Scout Notes
23 December 2025 197 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Monday night didn’t quite provide a Christmas cracker, as Harry Wilson (£5.8m) blanked, was booked and came off with an injury during Fulham’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Still, a few interesting Fantasy Premier League (FPL) events took place, as Raul Jimenez (£6.3m) scored from the spot in first-half stoppage time.

WILSON INJURY UPDATE

Following three goals, four assists and 42 points in his previous four matches, 1.6 million FPL managers bought Wilson before Gameweek 17’s deadline.

However, he’s been overachieving in terms of expected goals (xG), and his season’s only big chance came in mid-September.

Sure enough, after being unable to reach Kevin‘s (£5.8m) drilled cross after 10 seconds, Wilson was restricted to one long-range shot and a mere 0.03 expected goal involvement (xGI).

FPL notes: Wilson update, did Andersen or Anderson get 'DefCon'? 1

Above: Harry Wilson’s touch heatmap v Nottingham Forest

A clean sheet point was undone by being booked for challenging Neco Williams (£4.7m). And, making things worse, being injured in that incident led to his 84th-minute withdrawal.

Marco Silva is currently optimistic about Wilson making Gameweek 18’s trip to West Ham United, though.

“Looks he’s going to be okay. I think it was a big knock there, was not something that he twisted but now it’s of course painful. But let’s see, tomorrow we have a session, we are going to assess the players from tonight & see how he’s going to recover.” – Marco Silva on Harry Wilson

SPOT-ON JIMENEZ

Meanwhile, one week after disappointing some Free Hit users in an anonymous display at Burnley, Jimenez accumulated five shots here. This included a penalty and one other big chance.

The spot kick was heavily stuttered – a bit cheeky – coming as a result of Douglas Luiz (£4.9m) bringing down Kevin.

By converting, Jimenez now joins Manchester City legend Yaya Toure in having a 100% success rate from 11 penalties. Nobody else has such a percentage from so many kicks.

THE ANDERSEN/ANDERSON ‘DEFCON’ BONANZA

FPL notes: Wilson update, did Andersen or Anderson get 'DefCon'? 3

Near-namesakes Joachim Andersen (£4.6m) and Elliot Anderson (£5.4m) faced off in a defensive contribution (DefCon) derby.

After Gameweek 16, Fulham’s centre-back was the joint-second best defender for securing DefCon points (20). Additionally, the latter was the leading midfielder (18), and ahead of all others for completed actions (207).

So were Andersen or Anderson successful tonight?

Both of them! Combined with a clean sheet, this gave Andersen seven points – heroic, considering he dislocated a finger and kept playing. But a late yellow card slightly dampened the celebrations of FPL owners. Until that moment, the Dane could have secured bonuses and a double-digit haul.

FPL notes: Wilson update, did Andersen or Anderson get 'DefCon'?

Above: The most DefCon actions, after Gameweek 17’s completion

As for Anderson – keep up – he’s reached the threshold in 10 of his last 14 appearances. Those needing a downgrade to buy someone like Hugo Ekitike (£8.8m) could do a lot worse than purchasing such consistency.

A NEW £4.0m GOALKEEPER?

Finally, a small note is that Forest’s usual first-choice stopper, Matz Sels (£4.7m), recovered from the injury that kept him out of Gameweek 16.

Yet he only made the bench, as John Victor (£4.0m) kept his place.

It’s not a given yet that Victor keeps his place, with Sels’ lack of training part of the explanation:

“John has done really well in the two games, to be fair. Matz has only had four days of training. He had a bad finger he was playing through and a groin (problem), so we have had to be careful with that. But John has earned the right for this one, that’s for sure, with two very strong performances.” – Sean Dyche, speaking ahead of kick-off


price change predictions

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

197 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. GROBARI
    • 5 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Better FPL pick for next 6 GWs?
    A) Cunha
    B) Ekitike

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      B

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      B I think

  2. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    LMS update please, did I stave off the chip-hoarding lollygaggers for top spot?

    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 24 days ago

      I was wondering if you secured the rights for today's match. It was an absolute snoozefest, the perfect entertainment for the dungeons.

  3. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Best keeper moving fwd?

    Rice, Rogers, Wirtz or Cunha for Bruno?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Rice a set and forget great asset.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 24 days ago

        Cheers done Saka to Rice

    2. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 24 days ago

      I don't think any of them would make good goalkeepers, but a
      Rice is definitely a season keeper.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 24 days ago

        2 questions 🙁

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          6 months, 24 days ago

          Yes, I know. It was too good to pass it up, sorry.
          There's not much in it, it's the most random position and the one with the lowest ceiling. Pickford is good but expensive, Sanchez/Roefs have been good value, Verbruggen/Kelleher are decent picks, too.

