Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s top picks for FPL Gameweek 17

Six players get unanimous backing as our Scout Squad panel reconvene to select their top picks for Gameweek 17.

This is the final article of the year and the last in this series for the best part of a fortnight as the Premier League briefly pauses for breath in early January.

For those new to this feature, Fantasy Football Scout editor David, deputy editor Neale, video content manager Andy and Pro Pundit Tom each put forward an 18-man long-list of players and explain their notable inclusions and omissions below.

The assets listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for the weekly Scout Picks selection ahead of the FPL deadline at 16:30 GMT on Friday.

In each writer’s squad, there are requirements for at least:

  • One goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less
  • One sub-£5.0m defender
  • One midfielder listed at £6.5m or below
  • One forward priced at £7.5m or lower

Each panelist is also restricted to no more than three players from the same team, as is the case in FPL.

We will again be adding a captaincy to the Scout Picks, with details of that revealed on New Year’s Day.

DavidNealeTomAndy
GKNick PopeNick PopeNick PopeNick Pope
Emiliano MartínezVicente GuaitaVicente GuaitaVicente Guaita
Alex McCarthyKasper SchmeichelBernd LenoBernd Leno
DFAndrew RobertsonAndrew RobertsonAndrew RobertsonAndrew Robertson
Trent Alexander-ArnoldKieran TierneyJames JustinTrent Alexander-Arnold
James JustinTimothy CastagneRomain SaïssBen Mee
Rob HoldingRomain SaïssMatthew LowtonPatrick van Aanholt
Erik PietersErik PietersMichael KeaneHector Bellerin
MFSon Heung-minSon Heung-minBruno FernandesBruno Fernandes
Bruno FernandesMohamed SalahMohamed SalahMohamed Salah
Mohamed SalahBruno FernandesSon Heung-minSon Heung-min
Anwar El GhaziWilfried ZahaWilfried ZahaPierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Bukayo SakaBukayo SakaBukayo SakaPedro Neto
FWHarry KaneHarry KaneHarry KaneHarry Kane
Alexandre LacazetteJamie VardyJamie VardyJamie Vardy
Patrick BamfordDominic Calvert-LewinDominic Calvert-LewinDominic Calvert-Lewin
Chris WoodAlexandre LacazetteChris WoodChris Wood
Christian BentekeChristian BentekeAnthony MartialChristian Benteke

Most popular picks: Nick Pope, Andrew Robertson, Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-min, Harry Kane (four), Vicente Guaita, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Chris Wood, Jamie Vardy, Christian Benteke (three)

DAVID SAID

Ahead of facing a potentially depleted Fulham outfit, my inclusion of Nick Pope and Erik Pieters (likely to fill in for Charlie Taylor) seems self-explanatory. Instead, I will discuss some of my other defensive selections.

Emiliano Martínez and Alex McCarthy have challenging fixtures this weekend, facing Manchester United (away) and Liverpool (home) respectively, but I think each of them can perform better than some might think. Over the last four matches, the top three regularly starting goalkeepers for save percentage are Ederson (100%), Martínez (93.8%) and McCarthy (92.3%). Even with clean sheets less likely than usual, I think there is the potential for lots of saves and maybe some bonus points for the two most-popular Fantasy goalkeepers.

Considering Southampton’s recent struggles in front of goal, I am doubling-up on the Liverpool defence for Gameweek 17 with Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men have now gone three matches without finding the net and the absence of ball-playing centre-back Jannik Vestergaard across the last two has damaged their ability to build from the back. Meanwhile, Liverpool have conceded the fewest shots in the box over their last four matches.

James Justin seems a solid inclusion at this time of the year, considering he has managed to play every minute of the campaign thus far – an impressive feat in a season as compressed as this one. Leicester’s Gameweek 17 fixture is an appealing one too, taking them to Newcastle, who have blanked in each of their last two Premier League matches.

Meanwhile, I fancy Arsenal’s defence ahead of their run of appealing fixtures. In Gameweek 17, they travel to face a West Bromwich Albion side without a home goal since Gameweek 11. Mikel Arteta has overseen some improvement at the back again over the last two, with budget option Rob Holding featuring for 90 minutes in eight of the last nine Gameweeks.

Son Heung-min and Harry Kane may have disappointed their owners recently but I believe Saturday’s meeting with Leeds will produce plenty of attacking returns. Games involving Marcelo Bielsa’s men tend to feature tonnes of goals; their last four containing an average of 5.3 and, in that time, they rank third-worst for big chances conceded.

Anwar El Ghazi gets into my selection based on his hot form, with five goals in as many matches, while Jack Grealish has offered up just two assists in that time. The case for the Dutch winger is certainly convincing when we consider he sits top of the league for shots on target over the last four.

