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. 0james0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I've got 2 transfers now, I use 1, I would then have 2 transfers next week. If next week I then used my wildcard, would I then still have 2 free transfers the following week?

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

      no

  2. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So just for clarification - are people using their first or second Wildcard right now?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      First

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

      Not sure what you're asking. The first WC had to be used already.

      1. Mr. Chimes
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry, yeah I’m just confused, I knew one had to be used recently. I’m seeing that it’s an advantage to have one activated right now, now that the additional fixtures are scheduled, so I wanted to understand

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      First had to be used by GW 16 deadline, anything used after is the second WC

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

      second

  3. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Burnley vs Fulham go ahead?

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

      in doubt currently. no new news as of yet

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hopefully will know before the next deadline, no news as of yet

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

    RE: Cancelo. Nothing confirmed, but:

    https://twitter.com/SamLee/status/1344382986079371264?s=20

  5. Dont give a fuchs
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking of playing my BB in GW19
    Forster Targett Taylor Lewis KDB Brewster to
    Fabianski Dias Stones Zouma Raphinha Adams
    Will give me 13 DGW players but requires -16
    Worth it?

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

      no not worth it. a -16 is simply way too much

      1. Dont give a fuchs
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Any transfers i can exclude to reduce the minus?

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          forget Targett to Zouma, and selling KDB and Brewster

          imo

          1. Dont give a fuchs
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Transfers are dependent upon KDB to Raphinha and the extra funds. Shall i just play the WC?

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

              No - sacrifice a spurs player for your funds instead of KDB

              1. Dont give a fuchs
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                I have value tied up in Son. Would not be able to bring him in

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is ridiculous.

      Why ship kdb in a dgw?

      How many points are you expecting from BB?

      I normally plan on 20 being good, so a -16 needs a massive return.

      What does your team look like in gw20

      1. Dont give a fuchs
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I expect city to get CS in both thats why and i would be captaining Salah thats why loading up on City defense.

        Current team is
        McCarthy Forster
        Targett Taylor Robbo Lewis Alioski
        Bruno KDB Salah Son Soucek
        DCL Bamford Brewster

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

          Son + Lewis --> Raphinha + Dias in GW19

        2. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You are assuming they both play both games in the dgw?

          1. Dont give a fuchs
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yes thats my assumption

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Def not worth a -16. And no way take out KDB. I expect him to have found some form to justify keeping him with those fixtures!

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

    Which option looks better to you all here?

    A) GW17: Taylor --> Stones
    FH18
    TC19: Kane + Soucek + DCL --> Brewster + KDB(TC) + Ings (-8)

    B) GW17: Taylor --> Dias
    FH18
    TC19: Kane + Soucek --> Brewster + KDB(TC) (-4)

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why are you getting rid of Soucek in dgw? Has great fixtures.

      For a hit, both look poor in my opinion.

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

        because KDB is a better option for me. Soucek would not play for me in GW19

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Fair enough. Home double to burnley and wba is as good as it gets though.

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

            but its Soucek. He's been great but he is solely reliant on set pieces. KDB also has Palace and Villa at home which is pretty nice

            1. how now brown cow
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I completely get it.

              I'm just avoiding city as an attacking force as I've not been impressed, but they will surely tonk someone with kdb getting a haul.

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

                Yeah I know I initially got out KDB after his two hauls, but have always been scared not owning. City surely have to get it together if they want to challenge for the title. Also KDB will be involved in everything.

                Question is do you think Ings is worth a hit and for Stones over Dias

                1. how now brown cow
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  I don't think he is.

                  But ings basically saved me last season so could understand if you went for it.

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B of those

  7. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Regretting my Villa and City clear out in GW15 WC now....

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Forward planning is overrated this season.

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Villa I don't care about, City I'm a bit worried about, likely to be without KDB for GW19 hopefully he doesn't find his mojo over those two fixtures.

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep. Dumping KDB and doubling up on Kane and Son has not worked great for me!

  8. YLK13
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish, Brewster -> Raphina, Watkins for a hit?

    I don't want to play Soucek every week. Thanks!

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is watkins worth a hit? Really?

      1. YLK13
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have only 0.1 ITB, my plan is to do this now. FH 18 then have 0.5 ITB and upgrade Forster for DGW.
        But maybe no lol

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          How many points do you expect to gain? Any other team issues?

