Scout Notes

Clues to Blank Gameweek 31 Chelsea line-up in Ukraine

Fantasy Premier League managers were given clues to Chelsea’s next starting line-up in their latest Europa League win.

The Blues are in action at Everton on Sunday as the final game of Blank Gameweek 31, just three days after comfortably winning 5-0 against Dynamo Kyiv.

That means we can be fairly confident which players will start at Goodison Park after a brief analysis of the Chelsea side that was utilised in Ukraine.

We are reticent to read too much into the result itself though, as assessing anything more than the line-ups would tell us very little given the result and the manner of it.

Meanwhile, Arsenal continue to show what they are capable of at the Emirates Stadium as they came through another high-pressure match there, and extended their winning run at home to six in all competitions.

Europa League quarter-final draw:

  • Arsenal v Napoli
  • Slavia Prague v Chelsea

Dynamo Kyiv 0-5 Chelsea

Goals: Olivier Giroud x3 (£7.7m), Marcos Alonso (£6.4m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£4.2m)

Assists: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.2m), Alonso, Hudson-Odoi, Willian (£7.1m)

Fantasy managers are now clear to sign Eden Hazard (£10.9m) after he was, as expected, given the night off on Thursday. The Belgian was an unused substitute as Chelsea convincingly swept Dynamo Kyiv aside, dominating the game from early on and scoring in the first five minutes. A popular target for Blank Gameweek 31, for those playing the Free Hit chip or not, confirmation that Hazard is still fresh for the weekend should now trigger more purchases for him.

Olivier Giroud (£7.7m) laid down another statement of intent in the Europa League as he scored a hat-trick and added an assist in a total demolition job against Kyiv. The forward has now scored nine goals in as many continental matches this season and continues to prove what an excellent link-up man he is for exciting wide players. Gonzalo Higuaín‘s (£9.6m) illness this week might have some thinking that Giroud could be involved against Everton but given he played 90 minutes in Ukraine and has not started a Premier League match since Gameweek 20, it seems unlikely that he will be in the first XI. More likely, he could be used as a substitute as it seems probable that Higuaín will be over his illness in time. At the very least, the Frenchman is proving he is capable of stepping in if need be.

“(Giroud was) Very, very good. But, in the last period, every time he has been on the pitch, he was able to play really very well. He’s scored nine goals in this competition. As you know very well, Olivier for us is a very important player. I’m really very happy for him, and am really very happy with him.” – Maurizio Sarri

74 minutes for Willian (£7.1m) against Kyiv, plus a benching in Gameweek 30 mean that the Brazilian is unlikely to start at Goodison Park. That makes him much less of an option for those planning to play the Free Hit and save some money on a Chelsea attacker this week, despite his recent underlying statistics looking quite favourable. Pedro (£6.3m) featured only as a 74th-minute substitute in Ukraine so it looks as if the Spaniard will join Higuaín if fit, and Hazard in the front three on Sunday and could be the alternative to go for.

It is now clear as it can get that Marcos Alonso (£6.4m) has lost his place in the first-team to Emerson Palmieri (£5.2m). The Spaniard played the full 90 minutes against Kyiv having missed the last two Premier League matches, while his Italian counterpart was given the night off. Despite slipping down the pecking order, it was actually a textbook attacking performance from Alonso. He was an exciting outlet down Chelsea’s left flank and his cross into the box for Giroud’s second goal was expertly weighted. Furthermore, he got on the scoresheet himself after showing us he can still take up centre-forward positions at various stages during matches. However, we must remember the quality of opposition as Kyiv were once again far too easy to open up at the back, conceding eight goals in total across both legs.

Elsewhere in defence, rests for David Luiz (£5.9m) and Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.3m) should see them come back into the side for Blank Gameweek 31 as Andreas Christensen (£5.0m) and Davide Zappacosta (£5.0m) took their places. The latter limped off and is now considered a doubt for the trip to Everton. Meanwhile, Antonio Rüdiger (£5.9m) played the whole match in Ukraine but should keep his place as his rest came in the first leg, where he was an unused substitute.

Any hopes of Chelsea’s young midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.2m) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (£4.2m) starting in Blank Gameweek 31 were dashed by their 90-minute outings on Thursday night. However, at least they have made some progress up the Blues’ pecking order in the mind of Maurizio Sarri. Loftus-Cheek’s three appearances outside the Premier League prior to the trip to Kyiv were from the substitutes bench. This was his first start since January and the first time he completed a match since before Christmas. As expected, Loftus-Cheek showed the drive in possession that Chelsea have sorely missed from their midfield this season. Meanwhile, Hudson-Odoi was making his second start from a possible three in the Europa League. Between the two players, they registered a goal and two assists as they look to push on and threaten to break into the first team.

