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. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    For this week only

    A) KDB
    B) Son

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

      B

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

        B

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

    RP:

    McCarthy Johnstone

    Robbo Coufal Justin Dallas Taylor

    Salah Son Bruno Souceck Bissouma

    Bamford Kane Adams

    Wildcard good to go?

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

      0.0 ITB

    2. Pickle juice
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Who is your captain

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

        Salah

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

    Struijk or Alioski?

    For Leeds double gameweek

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

      Alioski

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Alioski

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

      Alioski

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

    Which option to complete WC?

    A) McCarthy, Robbo & Alioski
    B) Areola, TAA & Dallas

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

    Guys - help me out. Do I do Adams to Bamford for free now or give Adams the West Ham home game? Can see Sam’s WBA making it hard for Bamford.

    Or am I overthinking (again)?

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

      Bamford should do well as WBA put the bus into at least first gear this game

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Leeds fixtures are turning a bit with Spurs and the blank and I think WBA will set themselves up well against Leeds who will struggle to break them down. so I wouldn’t be too worried about getting Bamford in for this week, in fact I just sold him for Kane in my build up for the blank in 18

  6. 1895Reds
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Pulisic starting?

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

      Probably

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        we have to win so he probably starts

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

    Best Grealish alternative for next two weeks?
    (Already have Pulisic)

    1. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish 🙂

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

    What score do you predict on Newcastle - Liverpool ?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1:3

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

      0-2

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

      1-3/4

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

      0:5

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

      1-2

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

      Interesting. I predicted 2:1 for Newcastle

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

    Kane, Bruno or Salah captain?

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

      Kane

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I am tempted by Kane

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        his EO will be over 100% most probably so i am scared to go without him captain

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

      Salah when in doubt

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        this saying has a lot of meaning in it. I tend to forget it

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

      Salah

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

      Salah
      and FH in 19

    6. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You haven't been watching Spurs then - frustrated Kane owner

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

      Salah

  10. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Captain?

    A- Bruno
    B- Salah
    C- Son
    D- Kane

    Am on 3 consecutive Captain Fails

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      See above. Still not sure myself, but would not go Son

    2. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salaj

    3. markus808
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Permasalah for those who fail more than twice with their capteincy.

  11. Monya Meow Meow
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one thanks

    1) Wilson
    2) DCL
    3) Soucek

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

      same dilemma...would bench Wilson

    2. cyberspace
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Soucek

    3. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks both, really hard decision indeed

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

    4.0 keeper to Johnstone for BB19?
    Don't see anything else obvious, and would start Johnstone this week too

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Taylor
    Salah Bruno Grealish Raphinha
    Kane DCL Bamford

    4.0 Soucek KWP Furlong

    1ft £0.5m

  13. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    RP
    A. Son, Kane and rodrigo
    B. Mane, Adams and Wood

  14. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg all? 0ft 0.0itb

    Martinez
    Stones Kwp taylor
    Salah(c) kdb Bruno son soucek
    Kane bamford

    Forster strujik balbuena davis

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

    Rp

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

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

      no

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

        But why ?
        Even if they buy on transfer window it can play immediately, right ?

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

      I don't think they will get anyone.

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

        They will for sure

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

      They won't get another CB in but Williams might be rotated with Phillips

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

    KDB --> Mane, big move made

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Regret doing Kdb to son, made this move keeping the Leeds game in mind

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

    Best move for this week and DGW setup?

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

  18. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy lokman -4 to kane 4.3 mid?

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

      No way this week, Vardy up against a team with much less form.

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

    Start Raphina or Soucek? I have Bamford starting right now as well

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

      Sou

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

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Dallas
    Salah KdB Bruno Son
    Bamford Watkins Adams

    Button Mitchell Stephens Branthwaite

    2FT 1.1ITB

    Original plan was to do KdB&Watkins to Raphinha&Kane. Not so sure anymore. What would you do here?

    FH18
    TC19

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

    What's the situation with Vardy today?
    Rested? Likely to get subbed on?

    I went for him on wildcard, got Saka/Soucek to cover if he doesn't play so that's not the end of the world - but I'm worried in case gets subbed on

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

    Will Stones start?

    Martinez
    Konsa Matip Taylor
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish
    Bamford Firmino DCL

    Steele Soucek Kilman Mitchell

    Matip/Grealish and DCL to
    Stones/Saka and Kane -8?

  23. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender under 5.2m only for 16 GW? (and not Taylor, Dier)

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

      Dallas

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

    Pick a captain from
    A) Son
    B) Fernandes
    C) Vardy
    D) Kane

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

      Penandes

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

        Cheers!

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

    Kane and Son both on a WC?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes for me, not for Mark

  26. 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?
    Pope or Fabianski?
    Gtg?

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

    Mccarthy Steer
    Dias Cresswell Taylor Dallas Mitchell
    Salah Fernandes Son Grealish Anguissa
    Kane DCL Bamford

    2ft
    0itb

    Grealish and DCL to Soucek and Vardy sound OK?

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

    Play Soucek or Dallas?

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

    Play 2: James, Soucek, DCL, Balbuena.

  30. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Struggling to decide who to bench out of:

    A) DCL
    B) Soucek
    C) Watkins

    What do you think?

    Thanks