Scout Notes

Lacazette’s dismissal could have implications for Blank Gameweek 27

It was a mixed night for the two Premier League clubs in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 on Thursday.

Chelsea came away from Sweden with a first-leg advantage, but Arsenal slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Belarus and saw Alexandre Lacazette sent off late in the match for violent conduct.

The ramifications of the French striker’s dismissal and Sead Kolasinac‘s performance are among the Fantasy-related issues we address in our Scout Notes below.

BATE Borisov 1-0 Arsenal

Arsenal will be without Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) for the second leg of their Europa League tie against BATE next Thursday – and both legs of their last-16 match, should they progress – after the premium FPL forward was dismissed for an elbow on the Belarussian side’s Aleksandar Filipovic last night.

Next week’s return fixture takes place less than 72 hours before the Gameweek 27 clash with Southampton and Lacazette’s suspension, plus Arsenal’s first-leg deficit, will surely mean a start for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1m) up front when BATE visit north London.

Whether the Gabonese forward’s likely participation in that match affects Unai Emery’s thinking for the visit of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side remains open to debate, however: Aubameyang will be otherwise well-rested, having missed the Gameweek 26 win over Huddersfield through illness, having played only 25 minutes of last night’s defeat and with Arsenal being without a fixture this weekend due to their fourth-round exit in the FA Cup.

The Southampton fixture is the first of three Premier League matches that Arsenal face in the space of seven days, though Aubameyang played the entirety of the Gunners’ festive programme without a rest and indeed hasn’t been benched in the league since Gameweek 9.

Lacazette becomes an even more enticing Fantasy option given that he will be extra-fresh for the visit of the Saints, though a convincing performance by the Arsenal assets playing in his stead next Thursday will perhaps leave his owners sweating on a start in Gameweek 27.

Emery said of the French striker’s dismissal:

I didn’t see the action but we spoke and frustration needs controlling. It’s bad news with the red card. Next week we aren’t going to play with him but now we are going to think with the players that are okay for next week.

Having largely blooded fringe players in the Europa League group stage, Emery named a strong side for Thursday’s knockout-round tie in Belarus.

Nine of the ten outfield players that started at Huddersfield kept their places, with the fit-again Granit Xhaka (£5.2m) replacing Lucas Torreira (£4.8m) in midfield.

Bernd Leno made way for Petr Cech (both £4.8m) in Emery’s only other change.

Despite the strength of Emery’s starting XI, the Gunners produced a fairly limp display.

While they were not helped by the awful state of the pitch in Barysaw, Arsenal were well below-par offensively and could only muster three shots on target against a side they scored ten goals against a year earlier.

Most of Arsenal’s threat came down the left flank and there were plenty of positive signs for owners of Sead Kolasinac (£5.0m), who was the Gunners’ only real creative outlet and again noticeably prominent in the opposition final third.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international registered an incredible seven key passes last night, more than the rest of his team-mates combined.

There were chances of real quality among that total, too: Lacazette and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£6.7m) in particular wasting glorious opportunities from two Kolasinac deliveries in the first half.

Kolasinac was also denied an assist when an offside Lacazette turned in another cross from the gung-ho left-back after the break.

No player on either side had as many shots as Kolasinac, who blotted his copybook by losing his marker for the only goal of the match.

BATE’s winner came from a dead-ball situation, an area Arsenal have struggled in this calendar year: only four Premier League teams have allowed more chances from set plays than the Gunners in the last six Gameweeks.

Lacazette’s dismissal came after a frustrating evening for the France international, whose touch evaded him on a bobbly pitch.

He wasn’t alone in flattering to deceive, with Mkhitaryan and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m) disappointing on the right flank and substitute Denis Suarez (£6.5m) still looking off the pace upon his introduction.

The absence of Mesut Ozil (£7.9m) was lamented by large sections of the Arsenal fanbase on an evening when the Gunners struggled to carve out too many clear-cut chances, especially after falling behind.

