Scout Notes

Maguire delivers on goal threat to fire England to semi-final against Croatia

The all-European World Cup semi-final line-up is complete after England and Croatia got the better of Sweden and Russia in Saturday’s two remaining quarter-finals.

England kept their first clean sheet of the tournament in a fairly comfortable 2-0 win over the Swedes, while Croatia progressed via a penalty shootout for the second round running after being pushed all the way by the host nation.

Value buys Andreas Granqvist and Denis Cheryshev bowed out of our Fantasy squads as their respective countries exited the tournament, but there was relief all round for owners of well-backed English and Croatian assets with transfers at a premium ahead of the next deadline on Tuesday night.

We round up all the goals, assists, clean sheets and Fantasy talking points from Saturday’s two quarter-final matches.

England 2-0 Sweden

TOP-SCORING PLAYERS

      • Harry Maguire (£4.9m) – 11 points
      • Ashley Young (£5.3m) – 9 points
      • Dele Alli (£8.9m) – 8 points
      • Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) – 7 points
      • Jesse Lingard (£7.5m) – 6 points
      • Kyle Walker (£5.7m) – 6 points
      • John Stones (£5.9m) – 6 points
      • Kieran Trippier (£5.5m) – 6 points

After the late-night drama of England’s shootout win over Colombia in the last 16, this was a relatively straightforward success for Gareth Southgate’s side over a dogged but ultimately limited Sweden team.

We highlighted Harry Maguire (£4.9m)’s dangerous threat from set pieces before the match and the Leicester City centre-back duly delivered on his underlying attacking statistics, powering home a header from an Ashley Young (£5.3m) corner-kick to give England the lead on the half-hour mark.

READ MORE: The Big Numbers from the World Cup quarter-finals.

Raheem Sterling (£8.9m), still without a goal at these finals, wasted a glorious chance to increase England’s lead before the break as he dawdled when put clean through by Jordan Henderson (£6.3m).

Dele Alli‘s (£8.9m) two-year wait for an England goal ended just before the hour when he was left unmarked to nod Jesse Lingard‘s (£7.5m) cross past Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen (£5.2m).

England’s other “Harry”, the tournament’s leading goalscorer (£11.2m), blanked and was afforded only one shot on goal from distance in the entire 90 minutes.

On-form Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) made three superb stops to top his clean sheet off with an extra save point.

England XI (3-5-2): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Young, Lingard, Henderson (Dier 85′), Alli (Delph 77′); Kane, Sterling (Rashford 90+1′)

Sweden XI (4-4-2): Olsen; Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Krafth (Jansson 85′); Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg (Olsson 65′), Claesson; Berg, Toivonen (Giudetti 65′)

Russia 2-2 Croatia (3-4 pens)

TOP-SCORING PLAYERS

    • Denis Cheryshev (£5.6m) – 7 points
    • Mario Fernandes (£5.1m) – 7 points
    • Andrej Kramaric (£7.8m) – 6 points
    • Domagoj Vida (£5.5m) – 6 points
    • Luka Modric (£9.1m) – 5 points
    • Mario Mandzukic (£8.9m) – 5 points
    • Artem Dzyuba (£8.1m) – 5 points
    • Alan Dzagoev (£6.9m) – 4 points

England’s semi-final opponents on Wednesday night will be Croatia, who became the first nation since Argentina in 1990 to win penalty shootouts in two successive World Cup knockout rounds.

Russia’s unexpected run in their home World Cup looked liked it might continue when Denis Cheryshev (£5.6m) scored his fourth goal of the tournament in spectacular style, curling home a 25-yard shot after a lay-off from Artem Dzyuba (£8.1m).

Croatia were level before the break though, former Leicester City striker Andrej Kramaric (£7.8m) nodding home after a cut-back from Milan Mandzukic (£8.9m).

Ivan Perisic (£8.5m) wasted the best chance to win the game in normal time, rattling the woodwork from eight yards after a penalty box scramble.

Domagoj Vida‘s (£5.5m) header from a Luka Modric (£9.1m) corner bobbled apologetically into Igor Akinfeev‘s (£5.0m) goal to give Croatia the lead in extra-time, but the hosts restored parity with just five minutes to go.

