Scout Picks

Premium midfielders with appealing matches headline Gameweek 26 Scout Picks

We’ve gone big in midfield and relatively light in attack for the Gameweek 26 Scout Picks, which may raise an eyebrow or two.

As usual, we deliberated over the Scout Squad submissions made by David, Neale, Paul and Geoff over the last few days before coming up with the final team.

We shape up in a 3-5-2 formation, with our team coming well inside the allotted budget of £85.0m.

GOALKEEPER

No goalkeeper received unanimous support among our Scout Squad panel but Alex McCarthy did get three votes ahead of Southampton’s clash with Burnley. The Clarets are in the bottom three for attempts on goal and shots in the box in away games and ranked 20th for shots on target. Southampton, meanwhile, have allowed fewer attempts on goal than all teams bar Manchester City over the last six Gameweeks.

DEFENDERS

All three of our defensive picks this week received universal backing from our Scout Squad panel.

Nine clean sheets in ten matches is reason enough to back a Liverpool defender in Gameweek 26, with Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s assist potential – he has already matched his total number of attacking returns from 2018/19 – another string to his bow. The Canaries have allowed more crosses per home game from their left flank – i.e. Liverpool’s right – than any other club this season.

While Bournemouth have admittedly picked up back-to-back wins at home, they haven’t scored in four of their last five games on the road and Enda Stevens could potentially profit from a Cherries defence that has conceded more chances from their right flank than any other club over the last six Gameweeks. Sheffield United have kept clean sheets in five of their 12 games at Bramall Lane, with only Liverpool conceding fewer goals on home soil.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have not only scored fewer goals than any other Premier League side this season but they have also allowed more crosses from their right flank than any top-flight team over the last dozen Gameweeks. Lucas Digne, therefore, is our Everton representative, not least because 65 of his 81 FPL points have arrived in home fixtures.

MIDFIELDERS

How many top 10k managers played the Triple Captain for Double Gameweek 24?

Mohamed Salah, the leader in our captaincy poll, has registered 16-point hauls in each of the last two Gameweeks and averages 9.2 Fantasy Premier League points per match in 2020 so far. It has to be said that Salah hasn’t been prolific on the road this season, scoring only two goals away from Anfield – although he has supplemented those strikes with five assists. Salah bucked the trend in his last away outing, however, racking up 14 points in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over West Ham United. Norwich have shipped 25 goals in 12 home fixtures this season, meanwhile.

Manchester City’s home game against West Ham is arguably the standout fixture of Gameweek 26, with Kevin De Bruyne‘s security of starts – he has made Pep Guardiola’s starting XI for 17 league matches in a row – a big draw given the unpredictability of Guardiola’s selections elsewhere. David Moyes’ troops have conceded 14 big chances and ten goals over their last four matches. De Bruyne tops the league for key passes in his last four, meanwhile.

With Aston Villa the only side to have conceded more big chances than West Ham since Gameweek 21, Son Heung-min is our third premium midfield option selected. The South Korean may be in a more central role at Spurs following Steven Bergwijn’s arrival and he has fired 11 shots in the box in the last four Gameweeks since Harry Kane was sidelined.

Sergio Aguero was a first-choice pick for three of our Scout Squad but, omitted by Paul and with other £10.0m+ options receiving universal backing, the Argentinean was a luxury we simply couldn’t afford. Instead, we turn to Riyad Mahrez as our second City representative. Both Aguero and Mahrez have started 14 matches this season, with the latter proving the more explosive with five double-figure hauls to the Argentinean’s four.

We’re gambling on Graham Potter’s unpredictable team selection as we take a punt on Leandro Trossard extending his reliable home form against Watford. All three of the Brighton winger’s goals this season and four of his five assists have come at the Amex Stadium. When selected, he has been involved in 64% of the Seagulls’ efforts in front of their own supporters. Trossard has averaged 5.1 FPL points per home appearance.

