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. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Baldock or Stevens (both Sheffield United)???

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

      Enda

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

      Stevens

    3. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Enda

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

    Remember this........ Just a thought given those severe weather warnings

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26043595

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

      Wonder if its worth taking hits for them. Postponed games will be next weekend or some other GW?

    2. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am slighlty concerned about Sheffiled game as winds are expected to be even higher

    3. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like the rain will ease by 3pm. City KO at 4:30pm.
      Do they have a roof? Covers?

  3. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any good reason to go Robertson over VVD ?

    VVD has more points this season.
    VVD has played every minute this season, Robertson has not started/been subbed on 3 occasions.
    Attacking points for both this season (so far) and last season are the same (24 each this season, 36 each last season).
    VVD has more bonus system points on 7 of the last 9 GW's when nether has had attacking returns.
    VVD is 0.5m cheaper.

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

      If you have TAA, VVD would be better. Saves you 0.5m and nailed.

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      VVD is the better pick, expect 2 or 3 more goals between now and the end of the season

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I went Robbo and wish I had gone VVD.

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

        I'm the same. The reason I went Robbo was because of my rivals having VVD though.

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

      Seemingly not!

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

    Oconnel and mooy or Cantwell and egan?

    The second keeps options more open for 31.

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

      Cantwell Egan

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      First.

    3. Aimar
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cantwel and egan

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

      First

    5. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      First

  5. Aubaaaaa
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which one would be a better option?
    A. Lundstram out VVD in
    B. Soyu out VVD in

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

      A

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

    Struggling with armband decision. Just switched from Salah to (K)db. Pool will prioritize the match 3 days after Norwich imo. Daft?

    1. Clinton19
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm also tempted by Kevin. He could be rampant at home and less likely to be subbed/rested

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Having the same thought, I give the C to KDB.

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

      Got to now consider the weather on Sunday also for the city game which is leaning me.back towards Salah.

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

        Actually that's stupid he you can just vc salah then. Ignore me

      2. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I wouldn't let that affect the preferred captain.

      3. Aimar
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Why all ppl talkin about the weather?!
        It ‘d go bad ?!

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

      Leaning towards Son now given the pending apocalypse on Sunday for City’s match

    5. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      City could absolutely trounce West Ham. If they do, you'd expect KDB to be good for 2-3 assists at least, possibly a goal.

      It's a dice roll, but as good a call as any. Good luck!

      1. Clinton19
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not forgetting KDB bonus points.

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

        Cheers all. Any chance KdB might nick the pens?

        1. Don Van Vliet
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Would appear he doesn't want them. Didn't he also miss the only league penalty he's taken in recent memory?

  7. Queens of the South Age
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling to pick 3 out of this lot. Any help please?

    A. Aurier
    B. Boly
    C. Lundstram
    D. Holgate
    E. Grealish

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cde

      1. Queens of the South Age
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. You got some insider info on Lund?

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

      ADE

      1. Queens of the South Age
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ta. That is what I'm on just now. I always hate picking defenders up against attacking returns tho.

  8. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I have a back line of TAA Aurier Rico Soy Kelly

    Is Kelly -> Fernández for next GW the best option?

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

    Start Sidibe or Lundie? Will also have Henderson in goal.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sid

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

      Sidibé

    3. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      CDB

  10. Straobalno
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best repacement for Kelly? Up to 4.5m

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Stephens

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

      Egan
      Basham
      Stephens
      Lascelles

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

    Lundstram to Stevens worth a -4 or play Lundstram, Rico or Soy

    Y or N

  12. tajulariff
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero (c) the best option for captain this week, right?

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

      I’m chasing so for me yes

      Have Salah too

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

        Have Salah too. Aguero record against West Ham quite good. He will get return

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes imo. Pretty good differential and great fixture.

    3. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A MCI attacker feels like the better C pick this gw.

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

      Thanks

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

    Lundy or Kelly to

    A) Stephens
    B) Egan
    C) Lascelles
    D) O'Connell
    E) both out for a hit

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

      Just do one

      Kelly is defo not playing so him to A or B

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I've done both out for a hit. Lundy and Kelly to Stephens and VVD, but if you haven't got the MITB I'd do Kelly to Stephens and wait to see if Lundy starts this GW before getting rid.

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

    Ryan
    TAA Soy Lunds
    KDB Maddison Grealish Salah
    Ings Vardy Tammy

    Button Traore Williams Rico

    Which move for a hit ?
    A.Tammy to Jimenez
    B.Soy to VVD
    C. Vardy to Auba
    D. Maddison to Bruno Fer.
    E. None/Suggestions

    Thanks

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

      None for a hit

  15. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Stevens worth the extra 0.6 over Egan?