    3. DBry
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Raya and Cunha.

      Find a way to get Rice too though.

    4. KostaK
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Sanchez and cunha

  4. tajulariff
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Anyone TC Ekitike vs Wolves?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Flair move.

      1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 24 days ago

        WOOOOOO

  5. Joyce1998
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Best option?

    A- Bruno + Thiago >> Cunha/Wirtz, Ekitike
    B- Bruno + Thiago>> Cunha/Wirtz+ Bowen + 1.3 itb
    C- Bruno + Thiago + Guiu>> Cunha/Wirtz + Bowen + Ekitike -4

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Wait for Slot update on Wirtz?

    2. DBry
      6 months, 24 days ago

      C with Cunha.
      Gives the perfect three atm for me

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 24 days ago

      A is probably best. I’d take Cunha over Wirtz. Not sure the hit is worth it when presumably it would give you an expensive bench player as you’re turning Guiu into a starter

  6. DBry
    6 months, 24 days ago

    After Bowen and Keane in on Saturday
    And the price grab tonight.

    Is this team worth -8?

    Raya
    Timber, VvD, Keane, nunes
    Foden, rice, cunha
    Bowen, Ekitike, haaland

    Bruno G, Rodon and Anderson?

    Have the free hit to check out of needed

    1. Dubem_FC
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Michael Keane?

  7. rainy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Price changes 23rd December

    Rises:
    Haaland 15.1
    Ekitiké 8.9
    Wirtz 8.1

    Falls:
    Mateta 7.7
    Lukić 4.9
    Talbi 4.9
    Sels 4.6
    Toti 4.2
    Diouf 4.0
    McKenna 3.9

    1. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Thanks!

      No Bruno fall is a surprise. Who is still buying Haaland hahaha

      1. FOREST FOREVER 2
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 23 days ago

        I think 'We hate Haaland' club has given up.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Bruno on -215% on LiveFPL

    3. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Thanks!
      Let the conspiracy theories begin!

      1. rainy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 24 days ago

        Remember when Haaland didn’t drop last year for _ages_ 😉

    4. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Cheers Rainman

    5. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Imagine Diouf at 4.0 in preseason.

    6. mookie
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      The message is loud and clear. Just own the players the cartel owns, you'll get points for f all and the your players won't drop in price.

    7. PL Ball
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Eh? Is Bruno priced locked with injury or something?

      1. rainy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 24 days ago

        Not locked, that happens after going from red flag to available. Flags do increase the threshold though

        1. PL Ball
          • 14 Years
          6 months, 24 days ago

          Could be. Though even with the increased threshold, he was at -200..

          Seems to have caught Ragabolly by surprise too, even suggesting a new hidden rule in his tweet.

      2. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        6 months, 24 days ago

        There may also be something in the algorithm that they don't allow a popular player to drop if they decide that he should have been given a higher starting price and his current price is less than it would have been if he had started at that higher starting price.

        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 months, 23 days ago

          Yes, but I believe more in change of algorithm ä. Previously only red flag increased the threshold, now perhaps this 25% chance to play flag may do it. Nonetheless, even the algorithm may have been changed with popular players so that large ownership counts against price drops.

    8. Lallana_
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Nice, can take more time deciding Rice!

    9. nanxun
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Thx, rainy.

      2 - 0 tonight.

      Changed the structure of my formation tonight due to Ekitike's anticipated price rise: Guiu Semenyo > Ekitike Potts.

      Also did Thiago Bruno > Bowen Cunha on Sunday. It's uncharacteristic for me to move so early, so I'm sorta nervous. We'll see if it pays off. (Gulp.)

    10. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Cheers Rainy.

  8. GW17 Rough with the Smooth
    RedLightning
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Rough with the Smooth, GW17.

    How did your Gameweek go?

    You can share your tales of joy and woe here.

    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      95 points with a green arrow is the smooth

      I guess BB was poor with only 6 points gained from it.

    2. nanxun
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Rough: Bruno and Wilson blank and injuries, Andersen benched instead of Richards; 7 of starting 11 blanked.

      Smooth: The Robot (tc), Semenyo, Raya and O'Reilly.

      86 pts. total for a tiny green arrow; OR up from 39k > 27k. Feel lucky to have gotten that.

      1. nanxun
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 24 days ago

        FPL site hasn't fully updated yet. So, OR should be 36k > 29k.

