Scout Notes

Lacazette’s dismissal could have implications for Blank Gameweek 27

It was a mixed night for the two Premier League clubs in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 on Thursday.

Chelsea came away from Sweden with a first-leg advantage, but Arsenal slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Belarus and saw Alexandre Lacazette sent off late in the match for violent conduct.

The ramifications of the French striker’s dismissal and Sead Kolasinac‘s performance are among the Fantasy-related issues we address in our Scout Notes below.

BATE Borisov 1-0 Arsenal

Arsenal will be without Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) for the second leg of their Europa League tie against BATE next Thursday – and both legs of their last-16 match, should they progress – after the premium FPL forward was dismissed for an elbow on the Belarussian side’s Aleksandar Filipovic last night.

Next week’s return fixture takes place less than 72 hours before the Gameweek 27 clash with Southampton and Lacazette’s suspension, plus Arsenal’s first-leg deficit, will surely mean a start for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1m) up front when BATE visit north London.

Whether the Gabonese forward’s likely participation in that match affects Unai Emery’s thinking for the visit of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side remains open to debate, however: Aubameyang will be otherwise well-rested, having missed the Gameweek 26 win over Huddersfield through illness, having played only 25 minutes of last night’s defeat and with Arsenal being without a fixture this weekend due to their fourth-round exit in the FA Cup.

The Southampton fixture is the first of three Premier League matches that Arsenal face in the space of seven days, though Aubameyang played the entirety of the Gunners’ festive programme without a rest and indeed hasn’t been benched in the league since Gameweek 9.

Lacazette becomes an even more enticing Fantasy option given that he will be extra-fresh for the visit of the Saints, though a convincing performance by the Arsenal assets playing in his stead next Thursday will perhaps leave his owners sweating on a start in Gameweek 27.

Emery said of the French striker’s dismissal:

I didn’t see the action but we spoke and frustration needs controlling. It’s bad news with the red card. Next week we aren’t going to play with him but now we are going to think with the players that are okay for next week.

Having largely blooded fringe players in the Europa League group stage, Emery named a strong side for Thursday’s knockout-round tie in Belarus.

Nine of the ten outfield players that started at Huddersfield kept their places, with the fit-again Granit Xhaka (£5.2m) replacing Lucas Torreira (£4.8m) in midfield.

Bernd Leno made way for Petr Cech (both £4.8m) in Emery’s only other change.

Despite the strength of Emery’s starting XI, the Gunners produced a fairly limp display.

While they were not helped by the awful state of the pitch in Barysaw, Arsenal were well below-par offensively and could only muster three shots on target against a side they scored ten goals against a year earlier.

Most of Arsenal’s threat came down the left flank and there were plenty of positive signs for owners of Sead Kolasinac (£5.0m), who was the Gunners’ only real creative outlet and again noticeably prominent in the opposition final third.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international registered an incredible seven key passes last night, more than the rest of his team-mates combined.

There were chances of real quality among that total, too: Lacazette and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£6.7m) in particular wasting glorious opportunities from two Kolasinac deliveries in the first half.

Kolasinac was also denied an assist when an offside Lacazette turned in another cross from the gung-ho left-back after the break.

No player on either side had as many shots as Kolasinac, who blotted his copybook by losing his marker for the only goal of the match.

BATE’s winner came from a dead-ball situation, an area Arsenal have struggled in this calendar year: only four Premier League teams have allowed more chances from set plays than the Gunners in the last six Gameweeks.

Lacazette’s dismissal came after a frustrating evening for the France international, whose touch evaded him on a bobbly pitch.

He wasn’t alone in flattering to deceive, with Mkhitaryan and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m) disappointing on the right flank and substitute Denis Suarez (£6.5m) still looking off the pace upon his introduction.

The absence of Mesut Ozil (£7.9m) was lamented by large sections of the Arsenal fanbase on an evening when the Gunners struggled to carve out too many clear-cut chances, especially after falling behind.

