pick 2 out of 3, please
      1) Mariappa
      2) Lascelles
      3) Taylor

      Thank you

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

        Ah i messed up, pls ignore

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

          Id never ignore 😉

          2,3 imo

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

            Haha thanks mate

            I'm going with Auba for the next three

    3. wernerhedgehog
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Trap. Owning him for 2 seasons, never been able to captain his mega hauls.

    4. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve been avoiding arsenal in general the past couple of seasons.

      Auba seems to never haul when you’d expect him to so I’d avoid

  20. FFFoxy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy to Firmino for -4?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't do it for a hit, but I did it for free last week.

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No IMO

    3. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't.

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Vardy but Bobby will step up in Mane's absence for sure again

  21. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts? 1 ft.

    A. Vardy and Maddison to fleck and kun
    B. Lund to O’Connell or Stephens
    C. Vardy and Maddison to Jimenez/wood and mahrez
    D. Maddison to grealish

  22. wernerhedgehog
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I have Pepe in my squad. Help! Do I keep the faith this week?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He has a free kick/corner in him, but I see him getting decent points in the upcoming home fixtures. I'd keep, given that there are hardly any players around his price that impress.

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

        gosh thats exactly why i still have him. Wondering if there's risk of Arteta dropping him.

        1. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          For who? Nelson and AMN are the only other right mids/wingers in the squad; Nelson is injured and AMN may continue at RB until Cedric settles in.

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

            you've been great help thanks. i dont follow Arsenal close enough.

  23. juho
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pick 2 out of 3, please
    1) Mariappa
    2) Lascelles
    3) Taylor

    Thank you

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

      1 and 2

  24. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    lei v che score predictions?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm gonna be "boring" and say 2-2

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      2-1 Leicester.

    3. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      1-1

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

        2-0 lei

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

      2 nil Leicester

    5. RoryzonderR
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      2-1 leicester

  25. Spoox777
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone worried about Grealish after this weekend. Villa got a tough run of fixtures.

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

      Blank 28 so will ship out

      1. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I don't mind benching for 1 GW.

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It's a wait and see for me. They play Spurs and Chelsea at home, and I know they got spanked 6-1 there but otherwise their form at Villa Park has been pretty good. They almost took a point off Liverpool.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hold for next GW. Sell for Traore in GW 27

  26. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    6.6 millions in the bank! 0ft

    What would you do here?

    Pope
    Taa soy holgate
    Salah kdb grealish traore
    Martinelli vardy jimenez

    Subs, cantwell, lund, kelly

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

      Kelly to rob for a -4?

      1. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not for a -4. I would to VvD (0.5 cheaper) if you had a FT though

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hold for this GW but...

      Players i'd get rid of...
      Holgate, Martinelli, Lundstram (if no longer nailed) Kelly (Ward back from injury now)

      Holgate > Newcastle Defender?
      Lundstram > Sheff Utd Defender?
      Kelly > Southampton Defender after this GW?

    3. ppv
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Doubt if Martinelli will start

  27. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore to smoke man u

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw will be in his pocket

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not so sure. I have him benched.

  28. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play Lascelles or O’Connelll?

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lascelles.

    2. Superballzzz
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Oconnell

  29. Superballzzz
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What’s it all about when you can’t sleep...! As you don’t know who to start out of DCL or the Lord Lunstrum ..???

    A - Dominic Calvert Lewin

    B - Lord Lunstrum

    1. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  30. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on minamino as a punt?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      We could see him being used to give Salah and Mane rests prior to UCL games. Would be an interesting one to own.

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably not actually. Forgot about origi

    3. juho
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      would imagine klopp wants to win the league more than UCL