Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best FPL players for Double Gameweek 32

The Scout Squad panel are back to champion the stand-out picks for Gameweek 32, which happens to be a ‘double’ for Tottenham Hotspur – so there is no surprise that three of our four writers have opted for a triple-up on the Lilywhites, despite their patchy form.

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 18:30 GMT on Friday.

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
GKBernd LenoHugo LlorisHugo LlorisRui Patrício
Edouard MendyEdouard MendyEdouard MendyBernd Leno
Robert SanchezBernd LenoBernd LenoKasper Schmeichel
DFTrent Alexander-ArnoldLuke ShawLuke ShawSergio Reguilón
Conor CoadyWilly BolyConor CoadyTrent Alexander-Arnold
Cesar AzpilicuetaTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-ArnoldLuke Shaw
Luke ShawCalum ChambersRicardo PereiraCésar Azpilicueta
Rob HoldingArthur MasuakuCalum ChambersConor Coady
MFSon Heung-minSon Heung-minSon Heung-minMohamed Salah
Jesse LingardBruno FernandesMohamed SalahDiogo Jota
Mohamed SalahMohamed SalahBruno FernandesSon Heung-min
Bruno FernandesJesse LingardMason GreenwoodKevin De Bruyne
Adama TraoréGabriel MartinelliJesse LingardJesse Lingard
FWHarry KaneHarry KaneHarry KaneHarry Kane
Kelechi IheanachoKelechi IheanachoKelechi IheanachoJamie Vardy
Alexandre LacazetteRicharlisonAlexandre LacazetteKelechi Iheanacho
Gabriel JesusCallum WilsonDominic Calvert-LewinAlexandre Lacazette
Chris WoodEdinson CavaniCallum WilsonEdinson Cavani


Most popular picks: Bernd Leno, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw, Son Heung-min, Mohamed Salah, Jesse Lingard, Harry Kane, Kelechi Iheanacho (four), Edouard Mendy, Conor Coady, Bruno Fernandes, Alexandre Lacazette (three)

DAVID SAID

After a Gameweek 31 clean sheet against Sheffield United, I think we can trust Arsenal for more defensive returns this time out, which is why I have included Bernd Leno and Rob Holding in my latest selection.

Over their last six home matches, the Gunners rank joint-sixth for the fewest goals conceded while Fulham have blanked in four of their past seven Premier League outings.

Despite going back-to-back games without a shut-out, I still believe there are clean sheets to be had from Chelsea as they remain best in the division for expected goals conceded over the last six matches. As ever, Edouard Mendy and César Azpilicueta are the most nailed-on options to capitalise on that.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has rediscovered his Fantasy form with 44 points across his last six matches and back-to-back double-digit hauls in Gameweeks 30 and 31. I think he can sustain that against Leeds considering that, over those six matches, no FPL defender has matched Liverpool’s right-back for key passes or big chances created.

Ahead of facing Burnley, Luke Shaw remains in the top five defenders for key passes over the same period.

Meanwhile, Conor Coady is the most nailed-on Wolves defender as they prepare to host a Sheffield United outfit that has scored seven away goals in 15 attempts this season.

Son Heung-min remains top of the Premier League for big chances created over the last six matches, so his two matches against a porous Southampton backline and unreliable Everton defence make him a solid option.

Jesse Lingard should continue his impressive form against a Newcastle outfit that has conceded at least two goals in nine of their last 14 Premier League outings. Just two players in the whole division have registered more shots on target than the West Ham midfielder across his last six matches. He also ranks inside the league’s top five for shots in the box and big chances over the same period, strongly hinting that his form is sustainable.

Mohamed Salah now has goals in back-to-back league games and sits top of the division for shots in the box over his last six matches, so I am backing him to get something against Leeds on Monday night.

Harry KaneChris Wood and Kelechi Iheanacho are among my favourite forwards for Double Gameweek 32. They join Lingard inside the Premier League’s best assets for most shots on target over the last six.

NEALE SAID

For those Fantasy bosses who like to have every morsel of information at their disposal before making transfer plans, Gameweek 32 is a bit of a nightmare.

With the matches so spread out over the coming week, a maximum of just 12 Premier League managers will hold their official pre-match press conferences before Friday’s Fantasy Premier League deadline.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton and Leicester City are also in FA Cup semi-final action before their midweek Gameweek 32 fixtures, so for the champions-elect and the Blues in particular, second-guessing line-ups is a fool’s errand at this early stage.

