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. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Plannint to tak a couple of hits to Bb, what would you recommend?

    Pope (McCarthy)
    Cancelo Stones Digne Mee (dallas)
    Bruno Salah Gundo Barnes (Raphinia)
    DCL Watkins (bamford)
    0FT, 3.9 itb

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

      This already looks good for BB

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

      McCarthy to Areola and Mee to Shaw?

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

      Raphina to Son and Mee to Shaw and we'd have the same teams. I'm also BB this week

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

        Oh and McCarthy to Martinez...the we the same 🙂

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

      Mee owner here - playing to transfer out for a hit.. but not sure who tbh

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

    a) Kane and Ayling
    b) Son and Digne

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

      A but can Ayling be a doubler?

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

        £4.7m ?

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

          Konsa

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

      B

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

      B

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

      B surely

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

      B

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

    Watkins mega haul incoming

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

      Pep don’t do this to me should I just take the hit and do Bam to Watkins

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

      Yaaaaas!

  4. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    In so many ways,Graham Hughes was Wolves.RIP

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

    A.Mee, Ings to Pereira, Watkins for -4,DCL captain
    B. Sterling, Ings to Gundogan, Kane, Kane TC

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think you need Gundogan

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

    For bench boost Coufal to
    A. Konsa
    B. Aina

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Is this a good fit?

    Transfer Castagne in, play with 4 defenders and place Ings on the bench and I make Kane Triple Captain?

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

      Could work very well! Considering bringing in Castagne myself

  8. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford to DCL for a -4?

    Free hitting in 29

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

      Yes

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

      I would

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

      Aye

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

    Been going back and forth between TC Bruno and TC Kane. I'm going crazy with this.

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

      If you can't decide who to cap, definitely hold your TC chip.
      Use it when you're dead sure and confident on one option

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

        That surely does make sense, but there aren't that many DGW coming up..

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

      Same mate, how we gonna decide this once and for all?

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

        I'm literally just about to flip a coin

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

          Might come down to that must feels like I'm destined to end on the wrong option. I'm currently viewing Kane as the safe option, and Bruno more of a risk but higher reward.

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

      Both good picks.

      Toss a coin and just enjoy the extra points. Don't sweat the small stuff

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

        Cheers!

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

      If you want to play the chip (and I agree I don’t see a better week) but cannot decide just toss a coin - Heads = Kane
      - Tails = Bruno

    5. Red dev
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If it helps I can't see many goals against chelsea. Will be really tight game. I am going for Kane I think

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

    Bottomed https://twitter.com/robguesty/status/1365301647526793219?s=21

    Look it’s probably bs and might not be in the double but this does really worry me C him I think I’ll switch to Bruno. Thoughts?

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

      For those of us without twitter, what is it?

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

        More from Jose on Vinicius: "In the Premier League he is going to play because we have so many matches that Kane cannot play every match."

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

        You know you can click a Twitter link and still view it right?

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane is as nailed as they come

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

        100% but EL coming around the corner and Kane’s injury record there would be no shock if he was to miss or majorly have his mins managed

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

      Surely if that is the case then he gets rested a week on Saturday?

  11. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have BB, TC, and WC available.

    I’m not sure on the best strategy, any advice at all?

    1FT, 0.0m in bank

    Pope*
    Taylor* Cancelo* Dias*
    Salah* Fernandes* Son* Gundogan*
    DCL* Watkins* Bamford

    McCarthy - Dallas Raphinha Coufal

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

      TC unless willing to take a -8

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

    Best Justin replacement: 5.7 and below ( Have 3 city players already.
    A.AWB
    B.Dier
    C.Castagne
    D. Someone else?

    Cheers

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Reguilon?

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

        I was considering him but just unsure if he will play both games with Davies doing okay in Europa

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

      Perreira Digne Shaw Aina in that order

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

        Perreira over castagne then? I have Shaw and just a little short for Digne

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

          I would do that, Perreira is in midfield

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

      D1) Keane with this DGW and maybe another one soon (definitely later, but might be gone from team by then lol).

      D2) Aina if you need BGW29 cover

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

    Get rid of Stones or Sterling to get Gundogan?

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

      I wouldn't mate

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

    Mou planting that seed of doubt in every Kane Captainer's mind haha classic

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

      Such a generic statement from him, so I am not worried.

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

    -8 taken. Hate losing Bamford but playing high risk high reward getting DCL for now. Now just to debate over Kane tc or c...

    Martinez (3.9)
    Cancelo Stones Digne (Dallas Johnson)
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan (Raphinha)
    Kane(c/tc) DCL Watkins

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

      GL dakes

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

        and would captain Kane

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

          No TC? Just begs the question of when else to use it then...

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

            nope tbh, Fulham and Burnley's current mentality and workrate don't justify that TC for me at least. If I would have to have use it this GW, I'd put it on Salah

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

        Cheers pal, and you

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

          TC for the win. Ignore the ‘ane’ curse!

