Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for Double Gameweek 26

Strap yourselves in for the biggest Double Gameweek 26 of the season, with 17 matches and 14 teams playing twice. The next six days promise to be another rollercoaster ride of unrelenting (Fantasy) Premier League action.

With potentially season-defining decisions to be made ahead of today’s 11:00 GMT deadline, the feeling among the Fantasy Community is that we are spoilt for choice.

The roll call of potential armband candidates ranges from the reassuringly expensive to enticing differentials. And for those with a selection of chips at their disposal the choice is made even trickier.

A Double Gameweek is the perfect time to deploy one of our four power-ups with the points ceiling raised for Bench Boost, Triple Captain, Free Hit and Wildcard thanks to the extra fixtures.

Indecision is final.

– Alan Hansen

Famous words from the king of pundits and decorated centre-half Alan Hansen. Although, strangely, the former Liverpool captain wasn’t referring to his Fantasy football team. Given the furore surrounding Aston Villa and their players this week you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

But we’re not about to hesitate at the crucial moment when it comes to FPL decision-making. And you can’t fault the effort, attitude and commitment of our very own pundits and experts. 

Divisive Kane

The captain poll favourite heading into the bumper round of fixtures is Harry Kane (£11.1m). A vote that left David and Joe somewhat perplexed. Never ones to dilly-dally when presented with an opportunity, the pair aren’t convinced of Kane’s credentials, despite the support among Community members.

The fixtures on paper do look nice but both Burnley and Fulham are very capable these days of chucking everyone behind the ball knowing full well that Spurs are having problems breaking people down … Both of these teams will take a point against Spurs, so they’re not going to overstretch themselves to go and win the game.

Over the last four matches, Burnley have the third-best expected goals conceded in the league, 3.18, the only two teams better than that are Chelsea and Man City. Fulham are in the top five, 3.23 goals they should have conceded, and they’ve only actually conceded the one goal. Their defence is doing much better as well and they’ve both got fantastic goalkeepers too … These are teams that can frustrate Spurs.

– David, Captaincy Video

Alan Hansen once said that for Tottenham to be a successful side they will need to get away from the philosophy of ‘pretty football’. Well, with Jose Mourinho in charge they’ve arguably done just that. Except without the success.

But what does Alan Hansen know about Fantasy football? We need a real expert, a man with three top 10,000 finishes and a best-ever rank of 817. Step forward Az

According to the FPL Black Box co-host, Harry Kane is the best captaincy pick. The handsome and dashing Az backs up his opinion with some impressive stats: citing Twitter user FPL_Swede he pointed out that in 10 games against the bottom eight teams, Kane has delivered an attacking return in every one, averaging 9.2 points a match. 

And the trio of wise Pro Pundits appearing on the latest episode of the FPL Wire, Zophar, Lateriser and Tom Freeman, all have the armband placed on the top-points-scoring forward in FPL this season. 

More heavyweight backing for the Spurs striker came from FFScout founder Mark Sutherns. Perhaps not that much of a surprise given that “Mark loves Kane”, to quote AZ, but Mark was worried he was being blinded by his own bias.

The best person to help us understand the flaws in our thinking is Pro Pundit and behavioural economics graduate, Simon March.

Expected Yakult

Stats are probiotics for gut feelings, reasoned the former FPL winner is his latest offering. 

Instinct may help you see opportunities that other managers don’t, or avoid the traps that others will fall into, but it may also create such traps if followed without sufficient interrogation. This is why it is important to sense-check decisions with some form of objective data or a second-opinion.

– Simon March

Jan Sienkiewicz noted in his Captain Sensible article that the form stats don’t favour Kane and co:

Both [Kane’s] and Spurs’ attacking statistics have been somewhat underwhelming in recent weeks. Only Crystal Palace have recorded fewer shots inside the box than Jose Mourinho’s team in their last six matches.

– Jan Sienkiewicz

So was Mark able to find a healthy dollop of Bifidobacterium Statisticalus to support his gut instinct?

The expected data is a problem, but with expected data, you’ve got to bear this in mind – that Kane and Son are just complete outliers … Son and Kane are the top two players in the Premier League [for xG Delta], they have exceeded their expected data by the biggest margins for goal involvement … they don’t need a lot of good quality chances to score goals.

