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. tim
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench two!

    Zouma
    KWP
    Watkins
    Targett

    CHEERS!

    1. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KWP & Watkins

    2. Greative
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Targett
      KWP

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

    Lowton just as nailed as Taylor?

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd say so.

  3. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do you guys expect Chilwell to start?

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

      No

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah

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

      No

    4. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No

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

      Not anymore, I’ll bench him fwiw.

      https://twitter.com/maccasport/status/1343478554370064384?s=21

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Because of some flags?

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

          It’s difficult I agree, but the guy seems pretty reliable.

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

    Best mid up 7.3 on WC

    Have Salah, Bruno, Raphinha and Soucek.

    Maddison is 1st choice but he should get rest today. Anyone else as placeholder?

  5. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Don`t know what to do with Podence. My plan is FH19, so preparing for GW18 too...

    2FT 0.0 ITB

    Robo, Podence -> Stones, Zaha (0.0 ITB)

    Can Zaha nick something in next 3?

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

      Selling Robertson against Newcastle is a... choice.

      Stones could be benched this week.

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

    GTG?
    1FT 0.9ITB
    Squad:
    Mcarthy
    Cresswell Dallas TAA
    KDB Bruno Salah Grealish
    Giroud Bam Adams

    Forster / Taylor / Bissouma / Neco

    Start Dallas or Taylor?
    Thoughts on keeping Giroud for one last GW? he must starts?

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

    Captain

    A) Son
    B) Salah
    C) Kane

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

      Son I think

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

      Salah for me.

    3. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

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

    McCarthy
    Aurier Cancelo TAA Taylor
    Ward Prowse Soucek Salah Fernades
    Watkins Vardy
    Bench: Ryan Mahrez Wilson Mitchell

    Good to go and save FT?
    or change mahrez to raphina/saka/maddison for a FT? cant afford son without a hit.

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

    a) Martial + Mane
    b) Kane + Son

    Bboost 19

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      B

    3. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    Any help here please?

    1 FT 0.2 itb

    Martinez
    Matip Dias Dier
    Bowen KDB Salah Bruno Son
    DCL Adams

    X Kilman Brewster Mitchell

    Thank you!!

    1. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sort that bench out

  11. KrisMCFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    On WC...

    Meslier, fabianski
    Cancelo, Justin, Taylor, coufal, holding
    Salah , Bruno, son, raphina soucek
    Wood, bamford, Adam’s

    £4.8m itb

    Wood / Adam’s > Vardy next gw

    But

    A. Kane > Wood and downgrade Kane to Vardy before dgw19

    B. Leave wood but upgrade holding with .8m spare to a 5.2m or less defender

    C. Leave current team

    Any help appreciated

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

      A. I’d do Fab, Holding to Johnstone, Cresswell

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

    Saka or soucek for the next 3. Will get soucek for 19 regardless but it may cost -4

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

      Souc

  13. MMN
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start Zouma or Wilson this week? Was set on Zouma but not sure now with Chelsea rotation and Matip likely out I assume?

  14. 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

  15. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Still think dcl will start

  16. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one
    1 Soucek
    2 James
    3 Taylor

  17. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I have no Spurs. should I do KDB to Son?

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

      I would

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think KDB will come good soon, I’m sticking with him

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

    Can't pick between Raphinha and Soucek to start. Any thoughts?

    McCarthy
    Justin Robbo Taylor
    Bruno Salah(C) Son Raphinha
    Adams Vardy Bamford

    Johnstone - Soucek Dallas Coufal

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

      Soucek

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

      Probs soucek

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

      Soucek

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

      Strong 15 there!

      Head raphinha... heart says soucek

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

    To start

    Martinez (che)
    Johnstone (LEE)

  20. THEKID_88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    £4.9m budget

    Is Stones the best Lamptey replacement that plays in the blank?

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

      If Pep picks him to play that game, I'd say so.

  21. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Asm to saka for -4?

  22. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Matip to Aurier makes sense? Have a 5.6 budget

  23. Fozzyb34r
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lamptey to:
    A - Justin (cry) -4
    B - C.Taylor (SHU) -4
    C - Play Konsa and hope nobody gets rested as my other defender is Walker

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

    Will perreira affect Justin before the dgw? Not sure who else I like at around 5m mark

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

      I doubt it. Even if he's back, Justin has been one of their best players. Could stay in the team on form alone or via injuries elsewhere.

  25. Lubic87
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Matip to Dier or double up on Man City (already own Stones)?

  26. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys!! Can you rank these in captaincy order?? I cannot decide haha,
    A- Vardy
    B- Kane
    C- Salah
    Thankyou

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

    Which one to start

    A) Ayling
    B) Soucek
    C) Coufal

    TIA

    1. PukkiBlinder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      Soucek

  28. PukkiBlinder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:
    A- Zouma
    B- Dallas
    C- Taylor
    D- Grealish
    E- Adams

  29. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking about saving the FT now? Then move KDB next week.
    Martinez
    TAA,Dallas,Dias
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish
    DCL, Bamford,Watkins

    Johnstone,Soucek,Coufal,Ferguson. 0.3m itb. 1 FT

    Really undecided so rolling makes sense.

    1. PukkiBlinder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Save

  30. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play Soucek, Grealish or DCL?

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

      DCL

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

      Just 1?

    3. PukkiBlinder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish