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. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo to Shaw on WC? Leaves a city spot aswell as money itb to get KDB for next week if he looks good

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

      yeah, thinking of doing a similar move. The only thing holding me back is that Cancelo maybe misses this week and then plays both in the double.

  2. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why is McCarthy such a hot pick with 2 difficult fixtures?

    Chelsea on form now, can't see Saints keeping a CS there and then away to Leeds who are so very likely to score. I think a SGW player could outscore him

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

      Is he a hot pick?

      1. DV8R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm seeing a lot of people playing him over SGW GKs like Martinez or Pope

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

      Don't see him in many teams tbh
      Also seems a very small chance that he could be dropped

    3. The Bad Seed
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      im on WC. Got Areloa and Mccarthy just now.

      Apart from this gw, and maybe the next (yes both doubles) - has an amazing run.

      Rotates pretty well with areola

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

      Maybe ppl who have him don't want to spend a transfer on a gk

    5. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Double-gameweek players always get pretty warm.
      I think earlier in the season he'd 100% have merited hotness (regardless of fixtures) but I agree the Saints seem off the pace at the moment and these fixtures aren't great for cleanies. Longterm he's not a bad pick and is certainly better value than some (although I did jettison him myself).

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

    With Palace being toothless, is it genius or madness to double up on Brighton's defense?

    1. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Braveness. 😉

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

    Antonio to

    A) Ings
    B) Kane

    Thanks

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

      A

      then B next week

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

        Was thinking of the same. Cheers.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings, and then Ings to Kane next week.

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

        That’s the plan. Cheers

    3. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm getting a bit nervous at not having Ings. I went treble Leeds over 2 Leeds and 1 Saint...
      Can't justify a hit for him, but i'd be happier with Danny in my team.

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

        Don’t really trust him now but its a week punt, why not. Going for Kane next week for him.

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

    Raphinha or Saka+8?

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

    Need help Mate

    1) Do -4 to have this :

    McCarthy (Martinez)
    Stones, Dallas, Cancelo (Konsa and Justin)
    Son, Fernandes, Sterling, Raphinha (Grealish)
    DCL, Bambam, Cavani

    2) Or WC to this :

    McCarthy (Martinez)
    Stones, Dallas, Shaw (Konsa and Kilman)
    Son, Fernandes, Gundo, Raphinha (Grealish)
    Vardy, BamBam, Ings

    First to 3 win ! Really need help mate. Thanks

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

      wouldnt do mcarthy. They have less chance of a double. Personally would WC

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

      1

  7. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    6.3 in the bank. What the hell.

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

      Arsenals transfer budget?

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

      Roll

  8. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one

    A) Gundo
    B) Barnes

  9. Dazzled water
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Coufal to Dallas for -4?

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

      No

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

    On WC.

    Kane this week, or Werner this week and swap for Kane next?

    1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get in Kane. You may want that transfer for injurys

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

      Kane this week

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

    Cancelo or Alonso till GW28?

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

      Canc.

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

        Cheers. Squeezing pennies. Alonso is a fave.

        1. Elfozzie 42
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Alonso is a hero. No love for Azpi? (More reliable starts)

  12. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    lmao
    50 minutes until deadline, and team lineup for ManCity still not published

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

      Why is that so funny

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

      Who did you recommend?

    3. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is Pep known for handing out the lineup two days in advance?

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

    Isn't selecting Man City defence risky this week (playing Arsenal) and also with rotation risk. Stones and Dias firmly om my bench.

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

      What would you do with Cancelo?

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

        I don't have him but same dilemma as Stones and Dias

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well it's them or Holding and Coufal so they start

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have Stones and Cancelo

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

        I'm playing Dallas, Lowton and Cresswell..the latter is my main concern but he always seems to pop up with the goods

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

      I think we’re going to play our B team against Man City because of the 2nd league in Europa league on Thursday. Not sure if we’ll score.

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

        Hope not with my selection...is Aubameyang back on form in your opion

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

    Anyone keeping the faith with Ben Crellin and going for WC this week, BB next week?