Alan Dzagoev (£6.9m), making his first appearance since the opening match over three weeks ago, whipped a free-kick onto defender Mario Fernandes’ (£5.1m) head to send the match to penalties.

Fernandes was one of two Russian players to miss from the spot – the other being Fedor Smolov (£7.7m) – and Croatia could even afford the luxury of Mateo Kovacic (£7.5m) failing from 12 yards as they triumphed 4-3 in the shootout.

Russia XI (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev; Fernandes, Ignashevich, Kutepov, Kudryashov; Zobnin, Kuzyaev; Samedov (Erokhin 54′), Golovin (Dzagoev 102′), Cheryshev (Smolov 67′); Dzyuba (Gazinskiy 79′)

Croatia XI (4-2-3-1): Subasic; Vrsaljko (Corluka 97′), Vida, Lovren, Strinic (Pivaric 74′); Rakitic, Modric; Rebic, Kramaric (Kovacic 88′), Perisic (Brozovic 63′); Mandzukic

World Cup Data

We’re delighted to offer World Cup data as an early addition to our regular season offering to help those playing Fantasy games over the summer.

We’ve secured Opta data, not only for the tournament itself, but also from the Qualifying Rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations. This includes all the matches played right up to the tournament kick-off.

Just to stress, this World Cup offering comes packaged with the regular Fantasy Football Scout membership.

Check out this new trailer detailing the World Cup content below…

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458 Comments Post a Comment
  1. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Who are your World Cup transfer targets?

    I'm looking at Pavard, KDB (especially if played further up again), Fellaini (if starting), and Alli.

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

      This is so similar to my transfers except JLingz instead of Alli and bought Griezmann too.

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’m gonna increase my 5 England and totally max them out again. Croatia look shot. England look solid.

      So Pickford, Trippier, Maguire, jlingz, kane and players like Dele and Young are also very intriguing.

      Have to avoid sterling because he counts as a forward.

    3. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’m no

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I’m not keen on the France v Belgium game that much. It’s hard to predict.

        I have Griezman for pens
        Hernandez is the attacking French fullback

        Tolisso has been my differential

        For Belgium I still prefer Kaku over Hazard. Maybe a defender isn’t a bad shout either.

        1. QuintonFortune25
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I fancy Belgium over France so bringing in at least 1 mid (probably KDB) and 1 defender (Kompany). You've also got to think about the next round as Belgium and France are both probably the two best sides in it so will both be favourites in their final or 3rd place matches.

          1. Richd
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            You can’t go thinking a week ahead like that imo.

            The third place playoff is a rotation risk. A final is not.

            Imo You pick the team for this round and then have five transfers next which is loads

            Belgium France is so hard to call. I’d edge france but what do I know

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

    Honestly had him because the budget didn't allow me to get Stones or Trippier, gg

  3. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Harry Maguire's forehead is giving mine a run for my money.

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      😀 😀 😀

  4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Look at the Defnder section on Watford’s squad in FPL... they have 12 4.5+ defenders... starting to have second thoughts on Kiko just from the sheer amount of competition they have

    1. Kante FC
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wait for foster if you're desperate to invest in Watford defence

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

      6 centre backs, 3 right backs and 3 left backs 😀

  5. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Dunno if I wasted max captained. I’d already gone for Griezman and Maguire only got 2 points more. Meh.

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It’s a pretty useless chip.

      Bench boost is too.

  6. Kante FC
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A. Firmino + Cairney/Neves
    OR
    B. Zaha + Sigurdsson

    Rest of team:

    Ryan, Lossl
    Cedric, Daniels, Tomkins, Ogbonna, Boly
    Hazard, De Bruyne, Eriksen, Stephens
    Kane, Tosun

    1. San Marino
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Firm & Cairney for me. Not sure Hazard will start game week 1 after the world cup.

  7. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Well, it was always a Mickey mouse tournament anyways....

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Your women are better.

      Sweden are cool tbf 🙂

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😉
        Just a bit bitter today. I, like the players, feel we didn´t reach our standards yesterday. They looked tired from the start. Our gameplay s completely reliant on the forwards, Toivonen and Berg, starting the defending by pressing so our mids can close the gap to our defence and not let the opposition pass the ball in between mid and def. But we looked finished from the start.

