Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Otamendi in Demand

Fantasy managers flock to Man City’s goal scoring centre-half in light of yesterday’s derby winner but the fortunes of two big-hitting forwards take a turn for the worse.

Nicolas Otamendi is now up to joint-second in the Fantasy Premier League defender standings after delivering a fourth double-digit haul of the season.

The Argentine’s winner at Old Trafford took his tally to four goals for the campaign – more than any other defender – with a potential for points at both ends of the pitch proving pivotal at a time when Man City are struggling to keep out opponents.

Since John Stones limped off against Leicester in Gameweek 12, the league leaders have failed to register a clean sheet in four fixtures. And with Vincent Kompany hauled off at half-time due to injury, Pep Guardiola may be forced to field Eliaquim Mangala at centre-half until Stones is available.

Yet those problems merely cement Otamendi’s pitch-time at a point where rest and rotation is starting to hit hard right across the top-flight.

While we can expect his manager to chop and change in the final third, Guardiola simply has no alternatives to replace the Argentine right now.

And with Swansea, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Palace and Watford in five of their next six between now and Gameweek 22 on January 2, Otamendi is the number one transfer target since Saturday’s deadline, with over 71,000 FPL managers rushing to acquire his services.

Silva on the ascent

David Silva’s opener at Old Trafford – his second goal in as many matches – continued the Spaniard’s climb up the FPL standings.

Despite netting in last week’s win over West Ham, the recent trend of Silva sales continued – over 128,000 managers parted company ahead of the Manchester derby, with his price having tumbled from 8.6 in Gameweek 10 down to 8.1.

Yet a third goal of the season, allied with two bonus points, served a reminder of Silva’s potential as he climbed ahead of team-mate Leroy Sane in the City midfield pecking order, by 86 points to 85.

Having started all but one of the opening 16 Gameweeks, Silva now has three goals and eight assists – just one shy of his respective tallies in 2016/17.

Both Sane and Raheem Sterling started on either side of Gabriel Jesus in the visitors’ front three but the German’s poor recent form shows no sign of abating – another blank means he now has just a single assist in the last six Gameweeks.

Up top, Sergio Aguero’s appeal was dented further as he dropped down to the bench for the first time in four Gameweeks.

Indeed, the Argentine’s 15.8% owners were left to rely on their bench autosubs when he suffered the ignominy of failing to play a single minute of the derby win as Guardiola rolled out a striker-less formation after replacing Jesus before the hour-mark.

While this at least bodes well for his chances of starting away to Swansea in midweek, many Aguero owners have had enough – over 36,000 have parted company in the last 24 hours alone.

Lukaku toils continue

Romelu Lukaku has now scored just one goal in nine Gameweeks after yet another failure in yesterday’s 2-1 home loss.

Handed a role as a lone striker as Jose Mourinho switched from 3-4-1-2 to 4-2-3-1, Lukaku once again played from start to finish but managed just two attempts, with one on target.

It was left to Marcus Rashford – with his first strike since Gameweek 9 – to find the net, capitalising on errors from Otamendi and then Fabian Delph to score United’s solitary effort.

Sold by over 222,000 FPL managers last week, Lukaku was second only to suspended team-mate Paul Pogba for sales.

And despite a very obliging festive schedule (BOU wba lei BUR SOU eve) between now and New Year’s Day, that exodus is showing no sign of slowing – only Aaron Ramsey has suffered more transfers out over the last 24 hours.

Lukaku remains the only forward in the Premier League to have played every minute of the season so far but with Zlatan Ibrahimovic earning further pitch-time off the bench yesterday, that record seems unlikely to remain for much longer.

At the back, Victor Lindelof dropped to the bench due to the move to a four-man rearguard, with the fit-again Phil Jones also named among the subs.

Yet it was the former who replaced Marcos Rojo at the break after the Argentine sustained a first-half facial injury, with Mourinho perhaps reluctant to throw Jones into the fray after his recent injury absence.

That arguably leaves Chris Smalling as United’s most assured starter at centre-half over the congested upcoming period – the 5.4-priced former Fulham man has now been named on the teamsheet in ten successive Gameweeks.

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1,799 Comments Post a Comment
  1. drughi
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    Ward Gomez Maguire
    Sterling Salah Hazard Gross
    Kane (C) Morata Austin

    elliott mbemba naughton carroll

    0.1 itb and already on -4, any more changes needed or gtg ?

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nothing worth a hit I wouldn't say.

