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

    Why is fpl on twitter fillled with bragratts...

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

      Maybe because many are in the top 10k?

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

    Benched my new transfer.
    Ha, what a plonker.

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

      So did I but it was on purpose 🙂

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

      Who?

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

        Taylor from Burnley. Finally got rid of Mitchell which feels good. Played Dallas instead, but got him in as I kept having only 10 players as my defenders keep getting rotated.

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Who?

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

      Who dat is?

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

      dear lord hope it's not Salah

  3. Elfozzie 42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Don't worry, we all do it. I did a hit and then realised that one of them was on the bench...doh! I'm justifying it as a step towards Double

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

      Is that for me?

      1. Elfozzie 42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Aha yes, sorry, clicked the wrong button - you'd think I'd know better! 😉
        Good luck anyway!

  4. Wicked Weapon
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So final WC team ended up looking something like this :

    Martinez, Johnstone
    Robbo, Cancelo, Coufal, Taylor, Justin
    Salah, Bruno, Zaha, Saka, Soucek
    Bamford, Kane, Wilson

    80% template 20% punty

    Won't FH18 hopefully and then use 2FT's to get BB19 options as needed. Reasonable or madness ?

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

      Zaha and Saka aren’t the worse punts tbf... I like it 🙂

      1. Wicked Weapon
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That makes me feel a bit better thanks mate

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

      I don't think you get 2ft after a free hit.

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

    Seen a team playing anti fpl (trying to get the worst score from playing players) that had Ajayi TC last gw.. 27 points from him. They prob beat the average easily lol

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

      Hhahaa as if

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

      They obviously didn't know about Big Sam

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

      yes, we all saw it on FPL reddit too.

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

        whatsapp actually, is reddit not full of weirdos?

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

          And FFS isn't? 😆

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

            Good point, well made 😀

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

      Seems like a bad move to TC someone with any goal threat at all.

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

        Oriol Romeu is the best antifpl TC choice.

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

      I thought the rules for anti fpl is set and forget?

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

        You have to have playing players and use all chips.

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

    Justin starts, Vardy doesn't.

    https://twitter.com/seanfromenderby/status/1343554210168778752?s=19

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

      Uh oh vardy owners

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        My transfer in next GW me thinks.

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

          Yup good move u didn't get this week.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Well. Season over for me

      • Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I benched Justin... whoops

      • drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        salah was benched against palace aswell we know how that went

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Very unlikely to happen again though.

          17 points in 20 minutes or so. Mental

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

        Hope they hit 3 in first half so Vardy doest come on

      • Elfozzie 42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Phew - I managed to make the Vardy to Kane change in my FanTeam side just in time! Thanks FFS Team News (Neale!!!)

      • Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Had Vardy for weeks and don’t mind this, it was always going to come

      • Dain Bramage
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Definitely needed a rest you could see that in last game

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

      Sean from Enderby

      Schmeichel, Justin, Evans, Amartey, Thomas, Mendy, Choudhury, Praet, Perez, Barnes, Iheanachos

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

        Forgot about Sean. Still 1/2 per cent body fat?

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Makes the sluts go nuts.

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

        is he on the bench?

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

        No Vardy is beautiful. A 1 pt cameo would be better though

      4. Party time
          3 years, 3 months ago

          2nd half Party

      5. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Solskjær: "He [Cavani] is definitely a starter. You don't classify a player of that quality as anything else. I trust him and he will probably start more games than he won't." #mulive [bbc]

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

          ... I was so tempted but bottled it and went with Aguero. Haul inbound

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Wasn’t an easy decision to make. But after these comments I may look at DCL > Cavani.

            Martial could be pushed to LW

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

              Do you see him starting both games in the DGW?

              1. Mambino
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                doesn't necessarily have to start both games to score well in both games

              2. Make United Great Again
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Could well do. He keeps effecting games in a positive way. Ole’s comments show he sees this.

                Might be worth a punt.

