Scout Notes
19 October 2017 1111 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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Eden Hazard scores twice and Alvaro Morata returns to action as Chelsea share the spoils with Roma at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Manchester United claim yet another clean sheet as Jose Mourinho remains optimistic on Phil Jones’ fitness for the weekend trip to Huddersfield Town.

Here’s the notes from last night’s Champions League action…

Hazard rescues Blues

Eden Hazard picked a fine time to return to form as Chelsea came from behind to secure a draw against Roma at Stamford Bridge.

Handed a role alongside the fit-again Alvaro Morata as Antonio Conte started with a 3-5-2 formation, the Belgian scored twice and created five chances for team-mates before being replaced by Willian with 10 minutes remaining.

Owned by just 4%, Hazard – who scored 12 times at home last season, more than any FPL midfielder – is now shaping up as a major differential ahead of a visit from a Watford side that’s conceded ten goals in the last four Gameweeks.

Morata failed to score but his Fantasy owners will at least be relieved to see him back in action – he lasted the full 90 and was unlucky not to net with four efforts on goal.

His deflected pass led to Hazard’s first goal, with substitute Pedro teeing up the Belgian for his second – and Chelsea’s third – late on.

With N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater already sidelined, Conte opted to play David Luiz in central midfield last night. The Brazilian fired the opener but was subbed off before the hour-mark due to injury as the Blues reverted to 3-4-3.

Post-match, Conte conceded that the champions’ problems in the centre of the park have escalated ahead of the Hornets’ encounter:

“After the first half the doctor told me David Luiz had a pain in his calf, and the same for Bakayoko in his groin”.

Yet those problems in midfield could force Hazard onto the left wing this weekend if Conte switches back to 3-4-3.

Gary Cahill played with a wrap around his head but his manager eased any concerns over the defender’s fitness by saying it was “nothing serious, a knock on the chin”.

Last night’s draw still leaves Chelsea in the driving seat in Group C – they are two points clear at the top, with a five-point gap ahead of third-placed Atletico Madrid.

Their next Champions League match – a return to Rome – arrives three days after a Gameweek 10 clash with Bournemouth and five days prior to a Gameweek 11 visit from Jose Mourinho’s Man United.

That could certainly raise some rotation concerns given Conte’s previous comments on workload.

Rashford decisive for United

Jose Mourinho’s side maintained their 100% start to Group A, thanks mainly to an error from Benfica’s young keeper Mile Svilar.

The 18-year-old carried a Marcus Rashford free-kick behind the line to earn the Red Devils a 1-0 win in Portugal and keep them three points clear at the summit.

Romelu Lukaku mirrored his weekend performance at Liverpool – 90 minutes, one shot, no goals – but a trip to Huddersfield ensures he remains one of the favourites in our Gameweek 9 Captain Poll.

As Mourinho himself made a point of mentioning, United now have nine clean sheets in 12 matches across all competitions.

And last night’s shutout came without his first-choice central defenders Phil Jones and Eric Bailly, as Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof marshaled the back-four instead.

Post-match, he issued an update on the former two and also conceded that Rashford will be monitored after being forced off on 76 minutes.

“Phil Jones was on the bench because he felt that if we really needed him, he could [play].

So if he was at that stage today, on Saturday I think he will be in a condition to play. For Eric Bailly, I think it will be difficult.

With Rashford, I thought it was cramp because he was running so much – I thought it was muscular fatigue. But no, he told me he felt something in his knee. It didn’t look to me like a big thing but we don’t know.

Hopefully some of them [can return at Huddersfield] but I don’t know. I don’t know about Paul, I don’t know about Fellaini.”

The comments on Jones will ease concerns a little after his manager had stated that the defender missed the match through injury, only to then be named as a sub.

The most transferred in (122,000+) defender in the Gameweek, Jones’ minutes continued to be managed – he has yet to play a midweek match, with Mourinho restricting his pitch time to league matches only.

But the news on Bailly seems less promising, with Smalling looking favourite to deputise for the Ivorian once again at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Further up the field, Anthony Martial and Rashford continue to alternate on the left flank, with the Frenchman favourite to return to the XI against the Terriers in light of last night’s teamsheet.