        On another note.
        Where will Fabinho fit in this year? You think he will be nailed?
        And if so, any chance he will be on Pens?
        Love him as a player and feel a bit jelous you got him...

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

      Hard lines Captain. Sweden had a good World Cup all in all. Great results to come out of a hard group.

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Oh yeah, for sure.
        We actually overachieved by getting to the the world cup, getting out of the group and then winning the first knock out stage would have seemed impossible the day Zlatan quit... So in time we the supporters and the players will be happy and proud.
        Today though, we´re pissed that we didn´t manage to perform against England

  8. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Who is Aaron Wan-Bissaka battling for a spot in the starting XI? If it's just Ward, I'm quite confident of him starting.

    1. James H
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'm with you on this, think he's got a decent chance of starting the season as the first choice RB.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He played so well last season. Maybe Palace fans will know more, but he's got to be the favourite to start.

  9. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    World Cup template imo

    Pickford
    Trippier Maguire Hernandez/Pavard
    Lingard Modric
    Griezman Kaku Kane

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I guess an argument for hazard over Kaku is that you then have all the pen takers. But I feel the main 3 is ok due to kakus level of opportunity.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pickford
      Trippier Lovren Pavard
      Lingard Modric KDB Pogba
      Griezmann Kane Lukaku*

      Might have Hazard over Lukaku

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Went Lloris over Pickford. Gonna stack up on France defense. I think they'll keep it clean against Belgium without Meunier. Also more of a differential since everyone else will stack England.

    4. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Im trying not to be template but its not easy

  10. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Would you rather have KDB and 4.4 non-playing mid or Lingard and Fellaini?

    1. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      i think i'd prefer the latter

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      How many players will you have ? Lingard has a better potential than KDB. So I’d go for him and fellaini.

      1. QuintonFortune25
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        With KDB I will only have 12 as I've got a 3.9GK, Inui and Meunier. Think that's just made me realise I need the players so will go Lingard and Fellaini. Cheers!

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah I like it. Especially as they play in the second day of fixtures to sub in for any blanks

          1. Richd
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Oops other way round. You can sub people in if they did blank rather. A bit of depth is nice.

  11. kinghenry14
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    muslera* mvogo*
    trippier pavard granqvist* t.silva* godin*
    rakitic lingard coutinho* golovin* torreira*
    griezmann hazard neymar*

    muslera -> subasic
    silva -> alderweireld
    coutinho -> kdb
    golovin -> fellaini/chadli
    neymar -> kane

    good moves or any other ideas?

    cheers

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I think Pickford and Maguire over alder is a must. But I guess that’s personal preference on whether you prefer England or shattered Croatia.

      1. kinghenry14
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        if i go for pickford and maguire i could also get pogba instead of fellaini/chadli. hm...

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Good shout.

  12. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Who is your favourite cheap 5th mid in a 3-5-2? #FPL

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Masuaku. Great attacking threat

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Such a pity they didn’t leave him as a def 🙁

      2. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He looks ok as a bench fodder in a 3-4-3, not sure i would play him every week.

        Lets say between 5-6m?

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          There's plenty of options at that price point. Usually leave that spot until the end of pre-season (get suckered in by the bandwagon)

          1. Henryyy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Smart!

        2. QuintonFortune25
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Neves?

          1. Henryyy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Good shout, but already have Jota.

      3. Freddo
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        They have a new manager now, can you even be sure that he starts?

        1. St. Joseph
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          This

        2. QuintonFortune25
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Good point, will have to check as if they go to a 4 at the back surely Creswell is first choice LB over him.

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      D. Gray could provide excellent value with Mahrez gone soon. Deulofeu too.

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Cairney

  13. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Need some help from you mates. Got stuck with this team:

    Courtois/Pickford
    Pavard/Hernandez/Strinic/Trippier/Maguire
    Modric/Rakitic/Lingard/DeBruyne/4.4fodder
    Kane/Griezmann/Hazard

    Got -1.1M, so got to los

    1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      (Clicked post acidently)

      ... got to lose some weight. Where would you go? Bring in a fodder GK? Downgrade any player?

