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. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins>Adams?

    Got grealish

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

      I would keep Watkins

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m ditching Grealish and keeping Ollie I think

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

      i did Watkins-----> Bamf but im sure u already him

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

        have*

      2. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        yeah got him

  2. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    People hyping up Son but KDB’s underlying stats are at least twice as good as Son’s.

    Spurs are overrated at best

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

      Keep Kev then?

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

      Son outperforms his underlying stats though and KDB does the opposite because of all the useless turds he has around him.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes agreed.

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

      It’s Son (c) v Leeds that’s the appeal. That game will be a hard watch for non owners.

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This is true, I'm contemplating moving KDB out next week to accommodate Kane for 1 week (already have Son) and then moving him back in after

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

        I pray Mane vs Southampton can cover some of his points.

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

    Matip to Cancelo?

    1. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m thinking this move or even Bellerin or Reguilon.....

  4. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez
    Robertson, TAA, Dallas
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Adams

    Steer; Stephens, Mitchell, Lamptey.

    0 FT 2.9 ITB

    A) Good to go
    B) DCL -> Vardy -4

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

      A.
      Lovely team

    2. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      g2g

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

      A

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

    Mane vs new
    or
    KDB vs eve

    What is the chance of either getting benched? Who is a better pick for this GW in isolation?

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

      Mane all day

  6. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez
    Konsa Matip Taylor
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish
    Bamford Firmino DCL

    Steele Soucek Kilman Mitchell

    -8 Matip/Grealish/DCL
    4.9m stones or Coufal maybe/saka/Kane

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I've taken a -8 to do Grealish and DCL to Son and Watkins.
      Already regretting it!

  7. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do:

    Kane (LEE) > Vardy (new) next week or wait until GW19?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wait until 19. Leeds might play right into Spurs' hands like they did at United.

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

      Wait

  8. StellaMan
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best Wilson replacement?
    Have Wilson Kane and DCL at mo
    £6.9 to spend

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

      Bamford. He’s on pens too

  9. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who’s a better pick?

    A. Alioski
    B. Balbuena

    I’m likely to BB in DGW19

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

      A for me

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

      a

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

    4. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B because A will be dropped soon according to Leeds fans

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

      clearly a

    6. spursmad
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      B for BB!

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

    when are people using FH and BB chips?

    I want to use FH GW18 and NOT use the BB

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      FH in 18. BB later in the season.

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

        Is FH better in GW18 than GW19?

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

          Depends on your team

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

            True I only have 5 playing in GW18 so May have to FH

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Your plan is the most sensible

  11. shabalala
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start 2:
    a: chillwel
    b: grealish
    c: kwp

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

      b c

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

        Thank you

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

    WC team, BB19

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

    Pick XXX...

    A) Rashford + Wood
    B) Grealish + Martial

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

      A

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

      B

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

        thanks, had a last minute panic attack.

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

    Repost. If you're on a wildcard, you don't need FH18:

    You can set up your team for GWs 16 to 22 following the template, have 2 FTs for BGW18, FH19, and sell one GW18 player by GW20 (say, Dier to Reece for free)

    GW23 marks a massive City fixture swing. This frees up funds via something like Dias/Cancelo (especially if you get two City defenders on your WC now) to a cheap defender with good fixtures

    We'll know the DGW26 doubles before GW24. If you roll a spare FT from GW23, you'll have FOUR free transfers to prepare for BB26, which will have about 4 to 6 doubles, according to Crellin

    You'll then have your WC to clear the bench after and prepare for BGWs 29 and 33, as well as TC for the minor DGWs for Bruno (Burnley or TGW), Grealish (Newcastle), KDB/Kun (Southampton)

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

      the major reason for FH18 is BB19

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It's matchday morning. Nobody cares about gw26 or gw 33 😛

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yep

  14. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions?
    1FT 0.7 ITB

    Martinez
    Dias Dallas Justin James
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish
    Bamford Wood

    Steer Soucek DCL Coufal

    A) Save
    B) KDB to Son
    C) KDB + James —> Son + Robbo (-4)
    D) James to Taylor

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

      You've basically answered my question below.

