Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Salah Hits New Heights

Liverpool stroll past Watford 5-0 as Mohamed Salah single-handedly ensures a bumper haul for most Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers despite Gameweek 31’s reduced schedule.

The Egyptian was captained by 1.9 million (33.8%), 93 of the top 100 FPL managers and, as revealed by Ragabolly in his new article, 88.8% of the top 10,000.

A further 20,137 used their Triple Captain chip on him – 77.8% of the 25,883 played.

All that backing paid off as Salah delivered a first hat-trick in a Liverpool shirt, with four goals in total (from four shots), an assist and maximum bonus points bringing in a season’s best tally – by any player – of 29 points.

The records he’s accruing stretch ever further.

He’s now scored or assisted in 13 of his 15 home starts this season (17 goals and six assists), netted in his last six home Gameweeks (11 goals) and produced 14 double-figure scores in all.

For all these reasons, even without a double Gameweek to come, Salah surely has to be retained by all bar the bravest of managers.

Liverpool’s fixtures (cry eve BOU wba STK che BHA) are certainly strong enough to support more Salah hauls, but the situation is not so clear-cut for Liverpool’s other attackers.

More than 531,000 managers brought in either Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane ahead of today’s deadline and both delivered.

The latter produced two assists for Salah, both somewhat fortunate as the main man did most of the work to score from them, but it was a fourth successive Gameweek of returns from Mane nonetheless.

Firmino, meanwhile, was denied a first-half strike by a smart Orestis Karnezis save, but got his goal with an audacious flick from Salah’s cross after the break.

The Brazilian now has three goals and two assists from the last five starts, but he is arguably now disposable as managers move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku and Jamie Vardy ahead of their forthcoming double Gameweeks.

That trio are already among the top four most bought ahead of Gameweek 32, although Firmino is currently right behind them in fifth.

Firmino and Mane’s form could also have a bearing on those pondering the Gameweek 32 or 33 Wildcard.

Liverpool go to Palace next and have three of the next four away from Anfield.

Firmino has three goals and two assists from his last six away trips. Indeed, two goals and an assist have arrived over his last three, with the recent defeat at Manchester United his only blank in that run.

Mane has been less productive – he has just a single goal and two assists from his last six appearances on the road. That last strike away from home came back in Gameweek 22 at Burnley.

The other factor to consider is that Liverpool face their Champions League Quarter Final with Manchester City four days after the trip to Palace, with the second leg to follow the Merseyside derby in Gameweek 33. Rotation has not been a concern when considering the Liverpool front three for several months, but this period will certainly be a test for Klopp’s resolve in that respect.

Elsewhere, those managers who didn’t solely invest in the Liverpool front three enjoyed a clean sheet – the side’s 13th of the season – from the likes of Virgil van Dijk and the excellent Andrew Robertson, who boosted his reputation with a superb cross for Salah’s second goal.

That was the full-back’s second assist in four Gameweeks, although there was no such joy for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 3.9% ownership as Joe Gomez returned to the starting line-up after a five-match absence.

Even Robertson’s first double-digit haul of the season is unlikely to save him, or any of his backline colleagues, as managers look for defenders with double Gameweeks to potentially boost their returns.

Substitute Danny Ings set up the final goal on a record-breaking FPL day when many managers ended up with 100+ points from just the four matches played.

2,991 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Ok another WC draft more like the team I would like for 34. Needs more work but getting closer I think.

    DeGea Pope

    Alonso Smalling Mustafi Robertson Naughton

    Salah Mahrez Willian Son Ki

    Firminio Aubameyang Rashford

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      No City a problem or rotation is going to happen sooner rather than later?

      1. TallestJohn
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        None of my WC drafts have had any City but that's probably because I'm bitter that I've basically got rid of every City player I've owned just before they've done something good (KDB first 3 weeks, Silva, Otamendi 3 weeks ago, held Sterling when he didn't play and shipped for Siggy last week).

        I think they will rotate but I should probably listen to the advice I've pedalled all year that they can score points even with sub appearances.

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Not been so bad for me but I could not have sold Otamendi at a worse time. And probably too bitter to get him back on WC too.
          I might give Silva one game and plan swapping him out for Son or Willian for 33 but on WC now that seems a bit silly.

