Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Salah Delivers

Liverpool’s star man is on the mark yet again to help offset some of the damage suffered by those without Sergio Aguero following his four-goal haul.

It wasn’t quite the 21 points produced by the Man City striker on Saturday, but Mohamed Salah’s goal, assist and two bonus in the Reds’ 2-0 win at Southampton was another good job well done by the prolific Egyptian.

Some 22.1% of Fantasy Premier League (FP) managers made him Gameweek 27’s most captained player and enjoyed a 13-point tally – the 12th double-figure performance of his stellar season – as a result.

Exactly half of FPL’s pre-Gameweek 27 top 100 managers were among those handing him the armband (Aguero was picked by 26), and Salah is now likely to receive similar backing for the foreseeable future.

Liverpool have three home matches, against West Ham, Newcastle and Watford, in the next four, with only Gameweek 30’s trip to Man United likely to dull his captaincy prospects.

Then again, Salah’s form is so irresistible – he’s produced attacking returns in 16 of his last 18 appearances – that even Old Trafford might not be able to tame him.

He set up Roberto Firmino’s opener at St Mary’s before the roles were reversed for the second goal, providing the 39% of managers on the Brazilian with 12 points as their man also took home maximum bonus.

A run of two goals in the previous six Gameweeks had persuaded 93,000+ to sell Firmino ahead of Saturday’s deadline, but he now has 12 goals for the season – his best ever league total – as he continues to do battle with Jamie Vardy for the mid-price forward slot. Surprisingly, however, Firmino still ranks fourth for sales so far ahead of Gameweek 28.

Liverpool defenders have been rather less prized assets this season, but today’s clean sheet made it two shut-outs from their last four matches, both of which have come away from home.

It was also the first clean sheet the Reds have kept with Virgil Van Dijk (5.5%) in the side.

The Dutchman will now be considered as the ideal replacement for Nicolas Otamendi, particularly if Man City’s FA Cup tie with Wigan goes to a replay, thus taking them out of the Gameweek 28 meeting with Arsenal. City will also miss Gameweek 31 should they progress past the Latics.

Liverpool have no such worries, their fourth round exit in the cup ensuring that Gameweek’s fixture against Watford will definitely go ahead.

In fact, the Reds’ lack of FA Cup duty should be a real boon for Fantasy managers, lessening the threat of rotation despite their upcoming Champions League commitments.

Gameweek 29’s visit from Newcastle might be the exception, however, coming as it does just three days before the second leg of their European tie against Porto, with the United match following that four days later.

The magnitude of the later two fixtures suggests that coach Jurgen Klopp will field his strongest possible sides in both, perhaps creating anxiety for that teamsheet against the Magpies.

Unholy times for Saints

Southampton’s 3-2 win at West Brom last week proved to be a blip and they’ve now won just twice in the league since Gameweek 13.

They did at least force Loris Karius into four saves today, helping the Liverpool stopper earn a bonus point, but both form and fixtures are stacked against them now.

The Saints will play just two of their next eight matches at home, and one of those is against Chelsea.

Four of their next five (STK new swa whu) involve relegation rivals and will likely decide their fate as the schedule turns rather spiteful from Gameweek 33.

All of that means their assets have little to no Fantasy appeal now.

James Ward-Prowse’s run of three goals and two assists from his previous four starts prompted more than 78,000 managers to draft him in this week.

The midfielder did at least put in a shift for his new owners, delivering three key passes and having two efforts on target – both team-leading figures on the day.

But his withdrawal on 70 minutes suggests his pitch-time could even be in doubt again, having played 90 mins in each of the last four matches.

Just to dimish the lure of their players further, Southampton will miss Gameweek 31 if either they, or their scheduled league opponents Swansea City, win in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.

The Saints travel to West Brom, while the Swans are also away, at Sheffield Wednesday.

2,012 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all,

    1.6 itb, 1FT
    I'm thinking one of Adrian/Speroni to Karius may be the move, good plan ?

    Adrian, Speroni
    Mawson, Mee, Maguire, Alonso, Kenny
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Walcott, Son, Shaqiri
    Wilson, Firmino, Kane

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'd personally prefer VVD, but yeah, not a bad shout.

      Be prepared for him to possibly lose his spot though.

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        That doesn't fill me with confidence! Would have to be Speroni out then if he could be dropped, can't chance not having a keeper.

        If prefer VVD too TBH. Plenty of time to deliberate before next GW anyway, cheers. FA cup could present some new options in goal too for 31.

  2. grifster69
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hi any help appreciated.
    Wondering how best to exploit chips for the H2H league last 8(and hopefully so on) Is a good chunk of cash for winner and have never been in H2H league before. Have all chips remaining.
    Thanks...

  3. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who is the best Lingard replacement for up to £9.5m?

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on who your other midfielders are......

      1. Ëð
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Salah, Stirling, Walcott, Chupo 🙂

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Where has the cash come from?

      1. Ëð
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Otamendi downgrade amongst other things!