United’s next Champions League match – a home clash with the Portuguese side on October 31 – occurs three days after a Gameweek 10 visit from Spurs and five days before they travel to Stamford Bridge in Gameweek 11.

1,111 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Left Duke #3
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    1FT / 1.3m ITB

    Elliot Foster
    Fuchs Davies Mee Mbemba Cedric
    Alli Ramsey Ritchie Matic Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Jesus

    A) Alli --> Hazard
    B) Alli --> Sterling
    C) Ramsey --> Sterling
    D) Alli & Ritchie --> Sterling & Silva (-4)
    E) WC

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 10 months ago

      c

    2. Trevez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      C

    3. The Left Duke #3
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks lads, looks a good move alright

  2. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    DDG
    Lowe, Davies, Kola
    Alli, Ritchie, Shaqiri, Richarlison
    Kane, Lukaku, Vardy

    Elliot, T.Carroll, Mee, TAA

    1FT 0.7m ITB

    Doing Alli -> Sterling (FT)

    Anything worth a hit?

    1. Magic Andrés
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy -> Morata?

  3. deathcabofdevil
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Which Manchester United defender (apart from Valencia) seems to be the most nailed-on right now ?

    5.8m in budget to replace Bavies.

    1. tokara
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      jones

      1. deathcabofdevil
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Isn't he doubtful ? Injury kept him on bench in Lisbon.

        1. Neevesy
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Should be fit for weeknd

        2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Read the article above

    2. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Jones

  4. Rafiki
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Bavies to joe gomez worth a shout?

    1. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Only if Bavies is injured and if you don't like points

      1. Rafiki
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah bit preemptive but had Davies from beginning worried rose and fixtures will be trouble and have 2ft and a reasonably settled team...

  5. nicecat
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Is it time for Bavies to leave our squads?

    1. Michelle Davin
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      no

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      If he is fit for this GW, then no. He is still good pick for new 2-3 weeks maximum

    3. Trevez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Maybe I don't see Spurs keeping a cs agains Liverpool and with rose coming back there could be rotation I was planing to get rid to fund my 343 formation but have Luiz to deal with now

      1. nicecat
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, Rose worries me too.
        I also have Luiz. Is there any info about his status?

    4. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      After Huddersfield he was ‘essential’. Then he gets man flu and all of a sudden people are selling in their droves.

      I don’t see Rose coming straight back into the first team.

      I’m keeping for now.

  6. Pranav Santhosh
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Hart (Elliot)
    Jones Cedric mbemba (naughton) (mee)
    Sterling salah alli loftus cheek (Carroll)
    Kane Lukaku (C) Vardy
    1FT 0.6 ITB
    Thoughts on just saving the transfer and possibly doing a mini wildcard gw10?

    1. Magic Andrés
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Save
      And why mbemba over naughton?

      1. Pranav Santhosh
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I fancy a Newcastle clean sheet instead of a Swansea clean sheet. I know mbemba is unlikely to play so if he doesn't play naughton will auto sub in if he does play I feel he has better clean sheet chance than Swansea. Thanks for the reply

  7. The Mighty Whites
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    1FT, 0.0 ITB-

    Foster, Elliot

    Monreal, Cedric, Lowton, Naughton, Simpson

    Alli, Salah, Mkhitaryan, Atsu, Carroll

    Kane, Jesus, Vardy.

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Mkhi to sterling or save the transfer

    2. Trevez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Save

    3. Kun Tozser
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Save or sort Foster out

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        or Alli

  8. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Who to captain out of the following please?...mighty tempted by hazard...

    Hazard
    Jesus
    Kane

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Kane

    2. Trevez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Kane, Jesus mighty not play a full game and hazard hasn't scored in the epl this season

  9. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Recent years I have been rather aggressive on making transfers before rise/fall, but now I tend to sit tight and wait until last day and every CL or international duty over and have lost a lot of rises and not taken any hit yet. Team value only 101,5 and rank 189k. (Ended at 1k last year so feel I missing some boats, like too passive to get City mids right away)

    What is closest to your style this year?
    A) Dont lose those price rises, do early transfers and take a chance, no hits(or almost)
    B) Close to A and dont be afraid of hits
    C) Sit tight and wait until final day to have a clear picture of everything, no hits(or almost)
    D) Close to C but dont be afraid of hits
    E) Other

    1. jiGGidyJ1
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Trevez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      C price risers are not as quick this season

    3. el polako
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      B

    4. Dybala10
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      A

  10. Sims
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    if you remove the n from jones 'name its an anagram of jose

    1. n-doggg
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Incredible

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      And if you remove the " j" and "e" as well, you get an anagram of "so" as in "so what?"

