Scout Notes
29 November 2025 234 comments
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Igor Thiago‘s (£6.6m) phenomenal season continued on Saturday as he reached 11 league goals for the campaign.

However, the gloss of a 13-point haul was slightly taken off by a stoppage-time injury scare for the Brazilian striker.

Here are our Scout Notes from Brentford 3-1 Burnley.

THIAGO INJURY SCARE

Yet another penalty took Thiago into double figures for the campaign.

It was his fifth converted spot-kick of 2025/26, which is considerably more than anyone else has registered:

Thiago injury

Strip away all his penalties, however, and he’s still on a decent six goals for the season. Only Erling Haaland (£14.9m) and Danny Welbeck (£6.6m), with 14 and seven respectively, can better that.

Against Burnley, Thiago was again more than just spot-kick merchant. Shooting narrowly off-target in the first half (he insists it was deflected), he missed with a 54th-minute header, saw a goal correctly chalked off for offside, then added to his 81st-minute penalty with a predatory second strike shortly after.

But another fine afternoon for the striker was brought to a slightly early end in the 91st minute. After a bit of treatment for what seemed to be a muscle injury, he disappeared straight down the tunnel via a word with Keith Andrews.

And this is what the Brentford boss said after the game to in-house media…

“Not really, just spoke to him after and he said it was precautionary. So, I’ll suss it out when I go back in.” – Keith Andrews, when asked if he had an update on Igor Thiago’s injury

No other questions were posed by the BBC, by Sky or in the post-match presser, while we can’t verify any supposed sightings of the forward on crutches like this one.

We’ll hear from Andrews again before Tuesday’s Gameweek 14 deadline, so we’ll hopefully get an update on the striker then. Given that the next match is away at Arsenal, it may not be a bad game to miss.

DANGO-LING A LEG

Thiago is being helped along the way by Dango Ouattara (£6.0m).

We wrote last week that the winger had won more penalties (three) than any other player in the division this season.

Well, we can now make that four – he was chopped down for Thiago’s late spot-kick on Saturday.

Not content with that assist, he scored an injury-time goal to seal Brentford’s win. He had earlier nodded a Michael Kayode (£4.5m) cross inches wide and now, no FPL midfielder can better him for big chances this season (bear in mind that he’s not taken any penalties, which are classed as big chances, too):

Dango might disappear to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as soon as Gameweek 16, of course, so Thiago and others will have to enjoy him while they can.

The Free Hitters who opted for Kevin Schade (£7.0m) were left cursing their luck. The better bet than Dango for game-time on paper (the German had completed 90 minutes in eight of his last nine matches), he had a bit of a stinker, failed to register a shot, and was hooked in the 75th minute. That was his earliest withdrawal of 2025/26…

MORE DEFCON FOR COLLINS – BUT HAUL ELUDES HIM

Nathan Collins (£4.9m) bagged defensive contribution (DefCon) points for the seventh time in 2025/26 on Saturday.

Collins’ total of 22 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBITs) against Burnley was actually the highest that any defender has managed in a single game this season (thanks to TopMarx for that stat!):

Burnley’s Maxime Esteve (£3.9m) now also has 14 DefCon points for the campaign. Collins’ centre-half partner Sepp van den Berg (£4.5m) is on 12.

Collins left some points on the table, however, with two close-range chances going begging:

After nine attacking returns in 2024/25, Collins has yet to break his goal/assist duck this season.

FLEMMING ON PENS

A familiar story for Burnley: admirable stubbornness, a lack of goal threat and a late capitulation. The Clarets have frustrated opposition (Liverpool, Chelsea, both Manchester clubs etc) for long periods this season but wilted each time, and Saturday was another addition to a familiar list.

Scott Parker’s side didn’t have a shot in the box until Zian Flemming‘s (£5.3m) 84th-minute penalty, a spot-kick that arrived out of the blue thanks to a momentary Kayode lapse.

Flemming, who had earlier gone close from distance, now has four goals in his last five starts. That’s some doing in a team as blunt as this.

Hannibal Mejbri (£4.9m) should have earlier shot instead of dived but that was pretty much it from an attacking perspective.

Get those Palace defenders in place for Gameweek 14…


UCL Fantasy Matchday 5: Best Attacking Return Player Percentages 2
234 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Philosopher
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Was walking down the road this morning when a guy came up to me and asked: "are you the guy who scored 61 points on FH with 4 players still to go?". I just smiled and walked away. Stay humble.

    1. OneTeamInBristol
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Great score! I'm on 54 with 5 to go and jumped from 120k to 20k. Need Palace and Arsenal to conceade!

    2. Gerry Hattrick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Humility is overrated.

  2. BR510
    8 months, 4 days ago

    bottomed - Best senesi replacement up to 5.6? For the next two weeks. Have Pope, Timber, Andersen, Richards

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Thiaw
      Guehi
      Virgil

      First two obviously means you double up but good fixtures for both. Liverpool are crap but the fixtures could be open matches and potential headed goals from set pieces. Zero clean sheets for them so maybe not the one.

      1. BR510
        8 months, 4 days ago

        cant afford VVD and thiaw also means a double up?

