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

    Which option?

    A) Start Reece James (BUR) in the hope he starts
    B) Play Justin (LEE)
    C) James to TAA or Digne -4

    1. Ibra
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Monty123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  2. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain is difficult this week:

    A)Salah
    B)Son
    C)Gundo
    D)Cancelo
    E)DCL

    1. Ibra
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      I really think it's between A and C. Haven't decided yet

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

    A) Play Bamford
    B) Play Justin, bench Bamford
    C) Bamford to DCL for a -4

    1. Ibra
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Im thinking about same options as you, think I will do C

  4. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:
    A) Holding (MUN h)
    B) Mitchell (Wol h)
    C) Coufal (Liv h)

    1. Ibra
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    A) Kane > DCL (+ save 2nd FT)
    B) Kane + Lowton > DCL + Digne

    McCarthy
    Stones, Cancelo, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundogan, Soucek
    Bamford, Antonio

    Johnstone, Lowton, Coufal, Kane*

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

      A

    2. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  6. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Another Saturday morning with me being still somewhat undecided on captain choice. Cancelo has the highest percentage chance of a return than any other player so it's on him right now but captaining a defender is gonna make for uncomfortable viewing. I think it will be the first time I've ever captained a defender. Its really between him and Salah for me.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm torn between the two, have a feeling about Salah but whu have performed well and with the defensive crisis I can see antonio causing all sorts of problems at the other end.

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He was my captain until Pep Zinchenko comments. So unsure he starts.

      Too risky in a week Gundogan and Salah could haul.

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

        What Zinchenko comments?

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

      How do you know Cancelo has the highest chance for return?

  7. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG with this formation / team?

    De Gea
    Cancelo, Dias, AWB
    Gundogan (v), Salah, Son (c) Bruno, Zaha
    DCL, Antonio

    (Martinez, Wilson, Cresswell, Bednarek.)

    Worthing bringing in anyone else? Captain choices good? TIA

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

    Bench one:

    A) Wilson (EVE, A)
    B) Bamford (LEI, A)

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  9. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Despite the amazing stats don't you think Sheff U will target Gundo as a chief threat and nullify him? I am a Gundo owner, and the captaincy is on him but I just feel a little uneasy about the latter. DCL a very decent alternative.

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

      Surely Man City and Pep learn from Man Utd inability to break down Sheffield Utd.

      Can't see another turnaround in Manchester for them.

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        And Man U weren't that great were they v Sheff U

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

      I captained Bruno last week primarily through concern for his EO, and lack of other options. This week I’m going for Gundo because I think city will completely outclass them. Still a gulf between a firing City side and United, when it comes to breaking down (potentially) dogged sides, imo. Sterling and Gundo the best cap options for me

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        4-0 then? Lol

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

          Could be! I would predict 2/3-0 and dominance. But then again predicting results this season is not easy

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

      DCL has a low ceiling though imo. One goal and a bonus or 2 is a typical good game for him. Not often he gets double digit returns.

  10. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah captainers unite

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You think he'll do some proper damage today mate?

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Tomorrow even

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

          Think it will be a high scoring game.

          Salah looked good against Utd and Spurs (3 goals if you count the handball).

          May have gone Gundo if I owned him but think it’s close. West Ham defence is a bit of a concern but I think they will attack at home.

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            OK cool. GL for the GW

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Let’s go!

    3. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same. Got a feeling he's gonna do well!

  11. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one:
    A) Watkins
    B) Antonio

    Cap one:
    1) Sterling
    2) Gundo
    3) Salah

    1. Ibra
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A1

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Any concern over sterling starting?

        1. Kellz86
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          It’s Pep, so of course.

          But unlikely imo

          (Sterling (c) for me)

    2. Natho79
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B3

    3. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A3

  12. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can't decide who to start, would appreciate some help

    A) Bamford
    B) Dallas
    C) Soucek

    Cheers

    1. Monty123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford - Leeds will get chances and he cant blank for ever

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

      Close call but Soucek - Liverpool don't have a central defence and Leicester are looking mean and likely to score.

  13. Kaptenen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford to DCL worth a -4?

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

      Same dilemma. Not sure

      1. Who are all Lukakus
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Similar here but Welbeck to DCL -4 and bench Bamford, is it better?

  14. Monty123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ladies & Gents

    Sold Kane for DCL (template) but appear to have brain fog this morning:

    With Burnley tightening up and Chelsea misfiring, would you play Lowton or Coufal at home to Liverpool?

    Same question - Anguissa away at WBA or Soucek at home to Liverpool?

