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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. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone managed to fit Bruno, Haaland, Cancelo and Kdb in and still have balanced squad?

    1. sulldaddy
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I dont know that id be chasing Cancelo.
      Ive currently got Kane, KDB, Haaland and Foden.
      .5 ITB and happy with other roster

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        You going without ManC defence?

        1. sulldaddy
          • 16 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yup. Maybe a risk, but if I did add someone, Cancelo is not my choice. Cheap defense is my approach for now.

    2. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I could do that, but not sure whether I want Kane or KdB.

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How is she looking?

      Kepa / Ward
      Cancelo, Trippier, James, Shaw / Bueno
      Bruno, Rash, Almiron, Martinelli / Andreas
      Kane / Haaland / Darwin

      0.8 itb

      I could downgrade Kane and upgrade Almiron I think.

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry for just basically copy pasting my previous post.

      2. S.Kuqi
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Like it. Just not sure if I dare tongo without kdb/salah

        1. marcus2704
          • 15 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ward / Iverson
          Walker / White / Shaw / Trippier / Bueno
          Salah / KDB / Rashford / Almiron / Andreas
          Haaland / Kane / Greenwood

        2. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          With 3 million OR I don't have such worries 😉 I can stick with this setup for a moment (especially with Bueno to White transfer in def) and reassess after 3 weeks. I'd really like to have KdB, but it would cost besides Kane also Almiron to a fodder forward.

  2. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do we think Kane will play or not?

    1. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. sulldaddy
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He will play, not sure im gonna keep him in my roster though

      1. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He’s been in my team since the start. Benefited from his steady returns all season

        1. Kellz86
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Exactly. Same boat for me. Finding it so hard to drop him even though I need to find funds for KDB

          1. The Big Fella
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah it’s either Kane or Kev for me. Can’t get both. I am tempted to stick with Kane but if he is missing games then I can’t. Who will Conte play there though? Richarlison also in the World Cup. Son too. Could play a youth player but that’s risky. Really torn on this.

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes but reduced mins

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why wouldn't he? Is there a question over his fitness or something?

      1. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Conte has said he will rest all WC players as none are as fit as the ones he has been working with for the last 4 weeks

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Oh I see, hmmm I'd still be confident Kane will play though, doesn't really have anyone else available with Richarlison injured and Son possibly still ill though right?

          1. The Big Fella
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Also even if they weren’t out, they were both in the WC too so he would also rest them following the same logic. I can’t see him playing a youth player as a striker. Might keep him.

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

    Can’t really decide between Mitro, Martial and Wilson.

    Probably gonna skip Mitro for now, punt on Martial?

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

      Or even Havertz?

    2. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

    3. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson. Doubt Martial starts 3 games in 10 days

    4. sulldaddy
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Im thinking about Havertz too.
      Have Wilson, Kane, Haaland up front currently.
      Thinking of shifting Kane to Havertz and boosting MF

    5. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Swapped mitro to martial

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

    For 2 gws only - Wilson or havertz?

    1. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

    3. sulldaddy
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Both?

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

        Actually have them both in my current draft at the expense of Darwin. Not sure if I’ll stick to that though.

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

  5. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do we think Kyle Walker will start?

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes but he’s a trap

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, but not always.

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

    Comes down to team A or B, B has cash for changes if anyone goes crazy?

    A,

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

    Ward, Andreas, Bueno, Saliba

    .1

    B,

    Alisson,
    Cancelo, Trippier, James
    KDB, Rashford, Martinelli, Almiron
    Hauland, Wilson, Darwin

    Ward, Andreas, Bueno, Saliba

    1.1

    1. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Leaning towards B

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

      A but I wouldn't bench Saliba! I'm on something similar.

