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

    Mitchell lmao

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

    Cant complain about vardy benching really, averaged 9 points per game since I got him. Will now play against newcastle and a nice dgw coming up, party will continue

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

      resting his legs for a massive haul in DGW19

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

    Vardy brace off the bench... cmon party....

  4. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Fingers crossed Mitchell to hold that place for GW18!

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not happening.

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, Roy Hodgson.

        1. Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Welcome Casual

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

    I absolutely can not believe Mitchell starts. Had him all season, sold him this morning for Taylor, then forgot to even play Taylor. All this over my other move of KDB to Son. Completely stunned. I only got rid as I've had a few weeks where I've only had 9 or 10 play due to defenders.

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

      It’s how fpl works!

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mitchell starting isn't surprising at all though

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

        Maybe not for you, but I'm not as smart as you. Massive facepalm.

        1. Tasty Jerk
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Hes allot better defensively than PVA, so some of us were expecting Roy to change back after a great start for the season for him.

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

            Haven't paid any attention over Christmas period, so thought id try and sort out my defence instead of being aggressive, can't seem to win.

    3. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      did exactly the same other than I played Taylor.

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

      Was quite likely he started with the short turnaround, Roy's comments and PVAs form. Nearly every single Palace forum predicted lineup had him starting.

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

        I get that it was quite obvious to a lot of people he'd play, especially after the team sheet came out, just not to me. The idea of going on to a Palace forum is something that would never enter my mind.

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

    People transferred in Maddison and immediately regretted it.

    Rightly so!

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why 'rightly so'?

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hows it rightly so lol

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

    Who's been starting Mitchell every week until he starts?

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

    Woke up after deadline Not sure Salah or Kane captain ... Well does it matter ?they both going to blank anyway !
    Negativity 😀

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

    So thinking about a way to not lose my FT when playing my FH chip. Once GW 18 starts, if you COMPLETE your regular transfers before hitting the FH button (and effectively changing your entire squad) does that initial transfer "stick" for GW19?

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

      no

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      lol 9 years mate

  10. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My strong bench of Mitchell, Dunne, and Burke off to a decent start 😀

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

    Knew Mitchell would play could have took a chance and kept Matip oh well

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

      Wish Id have known.

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

    Mitchell starts...Party time for owners who kept faith...

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

      probably only one game with the heavy schedule. hope im wrong., it'd be nice to have a sub 4.0 defender

  13. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    At least my new signing Fofana not even on bench so won't have a 1 point cameo

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

    Dead teams in heaven...

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You must be delighted.

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

    Yesss mitchell

    Literally the only week i needed him and he starts

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

    Mitchell gonna haul third on my bench.

  17. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    LETS GOOO MITCHELLLL

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

    Vardy -> Kane correct decision then, hopefully not messing too much with dgw plans

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

    Ah the Maddison train. One full of fraudulence

  20. built_this_city
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Justin on the left or right?

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

    Palace CS isn't gonna happen anyway even if Mitchell starts.

  22. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sold Grealish for Maddison for a -4 😀

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

      Fantastic differential.
      Who comes on?

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

        Coufal

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

          Could be alright.

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Living up to your name.

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Shocking.

  23. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Love that Mitchell is back 🙂

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

      Game after everyone ditched him with the wildcard

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

    13 hours, 10 mins ago
    Palace fans absolutely crying out for Mitchell think he starts Tomorrow

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

      The Power of the People! X

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

      Not a hard shout Tony they've been calling for it for weeks & weeks.

      Given PVAs age dtge tight turnaround, Mitchell was expected.

      Let's see if he plays next GW too.

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

        Hopefully!

  25. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Maddison injured? Or what?

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

      surely just rested

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

    That Maddison trap sure is juicy.

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

    Vardy will get the jam...

  28. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How can anyone who read Woy's comments be surprised that Mitchell starts?

    1. david31058
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's Roy, you ignorant tool

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

      To be honest I haven't even thought about Mitchell for Months. My defence has been seriously neglected for so long. Never in my wildest dreams could I have envisaged my self looking at Roys comments.

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

      I think it has been coming and boxing is good chance for rotation... I think that he's not nailed tho yet but if so he's there at 3.9 easy transfer in .. HODGSON seeing his defence was in shambles last couple of weeks so why not try mitchel

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah we needed this change. Tomkins is probably our best overall defender but we bringing him in for his first start this season after injury, just hope he is ready with Mitchell to help stop the rot.

  29. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Last time owners were upset because their player was benched at Selhusk Park you know what happened...

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

    Your better with Taylor longterm. I reckon very kept Ben Johnson either since GW1 and fewer got points for him. Won't stop more getting him in this GW and wonder why he doesn't get games.

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

      Reply fail for Rupert