The German schemer had returned to training after an illness-enforced absence against Huddersfield Town but wasn’t part of Emery’s travelling squad for this tie, with the Arsenal boss citing a lack of match-readiness for both him and Sokratis (£5.1m).

When asked if the Gunners missed the German’s ingenuity, Emery said:

Every player is OK to play. Today those that were here, we can win with them and we deserved that.

Last week we won and we played with the same players. For me today there was no difference to the performance. We deserved to win but didn’t get the result.

They were very organised defensively and they found the moment in the game. It’s not for one player or another. We can win with every player and lose with the same players.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Cech; Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Maitland-Niles (Aubameyang 68′), Guendouzi, Xhaka (Torreira 69′), Kolasinac (Suarez 74′); Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Lacazette.

Malmo 1-2 Chelsea

  • Goals: Ross Barkley (£5.1m), Olivier Giroud (£7.7m)
  • Assists: Pedro (£6.3m), Willian (£7.2m)

Chelsea’s Fantasy assets take a back seat in Gameweek 27, with their previously scheduled Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion being postponed due to the clash with the EFL Cup final.

The Blues have that cup tie against Manchester City on Sunday week, an FA Cup fifth-round match against Manchester United and the second leg of their Europa League double-header against Malmo to come before they return to league action in Gameweek 28 when they entertain Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

After the 6-0 mauling at the Etihad last Sunday, the Blues at least got back to winning ways in Sweden.

Maurizio Sarri made five changes to his starting XI from that humiliation at Eastlands, with Eden Hazard (£10.8m), Gonzalo Higuain (£9.5m), N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) and Antonio Rudiger (£6.0m) the players handed a breather on the bench.

Marcos Alonso (£6.5m) was rested altogether, meanwhile.

While this was an improved display from Sarri’s side, the calibre of the opposition has to be factored into the equation and there was a sense that nothing else had really changed since the recent drubbing in Manchester.

Jorginho (£4.7m) was once again the fulcrum of the midfield as Sarri continued as expected with his tried-and-tested 4-3-3, but the Blues made heavy going of their victory and conceded a sloppy consolation to give Malmo a sliver of hope for the second leg.

Ross Barkley (£5.1m) prodded home a Pedro (£6.3m) cross before Olivier Giroud (£7.7m) superbly finished a fine break to put the visitors 2-0 up, but other than a gilt-edged chance that Barkley fired at the fingertips of home goalkeeper Johan Dahlin, it was difficult to think of any further glaring opportunities that Chelsea carved out.

Giroud’s stoppage-time effort from a narrow angle was the only other shot on target that Chelsea recorded, with the French striker also slicing a difficult volley wide after a chipped through-ball from Willian (£7.7m).

Seven of Chelsea’s 11 shots came from Giroud, who led the line well and will surely be handed another start in a week’s time to spare Higuain for the “bigger” tests in the two domestic cups.

The fact that Sarri brought on Hazard in the final 20 minutes was perhaps an indication that he wanted more from his side in an attacking sense and the Chelsea boss admitted as much after full-time:

Today, we played our football. I think that we need to move the ball forward back, forward back. In this match we moved the ball too much horizontal, so we need to move it more forward and back, forward and back.

But in the last period, we’ve had the problem of up and down, up and down. 4-0, 5-0 to us, 6-0, so we need to have continuity and consistency, I think in the mental condition to be able to approach every match with the same level of application, determination and attention.

Malmo threatened little from open play, with the bulk of their opportunities coming from scrambles in the Chelsea box as the Blues struggled to cope with the Swedes’ threat at free-kicks and corners.

Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.6m) had only made one save before Malmo struck in the 80th minute, with David Luiz (£5.9m) culpable for ceding possession high up the pitch and Emerson Palmieri (£5.2m) guilty of losing his marker as Anders Christiansen finished the breakaway move.

