Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Kulusevski and Perisic fitness updates as Conte explains Son penalty

Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah were among the big Fantasy Premier League (FPL) names in action on Tuesday and Wednesday as more pre-season friendlies were staged.

We’ve got all the goal, assist and line-up information you need in this latest Scout Notes article.

We’re also keeping tabs on the minutes played in all of these warm-up fixtures, with Premium Members of Fantasy Football Scout able to access this information at the bottom of this article.

READ MOREFriday’s friendlies: Jesus over 50% owned after debut brace
READ MORE: Saturday’s friendlies: Budget buys catch the eye

FPL points predictions for Gameweek 3 and beyond 3


K LEAGUE 3-6 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

  • Goals: Dier, own-goal, Kane x2, Son x2 (1 pen)
  • Assists: Gil, Kane, Moura, Son

Match highlights

Son Heung-min (£12.0m) and Harry Kane (£11.5m) carried on where they left off at the back-end of last season with three attacking returns apiece as Tottenham Hotspur’s pre-season got underway in South Korea.

The calibre of the opposition of course has to be acknowledged here (insert joke about Gameweek 1 opponents Southampton), with Son in particular the beneficiary of some abysmal defending for both of his strikes.

One of his goals was a penalty but, in case you’re worried as a Kane owner, Son was graciously handed spot-kick duties as he was playing in his home country in front of frenzied support. The winger was even substituted onto the field mere minutes into the second half, to allow him a standing ovation.

“It was a great gesture from Harry to leave the penalty to Son. Sonny is also good at kicking penalties but we know very well that the player to kick the penalty is Harry. But Sonny showed that [if] Harry is out, he is ready to kick the penalty.” – Antonio Conte

Kane’s strikes were both from distance, the first a trademark, fizzing low effort from open play and the second a deflected free-kick after Son had been fouled. Son followed up his penalty with another goal when intercepting an abysmal pass out from the back by a K League defender.

Both premium FPL picks were joined by a lively if wasteful Richarlison (£8.5m) in the front three after the break, with the Brazilian – who started the game through the middle as Kane and Son watched on from the bench – playing on the right wing in the absence of Dejan Kulusevski (£8.0m).

“Today I’ve seen a lot of positive things about Richy. The first half he played like a number nine and the second half he played on the right, behind the striker. I think he can play in all these three positions.

“I think he is strong physically and a good personality, good character, good quality. For sure also for Richy in this period he is working and we are working on the tactical aspects with him because he has to go into our idea. At the same time, we have to work on the physical aspects for him to be fit. But for sure he is a player that gives me important positions up front.

He’s a player that is a good player, strong and very good to protect the ball and attack the space. Also he made a good assist, I’m very happy that we signed him.” – Antonio Conte

Kulusevski wasn’t alone in playing no part in Seoul, with Ivan Perisic (£5.5m) also unused. Fitness issues explained their absences, while there was a reminder from Conte that coronavirus isn’t going away any time soon and will still have an impact on team selection in 2022/23.

“About Kulusevski and Ben Davies, you have seen that they had a good training session. Ben Davies also yesterday, for Ben it was the second training session and he needed to recover and run and do the same training as the players did in the last two days. It was the same for Kulusevski.

“And yeah we had a problem with Covid, with Bissouma because the test was positive. Bissouma and Fraser [Forster]. For this reason they weren’t here with us. Yes, [they are isolating].

“Perisic is working very well. He’s very close. I think tomorrow he could have a part of the training session with us. Honestly we are satisfied because his recovery is going very fast and we are happy about this and when we come back in London he will start to have some of the training session with us.” – Antonio Conte

Spurs were in their usual 3-4-3 shape for their pre-season opener, although we were treated to the sight of Lucas Moura (£6.0m) at right wing-back in the second half as the fit-again Matt Doherty (£5.0m) deputised for Perisic on the opposite flank.

Spurs XI (3-4-3): Austin (Lloris 46), Romero (Tanganga 46), Dier (Sayers 76), Sanchez (Fagan-Walcott 76), Royal (Son 48), Skipp (Sarr 46), Bentancur (Hojbjerg 46), Sessegnon (Doherty 46), Lucas (White 76), Richarlison (Parrott 76), Bryan (Kane 46)


MANCHESTER UNITED 4-0 LIVERPOOL

  • Goals: Sancho, Fred, Martial, Pellistri
  • Assists: Amad

Match highlights

First things first before we proclaim this the start of an exciting new era under Erik ten Hag: the scoreline flattered Manchester United and they were playing against mostly academy products and reserves when racing into a 3-0 lead against Liverpool on Monday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had twice as many shots as United and edged the game on expected goals (xG), too, along with possession.