      1. QuintonFortune25
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Rakitic to Fellaini

    2. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      downgrade rakitic imo

      1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        But Rakitic could play again ahead of Modric and score the FKs, be already diz that this WC. Fellaini or Tolisso?

  14. St. Joseph
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    For WC semis
    A) Jan Verthongen
    B) Vincent Kompany

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B, goal threat from corners

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

      A

    3. kinghenry14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      b for me

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Neither. Take more France. Cheaper and less likely to concede.

      1. St. Joseph
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Already have lloris and pavard

  15. HamezMace
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A. Alli and Griezmann
    B. KdB and Mbappe

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Alli and Griezmann

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers Camzy

    2. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      B

  16. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Morata @9.0 looks a very enticing option. With Giroud delayed to coming back to Chelsea pre-season and a full summer rest for Morata he seems a high-risk high reward option?

    1. Uncle John from Jamaica
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy at the same price I know who I prefer.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Without Mahrez?

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Did you watch him play last year?

      Will probably get sold and replaced anyway.

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He has the games to do it, just need Chelsea to decide if they want a manager to do any pre season work. I want players from Chels but they need to remove their bonces from their posteriors first.

  17. GW1 squad - player or structure based?
    Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is your approach to GW1 more player-based or structure-based? In 10 seasons I have ALWAYS been player orientated, starting with this player & that player that I definitely want & then filling in the blanks at the end. It has nearly always ended in tears in an early Wildcard after inevitably guessing a lot of the wrong players, or rather timing them wrong, having to transfer them out, then back in again weeks or months later when they inevitably did hit form.

    Maybe a better approach is structure based where you define a value based structure & then shoehorn players into it, and if they don’t hit form, stick to the price range when selecting their replacement. I don’t know if that would work at all, and maybe you need to leave 1.0-2.0 ITB to really make it work properly/give. Bit of flexibility on transfers.

    But say for outfield example below assuming a 9.0-10.0 spend on GK’s:

    Expensive-Midprice-Cheap-Cheap-Cheap (24.0)
    Expensive-Expensive-Midprice-Cheap-Cheap (40.0)
    Expensive-Expensive-Cheap (26.0)

    1. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      structure based. Can't understate the importance of flexibility to jump on early bandwagons when most FPL players are active.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        What structure do you use?

        1. Bambi
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          same as yours

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Cool, which 4 expensive players did you go for in midfield/attack? I have Salah, KDB, Firmino, but don’t actually have a 4th which makes me think I need an extra big hitter

            1. Bambi
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              At the moment i'm trying to fit 4 hitters + D.sivla as I feel he is far superior to most mid-priced mids.

              Auba, Firmino, Salah, Sane, D.silva - Double Pool and City attack.

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Hmmmm... The thing hat would concern me with any city Attacker who is not KDB is rotation, particularly with Mahrez incoming. At the end of the day they can only field 4 of these 8 players: Jesus, Kun, Dilva, Bilva, Mahrez, Sané, Sterling

                1. Bambi
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 8 months ago

                  true, the way I see it is that gone are the days of naild-ness apart from a few exceptions like salah and Kane. Rather people should start to assemble squads expecting rotation - hence double pool and double city attack as insurance rather than naildness if that makes sense.

                  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                    • 14 Years
                    5 years, 8 months ago

                    Yep makes sense... i’m Seriously considering a KDB/Kun/Salah/Firmino team to start off... it’s a lot of eggs in two baskets.... but theyre the highest scoring baskets in the league!

                    1. Bambi
                      • 12 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      yes, I don't think its too risky to cover just 2 attacks - all 4 of those players will be in the top 5 for mids and fwds at end of season so why not?

                      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 8 months ago

                        My thoughts exactly, you can’t go wrong with those 4, and from a sudden teucture perspective they work well as if one gets injured, suspended and/or just looks badly out of form, they are at price points where they can be replaced with pretty much anyone.

                        They also have nice starting fixtures, a good combo

                    2. Rasping Drive
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      5 years, 8 months ago

                      Do you think there’s a chance KDB gets rested at the start after his WC exertions?

                      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 8 months ago

                        I suppose there could be actually, that would be a pain

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pick your big hitters.
      Pick your budget bargains.

