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. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts please?

    A) Lundy to Stevens, Kelly to 3.9 (-4)
    B) Lundy to Egan
    C) Kelly to Egan
    D) Lundy to O'Connell
    E) Kelly/Lundy to 4.8/4.5

    Thanks

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

      C

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

    Gtg on my WC team?

    Hendo
    Gomez Trent Stephens
    Salah (VC) KdB Grealish Traore
    Jimi Ings Aguero (c)

    Pope Boly Cantwell Lascelles

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      yep, nice team!

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If you dont have 6/7 of these already, then yes

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

      Decent.

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

    I'm tempted to do a -8:

    Ryan > McCarthy
    Lundstram > Stevens
    Masuaku > Van Djik

    Yay or nay?

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Just Masuaka > VVD for now?

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

      Why not just do masuaku to VVD?

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

      At both - because Ryan is trash, and Lundstram is dead weight.

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

        Neither are that pressing as to warrant a hit, let alone 2 imo. Beware of over-management

  4. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Just compared Mahrez and Aguero's home form on the members area, very interesting if you haven't yet

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

      Kun is odd home and away this time - his away stats are better if only marginally. But then I checked his actual returns and 15 of his 16 goals have been against bottom 12 sides

  5. luk46
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ryan
    TAA LUND Holgate
    Salah Mane KDB Grealish Traore
    Jimenez Ings
    Button Maupay Soy Kiko

    A - Lund > O'Connell and play it safe
    B - hope Lund starts
    C - start Kiko/Soy amd bank ft

  6. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hendo, McCarthy
    TAA, Boly, Fernandez, O'Connell, Cahill
    Salah, Son, KDB, Redmond, Barnes
    Jimenez, Ings, Martinelli

    3.8 ITB, KDB > Mane next week. KDB(c) this week.

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

      Plan looks good short term, but you'll probably need KDB back at some point.

  7. MARVELLUS
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hmmmmm, go double SHU defense, or drop Henderson for McCarthy?

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

      Hendo 2 blanks in n xt 5

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

        next 6

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

      save the transfer - might need it

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

        Damn, sorry should have explained, this is for my Wc team which is set, just trying to decide on my first 11.

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

          in that case probably McCarthy because of the blanks

  8. ebb2sparky
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Would you swap Vardy and Martial for Son and Ings (-4)?

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

      Yep

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

      No

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

      Probably would

    4. petergriff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

      100%

  9. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Blockbuster question of the week, which one should I play?

    A) Fleck
    B) Traore

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

      Fleck!

    2. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Traore

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

    Start
    A rico
    B soyuncu
    C lascelles

    Cheers.x

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

      A

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

      B

    3. ebb2sparky
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably B but doubt any will get a clean sheet

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

      A

    5. jdogg
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers.think all will end up with 2.so prob just pick anyone and hope for a goal.haha.x

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

    Maupay -> Ings worth a -4? Or for free next week?

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

      Free next week

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

      I think it's worth it this week.

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably next week, how are you mate?

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

    1) Lund to Robertson
    2) Muapay to jiminez
    3) Lund + vardy to Stephens + aguero (-4)
    4) vardy to aguero
    5) Lund to Stevens
    6) soyuncu to stevens

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

      Between 1 and 2 for me - I’d go 1 this week

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

      2

  13. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    shoukd i play rico or cathcart ahead of lunds? got 1 ft .4 itb

    hendo
    taa lunds dunk
    kdb salah grealish doucoure
    ings kun bobby

    button cathcart rico cantwell

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

    A. Maddy>Bergwijn
    B. Maddy/Martial>Son & Westwood/Fleck (would make it tricky to do DCL>Jimmy next week)
    C. Anything better (2FTs & 0.1)

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

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Kelly to Stephens if you fancy the Saints defence double up.

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

        Thanks. That is an option. Was thinking of that move next week only Lascelles maybe.

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C

  15. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Would you take a hit somewhere?

    Hedno
    Sidibe TAA VVD
    Kdb Mooy Salah Traore
    Kun Jimi Ings

    Lund, Cantwell, Kelly 3.3, FT used

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

      No

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

      no, I would not

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      With Mooy at a Burger King

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

    GTG?

    Foster
    Robbo--TAA--Chilwell
    KDB--Salah(c)--Son--Grealish
    DCL--Ings--Auba

    Bench: McGovern, Lascelles, Hayden, Kelly

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

    Which?

    A) maupay martial -4 to ings 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

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

      A with Grealish

  18. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Team atm
    Guaita (Button)
    TAA Soy Lund (Rico, Kelly)
    KDB Salah Grealish Cantwell (Mane)
    Vardy Ings (Greenwood)

    Have 2 ft's
    Looking at upgrading Vardy to Auba & Grealish to Fernandes/Mahrez
    Thinking of downgrading TAA to Gomez and Upgrade Kelly to Fernandez

    Suggestions Welcome!

    1. petergriff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      what's ITB?

  19. petergriff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone think Sunday's games may be under threat from the weather?

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

      If you mean the games being called off, no chance. Maybe more difficult pitch conditions than usual if there is heavy rain but doubt that it will severely impact the match.

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

      Its possible, City at home to Sunderland was called off 5 or 6 years ago due to high winds.

