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. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Surely bringing a Burnley defender in for Taylor is madness given Parker’s comments?

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

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

        Yep

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

      Bringing one in is madness itself given their fixtures turning terrible.

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

      What comments?

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

        ^^

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

        See tweets above. Game may not go ahead

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

      Taylor owner and personally not looking at a BUR replacement with their fixtures.

      I agree though, not worth it with the uncertainity unless you're sure your other 4 defenders can play

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

      Agreed he’s probably looking for a cancellation as it’s a massive game for them

    6. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What was with comments?

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

      Just woke up. What were his comments?

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

    Rodrigo or Watkins?

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

      Watkins

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

    Can I get away without a FH for gw 18?

    Martinez
    Taylor* Konsa*Mitchell*
    Bruno(c) Son
    Kane

    With 2 FT before gw 18, I plan to replace the defenders who don't start this week with Dias/Cancelo.
    Leaving me with 6-7 nailed on starters for gw 18.

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

      I’m not far off that, going to FH

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

        Don't you think its better saved for a future blank or dgw?

        7 players including a couple of City along with Son, Kane & Bruno should be good enough I suppose.

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

          Yeah you are in a better position than I am and can maybe get away with it in fairness, I’d say probably you’re missing out on 20ish points by not using FH so I guess you could make that up in a DGW, I’ve already phased out my Villa players and KDB so I have to commit to the FH

  4. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any of the cheap Liverpool defender options likely to play the DGW? Want a fifth defender for BB

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

      Nathanial Philips at 4.0 started the last game at CB but did not look good by all accounts.

      Not sure if he is nailed as he may rotate with Rhys Williams alongside Fabinho in the short term.

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Does Williams play centre back as well as right back?

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

          Rhys Williams does yes, not to be confused with Neco Williams who occasionally plays RB.

          Neither are nailed though and it is hard to say who would be first choice. Neither look convincing

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

            Aha, I hadn't twigged there were two. Thanks!

        2. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Plays CB, he's their last choice

          1. Feed tha Sheep
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Don’t really any other options though at min to play with Fab do they?

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

    Worth getting rid of Cancelo given the rumours?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t sell him if I had him could still make the DGW

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

      Where have the rumours even come from?

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

        Who all are involved in the rumours?

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

      Holding as he may not even have COVID. Even if he does, could be back for the double.

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

      Not with his upcoming fixtures and 13 days to game vs Brighton

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

      No. Better to wait post match.

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

      Likely

  6. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rt

    If ederson is out because of corona this gw, will he be ready for gw 18 ?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Should be all being well

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

      He be out for as long as he stay positive

  7. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Where have the cancelo rumours come from?

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

      Sauce?

    2. Wicked Weapon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Where do any rumours come from ?

  8. THL33
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    start Soucek or Rodrigo? Have Dallas and Coufal.

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

      Rod

      1. THL33
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        great thanks

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

    Tempted to take Pieters. Honestly haven’t paid attention to him. Why was he out of the squad for so long? Out of favour or injured?

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

    Is it worth taking a hit to get Holding and play him instead of Coufal this week If I will be taking the hit to get him next week anyway?

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

      Makes sense

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

      No

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

    Pick one for BB19:

    A) Soucek + KDB + Martial

    B) Rashford + Son + Watkins

    Final round......FIGHT

    1. La vida FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

    bench 1 from

    Justin Soucek Raphinha or Dias.

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

      Soucek

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

    Who to captain?

    a) salah
    b) bruno
    c) son
    d) kane

    Cheers

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

      D

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

      I've gone for Son.

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

    Anyone going without spurs attack?

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

      Nope, i will own kane first time this season, hes got a baby

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

      Yep

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

      Son el capitano

  15. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Raphinha or Harrison and why?

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

      Raphinha the better finisher

  16. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For dgw
    Taylor to
    1) cancelo
    2) dias

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 looks great. I own 2. Either would work. 2 if you think there is anything in the rumours at all

      1. Plagued by indecision
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I really hope there is nothing to the rumours about Cancelo! I just bought him.

  17. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this..

    C taylor & Adams to Coufal & Antonio? Also what would you do with Giroud?

    Squad: 2FTs 0.9ITB
    Mcarthy
    Cresswell Dallas TAA
    KDB Bruno Salah Grealish
    Giroud Bam Adams

    Forster / Bissouma / C Taylor / Neco

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

    Thoughts going round in circles?

    Does this formation, bench & Captain look right?

    Johnson,
    Coufal, Robbo, Stones,
    Bruno, C,Son, Grealish, Salah
    Kane, Bamford, Watkins

    Martinez, Soucek, Zouma, Dallas

  19. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current defence-
    Meslier
    Taylor zouma bednarek alioski dunne

    Taylor to holding or save FT?

  20. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can i avoid the FH with these 8 players in my team?
    Martinez
    Dias Taylor
    Bruno Son El Ghazi
    Kane DCL

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

      Yes

  21. SuperDan
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero or Vardy?

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

      Has to be Vardy for the minutes

  22. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost. Will FH18, BB19 (bring Kev back then).

    KDB+Taylor >> Son(C)+Cancelo?

    McCarthy
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Raphinha
    DCL, Bamford, Adams
    (Johnstone, Dallas, Soucek, C.Taylor*)

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

      Kane just got a baby

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why does that mean???

  23. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best GK to rotate with Martinez?

    a. Leno
    b. Meslier
    c. Fab
    d. ???

    5.5 ITB

    Cheers

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

    Play 1
    A. Adams
    B. Dallas
    C. Raphinha

  25. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Love to see it. Grealish will be diferenttial soon.

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

      If he gets another yellow in next 5 isn't he banned for one of the matches?

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

        Cup game

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

          No they don't add cup games to that ban i read somewhere

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

    I do wonder what the point of the city postponement was only to play a match a few days later. Who's to say more players won't be positive by then if the reasoning was that other players could turn out to be positive so let's not risk spreading.

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

      A few days matters massively in testing

  27. jk-25
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start (A) Dallas away at Spurs or (B) Watkins away at United??

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

      B

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

      B

  28. Return of the FF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?

    Mccarthy/ Martinez

    KWP Dallas Taylor Coufal Bernado

    Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Son, Neto

    Kane, Bamford, Adams

    1ft, 0.6 itb

    A) Roll
    B) Son to Rashy
    C) upgrade Bernado
    D) upgrade Adams

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

      Looks good

  29. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm chasing in my league and most of the others don't have Kane.

    Who should I captain

    a) Kane (differential)
    b) Bruno (play it safe)

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

      A

  30. youzef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Aurier Cancelo TAA Taylor
    Mahrez Salah Fernandes (C)
    Watkins Vardy Wood
    Bench: Ryan Soucek JWP Mitchell

    Shall I do Mahrez and Wood out for Zaha and Bamford (-4)?

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

      Or mahrez and Wood for Raphinha and lacazette