Scout Notes

The Stock Check – Gameweek 25 – Saturday

Sadio Mane breaks out of the Liverpool malaise. Alexis Sanchez “hands” us a reminder of his near essential status and Gareth McAuley benefits from the most fortuitous of goals to build on his reputation. Here’s the Stock Check following Saturday’s Gameweek 25 action…

On The Rise

Sadio Mane
A sparkling first half performance re-ignited Liverpool and again offered indication that the Senegalese could be the Reds’ midfield solution we’ve been seeking.

The brace against Spurs were his first goals at Anfield since Gameweek 11 – a surprising statistic for a player previously so strong in home matches.

His 16-point return was his biggest haul of the season and enough to see him top the transfers in table overnight.

However, while Liverpool currently face a fixture in Gameweek 26, the FA Cup could yet play havoc with Mane’s schedule.

This report states that, should Millwall take Leicester City to a replay in their fifth round tie next Saturday, Liverpool’s Gameweek 26 fixture could be in jeopardy due to a possible replay date.

Liverpool’s meet with the Foxes is scheduled for Monday February 27, with the Tuesday/Wednesday slot that week set the default date for any fifth round replays.

However, there are possible solutions that are omitted in the report.

Liverpool’s fixture could move back from Monday to Sunday February 26, although that would be subject to restrictions surrounding the broadcasting rights.

Secondly, any potential FA Cup replay could possibly be scheduled for the week beginning March 6, immediately prior to the Quarter Finals.

However, there are Champions League ties scheduled for that week. Leicester City play their second leg with Sevilla in the week of March 13, however, UEFA frown upon fixtures being played out in the same week as European matches – although there have been exceptions.

A third solution would be for the FA to move the potential replay date back to the Saturday prior to Gameweek 26, forcing Leicester to play two crucial matches in three days.

Of course, Mane could also face a blank in Gameweek 28 should Burnley progress to the last eight of the FA Cup by seeing off Lincoln City.

Clearly, there continue to be many unknowns surrounding the Premier League schedule. Holding fire on Mane and other investments until the conclusion of next weekend’s FA Cup ties looks a very wise move.

Alexis Sanchez
The Sanchez brace against Hull City was, undisputedly, less emphatic than Mane’s contribution. Fortune played it’s part in the opener, although the goal scored via his gloved hand followed several opportunities spurned, as the Chilean again stood out as Arsenal’s most potent threat.

Sanchez then benefited from a late spot-kick, having also converted in stoppage time against Burnley back in Gameweek 22.

That appeared to confirm his status as the designated taker behind Olivier Giroud and the injured Santi Cazorla – another major plus.

Arsene Wenger’s decision to keep Sanchez on the pitch, despite Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Bayern Munich, proved vital again, then.

You have to wonder if the Swansea City incident and press questioning following Sanchez’ reaction has made Wenger far more mindful of withdrawing his star man. Although, with Hull City providing testing opponents, arguably there was no question of preserving Sanchez on Saturday.

The Gunners and Sanchez now face a Gameweek 26 blank, with the threat of a further postponement to follow in Gameweek 28. Arsenal need to beat Sutton United in the FA Cup, or for Leicester City to see off Millwall, to confirm that blank.

Sanchez has therefore been subject to sales once again, with Mane and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard proving the most popular replacements thus far. His price will likely fall significantly over the next 21 days.

However, omitting Sanchez for the Gameweek 27 trip to Liverpool appears to be a major risk and, once the blanks are navigated, there are surely fewer assets seen as more “essential”.

Oumar Niasse, Lazar Markovic, Kamil Grosicki
While the Hull City trio failed to deliver returns at the Emirates, their performance in a spirited Hull City display nonetheless gave us renewed confidence on their potential.

Marco Silva’s side are one of six to present us with a guaranteed Gameweek 28 fixture and, while we’ve already begun weighing up their defensive options, Saturday’s display demonstrated that their attack could also offer us solutions.

Manalo Gabbiadini
A Gameweek 26 blank dampens any immediate enthusiasm, but there can be no doubt that Gabbiadini’s performance at Sunderland has put the Southampton striker firmly on the radar.

Two more goals, adding to his debut strike against West Ham last weekend, confirmed the Italian as a clear option once we have steered through the ensuing blanks.