Sarri said of his side’s defensive efforts:

We risked only on set-pieces because they are more physical than us. We could have scored more, I think. But we conceded a goal on a mistake. Today, the level of application and attention was good. We made a mistake, I think, a material mistake. So it could have been better.

If we concede a goal like this to a team like Manchester City or United or Tottenham, then you risk conceding three goals in ten minutes. So we have to do better, I think. But I think that the performance was a good performance.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Emerson; Kovacic, Jorginho (Kante 74′), Barkley; Pedro (Hudson-Odoi 84′), Giroud, Willian (Hazard 71′).

346 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The first post is the deepest

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      😆

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Love the irony 😀

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nope, I believe it's the third response to the first post that's the deepest.

  2. Son is Rising
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Quiet in here?

    1. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Intercupnal break

    2. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      When the advice is "Don't buy Auba" what can you expect

  3. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Will Arnie be back next week?

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He is already back

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Probably injure himself in warm up mate. I wouldn’t go there.

  4. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Considering these moves...thoughts please guys?

    Shaw >> Kola (GW27)
    AWB >> TAA (GW28)
    Hazard >> Sterling (GW28)

    Gives me:
    Etheridge - Guaita
    Laporte - Kola - TAA - Doherty - Bednerak
    Salah - Sterling - Pogba - Son - Camarasa
    Aguero - Rashford - Jiminez

  5. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So many fixtures yet to come people, hold those transfers!

    1. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Watford tonight, no? Two of my injured players may turn up

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yes Lots of FA cup between now and Monday

  6. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I spy with my little eye, something beginning with T.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Typhoid

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Nah, I don't drink tea.

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Don't blame China, too much of that going on.

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Transubstantiation

    3. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      TC AGUERO?

    4. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hey

    5. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Typing

    6. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Answer was ticker - you all suck 😛

  7. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Ok so I have 3 options for next week, which one would you go with?

    A 4.5 fodder > Arnie/other striker 7m or under for -4?
    B Richarlison > Pogba/other mid 9.1m or under for -4?
    C Neither and play Bednarek away at Arsenal.

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B.

    2. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Probably time to consider Pogba

  8. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Owned Lacazette for 13 gameweeks earlier in the season, during which time Aubameyang outscored him by 36 points.

    Wonder what's going to happen now that I've gone for Aubameyang.

    I bought Sane before Newcastle as well, so apologies in advance to other Auba owners for wrecking him.

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

      Laca was my first captain blank

      Owned Auba for the first 6 weeks only

      I don’t discriminate and hate both equally.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      since its for only 2 weeks, I'm not too bothered whether Auba do well or not... will take whatever he returns and move on.

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        fair point. captaining both GWs?

      2. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Having owned Auba instead of Aguero over the last two GWs (and Sané btw. Oh, and Batshuayi too. Right, you can add TAA as well), Im really not sure I will keep him beyond BGW27. Will prob get Aguero.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Go on & but Aguero next match !!
      He has single handedly ruined last 2 gw's of many managers 😀

  9. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Talking of Typhoid, I'm quite happy with the results of Chelsk and the Arse with reference to Dream Team FF.

    So many Haz and Auba/Laca + Chelsk defence blanks. 🙂

    ps: Sun Dream Team is another format of Fantasy Football.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jees! Bloody is slow innit!

      I'm gonna chill with the Cranberries for a while.

  10. Amey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Auba will start all matches when he is fit !!

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      BATE must be crapping themselves.

    2. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Amey is Emery in disguise.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        😀

        1. Indpush
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I knew it. Same smile.

  11. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any better moves here?

    Alisson
    Robbo Matip Shaw Jonny Bednarek
    Sterling Son Pogba KDB Lamela
    Aguero Rashford Niasse

    Kdb + Niasse + kun to Anderson + Arnie + Auba for -4
    Would love to own Kola but there are other priorities

    1. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Good moves. Especially if you can get Aguero back for wk28

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Idk should I do that or not. A CL match and LC final after that. Don't know whether he will start or not

        1. kalmoffit
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I suppose Jesus starting has to be a probability

  12. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If I don’t end up buying Auba, I’m thinking of a maverick captain pick.

