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. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Transfer in:

    A. Saka
    B. Soucek

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

      B

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

      A if not using FH next week

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

        This

    3. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A for GW17 and 18. Then B for GW19

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

      Completely depends on your tactics for BGW and DGW

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

    Bench one:

    A) Dallas

    B) Dias

    C) Coufal

    D) Mitchell

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

      C

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

      Between C and D. Would start Mitchell and hope he starts. Unlilkely to come on from the bench I think.

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

      D

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

      Think I'll punt on starting with Mitchell over Coufal, cheers guys

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

    Best Matip replacement for 6.8 or under? (already have Dias)

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Chilwell

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

      At the moment, Chilwell. Would say Cancelo if we knew 100% he did not have Covid though.

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

    Re : Would you FH if you can get this team for 18 with a hit?
    I thought there was no need but Cancelo possibly having covid would confuse me

    Martinez, Holding, Cancelo,Stones, Grealish,Son, Fernandes,DCL and Riedewald (1-pointer)

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Id probably save it. But don't you want KDB for DGW19 anyways?

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

        I do but no easy way to get him...
        Maybe Son to KDB after 18 but then I must forget BB plans

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

    Is Cancelo out?

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

      No you're supposed to ask if he's cancelled

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

      Nothing confirmed. If he isn't self isolating then he is a certainty to play.

    3. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No one knows. Consensus on Man City forum is that he is Ok but it is just conjecture and reading into journalists' comments on twitter. Think I will bring him in. In any case it's not this week that I really want him for, but have 2 transfers to burn ahead of FH next week

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

    Which 2 would you bench?

    A) Adams == Liverpool (H)
    B) Raphinha == Spurs (A)
    C) Justin == Newcastle (A)
    D) Soucek == Everton (A)
    E) Holding == WBA (A)

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ad I think

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

        Thanks, that's what I'm on now. They both have lowest upsides I figured.

  7. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo Dias Cancelo
    Salah Mane Bruno Grealish Raphinha
    DCL Bamford

    (Steer Kilman Mitchell Brewster)
    0.3m & 1 FT

    A) Save FT
    - Mane to KDB for BGW18 and could get one more BGW18 player or keep 2 transfers for DGW19 for injuries, suspensions & Covid problems.

    B) Mane ➡️ Son
    - Salah to KDB for BGW18
    - Son to Salah in DGW19
    - Will have to take hits if other problems crop up.

    Thoughts?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No interest in FH18?

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not really I'll have to use my transfer to get someone like Balbuena this week.

        I could have upto 11 players for BGW18 if Brewster, Kilman & Mitchell start and I use both my transfers for BGW18 players. Drawback is no Spurs attackers but if I don't have them this week then I'd probably not have them against Villa which should be a tough game for them.

  8. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A - Antonio
    B - Adams

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

      A

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

      B not sure if Antonio stays fit or plays both DGW

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

    Kane for me is the clear captain choice this week. I am surprised he is not ahead in the Captain poll. Leeds expansive style of play will leave Kane with lots of chances to get a big haul. Leeds conceded 4 at Anfield and 6 at Old Trafford too.

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

      Mourinho parking the bus episode 300

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

      It's about time Jose took the handbrake off a bit. They certainly need to put the keeper under from crosses as he looks like a 12 year old flapping at them...

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

    Klich & Taylor to Soucek & Stones or another 5.1 DoubleGW19 player for -4

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

      Soucek is 5.2? Does that ruin your plans?

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

        Or do you mean defender?

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

          Defender. Bailly could be option but not sure as he is not nailed

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

    repost

    Best GK to rotate with Martinez?

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

    5.5 ITB

    Cheers

  12. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Arghh! Shameless repost, Sorry to add to the number of captain quandary’s gents, but Who to captain?!

    A)Salah
    B) Son
    C) Bruno
    D) KDB

    Also, would you do Mitchell/Dunne to Holding for free?

    Team is:

    Martinez
    Robbo - Dallas - Dias
    Raphinha - Bruno - KDB - Salah - Son
    Bamford - DCL
    ________________________________
    Forster: Brewster - Mitchell - Dunne

    2 FT’s, 0.6 ITB

    Cheers guys! Really appreciate any feedback!

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

      Would choose Bruno as cap

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B and yes to the Holding move. GL mate

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

      A , Dunne to Holding or Balbuena

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

      B

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

      Yes I'd do that FT.

      As for captain, between Bruno and Son and just hope I think. I own both and currently on Son.

  13. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you play Kilman or Dallas?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      From those Dallas mate

      Any help above? 😉

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas 1000%

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

      Dallas - chance of attackign returns.

  14. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench two:

    A) Dias (che)
    B) Coufal (eve)
    C) Dallas (tot)
    D) Adams (LIV)
    E) Soucek (eve)

    Currently benching Coufal then Adams but it’s tough!

