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

    Need some advice on line up: GTG?
    Martinez
    Cancelo, Dallas, Cresswell
    Salah, Bruno (c), Gundo, Sterling, Grealish
    Antonio (vc) Bamford
    (Forster, DCL, Shaw, Lowton)

    Just not so sure about 3 city. And tempted to play Shaw due to form but I just don't think they'll keep a clean sheet.
    Cap choice right?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would play Shaw over Creswell, personally.

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

        Cheers. That's the decision that's got me. Cresswell has 8 assists and on paper an easier opponent. But Shaw is playing very well. I can't decide.

  2. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:

    Dallas
    Coufal
    Justin

    Thanks

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Justin

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

      Tough. Justin sadly

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

      Dallas

    4. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Justin

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

    Who would you add and why?

    Shaw

    Cresswell

    Digne

    Mee

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw, in the form of his life and good fixtures.

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

      First or last

    3. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mee for short term fixtures

  4. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Think I have a short term plan I'm happy with, appreciate any thoughts on the below.

    2 FT and 4.6 ITB

    McCarthy
    TAA Dallas Cancelo
    Salah Son Bruno Gundo Raphinha
    Bamford Antonio

    (Nyland Coufal Mitchell Brewster)

    GW 23: TAA to Shaw
    GW 24: Mitchell to Dias and Nyland to Pope

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

      Plan looks solid if nothing else goes wrong!

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, fingers crossed!

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

    Chilwell > ???

  6. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sorry got bottomed...

    "Been very busy at work recently so didn't had time\strength to analyse fixtures.

    Is there anywhere decent action plan for those with all chips intact ?
    "

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks.

    1. Jon Snow
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I saw both WC25 BB26 FH29 and BB26 WC27 FH29 on Reddit.

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah need to research tomorrow I guess, thanks.

  7. SALVA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Pope
    Dallas - Stones - Digne
    Salah-Grealish-Fernandes-Soucek-Son(c)
    Bamford - Antonio

    Forster, DCL, Dias, Webster

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias over Digne for mine.

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

      I think you have two better captains. Otherwise G2G

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG? Plan is to do Firmino & Burke to Bamford & Raphinha with 2 FTs.

    Martinez
    Cancelo Maguire Coufal
    Sterling Bruno Son Gundogan Raphinha
    Antonio(C) Bamford

    Areola DCL Targett Mitchell

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

      I’m confused with the Raphina statement?

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Why?

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

          Sorry. Understand now. I though the Raphina move was next week but you had him in your current line up.

          Looks great. Going to stick with Antonio(C)?

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

    Captain Bruno or Antonio?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno

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

    How’s this look guys? Torn in captaincy. 1FT left, 3.8m.

    Pope
    Dallas, Coufal, Cancelo
    Salah, Bruno(C), Raphina, Soucek, Gündo
    Bamford, Antonio(v)
    (McCarthy, DCL, Dias, Robbo)

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think you have the captaincy right.

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

        Right first 11 mate?

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I think so, I'd be tempted to play Dias over Coufal but probably pays to hedge with double City defence.

  11. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lowton vs Mee?

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

      Mee in a straight up choice for goal threat

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers ! 🙂

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

    McCarthy
    Cancelo, Justin, Coufal
    Salah, Son (c), Bruno, Coufal
    DCL, Antonio, Watkins
    Johnstone, Gundo, Maguire, Stones
    2 FT, 3.6 itb.

    Any tips? Considering getting Pope? Play Gundo?

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

      Double Coufal is overkill 😉

      I'm personally playing the red hot, penalty taking Gundogan over DCL

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

        Cheers 🙂

  13. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can’t decide what to do? 2FT 0.4itb

    Martinez
    Justin Dias Dallas
    Salah Son Raph Greal Bruno
    Bamford Antonio
    (Johnstone, Stones, Coufal, DCL)

    A) Johnstone, Salah to Pope, Sterling/Rash
    B) Coufal to Mee

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B sets you up for the double and you're not playing Coufal this week so makes sense to me.

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This seems logical to me. Would you play Mee over Justin or Dallas?

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

          I would go B but i prefer Coufal over Justin (and possibly Dallas) this week. But a burnley defender will be vital

          Chilwell to keep and play or
          A. Rudiger
          B. Mee
          C. Shaw

          Have Pope

          Dallas, Cancelo, Dias are my other 3 defenders 1FT left

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Chilwell mate

  14. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Dias Coufal Chilwell
    Grealish Salah Son Bruno Gundo
    Bamford Antonio
    (Steer DCL Stones Mitchell)

    0.9ITB & 2FT

    a) Mitchell > Lowton
    b) Chilwell > Shaw
    c) Chilwell > Alonso
    d) Chilwell > Mee
    e) Mitchell & Chilwell > Mee & Shaw

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wan bissaka

  15. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any suggestions for this side or am I ready to go? Currently saving a transfer. 4.3m in the bank

    Pope

    Cancelo Justin Coufal

    Salah Fernandes Raphinha Gundogan Soucek

    Watkins Antonio

    Bench: Mccarthy DCL Robertson Dias

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

    Bench one:

    A- Coufal
    B- Stones ( only City Defender)
    C- Mee

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

      I'd bench B

    2. Wayne Enterprises
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mee

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

      Really tough call. I'd probably go for Stones, as crazy as that sounds, but only just.

