Scout Notes

How Spurs assets fared in their final match before Double Gameweek 26

West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

  • Goals: Michail Antonio (£6.5m), Jesse Lingard (£5.9m) | Lucas Moura (£6.6m)
  • Assists: Pablo Fornals (£5.9m)| Gareth Bale (£9.3m)
  • Bonus: Lingard x3, Antonio x2, Lucas x1

DOUBLE TROUBLE

With five defeats in their last six Premier League matches, Spurs have hardly put in convincing auditions for Double Gameweek 26.

Only four goals have arrived from Gameweek 20 onwards and while their recent fixture run has been far from straightforward, only Crystal Palace have had fewer big chances and shots in the box than Spurs when clubs are filtered their last half-dozen games.

A double-header against Burnley and Fulham would ordinarily have us reaching for the Triple Captain chip but those two sides’ defensive form and Spurs’ own malaise leave doubts lingering in the mind.

It’s the respective ownerships of Son Heung-min (£9.5m) and Harry Kane (£11.1m) that may leave FPL managers fearful of going without a Spurs representative in Gameweek 26 but there was little persuasive from the former in particular at the London Stadium.

Son blanked for the eighth time in 11 matches in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham, with the closest he came to an attacking return being a freak, looping effort that struck the hosts’ woodwork late in the game.

Kane was more prominent, firing on goal at will and teeing up the impressive Gareth Bale (£9.3m) up for a second-half attempt that clipped the bar.

BALE LIFT

Arguably the pick of the Spurs players at the London Stadium didn’t even start the match.

Bale has underwhelmed since his return to north London but he produced perhaps his best league performance all season in Gameweek 25, emerging as a half-time substitute and looking sharp and, crucially, motivated.

The Welshman had also looked the part in the Europa League on Thursday and had been tipped up for a start this weekend, but his manager explained that he physically wasn’t quite at the required standard:

[Bale is] not yet ready to start two matches in three days. The same as Dele for different reasons.

For Dele, because he was injured and out of the team for more than a month, not even training.

Gareth because of his evolution. This is part of his evolution. No doubt that the performance was good and no doubt that I believe sooner rather than later he will be ready to play more than he is now.

Bale remains a massive and unnecessary gamble as a Gameweek 26 asset but a continuation of that form going into the double-header against Burnley and Fulham could be hugely beneficial to the Spurs players we Fantasy managers do own, particularly Kane.

The England striker has so often been the man to grab games by the scruff of the neck, which usually goes hand in hand with dropping deep to instigate attacks.

On Sunday, we instead saw Bale doing plenty of that – and Kane, as a result, spent a bit more time lurking in areas where we prefer to see him, topping the penalty box touch count by some distance.

EUROPA, BETTER BY DESIGN

While it’s still a bit early in the campaign for teams to be writing off their domestic commitments, it’s worth bearing in mind for the medium term that the Premier League might end up being the third priority for Jose Mourinho.

Nine points adrift of a top-four place, Mourinho’s best chance of achieving a Champions League qualification spot could end up being through winning the Europa League – something he himself admitted yesterday:

Of course, if you say nine points now, it is difficult, is very possible.

And the Europa League. We are alive, and when we are alive, knowing that many difficult opponents and everybody has the same ambition that we have, but Europa League is a window of opportunity that is open for us, and maybe we can also get to Champions League through the Europa League.

Never one to turn his nose up at any form of silverware, Mourinho and his Spurs side also have the EFL Cup final to look forward to at the end of April.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast throughout the spring, how far into the Europa League would Spurs have to progress before their head coach views the top flight as a distraction and a chance to hand his star players a breather?

It won’t be Double Gameweek 26, but it’s certainly a prospect in the run-in.

STOP HAMMER TIME?

Source: Soccerstats.com

West Ham are second in the Premier League form table over their last eight matches, with only the two Manchester clubs plundering more goals in that time.

The Hammers are offering value aplenty in Fantasy Premier League at present, from the top-scoring defender, Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m), to the asset who can – temporarily, at least – boast the best points-per-match average, Jesse Lingard (£5.9m).

Tomas Soucek (£5.4m) has also massively exceeded expectations on the goal front in 2020/21, while Michail Antonio (£6.5m), when fit, is among the pick of the mid-price forwards.