    Raul Jimenez step forward 🙂

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I m thinking the same...vardy or arnie mmm

  13. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    what would you do here?

    Heaton - Hamer
    Robertson - Digne - Luiz- Doherty - AWB
    Salah - Sterling - Pogba - Son - Martial
    Rashford - Ings- Kamara

    1FT, 1.4 itb

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Get Jimi for sure

      If Chelsea go out you lose Luiz, if not it's Digne.

      1. The White Pele
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        cheers.

  14. HamezMace
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone think we'll get any FA shocks this weekend?

    1. Winter_is_coming
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Like always 1-2 teams (Brighton, Palace) can surprise us and loose.

    2. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Doncaster to knock Crystal Palace out

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Very interesting to see.
      First time ever i am going to plan for such distant gw 😮

    4. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bristol City are in great form, they have a good chance against Wolves.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Will Bristol City play their first team? Fixture schedule far worse than any PL team, and they are in a promotion battle.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I hope so, and think they have a real chance if they do.
          If Championship teams are resting their better players for an FA cup game against a PL team, especially at home, than we really should think about whether or not we still want to have the FA cup as a competition in this country, or maybe just rebrand it as a youth tournament, under 23s like the Olympics.

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Getting into the PL is a far bigger prize. I think everyone has acknowledged (apart from the BBC as it's about the only sport they still show) that the FA Cup is a bit Mickey Mouse nowadays.

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Oh of course. Just a shame, in some ways, I still remember the occasional bit of FA cup magic, but it just seems a bit of an inconvenience to most teams at this stage of the season, and I imagine viewership is struggling if Championship teams are putting their reserves out...certainly the case for Brighton replay that was on TV last week, when I saw those line ups I switched off, and I'll watch almost any game!

        2. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          That I'm not sure about, would probably make sense for them to rotate a little.

  15. Winter_is_coming
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kolasinac worth a hit prior to his next 2 home fixtures and super-attacking potential? That will mean bench Robbo(man utd) for him in 27.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I personally don't think he's worth a hit.

    2. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't bring him in for a hit, nor would I bench Robbo against Utd, but he's on my radar as a use of a FT

      Unless you plan to FH in 31 I'd be saving my FT's for essential - i,e, do you have an XI - matters, not luxury items.

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No way

  16. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Button, Siggy, Aguero > Fabianski, Anderson and Auba(c) for -8.

    Yay or nay?

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Whole team needed

  17. danishdynamite
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Am going round in circles on the Kun > Aubu or Laca move, and don't know whether anything will become clearer before deadline day.

    However, I am leaning toward instead using one of my FT's to bring in bring in Kolasinac.

    It saves a fannying aroundf with my MCY attackers, and he's as likely as any other Arsenal attacker to get some kind of attacking return. And nailed.

    Not sure I'd stick the (C) on him ......though stranger things have happened

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I own Aguero and there is no way I'm getting rid. I also own Kolasinac, been so close to a haul on several occasions recently, hopefully this is the week.

    2. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm currently planning not to do go Laca or Aubameyang and save a ft to get aguero in for west ham onwards. You're in a good position either way.

    3. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks for the replies

    4. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      NO WAY

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        That bad? For a two week punt?

    5. GoingUpUpUp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm sticking with Kun (and Raz). I see a low scoring week - little faith in Arsenal doing anything you think they should at the moment (especially have already lost to the Saints once this yea already). Ride teh week out and fingers crossed!!

      If you have a FT to burn then Kola is a great shout and I agree on your assessment he could do as well as anyone. Chilwell maybe as well from a longer term perspective.

