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. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start one please?

    A) Adams
    B) Raphina

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

      B

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

        Cheers

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

      B

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

      now please help me below

    4. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Maquire or Dallas who to play?

    1. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maguire

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

      Slab head for me mate!!

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

        so Maquire right? thanks

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maguire for sure

    4. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maguire

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

        went Dallas at the end since he is a midfielder basically. even when they conceded 6 against Utd he brought me points. Also have Villa attack anyway

        Thanks all

        1. Tambling5
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I have Maguire and Alioski so it was always a moot point to me! Good luck!

  3. Deeney-is-a-god
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start mitchell or raphina?

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

      R

      1. Deeney-is-a-god
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

    2. burnhilla
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      M

      1. Deeney-is-a-god
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  4. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mitchell or Brewster 1st sub?

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

      M

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neither

  5. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Welbeck nailed from rotation?

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

      80% or so

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

      Isn't he an injury doubt?

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes

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

    Captain

    A Mané
    N Son

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

      N Son

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

      Son

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

      Son

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

      Son

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

    Lowton or Pieters?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lowton

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

      I’ve just gone Lowton.

    3. Michelle Davin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lowton

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

        Cheers all

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

    Order this bench:

    A: Furlong
    B: Dallas
    C: Raphinha

    1. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      CBA

      1. burnhilla
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  9. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one

    A. Dias (che)
    B. Zouma (MCI)
    C. Dallas(tot)
    D. Lookman (bur)

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

      Dallas. Leeds have 1 win and 1 draw out of 22 in London.

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

    Play McCarthy or Johnstone?

    Thanks!

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

      I’m giving Johnstone a go

  11. Wayne Enterprises
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Raphina or Grealish?

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

      Grealish

  12. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Dallas or Coufal???? Cannot make my mind up!! Haha

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

      Coufal for me. now please help me above

    2. Wayne Enterprises
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Personally Dallas

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

      Also struggling with this.

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

      Dallas. Spurs will play very conservative

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

      Currently on Dallas but head is saying Coufal

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

    Alioski or Ayling?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ali

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

      Alioski. Actually putting up better offensive stats than Dallas, but keep it quiet.

    3. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Alioski

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

    Hopefully 3rd time lucky:

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

    Steer, Dallas, Coufal, Brewster

    GTG?

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

      Like it, G2G

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

        Thanks! 🙂

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

    Play Dallas instead of Coufal or Stones?

    Robbo, Stones, Coufal - Zouma , Dallas

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

      Start Stones, dallas first on bench

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

        Cheers

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

    Mitchell to start this week?

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

      I think not but have started him

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

      Unlikely but who knows.

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

      Hasn't come on for a cameo in the past, so probably safe to start anyway

  17. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Brainwaite to Pieters for -4 worth it? Or not because of the doubt in the game being played?

  18. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Triple C too risky right now for dgw?

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

      No riskier than any other time in the season. COVID is always going to be lurking.

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

      no more risky than bb

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

      DGW 2 weeks away but yeah who knows if there will be any more outbreaks once deadline for GW19 passes

  19. lankdog
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For the next two GWs only:
    A - Zaha SHU/ars
    B - Saka wba/CRY
    C - El Ghazi mun/TOT

    or anyone else under 8.8m apart from Raphina?

  20. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB or Sterling?

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb

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

        I am tempted by Sterling

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

          So do I.

  21. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Adams(LIV) or Soucek(eve)?

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sou

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

      Sou

  22. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anybody captaining son like me??

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

      Hundreds of thousands of people.

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

        Lol

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think you're the only one mate 😉

  23. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Bruno or Son

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

      Son

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

      Son

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

      Son for me

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

    Start Johnstone over McCarthy this week??

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

      Same, over Marti

  25. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one?

    A. Soucek
    B. dallas
    C. Dias?

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  26. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one:

    A. Dias
    B. Dallas
    C. Mitchell

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

      B

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

      Dallas i think

  27. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I play both Cancelo & Stones this week or spread the risk and play Bednarek instead one of them?

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

      Double City.

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

      Both

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

      I am playing both.

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

      Play double
      Likely one is out with COVID anyway

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

    Captain Kane or Son

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

      Yes

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

    Start Raphina or Soucek?
    RMT tool says Soucek...

  30. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My most expensive defender is Coufal at 4.6m. Taken all money out of defense and invested it in midfield.