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

    Updated.

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

      Great top comment

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

    Game is updated...

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

    Updated

  4. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why no Maddison?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Rested, has come back from injury

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

        Well that's a relief. Thought something serious. DCL off the bench.

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

      Ill ask Brendan when he logs on here lol

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

        Just thought someone might have some intel that's all

        1. Meme2011
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          What a waste of a transfer!

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

    GW17 team looks decent

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bad gw incoming

  6. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wait, people started Mitchell?

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

      Apparently so.

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      For Charlie Taylor. Only 0.3 more

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

    Woof didn't realize my GW17 team would look so ugly.

    Best defense I can put up is Zouma (MCI), Taylor (FUL), Coufal (eve)

    Seems like everyone I have other than Salah, Fernandes or Son has a red fixture...

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

      Remember when I said this?

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

        Yeah but your 18/19 are gonna be much worse than most others I think.

        Besides, who is even a good pick in 17 other than Spurs? Saka? Wood?

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Cancelo

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

          GW17:
          Martinez | Johnstone
          Dias Taylor Holding | Dier Stones
          C Son Salah KDB Bruno Grealish
          DCL Bamford | Brewster

          GW18:
          Martinez | Johnstone
          Dias Dier Stones Holding Yedlin
          C KDB Son Grealish | Salah Bruno
          DCL Brewster | Bamford

          GW19:
          Johnstone | Button
          Robbo Reece Coufal Balbuena | Douglas
          C Salah Mane Bruno Son | Burke
          Vardy Bamford | Brewster

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

            That's not bad actually. Good luck. I think I prefer the BB in 19 but maybe you'll be rewarded for holding onto it for GW26.

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

      Hey we have the same defence!

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

      Yep 17 looked yucky with lots of clashes. it’s why I opted against McCarthy on the wildcard and double Chelsea defence but a lot of people will be less than happy with this weeks fixtures.

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

    It's been 4 GWs since my last hit

    *updates board on bedroom wall*

    "Weeks without incident: 4"

  9. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    im just perma capping Bruno for the forseeable, dont trust anyone else. Anyone else doing the same? Even vs Wolves

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

      He will blank once/twice in a row and then all of a sudden you wont trust Bruno but someone else who you arent trusting now.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Well Spurs are playign like total ass so I have no faith there, Salah I can normally trust tbh and we write WBA off, but Bruno seems the safest for now

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

      Depends how the others are doing. VC today. Captained Salah. A few Portuguese lads in that Wolves team might find a way to blunt his brilliance.

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

    Interesting no Son in the scout picks against Fulham..

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

      Fulham been decent defensively of late.

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

      That can only mean there is a good chance he will score!

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

      Can see both Son and KDB rotated today. The fact i have them both increases that chance drastically.

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

    Do you think Klich is off pens now?

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

      Yup

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

        ok

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      no

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

        Yup

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

      Until Bamford's next miss, then Klich will take over until he misses. That's what Bamford said post-match

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Bamford literally said Klich just gave it to him as they use to alternate when one missed, he made no admission that penalties were now his. Klich will be back on pens imo

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

          I think u can infer from that that Klich has given it to Bammy till he misses

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            "Patrick Bamford says Mateusz Klich let him take Leeds United's decisive penalty against Burnley"
            Klich has been on penalty duties for the Whites this season but missed his last spot-kick against West Ham before being allowed to retake it due to VAR and scoring at the second attempt.

            "I took them last year until I missed and then Klichy took them until he missed."

            "He missed the other day but then he scored, so to be fair I thought it was still his job but he said it was mine today, so thanks."

            It does not sound like Bamnford is on penalties to me

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

              "I thought it was still his job but he said it was mine today." I dunno what that tells u but tells me Bammy takes pens. U can choose to believe otherwise. I don't mind.

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                The word today, makes me think it was a one off. I guess we will see

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

              Unless he emphasized and put inflection on the word today when he spoke, it means that he was told that day he's on pens now.

