Scout Squad
16 January 2026 245 comments
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After the annual winter hiatus, the Scout Squad returns for Gameweek 22.

In this article, our in-house team discuss who they think the best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players are for the upcoming Gameweek in isolation.


MORE ABOUT THE SCOUT SQUAD

Scout Squad Gameweek 9

The focus is only on the upcoming Gameweek with the Scout Squad, so there’s no medium-term planning involved.

Staff writer Marc, general manager Sam, deputy editor Tom F and editor Neale each take turns explaining their picks.

The players who get the most votes are much more likely to make the Scout Picks. However, the final XI can’t exceed £83.0m – so occasionally, we have to source cheaper alternatives.

Each of our writers must meet the following requirements for this feature:

  • At least one sub-£5.0m goalkeeper
  • At least one sub-£5.0m defender
  • At least one sub-£6.0m midfielder
  • At least one sub-£7.0m forward
  • No more than three players from the same club

SCOUT SQUAD: BEST FPL PLAYERS FOR GAMEWEEK 22

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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price change predictions
245 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    7 hours, 17 mins ago

    Wirtz?

    1. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 hours, 16 mins ago

      He has been returning, tbf

    2. Tomerick
      • 11 Years
      6 hours, 13 mins ago

      What’s the Wirtz that could happen?

    3. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 11 mins ago

      Another pathetic AI herd pick.

    4. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 7 Years
      1 hour, 45 mins ago

      A grave error. Low ceiling. Good fixture though

  2. Look at his face!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 hours, 48 mins ago

    What do you do with Gordon and O’Reilly? Give them one more week or sell?

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 29 mins ago

      Play Gordon, bench or sell O'Reilly.

  3. Bale11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    6 hours, 44 mins ago

    Got offered Salah for Foden. Any views? I think it’s wise taking it seeing how much Phil has cooled off and Cherki/semenyo doing well

    1. Bale11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      6 hours, 26 mins ago

      Draft q

    2. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 29 mins ago

      Naa, not worth it.

  4. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    6 hours, 40 mins ago

    Capt saka or enzo?

    1. carlmas
      • 3 Years
      5 hours, 38 mins ago

      Saka (4.5) > Enzo (3.4)
      If you have Bruno G (7.5) even better!
      Check performance on https://fplprophet.com/performance ,
      for easy to use and free transfer optimization as well if you have your team ID handy

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        5 hours, 33 mins ago

        Please stop with those links.

        1. carlmas
          • 3 Years
          5 hours, 31 mins ago

          sorry, that was the last one

          1. Kingy109
            • 4 Years
            1 hour, 31 mins ago

            It's recommended Ekitike to Sesko this week so feels a little sub optimal

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 54 mins ago

      Neither really

  5. Bavarian
    • 8 Years
    6 hours, 31 mins ago

    Cash or Chalobah?

    1. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 hours, 52 mins ago

      chalobahs very consistent

    2. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 29 mins ago

      Cash.

  6. Bggz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 hours, 13 mins ago

    Which 2 to play? I dont like having Thiago vs Chalobah... RMT says bench Thiago but thats a big call.

    Thiago che
    Alderete CRY
    Chalobah BRE
    Caicedo BRE

    1. Bavarian
      • 8 Years
      5 hours, 47 mins ago

      Never bench a striker

    2. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      5 hours, 42 mins ago

      I’d start Thiago and Caicedo (defcon)

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 hours, 4 mins ago

        This

    3. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 28 mins ago

      Thiago
      Alderete

  7. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    6 hours, 8 mins ago

    Gotta feel sorry for people who pay money to a site which is recommending to bring in Wirtz.

    1. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      5 hours, 11 mins ago

      Tbh he’s improving his output as of late and the fixture is there. Ekitike back is good for him also. I still don’t see him as a must own but for a one week punt you could do worse.
      Also I was a paying member for years but nowadays I really don’t see the value in it anymore. So much info available for free.

  8. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    6 hours, 2 mins ago

    Hello.
    Would you start
    A) Chalobah (BRE)
    B) Senesi (bha)
    C) O’Reilly (utd)

    Imo first two better chance for defcon but all concede. Last one slight advantage on attacking points. Who do you prefer?

    1. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 hours, 7 mins ago

      c prob then a

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 hours, 5 mins ago

      A

    3. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 28 mins ago

      B

  9. Who plays up front for Spurs with Richarlison out? Tel?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 hours, 55 mins ago

      It’s Muani, TKT.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        4 hours, 54 mins ago

        Thankee! Tel an option in midfield, playing an execrable West Ham?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          4 hours, 52 mins ago

          Massive punt that is, you’re quite highly ranked aren’t you?

          1. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            4 hours, 51 mins ago

            Yes, 43k, if that helps?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              4 hours, 50 mins ago

              Play safe then, no need for silliness, leave that to the nudists!

              1. The Knights Template
                • 12 Years
                4 hours, 50 mins ago

                You’re always very helpful!

                1. The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  3 hours, 37 mins ago

                  Please stop with these links.

    2. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      4 hours, 46 mins ago

      Muani to start and Solanke to appear in the second half.

