Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice to FPL Gameweek 21

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 21 ahead of today’s 11:00 GMT deadline.

The headlines in this edition: Everton are discussed as key players return and the fixtures improve, Chelsea’s new manager Thomas Tuchel is put under the spotlight, Manchester City continue to excel, and Raphinha (£5.4m) stars for Leeds United with Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) in a slump.

Elsewhere, Pro Pundit Tom is excited about Wilfried Zaha (£7.2m) as he looks to target an easy run for Crystal Palace and a match against Newcastle United in particular. While Az suggests taking more risks with our armband choices – but does Captain Sensible writer Jan agree?

Couldn’t score for Toffees

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m) started the season in sensational form bagging 10 goals in the opening nine Gameweeks, but the Everton No 9 has since endured a barren spell, last scoring in Gameweek 11. 

However, with an appealing set of fixtures and key players returning, Joe asked the Scoutcast panel – can good fixtures breed good form?

For Ted the answer is an emphatic yes. The visual stats creator revealed that he has taken a minus eight to triple up on Carlo Ancelotti’s men:

What I really like about Everton is that you‘ve also got Lucas Digne as a ‘world class’ left-back, he’s just a sensational crosser of the ball, and you’ve got James Rodriguez on that other side, a perfect marriage of creativity on either flank. Dominic Calvert-Lewin just needs to get some form going, because he’s without a goal in seven matches, he’s underperforming his stats, and once he starts scoring in the league – he got one in the cup – if he starts scoring in the league I think he could really start firing with the fixtures.

In fact, Lucas Digne (£6.0m) played out-of-position on the left of midfield against Leicester City, further enhancing his prospects of attacking returns. 

Everton average positions vs Leicester City (FFS Match Data)

And with Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.2m) returning from suspension to add thrust in midfield, could Everton be on the brink of a purple patch?

Ted is not the only one adding a Toffee to his selection with Az eyeing-up Digne and Calvert-Lewin.

Owners of Harry Kane (£11.2m) have an easy route to the Everton target man after the Tottenham Hotspur striker was ruled out by Jose Mourinho.

Bamford’s Pukki Moment

Another way to free up a slot in our forward lines is to sell Patrick Bamford, whose recent downturn in performance makes him a prime candidate for the chop. 

Joe described it as a ‘Pukki Moment’, which is defined as “a highly-owned-once-high-performing player, who you can hop-off for a player that you are assuming will be the next big thing.

Against Newcastle United, the Leeds striker managed just one attempt, an off-target header, and three penalty area touches. Instead it was left to Raphinha to write the headlines, the Brazilian now has three goals and as many assists from a season in which he only started his first match in Gameweek 10.

But questions are being asked about Bielsa’s side, who suffered recent defeats to Spurs and Brighton before the narrow win over the Magpies. 

The convenient narrative is that they are knackered, Bielsa is like this harsh taskmaster and these poor Leeds guys are all sitting in the Victorian orphanage, all like “oh I can’t move any more” – and I just don’t buy that myself because these are fit blokes.

– Joe

But how do we explain the recent performances – have they been found out?

I think these players are at the maximum level of their ability and they are, on average, Championship players.

– Seb

Speaking on the Scoutcast, Leeds fan Seb gave an insightful explanation about the problems his beloved team encountered against Newcastle, before outlining what needs to change:

The solution for us is a new left-back and a new centre-mid but until that happens if teams continue to put pressure on us in the right places, which is the midfield and not centre-back … and force us into pressing high up the field and then out-numbering us with quality one-on-one players … teams can beat us.

Not a particularly optimistic outlook.

Chelsea’s New Tuch 

However, things are decidedly more upbeat in affluent West London with the arrival of head coach Thomas Tuchel. His appointment has got Fantasy managers wondering which Chelsea players will thrive under his stewardship.

Jamie highlighted a possession style of football and a preference for a narrow 4-2-2-2 formation, as well as an impressive number of goals per game achieved at previous clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

It’s worth noting that Tuchel tends to use high possession as a means of defending rather than attacking. And Tom included cut-price centre-back Antonio Rüdiger (£4.5m) in his trio of differentials for Gameweek 21, the 27-year-old could prove to be a budget route into the Blues backline.

Tuchel’s teams also favour shot quality over shot quantity. Consequently they can be a little boring to watch, as the goalless draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers illustrated.

And there will be question marks over several players including Reece James (£5.1m), who may find himself marginalised under a manager whose previous teams have produced a very low number of crosses.

Instead, Kai Havertz (£8.2m) could become a key figure for Chelsea, thanks to his ability to get the ball into the penalty box from central areas. Pro Pundit Lateriser noted the German playing closer to goal in Tuchel’s first match.

