Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best players to own for FPL Double Gameweek 19

The Scout Squad are back to pick their best players for Double Gameweek 19 – fresh from the recent changes to the fixtures.

The assets listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for the weekly Scout Picks selection ahead of the FPL deadline at 11:00 GMT on Saturday.

In each writer’s squad, there are requirements for at least:

  • One goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less
  • One sub-£5.0m defender
  • One midfielder listed at £6.5m or below
  • One forward priced at £7.5m or lower

Each panelist is also restricted to no more than three players from the same team, as is the case in FPL.

We will again be adding a captaincy to the Scout Picks, with details of that revealed on Friday.

TomAndyGeoffDavid
GKLukasz FabianskiEdouard MendySam JohnstoneSam Johnstone
Edouard MendyDavid de GeaEmiliano MartínezAlphonse Areola
Bernd LenoEmiliano MartínezAlissonIllan Meslier
DEFRúben DiasAndrew RobertsonTrent Alexander-ArnoldRúben Dias
João CanceloJoão CanceloJoão CanceloAndrew Robertson
Andrew RobertsonRúben DiasJohn StonesJoão Cancelo
Ben ChilwellBen ChilwellVladimir CoufalVladimir Coufal
Vladimir CoufalVladimir CoufalAaron Wan-BissakaReece James
MIDKevin De BruyneKevin De BruyneMohamed SalahKevin De Bruyne
Mohamed SalahBruno FernandesKevin De BruyneBruno Fernandes
Bruno FernandesMohamed SalahBruno FernandesSadio Mané
Ademola LookmanChristian PulisicTomas SoucekTomas Soucek
Hakim ZiyechTomas SoucekAnwar El GhaziAdemola Lookman
FWDJamie VardyJamie VardyJamie VardyJamie Vardy
Harry KaneMichail AntonioCallum WilsonMichail Antonio
Patrick BamfordEdinson CavaniOllie WatkinsHarry Kane
Michail AntonioRoberto FirminoMichail AntonioPatrick Bamford
Anthony MartialOllie WatkinsAnthony MartialEdinson Cavani


Most popular picks: João Cancelo, Vladimir Coufal, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Jamie Vardy, Michail Antonio (four), Rúben Dias, Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah, Tomas Soucek (three).

TOM SAID…

I’ve doubled up on Manchester City’s defence again this week, ahead of back-to-back home games against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. Pep Guardiola’s side have now given up just three goals in their last 14 matches in all competitions, and are yet to concede with Ederson, Rúben Dias and John Stones in the line-up. João Cancelo is also given the nod, and though he isn’t assured of two starts, is worth the risk given his attacking numbers. 

West Ham United also get a defensive double-up from me, via Lukasz Fabiański and Vladimír Coufal. The Hammers have proved difficult to break down in recent matches, while their double includes games against Burnley and West Bromwich Albion, two of the worst attacking teams in the league.

Keepers Edouard Mendy and Bernd Leno, plus defenders Andrew Robertson and Ben Chilwell complete the picks at the back.

Further forward, it’s hard to overlook Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes and Jamie Vardy, and their inclusion needs little explanation, so I’ll focus on some of my other picks.

Ademola Lookman is something of a left-field inclusion given his fixtures, but if Fulham are going to get anything from this double, he’ll be involved, while West London rivals Chelsea are perhaps being overlooked. They’ve come in for some criticism after a run of one win in six league games, but overall performances haven’t been too bad. Hakim Ziyech has now started back-to-back games, and when fit is the one who can make things happen.

I’m also backing Michail Antonio. Though he looks short of match fitness, he needs games, and as West Ham United’s only recognised striker, should see enough minutes across the two fixtures. However, including him means there is no room for team-mate Tomáš Souček, which is a little unfortunate. It goes without saying I think he’s a quality option though.

The squad is completed by Harry Kane and Patrick Bamford, who despite having just the one fixture have the potential to outscore most other forwards this week, plus Anthony Martial

ANDY SAID…

It is not often you come up with a squad to submit and find yourself trying to put in more than three West Ham players. They arguably have the best set of fixtures in Gameweek 19 – Burnley (home) and West Brom (home). 

Michail Antonio is a bit of a favourite of mine and now he’s fit and got through 90 minutes I can’t leave him out. He’s averaging 0.47xG per 90 minutes so fat this season. It’s down on 2019/20, but still excellent given his price. The fixtures are too good to ignore defensively as well. 

No-one has scored fewer goals than Burnley’s nine so far, with West Brom only scoring two more with 11. A double-up on defence is certainly an option but with Tomas Soucek taking up a cheap spot in midfielder I’ve only picked Vladimir Coufal

In their last six matches Coufal has created 11 chances, that’s six more than Aaron Cresswell.

We’re still waiting on news of a potential injury to Anthony Martial after limping off against Burnley, but if he does miss the next couple of games it would seem very likely that Edinson Cavani will play as central forward. 

