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. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Currently only have Son and Mo playing on the last day of DGW and no one on Monday

    Could be enough to tip me into getting DCL as captain in as the extra minus 4 to keep me interested all the way through.

    1. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      An odd way of playing imo.

    2. Mid budget coach
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You're definitely in it for the right reasons

  2. BRC500
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to triple captain? Sterling, Gundogan, Salah, Barnes, Kane, Calvert-Lewin? I notice that the highest points scorers in ten of the last eleven weeks have been defenders so add Pereira to the mix.

    1. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe a defender gets most points, but picking the one is too risky- your other choices are more consistent in getting points - I think all will get you points.. just choose one - don’t overthink it

  3. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Right maybe this changes things, which is best lads?

    A) Ayling - Barnes - Kane
    B) Digne - Son - Watkins

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      All for free then B because of Ayling. Ayling > DGW then A.

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B surely

    4. BRC500
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  4. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Repost

    Need some advice here -
    A) Start Rafinha, bench Grealish and hope he will be back next week
    B) Replace Grealish with Lookman/Traore??

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

      I did Grealish > Barnes, fwiw.

      But from those options, I would go Traore.

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

    Anything worth a hit guys ?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Shaw
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan
    Kane DCL Watkins

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      🙄

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

        hahaha

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

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

    Would you....

    A. Bench Grealish, play Raphinha
    B. Grealish to Son -4, bench Raphinha

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

      A

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

    Salah or Kane captain (or triple)

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

      Kane

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

      TC Kane, Henderson out

  8. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender up to £5.6m? Other defenders are Dias, Stones, Shaw and Dallas. Thinking Reguilon at the moment.

    A) Keane
    B) Targett
    C) Reguilon
    D) Aina
    E) Other suggestions (AWB, Soy?)

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

      C

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

        Cheers

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wondering the same thing myself. If I knew he was nailed for both game's id agree but do we think Davies could play one of the games?

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

        Same, would definitely get him if I knew he would play both. He has played most games when fit though.

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

    Friends, I'm using my TC, torn between Kane and Bruno, and I am

    (a) the leader of my mini-league, and
    (b) fairly confident my mate running up will TC Bruno.

    TC Bruno, right?

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

      Chelsea have been good defensively. I would TC Bruno when he’s not playing Chelsea...

    2. Chrisirwin01
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go with your gut, sounds like a cop out but if you have a good gut/ record for Captaincy why deviate? Personally, I'm going with Kane.
      Chelsea will be tough for Utd & Crystal Palace seems to be digging in against teams of late.

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

    Bench one -

    Charlie Taylor
    Raphina
    Bamford

    Playing Taylor would give me ten DGW'ers but he hasn't got the best fixtures. On the other hand maybe double Leeds is overkill against Martinez?

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

      Raphina only because Charlie has DGW

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

        Why would you play Bamford over Raphina? Bamford's hat trick in the reverse fixture I assume?

  11. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Seriously considering Bamford/Antonio -> Diagne for a hit. Think he'll score big this GW. Any others in the same boat?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go with your gut

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking Diagne over Watkins this week too. Can get Barnes in midfield over a cheaper one the likes of Lookman.

  12. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling, Ings to Gundogan, Kane for 4?

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

      Yes if Kane captain

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

        Would TC Kane

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

    Konsa vs ElMo pls?

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

      I went Konsa. So go Elmo probably.

  14. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Better option for this week?

    A) Watkins
    B) Barnes

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

      B

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      (Leicester mid Barnes)

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A imo (provided that the rumours are BS)

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

        What rumours?

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

        Sorry? Rumours?

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

        Rumours?

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Fleetwood Mac

    4. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

  15. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Final vote for my wildcard. Who scores more this week

    Reguilion or Shaw?

    Rest is

    Martinez
    Pereira Digne Dias
    KDB Gundo Bruno Barnes
    Kane DCL
    3.9 Bamford Raphinha Dallas

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Playing with 10 men.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        11th would be Shaw.

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

          ha cheers

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

      Shaw as you are wildcarding and need a good player for rest of season

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think Reguilon will play both?

