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

    Play one:

    A. DCL
    B. Targett
    C. Gundogan
    D. Dias

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      C

    2. 21VK12
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Gundo and 1st sub DCL. DCL has returned against all big teams this season

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      C

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

      Cheers All

  2. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    RMWCT BB 26 team (ofc I’ll have Bamford this week)

    Martinez Areola
    Elmo Shaw Dias Ricardo Stones
    Bruno Salah Gundogan Barnes Rapinha
    Watkins Ings Kane

    1. Genji3lade
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Great team.

      Do you expect El mo to start both? May downgrade Targett if that is the case

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

    Pope (WBA) or Areola (SHU)?

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

      Pope

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

    Captain:

    A) Bamford
    B) Raphina

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Bamford seems a safer bet

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

      B but only because I prefer the differential

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

      Should be Bamford

  5. Red Star Toro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    A) soucek -> raphinia for -4, bench Stones
    B) play Stones and Dias, Soucek first bench

    Please help

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

      A

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      A

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      A - but I went Harrison.

  6. Nerdlinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Start:

    a) TAA (EVE) or
    b) Mee (WBA)

    Cheers

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

      Mee

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

    If there is no DGW-announcement before deadline, can they still put it in GW26 or will the fixtures then be in GW27?

    Considering Calwert-Lewin to Ings, but wouldn't do it if DCL have double gameweek next GW

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yes they can.

  8. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I'm going (R)aphina! I have Bam, but will enjoy the thrill. Good luck all

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Captain? I am tempted too

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

        Yep I'm on Raph. Just brought him in too. Have Bamford

      2. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Yes, Captian. Still have Bamford too, but want to Cap Raphina (could be a big payday).

  9. tobias.be
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Front three with cavani - antonio - bamford.
    A) Antonio -> ings
    B antonio -> kane

  10. ClaireT
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Done Antonio to Ings. Have 1 more FT left, anything else worth doing with that? 4.5 itb.

    Pope, Martinez
    Dallas, James, Dias, Cancelo, Creswell
    Raphinha, Bruno, Rashford, Tielemans, Lingard
    Watkins, ;Bamford, Ings

  11. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Transfers done. Good luck everyone!

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Good luck!

  12. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    I would BB my bench: Soucek, Stones, Tarkowski, Martinez but I am worried about Antonio and Cancelo and Sterling playing who are in my first 11, so thinking of forgetting the BB.

    Play it or not play it?

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

      no idea. I just WC and got rid of Justin, Button, Raz, Holding, Antonio.
      Relived.

  13. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Those with no FH when are you using your wc?

    1. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I'm thinking around gw31 or later. Not a common strat I've seen here but I like to take a few calculated risks

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

      10 mins ago

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

    Who would you prefer to have this GW..

    KDB or Kane?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Kane

  15. StingRay
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    It sounds like Gundogan will not be risked, so l will bench him. I was going to replace him with Ollie Watkins, but DCL is a better forward, wot with being a derby, rested and a leaky Liverpool defence.

    Also Everton have a potential DDGW 26 of SOU & wba.

    Whatcha thk of this logic?

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      did Pep give an update?

    2. The Prophet
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      I’ve done the same. Fear the one point gundy cameo so left him out for DCL.

  16. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Bit panicky here...is this team set up correctly? Hoping the bench covers any absentees. Thanks

    Thanks

    Pope (martinez)
    Cancelo dias dallas (lowton coufal)
    Salah Bruno grealish gundogan raphinha
    Dcl bamford (c) (watkins)

    Thanks

    1. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      looks good man!

    2. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Looks good. I’m mostly concern about a Gundo cameo myself... So i think I will bench him.

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

      Exact same (except Areola instead of Martinez)

      Good luck

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

        Good luck boys!!

  17. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Cavani to Ings for free?

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Yes

  18. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Is Grealish a doubt?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      He's not a doubt. He's either playing or out injured.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        That sounds like a doubt for me

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

        Very certain statement, no doubt.

  19. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Will I get more points than anyone else this week?

  20. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Final Round!
    Select one of each:

    ...Cancelo or Stones

    ...Watkins or Adams

    ...Pope or McCarthy

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      A
      A
      A

  21. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Do you think grealish will play?

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Doesn’t look like it at this moment

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 28 days ago

      No I don’t.

  22. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    Play Areola or Martinez ?

  23. TRE2
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 28 days ago

    What is the latest news on Cavani?

  24. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 28 days ago

      Unsexy question but who do you guys think is more nailed, Burn or Veltman? Neither were first choice as the season began

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        I think about similar. Burn is cheaper so go Burn.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 28 days ago

            Cheers

        2. Boomerang V
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          If Lamptey is back Veltman should be dropped. Burn has a new competitor back from loan as well so I would go White

      2. shapply
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Play one:
        A) Gundo
        B) Soucek

        1. markus808
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          lol, a)

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

            Gundo might play 10 mins

            1. Muchentuchel
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 28 days ago

              naaaah Pep hardly does these things.

            2. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 28 days ago

              Don't say that! I've just put him back in my starting line up and extracted Antonio!

      3. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        The usual benching headache...

        A. Son (whu)
        B. Foden (ars)
        C. Watkins (LEI)

        Currently thinking B.??

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

          That is tough... Probably C if i were in your shoes.

          1. Meme2011
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 28 days ago

            Out of the 3 I’ve gone C

      4. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Antonio to Ings or Kane for a hit???

      5. TheOneAndOnly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Start DCL or Gundo?

        1. Gandalf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          Gundo, would like to think he wouldn't have a cameo and would have a full rest if not fully fit

      6. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 28 days ago

        Soucek of DCL first sub?

        1. markus808
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          DCL, but maybe even play DCL?

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

        Start one

        A. Cancelo (ars)
        B. Gundagan
        C. Barnes(avl)
        D. Rudiger (sou)

        1. Boomerang V
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 28 days ago

          B