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. Sepp Blattered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who is more nailed out of Mari or Holding?

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

      Rob holding

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neither

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

      Scary options, I would steer clear of ARS for a couple more game weeks. Saka if u really need one, Martinelli for a punt.. if fit.

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

    For DGW 19 which trio would u rather have?

    A) CRESSWELL VARDY RASHFORD

    B) ROBBO son INGS

    C) ROBBO GREALISH kane

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

      Thats a tough one but I'd go B. All look like solid options though

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

      All good options...

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

      A imo

    4. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like C, sth like Robbo Leeds mid Vardy also looks good

    5. URMothersLover
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe el-ghazi instead of grealish, unless he gets back into the front 3 again, will give u 2.5m to spend on rest of team.

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

      B

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

    United vs Villa will be a great game !

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nailed on for a 0-0 shitfest

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

        No way. Too much creativity involved mate 😉

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

          U mean Bruno vs villa, United don’t have creativity without him.

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

            Bruno vs Grealish

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

            Of course.
            United is Bruno
            Bruno is United
            😎

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

      United to win 2-1

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

        Amen

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

      Villa will do villa things and shut out united

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

        Should be a good game yeah

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

          Good game yeah but don't expect too many goals that villa defence is boring 😀

    4. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      McSauce to man-mark Grealish.

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

        Him & Fred should control Jack & Ross.

  4. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    happy new year from New York!! It may be the champagne talking but thoughts here...FH18 leaving me to either force or burn a transfer this week...

    a) Adams > Wood
    b) Justin > James. Hear me out—can play Adams this wk and bench James. James will drop in price but I will be setup nice for gw19 chelsea double gwk and great fixtures after.
    c) Stick with Adams Justin and burn transfer

    FH 18, BB19 after Son > KDB

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

      I'd be tempted to do B but I might be biased since I have James in my team. Definitely wouldn't do A though

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

      Are you up for Justin to Stones type of thing?

  5. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year lads! Here’s to starting FPL 2021 with a banger!

    Who to (C) between this lot?

    A) Kane
    B) Bruno
    C) Salah

    Cheers!

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

      Kane

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

      Kane

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

      Kane, but prefer Son if you have him

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hurricane

    5. URMothersLover
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      In Australia a banger is a sausage. Also known as a snag. A great way to start the New Year. Captain Bruno.

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

        😀

      2. Zogzeg
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A pair of bangers would also be a good start to the New Year. Ideally a lovely pair.

  6. OLEgend
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there any manager's press conference today??

  7. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg? (Not looking to FH in 18 and maybe TC in 19)

    Martinez
    James • Cancelo • Coufal • Robertson
    Salah • Bruno • Son • Podence
    Kane • DCL

    Steer / Stones / Brewster / Bissouma

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

    Son or Vardy cap?

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

      Son

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

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

      Son for me but both are worthy of the band imo 🙂

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

    Best Replacement for Taylor ( up to 5.4)?

    Current backline:

    Mitchell Dallas Stones Coufal

    Thinking Justin

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

      Justin is too well owned for me, so depends if you are chasing OR gains or setting up for the blanks and doubles.
      I went Dallas but I was drunk at the time.

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

      I like Maguire. Hoping fixture induce form.

  10. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Holding or Rodrigo?

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

    What to do about Kevin? I know with the double and all the amazing fixtures it's seems mad to lose him, but....

    Is it mad to lose him? I could have Robbo and Vardy for example who both feel like big scorers over the next few.

    He hasn't been returning this season.

    What do people think? Is KDB a definite keep atm?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kevin's on the verge of being shipped out by me...see below.

  12. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Want to transfer Cancelo in for delicious fixtures, but man Im also looking for the frustrating rest time am I.

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

      He may have COVID, not confirmed but was mentioned on a podcast.

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

        Really?

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

          Look up FPL mate on YouTube that’s where I pickup that news.

