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. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB and DCL out
    Son and Kane in.l

    Now who to captain?

    Martinez
    James Robertson Stones Shaw
    Salah Son Bruno Raphina
    Kane Bamford

    Dallas Podence Brewster

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

      Nice team, I'd go with Kane if I have..

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

    Anything to do here with 1 ft and 0.1 itb?

    Martinez

    Robbo Zouma Coufal
    Salah Mané Bruno Raphina
    Kane Watkins Bamford

    Button Kwp Riedewald Branthwaite

    1. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Martinez out

  3. youzef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    SAKA or Raphinha or Maddison in for Mahrez

    Got 1ft or will. Mahrez start and keep ft?

    I got salah, Fernandes, jwp, Salah, Vardy, Wilson, Watkins

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

    On WC:
    A) Vardy, Bowen, Rapinha
    B) Rashford, Adams, Maddison

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    WC active. Will FH18 and BB19. Any major changes needed?

    Meslier
    Cancelo Justin Taylor
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek
    Kane(C) DCL Bamford

    McCarthy Dallas Coufal Romeu

    0.1 itb

    1. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Meslier has a tricky game week after next. Have you considered Fabianski?

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

        Yes and he was one of the picks but just dont. Have money for him atm. Also I will ship out one gk after the doubles.

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

    Hello guys. What would you do here?

    Meslier
    Robertson, Dias, KWP
    Grealish, Fernandes, Salah, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Watkins

    Subs --- Coufal, Bissouma, Bernardo --- 7.2 ITB

    A) Bissouma -> Son
    B) DCL -> Kane
    C) Watkins -> Kane

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

      0 FT

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

      A.

    3. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    Bench one
    1. DCL
    2. Taylor
    3. DIAS
    4. Dallas

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

      4

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

        Not easy

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

      1

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

      4

  8. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Just did Mahrez and Grealish to Son and Raphina. Please tell me it was the right thing to do??

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

      Son is good move, not sure on Raph.
      Mahrez and Greasy I don't like owning.
      Greasy likes getting yellows when they're losing, annoying.

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

      Fine if setting up for BB19

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure but I bet it fells good to get rid of Mahrez.

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

        It sure as hell does!

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

      Swlling Grealish is dangerous

    5. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Too late now. Seems reasonable though

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

      Can't tell you that

    7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure on that one but it’s done

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

        Eeeesh

    8. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It was the right thing to do.

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

      Getting rid of Mahrez sounds good. I'd have kept Grealish though

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

    Please help me out friends.
    A. Bednarek or Walker-Peters
    B. Is Hause now nailed for Villa?
    If possible give reasons why on both.

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A
      Not sure

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

        Is that a as in Bednarek?

        1. Gooner Kebab
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes

  10. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Unsure where to move atm, save FT?
    FH18 TC19 1FT 1.4ITB

    Martinez
    KWP Dias Taylor
    Salah(c) Bruno KDB Son
    DCL Bamford Watkins
    (Steer Dallas Coufal Bissouma)

    Anyone know of any leaky Leicester line-up Twitter accounts?

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

      I'd consider moving DCL on

  11. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wood, Watkins, or Adams? Leaning towards Wood

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

      Probably Adams

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’d prob go for Adams from those

  12. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Have nothing on the bench at all :

    Should I do Lamptey >

    A) Stones
    B) Holding
    C) Save FT & hope my XI all play

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

      B

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

  13. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane or Vardy on wildcard for the next two games? Will be FH18 and BB19 and will probably do Kane -> Vardy anyway for 19.

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

      On paper it has to be Kane, and Vardy might not play both anyway

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

      If its leaked that vardy starts today. Id go him and FH for kane in 18

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

        Thanks, will keep an eye out

    3. pitstop1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m putting Kane in and swapping later given likely Vardy rest (same situation)

  14. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Save imo

  15. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wildcard ready?

    McCarthy 4.0
    Cancelo Dias Coufal Justin Dallas
    Salah Son Bruno Souceck Raphina
    Bamford Kane Adams

    1. Blue Moon Rising
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      FH 18, BB19

  16. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish to Son for a hit?

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Over the next couple games, yes

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No.

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

      Not for me

  17. pitstop1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone captaining Bruno over Salah, Son and Kane given Wolves’ short turnaround between matches?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not considering Kane or Son due to their poor attacking form recently.

      But, yes, I'm definitely considering Bruno over Salah

  18. MiguelAngel
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Two to start please...

    A) DCL
    B) Welbeck
    C) Neto

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      AC for me

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

      Tough. B and C

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

    Going for Bruno captain I think. Can see Newcastle doing to Liverpool what West Brom done, and to an extent what Newcastle done to City too

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Steve Bruce's Newcastle?

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

      It's not a bad shout as we should all know by now.

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

      FPL Salah (Abdul)
      @FPL_Salah
      #GW16 clean sheet probability %
      LIV: 46%
      TOT: 45%
      MUN: 44%
      MCI: 40%
      BUR: 36%
      LEI: 34%
      ARS: 33%
      CHE: 32%
      SOU: 31%
      SHU: 30%
      LEE: 28%
      BHA: 26%
      WHU: 23%
      CPL: 21%
      FUL: 18%
      WBA: 18%
      WOL: 18%
      AVL: 15%
      EVE: 14%
      NEW: 10%

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

        Couod be one nil against new

  20. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Salah Bruno or Kane as C

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This is the key question this week...

      I'm torn between Salah and Bruno

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

      Kane

  21. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    CHO as 1GW punt as placeholder for Maddison? Just think Madders will get rest today

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

      WC? I don't like booking in transfers.

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nope from me. Not like CHO is ripping it up or anything

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

    WC. GTG or maybe Stones > Coufal?

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Robbo - Stones - KWP - Justin - Dallas
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Soucek - Raphinha
    Kane - Adams - Bamford

  23. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    We draft... Lanzini and Firmino tempting me

    McCarthy Johnstone
    Dallas Robo Justin Taylor Coufal
    Son Salah Bruno Soucek Raphina
    Vardy Bamford Adams

    1. Johan Queef
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same as one of my favourite drafts

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      We have the same team, who would you bench this week out of interest?

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Coufal, Taylor and soucek I think

  24. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play two:

    a) Balbeuna (sot)
    b) Neto (mun)
    c) DCL (MCI)
    d) JWP (WHU)

  25. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    RP:

    Why are people going for Cancelo now? His next 2 aren't that great. BB in 18 would get him in and he doesn't have DGW19

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

      He's just a good attacking defender in a team with a good defence. Fixtures not optimal for the next two, but should allow him more space.

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Would it be wiser to get his post DGW? Could use the money elsewhere no?

  26. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I've had Giroud for the last two GW and he hasnt played a second of football.... Would you still keep for this week? Then move on next GW? Surely he starts?

    Also who to start:
    A. Dalla
    B. C. Taylor

  27. LosBlancos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play one:
    A Watkins
    B Taylor
    C Cancelo

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

      Watkins

    2. pitstop1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

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

    A) Robbo, Raphinha, DCL
    B) Balbuena, Son, Adams

  29. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will DCL be rested today ?

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Reckon so but crap fixture anyways so I'm benching

  30. Dr Van Nostrand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    0.1m short to get Bobby in next unless I go Lowton over Taylor. Not much in it between them eh?