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. Sir Burtenshaw
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to get on wildcard?
    A. Wood
    B. Adams

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

      Adams

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

      In similar position..

      Have gone Wood but likely to switch next week or before gw 19 for longer term

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

      Adams

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

      I bought Adams. There's not much in it though. Just rate Southampton a lot more than Burnley even though they have arguably worse fixtures.

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

      I went wood , 2 good fixtures, recent good stats , on pens, I may swap to Antonio if fit for 19 but happy to play through doubles.

  2. Fergiesarmy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL to Bamford for free?

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

      Yes

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

      Cool guys are getting Cavani in for DCL

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

        Isn’t he being banned for racism at some point?

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

      No room for both? Esp if value tied up in DCL

    4. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I did

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

    Post your wc team for bb and I’ll rate out of 10... also rate mine?

    McCarthy Johnstone
    Robo Coufa Taylor Dallas Justin
    Salah Son Bruno Raphina Soucek
    Vardy/Firmino Adams Bamford

    1. Andre_The_Giant
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      McCarthy Johnstone
      Robo Coufa Taylor Dallas Justin
      Salah Son Bruno Soucek Anguissa
      Kane Adams Bamford

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

        8

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

      8/10. I would still stick with Vardy over Firmino.

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

      McCarthy
      TAA -- Dias -- Dier -- C.Taylor
      Salah -- Fernandes -- Son -- Raphinha
      Kane -- Bamford

      4.0 -- Coufal -- Soucek -- Brewster

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

        Like it... Kane, Brewster, 4.0 to Firmino, Antonio, Johnstone for the dgw? 😉

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

          Not ruled out yet!

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

      8/10 - happy with mid(obv)and defence less sure on adams and McCarthy due to fixtures but had them both in drafts.

      Fabianski Johnstone
      Zouma Robertson Justin kwp Taylor
      Salah son Bruno raphinha soucek
      Kane(Vardy) Wood(poss Antonio for 19) bamford

      Clearly Kane means I might be saving a -4 for 19 if I want 2 transfers.

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

        Very nice. Fab, KWP to McCarthy, Coufal saves you a lot?

    5. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      McCarthy Johnstone
      Robertson Taylor Coufal Dallas Justin
      Salah Bruno Son Soucek Anguissa
      Kane Bamford Adams

      Anything glaringly obvious? Or G2G?

    6. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Solid team.
      My plan is this team with no hits. (Maybe -4. Grealish to Raphina and Martial instead of Rodrigo)

      Martinez Johnstone
      Robbo Chilwell James Coufal Balbuena
      Grealish Salah Mane Bruno Soucek
      Bamford Adams Rodrigo

  4. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Kane and Maddison
    B) Vardy and Son

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

      B for gw19 A for this week (Maddison is a trap but Vardy likely to rest this week)

  5. LJJH1984
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Son and Vardy to Bruno and Wood (-4)?

    Not having Bruno is killing me. Also thinking that Vardy and Son may be rested.

    What do you think?

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

      Vardy I think will be rested I dont think Son will

  6. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Better pair

    A)Son Wood
    B)Kane Soucek

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      can you not get Son+Kane+Soucek? On WC?

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Fts .Have no wc. Replacement for Grealish and dcl

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          who is your (c) this week?
          BB in 19?
          Lots to consider

          1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Tc in 19.Salah

  7. niloh1
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    would you guys do this? got 2 ft, kdb & vardy to son & kane.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would

  8. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How many should I expect to be rested/rotated this week?
    Do I have enough bench cover with 2?

    McCarthy
    Cresswell | Dallas | Taylor
    Salah | Bruno | Son | Grealish
    Kane | DCL | Bamford

    Steer | Soucek | Targett | Mitchell

    Thanks

    1. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Think so

    2. niloh1
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      yeah ur team is looking good for this gw

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers both

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

      Looks good. Remember that Targett is on 4YC

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks good point, hoping next week to do DCL to Brewster and Targett to TAA.
        This will give me 0.5ITB to sort Mitchell/Steer

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

          Nice, sounds good.

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

    A) Rashford + DCL
    B) Bruno + Wood

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A if chasing, otherwise B

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

      B)

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

    a) KDB & Matip > Mane & Dallas
    b) KDB & Mitchell > Son & Dallas
    c) KDB & Burke > Son & Soucek
    d) KDB, Matip & DCL > Son, Dallas & Vardy (-4)

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

      Maybe C although they're all decent. I got Dallas for his clean sheet yesterday but Christ they looked ropey. Not purely the attacking tactics either, the amount of times they gave the ball away around their own box with either a bad touch or a simple misplaced pass was incredible. I saw Phillips do it twice, Klitch at least that, Ayling and Alioski both had a go as well, against a good team they could concede dozens

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

    On WC:

    A) Robertson + Cancelo

    B) TAA + Dias

    Feel like Trent still working his way back in but I feel more confident with Dias minutes...