    Cheers and GL

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ooh this is tough. Probably Coufal & Dallas.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You think Adams can get something against ‘Pool? He’s not looked that great recently

  15. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gonna freehit gw 18 and Bb gw 19
    Have 1 at the moment would you take - 4 to get option 2
    1. Kdb Watkins and Steer
    2. Barnes Vardy and Lloris

  16. tommo1989
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Button & James to Fabianski & Coufal for free?

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You don’t want to spread the risk away from WHU def?

      Both good choices though

      1. tommo1989
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’m making these transfers with the GW19 double in mind. My defence would be Zouma, Stones, Shaw, Justin & Coufal so thinking Shaw & Justin as definites but not sure who else to pick this week out of Zouma, Stones & Coufal?

  17. jernej93
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I have 2FTs going into GW18 and I take free hit.. Do I have 2FTs for GW19 or 1?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1

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

      1

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

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

  19. saurabh.06
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for the Repost.

    Fab
    Dallas Robertson Dias
    Bruno grealish salah Raphina
    Kane dcl Rodrigo
    Forster Mitchel Taylor Romeo
    2tfs
    A. Salah and Dcl to Son/ rash and Vardy.
    B. Salah and dcl to Sterling and Martial
    C. Other.
    Fh in 18.
    Thanks

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

      C

      1. saurabh.06
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can you please help me with suggestions?

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

    McCarthy & Cancelo -> DDG & Stones for free?

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

      Yed

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

      Would rsther have mccarthy

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

    Which combo scores more in both gw17 & gw19? (Playing WC gw18)

    A) Firmino & Maddison
    Or
    B) Watkins & Rashford

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For me better options than all of these. A if you have to.

  22. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taylor to:

    A. holding
    B. Coufal

    (Using FH 18)

  23. Footieboot
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez - Forster

    Dier - Stones - Justin - Coufal - Mitchell

    Salah - KDB - Son - Grealish - Anguissa

    Kane - DCL - Bamford

    2FT 0.1itb

    a) Anguissa --> Smith Rowe
    b) KDB --> Bruno, Anguissa --> Martinelli

  24. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry, got bottomed...
    Which FH GW 18 Team folks?

    Team AstraZeneca

    Pickford (4.0 fodder)
    Maguire, Holding, Clark (Kilman, Mitchell)
    Sterling, KDB, Fernandes, Sigurdson (Bissouma)
    Aguero, Lacazette, Cavani

    Team Pfizer

    Pickford, Ramsdale
    Maguire, Stones, Clark, (Coady, Holding)
    Sterling, Fernandes, Zaha, Sigurdson (Saka)
    Aguero, Cavani, Lacazette

    Team Moderna

    Ederson* (Macey)
    Semedo, Dier, Clark (Clyne, Mitchell)
    Son, De Bruyne, Sterling, Neto, Zaha
    Kane, Wilson (Brewster)
    * can change to anyone

    Any 'optimistic' thoughts to cure my ailment?

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

      Yes

      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        YEs?

    2. Dont give a fuchs
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Team pfizer coz i work there. Havent seen the player names

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

    Pieters or Holding over the next 3 gwks?

  26. Mikey44
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For the dgw would you rather have:

    A- TAA and Watkins
    B- Vardy and Targett

    TAA has (MUN BUR) and Vardy has (SOU CHE)

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  27. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Taylor to Mitchell
    B. Taylor+Wilson+TAA to Mitchell+Brewster+KWP
    C. Wilson+TAA+Grealish to Brewster+KWP+KDB
    D. Taylor+Wilson+TAA+Grealish to Mitchell+Brewster+KWP+KDB (-8)

    Martinez (Steer)
    TAA Coufal Dallas (Taylor Neco)
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish (Soucek)
    Kane DCL Wilson

  28. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is 8 enough for 18?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, if that includes some big names sure, same here

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

      8 might be 4 in a fortnight 🙂

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

    How nailed is Holding? Played well but Luiz coming back after injury?

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

      Luiz Gabriel next gw

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

        You think? Might not get him in if not nailed

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

      Luiz and Gabriel have been available for some of the past few weeks and he has played 8 of the last 9

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

        I think he will be nailed for the next 2-3 GW's. That's the only horizon I am thinking of holding him for.

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

        Hmm, Gabriel has missed the past 3 through suspension and covid. Before that Luiz was recoving from injury an only made the bench once (even Mustafi getting in ahead of him): the match that Gabriel got sent off. So I don't agree with you here

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

      Not nailed with Luiz, Mari and Gabriel, but he may prove to be first choice on the right. Just too early to say due to constant injuries/suspensions.

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

      Not nailed thats why looking elsewhere

  30. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Those who capt kane, u starting dallas too ?