    3. Ben the Mee
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Keep tabs on Mahrez? Wouldn't get him in for the next gw but if he can play at the levels he was before the transfer saga he'd worth a shout

        1. Ëð
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Definitely keeping tabs on him.

    4. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Alexis Sanchez....oh what could have been.

      Spurs mids anyone?

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        You got a bit unlucky there, the move made perfect sense on paper!

        Yea, I am eyeing Hazard to Eriksen.

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Not sure about perfect sense but do feel a little unlucky. Onwards and (maybe) upwards!

          Eriksen probably the one to get at the moment but doesn't quite fit in with my plans which is annoying. Had eyed this up:

          Sanchez, Alonso, Lingard and Ibe to KDB, Alli, Shaqiri, Robertson.

          0.2m off getting Erisken instead.

          Not that it matters, might all change after the FA Cup results 🙂

          1. J0E
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            I'd swerve personally re Spurs mids.

            Sigurdsson could be a good one to get. Or get a cheap mid and invest in a power frontline.

            1. andy85wsm
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Alli doesn't look shooting on target recently I see...

      2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Mehhhybe, we’ll see

    5. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez, Quaner > Miki/Arnie, Firmino (-4)

      Would give me front 8 of

      Sterling, Salah, Shaq, Ibe, Miki/Arnie
      Aguero, Kane, Firmino

      Yay or nay folks?

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe not Arnie after looking at fixtures...

    6. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Will probably use FH in GW35 so plan on adding useful GW31 players.
      Pope Elliot
      Alonso Otamendi Vertongen Bauer Kenny
      Salah Sterling (V) Richarlison Lingard RLC
      Kane (C) Firmino Wilson
      1 ft. 0.3m itb.Will wait of course but first thinking...
      A) Richarlison to Shaqiri
      B) Richarlison&Lingard to Walcott and Milivojevic-4
      C) Other

    7. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lots of FH chatter with the trend seemingly to play the FG in BGW35 a d loading a bit up for BGW31 ...

      But how many players though do you already have today for GW35, assuming the following fixtures ?

      6 for me

      Arsenal v West Ham
      Everton v Newcastle
      Leicester v Southampton
      Stoke v Burnley
      Watford v Crystal Palace
      West Brom v Liverpool

      Man City v Swansea
      Bournemouth v Man Utd
      Brighton v Spurs
      Chelsea v Huddersfield

      1. mookie
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        You will play BB in GW34 and have 6 players for GW35?

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          BB in 37

      2. Wardinator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I guarantee at least 3 or those 6 players you will not want in your team by the time GW35 comes around. A lot can change in 10 weeks.
        Injuries, loss of form, dropped, rotated, better options emerge, etc

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I think I will have a few more, with 2 free transfers and a -4 flowing from my DGW34 team 🙂

          1. Wardinator
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Good luck

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Not decided yet, the FA Cup results and draw will be the driver for my decision, but totally open minded

      3. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        4

    8. FantasyFootballSprout
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at the way the blanks and Wildcard situation has played out this season, those who have blown the Free hit already have had an absolute shocker.

      Good luck

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I played the FH in GW 22 and I am more than happy with it

        1. FantasyFootballSprout
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Might be a different story round 35

      2. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        They deserve a collective LOL

      3. Numb
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Surely depends how many points they gained from when they did use it? Compared to what they could gain from using it in a future week.

        1. FantasyFootballSprout
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yes but even that was such a risk. There’s virtually no risk at all using it at this time of the season with blank fixtures.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Some of us prefer a risky game over stats and planning

          2. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Actually there is big risk with the FH because you get your pre FH team back and no way to deal with injuries or rotation etc that may happen that week (especially with fixture congestion) and just the one transfer in the pot

            1. FantasyFootballSprout
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              May, Might, Could.

              How often do you get more than 2 injuries in between gameweeks? Rarely, and even then you can make a free transfer.

              Let’s just face it, those with all chips left intact are have a much better chance of having a strong end to the season than those without these chips.

              1. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Just putting it out there, and 34 is a double with 35 FA Cup games - that’s 2 or 3 games for most teams in 7 days

                1. FantasyFootballSprout
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  I totally understand your point and it is valid, however it relies on hypothetical scenarios that may or may not occur. Injuries happen all the time and if they do, I’m sure most of us will deal with it accordingly.

                  1. Hotdogs for Tea
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    There is no right or wrong with playing the FH imo, it is relevant to each of us as individuals ... but for me I agree it is safer to keep for a blank game week

      4. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        If they got 30 points more than the team they would have put out the week they used it then they can rightly feel pleased.

        But I must admit in terms of navigating the blanks and doubles having a FH left does potentially make life much easier.

        1. FantasyFootballSprout
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Of course. The beauty about it is not just the potential upturn in points but also the convenience of it. IMO, it was silly to play it before this time in the season when we knew we’d need it.

          I can’t imagine navigating round that 35 blank with 34 and 37 doubles sandwiching it if I didn’t have the free hit. It’s gonna be carnage for those who don’t have it.

