Scout Notes
26 March 2017 1078 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Romelu Lukaku continues his prolific form as Belgium struggle to save a point from their latest World Cup qualifier without the inspiration of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne. There are also further goals for France’s Olivier Giroud and more woe for the Dutch on another busy night of international action. Here’s how it played out…

Belgium 1 Greece 1

Fantasy Premier League’s man of the moment Romelu Lukaku grabbed a late equaliser for Belgium against a Greek side that finished the match with just nine men.

Shackled for much of Saturday’s encounter, the Everton striker eventually made his mark, chesting down a Dries Mertens centre before blasting a volley into the bottom corner – a goal which epitomised his current form and confidence.

Lukaku seems to be developing a liking for late shows – he scored twice at the end of the 4-0 win over Hull City last weekend – but his 46.8% ownership base will now be hoping that their man is preserved for Belgium’s Tuesday night friendly in Russia.

Coach Roberto Martinez certainly has plenty of options up front – Divock Origi, Christian Benteke and Michy Batshuayi were all unused substitutes against the Greeks.

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard was a key absentee. The calf injury that kept him out of the Gameweek 29 victory at Stoke City has lead to him missing Belgium’s two internationals, with the playmaker remaining a doubt to resume Premier League action against Crystal Palace this weekend. Recent reports sound optimistic on his prognosis, however.

The 7.0% of Fantasy Premier League managers still holding Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne will also face an anxious wait ahead of his visit to Arsenal on Sunday. Suffering from a groin problem, he is said to be returning to Manchester for treatment having watched from the stands in Brussels on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini all started for Belgium, with Mousa Dembele replacing the Manchester United midfielder just after the hour mark and Kevin Mirallas coming on for a late cameo.

Luxembourg 1 France 3

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored twice as France made relatively hard work of their trip across the border.

The forward has started seven of the Gunners’ last ten league matches, scoring five times, and his double for Les Bleus won’t have hindered his cause ahead of a huge home match with Manchester City next Sunday.

With two double Gameweeks and a relatively kindly run-in, Arsenal players offer the potential for good returns as the season reaches its climax.

If Giroud can somehow offer us a degree of security in the face of strong competition from the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck, the 2.7%-owned forward could yet prove differential of note.

Giroud was one of four Premier League players to start and finish the Luxembourg match, the others being Hugo Lloris, Laurent Koscielny and N’Golo Kante.

FPL managers will be hoping all four are spared when France face Spain in a Tuesday night friendly.

Elsewhere, the decline of Holland continued with a 2-0 defeat in Bulgaria.

Bruno Martins Indi, Daley Blind and Georginio Wijnaldum – with the latter pair recovering from recent head injuries. They all started for the Dutch, with Wijnaldum replaced at half-time.

Spurs keeper Michel Vorm was an unused sub for the Netherlands, who are in danger of failing to qualify for their second successive major tournament just three years after finishing third at the 2014 World Cup.

The Dutch have a friendly with Italy on Tuesday.

Switzerland beat Latvia 1-0, with Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka starting and finishing the match and even managing to avoid a booking. Stoke City midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri calmed recent fitness concerns by playing 78 minutes for the Swiss.

Defensive duo Cedric Soares and Jose Fonte lasted the full 90 minutes as Portugal eased past Hungary 3-0, while Liverpool centre-half helped Estonia keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 stalemate in Cyprus.

Portugal host Sweden in a friendly on Tuesday, with Estonia also in action against Croatia that night.

Sunderland midfielder Seb Larsson didn’t make it off the bench in Sweden’s 4-0 win over Belarus, while Chelsea reserver goalkeeper Asmir Begovic enjoyed a rare start as Bosnia Herzegovina swept Gibraltar aside 5-0.

  1. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    60 pt lead catchable at this stage?

    Suggestions on this team

    Jaku Valdes
    Alonso* Walker* Coleman Evans Chambers
    Mane* Cout Siggy King* Fletcher
    Kun* Kaku* Costa*

    1FT 0.8 ITB

    * indicates same player as rival

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Easily

    2. istanbul05
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Of course...although you need to start getting some big differentials. Eg Ibra and Alexis next week. Valencia, Tadic, Alli, Eriksen could be a few options for you to bring in this week.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Two good captaincy choices will get you 60 points... But likewise, your rival could pull further ahead. 10 points a gameweek is a reasonable amount to catch up... We have 9x weeks left so i'd say you're ok for up to 90 points of a gap at this stage.

