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. Speédy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    was thinking defoe- vardy(-4),not sure now

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      It's Lithuania

      1. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Can only score against what's in front of you!

      2. Sahil Yadav
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        And with England.

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

    That England goal showed why Liverpool miss Sterling. Someone who just runs at opposition players and draws fouls or creates space with their pace. Mane should be doing it, but he doesn't. Liverpool might be beating this Bottom 10 teams away from home with Sterling.

    Also - Defoe vs Watford 😉

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

      Will be playing for Sunderland against Watford, though, not England.

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

        Watford are an average team though. Defoe only needs a sniff.

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

          Well its not like he just scored against a world class team. 🙂 Keeping my eyes on him, thinking its between him, Vardy and Kun this week for me.

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

      Bit of a daft argument this. Would Liverpool set up the same way with Sterling still in their side ? You could argue that many attacking players transfered to a new side are missed.

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

        I think that is the issue. They are set up wrong. But who do they have to bring in? Their squad is toilet.

    3. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Unless I'm looking at something wrong, Mane has been fouled more than Sterling and is actually better than Sterling at creating space for others. Liverpool's issue at breaking deep defensive teams isn't because they don't have Sterling.

    4. Live Lad
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      As a Liverpool fan, I would rather have Mane at Liverpool than Sterling.

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

      Mané > Sterling

    6. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Both mint. Only one of them wants to play for Liverpool though.

    7. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Sterling a very frustrating player! Liverpool will be very happy with the price they got for him. Mane a much better finisher and better football intelligence

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

    Alli and lallana have decent signs of some real chemistry forming

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

      Both Poch players (Spurs and Southampton). Would be quality if England was managed by Pochettino with a base of Spurs / Southampton players and the odd Chelsea (Cahill) and Liverpool (Lallana, Henderson)

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

        Your points are "ifs and buts".

  4. Fuddled FC
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Does anyone know why Holebas didn't play last match and whether he will lay next.?

    I've seen a few other folk ask without response

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

      Holebas owner, don't expect him playing.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Liability, Watford had been conceding a lot of goals. May get the nod at home to Sunderland for his attacking ability but I wouldn't bet on it.

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

    Think it might be WC time. Who's with me?

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

      Depends on how long is your chopping list 😳

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

        At least 4-5 I want to get rid. If Siggy misses the next game then I'll press the button for sure.

        1. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          Siggy a doubt?

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

            Yes, but apparently its minor.

        2. Fuddled FC
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          Why would siggy miss the game? They need him

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

            Minor injury.

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

            I'm sure Everton need Coleman too!

            1. Fuddled FC
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 days ago

              Slight difference... I didn't realise Siggy had a knock

          3. Konig Luther
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            isn't a friendly game?

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

      Already WIP

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Would like not to but they're dropping like flies!

  6. 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

    RP might be useful

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

    Just fork off Ox

  8. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Who to replace Coleman?

    A) Valencia
    B) Walker

    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Walker is the better bet I think, but there are good reasons to go for Valencia for future planning reasons. Depends on your team and your future plans.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Valencia by miles.

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

        Disagree entirely. Walker has been consistently scoring much more highly all season and there is no reason why this will stop.

        Walker the better asset to own, but marginally and if price is important, Valencia is a good bet, as Eunuch said above

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 5 days ago

          To this point, Walker has been better, looking ahead I think it has to be Valencia. Both good options though.

    3. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      I am getting walker in for 2 home games then also walker in for his 2 home games. Burnley away will be a tough gig for spurs. They rarely keep a clean sheet away from home. The big issue with Man U is the loss of smalling and jones

      1. DJ1000
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Should read Valencia in for next 2 home games

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

    Is Niasse nailed on for Hull

    1. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Not nailed for starts no, he's scored a couple off the bench of late building himself a bit of a 'super sub' rep

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Avoid.

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

    Lithuania are slow, weak, and unskilled.

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

      That is a prerequisite to be drawn in the same group as England

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

        Seems so.

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

    I do not believe Vardy is injured for a second he knows he has bigger fish to fry this season Defoe deserved a run out anyway his form has been fantastic this season

    Hard to blame Vardy for pulling out he is only keeping Harry Kane's bed warm anyway

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

      Vardy is Kane's hot water bottle ?

      1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        *Mistress

    2. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Pretty sure walking Bradley Lowery out played a part, as well. Everybody's happy!

  12. KUNingas
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Anichebe soon fit 😮

    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Lovely enabler

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

        Have keeped him from GW14 😀

    2. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Goal machine

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      I have him too, so great news

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

        And nice fixtures coming up!

    4. marquinhos
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      The boss himself!!

  13. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Useless Defoe scoring when it doesn't matter. Plum Burnley fixture at home and he blanks.

