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. CAPA
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Charlie Taylor definitely out this week?

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

      No - but would be surprised if he was in the squad.

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

      It doesn't look good on such a quick turnaround from last GW. I would gamble no but after the Chillwell James debacle nobody can be sure..

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

      I did Taylor out Saiss in for what it's worth. If you can bench, bench and FH GW18 should come back GW19. If you can't wait and need a start get rid.

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

    Bench 2:

    TAA
    Justin
    Saiss
    Stones
    Dallas

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

      Stones and Dallas, but I’d be hiding during those games. Why do you have this lineup?

  3. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance of James starting this week and/or being ready for the rouble ?

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

      I think he starts this week

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

      Got rid of him for a hit, can't be having that week in week out

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

      Doubt he plays both in the double which is the issue with him, especially with a blank

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

    1FT need to use or lose it, FH18.

    Adams back to Watkins?

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

      Nah. What else you got?

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

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

        Johnson, Soucek, Coufal, Dallas

        1FT .1 itb

  5. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Kane or Son? Vice will be on Bruno!

    1. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Let me know when you figure it out. I have same coin flip.

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Haha. Even I might do a coin toss before the deadline tomorrow.

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

      Twice I C Son & Kane got more points, thinking a Leeds suits Son better?

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

        I was thinking this as well. Seems like Kane will be sucking one of the center backs into midfield opening space between them and the wingbacks for Son to run into. I’m captaining Bruno, but between the two I’d go with Son.

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, Son looks like a batter choice given how Leeds play.

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

      Me

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It's on you atm.

  6. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez - Steer
    Bederek - Dallas - Ayling - Coufal - Taylor*

    Taylor to (up to 5.4):

    A) Mitchell (is he likely to start?)
    B) PVA
    C) Mee
    D) Saiss
    E) Justin
    F) Holding
    G) Bellerin

    1. Redranger
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding or Justin for me

  7. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year all. May 2021 be the DGW to the BGW that was this year.

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

      I see what you did there, and I like it

      Happy New Year

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

      Well said Sir. HNY

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

      Well said mr baines. Have a good one.

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

    Anyone got any stats on chances created SHU v NEW. Obviously interested re a chat and not in any way entertaining them for FPL purposes

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Last 5 games big chances created

      New - 5
      Shu - 4

      5.37 and 4 xg respectively

      Or so I heard !

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Last 6 matches: SHU - 35 chances (4 big), NEW - 46 chances (6 big)

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

    These extra fixtures - another enticing trap for us to buy KdB?

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I was looking at tripling defence instead until covid came knocking.

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

      I'm probably going to slap the TC on him

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

        Seems rash given his, and more importantly, City’s form

    3. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ugh, I still have him and he was going to be straight out after the missed game. Now I have to keep him. Hoping it pays off.

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It would have to be Son > KDB for me and not sure I want to do it.

    5. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah. And I might fall again. Let's see. 2 weeks to assess whether I want Mane, Son, Rashford or KdB in the final premium spot.

  10. Kudo Warrior
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane welcomed a little one into the world. Any chance he could miss the game?

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

      Ugh, I still have him and he was going to be straight out after the missed game. Now I have to keep him. Hoping it pays off.

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

        Whoops, wrong thread

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

        Haha had a little giggle at this seeing as it fits this post too hehe

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

      Jose won’t let him

    3. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Based on the Amazon documentary I think it is his wife who does the vast majority of childcare

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

      Would love if that happened as a non owner, but i doubt it. Its not his first child and hes in London anyway

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

        hopefully a sleepless night will keep him away this GW

    5. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How many kids does he have ffs?...

    6. Kudo Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      haha cheers all. Thought as much!

  11. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Coufal or Dallas this week?

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

      Dallas

    2. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like Dallas for higher chance of attacking return

  12. Mr.K
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Am I mad to consider triple-captaining Salah?

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

      This week? Don't see why you would to ge honest

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

        Maybe he’s due a couple of goals?

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

          Yeah maybe. It's a bit random. A tough defensive team away from home. Surely there's a better time to use it with all these double gameweeks

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

      This week? Or for 19?

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

      Pretty sure that was a lot of people's plan before the City DGW was announced

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

        GW19 that is obviously

    4. Mr.K
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I was talking about this week. Thanks for making more sense than me, I don't know why I'd want to really.

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

      are you retiring in the middle of the season?>

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

      The problem with a M.Salah is he needs more than a goal to get bonus points, due to his wasteful finishing.

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

    Who would you prefer to have going forward, Adams or Watkins?

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

      yes same question

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

      Does it have to be one of these? What about Antonio?

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

        Unfortunately that 0.1m is making all the difference.

        Thought Antonio would've dropped by now

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

      Watkins

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

      Look above I asked the same?
      Had Watkins for a few weeks sold & he has come alive again 🙁

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

      Got to be Watkins

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

      Just swapped back to Watkins from Adams 🙂

  14. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you still FH in GW18 with this lot?

    Martinez
    Dias Mitchell
    KDB Bruno Son
    Brewster

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes,I would

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Defo!

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

      You only have 6 players...what other choice do you have?

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

      Yes Sure FH

  15. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New year all!!!
    I bought Castagne previous gwk for a diferential.he wasn't in the squad vs Palace.
    Keep him or use FT to Dias?