      🙂

    3. My Name Is Prince
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      If you add "essor" to Prof's name it's "Professor"

  11. thom830g
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Who to play in goal this GW?

    A) Forster (v. WBA at home)
    B) Elliot (v. CP at home)

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      A

      1. thom830g
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  12. Visionaries
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Best captain?

    A Kane (Liv H)
    B Jesus (Bur H)
    C Sterling
    D Lukaku (Hud A)

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      D

    2. thom830g
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      D

    3. jiGGidyJ1
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      B, not that close either

      1. Visionaries
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        yeah, that's what I was going for. surprised to see the votes for Lukaku

        1. jiGGidyJ1
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah must be non-Jesus, Lukaku owners. I've got Lukaku and while I can see him scoring 1, he's not explosive like Jesus

    4. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      D

  13. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts about Eriksen & Lukaku ➡ Hazard & Morata? Possible transfers next week for free.

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Don't like

      1. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Fair enough 😀

        1. Pranav Santhosh
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          It's not a bad move to be fair but Chelsea haven't been in great form and lukaku and eriksen have done really well so far. Chelsea fixtures are much better so it is close but I personally wouldn't do it

    2. Feyzi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Over-covering Chelsea for the price of more than 20% of team value... Not for me when BOTH Eriksen AND Lukaku are regular (though not explosive) scorers...

      Having said that, I will go Lukaku+Mkhi somehwere next week and dunno where...

    3. TheAdder
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Exactly the moves I'm doing.

      Ive got Alonso too.

      Chelsea's fixtures are a dream for a long, long time.

    4. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Interesting answers, cheers guys! Would love to have all 4 but hard decisions will have to be made.

  14. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Madness to do Eriksen and Davies > hazard and cresswell for a hit?

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  15. The Head-Ake
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Fabianski - (Elliot)
    Otamendi - Monreal - Davies - (Mbemba)- (Ward)
    Coutinho - Hazard - Silva - (Cork) - King
    Kane - Kaku(C) - Joselu (0.0 ITB, 1 FT)

    Thinking of saving this week and doing Kaku, Montreal/Davies and King to Zaha/Richarlison, Simpson/Maguire and Morata for a -4. Thoughts on this??

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      :/

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      And if Kaku gets a brace or better this GW?

      1. My Name Is Prince
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        He won't in the next two anyway, United are not scoring enough goals now...

  16. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Anything worth a hit or G2G? 1.3 ITB

    Elliot
    Naughton, Jones, Otamendi, Kola
    Salah, Atsu, Silva
    Jesus, Kane, Lukaku

    Krul, TC, Hun, Chalobah

    1. Man Getting Hit By Football
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      G2G, I have 9 of the same starters

      Ota > Davies
      Silva > Sterling

      Other then that identical, good luck for this weekend.

      1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        GL mate. You looking to ship Lukaku next gwk? Think that's possibly my next move

        1. Man Getting Hit By Football
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers, quite possibly. I want a front three of Kane, Kun, Morata long term and I'm saving my FT this week so might pull the trigger.

          I have other issues but still have my wildcard which will be handy, I also want to get Richarlison in but he looks as if he is rising in price again so will have to downgrade Kola/Davies & upgrade Groß/Atsu.

          1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            That's the ideal front line I'm aiming towards. Wanting Aguero, Morata, Richarlison, Ward and maybe Azpi when Chelsea sort their defence out. It's just which order to make the transfers.

  17. thom830g
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Keep or sell Davies?

    If so who to replace him with?

    1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Keep

  18. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Jesus a rotation risk this week? Keep or go to Morata (-4) Have Sterling for City cover if switching

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Will probably start but will likely come off around 55-60 mins

  19. Rafiki
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    With the suspension from ucl do we think Gomez will have starting role for foreseeable epl fixtures

  20. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Vardy and chalobah > fabregas and Abraham in this front 8?