The central midfield trio to start at Everton looks likely to feature usual suspects Jorginho (£4.6m), who played just 25 minutes in Ukraine, N’Golo Kanté (£5.0m), who registered 65 minutes and former Toffees man Ross Barkley (£5.1m), who was an unused substitute. Matteo Kovačić (£5.7m) played the full 90 so will likely feature only from the bench at Goodison Park.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Alonso, Christensen, Rüdiger, Zappacosta (Azpilicueta 69′); Loftus-Cheek, Kovačić, Kanté (Jorginho 65′); Willian (Pedro 74′), Giroud, Hudson-Odoi.

Arsenal 3-0 Rennes

Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang x2 (£10.8m), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m)

Assists: Aaron Ramsey (£7.1m), Aubameyang, Sead Kolasinac (£5.0m)

Fantasy managers should continue to take note of Arsenal’s increasing confidence in big fixtures at home. For the second time in the space of a week, the Gunners came through a pressure match in front of their own fans largely unscathed and with an impressive result. A 3-0 win over Rennes, after losing the first leg 3-1, put them into the quarter-finals of the Europa League just days after seeing off in-form Manchester United and condemning them to a first league defeat since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrived as caretaker manager.

With Alexandre Lacazette‘s (£9.4m) three-match Europa League ban reduced to two shortly before Thursday’s second-leg, that meant that he was able to start alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) for the second match in a row. Now that Unai Emery has been able to pair the two up once again, it has helped transform Arsenal’s fortunes in these big games. Scoring relatively early in each one has been a huge factor to help them emerge from both matches with an aggregate score of 5-0.

“It’s given us big confidence, Sunday against Manchester United and today the same after this comeback. Our reaction is very good and playing under pressure is good. Growing up under pressure, like a team, feeling difficult moments and giving us our best performance in this moment. For us, today and Sunday we were competitive. I think it’s good confidence for us to feel that. After(wards), I am very demanding myself and I want to take better control with the ball and with possession. Against United and today, we lost the ball a bit and control of the match with the ball.” – Unai Emery

Aubameyang is now a suspension tightrope in the Europa League after he was booked for donning a Black Panther mask in celebrating his second goal. One more yellow card in this tournament would see the forward suspended for one match, which would be a huge blow to the Gunners’ chances of going all the way in the Europa League. However, it could be good news for Fantasy managers looking at Arsenal’s fixtures between Gameweek 34 and the end of the season, as having him as more of a confirmed starter for Watford (away), Crystal Palace (home), Leicester (away), Brighton (home) and Burnley (away).

After coming back from suspension earlier than expected, Lacazette received a booking in the 31st minute which could have been red in the eyes of some. Asked if he substituted him in the 70th minute for fear of losing him again, Emery explained he simply wanted to rotate his players.

“We decided one plan for 90 minutes because we knew we needed 90 minutes and maybe more because at 3-0 if they scored we were going to play extra-time. Iwobi and Mkhi deserved to play. When they supported us for the 30 minutes they helped us a lot. The 10 minutes after the changes, their impact was good with the goal and creating two chances. I think we need every player. Today the first XI was important, but also the players who came on during the match.” – Unai Emery

After performing very well against Manchester United, it was another excellent performance for Sead Kolašinac (£5.0m) on Thursday night. His advanced runs helped him register an assist for Aubameyang’s second goal and furthered his case to make the left-back spot his own, amid rumours that Arsenal are looking for a new signing in that position over the summer.

Aaron Ramsey (£7.1m) was a key individual once again, proving that he will be a big loss from next season onwards. In the last three matches in all competitions he now has two assists.

With no fixture in the FA Cup or Premier League this weekend, Arsenal are now not back in action until April 1, when they host Newcastle in Gameweek 32.

Arsenal XI (3-4-1-2): Cech; Monreal, Koscielny, Mustafi; Kolašinac, Xhaka, Ramsey (Torreira 87′), Maitland-Niles; Özil (Mkhitaryan 70′); Lacazette (Iwobi 70′), Aubameyang.

802 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Lost on a previous page

    Given Fraser is likely to play and possibly haul (given his history of post-flag performances), would you say a -4 to drop Pogba for him is worth it (0.4m tied up in him)? I have Wilson already. Would allow me to bench Pereira as a safety net in case of no shows

    Thoughts?

    1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I reckon it’s worth it yeah

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      -4 to get 12 players is a bit daft this week when managers are struggling to field 11.