      Ederson
      Trippier James White
      KDB Rashford Martinelli Almiron
      Haaland Kane Darwin
      Ward Andreas Patterson Bueno

    3. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A all day long

    4. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      You must have insane team values. I liked A and tried that on my team and I am off by 1.1

  7. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this threemium draft, White to cover if Stones does not play

    Kepa Ward
    Trippier James Stones White Patterson
    Kdb Rash Almiron Martinelli Andreas
    Haaland Kane Darwin

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would you consider Walker instead of Stones? I think he's more nailed on as Pep has 4 fit centre backs to choose from.

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

      I'd start White over Stones

  8. WVA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A. Ederson James Patterson
    B. Kepa Walker Shaw

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

        Walker would be benched in A

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A, but ditch Ederson after gw23

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

      depends on if the 3rd player is a starter or not. If not, then a

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

        3rd player is not a starter, thanks.

  9. Mike82
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Am I GTG?

    Ward, (Iversen)
    Trippier, White, Patterson, (Bueno, Neco)
    Salah, KDB, Rashford, Martinelli, Andreas
    Kane, Haaland (C), Greenwood

    Too light on bench options, relying too much on Andreas and Patterson/Bruno/Neco?

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

    Are you afraid of Kepa not starting?

    1. Mike82
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He didn’t start mast 3 for Chelsea so not sure why he’s in most squads lol

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

        He's first choice when fit

  11. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    start with Mount, or just pick Trossard and try an ignore Chelsea's fixtures/DGW? Really not sure if Chelsea will start to improve now or not

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

      Just get James from Chelsea, covers defense and attack

    2. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I‘d much rather have Trossard

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      cheers both.

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

    gtg??

    Kepa Ward
    James Trippier White Bueno Cancelo
    KDB Martinelli Almiron Kulu Andreas
    Wilson Haaland Darwin

    1. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      yep

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      lovely

  13. mcginnntonic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will havertz start?

    Not seeing much love for him

  14. KeanosMagic
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo Patterson Andreas
    Or
    Walker Shaw Martinelli?

    I'm leaning towards B for better bench cover, but worried about not owning Cancelo

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

      A

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

      A

  15. Slitherene
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one to start with?

    A) Ederson, Shaw
    B) Alisson, Walker

    1. Mike82
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      A

    3. Slitherene
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Even if that blocks a potential 3rd City attacker?

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Neither in that case 😉

      2. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        A has Ederson and B Walker. 1=1=1

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

          This. What a weird logic

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

          I usually have set and forget keepers.

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

      A

  16. JBG
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ward-Iversen
    Shaw-Gabriel-Trippier-R.James-Bueno
    Kdb-Rash-Almiron-Martinelli-Pereira Haaland-Martial-Nunez

    4.8itb

    Should I:

    A) Upgrade Darwin to Kane
    B) Upgrade Iversen to Ederson
    C) Upgrade Iversen to Sa
    D) Upgrade Bueno to Cancelo
    E) Stay like this

    1. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Upgrade Iversen and Almiron > 8m + Martial > Wilson is what I‘d do

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Martial I'm keeping.

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

      Upgrade Martial to Kane, with a downgrade in defense, you don't need 4 starters

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

      B then A or both

  17. simonl87
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one.

    A Kulu & Martial
    B Trossard & Wilson

    1. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one, I‘d lean towards B

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

      A

    3. JBG
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  18. Utopsis
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas folks!

    Some help please, last WC decision:

    A. Trossard (bought at 6.8)
    B. Odegaard (have Martinelli)

    1. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Trossard

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks mate, a follow up for you then:

        Martinelli or Odegaard?

        1. luk46
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Martinelli

          1. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers mate, that's me sorted

  19. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Feedback please !

    Ward
    Shaw / Trippier / Walker
    Salah / Rashford / KDB / Almiron
    Darwin / Haaland / Wilson

    Bench: Iverson, Neco, Bueno, DaSilva

    1. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Tenplate

    2. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      pretty strong, but I‘d rather have a better def + bench than both Salah and KDB

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        KDB > Foden isn’t worth. Foden gets benched way too much City should get clean sheets so if Cancelo gets bonus points it’s only 3 more at best. KDB will play majority of games and outscore those mids lower priced

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

      No arsenal player?