      Shoehorn crap around it.

      This year I’m gonna go heavy in defence so will limit the big hitters.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        How many big hitters in each position?

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Players 1st, then price allowing. Also i try and set up for the first 5/6 weeks, possibly get some price rises in that time and WC if needed.

    4. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same as you. I am looking at something like this:

      KDB Eriken Mkhi (Cairney/Neves) (Gunnarsson)
      Lukaku Aguero Zaha

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Are you not worried about no Salah though? What will you do if/when he scores v West Ham with 55% of he game having captained him? Very danergous imho!

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

          I agree it is a big risk, but is Salah and a mid-priced mid will outscore 2 premiums? We will see about that. A WC and a transfer plan are always there if he goes crazy.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            The thing you have to remember with those type of comparisons is they always have to be expanded to THREE players.

            It’s not Salah and a mid priced mid vs two premiums. It’s two Salah’s and a midprice vs three premiums... Salah’s score will be doubled every week which just makes him an absolute season wrecker if he hits form.

            And I don’t fancy gambling my season on Salah not scoring goals! I’d rather watch him for a few weeks and if he’s not scoring then fair enough

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

              Good points. But it can go both ways too, I can have Salah and hold him while not scoring and miss on other highly owned players scoring.. there is no win-win situation here.

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                I just think there is a lot more probability of failure in not selecting Salah, than selecting him, it’s very risky

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

                  Ah fair enough.

    5. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Usually I'm quite good at picking a starting team - I don't know why or how, because the rest of the season never seems to go as well (100k last year).

      I think it's probably just because I spend a month on here non-stop and just absorb the useful comments and value players.

      This year I'm trying to put a bit more investment into defence, which is currently looking like Ederson + Bailly + Van Dijk + Azpi + Wan-Bissaka + Schelotto.
      Think it's great that we're blessed with 4.0 defender options.

      In attack I tend to focus a bit more on players, but with an overall aim of balance

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        If Wan Bissaka and/or Schellotto start that is going to be magic. Combine them with a Ruddy/Norris GK combo (Wolves are very defensive after all) and that is an extra 2.0 ish extra all of a sudden without a massive drop in quality of your squad

        1. Siggy in the Middle
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Don't forget that they may sign Patricio

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah I’m not getting my hopes up, two starting 4.0’s is unheard of... we can live in hope though!

            1. badgerboy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              It's happened before iirc. Hutton and the QPR defender who's name i can't remember. 4 seasons ago.

            2. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              You wouldn't be able to jump on the 4.5 def bandwagons if you owned 4.0 def(s)...

              Your decision here would be based solely on the value of the player, not the structure an flexibility, right?

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Very very true. Selecting 4.0’s is so risky

      2. electrue
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Re Schelotto have in mind that Brighton have signed a FB that apparently can play both left and right side.

    6. Igor! Pulis(w)ic!
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I am going 'structure' also, although with less money in forward line than your model.

      I have found the structure approach makes player selection easier, as I tell myself 'player X' simply doesn't fit, so I *must* choose someone else.

      At present I have 2.5M ITB to jump on bandwagons.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Proof of my comment (below) right here. HCL is not choosing the best value players because they don't fit into a preset box. 😀

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        That’s what I was thinking, it prevents your squad inadvertently becoming lopsided too, with too many 10.0+ players, too many 6.0-ish attackers and then you’re hosed if an 8.0 mid hits form as you either end up with too much ITB or not enough ITB in between GW’s

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Didn't people learn from last season that players don't 'emerge' as often as you expect, nor do they emerge in the neat price-bracket you were hoping for. Often you have to go with tons of money in the bank when jumping on a bandwagon, or take a hit, or forget about the bandwagon. The same is true (to a similar extent) of teams that you would brand "inflexible".

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Players always emerge, many people started without Salah last year remember? There are several extremely dangerous players who you just can’t predict this year - Martial, Mkhi, Theo, Mili, Josh King, Zaha, Arnie, Coleman, Baines, PVA, Alonso, Azpi, VVD, Mendy, Lacazette, Ramsey, Siggy, Son, Mané, Eriksen to name but a few

            Literally any one of those could end up absolutely essential depending on how things go. Equally they could all bomb & do rubbish.

