Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best players for FPL Double Gameweek 27

Double Gameweek 26 may not yet be over but the Scout Squad panel are already looking ahead to the weekend’s fixtures.

This is the fourth Double Gameweek in a row for Fantasy managers but with only Manchester City and an out-of-form Southampton playing twice, there is an ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ feel to it.

Predictably, all four of our regulars have gone for City triple-ups – but each panelist has opted for a unique combination of players from Pep Guardiola’s side.

For those new to this feature, Fantasy Football Scout editor David, deputy editor Neale, video content manager Andy and Pro Pundit Tom each put forward an 18-man long-list of players and explain their notable inclusions and omissions below.

The assets listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for the weekly Scout Picks selection ahead of the FPL deadline at 11:00 GMT on Saturday.

In each writer’s squad, there are requirements for at least:

  • One goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less
  • One sub-£5.0m defender
  • One midfielder listed at £6.5m or below
  • One forward priced at £7.5m or lower

Each panelist is also restricted to no more than three players from the same team, as is the case in FPL.

We will again be adding a captaincy to the Scout Picks, with details of that revealed on Friday.

DavidNealeTomAndy
GKEdersonEdersonEmiliano MartínezFraser Forster
Sam JohnstoneSam JohnstoneSam JohnstoneEmiliano Martínez
Fraser ForsterFraser ForsterBernd LenoSam Johnstone
DFTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-ArnoldJoão CanceloRuben Dias
João CanceloRuben DiasAndrew RobertsonTrent Alexander-Arnold
Serge AurierSerge AurierSergio ReguilónSergio Reguilón
Ainsley Maitland-NilesLewis DunkAinsley Maitland-NilesJannik Vestergaard
Antonio RüdigerAntonio RudigerJannik VestergaardAinsley Maitland-Niles
MFİlkay Gündoğanİlkay GündoğanKevin De BruyneKevin De Bruyne
Sadio ManeJesse Lingardİlkay Gündoğanİlkay Gündoğan
Jesse LingardGareth BaleSadio ManéSon Heung-min
Gareth BalePedro NetoSon Heung-minMohamed Salah
Curtis JonesCurtis JonesJesse LingardJesse Lingard
FWHarry KaneHarry KaneHarry KaneHarry Kane
Ollie WatkinsMichail AntonioDanny IngsDanny Ings
Michail AntonioOllie WatkinsMichail AntonioMichail Antonio
Mbaye DiagneMbaye DiagneMbaye DiagneMbaye Diagne
Patrick BamfordKelechi IheanachoOllie WatkinsOllie Watkins

Most popular picks: Sam Johnstone, Jesse Lingard, Ilkay Gundogan, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Mbaye Diagne, Michail Antonio (four), Fraser Forster, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ainsley Maitland-Niles (three)

DAVID SAID

Ederson and João Cancelo are my picks from the Manchester City defence in Double Gameweek 27.

The goalkeeper is always nailed-on to start while Cancelo’s rest against West Ham stands him in good stead for significant minutes in each of the next two.

Manchester United have orchestrated 0-0 draws in five of their last six matches against the so-called ‘big six’ while Southampton are joint-bottom for goals scored over their last six matches (four).

Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to slowly claw his way back onto the Fantasy radar having created three big chances across his last six (at the time of writing). Only three players have fashioned more of these chances over the same period while Liverpool’s Gameweek 27 opponents Fulham have blanked in five of their last nine Premier League outings.

Crystal Palace are arguably in worse offensive form, with just one goal in their last five matches, which bodes well for the Spurs defence on Sunday evening. Serge Aurier is my chosen option.

The out-of-position Ainsley Maitland-Niles could enjoy his Gameweek 27 meeting with Newcastle. West Bromwich Albion have clean sheets in each of their last two matches while the Magpies will be without both Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almirón until April.

I’ve gone with Sadio Mané over Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s meeting with Fulham. In the last six matches, they have both produced the same number of shots in the box but the Senegalese international has offered more assist potential, with 16 key passes to Salah’s four.

Jesse Lingard is joint-top of the Premier League for shots on target over the last four matches, while Michail Antonio ranks second for big chances. That’s why I’m backing both against Leeds.

Harry Kane and Gareth Bale could enjoy a hatful of chances when they face Crystal Palace. The Eagles are the third-worst side for expected goals conceded (xGC) over the last six matches.

NEALE SAID

Three Gameweek 26 fixtures are still to be played at the time of writing and I may be taking the eraser to some of my above picks after the completion of Thursday’s matches.

