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25 December 2022 1936 comments
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We wish a very happy and healthy Christmas to all our readers and their loved ones!

It’s the one day a year when the virtual Fantasy Football Scout offices are completely deserted, pausing as we do for family festivities.

But we can’t completely ignore the looming Premier League resumption and the Gameweek 17 deadline, with the gifting of unlimited transfers meaning that many of us are spending more time than usual tinkering with our teams ahead of Boxing Day.

We’ve still got articles to come later this evening and tomorrow morning (including the pre-Gameweek thoughts of Burning Questions’ Andy/Sonaldo), while there’s plenty of pre-written content in our complete guide to the restart.

With the Bailey’s coursing through my bloodstream and emotions heightened, I’d like to extend a huge thank you for your continued support and patronage of the site throughout not just my brief stint as editor but over 2022 as a whole and the many years before that.

It really is a privilege to work for the site after a decade or so of being an avid reader, and it’s something I never take for granted.

There’ll be a more prolonged retrospective in the traditional New Year’s message but, from myself and all at Fantasy Football Scout, we wish you a very merry Christmas.

  1. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Please help
    A) Ward and Martineli
    B) Kepa and Almiron

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A-martinelli too good value to ignore

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      All 4, job done

    3. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have all of them

  2. Dammit_182
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Messies boots or Martinez gloves??

    1. N1ceguyEdd1e
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Messi Gloves from what the media have shared

      1. Dammit_182
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Haha. Winner

  3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go?

    Kepa
    James Trippier White
    Salah KDB Rashford Martinelli Almiron
    Haaland Darwin

    (Ward Thomas Patterson Greenwood) 0.0

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nice but not a fan of a non starting forward ... means you bench is shallow

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Me neither, But how much do we need our bench?
        Kepa -> Iversen would allow Thomas -> Shaw/Walker..?

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Depends on the balance of your team really ...

          I could envisage any of the following being rotated/rested and not starting ... James Rashford Martinelli Almiron ... and you are then relying on these guys to bail you out - Thomas Patterson Greenwood.

          I would certainly have someone like Andreas first on the bench

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            But if you're less concerned about backup players who are usually not needed, you can get higher ceiling out of your starting XI.. worth it? Dont know but like the idea

      2. Quality Quality Qualit
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I agree and rejected my drafts including Greenwood because of that, but I have noticed that some very successful managers are happy with 1 or even 2 NPCs for large parts of the season.

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          So, thats yay or nay?

          1. Quality Quality Qualit
            • 16 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            I'm in two minds!

            Your team is similar to one of my recent drafts, but in the end I decided that Darwin is lacking in skill and preferred the flexibility of 3 playing FWDs.

            Kepa
            Cancelo Trippier Botman White
            Martinelli Almirón De Bruyne Salah (V) Andreas
            Haaland (C)

            (Ward Toney Solanke Bueno) 0.2

            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Think this team would be stronger without Cancelo

        2. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I just think you need starters on your bench and Andreas or a 4.5 mid on your bench with 3 up top is the way to go long term

          I would go 3 up top with Kane instead of KdB and bring in Andreas ... or any of the very good choice forwards

  4. Catilo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ward (Iversen)
    Tripier James Doherty ( Shaw , Patterson )
    Salah Rashford Martinelli Almiron ( Andreas )
    Haaland Kane Darwin
    --
    Would you bench Shaw with these fixtures (NFO, wol, BOU) though?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good, not a chance id bench Shaw there mate. Id rather bench Almiron tbh

      1. Catilo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        My thinking as well. But would confirm me buying Almiron just for FOMO, which I reluctantly admit xD

    2. Veni Vidi Vialli
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Given that ManU is missing a
      couple of their key players in defense, cleans sheets could be a doubt.

      1. Catilo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, perhaps in the NFO game. But I'd expect Varane to be back in the next games and Dalot too. NFO doesn't score much either..

    3. Vasileios Kyriakopoulos (RE…
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Start Shaw instead of Doherty and you are perfect.

  5. MJF
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Xmas everyone and may you unwrap a green arrow tomorrow, as long as you don’t go above me.

  6. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Xmas guys. How's this?
    Kepa
    Cancelo Trippier VVD Shaw (White)
    Salah Bruno Rashford Martinelli (Andreas)
    Haaland Darwin (Greenwood)
    A Is James better than VVD?
    B. Anything else wrong?

  7. mdm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which option is better?

    A. Salah, Cancelo, Mitro
    B. KDB, Gabriel, Darwin

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

    4. Tcheco
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

    5. N1ceguyEdd1e
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B for next 3 GWs

    6. Vasileios Kyriakopoulos (RE…
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B much better for next 3 GWks

  8. George James
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Happy Christmas all.

    Best team?

