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.

1,078 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Easily

    2. istanbul05
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Coleman to Valencia

    5. KING CITY
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

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

  3. istanbul05
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      A is good but do you plan to get Sanchez ?

      1. istanbul05
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      PvA

    2. KING CITY
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'd downgrade lloris > pickford and get valencia.

      1. KING CITY
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Since you already have Vert

    3. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Lloris shouldn't be there. Especially with Vert.

  5. NorwichCityLad
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

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

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

          I could just save I was thinking sterling > Tadic

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

            That seems a popular player to get, is Tadic

  6. Ben the Mee
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Easily C.

      1. Ben the Mee
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

      1. Ben the Mee
        9 years, 3 months ago

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

    3. KING CITY
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      C then A

    4. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      C by far

  7. Clifford☯
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Coutinho to Sanchez

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

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

  8. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    That England team 😮

    Scotland would beat them 😆

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

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

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          😆

          *McSnodgrass

          1. A.T
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            "LEG IT" 😮

            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Those kilts really give them Freeeeeeeedooooooom....

              1. A.T
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

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

                1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                  • 16 Years
                  9 years, 3 months ago

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

      2. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months 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…
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          🙂

    2. Football Weekender
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

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

        1. Football Weekender
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

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

  9. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Lol

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      What to do?

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Vote for independence ?

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          There's a vote?

          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            I'd say there will be 🙂

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

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

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

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

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

          Almost all of them are 😉

  10. Egyptian Giza
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    anyone has a link to the game?

    1. Ben the Mee
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Turn on ITV1 😉

      1. Egyptian Giza
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

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

        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          TVCatchup.

        2. Ben the Mee
          9 years, 3 months ago

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

  11. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Cheers. Joined both of them.

  12. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

        same thinking 😉

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

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        But Defoe will start scoring soon probably.

      2. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

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

  13. George Sillett
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Defoe and Bradley . Fantastic.

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      The future is bright

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Loved him covering his ears.

  14. nkhoughton
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Best use of a FT?

    A) Funes to Valencia

    B) Nyom to Bertrand

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A

  15. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

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

    2. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Coleman --> Valencia?

    3. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Coleman and Brunt to Valencia and Bertrand.

  16. Viper
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

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

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        😀

    2. Speédy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      its a cup,conducted by jarvish,see community article

  17. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

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

  18. DaddyBellay
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

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

  19. walkman666
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    England have any other matches before gw30? Thanks.

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Non

      1. walkman666
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, Jazz!

      1. walkman666
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks epic.

  20. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

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

    1. Eden Hazardous
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Cahill and Hendo

      1. Eden Hazardous
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        And Rose

    2. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Possibly Henderson, Cahill/Smalling too

      1. Knowledgeable meerkat
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Also probably rose

    3. makaveli123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Henderson and two CBs

      1. makaveli123
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        +Rose

        1. Knowledgeable meerkat
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          + Rooney

          1. makaveli123
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            +Rashford and Lingard

    4. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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?

  21. NestorC
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

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

    1. makaveli123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Holgate will probably step in at RB

      1. NestorC
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Forgot about him, cheers

  22. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    That was very Kyle Walker right there.

    1. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Such a frustrating player to watch

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, decisionmaking is not always his strength.

  23. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

      Anyone but Hamilton. Such an annoying character.

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

          Hopefully Max will start dominating soon.

      2. NestorC
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months ago

          Got to love Kimi he is a legend

    2. NestorC
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months 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, 3 months 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
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

    4. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone but Vettel. Average driver.

    5. makaveli123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

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

  24. PvA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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

  25. PvA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months 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

  26. justmatt
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

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

  27. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Nice pass.

  28. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    That one, too.

  29. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Defoe essential

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      lol was just promoting him. there goes my differential 😉

  30. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling likes playing a team he can outmuscle.

    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Spoke too soon.