Scout Notes

Chelsea’s Europa League exploits hand advantage to Vardy and Leicester

Wins for Chelsea and Arsenal on Thursday ensured that four Premier League clubs will have major European finals at the back of their minds in Gameweek 38.

We have examined the two matches to see if their exertions in the semi-finals of the Europa League and further commitments could potentially hand advantages to Leicester and Burnley respectively.

Also, the post-match press conferences for both clubs acted as the media commitments for those Gameweek 38 matches, so we have also included any pertinent information from those.

Chelsea 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt (2-2 on aggregate, Chelsea win on penalties)

Goals: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.2m)

Assists: Eden Hazard (£11.0m)

Owners of Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) will be pleased both by the fact that Chelsea were forced all the way to extra-time and penalties on Thursday night, as well as Maurizio Sarri’s comments after the game. After the physical exertion of 120 minutes and the emotion of the occasion, it is clear the Blues will not be as ready for Sunday as Brendan Rodgers’ fresh and rested Leicester side. Sarri himself admitted that his side was very tired will not have been able to recover 100% by the start of Gameweek 38. He also hinted that there could be rests for some key players, which would further play into the Foxes’ hands.

“We were not able to score the second goal in the first half and were in trouble in the first part of the second half. We did better after that and, in extra-time, we were really very tired. Also, the opponents were very tired. I think it was a wonderful match.” – Maurizio Sarri

“It’s not easy for an English team to arrive in the last month in a very good condition, physically, because here we play more than in the other countries. We played the match No61 today. In Italy you can play 50/52 matches, but it’s a big difference. 10 matches of difference is a big difference. Two and a half months without training, so a big difference.” – Maurizio Sarri

“For sure, it will be very difficult for Sunday, I think. But we need to consider that our best match, in my opinion, was here in Stamford Bridge against Tottenham, three days after 120 minutes in the cup final against Manchester City. Of course, now it’s more difficult, I think. We played 61 matches, so it’s very difficult. We need to rest, of course. It will be a very difficult match, physically but also mentally. Especially mentally. Physically we can recover. No 100%, but we can recover.” – Maurizio Sarri

It was fitting that Eden Hazard (£11.0m) scored the winning penalty for Chelsea with what could prove to be his final touch for the club at Stamford Bridge. Once again, he was involved in attacking returns in open play providing the assist for Ruben Loftus-Cheek‘s (£5.2m) first-half goal. However, we should remember, as we highlighted recently, that Belgian is without a goal on his travels in the Premier League. Let’s not also forget that he could be one of the players Sarri manages the minutes of considering the top-four is already secured for Chelsea and there is the Europa League final to look forward to.

Despite Loftus-Cheek’s impressive displays of late, following two goals and two assists in his last four domestic home matches with another Stamford Bridge strike on Thursday, he may not play a part in Gameweek 38. He was removed from the field in the closing stages of normal time with a muscle injury and unfortunately, Sarri did not provide much of an update after the game.

There was also a further boost for those looking at Vardy for Gameweek 38 as Andreas Christensen (£5.0m) was forced off in the 74th minute. With Antonio Rüdiger (£5.9m) ruled out for the rest of the season, Sarri will have limited options at centre-back and may have to make changes when he takes his Chelsea side to Leicester. Gary Cahill (£5.0m) could come in for one last start, although the solution Sarri used on Thursday night was the bring Davide Zappacosta (£5.0m) at right-back and slide Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.4m) into the centre-back role.

“We lost [Andreas] Christensen, we lost [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek. We started the match with three injuries, two injuries during the match. Not a serious problem [with Loftus-Cheek], he had the usual cramp after 75 minutes.” – Maurizio Sarri

It is worth saying though that Chelsea still defended admirably even after being forced into changes. Sarri admitted that he wanted to play a tighter game in the closing stages as he was confident his team would not get the next goal and did not want to leave Chelsea exposed to a good counter-attacking team by trying to push for it. With his team tired from Thursday night, the Italian could set up in a similar fashion given Leicester’s strengths on the counter. That period featured some impressive goal-line clearances from substitute Zappacosta and David Luiz (£5.8m).