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 13 Years
          8 months, 4 days ago

          I just said that Thiaw and Guehi would mean a double up 😆

          You want a replacement for the next two weeks so a double up is not a bad idea if the fixtures are right and fro Newcastle and Palace they look good.

          1. BR510
            8 months, 4 days ago

            ok thanks!

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Munoz

  3. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Brentford pen every match day. Lucky Thiago owners. Salty non owner here. PL is so corrupt even the officials play FPL.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I really wouldn’t worry about this, because I own him!

  4. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    1FT

    Priority transfer here?

    VDV > Lacroix/Guehi

    James > Muñoz

    Ndiaye > Rice/Minteh/Barnes

    Bowen/Pedro > Mateta/Thiago/Welbeck

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      munoz if he avoids yc

      otherwise welbeck

    2. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I'd say Ndiaye > Rice. Arsenal have some very tasty fixtures after this GW.

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I am going Rice

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Vdv out

  5. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Sunderland should win the league. They deserve it!

  6. Tripleh123
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Given Odegaard is due to return in the next few weeks, which midfielder to priortise for next few gameweeks?

    A. Rice
    B. Eze

    1. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Odegaard is back. He played some minutes against Bayern on Wednesday, so I would be wary of bringing in Eze.

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Eze exciting!

  7. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    800 points up for the season now thats what we love to see

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Your rank history now thats what we’d love to see

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        team is linked in the ffs cup draw if youre really interested not sure why though

        1. GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          8 months, 4 days ago

          Just curious to see how good you are at this game as you certainly talk it

          1. Nightcrawler
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 4 days ago

            i dont even know myself tbh. had a couple of to 5k finishes some time ago, but finished also finished 8m something not making any transfers. playing in cash leagues for first time so interested to see how well i do over the whole season

  8. BR510
    8 months, 4 days ago

    sensei or pope priority sell?

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Yep what’s the plan? Pope may have lost place so thinking Martinez/ Sanchez. Senesi out would be a hit

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Senesi is suspended for just one game. Pope has a groin injury with no known return date and may have lost his place.

      Also depends who you have on the bench if you don't sell one of them.

      1. BR510
        8 months, 4 days ago

        I will sell one. Leaning towards Senesi as Newcastle have two good fixtures but if pope won't play...

        1. BR510
          8 months, 4 days ago

          Henderson??

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 4 days ago

            I would rather have a Palace defender than Henderson from their defence.

          2. Jet5605
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 4 days ago

            One FT to deal with Pope & Senesi. Have Dubravka (CRY) and Andersen (MCI) as bench cover. Who is the priority sell if Pope looks out/lost his place?

            A - Pope
            B - Senesi

            Pope
            Timber - Virgil - Senesi
            Semenyo - Sarr - Gakpo - Mbeumo
            Haaland - Mateta - Wolte

            Dubrav - Enzo - Andersen - Gudmund

            1. BR510
              8 months, 4 days ago

              exact same dilemma! Thinking of starting Andersen and buying Lammens/Donna/Sels

              1. Jet5605
                • 11 Years
                8 months, 4 days ago

                Utd have nice fixtures but I just don't trust them. Sels & Henderson on my radar. Verbruggen has done well lately and is only 4.4

  9. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Best move here?

    A - Gakpo > Rice
    B - Virgil > Munoz
    C - Roll

    Pope
    Timber - Virgil - Senesi
    Semenyo - Sarr - Gakpo - Mbeumo
    Haaland - Mateta - Wolte

    Dubrav - Enzo - Andersen - Gudmund

    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Edit: Looks like Pope might be the one to go

  10. mookie
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    All time top 20 managers according to Live FPL.

    1 had no chip available
    3 played TC on Haaland - one had both FH and TC available but chose TC.
    12 played FH - 8 of them still have the TC chip
    4 chose not to play a chip

    FH picks:
    9 - Martinez
    3 - Kelleher

    12 - Cash
    12 - O'Reilly
    7 - Collins
    3 - Munoz
    2 - VDB
    1 - VVD

    12 - Salah
    12 - Schade
    9 - Rogers
    9 - Foden
    9 - Gakpo
    3 - Doku
    1 - Malen
    1 - Bruno
    1 - Anderson

    12 - Haaland
    12 - Thiago
    1 - Isak
    1 - Watkins

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      No Dangos, he was unchained

      1. The Point About It Is
        • 14 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Boom

    2. mookie
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Analytics Elite 64

      27 played FH
      11 played TC
      1 played WC
      1 played BB

  11. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    If you had Gakpo would you look to keep looking at them fixtures. Just Liverpool themselves haven’t been right.

    If you were to move him on who’d you replace for him? Current mid: Semenyo, Saka, Mbeumo, Minteh, Gakpo*

    1. mookie
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      A decision for after all the games are done.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Depends on Wirtz availability, he should be back GW13/14 unless there's a setback to his recovery

  12. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    The City game has updated - O’Reilly lost one defcon going from 9 to 8...

  13. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Terrible week, not many left to play either

  14. mookie
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Thiago faked an injury to get a standing ovation for a pen and a deflected shot?

