Decisions, decisions, decisions. Plenty to ponder for Fantasy Football Scout managers ahead of an enticing Gameweek 14, which offers up favourable fixtures for several big teams. The main breaking news today comes from West London, where Chelsea manager Frank Lampard gave us an update on the hip injury suffered by Tammy Abraham:
We’ll know by the end of the weekend. He’s got some pain. He won’t be involved tomorrow. We’ll see by Monday.
– Frank Lampard
With Gameweek 15 following swiftly on the heels of Gameweek 14, many are pondering whether to keep or sell. Pro Pundit Holly began a discussion using the Rate My Team data from the member’s area. While Bemba_Da opened up the debate for all site users.
Rotation’s Alter Ego brought us a summary of the main points from the rest of this week’s press conferences, while Neale brought us the regular team news round-up and the usual line-up predictions. Pep Guardiola confirmed that 15.3%-owned Sergio Aguero will miss his side’s trip to the North East to take on Newcastle.
A timely article by Pro Pundit and former FPL winner Simon March looked at why opportunity trumps ability for goal-scoring FPL forwards. He pointed out that a change in the dugout at White Hart Lane could bring about an upturn in fortune for Harry Kane.
I examined Mourinho’s first two matches in charge with a discussion following on which Spurs players are set to benefit. An insightful comment was added by five-time top 1,000 manager and Meet the Manager guest Kenneth Tang, pointing out exactly why Pochettino had to go and why Mourinho is the perfect replacement.
Three Spurs players are included in this week’s Scout Picks.
Pro Pundit Ash (FPL Hints) highlighted a couple of striker options in Jesus and Danny Ings as his differential candidates. And he discussed how he is planning on investing money from the sale of Aguero and potentially considering an upgrade in midfield.
The Scoutcast trio this week of Joe, Lee, and Az debated the impact of Aguero’s absence as not only improving the prospects for Jesus but Raheem Sterling too. Joe shared a quote from Pep Guardiola made earlier in the season:
…for me striker will be an incredible position for [Sterling]. He can play in three positions up front.
– Pep Guardiola
While Lacazette wasn’t considered an option by the Scoutcast three on Tuesday night, the subsequent news of Emery’s sacking might mean there’s an opportunity for him now. Pro Pundit Andy canvassed opinion on the potential implications for Arsenal players.
Captaincy Debate & More Decisions
Offering not only advice on the best armband candidate but also food for thought on striker replacements, David’s members-only Captain Sensible is compulsory reading as ever.
For those who aren’t yet members, last week it was announced that monthly subscription options are available for £2.99 per month with an introductory offer of £1.99 for the first month for those signing up by December 2.
Jamie Vardy is emerging as a reliable captain pick following back-to-back 12-point hauls. As Neale pointed out in his analysis of the underlying stats, the Leicester forward’s five big chances against Brighton mean:
Vardy has had more of these gilt-edged opportunities in the last four Gameweeks (ten) than he had managed in the previous nine fixtures (seven).
– Neale Rigg
It seems the stats are starting to catch up with reality.
Brighton’s generous defending is also good news for those considering Mané or Salah for the armband. Indeed, in this week’s captaincy video, Joe highlighted that Brighton have conceded 17 big chances over their last four away matches.
And Liverpool sit top of the latest DS stats, fixtures and clean sheet odds brought to us by G-Whizz.
While thinking of Anfield players, Pro Pundit Tom Freeman began a discussion on Liverpool’s upcoming fixture congestion, noting that their home game against Brighton tomorrow is the first of 10 in just 30 days. The underperforming Trent Alexander-Arnold was one name mentioned in the “when does patience become stubbornness?” discussion on the Scoutcast.
Greyhead dared to suggest in his the Great and the Good article that Mark and Ville’s refusal to buy Vardy could be on the stubborn end of the scale!
Az, in his capacity as a Pro Pundit, reflected on his decision making in his piece on the dangers of taking hits. While fellow Pro Pundit Lateriser, aimed to quantify the impact of FPL decisions. Andy then asked how do people react to both good and bad decisions?
It’s a subject that Pro Pundit and behavioural economics graduate, Simon March, has touched on in the past: the “What the heck? Effect” describes how we are more likely to take risks following a loss.
To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page, and if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.
If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.
Voting is still open for the FSA Awards – Fantasy Football Scout has been nominated for Online Media of the Year! Our category will be decided by a public ballot, so if you would like to see us crowned the winners then you can VOTE FOR US HERE.
Community Competitions
For a full update on all FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.
It is still possible to enter the Fantasy Football Scout Members Cup, you can do so here. Qualification for the first round of the open tournament took place last Gameweek: 65 points and above qualified (for those with exactly 65 points an overall rank above 233,444 was needed). The first round proper will start this Gameweek.
Lord – Blaming it on Rio reviewed MatchWeek 6 in the Pundits Playoff Community Tournament and looked ahead to Matchweek 7.
For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 14 can be found below:
Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.
Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.
Best of luck for Gameweek 14!
Nominated for ‘Best in Fantasy Football – Editorial’ at the Football Content Awards 2020