I’ve therefore gone without players from Chelsea and City, not because I don’t think their respective fixtures offer the potential for points but because I simply have little clue who will take to the field in a week’s time.

It’s a similar-ish situation with Arsenal at the time of writing but they at least are in Europa League action on Thursday evening, giving us 24 hours to tweak our Gunners selections.

Calum Chambers and Gabriel Martinelli are my two differential punts from Mikel Arteta’s squad for now and I’m hoping that both are rested in the Czech Republic: the surprisingly attack-minded Chambers has created five chances in his last four outings from full-back (the same as Luke Shaw), while Martinelli has impressed at home and abroad in recent weeks and racked up four shots in a positive Gameweek 31 display.

Two-thirds of the Tottenham Hotspur triple-up requires little explanation, while Hugo Lloris is selected purely because of the impending EFL Cup final, which falls four days after the second half of Spurs’ Gameweek 32 double-header. Ben Davies may be injured but the proximity of that clash with City and the fact that Japhet Tanganga has prior experience at left-back leads me away from Sergio Reguilon and towards the nailed goalkeeper behind him.

Not that I fully trust the Lilywhites’ defence anyway, with nine big chances conceded in a wide-open last two matches. Richarlison, whose move to a centre-forward role has led to an upturn in his attacking numbers, is also included in my squad as a consequence.

West Ham’s own struggles at the back (seven goals conceded in their last three) have been exacerbated by the loss of Declan Rice, so I’ve plumped for the fit-again Callum Wilson as one of my strikers. The Newcastle front-man has been involved in 64% of the Magpies’ goals this season (no first-choice FPL forward can better that), so if Steve Bruce’s side does find the back of the net, the chances are that Wilson will have played a part.

Slightly hedging my bets, I’ve also included Arthur Masuaku: West Ham’s offensive-minded left wing-back should enjoy his afternoon on Tyneside, as Newcastle have allowed more crosses and chances to be created from their right flank than any other team – both in the last six matches and over the whole of 2020/21.

I’m hoping that Pedro Neto’s unfortunate injury and the return of Willy Boly forces Nuno Espirito Santo to field a back three, as Wolves look much more solid (albeit less attacking) when they’re in a 3-4-3. Much has been made of Conor Coady’s new-found threat but Boly has still racked up more penalty box touches and goal attempts than his fellow centre-half in his last six appearances, so I’ll opt for the pricier Ivory Coast international as a result.

Finally, Edinson Cavani’s impressive goal conversion rate of 25% is bettered by only two FPL forwards this season. With Anthony Martial crocked and Burnley on the longest clean sheet drought in the division, I’ll happily add the clinical Uruguayan to my Manchester United contingent of Bruno Fernandes and Shaw.

TOM SAID…

Hugo Lloris is my first-choice goalkeeper for Gameweek 32. Though Tottenham Hotspur’s defence has looked shaky in recent weeks, they play twice against Everton and Southampton, and the Frenchman is at least assured of two starts.

I’ve also selected Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy, who has kept seven clean sheets in 11 Premier League matches under Thomas Tuchel, and Bernd Leno.

At the back, Luke Shaw is my top pick, followed closely by Conor Coady and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Meanwhile, Calum Chambers is my preferred budget defender this week. Against Sheffield United on Sunday, Arsenal set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Granit Xhaka dropping in at left-back. With the Swiss international spending most of the game inside his own half, it allowed his teammate on the opposite flank, Chambers, the opportunity to regularly bomb forward and join the attack. It was a performance reminiscent of his second-half showing at West Ham United, and is encouraging with Fulham up next – only Crystal Palace have conceded more chances from their left flank since the turn of the year.

Ricardo Pereira, who produced his first assist of the season in Gameweek 31, completes the defensive picks.

Further forward, the inclusions of Spurs duo Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, plus Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes, largely speak for themselves, so I’ll dedicate a bit more time to some of my other selections.

After a third goal in four appearances last weekend, Mason Greenwood gets a call-up. Despite only being on the pitch for 18 minutes against Spurs, the youngster made a real impact, and if Paul Pogba is to continue in a more advanced role, where he has the vision and ability to quickly switch play, Greenwood could be the one to benefit. I also like Jesse Lingard, who is the Premier League’s in-form player, providing eight goals and four assists since arriving in east London, plus Kelechi Iheanacho, who seems to be the striker benefitting most from Leicester City’s formation change.

