Scout Notes

The Stock Check – Gameweek 26 – Sunday

Harry Kane runs riot as Spurs put four past Stoke without reply at White Hart Lane. Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to roll out a 3-4-2-1 also reignites the Fantasy potential of Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli after both were subject to sales aplenty prior to Gameweek 26. Meanwhile, at Wembley it’s a tale of two strikers in the EFL Cup Final as, almost inevitably, Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims a leading role.

On the Rise

Harry Kane
The frontman turned in his most emphatic Fantasy display of the season by playing a part in all four of Spurs’ goals in a home demolition of Stoke.

With Mauricio Pochettino choosing to retain the 3-4-2-1 formation utilised against Gent in midweek, Kane banished a run of one strike in the previous four Gameweeks in style, racking up three goals and an assist.

Kane has now notched seven times in his last three home appearances ahead of next week’s visit from Everton and those who were eyeing up a swap to Sergio Aguero – should City clinch a double Gameweek 27 – may now think twice.

In saying that, Aguero would also face Stoke as well as Sunderland if City defeat Huddersfield in the FA Cup on Wednesday and the Potters’ abject defensive display looks potentially very promising for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli
The Dane banished a run of four straight league blanks by providing two assists for the third time in his last four home outings.

Shipped by more than 45,000 FPL managers last week, Eriksen had hinted at a return to form in midweek by grabbing a goal and assist in the stalemate with Gent and he maintained that momentum with an 11-point return against Mark Hughes’ men – impressively, that’s a fifth double-figure haul in his last seven at the Lane.

Sold by more FPL managers (66,000+) than any other player boasting a fixture in Gameweek 26, Alli was back in the goals, with Pochettino choosing to retain him in the first XI after his midweek moment of madness.

Alli’s strike – only a second in the last six Gameweeks – ensures that his battle with Eriksen for our midfield attentions continues to rage on, with the pair ranked third and fourth respectively in the FPL midfield standings.

With home encounters against Everton, Southampton, Watford and Bournemouth allied with trips to Burnley and Swansea City in the next seven rounds of fixtures, those who had considered parting company to cope with Spurs’ blank Gameweek 28 may now be reconsidering.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The talismanic Swede just had to have the final say in what was a compelling EFL Cup final.

His late decisive header from point blank range capped another two-goal performance and continued a bout of relentless scoring form ahead of a Gameweek 27 meeting with Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Earmarked as a likely captain for that clash, enthusiasm has since been tempered by the revelation that City and Aguero may now have two fixtures. However, Zlatan’s performance today issued another reminder that we overlook his claims at our peril.

Certainly, the 281,000 who sold the Swede ahead of Gameweek 26 will be pondering the possibility of a recall, if not for the Cherries visit, perhaps after United’s blank in Gameweek 28.

Manolo Gabbiadini
Another two predatory strikes, a third goal ruled out – it’s fair to say that any remaining doubts surrounding the Saints striker were extinguished by Sunday’s performance.

Having fired three goals in two Premier League starts, the Italian had already caught the eye of Fantasy managers.

The huge investment and transfer numbers ahead of a Gameweek 26 blank were somewhat mystifying but, following today’s Wembley showing, there will be many more managers taking the bait.

Like Ibrahimovic, Gabbiadini will suffer a blank in Gameweek 28 and will follow that with a testing trip to Spurs. However, two home fixtures with Bournemouth and Palace from Gameweek 30 provide an obvious window for investment.

We may need to pay quite a bit more for the striker by that point: Gabbiadini has already become the top transfer target ahead of Gameweek 27, collecting more than 31,000 new owners already.

In Decline

Peter Crouch
With a potential double Gameweek 27 just around the corner, Fantasy managers were hoping for signs of form from Stoke at the Lane.

Instead, we were left with little reason for optimism after the 4-0 capitulation, with Mark Hughes’ men failing to impress at either end of the pitch.

Furthermore, Crouch’s 6.1% of FPL owners were left worrying over his pitch time after he was withdrawn before the hour-mark for the second time in three Gameweeks.

Those currently retaining Crouch will surely retain his services in the likelihood of a double, but with Saido Berahino stepping up his sharpness with more minutes off the bench as the target man’s replacement, would-be suitors may be thinking twice.

Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld
Spurs will be hoping that their twelfth clean sheet of the campaign didn’t come at a cost after both defenders limped off during the second-half.

Whilst Vertonghen managed 65 minutes to claim a clean sheet, Alderweireld’s unfortunate Fantasy season continued as he limped off just three minutes after the break, earning his owners no more than a single-point return.

Optimistically, Pochettino revealed post-match that the pair were withdrawn as a precaution, boosting their chances of making next Sunday’s clash with Everton.

With Danny Rose still stuck on the sidelines, though, the defensive options are limited right now and should both Belgians fail to recover, there’s a chance that Spurs will need to revert back to a 4-2-3-1 formation, forcing us to reassess their main men once again.