Arsenal’s trip to West Bromwich Albion has me liking the look of Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette. The former has been one of Arsenal’s best players during Arteta’s recent mini-revival while no player with more than 170 minutes to their name has a superior figure for minutes per expected goal involvement (xGI) than Lacazette over their last four.

NEALE SAID…

There’s still the chance that Burnley v Fulham could go the way of the two postponed Gameweek 16 fixtures given that the Cottagers were unfit for action barely 24 hours before this piece went out, so I select my two Clarets players with the obvious caveat that their upcoming match could fall by the wayside.

If it goes ahead, the prospect of Sean Dyche’s side facing an under-strength Fulham – who have scored only twice in the last five Gameweeks even with a full complement of players – is too good to overlook.

Burnley simply know how to keep clean sheets against the fellow also-rans, having already registered five of them against teams ranked 13th or below this season. The top-scoring goalkeeper of 2020, Nick Pope, is a shoo-in for this squad, then, while Erik Pieters ought to get a game either at left-back or further up the flank depending on who is fit in Dyche’s squad.

The visit of the lowest-scoring team in the division leads me to plump for Vicente Guaita between the posts, with uncertainty over just who Roy Hodgson plans to field in his under-performing defence in Gameweek 17.

Further forward, I’ve gone back to 2016/17 for my selection of Christian Benteke alongside Wilfried Zaha. Now seemingly established in Palace’s front two, the Belgian will be up against a Sheffield United defence that have shipped the joint-second-highest number of headed chances all season – and Benteke has had more of those than any other forward over the last six Gameweeks.

Aerial prowess is also what leads me to Romain Saiss, whose Wolves side will be up against a Brighton outfit conceding goals from set plays for fun.

It’s still too early to tell if Arsenal have turned a corner but I’m certainly willing to back a Gunners asset or two for Gameweek 17, with a West Brom side fresh off the back of a 5-0 spanking in midweek playing host to Mikel Arteta’s troops.

An attacking threat when he’s playing at left-back rather than at centre-half, Kieran Tierney has created 11 chances over the last six Gameweeks – a total inferior to just to two other defenders. The budget Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, is among the top ten midfielders for efforts on goal and penalty box touches over the same timeframe.

Southampton and Newcastle’s propensity to concede more chances from their right flank results in my selections of Andrew Robertson and (a hopefully rested) Timothy Castagne, meanwhile.

As for the staple selection of big hitters, it’s a recharged Harry Kane and Son Heung-min who head their respective positions with a Leeds side capable of scoring five and letting in six at the other end in town on Saturday.

TOM SAID…

With one of the standout defensive fixtures of the round, I’m doubling up on Burnley via Nick Pope and Matthew Lowton. The Clarets have now won three of their last four matches at Turf Moor, keeping two clean sheets, while of late their opponents Fulham have struggled in front of goal.

Andrew Robertson is my first-choice defender based on his potential for points at both ends of the pitch. In the absence of key centre-halves, Liverpool’s backline can sometimes look vulnerable, but it’s worth noting no team has conceded fewer shots than the Reds in their last four matches. The defensive data also tells us that Southampton have given up 17 chances from their right flank since Gameweek 13, compared to just four from their left.

I’m also backing Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Romain Saïss. Since returning to the starting XI in Gameweek 12, the Moroccan international sits top amongst defenders for shots in the box and headed attempts. That aerial ability could be key too, given Brighton and Hove Albion’s ongoing issues defending set-pieces.

They’re joined at the back by goalkeepers Vicente Guaita and Bernd Leno, plus defenders James Justin and Michael Keane.

Further forward, heavy-hitters Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy all look like excellent options for Gameweek 17, so I’ll dedicate a bit more time to some of my other picks.

Back-to-back wins for Arsenal has seen several intriguing budget options emerge, none more so than Bukayo Saka. His inclusion in Spot the Differential a few weeks back may have raised a few eyebrows at the time, but he’s been key to their turnaround since, collecting 19 FPL points since moving to the right flank.

Wilfried Zaha has impressed too. Following his goal in Gameweek 16, he now has eight from 14 appearances since Roy Hodgson moved him into a free role as a second striker. His numbers suggest there is more to come, as he ranks among the top 10 midfielders for shots, attempts in the box, big chances and penalty area touches.

Elsewhere, I’m keeping faith with Chris Wood. The forward has scored just three goals from an expected goals (xG) total of 6.24 so far, making him one of the top xG under-performers in the division. However, the fact he’s getting into good shooting positions in the box is encouraging, and I’m backing him to return on Sunday.