      So... Now that KDB has dropped probably go A. Otherwise B

    2. tom2224
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Is it worth getting in Son now? Depends on what you Are doing for GW 18/19

  15. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    WC team TC in 19

    McCarthy
    Robbo Cancelo Taylor
    Son Salah Bruno Raphinha
    Kane Bamford Wood

    Foster Soucek Coufal Struijk

    How does this look?
    Tempted by Raphinha > Martinelli idk why :\

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

    So am I right to bench Soucek and Coufal over the following:

    DCL & Grealish

    Justin & James,

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

      Yeh. Saints very decent team in attack and defence. One of them would probably come in for James anyway

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

    Start 3 of 4:

    a) Robbo
    b) KWP
    c) Justin
    d) Taylor

    Thanks!

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

      ACD

  18. popcoin
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Either of these worth a hit?

    A) Chilwell -> Cancelo
    B) Saiss -> Taylor

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

      No

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      Nope

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

      No.

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

    If not FH In 18, should I get soucek or saka right now?

    Will likely move to soucek regardless in 19 so it may cost -4 to go for saka right now but that does give me an extra game plus arguably better fixtures snd more attacking player

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

    Anyone gambling on Kane captain?

    Mental how everyone avoiding him now!

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

      A few weeks ago I would have, but Fulham are a bit more solid now, it seems and Bruno or Salah look to have more points potential this GW.

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

      First thought i had, and even though i own Bruno and Mo, i am not tempted to change.

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

      I'm going Kane I have Salah and Bruno

  21. StellaMan
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go?

    Meslier (Martinez)
    cancelo, Dallas, Taylor (coufal, Mitchell)
    Souek, Son, Salah, Bruno, Grealish
    Kane, DCL (Wilson)

    Tempted by Bamford or downgrading grealish
    Thoughs? 0.4 in the bank

  22. Would an idiot do that?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who would you start this gameweek?

    A) DCL
    B) Welbeck

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

      DCL

  23. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So who is everyone captaining?
    On Salah (c) myself.

    1. tom2224
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bruno never fails

  24. 1zverGGadeM
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish+DCL >> Soucek+Vardy?
    Yay or Nay?

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

      No. Vardy unlikely to start.

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

      https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/rodgers-im-not-prepared-to-risk-vardy-injury-39905368.html

      Could just do Soucek switch this GW. You're aiming for GW19?

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

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

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A or C

  26. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Meslier
    Zouma Dier Taylor
    Mo(c) Bruno Son Soucek Grealish
    Bamford Kane

    Bench: Martinez DCL Matip Lewis
    0 FT, 0.5m ITB

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

    Good to save and go? 1FT 2.0 ITB

    Mendy
    Robbo Stones Taylor KWP
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish
    Bamford Wilson

    (Steer Welbeck Mitchell Neto)

  28. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Am I G2G? I've not made any changed, so am I good to bank the FT this week?

    Meslier
    Dier - Dallas - Taylor
    Bruno - Salah (c) - KDB - Soucek
    DCL - Kane - Bamford

    Bench order: Martinez - Stones - Coufal - Burke

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

    On Wildcard

    A) Cancelo & Dias
    B) Robbo & Taylor

    Possibly B for now and bring in A on GW20 with 2 FT?

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

      B for me

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

    WC active. GTG?

    Martinez
    Robbo Dias Dier Lowton
    Salah Bruno Son
    Vardy Bamford Adams
    (Johnstone Saka Soucek Holding)

    Last dilemma:
    Dias & Lowton vs. Cancelo & Taylor
    Really like Cancelo but feel like Dias is the safer pick (Walker back soon surely?)

    Plan is to get another gw18 player (city/spurs), then BB in 19 with 2 transfers (bye arsenal cheapos)