    3. thingamajig
      • 11 Years
      4 hours, 45 mins ago

      Solanke about again now too yeah?

  10. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    5 hours, 30 mins ago

    Captain Ekitike or Gruno?

    1. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      4 hours, 43 mins ago

      Gruno not as good away, so Ekitike imo.

      1. NZREDS
        • 12 Years
        4 hours, 16 mins ago

        Agree with this

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 41 mins ago

        This

    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 40 mins ago

      I'm going Ekitike.

  11. SKENG
    • 9 Years
    4 hours, 28 mins ago

    Raya
    Gabriel Timber Andersen
    Foden Cunha Gordon Wilson
    Haaland Thiago DCL

    Dubravka Tarkowski Dorgu KDH - 1 FT, 3.4M ITB

    Would you save FT here or get Bruno in early?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 hours, 54 mins ago

      Connor Gallagher is pretty cheap at 5.5m

    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 40 mins ago

      I would save FT then do Cunha to someone you like next week, then Gordon to Bruno F week after.

  12. SARRFACE
    • 14 Years
    3 hours, 28 mins ago

    Hi all,

    Is Gakpo worth a shout? Not seeing his name around a lot.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 55 mins ago

      Yes

    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 42 mins ago

      Long term? I would say no. This week? Yeah sure.

  13. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 hours, 25 mins ago

    Is the expectation that Delap will play instead of Pedro 'because the manager knows him' justified?

    I can't find anything on the Evanilson injury. Is there one?

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 43 mins ago

      He played JP at number 10 and he seems to like a striker capable of running in behind, that's why he played Guiu when Delap was taken ill I think. I see lots of mins for Delap barring injury. He's good mates with Palmer.

      Evanilson...not heard anything.

  14. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 hours, 18 mins ago

    Start Guehi @ Sunderland over O’Reilly @ United and Andersen @ Leeds?

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 46 mins ago

      Sunderland Vs Palace feels like a low scoring fixture, to be fair I think the Manchester derby will work out that way as well. Leeds will score at home, so you be expecting 3/4 from Andersen with defcon. You might not be far off a bench boost.

  15. cescpistols1
    • 10 Years
    3 hours, 16 mins ago

    Clueless on what to do. 1FT, 0.3 ITB. Any help would be appreciated.

    Thoughts on Kudus -> Enzo?

    Raya
    Gabriel Thiaw Mukiele
    Saka Cunha Rogers KUDUS
    Haaland Ekitike (c) Woltemade

    Dubravka O'Reilly Gudmundsson King

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 48 mins ago

      I'd probably just get Wilson mate.

  16. Tim2012
    • 13 Years
    3 hours, 13 mins ago

    Wilson or Enzo?
    Guehi or Munoz?

    I'm on a wildcard

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      I'd go Wilson and Munoz.

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 16 mins ago

        This

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          2 hours, 8 mins ago

          This

          1. The 12th Man
            • 12 Years
            1 hour, 56 mins ago

            This

            1. Zogzeg
              • 13 Years
              1 hour, 40 mins ago

              This

              1. This

                1. This

  17. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    3 hours, 11 mins ago

    Would you BB?

    Roefs
    Lacroix, Thiaw, Gabriel
    Bruno F, Bruno G, Saka, Rice, Palmer
    Thiago, Haaland

    Dubravka, DCL, VdV, Bijol

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 49 mins ago

      Yes I think you should, I think getting it out of the way will be useful, playing it in DGW33 means you'll have to spread your funds wider and less effectively in my opinion.

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      Yep

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 10 mins ago

      I’m all for an early BB when you have a fully starting XV. Go for it

  18. _Greg
    • 15 Years
    2 hours, 57 mins ago

    I'm hoping KDH gets some mins off the bench this week. I still like the idea of him as 8th attacker long term and would play him Vs Leeds.

  19. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 54 mins ago

    So every single content creator is an AI sheep now then? Wirtz unanimously picked? Bugger off... what's the bloody point of a selection of humans touting their picks if they are all AI controlled. Just end this article series

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 38 mins ago

      Partly why I feel I am so anti-Enzo… feel so heavily that I’m being forced into Cunha to Enzo that I’m probably just going to do Palmer instead just to be different. Will probably backfire but the relentless AI push of certain moves is so frustrating.

    2. Conners
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 38 mins ago

      Interestingly, not one of the current top 10 has ever achieved a top 100k finish.

      Makes you wonder...

    3. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 36 mins ago

      I don’t think this is fair. Wirtz is good pick for this GW.

    4. Sir Michael Taker
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 35 mins ago

      Its the same as the YouTube celebrities. Go on there and they read out an xgi table and some betting odds for you. I suppose they can't make bad decisions if none of them are their decisions

    5. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 28 mins ago

      What do you mean by 'AI'? Even if you look just at bookies odds he's a good option for this GW.

    6. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 hours, 20 mins ago

      Actually I think the AI pick would be Szobo - minutes, set pieces, penalties. Wirtz is the recency bias pick so all too human.

