Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 26

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 26 – the longest Gameweek of the season so far. The first match of the inaugural ‘winter break’ kicks off an hour after Saturday’s 11:30 GMT deadline with the last match not taking place until nine days later. 

Between today’s cutoff and FPL updating at the end of the Gameweek, a full 228 hours will have passed. 

The good news for those of a romantic disposition is that we will be completely free to focus on Valentine’s Day next Friday without having to worry about transfers or captain decisions. Our neglected other halves will no doubt be overjoyed!

Although for most Fantasy managers, one love affair could be coming to an end. 

John Lundstram has captured our hearts this season with his swashbuckling flair and rock-solid dependability. We will never forget the unbridled joy we shared when he banged in two goals against Burnley in early November. It felt at the time that this was a relationship that would last forever. 

Although it wasn’t always plain sailing, he has blanked on occasion. And he really shouldn’t have come home empty handed from his trip to Norwich in December. Nonetheless, he’s often surprised and delighted us so he can be forgiven the odd indiscretion.

But sadly it would appear that after six months the honeymoon is over. 

The warning signs were there. Following two early substitutions, he had us worried when he turned up late against Manchester City in Gameweek 24. To then repeat the offence at the next opportunity didn’t go down well. He has since been unceremoniously dumped by thousands of Fantasy managers.

Is there any hope? Can this relationship be salvaged? For those still clinging onto memories of the good times, Neale, who probably knows him better than any of us, had this to say:

Given Wilder’s previous for not for making unnecessary changes – the other eight midfielders and defenders have basically played whenever they’ve been available – then I wouldn’t hold me hopes up. I’ve seen people talking about ‘oh there’ll be rotation now in central midfield’, well that really hasn’t been Wilder’s style this season, Norwood and Fleck, even in the Championship were playing pretty much every game. So I’m not in the slightest bit confident he’ll get his place back.

– Neale, Team News video

Heartbreaking.

The only straw to clutch at is that his attacking threat might be favoured for a winnable home match against Bournemouth. But there are no guarantees. For those still holding him get ready to be let down again.

Indeed when David cast his eye over the new arrival at Bramall Lane, Sander Berge, who appears to have stolen Lundstram’s spot in the Blades’ midfield, he concluded:

It will be hard to expect much more than a series of one-point cameos from Lundstram.

– David

The good news is that there are a number of potential suitors lining-up to take his place in our Fantasy affections. And our friendly Scoutcast trio of Joe, Karam and Tom assessed our options:

Willy Boly of Wolves at just £4.7m finds himself in Joe’s Wildcard team and offers excellent value; we have O’Connell or Egan if we fancy sticking with Sheffield United; there’s Newcastle with Fernandez and Lascelles enticing us ahead of a nice run of fixtures – although Tom cautioned that they have been overperforming their numbers recently; Tom favoured Charlie Taylor who at £4.2m offers a cheap route into a Burnley defence that has kept nine clean sheets this season.

Pro Pundits Az and Ash also had their say, with both opting for slightly more expensive options. Az plumps for team-mate Enda Stevens, while Ash turns to Burnley’s Ben Mee highlighting his improved attacking potential:

What’s telling is that Mee has registered the joint-most number of goal attempts inside the box among all defenders in the past four Gameweeks.

– Ash, Pro Pundit

Out in the Cold

The dispersed nature of the matches over the winter break means that we won’t hear from a dozen managers until after the Gameweek has started. 

There remains the very real possibility, then, that a number of players will be declared as unavailable – or passed fit – long after the Gameweek 26 deadline has been and gone, leaving FPL managers powerless to do anything about it.

– Neale, Guide to the Winter Break

Neale set the scene in his Guide to the Winter Break, while Ginkapo FPL questioned the impact of the mid-season interlude in a hot topic.

Thinking of the captaincy, one strategy Joe is promoting is captaining and vice captaining players from different weekends. Just in case there’s a no show, or perhaps the weather disrupts the fixtures.

Red or Blue?

In the main, this week’s captaincy would seem to be a straight choice between Mohamed Salah and Sergio Aguero. 

Salah currently leads the way in our captaincy poll, chosen by just under 40% of participants compared to Aguero’s 22%. But it was the thought of Aguero taking the armband that prompted Joe to enthuse:

It’s that rare beautiful moment in FPL where you get someone with unbelievable form and stats against the worst defence.

– Joe, Captaincy Video

Over the last four matches the Argentine is top for shots in the box, big chances, shots on target, and he has the best expected goal involvement (xGI) of any player. He faces a West Ham team who have the worst expected goals conceded (xGC) of any team. He also tops this site’s Rate My Team tool.

The only caveat is rotation. As Neale mentioned in his Captain Sensible article, his rival for the centre-forward role is due a start:

And will Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) be again deprived of a place in the starting XI, meaning that he will have gone a full month without any kind of start before City are in action again in Gameweek 27.

– Neale, Captain Sensible

If the risk of a benching is too much for you then Salah offers an excellent alternative.

