Captain Sensible

The best FPL players to own, sign or captain for Gameweek 16

Liverpool, Leeds and Burnley are the key teams for the Gameweek 16 Scout Picks.

We have included a double-up from each of these clubs as they prepare to face Newcastle, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United between now and Thursday.

This team was chosen by Scout Squad pundits David, Neale, Tom and Andy – and includes a longer-than-usual captaincy segment considering the lack of turnaround time for one of Jan’s excellent Captain Sensible articles.

We line-up in the 4-3-3 formation, coming in £82.0m, £1.0m inside our budget of £83.0m.

Goalkeeper

Alex McCarthy (£4.7m) remains one of the best value assets in FPL this season, offering 13.2 points per million spent, third among goalkeepers. Fresh from a 0-0 draw with Fulham, Southampton host a West Ham side who, aside from Tomas Soucek, spent large parts of Sunday afternoon offering little going forward.

Defenders

Ahead of travelling to Newcastle, Andrew Robertson (£7.3m) is joint-top for chances created among defenders over the last four matches. Meanwhile, the Magpies have failed to score in each of their last two meetings with top-six opposition this season.

João Cancelo (£5.6m) looks likely to get another start for Manchester City as they face Everton at Goodison Park. Kyle Walker remains sidelined following a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test while Guardiola hailed Cancelo’s “regeneration and physicality” as “incredible” in his pre-match press conference. Manchester City’s defensive capabilities continue to inspire confidence. Ahead of meeting an Everton side still without Richarlison and James Rodríguez, the Citizens have conceded just one goal since Gameweek 10.

Stuart Dallas (£4.7m) is another rather locked-in defender due to absences elsewhere in his team. Leeds are still without Liam Cooper (abdomen), Robin Koch (knee) and Diego Llorente (muscle), leaving Marcelo Bielsa no choice but to keep the Northern Ireland international at right-back. While West Bromwich Albion stifled Liverpool at Anfield, we expect them to come out of the traps a little more against Leeds, leaving more spaces for exploitation than we saw on Sunday. That should benefit Dallas, who sits behind only three defenders for attempts on goal in the last four matches.

The inclusion of Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) in the Gameweek 16 Scout Picks is a relatively routine one. Burnley have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three meetings with a bottom-eight Premier League side. Meanwhile, winless basement boys Sheffield United have the worst goals per game ratio in the division after 15 Gameweeks (0.5).

Midfielders

Salah building up massive power in top 10k after Gameweek 14 haul

Despite a reputation for only delivering at Anfield, Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) has registered either a goal, assist or both in each of his last six away matches. The Gameweek 2 win at Chelsea was the last time the Egyptian blanked on the road for Liverpool, averaging 9.8 points in that time. In fact, 62 of Salah’s 120 points this season (51.7%) have come away from Anfield. So facing a Newcastle outfit with one clean sheet since Gameweek 2 looks very favourable indeed.

Fresh from another away-day double-digit haul, Bruno Fernandes (£11.1m) retains his Scout Picks place despite the short turnaround. The Portuguese international is too pivotal to Manchester United’s fortunes for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to rest him for a big clash with Wolves and his posted a double-figure score in two of his last three home matches.

Jack Grealish (£7.8m) was desperately unfortunate not to get some assists against Crystal Palace as Aston Villa managed to roll the Eagles over despite the man-disadvantage. Seeing Chelsea crumble under an out-of-form Arsenal attack suggests Grealish can continue his decent form even at Stamford Bridge, where Frank Lampard will almost certainly have to break up the back-four that has provided so much defensive stability this season.

Forwards

We expect an improved Fulham defence to park the bus at Spurs on Thursday night, but we also fancy Harry Kane (£11.0m) to make a breakthrough. He has scored or assisted in all six of Spurs’ meetings with bottom-eight sides this season. Crucially, Kane found the net in each of his last two at home against such opposition (Brighton and Arsenal).

As already mentioned, West Bromwich Albion are a lot more likely to venture forth at home against Leeds than they did at Anfield, opening up space for Patrick Bamford (£6.5m) to exploit. The Leeds forward has been excellent away from home this season, netting seven times on the road since promotion.

Chris Wood (£6.2m) is top of the league for expected goals (non-penalty) over the last four matches. That bodes well ahead of facing Sheffield United side that is yet to keep a clean sheet in 2020/21.

