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

    Dias, Cresswell, Coufal, Dallas.

    Which one to bench?

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

      Coufal or Dallas

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

      Coufal

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

    DGW19 BB team, on WC now:

    Fabianski - DeGea
    Dias-Cancelo-Dallas-Struijk-Ogbonna
    Salah-KDB-Fernandes-Mount-Saka
    Bamford-Antonio-Watkins

    what to change?

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

      Are you confident Antonio will start both games?

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

        If he come out of this week unscathed, i think good chance he gets minutes in both. Given fixtures i'd be willing to take the gamble.

  3. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi folks play one of

    A) Cresswell
    B) Mitchell
    C) Amartey

    Thanks

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

      B, A first sub

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

    Quick question;
    When someone replies to my question i normally vote up the reply just out of courtesy to show i appreciate them replying.
    Am i using that vote up button in the correct way?

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

      The vote up button is for upvoting sarcastic responses to make it easier for others to find the dumpster fire threads.

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

        Hahaha 😀

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

      They don't know it's you

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

      It's a nice touch. Use it however you like. Especially nice to combat some of the less positive comments that can be found.

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

        *Ahem*

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

          Thankyou

  5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy new year fellas!

    Do I look good to go?

    Martinez
    Cresswell Dier Justin
    Salah Mane Bruno Son(C) Maddison
    Bamford Watkins

    (McCarthy Zouma Ayling Brewster)

    Thanks!

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

    Who to bring in for James?

    A) Stones
    B) Dias
    C) Dallas

    Will FH next week

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

      B or C, depends what you do with rest of the team

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

      Dallas 2 games at home and has the most attacking threat of all the defenders. I am not confident Man City will keep clean sheets without Ederson.

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

      Dias. No blank and has a double.

  7. 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

  8. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is avoiding Chelsea and Man City players prudent then?

    Clearly I'd take hits to get premium players in place.

    Is this the case?

    Thanks

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

      The game goes ahead.

  9. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Mitchell
    Salah Fernandes Son Raphinha
    Kane(C) Bamford Adams

    Button; Dallas, Stephens, Branthwaite

    1FT 2.3ITB

    GTG? Going to FH in GW18 so can't save a transfer. What would you do here?

    A) Branthwaite -> Stones/Dias/Cancelo
    B) Son -> KdB
    C) Kane -> Vardy
    D) Something else?

  10. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Reece James is becoming a problem. He's not going to play the double is he.

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

      I dun no

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

      Seems unlikely.

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

      If he plays the double it may well be 1 game max.

      Read the hints. Managing his injury, Azpi more than capable as a backup.

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

      Might have even lost his place, Lampard seems like a ruthless manager

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

        Simply untrue. Reece has been fantastic up until the point the injury spiked up.

    5. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If he can stay fit I don't see why he wouldn't play the double. Pretty obvious that his fitness is affecting his performances. Azpi is nowhere near the level he used to be.

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

        But he's not fit. That's the point.

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

          If you have to ask the question, I feel you might already know the answer.

    6. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      With him not playing today and no game in GW17 he's sure to drop in price too.

  11. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Mitchell or Dias?

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

      Dias

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

    Play Bednarek or Balbuena?

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

    Stay clear of Bailly?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

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

    Who is more likely to play in gw 18?

    A. Taylor
    B. Konsa

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

      Tough, but I'd say B as at least he is not injured.

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

    3rd repost, eurghh.

    Arghh! 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. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

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

      Replied on last page

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

      Son

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

      Cheers everyone! Hugely appreciated

  16. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone getting Maguire in? Plays gw18+dgw19 and good fixtures afyer that, but will they ever keep a clean sheet?

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

      Yep brought him in.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As a United fan, no we won’t

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

      Maybe for the free hit GW18 just for the one gameweek

    4. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe next week

  17. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chances of the Burnley - Fulham game going ahead this week?

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

      80%

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

      69%

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

    *Repost* 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

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

    Starting Stones over Adams.. good idea??. Have Robertson and Trent.

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

      Play Adams. Liverpool looked suspect defensively vs Newcastle, Phillips/Williams can be exploited

  20. stefanbkanev
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play 2:

    A) Dallas (tot)
    B) Soucek (eve)
    C) Coufal (eve)
    D) Brewster (cry)

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

      A B

  21. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    play johnston (ARS) or Martinez (mun) ?

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

      Ars

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

        cheers

    2. DLL18
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've got the same decision to make, swaying towards Johnston.

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

    Taylor to

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

      Wondering this also. Holding, Saiss, Dier, Coufal/Balbuena, Dallas/Alioski, United defender all considerations

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

        or obv city defenders if u dont have already

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

      holding

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

        Is he nailed long term?

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

          seems to be

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

      Do we reckon Taylor will be ready for the DGW19?

  23. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have 10 players for gw 18
    Gw 19 Will use 2 ft's to have 12 dgw and 2 single GW players.

    Gw 19 use bench boost or triple captain?

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

      Same quandary here. Will delay decision as long as I can ... lots can change in next 2 GWs.

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

      If you have the money, I'd be tempted to take one hit and field one more DGWer and bench boost.

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

    Who to bring in for the DGW ?

    A- Ederson + Stones + Soucek
    B- Fabianski+ Dias + Gundogan

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

      A

  25. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    is taylor to holding worth -4?

  26. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone going with Shaw as their United defender?

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

      Seems risky given Ole has subbed Telles on/off for Shaw on a number of occasions.

      Looked decent when he came on last match, but it's an additional risk on top Man United's defense in the first place.

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

      Rotation risk with Telles

  27. Footballfriend
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think kilman starts?

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

      He was actually pretty good against United.

      Probably will start

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

        Thanks for the view!

  28. woodboy76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does the free hit chip use a transfer?

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

      why do people find it so hard to read the rules........

      1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hard to interpret, wall of text and non-native readers.

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

        Not too hard to answer these questions though is it.

    2. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, if you have 2 FT, then it will be 1 FT the week after FH.

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

    If I want to bring in a city defender for only the double
    Even if that player turns out to be self isolating, wouldn't he be available for the double since it's 18 days from now?

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

      yes

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

        Yes but some players like ASM have struggled after Covid so even if they play they might not be at their best.

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

      Yep they'd be fine

  30. Chrisitis
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any reason not to bring in El Ghazi?

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Next four fixtures.