      If you're chasing, may be worth a gamble. If not, I suspect you have another option in your midst somewhere (Pogba, Salah, Robbo, Son)

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thx.

        Gigne gotta go, and was looking at Perreira, as is every chuffer else.

        I also have Luiz though, and him staying in my hinges not only on whether they beat Utd (or not) but whether they seem likely to steady the ship: no point in keeping Luiz if they're gonna be shipping goals every week

        1. danishdynamite
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          *Digne, obvs

  18. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can anyone recommend a decent podcast I can listen to at the gym? Apart from FFS one of course. I used to listen to the Tuesday club, and I'm looking for something like that, light entertainment (except when Alan Davies used to off on one which were usually the best bits 🙂 )

    1. thegame983
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

      1. Funkyav
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        doesnt sound that light

        football weekly and atletico mince are worth a go

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Flats and Shanks and the Rugby Pod if you have an interest in egg chasing...

    3. GoingUpUpUp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      The Peter Crouch podcast. Amazingly funny, insightful and addictive.

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        its a good one, also the old 'Magic Sponge' podcasts are good, if you dont mind Jimmy Bullard and Rob Beckett as appreciate they aren't widely liked

        1. GoingUpUpUp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          As an NCFC fan, Bullard is an acquired taste for me, but I'll take a look!

    4. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can I ask what kind of gym work you do?
      I can't imagine listening to light entertainment in a gym.

  19. George James
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best move...

    2FT 3.7m ITB

    A) Firmino >> Auba / Laca
    B) Firmino + Alonso >> Laca + Lascelles (leaves funds for sterling)
    C) Kamara + Alonso >> Laca + Lacelles

    Guatia
    AWB • Doherty • Bennet • Robertson
    Salah • Pogba • Son • Jota
    Firmino • Rashford

    McCarthy / Alonso / Rich / Kamara.

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      double palace isnt great so i'd do Alonso to Lacelles for sure, the other move is a bit of a lottery so dont rule out saving

      1. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Worked out pretty well for GW25.

        B imo.

    2. JohnCarewCarew
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B looks good to me. Then again I’m stood in Wetherspoons Brighton, anything looks good by comparison.

    3. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys.

      Haha comment of the day that John Crew 🙂

  20. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Think I will end up getting vardy instead of auba. They are stronger with barnes and tielemans, easy and no-blank fixtures

    1. Funkyav
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      id agree but there is clearly an issue between puel and vardy so while puel is there not sure this is best option

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Puel learned his lesson

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Differential for sure.

  21. AuFeld
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start JWP away to ARS or Jimenez away to BOU?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jim

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jimenez.
      ...and I'm JWP biggest fan.

      1. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I know. ARS and BOU have both conceded three goals in their last four home matches. I was thinking JWP may take the edge if he was on set pieces and pk's.

    3. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jim is obvious choice although anything may happen

    4. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jimi should always start

    5. Goat
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      JWP

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Okay, maybe I'm not his biggest fan?
        Or is this Peruvian v Mexican bias?

  22. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Captain:

    A) Salah (mun)
    B) Lacazette (SOT)
    C) Son (bur)
    D) Pogba (LIV)

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      As an Auba owner, I am hesitant in captaining Auba. I'm thinking Son. He has form and BUR has conceded seven goals in their last four home.

      SOU has only conceded three goals during their last four away matches.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        It's currently on Son but wanted to get some other thoughts. Lacazette another option but just feel he has a low ceiling.

      2. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        SOU destroyed me when they shut down Hazard on a captaincy....this was before MCI violated Chelsea on a Global telecast.

        Guardiola made Sarri go get his Shine Box

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      These are my exact players....

      I am currently captaining Lacazette, but Arsenal lets me down all the time. My next best option is Son, but it's a road game for Spurs.

      1. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Four goals in his last four away matches sounds pretty good. He's tied for the most with Rashford, Kane, and Wood.