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

      Keep, good fixture and Dias has a bad one

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers,hope he plays next 3

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

      Keep.

      Hope all is settling down in croatia.

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate, it's getting better,only 3 earthquakes today,all below 4.5, happy New year and best wishes to you and your family!!

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

          Cheers. Puts our lockdown in perspective.

          Happy new year to you and yours.

  16. brixtonBob
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chances of Mitchel starting again ?

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would Like to now this,I am starting him this week

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Low

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

      May as well start in case

  17. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Ayling
    B. Alioski

    1. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      Dallas. No contest and would not double up

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

      Ayling offers little now playing as a centre half. Both Dallas and Alioski are much better options.

    4. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all

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

    Don’t think worth me not playing FH in 18. These 8 best I can get out without upsetting team for 19- getting Hause in for Mitchell as can only afford 4.4 m ( if FH will not get him)

    Best option
    A FH as planned
    B Ride out week with these 8

    Martinez
    Hause Dias
    KDB Bruno Son
    Watkins Brewster

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Double Villa def vs Spurs and Brewster is a bit concerning not total number

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

        Thanks- think that answers question- need to play FH. Only 8 showing as no other week 18 players

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          GL mate

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

      Hause probably wont even start. Though apart from that it looks like a decent team to save a free hit

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

      A

  19. Sprets
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Adams or Soucek?

    1. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same boat,
      Going Soucek

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

      Adams

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

      Southampton need to figure out their offense and start scoring some goals ...

  20. MaestroMostar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Justin Lowton Taylor
    Grealish Salah Bruno Son
    Bamford DCL Kane

    Martinez KWP Balbuena Burke

    1FT , 1.1 MITB

    Any advice what to do with this roster and which change would I do ? Before Taylor got injured I was thinking of selling one of GKs and to get someone who will have nice next 3 fixtures , but with Taylor's injury don't really know what to do. What are the odds Taylor will play or SOU or AVL will have a CS ?

    Happy new year , too!!

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

      I think Taylor is sell, injured and bad dgw anyway

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

        Would you play either McCarthy or Martinez or do -4 with Taylor and one of those GKs out and prepare better for DGW ? Was thinking about playing FH in GW18 btw.

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

          I'd play Martinez, both GKs have doubles so they're absolutely fine and will get save points if not cs

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

            Cheers mate , I will wait for possible news on Taylor until lock and then will decide what to do with my FT.

  21. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bin one?

    Mahrez or Grealish

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez

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

      Mahrez easily. Though could backfire massively 🙂

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

      Grealish

    4. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Mahrez. with the understanding that he could alway haul.

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

    Anyone here planning on saving a transfer & being flexible to either FH (burn FT) or take hits for the blank?

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes,save,for a -8 field 9 is my option,then 12 dgwk and TC

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

      Absolutely. Smart managers

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

      Wouldve if it werent for my 2 FT this week. Was planning to wait on a C.Taylor injury update as my decision maker. But since I have 2FT I kinda have to make a move

    4. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Im forced into FH really so I have to use a transfer.

      But may not use it anyway as nothing obvious (see below!)

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

        Could always burn one with that lot.

    5. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ye that is my current plan 🙂
      But I might make transfer before the deadline and then WC in GW18 and BB in GW19 now

  23. Paulie Walnuts
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ancient pottery with details

  24. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need to do a transfer this week as FH18 and BB19

    McCarthy Johnstone
    Robertson Justin Coufal, Lowton Dallas
    Salah Bruno Son Raphinha Soucek
    Adams Kane Bamford

    Any suggestions?

    1. Paulie Walnuts
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A.

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        ?

    2. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      0 ITB

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

    Stones or Dias? Both nailed?

    1. The buck starts with me
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m considering Stones due to long term fixtures

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

        Dias in comparison has awful long term fixtures.

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

      Dias is as nailed as it's possible when it comes to Guardiola, but ofc he can come up with some Ake-Laporte pairing just to f with us... Stones is more rotation prone than Dias that's for sure.

  26. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I am worried about Cancelo and feel I need some coverage on my bench.

    Zouma - Dias - Cancelo - Dallas - Mitchell

    I have .5 itb which gives me just enough to do Mitchell to a 4.4 defender.

    A) Lowton - plays in GW 18

    B) Balbuena - has better fixtures in GW 19, but will he play both?

    C) Hause - is he nailed?

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

      Burnley-Fulham game might be off

      1. osceola31909
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wow, thanks!

  27. Balrath123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Used 1st WC last week, intending FH Wk 18, BB Wk 19. Which is best

    A. Son & Adams > KDB & Brewster or
    B. Son & Kane > KDB & Firmino

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

      B

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

    Mane + Zouma to Robertson + Rashford for a -4 or nah?

    Free-hitting next week

    1. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like that.

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

        I appreciate the input

        happy new year

  29. Tatty Bojangles
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If you roll a FT this week, then use FH next, will you still have those 2FT for the following week?

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

      no

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

      Need to use it or lose it 🙂

  30. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play two:

    Adams (LIV)
    Soucek (eve)
    Raphinha (tot)
    Dallas (tot)

    Opinions appreciated!