“It was clear we were not able to score the second goal in the first half, the match was difficult. Also because, if you are not very, very compact on the pitch, they are dangerous. In an open match, they become really very dangerous. Or you are able to take control of the match for 90 minutes, to stay high and play in the opposing half, otherwise they are very, very dangerous.” – Maurizio Sarri

Perhaps the only other concern for Vardy owners, even if he does have a formidable record at home of late, will be penalties. The Englishman has missed only one spot-kick this season but on Sunday will be facing a man who got plenty of practice under pressure on Thursday in Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.4m). The Chelsea goalkeeper was one of the heroes of the shoot-out as he saved two of Frankfurts’ penalties, from Martin Hinteregger and Goncalo Paciencia.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Emerson, D Luiz, Christensen (Zappacosta 74′), Azpilicueta; Loftus-Cheek (Barkley 86′), Jorginho, Kovacic; Hazard, Giroud (Higuaín 96′), Willian (Pedro 62′).

Valencia 2-4 Arsenal (3-7 on aggregate)

Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang x3 (£10.8m), Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m)

Assists: Lacazette, Lucas Torreira (£4.7m), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£6.6m)

Predicting Unai Emery’s team for the Gameweek 38 trip to Burnley should prove to be harder than ever after their Europa League exploits on Thursday night. Despite travelling to Valencia with a 3-1 aggregate lead, Unai Emery deployed the strongest team possible, including a front-pairing of both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m).

The two have started the last two league games in a row alongside each other, despite Emery balancing domestic competitions with the Europa League so in that sense, both of them could line-up at Turf Moor on Sunday. However, with top four an extremely unlikely target for Arsenal now, winning the Europa League is the only realistic route into the Champions League for 2019/20, as well as a real possibility to win a trophy. For that reason, it would not be too surprising if several key players were rested or had their minutes managed in a game which is effectively a dead rubber. The Europa League final is admittedly 19 days away but given the short turnaround between the trips to Spain and Lancashire, Emery may want to avoid any unnecessary injuries as a result of over-exertion.

“We have two possibilities to qualify. One we lost. The second is the Europa League here. Our objective is to go to the Champions League but also it is one title. I think matches like today with this atmosphere are amazing. Every player, every club wants to play in it.” – Unai Emery

“We lost the chance to be in the top four on Sunday. We know it was going to be difficult but we took the possibility. We were strong in our minds to prepare, in our focus and to work hard. We can be proud of the players. our supporters here today with us. It’s not finished yet. It’s one step more to play the final. We are happy but also it’s continuing to be difficult to win.” – Unai Emery

Despite producing some fairly abject performances on the road in the Premier League this season, Arsenal may take heart for 2019/20 from securing this result at the home of Valencia. On Thursday night, the Spanish side lost for only the second time in 22 matches in front of their own supports (won 15, drawn five) and conceded four goals there for the first and only time this season. Replicating displays like this one would certainly help Arsenal improve on their away record during this Premier League campaign, which has so far seen more defeats than wins and a negative goal difference.

“Not one team has scored four against Valencia and only one time Atletico Madrid scored three goals and we did that last week. Valencia are a very good team. A very difficult team and we showed in these moments we can do that.” – Unai Emery

Part of Arsenal’s control of the fixture stemmed from one of the best link-ups between Aubameyang and Lacazette all season. The Gabonese international netted a hat-trick, while the Frenchman got a goal of his own as well as an assist. It is nights like this that suggest that the two strikers are now displaying an understanding that warrants starting both of them regularly in the Premier League in 2019/20.

“Yes, they are very good strikers. I am proud of them, how they work defensively. We need big players today. When their commitment is like today, defensively also working to help us it’s amazing. And after their attacking moments was coming. I think all our players did perfect.” – Unai Emery

“We have talked a lot about our relationship and it is a pleasure to play with him, above all when you win games like this.” – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal conceded twice but to some extent there was no shame in the goals they allowed. It should come as no surprise that Kevin Gameiro got them both as he has been in incredible form at the Mestalla Stadium in the Europa League this season, finishing the campaign with 11 goals in 12 starts there in that competition.