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2,076 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    how many you lot reckon you have for GW28?

    And if XI, how many hits is it taking?

    1. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      8 or 9. No need to field a full XI. A lot of those players in that GW will only get 2 or so points

    2. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Probably 8

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      7

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I think I'm the same, 7.

    4. Vinyl78LP
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      was aiming for 9/10, then the City game turned up - might end up with 8 if City have a dgw.

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

      11 without hits

    6. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I have 9 at the moment: Jaku, Brunt, Phillips, Coleman, Lukaku, Siggy, Mané, Antonio, Barnes

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

      6-7. Probably 8 with one of the Pool mid. Will decide that later after the match.

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

      Currently on 10 including Phillips and Amat, reckon i'll end up with 10 starters, 11 if Phillips is alright.

    9. Winks Club
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      7 I think

  2. F4L
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Is it better when hits pay off, or worse when they fail?

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Yes.

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Eh?

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Depends if the person sold smashes it.
      Amat to Coleman(-4) was nice this week.

    4. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It's great when it pays off and not that bothered if they don't. At the time of doing them, it seems like a good idea. I back my decisions and won't always get them right unfortunately

    5. Smoky Johnson
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero (TC) and atletico madrid to finally win CL. Great minds think alike.

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        they certainly do 😛

  3. Harper (No more Penandes)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Over time how much money would you say Messi has been worth to Barcelona?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      priceless

    2. Smoky Johnson
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A gazzilion nigerian rupies.

  4. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Defoe to Kun obvious but would you lose Alli or Eriksen for Sterling-4?

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Neither for -4. But Alli if one.

    2. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Yes.

  5. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Kane and Hazard 》 Kun and Sterling if City have a dbl gameweek. Leaves me with 10 for gmeweek 28 too.

    Shall i do it?

    Strikeforce currently Lukaku, Ibra and Kane and cant drop Ibra vs Bournemouth.

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

    Real pen

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      sure it wasn't fake?

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

        Never a pen so technically it's fake 😉

        1. Syd.
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Hanging around Mourhino too much

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

    I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm going to have to ignore Aguero.

    Thinking long term, dropping one of Kabraku (and taking a hit to get back in) when I have Phillips and Stanislas to take care of doesn't seem so good. Sterling would give me much better balance

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Ignoring a 5 goal (c) could seriously damage your rank 😉

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

        Tc

    2. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      In the same boat - Stanislas > Sterling (FT) instead of selling Kane for Sergio

  8. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Reckon aguero will play both games if he has a double? Can see the TC backfiring

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

      Yeah, probably.

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero doesn't backfire, unless its into the net

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

      With CL around, honestly I don't think Pep will risk him if it's not necessary.

      1. Smoky Johnson
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        They have a serious chance to make contact with chelsea. Aguero will play both DGW.

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

    really bottomed looking at next week! Please help

    Heaton
    Alonso - Coleman - Baines - Pieters - Nyom
    Hazard - Sigurdsson
    Kane - Lukaku - Ibra

    Jakupovic - Phillips - De roon - Antonio

    Really looking at :

    Hazard & Kaku > Aguero & Sterlig if dgw, but that leaves me with a pretty rare formation. Porbably aguero, sterling, kane, siggy and ibra can provide som big scores.

    Any other suggestions ?

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

    I thought Kane would be rising faster than he is.

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      People holding onto their FT until Wednesday

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

        Wish everyone and his dog didn't know but us. I hate FPL twitter

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

          It's the information age

        2. Earn your Spurs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          You think many people are on FPL twitter?

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

            You tell me buddy. I'm not a social network kind of dude

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

        Yeah must be. More people must be aware of that than I thought.

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

    Goal Penaldo

  12. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    kun plan
    A) Alli + Lukaku > Snoddy + kun
    Gw28 kun> kaku, 29 Haz> Sanchez, brunt > walker
    B) hazard + Lukaku > pedro + kun
    Gw28 kun > kaku. 29 Alli > Sanchez, can't afford walker
    C) something else?

  13. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Little help here guys:
    Firmino-Eriksen-Alli-Philips-Deroon
    Costa-Lukaku-Benteke.
    a) Gw27 Philips and Costa to Sterling and Kun -4.
    Gw28 Sterling to Siggy and Benteke to Liorente -4.
    b) Gw27 Alli and Benteke to Sterling and kun -4.
    Gw28 Sterling and Kun to Siggy and Liorente -4.
    thanks all.

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

      B. Not so sure on gw28 though.

    2. Smoky Johnson
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Go away from the computer...now.

  14. Too Mane Men
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Any responses much appreciated

    1: PLay Grant (MID) or Valdes (sto)

    2: Buy Sterling or Sane

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Grant , potential DGW as well, Sterling for sure

      1. Too Mane Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed. I do like the look of this Sane fella though...

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          so do I. He's a great potential talent, but I would think Sterling is more nailed at the moment

    2. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      1. Grant
      2. Raheem.