    Or -4 to sell Soucek for Barnes?

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

      Wouldn’t sell Soucek at all let alone for a hit.

      Play Lowton and Soucek.

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

      Sell Soucek for a hit, you don't deserve him.

      1. Monty123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        haha fair although I didn't bench him last week

  15. Jaok
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Capt?

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

      Johnstone for differential.

    2. Leeds-Utd
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dcl almost got sure now..
      Almost lok

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

    Any late injury/team news I should know about before I make my transfers?

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

      Nothing verified except Kane out for 3 gw best case scenario.

  17. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford->DCL for -4?
    2.5itb

    McCarthy Button
    Robbo Justin Targett Dallas Balbuena
    Salah Sterling Gundogan Bruno Soucek
    Bamford Antonio Davis

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would get a city def

      1. Miniboss
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        woops, Balbuena should be Cancelo here. Transferred him in this gw already. Money to spend is correct though.

    2. Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same boat here, don't know what to do

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

    Who to sell first?

    A Dallas
    B Holding

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

      B

  19. afsr
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Maguire to Digne for -8?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

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

      This week only maybe not, but might be ok worth it

  20. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Welbeck to DCL for -4 and bench Bamford?

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  21. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which move to make this week?

    A. Bamford to DCL (and play Coufal)
    B. Kane to DCL (and play Bamford)

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

      B

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. GoonerSteve
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I had the exact same dilemma! Went with Kane to DCL in the end and probably playing Bamford.

  22. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can’t decide whether to upgrade Brewster to DCL or just do Bamford to DCL.

    Brewster is undoubtedly a 3rd sub, but do I really want a third striker?

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Im in the same boat. Dont really need the 3rd striker as my team structure is for 352. It depends a lot on your team.

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

        That’s the problem.

        I play 3-5-2 or 4-4-2. Raphinha my 5th midfielder who will be Grealish very soon.

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

      Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, you want a third striker....you waaaaannnttt a thhiiirrrd striiiiikeeeer!

    3. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just do Bamford to DCL

  23. icanseethroughyou
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez, Forster
    Maguire, Justin, KWP, Dias, Saiss
    Salah, Fernandes, Foden, Maddison , Soucek
    DCL Bamford Welbeck

    A. Bamford to Ings (-4)
    B. KWP to Digne (-4)
    C. No hits

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

      B

  24. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL C too risky if i have Richarlison too?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's risky as a C punt. Think Rich is sufficient risk in that match. Everton are all potential right now and created little against an albeit very good Leicester side.

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

      Yes as essentially triple Everton attack

  25. afsr
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Soucek or Antonio?

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

      Easy A

    2. BlueEddy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

  26. Akshatjazz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts ??

    Martinez
    Dias, stones, AWB
    Son, Salah, Bruno, gundogan
    Antonio, bamford, Brewster

    Bench - soucek, Dallas, coufal
    Have 1ft & 8.1itb
    a) Brewster > Watkins
    b) Brewster > DCL
    c) save ft
    d) any other suggestions

    1. Natho79
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B for sure

  27. GoonerSteve
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you play?

    a) Bamford vs Leicester
    b) Coufal vs Liverpool
    c) Mitchell vs Wolves

    Rest of team is:

    McCarthy
    Stones, Cancelo, Justin
    Gundogan, Son, Salah, Grealish, Fernandes
    DCL

    Also who to cap? Thinking Gundogan atm.

  28. BlueEddy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Saka or Antonio?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky - Saka I think but could backfire.

  29. chriscosta
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Choice !!
    A) Maddy (LEEDS)
    B) Gundogan (SHU)

    I think Leed will be more open and attacking than shu,
    ATM on Maddy

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

      Bold, I like it. Considering Barnes captain myself.

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

        Thanks and GL

  30. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Final decision folks..all help appreciated

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Dallas -- Coufal Taylor
    Bruno Gundog Salah Rashford -- Burke
    Antonio Dcl Bamford

    A: Taylor >> Digne (-4) and bench dallas
    B: Burke >> Grealish (-4) and bench Bamford

    - Digne has a potential dgw coming up
    - Grealish has a very high ceiling this week, might even captain him but is having 8 strong attackers messes with the balance of the team long term

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did the Digne move but on your set up I'd get Grealish in.

      Think it's perfectly acceptable to have Bamford as 8th attacker given midseason budgets and more so with all these premiums out.

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

      The United Nations is supposed to help others I believe. Read the Charter.

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

      Not sure that Villa will do that well at Southampton...

      But they keep on performing.