The forward list is completed by Alexandre Lacazette, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (providing he is fit) and Callum Wilson.

ANDY SAID

Even outside of triple Spurs for Double Gameweek 32, picking players this week felt a bit easier than normal and I actually had to leave some top assets out like Bruno Fernandes. I’ve only done this because I fancy Kevin De Bruyne to start now he’s had a Premier League rest.

While we all know Manchester City are likely to win the league, I can’t imagine that they will want to keep dropping points along the way. In the last six Gameweeks. De Bruyne has had eight shots in the box compared to Fernandes’ three, with Aston Villa conceding 9.95 expected goals over that same period (making them the fifth-worst team in the league).

Despite some observations that maybe Leeds will learn to be cautious in games versus teams like Man City and Liverpool, I think it’s too early to think they’re a completely different team – so I’m fully backing the Reds. No player has had more shots than Mohamed Salah (16) in the last six Gameweeks and, even with nearly 200 fewer minutes in that same time, Diogo Jota has managed nine with two big chances. 

It’s impossible to leave Kelechi Iheanacho out at the moment: over the season, he has an expected goal involvement (xGI) every 132.4 minutes. I haven’t lost complete faith in Jamie Vardy just yet, either, as his minutes-per-xGI (124.9) betters his strike partner. While the Foxes are playing two up front, there is of course another player to take some of those shots away. Vardy’s stats are indeed down versus Iheanacho over a small sample size, but the above numbers show that he’s fully capable and has a great fixture.

709 Comments Post a Comment
  1. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Team looks decent, but only Kane for the double :
    Mendy
    TAA alonso shaw
    Salah Bruno mount jota lingard
    Kane nacho
    (forster holding vydra veltman)
    0ft 0itb
    A) bruno to son
    B) mount to moura
    C) alonso to reguilon
    D) nothing, gtg

    1. Scrumper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A for me mate

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B for me

    4. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks! Clear as mud 😉

  2. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not one vote for Lucas Moura. That's tough.

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably be Spurs highest scorer this DGW.

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Good thing I brought him in for Neto.

  3. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Guys jota on the bench? Or not in the squad?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bench

  4. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Being a Madridista I want Guardiola out but having NO City assets (13K rank) I want them to continue LOL.

  5. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Spurs 3 games in 8 days, one of which is a cup final.

    Why are people thinking Spurs main players (Kane and Son) are going to play both games of the DGW?

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They are too important, and Spurs has to get all the points they can get, might be subbed if 2-0

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane is a machine. Their other forwards are relatively shite.

    3. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rest them and lose. Play them and chance a win

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Spurs really aren’t in a position to throw away points in the league

      Having said that - lineups in both games in the DGW are going to be fascinating

      If MouMou rests Kane, drops points, AND loses the cup final all in those next 8 days - he’s gone

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        And if he plays them against Southampton, 4 days before a cup final, and they get injured.........?

        Even if they don’t get crocked, would you flog your players with 3 starts in 8 days knowing your best chance of a trophy is the 3rd of this 3 games?

        I own Kane, but IMO Mourinho would be an absolute idiot to play Kane and Son against Southampton.

        I just don’t understand the collective thinking on here that is convinced they’re playing all 3 of those games and that Mou isn’t putting out a weakened team to play the Saints.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Reckon they’d take champions league qualification over the league cup any day

          Let’s be honest - The league cup is a joke trophy

          I reckon he has to go full bore in the 2 league games & take what he can get in the cup - could be wrong though, wouldn’t be shocked to see Kane or Son sit out one of the games either

          Would be a very Mourinho type move

        2. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Alright, don't captain him them.

        3. seanie3
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          It’s not 3 starts in 8 days it’s 10 days

    5. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane and Son will play all of them, first game is on 16th and next game is 21st so 4 full days rest then again on 26th so again 4 full days rest so they be fine

  6. Scrumper
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bam Bam or Watkins to Nacho worth a -4?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have less value in Watkins & Bamford has five nice fixtures

  7. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Digne, jota and DCL out
    For
    Aurier, Son and iheanacho

    Worth a -4??