FORWARDS

Crystal Palace are without a clean sheet in nine Gameweeks, so Dominic Calvert-Lewin has a chance to continue his fine form in the Carlo Ancelotti era. The Everton striker is joint-second for big chances when all FPL assets are filtered by their last four matches.

Danny Ings may have blanked for three Gameweeks in a row (one of his run-outs coming off the bench, in mitigation) but there is little wrong with his underlying stats, with the Southampton striker joint-third alongside Calvert-Lewin for shots in the box when players are filtered by their last four matches. The fact that he has racked up those attempts in just 270 minutes of football (out of a possible 360) makes that an even more impressive statistic. Ings has scored in five of his last seven home fixtures.

SUBSTITUTES

No goalkeeper has kept more league clean sheets than Dean Henderson this season and the Sheffield United shot-stopper was the first-choice pick for three of our Scout Squad panel ahead of the Blades’ clash with Bournemouth, who score at a rate of less than one goal per game away from home in 2019/20.

Mason Holgate is an ever-present under Ancelotti and David was keen to see us double-up on the Toffees, with Palace’s shot-shy attack visiting Merseyside.

Jack Stephens was Geoff’s preferred Southampton option, having recorded three assists and three clean sheets in the last ten Gameweeks.

Watford forward Troy Deeney – third for xGI among FPL forwards since Nigel Pearson took charge – this weekend faces a Brighton and Hove Albion defence with only one clean sheet to their name in 14 matches.

THE CAPTAIN

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 26 is Haggis.

They have gone for a 4-3-3 line-up of McCarthy, van Dijk, Doherty, Digne, Stevens, Salah, Mahrez, Moura, Aguero (c), Jesus, Ings.

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 gwitbrock beat our Scout Picks 86-63 in Gameweek 25 and as a result, their winning margin of 23 points is now the target to beat.

3,460 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any advice on the flowing team? Not sure if to hold Mane/Vardy/Martial

    Ryan
    TAA - Cathcart - Lunds*
    Salah - Kdb - Martial*- Mane*
    Dcl - Vardy* - Haller*

    Subs: Button - Taylor - Soy - Romeu

    Considering:

    A) Haller-Vardy-Mane——>Kun-Ings-Son (-4)
    B) Haller-Martial-Vardy——>Jimi-Ings-Son (-4)
    C) Haller——>Ings (saveFt)

    1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      c

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

      just do C

    3. Chasing Waves
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I like B

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

      Deffo A

    6. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C

    7. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Could also do:

      Mane & Haller ----> Kun & Berjwin (2FTs)

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

    GTG?

    Henderson
    TAA Gomez Cahill
    Salah KDB B.Fernandes Grealish
    Auba Jiminez Ings

    Bench:McCarthy,Adama,B.Williams,Lascelles

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

      Similiar setup to mine.

      I got Robertson instead of Gomez.

      Hope Adama doesn't punish us

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

        I hope so too!

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

      WC ??

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

        No

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

    Which one for a hit?

    A) Tammy > Ings

    B) Lundstram > Stevens/Fernandez

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

      neither

    2. AFC90
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A, unless it's for TAA I would never do a hit for a defender

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

      I think neither are worth a hit.

  4. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any data suggesting that Lundstram would get 60+ minutes this gw?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      no

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      His coach talking him up, but not much more.

  5. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Reposting for the evening crew:

    Ever since the Chips were introduced I've always saved my second WC for one of the end of season DGWs. However, my team is looking very problematic at the moment (culprits in caps), should I do it?

    Pope - McGovern
    Robertson - SOYUNCU - LUNDSTRAM - KELLY - WILLEMS
    KdB - Salah - Grealish - MARTIAL - DENDONCKER
    VARDY - Deeney - Jiminez

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

      I wouldn't wildcard just yet. Best to wait until the GW31 blanks are confirmed and then we know who will have a DGW. Swap out Lundstram or Kelly for a Sheff Utd or Saints defender this gameweek and you will be fine.

