Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best FPL players for Gameweek 20

The Scout Squad have all selected six players as part of their top picks for Gameweek 20.

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 16:30 GMT on Tuesday.

In each 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 Tuesday.

DavidTomAndyGeoff
GKEmiliano MartínezEmiliano MartínezNick PopeEmiliano Martinez
Alex McCarthyRobert SánchezEmiliano MartínezRobert Sánchez
Robert SanchezIllan MeslierEdouard MendyLukasz Fabianski
DEFJoão CanceloHarry MaguireJoão CanceloJoão Cancelo
Vladimir CoufalRúben DiasRúben DiasLewis Dunk
Harry MaguireBen ChilwellHarry MaguireAaron Cresswell
Matt TargettLewis DunkReece JamesBen Chilwell
Stuart DallasStuart DallasAdam WebsterVladimir Coufal
MIDBruno FernandesBruno FernandesBruno FernandesBruno Fernandes
Ilkay GündoganRaheem SterlingMarcus RashfordMohamed Salah
Phil FodenIlkay GündoganIlkay GündoganSon Heung-min
Harvey BarnesJack GrealishPierre-Emerick AubameyangIlkay Gündogan
Bukayo SakaWilfried ZahaJack HarrisonBukayo Saka
FWDPatrick BamfordPatrick BamfordPatrick BamfordHarry Kane
Michail AntonioEdinson CavaniMichail AntonioPatrick Bamford
Edinson CavaniHarry KaneNeal MaupayMichail Antonio
Harry KaneMichail AntonioHarry KaneCallum Wilson
Tammy AbrahamDanny IngsDominic Calvert-LewinNeal Maupay

Most popular picks: Emiliano Martínez, Bruno Fernandes, Ilkay Gündogan, Patrick Bamford, Harry Kane, Michail Antonio (four), Robert Sánchez, João Cancelo, Harry Maguire (three).

DAVID SAID…

Emiliano Martínez and Matt Targett are easy inclusions as Aston Villa prepare to face Burnley. 

Eight of Aston Villa’s nine clean sheets this season have come against sides inside the bottom half of the Premier League table this season while the Clarets remain the division’s joint-lowest scorers with 10 goals.

With Aymeric Laporte back in the picture and rests in the first Double Gameweek 19 fixture and the FA Cup, João Cancelo is the Manchester City defender I am most confident of a start for at West Brom.

The versatile full-back has been painfully close to a big haul in recent weeks and a trip to the Premier League’s worst defence feels like the right time for it to come.

West Ham have the second-best expected goals conceded (xGC) figure over the last four matches, behind only Manchester City, which is why I fancy Vladimir Coufal to do well at Crystal Palace. He has created more chances than any other member of West Ham’s first-choice back-four during that time.

Manchester United have kept three clean sheets in their last five so a home match against a goal-shy Sheffield United outfit makes Harry Maguire an easy inclusion, especially considering his obvious goal threat, which nearly paid off against Burnley.

Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes is top among all Premier League players for shots on target in the last four.

Since Gameweek 13, no Manchester City player has registered more shots in the box, big chances or shots on target than Ilkay Gündogan.

Considering he is on penalties and is preparing to face the Premier League’s worst defence, he could even be considered a key captain candidate for Gameweek 20.

I am also including Phil Foden as part of a double-up on Manchester City’s midfield as he has three attacking returns in his last three Premier League starts.

I prefer Harvey Barnes over James Maddison right now because I believe him more capable of sustaining the current level of output.

Over the last four matches, the latter has shot just three times in the box while Barnes has let off a total of eight, three of which have been big chances.

Newcastle’s ongoing problems at the back have not been helped by a supposed commitment to so-called ‘more attacking’ football and an injury crisis at centre-back.

That’s why Patrick Bamford feels a perfect choice for Leeds’ trip to St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening. The striker has been involved in nine goals on the road this season.

Over the last four matches, no FPL forward can boast a superior figure for minutes per expected goal involvement (xGI) than Michail Antonio, which is why he is a sure inclusion in my squad.