      1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        I’d disagree. It’s like you’re saying you don’t need a playing bench in a regular Gameweek. If someone is rested which is likely at this stage of season, you’re better off having someone who you believe may haul in their place. It’s an immediate -2 and also a differentiator vs other teams. The fact that most will start 8/9, makes the hit even easier to swallow

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Precisely. See my reply below!

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        That some are struggling to field 11 is irrelevant.

        It’s surely just about whether Fraser - Pereira’s points (as benched) - 0.4m TV is worth more than 4 points over 2 weeks...

  2. MGD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Been harshly ignored... Repost

    A) Aguero + Masuaku -> Vardy + Fraser/Maddison (-4)
    B) Aguero + Masuaku -> Higuain + Fraser/Maddison (-4)
    C) Aguero + Jimenez -> Vardy + Higuain (-4)
    D) A + Shaw -> Pereira (-8)
    E) B + Shaw -> Pereira (-8)
    F) C + Shaw -> Pereria (-8)

    Cheers

    A-C i can do Shaw to Pereira next gw for free and play with 10 this GW.

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Why do you assume harshly?

      1. MGD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        It was just clarified that it was rudely, not harshly. Thanks though 🙂

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          A - with Fraser for me.

          1. MGD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Cheerio!

    2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      a with Fraser. Don’t get pereira in for an extra hit. Regret getting him big time

      1. MGD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Cheers it think that thats where i am atm 🙂 How many will you field?

        1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Currently 10 with one FT but planning to take a hit and have a spare. See post below

          1. MGD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Nice. I think 10 is enough if you can use 1 ft before GW33 to field 11 then.

    3. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      We'd never harshly ignore you.

      Rudely perhaps, but never harshly.

      1. MGD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Pweew... Thanks 😉

  3. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on what to do with this team?

    Guaita* - Button*
    Robertson - TAA - Luiz - Pereira - AWB*
    Salah - Sterling* - Son* - Pogba* - Maddison
    Jimenez* - Rondon - Ings*

    Thanks guys!

    1. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      FH GW32 and WC in GW34

  4. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Afternoon ladies and gents

    Fabianski, Hamer
    TAA, pereira, Digne (AWB, Doherty)
    Brooks, Fraser, Salah, Anderson (Sterling)
    Rondon, Vardy (Aguero)

    Aguero and Sterling to
    A) Mane and Wilson (Leaning towards this)
    B) Mane and Higuain
    C) Hazard and Wilson

    Appreciated

    1. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A

      1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Thanks

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A for sure mate

      1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Thank you

  5. Bojaninho
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    I have 10 but one is Schniderlin (don't ask, has been bench fodder all season but somehow never got rid of him.

    -4 to add one more to play, would have to be a defender proabably bennett.

    total -8

    1. Bojaninho
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      as in get rid of Bennett

  6. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Captain Wilson or Arnie?

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Wilson

      1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        +1

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I know Pelli made some comments, but I still wouldn't trust Arnie to start. So Wilson.

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        team might be available from sources at 1.45pm

    3. Weilong7
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      no salah or mane? wilson out of the two

    4. Party time
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Huddersfield are on the beach

    5. Erez Avni
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      which dual will score more in gw 31?

      a. haz & boruc
      b. wilson & fabianski

      cheers!

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Haz and Boruc! Go!

    6. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Which combo will score more GW31 & 33?

      A) Mane & Kepa & Fraser (8 players in GW31) (-4)

      Or

      B) Wilson & Allison & Fraser & Maddison (9 players in GW31) (-4)

      Or

      C) Mane & Boruc & Brooks & Rondon (9 players in GW31) (-8)

    7. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Is there any chance that GW33 will present a DGW for any team?

      1. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        My brain is not ready for it at least

    8. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Fab button
      TAA Danilo AWB Kolasinac Bennett
      Salah mane Pogba Hayden Antonio
      Aguero higuain Jimenez

      2 FT 0.1 ITB

      Aguero Danilo Bennett
      To
      Vardy Azpili Ake/Digne/Rice/any defender up to 5.7?
      (-4)

    9. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Anyone else without WC going for TC32, FH33, BB35? With expected FA-cup outcomes it seems like the best way for me, but haven't seen any comrades

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Nah, too much can happen between 32 and 35.

    10. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Is Billing to Brooks worth a hit? Would be a proper old-fashioned -4!