      1. Only a Hazard of time
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I've got 2.5 in the bank so could potentially go Willems - -> Van Dijk

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

      Ok, so of the potential changes I would personally keep in:

      Vardy

      And that’s probably it. Tough call for u as injuries have hurt. I think it’s probably time to WC

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      WC

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

      You’re a week late shoudve done it last week

    5. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      For the first time in my very short FPL career (4th year) I used my second WC before the end of season BGWs and DGWs. I hesitated for a while before activating it this week, but now feel this was the right thing to do and am very happy with how my team is looking now.

      If you feel you need a big cleanup, just do it. The worst thing that could happen is that you'd need to take a few hits to have an optimal team for the blanks and doubles, but given the current state of your team, you'll probably need to take them if you don't wildcard anyway.

  6. AFC90
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What to with this? 1FT £2.6m in the bank

    Team:

    McCarthy
    TAA - Lundstram - Soy
    KDB - Salah- Traore - Grealish
    Abraham - Firmino - Vardy

    Button - Moutinho - Rico - Kelly

    Thanks

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

      WC haha

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

        nope

  7. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any particular objection to Vardy + Maddison > Jimenez + Son as a move?

  8. Thescaff
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I only own one sheff Utd def/gk (lundstram) is it worth the switch to another defender or am I better off getting in a Soton defender for the long term?coupled with the storm coming and possible postponement

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

    Just after some advice please. Pick 2 of these 4 options to play:
    (a) Grealish
    (b) Traore
    (c) Fleck
    (d) Stephens

    Thanks.

    1. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B C

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

      E + F

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

    Just need 10 points from Salah against Norwich and then he will have ( due to the captaincy ) gotten my team 100 points over 3 gameweeks.

  11. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I've read somewhere that as currently stands, 43.8% teams in all FPL are dead teams (not made transfers in 5 or more weeks)..sorry if this was already a topic sometimes, but is there a reason why FPL towers dont lock the game for new accounts after,lets say, GW3?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not all teams are trying to win the overall.

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      More users = more "trafffic" = more ad revenue

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

      Why would they? Doesn't help their numbers or new users that get involved later on.

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

        Well okay, make it a lock after GW5, but the "organic" number of users is still around 4milion players even when there are 7 milions accounts registered, its not like there come additional 4 milions people to play it after GW1 ..just the existing ones make new accounts

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

    Really can’t decide which to bench out of these 2! Which would you?

    A) H Barnes
    B) Traoré

    Already starting Boly & Jiménez if that helps. No Vardy.

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

    Start Cahill over B.Williams/Lascelles?

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

      I have a feeling lascelles will score

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

    Maddison to Mahrez got to be a good move yes?

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

    Also start Henderson or McCarthy?

  16. The Gobstopper
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Nothing like selling a player that then appears in the Scout Picks. I did DCL to Firmino, which seemed to make sense based on form and fixtures...but maybe not?

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

      I did DCL TO Ings good luck!

      1. The Gobstopper
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        That's another transfer that seems to make sense to me. Hope it works out!

  17. LE CHARO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi everyone, currently on WC, draft looks like this at the moment :

    Henderson, McCarthy
    TAA, O'Connell, Stephens, Lascelles, Taylor
    Salah, KDB, Son, Traoré, Mooy
    Auba, Jimenez, Ings

    My current plan is Traoré + Auba > Mané + Martinelli for free in GW28, but I'm not happy with the lack of a 3rd Liverpool player for 2 GWs and ideally, I'd like a second City player against WH. What would you do with that team?

    A) Keep Auba + Traoré and switch to Mané + Martinelli in GW28
    B) Replace Auba + Traoré by Mahrez + Martinelli, upgrade Mahrez to Mané in GW27

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

      You’re a week late with your WC, bad time to play it

      1. LE CHARO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I disagree, it's more risky sure, but I think a lot of fuss is made about that winter break for nothing really. If anything, we're more likely to see injured players return back to fitness than the opposite.

  18. George James
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who else owns Kun but capping salah?

    Feel it’s hedging myself?

    Yes or no

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

      Not a bad move imo.

      Salah will return but Sergio could haul but a lot more risky.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Tough. Kun may not start. Salah will.