Target Teams Playing Newcastle

Tom signed midfielder Wilfried Zaha ahead of Gameweek 20 and is another looking to incorporate Calvert-Lewin. 

Part of his thinking behind those moves is a good run of immediate fixtures for both sides, especially upcoming matches against Newcastle. The Aston Villa fan noted:

Towards the end of Steve Bruce’s reign at Aston Villa, they were lacking any kind of structure with the same approach in every game, and there are a lot of similarities at Newcastle now.

– Tom

Az is even considering handing Calvert-Lewin the armband for Everton’s home encounter with Newcastle. Reflecting on a failed captaincy pick, the co-host of FPL Black Box wondered if we should start taking risks:

The logic of Fernandes was completely sound of course, but there is huge potential to get ahead if you can get the captaincy call right. The captaincy allows us to roll the dice for one week and if we want to elevate our seasons to the next level, getting on the right end of some of these calls could be a great way to rise up the ranks.

However Jan is not ready to trust Calvert-Lewin with the armband just yet:

Over the last six matches, only three teams have registered fewer goal attempts than Carlo Ancelotti’s men. While Everton are expected to win this match, it is probably a step too far to trust any of their attacking assets with an armband, especially as Newcastle and Steve Bruce will be “fighting for their lives”.

Instead, the double-points maestro turns to Pep Guardiola’s troops for his preferred armband picks.

Manchester City’s impressive form continued with lkay Gündogan (£5.8m) and João Cancelo (£6.0m) thriving against West Brom as Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) posted impressive stats and Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) put pressure on John Stones (£5.2m).

And, courtesy of G-Whizz, the clean sheet odds favour returns at both ends of the pitch, with City most likely to record a shutout (61 per cent) and Sheffield United least likely (nine per cent).

Sterling, Gündogan, and Cancelo all have their merits. But if you are struggling to decide between them, or suffering from ‘decision fatigue’, Seb has some advice:

There are too many variables to consider them all, you’ve got to make a decision that you can explain and then be happy with, and move on.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

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

The FFScout Community Members mini-league remains the Best League in FPL just ahead of Andy‘s youtube channel with the open-to-all league in fifth.

In the Head-to-Head Leagues, the fixtures have been generated for the second half of the season. The main page includes links for each Gameweek, while the fixtures for Gameweek 21 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

3,029 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL the best replacement for Kane yeah?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah. Unless you fancy Watkins or Ings

    2. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That's what I've done.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This week, yes

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Popular opinion

    5. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would get Antonio first if you don’t have him

      I’d probably even consider laca

      I’ve gotten dcl in but he’s not been in form, some risk there

      1. thom830g
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Laca is a good shout.

      2. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not against Liverpool

    6. Wicked Weapon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't know about the best but I've done it. So hopefully yes.

  2. fpork
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo has only been rested twice this season. What makes people so concerned about him being rested now, after great performances lately?

    1. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Non owners

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Im Joao (C)ancelo for me

        1. Neo-Viper
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Should have been last week

    2. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe pep wants to give walker and Mendy some game time?

    3. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      LOL

  3. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah or Gundo?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo

  4. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G, bench in the right order??

    Martinez
    Cancelo Justin Stones
    Gundogan Grealish Salah Fernandez (C) Soucek
    Antonio DCL (vc)

    Johnstone, Bamford Coufal Dallas

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice

  5. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chaps, what would you do:

    A) Regulon -> Cancelo
    B) Rafinia -> Son
    C) Regulon, Rafinia -> Cancelo and Son (-4)

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. thom830g
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  6. Shack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed. Who to take out for Cancelo;
    A: Maguire
    B: Chilwell
    C: Robertson
    Cheers!!

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  7. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning guys. Thoughts on my team?

    (-8)

    McCarthy
    Cancelo. Dias. Cresswell
    Salah. Bruno. Son. Gundo. Rafinha
    Antonio. DCL

    Subs. Bamford. Dallas. Dunne.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hi, you’ve not been on here much? How’s the season going.

      Team looks decent. What moves did you make?

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Morning PB. I’m always lurking 😉

        I done - coufal , anguissa and Kane > Cancelo , Son and DCL.

        I think long term they are good moves but -8 is always a sting.

        Season has been mediocre. Current rank around 410k.

        How’s yours been?

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Good moves, they will pay off long term as you say. Season going well, a lot better than last season where I had a nightmare. Currently sitting around 40k.

          I’m getting DCL this week but need to decide whether I take a hit and get mane for soucek. Got 8m in the bank! Bamford and soucek to DCL and mane for hit or Brewster to DCL for free and play Bamford (soucek on bench)

    2. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg
      I’m torn between starting raf or bamford myself but leaning towards raphina too

  8. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The only worry bringing digne for a hit for injured kwp is Pickford) 🙁

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

      Think of him as a LM with bonus CS

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

      Definitely. Newcastle could nick a goal I reckon. But great chance of assist or two.