    4. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Coleman to Valencia

    5. KING CITY
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Yes but you have too many similar players as your rival. Try and lessen that over the next few weeks.

  2. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Pickford/Grant

    Coleman/Smith(Bou)/Brunt/Holgate/Amat

    Sanchez/Mane/Siggy/King/Son

    Costa/Lukaku/Llorente

    1.4 in the bank and 1 FT

    Now that we know the doubles, it is time to play the Wildcard?

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Wow that defense needs work
      Coleman to Valencia
      Son looks meh
      Probably time to WC

  3. istanbul05
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Thoughts on the below guys? Tempted by B...

    A) Coleman to Valencia
    B) Coleman and Fletcher to Valencia and JWP (-4 and play AOA)
    C) Coleman to Bertrand

    Jaku, Grant,
    Alonso, Coleman, Baines, Evans, Amat,
    Mane, Alli, Coutinho, Siggy, Fletcher,
    Kun, Lukaku, Llorente

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      A is good but do you plan to get Sanchez ?

      1. istanbul05
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Yes need to work on a plan to bring him and Ibra in soon too...

  4. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    If you are on a WC which 5m DF would you have for this back 7

    Lloris Valdes

    Alonso Gibson Yoshida Vertonghen xxxxxx

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      PvA

    2. KING CITY
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      I'd downgrade lloris > pickford and get valencia.

      1. KING CITY
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Since you already have Vert

    3. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Lloris shouldn't be there. Especially with Vert.

  5. NorwichCityLad
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Can I have some help 0.5 in bank 1FT
    Jakupovic
    Pieters,Valencia,Mawson
    Eriksen,Sanchez,sterling,siggy
    Costa,lukaku,llorente

    Subs Heaton Baines Morrison brunt

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Looks pretty decent. Brunt to Berty, perhaps. Then play him over Pieters.

      1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Bournemouth have been hot offensively so I am not sure Berty will get a Clean Sheet this week

        1. NorwichCityLad
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          I could just save I was thinking sterling > Tadic

          1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            That seems a popular player to get, is Tadic

  6. Ben the Mee
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Bottomed.
      Who to play:
      A. Baines (liv)
      B. Brunt (man)
      C. Fernandez (MID)
      D. de Roon (swa) (aoa)

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Easily C.

        1. Ben the Mee
            9 years, 5 days ago

            Cheers!

        2. Lord.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          A - Everton might get a pen, and Lukaku might let Baines take it.

          1. Ben the Mee
              9 years, 5 days ago

              I'll play C but Baines first off the bench in the likely scenario that Gabbi doesn't recover in time.

          2. KING CITY
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            C then A

          3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            C by far

        3. Clifford☯
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          What is the Best use of FT here ?

          Heaton Mannone
          ALonso Valencia Baines Daniels Amat
          Mane Eriksen Coutinho Sigurdsson Fletcher
          Costa Lukaku Gabbiadini

          4.1 ITB

          Cheers.

          1. Pep's Money Laundry
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            Coutinho to Sanchez

          2. Lord.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            Gabbi to Vardy, Defoe or Llorente, depending on what your plans are for the money in the bank (Sanchez?).

            1. Clifford☯
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              yeah. Planning to do Cout > Sanchez. But it still leaves 1 M itb.

        4. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          That England team 😮

          Scotland would beat them 😆

          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            Scotland have been subject to British rule since 1707 and they have conducted numerous failed rebellions . I mean if Mel Gibson could not lead them to victory I'm fairly sure Darren Fletcher would fail miserably .

            1. A.T
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              I don't know. If you put face paint and a skirt on Snodgrass I'd run.

              1. Jafooli
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                😆

                *McSnodgrass

                1. A.T
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  "LEG IT" 😮

                  1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                    • 15 Years
                    9 years, 5 days ago

                    Those kilts really give them Freeeeeeeedooooooom....

                    1. A.T
                      • 15 Years
                      9 years, 5 days ago

                      Fella on the right hasn't quite got the hang of it.

                      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                        • 15 Years
                        9 years, 5 days ago

                        Clearly wants to stay in the Union . Voting has come a long way

            2. Jafooli
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              But now we have Wee Jimmy Krankie in charge 😎

              http://eplwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/wee-jimmy.jpg

              Freeeeeeeedooooooom....

