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. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I'd say a lot of folk will miss today's FPL deadline... 😮

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely

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

      It's half 1 in afternoon... i don't expect most to miss it. way more likely to miss the half 10 deadlines from oversleeping.

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

      Always surprises me though... what is it that other people do in lockdown other than think about their FPL team?!

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

    Play:
    A) Soucek
    B) Raphinha

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Cabra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have the same dilemma, i am now on Soucek.

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

        may end up playing both if Vardy gets rested

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

    Pick one:
    A) Vardy & Raphinha
    B) Son & Wood
    C) Martial & Maddison

    On WC!!

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

      B

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

        I've got Kane! Would you still reckon B?

        1. Rbyrne95
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          It's my dilemma too, I've just seen that Vardy and Martial are not in predicted line ups for this week though.

  4. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    WC team, BB19

    Mccarthy, Johnstone
    Dallas, Robbo, Balbuena, Taylor, KWP
    Son, Grealish, Salah, Bruno, Raphinha
    Adams, Martial, Bamford

    Grealish and Son for DGW players

    Worth it to eye Wood? Or roll with Martial?

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why have martial? He’s so bad. 1 goal in 11 or something

      1. Rbyrne95
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        is that from starting and playing 70 min + though?

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

        good form, good fixtures, DGW19

        1. Rbyrne95
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          That's what's making me want to pick him too, just the thought of Cavani starting instead is putting me off.

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

            still thinking between grealish + martial or rashford + wood

            1. Rbyrne95
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Wood is risky going by Burnleys goals

  5. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to complete defence please?
    Dallas, Taylor and
    A Zouma
    B kwp
    C Coufal

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

      B

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

      2. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        C

        1. In a Rush
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers yeah really undecided could do with a unanimous decision

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  6. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Johnstone
    Dalas dias dier (target kilman)
    Bruno son salah grealish (lokman)
    Dcl vardy bamford

    Which?

    A) target to taylor
    B) kilman lokman -4 to taylor 4.4 mid. (Free up some money)
    C) vardy lokman -4 to kane 4.3 mid.

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

    Captain? First to 3 wins

    A) Kane
    B) Salah

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

      B

      1. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        B

    2. Cabra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Our Man Charlie
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A for me

  8. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Does anyone know the latest recthe Rashford injury?

    Is he likely to play tomorrow?

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

      I reckon he will play

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

    Which combo?

    A) Salah/Robertson
    B) Salah/Mane

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

      B

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

      A

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

    Who scores more till gw18

    A: Kdb + Watkins or
    B: Soucek + Kane

    Alreayd have son if that makes a difference

    1. Hect.OR 98th
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It makes no difference to the question. I'd go for B.

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

      A

  11. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else feeling pretty uninspired by the GW18/19 fixtures and considering riding out both weeks without a chip? As things stand I can get 7 players out in GW18 and 6 doublers out in GW19. I've got triple Spurs, for example, with a fixture in 18 and a decent single fixture in 19.

    Aren't there likely to be other blanks and double GWs later in the season? This one doesn't look potentially lucrative to me.

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

      o/

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

      me... but i've already gone all in on fielding close to a full team in 18.

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

      Yeah, but I only have 4 players (inc brewster) for the blank week as it stands so I think I probably have to free hit that one.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I’ve got 6 players so similar issue but seems better to FH DGW?

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

          Team dependent really, but I'll have something like:

          Coufal, Chilwell, Dallas
          Salah, Mane, Bruno, Soucek
          Vardy, Bamford

          With Grealish and Martinez as SGWers.

          Only feel like I'm a Pool defender and a keeper short of my ideal FH team anyway.

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

      Of course, plenty will just ride it out.
      Not everyone is on here, paying membership fees and creating excel sheets with all permutations 🙂

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

      I'm definitely saving FH with those fixtures in the blank week - should be able to play 6/7 players in 18 and then BB 19 with 10 dobules + 5 singles

    6. Wicked Weapon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I agree but people who have their first WC (including me) have to play for what's in front of them. So BB in 19 but definitely not FH 18 is my plan.

    7. getfunky
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I was leaning this way but there's alot of low priced options available for the dgw which you might not get in future dgws, I'd rather take it while it's there... plus i'm worried City might actually decide to start scoring again in the bgw which could be painful.. Big if tho atm, I certainly wouldn't blame you for riding it out if you can muster a decent team in those gameweeks as i've been 50/50 on this for the last couple of weeks.

