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

    FH18 BB19. Taylor to Lowton before deadline I guess. Starting 11 not set in stone, any obvious switches to the starting line-up here? Triple Leeds v Spurs a risk.

    0FT 0.3m ITB

    Johnstone
    Robertson Justin Dallas
    Salah Son (C) Bruno (VC) Soucek Raphinha
    Vardy Bamford

    McCarthy - Adams Coufal Lowton

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

    Finding it difficult to choose between Cancelo and Dias. Anyone got any insight into who is the better pick of the two?

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      both ;D

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

        Would have to sell Robertson which im not prepared to do

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

      Dias more nailed but Cancelo higher ceiling?

    3. Captain Haddock
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same

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

        I thought it was rumoured Cancelo had Covid?

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

          It was also rumoured that he didn't ... should find out shortly

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

            Knew it was one of the two rumours.

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

      Definitely Dias. More likely to play this week (Cancelo probably out with Covid) and both games in the doubld

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

        *double

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

        If Cancelo had covid I suppose that makes the decision easy yeah

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

      Dias safer pick imo, plays every game

      Cancelo been unlucky not to get more attacking returns and higher ceiling imo

    6. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias gets 6 points a game, Cancelo could get a huge haul every so often but will get the odd benching

    7. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All Man City players are major Covid risk, wouldn’t bring in any this GW.

  3. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    mccarthy
    canceo dias justin
    salah bruno (c) son grealish
    dcl vardy bamford

    GTG?

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

      Yes

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

    Start:

    A) Keane (WHU)
    B) Raphina (tot)

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Bottomed - bench one please:
    A. Saka (wba)
    B. Grealish (mun)
    C. DCL (WHU)
    D. Bamford (tot)

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

      Oof! A or B, maybe B...

    2. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How have you got yourself in that situation lol

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

        Good problem to have obviously Saka is the 5th mid for BB, and the answer is?

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

    Happy new year! Best option for DGW19?

    A) Zouma, Alioski, Vardy.
    B) Robertson, Cancelo, Rodrigo
    C) Dallas, Balbuena, Vardy
    D) Cancelo, Alioski, Vardy

    Thinking D for balance (will have 2 City, 2 Leeds, 2 Liverpool + Vardy)..

    Cheers.

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

      Yeah like D

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

      B or D

    3. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers both.

    4. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like D the most too.

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

        Ta

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

    Hi guys just double checking that if I use my wildcard this week, I'll get another one after gwk 19 yeah?

    1. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ah, i think you might be lateeeee

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

        Ah damn, seriously? I thought it was at the half way point during the season

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, the deadline for the 1st WC has passed already. If you use one now that will you final one.

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

      1st wildcard already expired

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

      First wildcards have passed.

    5. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not anymore.

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

      Nope you must have burned your first one

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

      The deadline for the first wildcard has passed, so if you didn't use it, you've lost it.
      There is only one wildcard remaining between now and the end of the season, which can be used anytime.

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

      From the rules on the site :
      The first wildcard will be available from the start of the season until Mon 28 Dec 13:30

  8. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Choose 1 to bring in now? Will play FH18.

    A) Watkins
    B) Wood
    C) Antonio

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

      I’ve gone for Antonio due to fixtures and longer term ceiling but he’s a bench risk whilst be returning from injury

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

    last dull question on budget defenders I promise - is Pieters nailed for the next few games (barring covid ridiculousness)?

  10. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Meslier
    Cancelo Justin Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek
    Kane(C) DCL Bamford

    McCarthy Dallas Romeu Taylor

    0.1 itb, 1ft

    Taylor to Lowton?

  11. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    In the event that Cancelo cannot play due to either COVID or rotation, who would start at RB?

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

      Bernado Silva imo

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

      Walker who also cant play.

      So James Milner?

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

      Zabaleta

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

      I think Zinchenko -can- play on the right, albeit not an optional solution.

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

        Oh sorry, 'reputable sources'

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

      Where does the Cancelo Covid rumours come from?

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

        FFS originally, and then came back via twitter

  12. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GW18
    Martinez
    Justin Mitchell Lamptey
    Bruno KDB Son
    Brewster

    *Button Salah TAA Bamford Raphinha Adams Coufal

    GW19 TC Salah/KDB
    Martinez
    Coufal TAA Justin
    KDB (c) Salah (c) Bruno Son Raphinha
    Bamford Adams

    Worth FH in GW18 or just go with 8/9 players?