  2. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Current best
    A. Defender's under 4.7m
    B. Mids under 6.6m
    C. Strikers under 7.7m

    1. Expected Toulouse
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A. Tarkowski, Kabesele/Femenia, Kenny.
      B. Richarlison, Shaqiri.
      C. Rooney, Austin, Gayle, Dcl.

    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A Watford defender
      B Gross
      C Calvert lewin, bony or Austin. DCL has the best fixtures however.

  3. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    My Alonso Mustafi combo is starting to annoy me! Fancy Christensen and Otamendi instead. May even take a hit to avoid and rises....

  4. jose1
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Play Mee or RLC?

    Cheers

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Mee

    2. Expected Toulouse
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Mae

      1. Expected Toulouse
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Mee*

  5. Afghanistanislas
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Which of these would you do:
    A) Daniels and Wilson > Christensen and DCL (-4)
    B) Daniels and Wilson > Kenny and Austin (-4)
    C) Daniels and Mustafi > Otamendi/Christensen and Kenny (-4)
    D) Mustafi and Wilson > Otamendi and DCL (-4)

    Foster Elliot
    Mee Mustafi Zeegelaar Daniels Mbemba
    Salah Hazard Sane Richarlison RLC
    Kane Morata Wilson
    1FT, 0.1ITB

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      D

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      D

  6. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Any chance Ramsey plays?

    Stupid early transfers / avoiding losses means in on a -8 already and have him 😀

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Sounds unlikely but wait for more news.

  7. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is this worth a hit?
    Ramsey + Gross > Sterling/ Silva + Milivojevic/ D. Gray/ Young

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling/Silva and Gray if so
      I'd wait on Ramsey and maybe do Gross to Gray

    2. Fpldonny
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Probably yes. I like Gray of those 3 you mentioned, he could rack up some nice points in the coming weeks!

  8. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Fabianski, Speroni
    Monreal, Kenny, Moreno, Alonso, Christensen
    Sterling, Salah, Ramsey, Loftus-Cheek, Richarlison
    Kane, Abraham, Morata

    £1.1 ITB, 1 FT

    Moreno and Ramsey the obvious issues but I don't necessarily need to replace both immediately.

    Obviously waiting to hear any further news before making a move but early thoughts are either:

    - Just Ramsey out for a mid up to 8.2m but not sure who - Silva/Son/Sigurdsson?

    - Maybe taking a hit to raise funds from either Abraham ➡ Calvert-Lewin or Alonso ➡ Otamendi/other to afford someone like Mahrez/Coutinho for Ramsey (0.1 off the DCL/Coutinho combo though).

    Any thoughts?

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save the transfer and buy some more time for the decisions

    2. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save and assess next gameweek. I am an Alonso owner and keeping long term. I think he will score 180+ points this season.

    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I’d be inclined to make a move (1) at least, any form of rotation and you could be short and annoyed with yourself.
      Ramsey out for sure, to Silva/Son and o really think DCL looks better than Tammy now.

      1. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        This is what I'm thinking. Can do Ramsey ➡ Son/Silva/Siggy for free. Would Coutinho/Mahrez be that much better that a hit is worth it? Hmm...

    4. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Surprised I'm getting a couple of 'save' suggestions considering I have a free transfer and a couple of injuries in the middle of rotation season. Hadn't really crossed my mind to be honest! Thanks for the thoughts though 🙂

      1. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Oh didn't see the injuries. Son/Silva look like decent picks. Still not confident on Everton and siggy.

        1. GreenWindmill
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Ah, yeah - wouldn't be removing Ramsey otherwise, he's been great. Thanks! 🙂

  9. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    CL draw right now eh?

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

  10. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What move to make?

    A) Moreno > Masauka

    B) Moreno Alonso > Christensen Otamendi

    Cheers

    1. Bring the Cavalry
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B is a -4

    2. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save and do it next GW for free?

      1. Bring the Cavalry
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Won’t be able to if Ota rises and Moreno drops

    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B but get A soon

  11. My Name Is Prince
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Funny how Chelsea can get either Barca, PSG, or Besiktas 🙂

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not funny 😛

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

    When was the last time you took a hit to replace a defender? (Daniels owner/Kenny target)

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Last night.

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Hey Wild, you took Daniels off for a hit too?

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Yep, Wilson, Daniels and Morata to DCL, Otamendi and Gomez -4

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

            How nailed is Gomez?