Substitutes

  • Sam Johnstone (£4.5m)
  • Serge Aurier (£5.2m)
  • Anwar El Ghazi (£5.7m)
  • Raphinha (£5.4m)

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

As there was no time for a Captain Sensible article between Gameweeks 15 and 16 today, we have condensed it into the armband section of this piece.

As this section uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can see it in full.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The Community Member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Rupert the Horse helped the Community Champions to their seventh victory of the campaign in Gameweek 15, winning by a 47-36 score-line. The Scout Picks lead 8-7 for the season.

Forever In Our Shadow takes us on for Gameweek 16 going with a 4-3-3 formation of Pope; Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Tarkowski, Dallas; Salah (vc), Fernandes, Raphinha; Kane (c), Bamford, Wood.

AA33 is the current leader, defeating the Scout Picks by a 53-point margin in Gameweek 2.

4,776 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    PLAY UP POMPEY!

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Stay safe Blues

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What's this

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Olson and a few others put PLAY UP POMPEY! instead of e.g. first on new articles if they get there first.
        It is a chant for Portsmouth FC.
        Don't know how it started but entertains me

        1. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I'm guilty of starting this plague

  2. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Vardy, Raphina, Bowen/JWP, Pope
    B) Rashford, Adams, Maddison, Meslier

  3. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Morning all

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Morning mate

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

    Thanks guys. Appreciate the article(s) at this time of year. Hope you're all having a good Christmas.

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yep

  5. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wood or Adams?

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wood

    2. lordkippe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wood for Next 2. Adams longterm

  6. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez

    Robbo Zouma Coufal
    Salah Mané Bruno Raphina
    Kane Watkins Bamford

    Button Kwp Riedewald Branthwaite

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

      WC or not? Shallow bench if it is.

    2. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not liking the bench

  7. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Rupert the horse you magnificent noble beast

  8. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start one from:

    A) Raphinha
    B) Soucek

    Start 3 from:
    1) Coufal
    2) Justin
    3) Taylor
    4) Dallas

    1. jb1985
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A
      2,3,4

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

  9. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    a KDB haul tonight would be hilarious

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      And overdue

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes it’s needed

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It would be lovely

    3. Kip
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would be an awesome farewell gift

    4. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hilarious and glorious

  10. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone thinking of getting Auba for 18 if you're free hitting?

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      May as well, will probably have the cash available

    2. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably not even as a gunner.

  11. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best BB19 option?
    A) McCarthy, Cancelo, Rodrigo
    B) Fabianski, Dallas, Adams

    A would be for a tripple up on Leeds attackers (Bamford, Raphina, Rodrigo) but I would play Cancelo over Rodrigo this GW in a 4-4-2 so essentially that’s a straight swap of Cancelo for Adams

    1. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B as I don’t like the triple up. Could even have McCarthy in B

    3. Kip
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B for me. Mainly because of Fabianski

  12. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Meslier nyland
    Zouma Alioski Taylor Bednarek Dunne
    Kdb Salah son grealish Fernandes
    DCL Bamford Brewster

    2 FT 0.0ITB

    A- Kdb -> Neto
    B- Kdb + Brewster -> Soucek + Kane
    C- something else

    Cheers!

    1. mrelpea
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B. I did something similar to get Kane and Son in. Now I’m of course worried that KDB will haul. Soucek for me is too good to sit on the bench and starts every game, especially with the fixtures West Ham have coming. I watched him yesterday and his movement was great and always straight in the box waiting for the crosses

  13. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Salah(c). Kane(vc).

  14. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Have a bad feeling about Salah (c) this week But balanced against FOMO .... if not Salah, I’ll prob go for Bruno as He is on great form. Bizarre I’m not even considering Son vs Fulham.

    What are people’s captain thought a few hours from deadline?

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B.Fernandes

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bruno, really? Not more than one goal at home in a game, apart from Leeds who played into their hands, all season?

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Kane or Salah the best choices

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I hear you ... it’s just he seems properly up for it and is on form. KDB damaged by his team mates and style of play, Salad looked limp to say the least in the last match (I’m ignoring the wants to leave rumours) .. Spurs looking like they don’t want to attack .....

        Saying that, it IS Newcastle.... my cowardice (or perhaps common sense) will mean I’ll leave the armband on Caesar but I think Bruno almost deserves it.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah most likely. Unless I sign Son, then perhaps him but unlikely

    4. Vertigo Of Bliss
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

    5. mrelpea
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m also worrying about captaining him. He has the captains armband for the time being,if it changes hands it will go to Bruno. I have both Kane and Son, but like you, haven’t even considered them

  15. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB >> Son / Mané? Or save? 1FT, 0.4itb. Plan to FH18, BB19.

