Scout Notes
18 January 2026 206 comments
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Sunderland’s impressive home form continued with a victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Here are our Scout Notes from the Stadium of Light.

SUNDERLAND’S EXCELLENT HOME FORM

Sunderland extended their unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light to 11 matches, as they triumphed 2-1 over Crystal Palace.

The Black Cats now sit fifth in the home table, having racked up six wins and five draws:

They’ll have a fine chance to extend that impressive home record when they play host to Burnley in Gameweek 24, too.

Regis Le Bris’ side came from behind to beat a beleaguered Palace outfit 2-1 on Saturday, thanks to goals from Enzo Le Fee (£4.9m) and Brian Brobbey (£5.5m).

The budget duo have now delivered a couple of attacking returns apiece in the last three Gameweeks, with Le Fee bouncing back from his Panenka penalty miss at Brentford in style.

As for Brobbey, he put in a hell of a shift up front and caused all sorts of problems for Palace’s backline, with his superb second-half finish the highlight.

“Brian is getting better game after game; you can feel it. His teammates are really comfortable playing through him when he is in the box. When he is in the box, he is a massive threat, and he has built some strong understanding with them. Now we are seeing the best version of Brian.” – Regis Le Bris on Brian Brobbey

MUKIELE SUPERB

Defensively sound, particularly after the break, Sunderland restricted Palace to just 0.69 expected goals (xG).

Nordi Mukiele (£4.4m) once again excelled for Sunderland in Gameweek 22. He provided the assist for Le Fee’s equaliser, marking his fourth attacking return of the season, and banked defensive contribution (DefCon) points.

His DefCon success rate now stands at 55%, ranking him eighth among defenders with a minimum of 500 minutes played.

And with plenty of quality driving up the right flank on Saturday, Mukiele is now the seventh top-scoring defender in FPL, with 98 points.

Elsewhere, the out-of-position Trai Hume (£4.5m) produced a match-high four shots and played very well, almost finding the net late on.

Reinildo Mandava (£3.8m), meanwhile, made his first start for the Black Cats since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

GLASNER “FEELS ABANDONED”

This defeat capped off a miserable week for Palace, who are set to lose club captain Marc Guehi (£5.3m) to Manchester City in the coming days.

Oliver Glasner might be off sooner than the summer, too, in light of his post-match outburst.

“I feel we are being abandoned completely. I can’t blame any player. They did everything they could and this has been going on for weeks and months now. We have 12, 13 players from the squad available and we feel no support. The worst thing is selling our captain one day before playing a Premier League game. We are preparing, it’s the first [full] week we are training since September, and then we are selling our captain one day before a game. So, I have no understanding of this. I have always kept my mouth [shut], but I can’t because I have to defend these players, because it was the 35th game today. Yes, we get under pressure here and we are unlucky. But again, you can’t react, we can’t help them, it makes it really tough.

“If you get your heart torn out twice this season, one day before a game, it was with Eze in the summer, it was with Guehi now… what should I tell the players all the time? What should I tell them? And then I see the performance today for 50, 60 minutes – it was not easy with all the circumstances going on here with 12 players from the squad. I look at the bench, I can’t react, just kids on the bench, and this has not happened yesterday, this is weeks ago. That’s why I’m really frustrated today.” – Oliver Glasner

Palace are now 10 matches without a win in all competitions, with Chelsea up next in Gameweek 23.

On Saturday, Yeremy Pino (£5.8m) added to his FA Cup goal with another impressive strike, lifting the ball over Robin Roefs (£5.0m) to put Palace ahead.

But they failed to build on that lead, with two big misses from Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m), who has also been linked with a move away from the club this month. The Frenchman also had the ball in the net, but the linesman’s flag went up.

Elsewhere, Maxence Lacroix (£5.1m) remained in the middle of the back three, with Jefferson Lerma (£4.9m) lining up in Guehi’s position to his left.

But only Chris Richards (£4.4m) banked DefCons, achieving this for the fourth time in his last five matches. On the other occasion, he fell just one short of the defender threshold, finishing with nine.


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  1. Captain Mal
    • 1 Year
    5 months, 2 hours ago

    Haaland to Barry for a hit?

    1. DannyD
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 2 hours ago

      Do it!!

    2. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Easy move.

      1. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Barry has 3 goals in the last 4 games. Haaland scored one lucky pen during that time. As easy a move as they come.

    3. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Did it last week

  2. djman102
    • 17 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Been listening to the games, but just now checking my score.

    No complaints, but can anyone tell me how Thiaw managed 3 bonus without hitting defcon?

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 46 mins ago

      Chances created, passing completion stats etc are more important than DC to get baps.