    A)
    Kepa • Ward
    Tripps • White • James • Shaw • (Patterson)
    Salah • KDB • Rash • Martinelli • (Andreas)
    Haaland • Wilson • (Greenwood)

    B)
    Kepa • Ward
    Tripps • White • Shaw • (Patterson • Bueno)
    Almiron • KDB • Rash • Martinelli • (Andreas)
    Haaland • Darwin • Kane

    C)
    Kepa • Ward
    Tripps • White • James • Cancelo • (Bueno)
    Kulu • KDB • Rash • Martinelli • (Andreas)
    Haaland • Wilson • Darwin

    1. George James
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sorry C has Martial not Darwin

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B as its my team other than Patterson to walker

      1. George James
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Nice. My team value not great. No City defence is my worry

  9. DRIZ ✅
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Crimbo FFS. Waiting for Xmas lunch while the rest of the family prepare.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Go and help out ya lazy git

  10. Tshelby
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A or B?

    A) Saliba and Almiron
    B) White and Rodrigo

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A as id wait till rodrigo has played city

  11. Al Pacho
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Team A

    Sanchez
    James Trippier White
    Salah Kdb Kulusevski Martinelli Almiron
    Haaland Solanke

    Bench: Ward Neco Bueno Greenwood

    Team B

    Sanchez
    James Trippier White
    Salah Kdb Martinelli Trossard Almiron
    Haaland Martial

    Bench: Ward Neco Bueno Greenwood

    Which team is nailed?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  12. Malinwa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best option?
    A) Madisson/Cancelo/Mitro
    B) James/Salah/Greenwood
    C) Castagne/Rashford/Kane

    Kepa
    Saliba- ? -Tripp
    Martinelli- ? -KDB-Almiron
    ? -Haaland-Darwin

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

    2. Tcheco
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C. Would look at alternatives to Castagne though

      1. Malinwa
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Any advice? White? That means double Arsenal …

  13. Scotty Dog
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Cancelo, martinelli, Darwin
    B) Shaw, kdb, martial

    Already on salah.

    1. Veni Vidi Vialli
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A.

  14. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is this good enough?

    Came down to Kane or Cancelo, but the Spurs news might throw a spanner?

    Kepa
    Trippier, James, Walker
    KDB, Rashford, Martinelli, Almiron
    Hauland, Kane, Darwin

    Ward, Andreas, Bueno, Saliba

    .1

    1.1

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What’s wrong with kane?

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What Spurs news?

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        The bbc link Conte resting WC players

          1. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Would be a bit foolish to drop kane due to how much time he would’ve had better competitive games

  15. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one scores more?
    A. Kepa VVD Cancelo
    B. Ederson James Robbo

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Is no Cancelo madness (had him from the start)

        1. The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Nah Ederson will be more nailed than cancelo over the busy schedule, cancelo could be rested for 1. Id rather save the money on cancelo tbh

          1. nico05
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers mate it's my feeling just feels a risk

  16. Ian Davis
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which 2 to have?:

    A) KDB
    B) Salah
    C) Kane

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      AB easy

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A & C for me

    3. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Assuming you have Erling then KDB seems unnecessarily expensive to me so I’d go Kane and Salah to give a wider range of captaincy options.

    4. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I went AB

  17. lewis274
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    anyone going with kdb salah and haaland?

    1. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nah - 3 premiums always seems a bit excessive to me when you can only ever captain one of them at a time.

    2. Scotty Dog
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Trying to but leaves no money in the bank and weakens the backline or front line. I'm leaning towards template with no kdb as I think once the Brighton potential triple comes up along with dgw's and jan transfers you'll need the funds also allows me to keep cancelo at discount and own Darwin incase he starts to haul.

    3. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes.

      I even had a couple of drafts with those 3 and Kane but couldn't make it work, I wonder if anyone did make a viable fourmium?

  18. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Suggestions on which one for last 2 spaces places ?
    Can’t decide whether Newcastle or Arsenal attacking coverage is better.

    A) Almiron + Wilson
    B) Almiron + Nketiah
    C) Martinelli + Nketiah
    D) Martinelli + Wilson

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      D

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nketiah is horrific so B for me.

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        D

      2. Patio Kev
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He did well at the end of last season to be fair. I guess Wilson on pens is a big plus.

    3. Shark Team
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Martinelli > Nketiah
      Almiron = Wilson
      So D

    4. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks All - that looks pretty unanimous, think I will go D then.

  19. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A or B?

