Scout Notes

Hazard all set for Gameweek 37 after Europa League benching

As per usual, the latest Europa League action has helped give us clues about the next round of Fantasy Premier League.

Most notably, Eden Hazard (£10.9m) was left on the bench ahead of a hugely appealing home fixture against Watford, with the Chelsea man potentially the key differential captain this weekend.

Meanwhile, the waters were muddied further at Arsenal as both of their centre-forwards were heavily involved against Valencia.

We discuss all the Fantasy talking points from the semi-finals in this latest Scout Notes article.

Arsenal 3-1 Valencia

Goals: Alexandre Lacazette x2 (£9.4m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m)

Assists: Aubameyang, Xhaka, Sead Kolašinac (£5.0m)

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) was the star for Arsenal as they beat Valencia on Thursday night. He scored twice as his partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) proved too hot to handle for the Spanish visitors. The Frenchman’s first goal of the night was netted after a square-ball from his Gabonese colleague, who added a crucial strike in stoppage time.

Lacazette’s goals came at just the right time for the Gunners as his exploits turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead in just seven minutes. He was by far the most threatening player on the pitch and could have arguably netted at least a hat-trick, maybe more. Lacazette spurned several big chances, including a close-range header and two opportunities that brought saves from Valencia goalkeeper Neto. The volume of shots he had in the match certainly suggests he could offer serious points potential in Gameweek 37 – after all, you have to all the way back to Gameweek 16 for the last time Lacazette blanked in a home match.

“I had two more chances where I could have done better but thankfully Aubameyang scored the third one. If we can go to Baku [for the Europa League final] it will be special.” – Alexandre Lacazette

However, calling which of Arsenal’s front men will start their Premier League encounter with Brighton on Sunday afternoon remains something of a coin toss. With both Lacazette and Aubameyang playing the full 90 minutes against Valencia, it is very difficult to second guess Unai Emery at this point. After all, he very recently substituted Lacazette roughly an hour into a Europa League tie, suggesting he would start the following Premier League match, but the Spanish manager ended up benching him.

It certainly seems as if Emery will not be resting on Arsenal’s laurels in the second leg of this semi-final, which might impact the game-time of his attacking players in Gameweek 37. When asked how he would approach the return trip to Spain, the Gunners boss insisted that attack will be the best form of defence. The Europa League continues to increase in priority for Arsenal as they bid for Champions League football in 2019/20. Three consecutive defeats in the Premier League have seriously damaged their top-four chances and are two points short of Chelsea with two games to go. Therefore, it’s possible that both Lacazette and Aubameyang will have their minutes managed against Brighton with that second leg in Valencia in mind. That said, 27 of the Frenchman’s 35 goals in all competitions for Arsenal (77%) have come at home, so perhaps it might be him who starts against Brighton and is benched for Valencia.

“We need to play there thinking to win, thinking to score, thinking to take our moment in attack. They are going to feel strong with their supporters there. Aubameyang and Lacazette played very well. We managed to get in dangerous situations near their goal, and in the first half towards the end, we got in four to five times out wide. I still believe that the tie is in the balance, we know how tough it will be to beat Valencia again. And they will be looking to respond.” – Unai Emery

Despite the positive result, Arsenal still looked defensively vulnerable at stages of this semi-final first leg, especially in the first half. Ezequiel Garay missed from a few yards out, then Rodrigo was given the space to head across goal to set up Mouctar Diakhaby for the opening strike. Soon afterwards a loose Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m) header allowed Goncalo Guedes a chance.

“We started a bit nervous because we lost the last three games, I think that’s normal. We are human, but after that, we had a good reaction.” – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

There were further clues to Arsenal’s potential line-up against Brighton on Thursday night. Laurent Koscielny (£5.4m) might be touch and go for Gameweek 37 after he was taken off in the 82nd minute against Valencia, Emery now hoping he will be okay for Sunday. Meanwhile, Sead Kolaśinac‘s (£5.0m) 90-minute outing, plus a full match at Leicester in Gameweek 36, might see him rotated out of his left-back berth for Nacho Monreal (£5.4m), who only played 10 minutes against Valencia.

“I hope Koscielny will be ok for Sunday, I don’t know. But I don’t know for the second leg away he was very tired. He ran back 50 metres doing a sprint and it’s normal he can be tired and struggling. I prefer to change him to give also Nacho Monreal ten minutes after his small [calf] injury. Ten minutes helps us and him.” – Unai Emery

Meanwhile, Lucas Torreira (£4.7m) featured only as a second-half substitute for Matteo Guendouzi (£4.4m). That should probably see the Uruguayan start against Brighton.