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

      don't spend the free hit. Do you have transfers available?

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

        Over the next 2 weeks I could do TAA Coufal Adams to Cancelo Maguire Wood with plenty of cash left over.

        Means I get a 5-3-2 out for GW18. Cancelo better option than TAA over next 3?

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t use the fh for 3 players

  13. afsr
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed. Not sure if I should FH18 now with the new fixtures, have 2FT to spend before the deadline.

    Martinez
    Mitchell, Dallas, Cresswell
    Bruno, KdB, Salah, Son, Raphinia
    Bamford, DCL

    4.0, Watkins, Matip, Taylor
    2FT, 0.4 ITB

    A - Matip, Taylor -> Cancelo, Lowton/Holding
    B - Matip, Cresswell, Taylor -> Cancelo, Coufal, Justin (-4)
    C - Matip, Taylor, Mitchell -> Cancelo, Lowton/Holding, Kilman (-4)
    D - your suggestions?

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

      Could also go for Maguire (more nailed and cheaper) instead of Cancelo

  14. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think Bowen starts against Everton tonight?

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

      dont think so
      he not playing well lately
      too much competion in that position
      i may be wrong though

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

        Thank you!

  15. FootballDog
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    pick two:

    1. coufal
    2. dias
    3. dallas
    4. taylor

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

      Dias Dallas

  16. leonickroberts
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more over the next few game weeks:

    A) Stones / Son / DCL
    B) Robbo / Soucek / Adams

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

      B for DGW

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

      probably A but it's very close

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

    Having Bamford already, should I start:
    A) Raphinha
    B) Soucek

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

      B

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

      A

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

      B

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

      I was going to rely on years of membership to help decide between the two but both Vets on 10!

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

        Also been playing for 7 years now and I'd say Raphinha against Spurs might be able to haul because they can't cope with a type of player like him. Same with Liverpool at the moment. If they had to defend Raphinha witch a shaky back four like that he would probably be involved in 2 goals at least.

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

          *with

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

      A

    6. Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Start the guy who you think will score more. Having Bamford or not does not matter

    7. Sasquatch Slayer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  18. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish -> El Ghazi worth a transfer?

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

      Doubt it

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

      No

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

    Is Stones as nailed as Dias?

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

      Dont believe so

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

      dont think so

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

      No

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

      No but 4.9 M tempting

    5. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, Laporte will get the odd game I would have thought

    6. Cruyff Turn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, can be dislodged.

  20. ChuckyPancamo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    2 FT's this week and planning to Free Hit in 18. Do Kane to Vardy this week and avoid a hit in 19 or keep and take the -4?

  21. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anything worth a hit or GTG ? Will I beat my last score of 28 ?

    Martinez

    Dier - Taylor - PVA

    Salah - Fernandes - Rashford - Son(C) - Grealish

    DCL - Bamford

    Forster - Dias - Coufal - Brewster

  22. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Play Mitchell or Justin?
    B) Captain Bruno or Son?

  23. GOATMEAT
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Charlie Taylor will be back for the DGW19? Any news how long he's out?

  24. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Raphina (tot) or Soucek (eve)?

    Currently on Raphina (also own Bamford)

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

      See above, same question. RMT tool rates Soucek higher actually.

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

      Raphina

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

      Raphinha for me.

      Soucek only scores with his head and Everton are really strong there.

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

    Taylor + Podence to Lowton + El Ghazi for -4pts?

  26. Alli
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with FT?

    FH18, BB19 and Kane > Vardy/Kun

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Robbo - Coufal - KWP - Justin - Dallas
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Soucek - Raphinha
    Kane - Adams - Bamford

  27. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Bruno or Son??

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

  28. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Coufal over Dallas???

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

      Who other options

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

        Taylor.

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

    Who to C if u Chasing ?
    A- Son
    B- Salah
    C- Burno
    D- Kane

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

    Maximum number of hits you would take between now and gw18 to play the BB chip?

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

      *gw19 I'm using FH in 18

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

      One, but personally I've decided to hold it for later