TheFantasyFreÆK highlighted his potential in his Gameweek 25 review, noting that the Egyptian tops the charts for several key stats in midfield and should have recorded even more points of late given that only one of the five big chances he created has been converted by his teammates. 

Neale summarised his appeal:

Salah’s form and all-round points potential (in the top two for both shots in the box and big chances created over his last four matches) will understandably see many FPL managers again handing the armband to the Egyptian.

– Neale, Captain Sensible

The Scout Picks feature Salah as part of a heavy-hitting midfield at the expense of Aguero up front. And FFS Members Cup-finalist Pep Pig revealed he will be handing the Liverpool midfielder the armband in his predictions for Gameweek 26.

Meanwhile RichP_LFC decided to take a novel approach and looked at Fantasy Points Against to pick out players for our FPL teams. His research found that “Salah is the clear choice in midfield, and a punt on Redmond could work well.

Redmond is also the headline differential pick as the Saints begin an excellent run of fixtures.

However, the article’s author, Tom Freeman, went for Harvey Barnes as his under 5%-owned option on the Scoutcast. Over the last four matches, only Salah has a higher xGI than Barnes.

Fellow Pro Pundit Sam Bonfield agrees with his selection, noting in her Sam Says video that the Leicester City youngster has four attacking returns in his last four Premier League games.

And we’ve had reports and analysis on two new Premier League recruits. Steven Bergwijn marked his Spurs debut with a goal and travels to Aston Villa this week, Neale considered his potential. And Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was the subject of a members-only article by David.  

Finally, following last week’s FA Cup replays, we know a little more about how the fixture schedule is shaping up.   

To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.

If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.

Fantasy Football Scout Memberships are now available for a reduced price of £9.99 for the remainder of the season. Rolling monthly subscriptions are also available for £2.99 per month. Click here to sign up or upgrade your account.

Community Competitions

For an update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 26 can be found below:


Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!


TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,493 Comments Post a Comment
  1. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    hii, who to captain ?

    a) salah
    b) kdb
    c) mahrez
    d) auba

    thank you all

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

      Mahrez benched

      1. amit1964
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        how do you know??

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

          He doesn't

          City's front three will be out of Kun, Jesus, BSilva and Mahrez.

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

            Kun will start, he's only started last 2 and took off early vs tott. Mahrez last 3

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

          Im assuming, hes started last 3, bernardo and jesus will come in on wings

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

      I think i'm going Salah (C), KDB (VC).

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I chose Salah over kdb and don't have the others. If I had kun, itd be on him

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

    Kelly to sot defender for a hit?
    No bench and mooy and traore..

    Hedno
    Sidibe TAA VVD
    Kdb Mooy Salah Traore
    Kun Jimi Ings

    Lund, Cantwell, Kelly 3.3, FT used

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

      I think you're ok to hold.

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

        I will have to take hits anyway in the coming weeks to hold wc..

        One more week could help understand if kwp is the better pick from sot

  3. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy and Traore to Mahrez and Ings -4 yes or no?

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

      No

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

    Who do you reckon is the best 5.0 defender?

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

      Reece James, no contest

  5. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can I get Some advice guys ?

    I have all my chips and I’m a bit confused on how to play the next couple of weeks. Any advice?

    Ryan
    Baldock, Robertson, TAA
    Grealish,Traore, Salah, KDB
    Vardy, Ings, Jiminez

    Button, Rico, Dendoncker, Kelly,

    I have 0FTs and 2itb

  6. 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

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

      If I was wildcarding I’d Aguero in instead of Mahrez

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

      Very good team.

  7. JY84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth the gamble to sign KWP over Stephens?? I def have cover on the bench in Soy and Rico but was thinking KWP wld provide more attacking potential and points compared to Stephens..... Wat do u all think?

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

    Most boring question of the morning. Who should I sell first?

    A) Lundstram
    B) Kelly

    Thinking is Lundstram will still get points, even off the bench. However, he has a blank GW28 and will likely drop more in price and cost me team value. Kelly is unlikely to do much but may somehow become a playing option for GW28. I also won't lose as much value as Lundstram.

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

      Had the same dilemma, got rid of Lundstram as I just don’t know with him. Kelly would be on the back of my bench anyways, can fox that later

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

      Fix*

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

      Kelly

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

      Kelly

  9. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Moura a viable Son option or is Alli or the new guy even better options. Have money for Son but want to leave enough to bring in Mane or Firmino week after.

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

    GTG this week?

    McCarthy
    TAA Stevens Sidibe
    Traore KdB Salah(c) Grealish
    Ings Vardy DCL
    (Button - Cantwell Soy Kelly) 0ft 6.6itb

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

    I’m going to need a big couch tommorow!

    Or Should I get Aguero in as part of a -8??

    1. Johnny Drama
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No.

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

        Auba +Grealish TO Sergio+Fleck?

