[sbu_large_image] Community
21 July 2018 1041 comments
Geoff Geoff
Share:

Preparations for the 2018/19 Fantasy Premier League season went into overdrive this week as our community said goodbye to the World Cup.

While those who won their McDonald’s World Cup Fantasy leagues celebrated, we started looking in more detail at the upcoming domestic season.

We’ve got all the latest Community Articles, discussion topics, tables, and tournaments from the last seven days.

Community Articles

Toberlone52 produced an article on the interesting strategy of covering price points as opposed to teams in the early part of the season to enable greater movement in the transfer market.

The rather unfortunate Deulofail wrote a piece on Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward (£4.5m) when it looked like he might get a shot at the number one jersey at Anfield, analysing who he could rotate best with. Sadly for Deulofail the shot stopper has now signed for Leicester and Alisson has joined Jurgen Klopp’s charges.

The Hottest Topics

With the Premier League pre-season well underway, our community has been discussing how much we can read into the friendly fixtures which take place over the summer. Loftus-Queef reminded us of Alex Iwobi’s excellent form in non-competitive matches last year before failing to deliver on his promise, while TheDonald discussed how much the Community Shield can teach us.

The unknown quanitities of players new to the Premier League was another key talking point as the off-season rolls on. ZoumasBloomers asked the community which new options looked the most exciting and Norman Conquest issued a warning about those who have come up from the Championship.

As Fantasy managers get further into their plans for the new FPL season, several of you looked at the value of some important players. Olivier Bernards Watch divided points-per-match from last season against new price points to help factor in assets who only played part of 2017/18, while Chelsea Harbour revealed his thoughts on those who have been under and overpriced by the 2018/19 player costs.

The big changes news at Manchester United and Chelsea shaped our debates this week too. We talked up Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez after Jose Mourinho said they would start the season up front and AEK started a conversation about what Maurizio Sarri will change at Chelsea.

MikeHarbrw identified which teams are capable of scoring three or more goals in matches this season.

From more of a house-keeping perspective, we confirmed that we’ve solved problems relating to staying logged in and announced that our Watchlist is now live, and being updated along with the Rate My Team tool and our projections.

Lastly, there was some good discussion over who to hand the captaincy to in the World Cup final, thanks to Legomané.

Community Tables

The devil is in the details when it comes to FPL and our community members have been working hard on creating tables to help us improve our value picks for 2018/19.

FPL Virgin has created a comparison of forwards priced below £7.0m, sorted by shots in the box, to see who could be the most effective third striker this season.

vijayc has looked at mid-price midfielders to see which of the options below £9.0m look set to score the most goals in 2018/19.

Finally, dnglos is on the lookout for clean sheets, sorting last season’s defensive records by goal attempts allowed in the box.

Community Tournaments

TorresMagic™ has launched his sixth annual Last Man Standing competition this week, where a portion of FPL managers in the mini-league are eliminated each Gameweek. Find details of how to join HERE.

Meanwhile, our World Cup Fantasy mini-leagues came to a close this week after Sunday’s final and we can confirm the following winners.

Congratulations to Legomané for winning the Mods and Cons league:

1. Legomané – 376 points

2. Gregor – 367 points

3. Niemi – 354 points

4. ZoumasBloomers – 345 points

5. Matzi11a – 331 points

Florid was the champion of the public FantasyFootballScout league on McDonald’s Fantasy:

1. Florid – 441 points

2. Ludaslol – 424 points

3. TrebleD – 423 points

4. Soccer Knights – 414 points

5 = Akihabara_f10 – 411 points

5 = Os Trouxas FC – 411 points

Meanwhile, Patrick Bicknell was the winner of our mini-league on Fantasy iTeam:

1. Patrick Bicknell – 509 points

2. Craig Woodward – 482 points

3. Jessica Clayton – 479 points

4. Rob Jones – 475 points

5. Ilyas Raja – 470 points

A reminder to all that we always welcome new Community Article submissions. It is best to email me when submitting a Community Article, as there isn’t currently an automated notification letting us know it has been submitted.

Equally, if you have an idea for a Hot Topic or discussion that needs more visibility, feel free to flag it or email me directly: geoff@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk.

