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

    Interesting stat. .0Man City have only kept 2 clean sheets out of 7 when Ederson hasn't played in the Premier League.

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

      Ederson's a beast, fair play.

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

      He'll be back for brighton most probably so doesn't really matter

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

    Who's the priority to get rid of for the double?

    A) Charlie Taylor

    B) Rhian Brewster

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

      B.

      Taylor could well be back by then.

  3. Delph & Safety
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Seriously don’t know what to do after WCing last week. Still FH GW18 and BB in 19 for me.
    Any help would be appreciated.
    0.0 ITB 🙁

    Johnstone Fabianski
    Taylor Dias Cancelo Justin Balbuena
    Salah Fernandes Son Soucek Anguissa
    Kane Wood Bamford

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

      Your in the same situation as me. You think its better to start 7 players gw 18 or FH?

      1. Delph & Safety
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thinking FH 18 is a safer option with covid plus it is after fa cup so team news might be easier to predict. Hate my team though.

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

          Team looks fine. Still set up well for BB 19. I'd stick with your FH strategy even though you could get by without it.

          1. Delph & Safety
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks. Hoping these next few weeks will be enjoyable.

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

      Only really standout is Taylor. Perhaps you could downgrade to Lowton if you still want Burnley, else perhaps Holding?

      1. Delph & Safety
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Forgot about Lowton. Cheers

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

    Firmino and Maddison
    Or
    Watkins and Rashford

    ...for gw17 & 19

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

      B

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

    Vardy and Mahrez out for Kane and Zaha (-4) hit
    Got salah and Fernandes and no spurs assets are except Aurier

    Good move?

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

    So frustrating... I have 2 transfers to burn and no idea what to do with them... any recommendations?

    McCarthy
    Chilwell Cancelo Coufal
    Son(C) Bruno(VC) Salah KDB
    Bamford Watkins Adams

    Forster; Soucek Targett N.Williams

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

      If you have funds get rid of Neco Williams as he’s unlikely to play

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

        That’s what I want to do but I don’t know how... I only have 0.2 ITB so would need to make money elsewhere. Any ideas?

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depending on how much money you have in the bank, you could upgrade Forster for a playing keeper for BB in GW 19.

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

        That’s what I would like to do but I don’t know how... I only have 0.2 ITB so would need to make money elsewhere. Any ideas?

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

    start 2: Rodrigo, Soucek and Adams

  8. Nay08
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones + Wood (Adding my bgw18 player plus cover for dgw19 if something happens)
    or Dias + Benteke/McGoldrick (only 2 weeks punt) ?

  9. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I already have Dallas/Bamford/Robertson/Salah/Zouma, then I'm pretty locked into FH right? My team with that lot benched is going to be dreadful

  10. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GW 18 Options. Bench boosting in 19?
    A) FH
    B) Start 7 players (Pope Dias ElGhazi Bruno Son Kane Watkins)

  11. Miro
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Adams or Soucek?

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

    Start Adams og Dallas?

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

      or

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

      dallas

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

    Which is better for BB19

    A) Robertson, Raphina, Vardy

    B) Dias, KDB (C), Rodrigo (-4 points)

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

    Who to bring in for the DGW ?

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

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

      A but Ederson may have covid.

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

        Will be fine for the DGW

      2. Bergkamps second touch
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Is this confirmed? They said on the scoutcast that they knew he was on of the positive tests

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

    Is saiss only playing coz of Boly's injury?

  16. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kilman or Hoever likely to start this GW?

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

    Does it look like Chelsea vs City will go through?

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

      Yes - positive noises from Pep

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seems to be the case from Pep

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

        No new Covid cases, and training ground open. Fulham i would say no

  18. Bobby's Teeth
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Palace fans - Does Mitchell start this GW? Don't have any cover on the bench due to Taylor's injury

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

      50/50 I'm hearing. PVA more likely to return I would suggest.

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

        PVA to return i think

    2. Bobby's Teeth
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thank you gents!

      1. Bobby's Teeth
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Any news on whether Stones has Covid? That's my planned transfer

  19. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is RODRIGO a good differential for DGW19?

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

      yep

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

      Yep, good differential at that price. Not as popular as Raphinha.

  20. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My defence is

    Cancelo PVA Dier Dallas.

    Need 3 to start. Likely?

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

    Which 2 would you start?

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

    Currently on B and D

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

      Yep B and D

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

        Thanks. Would you have Adams 1st sub and Soucek 2nd sub?

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

          1st i think

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

            Thanks, best of luck this GW

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

    A. Cancello(Dias) /McCarthy(Johnstone)
    B. Wan Bassaka/Fabs for DGW 19~~For Forster/Fergurson

    2FT.

    Martinez (Forster)
    Dallas, Chillwell, KWP, Coufal (Fergerson)
    Salah/Bruno/Son/Soucek/Raphina
    Kane(C)/DCL/Bamford.

    Cheers and Happy New Year!

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

    Have Bamford. Play:
    A) Raphinha
    B) Soucek

    Captain:
    A) Son
    B) Salah
    C) Fernandes
    D) Vardy

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

      A and A

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

    Wilson and Grealish to KDB (+Soucek) for -8?

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

      Not worth it today. By next GW there might be a better option available so best to hold imo.

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

      Depends if for GW 19/fh18. Then no

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

      Not worth it. Grealish scored at Old Trafford last year and Wilson is involved in 80% of Newcastle goals. KDB and Soucek offer little in open play.

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

    Man City have kept only 2 clean sheets in 9 at Stamford Bridge.With Garcia and Ederson out too maybe best to bench City defenders this week. Also Dias and Stones don't offer much attacking threat.

    1. Bergkamps second touch
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Ederson confirmed?

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

    TAA or Vardy for the dgw?

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

      Both. TAA will explode soon. He is on corners and free kicks too.

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

    Well done to everyone who got green arrows last week in spite of the postponements.

    Red arrows - we go again! Let's not be disheartened. We will get our share of the luck back soon!

    Best of luck all for this GW and a Happy New Year.

  28. user.n
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain:
    1. Son
    2. Bruno
    3. Salah
    4. Kane
    Thank you

    1. Mr. Mystic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1

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

    Start Mitchell(SHU) or Stones(che) alongside Dias and Holding? Surely if Mitchell is benched he wont play any minutes right?

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

      Stones

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

        cheers

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

    What do you think who will replace Matip again ? Phillips ?

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

      Either Philips or Williams, both look unconvincing tbh

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

        Hopefully we'll sign a new CB in the coming days!

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

          If that new CB will be cheap and nailed , I think everyone would love that. 😀
          Phillips or Williams would be good addition for next 3 GW if one of them would be nailed for every match , now don't know who to get.