Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for Gameweek 20

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 20 ahead of today’s 16:30 GMT deadline.

Injuries to Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) and Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) have been the main talking points over the last few days. 

The Belgian is ruled out with a hamstring injury for the next four to six weeks, so who should Fantasy managers bring in and what’s the best way to redistribute our funds?

The Scoutcast trio of Joe, Seb and Man City fan Karam discussed the alternatives to De Bruyne.

Many are looking at the cheaper options among Pep Guardiola’s attack, especially Ilkay Gündogan (£5.6m) and Phil Foden (£6.3m), but with West Brom, Sheffield United and Burnley up next, Karam entertained the thought of going big at the back:

However, because [Gündogan] is £5.5m, I would rather spend this exact money at the back, I would get a double defence, a triple defence … to me the next three scream three clean sheets. We will be lacking a lot of the creativity that De Bruyne was offering, and surely if we are winning 1-0 games then the defence will grab all the BPS – and we know Cancelo is just extremely good at creativity as well.

– Karam

But for Career and Live Hall of Fame No 1, Fábio Borges, there are plenty of reasons to get Gündogan:

Gundogan offers insane value right now with great attacking numbers, decent expected minutes and penalty-duties for just £5.5m.

– Fábio

Looking beyond the pool of Man City Players, if you don’t own one of Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) or Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) they are “clearly the best choices if you are a non-owner” according to Fábio.

The Egyptian ended his goal drought in convincing fashion, netting twice against Manchester United in the FA Cup. And Pro Pundit Lateriser pointed to some encouraging underlying statistics compared to last season. 

Meanwhile, Seb examined which players have performed best over the long, medium and short term:

Over this whole season, for expected goal involvement, Sadio Mané, Jack Grealish, Son Heung-min and Marcus Rashford come out as my top four. In the last six matches, that is Son, Gündogan comes into there, Mané and Grealish. And in the last four it is Son, Harvey Barnes, Gündogan and Foden comes into there. So that maybe gives you an idea of how people have done over the season and how form comes into it.

– Seb

One name stands out, and if you don’t already own him, Son appears a must-have. The South Korean has been on the end of six big chances in his last four matches, as well creating eight chances for his team-mates. 

Pro Pundit Zophar described Son as “the no brainer replacement” and the co-host of The FPL Wire isn’t put off by a mixed set of fixtures for Tottenham Hotspur:

As Manchester United showed last night in the FA Cup, Liverpool’s defence can be breached on the counter which should suit Jose Mourinho’s troops. Brighton and West Brom are fixtures where Son is a great captaincy shout and, given Chelsea’s recent malaise, Mourinho will surely fancy getting one over his old club as well.

– Zophar

No Vardy, No Problem

Moving onto Vardy, who will be out for a few weeks following an operation on his hernia, as far as Joe is concerned it was a straightforward decision on who to get: 

I am going to do the completely obvious thing and, in a way, the decision has been taken out of my hands – I took Kane out for Vardy for Double Gameweek, I want Kane back, I have the money to get Kane back for Vady. I do want a premium forward structure at the moment. And I think Harry Kane is the best to get in, and I’m going to get him in.

– Joe

While David pointed to an appealing downgrade in the shape of Michail Antonio (£6.4m), who bagged an 18-point return over Double Gameweek 19

And for those considering moving funds into midfield, Man United are top of the fixture ticker for attack over the next six Gameweeks. The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) and the emerging Paul Pogba (£7.7m) loom large on our Fantasy radars.

Some caution is advised with Rashford due to a knee injury, but it is not as bad as first feared with scans revealing only bruising.

Captain Sensible

As Jamie highlighted when he delved into the Big Numbers, Bruno Fernandes has mustered 161 touches in the final third over his last four matches, meaning the Portuguese talisman is still getting in the right positions despite scoring and assisting only once.

With opponents Sheffield United keeping just a solitary clean sheet in their last 15 away games, it’s no surprise that a certain B Fernandes has garnered more than 53 per cent of the vote in this week’s captain poll.

And Jan scrutinised The Blades in his latest armband article, pointing out how vulnerable they are to counter-attacks when pushing for goals and much needed victories:

Fernandes is this week’s runaway captaincy candidate … The Portuguese international has now delivered 33 Fantasy points in his previous three home games (a massive improvement on what we saw at the start of the campaign) and was given a bit of a breather in the FA Cup at the weekend.

– Jan

A Pundit Of Plans

A trio of Pro Pundits in the shape of Simon March, Sam Bonfield, and Andy Mears shared their thoughts on how to make the most of the second half of the season. 

Simon reflected on what had gone well and not-so-well as he plots his way up the ranks. 

My best seasons have always been built on four to five fairly consistent players who, once I’ve identified them, I try not to touch. The benefit of this approach, I find, is that, once you’ve established this core, you can use your transfers far more productively elsewhere, allowing you to build proactively and take advantage of form and fixture swings.

– Simon

The former FPL Champion identified Fernandes, Grealish and Son as his perhaps unsurprising core to build around. Along with a Manchester City defender and potentially Antonio. But ultimately he feels that there is still a long way to go and it’s important not to panic. 

High-flying Andy, meanwhile, gave us his take on the best fixture runs for the next four Gameweeks, with Leicester City, Manchester City and Aston Villa top of his list. Note that his article was written before the news of the injuries to De Bruyne and Vardy.

