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

    FH activated! Brought in Rashford, Dias, Holding, Saiss. Not sure if they'll all make the FH squad but would like to have maximum value to work with just in case.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      very very brave.

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

      Hope the league doesn't get suspended.

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

        Was that in Twitter too? Twitter is a mighty yoke for the gossip to be sure.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Was it just the value that made you do it this early?

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

        Yes. That's 0.3m on Rashford, Dias and Holding who I am fairly certain I will want. My team value is one of the strongest aspects of my team and getting the maximum I can will help my FH stand out from other people's.

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Fair enough. You’re old enough to know the risks.

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Curious to see what it looks like? 🙂

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

      Kdb drop would be nice too

    6. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Covid lurking

      • NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good luck.

      • Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Is Holding nailed?

      • Plant Based FPLer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        1.The deadline is 11 days away.
        2. FH cannot be cancelled.
        3. There is still a virus outbreak.

        Therefore,
        4. - Let me interject here to again complain about the FH wiping all transfers. It's SO stupid.

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

          I think they had their chance to cancel the league. I'm willing to risk it.

          If I wait until like a day or two before to activate it, I will lose 0.5m in value on players I'd want and having a stacked FH team that others can't afford is how I can get ahead.

      • Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        How bad is your team value?!

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

          I have great team value. So I want to get further ahead.

      • g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You can bring in whoever you want, you don’t get the rises or fall only your returning team get those!

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

          I know that. But I still get them for THIS week! I'm not trying to bank double rises, just trying to buy players I'll want at their cheapest.

    7. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Darlow is 5m lol wtf

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

        He's a great keeper tbf

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah he is class, but he plays for Newcastle

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

            So does Jeff Hendrick like.

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

        He's been quite good actually.

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Keepers are mostly priced on the team they play for, not their ability

          Areola is a good example - good keeper, bad team... 4.5m

          Pickford - the opposite

          1. Plant Based FPLer
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Very true. Allison still being at 6 is very much laughable at this point. He'll never get the bonus and save points of the 4.5 keepers.

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

        Worth more, ask Liverpool.

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

        Dubravka is 4.8m with zero minutes played!

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

      Hows this FH18 draft looking?:

      Leno,
      Cancelo, Dier, Maguire
      KDB, Bruno, Rashford, Son, Podence
      Kane, Wilson

      (Peacock, Mitchell, fodder, fodder)

      0.2 ITB

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

        Very Good u did it now ?

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

          Cheers, won't activate until last min just in case

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

            Cheers

      2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Brilliant

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

          Ty

    9. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FH 18 draft, going differential !

      Leno
      Maguire saiss dias cancelo
      KDB auba bruno rashford son
      Watkins

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

        Surely cap Auba to be differential!

      2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Like it!

    10. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like KDB is dropping tonight...

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nice!

      2. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lovely

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

        Was meant to last night as well
        Suspect he may not fall

      4. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lovely

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

      Current bench for dgw19:
      Johnstone - O’Shea - Balbuena - Adams

      Would you BB this bench or -4 and do Balbuena to Dias and then BB or just save the BB?

      Rest of team:
      McCarthy
      Alioski - Coufal - Justin
      Salah - Bruno - Kdb - Rashford - Raphina
      Watkins - Bamford

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

      Can cobble together this for next week

      Martinez
      C Taylor Dias
      Bruno KDB
      Kane Brewster

      Only transfer I'd really want to do to get another would be Stones in for KWP.

      Thought free hit was certain for me but I'm not sure now.

    13. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Non FH team next Gw

      Martinez
      Dias Stones Kilman
      KDB Bruno Son Grealish Bissouma
      Kane DCL

      Nothing on bench

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

        Good to go.

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

          Well, might have some issues if Wolves have all their CBs fit or Grealish gets another yellow tonight

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

        looks good, most bases covered where free hitters can hurt you from.

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

          That was the aim

      3. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Excellent. Using a chip in 19?

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

          TC probably

          1. Botman and Robben
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Salah or KDB or ___

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

              Or Bruno - prob Salah

        2. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Will have to for Salah

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

            Kane to Antonio and Son to Salah

      4. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That's pretty good!

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

          Cheers - City DGW changed a lot for me

      5. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nicely done

      6. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wish I was in your shoes tbh. Gonna have to use FH and I wish I didn't.
        Looks good!

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

          I pished mine away from almost no gain earlier this season though

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

      So, do FH and WC transfers really impact price changes? I always thought not.

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

        No

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

        If WC/FH is pressed, no.

    15. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will I continue to get price rises from my old players If I FH or just the new players?

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

        GW17 team will change value for GW19.

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

          thanks.

      2. Caleb's Kitties
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes there's price rise as normal for old players

      3. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        YES

      4. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes

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

          Just the GW 17 players.

    16. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Have the exact cash to do Kane + Chilwell + Anguissa -> KDB + Dias + 4.3FWD (-4)

      Will surely get prices out when Dias rises 🙁

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

      A Grealish YC tonight would be so annoying for non-FH Grealish holders :s

      1. Caleb's Kitties
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would prefer if he gets one during gw18 or first game of dgw 🙂

    18. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How many players will the average/top 10k team have playing in GW18?

    19. DrogsBallacks
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sorry if it’s been asked but some clarity would be much obliged!

      Can I use my 1FT this week to do a transfer to prep for the GW19 and then play the FH chip so the player that’s brought in initially retains his place? Thanks!

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

        No

    20. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very tempted to Cap Zaha vs Arsenal lol

    21. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1st draft FH

      Darlow
      Cancelo, Maguire, Digne
      Son, Bruno (c), Zaha, Grealish
      DCL, Martial, Watkins

      Peacock, Neto, Dias, Mitchell

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

      Fabianski injured in warm up

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

      Fabianski injured in warm-up

    24. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cup opponent with fabianski & ryan on the bench. Not sure if it matters

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

        Any chance Dias has covid?

      • ilikewud
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A) FH for the blank game week
        B) Play 8 which would be; Martinez, Dias, Kdb, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Brewster, Bamford