Scout Notes

Scout Notes – FA Cup – Saturday

The Gameweek 28 picture becomes considerably clearer after a day of FA Cup shocks for some, but by no means all, of the Premier League sides.

Burnley 0 Lincoln City 1

One of the FA Cup’s greatest ever upsets probably meant only one thing to most Fantasy Premier League managers – another guaranteed Gameweek 28 fixture.

Burnley’s shock defeat to non-league Lincoln City makes it eight teams definitely in action over the March 11 weekend as the Clarets will now travel to face Liverpool at Anfield.

That has further increased the already intense interest in Reds’ midfielder Sadio Mane who, with more than 160,000 new owners, is easily the most purchased player leading into Gameweek 26 thus far.

Mane remained the top transfer target overnight, claiming over 9000 new owners in the last 24-hours, almost double that of Diego Costa, ranked second.

The Senegal international’s brace against Spurs, and a trip to struggling Leicester City to come, first sparked that interest. Throw in home matches with a vulnerable Arsenal and now the notoriously travel-sick Burnley, and it seems guaranteed that Mane’s ownership and price will go on increasing.

Only one other Liverpool player, Roberto Firmino, makes it into the top 30 for new signings this week.

The Burnley loss could change all that, although he, his fellow Brazilian Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana are not in the greatest of form – the two goals and an assist they’ve managed between them over the past five matches have all come from Firmino.

As for Sean Dyche’s side, their next four matches are all away from home – not exactly the greatest advert for drafting in players who’ve managed just the one point on the road all season.

The 19.1%-owned Tom Heaton remains the most attractive option, for his potential save points if nothing else. The England goalkeeper has made 105 stops so far this campaign – 17 more than his nearest rival.

Ashley Barnes is likely to be the other popular candidate. Preserved on the bench on Saturday, he saw action with 20 minutes remaining but has started the last nine in the Premier League. At 4.5, he is set to be the go-to candidate for those FPL managers preserving a 3-5-2 formation.

Burnley XI: Heaton, Darikwa, Keane, Tarkowski, Flanagan, Gudmundsson (Boyd 20), Westwood, Barton, Arfield, Vokes (Barnes 73), Gray.
Subs not used: Robinson, Lowton, Ward, Mee, Agyei.

Huddersfield Town 0 Manchester City 0

Pep Guardiola handed Sergio Aguero a first start in five matches – one of eight changes overall – but City could not find a way past a spirited Huddersfield.

David Silva and Yaya Toure were rested, presumably with Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Monaco in mind, and only Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov and Fernadinho kept their places from the side that beat Bournemouth last week.

The draw means an extra match for City, the replay taking place on Tuesday, February 28. That is actually a relatively minor imposition as they will miss Gameweek 26 because of Man United’s EFL Cup final date, leaving them with five days to recover from the replay before Gameweek 27’s trip to Sunderland.

The stalemate does, however, keep open the likelihood of Guardiola’s side having a Gameweek 28 blank – they’re due entertain Stoke City – should they see off Huddersfield second time around.

And with Liverpool at home and Arsenal and Chelsea away to come after that, investment in City assets remains a somewhat fraught business.

On the injury front, Vincent Kompany missed Saturday’s tie with a leg problem that was played down by City, while Kolarov suffered a knock late on and was replaced – both will need to be assessed prior to the Monaco tie.

Man City XI: Bravo, Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov (Sagna 75), Fernando, Delph (De Bruyne 67), Fernandinho, Nolito (Sane 67), Aguero, Navas.
Subs not used: Caballero, Sterling, Iheanacho, A Garcia.

Middlesbrough 3 Oxford United 2

Middlesbrough, without a league win since Gameweek 17, took a decidedly scenic route to secure their FA Cup quarter-final place.

Cristhian Stuani’s winner, from an Alvaro Negredo assist, came four minutes from time and only after their League One opponents had clawed back a two-goal deficit.

Skipper Grant Leadbitter, with a penalty, and a spectacular volley from Rudy Gestede – his first goal for Boro – looked to have sealed the deal before Oxford’s comeback.

But Aitor Karanka’s men finally prevailed, meaning their Gameweek 28 home match with Sunderland will now have to be re-arranged.

