Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 15 Scout Picks: Liverpool, Man City and Spurs double-ups

Ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 GMT deadline, we have chosen our best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for Gameweek 15.

We line-up in a 3-5-2 formation and, as ever, are limited to an £83.0m budget for our starting XI.

Our four substitutes, meanwhile, are always chosen from the budget crop of players.

GOALKEEPER

FPL Gameweek 10 Scout Picks features double-ups from four clubs 2

Illan Meslier (£4.9m) is our chosen goalkeeper for Gameweek 15, with this weekend’s opponents Brentford failing to offer much in the final third in their last two outings, with their only goal arriving from the penalty spot. During that time, they have mustered just nine shots in the box and rank 18th for non-penalty expected goals (non-pen xG). Leeds United haven’t exactly been watertight at the back this season, but they have now kept back-to-back clean sheets against Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion, and will fancy their chances of adding another this weekend. An extra two days of recovery for the high-octane Whites is also something worth bearing in mind.

DEFENDERS

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.0m) sits top of the defender standings, having racked up three double-digit hauls in his last six appearances. The England international has now produced eight attacking returns across his 12 outings, averaging an impressive 7.5 points per match. This weekend’s opponents, Wolverhampton Wanderers, have failed to score in either of their last two matches, with only Norwich City scoring fewer than their 12 in 2021/22. That suggests Alexander-Arnold can profit at both ends of the pitch in Gameweek 15.

Joao Cancelo (£6.7m) continues to be an ever-present for Pep Guardiola’s side this term, having now started every single Manchester City league fixture; we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it stays that way on Saturday and that the midweek Champions League dead rubber against Leipzig is earmarked to give him a breather. Across all positional categories, he ranks third for FPL points, while his underlying numbers suggest further attacking returns are on the way, with his 31 goal attempts, 11 shots on target and 338 final-third touches all league-leading totals amongst defenders. Since Claudio Ranieri’s appointment at Watford, it’s also worth noting that no team has conceded more chances from their right flank than the Hornets.

Sergio Reguilon (£5.2m) takes the final spot in our backline. Across Antonio Conte’s three Premier League games in charge, the Spanish wing-back is averaging over eight points per match, having returned a goal, assist, four bonus points and two clean sheets. During that time, he has produced five shots in the box, two big chances and 10 penalty area touches, while his 2.08 expected goal involvement (xGI) total is better than any other defender on offer, despite playing a game fewer than most.

MIDFIELDERS

Arteta clarifies Arsenal penalty situation as Smith Rowe impresses again

Having bagged a brace at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) is now on 19 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions this season, while Liverpool have taken their tally to 43 from 14 league games – 10 more than next-best Manchester City. As a result of that form, the Egyptian is now 56 points ahead of any other Fantasy asset after 14 Gameweeks, and is top for everything from shots in the box to big chances created on the underlying stats front.

It’s still early in Antonio Conte’s reign, but the Italian’s influence is already starting to show, with last night’s 2.16 expected goals (xG) total the most Spurs have achieved in a single match all season. Key to that improvement was Son Heung-min (£10.4m), who was dangerous down the left from the off and netted his fifth league goal of the campaign during the second half. Notably, Norwich’s right-hand side has also been more susceptible to conceding shots since Dean Smith’s arrival, which could be good news for Son and Reguilon in Gameweek 15.

With doubts around how many minutes Phil Foden (£8.1m) will be afforded this weekend, we’ve opted for Ilkay Gundogan (£7.3m) in the Scout Picks once again. The German international has been excellent alongside Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) this season, playing an important role in City’s run which has seen them win their last six matches in all competitions. Statistically, he ranks top amongst all team-mates for expected goal involvement (xGI), while only Gabriel Jesus (£8.7m) has attempted more shots in the box.

Maxwel Cornet (£6.1m) has hit the ground running since his summer move from Olympique Lyonnais. In just eight Premier League appearances, the Ivorian has chalked up an impressive five goals and has now completed over 80 minutes in three successive matches. Yes, he’s overachieving based on some modest underlying stats, but this weekend’s opponents, Newcastle United, have failed to keep a single clean sheet this season and have shown no signs of tightening up in any of Eddie Howe’s three matches in charge.

Despite defeat at Old Trafford on Thursday, Emile Smith Rowe (£6.0m) was on target once again with his fifth league strike of the campaign. His current attacking output may regress in the coming weeks, given his +3.43 xGI delta, but this match-up does feel like a good one for the England international, against an Everton side who have failed to win since all the way back in Gameweek 6. From that point onwards, they rank 19th for expected goals conceded (xGC), while their right-hand side – the zone Smith Rowe primarily operates in – has looked particularly vulnerable in recent matches.

FORWARDS

Five-time top 1k FPL finisher Tom Freeman on Villa under Gerrard and his Gameweek 13 plans 6

Since Steven Gerrard’s arrival at Aston Villa, Ollie Watkins (£7.4m) has been one of his team’s standout performers, netting two goals in three appearances. However, the real appeal lies in this weekend’s opponent, Leicester City, who have failed to keep a single clean sheet since the opening weekend. In fact, only Newcastle United, Norwich City and Watford have allowed more goals so far this season, while the Foxes’ 146 shots conceded in the box is more than any other side bar Burnley.