      2. Get up ya bum
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Probably both

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Agree but when factoring in a BB 34 is it too risky?

  2. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Which premium players are we ignoring and are we right to do so for our wc teams ?

    Hazard, Sanchez , Ali or city assets come to mind.

    Hazard has been overcome by Willian but could.still hit the roof , Sanchez hasn't found his feet at united yet so best to avoid , Ali could benefit from kane s absence but son offers better value , city players will be too much a risk of rotation surely, won't they ?

    Any thoughts?

    1. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I've never been a huge Hazard fan in FPL, usually looks better in other people's teams. Trolled me bad this season, 1 assist in 6 weeks but I'm thinking of going back in for him, especially if Chelsea have two DGWs. Could even be a TC option in GW37.

      Sanchez is dreadful and really poor value. I think City players will still do well but it's difficult picking, I'd rather the security of Son or Mahrez.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Agree with all

  3. Sz21
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Current WC team.

    DDG, Fabianski.
    Christensen, Otamendi, Chilwell, Mee, Fernandez.
    Mahrez, Willian, Son, Salah, Ibe.
    Aubameyang, Firmino, Vardy.
    0.0m.

    Suppose the main questions are is this front 3 too expensive (Barnes
    would free up cash) and then how does it sound to spend so much on these 2 keepers..

    Rest of the team suffering too much?

    1. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      This might be the best one I've seen so far! Dream strike trio, still strong elsewhere. You've even got money for Mee and Fernandez rather than Lowton and VDH! Not keen on Chilwell and if you can find the money I think Azpi is still the best Chelsea option.

      Prefer Kenedy to Ibe.

      If the fixtures fall the way we expect, I think those are the best 2 GKs for BB34.

    2. LSP
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Love it.

      Exactly what I'm going for in but with Silva and Barnes instead of Ibe and Vardy.

  4. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Whats wrong with budget options dubravka + fabianski in a wildcard ???
    Seems everybody prefer Degea + fabianski here

    1. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Nothing but they're budget for a reason. Little CS potential.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Dog best value in the defence

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        In the Utd defence

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

      Dubravka has a bad double and neither have a double in 37.

      DDG ticks all the boxes.

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        He is -96 on stats. Nice if he dropped can't see it though.

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

          Double blue arrows now...

          1. Duffy Dunk
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            He'll only be rising now, unfortunately.

    4. Athletic Bilbo
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I think they make a great rotation pair, they are my picks

      #rememberleegrant

  5. sergioaguero67
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    When is the double gameweek scheduled? Which gameweek?

    1. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Not certain yet, but expecting GW34 to be the main one and GW37 to be a smaller one.

      We'll know the schedule soon anyway, definitely before GW32.

    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Based on previous years 34 and 37 will be doubles. Nothing confirmed. But we can pretty much guess 34 dgw and they will be confirmed on Monday I think.

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        35 will have some blanks too.

  6. WVA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    OR barely moved with 98 🙁

  7. davies
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Keep or sell Alonso on WC?

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      As it stands I will hold. 32 fixtures is annoying.

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I don't own him but want him in my WC.

        1. davies
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Probably means 4 budget defenders though, no?

          1. Duffy Dunk
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            I'm trying to squeeze Monreal in too, while keeping Ota (bought him at 5.6).

            1. davies
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              DDG?

  8. Perthite
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Watching the Stoke/Everton replay - why is there one half of the pitch covered with snow & the only half almost clear of snow?

    1. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Shelter better on one side, floodlights heating up that side of pitch, groundsman went home early to watch the rugby.... .

  9. bigbudgie
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Who are the teams with x2 DGWs?

    United, Spurs, Brighton confirmed and then SOU/CHE/LEI depending on results today?

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

      Yes. Southampton & Chelsea wins = 6 double doublers.

      1. bigbudgie
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

  10. Duffy Dunk
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Current wildcard looks like

    DeGea Maenpaa
    Otamendi Fernandez Robertson Monreal Alonso
    Willian Salah Son Mkhi Mahrez
    Murray Firmino Auba

    There's enough money to get Lukaku instead of Auba, to cover ManUtd's nice fixtures too.
    What do you think?