    3. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      kun more risky but more explosive imo

  19. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any updates on Mané?

    Keep or swap to Son/Mahrez?

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

      He returned to training

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

      Game is still ages away. He will get 60/70mins

      1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I believe so, plum fixture and great run ahead, I'm keeping

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Klopp does not need to start Mane. Won't risk him either. Will be much like he did with Salah with his ankle issues I imagine.

  20. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Start Soyuncu or Lundstram?

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

      Well Lund won’t play

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

        How can you be that sure?

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

    Which?

    A) maupay martial -4 to ings/wood fleck/redmond/grealish
    B) lund mane -4 to robo fleck/grelish/redmond/9.4 mid.
    C) lund maupay mane martial, trio of these out -8 to

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

    Villa man scores for Birmingham

  23. Typo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A:
    Martial -> Mahrez

    B:
    Vardy -> Aguero

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

      B

  24. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Will you go for Son + VVD if it involves forgetting Mane for a long time (except if Salah gets injured) and benching Stephens (S'oton) most of the time?

    Other option is to have Mane with Stephens starting most of the time... And no Son

    I'll be fine with either option. Just can't choose as I feel benching Stephens for those fixtures is like benching Lund earlier in the season: price bias

    Full team from GW27:

    McCarthy McGovern
    TAA VVD/Simpson (3.9) Stevens Stephens Lascelles
    Salah Son/Mane KDB Traore Hayden
    (C) Aguero Jimmy Ings

    Getting Son + VVD now means I'll forfeit getting Mane in GW27. That's the headache

    Aguero + Hayden become Vardy + Barnes in GW28, except if something huge happens

  25. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Kun over Salah as captain, mates?

    1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If you have Kun you have to go for him I'd say

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

      If you own Kun and are trailing in a mini league I would go for it but I don't own him so

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

      I've got that, yes

  26. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy - button
    TAA - Kelly - Rico - Lund - Soy
    Mane - Salah - Grealish - Perez - KDB
    Vardy - Greenwood - Ings

    - Kelly + Lund ---> Egan + Fernandez (2 FT's)

    Yes/ No ?

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

      Two non-starters out. Yes

      Personally prefer Lascelles as a target for their set pieces

      1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        good point .2m difference too !
        fernandez recently got 3 bonus points 2 times though, and he has 2 goals and an assist for his name this season, so im still not sure who to pick

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good.. I wouldn't be surprised if Lunds starts this week though.

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Contemplating probably the most idiotic transfer I have ever made which is Martial to Bruno Fernandes.

    Surely idiotic?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Daft. Martial OOP and scored a brace at the bridge last season

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

        Hahahahahah, just needed the confirmation.

    2. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I dont know why you would do this. Sideways to an unproven prem player.
      If anything I would move away from manchester united.
      (I have Martial myself)

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

        Agreed, gonna give Martial the Chelsea game and then have 2 FT for gw27.

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

      yep, a brace is incoming.

      SAT 20 Oct 2018Premier League

      Chelsea 2 Man Utd 2

      Rüdiger ( 21' minutes ) ,
      Barkley ( 90'+6 minutes )
      Martial ( 55' minutes , 73' minutes )

  28. S3
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Guaita
    TAA // VVD // Lund
    Salah (C) // Martial // KDB // Traore
    Aguero // Ings // CL

    Skelenburg // Williams // Kelly // Rice

    Lund to O'connell (-4) worth it or just lease as is?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No no

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

      Do it

    3. S3
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      lol...now i am confused....there is a tie......more votes pls

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

      no

  29. Bumbaclot
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain this week out of these:

    A. Firmino
    B. Kdb
    C. Richarlison
    D. Ings
    E. Trent

    Leaning towards bobby as kdb bores the hell out of me as captain

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

      A or B

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

      F -Aguero

  30. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:

    A) Soyuncu
    B) Lundstram

    1. The Mighty I
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Soy just due to the guaranteed start

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

        It’s so tempting with Lund though as our he does start he is a great pick this week