  12. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    playing 442 it does not feel right

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

      Imagine how I feel with the 451 this week.

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

      same here

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

      Well I am 4-3-3 this week and next week which is even weirder.

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

    PVA finally where he belongs. On my bench and on Palaces bench

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yea, he's been awful this season

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

        Yea. Lost his mojo

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

    What are Maddison owners doing?

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

      Selling

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

      If I had him I would keep him. Will be fresh next match(es)

    3. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Crying

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

      On wildcard and sold him one minute before the deadline...

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

        ...but he could be a good pick for DGW19

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

      taking their meds or rage quitting ?

      1. KEN YA DIG IT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Haha

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

      I would keep, nice fixtures and the double coming.

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

    Took -8 for Vardy excellent decision

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

      ouch

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

      It's almost like you didn't pay attention to the fact that Brendan Rodgers hinted heavily at rotation

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

      Wow. Pay attention mate

  16. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else thinks the game at Old Trafford is a very good game for Grealish and shouldn't be considered a difficult fixture?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      he can deliver against anyone

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        True, just seems like the type of game to me where he'll step up

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

      If you look at his GW history, he will score double digits

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

      Potentially. Still sold him and will have him for FH in GW18. I think his FPL appeal has dipped slightly because this season's teammates can take a share of his pie.

  17. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Unavailable
    Sorry, but we are unable to load the requested page at this time.

    Please try again in a few minutes.

    We can't make transfers atm

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

      clear the cache and reboot the tape drive ?

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

    I am going to make the biggest transfer of my season this week.

    Steer to Verrips.

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

    My ML rival transferred in Maddison, Pulisic + Vardy for a 4 point hit. oops

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

      Say it ain't so!

  20. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cheapest Liverpool defender for DGW?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Have they got any fit defenders left at his stage?

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

      TAA

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

      Williams?

    4. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Whoever the new Jan buy is

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

    One of my rivals has got incredibly jammy with his bench of late; given he has started Chilwell & has Mitchell benched, I'd like to finally congratulate any Mitchell owners on the CS today.

    1. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What does jammy mean?

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

    If you rolled your transfer for GW17 and made 2 for GW18 then decided to free hit for 18 instead, would your GW19 starting team have the 2 transfers included ?

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

      no

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

      Nope and you'll have only 1 FT as well.

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

    Looks like an easy save FT next week

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

      Can't. Using FH in 18. Steer to Verrips is my transfer to unlock a 3rd Villa slot

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

      Saved this week. Potentially hello Vardy next week.

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

        FH18? Newcastle and then a DGW, like it.

  24. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    anyone else benched DCL?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I

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

      Magnus Carlsen

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

        whats his link these days?

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

        that sure gives me hope then

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

      Yeh. Putting out a rare 5-4-1

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Magnus knows.

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

      Sold for kane

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

      Yes

  25. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else sell mitchell this morning?

  26. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I’ve kept KDB and not got Son

    The fear is real

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

      Same and Im not even worried tbh

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

        It’s just the ownership

        Expected points wise it’s fine / KDB is slightly better but oh the potential variance

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KDB on the thinnest of thin ice for many - but it’s KDB so we keep giving him benefit of the doubt

      I kept him instead of hitting Kane in

      Captained Salah instead of Son

      Another turning point a fork stuck in the road, as the man says

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

    Am I right I must make a transfer this week if I am free hitting next week?

    Given I have wildcarded no obvious/required move yet, not keen on taking Kane out for Vardy before Leeds but bound to be an injury somewhere given congestion.

  28. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    if Mitchel delivers an amazing game, he can start for us in the double. That would be amazing.

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

      Single*

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

    54% of top 10k went Salah(c)

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

      Fewer than I expected, tbh

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

      Boring

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

    Christ. For the first time in 15yrs, I've completely forgot the deadline and haven't changed my team. Just didn't realise there was another gameweek starting today.

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

      Achievement Unlocked: Casual!

    2. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hope you didn't have any major plans!

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

      lucky - saved an FT