          1. YLK13
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            It's a good point, not necessarily any gain I just feel uncomfortable playing Soucek everyweek, would prefer a 3-4-3 formation instead of benching brewster. But i can rejig after DGW

            1. how now brown cow
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Brewster has been as bad as it gets, and raphinha looks decent.

              Soucek is maybe overperforming but is great value.

              I'd maybe consider adams over Watkins but that's personal preference.

  9. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to captain:

    1. Fernandes (AVL)
    2. Salah (sou)
    3. Vardy (new)

    Cheers

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bruno

  10. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo for DGW19 BB? (Will play FH in 18)

    A) Kane, Son, Alioski, Johnstone
    B) Vardy, Son, Stones, Meslier (-4)
    C) Vardy, Rashford, Stones, Meslier (-8)
    D) Martial, KDB, Alioski, Johnstone (-8)

    Rest of team will be:

    Martinez, XXXX
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal, KWP, XXXX
    Salah, Bruno, Raphinha, Soucek, XXXX
    Bamford, Adams, XXXX

    I would likely bring the defender in this week (alongside Soucek).

    Cheers!

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

      Out of those, probably B, but Stones most likely wont play all two knowing Pep.

      Are you considering Ings for your final spot?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks I could just go Dallas, McCarthy instead in B

        Ings would be great but not sure I want double up with Adams

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

      B

  11. GHB
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is one of son or Kane near essential this week? I have neither and want to captain Kane. Have 2 FT but only way to fit in is by taking out Bruno, KDB or salah.

    The plan was KDB before the DGW announcement. Literally no idea what to do now.

    Anyone else in similar predicament?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bruno and salah should be untouchable.

      Dgw probably means I'd keep kdb.

      1. GHB
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just find it a killer not having son or Kane when I think there are loads of goals in that game

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

          I have both Son and Kane, but thinking of Kane to KDB with one other transfer too.... still have Son

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Me, I really want one of them for this GW, but what is the point bringing in one in GW17 and get rid of them in GW19. Waste of a transfer when I should prepare for BGW18 and DGW19 in the same time. But honestly we were having a blast by not having any Spurs (at least me) from GW9. My rank improved massively. Potentially is very bad not to have any Spurs assets, but let's hope for a KDB haul.

      1. GHB
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I know, fully got ya. But I just feel both have a monster haul in them v Leeds - real catch 22.

  12. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Luke Shaw expected to get many starts?
    Worth a punt at 4.8 with some kinder fixtures on the way?

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I really wanna punt on him. Need Telles to be out injured though really

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

      Definitely thinking about him too, just worried about him being taken off early, his injury record and competition from Telles. Any Man U ITKs?

  13. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just realised I'm finishing everyone's plans.

    Either I'm drunk nor everyone else is.

    Don't go overboard on dgw people. 1 cancelled fixture and it'll all end in tears.

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

      We're already in Tiers!

  14. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would be nice to know for sure which of the City boys have COVID.

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

      Anyone who had talked to or seen Kyle Walker recently, it would seem.

      1. Captain Beefheart
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Given he can't keep his c#£k in his trousers and loves to party with brasses, he's a likely suspect

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

        Yeah just had a quick look on twitter and the rumour mill is going round big time!

  15. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench this week from
    Dias Justin or Coufal??

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Coufal

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers boy

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Couf

  16. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Feeling a little lost here with the change to the blanks/doubles. FH18 was the plan but not so sure now. Thoughts with 2FT, 0.1 ITB

    Martinez
    TAA Cancelo James
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish
    Watkins DCL Bamford

    Forster Coufal Bissouma Kilman

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

      James --> Maguire/Stones/Dier or something like that? Then no chip 18 and then TC 19

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate, thinking along the same lines

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      James to Stones.

  17. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth doing Grealish >> El Ghazi this week to use my FT before FH18

    This will free up funds to do Son >> KDB for DGW19

    ??

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

    Anyone care to talk me out of this?

    Grealish, Wilson > Son(c), Brewster

    Gives me:
    McCarthy, Forster
    Chilwell, KWP, Targett, Coufal, Kilman
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Son, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Brewster

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on your chip strat, Grealish has a DGW and Wilson has a good fixture BGW18.

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

        FH18, and leaning toward no chip in 19.