The German schemer had returned to training after an illness-enforced absence against Huddersfield Town but wasn’t part of Emery’s travelling squad for this tie, with the Arsenal boss citing a lack of match-readiness for both him and Sokratis (£5.1m).

When asked if the Gunners missed the German’s ingenuity, Emery said:

Every player is OK to play. Today those that were here, we can win with them and we deserved that.

Last week we won and we played with the same players. For me today there was no difference to the performance. We deserved to win but didn’t get the result.

They were very organised defensively and they found the moment in the game. It’s not for one player or another. We can win with every player and lose with the same players.

Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Cech; Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Maitland-Niles (Aubameyang 68′), Guendouzi, Xhaka (Torreira 69′), Kolasinac (Suarez 74′); Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Lacazette.

Malmo 1-2 Chelsea

  • Goals: Ross Barkley (£5.1m), Olivier Giroud (£7.7m)
  • Assists: Pedro (£6.3m), Willian (£7.2m)

Chelsea’s Fantasy assets take a back seat in Gameweek 27, with their previously scheduled Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion being postponed due to the clash with the EFL Cup final.

The Blues have that cup tie against Manchester City on Sunday week, an FA Cup fifth-round match against Manchester United and the second leg of their Europa League double-header against Malmo to come before they return to league action in Gameweek 28 when they entertain Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

After the 6-0 mauling at the Etihad last Sunday, the Blues at least got back to winning ways in Sweden.

Maurizio Sarri made five changes to his starting XI from that humiliation at Eastlands, with Eden Hazard (£10.8m), Gonzalo Higuain (£9.5m), N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) and Antonio Rudiger (£6.0m) the players handed a breather on the bench.

Marcos Alonso (£6.5m) was rested altogether, meanwhile.

While this was an improved display from Sarri’s side, the calibre of the opposition has to be factored into the equation and there was a sense that nothing else had really changed since the recent drubbing in Manchester.

Jorginho (£4.7m) was once again the fulcrum of the midfield as Sarri continued as expected with his tried-and-tested 4-3-3, but the Blues made heavy going of their victory and conceded a sloppy consolation to give Malmo a sliver of hope for the second leg.

Ross Barkley (£5.1m) prodded home a Pedro (£6.3m) cross before Olivier Giroud (£7.7m) superbly finished a fine break to put the visitors 2-0 up, but other than a gilt-edged chance that Barkley fired at the fingertips of home goalkeeper Johan Dahlin, it was difficult to think of any further glaring opportunities that Chelsea carved out.

Giroud’s stoppage-time effort from a narrow angle was the only other shot on target that Chelsea recorded, with the French striker also slicing a difficult volley wide after a chipped through-ball from Willian (£7.7m).

Seven of Chelsea’s 11 shots came from Giroud, who led the line well and will surely be handed another start in a week’s time to spare Higuain for the “bigger” tests in the two domestic cups.

The fact that Sarri brought on Hazard in the final 20 minutes was perhaps an indication that he wanted more from his side in an attacking sense and the Chelsea boss admitted as much after full-time:

Today, we played our football. I think that we need to move the ball forward back, forward back. In this match we moved the ball too much horizontal, so we need to move it more forward and back, forward and back.

But in the last period, we’ve had the problem of up and down, up and down. 4-0, 5-0 to us, 6-0, so we need to have continuity and consistency, I think in the mental condition to be able to approach every match with the same level of application, determination and attention.

Malmo threatened little from open play, with the bulk of their opportunities coming from scrambles in the Chelsea box as the Blues struggled to cope with the Swedes’ threat at free-kicks and corners.

Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.6m) had only made one save before Malmo struck in the 80th minute, with David Luiz (£5.9m) culpable for ceding possession high up the pitch and Emerson Palmieri (£5.2m) guilty of losing his marker as Anders Christiansen finished the breakaway move.

Sarri said of his side’s defensive efforts:

We risked only on set-pieces because they are more physical than us. We could have scored more, I think. But we conceded a goal on a mistake. Today, the level of application and attention was good. We made a mistake, I think, a material mistake. So it could have been better.