The Saints’ run-in is, however, a mixed bag, without a sustained run of favourable opponents. But acquiring Gabbiadini for successive home matches with strugglers Bournemouth and Crystal Palace in Gameweeks 30 and 31 certainly appears to be a viable strategy.

Manuel Lanzini
The Argentine is at least one standout performer from Saturday’s events unaffected by missing fixtures.

West Ham offer us coverage in both Gameweek 26 and 28 and, while our attention is drawn to Michail Antonio and Robert Snodgrass, Lanzini is making moves to suggest he can provide an effective alternative and differential.

His returns in the 2-2 draw with West Brom took him to two goals and three assists from his last four Gameweek starts.

Sofiane Feghouli, priced at just 5.0, matched Lanzini’s goal and assist but is perhaps less secure as a Hammers option.

Gareth McAuley
Extremely fortuitous to benefit from a Jonny Evans header on goal, McAuley nonetheless has to be acknowledged for earning a fifth strike of the season and yet another from a West Brom corner.

Like Lanzini, he is an asset unaffected by the looming blanks and now faces very favourable home fixtures with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.

McAuley appears to be an assured starter, while Chris Brunt, deprived of his assist as a result of yesterday’s decision on Evans’ header, could soon be part of a midfield selection puzzle.

Should Evans be restored to the Baggies central defence and Allan Nyom shifted to left-back, Brunt would then compete for starts with James Morrison and Nacer Chadli.

Both Morrison and Chadli came out of the London Stadium clash with returns, with the former providing the assist for Chadli’s goal. Morrison has now returned in three successive Gameweeks.

Calum Chambers
Once again deployed at right-back against Everton, the Arsenal loanee produced a third clean sheet in five starts and has now delivered bonus in four of his last five Gameweeks.

Middlesbrough are among the sides who could miss Gameweek 28, although Aitor Karanka’s men seem likely to field a weakened side against Oxford United in the fifth round so should not be written off as an available option just yet.

Seamus Coleman
Everton claimed a fourth clean sheet in six at the Riverside Stadium and, while Coleman failed to provide attacking returns this time out, he still remained a key figure.

The right-back claimed a bonus point thanks to four successful tackles, although he also attempted five crosses having received more passes in the attacking third than any other Toffees player.

In Decline

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
While the double-digit haul for Alexis Sanchez reinforced his reputation, Ibrahimovic failed to punish a Watford defence at Old Trafford to cast doubt on his mid-term future in our squads.

The assist for Anthony Martial’s goal provided some consolation for the 22% who trusted him with the armband and he has now returned a goal or an assist in ten of 13 Gameweeks.

However, like Sanchez, Ibrahimovic will suffer significant sales ahead of the Gameweek 26 blank and is perhaps likely to be identified as more disposable.

Despite peppering Watford’s goal, the Swede has produced a single strike in his last four Gameweeks and, depending on Saturday’s FA Cup results, could now struggle to see off claims from Romelu Lukaku, Diego Costa and Harry Kane for our forward slots once we emerge from the blank fixtures.

The Gameweek 27 Old Trafford meeting with Bournemouth is the one major factor in his favour.

Many Ibrahimovic owners will surely either hold or schedule his return for that match-up. However, having failed to score at home to both Hull City and Watford in his last two home outings, we should perhaps remain wary.

Matt Phillips
It would be folly to write off Phillips heading into two home fixtures with both Palace and Bournemouth. With an assured fixture for Gameweek 28, he remains a key asset for this period.

However, having failed to return a goal or an assist in previous five, clearly, there are question marks surrounding his output and we perhaps need to manage our expectations.

Arguably, Phillips came into this period having over delivered. His nine assists delivered up to Gameweek 20 had been produced from just 30 chances created: he matched Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne for assists during this spell, despite creating 50% fewer chances.

Regression was always likely.

However, while Chadli and Morrison remain options in the Baggies midfield, Phillips appears more secure and, despite the wobble, he’s an asset that should be held and considered for acquisition.

Andy Carroll
Unlike Phillips, the dent to Carroll’s stock is far more damaging.

Carroll has the fixtures to provide us with an option but, having failed to train ahead of Saturday’s West Brom encounter, he missed out.

