Scout Picks
23 January 2026 417 comments
avfc82 avfc82
Share:

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
 

 1



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

 1


417 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Are we really likely to get Man City leaks 4 hours before they play?

    This week more than any it feels like there is a real risk of benchings for all of them bar Semenyo.

    Anyway, I'm rolling with this unless anyone has any better suggestions (0.6ITB)
    Pickford
    O'Reilly Gabriel Alderete
    Bruno Gordon Wilson Rice
    Haaland (C) Thiago Ekitike
    (Dub Cunha Van Hecke VDB)

    Did consider Cunha > Enzo, but I don't know who else I'd bench this week. Could do O'Reilly > Chalobah I suppose.

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Looks good imo

    2. ted mcnure
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 50 mins ago

      O´Lawdy to Chalo now saves a few quid, relieves potential roulette, and sets you up for the foreseeable
      (and hopefully gets some points- cue red card)
      Cunha can see you next Tuesday

  2. R Whites
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Selection headache! Bench two from:

    Frimpong
    Timber (have Gabriel)
    Rogers
    Wilson
    Ekitike
    Enzo

    Currently on Wilson, timber bench.

    Other option is bench boost with Dorgu, 3rd sub.

    Thanks !

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Timber
      Rogers

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Normally I'd say bench Timber and the Liverpool defender, but that obviously means playing Dorgu.
      Timber & Rogers for me

    3. ted mcnure
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      I have Timbo and Rog benched.. what could go wrong?

      1. R Whites
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 25 mins ago

        Thanks all - rogers haul incoming!

    4. azza76
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 1 min ago

      Bench boost. I am. I have a bench of Dubravka, Dorgu, Foden, O'Reilly. Only concern is Bruno G flagged for my team

  3. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Can I be brave enough to go without Haaland on a wildcard?

    I need you to hype me up / make me see sense.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Do you need to? You shouldn’t need the funds, would you not be better off owning and punting on differential captains if necessary?

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        If I'm not captaining him, I don't think there's a need for him in the team. I could easily run out of budget without him.

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 day, 59 mins ago

          Then go for it, what the hell are you waiting for! 😉

          1. FPL Brains
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            1 day, 56 mins ago

            😀 fear is holding me back

            1. azza76
              • 3 Years
              23 hours, 46 mins ago

              Do it. Be brave. Think of the the climb in rank as he continues to under perform.

    2. Radulfo28773
      • 4 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Go for it !

    3. R Whites
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      I’d want him in long run, personally.

    4. L S P
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 56 mins ago

      As long as you have a route back to him when/if...

      1. ted mcnure
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 47 mins ago

        Eso.. you´ll need a structure of a couple of expensive mids to sacrifice in a hurry
        I´d say pricing helps you buy the robot in 2 transfers

  4. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Play one;

    A) Thiaw - home to Villa
    B) Mukiele - away to West Ham

    Cheers.

    1. Apollo Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Thiaw - Newcastle good at home, Sunderland bad away

      1. L S P
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 55 mins ago

        WHU is worse at home than SUN is bad away

        1. ted mcnure
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 46 mins ago

          agree

    2. Raul Seleccion
      • 16 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Thiaw

    3. #1 Salah Hater
      • 1 Year
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      B easy

  5. Raul Seleccion
    • 16 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    benching headache, bench one
    a) Bruno F
    b) Wilson
    c) Rice

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Wilson

      1. Ronnies
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        Tough one, Wilson

    2. ted mcnure
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 46 mins ago

      Look elsewhere

  6. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    re-post--have 1 FT; was going to do Foden-->Bruno next GW, but should do this GW (partially because of price changes)?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      I reckon so

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 53 mins ago

      Are price changes not irrelevant this season? Got over 4m ITB

      1. Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 day, 50 mins ago

        have just about enough to make the move; if Bruno rises tonight, would have exactly the 1.0 needed for next week

  7. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    As a set and forget 2nd or 3rd bench player who is most likely who is the best pick and least likely to drop in price out of Kroupi & Mane.
    Was gonna go Guiu and use him 3rd sub but due to drop soon.
    Cheers

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Swaying towards Mane if he's nailed long term?

    2. ted mcnure
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 41 mins ago

      Bournemouth Fan, Kroupi is a gem, Kluivert and Tavernier injured, Sem sold, he´ll play.

  8. Apollo Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Planning to WC in GW24 - roll to take 3FTs with me or do Foden to Semenyo for the crack?

    1. #1 Salah Hater
      • 1 Year
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      It's craic not "crack" fyi

      1. Apollo Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        It's actually crack, the 'craic' is a more recent Irish-ization of the word and is not the original.

        What’s the crack on the origins of ‘craic’? | Letters | The Guardian https://share.google/65trONqkDGjf842zw

        1. #1 Salah Hater
          • 1 Year
          1 day, 1 hour ago

          English newspaper spreading false propaganda trying to claim something that doesn't belong to them. Shocker

          1. Yes Ndidi
            • 6 Years
            1 day, 57 mins ago

            Irishcentral.com gives you the same result (that it was originally an English word) if you haven't already made up you mind.

