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. anish10
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play soucek or DCL

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

      I've gone soucek

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dcl

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

      S

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

      Soucek

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

      Soucek

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

    KDB to Bruno for free. Y or N

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

      100% yes..

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

      Y

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

      Yes

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

      easy yes

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

      Yeah. Doing the same

  3. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Already own Son but tempted with

    KDB and Brewster to JWP and Kane for -4 ??

    Thoughts

  4. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    On a WC. Actually quite like C. Thoughts?

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

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

      A

  5. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Rules Question

    I'm organising a cup with the same tie-breakers as in the FPL rules. There it states that the second tie-breaker is goals conceded.

    Does that mean TAA conceded 1 goal since the game ended 1-1. It doesn't show up in his scoring before it's 2 goals. This one is easy - he conceded 1 goal.

    What about midfielders? They too, lose points from conceding. And what about forwards?

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I guess GC must apply to all players since GS applies to all players.

      And Allison + TAA + Salah = 1+1+1 = 3 goals conceded.

    2. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I ended up checking the list view on the Score page which was quite intuitive.

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

      A

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

        Ty

  7. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any chance bardsley takes Lowtons place?

  8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do I look good to go?

    McCarthy
    Zouma Dier Justin
    Salah Mane Bruno Son Maddison
    Bamford Watkins

    (Martinez Cresswell Ayling Brewster)

    Play Justin(cry) or Cresswell(sou)?

    Thanks!

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Justin

  9. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I realise all the evidence points to getting rid of KDB but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Anyone want to push me over the edge?

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

      In the exact same position without Bruno as well.

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Keeping hold currently but if he blanks tonight, I’ll definitely be getting rid before dgw

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

      Get Bruno or Rashford and spend money elsewhere

    4. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I just did it. I'm through overthinking.

    5. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's because you're probably a good manager and not fickle like most. Keep him, he's world class and the points are going to come.

    6. CC22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’ve sat with him for weeks, without Bruno. This week was the final straw. I’d have even done it for -4.

      Bruno got double figures again, but there were also at least two occasions where if the final ball had been better (one from Martial and one from James from memory) he’d have been clean through one-on-one following bursts through the middle from deep. He’s just a points monster.

      If you have Bruno already (and also Salah who’s of the same ilk), it’s trickier - although I’d still probably swap KDB to one of Son, Rashford or Mane.

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

        I dont understand why so much thinking. Dont live in the past.

        KDB this year is a decent pick this year if you dont look at the price.

        If you do look at the price, than decision to sell him becomes really easy.

        So so expensive for what he delivers. Just look at the points table for all the midfielders, or a replay of last 2 city games.

        Lad is not in form and if Aguero is on the pitch he will not take a penalty if they get one.

        For me, a no brainer.

    7. Plagued by indecision
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’ve ditched him for Son so I can upgrade my bench fodder for the BGW (bring in Cancelo or Dias).

      Also brought in Saka as a punt for Arsenal’s decent fixtures and the BGW. We’ll see how it pans out.

      Thanks all.

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

    Son or Rashford on a WC?

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

      Son

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

      Son. Scores more points from here to the end of the season.

    3. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Son

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

      Rashford for dgw

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

    2 questions i need help with please

    1. capt kane or salah
    2. play jwp or bring in zaha for a hit

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

      Salah.
      JWP.

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

      Salah and play jwp

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

    Does this WC look ok?

    Johnstone McCarthy
    Taylor Justin Cancelo Dallas Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek Raphinha
    Kane Bamford Wood

    1.5 itb
    Kane > Vardy GW17
    FH GW18
    Son > Mane BB GW19

  13. ymx
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy
    Dallas/Justin/KWP
    Salah/Bruno/Soucek/Podence
    DCL/Kane/Vardy

    Mitchell/Bissouma/Douglas
    2.3itb 2 ft

    A) DCL + Podence -> Bamford + Son?
    B) Keep
    C) Kane + Podence -> Bamford + Son + another mid/Grealish?

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Keep

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

    G2g for this mid-week GWk?

    McCarthy
    Taylor / KWP / Robbo
    Salah / Son / Bruno / Grealish / Soucek
    Kane / Bamford

    Bench:: Forster / Coufal / Targett / Brewster

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

    who to captain:

    last decision

    A) salah
    B) kane
    C) bruno
    D) son

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

      A

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

      Salah. just.
      I haven't had a good record recently so maybe that is the wrong answer.

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

      A

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

    A) Play JWP
    B) Play Raphinha
    C) Play both and bench DCL

  17. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which combo scores more in dgw19?

    A) Maddison & TAA
    Or
    B) Vardy & Justin

  18. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    % chance of Maddison starting?

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

    Play
    A. Soucek
    B. Dallas

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    A) Vardy + Raphinha

    B) Adams + Maddison

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

      A

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

    Hey lads 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?
    Anyone know how I could turn Anguissa for Raphiniho

  22. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Alarm set for 5am. Triple city in action. Why do I do it to myself?

  23. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I dont see many bringing in El ghazi. His stats recently are insane. Thoughts?

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

      i will consider once dgw19 is out of the way..

    2. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ross Barkley is back next week, if El Ghazi keeps his place then he's going to be a great differential
      I'd bring him in in a shot going on the eye test at the moment and Villa fixtures are great from GW19 onwards, it's the playing time that's the worry

    3. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Considering instead of Raphina

  24. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can’t decide which 3 to bench:

    1. Watkins
    2. DCL
    3. Coufal
    4. Ayling
    5. Soucek

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

      Last 3

      1. Baron Penguin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you

  25. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Whom to captain? Last decision of the GW

    A) Kane
    B) Salah

    Thanks all

  26. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sell Matip for a hit or just play Mitchell/lewis and hope they play?

  27. Boom Boom Sheikh the Toon
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench two
    Soucek
    Chilwell
    DCL
    KWP

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

      Would be very surprised if Chilwell played

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

    Who is better for GW16-19?
    A) Martinelli
    B) Saka

  29. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What to here?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Matip* Dallas
    Salah KDB Fernandes Son Grealish
    DCL Bamford
    ___
    Forster Balbuena Brewster Fodder

    0.6 itb 1 Ft

    A) Grealish + Matip -> Soucek/ Raphina + Robertson -4
    B) KDB + Matip -> Rashford + Robertson
    C) Dcl+ Matip -> Adams + Robby
    D) Something else

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

      C imo

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

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

    Also could get Coufal and upgrade Saka?

    Martinez
    Konsa Matip Taylor
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish
    Bamford Firmino DCL

    Steele Soucek Kilman Mitchell

    Cheers

    Cheers