Image

But with those caveats ringing in your ears, it was still an encouraging start to life after Ralf Rangnick.

There were at least the signs of some identity and tactical innovation after what seemed like years of rudderless displays, with the Manchester Evening News highlighting the improved pressing, underlapping runs from full-backs and a higher line as just some of the ideas that ten Hag has already instilled. There was also, coincidence or not after a promising team display, no Cristiano Ronaldo (£10.5m).

With United players taking price cuts aplenty in FPL after a dire 2021/22, we can only hope that the progress continues and we can be presented with some potential bargains this season.

The front three against Liverpool, for example, were much more threatening after an underwhelming last year, with right-winger Jadon Sancho (£7.5m) and centre-forward Anthony Martial (£7.0m) in particular catching the eye and punishing defensive mistakes with goals.

Even Marcus Rashford (£6.5m), stationed on the left of the front three, was a little better and saw plenty of sights of goal.

“Of course it will take time, believe me I have seen a lot of mistakes but I will not say [what they were]. But to be honest, Liverpool played with three teams and they were not at their strongest, so we are not overestimating them [our players]. We saw some really good things. What you see is we have a lot of creativity and speed in the front and we have potential.” – Erik ten Hag

Fred’s (£5.5m) delicate chip and Facundo Pellistri‘s (£4.5m) breakaway goal capped off a satisfying evening for the Red Devils.

As for Liverpool, there are no causes for alarm given that their starting XI contained such obscure names as Isaac Mabaya, Luke Chambers and Tyler Morton.

Chances came and went for the Merseyside club and it was no surprise that the opportunities flowed once the big guns were thrown on for fitness-building cameos after an hour, with Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) striking the post and having an effort saved at point-blank range. Darwin Nunez (£9.0m) also had a couple of sniffs on his debut, while Luis Diaz (£8.0m) and Fabio Carvalho (£5.5m) had earlier hit the woodwork.

“Obviously the game came a little bit too early for us, for some of our boys, so I think we agree that we saw a lot of good things in this game, but in the decisive moments we were not clear enough with finishing our situations off. We gave massive chances away, pretty much. Pretty much no-brainers, but United did well in these moments, they finished the situations off.” – Jurgen Klopp

Manchester United XI:  De Gea (Heaton 68); Dalot (Wan-Bissaka 46), Varane (Bailly 46), Lindelof (Telles 46), Shaw (Malacia 46); McTominay (Iqbal 46), Fred (Savage 46); Sancho (Pellistri 46), Fernandes (van de Beek 46), Rashford (Elanga 46); Martial (Diallo 46)

Liverpool XI: Alisson (Adrian 46); Mabaya (Frauendorf 32, Alexander-Arnold 61), Phillips (Matip 32, Konate 61), Gomez (Williams 32, van Dijk 61), Chambers (Tsimikas 32, Robertson 61); Henderson (Clarkson 32, Fabinho 61), Morton (Oxlade-Chamberlain 32, Hill 61), Carvalho (Milner 32, Thiago 61); Elliott (Bajcetic 32, Keita 61), Diaz (Jones 32, Salah 61), Firmino (Clark 32, Nunez 61).


BURTON ALBION 0-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

  • Goal: Cook
  • Assist: Cafu

We’ve still yet to see Brennan Johnson (£6.0m) in pre-season, with the Wales international allowed a belated return to training after representing his nation in June.

A similar side to the one that took on Coventry City last week was named by Steve Cooper at the Pirelli Stadium, with Forest again in the 3-4-1-2 set-up that their manager favoured towards the end of 2021/22.

Two £4.5m midfielders again lined up in the middle of the park in the shape of Cafu and Jack Colback, with the former claiming the assist for the only goal of the game when his corner was met by defender Steve Cook (£4.5m).

Their pre-season game-time prospects were given a brief lift by an injury to regular Ryan Yates (£5.0m), who is now a big doubt for Gameweek 1 because of a knee problem.

“Yatesy is out for a month. He got injured in Spain, unfortunately. He’s strained a ligament in his knee. It’s a blow for him.

“As you’d expect, he came back extremely fit and raring to go. He hit the ground running in Spain, caught the eye in training, and then unfortunately he’s picked that up.” – Steve Cooper

But having seen Yates’s midfield partner of last season, loanee James Garner, return to Manchester United, it always looked likely that Cooper would seek to bolster his options in the engine room this summer. That effort will surely be doubled now that Yates is out, so don’t count on either Cafu or Colback lining up against Newcastle United on the opening weekend.