Antonio returned from injury on Sunday and opened the scoring from close range (again), while Lingard’s excellent strike just after the interval made it four attacking returns in as many games since his loan move from Manchester United.



The issue with the Hammers is not form, but fixtures.

Between now and Gameweek 33, West Ham face all four of the other clubs who currently sit in the top five of the Premier League table.

More pressingly, however, they are among just six other teams who don’t have two fixtures in Double Gameweek 26 – and their one game is against Manchester City at the Etihad.

For those FPL managers not playing their Bench Boost in the upcoming Gameweek or without a Free Hit chip, Soucek et al are at least worth keeping on board for their match against Arsenal in March – that fixture is one of just four to take place in Blank Gameweek 29.


West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen (Benrahma 65′), Lingard (Noble 90′), Fornals (Johnson 81′); Antonio.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-2-3-1) Lloris; Tanganga (Doherty 46′), Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon (Alli 77′); Hojbjerg, Ndombele; Lucas, Lamela (Bale 46′), Son; Kane. 

897 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gemma817
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    I've Konsa, Stones, Dias, Dier.
    Anyone please suggest another defender with a DGW within 6.2m

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Shaw.

      1. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Fixtures don't look the most enticing

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Id beg to differ plus lots of attacking upside.

          1. Gleys11
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            If money not an issue why Shaw over Wan Bissaka?
            (A question, not a suggestion)
            Is it because more attacking threat?
            Only asking because I hear a lot of Shaw talk but Wan B has higher points per game. So I’m torn between the 2

            1. fpl_tp95
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 25 days ago

              This is why...

              Over the last six gameweeks, no player across the league (any position) has created more chances than Luke Shaw (19!). Trent is the second most creative defender with just 9.

              1. Weak Become Heros
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 25 days ago

                This. His creativity is different level.

              2. Gleys11
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 25 days ago

                Thanks for the explanation

    2. Dasher0303
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Digne or pereira

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Digne would be perfect

    4. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      An everton one....

    5. Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Digne sounds good. Good fixtures and possible attacking returns too

    6. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Pereira

      3 of next 4 are great cs fixtures

      Fulham
      SHU
      Brighton

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Whoops Burnley not Fulham.

      2. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Mhmm valid point. Tough choice between Pereira and Digne now

    7. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Pereira.
      Team in good form, decent fixtures, OOP. What not to like?

      Shaw also a decent pick.

  2. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    How does a front line of Kane DCL Vardy sound for 26 and moving forward? Im on WC.

    It means me shifting Watkins and dropping Son from midfield.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Expensive.

      I'd get at least one of these two: Watkins + Maja. They serve the purpose of having a DGW in 26 and play in 29.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Sorry should have said I have FH in the back pocket for 29.

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I am on FH. Going with those 3.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Good to hear!

    3. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I’m leaning to it.

      My team would be:
      Martinez
      Stones cancelo shaw
      Salah gundo Bruno Barnes
      Kane vardy dcl

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Thats exactly my team! Hows your bench out of interest?

        1. Teomi
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Fabri ESR Elmo struijk

          And your?

          1. Weak Become Heros
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            4.5 GK, Raphina, Rudiger, Strujik

    4. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I'm contemplating the same thing.

  3. NortavlaG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    If I activate my wildcard today, am I able to use my bench boost for this coming gameweek?

    1. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      No

      1. NortavlaG
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Okay, thanks

  4. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Anyone looking for a 5th mid and not concerned about Bench Boost, Joe Willock at 4.7 looks the pick. Solid attacking stats.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Im on WC at the mo and currently have Raph as my 5th mid!

  5. Dasher0303
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Pieters to
    A)días
    B)cancelo
    C)Digne
    D)pereira

    For a -4 and rest of my back line is Stones Shaw Dallas Dunne

  6. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Would you do this -4 to give you 14 DGW players on bench boost next week:

    Dallas > Keane + Raphinha > Eze

    1. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      No

      1. CheesyZoot
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Just Dallas > Keane then?

        1. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Only one

    2. fpl_tp95
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Don't get eze, avoid palace attack at all costs

  7. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Martinez - Meslier
    Rudi - Stones - Dias - Cress - Konsa
    Mo - Bruno - Son - Gundo - Soucek
    DCL - Bam - Antonio
    What to do (2FTs - 3.3m ITB) ?
    a) Mes & Dias & Antonio to 3.9 & Lowton/Keane & Kane for a -4
    b) Nothing
    c) Something else

    Thanx

  8. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Thoughts on
    Ings and raphinha -> DCL and Barnes for - 4?