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            So which week is looking best to play the fh chip, 34, 35 or 37?

      5. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        What do you know, you’re a sprout.

        1. FantasyFootballSprout
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I’m not just for Christmas though. I’m for life

        2. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I wouldn't let that anywhere near my stuffing balls 😯

    9. Harmonica1967
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Son and Lingard out for

      A). Walcott and Shaq
      B). Walcott and Willian
      C). Walcott and Arnie
      D). Other

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe give Son the Palace game?

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Keep son over Walcott!

    10. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      on a bit of free fall so any advice is welcome, I have all my chips and 2FT, 0.3itb

      DDG Elliot
      Alonso, Stones, Dunk, Ogbonna, Kenny
      Son, Salah, Allen, Sterling, Sanchez
      Kane, Wilson, Niasse

      I have thinking Stones, Niasse and Sanchez to VVG, Firmino and Walcott for -4

      Thoughts are much appreciated

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Reckon Niasse was on your bench?

      2. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        and obgonna- thats 18 points right there!

    11. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso starting tonight?

      Got Maguire's -1 point on the bench.

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Alonso should start

      2. Patrick Bateman
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, I think so - was a strange decision to leave him out against Watford if it was just 'fitness'

      3. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I got Vertongen 8 points on the bench, and Alonso yet to play.

    12. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      It is crazy watching Dele Alli, plays like a 2nd centre forward, but just doesn't seem to score/assist.

      Keeping him for the fixtures and hoping he can find his FF form again.

    13. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      So many people stressing over chips, blanks and doubles. 🙂

      My alternative stress free plan

      A) Spunk the chips early and hopefully make good advances before the blanks and doubles
      B) Relax
      C) Play BB when you have a good bench (radical that one)
      D) Hit away for blanks and doubles

      No need to thank me

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        D) 🙂

      2. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        It's been a proven strategy over the past few seasons that chips are best used in the blanks and dgws.

        Not really rocket science to plan for them.

        But many like you like to play with flair and some are plain impatient.

        Each to their own I suppose.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          C) Isn't rocket science either but people still keep asking which is the best week to play BB when we don't even know who their players are

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Fair point, very annoying 🙂

          2. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Exactly, quite a few on here keep the chips and don’t even know themselves when to play them. They will likely use them in template fashion and fail to maximise their potential anyway.

    14. jamie1972
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Need a 7.7 mid

      a) Wally
      b) Mki
      c) B Silva
      d) Take a -4 and stretch to Mahrez by downgrading Otta

      Cheers

    15. grifster69
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Need to get rid of Masuaka and RLC? Am really scraping the bottom of the barrell? Any advice (9.m to spend)
      Thanks

      1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        someone like Fernandez is cheap and has good fixtures. midfield fodder harder to find. carroll would give you double swans but if you’re going to bench him every week won’t matter

    16. sboj
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      currently 190k overall please any feedback on my planned wildcard
      GK - Pope and 4.0mil keeper
      Def - Davies Bellerin Hegazi Naughton
      Mid - Salah Sterling Mkhitarian up to 6.5mid (not sure yet) Milivojevic
      St - Kane Vardy Firminho

      Thanks a lot!

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Very nice, Monreal over Bell and Shaqiri in mid?

    17. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Early thoughts on transfers for GW28:

      A) Ota, Lingard >> VVD, Shaq (FT)
      B) Ota, Lingard, Haz >>> VVD, Shaq, Wally (-4)
      C) Ota, Lingard, Elliot >> VVD, Shaq, Fabianski (-4)
      D) Something else?

      2FT £0itb
      DDG, Elliot
      Alonso, Otamendi, Fernandez, Duffy, Tomkins
      Salah, Sterling, Hazard, Lingard, Mili
      Kane, Firmino, Ayew

      Appreciate your thoughts! Planning on trying to hold off FH for GW35
      Cheers

    18. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      will there be a WC surgery thread set up around gw32 or so? ofherwise there will be so many RMT on each article

    19. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone else's TV stagnated? I got to 105/6 pretty easily but I've been stuck around 106.2/3 for weeks now.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah that must be agonizing

    20. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Ota > vvd for free? Need to plan for bgw 31 with no fh chip left.

    21. czechow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I've seen the chat about GW 35 including blanks. I was saving my FH chip for 31 and am planning accordingly. Do we know (as a rough estimate) how many teams will blank on 35?

      1. czechow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Given that there will be 3 or maybe 4 fixtures on 31, surely its best to use free hit then? if GW35 has 6 fixtures, you should be able to field 9-10 players right?!

    22. Cityzen Kane
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      3 weeks ago did Kane > Aguero and it has paid off this time around.... but not so sure now on changing back given his form!!

      Worth a -4 to do this...
      Wilson to Kane
      Hazard and Alonso to Doucoure and VVD/Davies

    23. Alex_thekid
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Fantasy football scout are top of the fpl leagues now do we win a prize if we finish top?