“There will be more [signings], there has to be. There’s certainly a fair few that need to come in, for sure.” – Steve Cooper

There might also be some mild anxiety about the game-time of Neco Williams (£4.0m), the bargain-bin defender who many FPL managers were hoping to count on this season. With Williams’ return to pre-season training delayed due to his involvement with Wales last month, the versatile Giulian Biancone (£4.5m) has laid down a marker at right wing-back, impressing against admittedly limited opposition on Monday and going close to scoring again after his goal against Coventry last week.

Nottingham Forest XI: Henderson, Niakhate (Mbe Soh 64), Cook (Harbottle 64), Worrall (Panzo 64), Biancone (Back 64), Colback (Ojeda 64), Cafu (Konate 64), Ioannou (Donnelly 64), Hammond, L Taylor (Mighten 53), Awoniyi (D Taylor 64)


BOREHAM WOOD 1-1 WEST HAM UNITED
IPSWICH TOWN 1-2 WEST HAM UNITED

  • Goals: Benrahma | Zouma, Chesters
  • Assists: Ashby

Match highlights v Ipswich
Match highlights v Boreham Wood

David Moyes split his squad across two pre-season friendlies on Monday.

The marginally stronger side took to the field at Ipswich, with Michail Antonio (£7.5m) leading the line for the Hammers and in the thick of things at Portman Road.

It was the forward who provided the cross that Kurt Zouma (£4.5m) scored at the second attempt, with Antonio having earlier struck the woodwork with an effort of his own.

The profligate incarnation of Antonio, who we saw for much of 2021/22 after his incredible August, was then in evidence again as he wasted two clear openings either side of half-time.

Over at Boreham Wood, Said Benrahma (£6.0m) scored West Ham’s only goal of the game with a direct free-kick. The Algerian spurned a one-on-one chance later in the first half.

Moyes’s troops were again stationed in the usual 4-2-3-1 in both matches.

The Hammers were still missing their international contingent, including Jarrod Bowen (£8.5m), who were given an extended break after representing their countries last month. They have already begun pre-season training, so should be involved against Reading on Saturday.

West Ham United XI v Boreham Wood: Randolph (Trott 46), Laing, Diop, Baptiste (Ogbonna 67), Masuaku, Ekwah, Forson, Benrahma, Lanzini (Swyer 63), Nevers (Coddington 86), Mubama

West Ham United XI v Ipswich: Fabiański, Ashby, Zouma, Alese, Cresswell, Coventry, Downes, Chesters, Fornals, Okoflex (Earthy 89), Antonio

PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER



497 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Eze Really?
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    I do think keeping .5 ITB is a smart move GW1. All the pricing changes by .1 but the real effect is .5 if you have no money. Otherwise transfer early and this can hurt; especially with Covid about to return.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Do we really think COVID is going to affect the league this year??

      There are no restrictions in place in the UK.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Probably the reason. covid is taking off again in many parts of the world with "various variants" (Pardon the pun)

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Cases will remain for a long time now. Thankfully due to the vaccines, natural immunity etc it looks like its having less impact than it did at the start.

      2. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        God, I hope not. It's endemic at this point - it's never going away, but it does seem a good deal less severe these days thanks to vaccines, treatments & the possible weakening of the virus in mutations. Going forward it should be a case of individual players missing out if they're ill with it, but no more of these mass postponements.

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Exactly this.

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Its a good point, but I find that after weeks of tinkering with the best ways to squeeze value out of 100, it becomes very difficult to cut down to 99.5. Anyone else keeping 0.5 itb as a rule?

      1. Stamford B
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I wouldn’t do it as a rule but it’s something I always hope to do. At the moment I’ve got 1.0 which will be a first.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          It's always wise to keep back 0.5m. But so hard to do in practice!

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I’ve built my drafts with false 5m keeper knowing that he will change to a 4.5 before the end which means I’ll have the 0.5m safety net …… of course watch me spend it on the final day lol.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Same here - I've got Ederson, who can become Mendy if Chelsea buy all those class defenders. But I have little doubt I'll find some way to spunk the 0.5m

  2. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts please?

    Raya
    TAA-Cancelo-Chilwell-Trippier
    Salah-Diaz-Neto-Coutinho
    Jesus-Kane

    Balcombe-N.Williams-Andreas-Greenwood

    1. Stamford B
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Greenwood will probably fall in price and you’ll have to waste a transfer on him. Balcombe is probably 3rd choice soon.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Greenwood could be safe, only because people will not rush to move an a 4.5 early on. Martinelli, Neto, etc are more likely IMO

    2. Eze Really?
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      The only dislike for me is Coutinho. his points were spread over high scores against poor opposition last season. Not much in that range but Grealish and Zaha better for me. Fixtures are good and that is the only upside.