TOM SAID…

A clean sheet looks likely for Manchester United this week, with opponents Sheffield United failing to find the back of the net in four of their last five away trips. Given the Blades’ ongoing issues defending set-pieces (only Leeds have conceded more from either a corner or free-kick), Harry Maguire looks like an excellent option. The England international has now registered 16 headed attempts from set-plays, comfortably more than any other player in the division.  

Brighton and Leeds’ fixtures also stand out defensively, so Robert Sánchez, Lewis Dunk, Illan Meslier and Stuart Dallas all get the nod.

The statistics suggest Brighton have been a bit unlucky this season, conceding 29 goals from an expected goals conceded (xGC) total of 20.97, while Marcelo Bielsa’s troops will be boosted by the return of Kalvin Phillips, and will be up against an unconvincing Newcastle United side who often struggle to create chances.

Rúben Dias, Ben Chilwell (if Frank Lampard starts a proper holding midfielder, the defence should be fine) and Emiliano Martínez complete the picks at the back.

Further forward, Bruno Fernandes’ ability from dead-ball situations could be key, as could teammate Edinson Cavani’s aerial threat. The Uruguayan is yet to get off the mark at Old Trafford, but has already made some telling contributions on the road, and providing he’s benched in tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool, looks a good bet this week.

Ilkay Gündogan also has the potential to do well, and should be on penalties with Kevin De Bruyne out. The German’s connection with Phil Foden on the left really stood out against Aston Villa in Gameweek 20, and is something to monitor moving forward. If he is to continue in a more advanced role, which I expect him to, he’ll offer real value. However, Raheem Sterling is also on my radar, and is my favoured route into City’s attack for this fixture, if funds allow it.

Elsewhere, I’m backing Jack Grealish, Wilfried Zaha (if fit) and Patrick Bamford to score their first goals of 2020, while Harry Kane, Michail Antonio and Danny Ings complete the forwards list.

ANDY SAID…

As our very own Paul said on TwitterNick Pope now has more double-digit hauls (five) than Mohamed Salah this season. The return of Ben Mee in Gameweek 8 has been a key part of that. Aston Villa have been in great attacking form this season but Burnley have shown against both Manchester United and Liverpool recently just how hard it is to break them down.

Even with Kevin De Bruyne missing for 4-6 weeks it would feel wrong going into a game against West Brom without three Manchester City players. It’s one of those games where a one week punt on Raheem Sterling feels perfectly viable, but you can’t look past the value Ilkay Gündogan provides, especially when he’s likely to be on penalties. 

Over the last six Gameweeks, Gündogan has had 13 shots in the box compared to Sterling’s nine. We will have to wait and see how De Bruyne’s absence potentially alters the City lineup, but Gündogan will hopefully continue to rampage into the box.

We are potentially starting to see some return to form for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Since he came back into the side in Gameweek 16 only Bruno Fernandes (3.42) has a higher expected goal involvement than Aubameyang (2.88) out of all midfielders. He’s also had 11 shots in the box which is the second highest. Hopefully, he will be ready to play Gameweek 20 after missing out on the FA Cup for personal reasons.

Arsenal are starting to look improved with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka playing a big part combining for 17 chances created over the last four Gameweeks. That puts them both in the top 9 for midfielders.

Despite Leeds United offering very little against Brighton in Gameweek 19, it’s difficult to write them off before they play a poor Newcastle side. In the last six Gameweeks only West Brom (12.39) have a worse expected goals conceded than Newcastle’s 10.51. 

Patrick Bamford is still taking plenty of shots, with 13 in the last 6 Gameweeks. Jack Harrison is a little behind that with 7, but he also has 7 chances created. I think Leeds will be too much for Newcastle who haven’t won a game since Gameweek 12.

Harry Maguire and Adam Webster are both in because of their goal threat. Maguire (20) and Webster (13) are in the top three for shots in the box for defenders this season with Romain Saiss (14) taking the other spot. Both Maguire and Webster face teams who are in the bottom 7 for expected goals over the last six weeks.

GEOFF SAID…

Emiliano Martinez, Robert Sánchez, and Lukasz Fabianski all look fair value, and each have a shot at a clean sheet in Gameweek 20.