        1. MissouriMarten
          • 10 Years
          6 months, 23 days ago

          Thank God you clarified that.

          1. nanxun
            • 4 Years
            6 months, 23 days ago

            Yeah, sorry for gloating, mate. 😉

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Was close to a 3.9m Bijol megahaul autosub for Van Hecke - it still looks like he got two assists but only one was awarded, but when assist was 'tbc' and he was on a CS until the 92nd minute, we nearly had some nice jam!

      Elsewhere Ekitike two GWs ago was a good transfer, feels like FPL is really about spotting these bandwagons before they gain too much steam. Prices just fly now.

      Roughs - Sels has been awful GK to hold, Thiago disappointing, Saka blank and Cherki looked great but only 4 pointer.

    4. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      109pts with no chip played.

      Rough - overthrown from top spot in LMS by a dirty, chip-playing usurper!

    5. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Smooth: thought 68 pts was pretty good
      Rough: safety was a whopping 83...

      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        6 months, 23 days ago

        Always compare your score with the safety score for the Gameweek, not with whether it's more or less than 60 or 65 points.

    6. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      I was excited to bet my 5 Xhaka points off the bench, only to discover that he lost his DC points?!

    7. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Rough - went with Neto over Semenyo punt

      Smooth - Rogers and DCL

    8. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Rough 79 with bench boost is a fail
      Smooth 67 without bench boost is worse

    9. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Rough - forgot to change cap from saka to haaland
      Smooth - none

    10. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Rough Wilson, Saka, Bruno & Foden bombing & DCL laughing 1st on bench.

      Bournemouth busted in last minutes cost me 12 points

    11. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Smooth: Did Sanchez and KDH to Verbruggen and Wilson (benched Wilson for Raul). Another green after accepting it might be a red this GW. 7 in a row! 1.7k OR. 5pts green arrow, already "reinvested" 4 of those pts by getting Cunha and Ekitike.

      Rough: Players with no retur, and a couple of injuries, but that's just how it is! Not worried.

  9. PL Ball
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    A) Andersen (WHU A)
    B) Tavernier (BRE A)
    C) Clyne (TOT H)
    D) Van den Berg (BOU H)

    Play Two

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 24 days ago

      A is the best of those 4. I’d put in B as well

  10. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Last Man Standing GW17 (522 teams)

    Safety score = 67
    Top score = Ori Gal with 112

    52 teams to be removed, 470 teams through to GW18
    Congrats to all the survivors!

    Merry Xmas!

    https://plan.livefpl.net//LMS

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Holy crap I squeezed through on 68

    2. YorkieCity
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      ...and breathe. Living on the edge with my 67, this news was gratefully received.

  11. I have no Wirtz
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Start Rogers or Chalobah?

    1. DBry
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Go on form there.
      Coin toss though

  12. DBry
    6 months, 24 days ago

    After Bowen and Keane in on Saturday
    And the price grab tonight.

    Is this team worth -8?

    Raya
    Timber, VvD, Keane, nunes
    Foden, rice, cunha
    Bowen, Ekitike, haaland

    Bruno G, Rodon and Anderson?

    Have the free hit to check out of needed?

    1. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Intrigued how you get to a -8 just 2 GWs after having 5FTs lol

  13. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Forest big chances conceded (ex. penalties) by GW:

    GW1 0
    GW2 2
    GW3 3
    GW4 4
    GW5 2
    GW6 3
    GW7 5
    GW8 4
    GW9 0
    GW10 0
    GW11 1
    GW12 1
    GW13 4
    GW14 1
    GW15 1
    GW16 0
    GW17 1

    Very low since Dyche arrived in GW9, no team is fewer (9, next is Arsenal on 11). Going to be an interesting captaincy debate!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      I’ll bet there isn’t!

    2. Sir Michael Taker
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      In the interest of balance they also lost 3-0 at the Hill Dickinson

  14. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Start Chalobah or Guehi?

    1. DBry
      6 months, 24 days ago

      G

    2. RICICLE
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Chalobah

  15. HellasLEAF
    • 16 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Would Cunha take the penos now?

    1. DBry
      6 months, 24 days ago

      Yes

  16. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 24 days ago

    1. WC (Keep Ft's)
    2. Rice (or other 7.3m mid) + Ekitike in for Bruno/Thiago. WC next week.
    3. Something else.

    Sanchez.
    Timber, VVD, Andersen, O' Reilly.
    Bruno, Saka, Semenyo, Foden.
    Thiago, Haaland.
    Dubravka, Esteve, Anderson, Guiu.
    3ft's, 0.1m ITB.