  15. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I'm leaning towards the Aguero TC

    Unless there's an unlikely Triple GW, Sanchez in GW37 seems the main alternative - Stoke away + either Southampton home / Leicester away, though many will look to play Bench Boost that week instead.

    Also... say you do use your TC chip on Aguero next week. For those of us still holding the wildcard it means you can play the WC the week-of a DGW, say gw34 instead of a week earlier and praying for no injuries or suspensions, and then use your bench boost in GW37

    1. Smoky Johnson
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Very good idea.

  16. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    A) Haz + Defoe
    B) Williams + Aguero (-4)

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      you know the answer. The king is back

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

    I thought the refs in England were crazy but this guy in Madrid game is batsheet mental. Dishing out YCs to everyone and giving penalties for absolutely nothing

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Mike Dean?

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        No. Miko el Deanos.

      2. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        We had Mike Dean at. Bramall Lane in league one this weekend. Actually should have given way more yellows than he did.

        He did give us a penalty for a dive though

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

          That's about his level. Keep him there

  18. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What's the most hits you've ever taken in a GW?

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      3

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

      2 I reckon

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

      Last season I had 1x -16 and 2x -12

    4. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Probably 3, definitely at least 2

    5. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      -16

      Ended up being 12 points better off that game week as a result of those transfers (hits included)

    6. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      er...5. At least it meant I had Jesus cap for his one pointer

    7. Vinyl78LP
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Never take more than -4pts except for dgw's or an unexpected injury crisis.

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

      -12. It was bitter but necessary. Really jump-started my season.

  19. Too Mane Men
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else out there own all three of Ibra, Kane and Lukaku?

    Tempted to do the hokey cokey with one of them to get Aguero but who on earth do you risk not owning for two weeks?

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

      Why would you need to "Hokey Cokey"? Ibra and Kane don't have a game the week after.

      1. Too Mane Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Need Aguero this week for the likely double.

        Can't sell Ibra before Bournemouth. Can't sell Lukaku before GW28 and Kane has just scored a hat-tricks.

        Kane the likely one to drop but that seems silly after today.

        1. Vinyl78LP
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          I have Costa/Kane/Lukaku - so Costa to Aguero is an easier fit.

    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Same problem. Wondering if getting both Sane and Sterling could cover

    3. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Kane obvs

    4. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I'm keeping Lukaku (plays GW28) and Kane (too explosive to risk)

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

        Ibra has Bournemouth

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

          He still usually taps in his one goal, so low risk going without

    5. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Same here. Really undecided - most tempted to ditch Ibra actually, extra funds could be put to good use in GW28

  20. MALDINI'S EYES!
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Are we all TC aguero then?

    1. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Nooooo

    2. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      save for sanchez

      1. Smoky Johnson
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        save for that sanchez week when everyone else used their bb. Be my guest. Im collecting those 75 points next week.

        1. Harper (No more Penandes)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          good luck to you

  21. Girasoli
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I haven't seen anybody talk about the 2 week gap for WC qualifying on 24-26 March, between GW 29 & 30.

    How about loading up with GW 28 players and repairing the damage during GW29 on a Wild Card, knowing who will be absent in GW 30 due to FA Cup Semis?

    At risk of FAC involvement in GW 30 are Ars v MC, Chelsea (v CP), MU (v W Brom) and Middlesbrough at Swansea.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      FA Cup semi finals?

      1. Girasoli
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly, in GW 30

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Not GW34?

          1. Girasoli
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            You're right. 22 - 23 April. Dunno where I gleaned FACup SF s in GW 30.

            1. Vinyl78LP
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              You panicked me then, I had no gw30 strategy lined up 🙂

  22. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    2-3 Real

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

    Goal Morata

    Ref has handed the game to Real

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

    Is Costa and Firmino to Ibra and Sterling worth an 8 point hit, will do Aguero and sterling next gameweek to Firmino and Gabbiadini to give me 11 gw28.

    A) Do the moves
    B) Don't do them
    C) Do some of them (please specify).

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      no no no no

  25. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    MORATA

  26. MALDINI'S EYES!
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Would to get rid of for Sterling
    -4

    A) Haz
    B) Alli

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      AAAAAAAAA

    3. Rossamous
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      B

  27. Syd.
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    3-2 to Real Madrid

    Came back from 2-0 down

  28. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone see Eamon Holmes in with Villarreal fans there?

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

    Bale dead after attempting a fake rabona

  30. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    When is the best time to bring in Gabbiadini do you think?

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

      After Spurs

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      before his first DGW. Needs to prove more for me