    Kepa/ward
    Cancelo/Trippier/ James/ Shaw/ Petterson
    Kdb/ martinelli/ rashford/ almiron/ Andreas
    Haaland/ Darwin/ mitro

    B;
    Kepa/ward
    BUENO/Trippier/ James/ Shaw/ Petterson
    Kdb/ martinelli/ rashford/ almiron/ Andreas
    Haaland/ Darwin/ KANE

    A has 1.8mitb

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

      1. Skogen89
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Eould loose 0,2 in cancelo, still b? Problem with only 2 city tho...

        1. The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Nah you could do Laporte or walker

          1. Skogen89
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Laporte or Walker vs cancelo is not that easy. They are both at risk every gw, and the only other option is ederson who i dont like.

  20. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If template teams have Kepa how is his ownership still at 3.7%? I mean maybe its the twitter bubble? Cause even if the masses rush to buy him tomorrow I cant see this ownership reaching 10%

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mendy will get his place back?

      1. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I remember missing out on Ramsdale last season when Leno was dropped for him, I had the opportunity to get him but I didnt and then he had a tremendous season. Kepa when available is preffered by Potter so its his place to lose imo. Im not a fan of Chelsea def but 4.5 for a Che GK cant go much wrong and as long as the team is bad in scoring goals they need the clean sheets so badly

    3. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Template teams amongst 'active' managers. Millions of dead teams in that mix. I suspect a lot more will be dead in the next two weeks because even with FPL's marketing efforts, loads of FPL managers will give up after the World Cup.

      1. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes thats true

  21. Kaysonlad
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone missing here? Not keen on any spurs ATM no bad subs for pep’s rotation

    Kepa

    James trippier robbo

    Foden KDB rash almiron martielli

    Haaland Darwin

    Ward Shaw Castagne greenwood
    0.8 Itb

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I like it. Start Shaw imo

      1. Kaysonlad
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I do want to start him but for who??

        1. DRIZ ✅
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Robbo for me

        2. Skogen89
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Almiron

  22. DRIZ ✅
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will Darwin start, someone said was missing in Christmas training?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The amount of injuries they have he is nailed on surely

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Late arriving I heard?

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Sure he played the other day. He was reported as not being seen in a training session since then?

  23. outernational
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    BBC reporting that Conte may rest all his World Cup stars for the game against Brentford.

    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64090081

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You just woke up?

      1. outernational
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No, but didn't notice your post above. Do you really think Conte could rest Kane? Who would he play up front instead with Richarlison out and Son also returning from the World Cup?

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm confident that Kane and Son will start. Kane and Son needed rests and got them after getting knocked out. My guess at the team:

      Forster
      Sanchez Dier Lenglet
      Doherty Bissouma Hojbjerg Davies
      Kulusevski Kane Son

      Forster in for Lloris, Lenglet in for Romero, Bissouma in for Bentancur, Doherty in for Perisic. Replacements required due to WC SFs all being given time off and Bentancur suspended.

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This

      2. outernational
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, I think the team will be close to that.

    3. GK
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Meanwhile, wasn’t Pep saying that the World Cup players are better prepared to get straight back into Prem games?

  24. outernational
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Not sure how he could rest Kane though...

  25. Manani
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wilson or Mitro?

    Got Almiron (and a good bench this week in case Mitro don’t play)

    1. Shark Team
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mitro, i start Arsenal def instead of him but that saves me a transfer as I want him for Sou 100%

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn’t risk mitro as its a bit of a mystery with this injury

    3. GK
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

  26. random53124
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts appreciated:

    Leno
    White, James, Trippier
    Almiron, Odegaard, Rashford, KdB
    Kane, Haaland, Darwin

    Ward, Andreas, Bueno, Perraud

    1.1m ITM (for future bandwaggon hunting.

    1. GK
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’d upgrade one of your sub defenders with the extra cash. Otherwise, looks good

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Like it, good to go

  27. GK
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale
    James Shaw Trippier
    Rashford KDB Zaha Almiron Martinelli
    Haaland Kane

    Ward Saliba Botman Greenwood

    GTG? Sub Shaw for Saliba?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No stick with shaw. Solid team

      1. GK
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. Merry Christmas!

  28. N00B
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas guys!

    What is the best option here?
    A) Cancelo - Trossard (0.1 left itb)
    B) Stones - Saka (1.0 left itb)
    C) Estupinan - Bruno (0.1 left itb and I will play White)

    Kepa
    James Trippier __ White Patterson
    KDB __ Martinelli Rashford Andreas
    Haaland Darwin Wilson

    1. GK
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A is safest I think

  29. ABCDEFC
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Better duo?
    A) Walker and Kane
    B) Cancelo and Mitrovic

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. GK
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  30. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Better option?

    A. Walker saka rashford Wilson
    B. Cancelo martinelli almiron martial