  3. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    I posted that I was thinking about playing BB, but decided against it because it meant including Dub v Liverpool. Needless to say Dub got 5pts and my other subs got 21pts. It’s becoming comical now 😆

    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Wild gameweek, many surprises. 24pts on the bench for me, but never really considered it if I'm being honest.

      1. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Yes I have 8 from O'Brien and 5 Dubravka 4 Garner the latter two I was going to get rid of.

        Although my only two players to get more than 2 points were Chalobah and Gabriel so defenders were not the problem.

    2. djman102
      • 17 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Had the exact same thought on BB this week. Only Leeds' last minute winner saved me from a similar fate (Andersen 3rd sub)

    3. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      6 points on my bench with Senesi to go! Not that my actual XI are doing much damage.

    4. GlamRock Chauffeurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months ago

      35 on my bench. Almost double the rest of my team. Fair play to them, no hard feelings.

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        4 months, 29 days ago

        Oof :/

  4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Will need a van Hecke hattie to save my GW

    1. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Haha, same here!

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 45 mins ago

      Season.

    3. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 27 mins ago

      Will be welcome

  5. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Give Foden and Cherki the Wolves game or move one or both?

    A) keep both for Wolves
    B) Cherki or Foden > Enzo
    C) Cherki and Foden > Enzo,Bruno F -4

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      I'm giving Foden and O'Reilly one last hurrah. Then out they fking go.

    2. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      C is sound, but not for a hit. B, then get Fruno next week. Maybe Cherki out first, Foden could surprise us yet.

    3. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      I would keep them for that but no guarantee they play. Same problem with Man City although Guehi will surely start every one.

    4. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 26 mins ago

      One last hurrah

  6. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Was an obvious GW to BB. I have 26 with Minteh to go on the bench, but couldn't as the dog stole the phone just before deadline as a prank, hence taking away my moment to press the button. But that's a story for another day!

  7. Punned It
    • 1 Year
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    It's just silly to hope for anything from Palmer or JP, right? I think I need Enzo v. Palace falling apart.

  8. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Not sure what to do with VVD, actually if Dorgu keeps his place, I have an issue only in GW23. Thoughts on these options?

    1) 23: VVD to Chalo, 24: Saka to Palmer or -4 to sell Ekitike, benching Dorgu

    2) 23: Keeping FT, 24: Saka Potts Ekitike to Palmer Rice 4.5fwd -4, playing Dorgu and benching VVD

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      VVD to Chalobah, then Saka to Enzo or Rice.

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Or maybe just forget about Palmer, then question of Chalo vs FT anyway?

      1. Punned It
        • 1 Year
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Yes, forget Palmer. Chalobah's a top pick!

  9. Gazzpfc
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Wildcard last week

    Roefs (Dubravka)

    Timber Gabriel Chalobah (Frimpong Alderete)

    Enzo Wirtz Rice WIlson (Taverner)

    Haaland Thiago Ekitika

    Next week Wirtz to Bruno

    Anything to change

    ???

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Stick to the plan. Maybe play Frimpong over Timber

  10. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Which one?

    A) Rogers -> Bruno G
    B) Rogers-> Semenyo
    C) Watkins -> Thiago
    D) Watkins -> Ekitike

    1. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 20 mins ago

      Not keen on any. C probs

  11. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    season going to dogs...4th red arrow in 5 weeks including my first 8 digit gw rank

    Real life quality is poor enough to watch, fpl now following its lead.

    down to 20k OR. will be 100k in a few weeks at this rate

    1. HAKUNA MATETA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Might aswell quit now.

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 57 mins ago

      I’m gonna catch you and there’s nothing you can do about it

      35 points for me this week

    3. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      5 months, 50 mins ago

      Yes the premier league is officially the farmers league. What a sad season. No quality just fish-killing fartsss

  12. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Decided not to be a sheep so I captained Watkins. Pain knows no end 🙁 at least, I was courageous!!

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Sheep, jackal, emu. Everyone got fked equally this GW.

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        5 months, 50 mins ago

        Need to be a Tiger to be number 1

    2. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 55 mins ago

      If Haaland does nought next week, I think I'm better off capping defenders.

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        5 months, 52 mins ago

        I see you capping Gabby very soon

        1. Punned It
          • 1 Year
          5 months, 47 mins ago

          Chalobah could be a decent pick if Gabby has a tricky match as well.

  13. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Last Man Standing Update (380 teams)

    Current safety score = 29
    Top score = 66

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

    1. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 29 mins ago

      Need a Senesi return to stay in it.
      Only 25 so far.

  14. Manani
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    bench 1:

    A. Timber
    B. Chalobah
    C. OReilly
    D. DCL
    E. Wilson

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      C

    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      C is the correct answer

      He will either be subbed on at HT or subbed off pre 60.

  15. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Played Van De Ven over Tarko. What a champ I am...

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 26 mins ago

      Ouch. Just lost his DefCon too. Again.