Typically, the Hammers striker just cannot seem to overcome ongoing groin problems to offer us a degree of security. A player cursed by injury concerns throughout his career, it’s clear that we cannot invest with any real confidence.

Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli
With home fixtures with Stoke City and Everton to follow and missing assets to address, there is little need to reach for the panic button just yet.

Nonetheless, Spurs are now troubling us as a source of attacking points, having scored just a single goal in their last three Gameweeks.

That has damaged the reputation of their three principle options, who could all face a blank in Gameweek 28 should Mauricio Pochettino’s side see off Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Wilfried Zaha
While showing flashes, Zaha has failed to fire on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Having delivered three successive blanks over a spell of favourable fixtures, Zaha and Palace are now edging into a testing period in their schedule and with a Gameweek 28 blank a strong possibility, Zaha’s stock, along with that of long declining Christian Benteke, continues to fall.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,006 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jonny Sutt
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I'd rather use the least transfers possible over the next couple of weeks so that I can start using more to get top 6 players back in my team for double game weeks. Makes sense doesn't it?

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      sometimes sense falls out of the window in epl fantasy 😀

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS

    3. @fpl_phenom
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      thats what the wildcard is for

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        DGW Wildcard is to get rid of your top 6 players and get a team full of rubbish for a Bench Boost that you think will play twice but end up being rotated 🙂

        1. Jonny Sutt
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          This

        2. LordRougeGrog
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Spot on as far as my last year experience is concerned. My DGW wildcard also enabled me to triple captain Andy Caroll, which didnt end well

        3. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          I have to say I admire my bro's somewhat narrow minded view, he just plays its GW to GW and unlike me he watches games alot, where as I am mostly on stats and fixture planning.

          I mean he's on 61 so far, with a proper captain fail and an absolute train wreck for GW26, but with Jesus still to come on MNF, he doesn't care!

          https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/2332209/event/25

          1. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 8 months ago

            Whoops.

    4. Niemi
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Wildcard?

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Emmanuel Wildcard. Plays for West Ham

  2. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon gents - My head to head Mini League coming to an end this GW - Who wins ?

    A) Me - 12 pts ahead - Siggy + David Luiz to play

    B) HIm - 12 pts behind - Courtois + Azpi + Cahil + Kolarov + jesus to play

    If i lose i need to pay a substantial wager + call him "Daddy" during an entire week end with the lads

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      your gonna be calling him Daddy

      1. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        :'(

        1. Dreams
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Just hope that Chelsea and city don't keep a clean sheet and you will have win.

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      You are in the toaster and about to pop up brown

    3. Niemi
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'd put my money on him.

    4. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Biggest Burnley supporter today !

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Hard luck son

      1. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        he used bench boost triple captain and all out attack
        I decided to swallow my pride and admit defeat for overall rank..

  3. Evasivo
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Looking for a way to get Costa and Siggy in. Phillips and Ibra out leaves me 0.9 short unfortunately.
    Have 2FT 0.0ITB and happy to take a hit

    Jaku Heaton
    Alonso Walker Evans Holgate Amat
    Hazard Eriksen Phillips Sanchez Capoue
    Negredo Lukaku Ibra

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Ditch Negredo for the extra cash. Pick ya poison but Crouch or Barnes imo, but wait until after Cup games.

      1. Evasivo
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        I could only see Llorente as a replacement which only gives me 0.1. Would have to switch to 352 if Barnes or Crouch brought in imo

        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Exactly. They give u the cash u need. And if they end up not blanking 28 then get one!

  4. Niemi
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed. I have Evans and Stanislas in my starting XI for next week (not 100% to start IMO) and only Brad Smith on the bench with a fixture.

    A) Brad Smith > Robertson (kind fixture in GW26 and GW28)
    B) Ibrahimovic > Striker with a fixture
    C) Save FT

    1. Evasivo
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      B easily for me. Costa or Llorente?

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      A for me unless you don't want Ibra back. Then B

      1. Niemi
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Hard to say. Don't feel comfortable ditching him right now with Bournemouth at home coming up.

  5. 824545201
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Who should we ask for a refund if the Evans/McAuley mistake ends up costing us our cash mini-leagues? OPTA, the Match Centre folks, FPL, Mark?