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Nope. Jesus a big loss for them IMO Break came at the wrong time. Also don’t think West Ham are an easy game for them

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

    Heavy on Chelsea and light on Arsenal. Not sold, but what to do? Downgrade Botman and do Mount to Saka? Or maybe I just ride the royal blue train and hope for the best.

    Kepa
    James Trippier Cancelo
    Mount KdB Rashford Almirón
    Nketiah Haaland Darwin

    Ward Andreas Botman Bueno
    0.4 itb

    1. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mount > Martinelli or Trossard

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

        Fair, but i’m planning to transfer out these guys (for Rashford and Mount/Saka)

  21. luk46
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    you can pick one player only:

    A - Saka (have Martinelli)
    B - Kulusevski
    C - Trossard

    1. Lucky Z
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  22. Lucky Z
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ward
    Cancelo James Schar
    KDB Saka Odegaard Rashford
    Haaland Darwin Wilson

    Iversen Andreas Patterson Bueno

    Martinelli to Odegaard worth it to have such team?

  23. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How would you improve this back line?

    Ward Iversen
    Cancelo James Trippier Patterson Bueno

    0.5itb

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Get Shaw / Dalot

    2. tropicain
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Iversen > Ederson
      Cancelo > Gabriel (White)
      Patterson > Shaw (Dalot)

      Ederson nailed and gives you city def. + Patterson upgrated and you have both Arsenal and United defenders.

      What do you think of it?

      1. The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Quite like this, would you be happy to drop Cancelo?

      2. tropicain
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That's the point. I think a lot of teams will have Cancelo, James, Tripp. Not having Cancelo is a bit of a differential. Like that, you can have Gabriel instead of white (differential too). It depends on the rest of your team. Have you got differentials or not? But yeah, no Cancelo is risky too. I assume is is not doing as good as last year and he's been disappointing at some points in the first part of the season.

    3. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Iverson > De Gea
      James > Gabriel

  24. Ohh1454
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wilson and Cancelo or Darwin and Walker ?

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      All good options, but I'd say Wilson & Cancelo

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      yes good question. Thinking the same thing but with Ederson + Darwin

  25. JONALDINHO
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What’s the story with Kepa is he fit? Assuming the place is his too ahead of Mendy

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

      He wasn't mentioned as injured so maybe he is fit, but we dont have that much info

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It is, but Mendy is lurking if Kepa's form drops

  26. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Feel like Saka will do better than Martinelli without Jesus in the team, as Martinelli's game depends a lot on space created by Jesus. Just some food for thought.

  27. dshv
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1. Kane Salah Shaw
    2. Darwin Kdb James (no spurs attack here)

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2. But I'm not keen on James

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

      1

  28. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which combo:

    A. White and Salah (bench is Patterson and Greenwood)

    B. Cancelo and Martial (bench is Andreas and White).

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

    Kepa or Ramsdale?
    I want to pick a GK till gw33, no other Ars defs but own James

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DDG and Ward rotate really well for the rest of the season.

      The Arsenal defence has done much better than Chelsea's so I'd go with them.

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

        Also I found out that Ward can fill in for Ramsdale in the only games he faces top 6 sides in a single gw so thanks

  30. Conners
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB and Foden have each played/featured in 14 games this season with only 14 points separating them.
    Is that kind of points gap really worth an extra £5.3m or could it be better spent elsewhere?

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      *Bad math (£4.3m)

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb has been pretty poor considering a few performances

      Foden has been better but last 4 games seems to have gone out of favour

      I prefer foden if we know he starts but we don’t so for now tempted to not get either

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

      It isn't if Foden is as nailed on as De Bruyne...

    4. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Whether either plays 3 games in 9 days remains to be seen.

      If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if Kev is rested in the Everton game.