Harry Kane is the only ‘nailed’ selection in my Spurs triple-up, for example, and I’ll wait to see what team Jose Mourinho puts out against Fulham, and how many minutes his star performers rack up, before finalising the other two.

I’d love to be able to select Serge Aurier and Gareth Bale without fear of a benching, as Crystal Palace have allowed the most chances to be conceded from their left flank when clubs are filtered by their last six matches. Bale’s superb showing against Burnley whetted my appetite further and the prospect of him coming up against Patrick van Aanholt is an appealing one — but doubts of course remain over whether his body is up to the rigours of three games in a week.

There is similar uncertainty about Curtis Jones, with Liverpool entertaining Chelsea on Thursday and the youngster an obvious rotation risk.

Much has been made of Jurgen Klopp’s recent formation tweak and its repercussions for Sadio Mane (more central), Mohamed Salah (wider) and their two full-backs but there has perhaps been less talk over the benefit to Jones, who was as advanced as any of the above players in an inside-forward role and who topped the shot count against Sheffield United.

On the subject of efforts on goal, Kelechi Iheanacho has been outshooting Jamie Vardy by seven attempts to one since the pair hooked up as a strike pairing at the start of Gameweek 26. A swift James Maddison comeback would perhaps jeopardise his chances of starting this weekend but, should the England international remain out, then there is little competition for Iheanacho’s place when Leicester visit Brighton.

The Seagulls have been racking up some seriously good underlying defensive numbers of late and the strong odds are that it’ll be a low-scoring game at the Amex, so I’m hedging my bets with a Lewis Dunk pick. Given Leicester’s propensity for conceding goals from set plays, the Albion stopper could prosper at both ends of the field.

The visit of a defensively unpredictable Leeds side – a respectable eight clean sheets is offset by the Whites shipping 2.4 goals per match in which they do concede – warrants a West Ham double-up in the dangerous Michail Antonio and the hugely impressive Jesse Lingard.

One of the few midfielders who can better Lingard for attempts on goal since his January move to east London, Pedro Neto, also gets the nod as an improved Wolves prepare to face an Aston Villa side struggling for consistency this year. Add in the fact that Neto looks set to be up against Ahmed Elmohamady, who drifted off to allow David McGoldrick to score on Wednesday, and the young Portuguese schemer could enjoy his afternoon in the West Midlands.

Finally, onto my City triple-up. Ruben Dias‘ track record as the surest starter in Pep Guardiola’s defence results in his selection over the more exciting Joao Cancelo, while I’m hoping the fact that Ilkay Gundogan has just had a breather in midweek counts in his favour in Gameweek 27.

Such is the uncertainty elsewhere, I’ve also plumped for Ederson. Assured of two starts, the Brazilian will likely have a ceiling of 12 points given that the solid backline in front him rarely allows him be kept busy. But, after the events of Double Gameweek 26, how many of us would take that score right now for any of our City assets?

TOM SAID…

Manchester City have now won their last 21 games in all competitions and though it’s hard to pinpoint exactly which of their outfield assets will be handed successive starts in Gameweek 27, tripling-up is a no-brainer. To be honest, I don’t think there are many ‘bad’ City picks this week, but I’ve opted for João Cancelo, plus midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and İlkay Gündoğan.

Since returning from injury, De Bruyne hasn’t found his top level but still produced a superb assist against West Ham United and went close to scoring in midweek. With his ability to create chances out of nothing, he’s the standout captaincy option in my opinion. However, Gündoğan isn’t far behind, and encouragingly does seem to be getting into the box just as much when paired with the Belgian.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion are now unbeaten in three matches and look a good team for bargain hunting this week. Their opponents, Newcastle United, will be without Callum Wilson, Miguel Almirón and Allan Saint-Maximin, and it’s hard to see where they will find a goal. That leads me to a defensive double-up via Sam Johnstone and the out-of-position Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who really should have scored last weekend. I’ve also found a spot for Mbaye Diagne who is just ahead of Ollie Watkins, though there isn’t much to choose between them.

Tottenham Hotspur also supply three picks: Sergio Reguilón, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. Against Burnley, Jose Mourinho adopted a more expansive approach with attacking full-backs. That enabled Son to operate in more central areas, and if they do employ a similar tactic this weekend, they will surely have too much for Crystal Palace. It’s a shame we can only select three Spurs players really, as I also like Gareth Bale and Lucas Moura as differentials.

Elsewhere, Liverpool got back on track against Sheffield United last time out, which coincided with them using a different shape in attack. In possession, it was a 2-3-5, with Andrew Robertson mostly playing as a winger and attacking the space vacated by Sadio Mané, who would often drift infield. If that system is to continue, I expect both of the above to be the main beneficiaries in FPL.