The forward list is completed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anthony Martial.

ANDY SAID…

Even with two wins on the bounce, I’m not sure I fully trust Arsenal yet – but I do tend to trust any team that is playing West Brom. Fresh from a 5-0 battering by Leeds in Gameweek 16, it won’t get any easier for Sam Allardyce’s men this week. I’ve opted for both Bernd Leno and Hector Bellerin against a team with just 8.78 expected goals (xG) this season, a full 5.42 less than the second-worst side, Burnley. That works out at 0.55 xG per game for the Baggies, which is truly awful.

I know you probably stopped reading once you saw Christian Benteke in the squad but hear me out. Sheffield United still haven’t kept a clean sheet all season and Benteke has an xG of 2.18 over the last six Gameweeks – that’s the sixth-highest among forwards. Over those Gameweeks, he’s played Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Leicester, while missing the Liverpool game. There have been returns in the easier fixtures against West Brom and West Ham and it doesn’t get much easier than Sheffield United at the moment.

While Gameweek 16 might have given us postponements, it also gave the chance for some players to get some rest after a hectic festive period. All of Jamie VardyHarry KaneSon Heung-min and Dominic Calvert-Lewin played limited or no minutes and now face Newcastle, Leeds and West Ham respectively, who are all among the bottom seven teams for expected goals conceded so far this season.

Over the last six Gameweeks, Ben Mee has had five shots inside the box – only four defenders have recorded more. Burnley face a Fulham side that have only scored two goals in their last five matches, with the Clarets keeping three clean sheets over the same period. There could be joy at both ends of the pitch for Mee, with Nick Pope also looking to return points for the fourth time in six Gameweeks.

THE 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 picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

AA33‘s whopping 53-point winning margin in Gameweek 2 is the target to beat.

In Gameweek 16, Forever In Our Shadow defeated us 68-55. That means the Scouts and the community are tied on eight wins apiece over the course of 2020/21.

Our next Scout Picks article on Friday will have further details on who is representing the community this week.

2,788 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Easy Cheesy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got a defence if Taylor, james, balbuena, robbo and dallas. 1 FT. Do I sell foden to raphina or sell james/ taylor to ensure I have a sub defender in case of rotation?

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

    FH in 18 & BB in 19.
    Lining up well and and on 2FT actually finding it difficult for a single transfer this gw.

    Martinez
    Dallas, KWP, Justin
    Salah, Son, KDB, Bruno, Grealish
    DCL, Bamford
    (Button, coufal, mitchell, lewis)

    Want to keep Son for this weekend and then Son & Mitchell to Raphino & Robertson.

    Exact funds for button to Johnstone and stick??

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They both score the same point mate save you money haha, I’ve played him 3 times and he’s scored 2 points in those 3 matches!!!

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

        Was just thinking of burning the transfer off to have an extra keeper on the gw 19 BB.
        Only this week to burn it off.
        Button is just a 0 and that transfer wont be happening again.

  3. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best Moves? FH GW18.
    A) Robbo to Cancelo GW17. Kane and Son to Vardy and KDB GW19 (-4)
    B) Kane to Vardy GW 17. Son to Rashford GW 19
    C) Kane and Son to Vardy and Rashford GW19 (-4)

  4. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Holding okay for tomorrow, seen that have had a knock, Taylor to holding is the move assuming he is 100%

    1. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Where did u hear that? Im thinking the same move.

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

    Cancelo or Dias?

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      See if we find out whether or not Cancelo has COVID, if given the all clear then he has the higher ceiling based on his most recent performances.

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

      Wait for gw17 to be out of the way..

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

        Have to make a transfer this week because free hitting next week. Have Taylor out.

  6. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling triple gw19 or end in tears?

    1. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Risky

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

      Not sure yet.

  7. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Evening all, I have no FH left so thinking WC in 18 then BB or TC in 19, is this a decent strategy in my situation do we think??

  8. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Am I crazy for leaning toward #2?

    2FTs, 0.3itb -- FH in gw18
    1) McC, Wilson > Fabs, Dec-Reid (dgw19 prep + funds)
    2) Grealish, Wilson > Son(c), Brewster (352 + big 4 mids, but weaker bench)
    3) Grealish, KDB > Son, El Ghazi (bank funds for KDB return)

  9. Sliim
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Evening gents! 2 free transfers, looking to set up for the double gameweek. Will be free hitting gwk 18.
    Current team;
    Martinez (Button)
    Stones, Coufal, Mitchell (Ayling, Lewis)
    KDB, Bruno, Salah, Grealish, Soucek
    Kane, DCL (Brewster)

    Thinking of doing the following for a -4;
    Grealish, Mitchell & Lewis > Raphinha, Chilwell, Phillips (Matip out for at least 3 weeks)

  10. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL + Son to Vardy + Raphina for -4pts?