If we concede a goal like this to a team like Manchester City or United or Tottenham, then you risk conceding three goals in ten minutes. So we have to do better, I think. But I think that the performance was a good performance.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Emerson; Kovacic, Jorginho (Kante 74′), Barkley; Pedro (Hudson-Odoi 84′), Giroud, Willian (Hazard 71′).

346 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    play:

    A) VVD mun
    B) AWB lei

    ?

    1. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have no other liverpool or palace defenders btw

    2. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Vvd. Martial and lingard out is massive

      1. Boomerang V
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        good point

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

      Van

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      VVD

  2. MyBall MyRules
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I can only see replies to comments that I comment on. Is this the same for anyone else? Is this a new thing or do I need to make a change to my settings?

    1. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      .

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Click, "Show Replies" at the bottom of the article on the right.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Hopefully they are looking at the latest comments.

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

    That awkward moment when the nurse told me to "weight" and I thought she is saying me to "wait" 😳

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

      Is this a Carry On Joke?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Nah, cracking joke is not my cup of tea... Sense of humor sucks!

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

          Yeh I know what you mean.

          I can't even fatom what political party I should belong to any more since the Labour party got infiltrated by "them" and " them" but in my heart I know my cards come down against the hard men that fight their dogs to death in barbaric mirrors of their own soul.

          It's "them" muscled up hard shells I want to eradicate like a useless BBC soap like Eastenders and the failed recognition of Jack the Hat and the Albanian Gangs.

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

            Yes__I've had a liquid lunch but don't hold that against me.

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      comedy of grammatical errors.. weight vs weigh.. 12 stone in weight vs 10 stone you wait..

  4. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Auba gets rotated in GW27-28 (SOU, BOU)?

    The 2 home games are sandwiched between EL & Spurs away. These 4 games will be played within 10-11 days.

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That would be an outright scandal but would perfectly fit the narrative of my disastrous season.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Mkhi back also gives them an option to play with one striker maybe.

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          It does

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Considering he was not rotated during festive period, I dont think so. Maybe 70mins appearance or something.

      But who knows...

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Having some doubts but like you said he’s probably fairly nailed for all those games.

    3. CliveTilds
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No chance

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Planning to get him in so I’m hoping that’s true.

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Just go for Laca instead then!

          Think it’s quite easy for non-owners. The problem is for thise like me who are ‘stuck’ owning him. Like we were with his illness last GW.

          Bad luck, really

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yup I think I might do that. I just want an Arsenal attacker for those 2 home games but I’m tempted cap Son this week.

            Just feel Auba has the higher ceiling if he starts both games.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Why not go Kola? He's an attacker in all but name and is nailed and if it finishes 0-0 you're still up.

              1. Karan14
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                I think if Chelsea get knocked out of FA Cup I’ll be tempted to keep Hazard and not get Laca/Auba.

                In that case I could just use 1 of my 2 FTs to do Digne to Kolasinac.

    4. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Considering Rashford to Laca move. Not fully confident yet

  5. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you captain?

    A. Rondon (HUD)
    B. Fanderson (FUL)
    C. Son (bur)

    1. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sonny

    2. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son

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

      RONDON

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    5. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers lads

    6. paullufc17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C but I really want rondon in this gw

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

    Is Jota still a good option?

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

      But he would be a better option if Wolves were to b pushed out of the FA Cup this weekend

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He’s an okay option really if you’ve already got Jimènez & Doherty.

  7. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you WC this lot? And just try and prepare for the rest of the season the best I can? Got all my chips and no real plan yet.

    Fabianski
    Kolasinac • Doherty • AWB • Bednarek
    Mané • Salah(C) • Son • Martial** • Rich**
    Rashford
    (Button / Aguero** / Digne** / Kamara**)

    1. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No I definitely wouldn't use wildcard on that

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Any moves you’d suggest?

        1. OneDennisBergkamp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Rich & Martial out

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      How many FTs you got?