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

              interesting call - I'll give that one some thought for DGW

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

                He did also say that he should get used to the bench with the quick turnovers

                1. Make United Great Again
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  True. But it’s definitely one to keep a close eye on

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

          I don't think he starts most games whatever he says.. Ole loves lazy Martial

        3. Wicked Weapon
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I will most likely go Kane > Vardy/Martial or Cavani for the DGW. Maybe Martial since I used a very "original" and "inspiring" name for my team "Martial Artists" lol.

        4. Right In The Stanchion
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Great news for me. Brought him in for Calvert

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

        This seannfrom enderby says Vardy benched

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

          Or at least not in the 11

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

          #NeverWrong.

          Official teams on the portal now. Definitely won't be starting. Not sure about bench.

      7. Oooo Matron
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        G2g2? Correct bench order?

        McCarthy
        Dias Dallas Dier
        Grealish Fernandes KDB Salah (C) Son
        DCL Bamford

        Subs: Balbuena, Konsa, Brewster

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

        Benched DCL of Soucek. Think Soton might struggle without Vestegaard defending setpieces...

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

          Is DCL of Soucek a crown princes name?

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

            LOL

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

          Stop. Held Vestergaard as long as I could, bargain. Sold for Justin.

        3. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Done the same. Benched dcl started Soucek. Fingers crossed!

      9. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Missed deadline and benched DCL, I should be ok right?

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

          It's alright

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

          Probably yeah

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

        Vardy benched, knew it. Lovely start to the GW

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

          Sauce?

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

            all over

            1. La Roja
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              ..the shop.

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

                Thanks

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

                ping

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

        Vardy benched?

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Apparently yeah

      12. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ruining my season with Kev in my team. Come on brah, hurt em when they've spread the funds around.

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

        salah is always on fire in the cup qualifying gw

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

          Is it this week or next?

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

            this week

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

              I thought it was gw 17.

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

          Think you might win the Cup

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

        Some guy on here said about Perez and Iheanacho a few hours ago...

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

          That they caught piles from sitting down at so many games?

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

          Fairness if Vardy is out either not as good but decent enough replacements.

      15. Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Transferred Maddison in. Season over

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

          Tis the season to be jolly Chand 😉

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

        Is that Justin at RB in a back 4 then?

      17. Feanor
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I missed the deadline which was 8:30am US east coast time.

        I didn't even get to see how many places I dropped after GW 15.

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

          Where are you there Feanor? Things are on the up now that the Mayo man is boss!

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

            DE

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

              I'll guess that's Delaware. Lived in Albuquerque before. Would love to head Stateside again sometime.

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

        My bench is Raphinha, Dallas, Coufal

        I'm scared

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

          Must have a strong team.

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

          Martinez, Soucek, Coufal, Zouma for me.

          But I'm expecting so much rest and rotation that we'll all be calling on our benches.

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

          sometimes a WC can be a curse for this reason

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

            I haven't used a WC since GW3

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

        Maddison benched for anyone concerned

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

          Yes. Just bought him. Bugger.

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

        Surely Mitchell starts today?

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

          I think he does

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

          Yep

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

          That would be incredible, Iva had him all season and sold him today instead of getting Son.

      21. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Hardly a surprise vardy is benched with only 48 hours between the games, hopefully he gets 30 minutes against tired legs or doesnt come on at all

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

        Benched Justin for Lowton, Dallas and Robo... come on Palace

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

        Any turkey leftover anyone?

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

          Soyuncu on ice

      24. abhirup780
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Vardy benched.

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

          Wow. Thanks

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

          Hopefully Justin gets both games in GW19.

      25. Feanor
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Other details on the boots include Maddison’s life mantra ‘Be yourself, everybody else is taken’ as well as some denim stitching onto the upper to provide the added flair that he likes to display. “I just wanted it to be personal, I always wanted a boot that I could design,” Maddison explained. “I always wanted the main colour of the boot to be white as that’s when I feel at my best and I walk out on pitch ready to go.”

        https://www.soccerbible.com/performance/football-boots/2020/12/james-maddison-reveals-specially-customised-puma-future-61/

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

          And then he gets benched.

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

            Post injury gametime management or whatever the term is.

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

          For Maddison was made the mightiest in all parts of body and mind: in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and subtlety alike: of all the youngish English mids, and a bright flame was in him.

      26. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Justin has played so much this season, plays in europa league aswell