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. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best forward for 5.3m?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Talk about your end of season top post...

    2. micsway
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      surely long

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Never thought I’d say this but I have 3 So’ton already...wow

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Probably Long.
      Llorente maybe....Grant at Huddersfield if you want to be crazy.

  2. micsway
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Long or Babel?

    Rival has Babel

  3. meclive
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Why is everyone sticking with Son? He's been terrible!

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

      reversion to the mean now

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

      Fear.

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

      I have KDB and Eriksen to get out

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

    Lloris
    Robbo Bennett Valery
    Mane Salah-(vc) Son Jota
    Jimmy Aguero-(c) Wilson

    Foster Babel Dunk Masina

    1 FT 0.2 ITB. Thoughts on any potential transfers?

  5. GaribaldiT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Cheers pal. I see you also have Laca and Firmino so in the same boat. I'll stick and hope we get a good result. Good luck.

  6. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Erik/Son + Firm > Haz + Rash (-4)?

  7. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which do you prefer of these?...thanks.

    A - Eriksen & Duffy > Pogba & PVA (no hit means i play JWP in a 3-5-2)
    B - Eriksen, Duffy & Gray > Pogba, Dann & Zaha -4
    C - Eriksen, Duffy & Gray > Pogba, Bednarek & Rashford -4
    D - Eriksen, Duffy & Gray > Siggy, Shaw & Rashford -4

  8. Virgil Hilts
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I've 2 FT and no pressing issues.

    Got 2 playing GK's in Foster & Ryan.

    Rather than burn a FT, transfer out Ryan for cheapest non-playing GK available to free up funds for future transfers?

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

      Some talked about a rotation risk for Foster given they are preparing for the Cup.

      1. Virgil Hilts
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers mate, probably do Foster to Gunn then and bank 0.3m, leaving Ryan as back up.

        Gunn not bad fixtues (West Ham away and Huddersfield at home)

        leaves 2 FT for GW38

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

          Actually Gunn is a risk too... I have him and I'm not happy.
          https://twitter.com/AdamBlackmore/status/1123953779685175296?s=19

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

    a) Duffy > AWB
    b) Save FT and play Valery

    1. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

      B

    3. YouReds
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks both

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

    Chances of Moura starting tomorrow?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      70%

  11. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Metro photos show rash training...

    A Shaw - Pogba

    B Shaw - Pogba - Rashford -4

    Lloris
    Shaw - Trent - Doherty
    Salah - Sterling - Pogba - Jota
    Aguero - Jimenez - Wilson?

    Foster - Deulofeu? - Laporte? - Valery

    0 bank

    Who to Captain
    Who to bench ?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Whoops B should be Kelly - Pogba - Rashford -4 🙁

  12. HamezMace
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    NEW POST

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Same old shite?

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

        but with the added panic of Friday evening deadline.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Mane benched?

  13. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Hits more risky towards the end of the season?
    I mean unless you nail it first time it leaves you little to no time to make up for it?
    Fair assessment?

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

      Agreed. With any transfer you make you need it to pay off immediately.

  14. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    60 & 130 PTS behind in my two ML's gonna throw the dice and stick the TC on Sterling nothing to lose is there 🙂

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I'll give you 1000-1 on the one you are 130 points behind on.

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

    Just one final go at resolution. Have to be out until deadline. Need to make up at least some ground (crud rank).

    A) Keep Eriksen (save FT, have Son).
    B) Take a punt on Pogba (keep Son).
    C) Son and Erik to Hazard and Siggy (-4).

    Captain
    1. Kun
    2. Sterling

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

      A1

  16. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    does this look ok

    lucas moura to babel or milivojevic

    or anny other?

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      fraser or deulofeu also an option

  17. datamunkey
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    1FT Leading ML by 23pts (rival has Salah)
    OR top 500

    Gunn (Foster)
    TAA Rob Laporte (Duffy Valery)
    Mane Sterling Son Eriksen (Højbjerg)
    Kun Jimi Rash

    Want Jota but question is... do I shift Son or Erik? Son i prefer as a player but Eriken's stats are better (risk of resting?)

    Would allow Hoj > Redmond next week potentially.

    Advice welcome

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

      Obvs HOLD is a viable option but Jota...

      1. Srv210
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        if getting jota then gw 38 fixture will be tough benching jota,jimenez

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

        Imagine if Jota doesn't fire against Fulham would you play him against Liverpool?

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

    A) Use 2FT: Deulofeu & Foster to Camarasa & De Gea
    (Deu is the 5th mid right now basically)

    B) Save 1FT: Foster to Leno

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

    Hi

    Eriksen to

    a) Bilva
    b) Pogba

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

    Is going without Rashford a bad move my ml rival has him and is 8 points behind me?

  21. DR0GBA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan (Boruc)
    TAA, Robbo, Luiz, Jonny
    Hazard, Sterling, Mane, Son
    Jimenez, Vardy

    Boruc, Llorente, Fraser, Cathcart
    1FT, £0.2M itb

    A) Vardy, Son > Aguero, Redmond (-4)
    B) Vardy > Rashford
    C) Vardy, Llorente, Fraser > Aguero, Long, 4m (-8)
    D) Vardy, Ryan > Rashford, Ederson/De Gea (-4)
    E) Anything else?

  22. gunner79
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    play shaw or doc? cheers

  23. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Any Pogba news?

  24. MarcusAurelius
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Repost*
    Stuck with this lot.
    1FT and 2.1mil in the bank.

    Foster (Boruc)
    TAA VVD Doherty
    Son Deulofeu Salah Sterling
    Jiménez Aguero Wilson
    Subs Bednarek Cathcart Holland

    Want to upgrade Deulofeu and narrowed down my options to:

    A) Deulofeu > Bilva
    B) Deulofeu + VVD > Mane + Valery (-4)
    C) Deulofeu + Cathcart > Pogba + 3.8 defender (-4)

    Thoughts?