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

      no chance

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

      always have faith in BC

      that dude is alright

    3. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I'm all in. Why not, this game is more fun when you take risks

    4. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bench boost is a pull I grant you (I wasted mine earlier sadly), but without clarity on fixtures for 26 (and beyond) it doesn't seem worth the effort. I'm sitting on WC to 25 at least.

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

    Which one should I bench here?

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

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

      Wow that's a headache

      Gundo?

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

      Difficult one, Son only just for me... or Cavani.

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

      Son - if you think Kane is hurt.

      Cavani- if you think he won't play

      Salah ? his recent returns, along with Son no longer justify ownership.... i emphasize recent

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

    GTG?

    Pope
    Shaw Cancelo Dallas
    Salah Sterling Bruno Gundogan Raphinha
    Bamford(C) Ings(vc)

    Martinez DCL Mee Coufal

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

      g2g mate

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

        Cheers pal. Good luck

    2. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Absolutely GTG. I'm looking enviously at the Ings pick (otherwise similar)

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

    Bottomed.

    A) Son and DCL
    Or
    B) Neto and Kane

    ??

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

    Better opinion to transfer in
    a) Dier
    b) Davies
    Cheers and GL!

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

      both are worthless

      unless you are forced to own a Spur defender or something

    2. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What's your thinking on a Spurs defender? Is this a long-term move?
      I think West Ham could easily score against them this week.

  19. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G? Think out of Dias and Cancelo the latter is more likely to be rested here...

    Sanchez
    Dias, Shaw, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno, Barnes, Raph, JWP
    Kane, Bamford (C), Watkins

    The plan is to do Dallas, JWP > Periera, Gundo (-4) for the DGW next week.

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well, I totally messed that up

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

      This WC, like the options

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, bench is:

        Martinez; Watkins, Cancelo, El Moh.

        Have to be careful because I don’t have FH, so one eye on GW29.

  20. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    what a week

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

      7 days just like any other.

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

    Bench one

    A. Antonio
    B. Gundogan
    C. DCL

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

      Antonio

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

      A, easy

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

      B

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

      DCL probably. Easier decision if you have defenders in any of the opposing teams.

  22. S3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Cancelo, Stones, Vestergaard
    Salah, Gundogan, Fernandes, Son, Barnes
    Bamford, Antonio

    Martine, DCL, Cresswell, Holding

    Dead ending team and Wildcarding next GW

    A) Antonio -> Ings
    B) Barnes -> Raphinha (C)
    C) Antonio + Barnes -> Ings + Raphinha (C) (-4)
    D) Holding + Barnes -> Dallas + Raphinha (C) (-4)
    E) Holding + Barnes + Antonio -> Dallas + Raphinha (C) + Ings (-8)

  23. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    RMWCT (some differential picks)

    Martinez/Ederson
    Stones/Dunk/Dallas/Shaw/Rudiger
    Salah/Gundogan/Fernandes/Smith-Rowe/Raphinha
    Kane/Ings/bamford

    1.9 ITB for Raph to Barnes in GW26 & maybe upgrade ESR
    any suggestions?

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bb team? Keeping esr with Arsenal's one fixture and him being a rotation risk?

        1. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          suggest a decent 5th mid?

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

      Evening my brothers and sisters. Complete madness in here.
      - 1 FT -
      Would you do Cavani -> Ings or save?

      For contecst: I'm currently starting Cavani and Gundo with Antonio first sub

      Thanks all, and GL with the Gameweek!

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

      Soucek or Stones first on bench please?

      1. djman102
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Soucek for me

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

          Thanks. Yes me too.

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

        This is the typical GW for soucek to score. When everybody benches him.

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

      Start Pope or Mendy?

    5. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Che Adams haul needed.

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

      Just not pictured in training to little reason to transfer Grealish out for Raphina, right?

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

        I did it because of Raphina fixtures

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

      Good to save FT? 1FT 0.3itb

      Martinez
      Dias Dallas Mee
      Son Sterl Bruno Greal Raph
      Bamford Ings
      (Johnstone, Antonio, Stones, Justin)

    8. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Triple Captain Bamford?

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

        Could be good!

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

        No, Wolves game could be tricky