    Will get this team, all with dgw:
    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Mee
    Salah Fernandes Grealish Gundogan Barnes
    DCL Kane

    Pope; Bamford, Dallas, Coufal

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      i'd do that for sure

  9. Party time
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Villa gonna investigate the leak of Grealish injury 😆

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        i'll do it for them.

        their training photos didn't include him.

        their players took him out of their FPL teams.

        next!

      2. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Apparently they are talking about fpl at board level lol

        I wonder if ‘we feast’ will be mentioned

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          and by FPL they mean their players taking part in it. To me it makes sense to ban them from it if it means leaking injuries/selections.

    • sk24
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I'm looking at -4 for Ings, Bamford > Kane, DCL. Would you go -8 for Dallas to Keane?
      Would give me 14 dgwers and Raphinha for BB

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        -4 looks good.

        1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          I agree. No need for the -8.

      2. sk24
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks

      3. nolard
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        The -4 only.

    • Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Advice appreciated!

      A) Watkins, Barnes (Bamford, Dallas)
      B) DCL, Keane (Raphinha, Bamford)
      C) Watkins, Digne (Raphinha, Bamford)
      D) DCL, Watkins (Raphinha, Dallas)

      Heading towards A I think, hoping I can get by with no Everton, Barnes due to form and Villa for BGW29.

      Cheers

      1. lugs
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        yeah A

        1. Catastrophe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Cheers

    • g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Choices, Raphinha to Barnes or Watkins > DCL?

      Who to TC?

      Martinez,
      Dias, Cancelo, Shaw,
      Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundo, Raphinha
      Kane, Watkins

      Sanchez, Bamford, Aina, Dallas

      1.5

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Similar to my thoughts.

      2. Bonus magnet
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        fake rafinha to barnes

      3. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Watkins DCL for me but very tight. Working on basis of very poor Villa in last two and Maddison out blunting Leicester

        Kane is the obvious pick I guess

      4. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Raph->Barnes for me; particularly if you're looking longer term than next week.

    • Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Can I roll here and have 2 for 27 ? Not really sure there are many options outside of a hit - 0.3 itb only

      Areola
      Cancelo Maguire lowton
      Sterling Bruno rashford gundo
      Kane dcl bamford

      Flappy souceck coufal holding

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Lowton to Aina? But sideways I guess.

        Do you have plans for United out in 27? If so I’d roll.

        1. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Bamford to Watkins?

    • Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Martinez*
      Dias*Digne*Taylor*
      Bruno*Son*Barnes*Gundog*Raph
      Kane(c)*DCL*

      Pope*Mitchell*Mee*Bambam

      Gtg, or worth a BB?

    • Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      yay or nay

      dcl+bamford+cancelo-> kane+maja+ stones (-8)

      need Kane but can`t get him without a -8

      1. Bonus magnet
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        sorry should be ings not dcl

    • Sultans of Ping FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Torn between wildcarding to get Kane in or taking a -8 to do Coufal, Holding and Antonio to DCL, Shaw and Digne and then bench boosting.

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Depends on your team and GW29 plans, I wouldn't WC unless absolutely necessary

    • tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Pro tip for those using BB - put your strongest players on bench for a psychological boost

      1. lugs
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        that's cheating 😆

      2. Bonus magnet
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        and captain a weaker player?

        1. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Ha - fair point. OK, maybe not the very strongest...

    • Teomi
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Final piece on WC...
      who will score more until he 28?

      A digne pereira
      B vardy shaw

      1. Teomi
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Gw

      2. FULLSERVICECOVER
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        A

      3. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        A

    • gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Any Vardy / Werner love?

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Vardy Yes. He has been quite recently... But still producing decent stats. Only needs a goal to be involved in bonus.

