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. Seamy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I am considering going with only 1 playing goalkeeper in my GW19 BB.
    It will cost me -4 to get one in and another needless transfer to get them back out if I'm not going to WC immediately after

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

      GW25 looks like great time to WC with DGW26 in mind

      so it's not long with 2nd keeper till that time

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

      I am considering not playing BB at all as will need -12 for 15dgwkers! I would take -4 for Johnstone now though. Can advice me below?

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This makes zero sense.

    4. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Totally makes sense

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

      I agree with this, the bench will be your 4 worst players, maybe getting you 16 points if all start and play. A normal bench week might get 6 points, so is it worth 2 hits for a 10 point net gain?

  2. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    WC16 and TC19 - which combination is better?

    A) McCarthy -- Robertson -- Cancelo -- Balbuena

    B) Martinez -- Robertson -- Stones -- Coufal

    Rest of defence is:
    Button -- Dier -- C.Taylor

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

      Interesting to not go bb... A

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It's that damn TV/SV!

        Haven't ruled it out entirely yet though

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

          I’m v happy with mine but I get you

          1. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Glad to hear 🙂

            How's it looking atm?

    2. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      They are almost the same. I would go with the one with Cancelo

    3. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you

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

    stones owner, starting him?

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

      Is start him if I had him but that doesn't mean Pep will.

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

      No. I’m not. I just got him in for Lamptey and he’ll be on my bench this GW

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

      Yes. Had a rest last week, worst case scenario plays centre-half so should be 90 mins or zero

    4. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I don't think he'll play. But tempted to try. Have to choose between him and Justin or Taylor. Everton aren't particularly great going forward without Richi and James so could be another clean sheet for city.

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

      Wouldn’t start him. I think Laporte probably plays with Dias. There’s also a chance if we go 2/3 goals ahead Dias is subbed early to rest and stones comes on for a 1 point cameo

  4. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    RP

    I bought Son last night for KDB.
    Plan was to get also Kane or Vardy for DCL but for a hit. Any opinion on that move?
    My cap would be Salah probably.

  5. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1) KDB & Matip > Mane & Dallas
    2) KDB & Mitchell > Son & Dallas
    3) KDB & Burke > Son & Soucek
    4) KDB, Matip & DCL > Son, Dallas & Vardy (-4)

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

    Anything here worth a hit?
    Got 6.4 in the bank .

    Martínez
    Chilwell - Dallas - Taylor
    Son - Raphinha - Fernandes - Salah
    Watkins - DCL - Bamford
    (Button - Coufal - Vestergaard - Anguissa)

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

      Watkins to Kane? Can't be dreadful forever!

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

        That was my initial thinking when planning for GW 18/19, but Spurs' form has put me off (brought in Son for Grealish before his haul too…). Vardy is another option – but is he worth a -4 this GW?

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

    Crazy to go with Watkins on wc? Other alternative is adams

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

      I went Adams, but it's close between him and Woods for me

    2. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I binned last night

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

      I'm transferring him out today for Wood with FT

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

      Hold for antonio fitness

    5. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I went with Woods for fixtures but he looked a bit of a donkey against Leeds so considering benching him today (play Dallas and Dier with five at the back)

  8. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Neto vs (Brighton and Everton)
    B) Saka vs (WBA and Palace)

    Thanks!

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

      Saka

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Saka

  9. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this BB team for gw19?

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Balbuena - Coufal - Alioski - O’Shea - Taylor
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Rashford - Soucek
    Vardy - Bamford - Rodrigo

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A bit too cheap in defence for me

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

    Need advice guys,
    What to do?
    1) BB and get Johnstone Lamptey Saka DCL play extra for -4 with 2 dgwkers
    2) save BB for later and avoid 4mn to Johnstone upgrade

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

      1

    2. abhirup780
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If you are using FH for 18 then it is better to BB in 19. even with a couple of hits.
      The only other GW worth playing BB is DGW26 after wildcarding in 25. But as GW 29 will be blank (none of the teams with doubles in 26 will play 29) it will impossible to optimally use BB in 26 with all 15 DGWers. You will have almost no player left for GW29 (only 3FT available from 26 to 29) in that case and FH will be a must for SGW29. Otherwise, if you don't play BB in 26 then you can make a team with 10-11 DGW26 players and 4-5 SGW29 players which will optimally balance your side for both GWs.