After letting in the second, Arsenal began to control the game and manage their hosts with the maturity that we have seen with increasing regularity in European competitions under Emery this season. Right wing-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m), who also got an assist for one of Aubameyang’s goals, had Goncalo Guedes under wraps for most of the evening before the Portuguese winger was eventually substituted. In the end, Valencia had double the shots that Arsenal did but fewer on target.

Arsenal XI (3-4-1-2): Cech; Monreal, Koscielny, Sokratis; Kolasinac (Mustafi 71′), Xhaka, Torreira (Guendouzi 80′), Maitland-Niles; Özil (Mkhitaryan 62′); Lacazette, Aubameyang.

1,164 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fitzy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hmmm... Vardy

  2. jennmenn
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hmmmm... Vardy

  3. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Have Gray

    a) keep
    b) Deeney (-4)
    c) Rondon (-4)

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Rondon

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      They’re likely to rest a few with FA.Cup Final in mind

  4. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Vardy..... Hmmmmmmm

    1. jennmenn
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      hmhmhm

  5. Hargo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Foster Ryan
    Robertson Valery Shaw Doherty Cathcart
    Sterling Mané Jota Höjbjerg Son
    Aguero Jimenez Wilson´

    1FT 2.6 ITB

    Any suggestions?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Son > Pogba/Redmond/Babel/Fraser and you’re good to go.

  6. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Do we reckon raah ford starts this week??

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      *Rashford

    2. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      unsure on what ole will do. If greenwood is fit he may get a start

  7. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hmmm..... Maddison

  8. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Chances of the following starting?

    a) Llorente
    b) JWP

  9. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Rashford -> Vardy (-4) Just because Rashford has been poor lately and he might be benched?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      No.

    2. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Benching doubt is tempting me for the same move

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Nope

  10. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Has Klopp done his presser?

    I’ve noticed Firmino flag is now red and Salah is still flagged?

    1. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Firmino confirmed out.

      salah and robbo are 'ok'

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  11. KingOllie
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I wana transfer in big kock divock.

    Reckon he will start?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Need insider info. Poor questioning from media to miss him out considering how important he has been recently after rumours of a muscle injury. Hopefully we find out soon

  12. Kno
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Easy raheem (c) if chasing two guys who both dont have him?

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Do they have Salah?

    2. St. Joseph
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yes.

  13. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I think if there's going to be a goalfest this weekend it's Spurs vs Everton...

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      No can’t see Spurs scoring many.

      I predict the WAT v WHU and FUL v NEW

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      See my comment below, you could be right!

  14. tburgess12
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Wilson or Redmond Captain? Gone back and forth for the last 24 hours!

    1. Jammyfpl
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I’m going for redmond

      1. tburgess12
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Every time I go for Wilson he lets me down, every time I go against him he hauls

  15. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on son and Duffy to Fraser and Walker for free

    Have 0.9itb also after those moves

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Good moves. Think I prefer Laporte though, or even an Alonso punt!

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Walker is my punt as ML rival has Laporte and I’m chasing and needing a miracle!

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          That’s fair then.

  16. Richd
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Never had Vardy or Fraser this year hmmmm

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      They have been pissing me off all season too

  17. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Tricky one help. These are my two choices in a forced -8 so please help it is a bad place I am in

    A) Salah + Origi
    B) Mane + Vardy

  18. Fnug
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    What do I have to do to get replies around here? Posted this eloquent little piece earlier, and didn't get any feedback whatsoever:

    11 points behind ML leader, who has a team full of problems (triple Wolves, double Brighton, Son, Robertson, Gray).

    WOULD YOU DO Haz and Son --> Salah and Deulofeu for a hit? (rival has Salah, but I've still got plenty of differentials, such as TAA, Raz, Redmond, Siggy, Deul and Rash).