            And that’s before you come to premium strikers Kane, Kaku, Kun, Auba, Jesus, and City Mids Sterling, sane.

            How do you go about being 100% player based when it’s impossible to tell which of these 30 or 40 options will do well?

            Structure based allows selecting a structure that you can move to get the 5 or 6 out of that pool that hit form

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              They are alsoways branded as essential after they score ponts, not before. I often go without "essential" players and do just fine, because they're not guaranteed to score. I even sold Salah last year. And I was branded an idiot for selling Richarlison while he was essential, but turned out everyone else was wrong.

              Besides, as I said, and inflexible team can buy "essential" players, so it's no problen.

              This idea of a "pool" perplexes me. You might still be 0.5 short of the player you want. You might not want to sell the one or two players you would need to to afford someone. You might not have enough FTs, and it's not worth the hit. By chosing based on player value alone, at least you are giving yourself the best chance of saving transfers and getting points, rather than committing to a strategy based on frantic buying and selling, which itself could cost points.

              1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Yeah I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer, overall it’s always about the players as they score he points 🙂

    7. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      100% players. Structure-based = suboptimal value until WC

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        It’s notoriously difficult to pick he right players at the start though - which 3 or 4 big hitters are you banking on & which mid/price cheapies to enable them?

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I don't categorise players as big hitters, because it's misleading. Points distribution is on a scale as opposed to "high" and "low" scores. 😉 Price is also irrelevant. I expect Deulofeu to outscore many players priced above him while he's fit, for example. Likewise RLC last year was better than 6.0+ midfielders when he was on the field. As far as notoriously difficult goes, I think that, along with the need for "flexibility", is greatly overstated here. And don't even get me started on "balance", which is similar, but even more criminal 😉

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            I was pretty happy with my first draft, in which I believed most players were right near the top of the "best value" list, rather than top of the list for their predefined box.

            https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/07/07/world-cup-is-over-for-much-owned-brazil-and-uruguay-fantasy-assets/?hc_page=5#hc_comment_18337916

            But my current team look much different, as I'm experimenting with spreading the cost, with 3 x 7.0 forwards. It all depends on what happens before the beginning of the season, and structure has nothing to do with it for me 🙂

            1. Igor! Pulis(w)ic!
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Interesting seeing more detail about your approach.

              For example, when you say 'spreading the cost', that is pretty much what I call team *structure* (perhaps the whole structure vs players might actually be a question of semantics more than actions).

              I too am looking to maximise best value throughout the team, and as I do not perceive forwards to offer good value, I have a front line very similar to your current one, with 3 players costing 7M or less.

    8. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      100% structure based. I pretty much always start badly (as it's mostly luck for weeks 1 to 3) but focussing on structure has meant that last two seasons I could make up that ground much quicker by getting the form players in easily more early

      That said, this year I don't think it will be as big a difference, as the World Cup is going to mess so many teams up first couple of weeks (spurs anyone?) - so I think an early Wildcard is going to be much more common once teams are back to full strength and settled from weeks 3 or 4

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I think that’s the benefit of going structure based - you’re trading a bit of flexibility for a better ability to recover & adapt to the inevitable GW1-3 shocks - they always happen.

        The WC will definitely muddy the waters even further this time around, planning for an early first international break WC could be he way to go

        Will we have team sheets before he deadline for the Utd game in GW1?

        If Martial or Lindgard start I’d be tempted to punt on them as a midprice midfield option & WC them the hell out of my team if hey get heavily rotated or don’t score

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          *WC = World Cup
          **WC = Wild Card

    9. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Excellent post about strategy. Joe is always banging on about "flexibility" in scoutcast and I agree. It is so important.

      I'm going to use this for my team.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I bet it seems like only yesterday you posted those 🙂

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Yep, it's all coming round again. Same old conversations, zero progress 😀

    10. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I always go structure-based.

      I allot some money for the defence - for at least 2 premium defenders, otherwise when they inevitably deliver, you're going to move money around and take hits.

      "Maybe a better approach is structure based where you define a value based structure & then shoehorn players into it, and if they don’t hit form, stick to the price range when selecting their replacement. I don’t know if that would work at all, and maybe you need to leave 1.0-2.0 ITB to really make it work properly/give. Bit of flexibility on transfers."