        2. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 day, 1 hour ago

          You’re no craic

          1. #1 Salah Hater
            • 1 Year
            1 day, 45 mins ago

            Have ya got any craic for me?
            Have ya got any crack for me?

    2. ted mcnure
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 54 mins ago

      Buy Semenyo and have a night with Molly

  9. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Do we think foden start?
    And also will you do foden to wirtz or wilson.. wilson seems better fixtures?

  10. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Foden & Cunha to Semenyo & Bruno F?

    Shortly term punt, and long-term hold for two rotation risks.

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Do it

    2. ted mcnure
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 39 mins ago

      Money vs FT. If you can ride the price shifts, wait.

    3. yakirh
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 8 mins ago

      I would do it in a heartbeat.

  11. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Foden to wilson or wirtz or ndiaye?

  12. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Who would you start?

    A) Andersen (BHA)

    B) Mukiele (whu)

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 59 mins ago

      A

    2. ted mcnure
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 38 mins ago

      A

  13. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    BrunoG to Enzo (would likely do it next week anyway) or just let Andersen come in if BrunoG doesnt make it?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 56 mins ago

      Probably do it, Palace a bit of a mess

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 day, 52 mins ago

        Sorry, ive got no idea why I thought he was still at Palace. Id roll and do it next week

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 day, 20 mins ago

          Yes its Chelsea v Palace

  14. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    A) Saka to Enzo
    B) A plus Verbruggen to Sanchez
    C) A plus Dalot to Chalobah
    D) Saka to Palmer, roll 2nd FT
    E) Something else
    F) Roll

    Got 2FT and 1.2 ITB

    Verbruggen/Dubravka
    Timber Gabriel Alderete
    Saka Semenyo Wilson Garner
    Ekitike Haaland Thiago

    Anderson Truffert Dalot

  15. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Thoughts?

    Sanchez - Kelleher
    Gabriel - Timber - Frimpong - Guehi - Dorgu
    Palmer - Bruno - Wirtz - Rice - Semenyo
    Watkins - Ekitike - Thiago

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Like it, who are you benching this week though?

      Dorgu and who else?

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      I don't love the Frimpong idea, but I don't know who else I'd have instead that isn't part of the template.

    3. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 59 mins ago

      How many FT do you have? Haaland's been terrible, but could catch fire. Would want to be ready to get him in 2 moves. Perma-bench headache, but good looking team. Not thoroughly convinced Wirtz will maintain form, and Palmer remains a fitness gamble (though high upside potential), but don't mind the punts. Good luck with it!

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 58 mins ago

      As someone who has owned Watkins for a while, don’t do it. Tammy Abraham likely coming in too to steal mins. If going without Haaland, why not punt on Salah? I’d nearly get White instead of Rice and go treble defence if Cala is ruled out longer term.

  16. Donny_Rover
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Not exactly a headache, more a minor benching tension up there. Sounds like Nunes is very unlikely to play but I’ll still start him as can’t see him making a sub appearance so it’ll either be a start or miss out. Need to bench 2 of:

    1. Gordon
    2. Bruno F
    3. Timber
    4. Bowen
    5. Cherki
    6. Garner

    Current thinking:

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel Timber Nunes Tarkowski
    Rice Cherki Garner
    Haaland Bowen DCL
    (John Bruno Gordon Dorgu)

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 51 mins ago

      I'd be playing Bruno if I had him, probably for Garner, just about.

    2. yakirh
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 6 mins ago

      Nunes is out I think

  17. SashOK2025
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Start 2 from:
      Chalobah
      Hall
      Mukiele

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        C & H

        1. SashOK2025
            1 day, 45 mins ago

            Thanks

      2. mattyb09
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        Bench 1:

        a) Wirtz @ BOU
        b) DCL @ EVE
        C) Rogers @ NEW

        1. Letsgo!
          • 9 Years
          1 day, 47 mins ago

          Lol bench wirtz???

          1. mattyb09
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            1 day, 43 mins ago

            I most likely won't, but Salah is back and the attack will look a little different.

        2. SashOK2025
            1 day, 45 mins ago

            Wirtz

        3. marpy016
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          1 day, 1 hour ago

          What to with Bruno G considering I have Rogers 1st Sub?

          A) Start and hope for best
          B) Bench and avoid risk of late Cameo

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 day, 44 mins ago

            Play Rogers

        4. Letsgo!
          • 9 Years
          1 day, 1 hour ago

          Help help foden to wirtz,wilson or ndiaye?

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 day, 44 mins ago

            All good options. Not sure

          2. NZREDS
            • 12 Years
            1 day, 23 mins ago

            Wirtz

        5. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          1 day, 57 mins ago

          If u have this would u do any -4 already get Bruno F with FT
          Sanchez (Dúbravka)
          Gabriel Hall Andersen (Gud Alderete)
          Bruno F Saka Cherki Rogers
          Watkins Haaland © Thiago

          1. ted mcnure
            • 15 Years
            1 day, 36 mins ago

            Obviously no

        6. Wolfman180
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 day, 57 mins ago

          Raya,
          Gabriel, Thiaw, Alderete,
          Rice, Wilson, Foden, Rogers,
          Haaland, Watkins, Thiago,

          Dubravka, Cunha, OReilly, Keane,
          2FTs, 1.1m itb

          Initial plan was to roll this week and reassess next GW, but with OReilly, Foden, Cunha and maybe even Haaland at risk of a benching/rest, (and Keane also out) I may need to look at moving this week.