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

          But flexible with 19.

  19. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I can get to this team for week 19 for free. ( FH in 18 as only 5/6 likely starters )

    Would you
    A bench boost
    B Take - 8 and get Antonio ( or Wood if not fit) and Soucek for Brewster and Son and BB
    C Play but don’t BB
    D TC KDB

    Martinez
    Robertson Dias Cancelo Dallas
    Salah KDB Bruno Raphinha
    Watkins Bamford

    Johnstone Coufal Son Brewster

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

      A

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

      I would BB that team you can create tbh.

      1. FPL_BUCCANEER
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So (A).

  20. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Chilwell Cancelo Coufal
    Salah KDB Bruno JWP Soucek
    Kane Bamford

    Steer Brewster J.Lewis Branthwaite

    1.3 itb, 1 FT, will FH18 and TC19

    Since I have 10x DGW players already and 2 transfers until GW19, is it worth replacing Branthwaite for example for a starting player? Or do something else?

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

    Am I ŕeading right, Christian Benteke?

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

      They are hosting Sheffield...

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

        Guarenteed clean sheet then. How does that help Benteke?

  22. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Justin TAA Dias
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish Raphinha
    Kane Bamford

    Steer, Dallas, Mitchell, Brewster

    Would it be crazy to wildcard so I can get rid of Steer, Mitchell and Brewster and BB in 19? If not I'm going to have a serious benching headache when 19 comes around.

  23. SuperXstyle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My team is:
    GK: Martinez / Johnstone
    DEF: Chilwell / Justin / Creswell / Coufal / Dallas
    MID: Salah / Fernandes / Son / Raphina / Soucek
    FWD: Kane / Bamford / Watkins

    with £2.9m IN THE BANK!

    Plan was to remove any defender for TAA. But now I am thinking to leave ALL the defenders in place, as all DGW19; and bring in KDB.

    So to do this... what about:
    1) Soucek > KDB
    2) Kane > Antonio

    Perhaps do this on GW19 for a -4 hit. It's too much of a risk to do now.
    I could remove Dallas this week for Cancelo, or Dias so not to waste a transfer. (only bought last week for a nice 12 point haul!!).
    Thanks, and welcome your thoughts!

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

      Last week got rid of Grealish, and happy to lose Watkins too, which is who I was going to get rid of initially for Antonio, if I wasn't getting in KDB. Hmmm...

  24. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Because I'm playing my FH in 18, I'm in a use it or lose it situation with my transfer. Can anyone see anything worth doing? 0.0m in the bank

    Mccarthy Johnstone

    Robertson Coufal Dallas Justin Lowton

    Salah Fernandes Son Raphinha Soucek

    Kane Bamford Adams

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

    If already -4
    A- Dunne > Stones
    B- James > Dias
    C- Minus 4 is enough

  26. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Welbeck > Rodrigo

    Then

    Mitchell >
    A. Cancelo
    B. Días
    C. Stones

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

  27. FPL_BUCCANEER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo Cancelo Coufal Dallas Bernardo
    Salah KDB Bruno Son Soucek
    Bamford Adams Brewster

    2FT 0.7ITB

    Planning to FH next week and BB19 but I only really see using one transfer for Forster/Bernardo to a DGW player..

    Not sure what to do with the other transfer.

    Any thoughts?

    Thanks all, and happy new year!

  28. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just seen something about Walker hosting a Xmas party.. any truth to this?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's all rumours but definitely true

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

      Any Brazilians spotted?

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

      ha ha ha, this is brilliant - is there a link to the source?

    4. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just rumours doing the rounds on twitter at the moment

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well you you would not put that past him what with his previous history, allegedly 🙂

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

      I got sent this earlier, apparently Xmas party in London, 19 Man City players attended plus a few others including Jaden Sancho. Club trying to keep it quiet

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

        how in the world did the players think that wouldn't get out - incredible.

  29. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got 1FT & toying with Adams to Watkins?

    Martinez
    Zouma, Robbo, Stones,
    Bruno, Son, Grealish, Salah
    Kane, Bamford, Adams

    Johnson, Soucek, Coufal, Dallas

    1FT .1 itb

    1. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seems lateral, hold

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Need to use it or lose it, FH18?

  30. Mattious8
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will have 8 or 9 players for week 18, free hit or not?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No