Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Europa League – Thursday

Arsenal labour to a draw that sees them into the Europa League knockout stages with two matches to spare, but Everton crash out after a fifth straight defeat in all competitions.

Here are the notes from Thursday’s European action.

Same old result from much-changed Everton

Everton started with three defensive midfielders and no recognised striker in Lyon as they departed this season’s Europa League with two group matches still to play.

Of the team’s five most popular players in Fantasy Premier League, only goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (6.8%) even travelled to France as caretaker manager David Unsworth elected to field a makeshift back four and Gylfi Sigurdsson as a ‘false nine’.

The resultant 3-0 defeat was actually a touch harsh on his troops, who were enjoying a measure of control over the tie before conceding an unlucky opener in the 68th minute.

What little confidence they had accrued then drained from the side and they finished the match well beaten and adrift at the bottom of the Group E table, with just one point from four fixtures.

Wayne Rooney (10.1%), Leighton Baines (5.2%) and Phil Jagielka (3.3%) were given the night off, while Michael Keane (6.4%) also didn’t travel as he continues to recover from an infection following a foot injury.

Jonjoe Kenny (4.3) started his fourth match in all competitions at right-back, but his budget allure remains negligible in a side that hasn’t kept a league clean sheet since Gameweek 1.

On the other flank, Cuco Martina endured a torrid evening. He was booked early and then left the field on a stretcher after falling awkwardly on his back.

The ex-Southampton man was at least well enough to be released from hospital to travel back with the squad, however.

Morgan Schneiderlin was dismissed for two yellow cards late on, while Sigurdsson’s Everton nightmare continued as he struggled to make his mark as the side’s nominal striker.

And even when Dominic Calvert-Lewin (5.0) – seen by some as a budget third forward option – came on to allow the Icelander to drop into a more familiar No 10 role, the former Swansea City star had minimal impact on a match that quickly got away from the Toffees once their goal had been breached for the first time.

Unsworth spoke post-match of Sunday’s visit from Watford being a huge match for his chances of taking the Everton role on a permanent basis, and he would have been encouraged by the resolve shown by his players last night.

But the squad remains toothless up front and vulnerable at the back – a toxic combination that discourages Fantasy investment regardless of the club’s schedule.

All last night’s result did was arguably boost our confidence in Watford’s main attackers ahead of that Goodison clash, with Richarlison owners confident of a haul on Sunday.

Everton still have two Europa League dead rubbers to play, sandwiched between trips to Crystal Palace and Southampton later this month and a visit from Huddersfield and a Merseyside derby at Anfield in early December.

Arsenal through despite stalemate

Arsene Wenger’s policy of using the Europa League to field fringe players and blood youngsters continued in a 0-0 draw at home to Red Star Belgrade that took the Gunners through to next year’s knockout stages after just four matches.

The tie had little Fantasy relevance, with perhaps only Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott likely to see much Premier League action in the foreseeable future.

Giroud was the Gunners’ chief goal threat, firing four attempts, with two on target, but failed to find the net and is set to remain behind Alexandre Lacazette in the pecking order up front.

The visitors were lively throughout and spurned two excellent chances to score, while Wilshere had Arsenal’s best opportunity, only to see his goal-bound effort athletically cleared.

The Gunners will win Group H if they can pick up three points from their last two fixtures.

The first attempt will come between the north London derby and a trip to Burnley in mid-November, while the final group match is sandwiched by league commitments at home to Man United and away at Southampton early next month.

Based on Wenger’s selection policy to date, neither tie will throw up many rotation issues for Fantasy managers with key Arsenal assets in their squads.

590 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Reckon Alli is about to go on one of his points runs.

    Eriksen > Alli for free?

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Nah

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Not sure if the straight swap is worth it but yes even I think he’s going to start scoring goals now.

    3. The Left Duke #3
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      If Silva continues to frustrate Alli is defo coming in after the NLD

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Agreed....

        1. denial
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 12 months ago

          I think he is about to go on one of those hot-streaks

  2. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Dumb question alert:

    How will Man City line up this weekend? Particularly front six?

    Best guesses please. RP soz

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Fernandinho Silva KDB
      Aguero Jesus
      & one more out of Sane/Sterling/Silva

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Which Silva nailed?