We’ve seen limited minutes from the Uruguayan so far but he’s shown promising numbers with 0.59xG per 90 minutes. The Liverpool game is tough for anyone but if he could nick a goal there he’d then look to top up the FPL points for the week against Fulham.

There is obviously a risk with picking Aston Villa players because we don’t know who may have tested positive and won’t be available but given they are now playing Newcastle I’ve added a couple into the squad for consideration with Emiliano Martínez and Ollie Watkins

No regularly playing goalkeeper has a higher points per match than Martínez at 5.5, and with save potential against Manchester City followed by a Newcastle fixture you’d expect a clean sheet in there’s lots to be gained from him.

Despite only scoring one goal against Brighton it’s difficult to not triple up on Manchester City again with Kevin De Bruyne being the only attacker I’d be confident of predicting a start for. They are showing no signs of stopping when it comes to defensive returns and I think Cancelo owners will be hopeful of an attacking return soon enough. 

Interestingly he only created one chance against Brighton and had one shot in the box, but seeing his positioning from the eye test, he’s sure to be involved soon.

GEOFF SAID…

Barring any future Double Gameweek 19 fixture changes, my selections come from teams with two fixtures in the round; whether or not my picks will start both fixtures is, as always, unclear.

I continue to look for value in my goalkeepers to enable a stronger attack: Sam Johnstone and Emiliano Martinez are therefore my top picks before I look to Alisson, who has the highest points potential.

Trent Alexander-Arnold looks the best option in defence with hugely promising underlying stats, particularly over the last 4 games. João Cancelo continues to look threatening and should see attacking returns soon, and City have two strong Double Gameweek 19 fixtures. John Stones, Vladimir Coufal, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also worthwhile options.

Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne are the top midfield picks this week, slightly ahead of Bruno Fernandes and his four yellow cards. Tomas Soucek is a strong pick and will insultingly be called a ‘no-brainer’ by many pundits, while Anwar El Ghazi is another budget enabler.

In attack I first look to Jamie Vardy, who I expect will be fit and will score well – while not a captaincy option for me, as I’ll look to my midfield, he may be a shrewd armband contender for those looking for a punt. Callum Wilson, Ollie Watkins, and Michail Antonio look a nicely-priced trio, while Anthony Martial is a differential for those looking to United for a double in the Double. 

DAVID SAID…

I am expecting Sam Johnstone and Alphonse Areola to use their respective pair of fixtures to rack up the saves in Double Gameweek 19.

The two goalkeepers are both inside the top five for stops this season (74 and 59) and face opponents that are sure to create chances against them.

I will be keeping my eye on injury updates from West Ham on Friday though. If David Moyes rules out Lukasz Fabianski then I will be very keen on the kindly-priced Darren Randolph.

Manchester City have conceded three goals in their last 13 matches in all competitions which is why a defensive double-up of Rúben Dias and João Cancelo is so appealing, especially as I’m not particularly taken with attacking options outside of Kevin De Bruyne.

Vladimir Coufal has incredibly kind home fixtures against low-scoring Burnley and West Bromwich Albion. He has also created more chances than any West Ham player over their last four matches.

Reece James looks set for a return to the Chelsea starting line-up ahead of facing Fulham and Leicester. Over his last four matches, he is joint-top among Blues assets for big chances created, the most of any Chelsea defender in that time too.

De Bruyne is an obvious inclusion considering his nailed-on role in the Manchester City team for those appealing home matches.

The fact that Raheem Sterling missed a late penalty against Brighton, in my view, reinforces the Belgian’s place in the spot-kick pecking order.

Speaking of penalties, Liverpool and Fulham have both given up five each this season – only Leeds (six) and Brighton (seven) have conceded more at the time of writing.

The fact that Bruno Fernandes faces both of those sides in Double Gameweek 19 makes his credentials seriously worth considering, especially as he is set for two road trips. The Portuguese international has pulled in 54.5% of his FPL points away from home this season.

Considering Mohamed Salah’s problems in front of goal recently, I am going for his team-mate Sadio Mané in my selection.

Over their last four matches, the Senegalese international has outshone Salah for touches in the box, key passes, big chances created and shots in the box.

Crucially, Mané also has matched Salah’s output for attacking returns over the same period (three) for a cheaper price and has fewer blanks during that time too.

I am very willing to take a risk on Michail Antonio ahead of West Ham’s appealing fixtures considering their decision to sell Sebastien Haller to Ajax on a permanent deal.

I also really fancy the single Gameweek fixtures of Harry Kane and Patrick Bamford and will be taking them both into Double Gameweek 19 to face Sheffield United (away) and Brighton (home) respectively.

1,490 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Looks like a lot gonna be routing for Palace to score list

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

    Tierney must have covid or an injury. Been their pest player recently by a mile

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tierney played 120 minutes a few days ago probably tired

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rested

  3. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please score a brace or more Laca. Only hope

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

      I feel this

    2. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mitchell goal please

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

      You care about the Cup too much 🙂

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Probably. Still would like to last in it.