    1. BR510
      6 months, 24 days ago

      1

  17. BR510
    6 months, 24 days ago

    Best combo for the relatively long term?
    1. Bowen and Garner
    2. Obi and Rogers
    i.e. 343 or 352

  18. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    6 months, 24 days ago

    No ft
    1. Bruno to cunha
    2. Bruno and kroupi to cherki and Woltemade
    3. Bruno to somebody else
    4. Play Andersen vs double whm attack

    1. BR510
      6 months, 24 days ago

      1 or 3 - Rogers or Wirtz (if no ekitike). As a cunha owner, a little worried about united without 3 best players and starting RCB

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 23 days ago

        Cheers, so you reckon no Newcastle? Good point about man u

  19. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    Can't decide between Cunha (potentially explosive 3 fixtures) or Rice (set and forget) for Bruno replacement.
    Alternatively I could take out Saka and get both plus get in Bowen too.

    1. BR510
      6 months, 23 days ago

      I like that Saka Bruno to rice Cunha and buy bowen

      1. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 23 days ago

        Cheers. I've just noticed Wirtz too. I could get him instead of Bowen

  20. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    Better option this gw?

    a. Start Anderson against City
    b. Bruno > wirtz/ rice -4

  21. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    Best budget picks for BB18???

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Sunderland defence

  22. Sir Michael Taker
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    LiveFPLs algo down the toilet. Its like Lidl trying to make coca cola

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      https://whatthef.pl/

      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 23 days ago

        Yes I also prefer Lidl of all the fakes out there. Its still not the real thing though. I know Scouts in bed with the site so wasnt necessarily expecting this to be popular

        1. rainy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 10 Years
          6 months, 23 days ago

          Were I existing on more than three hours’ sleep, I’d try to spin a clever reply out of my American friends’ preference for coca cola bottled in Mexico, but Lidl it is

    2. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      And this is why we can't have nice things... a problem for every solution

      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 23 days ago

        Its not a solution though. The solution would be no smoke and mirrors from the site about how things change. But then there would be no competition amongst these price predictors and no gravy train. Its all self fulfilling. Same as the CCs.

  23. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    Raya
    Timber OReilly Thiaw Senesi
    Saka Foden BrunoG
    Haaland Thiago Bowen

    Thinking of a FH to

    Raya
    Hincapie OReilly Tarkowski
    Saka Cherki Wirtz Grealish
    Haaland Ekitike Bowen

    Y/N?

  24. GunnerStorm
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    Do you keep the gain from a double price rise during a free hit gameweek?

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Your team reverts to how it was before

  25. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    Team gtg?

    Dubravka
    Ruben, Andersen, Guehi
    Saka, Semenyo, Rogers, Foden
    Bowen, Haaland(c), Ekitike

    Verbruggen, Rice, Chalobah, Mukiele

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Seems odd to play Andersen and Bowen whilst benching Rice and even Mukiele

      1. Khalico
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 23 days ago

        Just realised that too, Mukiele would be in place of Andersen

  26. cescpistols1
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    What changes would you recommend? 2FT, 1.3 ITB.

    A. Woltemade + Andersen -> Ekitike + Mukiele (exact funds)
    B. Woltemade + Guehi -> Ekitike + Ballard/Richards (exact funds)
    C. Thiago + Guehi -> Ekitike + De Cuyper/Kilman/Mukiele

    Raya Dubravka
    Virgil O'Reilly Guehi Andersen Gudmundsson
    Saka Cunha Semenyo Rogers King
    Haaland (c) Woltemade Thiago

  27. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    I have 3ft. If I FH in GW18 will I have 3 or 4ft in GW19?

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Three, FH counts as a transfer

      1. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 23 days ago

        Cheers

  28. balint84
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    1) Cunha for -4
    2) play Stach

  29. DagheMunegu
    • 5 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    Raya
    VVD O'Reilly Rodon
    Saka Foden Rice Minteh Cunha
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dub Gudmunsson Van Hecke Guiu

    Good 2 go or bench Minteh for Gud ?

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Guiu -> Bowen and bench Minteh for Bowen. That's what I did.

      1. DagheMunegu
        • 5 Years
        6 months, 23 days ago

        I have 0 ft and 0 itb

  30. George James
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 23 days ago

    Two questions

    Best mid at 5.6m?

    Will Nick pope play Boxing Day or should I sell for -4 ? have held and on bench boost

    1. BR510
      6 months, 23 days ago

      Garner maybe.

      Keep for now and sell next week