“I was thinking with Matteo, he can have that and also with the combination with Mesut. After the first half, it was not playing like I was thinking. But, it is good for us and our composition with the team, the set up I think was for controlling the possession also. This is the reason. Matteo and Lucas can help us at the beginning or having an impact. Also, giving us different qualities. Both can play together, can play also one another. It depends on the match. Today I decided with Matteo to play the passes ahead for Mesut, for the strikers, also one side to another side. Maybe the match in the second half can be different.” – Unai Emery

Arsenal XI (3-4-1-2): Cech; Koscielny (Monreal 82′), Sokratis, Mustafi; Kolašinac, Xhaka, Guendouzi (Torreira 58′), Maitland-Niles; Özil (Mkhitaryan 75′); Aubameyang, Lacazette.

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Chelsea

Goals: Pedro (£6.2m)

Assists: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.2m)

Chelsea fans might have been disappointed to see Hazard on the bench for their trip to Eintracht Frankfurt, but it was a development that will be particularly pleasing to his Fantasy owners. Maurizio Sarri opted not to start the Belgian to ensure that he had ample rest for the remainder of the season, with Watford up next. The 30 minutes that Hazard got under his belt on Thursday, which featured an energetic display, should see him fresh and ready for an appealing fixture that has firmly established him in the Gameweek 37 captaincy debate.

“Eden was on the bench because, in the last period, he played 10 matches in a row. It’s impossible to play that many. For us, this was match No59 I think, and Hazard also played eight matches in the national team. For a player, it’s impossible to play 70-75 matches in a season. And so, sometimes, Hazard like all the other players needs to rest. Or not to rest, but not to play for 90 minutes. This is the first reason. The second is that Eden usually is able to change the match from the bench, and so, for me, it was better to start with Willian and then to try, in the last 30-35 minutes, with Eden. But for Eden, it’s impossible to play 75-80 matches in a season.” – Maurizio Sarri

Alternative sources of investment to Hazard at Chelsea have been hard to come by in recent weeks but Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.2m) has been making a case for himself. The England international was arguably the Blues’ best player on Thursday night, coming back into the side after featuring only as a substitute against Manchester United. He inspired the fight-back after Chelsea went 1-0 down, forcing a save out of Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp before playing in Pedro (£6.2m) to equalise. Subsequently, Loftus-Cheek had two more excellent opportunities to score and will have done his chances of starting against Watford no harm at all.

He was replaced by Mateo Kovačić (£5.7m) in the 82nd minute with cramp, so is not really nailed on to start against Watford. Maurizio Sarri revealed once again that the club are still managing a back issue for him but given that he played just 14 minutes last weekend, he is still in with a shout of starting on Sunday afternoon.

“Loftus-Cheek is a very important player. He improved a lot during the season. When he is at the top, physically, he’s a very important player. He’s always in trouble with his back, and it’s not easy for him to have training with consistency. But in this match he was really fit. He played a very good match. He had a cramp in the last 10 minutes so he called me for a substitution.” – Maurizio Sarri

Meanwhile, Pedro has now been involved in seven goals in his last six starts in the Europa League. The Spaniard has scored four of his own and provided assists for another three, but very much remains off the Fantasy radar. That’s because his heavy involvement in European competitions has meant just one start in the last six Premier League matches.

“It’s very difficult because we have to play again in the Premier League in 62 hours, so it’s not easy to recover, especially in a very competitive championship like the Premier League. You risk to pay.” – Maurizio Sarri

David Luiz (£5.8m) offered plenty of goal threat against Frankfurt and will be disappointed not to have come away with attacking returns. He rattled the cross-bar with one of his textbook free-kicks before directing a headed effort from Hazard’s cross straight at the goalkeeper.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Emerson, D Luiz, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Loftus-Cheek (Kovačić 83′), Jorginho, Kanté; Willian (Hazard 61′), Giroud, Pedro.

1,647 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MGD
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    LLoris
    Laporte - TAA - Doherty
    Sterling - Mane - Eriksen - Son
    Aguero - Jimmy - Gray

    Ryan - JWP - Bednarek - Duffy

    0.0 ITB 2Ft

    Lloris + Gray -> Guita + Zaha?

  2. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Going without kun and hazard this week. Salah you better be back to your best.

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I don't have all 3 eek

  3. nikornla
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who to C?

    1) Mane
    2) Salah
    3) Aguero
    4) Jimenez
    5) Son

    1. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kun surely.

  4. It'd be Rudi not to...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    ML is in the bag, so this is just for kicks and rank.

