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. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all, appreciate feedback
    Team GTG?

    Henderson
    TAA Stephens Lundstram
    Salah(vc) Mane KDB Fleck
    Kun(c) Ings DCL

    Subs; Stekelenberg Traore Soyuncu BWilliams

    1FT £0.2ITB

    Thanks in advance!

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

      Lundy, high probability of a 1 point cameo. Otherwise looks good

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

        Who comes in over Lundy?

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

      You're at risk Lundstram cameo, but that's the only other thing I'd do this GW.

      Assume Hendo is gone in GW28?

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

        I was going to stick with Hendo, should I shift then? If so to whom?

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

        Cheers. Who should I replace Lundy with?

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

          Lascelles or Stephens?

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

            Ah you got Stephens 🙂

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

    Martial to Mahrez done!!!
    Have one more free tranny, should I save?

    Guaita
    TAA Robbo Aurier
    Mahrez KDB Salah(C) Grealish
    Ings Vardy Jimmy

    Governor Lord Rico Donkey

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

      Mahrez under threat from Bilva after his terrible corner leading to Zinchenko red card? Also the recent revelations about his personal life.. I hope he starts and does well for you mate - keep up the immense season!

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

        Ouch already confirmed the tranfer :/
        If he starts he hauls though so can´t miss out on that.

        Thanks 🙂

        What´s your aim? 10k still possible, no?

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

          I like the aggressiveness of the move! 10k is the goal for me thanks mate, but I will be cheering you on from the distance

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

    Ryan
    TAA / Pereira / Lundstram*
    Salah / KDB / Son / Martial
    Ings / Deeney / DCL

    Button // Traore / Rico / Masuaku

    A) Lundstram/Martial > Stephens/Mahrez (-4)
    B) Lundstram/Masuaku > Stephens/VVD (-4)
    C) Ryan/Masuaku > McCarthy/VVD (-4)
    D) Lundstram/Masuaku/Ryan > Stevens/VVD/McCarthy (-8)

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

      Lundy for someone for free not possible?

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

        It is, but then I've still got fires having no Sheffield, no double LIV, Masuaku and paper-hands Ryan.

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

          (At least 3 of the 4, that's is.)

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

          I like D 🙂

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

          Those cheapo Sheffield defenders, not enough cash?

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

            Cash is there, its the problems it still leaves.

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

              what is the problem it leaves?

              I was thinking D as well

  4. Johan Queef
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Final WC musings...

    A) D.Henderson & Hayden

    B) Pope & Mooy

    C) Pope & Hayden (extra 0.5ITB)

    I do already have Taylor & O'Connell so both DEF covered but one eye is on the blanks.

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

      A

  5. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Start Traore or Grealish?

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

      Grealish

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

      Grealish

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

    RE-POST

    What to do with team below for upcoming gameweek?

    Pope
    TAA, Rico, Lundstram
    Salah, Maddison, KDB, Grealish
    Vardy, DCL, Firmino

    Bench: Cantwell, Targett, Kelly

    A) Cantwell to Fleck
    B) Kelly to Holgate
    C) Kelly to Fernandez
    D) Kelly to Stephens
    E) Save and assess next gameweek

    1. brendanlim92
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      i'd say D

  7. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bring in Auba or Kun?

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

      Kun

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

        this

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

    McCarthy
    TAA VVD Stevens
    Salah KDB Son Traore
    (C) Aguero Jimmy Ings

    McGovern Stephens Lascelles Hayden

    What are your thoughts on starting Stephens over Traore? Feels like it could go either way

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

      Same dilemma with Traore/Grealish. Think Burnley will score? Saints condeded 3 at home to Wolves, 3 to Spurs and 4 to Liverpool.

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

        Good point. Thanks

        Traore vs Grealish might be a coin toss, tbf

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

    Start Stephens instead of Grealish/Traoré?

    Henderson
    TAA Stevens Robertson
    Salah Grealish KDB Traoré
    Aguero Ings Jimenez

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

      In the same boat pal. What are your thoughts? I can’t decide, i think if i was to play a SOU defender over Grealish/Traore, it would have to he Traore

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

        Tough decision indeed.
        Leaning towards Grealish, hopefully Jimi will cover potential Traoré-points right?

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

      Seems we're in a similar boat 😀

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

    Cap Salah or KDB?

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

      i am goinig with KDB

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

        Interesting. I think I might go from Salah to KDB

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

      Am I risking too much with Mahrez (C) and Salah (VC) : /

  11. Gashead9
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Final thoughts on this WC team? 0.0ITB

    Henderson
    TAA - Robbo - O'Connell
    Salah (C) - KDB - Son - Barnes- Traore
    Jiminez - Ings

    Pope - Long - Boly - Lascelles

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

      Nice and template

      Not sure I buy into Boly mind - Wolves aren’t exactly cs masters.

