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. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone losing grealish for a hit?

    I'm looking at players who play gw29 and can't afford son...v few options....

    Seems to be barkley only

    Or Barnes/ maddison who doesn't play 29

    Thanks

    1. PatrickDawson1976
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

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

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

      Grealish is going to have 3 double gameweeks

      1. PatrickDawson1976
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I heard it is a 3-4 week injury

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

          Then post a source

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

      Your bench?

  2. Oldie99
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Everton fans,

    Will Digne play left wing again v Liverpool?

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

      I think they will set up similar in big matches

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

    Could you help me with the benchings plz?

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Mee Dallas
    Salah Bruno Gundagon Rafinha
    Watkins Bamf (c)

    - DCL Grealish Digne

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

    My defender. Who should i bench. Would like play 3 defenders:
    a) Cancelo
    b) DIgne
    c) Coufal
    d) Targett
    e) Rüdiger

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      BC

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

    I honestly don’t understand the fascination with Son - I see him as the weakest link in my team atm

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He scores lots of goals and assists

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

        Take a look at his history - hardly prolific of late (with or without Kane)

        1. El Lobito 10
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          No but he is streaky and he has two in two

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

      I'm not hugely convinced but playing in 29 is a big help

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You'll not be paying that on Sunday.

    4. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Im the same on wildcard still thinking about going maddison till gw29 then put in grealish (if fit)

    5. dansully3
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's electric man, could amass huge scores in the next few

    6. SH1M1
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He’s only gone more then 2 games without blanking once ...

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

        Has blanked 7 of the 10 though

        May well lose him for Barnes sometime soon. Werner coming in for Watkins/Bamford would be part of the deal perhaps. Tricky before 29 but ...

        1. SH1M1
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Tbh he’s been unlucky in some of those blanks, hit the post vs Fulham & had a goal ruled out for offside vs Liverpool. Also don’t forget the quality of teams Spurs have been playing.

          With Kane back he’s more likely to do damage consistently.

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

            Agreed really

            Got him in last week on WC. Regret losing Barnes that's all.

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

    Repost

    Gundo--->Raphinha for free?

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

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

  7. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lowton or Dias?

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

      Have the exact same dilemma, not sure

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

    Bench order
    Digne
    Targett
    Saka
    ??

  9. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo, Stones, AWB
    Bruno, Salah, Sterling, Grealish, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford
    (Button, Antonio, Coufal, Mitchell)

    2 free transfers, do I do the following?
    Sterling, Soucek, Antonio - Gundo, Raphinha, Kane (-4)

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

    Bench one:

    A) Mee
    B) Stones
    C) Cancelo

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  11. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. KdB and DCL
    B. Kane and Barnes

  12. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So im wildcarding next gw
    So when should i use the TC chip
    Is there good double gameweeks after 26

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

      There will be options sometimes to TC someone from Spurs or ManCity

  13. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    re-post:
    captain--Bruno or Bamford?

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

  14. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Edinson to Ingsy? Yes or no?

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

    Pope Gundo Coufal Justin

    1ft, 0.8itb

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

      yes

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

    Please reply

    A. Play DCL
    B. Play Antonio
    C. DCL to Ings for -4 and bench Antonio

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      B

    3. aardvark22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm playing DCL in same position

    4. DickFranDyke
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C.

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C, Ings has 2 games

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

        yeah, but will he score in both?

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

      C fo sho

  16. aardvark22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Martinez or Mendy?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mendy

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

      Marti

  17. FPL Tikka
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Watkins or Antonio?

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

      Watty

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins

  18. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good or Bad moves

    Gündoğan > Raphinha
    DCL > Ings

    -4 both

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

    Gundog or watkins to play this week ?

  20. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench decisions okay?

    Martinez
    Dallas Cancelo Lowton
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo Barnes
    (c)Bamford Watkins

    Forster Dias DCL Coufal

  21. giroudsgirlfriend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Barnes or Gundo?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo is out

      1. dansully3
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        According to....

  22. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Just read the quote from Pep and there's no way in hell Gundo is playing...

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

      What did he say?

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

        Not even back in full training yet.

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

      Course not. Saved for the CL.

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

      Just had a week off and Pep last week said “if he’s fit, he’s going to play”.

    4. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Link?

  23. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sell Gundogan or Grealish for Raphinha?
    a)Gundogan
    b)Grealish
    c)Don’t buy Raphinha?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. teknicolourfox
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  24. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On basis no smoke without fire worth doing Grealish to Son for -4 and playing this team?

    Pope
    Cancelo Dallas Robertson
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan Raphinha
    Bamford (c) Ings

    Martinez Watkins Tarkowski Coufal

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

      I wouldn't. You have decent bench

  25. damiang2233
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play 1 of the below?

    1. Targett
    2. Grealish
    3. Watkins

    Thoughts?

  26. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Final decision is whether to start Son or Gundo? Already have Kane and feel Spurs will struggle away to West Ham. We’ve seen what Gundo has done the last 2 games and he’s had a week off

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

      He's had a week off due to injury. I'd start Son this GW

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

      Pep comments not encouraging. I'm worried about a late cameo 1pointer off bench

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

        Fair enough then Son it is

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

        Same here, worried he's only going to get 15-20 mins tops for sharpness. Easier to bench, especially when I'm wcing this week so got a better bench to tap into

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

      Surely someone else can be benched instead. Gundo and son not benchable players for me

  27. Phlajo
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1 of
    A Digne
    B Dias
    C Lowton

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

      A

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

    Which one should 1 bench here?

    Salah - Son - Bruno - Gundo - Raphinha
    Bamford - Ings - Cavani

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cavani might be injured?

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cavani

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

      Cavani might not play

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

    1 hour 15 left to bottle my Bamford (TC)

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

      Good luck

    2. teknicolourfox
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Madness

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

    Likely Bamford EO?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      High