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. 420king
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you BB this bench just to get this chip over with? I really don't want to my WC team around it....

    Martinez, Stones, Mee, Burke

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

      eeeeugh!

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah...but I can't wait to build my WC team around it to get 10 points, then be stuck with expensive bench players I don't need later...

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

          True that. Worst chip.

      2. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You can always log off, sunshine.

  2. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guessing we won’t have fixture news before the deadline then?

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

      Seems so

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

      It's Friday evening. They're on the beer at this stage.........

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

      #TrustInCrellin

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

        Are you WCing?

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

      #don’trustBenCrelin

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

      cd for me

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

    Any feedback on this WC draft (may not hit the button):

    Martinez Sanchez
    Cancelo Pereira Dallas Shaw Rudiger
    Salah Bruno Barnes Gundogan Raphinha
    Kane Ings Bamford

    0 ITB. Main question is it better to have two City defenders in there and if Pereira is a bit of a risky pick?

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

      very nice. Similar to mine but went with areola

      are you gonna hit the button regardless? I think I am

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

        Yeah I think I will
        Not ideal but had zero DGW25ers in my current team so would need a hit anyway to get Bamford etc.

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

      Looks good. Pereira isn't any more of a risk than a 2nd City defender imo.

  5. Defochibe
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please pick 1 to play

    A. Ashley Barnes
    B. Warkins
    C. Son

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

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

    Good ebening.
    Stephens and Richarlison out.
    Raphina and ings in. - 4
    ?? Need some feedback before I push confirm.

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

      I'd do it. If they play 60 both games, you've made up the hit already.

  7. myteamissheeeeeeeet
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Help needed please.

    Antonio to

    A. Kane -4
    B. Ings -4
    C. Play Antonio

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

      B

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

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

    Kane or Werner on WC this week?

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

      Kane

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

    Triple Captain Bamford anyone?

  10. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mcarthy
    Cresswell Cancelo Shaw
    Sterling Salah Bruno Soucek
    Bam Antonio Ings

    Forster / Bissouma / Holding / Neco

    A. Sterling & Neco to KDB & Dallas -4
    B. Sterling & Bissouma to KDB & Raph -4
    C. Sterling & Bissouma to Gundo & Raph - 4 (Allows Antonio to Kane GW26)

  11. In Bale We Trust
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope or McCarthy to start?

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

      McCarthy

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

    A. Play DCL
    B Antonio>Ings (-4) and play Ings (have Gundogan & Grealish starting)

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

      B

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

        Thanks

  13. lawsy009
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ayling to Dallas for a -4 too sideways to make it worthwhile?

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

      Could be The week ayling finally outscores dallas

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

    Thoughts appreciated!!

    WC25 to BB26 and no FH left for 29
    McCarthy
    Cancelo Shaw Dallas
    Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha
    Kane Ings Bam

    Martinez Barnes Rudiger Dier

    26 - Raph and Ings to Neto and Watkins -4 perhaps

    Every other transfer until 29 bring in GW29 playing guys

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

      dier is rotated and saints may not have a double

  15. jg7u
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    You guys think Dan Burn will keep his place for GW29?

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

      Yes

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

    Quick picks

    A. Goalkeeper
    1. Pope (WBA)
    2. McCarthy (CHE+LEE)

    B. Defender
    1. Konsa (LEI)
    2. Coufal (TOT)

    (C)APTAIN
    1. Bruno
    2. Bamford
    3. Ings
    4. Raphina

  17. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Raph a differential (c)?

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

      Yes. But I like it.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate doing it

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

      Not particularly I suspect - over half a million transfers in this week and counting, Bamford will be the popular pick but Raph EO at the top end will be very high

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

    On a WC:

    A) Rudiger + Dunk + Raphina (leaves me 3 leeds players to bench DGW26 - No BB)
    B) Rudiger + Burn + Foden
    C) C.Taylor + Veltman/White + Foden

  19. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any word in presser from Pep on Cancelo fitness?

  20. Deeney-is-a-god
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    are struijk nailed or should I just go ayling or cooper?

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

    Good to go?

    Pope
    Lowton, Dias, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundo, Raphinha
    Bamford(c) , Ings

    Martinez, DCL, Stones, Coufal
    0.8 itb

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

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

  23. Kermit Special
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Gundo or Son?

  24. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Worth bench boosting this lot?

    Martinez Stones Digne DCL

  25. UpTheCherries
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC/BB team GTG fellas?

    McCarthy/Areola Martinez
    Shaw Cancelo Holgate ElMo Struijk
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo Raphinha
    Kane Ings Watkins

    0.1ITB Thoughts greatly appreciated

    1. Sylvester the Investor
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford for captain this week, then transfer in Watkins next week

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

    Is bringing in Dallas for a hit worth it if it means benching Dias or mee?

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

    Which second choice keeper should I go for for BB next week?

    Mccarthy
    Areola
    Sanchez?

  28. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Tarkowski
    Salah Son Bruno Gundagon
    Antonio Bamford Cavani

    Steele Soucek Konsa Holding

    Cavani/Soucek and Holding to Ings/Raphina and Dallas -8 or

    Antonio/Soucek and Holding to Ings Raphina and Struijk

    Cheers

  29. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Order of bench advise please:

    Mee (west brom); Antonio (spurs); stones (arsenal)

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

    Start
    A) Gundogan
    B) Son