    I already lost cash last year because an Aguero assist wasn't counted for who knows which reason, when will these amateur mistakes end?

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I was watching the game but didn't see the action replay. Was it clearly a mistake?

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Nothing was clear, but Evans was robbed

      2. 824545201
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        MOTD zoomed in slow motion replay clearly shows it's an Evans goal. McAuley even himself said he didn't touch it.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Robbed of another 3 points, and all that after the Sanchez nonsense. I hate this game.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      As a Sanchez and McAuley owner I have no comment, though I just bought a lottery ticket 🙂

    3. Niemi
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      lol

  6. Jonny Sutt
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone replacing Sanchez with king?

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Just you

      1. Jonny Sutt
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Is king not a great shout? Playing up front across the next 3 game weeks?

  7. Kaneyonero
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    What time is deadline today? Costa (C]

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Minus 24 hours and 7 minutes.

  8. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Omg
    Holebas didn't get booked yesterday!

  9. Kaneyonero
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    What ever happened to Greece as a good footballing nation? Economic crisis?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      That never happened

  10. caldracula
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Score predictions for today?

    Burnley 0-0 Chelsea
    Swansea 2-1 Leicester

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      2-1.
      3-1.

    2. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      0-2
      2-0

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      0-3
      5-1

      CHE & SWA goals increased by 2 after triple TOT blank & no Sanchez cap lol

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        This ^

    4. Ha.
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      0-2
      1-1

    5. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      0-0
      15-0 (Sigurðsson 15 goals and 3 baps)

  11. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    If you go Ibra ---> Costa will you go Costa ---> Ibra on 27?

    1. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Yeahhh

    2. Ha.
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      No

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Doubt it.

    4. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Nah
      Did you see Ibra yesterday?

  12. Arctic_Orangutans
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Costa or hazard captain today?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Costa away from home

      1. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Thought so

  13. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I thought Danny Murphy talked sense on MOTD about McAuley's phantom goal.

    Why not just ask Evans and McAuley?

    Simple.

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      PL Dubious Goals Panel will sort it out lol

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Is it under review?

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Won't make any difference to FPL though.

        2. Niemi
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Doesn't matter for FPL.

          "For the avoidance of doubt, points awarded in-game are subject to change up until one hour after the final whistle of the last match of any given day. Once the points have all been updated on that day, no further adjustments to points will be made."

        3. Netley Lucas
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          It will be for sure. As these guys are saying it won't alter things for us. What it will do is give us a definitive answer.

  14. Niemi
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Evans owner here.

    To me it seems like Evans is actually heading the ball downwards, but McAuley's head is making the ball go straight forward instead. No matter who frustrating it is I'm pretty sure OPTA or whoever decides the goal scorer has better angles than us and can watch it in super slow motion.

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      McAuley said he didn't touch it

      1. FPLEL
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        This might sound silly, but I'm not sure how definitive that is. In the heat of the moment, with everything else that was going on (physical battle with defender, jumping etc.), a glancing touch may have been imperceptible.

        Just playing devil's advocate.

  15. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Team for next week.
    Jak
    Nyom Baines Brunt Pva
    Alli Phillips Siggy Hazard
    Crouch Lukaku

    Grant Ibra Alexis Daniels
    1 free 1.4 in the bank.
    Thinking Ibra to Costa .
    Yeah or nay.

  16. Blanka
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Actually I can do Defoe to Niasse and still make my other transfers. Much better.

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Good idea. Defoe isnt proven in the Premier League.

      1. Blanka
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Obviously Defoe a better goalscorer and player, but Niasse has the fixtures and no blanks. That was my point.

      2. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Defoe C must have hurt?!

        1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Meh. Was a punt that didn't pay off.

    2. Espen8
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Lol Niasse, don´t

  17. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Who is the best West Ham pick?

    1) Snodgrass - cheap, creating lots of chances.

    2) Antonio - playing up front!

    3) Lanzini - actually scoring points, which is always nice.

    1. Niemi
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Hard to go wrong with Antonio, he's been doing well for most parts of the season (although 3 blanks in a row now)

    2. Ha.
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I have Antonio but would rather have Lanzini

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      All 3 are viable and like Spurs it will be shared around any given week. I'd pick Lanzini if I knew Carroll was out longer.
      Snodgrass if the extra cash could make your team better elsewhere.