      There are a good number of players there who id really want to keep anyway.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        True. How about Martial+Rich >> Pogba+Almiron/Jota for a -4? Or is it a bad week to get Pogba?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I'd do that one in two stages. Get Jota/Almiron this week and Pog next. It's not the worst week to field 10.

          Like a good few others I'll be fielding bench fodder (in my case Camarasa) in a 3-5-2. I don't see you losing much ground by being one short - not least because lots are taking hits.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            True. Thanks! I might be priced out if Pogba rises or Rich/Martial drop (which they both might!)

            Alternatively I just do Martial/Rich >> FAnderson

        2. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Not the best week to take a hit for Pogba I think.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1FT & 1.1itb

  8. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pogba - Richarlison - Puncheo - Salah - Son

    What would you do with this midfield? I'm looking to move Richarlison out I think. I play with 4 in midfield.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rich >> Almiron / FAnderson / Maddison / Jota are moves I’m toying with

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have the same mid with Jota over Richarlison

    3. paullufc17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Anderson or Fraserfor rich and looking ahead to blanks

  9. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I you were going to use your FT chip how would you set up your team?

    This is mine:

    Lloris
    Robbo Kola Pereira
    Salah Pogba Eriksen Son Felipe
    Auba Rondon

    Boruc Doherty Bamba Jimenez

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’d punt on Almiron on FH.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      And I’d want Anderson or Arnie

      1. Boomerang V
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah by Felipe I meant FAnderson

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lloris
      Lascelles perreira Bamba
      Salah Son Fanderson Jota
      Vardy King Auba

  10. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best Newcastle def option:

    A) Schar
    B) Lascelles
    C) Yedlin

    1. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      D) Lejuene

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Or this yeah. Probably him or Yedlin

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lascelles is Captain but crap! Much prefer Fernandez. Schar has great attacking intend but very hot headed and a slight rotation risk.

      I’d probably just go Yedlin for security and some attacking threat

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This is the worst pick IMO

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

        This

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

          imo

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeddy

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

      Not A picks up too many cards. The other two and Lejeune are equal imo. I went for Lascelles as is club captain so if they do go to 4 at the back he is safe I feel

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

    TM Spotted__Keep it real peeps yer!

  12. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you keep Hazard if Cheslea get knocked out of the FA Cup?

    He will have no blanks except this week plus a DGW later on.

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

      He's on strike again innit.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  13. Turns
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Plan was to bring Auba in, but seriously considered rolling FT so I can do Kamara, Digne -> Aguero, Chilwell for free next week. Thoughts? (Would probably want Kun in the coming weeks anyway)

    Lloris
    Robbo - Shaw - AWB
    Son (c) - Pogba - Salah - FAnderson - Hayden
    Jimenez - Rashford
    --------
    Button - Bednarek - Digne - Kamara

  14. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who is Almiron and whats the appeal?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      At the moment it's all Newcastle hype 'cos Rafa is excited. But then again he make become a priceless FPL asset..

  15. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Why are posters saying Wolves getting out of the cup would be a good thing? Surely if they are still there then the DGW's will be more appealing?

    😀

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      The real benefit is making the blanks harder if they stay in. Most teams will have them.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, sort the wheat from the chaff.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Freehit in 31 becomes more likely I guess

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ignore that lol

    3. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Used my WC so I’d prefer less blanks and DGWs.

      Also I like reading salty posts about casuals winning.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Filthy casuals!!!

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Burnt WCers hoping to get 11 out for GW31

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

      Your lot are serious Cup contenders and a breath of fresh air in this league.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This

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

        I love the scrapping at the bottom more than the fight for glory at the top and this year Saints are getting their onions peeled by the Numb Suckers.

        Blood Suckers of Mediocrity

      3. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks guys, just living the dream.

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

          Deserved, best promoted side I've ever seen.

  16. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which option will score more this week?

    A) Auba & Laca (Auba captain)

    Or

    B) Laca & Dendoncker +4pts (Laca captain)

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  17. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Really can't decide on which treble to go with, it also dictates whether I keep Son or get Sterling gwk28.