      ^That's exactly what I do.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I do take Deulofeu's point (from last year haha 🙂 ) about Alonso vs. a 6.5 mid or 6.5 striker though... there really is no contest there in points potential. But as you say, having a structure that accomodates 2x Elite defenders solves that problem instantly.

        In saying that, Josh King at 6.5 has a lot of potential upside this year... it's not that long ago he was scoring nearly 20 goals a season & taking penalties etc. has the fixtures too

    11. penman26
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      or pick your team with no bias and think about what chance that player has of scoring points over the first 6 to 8 game weeks then pick players accordingly with fixtures in mind.

    12. mbrewer94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I won't be starting with Kane or Salah, so am taking a player-based approach but with 1.5m in the bank so structual changes to jump on early bandwagons is very easy.

    13. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A little bit of both and playing the early fixtures a bit. Current structure:
      Exp, Exp, Cheap, Cheap, 4.0
      Exp, Exp, Mid, Mid, 5.0
      Exp, Exp, 5.0
      leaving 1m itb for added flexibily to jump on bandwagon players early.

    14. A-VB
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      In both of my two seasons so far I have followed the value based approach while picking my initial team.

      Generally I employ a specific template like yours and then first assemble my defence by working out the rotations etc for around 19 Gameweeks (because I generally like to play the second wildcard a bit later in the season with double Gameweeks and all) and plan out if there is any transfer that I will need to make in defence in that time (barring any injury, suspensions etc).

      Then I come to midfield and forwards. I do prefer 3-5-2 over 3-4-3, but there is no hard and fast rule and I have allowed player availability to dictate that choice.

      Disclaimer : I am no prolific player. I finished my first season at 79k and the second season at 50k, didn't play last two years however will play this one (at least that is the plan till now).

    15. ENEMY
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I mix it a bit. I start with the must own players like Salah and go strong at the back. Then the mid and finally the fwd line. My current line up structure is:
      GK - 10M
      Defense - 27M
      Mid - 41M
      Fwd - 22M

      Ederson - Ben Foster
      Azpi - Robertson - Coleman - Tomkins - Cedric
      Salah(C) - Sane - Ramsey - Milivojevic - Stephens
      Morata(VC) - Tosun - Wilson

    16. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Player! Always ends in tears. Always.

  18. Uncle John from Jamaica
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is Christiansen at Chelsea a nailed on starter?

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      We don’t even know who the manager will be yet

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Broadband ?

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Fibre optic mate

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      We don't even know who the manager will be?

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He should be, but we will find out. It should be him and Rudiger + whoever else.

    4. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Doesn't matter.

      As we knew from the last campaign, he's a huge troll. So if you want to minimize headaches, better avoid him.

  19. Uncle John from Jamaica
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Good point

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks but i think my trousers just crumpled up.

  20. ROLLING THE DICE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is Meunier suspended for the semi-final?

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yep.

  21. nick8070
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT - First draft of WC team:

    Courtois Pickford
    Trippier Lovren Maguire Pavard Caleta-Car
    De Bruyne Modric Lingard Witsel Kante
    Kane Hazard Griezmann

    0.3 ITB

    Should I downgrade De Bruyne to Rakitic to be able to afford an upgrade over Caleta-Car who is bench fodder? Any other thoughts?

    Henderson instead of Witsel or Kante?

    Thanks!

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'd rather have Bradaric in midfield than CaletaCar

      1. nick8070
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks!

  22. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    McCarthy - Fabianski
    Young - Azpilicueta - Tomkins - Lascelles - Robertson
    Walcott - Pogba - Milivojevic - Cairney - D.Silva
    Firmino - Vardy - Lacazette

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don't like the Lacazette pick

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I like the Lacazette pick. But the reality is we don't know who will play where with the Arsenal team yet. Don't like the Vardy pick. You could have Dummett over Lascelles and save .5.

        1. Siggy in the Middle
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah, if Mahrez goes then that Vardy pick probably won't work.

  23. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Do we know who is gonna play instead of Meunier?