    4. Speédy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Snod

    5. McQueen
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio could've scored twice yesterday if he was more clinical. He missed the ball twice, once 1 meter from the goal. He'll come good but very frustrating seeing him being a donkey every now and then.

    6. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Surely when Carroll is there it changes things.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Hasn't Antonio been playing alongside him?

    7. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Think Carroll though, but out of these I'd go Snoddy

  18. q8mans
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Grant / Mignolet
    Alonso / Walker / Baines / Chambers / A.Smith
    Sanchez / Alli / Sterling / Philips / Stanislas
    Ibra / Lukaku / Crouch

    ITB: 1.1 / Free Transfers: 2

    I've used my wild card already and I'm thinking of a strategy to minimize damage on double gw's.

    Assuming the double gw's will take place in gw34 and gw37, I'm thinking of keeping 2 free transfers on hand on every gw until gw37 and keep transferring in players from double-matches teams.

    any advice from the experts??

  19. ILOVEBAPS
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Who is best to shift if you were going to do just one... Ibra or Sanchez?

    Who would you rather have in 27?

    1. Niemi
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not shifting Sanchez, for me he's a season keeper. Although it doesn't sound smart to ship Ibra ahead of Bournemouth at home.

      1. Niemi
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        I'm keeping both.

      2. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah I prefer Sanchez too but I can get him back after 28 is over.

    2. Ha.
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Ditching Ibra

    3. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'd shift Ibra. He may have a better fixture, but he's less explosive than Sanchez. Liverpool away may be a tough game, but if Arsenal do anything it's likely to come through Alexis

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks. Opinions are split which just means it's a tough one. Everyone will make a call one way or another this GW and it could be the deciding factor between green or red arrows.

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Ibra has the better fixture, great cap option too. We saw how LIV raise their game v the better sides and ARS, just like TOT, have a habit of not turning up in these 'tricky' games.

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the info.

        Would have been good to know this yesterday!

    5. q8mans
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Ibra vs Bournemouth (H)
      Sanchez vs Liverpool (A)

      Ibra for sure! Bournemouth are lost.

    6. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I was planning on shipping Alexis, but who am I supposed to get in, Barkley?
      At least Ibra to Lukaku is a sensible transfer, but I'd rather have Ibra for GW27..

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Tough one. It would be Costa or Hazard for me.

    7. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      The question that will plague these forums for two weeks!

      Not sure yet, but because I brought both of them relatively late I am in the position to sell themboth and buy then back for selling price or even cheaper in Ibra's case if the price drops go as I predict.

      This puts me in a different position to those who are keeping hold because of value reasons.

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Value should play little part in a managers trades now imo. Points are king.

    8. Jersey
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'm selling Sanchez, keeping Ibra to (c) vs. Bournemouth in GW 27.

      i can do much better 26-28 than Arsenal's blank-liv-blank . . . Siggy has che-BUR-hul . . . Barkley has SUN-tot-WBA --
      i'll take either of those 3 game runs over 1 game at Liverpool.

      i'll guard the funds to make sure i can get Sanchez back in sometime after 28.

  20. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Play de Roon (cpl) or take a 4 point hit to bring in Hazard (SWA)? (I would be selling KDB who doesn't play but who has Sunderland away the following week vs Hazard's away to West Ham. Thanks.

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'd get rid of KDB no matter the fixtures

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks. Hoping KDB gives me plenty of reasons to keep him tomorrow night. I am not that optimistic, tbh.

    2. Speédy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Take the hit

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks Speedy.

  21. DR0GBA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Should I keep Sanchez on the bench throughout his blanks?

    Team:
    Heaton (blank 28)
    Coleman, McAuley, Baines, PVA (blank 28)
    Antonio, Eriksen (blank 28), Alli (blank 28)
    Lukaku, Costa (blank 28), Rondon

    (Forster (blank 26 + 28), Sanchez (blank 26 + 28), Capoue (blank 28), Amat)

    I have 6 guaranteed starters during the 28 blank, so should I keep my top 6 blankers and just try to upgrade my bench fodders into non-blankers?