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

      Nice team

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

      I surely would not have taken a -8 for DCL. Don’t see him out scoring Bamford by 8 points. Owning Bamford and BBing I hope Bamford scores a lot as well...

  16. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G on BB?

    Areola Johnstone
    Dias Dallas Targett Lowton Mitchell
    Salah Bruno Son Foden Gundogan
    Kane DCL Watkins

  17. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any of these worth a FT?
    A) Soucek > Barnes (bench Bamford)
    B) Tarko > Digne
    C)Watkins > DCL

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

      B is my fav option if you decide to

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

      C

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

      Any of those are worth a FT, I'd say. I like A or C.

  18. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play two out of:

    1. Bamford (AVL)
    2. Raphinha (AVL)
    3. Konsa (lee, shu)

    Thanks

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

      Have Martinez GK

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

      1&3 for me

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

      Konsa and Raph

      (Konsa for set piece goal threat, SHU Def is dead and Leeds well are Leeds)

    4. Sanchit
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      23

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

      1, 3

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

    Who is your captain and why? Think I'm going Salah based largely on hunch

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

      That Salah hunch has killed me for weeks now, so just going KDB TC on a hunch for the knockout blow

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Likewise

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

      Salah for me

  20. Sanchit
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Kane and bruno both will have >100%EO

  21. Vancouver Stu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any thoughts on swapping Meslier or McCarthy for Areola (-4) this week? Can’t get myself to trust Fulham even though I’m desperate to move on from these two

    Very jealous of everyone else who seems to have Martinez but don’t have the cash

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

      I've done Mccarthy > Areola

      1. Vancouver Stu
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Only thing holding me on that one is McCarthy double including SHU next week

  22. Apple Payet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nobody seems to have Sterling. I assume he will be rested but is there anything I've missed?

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

      hard to fit in alongside Bruno, Salah, Kane probably

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

      Very expensive

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

      I have him but haven't heard anything why do we think he wont start?

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

      failing the eye test. Lad has been consistent but he's missing too many chances and bottling finishes, as a results he's never on BAPS, and MCI have more options and cheaper price

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

      Hugs the touchline next to the linesman, maybe thats the reason

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

    I don’t particularly fancy Bruno or Salah as (c/tc) this week, and rotation always a worry with City.

    For me that means Kane(c). If not TC now, is there any point in the future folks are looking at using it?

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

      I think he is supposed to have another DGW.
      I play BB this time.

      Have even resigned to the possibility to TC someone in a SGW :/

      1. Vancouver Stu
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I don’t think there is any guarantee you are going to get as good a dgw for top clubs with - barring injury - 180 minutes for the likes of Kane, Bruno and Salah - all with at least 1 plum fixture so I would say if you are not using BB this is the week to TC

  24. bautasten
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez. Pope
    Cancelo, Stones, Shaw, Dallas, Mee
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundogan, Grealish*
    DCL, Bamford, Antonio

    A) Son, Grealish*, Antonio, Mee >> Barnes, Traore, Kane, Aina (-12)
    B) Son, Grealish*, Antonio >> Barnes, Lookman, Kane (-8)
    C) Grealish*, Antonio >> Barnes, Watkins (if fit)/Maja (-4)

    Will BB this week. Opinions appriciated!

    1. Red dev
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have you got free hit left for 29?

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

        nope, that's why A is somewhat appealing

        1. Red dev
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          A does look good. But to save 4 points would probabaly go for B

  25. SoShy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Madison , Timo , Antonio >> -4

    A) Vardy, Diagne, gundo
    B) barnes , dcl, watkins
    C) Kane, B.Traore, Diagne

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

      Such a tough choice...would you captain Kane if you bring him in?

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

        Think I've got my captain set on Salah

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

          would go B then if I knew watkins was fit.

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

      B if you have Son

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

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

  27. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Interesting how my DGW depends on how my SGWers on BB perform! Apart from the captain choice of course!

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

    Konsa vs ElMo?

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

      Konsa if you can afford. Cash back in training...

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

    I just know that having sold Bamford (for DCL) and benching Raph / Dallas, Leeds will demolish my Martine CS now won’t they

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

      Villa won’t stop Leeds

  30. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I sacrifice any of those for Barnes or DCL?
    Salah Bruno Raphinha Bamford Watkins
    I'm BB this week but with DGW29 in mind
    If DCL has a DGW 27 or 28 then it's tempting to drop Salah/Bruno

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

      Watkins to DCL on my mind. I'd go for it for free. Possible?

      Watkins is a likely 2 pointer in 29 and DCL has much higher ceiling this week.

      Think DGW28 is implausible - lots of weeks free later in the season when stadiums might even be open. Why announce 29 and not 28?