              1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                🙂

          2. Football Weekender
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            I've been very critical of England but I'm afraid I have to draw the line at the suggestion that Scotland could beat them 😉

            1. Jafooli
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Higher ranked than England using the FIFA rank/population coefficient 😎

              1. Football Weekender
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Not sure how that would help during an actual match but fair enough!

        5. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          Heaton - Foster*
          Baines^ - McAuley - Robertson''' - Yoshida - Fernandez^^
          Mane"" - Alli - Siggy* - King - Capoue^^
          Aguero*** - Lukaku - Carroll**

          1 x FT, 4.0m ITB

          1. Jazz!
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            Lol

          2. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            What to do?

            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Vote for independence ?

              1. Jafooli
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                There's a vote?

                1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  I'd say there will be 🙂

          3. Phil Dagger ⭐
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            First wait for Internationals to be over is what you should do

            1. Jafooli
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Are any of my players good enough to get called up for internationals?

              1. Phil Dagger ⭐
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Almost all of them are 😉

        6. Egyptian Giza
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          anyone has a link to the game?

          1. Ben the Mee
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Turn on ITV1 😉

              1. Egyptian Giza
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                unfortunately, I'm not located in Britannia, was a former colony though 🙁

                1. Epic Fail
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  TVCatchup.

                2. Ben the Mee
                    9 years, 5 days ago

                    Sorry can't be more helpful. Not allowed to share illegal streams on here.

            • Phil Dagger ⭐
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              A Little Reminder for Norway FFSers

              New Leagues were Created For Norwegian Fantasy tommorrow. Anybody Interested can join the Leagues on These codes given below.There is a very positive interest shown for this new game.

              1) H2H

              Code is ➡ 24404-5569

              2) LMS Type Knockout League

              Code is ➡ 24404-5574

              Good Luck to all those entered 🙂

              1. Clifford☯
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Cheers. Joined both of them.

            • HurriKane
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Just realized 7 sides Defoe faces in next 8 are in the bottom half of the table.

              wat lei MU WHU mid BOU hul SWA

              Fixtures cant get any better than that. Surely could be a shrewd option regardless of the dgw's right ?

              (gabbiadini injury has forced me to look at a midpriced striker and defoe is the option i fancy most)

              1. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Defoe has been a brilliant option all season. No reason why he wouldn't be now with decent fixtures.

                1. HurriKane
                  • 13 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  same thinking 😉

                  he's oncourse to beat his best pl tally of 18 goals in one season

              2. Jazz!
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Sunderland have failed to score in 7 of their last 8 games. That is truly shocking.

                1. Jazz!
                  • 11 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  But Defoe will start scoring soon probably.

                2. HurriKane
                  • 13 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  he has scored 14 goals and 3 assists. only lukaku kane and costa has more points

                  expect sunderland to show some fight and defoe to get on the goals again 😉

                  1. HurriKane
                    • 13 Years
                    9 years, 5 days ago

                    5 of those 7 was among leagues top 10 sides. so its expected

            • George Sillett
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Defoe and Bradley . Fantastic.

              1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                The future is bright

              2. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Loved him covering his ears.

            • nkhoughton
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Best use of a FT?

              A) Funes to Valencia

              B) Nyom to Bertrand

              1. HurriKane
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                A

            • Who Ate All Depays?
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Guys, what changes would you suggest with 1FT & 2.6m itb?

              Pickford
              Walker / Alonso / Brunt
              Alli / Siggy / Mane / Lanzini
              Lukaku / Aguero / Llorente
              (Grant / Coleman* / Fletcher / Amat)

              1. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                See which players get injured in the internationals and take out accordingly.

              2. HurriKane
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Coleman --> Valencia?

              3. diesel001
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Coleman and Brunt to Valencia and Bertrand.

            • Viper
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Is there a new frequent posters league? I seen talk of it last week but haven't been on since

              1. PvA
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                There is but you're clearly not frequent enough to be in the elite group

                1. Epic Fail
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  😀

              2. Speédy
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                its a cup,conducted by jarvish,see community article

            • Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Lovely 1 minutes silence. Can't believe someone suggested a 1 minutes applause for Coleman.