  16. FantasyTony
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Do people judge quality by whether Liverpool are winning or not.

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Yeah, safe to assume the quality is poor if Liverpool are winning.

  17. Vazza
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 57 mins ago

    What are the M Nunes rumours?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 53 mins ago

      What?

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 51 mins ago

      What have you heard?

    3. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 1 min ago

      Spotted at the Christie apparently, pretty vile thing to make up if it’s not true, but that’s Twitter for you

  18. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    5 months, 53 mins ago

    This season has the highest number of low scoring GWs if I’m not mistaken.

  19. JayJay96
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 51 mins ago

    Next game week, what transfer would you do??

    Dubravka
    Gabriel - Tarkowski - Nunes
    Saka - Cherki - Rice - Rogers - Neto
    Haaland - Bowen

    Subs: Pope - Mukiele - Thiaw - Barnes

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      5 months, 49 mins ago

      Are you happy with Bowen and Neto?

      1. JayJay96
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 41 mins ago

        Neto yes, Bowen no. Although Bowen has more points than Ekitike and Haaland this week, to which FPL do nothing but gloat about

  20. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 51 mins ago

    Raya Dubravka
    VVD O'Reilly Gabriel Dorgu Mukiele
    Saka Enzo Foden Szobo Stach
    Haaland Ekiteke Guiu
    3ft, 1.7 itb
    A) Roll and WC next week
    B) Foden to Bruno and just take a deep breath, make few changes next week, save WC
    C) Roll and save WC for later

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      5 months, 49 mins ago

      B, have a little redistribution of funds next week and hold that WC.

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        5 months, 48 mins ago

        Or the same with C, but I’d jump on the Bruno wagon asap.

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 28 mins ago

      Bruno not essential this GW

  21. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    5 months, 43 mins ago

    My god, just seen Garner's 29 defcons... New record?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 39 mins ago

      Almost certainly- Caicedo got 23 vs Fulham earlier this season

    2. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 34 mins ago

      An absolute God for us this season.

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      5 months, 26 mins ago

      Yes, 28 was a long time ago

  22. Coupes
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 42 mins ago

    Will Guehi be eligible to play against Wolves

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 40 mins ago

      Should be yes

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 29 mins ago

      Yes

  23. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 39 mins ago

    How many points from these benchers next GW?

    Dubravka (TOT)
    Alderete (whu)
    Tarkowski (LEE)

    1. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 33 mins ago

      10-12

      I’d say 1 cs between the three of them and one of the defenders hitting Defcon would be a fair guess.

    2. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 22 mins ago

      10-11

    3. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      5 months ago

      Who's the last one?

  24. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 30 mins ago

    Which Chelsea asset to bring in for this GW?

    Pickford
    Gabriel VDV O’Reilly
    Saka Rice Cunha BrunoG Wirtz
    Haaland Watkins

    A. VDV > Chalobah
    B. Cunha/Saka > Enzo
    C. Watkins > JP
    D. Save FT

    1. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 28 mins ago

      A or B

    2. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 25 mins ago

      B with Cunha

  25. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      5 months, 27 mins ago

      JP a viable option again? Particularly for this upcoming run of fixtures

      1. Admiral Benson
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 21 mins ago

        Not really. Sharing mins at CF with Delap or sharing mins with Palmer as a #10

      2. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 5 mins ago

        I'd only look at Enzo from Chelsea's attack

    • Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 26 mins ago

      Who the priority transfer out:

      A) Gordon
      B) Foden

      Who should come in first:

      1) Rice
      2) Enzo

      1. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 19 mins ago

        A1

    • Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 19 mins ago

      1st FPL lesson of 2026

      You never bench Tarkowski

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 16 mins ago

        Should I play him over Timber this week if I have Gabriel and Bruno too?

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          5 months, 6 mins ago

          Who's your third defender?

      2. Free Hat
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 3 mins ago

        Lesson well learnt indeed...

    • tbos83
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 14 mins ago

      I am genuinely think of getting rid of Haaland on WC, if only to force me to pick a different cap each week

      1. Mr. Eko
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        5 months, 10 mins ago

        He’ll return BIG in the upcoming fixtures !!

    • g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 10 mins ago

      Bench order correct or just play Gabs?

      Kelleher
      Timber Gabriel Guehi
      Fruno Rogers HWilson Rice Palmer
      Haaland Ekitike

      Dubravka DCL Chalobah Muk

      .1

      1. The 12th Man
        • 12 Years
        5 months, 6 mins ago

        Looks ok.

        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          4 months, 29 days ago

          Ta

    • The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 7 mins ago

      Is anyone interested in Mr Brobbey?

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 29 days ago

        Cheap striker

      2. Free Hat
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 29 days ago

        Maybe Mrs Brobbey