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. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Stones or Mitchell?

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mitchell

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

    Gtg?

    Johnstone
    Robbo, Cancelo, Lowton, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno(c), Son(vc)
    Bamford, Kane, F.Silva

    McCarthy, Coufal, Soucek, C.Jones

  3. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez or Pope???

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

      pope

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

      Pope

  4. E25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Stones a big risk to start the next few?

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

      Yes. He gets rotated a bit.

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

      I brought him in. Worth the risk at 4.9 if you have an OK bench.

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

    Bench correct or start Konsa?
    Martinez
    Mari Holding Mitchell
    Son Salah Bruno Saka
    Bamford Firmino DCL

    Steele Soucek Kilman Konsa

    Cheers

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

    For the DGW only:
    A) Justin, KDB, Kane
    B) Dias, KDB, Vardy for -4

  7. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Move made, Dallas to come on for Lowton if the Burnley game is off. All set?

    0FT 0.3m ITB

    Johnstone
    Robertson Justin Lowton
    Salah Son (C) Bruno (VC) Soucek Raphinha
    Vardy Bamford

    McCarthy - Adams Dallas Coufal

  8. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Balbuena starts?

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

      he should

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

    Martinez
    Justin Dias Mitchell
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish Harrison
    Bamford Kane (C)

    Steer, Dallas, Coufal, Brewster

    GTG?

    bottomed

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would play Dallas over Mitchel

  10. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ferguson >> Chilwell done.
    Dodged Cancelo for now.

    Gtg?
    Martinez
    TAA,Chilwell,Dias
    Salah(vc), Fernandes, Grealish, Raphinia
    Watkins, Bamford,Kane(c)

    Johnstone, Soucek, Dallas,Coufal

    Drop any Villa players for West Ham to the bench?

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Targett or Hause?

  12. FPLord
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Struijk expected to keep his place till DGW 19?

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

    Till the GW 18 deadline is it more possible for Johnstone or Soucek to rise more?

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

    Captain?
    A. Son
    B. Kane

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane!!!

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

      I'm going for B but both seem good options

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

      Cheers both! 🙂

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

    Play one:

    A) Coufal - EVE A
    B) Chilwell - MNC H

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

      A

  16. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Stones of Coufal? Not confident of either keeping a CS this GW!

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

      Stones

    2. FPL Doc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would do Stones, unless you think he has COVID

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ederson out makes me lean coufal plus has some assist threat

  17. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start one:
    A) Bowen
    B) Kilman
    C) Stones

  18. Punty McPuntface
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last min help please:

    A Stones and Rashford
    B Dias and Zaha

    1. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  19. FPL Doc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Maddison fit to play?

  20. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Game must be going ahead then?

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

      Which game?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Burnley vs Fulham

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

      What one?

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

      Why

  21. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Dallas or Coufal?

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

      Dallas

  22. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This sample FH18 team is actually pretty good. It's definitely looking worthwhile to me now especially with United having a nice game in it.

    Leno
    Dias Cancelo Telles
    Sterling Fernandes Rashford Son Martinelli
    Kane Wilson

    (Holding, Yedlin -- extra bench just in case)

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That looks pretty sexy

      Sure about Telles' minutes?

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

      No Kev? 🙂

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

      Personally I'd rather save my FH with all the uncertainty at the moment and don't think that team is amazing. I will have the below with no hits.

      Martinez
      Stones Taylor Holding
      KDB Fernandes Son Grealish
      DCL Brewster

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

    Yes or No: Mane -> Son? And keep money ITB for Son -> KdB in GW19

    I wildcarded GW16, plan to FH18 BB19

  24. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best option as second BB keeper in 19 alongside Martinez

    A Johnstone
    B McCarthy

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      b

    2. FPL Doc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same question I have, ended up going with Johnstone

  25. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How long is Struijk Leeds likely to play for?

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

      Until Cooper / Koch is back. Which tbh might be 1/2 weeks away for Coops

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

    Play Adams or Soucek?

    1. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've ended up on Adam

  27. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    vardy cap here

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

      Here as well.

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

    Play one:
    a) Alioski
    b) Konsa
    c) Konsa

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

      sorry. c) Kilman

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

    Who to start from these choices:
    Bamford or Podence ?
    Holding or Zouma ?

    1. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bamford, Holding.

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

    Decision on Salah or Bruno captain is going down to the wire!

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      if you won bruno then bruno.....guy is guaranteed points every week