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 19 mins ago

        Yeah, exactly. Fine if folk think it's a rubbish pick but it's about as opposite as AI as you can get (Gakpo is actually RMT's favourite Liverpool mid, while the analytics crowd love Szobo). I've included him because I've watched him get better and better over the last few weeks, he's starting to deliver tangible returns, he's got a Burnley side that hasn't kept a clean sheet away from home and he's just been rested in the cup. Him and Frimpong are about as 'vibes/grass/eye test' as you can get.

  20. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 50 mins ago

    How are Semenyo owners feeling?

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      1 hour, 47 mins ago

      Like I'd rather own him than not.

    2. John47
      • 2 Years
      1 hour, 43 mins ago

      Very happy, I would imagine. I dropped him a couple of weeks ago anticipating his transfer and expecting it to take a while before he was Citeh’s starting lineup. I’m now looking at getting him back in asap.

    3. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 7 Years
      1 hour, 42 mins ago

      Chilled

  21. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    2 hours, 48 mins ago

    Play two from:

    A) Alderete (CPA)
    B) Tarkowski (avl)
    C) Chalobah (BRE)
    D) Guehi (sun)

    Currently on AC with BD bench order

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 47 mins ago

      C D

    2. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 hour, 17 mins ago

      AC(DB)

  22. NotsoSpursy
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 43 mins ago

    Which pair scores more points over next few weeks

    A) Wilson, Ekitike
    B) Bruno F, Wirtz

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 55 mins ago

      Probably B with Bruno being the most consistently reliable option there

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 49 mins ago

      No one knows, but B more likely imho.

    3. Conners
      • 7 Years
      1 hour, 48 mins ago

      2 weeks probably A, otherwise B.

    4. NotsoSpursy
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 47 mins ago

      Thanks guys

  23. Jasoooooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 hours, 38 mins ago

    0 FT, 1.6 mil in the bank.

    Sanchez (Dubravka)
    Gabriel, Timber, Mukiele (Chalobah, O’Reilly)
    Foden, Cunha, Rogers, Rice, Wilson
    Haaland, Ekitike (Guiu)

    Good to go for this GW? Plan is to do Cunha -> Bruno F next week.

  24. abaalan
    • 9 Years
    2 hours, 34 mins ago

    Is Rogers overrated as an FPL pick?
    Just 0.27 xgi/90 so far (lower than someone like Bruno G or Rice)

    Looking for Cunha replacement..

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 46 mins ago

      Rogers

    2. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 7 Years
      1 hour, 41 mins ago

      He's outperforming and a real talent. I think we've missed the big points run.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 38 mins ago

      A decent player and FPL option just very hard to predict when he’ll haul. Him being nailed and nearly always playing 90 mins is valuable too.

    4. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 33 mins ago

      I suspect that 0.27 will be higher after the next 5-6 games. I avoided getting Wilson because the CCs said he was overperforming and had low xGi but his xGi improved as he returned in easier fixtures.

  25. TheBrazilianRonaldo
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 29 mins ago

    Who's playing 4 citeh this week? Haaland, Semenyo, Foden and O'Reily here.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 42 mins ago

      Cue 1-0 United win then

      1. TheBrazilianRonaldo
        • 7 Years
        1 hour, 41 mins ago

        Ha for sure

    2. Sir Michael Taker
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 40 mins ago

      We haven't had Fridays pressers yet. You might have to sell somebody

  26. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 23 mins ago

    Time to remove my keeper! Be gone Petrovic.

  27. DagheMunegu
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 22 mins ago

    Verbruggen
    O'Reilly Gabriel xxx
    Saka Foden Enzo Szobo Rice
    Haaland Ekitike

    xxx play Van Hecke or Rodon ?

    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 20 mins ago

      Close. I'd probably go VH as Brighton defence is decent at home

  28. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 21 mins ago

    Is it a priority to ditch Dorgu or should I roll and rely on Gud / Andersen for the next 2-3 weeks? Not planning to WC and feel a -4 is inevitable by GW24 to get the likes of Bruno F and Chelsea assets.

    A - Dorgu > Alderete (bench Gud)
    B - Roll

    Pickford
    Gabriel - Timber - Gudmund
    Foden - Szob - BrunoG - Rice
    Haaland - Ekitike - DCL

    Dubravka - Cunha - Andersen - Dorgu

    1. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 23 mins ago

      I’d roll.
      Wait and see if he’s played first.

      I have Dalot, he’ll be on my bench.

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        31 mins ago

        Thanks - makes sense. The rest of my bench is fine and so I can probably get away with carrying him as last on my bench for a few weeks.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 21 mins ago

      You could even play Andersen over Gud if your not confident.

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        30 mins ago

        Think I read Leeds CS odds are a bit higher than Fulham but Andersen does offer DC potential and so I may go with him and hope for 3-4 points

  29. Rollercoaster
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 17 mins ago

    Midfield Wirtz Foden Wilson Saka Rogers, have to bench one, who?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 19 mins ago

      Foden

  30. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 hours, 17 mins ago

    Fine to just keep Timber and Saka for now? And sell if we actually see their minutes limited in the upcoming weeks? Not sure I want to waste my FTs now on some sideways moves like getting Rice, don't need funds right now.