  23. Camino Aleatorio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    "Gotta move the ball forward, back; forward, back; forward, back" - Maurizio Sarri

    Has anyone reminded Him and Chelsea directors that this dude has a career losing record (45%) and he never played football at an elite level? That's a career losing record with most of his career in Serie B and below.

    This is like one of us coaching Chelsea but we wouldn't pretend to know more about scoring goals than Eden Hazard

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Arrigo Sacchi and Pep Guardiola rate him very highly, that's good enough for me. Needs more time, which probably means Chelsea aren't the right club for him.

  24. stat
      5 years, 1 month ago

      OGS confirms that Martial and Lingard are out for 2-3 weeks, meaning they will miss:
      - Chelsea (FA Cup)
      - Liverpool (H) in GW 27
      - Palace (A) in GW 28
      - [possibly] Southampton (H) in GW 29
      - [possibly] PSG away (2nd leg)

      possibly the return leg vs PSG,

      Solskjaer admitted on Tuesday night that, without the pair, United “need to find a different way to play”.

      How do you think these injuries will affect Man Utd?
      Does it make starting both VVD & Robbo a viable strategy in GW 27?

      1. Gringo Kid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Would like to know answer on that question 🙂

      2. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Keep Rashford up top, Sanchez on the left flank, and Lukaku/Mata on the right flank?

        IF OGS doesn't have enough confidence in Sanchez (as he has mentioned), it is possible we may see Rashford on the left flank, Lukaku up top and Mata on the on right flank.

        1. stat
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Both options seem like they would cause Man Utd's attacking output to drop a bit.
            Think there is a case for keeping Pogba since he's on penalties and less likely to be rotated than Rashford but there may be a case to get rid of Rashford soon, especially if Utd end up not playing in GW 31 (likely) and 33.

          • HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Think Sanchez has to play, Mata and Lukaku in the same team don't offer the pace that OGS relies on.

        2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I think that the only game when Rashford and Lukaku start both Rashford blanked.
          Maybe we need to think what to do with him but I have a lot of value tied up in him so need to be carful.

          1. stat
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I agree - I bought Pogba and Rashford very early so I have a lot of value tied up in both of them.
              I think I will keep Pogba as he's on pens, gets more points for goals, likelier to assist, and less likely to be rotated but I'll probably replace Rashford soon.

              1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                I hear you. Pogba is their talisman hence I will save him too. Who is your replacment to Rash?

                1. stat
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    Not sure yet. At the moment I have Rash, Rondon and Jimenez with 2.5 ITB.
                    Also have Hazard who could be downgraded soon.

                    I probably won't replace him from this week but my choice will probably be someone who ends up playing in both GW 31 + 33 and has somewhat decent fixtures up until then.

                    1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      Arni is realy tempting me, I think if Chelsea get knock out from the cup I will do the transfer this week

                      1. stat
                          5 years, 1 month ago

                          His injury history is a concern but the fixtures do look tempting

              2. MyBall MyRules
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                .

            • b91jh
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              So why are people preferring FH32 rather than FH31?
              Players with one fixture could outscore the one with two fixtures,
              While a blank player could never outscore a player who is playing at that gw.

              Apparently there is time for us to load up assets for gw31, but it is worth to do it by sacrificing players like Son, Pogba, Rashford, Aguero? (Assuming they are blank at gw31) If we ditch them for gw31 and then get them back gw32/wildcard, certainly we are building up our squad with less amount of money, and possibly a less competitive one. (For example i sell pogba for 8.4m and I need 8.8m to buy him back in fh32/wc)

              1. HamezMace
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                I think the general consensus is that it's should be fairly easy to get 10/11 players out for GW31 with only taking a small hit, and the players that are likely to play in 31 aren't likely to be too explosive, Salah aside, so it'll be quite low scoring anyway.

                ...saying that, I favour a FH31, depending on the fixtures of course.

              2. Ruth_NZ
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                If you FH31 you still have the issue of GW33 but if you prepare a squad for GW31 it should also cover GW33 nicely.

