Scout Picks

Gameweek 17 Scout Picks draws on Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal and Palace

We have placed our trust in defence and midfield for the Gameweek 17 Scout Picks.

For the first time this season, we have lined-up in a 4-5-1 formation, coming in exactly in line with our £83.0m budget.

How many of these do you own?

Goalkeeper

Vicente Guaita (£4.8m) earns a place in the Scout Picks on account of Crystal Palace’s meeting with the Premier League’s lowest scorers Sheffield United. The Blades have found the net just eight times this season and only two teams have registered fewer big chances over the last four than them.

Defenders

Andrew Robertson (£7.4m) has great potential for a haul in Gameweek 17. Southampton have now gone three games without a goal and rank second-bottom for shots in the box over the last four matches. Meanwhile, no defender has created more chances than Robertson in their last four matches.

Romain Saïss (£5.0m) is back in the Wolves team again and doing what he does best: offering threat from set pieces. Over the last four matches, no defender can match the versatile Moroccan international for shots in the box.

Rob Holding (£4.4m) is a great budget enabler in an improving Arsenal defence with appealing fixtures. In Gameweek 17, the Gunners face a West Bromwich Albion outfit with two goals in their last five at home. Arsenal themselves have conceded the third-fewest number of big chances in their last two – Holding registering 90 minutes in eight of the last nine.

Erik Pieters (£4.3m) is our representative from the Burnley defence as they prepare to host Fulham. We fancy the Austrian to start either at left-back in place of Taylor, or even in midfield with ongoing injuries in wide areas. The Clarets have kept four clean sheets from a possible five against sides in the bottom eight this season while Fulham are unlikely to be at full-strength in light of recent positive coronavirus (COVID-19) tests.

Midfielders

Salah building up massive power in top 10k after Gameweek 14 haul

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) has been unfortunate to blank in each of his last two outings, failing to convert a number of clear-cut chances at Newcastle. Even though Southampton have kept clean sheets in each of their last two, Salah does have attacking returns in six of his Premier League away matches this season.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) has been a reliable source of points in 2020/21, blanking just twice since Gameweek 8 and registering five double-digit hauls in that time. He has seven of those in the whole campaign, more than any other Fantasy asset.

Son Heung-min (£9.7m) gets into the Scout Picks on account of his fixture rather than form. After racing to 100 points in the first 11 Gameweeks, the Spurs midfielder has just a goal and assist in the last four matches. However, during that time, games involving Leeds have yielded an average of 5.3 goals. The Whites’ expansive style is sure to open up space for Son to thrive in once again.

Unsurprisingly, Wilfried Zaha (£7.4m) is our chosen representative from the Crystal Palace attack which hosts basement boys Sheffield United on Saturday. Selhurst Park has been a reliable venue for Zaha this season, where he has scored or assisted in all but one home game he started against sides outside the top eight.

Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) has been pivotal to Arsenal’s recent mini-revival, registering a goal and two assists over the last two matches. He faces the Premier League’s worst defence in Gameweek 17, West Bromwich Albion conceding on average 2.2 goals per game this season.

Forwards

Harry Kane (£11.0m) completes our double-up on the Spurs attack for an appealing home match against Leeds. The Whites’ high-intensity setup has led them to concede 12 big chances across their last four, the third-most in the division. That should be enough to bring out the best in Kane once again.

Substitutes

  • Alex McCarthy (£4.7m)
  • Matthew Lowton (£4.4m)
  • Chris Wood (£6.2m)
  • Christian Benteke (£5.5m)

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because we use Fantasy Football Scout data so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 17:

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 team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Forever In Our Shadow beat the Scout Picks in Gameweek 16, their 66-58 victory pulling the Community Champions into an 8-8 scoreline for the season.

AA33 is the current leader, defeating the Scout Picks by a 53-point margin in Gameweek 2.

2,832 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lowton or Balbuena to replace Taylor
    (Have coufal)
    Thx

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

      Lowton

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

        Although... only if you have cover, as their game seems the most likely to be postponed this week

    2. tom_p77
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bal due to upcoming fixtures

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

    Chilwell + Grealish > Robbo + Bowen for free?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Like Robbo but not so sure about Bowen (not played well of late)

      1. CrouchDown
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers would you go for Fornals or Soucek instead?

        Looking for someone with DGW 19

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Robbo barnes/soucek?

      Or just g to barnes

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

    Anyone else setup for GW 18 & using FH in GW 19?

    very tempted.

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Trying to get through both without using a chip. Have 3fts to use to get lads with a game next week and a double in 19

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

        I'm also thinking this. I'm looking to get rid of Salah for KDB so I might use my FH to bring in Salah and a couple of others for that GW

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

      FH18. FH19 would have me taking hits for 12 teams in GW18 and a GW20 team hampered by choosing a smaller pool of GW18 players.

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve got 11 in 18 and 10 DGWers with no hits or chips, so maybe just the TC for me.

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

        Good shout, i keep forgetting about the TC chip.

    4. Netters2018
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Im gonna get 9 out for gw18 and 11 dgws for gw19 using fts and will probably use tc. Save fh for a sticky week and bb for when i use 2nd wildcard. I may not have the optimum 11 players for 19 but will save my chip which i think will be more worthwhile in the long run.

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

        I'm in a similar boat, i can get 11 dgw players in gw 19 with a couple of hits but dont have any liverpool coverage atm.

  4. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current premiums in decent form and decent fixtures, so a hard decision who to drop to bring in City cover

    Q1) Dias or Stones
    Q2) GW18-21 pick three: Salah, Vardy, Bruno, Son, KdB

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

      Dias.

