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

    Stats say captain Kane for Leeds but form says Bruno

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The latter

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

        Yeah I'll stick

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

      Man United at home don't score that much and Villa have been very solid defensively away from home.

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

        Thanks Abra and Qaiss

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

      I don't understand how these are mutually exclusive. Why not use stats to asses form?

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

    RP to annoy you
    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.

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep

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

    hope Antonio can be nailed so I can do DCL ----> Antonio next week

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

      Quite a few do. Me included.

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

      Same

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

    Play Kilman, Dallas or Adams?

    1. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas

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

    Start one:

    1. Mitchell - SHU (H)
    2. Holding - WBA (A)

  6. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Robertson - AWB - Regilion
    Salah - Fernandes(C) - Son - Grealish - Raphina
    DCL - Bamford

    Steer - Keane - Mitchell - Brewster

    G2G?

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

    Who scores more this week?

    A) Adams (LIV)
    B) Soucek (eve)

    Which to bench?
    1) Dallas (tot)
    2) Coufal (eve)

    Thanks!

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

      B2

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

        Cheers

    2. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both Adams and Coufal score 2.

      Bench Dallas

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

        Thanks mate.

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

    Bench one of: Watkins Grealish Saka??

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

      Saka

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

      Saka

    3. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saka

    4. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      watkins, Saka is going to score more points against west brom than watkins will against man utd

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

    Lot of potential Taylor replacements. Who did you/are you going for?

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

      Holding

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm looking at him now as a replacement. What is your 18/19 strategy? I see you have WC16

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

          Probably free hit in 18 and bench boost in 19, but Holding is still the best option for 17 and 19 for my team.

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Your team is similar to mine.

            Are you starting Rodrigo over Soucek?

            Martinez
            Taylor* Robbo Cancelo
            Son Bruno Salah Raphinha
            Bamford Kane Rodrigo
            (Johnstone Soucek Coufal Balbuena)

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

              Yep, our front 7 and bench will be the same. Good luck!

              1. Tonyawesome69
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Cheers, you too!

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

        You recokn he will keep his place until gw19? Isn't it better to choose a defender who plays both in dgw19 ?

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

          I've already tripled up on Leeds and West Ham, and I already have Lowton, and I only have 4.8 to spend. It's basically Holding vs Pieters vs Targett for me, and I like Holding's GW 17 and 19 fixtures. He looks set to keep his place, since he's had it since GW 7 apart from one half.

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

            txs, might take him into consideration myself

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias

    4. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin

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

      Pieters but not saying I've done the right thing

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

      Fwiw im going Holding of Stones. Probably Stones for the DGW

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

      Holding currently

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

    Cancelo or Stones?

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

      Both out due to covid?

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

        Are they?

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

    These rumors about Cancelo seem to have legs, and I am concerned he may not even play both matches in GW 19. I am considering transferring him out for Justin. It would leave me with just 7 players for GW 18 (I have the FH but don't want to use it). Does this seem like a good idea?

    My current defense: Dias - Cancelo - Zouma - Dallas - Mitchell, 1ft, .5 itb

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

      What legs does it have? Any respectable sources?

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

      That's the trouble with Man City never know Pep roulette.

  12. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    who will score more ?

    Salah - blank, MUN, BUR
    KDB - BRI, CRY, AVL

    Can have only one of them..

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

      KdB

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

      I think KDB

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

      KDB surely

  13. 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? (Repost)

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

      First 3

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

    Bench 2 out of;

    A: Maguire(AVL)
    B: Adams(LIV)
    C: Raphinha(tot)
    D: Soucek(eve)

    ???

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

      BD

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

    FH18 and BB19 so have a transfer I have to use this week.

    Stick with Adams or transfer to Watkins?

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

      I would stick with Adams especially because you may move away from fh 18 u never know. Can advice me below mate?

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

    Lewis to Stones for free? need to burn a FT as I'm FH 18

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

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

      Easy

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

      Stones ok or out with covid?

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

    Who to get rid of first: Taylor or James?

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

      James

  18. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys, captain Salah or Kane this GW?

    Cheers

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

      Salah for me. He is due.

  19. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 2 FTs and plan to FH for gw18. So that I don't waste a transfer, would you do DCL to Watkins, despite the fact DCL has a much easier opponent this GW?

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

      No

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

      Will you use both FTs?

      1. Steve McCroskey
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep

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

    Question!

    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

      Part of free hit.

  21. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys, Please advice
    Order of preference for these 3
    1) Coufal
    2) Dallas
    3) Soucek

    Currently on 1 3 2

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

      321

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

      321

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

      Have all them too mate and I’m on 321 too

    4. HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers guys will do 3-2-1 as well,

  22. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taylor to Mee/Pieters?

    Or gamble on a surprise return?

  23. Sam (Team Sam)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to put as first sub...

    Stones or Coufal?

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones

  24. yousunkmybattleship
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thanks for nothing Pep

  25. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Welbeck? Will he be fit?

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

    Which 3 defenders to play lads?

    Maquire Justin Mitchell Cancelo Dallas

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

      Mag, Can, Dias

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

        Dallas**

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

        I don't have Dias mate

  27. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender for under 5.6 for next two weeks (GW17 & GW18)
    Brain is fried

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

    Who is the better option (ignoring GW8 as FH) - Adams or Watkins?

  29. 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

  30. Clarity
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Happy new year everyone!

    Will Jamal Lewis start any more games? Or hard to say.

    Thank you! 🙂

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

      He’s so bad. Doubt it