    0.3 ITB, 1FT

    Thinking about:

    1) Salah, Llorente -> Kun (C), Mili / Redmond (-4)
    2) Salah -> Haz
    3) Duffy -> Shaw
    4) Stick and roll for 2 FT next week

    Lloris (Foster)
    TAA Kola Valery (Dunk Duffy)
    Son Sterling Salah Mane Jota
    Wilson Jimi (Llorente)

    1. Fantasy Premington
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      3

    2. FPL_Architect
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      The only one I'd consider is 3. But then who would you bench for shaw.. Valery? I'm basically in the same position and thinking I'll roll the transfer and maybe double United next week.

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      probably 2 if it is a punt but really Salah and Haz could end up with similar scores - (my differential this week is Siggy - but with four straight red arrows you don't want to follow my advice)

  5. Fantasy Premington
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    if the person closest to you in your ML was likely captaining Mane, would you captain Salah or Aguero? Salah more likely to cover, but Aguero maybe a better option

    1. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I suppose you both have Mane, Salah and Aguero?

    2. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero

  6. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Stuck! Who would you bench out of this lot???

    Sterling - Mane - Son - Hazard - Jota
    Aguero - Firmino - Jiminez

    #firstworldproblems

    1. Fantasy Premington
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      bobby

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Lol
      Bobby

    4. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      wow..reluctantly Bobby

    5. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino

    6. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Play bobby over Jota all day everyday imo

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers all! Surprused you all went with Bobby. I was considering either Jota or Son on the bench???

  7. Hargo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Foster Ryan
    Robertson Doherty Valery Duffy Cathcart
    Sterling Son Mané Eriksen Höjbjerg
    Aguero Jimenez Wilson

    2 FT 0 ITB

    Any suggestions?

    1. AMP
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      almost identical to mine.

      I am on

      Eriksen to Pogba/Bilva
      and
      Valery to Shaw

  8. Wardinator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Need to bring in a 5.4 mid to fund Aguero

    Whos looked better, Redmond or JWP?

    1. piotas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      jwp

  9. Reckoner
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A: Duffy > Kelly and Kola >TAA , or
    B: Duffy > Kelly and Dunk > Shaw ?

    (Robbo - Valery - Kola - Duffy -Dunk )

  10. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    guys need your help plz

    Foster ryan
    vertonghen duffy doherty arnold valery
    erisken son mane sterling deulefeu
    aguero jimmy gray

    1FT and 0.5 itb

    A) eriksen -> B.silva
    B) eriksen and gray -> hazard and long (-4)
    C) vertonghen -> laporte or shaw
    D) eriksen and deulefeu -> jota and pogba
    E) eriksen and vertonghen -> hazard and jonny

  11. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who to captain/TC? (Massivly chasing )

    A. Sterling
    B hazard*
    C jota*
    D salah*
    E son*

    * = rival does not own

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B would be an excellent tc differential if chasing massively

      1. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        could*

    3. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks, TC hazard it is wish me luck

  12. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    8 a head in my mini league I can get Rashford in but at -8 and means keeping midfield of
    Salah Mane Sterling Son

    Or get rid of one of the above and Llorente to Rashford and Hazard for free

    Cheers

  13. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gtg?

    Ryan
    Laporte TAA Doherty
    Sterling Haz (C) Mane Redmond
    Aguero Rashford Jimenez

    Foster Valery Hoj Duffy

    1. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Gtg

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yup, looks good

  14. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Afternoon Al, may I get your advice on 2 questions:
    Best move this week? 1ft, 0.4itb
    1) save, let valery will come in for Vertongen
    2) Vertongen-> shaw
    3) mane Vertongen-> hazard shaw for -4
    4) Wilson-> Rashford

    Who to play:
    a) Wilson (TOT)
    b) Redmond (whu)

    Current line up:
    Foster (Ryan)
    Taa Doherty Vertongen
    Son jota mane Salah 
    Jimenez Wilson Aguero
    Subs: Redmond, valery, duffy

  15. DAVESAVES
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    TC Aguero or Sterling?

    1. tyron
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      im currently on sterling but trying to figure out why everyone is going aguero over sterling atm.

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling higher ceiling

    3. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling - more explosive, more PPG/points than Aguero over last 2 seasons now.

  16. BananaMan
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    League leader at the minute by 25.
    2nd place has Sterling & Aguero. I don't.

    A) Vardy -> Aguero
    B) Eriksen -> Sterling

    Whichever one I pick gets the armband.