        1. Johnny Drama
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Don’t like -8s.

          1. Johnny Drama
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            And Auba has great fixtures, wouldn’t sell him now

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

      Seems to me you’ll still need that couch if it costs you -8 to get him in 🙂 just take it easy, I’m thinking this is the last safe game before rotation kicks in, so if you haven’t got im in and you’re NOT on a wc I wouldn’t bother personally

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

        Auba has good fixtures but looked pretty poor vs Burnley!

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

          Good evaluation I will still consider it though!

  12. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    C & VC check

    Salah and Aubameyang here. How about you?

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

      Kun C

      Salah VC

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

      Salah and KDB

    3. Johnny Drama
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same for me, may switch the C to Auba though..

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

    Who are your players this weekend?
    Ryan Holgate KDB ( and Lundstram on bench)

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

      DCL, Ake, Henderson, Lundstram(?), De Bruyne

  14. fridge
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anything worth a hit or GTG?

    Ryan
    TAA. Robbo. Egan
    Salah. KDB. Mahrez. Maddison. Traore
    Vardy. Ings
    Button. Soyuncu. Greenwood. Kelly

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

      Confident Mahrez starts?

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

    WC all set, or should I go Taylor over Lascelles, or find a different option for Traoré?

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

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

    Start 1 (yikes)

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

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

    Vardy + Maddison - > Jimenez + Mahrez(c) for free?

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

      I honestly think B Silva comes in this week for Mahrez. Can’t believe more aren’t mentioning this possibility.

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

    Do we dare to (c) aguero again after last week?

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

      How does last weeks outcome effect this weeks?

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

        Less prone to take the risk again?

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

          That's just your psychological effects.

          It doesn't change the likelihood of city being good, creating chances and Aguero being the main man for taking them.

          If you don't captain him for whm at home then you may as well sell and buy better value midfielders.

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

            Correct, wont sell him now obviously.

            Salah has norwich and in form. Could outscore him easily.

            If aguero starts he wont get the full 90min with madrid next

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

      yes

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

      Yep

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

      I think it’s more do we dare not to this week. Will be behind the couch

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

      Kun has one goal this season against top 6 (trad) plus Wolves Leicester.

      Kun has 15 goals this season against the rest. 🙂

  19. Johnmph
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martial to Richarlison or hold for 2FT next gameweek?

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

      Give me 1 more chance

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

        HAHAHA

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

          I will re-pay your faith

  20. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Worth doing
    Vardy > Aguero or
    Martial > Mahrez for a hif

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

      *hit

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

      Asked similar re martial, the blank puts me off taking a hit

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

    Would love some advice before the deadline, many thanks

    Bit torn on whether to take a hit?
    A) Sarr to 8.5m (mahrez) injured and poor fixtures for Watford
    B) Martial to Son (is it really worth keeping Martial for Watford next game + Son no blank in 28)
    C) stay put and play 4 defenders (TAA O’Connell Stephens Dunk)
    If not C, which defender to bench?

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

      It is time you let me go for Son

      But seriously Son is an incredible option this week so good loves imo

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

        Moves* fail lol

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

        Thanks Tony. Also don’t like the fact you’re playing the final game next week!

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

    Best replacement for Haller? Similar price bracket... Cheers

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

      Ings if you have the extra .1

  23. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy and Lundstrum to Ings and Stevens -4 yes or no?

  24. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I've made it to the big time

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

      Not sure how it was a hot topic to begin with; highlights the deterioration in quality of the site. No offence to you.. it’s the moderators which need to be accountable

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yup. Why the mods havent banned you yet needs a thorough review.

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

          Getting upset for people offering different perspectives? Trouble with the world these days..

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

            I watch this site from afar for the occasional bit of insight.

            What I have noticed is that the two biggest knobs on here are yourself, Irbox, and Brosstan.

            So be proud. I'm a total stranger and I dislike you.

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

              Excellent. Please continue to be a stranger

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

                He's not the only stranger here disliking you! Be proud about yourself Irbox indeed!

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

                  Thanks. I offer advice here and have a strong opinion about the best route.. I think my knowledge is reflected in my season history. Whether people like my style or not does not deter nor affect me one bit but thank you for paying attention

            2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Hahahahaha

            3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Have you come across Chucky yet mate ?

          2. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            My Hot Topic was a different perspective. Your reaction was classy

  25. Ambu
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    No Joe on breakfast club, was hoping to get a sneaky peak at his wildcard team before deadline

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

      Why? He’s a dull and average manager

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

        Couldn’t get more true

  26. wanaj84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    martial or richarlison?

    play rico or soyuncu?

    have jiminez

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

      Same dilemma on Martial/Richarlison. Will probably FT for Richarlison

  27. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any team news or rumours this morning?

  28. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Start Rico or Lundstram?

  29. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Quite tempted to move the armband from Salah to Firmino

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

      Interesting, why is that?

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

        Away form

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

          Mo could outscore him still:/

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

      May the away form continue

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

    Hopefully time for Mane holders to rise again