Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Hazard Builds Momentum

Chelsea breeze past Newcastle United 3-1 as former Fantasy royalty continues his return to the top table.

Eden Hazard delivered an attacking masterclass – and 15 Fantasy Premier League points – as Chelsea came from behind to beat Newcastle 3-1.

That in itself was not a huge surprise, though the relatively small number of FPL managers who invested prior to Saturday’s deadline perhaps was. His ownership before kick-off was still the wrong side of 10%, while only 35.2% of his 541,000 managers trusted him with the armband.

Hazard’s brace, boosted by maximum bonus, means that he’s now scored five goals and provided three assists from his last six starts. He also produced some stunning statistics against Newcastle United, firing no less than nine shots on goal, seven of which were from inside the box, with six on target.

Hazard is already the most bought asset ahead of a Gameweek 16 trip to West Ham as his role playing up in support of Alvaro Morata accentuates the playmaker’s attacking potential. Indeed, Hazard’s recent change of position was highlighted by manager Antonio Conte post-match.

“Eden for us is an important player because with him we can change our system, he can play as a second striker or a number 10 when we play 3-4-3. Eden and Alvaro showed a great link today, I saw a lot of good combination play.”

As for Morata, he was bought by 160,000+ for today’s encounter – his ownership has now increased by almost a million (965,842) since Gameweek 9 – and he scored his ninth goal of the campaign which, together with two bonus points, brought in a respectable haul for the 9.05% who captained him.

But Hazard was the headline act and, with more than 15% skippering Mohamed Salah for Gameweek 15, there seems to be a shift of trust for the armband away from the forwards to proven attacking midfield options.

The Belgian, who also confirmed his role as penalty taker with a cheeky spot-kick finish today – has to be part of that trend now.

Chelsea pair offer defensive value

Andreas Christensen made a fifth successive start for Chelsea as the 5.5-priced centre-half was brought in by 75,000 this week.

The 21-year-old Dane was denied a clean sheet by Dwight Gayle’s early strike, but any doubts as to his own goal threat were extinguished somewhat by a first-half header which struck a post.

Antonio Conte’s consistent backing of Christensen provides us with a cheap way into a side flexing its defensive muscles, with four clean sheets from their last six matches.

And Victor Moses, making his first start since Gameweek 6, opens up further potential for points from the Blues’ backline.

The Nigerian international returned at right wing-back and provided two assists in a fine attacking display. His counterpart on the left, Marcos Alonso, has three goals but no assists from a season in which he’s started every match.

Moses, at 6.4, is 0.5 cheaper than the Spaniard, but that saving pales when compared to the value offered by Christensen, particularly if the Dane can build on his possible threat from set-pieces.

Elliot owners set to move on

Rafa Benitez’s decision to hand Karl Darlow a second consecutive start suggests that there has been a changing of the guard in the Newcastle goal.

If true, more of the 25.9% of managers who have enjoyed the cut-price starts of Rob Elliot will now be driven to act.

A mere 33,887 of them sold him on prior to Gameweek 15, but transfers will now continue: he is already the most sold stopper ahead of Gameweek 16.

Some of that traffic appears to be heading the way of Julian Speroni.

Priced at 4.0, he produced an impressive 11-point return following seven saves in the 0-0 draw at West Brom, although the veteran only earned his start after Wayne Hennessey broke down with a back problem in the warm-up.

1,154 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DDG / Pereira
    Daniels / Mee / Moreno / Duffy / ---
    Salah / Sterling / Richarlison / Gross / ---
    Kane / Morata / Niasse

    A) Sane and Azpi (save)
    B) Hazard and Femenia (2FTs) - have 0.5 ITB to absorb price changes

    Which is best do you think? Cheers! 🙂

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Oof what a thrilling top post

      1. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        This simply won't do. Would people please keep to the script...we want the most thrilling at the top, graduating down the page to the most putrid and banal at the bottom. Thank you

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          I will endeavour to ensure all my boring posts are near the bottom of the page from now on 🙂

          1. Reedy
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Much obliged 🙂

    2. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think B. Hazard is a good captain option next week. 🙂

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers Blackbear! Your transfers paid off this week!

        What about Sane and Kane to Haz and Laca, would mean I could keep Azpi?

        1. Prøfeßör …
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers! I won't be captaining Kane for the foreseeable future, that's for sure.

          I would be very tempted. I think it's important to have a Chelsea defender and Kane simply hasn't produced. If you do get rid, make sure you have a plan to get him back once he starts firing again later on in the season. If you do keep Kane, try to have a plan to bring in Christensen in the next few weeks.

          The safe play is keeping Kane but I would understand getting rid since he won't be captained anytime soon.

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            If I get rid I could then sell on Azpi to get him back in for Laca/Morata.

            Christensen would probably be in via: Moreno and Daniels to Christensen and 4.4er if Azpi went (hoping that prices don't swing massively in that time!)

            Really torn - know I want Hazard and it seems that Sane will be the fall guy, just who to sacrifice for it!

            In other news, bit disappointed Niasse didn't even get a cameo - hopefully big sam comes to his senses soon.

            1. Prøfeßör …
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              It's a very difficult decision and not one I envy making!

              I would probably keep Kane because I know how risky it is going without him but maybe the smart play is getting rid and then buying him back once he starts firing again. The plan looks good. I like Kenny as an option at 4.3 (relatively soon 4.4).