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    5. The Prophet
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably C if Stones is your only City defender.

  17. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys could I get some help please 🙂

    Martinez
    Coufal Robertson Cancelo
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan Raphinha Soucek
    Bamford Antonio

    Forster DCL Stones Ferguson

    1 FT, 6.9 itb

    1. Forster >> Pope (for the doubles and play over Martinez this week)
    2. Save FT

    Thanks

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

    2. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I had DDG and McCarthy

      Done DDg to Pope

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

    Evening boys. Have 2ft and 0,3m itb Wildcard, bb, tc available. Kane back next gw? keep or sell? what would you lads do with this lot? cheers guys!

    martinez (martin)
    dias cancelo dallas coufal (taylor)
    salah bruno son soucek gundo
    bamford (adams kane)

    martin+kane -> pope+antonio ?
    y/n?

  19. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GtG

    Pope
    Dallas-Coufal-Holding
    Son-Salah-Bruno-Soucek
    DCL-Antonio-Bamford
    (McCarthy-Gundo-Konsa-Stones)

    4.4itb 1ft

    Quick Yes and Nos

    1. Play Stones over Holding
    2. Get Mee for Holding
    3. Play Gundo over DCL

  20. The Prophet
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lads,

    Play Mee, Stones or Dallas??

    *note - have Raphinha/Bamford/Cancelo

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dallas

  21. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy
    Stones, Cancelo, Chilwell, Coufal, Mithcel
    Salah, Son, Fernandes, Grealish, Gundogan
    Antonio, Kane, Brewster

    2ft 0.2m itb

    A. Chilwell, Mithcell to Rudiger, Mee
    B. Chilwell, Mccarthy, Mee, Pope

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

      McCarthy to Pope for sure, just did it

      Mee or Rudiger, depends if you want double Burnley

  22. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G or Salah ➡ Son?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Justin Coufal
    Sterling Gundogan Salah Bruno Barnes
    Bamford Antonio

    (Steer, DCL Digne Mitchell)
    1FT 1.2ITB WC BB

    1. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Interesting to see you're playing Gundo over DCL..In a similar situation

      1. Teahupo'o
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It's close. Pens sway it for me for now but not set in stone.

  23. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Regarding Burnley players, I have been off the radar for a few days with work commitments, but is it just the DGW24 that is prompting all the Pope / Mee transfers in?

    Yes, there's a good chance of DGW26 for Burnley too, but is the situation not just one more match compared to the previous status quo?

    Conceded 7 in past 3 games (albeit in tough games) but should I really be looking to get them in?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not come across a detailed article on this, but it has not been long since the news and this upcoming GW taking priority, of course.

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

      BHA, cry, FUL, WBA in the next 3 GWs is probably why.

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I suppose also people are playing WC's imminently so easy exit points as well if it doesn't work out.

  24. M2.0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play:

    a) DCL
    b) Soucek

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

    3. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

  25. Ziko7
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 2 out of:
    DCL
    Dias
    Bernardo Silva
    Salah

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias, dcl

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The first two. Not seen anyone else with Bernardo - hope he gets you a goal!

      1. Ziko7
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Brought him in for KDB in GW20, happy with him so far.

        1. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yep, done reasonably - bit unlucky not to get another 2 returns over the past few GW's to be honest.

          1. Ziko7
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah I know, he's not selfish enough IMO. I'm kinda tempted to play Dias over Salah though, already playing Cancelo.

  26. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2fts.

    Forster and douglas

    To

    Pope and lowton?

    Or just douglas to lowton and play mccarthey?then do pope next week?x

  27. Dank Squid
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Predicted points for this BB - at least 20? Martinez (bri) Mee (cry/FUL) Cresswell (SHU) Soucek (SHU)

  28. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who did people sell Robertson for?

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

      Burnley def

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Makes very much sense

  29. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    First to 3...

    1. Forster >> Pope (for the doubles and play over Martinez this week)
    2. Save FT

    Cheers

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

      I would save most likely. Think it is crucial to carry 2 transfers in the next GW due to the FA cup ties mid-week.

  30. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Shaw or Rudiger?