Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 17

Happy New Year and welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 17 ahead of today’s 16:00 GMT deadline.

As Fantasy managers, 2020 certainly kept us on our toes and its 366th day was no exception with the announcement of additional fixtures for Gameweeks 18 and 19.

Those with assets from both Manchester clubs, Aston Villa and Burnley now have more players available for the upcoming blank and double.

But are you leaping for joy or simply scratching your head wondering what to do?

As Pro Pundit Andy was at pains to point out when talking through the implications of the fixture changes yesterday, the ideal solution will depend on your team and chip situation.

Step forward the innovative FPL Community with two tailor-made graphics.

The first, by Legomané, helps us plan transfers by using a traffic-light colour code to highlight the rest periods between matches:

(click on graphic to enlarge)

And the second, by FPL Zh0u, is a handy flowchart on strategy, which can steer our teams in the right direction.

(click on graphic to enlarge)

Andy wondered if it was time to abandon our plans for Double Gameweek 19, especially with Manchester City now having arguably the most attractive fixtures, at home to Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

The Pro Pundit, who leads the Mods & Cons mini-league, originally wanted to play his Bench Boost chip but is debating whether targeting his transfers to bring back Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) is perhaps the better course of action.

Liverpool also enjoy two home fixtures in the upcoming Double Gameweek and Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) had been the default captain choice for many, however two frustrating blanks has dampened our enthusiasm.

But reporting on the match against his beloved Newcastle United, Neale emphasised that it could have been very different for those who backed the Egyptian:

This was one of those games when the margins between double-digit haul and a three-pointer were slim …  But Salah has historically had a profligate side to his game and occasional frustrating afternoons come with the territory.

– Neale

Something our Captain Sensible writer Jan Sienkiewicz does when making his recommendations for the armband, is to consider how the games will unfold.

Often Fantasy managers like to target teams thought of as ‘whipping boys’, but sides frequently adapt their approach based on the opposition – and Newcastle are no exception:

The Magpies resemble a solid outfit in a backs-to-the-wall 5-4-1 but look less so in a 4-4-2/4-2-3-1, conceding goals against the likes of Burnley, Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion – all at home – this season when playing without a third centre-half.

– Neale

Leeds United, however, take a different approach: employing the same style of play no matter who they are facing.

The open end-to-end nature of their games means that no team has conceded more big chances than the Whites this season and, at the same time, no team has taken more shots in the box. 

On the Scoutcast, Joe and Az both identified the trip to a rested Tottenham Hotspur as the standout fixture for captaincy. And Jan agreed, making Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.7m) his top candidates for the armband, despite their recent poor attacking form.

But it was the attacking displays of Marcelo Bielsa’s side that caught the attention of Pro Pundit Zophar. Considering their budget options, the seven-time top 10,000 manager noted:

Raphinha’s numbers, in particular, are excellent as he is second for shots in the box (nine) and joint-top for chances created (10).

– Zophar

And like Zophar in his column piece, David picked out a cheap midfielder whose displays have impressed recently for Aston Villa:

His total of 24 attempts on goal is the highest in the league between Gameweeks 12 and 16, at least 10 more than any other midfielder at the time of writing. El Ghazi is also top of the league for big chances (six) and shots on target (15)

– David

However, it remains to be seen if Ross Barkley (£5.9m), returned to fitness and available for selection, will dislodge El Ghazi from the starting XI.

Moving up in price, the recent performances of Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) have been encouraging. In his Scout Notes on the match at Stamford Bridge, David observed:

It was noteworthy to see Christian Pulisic start a second game in two days and manage to last 90 minutes each time – perhaps suggesting he can offer a robust route into Chelsea’s attack for matches against Fulham (away) and Leicester (away) in Double Gameweek 19.

– David

Finally, Harry Maguire (£5.4m) is the headline differential pick for the New Year. Pro Pundit Tom is impressed by his attacking threat with no defender having taken more shots in the box, and Manchester United sitting top of the ticker from a defensive perspective until Gameweek 25.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

RedLightning rounded-up the Community mini-leagues and competitions in a hot topic yesterday.