That is likely to further stall Fantasy interest in their players, which has mostly revolved around defensive assets who have produced eight clean sheets this season – the fifth-best record in the league.

George Friend could eventually return to our thinking as a potential investment – he was due to return from a calf injury on Saturday but was de-railed by an injury in training, thought to be a minor setback at this point.

Meanwhile, the 28.9% of managers with Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe in their squads will continue to look elsewhere, at least in the short term.

The Black Cats travel to Everton and then entertain Man City before their Gameweek 28 blank.

Middlesbrough XI: Guzan, Chambers, Ayala, Bernardo, Fabio, Traore (Stuani 71), Clayton, Leadbitter, Fischer (Ramirez 71), Downing, Gestede (Negredo 85).
Subs not used: Valdes, Gibson, De Roon, Bamford.

Millwall 1 Leicester City 0

Leicester continue to find fresh ways to embarrass themselves this season, losing to League One opponents who had been reduced to ten men at the New Den.

January loan signing Molla Wague made his debut as Claudio Ranieri kept his promise to ring the changes ahead of a Champions League clash with Sevilla in midweek.

But the debutant rather epitomised the Foxes’ current travails when he went off injured in the second half. He’s suffered a shoulder dislocation and now faces a spell on the sidelines.

Millwall were down to ten men by the time Wague departed, but still managed to win the match late on.

Leicester’s FA Cup demise is likely to remain a moot point for Fantasy managers, unless non-league Sutton United pull off arguably the biggest upset of all time by beating Arsenal on Monday, as the Foxes are due to face the Gunners in Gameweek 28.

That likely blank and their wretched form continue to keep Leicester players off most managers’ radars.

Leicester City XI: Zieler, Amartey, Benalouane, Wague (Wasilewski 70), Chilwell, Gray (Vardy 73), King, Mendy, Kapustka (Albrighton 64), Okazaki, Musa.
Subs not used: Hamer, Ndidi, Mahrez, Fuchs.

Wolves 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte made seven changes to the side who were held to a draw by Burnley, but still fielded Eden Hazard, Pedro and Diego Costa.

And it was that added injection of class that finally saw off a spirited Wolves, with the latter pair scoring second half goals to see the Blues into the last eight.

That, as was always expected, confirms their Gameweek 28 blank, as it does for opponents Watford.

The postponement could now dampen interest in Chelsea assets with Gameweek 28 in mind – but Costa and Hazard are among the top five for players transferred-in ahead of Gameweek 26’s home match with Swansea City. Notably, Costa remained the second most popular target, behind Mane, overnight despite the looming blank.

With trips to West Ham and Stoke and a home match with Crystal Palace to come, the Blues’ fine form should maintain such investment in their key targets.

Chelsea XI: Begovic, Zouma, Terry, Ake; Moses, Chalobah, Fabregas, Pedro (Azpilicueta 73), Willian (Kante 80), Costa, Hazard (Loftus-Cheek 86).
Subs not used: Eduardo, Cahill, Kenedy, Batshuayi.

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

1,658 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Kane and Eriksen owners, what are you doing with them in the blank ? I think I'll keep Kane and sell Eriksen.

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      If I had a Choice to Choose 1 player from Spurs That will be Eriksen :).. So I am keeping Him atleast

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      My plan is to downgrade Kane and upgrade a mid for Alexis back. Could go Eriksen route though and get a Snoddy or something! As long as I have alexis money for gw29

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

      Kane cos penalties

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

      Have Walker, Alli and Eriksen.

      Got to shift one of Alli/Eriksen for GW28er. Weirdly was more committed to keeping Alli, now I'm thinking better off keeping Eriksen instead.

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

        Im doing Eriksen -> Siggy next week.

    5. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Interesting, Cheers All.

  2. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Whoever scores next goal in this match will win it 😛

  3. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Ibra to Carroll/Niasse/7ish strikers
    De Roon to Mane

    then Next week
    Kane to Ibra (C)

    Yay or nay?

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      would add 2 players for Blanks and allow me to bench one of Coleman/Baines vs Spurs next Gw

  4. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    E to K again

  5. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen clearly shi*....

