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. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you get a City defender in for the double and play instead of someone from these:

    A) Chilwell
    B) Dallas
    C) Raphinha
    D) Adams
    E) Kane

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

      Haha lol at including Kane in that discussion..

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

        I got stones in for taylor but benching this week

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

    TAA over Robbo..Too punty?

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

      Iv done it

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

        this season need it

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

      I went for it.

      Robbo got so much more advanced v Newcastle though.

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

        been that way all season

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn’t have both and Robertson is the far better pick

    4. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That’s only punty amongst the herd on FFScout

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

        true.. 14.6% ownership is high nevertheless

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

      Good decision. If he gets back to his old form soon he'll outscore Robbo in every game + set pieces.

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

      It doesn't make sense statistically, but FPL doesn't work like that anyway.

  3. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which 3 to play in defense?

    A. Coufal (eve)
    B. Dier (LEE)
    C. Dias (che)
    D. James (MCI)
    E. Zouma (MCI)

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C E B

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

      James is out (see scout tweets)

      Dier, Zouma and flip a coin between Coufal and Dias.

    3. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ABC

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

    Any news on Zouma? Did Frank ever confirm he was rested and/or if he will play against City?

    Cheers

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

      He will back for sure. christy is a mess..

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

        Cheers. I would hope so, unless he has a mystery injury!

  5. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Struggling to use my ft this week...thoughts? Zero ITB. Plan was fh18, and BB 19.

    Maybe TAA > Cancelo or Dias?

    Martinez, Johnstone
    Dallas, taa, balbuena, coufal, lowton
    Salah, Son, Bruno, Soucek, Raphina
    Vardy, Adams, bamford

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

    Apologies for asking...haven’t been on in a few days,

    but what’s the thoughts on the new fixture schedule making the option of WC in 18 and BB DGW 19 more feasible now?

    One concern is that with covid still an issue, there’s no way of knowing what could happen over the next 3 weeks or so...

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

      i wildcarded this week, i kept the core of my team but now have 11 players for next week, and then i'll use 2ft's for the double to get 12 dgw'rs and BB

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

        Good luck

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

        You'd only have 1FT

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

    Would you play Stones, Justin or Raphinha this week?

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

      Justin, Rapinha, Stones

    2. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin

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

    Justin + Grealish > TAA + Soucek for free?

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

      Yes, think so.

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

    Raphinha or Harrison for DGW?

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

      Rapha

    2. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      raph

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

      The bandwagon says Raphinha but my eye test says Jack!

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

      Stats neck to neck, Raphinha if you have Dallas (left flank) or Harrison if you have Allioski (right flank) for chance of assist and score doubling?

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

      It's actually kind of close.

      Harrison has higher xG and higher xA in the last 4 GWs.

      Raphinha with more shots and more shots in the box.

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

    Does Cavani only miss 1 league game vs Aston Villa? The other two are Cup games?

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

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

        Martial still a risk so

        1. Champions League Varane
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He really isn’t .. trust me he will start most of the time.

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

          Yes, I think they might play some games together as Martial can play wing or deeper position but generally I think they alternate.

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

    Chelsea match on?

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      as of now yes

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

        Cheers!

  12. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    When you deliberate things to the last minute and end up with Harvey Barnes in your team...

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good pick tbf

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

      Great pick he has been quite good last 2/3 matches

  13. FootieFan77
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I currently have 5 players for GW18 and 2 FT would you recommend me using the Free Hit or just use the FH to get 7 players for that week.

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

      Free hit

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

      Just take a hit and bring in 3 players

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

    Is Lamptey to Stones a good move?

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Aye

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

        Yes

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

          Si

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

            Oui

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

      Lamptey not playing So yes

  15. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    NO Vardy in Scout picks... hattie guaranteed 😀

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

      Really surprised by that

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

        yeah,he should have been the first name on that list...

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

      Juhuhuuu

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

      He is a great dif pick

  16. Booked4Dissent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Soucek vs Everton
    Or
    Justin vs Newcastle
    ?

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

      Justin

      1. Booked4Dissent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Justin 0.29 clean sheet probability

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

          Think he will get attacking returns aswell

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

      Justin

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

      Justy

  17. ItOnlyTook9Years
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just my opinion, but it feels like saving chips for a more stable time (once covid relents) seems to be more prudent. Even if you take a couple of hits to get a decent team out in BGW/DGW.

    It would only take another couple of fixtures to be cancelled for a BB to be rendered useless for example

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

      Well, only one fixture might be enough, many have Leeds triple up for example.

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will there be a more stable time over the course of this season though? Have to think that using a chip during the biggest DGW of the season is a smart move.

      1. ItOnlyTook9Years
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Obviously unknown but with vaccine rollout, warmer weather etc, March/April likely to be better

  18. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which strategy suits better for the DGW19 here for me?
    I need to decide by deadline as it determines what transfer I do today.

    A) BB of this team:

    Martinez - Fabianski
    Robbo - Zouma - Lindelof - Coufal - Dallas
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Raphinha - Soucek
    Vardy - Adams - Bamford

    B) TC on Salah / KDB in this team:

    Martinez
    Zouma - Coufal - Dallas
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Grealish
    Vardy - Adams - Bamford

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

      BB looks great, you can always find a good TC in later DGW but it will be tough to get as good bench as this!

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

        I love this BB, but only lack of City worries me.
        It’s been all perfect until yesterday’s City / Villa DGW announcement

  19. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Adams or Watkins for the dgw?

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

      Adams... owning ollie is self torture...

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

    Play Cresswell or KWP?

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

      Cress easy

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

    I’m considering Button > Johnstone for -4 and play him instead of Martinez. Do want Johnstone for DGW19 and will have to take a hit to transfer him in anyway.

    Am I crazy or not?

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Personally wouldn't be hitting to bring in a West Brom keeper

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

      Im thinking taking a hit to bring in second gk for DGW but Fabianski. Johnstone unlikely to get cs?

  22. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will we get news on C Taylor before the deadline? If not who is the best replacement with a budget of 4.9

    A - Lowton
    B - Stones
    C - Targett
    D - Other suggestion?

    Johnstone
    Dallas - Robbo - Justin
    Salah - Bruno - Kane - Raphina - Soucek
    Kane - Bamford

    McCarthy - Adams - Taylor - Balbuena

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

      Holding ?

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

      I'm in that exact situation! Also considering Ben Mee and Coady?

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Mee appeals from those two due to goal threat at set pieces

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

    Which one for just gw17 & 19?

    A) Antonio
    B) Watkins
    C) Woods

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  24. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, what would you do if you had Lindelof and had Michell as only playing sub?

    Ditch or save ft ?

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Move Lindelof on if you've got a FT

  25. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How long is Taylor out?

    Grealish or Mount worth taking out this gw (baring in mind both have doubles)?

  26. 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 ? »

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

    What's the best defender at max 4.9m for GW17 and DGW19 (free hitting GW 18):

    a) Stones
    b) Coady
    c) Ben Mee

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

    A.Welbeck to Watkins
    B. Bissouma to El Ghazi
    If A, I can do Bissouma to Raphinha / Soucek in GW19. Not such good forward options to upgrade Welbeck to.

  29. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    would you transfer Mahrez out for Zaha?
    Yes/No. First to 5 wins.

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

      Yes

  30. Trentino
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play

    A) Mitchell
    B) Creswell

    ???

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A