    1. Cold Palms
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      More salt on those chips ?

  15. BR510
    8 months, 4 days ago

    1. Sell senesi for thiaw (double Newcastle def) and start Dubravka homento Crystal Palace
    2. Sell Pope for Sels/Donnarumma/Lammens and have no Newcastle defence and start Andersen home to city.

    Cheers!!

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      1

      1. BR510
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Why? Thanks for the answer though!

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 13 Years
          8 months, 4 days ago

          Goalkeeper transfers are very low ceiling and you have Dubravka who will start.

  16. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Who has the highest ceiling in GW14 + GW15?

    a) Muñoz @ Burnley + @ Fulham

    b) Rice (h) to Brentford + @ Villa

    c) Minteh (h) to Villa + (h) to West Ham

    d) Barnes (h) to Spurs + (h) to Burnley

    e) Welbeck (h) to Villa + (h) to West Ham

    1. BR510
      8 months, 4 days ago

      C or D

    2. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Whats the situation with Barnes as im also interested?
      Minutes may be a risk no?

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I like C but will go B myself as I need ARS attacker

  17. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Would you sell James for Muñoz despite James playing Leeds in midweek?

    James a serious rotation risk but has a fixture you would want to hold for.

    James out means affording Muñoz.

    Alternative would be VDV > Lacroix/Guehi.

    1. BR510
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Yes be attacking in the last two weeks before 5 frees. High upside

    2. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Get rid of James lad

    3. Cold Palms
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Likely not to play every minute of every game or even play at all V Leeds - he’s always a risk pick for injuries as well GL

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Yep J to M

  18. FantasyClub
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Who else took a risk and transferred in MGW?

    Fell asleep before optimising my bench, leaving me with Callum Wilson as first sub

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I’d be hoping Gibbs White doesn’t play if I was you

      1. FantasyClub
        • 5 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Yeah Wilson may haul against that miserable defence

  19. Babit1967
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Morning all,

    Would you bb this next weekend or hold till GW16?

    Dubravka Esteve Guiu Gudmonssen

    It’s such an annoying chip and I don’t want to be left with an expensive bench but hard to predict Guiu’s minutes I guess.

    1. Babit1967
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Actually it’s midweek not next weekend.

    2. Conners
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I doubt you'll break 10 points with that bench.

      I'd wait to play it in GW16 and make an upgrade or two when you have 5fts.

      Get a cheap forward in for Guiu and replace Gudmundsson with someone like Andersen.

      1. Babit1967
        • 10 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Cheers for the advice mate and makes perfect sense.

  20. BR510
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Sensei to...
    A. Thiaw
    B. Mathews Nunes
    C. O'Reilly
    D. De gift
    Ither up to 5.6 million

    1. Sid07
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      A

  21. Boydinho
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    I had one FT for GW13 used it early and then later Free Hited. Now come GW14 a only have 1 FT and the transfer I made havn't gone thru?
    Shouldn't I either have 2 FT for GW14 or 1 FT this GW + a completed transfer from GW13?

    Have I done anything wrong?

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Free Hit removes any transfers made prior to activating it and you don't accrue an extra transfer during the week the chip is played.

        1. Boydinho
          • 11 Years
          8 months, 4 days ago

          Thanks, didn't remember the last part!

  22. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Late to the party. Can the mates with Doku + Schade instead of Foden + Dango gather here?
    At least Semenyo and Senesi (non FH) didn't get anything.

    1. Sir Michael Taker
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I had the only City defender to blank if that counts? Cheers then Ruben

  23. Il Capitano
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    1FT 0.4m ITB

    Raya
    VVD O'Reilly Senesi*
    Saka Bruno Semenyo Sarr
    Haaland Mateta Thiago

    Dub - Andersen King Alderete

    Probably have to ditch Senesi with only Andersen and Alderete for cover. Have 5.2m to spend, Lacroix/Guehi the best picks?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Lacroix or Thiaw or Collins

      1. Il Capitano
        • 5 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Ta

  24. BR510
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Best defender for the next 2-3 weeks (up to 5.6)? Have pope, timber, Andersen, Rodon, Richards

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Calafiori O’Reilly Thiaw Murillo

  25. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Senesi to calafori? After today’s game ,exact funds

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Why not

  26. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Who is best senesi replacement? Thanks

    A...timber
    B...oreilly

    Defence is

    Raya
    Vvd senesi burn Richards rodon

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Timber out of those two

    2. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Timber

  27. BR510
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Sensei to Thiaw/Oreilly OR...
    Pope to Donnarumma

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      A

  28. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    If Pope is fit, would you just save FT?

    Pope
    VVD/Timber/Munoz
    Bruno/Mbeumo/Semenyo/Gakpo/Sarr
    Haaland/Mateta

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Otherwise, Pope replacement?

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Save, Verbruggen

  29. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    A. Senesi > Calafiori/Thiaw for -4
    B. Play Andersen (MCI)

    1. BR510
      8 months, 4 days ago

      B

  30. BR510
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Thiaw, Murillo or O'Reilly for next 2-3?