And finally, another reminder to use your voting powers. Upvotes help mods spot useful content, as we often use the ‘Sort By: Rating’ functionality, which we can then sticky or Hot Topic it. This is increasingly important as we approach the beginning of the season!

Read more with Scout

Visit our PRE-SEASON PAGE to get the latest pointers from pre-season friendlies and read scout reports on new players by CLICKING HERE.

Pick your FPL team for 2018/19 using our list of best available players, sorted for your convenience by position and price:

Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the pre-season price of just £12.50. This will increase to the regular price of £15 after the first Gameweek of the season.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

Geoff Former CEO of FFScout. Hardcore casual. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Infamy, Infamy
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    If Alderweireld joins United is he a good option?

    1. Harper_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I'm not sure even he would be nailed in that United defensive minefield

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      If starting, of course 🙂

  2. Riders of Yohan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    A RMT would be much appreciated

    Ederson / Speroni
    Mendy / Robertson / Cedric / Douglas / Wan-Bis
    Mane / Sane / Martial / Jota / Stephens
    Firmino / auba / Tosun

    Not sure about tosun vs zaha and Arne. Also think the midfield is a bit weak?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I think the midfield's alright. What formation?

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Debating 3-4-3 or 4-3-3

    2. I am the one Andone
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Very good team. Only small change is Speroni, would rather have a 2nd choice keeper who is 1 injury away from starting than a 3rd choice

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Awesome thanks! Someone like button?

  3. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Could Schlupp be a decent pick at 4.5? Just scored this evening, maybe playing OOP, but dunno if nailed.

    1. AandyzZ
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Was thinking this, would love to know if he's nailed because he'd be a steal

    2. Peace-o
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I asked my Palace friend the same question, he said this is most likely the starting 11(10) with the exception of RLC. Central midfield does seems to be their biggest problem. MacArthurs legs are going a little too.
      Regarding the left hand side, Schlupp is going to up against Townsend, Puncheon and Sörloth. I sadly think its a fight between Sörloth and Townsend.

      Guaita, Wan-Bissaka, Tompkins, Sakho, Van Arnholt, Milivojevic, Mcarthur, ?? (RLC left a hole in their central midfield), Townsend, Zaha, Benteke

      1. Fantastisk
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        May Sørleth prevail

      2. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Is Benteke really first choice?

        1. Peace-o
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Sadly it seems he is still preferred. He was shocking last season, only 3 goals I think? But I guess he is a unit up top, so he does the muscle work of holding up and bringing others into the game.

  4. hogree
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Aguero or Aub for the first few weeks before swapping to Kane?

    1. caldracula
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero then Auba then Kane

    2. Peace-o
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero and then Aub
      Aub is less of a rotation risk for when Jesus starts coming back.

    3. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Auba

  5. caldracula
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    A) De Gea (already have 3 city) 4.0 Fodder + Tomkins

    B) 4.5 rotation GKs + PVA

    1. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A

  6. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Who does Schlupp compete with for the lw spot?

    1. Peace-o
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Townsend, Sörloth, Puncheon, Wickham to a lesser extent when he isn't shattered glass.

  7. Richd
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    You’ll spend weeks doing your team and many will think they have found perfection

    Yet come 15:30 on the first Saturday of the gameweek, maybe even 20:30 on the Friday people will be using the following templates.

    I had XXXXX in my team until 2 mins before the deadline !

    Why did I listen? Why did I get XXXXX? I knew he’d be crap

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

      Violin player will be ready.

    2. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      You're so wise

    3. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Who does he play for? Cardiff?

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        I read this in the voice in my head I use for texts from my dad.

        Not sure why

  8. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Any good?

    Foster
    Douglas PVA Robertson Mendy
    Salah Siggy Mahrez
    Auba Zaha Arnie

    Fab Hughes Cairney Bednarek

    1. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I’d rather Aguero over zaha and then downgrade Mahrez to some fodder.

      I like 433 and like the time. Just Aguero for me. Essential.

      If you don’t want Aguero however you’ve smashed it

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Like the idea, but that leaves me with 3 £5m mids with at least one always having to play.

        1. Richd
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          It would be a weakness yeah.. although your only weakness as the rest of the XI dominates.