Manchester City have an incredible eight clean sheets in 10 games, and João Cancelo’s attacking threat makes him the best City defensive option. Lewis Dunk has two goals in the last five games, and Fulham have conceded many headed chances in the last four Gameweeks, while Aaron Cresswell is perhaps surprisingly the 2nd highest scoring defender this season, thanks to his potential for points at both ends of the pitch. I include Ben Chilwell for his attacking threat, and Vladimir Coufal’s West Ham have only conceded 1 goal in 4 games, with Coufal’s attacking threat helping him get an assist over that period.

Bruno Fernandes is the standout midfield pick, with impressive shot totals in the last four Gameweeks. Mohamed Salah has worrying form but I still trust him enough to warrant inclusion, and Son Heung-min will counter Salah’s Liverpool on the break. Ilkay Gündogan has impressive form and offers superb value, while Bukayo Saka has three goals in his last five games for an improving Arsenal.

Harry Kane has scored in three straight games, is the top-scoring player in FPL this season and will have chances against Liverpool. Patrick Bamford doesn’t quite have Kane’s form but has every chance for returns away at Newcastle. With two straight starts and a goal in each game, Michail Antonio looks strong value against Crystal Palace. Callum Wilson and Neal Maupay round out my Gameweek 20 picks

1,397 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there a player in your team that wouldn't be there if he wasn't on penalties?

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

      Wilson arguably

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundogan.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mo Donkey Salah

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

        Salah is not scoring but he has been so threatening in those blanks

        You can get a Salah x4 Goals in a game on sheer Rage

        You will never get a KDB 4-Spot...Salah is so ripe for a haul

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Let’s not forget that almost 40% of Salah’s goals this season have come from penalties

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He was so lucky vs Fulham... Klopp was taking him off *just* as the pen was awarded.... then Areola gets a hand to it but not enough to keep it out

        Fine margins

    4. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

    5. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

  2. Alberto Tomba
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On WC as I had planned.

    Lloris
    Stones, Shaw, Dias
    Bruno, Gundogan, Maddison, Grealish
    Cavani, Kane, Anontio

    Guaita, Justin, Mitchell, ESR
    Palace rotates well with Spurs and Arsenal. LFC fan not wanting any of our players at present.

    6.2 ITB. Next week mid -> Son

    Any thoughts?

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

      Looks good! I went with Foden instead of Gundogan.

      1. Alberto Tomba
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. i read a Man City post which was compelling for Foden, but for me Gundo being on Pens is the difference

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

      Cancelo over Dias for me

      1. Alberto Tomba
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, whats the reasoning? feels like Dias is more secure to start, but Cancelo more likely for attacking returns

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

          Cancelo might miss the odd game, but seems much more likely to get attacking returns. I’m taking a hit to get him in with my KDB cash this week

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

      I feel you could do a lot better. Cancelo over Dias
      Cavani not nailed
      Better options than cavani

      1. Alberto Tomba
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Who's a better option than Cavani? I'm struggling for Forwards and he's stepping up and looking like a real poacher who could get 20+ a season.

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

    Which to leave out this GW:

    A)Robbo
    B)Dallas
    C)Cresswell

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A. His 3rd on my bench this week!

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Alberto Tomba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      believing spurs to be happy with a 0-0, I;d definitely play Robb from those.

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

      B

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

      Do Not sit Robbo if you have him (I don’t)

      Leeds could easily win 5-3, they are not looking for CS, they want goals

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        In what world do Newcastle score 3 goals let alone 1?

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

          Yeah - they are garbage but in a random week, people score goals. They apparently have ASM back.

          It would be my luck to sell the very same week of a historical 3 goal game for these bums

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

      B.

      Could you play 4 at the back? Who’s your 7th attacker?

  4. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mane benched

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Source?

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Liverpool Twitter. Lines up are out.

        1. R.C
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Line ups*

  5. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    People talk about Barnes not being composed around goal yet he’s got a shot accuracy almost double that of Maddison so far this season... he also has over double the amount of shots on target

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maddison goal just wipes out my argument ffs

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

        Your argument is correct - you did not say that Madds was bad, you just said that you prefer Barnes for particular reasons

  6. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    MADDISON GOAL

  7. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mane essential

    1. Wrong Captain Again
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have Mane and not confident... why do you say that he is essential?

