Scout Picks

Gameweek 23 Scout Picks built on Man United and West Ham assets

Manchester United and West Ham players form the spine of our Gameweek 23 Scout Picks XI.

In a side chosen by David, Neale, Tom and Andy, we have included five players from the two clubs ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

We line up in a 3-4-3 formation this time, which comes in at £73.8m, a staggering £9.2m inside our budget of £83.0m.

GOALKEEPER

Salah and blanks again as Brighton defensive assets shine ahead of good run 3

Robert Sanchez (£4.4m) was a relatively simple inclusion in the Scout Picks this week as Brighton continue to prove the doubters wrong. They have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four matches, including against Liverpool and Spurs, while Gameweek 23 opponents Burnley are the lowest-scoring Premier League team this season (13 goals).

DEFENDERS

Salah and Fernandes blank again as focus shifts to defensive assets 8

Aaron Cresswell (£5.6m) is the first of our West Ham triple-up as they travel to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. The left-back has created more chances than any other Hammers defender over the last four matches while six of his eight assists have come on the road this season. Meanwhile, Fulham have failed to score in three of their last five.

Long-term owners of Luke Shaw (£4.9m) were finally rewarded when the Manchester United full-back delivered two assists against Southampton, before being dragged off at half-time. After delivering the most crosses and creating the most chances out of all defenders in the last six Gameweeks, we are backing Shaw to deliver the goods again when Everton come to Old Trafford.

Antonio Rüdiger (£4.5m) has well and truly forced his way back into contention at Chelsea. After starting each of the last two league matches under Frank Lampard, the German international has played every minute of Thomas Tuchel’s reign as Blues manager. Chelsea are yet to concede since the appointment of their new boss and, in Gameweek 23, face a Sheffield United side second-bottom for goals scored this season (14).

MIDFIELDERS

In Gameweek 22, Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) punished the majority of Fantasy Premier League’s top 10,000 players who chose to captain Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) with a 17-point haul, equalling his highest score this season. Even after a couple of blanks, Fernandes has had the most shots on target and created the most chances in the last six Gameweeks.

Son Heung-min (£9.7m) earns a place in the Scout Picks mostly on account of his favourable fixture in Gameweek 23. West Bromwich Albion have conceded at least twice in each of their last seven Premier League matches.

No Premier League midfielder can better Jack Grealish‘s (£7.8m) 10 assists this season, with one of those coming against Saturday’s opponents, Arsenal in Gameweek 8. After Bernd Leno’s (£5.0m) red card against Wolves, the Gunners could be forced to field their third choice keeper, Alex Rúnarsson (£4.4m).

It is getting harder and harder to ignore Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) after the big Czech international scored his eighth goal of the season against Aston Villa. Soucek has scored the most headed goals out of all midfielders this season and faces a Fulham team who have conceded 20 headed attempts in their last six.

FORWARDS

Newcastle stick with back five for relegation six-pointer against Sheffield United

Callum Wilson (£6.8m) has been the one shining light in an otherwise awful season for Newcastle. He comes up against Southampton on Saturday who, as well as just being hit for nine by Manchester United, also have an injury crisis at the back.

The in-form West Ham striker Michail Antonio (£6.6m) has hit attacking returns in four of his five last games. With the highest expected goals rating (xG) of any forward in the last six Gameweeks, we are backing Antonio to continue his impressive form against a Fulham side whose recent defensive improvements have stuttered.

Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) is becoming a very reliable Fantasy asset this season adding improved creativity to his goal threat of late. In the last four matches, only Fernandes has created a higher number of big chances than the Leeds’ centre-forward, who has produced three assists in that time.

Substitutes

  • Nick Pope (£5.5m)
  • Matt Lowton (£4.4m)
  • Dan Burn (£4.2m)
  • Raphinha (£5.3m)

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because we use Fantasy Football Scout data so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 23:

1,095 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TMF86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Salah or Barnes?

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

      Salah... I dont care about form

      If you're benching salah sell him

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This is so true

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

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

      Im benching Gundo and Cancelo to start Maddy and Mo 😉

    4. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who’s your captain from Antonio and Bruno guys? Both look great picks

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Contemplating Watkins or Grealish with no Leno

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

      Currently between Bruno and Son. If chasing it could be better to have a differential captain pick.

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

      Gambling antonio

    4. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just been comparing this in the members area, think I'm going for Antonio

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm on a streak of 11 games with 1 captain assist. I'm going Bruno. Don't own Antonio. Antonio is therefore the better pick. While I can't guarantee he returns, I can guarantee Bruno will blank.

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

        Please buy and captain Antonio.

    6. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno Antonio Bamford in this order

  3. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain

    A. Bruno
    B. Son
    C. Antonio

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

      C

      1. tuturututu
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Can you explain why? Differential captain potential?

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

          Spurs were awful the last day so dont trust son

          Its between bruno and antonio... just leaning towards antonio

          Have all 3

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

      I am going Bruno

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you own Son, it's got to be him

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        That’s all 3!

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

          That's Numberwang!!

      2. FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not so Spurs are not looking great attacking at all.... They nicked a 1-0 last time with Kane in....so, I have doubt about captain Son

    4. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    5. janowsc
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Safest choice is Bruno, he’s returned after each of his 17pt hauls this season...other choices are more fun though

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

      B

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

    Start 1

    A. Gundogan (liv)
    B. Soucek (ful)

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

      B

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

        Cheers

    2. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

        Thanks

    3. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Start both Gundo has attacking return in last three away matches....