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

      Attacking wise yes

      Short on budget and you’re planning ahead, Egan

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

    Why people saying Stevens rather than Baldock?
    Stevens 1 goal 2 assists.
    Baldock 2 goals 4 assists.
    Same price.
    Any reasons appreciated.

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

      Stats

  17. Viper
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Presuming everyone is fit, is it pretty certain Lundstram won't start?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like it.

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

      Yes. Out of favour

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

      Looking that way...unsure whether to risk and wait for this Gw to see

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

      It’s 80% I would guess

    5. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      98%

  18. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Some fun facts for my boys featuring in the early fixture this GW: bodes well for the Toffees

    Everton are unbeaten in their last 10 premier league meetings with Palace, keeping a clean sheet in their past 3

    Everton have lost just one of their last 10 premier league fixtures and have more points over that time period than any other side except Liverpool

    Palace are without a clean sheet in their last 9 premier league fixtures, the longest run of any club in the top flight

    Everton have scored a league high 61% of their goals in the first half which bodes well for a fast start

    Palace have had fewer shots on target than any other club in the premier league and also host the oldest average age of any team

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

      Yep

      Palace are looking poor. But this will be only the second game with first choice defence in those 9 matches. Last week it took a really bizarre own goal to wipe it off.

      0-0

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

    Kwp nailed? He plays on the right? (Cedric replacement)

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

      Should start yes

  20. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Think I'm happy with this team now. Thoughts?
    Got 0.6 ITB not sure where to spend it?!

    Henderson
    TAA Steven's Stephen's
    KDB Salah Barnes Son
    Jimi Ings Firm
    Pope Mooy Boly Fermandez

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

      Wc?

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

        yes

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

      Looks good other than the superfluous apostrophes

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

        hahaha oops! good spot and thanks

      2. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        would you just bank that 0.6?

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Downgrade Barnes and upgrade Firm > Kun.

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

        I considered but decided I dont want Kun and fancy Firm thanks tho

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

    Morning all, current team with 1 FT and 0 in the bank:

    McCarthy
    VVD, TAA, Lund
    KBD, Salah, Grealish, Zaha
    DCL, Vardy, Ings

    Button, Maddison, B.Williams, Kelly

    I can replace Lunds with Eagan/Stephens as a straight swap or do I take a -4 to replace one defender and possibly Maddison, Zaha or Vardy?

    As an alternative, would it be worth using the wildcard at this stage?

    Any thoughts? Thanks.

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

      I wouldn’t wc but I’d get rid of Zaha to mooy and use cash elsewhere

      Dcl to jimmy for example and Kelly out first

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

        Thanks for the reply, so Zaha to Mooy this week and then use the funds for another move next week?

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

    Is Sterling likely to still be injured against Leicester?

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

      Yes - doesn't sound good even for Madrid after

  23. Aimar
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Mane to KDB/mahrez for hit !?

    Dont have any city cover

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes for KDB

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      yes, but what happened to your Free Transfer if you still own Mane ?

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

        I thought that mane will play and is fit

        I sold DCL ——> Ings

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          DCL - Ings
          Mane - KdB
          -4 ?
          all day long

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

            Mane wont play ??

            It is norwich he could haul if he plays still 8 days to go

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Liverpool play in the CL a few days later ... can see Mane and Salah having reduced minutes .... also have an extra week of training to pick up an injury

  24. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    No players today, yawn

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Oh wait! DCL! Haha

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Today's hopes for a temporary green arrow rest on Trossard for me.

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      just DCL today and KDB tomorrow for me this weekend,

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

      Wonder what average ownership levels will be today? 1.5 players tops.

    5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      ust dcl for me, but i have no friday or mnf players next week 🙁

  25. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Last pick on my WC who to bring long term?

    A) DCL
    B) Wood

    Many thanks

  26. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Sheffield United v Bournemouth gets cancelled tomorrow?

    55mph winds forecast for KO and the hours before

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

      Possibly...depend on police and safety

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

      That would be brilliant personally

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

    Lundstram to Stevens worth a -4

    Y or N

  28. Burger_and_Chips
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pick a captain

    A. KDB
    B. Aguero
    C. Mahrez
    D. TAA
    E. VVD
    F. Son
    G. Bobby
    H. Ings

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

      B

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

  29. Teror
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A. Vardy > Firmino

    B. Soyuncu > Boly

    C. Kelly > Tanganga

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

    Is the weather fear affecting anyone's choices?
    Last night I thought I was getting Mahrez or aguero for a hit. Now it feels a bit more risky. Probably silly!

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

      Yes. May not take a hit for Soyuncu to Stevens.