As mentioned, the Manager of the Month in the Community Members mini-league is Josh Paulin. Josh wins a £50 Amazon voucher. Josh, please contact Geoff (geoff@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk) to claim your prize.

The Manager of the Month winners in 2020 were:

SeptemberHamdy Sameeh
OctoberEmmanuel Oloche
NovemberJames Frimpong
DecemberJosh Paulin

And for those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 17 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,511 Comments Post a Comment
  1. icanseethroughyou
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play one:
    A. Zouma (MCI)
    B. KWP (LIV)

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

      A

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

        Thanks. Bank on City still being without their mojo!

    2. Mo Mane Mo Salah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A for sure

  2. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Mitchell or Dallas ??

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

      Mitchell for me. Dallas can get goals.

  3. bring_on _the_fantasy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain...

    Kane OR Son?

    I was on Bruno but seeing as Villa have only conceded 14 goals and Leeds 30 im going for a spurs player?

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

      Son

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think I'd (C) Kane if I had him. Leaning towards Son over Bruno myself

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

      I’d pick Son over Kane. That being said, I have Son and Bruno and am going Bruno (c) he’s been so consistent.

  4. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Konsa-Dallas-Holding
    KdB-BFernandes-Salah-Son(c)
    DcL-Bamford-Adams

    (Martin-Soucek-Coufal-Taylor)

    1. Soucek for Adam - Yes or No
    2. Coufal for Konsa - Yes or No

    1. Mo Mane Mo Salah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do one, my pref would be to play Soucek

  5. 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) ?

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

    Any chances Taylor could start today?

    1. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      There is no way on earth he's playing today.

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

        Thanks, just thought I had missed something as someone mentioned him here

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

      Do Burnley play today?

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

        Sorry, meant this gw

    3. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm selling anyway.. Id say chances are slim

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

        Would you start him over Dallas/Mitchell just in case?

    4. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      do you mean Charlie Taylor who plays sunday?
      no idea as Burnley press conference is tomorrow, no idea if he fit or if the match against Fulham is even on due to covid

  7. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to Captain?
    A) Bruno
    B) Salah
    C) Son
    Currently on Son (C) Bruno (VC)

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

      Agreed, or swap them

      1. bring_on _the_fantasy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Villa Conceded 14

        Leeds Conceded 30

        STICK

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

      Also Between the same 2

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

        On Son

  8. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Spurs due a pen I reckon

  9. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost since I think it is valuable for the lads, was bottomed

    Guys I've done a tone of research and looks like these are the 5 positive players for City:

    Walker, Jesus, Doyle, F. Torres, Ederson

    I am not claiming that I am correct, just had done a ton of research and seems that the consensus on twitter is that those 5 are isolating and apparently Cancelo is fine. That could be wrong and maybe instead of Doyle, Cancelo to be one self-isolating.

    To conclude:

    Ederson - confirmed out
    Walker - confirmed out
    Jesus - confirmed out
    F. Torres - highly likely I would say 80% out
    Cancelo - 49% out, 51% in imo
    Doyle is 50 50.

    Take it out as you wish.

    Pep confirms City will have five players unavailable for their PL clash at CFC following positive COVID-19 tests. Walker, Jesus plus three unnamed players are in isolation. "I don't think the PL allow us to name [them] but you will know [on Sun]."

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      interesting thoughts.

      free hitting next gw?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        naaaah

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

      I think Doyle just posted a picture on Instagram of him “isolating”

    3. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Anything on Stones? His presence on social media is always almost zero so hard to know

  10. sozopol
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed (twice!)

    Bench 1

    Z Zouma
    S Soucek
    D Dallas
    R Raphinha

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3rd time's the charm

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

        ):-1

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

      Dallas

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

      S or D for me

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

    Bench one.
    Zouma or Cresswell.

  12. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play one.

    A) Dallas
    B) Coufal

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

      Coufal

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

      B

    3. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same dilemma.. Starting Coufal

    4. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  13. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Struggling with my bench order, at the moment it is as follows
    1 Dallas
    2 Kilman
    3 Brewster

    Not sure is i should swap Brewster and Dallas around ?