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

      Why otamendy? Prefer spurs def imo. Two premium def is enough to spread cash to 2nd GK

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Keeping Ota for gw32, then turning him to Davies.

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

          Nice mate. GL

  11. Swagat
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    How is this Wild Card Team?

    DDG, Fabianski
    Christensen VDH Lowton Dummett Morgan
    Salah Mahrez Son Silva Willian
    Aubameyang Lukaku Barnes

    Too Weak defence? Any suggestions?

  12. Paul
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Just for this GW

    Lukaku or Auba???

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Currently on Auba, tempted by Lukaku though.

  13. There Can Be Only One
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    W/C is live. Thank god I can get rid of some of the rubbish that I've had in my team

    Chasing in my m/l so am going to try a slightly different approach. Going to focus on 34 and 35 with the wc and fh in 37, so city, ars, bur, lei targeted short term and I get to keep Mo and Bobby as well!! Will look at che, spurs and utd assets for 37.

    Current draft

    Ederson - Fabianski
    Alonso - Otamendi - Chilwell - Lowton - Van der Horn
    Salah - Son - Silva - Mahrez - Ramsey
    Aubameyang - Wood - Firmino

    0.0m itb

    So currently 13DGW for GW34, 10 who will play in 35. And it leaves me to use FH in GW37

    Thoughts?

    1. The Darkest Knight
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      ramsey.... high rotation risk... seems that he will start all europa match

    2. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Ramsey feels a bit risky with rotation threat in league. No Chelsea in there ...Willian or maybe Arnie I'd have ahead based purely on Wenger.
      I'd probably go with Barnes over Wood he is starting - then might be able to upgrade Chilwell to a Maguire dunno?
      I'd say Ederson is a risk you don't need to take with Bravo probably lined up for a few league games once it is won. Plus you have Otamendi.

      1. There Can Be Only One
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Completely agree that Ramsey is a huge risk, but couldn't afford mkhi.

        No Chelsea because all the guys above me in my ml have to cover the the double doubles in their wc. So they'll have to pick spu, che, utd, lei when they wc or they're screwed. And they're more likely to have blanks in 35 then. So i'm covering 34, 35. Hoping to gain ground and then fh 37 when they tc

        I can't put Barnes in my team ever again, I hate him.

        Reckon rotation is a risk for city but am hoping that comes towards the last few games rather than this period

  14. Srv210
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    How did Everton & specially Tosun look in the last game, did they pass eye test or just a unconvincing victory??

  15. Gruu
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Bench one please:

    A. Mounie (new)
    B. Wilson (wat)

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Huddersfield cannot score. Got to bench Mounie I'd suggest.

  16. the snazzy viking
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Any FUT players out there?

    Which FUT Birthday SBC looks better to do - Toure or Rooney?

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Rooney by a mile.

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        cheers - which position would best suit him do you think?

        1. LonesomePundit
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          I have been playing him CAM behind Sterling PTG at ST. But haven't really played him anywhere else.

  17. davies
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Barnes or Ayew (when he’s back)

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Tough one. I actually like having both and stacking the midfield. Ayew probably shades it as Swans have two great games in 34.

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Silly to get him on WC now and just bench him?

        1. LonesomePundit
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Not silly if you want him for 34 and can bench him until then. Depends really if you have any major plans for the transfers in 33/34. Though makes sense to keep one up your sleeve in case of injuries after deadline etc.

  18. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    84 points still a 2k rank drop..... Sad life

  19. FPL ElasticO
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Can anyone tell me which teams will have DGW in 34 & the fixtures??

  20. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Pick one
    A) DDG and rudiger
    B) courtois and Bailly

    1. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      A

  21. FPL ElasticO
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    When will the DGW fixtures be announced?? Can anyone tell me where can i find the DGW fixture list?? Need them to set up my WC team accordingly....

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      They haven't been released yet - likely to be the missing games from 31 in 34 but not confirmed.

  22. HurriKane
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Just realized Salah has almost matched Kane's captaincy points in less than half matches for me. Just wow 😉

    Kane(C)

    Matches: 13
    Points: 146
    Average: 11.2

    Salah(C)

    Matches: 6
    Points: 144
    Average: 24

  23. The Darkest Knight
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Guys, Can we discuss merits and demerits of Wild Carding in GW32 vs GW33???

