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. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufal or Struijk first on bench?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2

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

        Cheers

  2. FPL Doc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Maddison going to play?

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

      Think he will, Vardy benched

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

    Johnstone
    Dalas dias dier (target kilman)
    Bruno son salah grealish (lokman)
    Dcl vardy bamford

    Which ?

    A) target to taylor
    B) kilman lokman -4 to taylor 4.4 mid. (Free up some money)
    C) vardy lokman -4 to kane 4.3 mid.
    D) roll ft

  4. NejiHyuuga01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Please help guys Sorry for repost

    Meslier
    Dallas KWP Justin
    Son Salah(c) Bruno KDB Neto
    Wood Bamford

    Subs: Forster Chilwell Balbuena Welbeck

    Would you play anyone from my bench? G2G?

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Check last post

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

    Play one:

    A) Chilwell
    B) Dallas
    C) Coufal

    1. NejiHyuuga01
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  6. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If you have Gealish would u sell for a hit ?

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

      No

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

      No

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      no

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thxx

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

    My friend asked me earlier today on messenger when the deadline for using his first WC is. I just replied him 😀 He's a friend, but also a rival...

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

      LOL. Bad karma going your way.....

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

      Lol

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You've given him too much time. 😀

    4. Steve Chance
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Can't be that much of a rival if they didn't know. In that case, you should have probably helped, you ruthless g1t!

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

        He's not, but I'm having an awful season 60 pts behind him....

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

          And he's rubbing it in even though I introduced him to the game and helped him his 1st season

  8. sotiris18
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    if I have 2 free transfers and th next gw use free hit I still have 2 free transfers for the next gw??

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

      no

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

      NO.No. and no.

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

    Screw it... AGUERO TIME BABY

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Good call I reckon

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

    Having problems with my internet, hope this post gets through:

    Who to play against QPR?

    A) Ricky Lambert?
    B) Paul Konchesky?

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      🙂 nice one. Bit late, but at least your internets back

  11. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2 minute warning! I REPEAT! 2 MINUTE WARNING!! (For the deadline)!!

  12. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins
    Soucek
    Chilwell

    Play one

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I played watkins and chil

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wow

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

      Oh dear . Who will become the must-have cheap Liverpool defender ?

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

        I think they will have to dip into the transfer market now.
        If they stick to their original principles though, williams is a steal.

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

        Henderson, probably

        Or Williams and Phillips rotating based on mistakes

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

      Matip... Groin strain... There's a joke in there somewhere.

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

        Giggity

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

      Gutted for the lad. He's so nice.

      Rhys Williams will cover him!

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

      🙁

  13. abk
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    could be the aguero show today

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

      I’m on it

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

        I would if I had the budget. Good luck

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

    Three minutes...

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

      Two now

  15. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Captain?

    Kane/Son/Salah

    Please help

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

      I am with Salah

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Son

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

      Kane, Salah, then Son for me

  16. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one would you start?

    A) DCL
    B) Stones

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

      A

  17. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chance of Salah rest?

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yep!!!

    2. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      None

    3. Chrisitis
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Always at this stage

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

      Low. Off the bench in GW14.

      1. NejiHyuuga01
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Even if benched , scenes from last week's cameo are always welcome

    5. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      More likely a Mane, Firmino rest. Minamino and Origi are knocking

    6. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Can supersub on.

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

      no

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

    Captain
    a) Salah
    b) Bruno

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

      B

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

    Apologies in advance to anyone who has captained Salah. He’s got my armband so he’s bound to blank

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

      Cheers. You need a smaller glass.

  20. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Time Gentleman, please!

  21. SerieD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play one
    A KWP
    B Creswell
    C DCL

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

      I played all three. Good luck!

  22. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    boom

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

      boom, shake shake the room.

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

      shakalaka

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How you looking?

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

        Martinez
        Chilwell Taylor Justin
        Salah Son Bruno(c) Grealish
        Kane Bamford Adams

        Soucek Coufal

        no hits

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

      boom boom boom, I want you in my room

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

        Let's spend the night together

  23. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Pants down

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

    Just went double Pool defense

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

      Even with their CB crisis? Brave move.

  25. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Last minute switch of armband from Son to Salah.

    I’m gonna regret that...

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Noooooooo

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

      Last min switch Salah to Bruno!

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Should’ve done that

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

      I don't think you will. *Fingers crossed*

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

      Did the same thing. Dont know what to feel rn

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

      Right choice!

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

    Lots of people will miss the deadline and have Salah(c) as a result.

    Will they be celebrating or commiserating?

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

      Why would anyone take it off Salah?

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

        Kane(c)?
        Son(c)?
        Bruno(c)?

  27. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    PANTS DOWN and good luck all.

    Stuck with my gut in the end, Kane (C)!

  28. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    fpl clock broken...

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

    Do not let me down Fraudiola