Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice to Double Gameweek 25

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Double Gameweek 25 ahead of today’s 18:30 GMT deadline.

Leeds United and Southampton are the two teams with the extra fixture – the Saints travel to Elland Road on Tuesday evening.

The other main talking point as we plot our moves for the current round of fixtures and beyond, is the potential of more Double Gameweeks in the near future. Pep Guardiola hinted that Gameweeks 26 and 27 will be Doubles for his side but at the time of writing, we await confirmation from the Premier League.

Captain Candidates

Patrick Bamford (£6.9), Raphinha (£5.4m) and Danny Ings (£8.5m) are the leading trio in the captain poll, with the highly-owned Bamford the popular choice.

The best-value forward in FPL, returning over 19.1 points per million spent, Bamford has garnered over 50 per cent of the vote. This in itself poses Fantasy managers an intriguing shield/sword dilemma:

[Bamford]’s currently in just over 53 per cent of teams, the bulk of those will captain him so if you don’t captain Bamford you will probably get pretty much no ranking gain from him, [and] you could possibly get a red arrow if there’s a surge of support in people drafting him in. Whereas Raphinha was in under three per cent of teams [so] if you captain him the gains could be absolutely huge.

– Joe, Captaincy Video

The potential for either Leeds player to do well is there, especially in that Tuesday fixture. As Jan pointed out in his Captain Sensible article, Southampton have given up 11 big chances in the last four matches, the joint-most in the Premier League, while only Liverpool have a worse expected goals conceded (xGC) figure.

Encouraging stuff. But two bits of team news could influence our decisions.

Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) will miss the first match against Wolves and could possibly sit out the Southampton game too. While Ralph Hasenhüttl revealed that Southampton will be without Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.7m) for a few weeks. 

Without Kalvin Phillips they are really not the same team, he is the guy that holds the whole thing together both defensively and going forward … he’s missed five games this year and … Bamford’s blanked in three of those five games so it makes me a bit worried about him.

– David, Captaincy Video

Speaking on the Scoutcast, “professor of LeedsSeb, as he was dubbed by Joe, conceded that Phillips offers more than Pascal Struijk (£3.9m) in an attacking sense. But, nonetheless, his optimal Leeds trio for the Double would be Bamford, Raphinha and Jack Harrison (£5.5m).

The absence of Walker-Peters is good news for Harrison in particular. The Saints have conceded 17 chances down their right flank over their last four matches and with Walker-Peters missing out, it means we could see one of the centre-backs filling in.

Although, Brazilian Raphinha could also benefit:

Harrison and Raphinha have swapped sides a couple of times in the last few matches … Harrison was obviously subbed off last match … but Raphinha actually moved to the left with Hélder Costa coming on the right, so there is a chance you’ll see Raphinha on the left.

And on Harrison himself, his last two goals I believe, certainly his last goal, came straight down the middle. So if he’s up against the weak full-back that might be more for the assist [but] for the actual goals we might see him making those runs through the middle.

So I think realistically, what’s the crux of this conversation, it’s all quite close. Get the three attackers if you can, if you can’t get Bamford and Raphinha.

– Seb

Raphinha and Harrison touch heatmap last four matches

When it comes to deciding who to captain, it’s worth noting that Raphinha takes corners while Bamford is expected to stay on penalty duties.

No Premier League team has conceded more spot-kicks this season than Wolves (seven). And Southampton are not doing particularly well in that department, either, having given up four penalties  in 2020/21.

But Danny Ings should not be discounted, the Saints talisman has recorded six attempts on goal in his last two Premier League fixtures, including three big chances. And Southampton’s high-press could prove effective against Leeds, as Arsenal discovered in Gameweek 24 scoring four goals. 

Speaking on FPL Black Box, Pro Pundit Mark revealed that he is contemplating buying Ings with one of his two free transfers, factoring in that Southampton may have three Double Gameweeks in the next four. Although, as Greyhead noted in the 100th edition of The Great and The Good, how many of us will trust Danny Ings’ fragile hamstring to manage two games in quick succession?

