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. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Matip likely out for the season

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

      January transfer window has come at the right time for Liverpool. No doubt they will sign an experienced CB.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Poor chap. Made of glass.

    3. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sauce?

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What kind of injury is it?

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

        Torn adductor

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Apparently a grade three groin strain, which is a severe tear of the muscle ... so I’m told.

    5. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford and Fernandes double up for dgw not so bad option now

  2. Fulchester's New Centr…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best of luck to everyone with same players and same captain as mee

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      me

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

      Ballsy to captain Mee!

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why, who does Ben Mee have?

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He went for Kun (TC). Ballsy.

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

    Need to bring in someone for Kilman before he drops. Who do you reckon is the best option at 4.2 and below? Johnson at West Ham, Rhys Williams, anyone else? Need someone to last until the doubles.

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

      Strujik

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

        Does he play though?

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

          Until Llorente is back.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Does he need to play?
      Whoever looks most like going up.

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

        I want to bench boost in the DGW so yeah

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Kaptain's choice looks good

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

      Rhys Williams should be ok short-term. Would avoid for the double tho, Phillips or a potential new signing might come in for 1 game

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

    Deadline in 25 minutes right?

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

      in -5

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

      deadline 6 minutes ago

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

      Already passed

    4. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Oh dear god

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

      Nope It was 5 minutes ago, Rules changes so the deadline is always an hour and a half before the first match of the new Game Week.

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

      Sorry x

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

        Oh my bad!

        Kept the armband on Salah.

        Dumb or not?

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

    I honestly don't know whether I picked Vardy or Saka to start in the end

  6. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Did Salah + Davis > Kane(c) + Podence for free in preparation for bgw

    Have 9 BGW players now. Will get another 2 with 2 FTs. FH in DGW 19

    Have a good feeling about Kane for the next two 🙂

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

      Good luck with that move - I think you’ll need it!

    2. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure about that, Spurs attacking play is regressing it would seem:

      https://twitter.com/PremLeaguePanel/status/1343307836139450368

    3. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      LOL @ Salah out

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah ballsy

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          One of the worst moves one can make on paper, regardless of what happens into the GW.

  7. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hopefully my FPL excel spreadsheet helped me to make better decisions. Probably not.

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

      Who wrote the spreadsheet?

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

    That gorgeous smell of 2FTs x

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yikes. I prefer my -4. 😉

    2. Mika-eel
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      and no idea what to do with it.....

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Flowery twats ?

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

        Haha

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

    Salah a bit dull now with 173% EO
    You captain him, he scores and your rank barely moves
    You don't captain him, you have to be super confident your alternative outscores him otherwise your rank is destroyed
    EO will possibly be 200% in the DGW too with TCs in play!

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

      My main rival is in the top 10k and keeps getting away with not owning him though...

      Salah haul last week would have been huge for me.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Bruno(C) is the special weapon

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

        What is Salah EO this week?

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

          Will probably be pretty similar I'd imagine

        2. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Won’t know until game is updated

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

      Thank god I used common sense and decided not to get Matip last week.

      Shame though, that guy’s career looks a bit doomed with these persistent injuries.

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

        His muscle tissue is made from pulled pork. So easy to tear 🙁

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

      I wanna cry I forgot about the deadline and burnt a transfer! Wouldn't be as bad but GW18 n 19 coming up it's really important

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

        Just grab a beer and relax.

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

        Crying helps. Go for it. Nothing to be ashamed about

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

          yes there is.

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

        I haven't got over last GW. Took a nap, woke up 5 mins past deadline and missed pressing bench boost. That's 32 points sat on my bench there 🙁

    5. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kept Vardy on WC, didn't like any of the alternatives or having to set aside a transfer to bring him in next week. Let's see how that goes.

    6. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ready for some last 20 minutes tinkering with a cup of coffee and Christmas leftovers. Any tips fellas, Who should I cap and should I sell or keep Vardy?

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

        Got a few days now.

        1. TOPCAT1960
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          lol

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

        These posts are getting boring

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

          Its culture mate

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

        Thinking the same... not sure whether to do Vardy to iheanacho and captain Dallas maybe

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

        Yep, make sure you have a bit of coffee left after you finish the leftovers to wash them down.