      1. HNI
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        WHat about bb chip end gws like last time around 33-37gws?

        1. abhirup780
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          There will not be big DGWs after 26. There will be small DGWs only according to Ben.

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

    Would you double up with

    A) Rashford (Have Bruno)
    B) Mane (Have Salah and Robbo)

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

      Rashford

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mane

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

      Mane
      Can advice me above bro?

    4. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mane

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

    A few last minute choices, one letter and 1 number please!

    A) McCarthy (WHU)
    B) Meslier (wba)

    1) Taylor (SHU)
    2) KWP (WHU)

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

      B1

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B1

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

      B1 surely
      Can advice me above mate?

    4. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A1

    5. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B1

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

    On WC. Stones > Coufal?

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

  14. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Should I play Matip for the slightest chance that he does start? or is Bednarek a better choice anyways?

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

      Matip will be out for at 6 weeks

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Where did you hear this?

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

    Any opinion on Saka? Looking at Podence to Saka transfer...

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

      If Arsenal pick up some.momentum it's a great choice, especially short term.

      The downside... It's Arsenal so who knows! I took the gamble and if he can return once in the next 3 I'd be happy

  16. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez
    Robertson KWP PVA
    KDB Salah Bowen Grealish Fernandes
    Bamford DCL

    4.0 4.0 Lamptey Brewster

    Anything to do here with 2 fts?

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

    Looks like no Richarlison again vs Everton. Another near-guaranteed CS it is

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

      *vs City

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Stones good?

        1. Not again Shirley
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Probably won’t play today with loads of other CB options to come in

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

    Son & Canelo in for KDB & Lamptey for free, good or bad ?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Good

  19. Big Hippo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy or Kane for the next 2?

    It’s very close imo. Might captain Kane v Leeds, might bring Vardy in for DGW anyway

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

      Had a similar dilemma, I went Vardy in the end as more explosive fixtures and plays DGW19 but with reports of a resting then I’m starting to second guess

  20. tractorjess
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    a) Rashford + DCL
    b) Fernandes + Wood

    On wildcard

  21. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 2

    A) soucek
    B) kwp
    C) stones
    D) strujik
    E) balbuena

    1. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DE maybe

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

      D E in that order

  22. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy is going to be rested isn’t he :((((

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

      Wait for team leaks.

  23. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play three defenders

    A Cancelo
    B Taylor
    C Chilwell
    D Dallas
    E KWP

    Thanks in advance

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

      ABD

      1. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks Evasio
        No faith in Chilwell?

  24. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Good to save? 1FT 2.0 ITB

    Mendy
    Robbo Stones Taylor KWP
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish
    Bamford Wilson

    (Steer Welbeck Mitchell Neto)

  25. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any ideas what to do here? Thinking I free hit gw18 and triple captain 19. Too much to sort to bench boost.

    McCarthy/Forster
    TAA/Coufal/KWP/Taylor/Targett
    Salah/Fernandes/KDB/Grealish/Riedeweld
    DCL/Wilson/Bamford

    0itb and 1 ft

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

      I would be looking at kdb to son or Wilson to wood. You could even roll the transfer.

  26. Dirk41
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Replacement for Zaha ?

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Play him

      1. Dirk41
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thanks mate 😀

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

    Bench order GTG?

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

    Forster Klich Zouma Coufal

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Are you playing Dallas over Zouma?

      I play Chilwell over Dallas

  28. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who would you captain and why?
    A) Salah
    B) Son
    C) Bruno
    D) Vardy

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

      Salah - was rested recently , Liverpool high ceiling , in form, Newcastle not looking great, most captained on poll.

      I was expecting to captain a Spurs player but their stats have been bad for weeks, Bruno is on form but in theory wolves is a tough fixture to score highly. Vardy likely to be rested.

  29. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Please help me decide which 2 to play from
    Dias Justin Taylor Coufal?

    Thanks!

    Thinking Justin and Taylor at present

    1. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dias and Taylor

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

      Tough I am doing Justin and Taylor too, however this seems to be a tough benching week.

  30. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mane or Vardy for DGW?