      1. Gashead9
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, think Wolves defence will be better with him in it & has potential of attacking returns also.

  12. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Guys, any changes needed to this WC?

    Hendo McCarthy
    TAA Digne Fernandez Egan Stephens
    Salah KDB Mahrez Son Traore
    Jimmy Ings Deeney

  13. WannabeScout
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best midfielder under 5.6 this game week?

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

      The Fleck of all things

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

        Have fleck

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saint Max

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

    So many good options this gw. Dont got the likes of Digne, Ings, Jimenez, Aguero, Auba. This is gonna be a long one

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

      Only have Ings myself

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

    Lundstram > 4.7 DEF

    A) O’Connell (has a blank upcoming)
    B) Lascelles (no BGW)

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

      B

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

      B

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

    Best option here?

    A. Firmino Son Stephens
    B. Aguero Barnes VVD

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B if it's for this week.

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

        B any week

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

          Cheers both

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

      yup B.

      Though depending on your team I could swing to A. it is not a bad shout.

  17. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Cap

    A. Salah
    B. KDB
    C. Mahrez
    D. Ings
    E. TAA

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

        ta

  18. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I need to bench one of these;
    A) Traore
    B) Maddison
    C) Grealish

    Any advice welcome.

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

      B

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

      B

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

  19. Punter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    How's this wc squad look chaps? £0.2 itb

    Hendo (Mccarthy)
    TAA - VVD - Stevens (Stephens - Lascelles)
    KDB - Salah - Son - Mahrez - Traore
    Jiminez - Ings (Martinelli)

    4 blankers in GW28 but have time to sort one of them out

    1. Gashead9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure I would get Mahrez in for 1 week essentially, tough game next week and blank in 28. Might even cost you a hit to change him out.

  20. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Never usually take hits but how does this look for -8?

    Kelly > VVD
    Mane > Son
    Vardy > Kun
    Haller > Martinelli

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

      Kun captain

      Definitely not the last one

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

        Need to do that for the funds

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

          Oh hang on you're doing all those moves at once. Read it as pick one.

          Yeah looks pretty good really

    2. Gashead9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Adding a Blank GW28 players to your squad though, will you be able to field 11?

  21. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:
    A) Evans
    B) Lascelles
    C) Williams

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

      not fond of any of these tbh, they are all away from home but with a gun to my head Id go Williams because Chelsea arent the best at home atm. Evans does have goal threat though.

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'm on Evans at the mo as as you say, seems to get good chances. Can't be sure Williams plays 90. I think I'll stick with Evans in the hope that he bags a goal. Cheers

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

    G2G guys?

    McCarthy
    Lundstram VVD Tanganga
    Salah (VC) Mahrez (C) KDB Grealish Mane
    Ings DCL

    Subs: Martin Maupay Cathcart Kelly

  23. Punter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Have double SHU (hendo and Stevens) and double SOU (Mccarthy and Stephens). At the moment benching both SOU but is that mad, should I split them?

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't, sheff much more likely to bag a clean sheet.

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

      I have the same but atm i am splitting the pair. Starting McCarthy and Stevens

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

    Set on the following
    Kelly > Fernandez
    Vardy > Auba

    for a -4 hit I'm thinking of doing this
    Grealish > Barnes, Almiron, Mount.
    Which one should I do and why?

    Cheers!

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

      The first ones you mentioned look good tbh

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

    Foster
    Robbo--TAA--Chilwell
    KDB--Salah(c)--Son--Grealish
    DCL--Ings--Auba(vc)
    Bench: McGovern, Lascelles, Hayden, Kelly

    GTG?

  26. doppelganger
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    gtg?

    Foster Button
    Trent Sidibe Baldock ( Lund Rico )
    Salah (c) Kdb Maddison Martial
    Jimenez Firmino Ings

    Any changes needed? Some upgrade?

    Cheers!

  27. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1. Maupay to Jiminez
    2. Lundstram to O'Connell
    3.Do both for a -4 hit
    Tysm

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

    Start 1 (yikes)

    A-G.Cahill
    B-Lascelles
    C-B.Williams

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

    I was all set on playing Grealish over Fleck. But now the captain vote has swayed me somewhat. Grealish (albeit without scoring) was awesome last week.

    G or F?

  30. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:

    (A) Soyuncu
    (B) Lundstram
    (C) Williams