        1. Karan14
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 12 months ago

          D.Silva nailed.

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 12 months ago

            Cheers...

        2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 12 months ago

          D Silva probably

    2. seanmcging
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Silva KDB Sane Sterling
      Kun Jesus

    3. 2right
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Silva -kdb - sane - ags - Jesus I guess

    4. 2right
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Anyone know when spurs press conference is?

    5. SADIO SANÉ
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      KDB Fernandinho Silva
      Sterling Aguero Sane

    6. The Left Duke #3
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      I actually think it's Sane's turn for a rest so

      Fernandinho KDB
      Sterling Silva Jesus
      Aguero

      1. The Big Fella
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        I agree with this

  3. seanmcging
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Think Son will start for Spurs, looking for a 1 week Coutinho replacement?

    1. TooDifficuIt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      yes

      1. seanmcging
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Cheers, reckon he would be a good choice for Cout?

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Start in place of who?

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

      If I could I'd get Son for this weekend.

      Reckon him and Alli will got nuts vs Palace....

  4. Lazaretti
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    KDB - Silva - Fernandinho
    Sterling - Aguero - Jesus

    There must be some rotation as Pep, so it is Sane who is going to drop.

    1. Lazaretti
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      *reply fail. Tried to answer to @JAFOOLI

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Cheers...

    2. Maddamotha
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      But Sane was taken off midweek. I know, Sterling was last time and didnt start. Its all guessing at this point..

      1. Coot
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Wasn't he off at 90 mins? Hardly a difference if so.

      2. Lazaretti
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        True. So many inform players that difficult to say. And Jesus has been resting...

  5. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    A) Aguero > Kane
    B) Jesus+Davies > Kane+Duffy (-4)
    C) Jesus+Hazard > Kane+Sane (-4)

    Think A...

    .. Thoughts?

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

      I would do A

    2. Visionaries
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      A. C could be juicy tho

    3. Ivanov Itch
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      would punt on C

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

    Bench 1 please...

    Jones (CHE - A)
    Moreno (WHU - A)
    Lascelles (BOU - H)
    Fernandez (BHA - H)

    Thanks

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Jones

    2. A Team Of James McCleans
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Moreno

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

      Moreno

  7. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Best 4.5 defenders GW12 onwards?

    A) Brighton (Dunk & Duffy)
    B) Leicester (Simpson & Morgan)
    C) Liverpool (Moreno)
    D) Swansea (Fernandez)

    Rank in order of preference.

    Thanks 🙂

    1. A Team Of James McCleans
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Without having seen fixtures

      ADBC

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Not sure about Swansea over Leicester with Puel onboard now think Leicester have a better defence + gk overall.

        Also have a look at Pool’s fixtures.

        1. A Team Of James McCleans
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 12 months ago

          Didnt realise leicester got puel and liverpool could get some cs but i just dont have a habit of trusting liv defence / moreno

  8. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Otamendi (ARS)
    Cedric (BUR)
    Daniels (new)
    Ward (sou)
    Duffy (swa)

    Pick 3, gk is Elliot (BOU)

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Cedric Ota Daniels

    2. Giles G
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Otamendi, Cedric, Duffy

    3. Totti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      first 3

    4. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Ota Cedric Ward

  9. MAVER!CK
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Just had a wild thought of benching Morata for Azpi...Anyone with me?

    PS- Have jones in the defence if that matters, never benching him again!

  10. Dybala10
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Moreno called up to the Spain squad. Bound to get injured 🙁

    1. Dybala10
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Azpilicueta and Monreal not in the squad. Ben Dinnery saying Azpi could be a doubt as he got a knock vs Roma?

  11. Stat Sloth
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Hegazi CS odds - 2.55
    Jones CS odds - 3.10

    Easy choice, guys.

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

      can you post odds for all teams? or got a link?

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        I just use the odds from the bookie agency Expekt. They have odds for "home team to score" and "away team to score".

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        latest hot topic has them

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

            Thanks!