    1. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Sunderland are useless! Not Defoe

  14. I Have No Idea What I'…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Which 4 do you think will be the highest point scorers between now and the end of the season?

    A) Sanchez
    B) Hazard
    C) Costa
    D) Kane
    E) Lukaku
    F) Aguero
    G) Ibrahimovic
    H) Eriksen
    I) Alli
    J) Mane

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

      DAIG

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

      Anyone's guess.

    3. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Sanchez
      Costa
      Lukaku
      Alli

    4. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      A, D, E, H

    5. Chucky
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      CAEG

    6. marquinhos
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      A,D,E,C

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

        AEIJ

    7. Live Lad
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      AFIJ

    8. Live Lad
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      F most points followed by A and I

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

      ABEI

    10. DantheManinaPan
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      AD then pick two others

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

      BIGHEAD CFJ

    12. HashAttack
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      8 responses gave all 4 players ... average is

      8 for A
      6 for E
      5 for I
      3 for C & D

    13. DJ1000
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Acgj

  15. MartialMatas
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Do these seem like good moves?

    Heaton Pickford
    Alonso Coleman Brunt Pieters Robertson
    Sanchez Mane Eriksen Coutinho Siggy
    Lukaku Defoe Rondon

    1ft 0.3itb
    prepared to take a hit or 2

    Rondon, Coutinho, Coleman -> Costa, T.Carroll, Valencia

    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      It could work, yeah.

  16. Numb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    I wish Trippier was nailed on

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

      He would be FPL gold. Top quality end product.

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Would be so handy if he somehow became nailed on over the next hour or so.

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

        😆

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

    I'm sorry how is Ox suddenly an England centre midfielder? Have I missed something

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

      Had a couple good games at CM for Arsenal

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

        I think that says more about arsenal's recent form than it does Ox's ability to play central midfield - maybe it's just me but it doesn't seem right at all

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

          Agree, don't rate him

          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            Cheerleader effect at Arsenal next to Ramsey. 😆

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

      Lincoln and Sutton?

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

    Stones for the ballon d'or

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

    That was weird.

  20. Deus
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Save by Stones

  21. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    what are Lovren owners doing? Selling?

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

      Asking themselves what the hell theyve been doing for 2 months

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

        sold

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

      All of them are selling.

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

      Doing something else rather than running a dead team.

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

        lol

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

      not an owner but id definetly sell for a betrand valencia or boro def

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

      Holding for one more GW........

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/entry/2296270/history

    6. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Sell if you've got nothing else on, might be about to come good though.

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

    Welcome Negredo

    This could be genius or awful

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

      You just brought him in?

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

        This is too tempting for fate ...

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

        Yup yup

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

      *lucky or awful

  23. TheSaint
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Anyone know why Cahill is not in the England team

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

      Suspended

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

      john terry became his neighbour

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Ask Wayne

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

    Defoe fixtures in 7 of next 8. damnnn

    wat lei WHU mid BOU hul SWA

    and he just scored. all aboard defoe wagon 😀

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

      Won't play Lithuania every week.

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

        i dont think those teams are any better .

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

          They're all better than Sunderland though. 😉 Tbh I do think Defoe will definitely be scoring in those games, Sunderland's hopes are all on him so he has to.

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

            fair enough. but even if they lose i expect to see goals in those matches

            and whenever sunderland score defoe most likely will be involved

    2. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      surprised he aint in more WC teams on here. I can only think the posters have no idea what they are doing.

      He's a shoe in for me on my WC.

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

        me too. with gabbiadini injury defoe looks the next best option around that price bracket

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

      Sunderland will fail to score in 3-4 of those games

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

        source ?

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

          @Defoe

          1. DJ1000
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 5 days ago

            I think Sunderland finally run out of luck. Defoe needs decent players around him to set him up

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

    In fairness to Stones he is a great lad to hoof the ball

  26. Big_Bear
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Best midfielder for 6.9M and below (not King) until GW 34

    Son?

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      Yeh, probably Son. Although there is a risk given how rubbish he was last game.

      After him, maybe Lanzini. It's slim pickings.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      It probably is Son. Bit punty though.

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 days ago

      I'm tempted to do Son > Lanzini myself

  27. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    Best 5.4 or less defender to replace Coleman -

    A - Cedric
    B - Yoshida
    C - Fuchs
    D - Phil Jones

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

      C, don't fancy Soton defence without VVD and their DGW fixtures aren't great anyway

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Thanks.

        You don't rate Utd defenders apart from Valencia?

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

          No, too much rotation and Jones is too injury prone.

      2. DJ1000
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 days ago

        Fuchs for next 2

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

      Gibson ?

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

      PVA

  28. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 days ago

    How does he miss 1 yarders so regularly!!!!?!?!?!? 😆

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

    Sterling sort out your finishing