  13. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Been out boozing all night so will probably not gonna manage anything at all tomorrow.. So please help me out.

    I will FH18, so who is the best choice to transfer in this week with DGW19 in mind?

    Defender with only 4,6 budget, please help brother out.

    1. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      balbuena

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

      Alioski

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

    Start Stones or Dallas? (Already starting Cancelo)

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

      Dallas, spread the risk

  15. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is KDB/Grealish to Rash/Son for free sane or insane? Not Free Hitting for GW 18 but may for DGW 19.

    1. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It depends how you feel not having KDB for those GW20/21/22 fixtures... That's what worries me. I find it had tobe convinced Rash is a good pick. He would fit nicely in my team, but I think united are rubbish

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        KDB hasnt impressed me this year via eye test and his FPL value. I think I can live without him. Son, on the other hand. And Rash has been good this year...and Man U's attack looks better than Citys plus good fixtures, a game in 18 and a DGW 19.

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

      Fine

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

      Do it, city attack isn’t what it use to be.

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

    I've compared my FH team and non-FH team. The common players are
    Martinez Cancelo Grealish Rashford Bruno Kane

    The extra players I'd be having for BGW18 if I Free hit would be:

    Dias Maguire KDB Neto Wilson

    Does this warrant a Free Hit?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Imo, yes...

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

        Thank you!

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would you captain KDB?

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

        Not sure, I just might instead of Kane

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

        *Bruno

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

      There could be a lot of points in that free hit so I'd say yes, especially if you'd captain KDB. Would be tempted by Darlow over Martinez if free hitting

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

        Yea, would be looking at that and also El Ghazi instead of Grealish

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

    Very boring question but could end up being important, is this bench order right?

    Raphinha, Coufal, Dallas

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Imo RDC

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

        cheers

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

      Dallas first for me

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

        Cheers

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

      If you don't have a spurs defender it seems fine. maybe Dallas ahead of Coufal but if you have a spurs attacker I prefer your pick, unless you have DCL. Hope that makes it clear.

  18. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Soton have a dreadful run of fixtures: Liv, Lei, Leeds, Ars, Villa, United.

    KWP has been excellent value, but is it worth taking him out for say.. Dallas?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah
      Not the best week to bring in Dallas but still

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

      Yeah, or Coufal, if you don't already own him.

  19. Ross From Friends
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    happy new year laddies

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

    Could the Spurs fixture also be rearranged for the double?

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

    Crazy to do Salah, Wilson to Martial and Rashford to get 2 extra games?

    Last time I sold Salah vs Southampton away he scored 3...

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, cray

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

    3M off my ideal WC team 😆

    Slightly too ideal it seems

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      January sales might get a few players cheaper

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

      Ignore KDB 😎

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

        I don't want to!

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

          Ignore Kane then 😉

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

            Don't have him. It's the KDB-Salah-Bruno-Rashford triumvate that's sucking up the funds

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

              Rashford is 100% expendable 😀
              I'm looking at Son & Vardy alongside Salah Bruno

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

                No, I need Rashford. His fixtures are fantastic from 18-25, he's an excellent player in form with Bruno playing creative balls to him, plays in the BGW - crucial if WC18 - and has a great DGW. I can see him hitting fire in both fixtures and would rather have him than Son for sure.

                One of Salah or KDB will probably have to go, most likely the latter for Son - that Sheff Utd high line could be fantastic for him.

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

                  You can't have them all 🙂
                  GL mate !

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

                    Yep 🙂 GL to you too mate

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

                  Away to pool in the double isn’t good fixture.

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

                    With Pool's defensive issues I back Rashford to get a goal on the counter.

  23. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1

    A) Coufal
    B) Stones
    C) Cancelo
    D) James

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

      D

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

      D for me.

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  24. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there a Man City press conference today? We need news on who is out

  25. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Most will have 4 players in the Spurs vs Villa game. Could be tight and low scoring. After all Villa have beaten Leic/Ars/Livp and drew with Chelsea.
    Beauty of FH18 is to lose some of those players.