              Yeah, it's disappointing. Not even a sub appearance in a week when DCL played only a few days ago. It's not looking good - it looks like Niasse to DCL may need to happen soon.

              1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Yeah, think I've stumbled on a plan! Thanks for your thoughts once again 🙂

                Re Niasse I wouldn't play him vs Liverpool anyway so going to hold for at least a week and hope DCL doesn't rocket in price!

                1. Prøfeßör …
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 3 months ago

                  Sounds sensible. I'm doing the same (I don't think he will rise by more than .1).

          2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            I think Kane gets Stoke. So (B) then. If he lets me down then I can get in Lacazette for WHU away 🙂

            Kind of just thinking out loud - what do you think?

            1. Prøfeßör …
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Haha, we almost posted at the same time!

              I like it a lot - the best of both worlds. Looks great. 🙂

              1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Thanks 🙂

              2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Ooh we're so in sync 😉

                1. Prøfeßör …
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 3 months ago

                  🙂

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

    Best way to get Hazard in here?

    Fabianski Elliot
    Monreal Smalling S. Ward Daniels Duffy
    Salah Sané Ramsey Richarlison RLC
    Kane Morata Vardy

    1 FT, Nothing itb.

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Downgrade Vardy, upgrade one of Rich/Rambo/Sane?

      1. michudagawd
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Can just about afford Ramsey to Haz + Vardy to Crouch for -4. Pull the trigger?

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          If you really want Haz then yeah. Think Rambo would be the least preferable to lose but can't see a better way myself!

  3. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Think Jones will drop tonight? He's - 91%

  4. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Found a way to get Hazard for -4 tonight leaving 0 m in bank which gives me team below. Would you do it?

    Choupo-Moting to Hazard
    Vardy to DCL
    Otamendi to Kenny

    Pope
    Ward Daniels Alonso
    Hazard Salah Sterling Richarlison
    Kane Morata DCL

    Elliot RCL Kenny Fernández

  5. Mr Flibble
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I've got Sterling, Salah, Richarlson and 4.5s in midfield (RLC/Cork) and Jesus, Kane and Morata up front. Am trying to find the best way of getting Haz. 2 FTs and 0.0 ITB.

    Jesus/Rich -> Haz+ who? Can really only afford DCL but am tempted on a hist as I've still got Davies to downgrade too.

  6. grifster69
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    bottomed
    Worth doing...
    Gross/Daniels/Tammy>Ramsey/Feminia/Calvert-Lewin (-4)

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not a lot of point.

    2. SH@KTIMAAN
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good
      Could wait for one or two weeks
      After that bou and swa fixtures turn bad

  7. Lone Wolf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    4th RP. Any advice guys?

    Fabianski, Elliot
    Alonso, Ota, Kiko, Ward, Dunk
    Eriksen, Richarlison, Choupo, RLC, Carrick
    Kane, Jesus, Lukaku

    Eriksen, Choupo > Hazard, Coutinho and to get funds:

    A) Ota, Lukaku > Smalling, Firmino
    B) Carrick, Lukaku > Ramsey, DCL

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I like B

    2. Jay Arell
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

  8. Ode
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Abraham, Silva & Azpi -> DCL, Haz & Christensen -4?

    1. Giles G
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch on losing Azpi

  9. New Article Posted
  10. Zebrahimović
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hahahaham, been away for a week who the hell is DCL and why is everyone knee jerking on him?

    1. Zebrahimović
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Calvert Lewin?

      1. MFPL
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yes

  11. MFPL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with this team?
    Thinking Silva > Ramsey and then over the next couple of weeks move Alonso and Otamendi > Christensen and Kiko. Then when Man City's fixture turns I will go Vardy to Aguero... Thoughts?

    Pope (Elliot)
    Alonso Otamendi Daniels (Ward Simpson)
    Hazard Salah Silva Richarlison (RLC)
    Kane Vardy Niasse
    1FT 0.3ITB

  12. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Or 102.4, im screwed, 0itb and.no flexibility unless I do apzi to ota and.niasse to dcl

  13. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy -> Firmino (-4)?

  14. Kanteisking
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Fab, Elliot
    Azpi, Ota, Jones, Ward, Mariappa
    Salah, Sane, Sterling, Richarlison, RLC
    Kane, Morata, Wilson

    0ITB and 1 FT thinking of a

    a) Azpi, Sane, Wilson to Christensen, Hazard, Calvert-Lewin -8
    b) Azpi, Sane, Jones to Christensen, Hazard and Kenny -8 or
    c) keep calm

  15. Kjoreilly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy & CM to Coutinho & Dcl for minus 4 or wait a week

  16. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is liverpool double (coutinho salah) too risky knowing now klopp likes to rotate?

  17. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Doing any transfer before Thursday is a bad idea. Injuries from CL and EL seem inevitable considering how many games are being played.

  18. Roys Peak
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    sell kane??? who to bring in (already have morata and 3 city players)

  19. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Which one ?
    (A) hazard and dunk
    (B) Moses and Ramsey
    Edging towards A atm

  20. jazzy30
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    current team:
    elliot/forster
    ward/otamendi/jones/christensen/moreno
    Sterling/Salah/richarlison/RLC/King
    Morata/Jesus/Kane

    2 ft and 0.4 itb..

    thinking of Jesus+king+Forster >> Hazard+niasse+speroni for a -4?

    how does that sound? any other suggestions?