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. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good enough for this week?

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

    Martinez, Soucek, Zouma, Dallas

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep. Are you BBing 19?

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

        Yes, FH18 BB19 seems logical?

        Does bench look correct & Son C?

        1. denial
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yep. That's what I'm doing.
          I'm playing Zouma over Coufal but can see the logic. Also capping kane over Son.

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

            Good luck 😉

            1. denial
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              You too

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

    Play one:

    A) Soucek - EVE A
    B) Raphinha - TOT A

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

      B

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

      I’m playing both somehow. Raph probs

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

      I'm going with B and Rodrigo over A

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

    “Trying” to plan, how’s this?

    GW17; KDB+Taylor >> Son(C)+Stones
    GW18; FH
    GW19; BB; Son >> KDB

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

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

      Looks good.
      Can you help me out, posted my team below.

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

      Looks fine. Although, my plans keep getting torn to pieces every new week. Given that you cant save a transfer I think it might be worth it. Just know that you may end up taking a hit to put out another fire in addition to bring KDB back in.

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

        Very true mate. That hit might be worth it for Son this week you think? Should do very well?

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

        For Son(C) too

  4. Aurora Borealis?
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys can I just make sure I have this 100% correct. If I don’t use my FT in 17 and FH in 18, i lose that FT and don’t have 2 FTs in 19?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, the free hit basically acts as a transfer

      1. Aurora Borealis?
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Perfect thank you so much for the confirmation. GL this week

        1. Hybrid.power
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks, you too

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

    Help needed. Who would you play - Ogbonna or Soucek v Everton?

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

      Soucek

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

        Good shout there:) seems they both scored points but soucek just wins out:)

  6. puhd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    James, Chelsea defender, is now red flagged. How long is he out for?

  7. Canarinha
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Coufal Stones Dallas
    Mané Salah Bruno Son
    Watkins Kane Bam

    g2g?

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

      Yeah gtg

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

    Can I get away with saving FT this week?

    Will look yo get in 2 or 3 players for gw 18 next week.

    Martinez Meslier
    TAA Konsa* Coufal Taylor* Mitchell*
    Salah Bruno Son Raphinha Anguissa
    Kane Bamford Adams

    1FT 1.7 ITB

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

      Yeah I would save

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

      Can you get 3 defenders out? Save if so

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

    Vestergaard to coufal ft preparing for dgw19?

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

      Cresswell better if you have the funds

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

        Only got 4.9 unfortunately

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

      Good move

  10. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one -

    A. Bamford (tot)
    B. Wilson (LEI)
    C. Podence (bri)

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

      Podence

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

    Who will have more game time?

    A. Struijk
    B. Mitchell

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

      Haha, I don't know! Looking for answer to same question.

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

    Chances of Mitchell starting next two games? Having only managed to field 6 players last week I'm looking to beef up my bench but on very tight budget.

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

      I have 2ft that i dont want to keep them since ill fh18... One is Taylor to Holding but not sure if i should swap Mithcell for Strijuk or burn other ft

  13. nadman89
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    taylor to :

    a)lowton
    b)pieters
    c)holding

    ?

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

      i did Holding

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

        same

  14. Greyling
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best double GW19 gk to BB? Have Martinez.

    1. Meslier
    2. Fabianksi
    3. Johnstone
    4. McCarthy

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

      3

  15. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mane to Bruno or stick with Mane this gw?

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

    Play McCarthy or Johnstone ?

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

      I would play McCarthy.

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

      McCarthy will get a save point or two

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

      Johnstone here

  17. The Habib Beyes
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Haven't watched much United this year - Wan Bissaka or Maguire as best fantasy asset?

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

      Neither but Maguire if you had to get one

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Slab, he’ll nod a couple in at some point and get a 15 pointer

    3. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just got Baily for 4.9 to warm the bench

    4. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      maguire hasnt missed a game in years id always go maguire he doesnt get rest?

  18. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    am i GTG? 0 FT. 0.1 ITB.

    Mendy

    Mitchell Cresswell Holding

    Soucek KDB Bruno Salah

    DCL Kane Bamf

    Forster KWP Riedwald Lamptey

  19. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play 1
    A. Johnstone
    B. Martinez

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

      I have that pair & on Johnstone

      Think United will get goals

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

    Play 2:

    A) Chilwell
    B) Cancelo
    C) Coufal
    D) Dallas

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      BC

  21. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start one of: Watkins Grealish Saka?

    1. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish

  22. The Alli Way
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How does this WC team look for GW19?

    Fabianski McCarthy
    Roberston Chilwell Dias Dallas Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son El Ghazi Soucek
    DCL Bamford Rodrigo

    Son > Maddison and DCL > Vardy for GW19 (-4)

  23. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Mari start fit arsenal next few?

  24. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dias or Cancelo?

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

      Dias or Stones

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

      Am I missing something? What's the appeal of Dias? Is it 90% the nailedness factor?

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah pretty much. I would go Cancelo if we knew it's definitely not him that has covid but the rumours are putting me off

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I went Dias

    4. squits
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I went cancelo and hope he isn't with covid

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

    Have Salah and Son but captaining Bruno. Is it ok?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No. 10 points from Gryffindor.

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

      I have the same 3 and I haven't got a clue who to captain

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

        I've ended up just "sticking it on Salah", for what's it worth

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That's fine.

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

      I wouldn,t. Villa only conceded 14 all season, thats less than any team in the top 5

  26. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who is the better option - Watkins or Adams?

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

      Both frustrating to own but Watkins had the higher ceiling

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

      same question. Going Watkins just because of an extra fixture

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

    Have 1FTs to spend with DGW in mind...

    1. DCL to Watkins/Ings/Rodrigo?

    2. Dier to Dias

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

    Please affirm my team selection:
    Will I get a good start to the year?
    Should I make any changes?
    Thanks and have a good 2021 please 🙂

    Martinez (mun)
    TAA Stones Cancelo
    Son(c) KDB Bruno(v) Grealish Saka
    Martial Bamford

    McCarthy (LIV) | Brewster (cry), Mitchell (SHU), Gabriel**

    1FT. 0.6 ITB.

  29. the_duke
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stuck on who to play

    A) soucek
    B) raphinha

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

    Start
    Johnstone ARS(H)
    Or
    Martinez MUN(A) ?

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

      Same as you on Johnstone vs Ars