    1. tyron
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I would like to have both but will prob go aguero

    2. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Whoever you think they're also likely to (c)

      1. BananaMan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Your guess is as good as mine!
        He preferred Sterling with his TC a couple of weeks ago but he let him down so its a tough call!

  17. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which is the best option guys? Have 1FT £1.2M itb..

    A) Son > Pogba.
    B) Duffy > Shaw
    C) Save FT

    Foster (Ryan)
    Robbo, Laporte, Doherty, Valery (Duffy)
    Son, Mane, Sterling, Jota (Hojberg)
    Kun, Jimi, (Llorente)...

    1. jam
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'm hanging on to Son for a week but if I could afford Duffy to Shaw I would & bench Doherty.

    2. HizzerWhizzer
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

  18. jam
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Might not help much, but:
    Sterling v Leicester P8, G1, A1
    Aguero v Leicester P6, G5, A1

  19. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Son has been woeful this past few gameweeks. Should I dump him for a -4 hit? There are better value, one-week punts out there I reckon...

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      *These (not this)

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Who are you thinking?

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Siggy, Jota, Antonio

        1. Feed tha Sheep
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          None of them worth a -4 IMO but I suppose could pay off. People seem to think Pogba with the fixtures

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Pogba has been similarly awful. I'm more inclined to go with form over fixtures at the mo. I might just stick with my one FT this week. Anyone coming in has to be bench boost material for next game week.

            1. Miniboss
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              This. I’d pick Jota or Deulofeu over Pogba, despite the fixtures. Happy to keep Son against leaky Bournemouth.

    3. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      But bourne def.

    4. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Considering the same to get Hazard. Not sure if worth it for a rested Son vs Bournemouth

  20. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Any advice please or GTG. Help would be appreciated. Used my 2FT and 0.4 ITB. Any more transfers would mean taking a hit but I'm open to suggestions.

    Ryan
    Laporte, TAA, trippier, shaw
    Salah, sterling, jota, pogba
    Kun, Jimenez

    Subs JWP, gray (wat) and bednarek.

    OR 631 and aim is top 500. Good luck to all, it's been a long haul this season.

    1. HizzerWhizzer
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Looks solid to me, gtg

    2. HizzerWhizzer
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Who were your 2FT's out of interest?

      1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Duffy to shaw and son to pogba (didn't know about slight pogba doubt). The last one may be costly and I know he has poor form but just had a gut feeling that they will be chasing goals as its tight for 4th place. Done ok with gut feeling so far this year. Still unsure as to kun or sterling for (c). Sterling at the moment.

  21. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts about Salah -> Hazard?

    Would remove armband from Sterling to Hazard

    1. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Considering the same move. Also enables me to get Rashford.

  22. tyron
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    am I missing something? why are sterling and aguero owners choosing aguero over sterling?

    1. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Purely because Aguero always returns in home games..

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        But Sterling has scored twice as many points as him in the 5 home games they've started together this season (vs bottom 14 teams)

        1. tyron
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          exactly

  23. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Do spurs fans or anyone in general think son will start this weekend?

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yes they need to win to secure top 4. If they are 2/3 up then he will come off

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Agreed

  24. Caleb's Kitties
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Help please..hazard or sterling?

    2FT 1.5ITB

    A. Eriksen duffy to Sterling 3.8
    B. Eriksen doherty to Hazard shaw

    Leno
    Robbo laporte doherty
    Salah eriksen son jota
    Aguero(C) rashford jimenez
    Ryan hojbjerg valery duffy

  25. Jedi_Reed
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Question - how does De Bruyne being out effect Bilva? Is there a significant drop off in FPL performance when he plays deeper?

    And if so, what are the best other mid-priced options? Already own Jota. Everton look like a good shout. Can’t afford Pogba.

  26. cattro
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan or Kepa?

    1. DanLynch
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kepa

    2. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kepa

  27. DanLynch
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan + son > pogba + ederson
    Yes or no?

  28. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Matip ➡️ Shaw for free
    Yay or nay
    Would have valery off the bench if Matip doesn’t play

  29. Ji-Sung Park
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best midfielder under 7, besides Jota?

    1. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Can't believe I'mn saying this but probably Babel. There's also JWP and Redmond.

  30. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    2 Questions for you

    Who to play out of

    Valery
    Kolasinac

    &

    Pick 1 out of

    Zaha
    Rashford

    Any ideas will be welcomed

    1. Hitmonlee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kola, think hammers will bag a few and he has more potential against a toothless Brighton

      I went for Rashy, he was in training this week and it's Huds so deffo worth a punt. Plus I think Cardiff may put up a massive fight against palace so could keep a clean sheet.