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. lekalatch
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you pick on WC?
    A) Shaw
    B) Pereira

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      B

    3. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      im on both

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    5. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve gone A.

    6. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both

  2. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Mee
    Salah Bruno Sterling Maddy
    Ings Bamford Cavani

    Fraser, Coufal, Mitchell, Bissouma

    Maddy to Raphinha (-4) yes or no ?

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

      No

  3. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KdB should start this weekend?

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

      Growing chance probably

  4. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Quick shoot guys, Captain:

    A) Bamford
    B) Raphinha
    C) Bruno

    Thanks

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

      A

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

      A

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A thanking you gents

    4. fn.jota
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      boring A

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        haha yeah, may as well protect and hold ground before big doubles i guess, rapha differential enough in itself i suppose

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

    Pick one for each bucket please:

    ...Cancelo or Stones

    ...Watkins or Adams

    ...Pope or McCarthy

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

      CWM

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

        do you think this is worth a BB being played? the 4th player would be Rudiger

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

      C, W, P

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

      CAM - although a bit risky given how poor Southampton have been, but may as well go for it on a DGW

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

        Could play my BB, Rudiger would also be on the bench

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

          Not a bad shout. If only the next DGW fixtures had been announced it would be easier to say whether or not there's a better BB option ahead!

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

    Regret Wcing due to my schedule and not being able to plan but have BB left and no FH.

    Hows this. Taking a risk on Fulham getting DGW 26.

    Martinez - Areola
    Dias - Cancelo - Rudiger - Dallas - Aina
    Fernandes - Salah - Grealish - Gundogan - Raphinina
    Bamford - Kane - Ings

    I need help. Hold back no punches and tell me what I need to do because I haven't go to do much research

    A better defender than Aina maybe?

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

      Salah to Son and Rudiger to TAA if you have money.

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

      Get a Brighton in defence ahead of double Fulham - decent fixture in 26 and good one in 29.

    3. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo to Pereira
      Aina to Shaw

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

    A - Antonio -> Watkins
    B - Antonio -> Ings
    C - Save FT

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

  8. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish > Raphinha (-4)
    Will likely be WC GW26

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

      Yes

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

      Only if you are definitely WCing. Definitely wouldn’t do if you’re not certain on WCing

  9. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please help!

    Stones (have Dias and Gundo) and Ricardo
    or
    Alonso and Soyuncu.

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

      Stones and Ricardo. Ricardo has goalscoring potential

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

      SR

    3. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would advise agaist Stones at this moment in time. Leaves room for third city if kdb when necessary.

      Alonso appears attractive but I think it could he a false attraction. He is no spring chicken, injury imminent..

      Rudiger offers great value into che defence at 4.6.

      Not really gone in soyuncu either but your choice.

      To recap:
      A modified b)

      Rudiger and another

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If you believe you dont want kdb in the future or are prepared to drop gundo for him then Stones appears a sound option.

        Stones Rudiger

  10. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    take a hit for dcl to ings?

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

      Probably not

  11. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start gundo or foden?

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

      Same situation. Starting Foden.

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thinking if I start gundo then foden will come in as first sub if he doesn't play. It's a tricky one

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

          Yep. But if Gundo makes the bench he might feature for 1p cameo.

          1. tbos83
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Good point

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

    On -4. Worth a WC to change things up?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Dallas
    Salah Sterling Bruno Grealish Hames
    Bamford (c) Watkins

    Forster; Lowton, Brewster, Coufal

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

      Nope, good enough to survive one more week

  13. Sir France's Bacon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Cancelo Dias Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan Soucek
    Bamford DCL

    Martinez Watkins Taylor Digne

    2FT, No FH, WC 30

    A) Soucek -> Raphinha + 1FT
    B) Soucek + Coufal -> Raphinha + Dallas

  14. jai1212
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you loose Salah Son or Kane to accomodate Vardy?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      None

    2. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

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

      Don

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

      Probably none, but if your arm is twisted: Son.

  15. Ibra
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson + Lowton -> Ings + Mitchell

    Yes or no?

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

      Yes if Mitchell is 5th

  16. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news about Cancelo?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve decided to bench him for Alonso.

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Which is only news for me I suppose.

        Just based on likelihood of a start on my opinion.

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

    A) Antonio Soucek and Holding to Ings Raphina and Struijk - 8

    B) Cavani Soucek and Holding to 8ngs Raphina and Dallas - 8

    C) Just Cavani and Soucek to Ings and Raphina -4

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

      C

  18. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo (ARS) or Watkins (LEI) first sub? If Grealish is out...

  19. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who’d you rather have come off the bench in the event Grealish doesn’t play?

    A. Lowton (WBA)
    B. Cresswell (TOT)

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

      A

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cresswell

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A.

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

      Lowton.

  20. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1:

    A( Struijk
    B) Stones
    C) Lowton

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      I have all 3 and Lowton is my first bench.

  21. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to put 1st on bench?
    A. Bednarek
    B. Mee

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

      Not playing DGW bednarek? I'd put him first sub if no room

  22. h3nh3n
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pick two:
    A gundogan
    B Sterling
    C Lookman
    D Cancelo

    Cheers

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

      B, D I think

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

    Ings or Kane for -4 peeps?

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

      Kane

  24. GCM0803
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do
    Grealish, Antonio > raphinha, Ings for free ?

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

      I'm doing just that.

    2. makivelja
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      100% yes since both Grealish and Antonio are questionable and u get 4 games for 2 players for free 🙂

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

      Yes

  25. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start one from each?

    A) Pope
    B) McCarthy

    1) Mee
    2) Struijk

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

    30 minutes to deadline, blood pressure is going through the roof

  27. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On WC, best def 4.7 or below

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

      Rudiger or White

    2. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      White and Rüdiger are good shouts.

      1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Add Ola Aina to the mix.

  28. makivelja
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Quick question guys, who will bring more points this GW?

    A: Salah
    B: Sterling

    Thanks

  29. 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/Grealish and Watkins -4 perhaps

    Every other transfer until 29 bring in GW29 playing guys

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

      Same situation to me, I’m not a fan of Dier being a rotation risk, rudiger doesn’t have the best double, but should start most games now.

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

        Who is best most certain to play Tot Def to have?

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

      Looks good but only 2 Man City? You’ll want 3 for 26.
      I wouldn’t get McCarthy. Best to get Sanchez or Pope

  30. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start two - Gundogan, Cavani, Adams.

    Adams doesn’t seem to start now and Gundogan/Cavani may be injured. Only two other subs I have are Stones and Targett

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm starting Cavani, Gundogan and Stones.

      1. Rbyrne95
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Stones over Adams then?