  12. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Such a selection headache this week 🙁 so stuck who to start:

    Elliott Foster

    Otamendi Jones Cedric Ward Mbemba

    Eriksen Sterling Richarlison Atsu Carroll

    Kane Morata Vardy

  13. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Forster
    Lascelles, Naughton, Mee, Jones
    Silva, Eriksen, Richarlison
    Aguero (VC), Vardy, Kane (C)

    Elliot, RLC, Carroll, Hünemeier

    £2.6 ITB, 1FT

    a) Save for this week
    b) Caroll > Gray, drop a defender
    c) Silva > Salah
    d) Vardy, Carroll > Abraham, Salah (-4)

    Leaning towards d at the moment...

  14. Maddamotha
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Bench one! :

    A) Luiz (MAN UTD)
    B) Ward (SOU)
    C) Jones (CHE)
    D) Carroll (BHA))
    E) Otamendi (ARS)

    Woooow this is a tough one guys..

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

      probably D, or B

    2. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      A - since you didn't write MUN.

  15. SAY MY NAME
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    correct bench? any thoughts on this team (0 FT 0.1m ITB) cheers

    Elliot
    Azpi/Jones/Davies
    Eriksen/Sane/Sterling/Richarlison
    Kane(c)/Vardy/Abraham

    foster/gross/maguire/kiko

  16. Ivanov Itch
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Slight bench headache, is what I've gone for the best option?

    Elliot (Foster)
    Jones / Mee / Davies (Gomez / Stones)
    Salah / Sterling / Silva / Richarlison (Xhaka)
    Kane / Morata / Tammy

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Yeah looks good

      1. Ivanov Itch
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        cheers

  17. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    I absolutely asked the question a few weeks back.

    What happened to Carzola?

    Well now we know:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41857095

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Wow, that is grim.....and his tattoo has been skin grafted?

      1. Horlicks esq.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Yeah from Arm to Ankle.

        Blood infection, doctors say he should be grateful to walk in the garden with his son again.

        He also adds he thinks he'll be back in the fray come the new year.

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      So sad 🙁 such a technically gifted player

    3. lugs
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      damn that's nasty 🙁 , hopefully he makes a full recovery and plays again , he's a fantastic player

    4. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Can't dislike Santi. Seems a great fella, hope he's back soon. And I captained him away at Reading a few years ago which was lovely.

  18. Visionaries
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Bench one

    A Cedric
    B Yosh
    C Mee
    D Naughton

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      You

      1. Visionaries
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Thinking that but soton seem to be awful going forward

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 12 months ago

          Actually spread risk and bench one of A or B

    2. Totti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      C

    3. Evasivo
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      B

  19. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Is this the right bench order:

    Hegazi (hud) - Jones (che) - RLC (tot)

    Hegazi almost certainly play for Mbemba (BOU) currently fielded.

    1. Totti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      play jones
      rule number 14 in fantasy book
      never bench big players playing for big teams 🙂

    2. A.T
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      I fancy Jones myself Jaf

  20. Totti
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    am i GTG

    elliot
    otamendi kolasinac naughton
    eriksen salah sane groß atsu
    kane aguero

    Krul Diouf Cresswell Hunemier

    0 FT 0 itb

    any suggestions?

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      looks good !

  21. LIARS POKER
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Play Elliot (BOU) or Pope (sou) if I'm also playing Ward?

    Or alternatively play Maguire (stk) instead of Ward?

    1. Totti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      elliot and ward

    2. Visionaries
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Ward & Elliot imo

  22. MAVER!CK
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    FOR DRAFT
    Start
    A. Demarai Gray
    B. Rashford

    1. Totti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      garai

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      A

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

      A

  23. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    bench 1
    cedric--morgan--jones--ward

    1. Totti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      morgan

    2. Visionaries
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Morgan

      1. Champions united
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Done!!

        Thanks 🙂

  24. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Totally stuck! please help, I have 2FT to use.

    No idea what to do.

    Elliot--Foster
    Jones--Cédric--Kolasinac--Mee--Sutter
    Salah--Ramsey--Silva--Atsu--Carroll
    Vardy-Lukaku--Kane

    Can't shift Sutter as now 4.4

    1. Totti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      ramsey to sane

    2. Visionaries
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Silva > Sane

  25. The Left Duke #3
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    People without Lukaku are you going to bring him in for Man U's change in fixtures from GW 12 onwards, even with his current form and goal drought?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Really really not sure this is the main issue with my team right now. I would have to transfer sterling out and Zaha in to do so.

