Scout Notes

The Stock Check – Gameweek 32 – Sunday

Zlatan Ibrahimovic steers Man United to an easy victory on Wearside as Antonio Valencia misses out again. Later in the day, a brace from Romelu Lukaku ends Leicester City’s winning streak, with Marc Albrighton in the points once again for the beaten Foxes at Goodison Park.

On the Rise

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The top captaincy pick for Gameweek 32, United’s frontman delivered a goal and assist in an early afternoon stroll at the Stadium of Light.

As the schedule picks up pace, Ibrahimovic seems reinvigorated as a result of serving a recent three-match suspension – he’d scored once in five prior to that ban but has netted in back-to-back league matches upon his return.

While his manager’s teamsheet raised a few eyebrows elsewhere, the Swede’s importance in the final third was all too evident as they prepare for a run of eight fixtures in the final six Gameweeks.

Up to 29% ownership, a home clash with Chelsea has deterred plenty for now – bearing in mind that Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku host Bournemouth and Burnley respectively next weekend, only 7,000+ have turned to Ibrahimovic compared to Kane’s 28,000+ new owners.

We can expect the bandwagon to pick up significantly thereafter, though, with the summer signing looking one of the few rotation-free options amongst Jose Mourinho’s squad.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan
An early second-half strike on Wearside took the Armenian’s tally to two goals and an assist in his last four league starts.

Yet today was only the second time in United’s previous five league matches that Mkhitaryan found a place in their first XI, with his debut season in the Premier League continuing to be managed by Mourinho.

While Ibrahimovic’s deadly eye for goal makes him more or less undroppable, there’s no doubt that opting for the former Dortmund man doesn’t come without a significant degree of risk.

If he can push on from today’s performance, though, Mkhitaryan may yet prove an effective differential from Gameweek 34 onwards, with an ownership of just 2% in FPL.

Eric Bailly
Although Luke Shaw caught the eye with a second assist in as many Gameweeks, Bailly looks a far more assured starter in Mourinho’s back-four.

With Antonio Valencia once again missing out, the Ivorian staked a claim for a place in our Wildcards after being afforded a sixth start in seven since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bailly has delivered four clean sheets and six bonus points over those last six outings and, at a price of 5.4, could prove a profitable route into a rearguard that’s conceded just 24 times this term – second only to Spurs’ 22 for goals against.

Romelu Lukaku
While Phil Jagielka (goal and assist) and Kevin Mirallas (two assists) also deserve recognition, it was Lukaku who was our main focal point amongst the Everton contingent after blanking in back-to-back Gameweeks.

The most popular player in FPL, the Belgian’s brace brought Leicester’s winning streak to an end and extended his scoring run at Goodison to seven successive league appearances.

With a home encounter against Burnley up next, his 45% owners will be more than happy to hold as he battles Kane for the Gameweek 33 armband.

With Spurs and United braced for double Gameweeks, Everton’s lack of a pair of fixtures undoubtedly stacks against Lukaku, yet today’s output served a timely reminder of his explosive potential.

On the downside, once the Burnley clash has passed next weekend, just two of his final five matches are at Goodison, and one of them is against Chelsea. Away from home, Lukaku has one goal in his last seven.

Marc Albrighton
Restored to the starting XI for today’s trip to Goodison, Leicester’s budget winger picked up the points once again courtesy of a finely-taken first-half free-kick.

Fully recovered from illness, Albrighton now has a goal and four assists in five league outings under Craig Shakespeare, compared with just a single assist in the opening 25 Gameweeks with Claudio Ranieri at the helm.

The Foxes schedule is somewhat mixed – clashes with Palace, West Brom, Watford and Bournemouth are missed with encounters against Arsenal, Man City and Spurs – yet their form prior to today’s defeat indicates they could yet profit.

Priced at just 4.9, Albrighton – who boasts a 1% ownership – could prove a decent midfield enabler, given that two of those fixtures will hand Leicester a double Gameweek at a later date.

