Scout Picks
23 January 2026 417 comments
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After the Scout Squad submissions of Marc, Sam, Tom F and Neale, we have finalised our Scout Picks for Gameweek 23 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

As usual, we are limited by certain restrictions:

  • An £83.0m budget for our starting XI
  • An overall squad limit of £100.0m
  • No more than three players per team

GAMEWEEK 23 SCOUT PICKS

*Guehi should, of course, now be in City blue!

GOALKEEPER

FPL Gameweek 11: Best clean sheet odds

Robert Sanchez (£4.9m) is our chosen goalkeeper, partly due to the opponent (Crystal Palace) but also based on his own excellent performance last week. The Spaniard was superb against Brentford, claiming a well-deserved clean sheet, with his long kicks a particular highlight. Furthermore, only three teams have conceded fewer goals than Chelsea in 2025/26, despite the recent management upheaval. Against a beleaguered Palace outfit that have scored just two goals in their last six home matches, Sanchez’s inclusion makes a lot of sense.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: Thiago brace + knock, Collins assist + Kelleher penalty save

Arsenal have the best defensive record in the top-flight, having conceded only five goals in 11 home matches. As the highest-scoring defender in FPL, Gabriel Magalhaes’ (£6.9m) potential to score from set-pieces only enhances his appeal, as he aims to increase his 8.0 points per start average on home turf. Even against a Manchester United team boosted by Michael Carrick’s arrival in the dugout, you’d need a very good reason to overlook Gabriel in Gameweek 23.

After his transfer from Crystal Palace, Marc Guehi (£5.2m) will likely go straight into Manchester City’s starting line-up on Saturday, particularly after the midweek defeat to Bodo/Glimt. Opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers have shown improvement in recent weeks, but across the 2025/26 season, have scored just five goals in 11 away matches, the joint-fewest of any team. Even during their recent four-match unbeaten streak, Rob Edwards’ side have generated just 3.25 non-penalty expected goals (NPxG).  

Nathan Collins (£5.0m) has provided either a clean sheet, goal, assist or defensive contribution (DefCon) points in seven of his last eight appearances, a run (Gameweeks 15-22) which has seen him rack up 52 points, the joint-most of any player in FPL. Against a Nottingham Forest side that has notched just four times in their last six Premier League matches, another clean sheet could be on the cards.

MIDFIELDERS

FPL notes: Salah up top, Enzo 10, Sanchez boost + Palmer injury 7
 

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417 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. simong1
    • 7 Years
    20 hours, 29 mins ago

    Is Ndiaye it Enzo a better option to bring in?

    1. Boz
      • 13 Years
      20 hours, 28 mins ago

      Enzo easy

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      20 hours, 12 mins ago

      Ndiaye

  2. Boz
    • 13 Years
    20 hours, 29 mins ago

    What's everyone's plan if Foden is leaked not to start? I think an early swap to Fernandes, but Semenyo would be tempting

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 28 mins ago

      Bench for Tarkowski

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      20 hours, 25 mins ago

      Sell

    3. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      20 hours, 17 mins ago

      Yes, swap for Bruno I guess. I'm definitely not benching him.

    4. Hibbopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      20 hours, 10 mins ago

      Swap for Enzo most likely

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      20 hours, 8 mins ago

      Sell for Schade.

    6. LoughboroughJim
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 46 mins ago

      I think it's a swap to Semenyo whether Phil is likely to start or not...

  3. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    20 hours, 26 mins ago

    Best Defender to own from these?

    A. Chalobah (with Sanchez)
    B.Tarkowski

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      20 hours, 24 mins ago

      A. But Tark is also fantastic.

  4. Gazwaz80
    • 6 Years
    20 hours, 25 mins ago

    % Gruno will start, 50/50 maybe?

    1. Boz
      • 13 Years
      20 hours, 24 mins ago

      Haha Gruno. 25% from prodicted line ups

      https://x.com/Jumpthewave/status/2014734595732729931/photo/2

  5. MVDP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    20 hours, 24 mins ago

    Poor planning on my part.
    Transfers done and still with Watkins and Rogers away to Newcastle. Don’t like that.

    1. Boz
      • 13 Years
      20 hours, 23 mins ago

      Good fixtures from next week

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        20 hours, 18 mins ago

        Abraham to Villa, probably impacts Watkins mins

        https://x.com/i/status/2014749130782892235

    2. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      20 hours, 23 mins ago

      You can’t have optimal games every week plus Villa have nicer fixtures soon.

    3. Hibbopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      20 hours, 8 mins ago

      Rogers is playing well and shooting at ton, the goals will come. Newcastle away isn't ideal but hardly impenetrable

  6. joeynse99
    • 10 Years
    20 hours, 24 mins ago

    Captain Haaland or Thiago?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 16 mins ago

      Haaland

    2. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      19 hours, 50 mins ago

      If leading your mini league then Haaland, if chasing then Thiago

  7. Steavn8k
    • 2 Years
    20 hours, 22 mins ago

    Bench one:
    A: Mukiele
    B: Hall
    C: O'Reilly

    Currently on C, as I'm not convinced he starts, but it is Wolves at home...