    Gives me the following team:

    Lloris
    TAA, Doherty, Valery (Dunk, Duffy)
    Salah (C), Sterling, Redmond, Siggy, Deulofeu
    Kun, Rash (Jimenez)

    I gained 23 points on him last GW. Time to give the final blow.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      We don’t like long posts here

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Improve formatting and return

        1. Fnug
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Son’n Haz to Slh and Dlf 4 a hit?

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Ye

    2. tburgess12
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I would go for Fraser rather than Deulofeu personally, but otherwise yes I would take that hit

      1. Fnug
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Am 0,1 short of Fraser

    3. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Mainly because people want to answer quick fire questions. Long contextual posts although important for your team aren’t for anyone else.

      Good moves though.

  19. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Duffy and Eriksen -> Laporte and Redmond for free (I have two free transfers).

    Yes or No?

    Thank you!

    1. tburgess12
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      You can do better than redmond right? Look at Antonio or siggy etc. Redmond isn’t bad but he is not playing well atm

      1. tburgess12
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Not playing well? His XG is top 5 among all midfielders for the last 6 weeks and they're playing the worst away defense in the league

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          This

      2. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Is there a Specsavers near you? 😆

  20. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Tielemans?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      2 blanks in 10 games you could pick a worse option I guess

  21. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Gtg guys?

    Lloris
    Walker taa bednarek
    Salah(c) sterling(vc) Jota Fraser
    Aguero jiminez llorente

    Foster Doherty hojberg dunk

    0ft 0.9itb

  22. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Rival doesn’t have salah or sterling and I’m chasing, who to captain out of those?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Sterling

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Reasons?

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Doubt on Salah and Wolves rougher opponent. Sterling will go under the radar because hasn’t scored big recently.

          Albeit I’m captaining Mane over Aguero because I’m chasing.

    2. Fnug
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Salah will play like a man possessed on Sunday. City will win, but I think it will be tight (early lead and then death by football)

  23. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Have exact funds to do the move Son-Jim > Fraser-Vardy
    Pull the trigger?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks mate

  24. Thomas Jerome Newton
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Can't decide:
    A) Son & Firmino to Sterling & Wilson (-4pt hit)
    Or
    B) Block my nearest rival 20pts after hit) with Son & Firmino to Vardy & Eriksson.
    Not so keen on Eriksson this GW but Vardy a worry, or does having Sterling negate all that?!
    Other than those two there are only a couple of other players difference between our teams. Eg; my Aguero to his Rashford.

  25. Mordor F.C.
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Foster
    TAA, laporte bednarek
    Salah (C), mane, pogba, højbjerg Son
    Aguero (vc), jiminez
    Bench: ryan, gray, Johnny, duffy.

    1ft
    A) Son -> moura/bsilva
    B) -4 son and gray —> vardy and deloufeu/redmond

  26. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Y or N

    Firmino & Jimi > Vardy & Zaha -4

    1. tburgess12
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on situation, if you’re chasing points in ML etc?
      Don’t really like Zaha pick. Would personally go for Wilson or Wood this week.
      Good luck

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Winning ML by 21 and won cash league.

  27. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Vrooom. Hardy?

  28. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Any risk that Lacazette or eriksen miss out this weekend

    Worth a hit to replace them with a safer option?

  29. avfc82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    The final day of the season has been lively for Spurs in recent years!

    2017-18 Spurs 5-4 Leicester
    2016-17 Hull 1-7 Spurs
    2015-16 Newcastle 5-1 Spurs

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      When was the dodgy lasagne GW38?

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yep! Lost to West Ham.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Just looked it up - was 2006 - thought it was only a few years ago - doesn't time fly!

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I wish the Son flag gets removed 😮

  30. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Which two strikers should I play alongside Aguero?

    A). Rondon
    B) Wilson
    C) Perez
    D) Mitro
    E) Arnie
    F). Long

    The only combination I can't afford is Wilson & Arnie.

    1. tburgess12
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      B and F

    2. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson and Rondón