Scout Notes
16 August 2026 36 comments
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It’s time for some more pre-season Scout Notes, as we reflect on two of Saturday’s friendlies.

This time, attention turns to Brentford and Bournemouth.

READ MORE: FPL 2026/27 Pre-season Minutes, Goals + Assists Tracker


BRENTFORD 7-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

  • Goals: Schade x2, Sangare, Thiago x2, Ouattara, Lewis-Potter
  • Assists: Collins, Schade x2, Kayode, Jensen, Thiago

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode (Hickey 64), Ajer (Pinnock 71), Collins, Lewis-Potter (Henry 79), Janelt, Sangare (Anthony 71), Jensen (Yarmoliuk 71), Ouattara, Schade (Damsgaard 71), Thiago (Wilson 71)

SCOUT NOTES

  • Brentford recorded an emphatic 7-0 win over a rotated Eintracht Frankfurt side on Saturday.
  • In their final pre-season friendly, Keith Andrews named a very strong starting XI, with just three alterations from last weekend’s encounter with Rennes: Michael Kayode (£4.5m), Kristoffer Ajer (£4.5m) and Kevin Schade (£6.0m) in for Aaron Hickey (£4.5m), Ethan Pinnock (£4.5m) and Jaidon Anthony (£6.0m).
  • As the scoreline suggests, Brentford completely dominated Frankfurt and looked particularly sharp in the final third.

“It was a really good pre-season full stop. I’m really content with the way we’re moving as a group, the standards we set, the way the players pushed, and there were some really impressive performances today. We’re in a good place.” – Keith Andrews

  • Schade and Igor Thiago (£8.0m) both netted twice, with Dango Ouattara (£6.5m), Keane Lewis-Potter (£5.5m) and Mamadou Sangare (£5.5m) also on the scoresheet.
  • In a commanding display, Schade also supplied two assists. The German was a source of frustration in FPL last season, having missed more big chances than any other midfielder. However, repeats of this performance and he could be set for a successful campaign.
  • Indeed, Schade and Ouattara looked full of confidence on the flanks. After missing a few chances, Ouattara finally got his goal in the second half, having been played in by Kayode. He racked up five shots and 11 penalty box touches for Brentford, the most of any player. As for Thiago, he netted a brace, banked an assist and also struck the post.
  • Defensively, the partnership of Ajer and Nathan Collins (£5.5m) was solid, with the latter a constant threat from set-pieces.
  • Sangare meanwhile marked his Gtech Community Stadium debut with an excellent volleyed goal. He recorded just five defensive contributions (DefCon) in this match, but won several fouls and looked right at home next to Vitaly Janelt (£5.0m) and Mathias Jensen (£5.5m) – who took most of Brentford’s corners and free-kicks – in the middle of the park.
  • Given their performance here, Brentford could keep the same starting XI for Saturday’s opener against Tottenham Hotspur.

Above: Brentford’s line-up v Eintracht Frankfurt, via BBC Sport


Mainz 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH

  • Goal: Evanilson
  • Assist: Silva

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Smith, Hill (Diakite 46), Silva (Stevens 82), Truffert, Cook, Toth, Rayan (Gannon-Doak 70), Kluivert, Tavernier, Evanilson (Jebbison 70)

SCOUT NOTES

  • Bournemouth’s pre-season came to an end in Germany, as they were beaten 2-1 by Mainz.
  • Despite defeat, it was a pretty positive display ahead of next week’s trip to Manchester City, certainly from an attacking perspective.
  • Evanilson (£6.0m) netted Bournemouth’s only goal, after a long ball from centre-back Antonio Silva (£5.0m), who has been brought in to replace Marcos Senesi (£6.0m).
  • Marcus Tavernier (£6.0m) had earlier flashed a shot wide of the post, while Rayan (£6.5m) struck the woodwork from distance. Another midfielder, Justin Kluivert (£6.0m), also looked sharp.

“I’m feeling amazing. Even today I played the whole game, 90 minutes, and I’m feeling good. I’m thankful for that because it’s been a while for me. I feel ready for what’s coming.” – Justin Kluivert

  • Despite those positives, Bournemouth did sometimes look vulnerable defensively, offering encouragement to Erling Haaland (£15.5m) and Antoine Semenyo (£8.5m) owners ahead of Gameweek 1.
  • Marco Rose is expecting six players back for that clash, including Alex Scott (£6.0m), who missed out here after his red card against Real Betis.

“The injured players, we planned the week like they are coming back for the City game. Not everyone for 90 minutes. But I think Tyler [Adams] is on a good way to get back in the team training next week. Brooksy is on a good way, Julio [Soler] is on a good way, Alvaro [Rodriguez] is in a good way. We have Scotty next week for sure. So, I think next week we have five or six more players to choose from for City.” – Marco Rose, via the Bournemouth Echo

  • An update was also provided on right-back Juanlu Sanchez (£4.5m), who is yet to feature for Bournemouth since his arrival from Sevilla.

“Juanlu came with a small injury. The injury was gone, but the problem was that he had not enough training load. So that’s what the data shows. That’s why we need to take care of him. We have to bring him in the right spot, on the right level physically to compete in training and in Premier League games. But he’s in team training as well next week. So, this is the sixth one. So yeah, good, good things.” – Marco Rose on Juanlu Sanchez, via the Bournemouth Echo

  • Amine Adli (£5.0m), however, will be out for “some weeks” with a calf injury.
  • All in all, it’s been a decent pre-season for Bournemouth, who have scored 22 goals across their five friendly matches. That said, the Cherries’ fixtures over the first eight Gameweeks are really poor, so we can probably put their assets on hold for now.


36 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Mr Turnip 1
    • 1 Year
    58 mins ago

    Which vic?