Callum Wilson’s (£7.4m) strike against Norwich City in Gameweek 14 took him to five for the season, which is especially impressive given that he has missed four matches through injury. Notably, four of those goals have arrived at St James’ Park, with his 3.53 xG on home soil only bettered by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.8m), Diogo Jota (£7.9m) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.3m). Newcastle are still without a win at the foot of the Premier League table, but have at least avoided defeat in both of Eddie Howe’s home encounters, scoring four goals in the process.

SUBSTITUTES

Two attack-minded defenders (and out of position in one case) in the form of Tariq Lamptey and Kyle Walker-Peters face one another this weekend; only Norwich and Wolves have scored fewer goals than Brighton and Southampton this season, so the south-coast clash at St Mary’s doesn’t scream ‘goalfest’ on paper.

Leeds United, as it happens, have scored the same number of goals as the two aforementioned sides as they continue to struggle without Patrick Bamford, who will be back in Gameweek 15 but perhaps only as a substitute. The improving Alvaro Fernandez, who impressed at Spurs after a clean sheet against Everton, is our back-up goalkeeper.

Finally, Emmanuel Dennis doesn’t have an appealing fixture this weekend – but he does have remarkable form. He’s already breached the defences of Chelsea and Manchester United in the last month, and while a place in the Scout Picks XI is perhaps a step too far, he’s still very agreeably priced for emergency substitute duty.

THE CAPTAIN

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Our panel voted as follows:

  • Az: Salah, Son, Gundogan
  • Sam: Salah, Son, Watkins
  • Neale: Salah, Alexander-Arnold, Gundogan
  • Tom: Salah, Son, Alexander-Arnold

Mohamed Salah is awarded the captaincy, with Son Heung-min nominated as vice-captain.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The community member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Holmes, who triumphed 59-34 in Gameweek 7, has set the target to beat.

Our champion this week is Husky, who has gone with a 5-4-1 of Dubravka; Alexander-Arnold, Cancelo, Reguilon, Lamptey, Lascelles; Salah, Son, Bernardo, Raphinha; Kane (c).

The Scout Picks are 11-3 up on the community this season.

1,313 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Choose one here folks:

    A) Zaha to Foden and bench Toney
    B) Save ft, play Toney, bench Zaha

    Thanks

    1. ArseneAllTheWay
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      B

  2. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA James Alonso Emerson
    Bilva Foden Salah(c) ESR
    CR7 Toney

    Bench: Steele Dennis Gallagher Livaramento

    Any changes to my starting XI

  3. ArseneAllTheWay
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed: 2FT 0.8itb

    A) Brownhill & Jimi > Bernardo & Dennis
    B) Jimi > Watkins
    C) Jimi > Toney

    1. winchester
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A looks good imo

    2. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I'm thinking of doing A over the coming weeks but with King (and maybe Gundo instead of Bilva)

  4. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bernardo Silva or Gundogan ?
    Dennis or King ?

    1. ArseneAllTheWay
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bernardo and Dennis if you can afford

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I like Gundogan myself but most Silva is the answer to a lot of questions at the moment.

      I'd go King over Dennis. King has better underlying numbers and penalties.

    3. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I've gone with Bernardo and King

  5. Toe-Knee Yeboah
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez
    James / TAA / Cancelo,
    Salah / Jota / Raphinha / ESR
    Kane / Toney / Benteke
    Foster / Mbuemo / White / Johnson

    0.0m ITB
    1FTs

    1) Would you......

    A) Benteke -> Dennis to free up money for next week before price rise tonight?
    B) Roll FT

    2) Bench order?

    Start Benteke or Mbuemo

    Many thanks

  6. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    vardy -> ?. have antonio and hwang currently.

    a) watkins
    b) dennis
    c) king

    1. mrelpea
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A

  7. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Pep's embargoed quote on Foden...

    "Today he was training. He is not thinking about the injury now. I don't know for tomorrow [if I choose him] but soon he will be back."

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

      Pep Guardiola on Phil Foden: “He's a guy, in my experience, who holds pain. He has pain but says 'I'll play'. If he has discomfort and says he doesn't feel good, he doesn't feel good. He got injured vs Everton and that's why he couldn't play vs PSG and next games. He tried..."

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

        I was all set to get Foden but not after seeing this

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, after midweek Foden would have been my pick to dodge Pep roulette this weekend but now its back to the wheel...

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I hate u pep

    3. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Back in training - good
      "Soon he will be back" - bad. Not overly hopeful for tomorrow I must say.

  8. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Play one:

    A) Livramento (BHA)
    B) Mbeumo (lee)

    Ta muchly

    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A

  9. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I've got 2 FTs and no moves I really want to make this week, although I've got a couple planned for next GW.

    Would you do:

    A) Raphinha (BRE) to ESR (eve) this GW - a week earlier than I'd like, but don't burn a FT and make 1 transfer next week
    B) Do Raphinha to ESR next week - burn the FT and need to make 2 transfers next week.