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No one’s getting him for clean sheets. Those are a bonus.

  9. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys play Dallas or digne -4?

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d get digne. Attacking monster.

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

    Which one to play:

    a) Bamford
    b) Saka

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  11. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Coufal or Lowton?

  12. ⚽️ Omardiola ⚽️
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    remove wilson ?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, frogmarch

  13. Diro
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one :
    A) Wilson
    B) Bamford
    C) Soucek

    Play one :
    D) Justin
    E) Konsa
    F) Mitchell

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B
      E

  14. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Shall I Play Bamford or Justin? (Already starting raphina)

    Cancelo worth getting for -4? (Will play ahead of the above)

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably cancelo

  15. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A or B here? Cheers

    A. Kane -> DCL FT (selling price 11.1)
    B. Save FT play Bamford

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones James
    Salah Gundogan Grealish Fernandes Son
    Kane Antonio

    Johnstone Bamford Dallas Coufal

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A.

      I'm torn between starting Martinez or Johnstone! Any reason you're going Martinez?

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not too much in it mate, but big Sam said last week that wba have a problem at home.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    United just conceded 2 to the lowest scoring team in the league. They are about to face Arsenal who currently have second best record since Boxing Day after City.

    Why is no one talking about Saka and Lacazette?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Because it's stinkingly unimpressive Arsenal and most people make selections looking to the future, not a single GW.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Saka 52 points in the last 6.

      2. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But Saka a great value option going fwd, which plenty have spoken about.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm all on Saka but Laca is hit and miss.

    3. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      People do, but not on here

    4. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I agree that Saka and Lacazette are good options, but I'm not sure it will be an easy game for Arsenal just because United lost to Sheffield

    5. akashan99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      United conceded 2 yes but w luke shaw n bailly coming on, its going to be harder plus atleast one of fred or mctominay wld play. Saka hasbeen gd but doubt he wld get much in this game

  17. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start which one..?

    A) Saka (MUN)
    B) Wilson (eve)

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wilson given he is on pens.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for me.

      Wilson one assist in the last 7

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

      Saka

  18. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL or Antonio?

    Son or sterling?
    I already have Gundogan

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL & Sterling

      1. thom830g
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        THis

  19. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Final captaincy call out of these options?

    A Gundogan
    B Cancelo
    C Son
    D Salah
    E DCL
    F Bruno

    1. andres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A or E for me

  20. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you bring son/barnes for a hit? (Rash)

    McCarthy (Forster)
    Cancel Stones Dier (mitchell, Coufal)
    Bruno Rash Gundo Salah (soucek)
    Antonio Watkins DCL

    5.8 itb, 0ft

  21. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Holding or Coufal second sub?

    1. lambownumber5
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've got same bench and had Holding as 1st sub without any real procrastination.

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

      Holding

  22. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will cancelo & sterling start tonight ??

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think they both will

    2. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep defo I say! I’m feeling confident.

  23. Pap Boomez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bench this GW?

    1. Saka (MUN)
    2. Fernandes (ars)
    3. Raphina (lei)

    A. Robertson (whu)
    B. Creswell (LIV)

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

      3 and B. Pretty easy one.

      1. thom830g
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3

  24. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:
    Bamford
    Cresswell
    Antonio

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cresswell

  25. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Does anyone know the number of teams are left in the cup?

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dunno but I’ve just looked at who I’m against and it seems they started in gameweek sixteen and have used all their chips. 😆

        1. Party time
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Hahaha 😆

      2. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Play 1 :-

        Bam
        Mitchell
        Konza

        1. FPLMACKEM
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I'm torn between bam and Mitchell. I'm going with the attacker though in Bamford.

          1. Old Gregg
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks mate

      3. DAVESAVES
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bamford >> DCL -4?

        1. mcsteely
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Coin flip that one, I’d do it

        2. abhirup780
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          same dilemma. But not doing it. To justify this DCL has to score/assist twice and Bamford has to blank.
          DCL and EVE haven't shown the form yet.
          DCL is not massively owned or captained and lacks explosive potential. So DCL doesn't look like a major threat to the rank.

          1. DAVESAVES
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers

      4. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Which one?

        A) DCL
        B) Ings
        C) Watkins

        1. andres
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          A

          1. FPLMACKEM
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            A

        2. abhirup780
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          DCL if you have WC.
          Otherwise I'd go Watkins.

      5. thom830g
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Who to captain
        A) Salah
        B) Gündogan

        Going with Salah atm.

        1. FPLMACKEM
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I'm currently on Gundogan. I'm going with the form and the fixture. Peps said he's starting.

      6. Miro
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        For this gw:
        A) Adams
        B) Mane (-4)

        1. andres
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          B for fun