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

        will not be rested anytime soon

  8. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench two of
    A) dallas
    B) coufal
    C) raphina
    D) robbo?!

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

      a or c

    2. Alberto Tomba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bench A, play D. the rest is a grey area

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

    Maddy G

  10. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Dias - Zouma - Dallas
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Raphinha
    Vardy - Bamford - Antonio

    Coufal - Soucek - Kilman

    A) Zouma ➡ Cancelo
    B) Vardy ➡ Kane
    C) both for -4
    ..?

    thx!

  11. Party time
      3 years, 2 months ago

      J Rod G

    • Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fulham Leeds Gw 29. Niceee

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

          3 Leeds on FH with no need to bring in early or keep plus they are cheap as chips and mainly nailed

          1. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Yeah.

              Fh used but I’ve got 2 Leeds & 1 Fulham atm, will triple up on Leeds too

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

                Might go 3 attackers cant see a cleanie there more like an open game

                1. Party time
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    Yeah. For me, Lookman, Klıch, Bamford, Dallas

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

                  Will they double in gw26 though?

                  1. Party time
                      3 years, 2 months ago

                      I think ıt’s possıble

            • Rolls-Royce
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Maddison looking like a real deal...

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

                Is he healthy? For real?

              2. Cojones of Destiny
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                yep scoring three games in a row

            • Indio
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Can anyone else with a red arrow from the last gameweek beat 92 (-4)?

              (Probs overthinking it, but maybe it shows how many active players there are this season?)

              1. Dennis System
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Oui 93 (-4) and dropped

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

                  Wishing you better luck for this week.

              2. Mika-eel
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                64. No chips played. Almost 100k drop.

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

              Bruno benched as expected.

              Great news for the SHU match.

            • BENOIT
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Cavani wagon derailed?

              Martial rested today, nailed to start midweek?

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

                Cavani is going to job share- to old to play all the games.

                Martial / Cavani are both gonna play lots of minutes. Two very different players and OSG likes the change up

              2. Pukki Blinders
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                More likely to have Martial on the left and Cavani striker

            • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Bruno 200% EO confirmed for SHU

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

                Yup - 10 man gameweek

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

              That’s the Bruno (c) probably locked over Cancelo then

            • Gobigorgohome
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              welll no more Cancelo C

              Bruno it is then

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

                Yup

            • wulfrunian
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Bruno on the bench means that he is my captain for gw20.

              1. Cojones of Destiny
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                yep this

            • Cojones of Destiny
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              think i’ll pass on kdb to gundog move and do madds in gw21 for free thoughts ?

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Sounds good

              2. R.C
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Gundo is a better option imo

                1. Cojones of Destiny
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  not so sure on that mate but thx for the input

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

                  I agree. I think Gundo is better. Fixtures are good too. On pens as well.

            • Aster
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Does Shaw starting today mean that he will be benched against SHU? Not a big deal if he is benched for 90mins, as I have Dallas to replace him, but it could be a problem if he gets to play last 5-10 mins of SHU game.

              1. Pukki Blinders
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Probably not. United are playing their first team today

            • Flair
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Cavani starts, Bruno rested. Bruno (C) locked and not going to bring in Cavani then.

            • wulfrunian
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Same thoughts.

            • Rolls-Royce
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Tempted by Flat track bully Martial vs Sheffield.

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

                To captain?

                1. Rolls-Royce
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  Nah, was looking to bring in, just realized I already have 3 United. 😆

            • JBG
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Bruno and Martial rested/less minutes this Cup match is great for me(I hope... Never know with FPL this year). C sorted against SHU.

            • R.C
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Who will be your vice captain?

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

                Expecting the United game to not go ahead?

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

                Son (VC)

              3. bored by december
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                (VC)ancelo

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

                Kane but doubt I’ll need him

            • Pompel
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Media reports Ødegard set for loan move to Arsenal, pending medical check.
              Will he strengthen Arsenal, and will he earn a starting spot, with Saka and Smith Rowe on excellent form?
              Is this a good move for him at this point in career, Arsenal after all a mid-table team these days.

            • Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Really hope rahford starts v Sheffield..

            • cm790
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Martial or Cavani against SHU?

              1. JBG
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Martial will most likely start.

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

                Has to be Martial after this