Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Gameweek 31 Takes Shape

There are no shocks from Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round ties as Fantasy managers can finally start planning for the disrupted Gameweeks to come with nearly all of the uncertainty removed.

Unless Rochdale pull off a huge upset in their tie at home to Spurs this afternoon, Gameweek 31’s schedule is now sorted.

Four matches will definitely take place:

Bournemouth v West Brom
Huddersfield v Crystal Palace
Stoke v Everton
Liverpool v Watford

As mentioned, Spurs vs Newcastle could conceivably join the list. We’ll know for sure after today’s 4pm kick-off.

Yesterday’s four cup ties added two fixtures to Gameweek 31.

Man United saw off Huddersfield 2-0, with a brace from Romelu Lukaku confirming the Terriers’ home match with Palace.

Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez provided the assists for a clinical United side who struggled to contain their hosts but were ruthless on the break. A controversial VAR offside decision also denied Mata a goal of his own.

Both managers picked strong sides for the match, with Jose Mourinho’s options at the back boosted by a late substitute appearance from centre-half Eric Bailly – his first action since picking up an ankle injury in Gameweek 11.

Paul Pogba missed the match with a widely-publicised illness, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial came on in the second half and David De Gea, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia were given the day off.

United’s blank Gameweek 31, their Champions League commitments and an immediate schedule involving visits from Chelsea and Liverpool over the next three Gameweeks hardly promote investment in their assets.

But Mourinho’s teamsheet for Wednesday’s tie with Sevilla will still be of interest, particularly to those still retaining Jones and Lingard.

The second tie to add a fixture to Gameweek 31 involved West Brom and Southampton.

The Saints pulled off a 2-1 away win courtesy of goals from Wesley Hoedt and Dusan Tadic, with James Ward-Prowse and Guido Carrillo providing the assists.

A spectacular goal from Salomon Rondon, who volleyed home a long Grzegorz Krychowiak pass, proved to be no more than a consolation for the Baggies, who will now travel to Bournemouth for Gameweek 31.

Alan Pardew’s men are in a dark place and their assets not exactly attractive.

Bottom of the league, the board beset by sackings and senior players embroiled in the now-infamous Barcelona taxi incident, West Brom have kept one clean sheet in seven Gameweeks and scored just eight goals in as many matches.

That’s unfortunate for Fantasy managers, who would otherwise consider their options for the run-up to Gameweek 31, given their obliging schedule (HUD wat LEI).

If anything, this fourth Gameweek 31 fixture brings Bournemouth players onto our radars, with Callum Wilson and Junior Stanislas in good form and Fantasy favourite Charlie Daniels offering potential attacking returns, albeit in a defence that’s kept only one clean sheet since Gameweek 14

The Cherries’ short-term schedule is far less promising (NEW lei TOT), though their recent result and performance at Chelsea suggest that Howe’s men are capable of delivering a welcome surprise over this period.

Certainly, those holding Wilson will be encouraged, with the striker also likely to attract new investors leading into Gameweek 31. Similarly, Daniels will go into that Gameweek as one of the few cheap defenders offering good potential for a clean sheet and attacking points.

Elsewhere…

Yesterday’s other two ties involved a 3-1 for Brighton over Coventry in which record signing Jurgen Locadia scored a debut goal from an Anthony Knockaert cross.

Connor Goldson doubled their advantage before the on-loan Leonardo Ulloa marked his return to the Seagulls with the third. Markus Suttner and Bruno Saltor provided the assists.

The only downside was an injury to stand-in keeper Tim Krul, who was replaced at half-time after a collision with Coventry goalscorer Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Brighton’s win confirmed that their Gameweek 31 trip to Man City will now have to be rescheduled, not that Seagulls players are attracting much interest anyway.

Their run-in involves five of the top six, including three of them – Spurs and Man United at home and Liverpool away – across their last four fixtures.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City played out a drab 0-0 draw at Hillsborough.

Swans’ coach Carlos Carvalhal made six changes to the side that had beaten Burnley last weekend and was forced into another when the 3.7%-owned Alfie Mawson injured his knee in the warm-up.

Kyle Naughton replaced him, while popular striker Jordan Ayew (13.6%) came on after the break as Swansea searched in vain for a winner.

The replay will take place on Tuesday, February 27 – between a trip to Brighton and a visit from West Ham.

Regardless of that result, their Gameweek 31 fixture with Southampton will now have to be moved as the Saints will be in quarter-final action that weekend.

The Quarter-Final Draw

United’s win at Huddersfield yesterday evening was followed by the draw for the last eight in the FA Cup:

Swansea/Sheff Wed v Rochdale/Spurs
Man United v Brighton
Leicester v Chelsea
Wigan/Man City v Southampton

The winners of those ties will play in the semi-finals on the weekend of April 21, which coincides with Gameweek 35.

The league fixtures guaranteed to remain in that Gameweek are:

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

Should United lose to Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, then their fixture away at Bournemouth would also remain in Gameweek 35.

Similarly, a Chelsea defeat would confirm the Blues’ home match against Huddersfield.

Other than that, the other ties require a range of permutations and results in order to survive the need for rescheduling.