And, as Jamie pointed out in his Members-only analysis of Southampton, if Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side are to get the best out of Ings, then they will need to create more chances, with the Saints creation ranking near the bottom in their last six matches.

Nonetheless, Ings is the only Southampton player included in the Scout Picks starting XI alongside a triple up of Bamford, Raphinha and Stuart Dallas (£5.0m) from Marcelo Bielsa’s troops.

Pro Pundit Plans

Along with Jack Harrison, the other players who could exploit the weakness down Southampton’s right side are Timo Werner (£9.2m) and Marcos Alonso (£5.7m).

I get the feeling that [Alonso] could drop a 15-pointer in any game if he continues in the same attacking vein. It looks like Tuchel is going to persist with the 3-4-3 formation and his comments with regards to Alonso seems particularly encouraging.

– Lateriser

As high-flying Pro Pundit Andy mentioned, the Spaniard offers massive potential at both ends of the pitch if you can cope with him missing the odd game.

Chelsea were picked out by both Andy and Lateriser due to their appealing fixtures, despite a difficult-looking Gameweek 26.

West Brom, Leeds and Palace are all in the bottom three for expected goals conceded this season, with Everton the seventh-worst team in the league. The fixtures from Gameweek 27 look prime for goals.

– Andy

Werner, who has started Chelsea’s last four matches under new boss Thomas Tuchel, has accumulated the joint-highest number of big chances (five) over the last four Gameweeks. 

Lateriser also noted that for those who are not Wildcarding in Gameweeks 25/26, there is a decent fixture swing in Gameweek 31, and it could be a good time to Wildcard. Something fellow Pro Pundit Az is planning to do, his thinking no doubt supported by some colourful spreadsheets!

Meanwhile, Werner was not one of the forward options being considered by Hall of Fame No 1 Fábio Borges.

The consistent top 10,000 manager is looking to replace the injured Michail Antonio (£6.6m) in his side and, after running the rule over several candidates, it boiled down to getting Danny Ings now or benching Antonio before buying Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) for Double Gameweek 26.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

This is your last chance to enter the open-to-all Fantasy Football Scout Cup with qualifying for the first round taking place in Gameweek 25. Qualifying for the Members Cup – entry for Premium Members only – gets underway in Gameweek 26.

A total of £300 in prizes is available across the two tournaments.

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

Impressively, the two main FFScout mini-leagues are the top two Leagues in FPL, followed by Andy’s own mini-league. Well done to the top five managers in each of those mini-leagues.

There’s been another small tweak this week by Mat (aka matzi11a) to the fixtures and results displayed on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page.

From now on the scores and tables will update each night, so managers can see how they are getting on as the Gameweek unfolds.

The fixtures for Gameweek 25 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

2,870 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Thoughts on WC team please? Still have FH

    Areola, Martinez
    Cancelo, Stones, Targett, Pereria Struijk
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Raphina, Barnes
    Kane, Ings, Bamford

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Extremely similar to mine. I'm starting struijk over Gundo too

    2. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      smashing. Not tempted by Alonso instead of Pereria?

      1. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        How nailed is Alonso?

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I like Sanchez more than Areola for the next few. Bench headache maybe

    4. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Ings overrated. Does he have a double in 26?

  2. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Start Soucek or Cancello?

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Cancelo

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Im scared of Cancello cameo

  3. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Grealish > Barnes? On WC

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yes

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I prefer Barnes anyway.

    3. PatrickDawson1976
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I heard a rumour that Jack Grealish wasn't seen in training and that he is injured, don't know the extent .....

      1. Earwicker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Watching too much Umbrella Academy?

  4. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Think i'll be saving my wild card then!

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      +1

    2. NoName
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Same. Might WC next gw and save BB for later.

      1. estheblessed
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Think I can still get a decent Bench boost team and use WC after 29. Might have to take a few hits but it is what it is.

    3. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Aye. Will probably BB next week anyway - maybe with a hit or 2 and use the WC later on.

      1. estheblessed
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Glad we are thinking the same!

    4. ajk1211
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      +1

  5. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Cavani to Ings? Or roll ft?

