Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Arsenal Fluff Audition

Newcastle underline their fine home form, while also showing up Arsenal’s wretched away record, in a 2-1 win that highlights the risks of opting for Gunners assets over Gameweek 35’s reduced set of fixtures.

Rafa Benitez’s side made it four straight wins to all but secure their Premier League place for next season, with goals coming from the in-form Ayoze Perez and Matt Ritchie.

It was also their fourth consecutive victory on home soil; a run under early threat when Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s assist.

The latter had been sold by 217,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers ahead of Gameweek 34 due to Arsenal’s single fixture, but the transfer tide is already turning in preparation for next weekend’s schedule.

Some 12,000+ managers have moved for the Gabon international as the Gunners have what had looked to be a plum home match-up against West Ham, making him the sixth most popular purchase of next weekend.

Aubameyang certainly has the form – he has now returned points in five successive Gameweeks and has six goals and two assists in eight matches since arriving at the Emirates.

But coach Arsene Wenger chose to station him on the left flank at St James’ Park, handing Lacazette another chance to up his match sharpness ahead of the Europa League semi-final as Aubameyang is ineligible to play in the competition.

He still looks sure to start domestically, but if Lacazette continues to get the nod as the Gunners’ central striker, Aubameyang’s appeal will lose some of its shine ahead of both Gameweek 35 and his side’s Double Gameweek 37, which involves a visit from Burnley and a trip to Leicester City.

At least those with the Free Hit chip to employ next week can bring in Arsenal assets without having to fret over their wretched form on the road, with Wenger’s team playing three of their final four fixtures away from home.

They’ve now lost five straight league away matches and haven’t kept a clean sheet on their travels since Gameweek 17.

Lacazette played the full 90 minutes at St James’ Park and has now scored in two of three Gameweek appearances since returning from injury.

He could potentially retain his starting berth for Gameweek 35 as the match is four days before the first leg of the Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid.

But Wenger has consistently rested his big hitters prior to European action, and Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Hector Bellerin didn’t even make the squad for today’s match.

Nacho Monreal did feature on Tyneside, but he and his fellow key assets will likely have their minutes carefully managed, if they feature at all, against West Ham next weekend, leaving us with few concrete options to exploit Arsenal’s appearance in the six-fixture Gameweek 35.

Geordies nearly sure now

The same cannot be said for Newcastle, who are as good as safe in 10th place and could provide some decent differentials for a run-in, like Arsenal, that also involves a fixture next week and a Double Gameweek 37.

Their schedule (eve WBA wat tot CHE) is promising, particularly if Chelsea reach the FA Cup final and rest key players in Gameweek 38 as a result.

And their form is excellent, with that fine run at home augmented by an overall record of just one defeat in nine Gameweeks.

Perez (2.0%) has now scored in three successive matches, having netted twice in the first 30 Gameweeks of the season.

In fact, he has a goal and an assist from his last two fixtures and, at 5.3, could come into consideration as a budget striker.

Strike partner Dwight Gayle’s pitch-time now looks threatened by Islam Slimani, whose impact off the bench helped them to the points against the Gunners.

The day’s other goalscorer, Ritchie (1.8%), has been overshadowed by Kenedy’s recent form on the opposite flank, but he has now scored in three of Newcastle’s last four home matches.

On the downside, both Gameweek 37 clashes are away; a fact offset somewhat by their home fixtures involving West Brom and a cup-chasing Chelsea showing erratic form.

Defensively, the Magpies have conceded just six times in seven Gameweeks since goalkeeper Martin Dubravka arrived – only Liverpool (four) are more resilient.

So for those still with Wildcards, Florian Lejeune (4.3) and DeAndre Yedlin (4.4) have an assist each to go along with two clean sheets from their last four starts, with the American recording only his second attacking return of the season in Sunday’s victory.

1,609 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Swans3aJ4ck
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Second FH draft. Liverpool news may change things and may swap in Aguero but as it stands... thoughts?

    Pope

    Robertson / Long / Tomkins

    Milli / DSilva / Sterling / Salah

    Firm / Jesus / Auba

    Karnezis / Zaha / Ward / Lejeune

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Seriously. There’s no need to rate teams for this week. Just go for it

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Looks fine but in reality no one will rate it until Friday night

  2. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Wow - Just seeing that United score!

    Double united defence 😎

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Welcome to the rest of our gameweeks.

      At one point I had Double United and 3 extra points for bonus from DDG and smalldini

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Yeh same here. I'm not even gonna try to work out how many points that WBA goal cost us. Will just LOL instead

  3. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    My early FH team

    Pickford
    PVA Mustafi Robertson
    Salah KDB Sterling Zaha
    Aubameyang Jesus Firmino
    Foster Mili Long marriapa

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Cool

    2. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good!

  4. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Rate my first FH draft:

    Butland
    Coleman Mustafi Robertson
    Salah Sterling Dilva Arnie
    Auba Jesus Firmino

    Hennessey Mili Kiko Long

    0.0M ITB

    Cheers!

