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. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Duffy to Shaw or play Long against West ham away? (DEF So far is Robertson, Doherty and Laporte with Valery on the bench

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

      i like duffy to shaw

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Would it be a hit? If so then play Long.

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

        0 hits. Was considering banking a transfer but no need cause my team is decent for GW 38

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

    Need more opinions please...
    A. Valery to Laporte or
    B. Mane to Hazard
    Free

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Do you own Salah? I'd want at least some Liverpool coverage.

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

        Yes i have salad and robo

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

          what dressing?

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

            French if i get Laporte

            1. Balls of Steel
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 11 months ago

              Or you could try the César 🙂

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

      a by miles

    4. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A.

      I'd not be tempted to punt Mane.

  3. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy, Brooks & Son to Rashford, Babel & Hazard (-4pts) worth it?

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If Rashford was defo fit, I think it looks a good move

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

        he isnt

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

      no

    3. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Difficult. Probably

    4. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe yeah

  4. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A: Eriksen to Sterling
    B: Eriksen to Hazard
    C: Eriksen and Ings to Bilva and Rashford for a hit

    ??

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

      nope

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        You would keep both Eriksen and Son?

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

      B

  5. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Does this look a decent move?

    Salah, Vardy, Duffy -> Hazard (C), Aguero, Valery (-4)

    Also have Mane.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Definately. Love it

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

      no

    3. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good

    4. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  6. Codetto
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Play Babel (wol) or Wilson (tot)?

    1. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Babel

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Wilson

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

      Wilson coz BOU are good going forward

  7. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Guys, which is best combo for GW38?

    1. Redmond Salah Gray
    2. Rashford Salah Gray
    3. Rashford B.Silva Salah -4
    4. Rashford B.Silva Son (and DDG instead Foster)

  8. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    What chance Kolasinac starts on Sunday? I was banking on him playing and now not confident.

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Hopefully. But also got my doubts 🙁

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

      50,%

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

      80

  9. Essrick
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan and Eriksen to DDG and Pogba for free?

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

      Just do Erik > Pog

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If you haven't got a decent second keeper then yep

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Or Lloris

  10. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Salah, King and Duffy to Pogba, Aguero and Kelly? (-4)

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

    Hazard and Bilva or Sterling and Pedro?

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

      Hazard and Bilva

  12. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    1 FT 0.2m ITB

    Lloris Foster
    Robbo Duffy Yoshida Doherty Laporte
    Salah Mane Son Jota JWP
    Aguero Jimenez Gray

    A) Son --> Pogba
    B) Son --> Bilva
    C) something else
    D) save FT for 38 and G2G

  13. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    1ft 0.3 itb. Gtg or Lucas/Origi/Kol out?

    Lloris
    Robo Doh Kolas
    Lucas Mane Son Jota Sterl
    Jimenez Aguero

    (Foster, Valery, Origi, Masina)

  14. Rahulio
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Worth bringing Rashford for a -4?

    Kepa Gray --> Boruc Rashford

  15. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who to TC
    Aguero
    Hazard
    Sterling

    Someone else ?

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

      Aguerooooo

    2. Pointless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero

  16. GinjaWhinja
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Why is no-one considering Juan Mata as #10?
    Pretty much nailed and 2 plum fixtures.

  17. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How risky a move is Salah --> Haz? Really think Haz could outscore Salah, but Salah is just.. Salah. Could be a high risk/high reward kinda thing.

  18. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Between Moura and Kola who has to go first?

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kola. Arsenal can concede against anyone.

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      This this this. Ill probs keep both tbf, half decent fixtures if both start

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        But will they start? Can't see Moura starting

      2. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I'd think so. Kane may be back for 2nd leg and he'll want to win this as guarenteed top 4. I'd guess at Son and Moura up top as Llorente also played 90 midweek

        1. Tshelby
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Kane may be back? Got a source on that? Would be lovely

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Lucas M apparently let it slip and poch said something regarding him and lamela

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

      Kola

  19. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Mitro + Son > 4.2 + Aguero (C) for a hit? Doing my best to protect a 15 point ML lead, feel that Aguero in is worth it.

    Thoughts? Could also go Mitro > Rashford for free.

  20. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I'm in a sticky position, I am 20 points ahead of my rival and I know for a fact he has brought in Rashford, do I...

    a) Cover him and get Rashford (despite the minor doubt) , worst case we both lose out

    b) Get Zaha instead

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

      Depends who you’re ditching. Any of his other players could skewer you too. Play your own game.

  21. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Moura to Sigurdsson stupid? Nice fixture this gw and some reason fancy him against his old team (Spurs)

  22. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best time to play Bench Boost for GW37 or GW38?

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

      GW36! But seriously.... Aguero this week I think.

    2. Pointless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sorry mistook TC! BB this week too because of rotation and less motivation in 38.

  23. Essrick
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Chaps,

    Ryan & Llorente > DDG & Long for free?

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

      Ryan not likely to keep a cleanie 37 or 38 only save points. Long a good call/form/fixtures. I’d say yes.

  24. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    a) Firmino + Doucoure to Long + Hazard for -4
    b) Firmino to Laca

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

      Close call. Long’s fixtures are good so I’m getting Redmond. Been burnt by Haz before lots but in theory it’s ok. I’d only do the Haz -4 if you plan to captain him. Fortune favours the brave?!

  25. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan foster
    Taa laporte vert duffy valery
    Salah mane son jota camarasa
    Kun jiminez grey

    1.2 in bank 1ft happy to take hits.

    Any suggestions?x

  26. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gunn
    Robbo TAA Doherty
    Mane Sterling Son Eriksen Jota
    Jimenez Kun
    (Ryan - Llorente - Valery - Cathcart)
    0.5itb 1ft

    Best move?
    A. Stick
    B. Eriksen to Pogba
    C. Eriksen to Other (e.g. Bilva)
    D. Other

  27. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Any thoughts? Could go either way

    A) Eriksen & Dunk > B.Silva & Digne/Shaw
    B) Eriksen & Dunk > Redmond & Robertson/Laporte

    Lloris
    TAA, Doherty, Valery
    Mane, Sterling, Son, Erisken, Jota
    Aguero, Jimenez

    Foster, Wilson, Yoshida, Dunk

  28. Distinctly Average
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Trying to hold on to a top 1.5k finish, reckon this is good enough to get me through this week?

    Ryan
    TAA, Doherty, Laporte
    Salah, Son, Mane, Sterling(C), Jota
    Jimenez, Mitro
    (Foster, Vertonghen, Gray, Masina)

  29. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Do you think wolves will play with full strength? Want to captain jota but doubt his minutes

  30. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which options should I choose? I have 2FT and 2.1 itb

    a) Foster to Allison
    b) Duffy to Shaw
    c) Vardy to Rashford
    d) Foster & Duffy to Allison & Shaw
    e) Vardy & B.Silva to Wilson & Sterling

    Foster
    Robbo/Laporte/Jonny
    Mane/B.Silva/Son/Jota
    Aguero/Vardy/Jimenez

    Subs:Ryan/Hojberg/Bednarek/Duffy