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. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Eatking out

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Luke Shaw?

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

      Jan Molby?

  2. Villa Velour
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. Bertrand Traore (or other

    1. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't know what happened here.

      A. Dier & Barnes
      B, Digne & Bertrand Traore (or other

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

        B only because Dier not a sure starter

        1. Villa Velour
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Michael Keane instead?

  3. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Ole Watkings is out ??

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

      Not confirmed yet

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

      No

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

      Of form*

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

      What !!!! where has this Watkins injury rumour come from. ?? I cant find anything online

    5. Effe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Where are you hearing this?

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

      I think he is. too much rumorus like Grealish...

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

        Agree. But it is still just rumour.

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

          agree

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

    Watkins ....
    Oiii Watkins ....

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

    Thoughts on this FH Team?

    Ederson
    Digne Reguilon Pereira/Dias
    Salah Son Barnes Mount
    Kane Rich DCL

    1. DaddyPig
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good on paper! Good luck!
      Mount would be my only concern, but he’s a decent in form differential!

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

        Cheers mate!! Expecting Chelsea to do well!!

  6. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you
    A) lose Bamford for DCL for a -8 (bench change to fodder to fund it)
    B) Keep & play Bamford (scary ownership)
    C) Play Raphinha (better form arguably)

    1) Kane(c)
    2) Kane(tc)

    Also have Bruno but brought Kane in to captain.

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

      B1

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

        B2

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B2

    3. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C2

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

    Which do you prefer?

    A. Digne/Bamford -4
    B. Aina/Kane -8
    C. Digne/Watkins -12 & BB

    Respective benches

    A. Steer, Coufal, Ings, Mitchell)
    B. Steer, Coufal, Bamford, Mitchell)
    C. Martinez, Mee, Bamford, Mitchell)

    Have DCL, Salah & Fernandes as possible captain options as it stands.

    No FH for GW29. Have WC/TC and have no idea when I will play BB. Could TC this week also.

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

      I wouldnt bb a or b

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

        Only contemplating BB C. Added the benches for comparison to see if it was worth it.

  8. Mitchstone
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On BB this GW with triple Leeds, and I'll FH in 29.

    A) Kilman > Aina (-4)
    B) Pope > Areola, Kilman > Pereira (-8)

    Thanks.

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

    My Team:
    Martinez
    Digne, Cancelo, Targett
    Lookman, Salah, Neto, Rodriguez
    Bamford, Ings, Kane (C)
    Bench: McCarthy, Rüdiger, Coufal, Zaha

    My suggestions for GW26:
    a) Rüdiger --> Castagne or Reguilon (can not use Pereira) then Ings move to the bench and i will play with 4 defenders??

    b) Triple Captain Kane?

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

    Elmo in the scout picks....hilarious

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

    Anyone on Salah (TC)?

    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 Keita back in the equation, and Gini in sore need of a rest, that Keita might start against SHU and they are way more dynamic with him in the team.

    Counter argument is Hendo out, Pool's form. It is a risk.

    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.

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

      Timing!

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

        Haha just seen your post. I am going for it, perhaps mostly because I need the differential, if it even is one.

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

          I was on Kane C, Salah VC but my gut is telling me Salah. Went with Raphinha(C) over Bamford last week because of it

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

    Is Salah being overlooked for TC? He seems to be consistently scoring regardless of how bad Liverpool are. Klopp knows that Liverpool can’t hold a 1/2 nil lead with that defence so they play much more attacking which benefits Salah. Sheffield and Chelsea are perfect games for Salah in the sense they leave space in behind for him to exploit. He’s been doing much better in these sort of games this year. That’s not mentioning Sheffield’s defensive injuries.

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

      He’s a solid choice for sure. He’s constantly up there for points and hauls. Shef there for the taking. Chel good but wouldn’t be surprised if pool score

  13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mourinho on vincius "he is going to play in the premier league, kane cannot play every match" 🙁

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

      Don't trust one word out of Jose's mouth.

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

        Same here. But the schedule is not easy...

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

        It's one line line taken from a whole interview in order to maybe be taken out of context. Here's more of it:

        Asked what Vinicius needs to do to get more minutes, the Spurs boss said: “He has one problem, and the problem is Harry Kane.

        “It’s as simple as that. You need to be a special guy, you need to be a special heart, a special mentality, a special feeling in relation to what you mean for the team, what the team expects from you.