          Someone like Cairney is more than capable of ticking over I’d hope

  9. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Just watched highlights of United vs CF America. A lot of salt to be pinched, but Martial didn't look like a match-winner. Mata was one of the few in the highlights to be trying to take control of the game. And there was some absolute dog-sh*t defending from United. Perhaps the central midfield is key to their CS potential when then season starts.

    Anyway, only a friendly, but it didn't make any more interested in United assets, as friendlies can often do by flattering the players involved.

    1. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Did Shaw play? If so any thoughts ?

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        He played and had a lovely finesse shot off target with his right foot. All I really noticed besides that was that he was a bit fat.

        1. Fantastisk
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Someone on here was claiming he'd lost two stone lol.

          1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            He does sound like a little girl tbf

          2. Deulofail
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            That may well be true tbh, but Rick Waller an lose 20 Stone and still look a fat.

        2. Peace-o
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          It's tactical fat. His increased dimensions will mean players will have to run further to get around him.

          1. Deulofail
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            I hear they're trying to shift all his weight to the top half so his body movement is unpredicatable

            Great username btw

            1. Peace-o
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Cheers!

  10. okan58
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Best defender?

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

      Azpi is a pretty good defender.

    2. Harper_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Beckenbauer

      1. okan58
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Too expensive.

  11. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Rmt

    Fab Foster
    Robbo pva daniels cedric wan-bis
    Salah Eriksen Martial Jota Cairney
    Auba Zaha Arnie

  12. Lee8686
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Been trying to complete my team with 2 premium strikers but it's leaving me too short in other areas as I also have Salah

    I'm going to go with just 1 premium.....who would you go with out of the below?

    A) Kane
    B) Aubameyang
    C) Aguero

    1. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Auba

    2. Daaf
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      It's almost 50/50 looking at stats, points per minutes etc. Aguero just edges it, but his injury record is not the best so he is unlikely to play 3000 minutes. They both are capable of big hauls, but aguero has proven hè can hit 4 a game. Auba had the summer off, Aguero that shitty world cup. Arsenal a New manager, city a depleted squad. I do think they are both nailed on. Also both on penalties. It's just who you think is gonna do better, or whether youre a biased fan like me and let that guide your choice.

      1. Daaf
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        I have auba btw, Arsenal fan here haha

  13. Lav
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    What are your defenses looking like? Premium heavy, balanced, or cheap?

    1. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Premium heavy. I actually kind of want 5

      Coleman.
      Mendy.
      Robertson.
      PVA.
      4.0

      I’m having doubts over Coleman and may get Shaw for him or the 4.0

      1. stat
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Same exact defence - my 4.0 is Peltier

          1. Moxon
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Same but Cedric over PVA, 4.0 as Bissaka

        • Pieterke30
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Similar - Mendy, Robbo, Coleman, Cédric, Wan-B.

        • Pieterke30
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Same for Coleman - and Shaw

        • Lav
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Reall interesting. Surely your attack is not as strong then?

          1. Pieterke30
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            With a similar def my attack is Auba Arnie Zaha (last two might change before gw1 but gives u an idea)

      2. Reuser
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Pretty heavy:

        Robertson
        Mendy
        Bailly/Coleman
        Douglas
        Tomkins

        4.5/4.0 combination in goal.

      3. ForEvra Young
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Mendy
        Robertson
        Shaw
        Cedric
        Wan-B

      4. TheDonald
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Robertson
        Rüdiger
        Shaw
        Douglas
        Bennett

        Balanced but on the heavy side?

      5. noahzark22
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        mendy, vvd, robertson, cedric, pva

      6. leo_messi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Definitely 5 at the back

        Bailly
        Coleman
        PVA
        Robertson
        Davies/Mandy

      7. Olivier Bernards watch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Heavy: Mendy, Robertson, Bellerin, Douglas, Wan-Bissaka

      8. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Quite heavy.
        Mendy, Coleman Shaw Bellerin

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      5.5M defenders have often outscored 5M defenders by 15-20p over the season and 20-30p over 4.5M defenders

      So which one is best value?

      1. Fantastisk
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        A mix.

    3. Daaf
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      How about this?

      Fabianski - Ryan
      Smalling - Emerson - Ward (Burnley) - Tomkins - Wan-Bissaka
      Salah - Silva - Martial - Ramsey - Kennedy
      Aubameyang - Arnautovic - Wood

      1. Fantastisk
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        One of the better ones I've seen. Bailly over Smalling to save 0.5?