    McCarthy
    Robbo, Dias, C.Taylor
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Raphinha
    DCL, Bamford, Adams
    (Johnstone, Dallas, Soucek, Coufal)

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I went Son. But either move is good. KDB might do well this week but long term he is not worth that much money. Other two are better value

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Save

    3. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Help out in my post below?

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mane as you are FH in GW18

  16. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez
    Dias | Reguilon | Dallas
    Bruno | Salah | Son | KDB | Grealish
    DCL | Bamford

    Forster | Targett | Brewster | Lewis

    1FT, 0.5ITB

    Save FT?

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Save

  17. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do we think Vardy starts today??

    Would love to bring him in for DCL.

    If not ia worth it to bring in Kane for a hit? Or just leave it

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Essentially will Kane score 4 more than DCL?

    2. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Go Kane

    3. Vertigo Of Bliss
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think he starts. Must win game for the Foxes to keep in the title race / top 4. Palace leaked 10 goals in their last two, Vardy 2 behind Salah for golden boot. Don’t think Rodgers takes any chances today. 2 goals and an assist for Vardy

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think he starts ... more chance rested in following match.

  18. klopp2567
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    captain bruno or Salah?
    leaning towards Bruno as he looks safe option.

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wolves looked pretty compact
      Newcastle are trash

  19. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    McCarthy
    Stones Dallas Taylor
    Bruno(C) Salah(vc) Grealish Soucek
    DCL Kane Bamford

    Forster Klich Zouma Coufal

  20. Ginola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I am a bit worried about a potential Chilwell benching (+ possible cameo) now. Would you play Chilwell or Dallas?

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

      Play Dallas. Better fixture than Chilwell anyway. Expecting a Chilwell benching.

  21. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Salah to ruin Jamal Lewis's evening on way to his double digit haul?

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

      Newcastle probably bench him again to protect themselves.

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      *Matt Ritchie

  22. juho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Not sure how to interpret BR's comments

    Do you guys think Vardy will definitely be rested?

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      God i wish i knew. Im currently expecting a resting

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wait for the possible team leak, there are two Leicester accounts that can leak lineups.

      1. juho
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. Could you share their twitter IDs?

    3. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I don't think he'll be rested.
      He'll get one in gw18.

      They're pushing top league spot.

    4. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hoping for one point cameo

  23. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hey all

    Final decision of gameweek:

    a) Start DCL, Soucek 1st on bench
    b) Start Soucek, DCL 1st on bench.

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably A

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks - currently on that.

  24. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play 2 of DCL, Soucek, Grealish?

  25. cemal
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to bench? Thanks in advance
    A. Grealish (Chelsea away)
    B. Wilson (Liverpool home)
    C. Neto (man u away)
    D. Cresswell (Southampton away)
    E. Taylor (Sheffield home)
    F. Raphina (west Brom away)

    1. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

      1. BENOIT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not with Matip out

  26. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Team and bench order ok:

    Johnstone
    Robertson Dier Cancelo
    Salah Son(C) Bruno Raphina
    DCL Adams Bamford
    McCarthy Taylor Soucek Coufal

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Id be tempted by Taylor over raph

  27. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:

    A. DCL (MCI)
    B. Watkins (che)
    C. Saka (bha)

    Thanks.

    1. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Saka I think

    2. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm benching DCL (have B but no C)

    3. joeydordon
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm playing c benching a andb

  28. Fulchester's New Centr…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Got nearly all of the scout picks.
    #worried

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I just brought Wood in.

      Nervous now, ha.

  29. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Captain Kane, Son or salah?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      All good picks. Salah is the most popular probably

    3. Pedersen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Currently on kane myself, but hard one this week

  30. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Meslier nyland
    Zouma Alioski Taylor Bednarek Dunne
    Kdb Salah son grealish Fernandes
    DCL Bamford Brewster

    2 FT 0.0ITB

    Help out a lad!

    A- Kdb -> Neto
    B- Kdb + Brewster -> Soucek + Kane (DCL on bench)
    C- something else

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B and Captain Kane perhaps

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        DCL benching?

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ancelotti has hinted at it a few times