            1. Wild Rover
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              About the same as most this time of year. He has the advantage of being a CB really so if TAA plays at RB he could still play

            2. My Name Is Prince
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Liverpool can't keep cleanies?

              1. Wild Rover
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                They have 5 cs at home in 8

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

                  THis, did well with Moreno tbh, so wouldn’t mind Gomez.

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

      A few weeks ago, made 13 points off a -4 for a defensive duo switch 🙂

      Will be taking a hit, probably this evening to bring in a defender for Moreno - even if Mee and Kiko are fit I'd have to play either Daniels or Duffy otherwise!

  13. L9
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    get otamendi instead of francis? that gives me a 4 4 2 with
    pope
    otamendi azpi mustafi gomez
    sane salah mane richarlidson
    morata kane

    subs: elliot rosenior niasse loftus

  14. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Since I'm desperate obviously :

    Fabianski
    Otamendi. Christensen. Ward.
    Hazard. Salah. Richarlison. Sterling.
    Morata. Kane(c). DCL

    Bench : Elliot. Moreno. Cork. Duffy.

    0FT and 0.2 ITB. GTG? I did Daniels and Murray to DCL and Ota. Anything that needs to be looked at in the near future?

  15. boc610
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    jose is the most petty, bitter, myopic man alive. any respect I had for him has now gone for good.

  16. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    So Kane... is everyone keeping him now? I still feel like he isn't great value.

    1. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      keeping

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I don’t understand what more people want from Kane.

      He hasn’t been amazing but still second top scorer in FPL.

      1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        you should be able to rely on someone who is almost 13mil as a captain!

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

          If you had every week, you'd have a much higher score from your captain that I have from my chopping and changing 🙂

    3. boc610
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      and a rotated kun and jesus is? kane will start every game. that has to be factored into his price. look at how rotation is
      messing with so many squads at the moment

      1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Kun + Jesus are even worse value! I guess the struggle for Strikers is real...

    4. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      OK, the truth is I had already spent the funds in my mind and although I love the points he brought this week, I can't help feeling like Kane+Carrol -> Firmino (or similar) + Silva is a good move!

  17. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is this worth a -8?

    Daniels, Mustafi, Niasse
    to
    Otamendi, Smalling, DCL

    Thanks in advance!

  18. Sánchez
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Moreno replacement?

    4.7 max

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Kenny
      Ogbonna/Masaaki
      Gomez

      1. ChelseaGuy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        *Masuaku

    2. Kingtekkerz
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ogbonna or Masuaku?

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

        M

  19. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Juventus vs Spurs

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

      Spurs have not been very lucky so far!

  20. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pope (Elliot)
    Ota-Daniels-*Sakho-*Moreno-Hune
    Salah-Hazard-Sane-Ramsey-Surman
    Kane-Morata-DCL

    1ft, 0.1itb, no WC

    Sakho - out for 'weeks'
    Moreno - out for two more weeks, not guarantee to start right away though
    Ramsey - out for three weeks
    Daniels - poor fixtures ahead
    Sane - poor form

    Frustrating as I just got Sakho Ramsey DCL last week for a hit. So I need help here, which two players should I ditch?

    Thinking of Sakho and Moreno, is that right?

  21. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Basel vs Man City

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth sailing for the citizens..

  22. Henning
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Otamendi in for Jones for free?

  23. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I have a big problem with my defence..... Only have Azpi as my only fit player.... Other players are

    Mee/ Sakho/ Moreno all are injured/doubtful for this midweek ... Who will I transfer in for Sakho??? & Will Mee start this week??

    1. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      i'm in a similar boat with mee, moreno, zeegelaar, daniels & christensen.

      think mee will play so i'm likely going to do zeegelar to kenny

  24. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Porto vs Liverpool

  25. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Porto vs Liverpool

  26. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Sevilla vs Manu

  27. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    portooooo

  28. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Sevilla vs Manchester United

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

      Which Sevilla will turn up? The one that got spanked my Spartak Moscow?

  29. the vanisher
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Looking for a DEFENDER with assured starts and fixtures.

    Budget 5.5m

    A. Smalling
    B. Kenny
    C. Other?

  30. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What to do here?

    Pope
    Daniels Moreno Christensen
    Salah Hazard Richarlison Sterling
    Kane Morata Calvert-Lewin

    Speroni Mee Carroll Hunemeier

    1 FT 1.8 ITB

    Obviously my defence is the priority with Daniels (poor fixtures), Moreno / Mee (injury doubts) - but what is priority???

    Thanks all