  10. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    What changes should I make to my WC team?

    Dea Gea
    TAA Cancelo James Reguilon
    Salah Jota Esr Bernardo
    Ronaldo Dennis

    Bench: Steele Johnson Davis Bissouma

  11. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    NEW: Liverpool have approached the Egyptian and Senegalese football associations over the possibility of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane reporting late for AFCON, scheduled to be held in Cameroon between 9 January and 6 February. [guardian]

    Salah might be available up to and including GW21, away to Chelsea...

    Sell a week early to gain the benefits of 3 weeks without Salah? 😮

    1. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      So which weeks will Salah miss exactly?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Definitely GW22&23. If Egypt go far and there are covid issues he might also miss GW24...

        Original release date was supposedly after the Boxing Day games (GW19) so still up in the air...

        Could miss GW20-24, might only miss GW22&23.

        1. LLoris
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Interesting I guess well see around gw 19

  12. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Smith-Rowe or Maddison?

    1. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      ESR

    2. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      esr

  13. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Unsure what to do here. 1FT and 1.1itb. Also tempted to WC next week.

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Cancelo James Alonso Livra
    Salah Raphinha Jota Gallagher Gilmour
    Antonio Vardy Dennis

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      What would the WC look like?

      1. JollyGoodYellows
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Likely Ronaldo, ESR and Gundo in.

  14. liboo
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Calleger out and cornet in

    Yay or nay ?!!

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Nay, Afcon "soon" and not sold on Burnley.

    2. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Who are they?

  15. bros
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Tough one but think I would hold this week!

  16. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Team benching headache:
    Ramsdale (Foster)
    Holy four + Reg
    Salah, Son, Jota, Gundo
    Jesus

    Toney, ESR, Dennis

    I don't like to start both Alonso and James over Toney and ESR vs Whu, who are likely to score, but picking the right one is terrible coin toss. Benching ESR looks like a bad bet also, but bookies consider Toney more likely to score. Any ideas?

  17. Ibracadebruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Gundo or Bilva… or just drop city attacker and go with Maddison?

    1. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I like Maddison a lot but started the season with him and held and held and held.. And got sweet fa for it.

  18. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Captain Salah or Son?

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo James Reguilon
    Salah Son Jota B.Silva ESR
    Vardy

    Steele Livramento King Locadia

  19. Big Col
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one?

    A) Dennis (MCI)
    B) Jimenez (LIV)
    C) Gallagher (man)

  20. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Reguilon just went from 88 to 96 in seconds

  21. Return of the FF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Gallagher to ESR or roll?

    1. JollyGoodYellows
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Think I'm going to do it

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Gallagher's best games against good teams so roll

  22. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on what to do with this?

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Cancelo, James, Alonso
    Salah (C), Gundo, Jota
    Vardy, Antonio, Toney

    Foster, Livramento, Mbembo, Brownhill

    2 FT 1.2 ITB

    A) Mbembo > ESR
    B) Toney + Vardy > King + CR7
    C) Mbembo + Toney + Vardy > ESR + Dennis + CR7 (-4)
    D) Other

  23. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Getting Jota for Foden last wk helped me win manager of the month for November by 3 pts. Just saying...

    1. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      And 70 Yo-Yos

  24. yanky
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    who scores more this week? One week question since im gonna WC next week…

    a) Gundo + Dier
    b) Bilva + Dier
    c) Reguilon + Emerson Royal.

  25. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Will Phillip Foden start tomorrow??

    1. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Haha see below..im tired of thinking and asking this so might just move him along

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      yes

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        See Peps latest quotes on Foden above..

    3. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      40%

  26. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Foden > Gundo? Seems like the stress free option

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      im thinking foden(c)

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Why? It could easily be a 1 point cameo...what makes you so sure?

        1. Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          fully rested and ready to start imo, the others played 2 consecutive games

          1. PapaWengzz
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Fair but he may still "in pain" based on the above comments

    2. yanky
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      is bilva more nailed than gundo? this roulette is killing me see above

    3. Ibracadebruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Stress free option… city attacker in Christmas period?

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Gundo was a revelation same time last year..played almost every game

        1. Ibracadebruyne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Ok… so Gundo almost a stress free option then

  27. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale or De Gea and why?

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Been contemplating this myself as I will WC soon. I have been edging towards DDG but Ramsdale makes a lot of saves and the Arsenal defence is generally decent.

  28. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Which one week punt would you take:

    1. Antonio to Jesus (have Cancelo and Gundogan)
    2. White to Reguilon

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      2

    2. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      2

      1. LLoris
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Nevermind 1

  29. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    A) Gallagher & Antonio to Bernardo & King (442 start Bernardo bench King this week)
    B) White & Antonio -> Regulion & King (532 start regu bench King)

  30. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    What changes should I make to my WC team?

    Dea Gea
    TAA Cancelo James Reguilon
    Salah Jota Esr Bernardo
    Ronaldo Dennis

    Bench: Steele Johnson Davis Bissouma