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. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Final cap call guys.

    Bruno or Son?

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

      On Son myself

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

      Bruno, im going Kane

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

      son for me

    4. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Currently on Son...

    5. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son let’s do it!

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

      Son

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

    Start Mitchell(SHU) or Stones(away at chelsea with no ederson)? Am already starting Dias. Surely if Mitchell is benched he wont play any minutes right?

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

      Stones ok or out with covid?

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

        Havent heard anything to say hes not alright

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

      I am worried about Mitchell cameo

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

        Has not happened once this season tbf

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

    You had to lose a player now, to fund a full BB19 double game team.

    Pick one!

    Grealish vs Martial

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

      Jack

    2. Won't sleep till after…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martial. Grealish nailed to start both games in the double, Martial isn't.

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

        This

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

        Grealish is one card away from a ban

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martial’s minutes means him.

  4. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes needed?
    Martinez
    KWP, Cancelo, Dier(mitchel, Kilman)
    Son, Bruno, Grealish, Sterling
    Kane(c), DCL, Bamford
    1FT

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

    Choose one:
    a) play Konsa
    b) play Kilman
    c) do Kilman --> Alioski and play him

    Other defenders are Cresswell, Zouma and Taylor (injured).

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

    Who to start

    1 Dallas
    2 Stones
    3 Zouma

    A Adams
    B Soucek

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

    If i used my FT today before GW 18 and then FH the night before GW 18 begins, will that transfer I made still stand, and will I get a -4?

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

      no

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

      If you mean you use your FT today (in GW17) and then play your FH in GW18 then yes the transfer will stand (you get the transferred in player back in GW19) and no it would not be a -4 if it’s a FT.

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

    Would you start Taylor just in case he starts?

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

      I am but he won't

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

      I am

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

      Thanks and GL!

    4. Blue Moon Rising
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dyce said weeks didnt he?

  9. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year. Is Mitchell nailed on against Palace and would you play him over Soucek Eve away?

    1. Spg76
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still drunk. Against Sheff Utd

  10. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think Mitchell starts for Palace?

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

      I’m starting him and hoping.

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

        I think I'm doing the same but i'm not convinced he'll start

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

    Start Dalla (away Spurs) or Welbeck (flagged home Wolves) ???

  12. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    James confirmed out?

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

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

      Yes but Lamps can do it again

  13. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ederson out for just chelsea.. or any idea if he would he miss Brighton as well?

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

      Probably back

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

      I’m assuming he’ll be back. Any lingering effects surely less of an issue for a keeper

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

    Play 2 from:
    1. Dias
    2. Dallas
    3. Coufal
    4.zouma

    On 14 atm..

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

    Please help

    Which 3 defenders to play lads?

    Maquire Justin Mitchell Cancelo Dallas

    Some lad told me to play Dias who I don't own so please advise.

    Thanks,

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

      Dias

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

        Maguire, Justin, Mitchell

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

      Dias mitchell justin

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

        This

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

      dias and 2 others

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

      He corrected with Dallas

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

      Maguire, Justin, Cancelo

    6. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin Cancelo Mitchell.

      Maguire is the next good one

  16. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Alioski (tot)
    B) Bednarek (LIV)
    C) Dias (che)
    D) Zouma (MCI)

    On A, but just checking...

    Cheers.

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

      I am benching D

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

        Ta

  17. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last call...... captain one and bring in one...... thankyou and best of luck everyone and another win for Barnsley too!!! Hehe....
    Captain...
    A- Son
    B- Kane
    C- Bruno
    Bring in...
    1- Leno
    2- Guaita

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

      C1

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

      A1

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

    Does free hit use a transfer?

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

      No

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

      It's like a WC, only 1 FT after.

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

    Need to make a transfer.

    Ayling -> Alioski?

    McCarthy Martinez
    Zouma Cresswell Dier Justin Ayling
    Salah Mane Bruno Son Maddison
    Bamford Watkins Brewster

    1FT 0.2ITB

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

    I feel Leeds will trash Tottenham. going with Salah Captain

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

      Same but I'll go with BRUNO (C)

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

    Was planning to do this move next week, but I can't see any other moves I want to make this week and I need to use/lose a FT. Can also see Leeds scoring given their style of play and form.

    So.... Dier -> Stones - yay or nay?

    McCarthy
    Bellerin, Cancelo, Dier
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Son
    Bamford, Wilson, Watkins

    Forster, Martinelli, Targett, Douglas
    Bank 0.1m, 2FTs

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

      Yes.

      Who's your C?

  22. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I make 1 FT GW18 (Kane --> Vardy)

    Then I hit the FH chip immediately.

    Do I keep Vardy GW19?

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

      No

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

      nope

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

      No

  23. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So whats the plan?
    FH GW18
    Be prepared GW19

  24. PompeyUpNorth!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play
    A Johnstone home Arsenal
    B Martinez away Man U?

    Cheers!

  25. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If I dont use my transfer this week, FH next how many FTs do I have GW19?

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

      1

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

        Thought so

    2. Won't sleep till after…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 transfer. You always go back down to 1 transfer the week after you've played a Free Hit.

  26. NejiHyuuga01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy new year guys!

    Is Chilwell/KWP to Wan Biss/Shaw a good option?

  27. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to play this GW

    Martinez
    Areola

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

    I just brought in cancelo instead of dias. Higher ceiling and more fun to watch. Just got to hope he doesnt have covid. Trusting the new rumours saying not him

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

      I have heard it's the brazilian contingent who have the virus, possibly fernandinho

  29. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one to play?

    Coufal EVE A
    Mitchell SHU H
    Stones CHE A (already playing Dias)

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones

  30. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    bench soucek or watkins?