      Salah, Bruno, KDB

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

        This

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

    Chances of a tyrick Mitchell start?

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Decent

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

        Would u play him over:

        a) Coufal (EVE)
        b) stones (CHE)

  6. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best Taylor replacement to negotiate the next 3gws? Has Dyce said anything about Taylor?

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

      Bellerin.
      Maguire
      Tarkowski

    2. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      gotta be a city defender

    3. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Has to be like for like or less. No budget for upgrading

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

    Re: How crazy is it to consider using BB without a 2nd keeper?
    It would need a hit to bring the keeper and a transfer to sell him after DGW, also takes up 1m budget when he'll barely play after DGW(It's Martinez and the other keeper is Mendy), although having Martinez also gives me a playing keeper for 18 so I'm confused

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think it’s a bit daft to Bb without a gk, they can easily get one CS and some saves which quickly adds up to 10 points

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

      A hit for a second GK will more or less always pay off

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

      Sounds like it’s worth the hit if you’re set up well to BB aside from that

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

      Not convinced on BB without a wildcard soon after it and it's too soon to wildcard just after halftime in FPL season. The BB takes a lot of manoeuvring, from good teams, to lose form options, just to have a bench filled, at a time when fixtures could be cancelled and players might be rested.

  8. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Saiss nailed now?

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

      no but hes a good shout

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

    Bench 1:

    A) Balbuena
    B) Dallas
    C) Mitchell
    D) Zouma

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

      Dallas

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

      A

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A

  10. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Keep or sell Taylor ? Or wait...

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

      wait a week if you have cover but wouldnt be surprised if he was out for about 2-3 weeks

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

    ahhh hangover
    any games been called off so far?

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

      Nope

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

        thank you very much!

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

    Taylor to Targett for free?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Targett on 4 YC

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

        Off topic, but does that reset in GW20 to a 10 game YC limit before a suspension?

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

    0.0 ITB. FH18. BB19. 1FT

    McCarthy (Johnstone)
    Justin - Robbo - Coufal (Balbuena - Dallas)
    Bruno - Salah - Son - Raphinha (Soucek)
    Kane - Bamford - Adams

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

  14. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which two would you play?

    A) Regulion (LEE)
    B) Soucek (eve)
    C) Dallas (tot)
    D). Coufal (eve)

    I'm currently on Regulion and Soucek.

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

      Reguillon & Dallas

  15. OleGGMU
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cancelo or Dias or keep Zouma? (have stones and planning BB DGW19)

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

      Keep Zouma for now.

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

      Keep zouma I reckon

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

        Cheers for the replies lads much appreciated

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

    Do we need to sell Taylor? Is he definitely out for 19? I wasn't going to play him anyway in 18.

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

      No

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

        Cheers. That justifies my hold. I brought him in for 19 and don't want to spend points to get him out.

  17. Mo Mo
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez, Forster
    Robbo, Coufal,Dallas, Stones
    Burno , Salah , Son ©,Soucek
    Kane , Bamford
    (Adams, James , Bissouma )
    GTG ? Correct bench ? C ?

  18. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any potential cancellations ?
    As in specific games where there’s been at least a rumour

    For example spurs v Fulham was mooted more than 24 hours before that

  19. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which 2 would people keep out of Dallas, KWP and Coufal?

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

      Also who’s more nailed James or Stones

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

    It’s snowing. Get in!

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Always snows this time in Siberia

  21. Bunk Moreland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 2 fts but kinda lost on what to do, happy with my team .

    Thoughts on Grealish and F Forster to Saka and Areola, to prepare for 19 bench boost? Saka doesn’t have a double, but he has good fixtures and seems finally nailed.

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Barnes?

      1. Bunk Moreland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good shout

        1. Bunk Moreland
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I’ll go Grealish and Bissouma to Barnes and Saka . Will get a gk in gw19.

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

    Is Holding nailed to start for the next few?

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

      As far as we know, yes.

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

      didn't he get a knock or sth like that?

  23. Here's Tom with the We…
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender for this week

    A Holding
    B Justin
    C Saiss
    D Tierney
    E Mee

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

      E

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. I would deffo have gone for him, just concerned the game might be off.

  24. Pedi
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pick the captain

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

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

      Vardy

    2. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Frank

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

      B

    4. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I will go with Son first then may be Kane, I will always target Leeds as their counter-attacking will help Son & Kane to exploit the spaces..... just like they did against the Saints....

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

      Kane !

  25. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are these transfers worth doing for -4?

    Grealish & Taylor >>> Raphinha & Cancelo

  26. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Regarding GW19:
    Meslier
    Dias Coufal Mitchell
    Son KDB Bruno Salah Soucek
    Bamford Wilson

    Martinez Zouma Adams Konsa

    Do:
    A) Konsa -> Alioski
    B) Konsa/Wilson -> Dallas/Antonio (-4)
    C) Wilson -> Antonio

    Thanks in advance!

  27. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kdb scored 2 in last 2 against Chelsea... This Kdb to Son transfer or no is making me crazy.

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

      Keep what you have and roll the transfer.

  28. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have 8 players for BGW.

    Dias - Webster
    Bruno - KDB - Grealish - Riedwald
    DCL - Brew

    FH or not?

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

      Assess nearer the time, I bet there will be more games cancelled

  29. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which City defender is most assured to start all the matches?

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

      Dias

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias and Cancelo has also pretty much locked that FB spot

  30. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah captain. Got a feeling. Also got Bruno, Son and king troll Kane