With Champions League and Europa League semi-finals taking place in the midweek leading into Gameweeks 36 and 37, the postponed fixtures from Gameweek 35 look certain to take place in Gameweek 37: the midweek before the final Gameweek of the season.

Revisiting The Free Hit Chip

The debate as to whether to use the Free Hit chip in either Gameweek 31 or 35 was leaning towards the latter window and the quarter-final draw appears to back up that argument.

Gameweek 35 already involves one more match and with the potential addition of at least two extra fixtures should FA Cup results fall right.

The schedule includes Liverpool once again, plus an Arsenal side possessing a number of attractive attacking options who have a very strong home encounter against West Ham.

Free Hit managers should have enough talent on offer to take advantage of the remaining Gameweek 35 fixtures; arguably the balance between inactive and active players looks likely to be better in that respect than in Gameweek 31.

However, non-Free Hit managers could also look to exploit Arsenal.

They are set to have a double Gameweek 34 and, of course, play in Gameweek 35. So the advantage for Free Hit managers regarding Arsenal’s Gameweek 35 assets may yet be minimal.

Burnley are another team set to be given a double in Gameweek 34, who are also active in Gameweek 35.

For those now set on the Gameweek 35 Free Hit, planning for Gameweek 31’s blanks must take precedence.

There are four free transfers available – five for those who carried over from Gameweek 27 – ahead of the Gameweek 31 deadline.

Managers must now assess their existing Gameweeek 31 assets and plan additions, taking care not to be blinkered and avoid considering those players inactive in Gameweek 31, but with strong potential for points.

The sweet spot for the majority of non-Free Hit managers for Gameweek 31 could be eight players, with Mohamed Salah surely already booked in as the Gameweek captain.

Around him, the following assets are likely to be among the leading contenders for recruitment over the next four Gameweek deadlines:

Loris Karius
Jordan Pickford
Virgil van Dijk
Charlie Daniels
Mohamed Salah
Theo Walcott
Xherdan Shaqiri
Sadio Mane
Roberto Firmino
Callum Wilson
Oumar Niasse

The likes of Christopher Schindler, Ahmed Hegazi, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Junior Stanislas, Salomon Rondon, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Gerard Deulofeu make up some of the differential contingent and names that will doubtless figure in a Free Hit XI.

The question is, do the potential points from three or four of those players give an XI a major advantage over a seven or eight-man non-Free Hit line-up?

A 20-30 point swing could be achieved, but is dependent on hitting the correct differentials. Given the names on offer, that appears difficult to pull off.

Instead, those booking the Free Hit for Gameweek 31 will look to exploit their remaining transfers over Gameweeks 28-30 in the hope they can gain more advantage by acquiring profitable non-active Gameweek 31 players.

1,611 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Time to sell my Toon triple up of Dubravka, Darlow & Elliot?

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Now that's impossible

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      😀

  2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Moura scores. Yess. Son to mane is on now

  3. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    PEN denied .. REF bottled it..

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Not a penno

  4. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Son now behind Lamela and Moura in the pecking order.

    1. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I take it you don't own Son. You seem obsessed with this.

  5. Rik Waller
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Mbemba not an option now?

  6. tm245
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Lamela on for Winks

  7. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Draw the square in the air Goddammit.

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Do they have squares in Rochdale?

      1. MTPockets
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Walkers

    2. Football Heaven
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Lucas, son, or Lamela?

      1. Zilla
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        None to be honest

        1. Duffy Dunk
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          This. Rotation

    3. SAUCY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kane, Aguero and Firmino anyone? Set and forget.

      1. Zilla
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Ship sailed on that one, GJesus is now back and training

        1. SAUCY SALAH
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          The form he's in, I can't see him being rotated much at all. Certainly not as much as before anyway, plus golden boot to chase.

          1. Unliklinho
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Yep, you tell yourself that...

            1. SAUCY SALAH
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Would you take out someone who has just scored 4 in one game?

              1. Rostah
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Because they’ve won the league already and have 3 other trophies to win

                1. Unliklinho
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Fwiw I think the only one close to nailed in that team now will be De Bruyne.

                  1. Rostah
                    • 9 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Agreed. I have Aguero, and am planning on keeping until Jesus starts a game ahead of him. It’s fairly obvious that day will come. I do think he’s worth holding until then, but once Jesus starts ahead of him it’s a weekly guessing game and not worth it any longer

                  2. SAUCY SALAH
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Which kind of feels wrong when Aguero has been arguably just as good

                2. SAUCY SALAH
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  True, I just think he's worth holding until at least it's mathematically won.

                  1. Rostah
                    • 9 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Worth keeping until Jesus starts a match ahead of him I think, not scrambling to get rid of him myself but very aware that his time in my team is coming to an end.

              2. Unliklinho
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                I have. Its counterintuitive for sure, but they are still in two cups, the league and the champions league, plus they have a cushion at the top. I think rest and rotation ahoy from here on no matter what form one of their oldest players happens to be in...

                1. SAUCY SALAH
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Fair, it just feels so wrong. I'd kick myself so hard if I did and he hauled again

                  1. Unliklinho
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 8 months ago

                    Once Jesus is properly back I'm pretty sure he'll get the start in all the easier league fixtures for the rest of the season.