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

      After capping Kane last two GWs for pretty much zip and watching Spurs play I'm inclined to agree.

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

      Options are sh.t though.

      City not firing. Everyone else apart from that is a lottery. Are you FH 18 ??

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

        United are a great option that week

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

          I'm not sure ...
          Maguire Rashford good options maybe alongside Bruno

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

        I think so yes. I have 5 players of which 4 play in villa vs spurs.

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

          also with FH18 I can load up on 3 City

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

            Yeah ... I'm looking at Double defense.

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

          Okay Okay

  26. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Never take hits for defenders but I'm seriously considering doing Taylor(if out) to Holding for one...
    It gives me a defender with one of the best fixtures for this week, a solid fixture for the blank and another good fixture for the 19 BB..

    Wish Taylor didn't get injured though, would make everything so easy...

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

      How many hits this season Vibudh?

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        5...

        2 in all of last season and it served me well but for some reason I'm less reluctant this season haha

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

      I took a hit last GW to get McCarthy as backup GK for Martinez. Gained 2 points 😉

      There are no rules.

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Worked out well and saved a future transfer, true!

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

      Are you free hitting in GW18? If not, Holding is fine. Or get Targett. He plays in GW18 and DGW19, even though the fixtures aren't great.

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, Targett also an option but I'm also bringing in Martinez for BB with the FT and Villa fixtures are the only problem

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

          Very true. And he probably has some rotation risk, due to three matches in eight days. Tempting, though, with nice fixtures from GW20 to GW24, if you dare to look ahead that far.

    4. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah that Taylor injury really threw a spanner in the works

    5. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Coufal to Holding is an option for me. I am planning on tc in gw19. and no fhc in gw18, so Need a cheap player in gw 18, and no need for Coufal dgw 19. But im very unsure.

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

        Hmm. Do you have any other moves you're contemplating?

        1. korbendallas82
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Losing Salah for Son. But i am probably not doing that. I could end up freehitting in gw18, if i get a bad feeling about my plan. Its hard to figure out what is best, with so much uncertanty involved.
          Not fh and not benchboost, i keep my chips. But Spurs could hurt me during that run, since i dont own them.

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

            OK. Good luck! 🙂

            1. korbendallas82
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              You to, good luck.

  27. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm going to bring in Vardy for Brewster.

    I could do it this week for a hit: Vardy (NEW a) and play him ahead of Soucek (EVE a) or Raphinha (TOT a), or wait and do it for free.

    So I guess it boils down to, for this week only:

    A) Vardy (NEW a) + Soucek (EVE a) -4
    B) Vardy (NEW a) + Raphinha (TOT a) -4
    B) Soucek (EVE a) + Raphinha (TOT a)

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

      I'm not a big fan of the -4, unless you're planning to bench boost in GW19. Might be OK then. What would the other transfer be to free up the funds?

  28. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best captain from this lot?

    A. Salah
    B. Bruno
    C. Kane
    D. Son

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

      Sonny Boy for me

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

      Kane for me

    3. Mid budget coach
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son if you don't have Vardy

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

      Son for me too

  29. Jamb0
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    2FT's and 0.0ITB, any ideas guys? I feel more confused than ever!

    McCarthy
    Dias Robbo Coufal
    Fernandes Grealish KDB Salah
    DCL Watkins Bamford

    Forster Dallas Bissouma Douglas

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I assume you're FHing next GW so you need to use both transfers.

      Maybe DCL to Wood/Antonio

      Then upgrade Forster to Martinez or upgrade Bissouma to Soucek?

  30. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mourinho has won all 4 of his games against Marcelo Bielsa with 3+ goals. Kane(c)?

    1. Mid budget coach
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All the more reason for Bielsa to tighten up his team. Kane sucked into midfield and Son hauls with his runners