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've Dallas ahead of Brewster.. even though he's a defender think he has a higher chance of attacking returns

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

    Captain Kane or Son?

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

      I'm captaining Son.

      Seems the ideal game for Kane to occupy the centre backs while Son breaks in behind

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

        Son

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

    What would you do if you had 7 players for gw18 and 10 dgw for 19 now with 1ft left?

    Fh 18 still and get another dgw player in now with my ft??

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

      I am not FH in 18. Think it can be better used later. I think United, City, and Spurs are more than enough.

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Make it 11 players for DGW, then you can TC.
      FH on gw18, or play up to 8 players and save the FH.

  16. JJO
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Adams starts vs Liv?

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

      Aye

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

      Don't see why not

  17. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    We don't have any news about Stones ?
    Could he be one of those with covid ?

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

      Look at your first question again

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      see above

    3. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, dont think so.

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

    Have 1FTs to spend with DGW in mind... DCL to Watkins/Ings/Rodrigo?

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

      Or Dier to Dias?

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

      Watkins

  19. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane or Son captain is giving me a headache, might just go for Kane due to his penalties

    1. bring_on _the_fantasy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      same problem here!

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

      Son

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

      Son

    4. M2.0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

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

    Best def for 4.8? Already have Dallas

    Coufal
    Balbuena
    KWP

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

      Coufal or Lowton

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Long term Coufal is definitely the one to have

  21. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My team for this gw, any changes needed or g2g? 1 FT

    Martinez
    Cancelo Robbo Dallas
    Son Salah Bruno Raphinha
    Kane Bam Wood

    Forster Anguisa Lamptey Dunne

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

    Who are the 3 players rumored to be out with covid?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      see above my post

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

        Thanks!
        Cancelo is the most exciting City defense option, but my main target is for GW19, so isolation period would be over by then anyways

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

      Ederson is definitely one. The others would only be guesswork

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

    Would you rather have????

    A) Fabianski Dias Brewster

    B) Fabianski C. Taylor Rodrigo

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

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son(C) Soucek
    Vardy(vc) DCL Bamford

    Forster Raphinha Chilwell Dallas

  25. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Getting too obsessed with this game and the drama, but finally happy with a WC18 draft:

    Martinez, Johnstone
    Lowton, AWB, Coufal, Dallas, Dias
    Rashford, Salah, KDB, Penandes, Romeu
    Antonio (Punt), Bamford, Watkins

    Gives me 8 for GW18 & then everyone plays twice for BB19 unless rotated of course.

    Anything I should change? Probably take a few weeks to unscramble it after lol.

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

      Just worried about Antonio...Moyes even said in his presser that he is going to be very careful with him. Maybe Adams for security?

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

        It’s an option, won’t be for 2 weeks anyway so he has a good chance to be fully fit by GW19. I think KDB will drop tonight so may wait to put him in and then can upgrade AWB to Slab Head for a Corner goal

  26. mbea02
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Justin Dallas Holding
    Salah Bruno Son
    Kane (C) Bamford Adams

    Johnstone Soucek Coufal Lookman

    Start 3 of 5 - Dallas, Holding, soucek, coufal, Adams

    Who to start?

  27. Fake Prince
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    REPOST (sorry)
    who is better in the next 4 GWs
    considering AV have game in 18 and Not FH in GW 18
    1. Adams
    2. Watkins

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

    Play adams or soucek ? tough one

  29. Nemanja Vidic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?
    Want to keep WC and FH for end of season.
    BB GW 19.

    2FT 1.3 ITB

    Mendy (Steer)

    Regulion Saiss Justin (Coufal) (Mitchel)

    KBD Fernandes Son (VC) Grealish Saka

    Kane (C) Bamford (Brewster)

    17) Steer -> Martinez
    18) Regulion - > Dias
    19) Kane Son Mitchel -> Watkins Salah AWB (KDB TC)

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

    Do we reckon Taylor will be ready for the DGW19?