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

    Who to start:

    A) Pieters
    B) Dallas

    Rest of starting defence is:

    Cancelo - Justin

    Bench: Coufal

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

      A

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

      Pieters

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

    Whose going to get an unexpected haul this weekend? I’ve just got rid of Werner so I’m going for him

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

      Antonio

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

        Good one. Yes he could be in everyone’s teams in a few weeks

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

    Why are so many benching Adams? Playing at home against Liverpool that hasn't looked that good in defence.

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

    James to:
    1) Stones
    2) Justin
    3) Maguire(?)
    4) someone else

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

      4

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

        Who you thinking?

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

    Do we think Stones will start both DGW games?

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

      No

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

    Start
    A. Michell
    B. Soucek

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

      B

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

    Best 4.5 defender for this GW (not Holding!)

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

      Lowton

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

        You think the Burnley game goes ahead?

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

    Toffee fans: ow likely is holgate to start?

  9. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hows this plan mates?

    Mccarthy
    TAA Holding Mitchell
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish
    Wood Bamford Kane

    Button Taylor* Coufal Bissouma

    1 FT
    GW17: Taylor to Alyoski
    FH18
    GW19: Kane to Aguero (hopefully Kun is in shape by then) 4-4-2

  10. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best 4.3 defender?

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

      Kilman?

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

      Ampadu

  11. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    James or Taylor out first? (or both)

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

    How does this look? Am I G2G, captain choice & bench order?

    Martinez
    Dier - Stones - Holding
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Soucek
    DCL - Kane (c) - Bamford

    Subs: Meslier - Dallas - Coufal - Anguissa

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

      G2G, bench player good also..

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

      It's A

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

        Ta

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

    Do we think Antonio staring this week?

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

      Starting*

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

      Not to start. Maybe some minutes

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

      no

  15. 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)

  16. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think Balbuena is back in the lineup?

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      I've chucked for Coufal as I'm concerned about him. He has plenty of rest recovering from injury prior to being not even in the squad last game.

  17. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Rodrigo or Stones?

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rodrigo

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

      Actually pretty tough. Rodrigo just.

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

      Stones
      If he start

  18. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to start?

    A) Dias (che)

    B) Adams (LIV)

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

      A

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

    Start one:

    A) Mitchell
    B) Dallas
    C) Coufal

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

      B

    2. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      coufal

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

    Which scores better? Got no Spurs.

    A. KDB >> Son(C)
    B. Keep KDB and Bruno(C)

    Will FH next week so the transfer will burn it not. Will get KDB back in 19 if I make the move.

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

      B

  21. Mattious8
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have Zouma.

    A) Hold
    B) -4 to Stones, Dias, Saiss, McGuire or Cancelo

    1. Mattious8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Starting Dallas, Robbo, Zouma as of now

      Coufal and Cresswell on bench.

  22. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to start

    Taylor
    Kwp
    Lookman
    Brewster

    Currently on Lookman

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

      Yes

  23. Bob.
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best c. Taylor replacements? For dgw and beyond. furlong any good?

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

      I had a look at him and the stats are pretty good?

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

      Balbueana

  24. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 2 ft’s. if I play my free hit will it waste one of them?

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

      Yes

  25. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Current premiums are Salah, KDB, Sterling. Is it worth shifting one to get Bruno or Son in? Thinking of Salah to Bruno next week

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

      Keep Salah and shift Sterling for Bruno.

  26. Nolberto Solano
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which 2 to start?

    A) Dallas (tot)
    B) Coufal (eve)
    C) Raphinha (tot)
    D) Soucek (eve)
    E) Adams (LIV)

  27. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone tempted to put the armband on KDB? Scored in both games last season vs. Chelsea, rested etc.

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

      too risky for me - not knowing who has Covid etc.

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

        This

  28. Come on you Kante
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who are the others city players positive for Covid hmm

    Confirmed: Jesus Walker ederson
    Unconfirmed?????

    Any ideas

  29. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best move???
    A) Taylor >>> Alioski
    B) Wood + Taylor >>> Stones + Rodrigo (-4)
    C) Wood + Taylor >>> Alioski + Watkins (-4)

  30. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    James owners. What do you do? Keep for 19 or getting rid?

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

      Really not sure.... I have him and Taylor so one needs to go at least