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. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    start 1

    A) Taylor
    B) Dallas
    C) Coufal

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Dallas

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

    Pool will not get new CB before dgw's ? What do you think ?
    Is Rhys Williams good pick for next few gw's ?

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

      Huge if true

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

      might rotate with Phillips

  3. Pinturicchio10
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fabinski
      Ayling-TAA-Zouma
      Soucek-Salah-Son-Fernandes-Grealish
      Bamford-Vardy

      PF-Webster-Brewster-Konsa

      1ft 0.9itb

      Save ft right?

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        yeah i would

    • Liastro ⭐️
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo or Dias on a WC?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Is probably go Cancelo now. Both good picks

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

        Dias less rotation risk it seems
        Cancelo better offensive threat.
        For me Cancelo

      3. Sho-kun
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        short term cancelo
        long term dias

    • RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1FT. 0.4itb. FH18, BB19.

      KDB >>

      A. Son (worried with no Spurs and those fixtures)

      B. Mané (looks back in great form but is triple pool and Salah Captain too much)

      C. Save (give Kev ANOTHER chance!)

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'm doing C but will probably do KDB + DCL > Rashford and Vardy next gw

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

        B

      3. Genji3lade
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Same boat, weirdly leaning towards C.

        Will then have 2 FT's next week with more info and I still think Kevin could get points this week.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Also leaning that way!

    • C_G
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

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

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

        Yes

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

        Yes imo

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

          Yes

      3. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes

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

        Yes. But even if it wasn't, the decision is made. Sit back and relax!

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

        Yep, imo

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

      Bergwijn good 1 week punt maybe?

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

        Nah he's terrible.

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No

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

      Which 2 to bench?
      A. Cancelo
      B. Chilwell
      C. Dallas
      D. Taylor
      E. Coufal

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        E for sure. Rest are a coin toss

      2. Sting in the Tail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        B (probably rested)
        D

    • Peekay
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Play Coufal(v Southampton) or Dallas (v Westbrom)

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

        Dallas. Higher CS potential and more attacking potential.

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

        Dallas

    • Mattymo23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Should I start?

      A) Maddison

      B)Soucek

      Just worried Maddison will come off the bench for a one pointer

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

        Not sure. B is way more likely to start but A is way more likely to return points. Go with your gut.

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

        Pick the player with higher points potential. That's Maddison.

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

      Any news on rashford? Will we get an update before the deadline from ole? I have him in on wc

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Don’t think we will get an update but he desperately needs a rest before his shoulder gets worse..

        Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t start although ole plays him into the ground so you might be alright

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

          Might get yourself in too. But I reckon Cavani will play

    • Blens
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DCL - where's all this news coming from that he may be rested?

      I can get him back and sub Soucek or Raphina for him but wanted to see how much of a gamble that was.

      % DCL will start?

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

        Speculation on here

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

          Yes...that's that what I thought...I'd have thought Ancelotti would want to give it a shot with his best team against MC - that and Rich' out

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

        Ancelotti said it some time ago. This would be the game to do it, but I’m not sure he can we the other absentees.

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

          Aah okay thanks..yes a tough decision - he doesn't strike me as manager that would roll over ...it would be a different stiry of he had fit, like-for-likes available but not sure he has.

    • Sloane426
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Last decision on WC, please help decide...
      (A) Kane + Raphinha + Robertson
      (B) Rodrigo + Mane + Cancelo

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        A and switch kane to vardy in 19

    • Mr_Barbs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Finalising the WC

      A) Lowton, Dallas, Coufal, F.Silva
      B) C.Taylor, Alioski, Balbuena, Rodrigo
      C) Lowton, Dallas, Struijk, A.Barnes

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Wolves will buy a forward to start over silva in january so not A. B i think

    • WashedKing
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Chilwell to Robbo or Justin to Robbo ?

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

        Chil

    • tissae
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bench one:
      A) Dias (EVE)
      B) Dallas (wba)
      C) Cresswell (sou)
      D) Bednarek (WHU)

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        D

    • gstegnar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Used my WC

      Fab - Button
      Dias - Coufal - Dier - Taylor - Justin
      Son - Bruno - Salah - Soucek - Alzate
      Kane - Bamford - Wilson

      What do you think? Is it risky using Fabianski? Can any further improvements be made, e.g. Wilson to Adams, Soucek to..?

    • Tmel
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mane or Vardy for the double GW?

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

        Vardy

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

        Mane imo!

    • C_G
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      is everyone using BB GW19? I have a terrible bench

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

        I thought FH was the best chip for GW19?

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

        Don't think it's worth it unless you have a wildcard. I'm not using my FT to upgrade the likes of Forster, Mitchell and Brewster. Complete waste.

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

        FH for me

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

        If you have 1st WC yes

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

          If not depends on how many BGW18 or DGW19 players you have already

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

        I needed to get a better bench anyway, Brewster, Kilman, Lamptey been killing me when 2 or 3 players is rested/injured every GW. I will have this team in DGW19 with no hits (FH GW18)

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

    • choco27
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Please pick 2 combo of these 4 players for this GW:
      Meslier or Martinez
      Dallas or Targett?
      Thanx

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

        Martinez and Dallas

    • Samwise the Brave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1. Leno + Justin
      Or
      2. Pope + Cancelo

      Shifting keeper to Fab in the double

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

        2

    • Viper
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A. Kane & Dallas

      B. Vardy & Cancelo

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

        Tough one.

        A imo

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

        B

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

        B)

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

        A...... just

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

        A but only cos the doubt about Vardy startling this week

    • GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lads, do any of ye, living outside the EU, stream PL games, when available on Amazon Prime?

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

        I just use USAgoals net

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers. Got this though. 'As a result of this, UK customers such as yourself will no longer have access to the full UK catalogue while traveling to EU countries, including Ireland starting 1st January 2021' . I'm in Ireland, wondering if I can stream PL games on Amazon Post Brexit or will there be a sub.

    • tinear
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Repost
      Appreciate any opinion on this lads.

      Martinez
      Zouma, Stones, Taylor
      Grealsh, Salah, Bruno, Son
      Kane, Bamford, DCL

      Steer, Ayling, Bissouma, Mitchell
      2ft, 1.3 itb

      Plan
      GW16 DCL to Adams
      GW17 Kane Mitchell to Vardy Robbo
      FH18

      Leaves me with this for GW19 (not the best team to BB)
      Martinez
      Robbo,Zouma,Stones
      Son, Salah, Bruno, Grealish
      Vardy, Bamford, Adams

      Steer, Taylor, Ayling, Bissouma
      0 itb

    • ymx
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dallas or Taylor??

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'm on taylor atm. Really tough decision though

    • Alli
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Stones or Coufal on WC?

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

        Coufal

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

        I'd risk holding one city defender for the longer term. Between those two coufal

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

      A) McCarthy Cancelo Rodrigo
      B) Fabianski Dallas Adams

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

        A

    • ZLNR
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A. Coufal and Anguissa
      B. Balbuena and Lookman

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

        A

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

        B. But what about:

        X. Coufal + Dallas + Anguissa
        Y. Balbuena + Aylling + Lookman

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

      Which 1 of these to start, and why?
      A) Alioski (wba)
      B) Justin (cry)
      C) Coufal (sou)

    • Mane Mane Mane
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is DCL to bamford worth it

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        for free? yes

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

        Yes, yes it is

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

        Get both