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why would you sell Son? He’s one of the strongest captain options this week.

    2. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Son this week

  11. Bullet Eder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who are our top three transfer targets considering the rearranged fixtures, regardless of chip strategy?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford Dias Ederson

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

      KDB, City defender, Martinez

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think I’ve got most main options in place so looking at adding a city defender to Dias

    4. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB cancelo dias...

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

      KDB Dias Rashford

    6. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford,Stones,KDB

  12. LordEllison
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey all, have 1 FT and 1.3 ITB probs gonna fh GW 18, was thinking CTaylor to somebody not sure who, Thanks.

    Martinez
    Chilwell Dias CTaylor
    Grealish Bruno Raphinha Salah
    Kane(C) DCL Bamford

    Forster KWP Coufal Riedewald

  13. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No as think you should keep son

  14. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With the news of Villa and City DGW I think this has just solidified my decision of FH18 BB19 keeping Grealish Kdb Dias
    The only thing is no Son or Kane- too risky to going into Leeds game without either?
    Liverpool in gw20 so short term fixtures not exactly in their favour

  15. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB in GW19 with Johnstone, Lowton, Dier and DCL on the bench?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. NIKO.
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

  16. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you ever do a Rodrigo & Bamford double up

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why not

    2. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, def worth it with Leeds double

    4. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Leeds best 3 is Dallas rodrigo and bambam

  17. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you start and why?

    A) Mitchell
    B) Soucek
    C) Coufal
    D) Dias

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      D. Man City looking solid so most likely to get a clean sheet out of those

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Even v.s Chelsea ?

  18. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dias or Robbo for dgw19? Or I could get Robbo and Stones.

    1. Canadian Football
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      i bought Robbo on my GW 16 WC. if i was choosing today, i think i would have have selected Diaz and saved the cash.

      1. Dennis System
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You bought him last week?

        1. Canadian Football
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          yes. i guess i shouldnt complain too much getting 9 pt haul. but, these fixture changes really messed up my plan

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

      Robbo & Stones

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have following dilemmas for DGW:

    1) Stones or Justin - have Cancelo
    2) Ghazi or Raphinha - have Bamford

    ?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin Raphina

      1. Dennis System
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        The exact opposite

  20. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So Spurs and City will play next gw?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes that's not new

  21. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Better pick for the double?

    A) Vardy (SOU, CHE)
    B) KDB (CRY, AVL) -4

  22. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    As hard as it is this season I fooking love this game

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Agreed! Been so many good options this season and lots of randomness chucked in has kept it interesting

  23. ScoutHelp
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    0.4 ITB

    Concerned about my defenders. Planning to FH WK18 and will have to take hits WK19

    TAA, Balbuena, James*, Lindelof*, Rhys Williams

    A) Lindelof to Holding
    B) Other options

  24. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With rumours of him being rested last week which turned out not to be true, is there a chance Robbo gets rested this week at Southampton?

    Otherwise Chilwell to Robbo for free makes sense roght?

    1. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would. Have him since gw1 and won't sell. Pool need a big win after dropping 4 'winnable' pts

      There's a chance utd could be ahead of them before their clash so I don't think klopp will rest Robbo.

  25. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Due to the new fixtures, I could make this DGW BB team with only 1 hit:

    Mccarthy Johnstone
    Robbo Chilwell Coufal Alioski Taylor
    Bruno Salah Grealish Bowen Pulisic
    Watkins Bamford Antonio

    My only issue is my bench would be quite expensive for the weeks after the double

  26. Mr Bird
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you start?
    A) Zouma vs City H
    B) KWP vs Liverpool H

    1. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Zouma

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

      A

  27. LucasPodolski
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones + El ghazi
    Or
    Cancelo + Soucek

    1. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones + El Agassi

  28. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Nathaniel Phillips from Liverpool for 4.0? I can’t afford Robertson now that City have the Double in 19 so I’m keeping Dias.

    Also who’s the better pick
    A) Raphinha and Adams
    B) Soucek and Rodrigo

    1. bialk
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      Wouldn’t get Phillips or Williams. They’ll rotate until Matip fit which is only around 3 weeks and they could buy someone in the transfer window.
      Unless you plan to use WC soon feels like a wasted transfer

  29. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When are we likely to get news about Taylor?

  30. bialk
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have 2 FT. Plan is not to FH18. Is McCarthy to Martinez good and roll second transfer?