  4. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bit crazy? Seems the only way I can possibly bring in KDB

    Robertson + Son + Adams > James + KDB + Antonio

    Or I could lose Kane instead but have no Spurs v Sheff Utd?

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

      I'm in a similar boat but I'm trying to decide if Antonio is worth it over Martial to bring in KDB.

  5. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Non-FH where we at 😉

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

      You won this one not gonna lie

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

      ahoy.

  6. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No Tierney so in comes Shaw, beautiful

  7. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hoping for a Mitchell brace tonight... One can hope right

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

    Let's go yedlin

  9. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Great, Yedlin and his 2pts come on since no Tierney

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

    No Tierney means cup progression. Let's go!

  11. Pocky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Tierney no show is gold!

  12. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Absolutely nowhere to hide for Tierney owners. U love to see it!

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

      r u a troll?

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

      Coming from the dude who has posted about 100 times about which keeper to get.... I think I'll be okay!

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Look man, i have a place to hide

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

      Yep, except Shaw's 7 points. 😀

  13. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Free hit done better than original team would’ve, but still a big fail. Ffs.

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

      How many points you on? Yeah it’s been poor for most I feel

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        41 with Laca to go. Kdb captain fail, Son Bruno Tierney fails, Gundo Lloris Saiss punts all failed. Cancelo so many points missed. Only Kane with a goal

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

      Monster fail here too.

    3. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2-pointers from each of my Arsenal picks would net me...10 points on my FH. Really need some returns today!

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

      How much would your original team have gotten?

    5. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not a huge success but since i had 2 players going into it then it was needed. My success was to make sure i put bench players with points potential, Shaw 7 pointer and Lookman, last one was a punt since i was 0.2 away from gundo.. My wrong was to go fernandes cap. But not much in it to be fair.

  14. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hoping Palace score with Tierney out.

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

    Tierney rested for tonight's game as a precaution due to muscle tightness

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

      Mari misses out as a precaution, due to tightness in his calf

  16. Rochdale_Cowboy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kieran Tyranny

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

    AWB off the bench for Tierney 🙂

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ultimate jam

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

        Having a strong bench isn’t jam

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

        Hardly. With a team even the worries of Cancelo needing a rest, I wanted to ensure I had some decent defensive cover just in case.

        It's a free hit. What's the point of having a dirt cheap bench, especially with the COVID postponements going around.

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

      Nice. That's why you have a strong bench!

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

        Thanks. More than any FH before, as are the times!

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

    Someone did say a few days ago that Tierny will be rested due to the number of games he played and the poor chap got blasted for saying it.

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

      Owners don't like to hear the harsh harsh truth

  19. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which move to take a hit for??

    A) Kane, Saka -> Salah, Brewster (Bench)
    B) Kane, Taylor -> Vardy, Cancelo/Chilwell
    C) Kane, Rashford -> Vardy, Sterling

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

      A) but only if you TC the Special Brewster

  20. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last minute change Lindelol & Tierney -> Awb & Holding went better than expected

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

      Good moves! I went with the former.

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

      You sold Tierney before Palace?

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Never owned him but had him in my wildcard team untill last minute

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did not look like a good decision but it came out very well. Were you aware of injury situation here?

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

    Martinez
    Dias - James - Robertson - Coufal
    Soucek - Son - Grealish - Salah - Fernandes
    Bamford
    (Peacock-Farrell) (DCL - Dallas - Brewster)

    1 FT - 2.3 million ITB

    What should I prioritise?

    I can do
    1. Brewster to Antonio
    2. Try and get in KDB (0.1 away from Son to KDB)
    3. Try to get in a City defender (James to Cancelo or Stones?)

  22. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ugh, Tierney. Oh well, at least I prepared with a strong bench. Welcome to my team, Yedlin!

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

      I wouldn't consider Yedlin a strong bench player but it is what it is! At least you're getting some points in.

      1. Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well, strong for a FH bench, I'd usually go for complete fodder

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

    Come on Mitchell! Time to score a goal.

  24. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How the hell do people have Man U defs on the bench?

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

      😉

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      free hitters

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lucky then, poor management of funds

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Because my other 11 were better options, and i was having it because i wanted strong bench on fh, in the se days you never know.. So i had 4.8 to spend on a defender and Shaw was the far and better option in that bracket. And i had double United mid, and also wanted double City, tierney and spurs cover, i was tempted to go 5 at the back, but the money saved were not enough to upgrade what i had in attack. Could have perhaps gone Kane over Laca but that would meant Davies from villa as third sub with brewster second. Lookman made 3 points over Brewster so fairly happy with that decision

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

    The best thing about my free hit team is that I never have to look at it again after tonight!

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

      This

  26. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    AWB in for Tierney. I'll take it. 49 all out on FH. Meh. Probably about average

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have 43 plus laca and Leno left. I think around 50 points in this week looks ok for a fh. Not Great but fine

  27. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    30 points more than i would have with original team and 2 to go.

    Free hit succees!

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

    FH scores on the doors for those who are maxed out?

    55 here

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      49. I'll take it all things considered

  29. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mitchell and Smith-Row start