– Mark Sutherns.

So convinced is Mark that he’s using his Triple Captain chip on Harry Kane.

But, as ever, other options are available. 

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), a player who’s perhaps been slightly overlooked by the masses, is Jan’s top pick. The leading goalscorer in the Premier League with 15 goals, Salah boasts impressive underlying stats: second only to team-mate Sadio Mané (£11.8m) for shots in the penalty box over the last six matches.

In the first of their two fixtures Liverpool take on a Sheffield United side down to the bare bones in defence. Their three first-choice centre-backs that helped them reach dizzying heights last season, John Egan (£4.7m), Jack O’Connell (£4.7m) and Chris Basham (£4.6m), are all ruled out for Chris Wilder.

But it’s their second fixture against Chelsea that, along with Liverpool’s poor form, is putting many off the Egyptian. However, Jan did unearth some encouraging news for Salah captainers:

Klopp holds an impressive head-to-head record against Thomas Tuchel. Out of the 14 meetings between the Germans, Klopp came out victorious on nine occasions. Additionally, those matches have produced as many as 43 goals, which makes it over three goals per game on average.

– Jan Sienkiewicz

Meanwhile, city rivals Everton are top of the fixture ticker when looking at Gameweek 26 in isolation: the Toffees host Southampton before a midweek trip to West Brom. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) therefore comes into contention.

And once again the stats make impressive reading. The forward has been particularly threatening on the road in recent times, accumulating 4.32 xG in his last six away matches – more than any other forward in the Premier League.

But the list of armband contenders goes on. Let’s not forget the Manchester teams with the in-form Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m), İlkay Gündoğan (£6.2m), Raheem Sterling (£11.6m), and the returning Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m).

If only we could fit them all in.

It’s Mo Sacrifice

Karam, Tom, and Zophar are all using their Wildcards and face several tricky selection dilemmas. 

On the Scoutcast Karam was given a hard time by Joe and David over his omission of Mohamed Salah.

Joe argued that it was easier to run from Salah than it was to run to him, explaining that because of Salah’s lofty price tag, downgrading to the likes of Son or De Bruyne is easy, whereas upgrading would be harder without sufficient funds in the reserve.

However, Tom Freeman is also sacrificing the most expensive FPL asset in order to benefit from a more balanced squad. A particular concern for Tom given that he plans to Bench Boost in Gameweek 27. 

One intriguing pick in his side is Jesse Lingard (£5.9m). West Ham take on Leeds United next Gameweek and Tom feels the direct running of the on-loan Manchester United midfielder could trouble Marcelo Biesla’s side. 

Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) is another differential to catch the eye, featuring in both Tom’s and Karam’s Wildcard XV’s. 

Karam is going all-in on Leicester City – tripling up with Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) and Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) coming in alongside Pereira. He’s even trusting the evergreen Englishman with the armband.

Manchester City-fan Karam has decided to abandon his conservative approach and take a few calculated risks in the hope of surging up the ranks. Encouragingly, the Foxes are on a par with Man City when it comes to shots on target (21) over the last four Gameweeks. 

Another forward to consider is Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m). The Senegalese has been on the end of five big chances in his four and a half games since joining West Brom, and is included in the Scout Picks, Tom’s Wildcard team, and was talked up by Lateriser.

Interestingly, all three Wildcarders still have their Free Hit chip available but none have committed to using it in Blank Gameweek 29.

When planning ahead in his usual meticulous fashion, Zophar identified Gameweek 33 as a better round for the Free Hit. The League Cup Final takes place between Spurs and Man City, meaning they will blank along with their scheduled opponents Southampton and Fulham.

The six-time top 5,000 manager sees greater potential for a big score compared to the four-match Gameweek 29.

Finally, Neale frisked the upcoming fixtures. The Team News compiler included a look at Gameweek 30 and beyond for those considering “dead-ending” their squads in Gameweek 29 and Wildcarding straight after.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

This is the last chance for Premium Members to enter the FFS Members Cup with qualifying for the first round taking place in Gameweek 26. Click here for details on how to enter.

The draw for the first round of the Fantasy Football Scout Cup has thrown up a real ‘David vs Goliath’ clash with the highest-ranked team, The Fighting Cock (273rd overall), taking on the lowest-ranked manager in the competition, Ahmed Eid, who is not far off the five-million mark.

