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

    Bench one:

    A) Soucek
    B) Raphinha (have Bam)
    C) Adams ?

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

      C

    2. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      Thanks both

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

    Just for gw19 who is better? Antonio or Watkins?

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

      Antonio if fit

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

      Tony

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

    Good to go?

    Martinez

    Robbo/Holding/Dallas

    Son/Salah/Grealish/Bruno
    Soucek

    Bam/Kane (c)

    (Coufal/Mitchell/Brewster)

    Would u play Coufal or Mitchel over Soucek?

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

    Any early west ham team news. Really worried about creswell starting, should i transfer in saiss for james(-4) if i have only 3 defs now?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why would Creswell not start? Played every game this season

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

        Exactly, fatigue

  5. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane vs Son for captain? First to 3 wins.

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

      Son

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

        Son

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

      Kane

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

      Son

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

      kaine

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

      Son x 3

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

      Kane

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

      Kane will have more points than Son in this match vs Leeds.

    8. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's 4-4. But Son got to 3 before. Let's go Son.

    9. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all! 🙂

  6. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hello guys, would like it if y'all could give your suggestions

    1- start DCL or soucek (thinking of starting DCL)
    2- captain son/kane/Fernandes
    3- Taylor bednarek alioski zouma Dunne are my defenders, save FT & buy a city defender next GW or do Taylor to holding?

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

      Soucek
      Son
      Holding in.

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

      DCL
      Bruno
      Save FT if not playing free hit

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

    Who’s more likely to play this week and both double games?

    Lowton or Stones?

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

      Isnt Stones isolating?

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

      Lowton

  8. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best wishes for 2021 lads!

    Martinez Martin*
    Ayling Robbo Chilwell Coufal Justin
    Son* Grealish Bruno Salah Soucek
    Vardy Bamford Adams

    0.1 ITB & 1 FT (*no DGW)

    FH in GW18 & BB in GW19

    Want to downgrade Grealish this GW to free up some cash for a second goalie. Think i will keep Son for DGW.

    Grealish ->

    A El Gazi (never thought i would write this down as an Ajacied)
    B Madisson/Barnes
    C better DGW option? Who?

    Ta!

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

    Best def 1 week only for 4.7m? Palace defender?

  10. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play coufal or soucek?

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

      Soucek defo

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

        This

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

      Cheers

    3. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can you two look at my post above?

    4. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek

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

    Which one scores more in the DGW19?
    A) Robertson Holding Watkins (-4)
    B) Dias Taylor DCL

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

      will Taylor even play?

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

        If he doesn't then it's gonna be:
        Robbo + Watkins -vs- Dias + DCL

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

    Lamptey to Holding?

    I’m thinking it’s a good move to have cover for blank game week as well

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

      Absolutely and even if Lamptey returned next week he'd be facing Man City away.

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

    Captain

    A Salah
    B Mane
    C Bruno.
    So tempted with Mane as no one has him in ML’s, but is it a step too far?

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

      Kane 4 me

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

        Same here if I had him.

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

      C

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

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

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

      Got rid. Didn't think he'd play twice in that GW if at all.

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

    Mari a good option if already have holding? Need Taylor replacement

    Cheers

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

    KDB or Son this week?

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

      Bring in?
      C?

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

        Looking at KDB >> Son(C). FH. Then getting Kev back

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

          Go for it

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

          Yes!

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

      Only one made the Scout Picks and it wasn't due to budget.

    3. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

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

    Start

    (A) Dallas @ Spurs

    (B) Coufal @ Everton

    1. CC22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Coufal

    2. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

      B

  18. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which would you do to get an extra defender for GW18?

    A) Ayling > Fernandez
    B) Ferguson > Kilman

    Will have three defenders with a double in GW19 regardless. Cheers!

  19. 17legend85
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I’m cutting it close guys, does anyone know if Taylor is defo out for a period please?

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

      I’ve just got rid for Alioski as I believe so but don’t know 100% sorry

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

      Think he pulled his hamstring so probably not likely

  20. YLK13
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kilman or Coufal?

  21. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Free Hitting in GW18, so anything need a FT or I lose it?

    McCarthy (Johnstone)
    Justin - Robbo - Coufal (Balbuena - Dallas)
    Bruno - Salah - Son - Raphinha (Soucek)
    Kane - Bamford - Adams

    1. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Adams to Antonio if you wanna take a risk 😉

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

      Looks good.

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

      Looks cool

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

    McCarthy Johnstone

    Dallas Zouma Coufal Justin KWP

    Salah Son Bruno Grealish Bissouma

    Bamford Kane Watkins

    2ft 0.5itb

    A) Grealish+KWP > TAA+Saka
    B) KWP > ? Saiss?
    C) Do nothing, lose free transfers

    Going to FH18, a bit concerned about no pool defense, especially for DGW

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

    A) Grealish (one card away from ban)

    B) Martial (rotation risk)

    Pick one to REMOVE

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

      Will you FH18?

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

        FH18
        BB19 with full 15 DGW players

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

    Play 2 - bench 3:

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

  25. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Robbo, Justin, Stones
    Bruno, Salah, Son (C), Raphinha, Soucek
    Bamford, Vardy

    Johnstone | Adams, Alioski, Coufal

    GTG?

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

    post FT, going to do DCL + Lamptey ----> Antonio + Pieters (-4)

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

      Post FH not FT sorry

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

    Who do you prefer lads Maquire or Dallas this GW?

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

    Annoying thing is about captaining Kane is then you wanting both Bruno and Salah to blank due to EO >100%

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

      not a problem when Kane outscores them 😉

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

      I don't mind if all three having HT this week.

  29. Alli
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Adams > Watkins for free? FH18 BB19

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

      McCarthy - Johnstone
      Robbo - Coufal - KWP - Justin - Dallas
      Salah - Bruno - Son - Soucek - Raphinha
      Kane - Adams - Bamford

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just using a transfer for the sale of it imo.

  30. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not wasting a Fh in 18 to effectively bring in 3 rubbish picks when I’ll have 8 good already.