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      20 hours, 14 mins ago

      B

    2. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 7 mins ago

      B

      1. Steavn8k
        • 2 Years
        19 hours, 32 mins ago

        Cheers both. Will take the chance on Hall then. Also has the most difficult fixture.

  8. Voronins Pony Tail
    • 2 Years
    20 hours, 22 mins ago

    Cherki to Semenyo worth 4 points?

    My Mid/Attack is

    Cherki Rice Rogers Wilson
    Watkins Haaland Thiago

    1. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      20 hours, 19 mins ago

      BrunoG on the bench

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      20 hours, 14 mins ago

      No

    3. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 7 mins ago

      No

    4. Hibbopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      20 hours, 5 mins ago

      Do you have that much conviction that Semenyo will score 5-6 points more than Cherki in the same fixture? And that's just to break even, essentially.

  9. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    20 hours, 22 mins ago

    F4L

    What was your no Rice comment on last page all about?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      20 hours, 3 mins ago

      sorry nothing to do with his availability, just surprised not to see him in the scout picks! 🙂

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        19 hours, 43 mins ago

        Ta

  10. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    20 hours, 22 mins ago

    If one of Foden/Haaland is rumoured to be benched, start Alderete.

    If both don't start, may sell Foden to Mbeumo/Enzo/Ndiaye.

    Captaincy on Haaland, probably between Saka and Thiago if Haaland doesn't start.

    (1FT 0.1ITB)
    Raya
    Gabriel Tark Mukiele VVD
    Bruno Saka Szobo Foden
    Haaland Thiago
    (Dubravka Alderete Guiu Tavernier)

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      20 hours, 17 mins ago

      Sound logic. Thiago is a good bet

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        20 hours, 14 mins ago

        Yeah leaning towards Thiago

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      20 hours, 12 mins ago

      If we don't get any City leaks, start Foden/Haaland (C)

  11. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    20 hours, 15 mins ago

    Who is the best option this week?

    A....bruno at arsenal

    B...ndiaye v Leeds

    Thanks

    1. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 8 mins ago

      B

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      20 hours, 1 min ago

      b

  12. The Blackadder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    20 hours, 15 mins ago

    Pick 2 of 3 to start please
    A. Rogers
    B. Rice
    C. Wilson

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 12 mins ago

      BC

    2. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 8 mins ago

      Harry Wilson or Callum Wilson? If Harry then A and C

  13. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    20 hours, 12 mins ago

    Ekitike -> Thiago for free?

    Yes or No?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 11 mins ago

      No

    2. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      20 hours, 9 mins ago

      No

  14. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    20 hours, 9 mins ago

    I got Odegaard last week for a differential. Didn't work out very well, as he was subbed before 60 minutes...but he was rested mid-week...should I keep or sell him?

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      20 hours, 6 mins ago

      Keep for this week if you have no other issues

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        19 hours, 47 mins ago

        well I do have the small issue of not owning Semenyo

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      20 hours, 3 mins ago

      keep

  15. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    20 hours, 8 mins ago

    Which one I should bench?

    Wilson, Saka, Rice, Bruno G., Rogers
    Haaland, Ekitike, Calvert-Lewin

    Thank you and good luck!

    1. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      20 hours, 7 mins ago

      BG

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      20 hours, 7 mins ago

      Well your not benching Haaland at home
      to wolves so cross him out

      I’d bench Bruno g or dcl

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      19 hours, 39 mins ago

      DCL

  16. AC Pilkington
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    20 hours, 8 mins ago

    Foden to Semenyo (-4) worth it?

    1. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      19 hours, 48 mins ago

      No

  17. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 8 Years
    20 hours, 8 mins ago

    Am I missing something with Saka? Had him for weeks and he has done nothing. Arsenal fan on here said he’d start last week, surely it’s time to go? Then I see him in the Scout Team. Even the reason is strange.

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      20 hours, 5 mins ago

      He is gone after this week for me

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      20 hours, 4 mins ago

      Based on united being crap

    3. Manani
      • 14 Years
      20 hours, 4 mins ago

      I think people think he’s due for a start.

      I have sold him

  18. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    20 hours, 7 mins ago

    REPOST
    Team for the GW - 2FT and £1m ITB

    Verbruggan
    Gabriel / Tark / Anderson
    Rice / Saka (VC) / Semenyo / Rogers
    Haaland (C) DCL / Ekitike
    SUBS - Dubravka / Alderete / Le Fe / Senesi

    A GTG / Roll - bring in Bruno F next week etc.
    B Le Fee to H Wilson (bench DCL)
    C Ekitike/Le Fe to Thiago/Enzo (bench DCL)

    1. Manani
      • 14 Years
      20 hours, 5 mins ago

      Gtg

    2. bobicek92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      20 hours, 4 mins ago

      A, keep Le Fee for Burnley at home

  19. Manani
    • 14 Years
    20 hours, 5 mins ago

    Order of these?