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        My frontline is Kane Morata Aguero so could do a straight swap Kun to Kaku if MC continue to rotate

    2. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Lukaku has always been strugling against big teams. So, I believe he will be good again after this week. I will bring him back for Vardy. Pogba return would do a positive effect as well.

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Ya he's a flat track bully but he should be playing a lot better than he is. Just hasn't looked good of late

    3. luke25
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Yep, havent had him all year but planning to bring him in next week

    4. SADIO SANÉ
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      'even with his current form and goal drought?' - 3 PL games without a goal!? He assisted in two of them...not really sure what everyone is worried about tbh - people think he was going to score 38 goals this season?

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        What has assist got to do with a goal drought. He has been playing poor, Utd ain't exactly firing on all cylinders either.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 12 months ago

          So 3 games without a goal is a drought? The assists was a separate point, you still get FPL points for them.

          1. The Left Duke #3
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 12 months ago

            3 games in a row in FPL terms is a goal drought....6 games in all comps is a goal drought....I understand that assists from an FPL perspective gets you points but he really looks to be struggling lately and Jose not leaving him take the pen in the CL is another kick to his confidence.

            I genuinely asked the original question to see if he's worth the money when he only gets you 5-6 pts every game. Aguero's rotation risk and Lukaku's fixture run are tempting me though I must say.

            Who do you currently have up front btw?

            1. SADIO SANÉ
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 12 months ago

              Kane Morata (Hemed) - yeah I took Lukaku out ages ago because he wasn't worth the money (as a non-captain).

              But I think he is the standout captain choice next week (maybe next two weeks) so I'm considering him strongly - depends on how Morata looks but I think Lukaku has bigger haul potential for the next few.

              I believe that United performances were being overrated by many before (a couple of the 4-0 results flattered them massively) and not much has changed to be honest..

              1. The Left Duke #3
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 12 months ago

                Ya Morata is on my list too as potential replacements for Kaku should Kun explode v Arsenal. If Kun is benched though it's a straight swap for me I think. Rotation nightmare with MC is torture every week

                1. SADIO SANÉ
                  • 9 Years
                  6 years, 12 months ago

                  yeah I got rid of Jesus for that same reason, although Aguero is still tempting me 😀 might just stick with Sane & Sterling now though

    5. We Will Klopp you
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      No, prefer Aguero

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        Have Aguero, debating on whether to switch to Kaku. It's the rotation risk of Kun rather than the turn of fixtures for Kaku that's swaying me to change to be honest. Frustrating seeing Pep's team sheets every week

  26. mdm
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Bench one please:

    A. Richarlison (eve)
    B. Atsu (BOU)
    C. Gross (swa)

    Thanks!

    1. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      B

    2. Totti
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      atsu

    3. Ivanov Itch
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      B

  27. My Name Is Prince
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    G2G? Looking to save a transfer! Only worry is the way too weak bench in case Davies doesn't start...

    Elliot

    Cedric - Davies - Otamendi - Ward

    Silva - Salah - Richarlison

    Aguero - (C)ane - Morata

    Bench: Pope - RLC - Mbemba - King

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Next week: Davies & Silva --> Jones & Sane?

    2. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Nice team, I would save.

  28. El_Shaw
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    Groß rising in price is a bit annoying. Wanted to get him in next week.

    1. Dybala10
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      x2

  29. Evasivo
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    GTG guys?

    Elliott
    Otamendi Ward Simpson Fernandez
    Hazard(vc) Sterling Silva
    Morata Vardy Kane(C)

    Ryan PJones Carroll RLC

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Yes!

      1. Evasivo
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 12 months ago

        thx MNIP!

        Feels weird benching Jones but.....

    2. Visionaries
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Jones over Simpson easily imo

  30. adam28193
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 12 months ago

    here we go then..

    Elliot (Foster)

    Davies Mee Jones (Naughton and Long)

    Eriksen Atsu Sterling TC (RLC)

    Jesus Lukaku Kane (C)

    A: save FT

    B: Lukaku and TC > Abraham and Salah -4

    C: Jesus and TC > Abraham and Salah -4

    1. A Team Of James McCleans
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 12 months ago

      Save