        “To be a striker in the same team as Harry Kane then you need to be a special guy, always motivated, always happy to have one minute, five minutes or start the game.

        “He is giving us what we want. In the Premier League he is going to play because we have so many matches that Kane cannot play every match.”

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

      Ancellotti on Josh King - "He will find a place in the first XI in some games.”

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

      Ha ha
      .nice joke Jose..

    4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play doesn’t mean start.

  14. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins or Richarlison?

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

    Can somebody check Villa's physios teams ? 😉

  16. mdm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain:

    A. Bruno
    B. Son
    C. DCL
    D. Salah

    Thanks.

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

      C

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

    captain seems such a tough ask this week, got fernandes, DCL, Kane, Salah, Gundogan
    being a united fan, i try to captain fernandes as often as possible, but somehow feel DCL might have a great GW

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

    Bet it is double bluff from Dean "censorship " Smith.

  19. Top 210 Club
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hmmm, wanted to TC DCL with the 2 home fixtures, but I see he hasn't scored at home since GW5... 😮

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He play one away from home

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Plays*

        1. Top 210 Club
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I'm blind! Thanks

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

    Anyone picking Salah on WC ? bit expensive for me...

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He will outscore Bruno next 5..

  21. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bruno and Bamford to Barnes and DCL for a hit?

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

      No; keep Bruno

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  22. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more?

    1. Raphinha
    2. Mee
    3. Son -4 (sell Grealish)

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

      3

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

      3

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

    Kane (TC) is a massive trap!

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nope

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

      People have forgotten about the “ane” curse

      Sane
      Mane
      ...Kane

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

        It started with Kane 🙁

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

          It's a load of rubbish. I've TC'd Kane in previous years DGW and he scored big.

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

          And it’ll end with Kane?! 😆 😉

        3. JohnnyRev7
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Was that the 0-0 against Cardiff when Kane also got a YC?

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

    Who scores more?

    A. DCL and Barnes
    B. Kane x2

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

    Johnstone
    Cancelo Stones Digne Mee
    Salah Son Bruno Gundogan Raphinha
    Bamford

    Martinez Ings Antonio Coufal

    1ft 0.8itb

    can't afford Kane

    a) Ings -> DCL (bench Bamford or Raphinha)
    b) Mee -> Shaw
    c) Save

    what do you think?

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

      A

  26. Dragon1983
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Neto or B) Neves

    (planning for long run)

  27. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    To TC Kane, to TC Bruno or to TC Salah? Or DCL, even?! And any particular, compelling reason why?

    Fixtures at first glance say Kane, points say Bruno. Eh. What do you think?

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

      Got the same options and planning on Kane.

      Fernandes and Salah have Chelsea. If you can’t captain Kane with 2 easier games then what’s the point of having him was my logic

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

        It is sound logic. But Spurs have had their difficulties against team who are expected to let them play, which makes me wonder...

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Spurs have opened up in thr last couple of games. Kane really should have hauled v West Ham. He's been a bit of a bully to the lower teams this season. If he had scored would there be as many questions on it?

  28. DaddyPig
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys, please, just a little advice. I’ve already taken a -8 and have a really decent side on paper.
    BUT, would you take another hit to say do Coufal to Regulion? Coufal will probably get 1 point this week. Regulion has a good chance of 6+ surely. Plus future fixtures look better.
    Thanks for any help and good luck!

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

      Absolutely not.

  29. vandebeek
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Saiss or Raphinha?

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

      Raphinha.

  30. sarnshawn
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please help. Got 1 transfer but was also hoping to use my bench boost. What can I do?
    Martinez (Areola)
    Maguire Cancelo Stones Mings
    Fernandes Salah Grealish Gundogan
    Bamford Calvert-Lewin
    Bench - Raphinha Antonio Dallas

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

      Great team, Grealish probably needs to move

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

      It’s got to be Grealish to someone. Barnes maybe?

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

        Thanks. I did think Grealish to Barnes but worried about my bench not having enough double game week players

        1. JohnnyRev7
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Grealish to Barnes will be fine. Your bench is fine. Sometimes people fixate too much on DGW players who are outscored by SGW players. Do the transfer and you're GTG.

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

            Yeah, good point. Will do it. Thanks!