            • DaddyBellay
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              What if I try to pass rest of the fixtures with below squad. I don't want to care about DGWs.
              Courtoise

              Baines Valancia Bertrand

              Mane Siggy Schaz Allie King

              Kaku Gabiadini

              Sub;Jakupovic,Mawson,Chambers,Niasse
              (I need to do 4 transfers if you recommend my plan).

              1. DaddyBellay
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Please take a look and leave some words.
                This is my fourth comment in two days with no reply .

              2. Pep says
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Midfield is good. I'd consider Baines to PVA.
                Barnes over Niasse
                Have you a plan for Ibra and Kane?

            • walkman666
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              England have any other matches before gw30? Thanks.

              1. Jazz!
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Non

                1. walkman666
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  Thanks, Jazz!

                1. walkman666
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  Thanks epic.

            • tm245
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Are Kane and Vardy the only starters missing from this lineup?

              1. Eden Hazardous
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Cahill and Hendo

                1. Eden Hazardous
                  • 11 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  And Rose

              2. Knowledgeable meerkat
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Possibly Henderson, Cahill/Smalling too

                1. Knowledgeable meerkat
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  Also probably rose

              3. makaveli123
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Henderson and two CBs

                1. makaveli123
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  +Rose

                  1. Knowledgeable meerkat
                    • 9 Years
                    9 years, 5 days ago

                    + Rooney

                    1. makaveli123
                      • 9 Years
                      9 years, 5 days ago

                      +Rashford and Lingard

              4. tm245
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                So the starting def is
                Walker Cahill Stones Rose in a 4-4-2
                Or
                Cahill Dier Stones w the Spurs guys as wingbacks in a 3-4-3?

            • NestorC
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Is it possible that FunesM will start again now that Coleman is injured?

              1. makaveli123
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Holgate will probably step in at RB

                1. NestorC
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  Forgot about him, cheers

            • tm245
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              That was very Kyle Walker right there.

              1. liiusions
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Such a frustrating player to watch

                1. tm245
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  Yeah, decisionmaking is not always his strength.

            • Ógie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              I watched the Australian F1 GP earlier great that the season has finally started
              I am delighted for Sebastian Vettel clinical race by him and Ferrari and i hope he can kick on from here and wins his 5th world championship

              1. Team Cruel
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Anyone but Hamilton. Such an annoying character.

                1. Ógie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  Yeah i am in the anyone but Hamilton camp too as long as it is not Daniel Ricciardo he also gets under my skin also

                  1. Team Cruel
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    9 years, 5 days ago

                    Hopefully Max will start dominating soon.

                2. NestorC
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  Agree, I love Ferrari, so its not important who drives for them, but great its Vettel and Kimi

                  1. Ógie
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    9 years, 5 days ago

                    Got to love Kimi he is a legend

              2. NestorC
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                I stopped watching last year, it was so boring, but still cant miss a single race of motogp, lets go Vale

                1. Ógie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  9 years, 5 days ago

                  I also like MotoGP but the TT racing is the best of the lot it still has that old school feel to it still lots of guys pulling up with a van and rolling a bike out of it and going out there with the best of them before going back to their day jobs

                  It is one of my life's dreams to compete in a TT it is a costly business though

              3. UnitedFan
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                My dad was surprised when he realized Vettel had already won 4 titiles

              4. diesel001
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Anyone but Vettel. Average driver.

              5. makaveli123
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                I would love to see Ferrari on top of the podium more often.

            • PvA
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Puel after Gabbiadini's injury: “It’s an injury to his groin and we will see when it’s examined in the next few days"

              Thanks for the update Puel mate

            • PvA
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Just noticed something for all Gabbi owners

              Say he out for 3 weeks only - yes he would have 2 weeks to rest because of the int. break. BUT, he would miss 2 or maybe 3 GWs. GW31 is midweek

              - Miss GW30 - 2 weeks into rest
              - Miss GW31 - 2 and a half weeks into rest
              - Miss GW 32 - right at the end of his rest

              *This is all if the guesses of 3-4 are true

            • justmatt
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Currently stuck with both kane and coleman... Worth a hit to do Kane, Cout and Coleman to Costa, Alli, Bertrand?

            • tm245
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Nice pass.

            • tm245
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              That one, too.

            • TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Defoe essential

              1. HurriKane
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                lol was just promoting him. there goes my differential 😉

            • tm245
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Sterling likes playing a team he can outmuscle.

              1. tm245
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 5 days ago

                Spoke too soon.