  8. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Man City penalty. But subject to VAR review

  9. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mahrez G

  10. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mahreeez

  11. Uncle John from Jamaica
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi Chaps

    Still got WC and BB. Sorry to ask been a bit slack do we have any more likely DGWs coming up?

    thanks

  12. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    KDBottler

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It's 1-1, lad.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        And KDBottled the pen...

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          What do you mean.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            He bottled taking the pen

            1. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Well no, but okay sure.

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                He bottled it lad

                1. Dennis System
                  • 5 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  Love using 'lad' at the end of sentences, always looking to increase the usage. Is it northern?

                  1. LegendMoon
                    • 7 Years
                    2 years, 11 months ago

                    I think in the last comment it’s pure sarcasm

                  2. \'ow much!
                    • 8 Years
                    2 years, 11 months ago

                    Aye, lad

  13. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ffs. That wasn't a penalty until peter walton said it wasn't a penalty. that guy is a curse.

  14. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mahrez on pens going forward for City?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sure

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Was poised to take the last time they had a call too. I'd say yes, till he misses.

  15. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pep roulette just keeps getting more and more annoying. Mahrez on pens? Wtf!

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Arguably part of their best XI now too. Nice differential... if you can catch his starts.

    2. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They’re all crap at pens, if Mahrez missed it would be stones next lol

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Only champion pens, not regular.

    4. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      An Ederson pen would have been worth 2 goals apparently.

  16. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Can Haaland make it a 7th game without a goal?

  17. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Why are all Liverpool players shooting the ball like Courtois has a NFL type goal behind him?

  18. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is it just me or there are fewer and fewer ties with extra time and penalty shoot out than lets say 10 years ago? I don't remember when we had penalties the last time.

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Always been rare since away goal rule was introduced for 2 leg ties.

      1. The Hunt
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Wasn't the away goal rule first introduced during the days of black & white football though?

  19. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    TC Kane or Son??

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you are confident they will start both games, any of the 2.

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Maybe it's just that when I was most interested in football , that is around years 2004-2010, there were just quite many. The last time we had penalties

        1. Sgt Frank Drebin
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Was 5 years ago, but for example there was similiar case in years 1995-2001 when there were no shoot ots too.

          Ps. Stupid adds at the bottom. Wanted to hide it and clicked on "post"...

          1. Sgt Frank Drebin
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            And replail fail too...

      2. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Surely both will start both? Son maybe 90+75 and Kane 90,90?

  20. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mahrez confirmed on penalties

  21. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy
    Rudiger, TAA, Holding, Coady
    Bruno, lingard, Salah, Jota
    Kane (c), Iheanacho

    Forster, Amartey, Vydra, Neto

    1ft £3.4 itb

    Early thoughts on this please. I WC last week and had pencilled in my transfer this week to do lingard to son. I don't have enough to do Neto to son.

    Is having both son and Kane essential for the double gw? Surely It would be madness to take lingard out for son now.

    Would it be worth a -4 to get son in if I downgrade vydra? Or just get Lucas Moura instead?

    Any other suggestions welcome.

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son in for Bruno. UTD aren't get any penalties now.

      1. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Bruno is my rank protector. It would be even more risky to go without him than son!

  22. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Haaland blank will knock about €30M off his fee.

  23. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Foooooden

  24. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Foden securing his place ahead of Sterling in the first XI

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wish he was a mainstay for Fantasy.

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Have had him for ages. Pain to own.

    3. Fintroy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The only thing Foden secured tonight was a rest in the next game or the game after that.

  25. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Oil goal

  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mane has been horrendous

    Off in the summer I’m guessing

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A shadow of his former self.

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah, for quite some time now.

    3. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same could be said of salah and firminio tonight

  27. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What’s Foden worth..? 100m +

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      say what now?

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Anyone can put any figure there. Only worth what someone is willing to pay pays if transfer happens.

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Transfermarkt reckons £63m

      https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/phil-foden/profil/spieler/406635

      Agree he's go for more though, not that he'll be sold.

    4. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Would rather him in my team than sancho or Bellingham

  28. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Nothing impressive оf Salah...

  29. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bobby & Mané off.

  30. JoJoRed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    BT Sports City game.
    Who is the co commentator

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jenas

      1. JoJoRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks