Scout Picks

Double Gameweek 26 Scout Picks built on Man City and Everton assets

Players from Manchester City and Everton form the spine of our Double Gameweek 26 Scout Picks XI.

In a side chosen by David, Neale, Tom and Andy, we have included two players from both clubs ahead of a bumper round of fixtures.

We line up a in a 3-4-3 formation again, which comes in bang on our budget of £83.0m.

GOALKEEPER

Gameweek 21 Scout Picks features another Man City triple-up

Fulham’s Alphonse Areola (£4.5m) regains his place in goal for the Scout Picks XI. Fulham face-off against two of the worst attacks in the league on recent form, with Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at the bottom of the expected goals (xG) table for the last six games. Fulham’s defence has also improved in recent weeks, with the Cottagers only conceding five goals in their last six games.

DEFENDERS

Ruben Dias (£6.1m) is the Manchester City defender most immune to Pep Guardiola’s rotation, so he makes the Scout Picks. The Portuguese international has been at the heart of City’s defensive improvements, with them only conceding 15 goals in 25 games. Their recent numbers are just as impressive, with only two big chances conceded in their last six games.

Full-back Lucas Digne (£6.1m) makes his return to the Scout Picks ahead of a juicy Double Gameweek for Everton. Only Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m) has created more goals than Digne this season, and has had nine more starts. The Toffees also face off against West Brom, who have conceded the most goals this season, and Southampton, with no recognised first team right-back available.

Budget player Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.3m) takes up the final spot in defence. Due to an injury to Matty Cash (£5.0m), Aston Villa manager Dean Smith confirmed El Mohamady will be getting a run of games at right-back. At a rock-bottom price and with his place assured in the team, El Mohamady should bring in a decent haul from games against Southampton and Leeds.

MIDFIELDERS

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) continues to produce some of the best attacking numbers in the league, despite Liverpool’s slide down the table. The Egyptian has had the most big chances of all midfielders in the last six games, scoring four goals in that time. With two fixtures in Double Gameweek 26 including one against bottom of the league Sheffield United, Salah looks set to add more attacking returns to his impressive tally.

A staple in the team of nearly every Fantasy manager, Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) retains his place in the Scout Picks. Fantasy Premier League’s highest scoring player has the most assists of any midfielder in the league, and Salah is the only midfielder to score more goals. Manchester United’s second game sees them travel to Palace, who have the worst expected goals conceded (xGC) rating of all Premier League teams in the last six matches.

The in-form Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) takes up the third slot in our midfield. Barnes has taken his game to another level this season, scoring an impressive nine goals from midfield. Salah and Sadio Mané (£11.8m) are the only midfielders to have had more shots in the box than Barnes this season, so we’re backing the Leicester star to continue the form which has seen him deliver double-digit hauls in his last two games.

Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m) takes up the final slot in our midfield. The German still offers incredible value in midfield, getting on the end of six big chances in his last six games, as well as having the highest xG and expected goal involvement (xGI) of all midfielders over that time period.

FORWARDS

Harry Kane (£11.1m) returns to lead the line for the Scout Picks in what could be a make or break Gameweek for Spurs’ season. Even after missing several games through injury, Kane is still joint-top goalscorer for forwards and has also had the most attempts on goal. Since returning from injury, the England international has also had the most shots in the box in the last three games.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin‘s (£7.7m) return to fitness sees him take up a spot in the Scout Picks. Calvert-Lewin has two plum fixtures against the league’s worst defence in West Brom, and against a Southampton side who have conceded 19 goals in six games. The England international had scored in consecutive games before his injury and will be a strong captaincy option for some.

With an ownership of just 0.5%, West Brom striker Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m) is a cracking differential option for Double Gameweek 26. Strong early displays have seen Diagne get on the end of five big chances in five games, and he has the highest xG rating of all forwards from the last four Gameweeks. If Diagne can start converting his impressive numbers into more goals against Brighton and a leaky Everton defence, then he will prove to be a powerful differential.

Substitutes

  • Sam Johnstone (£4.5m)
  • Luke Shaw (£5.1m)
  • Ola Aina (£4.5m)
  • Pedro Neto (£5.7m)

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because we use Fantasy Football Scout data so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Double Gameweek 26:

1,587 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Aina or B) Keane?

    1. ManUtdFan977
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aina also plays in GW29

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

        Thanks.
        Would you still pick him regardless of GW29?

        1. ManUtdFan977
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          yes because fullham defence looks quite good now

  2. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Could someone give me advice on how to improve this WC team please!

    Martinez
    Dias Targett Lowton
    Salah Bruno Son Barnes Gundo
    Kane DCL

    Forster Bamford Struijk Mitchell

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldnt own Burnley defender on WC

      1. ManUtdFan977
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lowton to Aina

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

        Agreed

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

      You've only got 2 City players

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have 2 City players on WC too. Saving one slot for Bruno to City Mid in GW 27 and TC.

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

          Hmm, feels like you're overthinking it, but good luck.

          1. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I think that's plan, not overthinking.

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

      You need 3 city - you might have to sacrifice Bamford to keep the expensive midfield five. Maybe get Burn (or any starter with 29 fixture) over Mitchell, as the latter’s minutes are so patchy).

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

    Bottomed...whatcha reckon?

    A) Ings -> DCL
    B) Sterling & Ings -> Son & Kane (-4)
    C) B) above + Tark -> Stones (-8)

    Pope
    Cancelo, Targett, Tarkowski
    Salah, Bruno, Sterling, Gundogan
    Bamford, Watkins, Ings

    Forster, Raphina, Mitchell, Coufal
    Bank 0.7m, 1FT, all chips/WC

    1. Chief Break-Everything
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B if you want to captain Kane.

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

      A

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

    Thoughts?

    A) Dallas to Stones (-4)
    B) Bamford to DCL (-4)
    C) Leave

    Both Dallas and Bamford will play as I'm BB

    1. Alli's Dele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A especially if you don't have triple City.

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

      So is he out or not?

  5. JP\'s
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Kane going to start both games this double gameweek?

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

      Yes

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

      Should do unless he gets injured

  6. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hey. I've been a paying member of Scout for years and don't like seeing my name dragged through mud re "rumours"

    So for clarity

    A couple of people told me Watkins was injured. One of which was somebody who leaked Grealish news last week. But they they then did clarify they thought this one was fishy.

    I wrote my tweet to call out either fake team leaks or Smith lying to us.

    Why everyone thinks I've started this rumour or I'm suddenly ITK is mystifying. I know nothing and until I hear otherwise... I own Watkins and he is going nowhere.

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No worries the Hindu monkey, we appreciate you sharing what you know, have a good game week.

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice one. Im shipping him on WC still.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        this

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

      Thanks for posting your info.

    4. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What makes the info fishy? Who started the rumor that DS is playing silly buggers here..

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

      So is he out or not?

    6. rnrd
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why would you write something very straightforward about Watkins being out in your tweet without mentioning the doubts you have about it then?
      You can’t blame people for calling it click baiting then

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I literally did. The tweet was about how somebody was lying.

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

      Thanks so much for sharing... I'm on WC and initially had Watkins, but had reservations about his supply without Grealish anyway...

      With the possible injury, I guess better to avoid

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What if Watkins plays and scores?

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

          He will !

    8. dogtanion
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What was supposed to have happened to him ?

    9. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can you confirm that you have since withdrawn the post about Watkins ??

    10. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks for supplying potentially helpful info.

      One question, do you trust your sources? I understand that they themselves are not sure but would still like your opinion on the sources.

    11. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So mods deleted One of the posts below calling OP out & kept post by HM Calling one member a clown ?
      Wow ...

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

    Help needed
    1. Areola and Keane or
    2. Pickford and Anna
    Thankyou if you will help me

    1. ManUtdFan977
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

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

        Thankyou

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1

  8. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G here?

    Areola
    Dias Stones Cancelo Shaw
    Salah (TC) Bruno Son Barnes Raphina
    DCL

    Martinez; Bamford, Antonio, Coufal

    Got here with just 1FT, not sure anything else is worth a hit?

  9. Tommo1888
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which combo?

    A. DCL and Reed

    B. Diagne and Lookman

    reasoning?

  10. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If you were on WC, how many players ideally would you want to field for GW29 (lower limit)??

    1. Tommo1888
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2 Spurs : Kane Son
      2 Brighton: Sanchez, Dunk
      2 Fulham: Aina , Maja/Lookman
      Monitoring Villa situation, probably 2 from there if performing
      I recon if you managed something like that you'd do fine

      1. NULL-X-VOID
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I've got Kane, reg, burn, Emi, Raph for now, keeping a FT to do Diagne to Maja for that week, thoughts?

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

      7-8 max. Don't let that GW blind you completely. It'll be a sh.te GW

      1. NULL-X-VOID
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I've got 5 for now, and thinking of saving 2fts to make it to 7 in the GW

    3. Alli's Dele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If I were WCing now probably 7 for this GW:

      - Kane
      - 3 playing AVL/FUL
      - 3 benched LEE/WHU/BRI

    4. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      cheers lads

  11. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    a) Matheus Pereira, Digne, Aurier (Lose Dallas)
    b) Diagne, Barnes, Reguilón (Lose Bamford)

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  12. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Martinez or Areola?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mart

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am starting Areola over Martinez. Partly to be different, also partly because I've watched AVL defend lately.

  13. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What do we think lads, WC complete. FH in hand for 29

    Martinez
    Dias Stones Shaw
    Bruno Salah Gundo Barnes
    Kane Vardy DCL

    Forster ESR Rudiger Struijk

    1.4ITB, do anything with it?

  14. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I still can't decide from this morning, so asking a new crowd:

    Which combination looks best?

    A) Ricardo Pereira + KDB
    B) Shaw + Salah

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A by a mile for me at least, huge huge upside if both haul

  15. Captain Warlock
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A or B thinking B personally am I overthinking it
    A) Lowton v tot/LEI
    B) Raphinha v AVL

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      in same position
      Raph

      1. Captain Warlock
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah can’t see Burnley getting any cleanses n Raph is on fire

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

    This good as a -12??

    Martinez
    Konsa Stones Dias
    Son Bruno Sterl Raph Lookman
    Kane DCL
    (Johnstone, Dallas, Bamford, Mitchell)

  17. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm using BB this week (FH29) and willing to take a hit or two as I have 3 SGW players in Dunk(wba), Bamford(AVL) & Raphinha.

    Choose at one or both options please

    1. Dunk to :
    A. Reguilon (BUR, ful) -4
    B. Pereira (ARS, bur) -4
    C. Other up to 6.1m (Own Cancelo, Dias, Maguire, Rudiger) - 4

    2.Bamford to:
    A. Watkins (lee, shu) -4
    B. Other upto 6.5m (Own Kane & DCL) (-4)

    I think I'll keep Raphinha as not many great option at sub 6m, may Pereira

    Appreciate any input

  18. Alli's Dele
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all, thoughts on this:

    A) Raphinha
    B) Targett (-4)

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. ManUtdFan977
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A if you have emi martinez if not then B

    3. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      keep Raph

    4. Alli's Dele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      thanks all, could also do both and bench Lowton (have Pope instead of Martinez)

  19. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Help!!!

    Current team

    Pope
    Shaw Dias Mee
    Sterling son Bruno gundo Barnes
    Watkins DCL

    Worth -8 to do sterling to foden & Watkins to Kane (heard rumours on Watkins)?
    TC Kane then and if not the hit who to TC - Bruno or gundo?

    1. Samiii8
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What rumours on watkins

  20. ClipityKlopp
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Help please. Posted this before but had spelling mistake.
    Chose either
    1. Areola and Keane or
    2. Pickford and Aina
    Thankyou

  21. dogtanion
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Madders is not ruled out of Arsenal game ? Anyone know ?? Thanks

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

      i think it sounds like it from Rodgers comments

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

    Most nailed Everton defender if no funds for Digne? Thinking Godfrey or Holgate but could also get Pickford in goal as well.

  23. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1) Play Pope or transfer Martinez in for a - 4?

    2) Triple captain Kane (or Fernandes or Calvert-Lewin) or wait for a next double game week?

    3) Would you loose Salah that you can get Kane?

    Thank you!

  24. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Taken a -4 to get to here, anything for another -4 or gtg? Bench boost active.

    Martinez/Johnstone
    Digne/Cancelo/Targett/Lowton/Dallas
    Salah/Bruno/Barnes/Gundo/Raph
    Kane(c)/DCL/Bamford

  25. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I do

    Sterling, Ings and Ashley Barnes out for Son, DCL and Kane for a -8?

  26. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    -8 G2G? BB

    Martinez / Pope
    Targett / Cancelo / Stones / Shaw / Dallas
    Salah / Bruno / Gundogan / Lookman / Raphinha
    Bamford / Kane(c) / DCL

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

      GTG

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

    Best TC option:

    A Bruno
    B Kane
    C Salah

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

      B
      A
      C

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am going with Salah. Looking at the SHU injury list I have some confidence that can be a blow out. I also think that with Kieta back in the equation, and Gini in sore need of a rest, that Kieta might start against SHU and they are way more dynamic with him in the team.

      Counter argument is Hendo out, Pool's form.

      Not much needs to be said about Bruno's merits.

      Both Bruno and Salah play Chelsea and I think that I'd prefer Salah at home to an old club.

      Kane is the safest pick, and probably the right one, but I don't own.

    3. Alli's Dele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      BCA

  28. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Head says Kane captain Heart says Bruno

    What do I do?

  29. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How is this BB team looking? Is it worth taking -4 for either Pope > Areola or Mee > Stones

    Martinez
    Cancelo / Shaw / Targett
    Salah / Bruno / Gundo / Barnes / Raphinha
    Kane(c) / DCL

    Bench:: Pope* / Mee* / Dallas / Watkins

  30. 1nonly
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This looks the best game week to use TC Kane.

    Is there likely to be any better week to use it on a premium player?