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

        Called off if "the safety of those in, around and travelling to the stadium complex cannot be guaranteed".

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If called off would be for crowd safety- not the pitch conditions. Has to be unlikely although it does seem severe storm so just need to wait and see

      1. petergriff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Not insignificant travel for the away fans to both games.... i might not get 4 MCY+ SHU on WC, maybe just 3.

  20. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy and Tammy --> Aguero and Martinelli with 2 FTs?

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

      Why not. Aguero will outscore Vardy and Tammy easily this week

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

        Not sure if Martinelli keeps starting

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

          Good point. I have no idea.

          Whatever you choose to do, good luck.

          And put the armband on Aguero.

        2. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          But you gave him as an option? Kun 4 sure and captain. Otherwise no

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

            C over Salah...maybe not or I don't know

  21. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which transfer would you do?

    A) Ryan > McCarthy
    B) Lundstram OUT
    C) Soyuncu OUT

    Ryan Button
    TAA Stephens Lundstram Soyuncu Williams

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

      B

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

        He may start after Wilder comments...I'll wait one week more to see

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

          Can you tell me what Wilder comments were? Thanks.

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

            He is apparently being nice and cooperative or something about someone else taking over his spot, may push him to play better

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

              Thanks.

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

      If you haven't wildcarded yet then idk about A, maybe just wait? I would be surprised to see Lundstrum even play 60 min, so B

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

        All chips in hand except TC. I used my first WC in GW20... 🙂

        Cheers.

  22. chudleighcannons
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any thoughts on who to bench? Can play 2 of 4
    1. Traore
    2. Grealish
    3. Fleck
    4. Calver-Lewin

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

      1 as hes a doubt. If fit then probably 3.

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

      3

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

    0 FT,2.2 itb

    Kasper
    TAA Robbo Holgate
    Salah KDB Martial Grealish
    Vardy Ings DCL
    (4.0 Dunk Cantwell Lundstram)

    Anything worth a hit or gtg? Next week DCL to Jimenez
    GL

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

      Vardy to Kun. Is it doable?

      I'm considering taking a hit this gw...

      Sterling & Vardy to Son & Kun + one of the three moves from the post you commented above. Current team:

      Ryan
      TAA Stephens Lundstram
      Salah Sterling* KDB Grealish
      Vardy Ings Jimenez

      Button Dendoncker Soyuncu Williams

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

        11.6 so not in my case? I can get Mahrez for Martial or Son but then I am short off cash for Raul next week.
        Your moves are great , captain Kun?

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

      I lost faith in Vardy and moved to Aguero.. Probably not worth the hit unless you want to captain Aguero

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

        Cheers mate

  24. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    2 questions:

    1) Why are there no Burnley defenders in the watchlist (but Pope is 2nd)?
    2) Who would you pick out of Taylor and Lowton?

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

      1) I think there are just better defenders out there who can keep clean sheets AND also provide attacking returns
      2) Thought about both when I wildcarded last week but went with neither... sorry can't help on that

    2. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      1) I guess because Pope is the better option because none of the defenders have any attacking potential to speak of, so 6 seems to be their ceiling, unlike Pope's.

      2) Again, no attacking potential so toss a coin. Most people say Taylor but I don't know why, perhaps because Lowton missed some games recently?

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

    Best option?

    A) Gomez, Boly, Enda Stevens
    B) VVD, Lascelles, Egan

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      VVD

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

      B

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

    I got 1.2 itb with this draft. Should I spend it somewhere, or just save it?

    Henderson - McCarthy
    TAA - Lascelles - Stevens - Stephens - Boly
    Salah - Son - KDB - Hayden - Traoré
    Firmino - Ings - Jiménez

    …alternatively, I have a triple City draft:
    Henderson - McCarthy
    TAA - Lascelles - Stevens - Stephens - Boly
    Salah - Mahrez - KDB - Hayden - Traoré
    Agüero - Ings Jiménez

    Thoughts?

  27. Gordon Cole
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    a) Ryan to McCarthy (have Stephens)
    b) Lund to other SHU def
    c) Save

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      ive been looking at both of those all week.

      Think im going to do Ryan to Pope and see what happens with Lund. If Lunny doesn't play, he goes next

      1. Gordon Cole
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Hmm, hadn't considered Pope. Definitely an option, cheers.

  28. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Should I do Mane and Maupay to Son and Ings for free??

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

      Just Maupay to Ings.

      Please help below, thanks.

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

      Yes. What's not to like about that??

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

      Just Maupay to Ings
      Mane is a nice differential this week

  29. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which combo is better for a WC?

    A) Mahrez and Son

    B) Kun and Alli

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

    Chasing. Worth a hit for a Martial to Mane punt? Would give a double up with Salah which I had planned to do from next week (and might end up taking a hit next week anyway to get it).

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sure, but there's no way to know whether Mane will be fully fit or not ahead of Norwich, that's the only downside. How about a punt on a City mid?

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

      I wouldn't do it as Mane might get limited minutes this GW as he is just back from injury and will be playing Atletico 3 days after.

      Just do it for free next GW.

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A hit for a player who's flagged? Surely not.

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

      Will Mane definitely play?

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

      Thanks all.