    Eriksen silva gross Carroll chalobah
    Kane Jesus Vardy

  21. Deeney-is-a-god
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    on my wildcard, is it worth getting aguero? Or should I get Jesus instead?

    1. Forget Special, I am the ON…
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Both equally risky but I'd suggest Aguero as he is well rested and raring to go.
      Won't be surprised if he subs out after 60 mins and still manage to score a brace.

  22. camarozz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Will Salah get more points then Antonio this wk end I your honest opinion? It will require a hit to get him in. Thank you.

    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I can't imagine he'll get more points plus the hit

    2. Forget Special, I am the ON…
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I doubt Liverpool will be able to breach Spurs defense.

    3. Man Getting Hit By Football
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Not this week.

  23. Darklord_bg
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Hi guys, I've been getting worse and worse results, lately, anything to change?

    Foster/Elliot
    Alonso, Davies, Cedric, Mee/Hegazi
    Salah, Sterling, Choupo, Carroll, RLC
    Kane, Lukaku, Vardy

    Alonso, Cedric and Choupo have been big disappointments so far, and I'm not too keen on Vardy after seeing Leicester play vs WBA.

    I have one FT, should I save or do something, or even WC next week?

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Not a bad team, Vardy is so weak for a 3rd striker with that mid

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Definitely save FT

      2. Darklord_bg
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, I had Firmino before but he was no good as well.

  24. The Left Duke #3
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    It is entirely possible that Pep might roll with the winning team this weekend and do a complete team change for the League Cup game midweek right?

    Meaning Aguero will come off the bench the weekend and get a full 90 mideweek....thoughts?

    1. Chris_White
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I think he'll wait to change things up until the Leage Cup, yes. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if Aguero started. It's all a bit up in the air.

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Ya it's a mess which makes transfer and even playing a WC so difficult when u want to load up on MC assets

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      It' possible yes

    3. My Name Is Prince
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Really useless trying to predict Pep 🙂

  25. jia you
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Antonio oop no.9?
    Is there a chance that Bilic plays him up top, now with the injuries, with Arnie, Lanzini & Ayew behind him? He could be a super pick if that scenario came about!

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      0 evidence

      1. jia you
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        it is wishful thinking but it could be a good move, let me find Slav's number there and give him a bell

        1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Forgive me if i don't join you

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Is Carroll injured? And chicha?

      1. Neevesy
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Suspended and injured

      2. jia you
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Chica is & Carroll will surely get a 3 game ban at least for that horrible elbow...any news on that yet guys?

  26. Neevesy
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Bit the bullet and gone Mkhi to Sterling. Leaves me with Silva, Sterling and Jesus. Come on Pep dont let me down!

  27. weaver93
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Crazy or not .. for a -4..

    Lukaku -Morata
    Richarlison- Sterling..

    Begovic -Elliott
    Davies, Jones , Cedric, Mee, Long
    Silva,Eriksen, Choupo , Richarlison, Carroll
    Kane, Lukaku - Vardy..

    With changes
    Begovic -Elliott
    Davies, Jones , Cedric, Mee, Long
    Silva,Eriksen, Choupo , Sterling Carroll
    Kane, Morata - Vardy.

    or be boring .. just sole transfer of
    Davies to Walker/Otamendi/Stones

    Any other suggestions?

    thanks guys..

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'd just save a FT

      1. weaver93
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks Jamosh

  28. Crofty92
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Forster
    Otamendi - Luiz - Davies
    Hazard - Choupo - Silva
    Kane - Vardy - Jesus

    gtg for the gameweek or think i need any changes?

    0.2itb

    1. Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      If you're happy with only 10 players, go for it.

      1. Crofty92
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        haha! Missed out T.Carroll

  29. Zizou
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    so do we reckon morata will start this week

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      yes

  30. built_this_city
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    controversial, but fancy Liverpool to beat Spurs this weekend

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Why is that controversial. Could go either way imo

    2. FPLzebub
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Poch has been tactically naive against Liverpool before this season. He is now showing signs of being able to vary his tactics according to opposition. Spurs will use the same plan as they did against BVB Dortmund. Bad news for Liverpool.

    3. jiGGidyJ1
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Hardly controversial, Liverpool are probably favourites in most big games