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

    Which one?
    KDB and Lamptey -> son and robbo (have Trent and Kane).
    KDB and Lamptey/Mitchell -> Mané and 5.1/4.4.?.

    Martinez
    Targett Stones TAA Mitchell Lamptey
    KDB Salah Bruno Soucek Burke
    Kane Adams Bamford.

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

      B with justin

    2. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Like the 1st option. More value in TAA/Robbo rather than Mane

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

      B

    4. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

    Bench one:

    A) Dallas(WBA away)
    B) Dias(EVE away)
    C) Justin(CRY away)

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

      C. Tough call though.

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

        Thanks

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

      C

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

        Thanks

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

      C palace at home will score at least a goal

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

        Thanks

    4. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

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

        Thanks

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

      No other options? Justin has been dangerous going forward and Palace have been woeful!

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

        Other options are Robertson.

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

    Bottomed

    Guys

    A) grealish and James to taa and raphinha -4
    B) kdb to son
    C) kdb James to son robbo -4
    D) save

    Fh 18..

    Martinez
    James Dallas kwp bal lamptey
    Salah kdb bruno grealish bissou
    Kane bam adams

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

    Start Coufal or Soucek?

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

      S

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

      Soucek

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

      Soucek surely

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

    G2G guys? Saving FT.

    McCarthy
    Robbo, Dias, C.Taylor
    Salah(C), KDB, Bruno(v), Raphinha
    DCL, Bamford, Adams
    (Johnstone, Dallas, Soucek, Coufal)

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

    I believe from memory this is usually the game week with the most rest and rotation. Who do you think we be the biggest surprise non-starter? I'm thinking the likes of DCL and Vardy could miss out but those are expected by quite a few on here. The biggest surprise for me could be Kane getting a rest. Controversial I know but if Mourinho is going to give him a break this looks the game to do it.

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

      Kdb, Werner or Martial

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Possible. But because Spurs drew vs Wolves I expect a strong Spurs team vs Fulham and Leeds,

    3. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fulham are not an easy team to beat. Spurs need 3 points to get their title challenge back on track. No chance he rests Kane.

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

      I’ve just transferred him in but I wouldn’t be surprised if Son is benched. Vardy won’t start. Chelsea will see most rotation as they have the squad to do it.

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

        Son came off early which makes me think he may be ok. Only 10 mins but I go with the logic that those subbed off early are more likely to start this game week.

        1. The Train Driver
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          82nd min isn't early

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

            No but what I meant was if he was going to be rested this game why bring him off at all?

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah
      Bamford
      Kane
      Bruno

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

        That's quite a list. That would create some excitement if all of those missed out 🙂

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

      Pep’s been open about how important KDB is, and has rested him in non-PL games. Kane gets a longer rest between games and Jose wouldn’t bench him anyway. apart from that, anything could happen.

  7. Nolberto Solano
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    WC Team. FH 18. BB 19. 0.0itb. What do you think?

    Johnstone - Areola

    TAA - Justin - Dallas - Coufal - Taylor

    Salah - Fernandes - Son - Raphinha - Soucek

    Kane - Bamford - Adams

    Will look at Son & Kane -> Rashford & Vardy before the double.

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

      Very similar to mine. I’d go Robbo over TAA

      1. Nolberto Solano
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I have nothing in the bank unfortnately

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

          Solid in that case, they’re close enough

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

      Also Wood over Adams then Wood to Antonio for the dobule

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

        My plan too with wood

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

      Almost identical team to mine (Robbo / McCarthy different)

      Have gone Wood before getting Antonio in double along with Vardy for Kane

  8. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anybody knee-jerking Son out? I'm wildcarding him in!

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

      Crazy to get rid with Fulham and leeds next

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

      I was planning on KDB >> Son but not going to now

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why would anyone sell son?

  9. tinear
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is DCL due for ship? Thinking of him to Adams.

  10. gstegnar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Used my WC

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Dias - Coufal - Dier - Taylor - Justin
    Son - Bruno - Salah - Soucek - Alzate
    Kane - Bamford - Adams

    0,4 ITB

    What do you think? Can any further improvements be made? this lineup suugest FH in GW18

  11. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    fabianski vs pope for the next two weeks and DGW?

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

    When does the first wildcard run out?

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

      You have to play it now, for this game week. Or lose it!