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

        You know how right wing keep complaining that there are too many left wing comedians, this is who they would replace them with....

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

          Imagine being this brainwashed by the left/right dichotomy that its all you can think about and bring into completely unrelated topics...

      6. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        20 minutes to tinker with a cup of coffee? What're you doing to it?

    7. Offside Trapattoni
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Went Kane over Salah (C) let's hope that one works out. Also kept DCL in the XI, not too optimistic but let's see.

      Had 24 pts on the bench last week! May not get that DGW 19.

    8. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Checking to see points from weekend games FPL site updating.

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

      One rival used his FH... the other missed the deadline. How tf are these my rivals :/

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

        how can you already see their teams when it's updating?

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

          Showed me 🙂

        2. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Maybe they told him.

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

      So, what do you reckon to my wc team? FH18 BB19
      Mccarthy johnstone
      Robbo cancelo dallas coufal taylor
      Salah Bruno son raphina soucek
      Bamford Wood firmino

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

        Exactly mine but I have Aguero, Justin for Firmino, Cancelo and now prefer yours... Goodluck hhaha

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

          Haha! Good luck!

    11. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I don’t even know what my team is finished up on. Been a busy awld morning. I think the armband should be on Salah but could be on Bruno or Kane also. Best of luck everyone.

    12. Kaneyonero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ended up Captaining Kane, rejoice Salah owners

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

        Kane will score against Fulham.

      2. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for your scarifice/

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

      Was unsure on moves so did nothing, saved FT 🙂

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Same

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

      Because of not being able to roll a transfer through the free hit I need to find a playing 4.3m double GW playing defender before gw 17!

      Who's the best bet?

      A. Nat Phillips
      B. Rhys Williams
      C. Johnson At West Ham

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

        Asked a similar question above and it would seem Strujik at Leeds might be the best choice.

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

          already got triple Leeds!

      2. jb1985
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Struck could be an option if Cooper, Koch and Llorente are out for a few more weeks.

        1. jb1985
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Struijk

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

        id take a punt on Rhys....almost had him on my WC today. The only problem is, once he gets replaced, it is a waste of a Liverpool spot on your roster and you'll have to waste a FT to fix it. .

    15. afs2239
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Took a -8 as i dont want to make hits in the cup
      Removed Vardy , Torres , Pva, KDB

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

        You'll play a WC team next GW.

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

          haha

        2. afs2239
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          OMG lol

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

      wanted to get a Liecs attacker but couldnt fit in...could be another trashing even without Vardy..could be a big Maddison haul

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

      It is FPL Cup qualification week. So expect a lot of dead teams to do well.

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

        Expect a dead team to win it.

    18. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Forgot to change captain from Bruno to Salah, not sure if this will hurt me though

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

        Much of a muchness hopefully.

      2. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        You are better than me. I went (S)on

      3. schwing
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I did armband from Salah to Bruno in the last minute, it's more a matter of luck than skill if you ask me.

        1. Party time
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Did Salah to Bruno(C). Have both of them but there is something special about Bruno(C) 🙂

      4. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I opted for Kane captain instead of Salah or Bruno. My season is officially over.

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

        Is there a cup or something this week?

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

          qualifiyng week for FPL Cup...

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

          Cup
          The top 4,194,304 scoring teams in Gameweek 16 will qualify for the cup.

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

            Always wondered TM, is that the top overall ranked team up til GW16 or is the GW rank of 16 itself?

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

              GW rank, hits not important.

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

                Interesting, thanks

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

          Cup o tae and hang sangiches.

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

        Where to sign up for the cup?

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

          The game says top 4 million something teams will qualify

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

        So who ended up forgetting to use Wildcard? There's always a few.

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

          Easy see how some might get snared expecting GW19 to be the deadline.

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

        Here we go

        No hits. Hopefully a good week
        ‐--------------------------------------
        McCarthy

        Dallas Zouma Matip (mitchell/lewis)

        Soucek Salah Bruno Kdb Son

        Kane Bamfrod

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

          Captain?

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

            Salah