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

        no idea. See he had a run of games earlier in the season but been injured I guess recently

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Always look attacking when playing and good chance of clean sheets

  16. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you play this GW ?

    A) El Mohamady (also have Martinez)
    B) Raphina
    C) Bamford

    1. Nay08
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'll take El Mohamady

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

      Raph and Bam are both on form. So B or C.

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      C

    5. Chrisirwin01
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      (A) due to dgw. The odds of a better are in your favour.

  17. Nay08
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which option is better?
    Out: Ings, Grealish, Mee
    for
    1. Kane, Barnes, Defender
    2. Watkins, Son, Defender

    The Defender is Between:
    a. Pereira: LEI good fixtures up to GW28, Good Differential, Potentially playing as a winger, but not playing in GW29.
    b. Targett: Good fixtures in DGW26, Play in GW29, the downside can block me from having Grealish back (in case I need to) if I also take Watkins.
    c. Fulham Def (Between Aina, Adarabioyo, Andersen): Have DGW26 and also play in GW29, it seems Fulham have tightened their defense a little bit, but not so great fixtures.

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

      1A

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

    A. Digne/Bamford +4 (probably capt DCL, Bruno or Salah)
    B. Aina or Konsa/Kane (Kane an option for captain and bench Bamford)

  19. Diro
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1) Keep my current team and do 1 or 2 transfers (-4) :
    Martinez (McCarthy)
    Konsa, Stones, Cancelo, (Justin, Dallas)
    Sterling, Fernandes, Son, Raphinha (Grealish)
    DCL, Bamford, Cavani

    2) First WC draft :
    Martinez, (Areola)
    Konsa, Stones, Cancelo, Targett (Dallas)
    Gundo, Barnes, Fernandes, Son (Raphinha)
    Kane, Vardy (Bamford)

    3) Second WC draft :
    Martinez (Stier)
    Konsa, Stones, Targett (Struijk, Mitchell)
    Salah, Fernandes, Gundo, Barnes, Son
    DCL, Vardy (Bamford)

    If I WC, the question is more : Do I sacrifice my team to have the magic 5 in the middle and especially Salah or not ? ^^

  20. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    who scores more?
    A) Areola and Bamford
    B) Pope and Maja

  21. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Was all set to do Bamford to Kane (-4) but surely move Watkins instead, even if it is just a rumour?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You'll blame the rumour when he plays and hauls big!

  22. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dcl worth a 4pt hit?

  23. Rassi
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Where did these Watkins injury rumours come from?

  24. THEKID_88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Dallas to Stones worth it over the next two GW's for a hit?

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

      If there wasn't fear of rotation I would say go for it

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

    Have 5.5 to spend on defender. Who do you recommend?

    Current defence:

    Pope McCarthy
    Cancelo Lowton Dallas Coufal ____

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

      For this week ?

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

        Yes

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

    Martinez
    Cancelo Shaw Dier
    Salah Bruno Gundo Barnes
    Kane (c) DCL Watkins

    McCarthy Rudiger Raphinha Dallas

    On BB, -4 already done, G2G?

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

    screw it, Digne (C) for me. Looked at his games, and Everton's change in pace, I'm confident.

    wish all you lads a good green arrow, cheers

  28. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford for Watkins for free? Watkins likely 6 games. Bamford 4

    Lose value on Bamford though

    Also I have Raphinha on bench

    Yes or No

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

    Best move here?

    A Play Bamford
    B Antonio ->Watkins -4

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Shaw
    Salah Bruno Gundogan Son Raph
    Kane Bamford

    Pope Antonio Dallas Coufal

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

      A

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

    Which 1 to start?

    A) Bamford (AVL)
    B) Raphina (AVL)
    C) Dallas (AVL)
    D) Targett (lee, shu)

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

      D

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

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

      D

    4. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Raph

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

      D as Target has decent chance creation and if Grealish is back vs Sheff, good chance of assist/cleanie as he changes entire AVL dynamics...Can advice me below?

    6. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

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

      D

    8. Miro
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D easy