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

      Cancelo more exciting pick, at least short term with Walker out.
      I have Robbo and Dias though.

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

        Thanks, trying to make it R + D too

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

    Wildcard GW16 - G2G???

    McCarthy (Johnstone)
    Robbo | Taylor | Dallas (Justin, Coufal)
    Son | Bruno | Salah (C) | Soucek (Raphinha)
    Adams | Kane (VC) | Bamford

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

      If you believe in Spurs (I have no Spurs but Mane, your choice)

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

      I’ve just selected the exact same team...

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

        This gives me some solace.. lol good luck!

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

          And you!

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

    moves i wanna make over the next 2 GWs -

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

    thoughts?

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

      They all look solid. I've currently got KDB and DCL and they're both on the hitlist, Vardy in hopefully but don't know about the midfield

  14. Diddi89
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg WC team?

    Mccarty-johnstone
    Trent-robbo-Coufal-bednarek -taylor
    Salah-son-Bruno-soucek-maddison
    Bamford-Adams-rodrygo

    Thanks for feedback

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

      I think so like Liverpool double up - decided to go for 1 and spread funds after Trent not quite firing but if he does you will be golden,

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

      Is this with a gw19 BB in mind? I think I'd prefer Vardy and Raphina rather than Rodrygo and Son but could be wrong. Looks like Spurs are becoming more Mourinho like and when Son was doing well he was hardly missing which wasn't very sustainable. His fixtures pre 19 are good though

  15. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best players for GW18?

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

      Should be fairly easy eg Kane son dier kdb Dias cancelo dcl

  16. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chances of Amartey starting with Rodgers talking about lots of changes?

  17. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    play 1 pls

    a. Coufal
    b. KWP

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

      B

    2. 8ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      kwp

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      thanks lads

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

    Which BB combo is better for GW19?

    A)
    McCarthy
    Taylor - O'Shea - Alioski
    Rashford
    Rodrigo

    B)
    Meslier
    Robertson Justin - Dier
    Raphina
    Adams

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

    How far off is Antonio?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      20/30 miles?

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

        This is great banter

        1. james 101
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I live in kent.

          Let’s keep our expectations low!

          (He should be ok hopefully)

    2. 8ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      WHU itk on twitter said should be back for Southampton game

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

      I’ll get for 19...

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

    Something I didn't consider when going against the grain is that my team value is looking to take a big hit over the coming weeks. Everyone's selling KDB yet I have to keep him for the blank. (and still want him post blank for the 3 good fixtures). Grealish also going to take a hit, so is Zaha. And DCL too. Meanwhile others are getting value increases on the players they're bringing in for it.

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

      Meh. It's generally overrated. Get the players you want, observe price changes so you buy them before they go up or get rid before one goes down. But don't let it affect your core decision making.

      1. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This

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

        Yeh I know it's over-rated and I'm not letting it affect my decisions but it's still frustrating!

  21. Fishy-o
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy Martínez
    Robbo Zouma Justin Coady Mitchell
    Salah Son Grealish Raphinha Anguissa
    Vardy DCL Bamford

    1m itb, 1ft

    A, Robbo, DCL > Taylor, Kane
    B, Robbo, Grealish > Taylor, Bruno
    C, Vardy > Kane

  22. Greyling
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB, DCL to?
    A. Son, Kane -4

    OR

    Grealish, Maupay to?
    B. Son, Wood -4

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

    Aguero or Firmino for a Vardy place holder

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

      Don't like either tbh sorry.

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

      Just keep Vardz imo

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

    A) Grealish, Watkins -> Brewster, Son
    Or
    B) Grealish, Vardy -> Saka, Kane

    Basically, Son vs Kane?

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

    Which duo?
    A) Zouma and Maddison
    B) Robbo and Raphinha

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

      B

    2. 8ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  26. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to bench?
    A: Alioski
    B: Coufal
    C: Welbeck

    Martínez
    TAA - Robertson
    Salah (C) - Fernandes - Son - Rashford - Grealish
    Bamford

    (Farrell, ? , Balbuena, Brewster)

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

    Bench Zouma or Wilson this week?

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

      Wilson

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

    Which one plays? Other one will be benched.

    a) Foden
    b) Watkins

    1. 8ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Watkins

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

    As a Pulisic owner it's frustrating the amount of articles with predicted lineups that have him in it. Just can't see Lampard risking him today after his recent hammy issues.

    1. 8ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Was thinking the same thing. They all seem to have him starting

  30. DonBenzema
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Even though he might only play 20 minutes, I can still feel a Jamie Vardy party coming tonight!

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

      That's what I feel too. But it's too much to take a hit to bring him in, I guess.