      A - yes
      B - No

    11. Weilong7
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Sterling out for hazard or mane? have salah

      1. Lemongrab
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        The man(e) in form

        1. Weilong7
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Thanks! 🙂

      2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Leaning towards mane. Only factor messing up with me decision is a rested hazard vs a very tired mane

        1. Weilong7
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          indeed...

    12. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Money no object. Best combo for Aguero and Pog (have filled the three L’pool slots)

      Hazard and Vardy? Any other ideas?

      Thanks in advance

      1. Lumberjack
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Hazard and Vardy look good

      2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        What’s the rest of team looking like? I’m contemplating mane over hazard

    13. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A bit lost. Any suggestions much appreciated.

      To field 11 GW31 (will FH32) should I do Schär >

      A) Azpi for -4 (eve, WHU)
      B) Aké for -4 (NEW, BUR)
      C) Don't take a hit and field 10

      Rest of my defence is: Fab, TAA, Pereira and Schindler.

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        I'm definitely taking a hit for one of Azpi/Luiz/Ake, deciding between them is the problem!

    14. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      If I have 2fts and play free hit chip this week, do those 2fts roll to next week?

      1. Lemongrab
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        No back to 1

        1. boredjames
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          seems a bit unfair

          1. Dave Bauer
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Life is cruel, amigo.

      2. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Sorry pal

    15. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Got harshly bottomed (steady on sniggering children)

      GTG with this lot or take a -4 to bring in Luiz?

      Dubravka
      Robbo, Pereira
      Salah, Haz, Mane, Fraser
      Wilson

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        As Luiz is sure to play in 33.
        If you're following the popular chip strategy, I'd say it makes sense.

    16. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      any strong opinions on the best Liverpool trio for this week?

      1. Party time
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Firmino, Salah, Mane

        • boredjames
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Salah and Mane and one of VVD/Robertson

      2. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Ballers Good to go?
        Boruc
        TAA, VVD, Chilwell, Rice
        (M)ane, Maddison, Brooks
        Arnie, Higuain, Vardy

        Guaita, Pogba, Sterling, Shaw
        1 FT 0 ITB looking at taking shaw out for Clyne?

        Thoughts

      3. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Since Fraser doubt then Maddison instead a better bet? Fraser had good last game but ...

        1. boredjames
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Howe said he should be ok. I have him on a FH

        2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Stick with Fraser

        3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Fraser all day for me - his productivity when he's alongside Wilson is off the charts

          16 returns in 22 games alongside Wilson this season
          10 in last 12
          7 in last 7
          4 in last 3
          2 in last 1

          Doesn't guarantee that Maddison and/or Barnes won't outscore him in a very small sample size of one/two gameweeks though - and his yellow flag is a balls

      4. Weasel51
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        All this planning to get 11 out.

        Higuain, Fraser and Lascelles.... FFS!

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          They all out????

        2. Dave Bauer
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Every chance two of them will play though...

      5. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Is Wilson that much better than king than no one goes for the Norwegian ?

        1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          I went for King and I’m proud of it!

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Haha 🙂

      6. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        What do I do here lads, got 1FT, 1.9 ITB. Got 8 players, willing to take hit for 2 players, FH next GW.

        Fab, Rui*
        Robertson,Shaw*,WB*,Bennett*,Kola*
        Salah,Felipe,Billing,Pogba*,Sterling*
        Higuain,King,Rondon

      7. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        RP Have Vardy, Wilson and Fraser... To join them in 31 and 33:

        A) King
        B) Maddison
        C) Arni
        D) Lanzini

      8. Weilong7
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Robbo TAA Chilwell
        Salah F.Anderson
        Wilson

        Lloris Button AWB Lascelles** Pogba Son Masuaku Jimenez Aguero

        2FT 1.5 ITB
        1) Son for Maddison/Fraser?
        2) Lascelles for Rice?
        3) Button for Fabianski/Boruc?

      9. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Fabs
        Trent, Pereira, Luiz, LASCELLES
        Mane, Salah, Maddison, Brooks
        Vardy, Wilson

        Boruc, Aguero, Doherty, Pogba

        GTG?

        FH32, WC34

        -4 already, -8 for AKE?

      10. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Any Higuain news?

        I could swap him for Vardy for -4, but I want info first!

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Im keeping and hoping he starts

      11. Bumbaclot
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Looking for advice. I have 5 players available at the moment and 2FT’s. Should I take a -4 and have 8 or should I just FH? No wildcard left either.

        Thanks!

      12. gribude
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Am I only one here (or among all FPL players) with 11 players in gw31, 2 fts and fh gw32 plan so I can easily buy and sell Aboubakar Kamara?
        Oh wait...he's not in game anymore!?

      13. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Shaw to Luiz worth a -4? Already taken one hit and am free hitting next week