  12. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Grealish, Watkins -> Brewster, Son

    Or

    B) Grealish, Vardy -> Saka, Kane

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

      Neither

    2. Hect.OR 98th
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Neither. I think one of Kane or Son is a good move, but don't like Brewster or Saka.

    3. Rbyrne95
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is there a reason folk are getting rid of Vardy? away to palace is a great fixture right? especially with Vardys away record , Palace's recent results and GW 19 soon

  13. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts. KDB and Wilson to:
    A) Son and Martial (or Striker under 8.8)
    B)Vardy and Grealish/Raphinha (or Midfielder under 8.3m)

    I'm FH in 18 and BB or TC in 19 so I suppose it may be best in relation to that. Already have Bamford & Kane up top. Salah, Bruno, Soucek, Biss alongside atm

  14. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who 2 players will play?

    1 of them will be benched.

    a) van Aanholt
    b) Coufal
    c) Cancelo

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Play Cancelo for sure. The other two are 50/50.

  15. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one to start:

    a) DCL (City, H)
    b) Coufal (Sou, A)

    1. only2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      wondering the same, im on DCL start just because of the higher point celing

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, just can't see City conceding.

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

      Got to be DCL for this one I think

  16. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Dier or son in this gw?
    Out will be either targett or kdb.. the other move will be next week probably

    Have kane..

  17. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) kdb to salah or b) Wilson to forward under 7.5m? Cheers

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

      Get Salah in

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers yeh will do

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

    A) Stones, Mané
    B) Robbo, Son

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

      B

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

      A

  19. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Mourinho a rotation type manager? chance of Ben Davis starting again in Wednesday?

  20. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    vardy may be rested
    should i transfer him out ?
    so many attractive options there

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

      All players could be potentially rested. Just stick

  21. Paulie Walnuts
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Really not sure what to do here, have 2FT 0.0itb

    Martinez, Forster
    Bednarek, James, Taylor, Dier, coufal
    Grealish, Salah, Bruno, Son, zaha
    Kane, DCL, Brewster

    Zaha to Neto and bank the funds?

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

      Zaha > Soucek imo. Get ready for the DGW

  22. OleBall
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) KDB + Wilson > Son & Che
    B) KDB + Wilson > Kane & Soucek
    C) Hold FT

    Both -4

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

    De bruyne to rashford or son?

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

      Son for me

  24. That Fantasy Guy
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wild Card take 2. Thoughts please

    Forster - McCarthy
    Dallas - Robertson - Coufal - Dier - Justin
    Salah - Saka - Bruno - Son - Soucek
    Vardy - Bamford - Wood

    0 itb

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

      Wait Forster? Aren't you BB'ing in 19?

      What is this team?

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

      If you're BB i'd do Dier > Taylor, Forster > Johnstone

  25. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    moves i wanna make over the next 2 weeks -

    KDB + Mendy + DCL ---> Vardy + Son + Johnstone

    thoughts?

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

      GWs*

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

    Thoughts on this WC team w BB in 19

    Fabianski Johnston
    Robbo Justin Dallas Taylor Coufal
    Moh Bruno Son Soucek Anguissa
    Kane Bamford Adams

    Would you make any changes??

  27. smix
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bad choices but do I play:
    A. DCL or
    B. Bowen ?

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

    Play A) Soucek or B) Calvert-Lewin? Soucek actually has slightly better attacking numbers in the last few...

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

      Same dilemma. Also scared that DCL gets rested and comes on for a 1 pointer.

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would go Soucek. Considering the same question but Coufal instead of Soucek.

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

      Thanks both

  29. Ace Ventura
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Seeing a lot of people getting Raphina, why is that?

    Would you go KDB to Raphina and Brewster to Kane this week for -4?

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

      Because a lot of people are getting him is the answer. Hiveminds etc.

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

      Good fixtures... dgw... on set pieces... cheap enabler

  30. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    martinez forster
    bednarek taylor coufa lamptey dunne
    salah son grealish bruno burki
    DCL kane bamford

    0 FT 0.8 ITB no wildcard

    what to do in the coming weeks for gameweek 18 as i'll play freehit on gameweek 19

    any suggestions plz