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      The lineups come out before deadline.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        And yet my wildcard is active now! So thats not much helphttps://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/07/08/maguire-delivers-on-goal-threat-to-fire-england-to-semi-final-against-croatia/?hc_page=1

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          skills there with the link

  24. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Croatia looked absolutely knackered at the end of the Russia game last night.

    Already got 4 England, definitely maxing out as I can’t see past an England win.

    Pickford, Trippier, Maguire, Young, Lingard and Kane

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      They were knackered then, they won't be knackered in 3 days. That being said, it's coming home so you do well yo load up on England players.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        They’ve had two knockout games go to ET now.

        They looked battered at the end of the Denmark game too.

        Just got a feeling that we’ll take advantage and have too much for them.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          It looks like they lack stamina. It's impossible to prove one way or another but personally I don't think an extra half an hour of football will make one bit of difference to any professional teams who have to play again 3 days later.

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      The time for maxing out has past! If England bow out now, half your team will be a rotation risk.

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah I had 4 and then 5 England for the last two rounds.

        I think a 6th is worth the risk however. Then maybe that’s enough.

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Thats the max

  25. Siggy in the Middle
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How's this looking for now?

    Ryan

    Valencia Robertson Cedric Daniels

    Salah Silva Jota Ramsey

    Lukaku Firmino

    Fabianski, Quaner, Cairney, Schelotto

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don't like your goalkeepers.

      Not sure about Valencia as well.

      Will Ramsey be nailed on?

      Don't know who Cairney is.

  26. Uncle John from Jamaica
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    What is the general thinking about English / French / Belgium players?

    Likely to be given first few weeks of the season off?

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah most likely.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Various different managers with varying views, so it's hard to give a blanket answer for all.

      1. amit1964
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        dont see morinio give lukaku a day off because he needs a big defender in attack for the bus to go well

  27. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Viva La Kolarov

    Serbia through to the Semis in Frogball

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      On the other side of the draw you may recognise the Iceland team of Toonzie, McNulty and Adi Tya as Fiso imposters trying to steel another tourney from us! You may vaguely recognise their opponents Belgium; Sean, Brooksy P and MelvinMbabazi. However who are our opponents? Rihanovic, Reyno1 and Algeria-AZ79 form Egypt.

      So lets all get behind the team that are doing this for Fantasy Football Scout, its heritage and future. Bonz, Adam West and Ginkapo. Lets show these kids up.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Mickey Mouse competition.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Morocco and Germany were our brothers at arms. Sad to see you guys fall so early.

      2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed. Group stage was the only bit worth playing anyway 😛

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😀 I hope he is proud of us now.

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          😀 Yeeeeaaahhhhh.

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just checked Egypts teams. Forget this, we dont need help, they dont stand a chance anyway.

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        That’s what I thought...

  28. nick8070
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Take 2... RMWCT

    Courtois Pickford
    Vertonghen Trippier Lovren Maguire Pavard
    De Bruyne Modric Lingard Kante Bradaric
    Kane Hazard Griezmann

    0.2 ITB

    Thoughts? Would love to get Rakitic in here somehow...

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I don't play WC Fantasy but that team looks good.

      Can't get them all.

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Too much Croatia, cause you know its coming home. Otherwise its decent.

  29. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pep usually likes shaping young talent to his brand of football. So spending ~£60m on a 27-year-old winger, accustomed to a long ball counter-attacking system is a fascinating move. Arjen Robben has shown that a goal-scoring left-footed, right-sided winger can flourish under Guardiola. So it will be interesting to see where he fits in, and to work out why Guardiola is spending so much money him. This could well be the most crucial puzzle to solve of pre-season. With Raheem Sterling going to the end of the world cup (3rd place playoff or final), Mahrez would be set to start the season.

    1. Fantastisk
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Robben is only 27?1

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Mahrez! 😀

        I wonder if Sterling would be moved into Silva's position long-term. He's not a natural finisher, and more of a creator after all.

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Is this going to make rotation even worse?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I wish I knew. Surely if you spend that much money, he'll be a starter. I just wonder if Sterling will become a more central player long-term. I think it's clear that he's not a finisher.

  30. ceerus
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Trippier will be ready on gw1?
    Everyone has him in squad

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Everyone in for a disappointment.