  24. FPL ElasticO
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Which Liverpool players to keep in WC team??

    A. only Salah
    B. Salah & Firmino
    C. Salah/ Firmino/ Robertson

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      B - with the caveat that I change my mind to A in 34. Rotation would worry me a lot with them for 33 and that Everton game.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      all 3 lad C

    3. Onz
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      B if you have had both for a while and TV is an issue Robertson can be matched or bettered else where.

  25. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    So all the teams winning their FA games will have a blank in 35 and a second dgw in 37 right?

    So it gives them an edge over those who have only a dgw in 34 and not 37?

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

    Hello folks. WC active
    Ddg fab
    Alonso OTA lascelles Naughton mee
    Son Salah mahrez king dsilva
    Auba firmino Murray
    0.1 itb
    A) got Otamendi at 6.2.cash in the 0.1 or keep
    B) got mee at 4.7.is he worth to keep or lowton better option
    C) is dsilva rotation-prone. Is city asset needed and if yes which one??

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      A - depends who else you have your eye on - could allow for a nice upgrade from King to go cheaper at the back.
      B - Mee is due a goal isn't he haha ... not looked at all the Burnley options. Think my first choice would be Tarkowski.
      C - Rotation prone yes. Impossible to pick one - expect whoever scores to go berserk. Jesus might be a nice option, but then might not play. I think perhaps pick a Sane/Silva and get a decent bench then easier to stomach.

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      A) Keep, still a great option. I fell for the rotation malarkey and sold, regret it now. I should have found another way to get Robertson.

      B) Lowton better value in my opinion. Assist potential. They are a very defensive, organized team, so the entire defence usually does well with baps rather than just the cbs.

      C) Evidence so far suggests he'll play whenever available. This may change but my advice would be not to jump before pushed, I made that mistake with Otamendi and it stung. I think at least one is needed. Only them and Liverpool are truly fixture proof and they can win convincingly v anyone and score a lot of goals. I'd say either Sterling or Silva are the best options

  27. We Will Klopp you
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    I have used my free hit and it was a relative success with tosun and Stan + Mane bringing in the additional points. I now have to prepare for 35 without jeopardizing the weeks before that.

    What would you think of getting Sterling and Mkhitaryan, who play in 35 to go along with Salah, Mahrez and Silva in my power five midfield?

    It means no Son or willian but these two are no slouches and I could see then outscoring the former two. Is this a good or bad idea in your opinion?

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I would prioritise Son over two City players. He will potentially be playing upfront and City rotation could well be in full swing by 34.

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers, appreciate it

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

      Nah sterling will be rotated as Liverpool legs are either side of it. Silva aldo maybe with gundogan

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

        So one of them is enough

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers

    3. There Can Be Only One
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I've gone for Silva as my city mf. If there is a chance of rotation, Silva and kdb are your safest options. I doubled up on city defence (ederson and ota) instead of mf. Feel Son is a good option, oop as a cf and on form. Couldn't afford mkhi so have plumped for ramsey instead

  28. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    87 points and OR drops about 2K *:|

  29. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    If Im using FH in 35 then no need of loading on arsenal players right? Is Auba enough or even Monreal in my case?

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal's next four games are very nice I wouldn't be avoiding them - plus come week 35 you might opt to use free hit in 37. However, yeah I think Auba and perhaps a Mkhi is enough.

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      FH35 or not, if you think they will score good points from GW32-34, pick them... 😮

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

    Best 5.5 defender?
    A) smalling
    B) monreal
    C) mustafi
    D) others?

    1. LonesomePundit
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      D. God knows whom!
      Maguire maybe.
      Owned Mustafi for weeks bar last week he has been terrible. Monreal too injury prone. Smalling - no idea if he keeps place when/if Jones returns.

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

        Leicester dont keep cleanies and Maguire is too expensive
        No for me

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Christensen/Mustafi safest from next gw. Monreal most potential but a bit risky with Europa league and his new-found injury proneness. Depends on what you value more.

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

        Forgot Christian. Nailed but always doesn't complete 60 mins and burnt me in the past. Atleast he is nailed