A total of £300 in prizes is available across the two tournaments.

Elsewhere, RedLightning rounded-up the rest of the Community mini-leagues and competitions. And the Head-to-Head fixtures for Gameweek 26 can be found below. 

The scores and tables update each night on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page, so you can keep track of the action as the Gameweek unfolds. 

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

3,547 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 1895Reds
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG? 1.4 million OR and on FH
    Ederson
    Shaw Digne TAA Pereria
    Mahrez Mane (C) Lookman
    DCL Kane Vardy

    Steer Mitchell Reed Jorginho

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

      I like the differentials! Jorginho first sub though..

      1. 1895Reds
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ye thinking same, cheers

  2. Remo85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Triple captain Digne?
    Bold or plain f@&ing wreckless?

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

      Everton don’t keep enough clean sheets to captain one of their defenders

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

      Madness. Even more so given Everton not reliable at all for sheets

      1. 1895Reds
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not mad at all. Defenders are always the top scorers in the DGW. If you're chasing then go for it

    3. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      hahahah No balls for this sh*t

      1. Remo85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Just what if. What if

    4. Aubamewho
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough

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

    This is a tough week to make a WC selection. You have to sacrifice someone with big points potential.

    That, plus the wide open captaincy and many chips flying around, this could be a week of big gains or losses.

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This will be a really bad week to have a bad week

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

      thats why wildcarding last week was the best time

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

    Pope/Johnstone to Martinez worth a hit?

  5. No Totti No Party
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you start
    A: Watkins
    B: Targett
    On a wc, rest of team is better

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

      Surely both. ?? Must be better options to bench

      1. No Totti No Party
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        pereira stones digne
        bruno gundo son barnes
        dcl kane

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

    Bench one:
    A) Dallas
    B) Raphinha
    C) Bamford
    D) Grealish -> Barnes for a hit, and then bench 2 of the above

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

      Leeds have good home form and a decent fixture. Don't be too blinded by the dgw options when any of your Leeds options could score 10pts+

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

        Right. But then, who to bench?

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

          Tricky, but I usually just go with the attackers to start

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

          Dallas.

  7. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Repost.

    Hey guys, do you think Mitchell will start both games this week against FUL and MUN? Or most likely one game?

    Thank you

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

      have absolutley no source but the FPL podcast they said he probably won't and that he was not "back in the team" per se.

  8. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TC Kane or Bruno.....? Bruno only has the a little advantage a.t.m.

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

      i think the top 2 contenders are kane and calvert...
      so Kane

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

    1 more hour till pens down right ?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

    Anyone feel minus 12 hit is too much for double game week?

    1. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yes, my limit is 8

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yup

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

      No

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

      I went for that but agree it’s too risky. -8 should be the limit.

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

      Also depends on the moves. If you replace a non-playing to a 2DGWer player it can easily pay off.

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

    Son or Bruno TC? God why do I think BUR and FUL won't be easy to crack

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno

  12. Only one Di Matteo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any one else tempted to do Pope -> Martinez for a hit? Would likely pay back over the next few games, with a possible villa double and GW29

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

      No. Why not wait?

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe or even Lloris

  13. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Crazy times when Mo is dropping ahead Blades next GW.

  14. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you

    A. Bamford to Kane (-4)
    B. Sterling & Raphinha to Salah & Barnes (-8)

    Martinez
    Shaw Cancelo Lowton
    Fernandes Son Gundogan (B.Sterling Raphinha)
    DCL Watkins (A.Bamford)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    g2g or should I take the extra hit to get Everton striker?
    Actually liking Richarlison but can be talked into DCL (for the 3rd time!)
    Move would be Rodrigo to Rich/DCL - if so guessing Bamford gets benched

    Martinez
    Dias AWB Stones
    Salah Bruno Barnes Gundo Raph
    Kane Bamford
    Areola Mitchell Coufal Rodrigo

    1. jeff09
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both can produce but I’ve gone with DCL

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

        have already done -8
        is the extra hit justified for everton or just play leeds duo?

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

          With already -8, I thing only justifiable another hit to replace a non-playing player.