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

        Starting kane so will prob have them both in my 11 but the end of the week

        Salah bruno son
        Kane Antonio bamford

        Need to bench 1 of a or b

    4. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both if poss

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

        Cheers sid but it isnt (kind of is see above)

  5. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This is my GW 23 team.... G2g?

    Pope
    Robbo / Cancelo / Coufal
    Bruno(c) / Soucek / Son / Salah / Gundo
    Bamford (vc) / Antonio

    Bench:: Martinez / DCL / Stones / Targett

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

      Have at it

    2. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones > Coufal (just). Got tight game written all over it

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

    Bottomed ... play 2 this week:
    A) DCL
    B) Soucek
    C) Foden
    D) Stones

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

      b c

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

      B and A if you have another city defender playing.

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

        I do, Cancelo

    3. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A and B

  7. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Justin (WOL) or Dias (LIV)?

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias

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

    My planned move was DCL > Antonio. With the Everton's DGW what should I do :-

    2FT

    a) DCL > Antonio
    b) Wilson > Antonio
    c) something else

    1. janowsc
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn’t sell DCL until after the double imo

    2. Hanz207
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am tempted to still go with A - one of those DGWs is MCI and I can't see Everton doing much against them...

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

    How nailed would you say Alonso are?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They are not too nailed

      1. A. PRISE
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I would argue they are

  10. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Son, G2G?

    Pope
    Cancelo, Dias, AWB
    Salah, Bruno, Son(c), Grealish, Gundo
    Antonio, Bamford

    Forster, DCL, Digne, Targett

  11. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dropping Robbo, place your votes for who:

    A) Shaw

    B) double chelsea (have rudiger)

    C) Cresswell

    D) Digne

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      Mee?

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

        already got pope

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

      A

  12. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish blanked only once in last 6 GWs which was against City

    Grealish (c) for me

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not explosive enough

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I haven't got either Antonio or Bamford

  13. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Yes or no

    Bench Stones?
    Play Justin Cancelo Coufal

    Bench DCL?
    Play Soucek Saka Gundo

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

      Yes to bench Stones
      Might sit Saka and play DCL

      1. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nice one cheers

  14. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Gundo or Soucek? Im obviously gonna pick the one that blanks anyway..

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

      Then I prefer that you are gonna play Soucek, because I don't have him in my team.

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

      Gundo

  15. Flippo_
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to place in starting XI?
    A) Dias
    B) Robertson
    C) Gundogan

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

      C

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

      C

  16. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    C

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

    What would be the best transfer here with 2ft 0.0itb?

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Holding
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek
    DCL Richarlison Bamford

    Ramsdale Stones Anguissa Taylor

    A) Taylor to Lowton
    B) Richarlison to Antonio (Rich has a dgw24 but Antonio two good fixtures)
    C) Robbo to Chelsea defender (Alonso?)

  18. OleBall
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else without Antonio feel he's essential next 2 gw's?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hard to know

      Could see the meta for this GW being an anti-climax generally - there’s so little turnaround between games - will teams be flat & rotating / injured etc

      Antonio is an incredible player though no doubt

      How will those glass hamstrings deal with all these games is the other thing too though

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

      I don’t have him and feel the same but feel like there is an element with fomo with that

      Logically I think you will be fine without but I’d still have soucek and a defender at least

      1. OleBall
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have 2ft think i'm going to do Watkins>Antonio because i have Grealo for the Villa cover

  19. HarryS
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish-Salah-Raphina-Bruno

    That's my mid 2FT any ideas?

    Neco-Biss-KWP

    That's my bench.

  20. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Only 3 scout picks including bench, huge green incoming...

  21. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play pope or mccarthy?

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope

    2. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope

  22. Spoox777
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bench pleeeease ???

    Shaw / Cancelo / Stones / Justin / Holding
    Salah / Son / Fernandes / Saka / Gündogan
    DCL / Watkins / Bamford

    Thank you

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones Holding
      Saka or Dcl

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

      Stones-Holding
      Saka

    3. gomez123
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL/Stones/Holding

  23. CFC1990
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2FT's and unsure what to do. Planning to not WC until sometime after GW26.

    Is James to Rudiger/Lowton a good idea?

    Its either that or I get rid of Stones. Not sure he will start consistently with all the games Man City have (Champions League too) and Laporte back.

    Pope
    Cancelo, James, Coufal
    Grealish, Salah, Fernandes, Soucek
    Bamford, Antonio, DCL

    Martinez, Barnes, Dias, Stones

  24. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench DCL or Cavani?

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dcl

  25. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    lowton worth a punt for the DGW?

  26. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah Bruno Gundo Barnes

    will you get Son or Grealish ahead of any of them?

  27. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start:
    A) DDG
    B) Fabianski

  28. GoonerGirl
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys, I just quick added Rudiger for Dunne to my defence of
    Stones, Cancelo, Holding, Dallas, Dunne.

    Please, someone, tell me I made the right decision.

    I still have WC, BB and TC

    Thanks

  29. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2 FT's so I've done Ederson > Pope and will bank the other so I have 2 next GW......Team GTG??....Y/N
    Pope
    Cancelo/Justin/Dallas
    Son/Salah/Bruno(vc)/Gundogan/Soucek
    Bamford(C)/Antonio
    Martinez/DCL/Digne/Coufal

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Y

      1. gomez123
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  30. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Saka(avl) or DCL(mun)?