    Got Gabriel

    A. Timber
    B. Orilley
    C. Mukiele

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      20 hours, 5 mins ago

      That order

    2. bobicek92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      20 hours, 4 mins ago

      A, C, B for me, I doubt that NOR starts

    3. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      19 hours, 59 mins ago

      CAB

  20. Voronins Pony Tail
    • 2 Years
    20 hours, 1 min ago

    Right, locked in. Not holding out much hope.

    Kelleher
    Guehi Frimpong Gab
    Cherki Rice Rogers Wilson
    Watkins Haaland(c) Thiago

    Dub Mukiele BrunoG Gud

  21. Hibbopotamus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    20 hours, 1 min ago

    What happens if Foden starts for the 20th consecutive league game and scores vs Wolves? City's fixtures after this GW really aren't bad. Does everyone find another sacrifice for Bruno, or do you think he's still sold en masse?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      19 hours, 59 mins ago

      If he scores he’s a keep. He scores in blocks rather than consistently through the season

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      19 hours, 57 mins ago

      I think he will still be sold en masse regardless of whether he scores or not.

    3. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      19 hours, 57 mins ago

      I sold him for Rice two weeks ago

    4. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      19 hours, 56 mins ago

      He’s is a long term avoid now. Better options and City are pants currently

  22. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    19 hours, 58 mins ago

    Gordon or Foden to Scahde? Or sell both for -4

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel, Timber, Alderete
    Saka, Foden, Gordon, Rogers
    Haaland, Watkins, DCL

    John Victory, Cash, KDH, Keane 1ft .1itb

    1. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      19 hours, 57 mins ago

      Gordon 1000%

    2. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      19 hours, 54 mins ago

      I think Gordon.

  23. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    19 hours, 55 mins ago

    Is this good to go and the correct bench?

    Pope
    Guehi, Nunes, Gabriel
    Wilson, Saka, Rice, Enzo, Rogers
    Haaland, Ekitike

    Dubravka, Calvert-Lewin, Chalobah, Alderete

    Thanks!

    1. KiKiFC
      • 14 Years
      19 hours, 47 mins ago

      GTG

  24. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    19 hours, 54 mins ago

    Can’t believe Alderete made his way to the Scout picks bench. What are you guys upto?

    He is not a bargain-bin enabler, he’s a trash-bin defender who 1 points his life away.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      19 hours, 23 mins ago

      Nah, don’t agree

      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        19 hours, 19 mins ago

        He’s 1 pointed thrice in a row. Mukiele, Ballard eat up all the defcons.

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          19 hours, 16 mins ago

          What about the games prior to those 3?

          1. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            9 hours ago

            Yeah, Ballard missed those two games he got defcons in. Look a little deeper.

  25. KiKiFC
    • 14 Years
    19 hours, 53 mins ago

    Boring but… play which pls?
    Senesi v LIV (H) or
    Alderete v whu (A)

    1. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      19 hours, 52 mins ago

      I would play Alderete. Good luck!

      1. KiKiFC
        • 14 Years
        19 hours, 39 mins ago

        Thanks!

    2. ZAMUNDA
      • 9 Years
      19 hours, 47 mins ago

      Alderete

      1. KiKiFC
        • 14 Years
        19 hours, 39 mins ago

        Cheers mate

  26. BrooksWasHere
    • 6 Years
    19 hours, 47 mins ago

    Who should I bench? One of Wilson, Gakpo or Rice ! Cheers.

    1. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      19 hours, 41 mins ago

      I think Gakpo.

  27. FCSB
    • 9 Years
    19 hours, 46 mins ago

    Raya
    Hall Gabriel VanHecke
    Cunha Foden Rice Wilson
    Thiago Ekitike Haaland

    Dubravka O’Reilly Dorgu Tavernier

    2FT, 0.8itb

    1. Cunha Foden >> Bruno Semenyo
    2. Save

    Thank

  28. hazza44
    • 13 Years
    19 hours, 42 mins ago

    Who to play this week? Cheers
    A) Bowen (SUN)
    B) Gordon (AVL)

  29. Sir Burtenshaw
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 41 mins ago

    Planning to do these transfers:
    Foden -> Bruno Fernandes
    O’Reilly -> Mukiele

    Was going to wait until next gameweek and let the city lads play against wolves but with both of them going up in price tonight, should I pull the trigger this evening?

    Thanks

  30. TallestJohn
    • 8 Years
    19 hours, 41 mins ago

    Good luck to my dad with his five Man City players this week (Håland, Foden, Semenyo, O'Reilly, Guehi).

    1-0 Wolves incoming?