    🙂

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Very nice mate

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers!

        Just checked how you're doing -- it's nice that you decided to go with Vardy! The man proved he's worth it!

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Yes,but I was behind couch during utd game, sweating like a pig

    2. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Don't fancy Butland and I think you should get Zaha.
      Solid 8/10

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks!

        The guy's in form, can't argue with that. But I think Arnie could do good too. Lots of time until GW35, so I could make some changes for sure.

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Really nice but would not go Butland

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Any other suggestions?

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          I would rather play Hennessey or Dubravka

    4. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I don't fancy arsenal defence personally

    5. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Nice! Triple pool could be risky, check team news and Anfield Express nearer deadline

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Yes, I surely will.

  5. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    When should we be hitting the FH button??

    After such a disappointing dgw which i planned meticulously on my wc im reluctant to get stuck in to FH team tbh.

    1. Virgil Hilts
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Now.

      No more price risers for your players without a fixture next week.

      Safe to activate FH and start unlimited transfers.

    2. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Why do the transfer and hit the FH button later on in the week.

      Make you rivals believe you took hits...

  6. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    No FH and - 8 to get this 8 playing. Any other suggestions very welcome as not great really. 1.8 m in bank. Vardy to Firmino or Jesus for triple City in budget if took -12

    Lowton Mustafi
    Salah Sterling Sane Gudmundsson
    Aubameyang Barnes (Jesus or Firmino?)

    No game for

    DDG Ryan
    Alonso Smalling Morgan
    Willian
    Vardy ?

  7. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Things I/we/template wildcarders need for the remaining game suggestions:

    I’ll start the ball rolling.

    Leicester to hammer Southampton a million to nil.

    Gross to Double assist Dunk, Son/Ali/Erik/Kane to score. Son to start for a change.

    0-0 or 3-3 chelsea Burnley game.

    United to score more then they did today, but keep it clean.

  8. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Which out of Everton, Newcastle, Stoke and Burnley would you rate best for a clean sheet this coming week?

    1. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Burnley

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers, my thinking too. What about second best? Stoke? Though I hate rooting for 0-0s.

        1. LosBlancos
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          I think all other will concede tbf. Maybe Newcastle?

  9. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    FH team so far anybody?

    Dubrovka
    Walker lowton baines
    Sterling arnie salah kdb zaha
    Aubameyang firmino

    Nord Perez long lejuene

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I’ve got same mids and fwds so much be great 😉

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Although I have
        Ederson
        VVD, Baines, Keane

      2. XabiAlonso
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        High five
        🙂

  10. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Any reason I’m seeing a lot of Jesus in people FH teams? I personally wouldn’t go there...

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He's the centre forward of the team that have romped away with the league title by mid-april?

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Aguero looming....
        He’s hardly done any romping tbh

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      It's on the assumption Aguero is still out

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Gotch ya

    3. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      If Aguero's out then I'll be picking up Jesus for that match against Swansea, that Man City forward position is great if you know who's going to be playing, could all rest on Pep's presser.

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I guess so

  11. Big P
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Seen people talking up Bernardo Silva for the run in...

    What about Gundogan? Only 5.3 and Pep is a fan.

    He's one of few players that actually needs game time

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Not a bad option

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I like this. Nailed for Swansea game too

      1. My Name Is Prince
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Why is that?

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Fernandinho banned

          1. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Cheers!

  12. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Mane Salah and Firm overkill??

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Not if on free hit and you've good sub's. Feel they'll miss gw 36.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      If selected not at all.

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Not if all Anfield Express’s leaked Liverpool line up! But keep in mind Liverpool no double game week 37 and may rest players in 36

    4. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I'm on a FH

    5. MadridistaRants
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Not on a FH.

  13. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    How the fck is it possible that the week i sell Hegazi for a hit and play bench boost he gets 7 points away to Mam U!?

    My -8 has cost me 30 points so far, fffssssss this game drives you mad!

    1. MadridistaRants
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Hahaha hard luck mate. No one could've predicted United screwing up that bad against West Brom.

  14. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    United looking exposed in second place.

    Mourinho likely to field a stronger team now against Bournemouth?

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I think changes will be made

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      With Liverpool on his coat
      tails I think will go with strong line up

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      More exposed if they lose next weekend.

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He should rotate after that performance

    5. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Smalling, Lindelof, Herrera, Pogba, Mata on the chopping block IMO

  15. Rash
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone already kneejerked United assets out their teams?

    1. MadridistaRants
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Need to get rid of Mahrez for Sane/Sterling first

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I got rid of Mahrez for Sanchez this week

  16. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Gotta be sterling or city player for triple cap in gw 37 now

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I'm thinking sterling myself.. Not sure I can trust Kane in 37

      1. XabiAlonso
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I'm fed up with Kane to be honest been poor as a captain option for me this season bar those 2 hatrick games so don't think he's as reliable as sterling

        1. Rash
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          I sold Kane for them hattricks 😆

          1. XabiAlonso
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Ouch
            😆

    2. MadridistaRants
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      If rotation wasn't an issue, I'd go Sterling. Still thinking Kane due to his lust for the golden boot lol.