Emiliano Martínez is again the key goalkeeper to own, with Bernd Leno, West Ham United duo Jesse Lingard and Michail Antonio, plus Double Gameweekers Jannik Vestergaard and Danny Ings rounding off the picks.

ANDY SAID

Even with a Double Gameweek as underwhelming as Gameweek 27 might be, I find it impossible not to max out on players from Manchester City and Southampton. 

Fraser Forster starting against Everton is promising for anyone who’s had him rotting away on their bench. The ideal situation would be a clean sheet against goal-shy Sheffield United, followed by lots of saves against Man City. If I had him, I think I’d be starting him.

With the Manchester City defence, I’m starting to lose confidence in guaranteed starts in John Stones and while I think João Cancelo is probably going to keep starting more often than not, I’ve gone with the safety of Rúben Dias instead.

I’ve also backed the double City attack with both Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündogan. There is some risk in De Bruyne starting both games but we’ve seen plenty of times in the past that when he’s fit, he’s one of the first names on the teamsheet. I know people don’t rate him as an option this season but his expected goal involvement is 0.68 per 90 minutes this season, not far behind Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes, who are both at 0.73. If those numbers start producing points it could be a good time to be ahead of the game, especially in a Double Gameweek where there’s a chance he plays twice.

Over the last four matches, no player has a higher expected goal involvement than Michail Antonio (3.59). Despite their great league position, Leeds United are still a team I would target for returns: only West Brom (47.58) having a worse expected goals conceded than the Whites (41.36) over the season.

259 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Played WC this week in order to set my team up for FH29 with a view to managing BGW33 with transfers.

    Now feel like I should be FHing in 33.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I'm dealing with GW29 with freebies and saving FH for later. Will probably WC in 30 or 31.

    2. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      i am thinking of WC now too, dont have FH left but i think the blanks are easy to navigate

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      shouldnt be an issue in switching the strategy as long as you have 4-5 BGW28 players

  2. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Any news if Everton will have their double in 28?

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Not yet. Cant see it being released until next GW but keep an eye on 4pm today and tomorrow

  3. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Just Barnes to Lingard here?

    Or some other move?

    Martinez/Martin
    Cancelo/Digne/Stones/Dallas/Coufal
    Salah/Bruno/Barnes/Gundo/Raph
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Simple and good move if you can bench for 28

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Soucek for extra $$$?

  4. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    DGW26 has been a tossing washout. Has Kane ever scored six goals in a game before?

  5. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Hey all, forgot to reply to my previous message. So I have all my chips left except the FH.

    The team:
    2ft - 0.0 itb

    Martinez
    Shaw, Dias, Mee, Coufal, Dallas
    Barnes, Salah, Bruno, sterling, Gundogan
    Watkins, Antonio, Bamford

    Think Sterling and Barnes need to go.. Any tips who to get in?

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Lingard and KDB?

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Yeah could be really nice. Don't you think it's more urgent to get Spurs assets in?

        1. Quan MisTaka
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Im playing with fitting Bale and/or Son into my team and I already have Kane. Im personally going to give KDB a miss. Depends on your plan going ahead. Wiat and see how they spurs lads get on tonight, but youre right, you need atleast one spurs

          1. Tshelby
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            Cheers Quan. Sterling -> Son on the cards

  6. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Would you keep Foden for the next shambolic episode of Man City DGWs?

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Yes I would.

  7. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Best defender for 5.2m or under?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Dunk for next 3 I reckon

      1. Quan MisTaka
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Ive been toying with Brighton defense for a while, but they have conceded against West Brom and Crystal Palace.... Thats pretty bad

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          ...and kept out livp, Spurs and villa.

  8. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Kane > 3 x goals, max baps
    Digne CS & assist, with baps
    Salah goal
    DCL two goals and max baps

    Too much to ask?

  9. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    any thoughts??

    Martinez
    Targett Dallas cancelo
    salah Bruno son gundog
    Dcl Watkins bamford

    (Johnstone. Rudiger. Digne. hojbjerg

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Whats your thoughts on Dallas over Rudiger?

      1. OLD Rafiki
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        am in a bit of dilemma because I have Dcl playing and he may score, ruining rudiger's CS. Dallas is my only option for now.

        1. Quan MisTaka
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Its the same for me tbh. I didnt think everton looked great yday. Will be watching the che-liv match tonight to have another look at che defense, but atm rudiger is starting over dallas.