In Decline

Antonio Valencia
The United right-back’s owners were already reeling from his omission from the midweek match with Everton after Mourinho explained that he was “really, really tired” due to recent commitments for club and country.

Much to the chagrin of his 17% FPL owners, Valencia missed out yet again for the trip to Wearside, with his manager stating post-match that he hoped the defender can return for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final with Anderlecht.

“I think (Antonio) Valencia is the only one who can recover to play Thursday”.

That would indicate that the Ecuadorian may well be carrying an injury of sorts, a setback that proves all the more frustrating considering that Valencia approached this period in his finest form of the season, with attacking or defensive points in eight of his last nine league appearances.

Regardless, at a time when the Red Devils will be gearing up for two double Gameweeks, the transfers out are escalating – among FPL defenders, only Spurs’ Kyle Walker has been sold by more managers so far ahead of the Gameweek 33 clash with Chelsea.

Jermain Defoe
It’s nine blanks in ten now for Defoe and Sunderland as David Moyes’ men slipped another step closer towards the Championship.

Sold by over 67,000 FPL managers last week, the Black Cats frontman remains in over 20% of squads ahead of a very favourable run that sees him square up to West Ham, Middlesbrough, Bournemouth, Hull and Swansea.

Yet with the competition for our three-man frontlines fiercer than ever as we fine-tune plans for the second Wildcard, Defoe faces a tough task to remain in contention. Indeed, among FPL forwards, only Diego Costa has been subject to more sales than the veteran since yesterday’s deadline.

Jamie Vardy
Scorer of five goals in as many Gameweeks, while Vardy kept his tally ticking over with the assist for Albrighton’s free-kick, he was later hooked on the hour-mark as Leicester preserved their star asset ahead of the midweek Champions League tie.

With Craig Shakespeare also benching Riyad Mahrez, there was an obvious statement of intent made which has to dent Vardy’s prospects from this point on.

The Foxes take on Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, with an away trip to Crystal Palace following in Gameweek 33 prior to the home return leg with the Spaniards.

It remains to be seen how that impacts on the weekend teamsheet and Vardy’s pitch time, although with so many prime options now available up front and three successive away fixtures to come, many will doubtless be considering an exit plan.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

3,067 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    GET IN

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Got a bet on garcia, 33/1 odds at start of tourney!!!!

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Mine on Rose at 26/1 pre-tournament...this is going to the wire

  2. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Madness to remove Aguero & BDavies for a hit to get Kane in this week right? Getting caught witht he Kane fever on here

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Probably yeah

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

      What's wrong with Aguero?

  3. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Good man Sergio, nads of steel.

    1. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Lets see those nads on the 17th and 18th

  4. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Come on England!

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I actually want Garcia to win but either is good 🙂

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Pffft - bring on Brexit

        1. Jay_
            7 years, 2 months ago

            The Gibraltar masters

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yoshida or Barragan?

      1. Sess!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yoshida as barragan isn't nailed.

    3. 4. Arsenal FC
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      How did Aguero not get the assist for the 1st goal. He didn't even touch the ball, I've seen goals given for players without touching the ball.

      *Cough Cough* McAuley

    4. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Current front three:

      Aguero / Ibra / Origi

      Do I..

      1. Minus 8 to have Kane / Lukaku / Ibra
      2. Minus 4 to have Kane / Lukaku / Origi
      3. FT to have Kane / Ibra / origi

    5. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Fancy Rose to go v close on 16

    6. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      C'mon Rose

    7. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Nice Garcia

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Rose wow

        1. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Great reply

        2. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Fit again? 😛

    8. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I really wish i could play golf but i'm absolutely gash

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        My missus bought me golf lessons for Christmas a few years ago - I think she wanted to try and get me hooked so I was out of the house for half a day a week.

        1. KingNidge
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Did you enjoy it?

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah - enjoyed the lessons, but then played my first proper round and shot about 110, and then got a new job, moved house, started a family etc etc - just never really had the time to start up again.