    Muharemovic (GW1-5)

    Vuskovic (GW1, 3-5) + Ajer (GW2)

    1. Nomar
      • 16 Years
      34 mins ago

      Vuskovic doesn’t appear to be a player you bench. Early indications are that he’s going to be a def con beast!

    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      33 mins ago

      Probably A. Brighton look a bit cursed atm.

      I have Rodon & Ajer though. I love both of them.

  2. Steirish
    • 12 Years
    51 mins ago

    Wirtz or Rogers?

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      32 mins ago

      Wirtz I guess, he doesn't play Arsenal in the next 3.

    2. One Man
      • 10 Years
      6 mins ago

      Wirtz.

  3. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    46 mins ago

    Jacquet was incredible.

    1. Ibby_JGoated
      4 mins ago

      Yes I went to the friendly Jacquet was a monster but also i think wirtz and isak werent as sharp as other friendlies

  4. adstomko
    • 10 Years
    44 mins ago

    Think I’m set, to go against the template. Thoughts?

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori - Milenković - Murillo
    
Semenyo - Mbeumo (C) - MGW - Wirtz
    Isak - Thiago - João Pedro
    
(Kinsky - Rogers - Branthwaite - Jacquet)
    (BB GW1)

    1. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      3 mins ago

      For a BBGW1 i think you need more than 1 Arsenal for Coventry at home

    2. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      2 mins ago

      I.know you cant have them all but after that performance v City definitely need more than 1

      1. adstomko
        • 10 Years
        1 min ago

        Too expensive & having two is too much of a headache for rotation.

  5. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    32 mins ago

    Good luck all. See you on Friday after deadline.

    Kinsky
    Calafiori - Shaw - Hume
    Bruno - Mbeumo - Tzolis - Gross
    Haaland - Isak - Pedro

    Dubravka - Rodon - Slater - Thomas

    No BB. No plans for WC.

    Few planned moves - (I know they rarely work but still)

    GW 3 - Bruno + Hume ➡ Semenyo + Thiaw
    GW 4 - Mbuemo ➡ Palmer
    GW 5 - Shaw ➡ Tarkowski
    GW 6 - Rodon ➡ Robinson

    Good luck all. 🙂

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      7 mins ago

      gl 🙂

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    28 mins ago

    is arsenal def essential? cheers

    1. Ohh1454
      • 8 Years
      16 mins ago

      Yes for sure at least one

      1. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        9 mins ago

        This

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      5 mins ago

      cheers both

  7. Ohh1454
    • 8 Years
    28 mins ago

    Best 6m mid out of these ?
    A. Le Fee
    B. Stach
    C. Amad

    1. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      10 mins ago

      A

    2. Pumpkinhead
      • 11 Years
      just now

      I think A is the only option of these three

  8. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    22 mins ago

    This non-Haaland team set to go? Happy to take an early WC if it doesn’t work out, also have 0.5 ITB for emergencies.

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel, Muharemovic, Shaw
    Bruno F, Mbeumo, Semenyo, Tzolis
    Isak, Thiago, Pedro

    (Kinsky, Gomez, Hume, Davis)

    1. One Man
      • 10 Years
      6 mins ago

      Good non Haaland draft. I think he’s overpriced this season. I think it’s how one spends that money that will make the difference.

      Isak for instance could match Haaland’s points or get very close for 6m less.

  9. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    22 mins ago

    Fort the first 3 gameweeks -

    Calafiori or O'Reilly?

    1. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      10 mins ago

      C

  10. Pumpkinhead
    • 11 Years
    16 mins ago

    Thoughts on this team (Will BB1). The AI algorithm hate this team only getting the high 70's low 80's, but I like it

    Vert
    Muharemović, Gvardiol, Shaw
    Bruno, Mbeumo, Semenyo, Ndiaye
    Haaland, DCL, Igor Jesus

    Kingsy, Van Hecke, Davis, Gomes

  11. One Man
    • 10 Years
    16 mins ago

    Is O Reilly the most nailed City defender?

  12. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 mins ago

    Thoughts on this GW1 team
    Will play BB in GW1 and WC in GW4

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori, Maguire, Ajer
    Fernandes, Semenyo, ELF, Ndiaye
    Haaland, J.Pedro, DCL

    Kinsky, Muh..., O'Shea, Gomez

  13. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    11 mins ago

    no bb or wc planned. I think I am pretty happy with this team just now. rating/10?
    Raya
    muharemovic jacquet shaw (de cuyper van ewijk)
    bruno F mbeumo wirtz tzolis gross
    haaland pedro (scarlett)

    thank you and gl

    1. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 mins ago

      8.5/10
      Not sure on that defense

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        3 mins ago

        me neither lol

  14. mrtapio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 mins ago

    My team is almost set, it all comes down to this:

    A) Verbruggen(or other 4.5m)+ Mosquera+ Araujo
    B) Lammens + Mosquero + Maguire
    C) Raya + Ajer + Maguire

    Other keeper is 4.0m and other three defenders are Calafiori, O'shea and van Ewijk. No plan for BB and may do WC in GW6. 3-4-3

    1. mrtapio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 mins ago

      Lammens could also be 2x 4.5m keepers rotation

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      2 mins ago

      all seem good options. how nailed is araujo? maybe c as raya is set and forget

  15. FPL_Gout free team reveal:

    Raya
    Gabriel/Maguire/Muhremovic
    Mbeumo/Tzolis/Bruno/Wirtz
    DCL/Isak/Pedro

    Verbruggen/Sangare/Diop/van Ewok

    Gnonto injured unfortunately.
    Thankeeee

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      1 min ago

      wc gw2 if haaland hauls v bournemouth? drop gabriel and get haaland imo. gl 🙂