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Lowton Dallas
    Sterling Salah Bruno Raphinha
    Antonio Bamford(C) Cavani

    Pope Gundo Coufal Justin

    1ft, 0.8itb

    1. ajk1211
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I have the same dilemma but currently keeping and rolling the FT for next week

  6. NoName
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Sterling to Son worth a hit?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      No. Maybe next week

    2. DickFranDyke
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yes, I would

    3. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Sterling to Jonjo Shelvey is worth a hit

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        This. +2

    4. NoName
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Thanks all.

  7. DickFranDyke
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Pope to McCarthy for a hit?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      lol no.

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      No chance. I have both and I’m playing Pope.

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Only if you're TC'ing him.

    4. DickFranDyke
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      It forms more of a bigger plan to get Kane next week though as I need to dump Pope eventually.

  8. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    will Shaw get 4 more than Dunk over next 2 games?

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      No imo

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      If you’re not WCing, remember that Dunk has a good fixture in 29.

  9. Dreams
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Pope
    Dunk Cancel Dallas
    Bruno Salah Sterling Raph
    Ings Watkins Bamford
    Guaita Stones Soucek Coufal
    0ft
    Gtg?

  10. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    On WC, would you have Bamford, Raphina & Ings if in BB26?. I'll have to keep at least maybe even 2 for BB

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I really don't see how you can wildcard this week and not have all three?

    2. DickFranDyke
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yes, take hits to get out next week if you must

  11. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Would you do:

    Gundo--->Raphinha for free?

    Gonna lose 0.3 on Gundo whem I get him back on WC next GW. Thanks

    1. teknicolourfox
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      No

  12. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Antonio & Sterling to Kane & Gundo -4
    or
    Antonio / Sterling / Bissouma to Kane / Gundo / Raph - 8

    Either of them worth it?

  13. giroudsgirlfriend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Play one:

    A: Harvey Barnes
    or
    B: Gundogan

    Kind of got that feeling Gundo will come in around 60th minute or so

    1. teknicolourfox
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Gundo with thirty mins against a tired squad could still haul

  14. jimmyharte
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Bench 1.

    Mee, Gundogan, Cancelo or Dias?

    Cheers

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Mee

  15. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Pope
    Cancelo Dias Lowton
    Salah Bruno Son Gündo Raphinha
    Ings Bamford

    (Martinez DCL Cresswell Mitchell)
    -4

    G2G?

    Looking at wildcarding next week for DGW26.

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Lovely team

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Cheers mate!

  16. M2.0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    a) Stones, Cancelo, Stujk
    b) Stones, shaw,Dallas

  17. wagner is king
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    start Barnes or gundo

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Barnes

  18. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Richarlison > Ings for a hit?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Worth it if you want Ings long term

  19. Triple J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Who to play. Gundogan or Sterling?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Sterling

  20. MMN
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Watkins
    B) Mee
    C) Stones

  21. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Is Struijk considered a safe option for the next few GW's or nah?

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Don't think we know whether he would still be good for gw29

      1. Jimmy Boy
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Not bothered by GW29 as I have FH, just hoping he'll be of some use for my BB26

  22. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Which combo - currently a3 but worried about Cancelo
    a) Pope b) Martinez
    1) Targett 2) Mee 3) Cancelo

  23. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Folks, Should I take a -4 to swap DCL to Ings or should I just start Gundogan?

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Just start DCL.

  24. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    captain--Bruno or Bamford?

    and what chip strategies to plan? was planning to WC 25 and BB 26, but additional fixtures are not announced

  25. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Is Cresswell and DCL to Shaw and Ings worth a -4?

    Still have WC and FH but looking to BB in 26 using only transfers.

  26. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    If I play BB but don’t use my FT, will I have 2FT the next game week? Or does the chip reset it whether I use my transfer or not?

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      2FT. Only FH and WC reset transfers.

  27. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Vardy or Timo for this week only, next week it'll be Kane

    1. KAALI_DAAL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Timo

  28. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Don't you have a feeling that Sterling might be benched? Pep said there will be another players.

  29. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Bamford EO this GW?

  30. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Repost quick question

    Gundo--->Raphinha for free?

    Gonna lose 0.3 on Gundo whem I get him back on WC next GW. Thanks