        1. gedda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Mr. Consistent. I am struggling to fit Kane in with my big midfield, that extra mil goes a long way!

      2. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Werner is a strange one. seems to have the footballing world on his side.

        scuffs one in from two yards = here comes the avalanche of goals.

        goes back to doing nothing = silence.

        1. gedda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          I think it was the price tag that helped with the hype. But he seems to be doing better under new management...

          1. No Professionals
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            and FIFA video game, which sadly is also a factor.

            1. Weeb Kakashi
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 25 days ago

              That 92 pace.

      3. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        i like vardy, but Barnes at 6.8m is a steal, and don't see the need for both.

      4. nolard
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        I have Vardy.

    • Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Pereira OR Castagne?

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Ricardo

    • Kitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I can take a hit for Dallas to a defender upto 5.7million

      is it worth it or shall i just keep

    • La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Had few beers and close to WC, would you pull the trigger here?

      Martinez
      Stones Alonso Dallas*
      Son Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha*
      Kane Cavani

      Forster Bamford* Coufal* Pieters

      Pieters and Cavani are injured and * are SGW players

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Depends on your GW29 plans

    • Sz21
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Would you BB these subs this week or wait until like GW 30 or something?

      Areola- cry, TOT.
      Burn- wba.
      Raphinha or Bamford- AVL
      Dallas- AVL.

    • Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      DCL or Watkins for the window from 26-29. Given I don't have a FH left

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        probably watkins then as he covers 29. unless you think the points he scores in 29 are cancelled out over the 4 gameweeks, as that is the most important thing.

        1. Gemma817
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Yeah and Watkins does have nice fixtures in 27 and 28 too.

      2. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        If DCL has a DGW in 28 as well he could be worth it over Watkins. You could still transfer Watkins for DCL in 29?

        1. Gemma817
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Yeah, I surely can. I already have Bamford, Dallas, Konsa, Martinez, Dier, Son and Kane. So that's 7 players who play in 29. DCL -> Watkins in 29. That would be 8. Happy to go with 8 I guess.

          1. Crunchie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            Keep DCL this week, then maybe go Watkins GW27 (depends on GW28 news of course)

    • Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Worth a -8 to have a BB of the below? A hit for a BB feels counterintuitive, but I'm not sure when else I'll play it.

      Pope / Targett / Traore / Coufal

      1. Kudo Warrior
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Pope and Coufal won't keep a single CS, other two are decent. I wouldn't play BB on them for free!

        1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Cheers Kudo.

    • Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Hi all. Looking to field this team for - 4 at weekend.

      Is it worth another hit to upgrade Lowton?

      Anyone up to 6m in range - eg pereira

      Thanks

      Martinez
      Cancelo dias Lowton
      Salah Bruno Barnes gundog
      Kane (tc) dcl watkins

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        i wouldn't bother

      2. FULLSERVICECOVER
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Strong team, pereira or digne or your options.

      3. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Digne (could prove good if DGW 28 is announced

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Cheers. I'll be priced out of digne as have exact money for the moves today

          Looks like Barnes will rise tonight - and I don't want to move this early.....thanks

    • A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Thoughts on this potential WC (only WC and TC left):

      Martinez (Fabri)
      Dias Digne Ricardo (Aina Coufal)
      Salah Bruno Barnes Gundo Raphinha
      Kane DCL (Antonio)

      Plan is:
      27: Salah -> KDB or Sterling (TC)
      29: KDB or Sterling -> Son and DCL -> Bamford (which gives me 8 players, could still bring a 9th player with a hit depending on form).

    • DT42
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      A) Son and Maya
      Or
      B) DCL and Hames

      A can be held for BGW29
      B has better form and fixtures plus maybe DGW28

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Not sold on Hames, so for me, A.

    • Kudo Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Cancelo OUT to fund DCL IN for a -4?

      Cancelo will likely only play one of the DGW games (already have Stones/Gundo).

      DCL will play both games, crucially they have two amazing fixtures, WBA being one of them which is where DCL scored his hatty earlier on in the season...

    • nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      What do choose?

      a) Barnes and DCL for a hit. DCL replacing Wilson.
      b) Son and Bamford

      1. DT42
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        A