        1. Daaf
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Ah thanks man, I appreciate it!

          Yeah I could do that, it's just that bailly has no aerial threat and I'm not gonna go shaw. Jones would be nice but world cup and all.

          I do want some Liverpool but it might be better to hop on Lovren or Trent later and I can see them conceding against West Ham and Palace as well.

          1. Daaf
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            And with Maguire not playing I kinda fancy an aerial threat in that game as well.

    4. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Martial or Siggy?

      1. stat
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Definitely Siggy. He should be nailed on as it gets and is on most set-pieces, might be on penalties too.

        • Fantastisk
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Gun to head Siggy, Martial a transfer waiting to happen.

        • the snazzy viking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          thanks both

          on Siggy for now 🙂

          1. I am the one Andone
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Richarlison - if they pay £50m for him he’s surely worth a punt/ save £1m vs Gylfi?

      2. stat
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Thoughts on this 4-4-2?

          Foster - Ryan
          Robertson - PvA - Coleman - Mendy - Peltier
          Salah - Ramsey - Siggy - Mahrez - Stephens (will be Chalobah if he features in pre-season)
          Auba - Tosun - Kamara

        • H-SF
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Which 4.0 defenders might start apart from Wan Bissaka?

          1. stat
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Peltier from Cardiff was the first choice RB last season
              Bennett started in a lot of Wolves' games as a CB

              1. H-SF
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 9 months ago

                Thanks!

          2. The Royal Robin
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            442 with Kun + Auba looks appealing.

            1. Richd
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Yep. Or even 5-3-2 with them two up top.

              1. Richd
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 9 months ago

                As I think a 5 mill defender has way more upside than a 5 mill mid.

          3. I Have No Idea What I'…
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Who would you expect to score more points per game for Everton? Tosun or Siggurdson?

            1. Richd
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Siggy

          4. New Post
            1. Richd
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Nice. See you there x

          5. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            This is my team at the moment.

            Ederson 4m
            Robbo Coleman Bailly Cedric 4m
            Mo Mahrez Siggy Mhkitaryan Jota
            Aguero Wood 4.5

            Feels like all areas of the team are strong at the moment having previously gone very heavy in defence and midfield on some drafts.

            Any thoughts appreciated, cheers!

          6. Spurred_On
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Disregarding price, which two defenders would you choose:

            A) Azpi
            B) Coleman
            C) Mendy (have Ederson)

          7. LSP
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Best 4.5 forward option?

          8. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Think I'm happy with this 3-4-3

            4.5 [4.0]
            Robertson * Mendy/Bavies * Shaw [Cedric, 4.0]
            Salah * Sánchez * Fraser * Hughes [4.5]
            Aubam * Bobby F * Zaha/Arnie

            Start with Sanchez, look towards KdB, Sané after GW3 or 7.5s if they take off.
            Flexibility with big hitters covered.

          9. OverTinker
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Will this work. Please mention recommendations

            Ederson Fabianski
            Mendy Bailly Robertson Tomkins cedric
            Mane Hazard Martial Jota Cairney
            Firmino Zaha Tosu

            It will be 3-4-3 mostly

            1. JCrosbie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Hazard will prob be gone to Real

              Other than that pretty good

          10. OverTinker
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Hello Experts for first say 7 GWs help me out.
            For 6.5 who should I pick?
            Ricarlisson or Sessognon or Jota or Elyounoussi or any other

            For 7-7.5 Bracket who should be my Pick?
            Ramsey or Willian or Sigurdsson or Mkhitaryan or Lingard or any other( I already have Martial)

          11. JCrosbie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Any chance of opinion on this?

            Fab Foster

            Alonso Valencia Cedric Daniels Kompany

            Salah Sane Mykitaryan Jota Ward

            Auba Arnie Kamara

            1. JCrosbie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              Statistically is is worth investing in more in Midfield and Defence....what you guys think?

          12. HellasLEAF
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Any idea when the app drops??

          13. jbaby
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Thoughts please!

            Fabi
            Bailly Cedric davies
            Salah Sanchez deulofeu neves mahrez
            Tosun aubame

            Bench: Ryan Daniels kamara Mee
            Any help will be appreciated.