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. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which would you pick:
    A Bellerin- nailed, great fixtures
    B Cancelo- not nailed but better player and team

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

      I’m considering Bellerin.

      But I’m also considering PVA ... GW20 onwards good too. The guy loves a shot

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

        Thanks. It’s going against the crowd but think he’s going to get plenty of points in the next few as long as Arsenal maintain discipline

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

          Yes I need a player for 18. Good luck

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

      Cancelo is pretty nailed

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

        Thanks. He’s such a quality player too.

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

    Raphinha or Saka in for Mahrez?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Saka?

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez will start

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

        We don't know that. We genuinely don't know that.

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          You actually right 😀

  3. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Rate my wildcard team?

    McCarthy, Sanchez
    Chilwell, Justin, Kwp, Targett, balbuena
    Salah, bruno, Son, soucek, Saka
    Kane, bamford, Calvert-Lewin

    Is there anyone you’d change?

  4. 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

    1. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would not do any of those but B if you must

  5. Dee Lixon
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who should I bench out of these?

    A) Watkins
    B) DCL
    C)Dallas

    Thanks!

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

      C

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

      I've gone B. City are tight of late and we all know that DCL's productivity reduces without Richy

      1. Dee Lixon
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks guys

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

    Mane or Son?

    I have Kane and Salah.

    Bringing Son in enables DCL ---> Vardy

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

      Son then.

  7. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is DCL ➡ Wood worth FT?

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

      I don't think so. Burnley have nice fixtures but they're poor.

      If you're really chasing then it's a good punt I suppose.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah agreed

        Concern is Burnley is barely scoring goals

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

          on the other hand Wood usually gets 2-3 bonus when he scores, because of that

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

      Depends if you’re chipping BGW. But Wood is due some goals so should be ok

  8. Berna1985
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to bench?
    A. Dallas
    B. Justin
    C. Soucek

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

      C

    2. Mongreloid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dallas

  9. Munny Man
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What do you think of my wildcard team? G2G?
    Pope, Johnstone
    Justin, C.Taylor, TAA, Dallas, Coufel
    Bruno, Mane, Salah, Soucek, Raphina
    Adams, Bamford, Wood

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

      Nope. With two budget mids I’d expect a premium forward.

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

    Ings + Grealish > Vardy + Raphinha?

    1. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, prbl even for a hit

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

        Thats for free

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Keep grealish

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

        Would mean downgrading DCL instead to get Vardy

  11. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best 5.9 and below mid?
    A.Neto
    B.Saka.
    C. Someone else

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  12. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best Lamptey replacement?

    A) Cancelo (Already have Dias)

    B) Dier

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

      B

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

      Charlie Taylor if you don't already own.

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This

      2. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I need him to play in GW18

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

      A

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

    Any news about DCL?
    Do we expect him to start? Would you start him over Soucek regardless?

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

      Richarlison is out so I expect him to start. Don't think they have any other strikers.

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

        Tosun

      2. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I was wondering this.Would you get him on WC or someone else?

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

      Yes and Yes

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

      yes
      yes

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

        Cheers all

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

    To start alongside Justin (cpa) Robbo (new)

    Lowton (SHU), Coufal (sou), Dallas (wba)

    This is probably the game to play a Burnley defender if there ever was one?

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

      Yes, I’d personally be tempted to play Dallas over Justin though

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

    Anyone else tempted by Martinelli at 4.9?

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

      No keeping funds in midfield barring Soucek as 5th mid

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

        Yeah I've got a big 5 in midfield but tempted to switch Pulisic to Martinelli and bank the 4.0 or whatever it leaves.

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

          In that case I would be tempted, Soucek is so good though and nailed too

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

    I did Watkins ---> Bamford on FT today, was that a good idea?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      For sure

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

    reposting

    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

  18. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    On wildcard - does anybody think Bardsley is a threat to Lowton? Thanks

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

      No.

  19. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one from:

    A) Reece James
    B) KWP
    C) Raphinha
    D) Soucek
    E) Cresswell

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

      D or E.

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

    Team set.

    Time for an afternoon nap.

    Zzzzzzz

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

    Thoughts on this WC team with BB in 19

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

    Would you make any changes??

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good to me mate

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

        Pope or Fabianski?

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

      Decent!

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

        Pope or Fabianski?

  22. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is rhys williams ok pick for next 5 gw's ?

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

      not next 5

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

        For dgw ?

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

          risky not for me personally

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

      Gamble! Wouldn't do it if relying on him for a BB in 19

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

    Cancelo & Taylor
    or
    Dias & Lowton

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

      on WC
      (will BB19 & play 6-7 in 18)

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

      Cancelo&Taylor

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

    Hello, some advice please.
    team link: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/3446438/event/15

    Im struggling on which 2 to bench:
    dias, walker peters, james, justin, robertson

    pretty set on starting justin and robertson. Cant choose between the rest, although i have a feeling james wont start

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

    Captain:

    A - Salah
    B - Bruno
    C - Kane

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

      C

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

    a) Bruno
    b) Mane

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

      A

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

    1) DCL + Mitchell -> Adams + Robbo? (-4)
    2) DCL -> Adams
    3) Save

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

      It really depends on your team. That's a lot of money ITB. What are you saving it for?

  28. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane or kdb for the next few gws?

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

      Kane for next 2

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

        This

  29. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is rhys williams good pick for dgw ?

  30. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    % Votes for being rested this gw:

    a) fernandes
    b) son
    c) vardy
    d) mane
    e) salah
    f) kane

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

      5
      5
      95
      5
      5
      0

      Basically I expect all to start except Vardy who I'm almost certain will not start.

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

      a) 6%
      b) 3%
      c) 59%
      d) 22%
      e) 13%
      f) 2%

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

      5
      10
      60
      15
      15
      5