  6. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Hate my players getting points in the FA cup

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Consider it a confidence booster for Stoke

  7. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Kane Goal
    Eriksen Assist 😉

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

      Kane playing like a flagged player isn't he...

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

    Damn you Kane.

  9. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Alli out of the points again

  10. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Alli seems to not be involved in goals anymore

  11. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    When is Erik Lamela back? Seems like an age ago he was in the team.

  12. tm245
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Just watching the goal from the first half. That is a tidy finish from Kane.

    1. tm245
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      That second goal is nice as well.

  13. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Lol at Eriksen is ****

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      indeed, he seems the most likely to be involved in a Spurs goal

  14. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Why hasn't Mark removed Kane's flag yet?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Could we get the carrol and kaku flags removed. I need the TV increase 😉

      https://ninetyminutesonline.com/koeman-confirms-everton-star-will-face-sunderland-two-others-likely-also/

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Does Mark actually remove them? I thought it was FPL ?

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        All he has to do is tweet and the magic happens

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          I see. Come on Mark. Make it happen. Sort them out

  15. fedolefan
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    This Alli better be saving his magic for the league.

  16. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Is Alli still on? Not heard him mentioned this half

  17. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Free Kick Just outside the area for Spurs

  18. tm245
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Alli shot his wad from GW18-20. Proud owner since GW21.

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Ha ha

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      He was never going to keep scoring braces every game.

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

      Same.

      Just watch him go mental again for GW29+ when we sell him for GW28.

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

      Bloody same here!

  19. KISSES
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Watch this Eriksen FK go in...

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      ..to the back of Kane?

    2. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      the crowd of Players *

  20. tm245
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Double Spurs and triple Chelsea here, can't wait for gw28.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Two transfers and a three man bench

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Would be nice.

    2. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Hits galore ?

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe, though Liverpool are the only players tempting right now.

  21. Dedalus1
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen > Mane becoming more difficult after those two pin point Eriksen assists.

  22. Hooky
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Time for Kane to have a rest now. Get that prolific Dutch fella off the bench

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

      He's no Soldado

  23. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Man Utd Team
    Romero Young Smalling Rojo Darmian Carrick Herrera Lingard Mkhitaryan Martial Rashford

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Nice rest for Ibra. Probably on the bench?

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      No ibrah

      May have a sneaky 5 er on Blackburn then.

    3. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Bench
      Henderson Bailly Schweinsteiger
      Pogba Mata Ibra Shaw

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        What a bench!

      2. tm245
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        100s of millions in reserve, what a financially sound club.

  24. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Alli to Firmino -4 is looking more appealing by the second

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

      Why not Ibra to Kane?

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Already did Ibra to Costa, only way to get Kane would be cutting into Sanchez money to upgrade Jesus

  25. makaveli123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Manchester United XI vs Blackburn: Romero, Young, Smalling, Rojo, Darmian, Carrick, Herrera, Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Rashford.

    1. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Hmm. No DDG on the bench. Hopefully not an injury.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Groin injury apparently

    2. fedolefan
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Where is Zoltan Gerahimovic? Why is he being rested for GW 27?

    3. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      No Mata

  26. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Alli wastes Eriksen assist

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

      Standard.

  27. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen denied of hat trick is assists.

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Great command of English there

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

        Yes.

  28. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Blackburn could possibly give that United team a game.

    Surprised Bastian is not playing though

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

      No chance

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        You that bad?

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

          Have you checked the league table? 🙁

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Cup is an whole different ball game. No ibrah or de gea you have a good chance

  29. Gruu
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Which hit would you choose?
    A. Zaha > Coutinho/Firmino (-4)
    B. Jesus > Kane (-4)
    C. Keep & play Zaha

    Jaku
    Brunt Baines Chambers
    Mane Alli Siggy Phillips Zaha
    Costa Lukaku

    (Grant Holgate Jesus Valencia)
    0FT, 3.3ITB

  30. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Have one FT:

    A) Sanchez ➡ Mane
    B) Ibra ➡ Kane

    1. fedolefan
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Why are you thinking B? I'm thinking the reverse for GW 27.

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

      Yes.

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      What's your full squad? Not keen on losing either of those

    4. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Both for a hit