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. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Right order of starters and bench?
    Captain?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Mitchell
    Salah Bruno Gundo Son
    DCL Kane(Tc) Bamford

    Fraser Mee Strujik Bissouma

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

      Gtg

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

      yes

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

        Wondering only about the Mitchell Mee pick?

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

    Would you take out Rudiger for a hit? Have money for Reguilon, Castagne or target (but have Martinez)

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

      no way

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

      No

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

      dont think so unless you are WCing soon

    4. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you still have wc , otherwise no

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

    Anyone on WC going without Fernandes? Awful fixtures make Son tempting

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

      Crazy talk

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

      all he needs is a lucky penalty but son is tempting yes

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

      Would only drop Bruno in exchange of Sterling or Kevin, not Son

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

        Sitting at 29k so perhaps a risk too far?

    4. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes , know the risks

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

      Bruno still get 12 points when he has a quiet game.

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

      Not on WC but I don't hate it. Chelsea away could easily be a blank. They're defending well in recent games.

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

    Lloris or Martinez?

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

      mat

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

      Lloris I think

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

        Lloris no question

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

    Bottomed. Am I GTG?

    Martinez
    Stones Dias Dier
    Salah Barnes Son Gundo Bruno
    DCL Kane(TC)

    Bench: Meslier Bam Mitchell Mee

  6. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What we saying lads?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Dallas
    Grealish Gundogan Son Fernandes Salah
    Antonio Bamford

    2free transfers 0.5 in the bank

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

      Grealish and Antonio >

      Barnes and Watkins maybe?

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

      Kane

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

      Not sure if you have enough but I’d go Grealish & Antonio > Barnes & DCL

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

    Choose one for TC:

    A) Son
    B) DCL

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

      B

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A being hugely overlooked

  8. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you BB this lot?

    McCarthy Dallas Raphinha Coufal

    Or TC

    Salah or Bruno?

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

      Bb

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

    Cavani to dcl -4?

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

    This is actuality the hardest C choice I've had all season, mind boggled at the moment.

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

      Salah for me, looks like a differential as well.

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

      Same

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

      If KDB was guaranteed to start both I'd lump on him but you just don't know with Pep.

      1. Birdman77
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agree with this. The Pep factor is big

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

    On WC, choose one

    A Watkins Lookman
    B Barnes Brewster

  12. ZuluWarriorAdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Am I mad by triple captaining Son? Not seen anyone mention him...

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

      not mad

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

      It's him or DCL for me

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

      Think of it this way. He surely does have a point to prove...

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

      Not mad no - just don't think he's as effective against low blocks.

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

        You’re right, Spurs have been poor so they all have a point to prove and it could be a Kane / Son masterclass. I’m top of all leagues bar one and have DCL too...

  13. tm370
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys - does using a FH negate the cost of any hits taken during the GW?

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

      Yes

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

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

      Yep, once you hit the chip when you're saving the team, all hits are zeroed

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

    Any of Targett Dier Aina outscores Dallas by more than 4 PTS this gw?

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

      they have the potential with 2 games

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

        Who would you pick having gw29 in mind?

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

          tricky because aina has tough games leading up to 29

          if you can bench him through the tough games go aina. Although targett also has a possible dgw coming up with everton which you need to consider

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

      I would be surprised if at least one of them doesn't, but I don't know which one

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

        Dier (though it makes me feel a bit sick to say that)

  15. Saosin
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    We good?
    -4 and 3.2 itb. Can i log out now?

    Mendy*
    Cancelo* - Stones* - Konsa*
    Bruno* - Raphinha - Gundo* - Barnes* - Salah*
    Kane (TC)* - DCL*

    Forster. Mitchell - Bamford - Dallas

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

      Yes you can

  16. R Whites
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any one on a DCL TC?

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

      a few yes

      1. R Whites
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No kane, so tempted by this. Madders injury has killed the bench boost without hits.

  17. sp1122
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start
    1. Bamford
    2. Dallas

    1. thom830g
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1

  18. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    For anyone who missed Dallas.. at current price points consider Ayling. He has been stuck at CB since early December so he hasn't really done anything attacking wise. However, with Llorente back and Koch back in March expect him to play out on the right most games now. He was brilliant last season and expect him to do well till the season end. Benchable price too.

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

      Damn right

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

      With Dallas getting shifted into midfield frequently, I don't see much point for Ayling. RB may help him but who knows.

      I get not going for Struijk with replacements back. Cooper was on the end of crosses in the Wolves match and should have scored twice. So an alternative to consider?

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yup. Cooper is a beast. Personally, il be benching my Leeds defender for most of the Next 8 weeks. When I do intend to play them ie in G29 and 30 I'm expecting Phillips and Koch and Rodrigo to be back. Once this happens I doubt Dallas will be played in midfield as often hence making both him and Ayling LB and RB and giving them similar potential. I've had him all season but considering il be benching more often than not I've downgraded to Ayling. Cooper was another consideration but Leeds main outlet is their counters.. and can see Ayling contributing. I don't need the 0.1 though (I needed the 0.3 from Dallas to Ayling) so going with Ayling over cooper

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

    One choice for this DGW

    a) Dias
    b) Cancelo

    1. thom830g
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B but think A gets more minutes

  20. thom830g
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain
    A) Salah
    B) Bruno
    C) Gundo
    D) DCL

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

      A

  21. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start 1:
    A) Ings
    B) Dallas
    C) Raphina

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

      C

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

    I'm losing my mind right? This worth it?

    Salah -> KDB (-4)

    1. Birdman77
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t do it.

  23. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who dares to captain Digne?

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

      Not got the minerals myself

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

      Done

  24. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dier anybody?planning for gw29

  25. Goooo Rickie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TAA anyone?

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

    Does Lookman -4 score more than Raphinha?

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

    Holding to Dier/Holgate for a hit or play Rafinha/Bamford?

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

    Went with my gut. Got Richarlison and a big sofa instead of Kane. 8|

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

    Kane TC whos your VC? (just in case)

    Bruno or DCL?

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

      bruno

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

      Dcl

  30. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah, Bruno or Vardy?