      1. XabiAlonso
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Sterling, silver,
        kdb and eriksen all have better points per match than him this season

    3. JackJack
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Why not Kane?

      1. XabiAlonso
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Can't seem to rely on him

  17. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Hi,

    Two questions:
    1) What happened to Bailly?

    2) Is there any advantage to playing a Free Hit early to avoid price rises? Or does it not work that way?

    Thanks

  18. dark91
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Just woke up to find Foster on my bench with 9 points next to those 9 of Mili.
    The main reason I didn't play BB was having Foster and Naughton on the bench

    1. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      first foster haul in ages. i'd hennessy's big fat 0 with foster on bench. was never a close decision tho. foster away to utd was a silly move, beyond hoping for save points. funny old game this

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        That makes me appreciate Fabianski's 3 points a bit more. But yeah I didn't expect a cs at all and not even enough save points to start Foster

  19. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Any word on Alonso? Ban incoming?

    1. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Could well be the case, need to wait and see for now.

    2. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Really?? Hope not!!

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Definite ban with the week I'm having I'm afraid!

  20. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Im currently second in ML, 38 points behind rival:

    9 remaining players they have this week:

    Duffy, Chilwell, Willian, Lingard, Mahrez, Cork, Vardy, Lukaku, Kane (C)

    The 13 I have:

    Ryan, DDG, Valencia, Lowton, Morgan, Alonso*, Willian, Mahrez, Pogba, Alli, Kane (C), Austin, Barnes.

    Any guesses at how much ground I'll make up ? No Vardy is my main concern along with Austin not starting...again.

  21. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Players i sold this week for a -8, 8, 8, 7, 6.
    Players i brough 1, 1, 7, 4 (captain).
    Ouch

    1. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      That's painful, what were the moves?

  22. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ederson
    Baines Tark Chambers
    Mane Salah Sane Sterling Zaha
    Auba Firm

    Dub Barnes Tomkins Long

    8/10?

  23. BON
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Before using the Free Hit chip we should use our Free Transfers first or we'll lose them, correct?

    1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      No

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Lose them regardless.

      1. chilli con kone
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        So if you make the free transfer first it automatically becomes part of the free hit when that's activated?

        1. chilli con kone
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          DW just seen below

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      You will lose it anyway.

      FH returns your team to before you made any transfers.

      1. chilli con kone
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

    4. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      incorrect. it'll be lost even if used. team reverts to previous deadline

  24. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Hate it when my DRAFT team keeps out scoring my FPL team 🙁

  25. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    PGS sneaking past Monaco....

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Failing to spell PSG correctly sums up my weekend.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        7 (seven) -1

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      7! wtf

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Thats the way to win the league.

  26. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Sorry I know no one partic wants to give their views on FH teams so early but.... everyone’s got a slightly different flavour in it so I’m going to ask anyway!

    Pickford
    Robertson, Baines, Tomkins
    Salah, Sterling (C), KDB, Zaha
    Jesus, Auba. Firmino

    (Nordfeldt) (Lowton, Kenedy, Long)

    Don’t think I’m going to be around find out the leaked ‘Pool lineup out unless it somehow comes out by early afternoon Friday so pretty nervous about going with Salah, Bobby, Robbo

    What do u think?

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Looks quite standard. I wouldn't have 3 liv if not around to check lineup, although can't see much reason for them not to play.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Champions League is a decent reason.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Such a poor performance from Utd. They are meant to be Man Utd - they should be turning up with a swagger thinking they are going to give teams like WBA a footballing lesson. Instead you have Matic and Herrera passing the ball sideways, Young and Valencia afraid to cross the ball and Sanchez and Mata slowing the game down while thinking they can pass the ball through a wall of players. Fergie must be dying inside at how his team has been destroyed.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        No team has a divine right to beat any other because of increasingly distant successes.

        Fergie' s final team was nothing special individually but he had them outperform superior city players as a unit.

        Mourinho has a whole collection of attacking talents that don't play to his desired strengths and he sucks the life out of them.

    3. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A) KdB
      B) Jesus

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        A

        1. arndff_
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks! 🙂

          Just made my second draft ditching Jesus and involving KdB.

    4. Mahrez The Magician
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Where are this ML players : GW31on: Doubles Blanks & Chips !?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Huh?

        1. Mahrez The Magician
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          What's your rank !?

          1. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            We're trying to understand what you are talking about.

    5. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      anyone know much on Mee & Aguero's fitness/return dates?

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Mee might be done for the season.

      2. The Orienteer - find me in …
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry - I don't know.

      3. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Mee can come back whenever. If Kevin long never kicks a ball again he's a legend in the cow household.

        Aguero I would like to know.....

      4. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        cheers lads. will just wait & see so