    I'm also thinking about bringing in more Chelsea coverage (Alonso and Hazard)

  22. Jonny Sutt
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Is Josh king not a good shout? 3 decent fixtures, possibly playing up front

    1. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      B'mouth are crap, so staying away from that sinking ship for the time being

      1. Jonny Sutt
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Guaranteed to score though

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Rotation risk sadly, see how they line-up tomorrow.

      1. Jonny Sutt
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        I thought king played each week, either up top or midfield?

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Minutes not bad tbh, just not quite as nailed as you'd want perhaps. Might be a great differential though, in a bit of form.

    3. q8mans
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Rotation Risk. Every transfer counts at this stage.

    4. Espen8
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      King starts almost every time he is 100 % fit

  23. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I have to say I admire my bro's somewhat narrow minded view, he just plays its GW to GW and unlike me he watches games alot, where as I am mostly on stats and fixture planning.

    I mean he's on 61 so far, with a proper captain fail and an absolute train wreck for GW26, but with Jesus still to come on MNF, he doesn't care!

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/2332209/event/25

    1. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I've personally always favored the eye test over stats, even if they tell a different story

  24. Atimis
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Before:
    GW26 Sanchez to Mane and Friend to Robertson
    GW27 Dele to Siggy
    GW28 DeRoon to Snoddy

    ??

    1. Speédy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Seems a nice plan

    2. Espen8
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Im doing Sanchez to Hazard gw 26
      Then Jones out for Swansea/Hull defender
      gw 28 most likely a West Ham player

  25. Kryten
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    No fpl for two weeks where free people.. although we may have to no speak to those none fpl people who hang around our homes

  26. Speédy
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Hull defensive double up as second keeper and 5th Def too much????

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'm actually considering Jaku, Robertson and Maguire. I like what I'm seeing.

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      No.

  27. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Just got round to watching yesterday's highlights. How on earth was McAuley given that goal?! Is this another occasion where ownership level has scared FPL into the wrong decision?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      FPL don't decide who is the scorer

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, it totally bewildering. I'm a Brunt owner. 3 instead of 0 would be greatly appreciated.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Ditto. Won't happen though 🙁

      2. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        You're right, I'd forgotten. How did anyone attribute it to McAuley though?

        1. Wild Rover
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Haven't seen it so can't comment 🙂

          1. Hect.OR 98th
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 8 months ago

            Alright Arsene

          2. Big_Andy_GAWA
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 8 months ago

            Give it a watch, boss.

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      "Gareth McAuleys cousin who lives in Pakistan is under investigation of match fixing".

    3. McQueen
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Opta decides who scored the goal. 10 points switch for me as a Brunt owner vs my rivals who have McCauley. It is what it is now, even though I don't agree with their decision.

      We'll be allright. Just need this GW to finish already.

      1. gunner 2727
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        exactly the same. only owner of brunt, against 5 mcauley owners. unbelievable swing of points, i was also on bolasie versus their lukaku captains when he "scored" by not touching it.

        1. McQueen
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Also had Bolasie back then when Lukaku scored that phantom goal. I guess it evens out thorough the season. We were very lucky for Sanchez points yesterday. But it's a referee mistake who has to react in few seconds, so I tolerate it more. No biggie, it happens, just hoping not that often.

          1. gunner 2727
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 8 months ago

            it just happened soon fast for something that was soon unclear. smelt like something to me....

            1. McQueen
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 8 months ago

              Yup, like I said, don't agree with their decision, watched the video 15 times, don't see McCauley scoring. He even said that himself that the ball didn't touch him.

              I'm done thinking about it. It is what it is now.

    4. Hect.OR 98th
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I own neither and neither do my rivals so I don't mind who gets it, I'm just surprised at such a daft decision.

    5. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Evans heads it down onto McAuley before it goes in. Everywhere gave is as a McAuley goal for that reason (Opta, Sky, BBC, etc).

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        This is what I saw as well (own nobody involved so couldn't care less about the points)

        1. gunner 2727
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          sorry but nothing on tv shows any clear touch/change of direction by mcauley, so not sure how you can say that

          1. Somalion
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 8 months ago

            No need to apologise

            https://my.mixtape.moe/ciogzk.mp4

            From 54 seconds or so, close up and to me looks like both get contact on the ball.