One player he feels we may be overlooking is João Cancelo (£5.8m):

Cancelo feels a bit like the forgotten man right now, but in that same time period he’s had eight shots, four of them in the box and created 10 chances as well. When you watch Manchester City in attack he’s often found in midfield and it feels like a big haul isn’t too far away, but you have to expect him to miss more minutes than the other two defenders mentioned.

– Andy

Last but not least, Sam discussed chip strategy. Inevitably, she’s thinking about using her Triple Captain chip on Harry Kane. But she also outlined how careful planning can benefit the more serious FPL manager:

We are coming to the most important part of the FPL season. This is the time where casual players often fail to prepare for the Blank and Double Gameweeks, or have already used their chips.

– Sam

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

RedLightning rounded-up the latest Community mini-leagues and competitions

The headline news is that for the first time this season The FFScout Community Members mini-league is the Best League in FPL based on the average score of the top five teams. 

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 20 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!

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

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1,590 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Justin or Coufal?

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

      Coufal

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

    Gents: Please pick two (I'm really stuck),

    A) Coufal
    B) Dallas
    C) Target

    Please pick two to start to join my two City defenders. Thanks!

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      AB

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A and B

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

      Dallas and Targett

    4. dwain100
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B and C

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

      so tight a call... I was set on A starting but many saying go B. gonna switch I'd say

      so B & ... C just

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

        Thanks all. I may just flip a coin.

  3. dwain100
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do a Martial to Ings for a - 4? Have Rashford

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

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

      No, Saints will struggle tonight without Bertrand and Walker-Peters

      1. dwain100
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks guys

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

    Watkins to Kane (4)?

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      not this GW

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

    Like everyone after a DGW, I have a benching headache.

    Bench 1:
    A. Coufal
    B. Dallas

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same predicament

      Also have Raph and Soucek to decide between

      Currently starting Coufal (and Raph) and benching Dallas (and Soucek)

      But it's very close!

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

        Yes, its very close. I have a feeling i will pick the wrong one.

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

      B

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

      A

  6. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB to Gundo or Son?

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

      went Gundo but now kind of regret it!

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

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

      Gundo for this GW only, Son for longer term

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would say for the next 3 rather than only this week.

  7. Ronny Sandstone
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    *Extreme scraping the barrel...

    Start Pieters or Dier ???

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

      P

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

      Pieters

      1. Ronny Sandstone
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Done cheers guys!

  8. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Wilson or Saka?

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

      Probably Saka. Newcastle has been awful. And it looks like Southampton’s back line is going to be missing a couple this week.

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

      Wilson

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

    Start 1:
    a. Justin
    b. Cresswell
    c. Soucek

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

    3. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Kane C ?
    Yaaaaay
    No Burno

  11. damiang2233
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is anyone thinking of starting a Spurs defender against liverpool?

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

    Who to play?

    A) Coufal
    B) Alioski

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

        Even if I have Fabianski as GK?

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

    Bring Son or play Dallas? I hate bench points, so thinking of maybe saving the transfer.

    help

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

      Play Dallas

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yeah, just play Dallas and get Son in next week.

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

    A play watkins 343
    B soucek to Madds / Son / Grealish(-4) 352

  15. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Watkins -> Kane (-4)?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

  16. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Rashford or -4 to Grealish or Maddison

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

      keep

  17. Orion
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I need help with this lads...
    A) Brewster to Werner for a hit
    B) Just play ESR

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

      A long-term if you feel he might start producing

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

    What's the likelihood of Cancelo starting?

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

      95%

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

      90%

  19. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stones owners still confident of him starting?

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

      No reason not to be.

      (Non owner)

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

      Why not

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

        Laporte back fit so got to be a risk of rotation (Stone + Dias owner)

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This week yeah, but may well miss one of the next 4.

  20. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Play Adams (ARSENAL)
    B. Play Justin (everton)
    C. Take a hit to get Son/Kane and play them instead

    1. Jersey Boy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

      Thanks. Dead heat

  21. badgerboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB to Son seems like a no brainer but KDB to Mahrez is tempting me.

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

      Not quite a no brainier this week.

    2. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      you think Mahrez starts?

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think it is, I think it's a massive brainer.

  22. eririi
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pick two
    A) TAA
    B) Coufal
    C) Thiago Silva
    D) Justin
    Thanks

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

    Should I get Gundo over Sterling? Would mean I could move for Kane or Son next week without taking a hit.

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

      Everybody else seems to be 😆

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

        I'm trusting Raheem

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

        Yeah I’m not too keen on the move short term but might work over a few weeks

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

      FWIW, that is my plan....

  24. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do KDB and Soucek to Son and Gundogan for -4? Or just KDB to Son.

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

      Don’t you think it’s better the other way around?

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

      KDB -> Gundogan & Soucek -> Son next week

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

        Agreed

      2. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        yep, that's what my plan is.

  25. McPollolocco
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which defenders should I Play for 3-4-3?

    Coufal, Targett, James, Cancelo, Digne?

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      TJCan

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

    Are both KdB and Vardy definitely 100% out??

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      100%

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

      105%

  27. GCM0803
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have 1ft and 0.1itb.
    What change should I make or gtg and save?

    Team:
    McCarthy
    Konsa cancelo coufal
    Son grealish salah Bruno
    Kane Antonio bamford
    (Button, bednarek, Justin, Burke)

  28. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Woukd you?

    Soucek -> Gundo (-4pts)

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yeah

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

    Play Raphinha (also have Bamford) or Firmino (also have Salah)?

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      raphinha

  30. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captaining Bruno anyone?

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

      Yeah loads.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m sure we pretty much all will be...