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

            Rodrigo to Rich or DCL makes sense but means choosing which Leeds to bench
            wouldn't feel comfortable benching Raph

    2. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play Raph/Bamford.

  16. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best 4.2 defender with gw29 in mind?

    A Lascelles
    B Burn (any impact from Lamptey return?)

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  17. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Am I GTG?

    Ederson
    Cancelo Maguire Targett
    Salah(VC) Son Gündogan Barnes
    Kane(TC) DCL Bamford

    Meslier; Strujik Soucek Coufal

    £2.2m ITB... anything worth a -4 to get a full 11 of DGW players?

  18. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ings and Sterling to Kane and Barnes worth a hit?>

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

      Taking a hit to move out Sterling with a dgw doesn't seem smart. Is this your only option to get Kane?

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

        Pope Johnstone
        Shaw Cancelo Alioski Mee Coufal
        Raphinha Bruno Salah Gundo Sterling
        Bamford Ings Antonio

        0.4m itb, 1ft.

        I don't know

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

          What about Raphinha to Smith Rowe and Ings to Kane?

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

            I can not do this unfortunetly. Not much money.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t lose Sterling

  19. rambo.
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pick one to start
    A. Bamford
    B. Antonio
    C. Dallas

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

      D. DCL (-4)

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      A

  20. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah on course to drop in price tonight, going into a DGW where one of his games is against the worst team in the league.

    Imagine telling someone that last year?

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

      Sold him last night so if you own him, good for you he will for sure have a haul!

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

        his form isn't even that bad, compare the last 5 games he has played to Kane's last 5

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Then Fulham next GW...

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

      Or about 2 months ago

  21. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Considering their fixs, would you start Mitchell or Mee?

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

    Is Mee to Targett worth -4?

    0FT 0.5ITB
    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Mee
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan
    Kane (TC) Watkins Bamford

    McCarthy Raphinha Dallas Coufal

    Thanks!

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

    Who would you Triple C?

    1. Fernandes
    2. Salah
    3.Son

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

      B

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

        They're missing Henderson. I really want to, but I'm worried... plus Salah has trolled me SO much this season.

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

          He has me too. I’m captaining Kane but I’m so tempted by Salah.

          Bruno - difficult game against Chelsea and could have his minutes managed against Palace

          Son - poor form and I think Burnley and Fulham don’t particularly suit Son’s style of play.

          Salah - tough game against Chelsea but first game against a Sheff Utd side without their 3 mains CBs and a Liverpool side looking to prove a point.

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

      1or2

  24. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any of these worth a -4?

    A - Bamford -> Watkins (Strujik 1st sub)
    B - Soucek -> Barkley (Bamford 1st sub)
    C - Strujik -> Reguillon (Bamford 1st sub)
    D - Leave it as is and just start Bamford

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

      Sounds mad but Bamford to Watkins could work out. The two extra games could pay for the -4 and Villa fixtures good

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

        2 extra fixtures?

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

          This week and possibly in 28 (Villa v Everton)

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

            Isn’t the one in 28 pretty unlikely?

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

      for sure not A

  25. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who do I cap? Currently on Barnes chasing still unsure.

    A) Barnes
    B) Son
    C) Kane
    D) Salah
    E) Gun
    F) Calvert

    Thanks

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

      Kane

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

    Good to go??

    Martinez
    Rudiger. Konsa. Shaw. Cancelo
    Kdb. Gundo. Bruno. Salah
    Kane TC. Watkins

    Fabri. Raph. Dallas. Brewster

  27. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play
    1. Johnstone
    2. Pope

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

      Always Pope. WBA are WBA.

  28. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Johnstone
    AWB, Cancelo, Targett
    Penandes, Salah, KDB, Gundo, Perriera
    Watkins, DCL

    Areola, BamBam, Dallas, Cressy

    GTG?

    Final decisons on who to TC? Need help with this.

  29. Bollard
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone think Lloris is an overlooked keeper shout instead of Pope/Martinez? Good fixtures up to GW31 as well?

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

      Good shout if you really want Spurs defense. If they keep a clean sheet he could get bonus. I was looking at Reguilon but I just can't trust their defense.

  30. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best of luck to all this GW.

    Well done for all those getting green arrows recently!

    For those like me who have seen red/grey, I hope this is our week!