                Not saying it's the only way to do it but it works pretty well.

                Pogba is the only one of those I'd be reluctant to lose myself and I won't. 🙂 The others don't need to go now either, they can wait till GW30/31 if preferred.

                1. HamezMace
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  What's the drawback to FH31, and WC ahead of 32?

                  1. b91jh
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    I believe his point of view is that we may pick some players who will play twice at gw32/35 to maximize points return/activate BB, so those players you choose from wc might face a bgw33.

                    1. HamezMace
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      Maybe I'm confused, but if they blank in 33, they'll play a double in 35 anyway, and 35 would be the last DGW, right? and as you can't WC and BB in the same week (?), then it doesn't make sense to hold your WC until so late.

                  2. Ruth_NZ
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    We won't know until we get there. The DGW fixtures for 32 & 35 are unlikely to be announced until FAC6 has been played (so early in GW31). A GW32 wildcard might be fine but it might also be awkward to cover GW33 well and set up for DGW35 at the same time, especially if intending to BB in GW35.

                    The advantage of preparing for GW31/33 in the normal way is that come next Monday you will know exactly what you are dealing with.

                    1. HamezMace
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      I agree, after this weekend hopefully it all becomes clear, I'm not actually expecting any shocks, and expect all the PL teams to go through (not sure about Che/Utd) so think GW31 will be short on fixtures.

                      The OP makes a good point, and one I see a few people missing, team value, lots are saying they will take a -8 to get 10/11 players out for 31, and then bring them back on a WC, as the OP says, Pogba, along with Rashford, Doherty, Laporte and many, many popular players are £0.8-1m more they they were when you brought them, might not be so easy to get them back.

                      1. The Polymath
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        Sssh. Us with good team value are waiting for the casuals to mess up. An idea would be to try and bench players with the greatest loss of value if sold.

                        1. HamezMace
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 1 month ago

                          Ha, I don't think anyone on here, especially before an FA cup weekend can be considered casual players!

                          Problem with that plan is that you'd need to get rid of those more expensive players in order to bring in playing replacements, especially if Chelsea play in 31, how can you get Hazard, or Alonso, without losing a player who's high in value already?

                          Maybe people do have a plan, maybe they're being sensible and waiting until the fixtures are confirmed, I've just not seen many people mention it

                      2. b91jh
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        I would say Rashford, Doherty and Jimenez might not need to be back at the team after gw31, maybe.
                        United is facing some tough mid-table team after, while the Wolves duo could be replaced by Jonny/Boly/TAA and King/Wilson (one of them may outscore Jimenez imo).

                    2. Now I'm Panicking
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      Exactly this. I keep see people saying they are preparing for GW32 with FTs - quite an achievement when no-one knows the fixtures! Hopefully people won't be led off Crellin Cliff like last season by automatically assuming all of the cancelled GW31 fixtures will be moved to DGW32.

                      1. JohnCarewCarew
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        Crellin Cliff! V good point, well made. I was a big advocate for WC earlier but the more I look at it 32 looks best ( to me) if you have all chips left.

                      2. HamezMace
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        Will you please stop being so sensible, some of us are trying to panic over here.

              3. stat
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  "While a blank player could never outscore a player who is playing at that gw."
                  Unless they got negative points 😛

                  1. b91jh
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    You dig(ne) a very good point.

                  2. HamezMace
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    Quite possible some negative points in that Fulham defence in GW31.

              4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                I'm thinking of you and the things you do to me
                That make me love you and now I'm living in ecstasy
                I'm thinking of you and the things you do to me
                And the sound of love is Milijovevic.

                Altogether now.

                1. Emiliano Sala
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Lol

                2. JohnCarewCarew
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  You’re bored, aren’t you? Townsend man myself.

                  1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    Two Birds one Stoned.