    3. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers both

  3. DAZZ
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    The No Salah drafts are incredible. Extremely tempting.

    1. Stamford B
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I’m surprised there aren’t more after his second half of last season.

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yep, that 5m saving down to Diaz is incredible.

      Not sure if I have the balls to drop Mo from the off, but if he doesnt look like value compared to Diaz and I can save 5m when I play my WC in GW 5/6 I’ll make the change.

      1. DAZZ
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Im considering the opposite. Taking a punt without for 4/5 GW’s and then jumping on if he looks incredible

    3. Jonesfromthere
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Raya 4.0
      TAA Cancelo Perisic Trippier 4.0
      Mount Maddison Wissa 4.5 4.5
      Kane Haaland Jesus

      They don’t suck. 1 mil ITB too

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        No Salah and you are having to play Wissa still? I'd prefer Salah in the team.

    4. WVA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Surely if you don't have Salah you have Son or Kane and Haaland so they are pretty similar

      1. Sameobi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        This is it, like. All my no-Mo goes have been Sonny + Håland or Kane

  4. WVA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    How's this looking?

    Chilwell high PPM than James
    Doherty is a bit of a wait and see but hopefully he nails down his spot, if not he will be Cash
    Rashford is currently my punt but that could change
    Prefer to start with Kane home v Soton than Haaland

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Chilwell Doherty Trippier
    Salah Maddison Rashford
    Kane Jesus

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Looks very similar to mine, except I have Diaz over Maddison & currently on Mendy over Ramsdale (don't trust Arsenal defence unless Partey is good to go for the season).

      I also fancy Maddison, however I'm looking at Diaz now as basically an 8M Mane - it's just too good to pass up.

      1. WVA
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks for the reply mate.
        Maddi is an FPL monster with great opening fixtures, I don't think Diaz can match his explosiveness.
        Mendy doesn't do BAPS or saves and wouldn't want double Chelsea defence to start with.

  5. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Morning all. Getting my first draft out there. Seeing your thoughts please?

    Raya
    Robbo - Cancelo - Cash - Tomiyasu - N.Williams
    Salah - Diaz - Bowen - Martinelli - Andreas
    Haaland - Jesus - Greenwood

    1. WVA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Bowen is great but I think he is ruining your team overall and slightly overpriced compared to all the 8m mids

  6. Stamford B
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    When do CL fixtures start this season?

    1. POGON 1948
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      September

      1. Stamford B
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Do you know what gw it is?

        1. Simpix
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Matchday 1 starts 6th September between GW6 and 7

          Matchday 1: 6/7 September
          Matchday 2: 13/14 September
          Matchday 3: 4/5 October
          Matchday 4: 11/12 October
          Matchday 5: 25/26 October
          Matchday 6: 1/2 November

          1. Stamford B
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Thanks

  7. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Currently on a 3-4-3!

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Old school

  8. Olesathewheeel
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Raya
    Tomiyasu Walker TAA James Castagne
    Salah Rashy Son
    Jesus Haaland

    Is this the best Threemium possible?

  9. amit1964
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    hii
    1) robertson( i have taa and diaz)
    or
    2)cancelo ( i have mahrez and haaland)

    thank you

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Hi I am torn between these two too

    2. Letsgo!
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Dont think mahrez is a good pick

      1. Letsgo!
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        But anyway cancelo

  10. Eze Really?
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hi Guys, I am using my new ID for LiveFPL and I am getting a strange name coming through.
    Does the site need updating?

  11. Stranger Mings
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hi a) Trent and downgrade elsewhere
    B) cancello (already got Laporte) or c) Robo ? Thanks

  12. Letsgo!
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone got weston league fpl code?

  13. Qui-Gon-Joe
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What's the LMS code?

  14. Stranger Mings
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    All, Any comments welcome please esp given poor midfield?
    Mendy (Forster)
    Trent, Laporte, James (neco & 4m def)
    Salah, Bailey, fornals , Andrea’s (da silva)
    Haaland, Jesus & Kane

  15. Dale Sartip-Zadeh
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    like watching Kane and Son

  16. Damien Sartip-Zadeh
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    been some great goals

  17. Stranger Mings
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    How’s this looking? Thanks
    Mendy (Forster)
    Trent, Laporte, James, zinchenko (neco Williams)
    Salah, Bailey, Andrea’s (da silva & colback)
    Haaland, Jesus & Kane