          A) Cunha, OReilly, Foden to Bruno F, Chalobah, Enzo for -4
          B) Cunha, OReilly, Keane to Bruno F, Chalobah, Rodon/Esteve (keep Foden) for -4?

        7. ted mcnure
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 47 mins ago

          People do ask some funny questions, don´t they?
          So,
          A) or
          B) or even
          C) then in GW 39
          D)

          1. Tripswich
              1 day, 32 mins ago

              B

            • Sun God Nika
              • 5 Years
              23 hours, 51 mins ago

              D

          2. Mata of opinion
            • 6 Years
            1 day, 47 mins ago

            Who would you start from gakpo and Rogers? Rest of front 8 are Bruno Wilson Semenyo haaland thiago ekitike

            1. ted mcnure
              • 15 Years
              1 day, 30 mins ago

              Neither? Got a spare def?

              1. Mata of opinion
                • 6 Years
                1 day, 29 mins ago

                Defense is gab Hall chaloba cash and esteve. So not really

          3. Tripswich
              1 day, 46 mins ago

              Who's everybody captaining? I'm on Semenyo but my gut is telling me Haaland.

              This kind of pre-gameweek agonising this season has typically ended in both players scoring 2 points.

              1. ted mcnure
                • 15 Years
                1 day, 13 mins ago

                Not City then

                1. Tripswich
                    1 day, 5 mins ago

                    Yeah that outside the box logic hasn't worked either. Captained H Wilson last week, 2 points.

                2. Van der Faart
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  23 hours, 50 mins ago

                  Haaland play it safe, City will be bulling after thr week they had

              2. NZREDS
                • 12 Years
                1 day, 31 mins ago

                Need to ship out cunha.

                Who do you think is the best player to get in for the next few weeks:

                A) Enzo
                B) Semenyo

                Leaning towards A as frees up money to upgrade Senesi, O’Reilly or Andersen to Chabolah next week. Semenyo does have wolves though and is a beast.. Enzo good fixtures upcoming too

                1. ted mcnure
                  • 15 Years
                  1 day, 12 mins ago

                  A please

                  1. NZREDS
                    • 12 Years
                    23 hours, 58 mins ago

                    Done thanks!

                2. Sun God Nika
                  • 5 Years
                  23 hours, 52 mins ago

                  What’s your current team ?

                  1. Sun God Nika
                    • 5 Years
                    23 hours, 52 mins ago

                    Would go enzo but either are good option

              3. Sun God Nika
                • 5 Years
                1 day, 6 mins ago

                Current starting 11

                Pickford
                Guehi Gabriel Mukiele
                BrunoF BrunoG* Rice Semenyo cherki
                Haaland Calvert Lewin

                Dub - Bowen O Reilly senesi

                Would you guys change the benching ?
                Feel like bench pain is coming

                1. Hutchiniho
                  • 7 Years
                  23 hours, 42 mins ago

                  Bowen in for BG

              4. Van der Faart
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                1 day, 4 mins ago

                Repost, any thoughts appreciated

                A) Saka to Enzo
                B) A plus Verbruggen to Sanchez
                C) A plus Dalot to Chalobah
                D) Saka to Palmer, roll 2nd FT
                E) Something else
                F) Roll

                Got 2FT and 1.2 ITB

                Verbruggen/Dubravka
                Timber Gabriel Alderete
                Saka Semenyo Wilson Garner
                Ekitike Haaland Thiago

                Anderson Truffert Dalot

                1. Tripswich
                    23 hours, 44 mins ago

                    No transfers seem obvious. Saka in the scout team of the week and Chelsea away to Palace is unpredictable.

                    Maybe roll. Maybe Truffert in for Alderete as West Ham might have bit between teeth.

                  • Hutchiniho
                    • 7 Years
                    23 hours, 43 mins ago

                    Team looks good.
                    Think I’d like Chalobah. Truff or Dalot out.

                    No need to rush Saka on atm.
                    Have a look at Palmer this week.

                  • Hutchiniho
                    • 7 Years
                    23 hours, 42 mins ago

                    Wilson to Enzo?

                  • Van der Faart
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    23 hours, 34 mins ago

                    Thanks all

                    1. Tripswich
                        23 hours, 23 mins ago

                        I just did Saka to Rice though, glad for it.

                        1. Van der Faart
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          23 hours, 20 mins ago

                          Definitely on my radar, considered it about 2 weeks now

                  • Hutchiniho
                    • 7 Years
                    1 day, 2 mins ago

                    Nunes to Guehi or Mukiele fo a -4 (-2)

                    1. Van der Faart
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      23 hours, 45 mins ago

                      Guehi

                  • Ribus
                    • 12 Years
                    23 hours, 53 mins ago

                    Play Virgil or Oreilly?