                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sP5fl2gSb8

                    1. JohnCarewCarew
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      Whilst Pete might be good at developing young talent I was kinda thinking Andros.

                      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        I was thinking when the ghost of Moon came on and limped Townsend's mic Weller gave me goosebumps with his unsolicited solo.

                        1. JohnCarewCarew
                          • 6 Years
                          5 years, 1 month ago

                          Are there a lot of bright colours where you are? B Laca.

                          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                            • 6 Years
                            5 years, 1 month ago

                            The bright lights only shine with hard truth.

              5. Emiliano Sala
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Martial and lingard out for 2-3 weeks. Lukaku and sanchez to replace them?

                1. b91jh
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Probably, or mata in place of lukaku
                  But
                  But
                  Dont fall on this 2-pointer-trap

                  1. Emiliano Sala
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    No I'm considering selling rashford lol

                2. chilli con kone
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Yes with Rash moving wide most likely.

                  Mata isn't suited to the big games

              6. jindermahal
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Have 2 ft to use thinking of taking out sterling then getting him back for West Ham game. Who is worth a punt in midfield for the next week only. Thinking of doing same with aguero but don’t want to lose .2 over one week just to get him back in for West Ham game. Rest of team is playing

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

                  Anderson the best one week punt IMO

                  1. jindermahal
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    Thanks. Yeah he’s top of the list for me atm. Was thinking maybe Mkhitaryan as well. Not much else. If Almiron was definately starting I’d maybe go for him as massive punt

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

                      Mkhi will drop out to accommodate Auba. Don't go there

                      1. jindermahal
                        • 5 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        Yeah you’re right. think I will leave it till next week after fa cup games have been and gone assess it then.

              7. chilli con kone
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                If you could only have one from GW28-31, would it be Sterling or Kun?

                They would probably be paired with Mane or Lacazette accordingly

                1. jindermahal
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Kun for me. Just looks on fire and fancy city to tank another couple of teams 4/5-0 next few weeks

                2. b91jh
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Kun+mane looks way more consistent than sterling+laca

                  1. pingissimus
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    I’m looking at Kun - Mane perhaps with Arnie and Jimmy to fill out the attack. They’ve a lot of decent fixtures between them in that run.

                3. chilli con kone
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Thanks both

                4. Pep Pig
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  I've had Sterling for a while now and no intention of dropping him. But definitely looking at the double up. I can deal with the odd annoyance of rotation but the pair of them are golden for me in these last few months

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

                    I think most likely I'll be priced out of both but would love the double up

                5. Emiliano Sala
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  I wanted to sell kun but saw he has started 6 out of 7 or something like that. He stays in my side. I keep both but if I had to chose I would keep raheem. Fewer good options in midfielder and he plays 90 minutes when he starts

              8. OneDennisBergkamp
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Getting rid of Richarlison. Do I go Maddison or Anderson?

                1. Emiliano Sala
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Anderson is a must have with those games coming

                  1. pingissimus
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    Fulham and Huddersfield at home for sure. But on my personal ticker Newcastle Home and Cardiff away are downright tricky - nit to mention that City game.

                    Leicester’s run with Palace at home (tricky), Brighton at home and Watford away followed by Fulham looks to have as much potential. Brighton are in free fall and Watford do concede.

                    1. Pieterke30
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 1 month ago

                      But Puel doesnt use Maddison properly.

                      He often plays him on the left which is total BS and he has even benched him lately

                      1. pingissimus
                        • 5 Years
                        5 years, 1 month ago

                        Agreed.

                        Part of me thinks that Townsend is a better solution. The fixtures are a mixed bag and he's unlikely to get 31 but he's returning consistently even in big fixtures and the Palace attack could see some bigger returns if Bat gets on the pitch.

                        I rather wish I'd gone for him and not Jota a couple of weeks back. In my set up I'm happy to have a 4th mid who returns every other game or so. I don't have any real confidence that either Maddison or Fanderson will.