    A) Rondon, Anderson/Maddison Schmeichel(Sterling)
    B) Lacazette, Jota, Heaton/Fabianski(Son)

    Which one please all?

  18. George James
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If you have all your chips left and a fairly template team currently what are you hoping for from the FA cup this weekend?

    More blanks or Less blanks in GW31?

    If all premier league teams win this weekend along with Chelsea on Monday I have zero players playing in 31

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No Liverpool players??

    2. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure you can have a template team and 0 players in 31

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      One/two PL going out of fa cup including Chelsea.
      This is what i hope

    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You have 3 Liverpool players for a start.

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

      There are 8 teams with guaranteed GW31 fixtures - how can you have a team with zero from Liverpool, West Ham, Leicester, Bournemouth or Newcastle for example?

      By GW31 most will have 3 liverpool, 1 West Ham, 1 Newcastle, 1 Leicester, 1 Bournemouth - so minimum 7 outfield starters + a GK is 8... its not going to be difficult at all to get a reasonable amount of players

      And that's assuming Palace, Wolves, Brighton, Watford and Chelsea all go through in the cup and have blanks!

      If any of them fail (Watford & Brighton look particularly at risk of losing in the cup) there are even more fixtures to pad out the blank GW

    6. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry yes meant to say i have zero bar the 3 liverpool.

      Leaning towards a FH31

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        By Tuesday, you'll know what fits your team best.
        By using 5 FTs or the blanks, you can get 8 and a hit or 2 sorts the rest.

    7. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have a feeling that the time that come, is important.

      1. korbendallas82
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Oooo.

  19. Spicy Mayonnaise
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I'm thinking...

    Moura, Kamara > HBarnes, Rondon?

    Any reason why I shouldn't? GW27 team would be...

    Fabianski
    Robertson, Kolasinac, Doherty
    HBarnes, Salah, Son, Pogba, Felipe Anderson
    Rondon, Jiménez

    (Hamer, Lindelöf, Wan-Bissaka, Agüero)

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Free?

      1. Spicy Mayonnaise
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        -4 actually, but it sets me up nicely for the GW after, so I can try and carry a FT over - trying to cobble together a GW31 team. Not wise?

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I think it the right way to go actually , i will taking a -4 or -8 this gwk, but it is all part of the future plan, my moves are most probably going to be with the plan to get Sterling 28, see above please.

  20. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Digne and Firmino > Bednarek and Auba for free? Would probably get Kun in for Auba in gw28

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good. Have slight doubts over Auba but Aguero/Higuain are an easy way out.

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      why no Lacca?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Rather Auba mate

  21. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    1FT. Sane to?

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sane got a chance to reclaim his starting place GW28 vs West Ham?

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son/Mane/Anderson/Jota

    3. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ignore the knee jerk advice and wait. If he lost his place after 1 game, he can get it back in 1 too. There's 3 games before the next West Ham fixture.

    4. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Eriksen.

      He’s phenomenally consistent and a brilliant differential. I assume everyone is ignoring him because they’re on Son but his stats are brilliant.

  22. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Rashford going to play on the wing now with Martial and Lingard out?

    I would sold him if that's a case.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He has play on wing's if Martial & Lingard out.
      No senior winger in the team other than Sanchez & Mata.

      Rash+Lukaku+Sanchez this could be the starting lineup (If Martial & Lingard out) imo

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

      Not sure on the dynamics tbh but really looking forward to the game now after the PSG grounding.

      I'm feeling a low scoring affair here.

    3. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No, we’ll stick Lukaku on the wing imo. He was impenetrable when he played there against Arsenal

  23. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Besides being somewhat old, and not playing up to his best - does anyone know why Vardy got benched last week?
    And do you reckon he will start the next many GWs?

    1. Sylas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It has been clear as day that he has not been getting along with the manager.