        2. jimmyharte
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 24 days ago

          Dcl has 2 goals since gw12. I'm bringing rudiger in

  10. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Current team for DGW27:

    Johnstone
    Stones-Dallas-Cancelo
    Salah-Fernandes-Son(c)-Gundogan
    Watkins(v)-Bamford-DCL

    Areola-Digne-Mee--Soucek
    ________________

    Just want a second opinion, please choose one:

    1: Fernandes --> Bale (suggested by a user here)
    2: Fernandes, Watkins --> Raphinha, Kane (-4)
    3: Digne, Watkins --> Dias, Antonio (-4)
    4: Keep Fernandes, Watkins and Digne and save a FT
    5: Other, what?

    Thank you in advance.

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Moving Bruno out seems to be a popular move this week but its a risk. Got to be a personal move, dont think anyone can tell you

      1. CoracAld2831
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        I hear you. Him being top points scored makes it a risky move that could easily backfire and i really struggle with it.

        For me it would be to take an advantage of Spurs v Palace and also release some funds for a later use.

  11. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    How many managers captaining Kane this GW?
    Want to know if Kane haul, how would my OR be..

    1. Sulley
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I am but interestingly the only one in my mini league of 12 people. Many went DCL, Bruno or Gundogan

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Down the toilet

  12. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Any other Salah (c)'s? This will not end well..

  13. BBC_TF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Objectives:
    -Need to get (reluctantly) get rid of Maddison
    -Build my gw29 team (I just have 6 players now)
    -Position for gw27 (although i find it hard to bet on City DGWers)

    Option 1: long Spurs
    Maddison / bruno -> Son / bale -4 (i also have Kane)

    Option 2: mixed
    Maddison / bruno -> Mahrez / KDB -4

    What is your view?

    1. BBC_TF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Option 2: mixed [CORRECTION]
      Maddison / bruno -> Mahrez / SON -4

  14. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Sterling to KDB too sideways?

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      With a FT maybe not. All depends on who you think will start against Southampton.

    2. SharkyJon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Not this week as expect Sterling to play twice

  15. SharkyJon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    A super stressful night ahead for me...Dier on the Spurs bench again...Bartley 15 pointer 1st bench...
    Will I be super lucky or is a 1 pointer coming???

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      If it's 1-0 post 60/70, it's a 1 pointer. If Spurs are winning comfortably/drawing/losing, it's 15 points.

      1. SharkyJon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Yes, I have to hope Kane and Son get hattricks (I own them too) early doors and then get rested meaning no Dier

    2. KIRA
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers Sharkyjon , if you would like , you can join our Musketeer's at this year's tournament ( it is our second already ) ; surely we will need a new blade .... just hit me up if you are tempted

      thanks in advance

  16. badassdewi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    draft dilemma - got a back four of cresswell, trent, dunk, bellerin, alonso

    looking to maybe shift alonso out for maitland-niles, what do you reckon?
    carrying a returning podence, rodrigo and harvey barnes so i don't have much wiggle room and need 11 players on the pitch
    alonso is a bit in and out

    worth the switch for out-of-position player?

  17. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Dias - Stones - Dallas
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Gundogan (c) - Lingard
    Kane - Bamford

    Meslier - Targett - Coufal - Brewster

  18. fenman
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    All right lads, which one of these four do I play: Bamford, Raphinha, Digne, or Shaw

  19. SallySlayer
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Anyone else thinking of transferring out Salah this week? Considering Son (plays in 29) or KDB (2x GW) as replacements

  20. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Option A:
    Watkins WOL(H)
    Bruno WHU(H)
    +4 pts

    OR

    Option B:
    Salah FUL(H)
    Salah WOL(A)

    Scores more?

  21. LewisKitesurf
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Is it crazy to get rid of Bruno F??

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      yes, thats why I did it.

    2. cm790
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      I don't have the bottle to do it, he has the potential for a double points game week.

  22. cm790
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    To play or bench DCL? He scored against Man U before, Everton like these big games.

  23. cm790
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Martinez (Areola)
    Digne Cancel Stones (Shaw, Mitchell)
    Bruno Salah (vc) Gundo (c) Raph Lingard
    Kane Antonio (DCL)

    I did Maddison to Lingard.

    1.2m ITB.

    G2G?

    Or we should I take a -4 somewhere to bring another Spurs asset in?

    1. cm790
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      Thinking playing DCL over Raph as a differential but Raph looks so good.

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 23 days ago

        Raphinha is a differential with only 10% ownership.

        1. cm790
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 23 days ago

          Sorry I meant differential in my league. They have all adopted Raph.

          1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 23 days ago

            Oh, I see. Who did you pick in the end? Good luck!

  24. Jsteve
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Who to play out of Shaw, Mee and Dallas?