            1. KingNidge
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Definitely something i want to take up never too late to play golf.. i love the idea of spending an afternoon dandering round a lovely course with the sun beating down but i'm awful.. suppose i could caddy lol

            2. Dr Dream
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              See below. I spent 15 years shooting about 110 at the start of the season and never got below 90 by seasons end. I always enjoyed being rubbish at it though. Good game...

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I've played just about every sport going and there is nothing more difficult 🙂

        1. @chapellefpl OR 577TH
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Whats so difficult about hitting a ball with a stick?

          1. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Or a relatively huge ball with a boot

        2. KingNidge
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I can play most sports to a pretty decent standard but am hopeless at golf have a wee half swing and more often than not miss the ball lol i'm a decent putter though

      3. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I played golf for about 15 years and was always kak. Fortunately I played with a forgiving partner who always gave ne two shots a hole so we had some great games.

        The only way to enjoy golf is either to be really good at it or really bad at it....otherwise it's really frustrating.

        1. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Last point spot on. I stopped because I just found it so frustrating. One bad shot and a round ruined

        2. KingNidge
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          That's exactly how my dad described it to me the other day when i asked him why he never bothers anymore.. frustrating lol

          1. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            My brother is 6' 8" tall and has a naturally beautiful golf swing and can be really good...really, really good. I've never actually been sure if he enjoyed our games more than I did or not...I suspect not...

    9. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      best 5.0 mid? got davies and jwp shy .1

      1 dier
      2 can
      3 fer good fixt
      4 other

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        De Roon

      2. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Not Dier, takes up a valuable Spurs slot

      3. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Albrighton ?

      4. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Davies

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

      The only Sergio people should be talking about on here is Kun

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        -1

        Don't sell him btw 😉

      2. @chapellefpl OR 577TH
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Nail on the end.

      3. Joyce1998
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        siggy to son? free transfer, already own alli

    11. @chapellefpl OR 577TH
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Cmon guys cut the golf chat. Overweight guy hitting a ball with a stick?

      Wth is wrong with yous??!

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Overweight?

      2. 4. Arsenal FC
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        tbf not all of them are overweight, but much more fun and relaxing to play golf than watch it imo.

      3. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        You always manage to nail the mood.

    12. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Clutch putt Rose

    13. Liastro ⭐️
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      If Rose wins I won't post another RMT this side of GW34.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Good chance now.

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        You should change that grav if he wins instead

    14. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Oops

    15. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      How does this team look for next week?...planning to save an ft...

      Pickford (heaton)
      Alonso walker pieters (brunt Robertson)
      Sanchez alli siggy king snoddy
      Kane lukaku (c) (origi)

      Is it worth playing aoa?...or will origi be benched?

      Thanks

    16. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      siggy to son? free transfer, already own ali

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I'd stick with Siggy

    17. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      From the sublime to poor from Sergio.

    18. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez falling before his 2 pts haul tomorrow

      1. 4. Arsenal FC
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        *22

    19. chaboi1998
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      This is getting very very interesting

    20. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sergio nailed that drive

    21. Best teams to watch
      Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Who plays the most attractive football in the PL? my top 5 are:

      1. Liverpool
      2. City
      3. Chelsea
      4. Arsenal
      5. Spurs

      1. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Can't believe spuirs behind arsenal ... or anyone else

        1. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          It's a matter of opinion.

          1. HashAttack
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            True .. and who you support 🙂

            Spurs
            Liverpool
            Chelsea
            City
            -

            1. Digital-Real
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              I'm a Man Utd supporter, so haven't been biased one bit!

              City play very good football and I like Chelsea's neat and tidy football. Spurs I don't find as appealing as any of the mentioned.