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Falling out over Puel hugging Pogsy

    3. Ole.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He called.Puel a nobhead

  24. Ole.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Yoshida, Mane, Healy to Kola, Fan, Ron for -8?

    1. Ole.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      First to 2.5

    2. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yosa and mane? Why out?

      1. Ole.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Got 5 players in Utd Pool as it stands

        1. korbendallas82
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I see.

          1. Ole.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yoshi is major selection doubt I'd say. Could play or not.

            1. korbendallas82
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              U might get points. Southampton is kicking back.

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No way. Don't bin any starters imo.

      1. Ole.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Don't think Yoshi or Healey are first 11...

  25. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What’s your FH strategy? I know we don’t know who blanks and how many blanks yet but this is how I see it.

    Option A.

    Freehit in dgw32, maximise the double gameweek but team will suffer in the run up to and including gw31. Could also plan for gw33 using this strategy.

    Option B.

    Freehit in gw31, maximise the blank and won’t have to bring in dross in the lead up but won’t be able to maximise double gameweek and team might not be ideal for gw33.

    Sorry for the poor wording, I’m not as educated as most on here

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A is the popular one. Weird results this weekend may swing it to B.

      1. korbendallas82
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        How are y? U had a rough season last year. Best of luck

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Im guessing that was for me? Lol. Terrible season that year. Going a lot better this year, 30k all chips still to play feeling good. How you getting on?

          1. korbendallas82
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            The answer was for who ever may roam.im around 29.000 to. My team is linked.

    3. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Will depend on this weekend and how it affects the number of blanks, I will be more likely to go B if there is maximum blanks

  26. jindermahal
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can anyone break down for me as it stands, the fixtures going ahead gw 31 and the fixtures at risk ? Is this uncertainty over games all down to whether teams progress in the cup or not?

    1. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Check the Ben Crellin spreadsheet on twitter, it has the answer to all of your questions

      1. jindermahal
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you kind sir

      1. jindermahal
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you kind sir

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

    Good Evening TM! 🙂

    Who will be in your captain thoughts this week?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Good evening Skull and Gnomes 9!
      Haven't though about it given the deadline is 7 days away.

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

        Don't tease me TM.

        It's against the grain.

  28. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can I hold a transfer with this lot?

    If I do any moves it will be to replace digne and richy...

    Fabianski
    Robbo Doherty AWB Schindler
    Salah Mane Son Pogba
    Auba (C) Jimenez

    Steele, Kamara, Digne, Richarlison

    1FT 0.8ITB

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Team looks good I would hold

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Not worth moving on the bench players?

        1. All For One
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Richarlison and Kamara have to go I reckon. I would do Richarlison>Felipe Anderson good fixtures against Fulham

      2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah Anderson is tempting... think I may make a move for Arnie instead as I keep sinking down the ranks and fancy a change up!

    2. frenchfries
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ok to hold

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate!

  29. All For One
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Alisson
    Trippier,TAA,Bennett
    C)Son,Felipe A,Salah, Camarasa
    Rashford,Auba,Jimenez

    Hamer,Peltier,Martial

    GTG?

    Double Liverpool defence okay since Martial is injured or Peltier on for TAA?

    1. frenchfries
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Dont think CS for Liverpool myself, but playing double defense myself if i keep Alisson

      Gtg

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        cool would you start Camarasa or Peltier?

        1. frenchfries
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Camarasa

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’d drop TAA. Rashy and Pogsy are going to be looking to score goals

      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Not much I can do with David Luiz blanking and Martial injured I only have 1 sub available, don't want to take a hit

      2. All For One
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He could get a assist lol

        1. Poseidon.
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I don’t see goals for Liverpool. I’d be surprised if he got returns

          1. All For One
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            You don't think Liverpool will score goals? wow Man Utd not the same threat without Martial did you see the Pig game?

            1. Poseidon.
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              They should have been down to 10

            2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              United still can't defend so I'm predicting a few goals for pool.

  30. frenchfries
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Mane+Guaita
    B) Jimenez+Alisson

    1. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B?