            1. Goal Digger2016
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 8 months ago

              Better quality link Somalion thanks

              1. Somalion
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 8 months ago

                Apologies I had meant to link it to you below as well!

                To me it looked like McAuley got the final touch, but I know others will disagree (not that it will change much now unfortunately for Evans or Brunt owners)

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          That is a dreadful quality video. There was a good one doing the rounds on here which made it look like both got contact.

          1. gunner 2727
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 8 months ago

            better video cheers, but still nothing suggests mcauley touched it. "it looks like" surely isn't reason for immediate switch to mcauley goal. just not one part of it shows he did

            1. Somalion
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 8 months ago

              Well, the counter argument is it looks like Evans scored it so not really sure how that can swing it, either way it comes down to what it looked like. Someone on here said McAuley said he didn't touch it, but then didn't produce any quotes or video of him saying it so hard to believe. To me, I would say McAuley got the last touch. He certainly seemed to think so as well at the time.

              You can get into areas such as Evans' position and how he heads it, but then you get into far too detailed a discussion. From my perspective, I though Evans headed it downwards, and it was redirected by accident by McAuley.

              1. gunner 2727
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 8 months ago

                Evans thumps a header into net, that is fact. whether it flicked off mcgauley is the question, if someone showed any evidence of it actually happening id have no issue at all. you say redirected but there is simply no obvious change of direction of the ball. how all of the above leads to immediately removing evans goal and giving it to mcauley is just not common sense. last ill say on it, in this day and age, if someone had a better angle to see it hit mcauley (i.e. opta) surely someone somewhere would have showed it.

      2. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Did you see the slow-mo replay on MOTD, though?

    6. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I had Evans and Brunt on the bench. Otherwise I would have cared

  28. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Baines or Coleman, folks? Would be at the expense of Bellerin. May just downgrade to Hull defender, but which of the two to pick? Perhaps could be Baines' turn to plunder the points. . .

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Baines has been consistently outdone by Coleman the last three weeks and Coleman looks far more attacking among the two.
      Baines has penalties in his lockup but don't be surprised to see a Lukaku in form and in contention for the golden boot to not take it and give the duty to baines.

      1. QPR CARIBBEAN
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        I own both but in hindsight I probably should have gone with Coleman only.

        1. Grand Thibauto
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Same here. I went for both. Should have opted for Funes Mori/Robertson and used the money elsewhere.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I have both but I'd keep Baines until they get a peno that he either misses or Lukaku takes

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Baines really needs a pen v SUN as he's getting trounced by Goalman, gulp.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Bound to be a Coleman assist when he does get one 😉

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah, and a late goal to really rub it in lol

    4. Speédy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I know many would say Coleman,but with the change in formation,I think baines is the better pick,Coleman's attacking threat reduced while playing 4 at the back

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        They did this yesterday?

    5. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Coleman. But it will be closer than people expect I reckon.

    6. 1zverGGademN
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Coleman+Funes Mori was my decision on Jan WC and I'm very happy with those two lads

  29. gunner 2727
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Morning folks....Anyone any genius suggestions?!

    ----------------Foster----------------

    Coleman Pieters Alonso Brunt Baines

    Hazard Alli Phillips T Carroll

    Barnes

    Randolph, Sanchez, Ibra, Jesus

    3mill ITB 1FT

    1- so... wanted to do sanchez barnes to lukaku mane but 0.1 short sigggh.
    2- currently going to gamble and go -8 with the above plus randolph to jaku

    many different takes on it but i feel like sanchez for most likely 3 weeks is cash on the bench (bar lpool away). that above gives me a great team for gw26 and 7 ready for 28 before 5th round matches. ok thats me done, someone put me straight please!! (straightjacket after having brunt against mcauley x5 in mini league. outrageous that!!!)

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus to Lukaku

      1. gunner 2727
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        ta. that simple you think? may well be right.

  30. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Phil Jones

    United have kept 2 clean sheets without him
    Will he regain his place in the team once fit again ?

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not a Utd fan but I think he started at first because of their injury issues and Baily going to Afcon

    2. Espen8
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Nope, Smalling (C) and Bailly will play now unless they suddenly concede a lot of goals

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      JM really rates him, so he's not doomed to the bench imho.