      2. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        My list is pretty much that in reverse order 😀

        Don't quite know where to place Liverpool, on their day they're by far the most attractive on my opinion but far too inconsistent

        1. lordkippe
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          1. Spurs
          2. City
          3. Arsenal
          4. Liverpool
          5. Bouremouth

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

        Spurs definitely above Arsenal and Chelsea, and almost certainly above City. You also haven't watched Liverpool play without Mane

        1. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          City play very good football, it's between them and Liverpool for the no.1 spot. It's honest football.

          1. liiusions
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Depends who Liverpool are playing really. If we're playing against your list of teams then I agree 😛

            1. Digital-Real
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              City vs Liverpool was the best game of this season. Toe to Toe, both managers playing football at a pace not seen before in the league. Type of football which the viewers want to see, breathtaking stuff.

      4. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Absolutely not. Spurs are by a distance the most attractive team in the prem right now...and by quite a distance. They're a purists team of damned near perfect prem football.

        Chelsea can, and do, play ugly when needed.
        Arsenal and City spend too much time fannying about with too many passes.
        Liverpool is all about the pressing.

        Spurs are the ones playing the best actual football.

        1. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Spurs attractive in what sense? City keep the ball, which means playing in triangles, that requires technique, and Chelsea are a very good footballing side, far superior than Spurs.

          1. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Matter of opinion, like you said

            1. Digital-Real
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Spurs scored 16 goals in last couple of games and all of sudden they're the most attractive footballing side!

          2. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            That's why I wrote the word purist. The way they spread it wide through Eriksen and use the entire width of the pitch and attack quickly.

            I get a bit fed up with little triangles tbh.

            I'm not sure Chelsea actually are, overall, a better team than Spurs right now..maybe for the first half of the season...but not now.

            1. Digital-Real
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              I find, Spurs tend to have many long range shots, the ball parries in the box, it's not good to watch, messy. Whereas City's football has improved from start of the season, they do hold the ball, however, you can see with Sane and Sterling, they transition quickly.

              Liverpool and City's goals come from inside the box, to achieve that, you have to cut through the oppositions defence, that takes skill. Also, both City and Liverpool have the highest number of shots in the box.

              Chelsea play neat and tidy football, they're not as defensive as people think, they are measured and I find them exciting to watch.

      5. HVT
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Spurs
        United
        Everton
        Chelsea

      6. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Spurs all day long

        Then Liverpool, Chelsea, City,... and Bournemouth.

      7. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        The top four attacking sides are Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, with little to choose between them.
        The best defences are Spurs, Chelsea and United.
        But the matches where you are likely to see the most goals are those involving Liverpool, Bournemouth and Swansea.

    22. Liastro ⭐️
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      If Sergio wins I'll change the grav.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        You should change it regardless 😛

      2. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I've been waiting years for this moment!

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          He's changed it before 😉

          1. Lawrø
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Ah was that for those community tournaments? He kept the same base right?

            1. Lawrø
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              I seem to recall Liastro with a cork hat on... May have even been my teammate... Or perhaps I'm making up stories 😆

    23. RMA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Team:
      Heaton
      Walker - Holgate - Valencia
      King - Zaha - Sanchez - Eriksen - Barkley
      Lukaku - Ibrahimovic

      Boruc - Origi - Gibson - Adam Smith

      Getting rid of Walker, Jagielka in. Should I get:
      A) Alli for Barkley and keep Lukaku (-4p), or
      B) Son for Barkley and Kane for Lukaku (-8p)?

      1. Deep Blue
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Don't sell Walker, he may punish you bigly

    24. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You Englishmen really like every single grass sport and watch it with passion. And darts. It's funny to see how you act like there is no sport called basketball tho. 😆

      I only watch football.

    25. 4. Arsenal FC
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Rose is still injured guys.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Change the 4 🙂

    26. rashFord Fiesta
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      2FTs... what to do with this defence**???

      Heaton - Foster
      Alonso - Valencia - Brunt** - Friend** - Amat**
      Alli - Eriksen - Tadic - Siggy - Capoue
      Aguero - Lukaku - Benteke

      Considering something like Brunt & Friend --> Gibson & PVA

    27. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Oh dear, bunker