          2. Zilla
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            If you can afford your 12m striker to not play every game then sure go ahead then. I had him while he was being rotated and if he plays then he will probably score, but that's a big if.

            1. SAUCY SALAH
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Because of the recent hauls I think I can afford for him to miss 2 or 3 until the end of the season

              1. Rostah
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                If he only misses 2 or 3 then I think your correct. The question lies in will it only be 2 or 3 he misses with all the fixtures City have on the horizon if they keep progressing in the various competitions. Its a high risk high reward situation. If it works out he'll be an amazing differential for you in a few weeks!

                1. SAUCY SALAH
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Cheers, hopefully!!

    4. tm245
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Did that old man just bust out a few dance steps?

        1. tm245
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Perfect

    5. how now brown cow
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      BBC not so good at filtering out the rude songs.

    6. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      How many Rochdale players should I bring in for 31 ?

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        minimum 3

      2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        If it were up to me you could have all of them.

      3. Rainer
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Just Henderson.

        He averages a goal every 70 minutes against Prem teams.

      4. Yozzer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        They as good as bournmouth and Stoke defenders

    7. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      The BBC are so afraid of anything not politically correct/rude , constantly apologising if there is bad language. Getting tired of the BBC.

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Well it is before the watershed and kids are watching

        1. df34
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Indeed, but they seem to apologise more than any other TV station.

        2. df34
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Additionally , I don’t think it is fair to hold the BBC to account if some random person is swearing ,hence the apology is not needed from them.

          1. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            That's not really possible though is it.
            Irrispective if that, bbc are the hosts, and hence they are responsible.
            This site bans foul language by algorithm but don't see anyone getting all worked up about that.

            1. df34
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Think I’m just bored of people having to apologise in case their actions offend someone.
              Fair point on BBC being the host 🙂

              1. df34
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 8 months ago

                Unless of course their actions are very bad!!

                1. potatoace
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  6 years, 8 months ago

                  Fair enough. It pisses me off too. I don't understand why they have to pan into the crowd all the time and focus on some Neanderthal and then wonder why they have to apologise for their actions. Idiots

      2. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Part of broadcasting regs.

      3. Yozzer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Yer agree. Pretty soon it will be illegal to swear in this country . Sorry situation

      4. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I don't see why they don't just have a delay of 2 seconds instead of being literally live, that way someone can mute the swearing n shit.

        1. df34
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Fair point, but I wonder is it anything to do with betting and that someone out there would have a faster feed and gain an unfair advantage?

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Maybe, but that's not BBC's problem. I could see the issue if it was Sky as they run gambling.

            1. df34
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Yep , why should the BBC care? Unless they’re afraid viewing numbers would be down if the betting angle was taken out of it?

        2. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          You said sh*t !
          I'm telling

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            It's ok. Mark can apologise on my behalf.

            1. potatoace
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              🙂

          2. df34
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            🙂

        3. Unliklinho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Anyone remember Shaun Ryder on TFI Friday back in the day?

          1. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Yep .
            Remember Jools Holland on the tube yelling the f word and the show going blank. He or the tube was never seen again. Wonder whatever happened to Jools Holland....

    8. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      This game is a great example of how FPL can ruin football for me. As a football fan, I like to cheer on the smaller team, but as an FPL manager with only Kane from Spurs or Newcastle, I want them to progress so their game is postponed...

      1. diesel001
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Come on Spurs!

    9. Zebras
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If we can switch gears from BGW planning, which should you rather have for the upcoming gw28?

      A. Walcott vs Watford
      B. KDB vs Arsenal for a hit

      Cheers

      1. Yellin' in my Ear
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        A. Not sure B is worth the hit for one game

        1. Zebras
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers. Will keep faith in Theo

      2. diesel001
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        A

    10. tm245
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Dele on for Lucas

    11. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Moura getting a rest.

      Dele ON.

    12. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Son > Mahrez worth a hit? (Azpi or Alonso > VVD will be my FT).

    13. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Wanyama doing a Sterling.

    14. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Alli has a very punchable face, doesn't he?

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        He does.

      2. Yozzer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Funny though i was thinking this about Bobby Madley earlier 😆

        Though not as much as Jess Lingard's who has to own the most punchable mooey on the face of this planet

    15. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      When will be the replay if score stays like this ????

      1. Rainer
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        The 27th or 28th of Feb.

        1. The Final Boss
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Ok.....

    16. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Alli should have dived there.

    17. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kane coming on

      1. diesel001
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        For Llorente

    18. The Final Boss
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kane coming....

    19. Waynoo
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kane coming on

    20. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Get that yellow flag off. Kane coming on.

    21. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Get the flag off!

    22. tm245
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kane on for Llorente

    23. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Son playing 90 mins. Get rid

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Isn't it over a week till the next game?

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          So what. Rotation inbound. Its so clear

      2. Rainer
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Son is playing? 😮

      3. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        8 days until their next game.

      4. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Worth it for a hit? For Mahrez?

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Hit
          Mm. Nah

    24. Gobigorgohome
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kane in