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

        BRB going to cry

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      84 minutes

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      In 90 min

    4. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      85 minutes time

  13. Ode
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:
    A) Zouma
    B) Chilwell
    C) Dallas

  14. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Maybe someone on here can help me:
    Usually I've only got one Starting XI that I play the whole time. I don't care about my bench but now decided to add another starting XI player. Now I've got the problem to decide who's going to play.

    Meslier
    TAA-Creswell-Justin
    Salah-Bruno-Son-(Prowse/Raphinha)
    Bamford-(DCL)-Kane

    A) play JWP and DCL
    B) play Raphinha and DCL
    C) play JWP and Raphinha and bench DCL

    cheers!

  15. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wc done! Last minute punt on Bobby!

    Mccarthy johnstone
    Robbo cancelo dallas coufal taylor
    Salah Bruno son raphina soucek
    Bamford Wood firmino

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yessss let’s go bobby

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

        Yesss!

    2. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Really considering Martial tho

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

        I'm a utd fan and think we are better with cavani. So not keen to go there.
        I'll be happy if he does well though!

    3. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Starting 11 this gw..?

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

        Benching johnstone, raphina, coufal, taylor

  16. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL --> Wood -4 ?
    Burnley have 2 decent home games ad DCL could be rested.

  17. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    When are hamez and Richarlison back? Will they make the West Ham game ?

  18. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If I have 2 FT, but opted for a FH for that GW instead.

    Do I still have my 2FT next gw?

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

      No, 1

  19. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bring it on boys. Not at all my usual formation but thought ive go to be different to; a beat you and b beat the 53 point best. Best of British to you!

  20. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Are many people looking to triple captain Salah GW19 rather than BB?

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

      Using BB myself

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

      I'm considering it.

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

        Me too.

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah BB 26

  21. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Soucek or Rapinha...? For Zaha Replacement

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

      Soucek

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

      Raphinha! Have you seen him play? He's rapid and can be really dangerous when getting used to prem.

  22. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Rashford and Wood
    B) Son and Adams

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  23. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    who to bench...
    A Watkins
    B Bowen

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

    Bottomed

    A quick word on captaincy:

    Salah vs. Bruno

    Wolves have conceded twice the number of big chances in their last 2 away games than Newcastle have in their last 2 home games.

    Stats over last 4, Salah v Bruno.
    xGI: 1.9 v 2.7
    Big chances: 2 v 3
    Chances created: 3 v 9
    Shots in box: 8 v 7

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

      Thanks for this.. Might switch it to Bruno

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

      Newcastle played Fulham and West brom whereas Wolves had Liverpool and Burnley

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

        Fair point.

        Newcastle last six home games (BUR, MUN, EVE, CHE, WBA, FUL):
        8 big chances conceded, 49 shots in box conceded, 10 goals conceded.

        Wolves last six away games (WHU, LEE, LEI, ARS, LIV, BUR):
        12 big chances conceded, 55 shots in box conceded, 12 goals conceded.

  25. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 2?

    Robbo, Dallas, Zouma, Stones, Coufal

    Play Adams or Soucek or Defender?

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

    Alioski over Dallas to save some funds stupid?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not if you need it to upgrade else’s where.

    2. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn't. Dallas' has such good goal threat.

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

    Hi all!
    Burn a ft??
    Can’t see any obvious moves

    2FT 0.0 ITB

    Martinez
    Chilwell, KWP, Dias, Coufal, Kilman
    Grealish, Bruno, KdB, Salah, Soucek
    Bamford, DCL, Adams

  28. beanz87
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hi all, on a WC. A or B?

    A
    McCarthy (Johnstone)
    Robbo Dallas CANCELO Taylor KWP
    GREALISH Salah Bruno Soucek RAPHINHA
    Wood Bamford KANE

    B
    McCarthy (Johnstone)
    Robbo Dallas JUSTIN Taylor KWP
    SON Salah Bruno Soucek ANGUISSA
    Wood Bamford VARDY

  29. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Afternoon all! Quick advice needed...

    I have Giroud... he hasnt played a second in last two games! However do I keep him for one last week? Surely good chance of starting?
    And...

    Start one:
    A. Dallas
    B. C Taylor

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

    best plan if you don't own wildcard

    A) gameweek 18 freet hit and gameweek 19 play with the same team
    B) gameweek 18 play with the same team and gameweek 19 freehit