Scout Notes

All FPL talking points from the latest EFL Cup matches

Premier League clubs finished their involvement in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

Burnley and Newcastle were knocked out while Everton, Leicester and Bournemouth booked their places in the fourth round.

We’ve rounded up all the Fantasy implications from the latest matches in the competition.

Burnley 1-3 Sunderland

Burnley were stunned by League One Sunderland on Wednesday night

Goals: Jay Rodriguez (£5.8m)

Assists: Matej Vydra (£5.4m)

Sean Dyche made 10 changes to his Burnley side as they were humbled at home by League One outfit Sunderland.

Left-midfielder Dwight McNeil (£6.0m) was the only member of Sunday’s starting line-up to keep his place and he registered a 90-minute outing.

The Clarets started the better side, Jay Rodriguez (£5.8m) getting the first goal of his second spell at Turf Moor, assisted by strike-partner on the night Matej Vydra (£5.4m).

Aaron Lennon (£4.9m) and Vydra both hit the post, but visitors Sunderland stunned Burnley with two second-half goals in three minutes after Will Grigg had levelled things up in the first period.

Given Sean Dyche’s selection, it was further confirmation of several Burnley players being among the second string.

Centre-back Ben Gibson (£4.0m) is yet to register a Premier League minute in 2019/20 but played 90 minutes against Sunderland, as did Kevin Long (£4.5m).

Charlie Taylor (£4.4m) is in a similar situation. It had been thought he would be the first-choice left-back earlier in the summer, but the setback of a pre-season injury seems to have dropped him into the seconds. He also played 90 minutes against Sunderland, while Erik Pieters (£4.6m) has started every league match in his place.

There was also a Burnley debut for Danny Drinkwater (£4.5m).

However, it does look as if Lennon will play a part in Gameweek 4 after Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£6.0m) came off injured against Wolves.

“We took Azza (Aaron Lennon) off as a precaution because Johann almost definitely won’t be ready for the weekend.” – Sean Dyche

This cup exit is probably also good news for Burnley assets as they now have no tournaments to distract them from the Premier League between now and January.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Hart; C Taylor, Gibson, K Long, Bardsley (Lowton 78′); McNeil, Drinkwater, Hendrick, Lennon (Wood 69′); Vydra, Rodriguez.

Lincoln City 2-4 Everton

Everton celebrate Alex Iwobi’s first goal for the club in the win over Lincoln City

Goals: Lucas Digne (£6.0m), Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.8m), Alex Iwobi (£5.9m), Richarlison (£7.9m)

Assists: Cenk Tosun (£5.8m), Digne

Concerns about regression in Everton’s defence were furthered on Wednesday night as they conceded twice to League One Lincoln City.

Marco Silva did not make too many changes at the back, only Yerry Mina (£5.6m) and Seamus Coleman (£5.5m) dropping out of the side.

Mason Holgate (£4.5m) and Djibril Sidibé (£5.4m) came in for them while Jordan Pickford (£5.6m), Michael Keane (£5.5m) and Lucas Digne (£6.0m) all kept their places.

However, that didn’t stop the Imps from finding the net twice, through Harry Anderson and Bruno Andrade.

It must be mentioned that both Lincoln goals came down Everton’s right, with Sidibé arguably at fault each time.

Furthermore, Digne reminded Fantasy managers of what he is capable of at the other end of the field, by placing home an exquisite free-kick in the 36th minute.

There might be some concern from his owners that the Frenchman played all 90 minutes of this match with Leighton Baines (£4.9m) left on the bench, but Everton’s Gameweek 4 match is not until Sunday so he should probably recover in time to start once again.

As much as it might be disheartening to see Everton concede twice to League One opposition, at least they displayed some threat in front of goal after a laboured start to the Premier League campaign.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.8m) converted a second-half penalty after Morgan Schneiderlin (£4.5m) was fouled before Alex Iwobi (£5.9m) and Richarlison (£7.9m) netted headers in the final 10 minutes, the latter assisted by Digne.

Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Digne, Holgate, Keane, Sidibé; Delph (Calvert-Lewin 74′), Schneiderlin; Iwobi (Walcott 82′), Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Kean (Tosun 74′).

Newcastle 1-1 Leicester
2-4 on penalties

Leicester players celebrate their penalty shoot-out win over Newcastle United

Goals: Yoshinori Muto (£5.4m) | James Maddison (£7.0m)

Assists: Jetro Willems (£4.5m)

Owners of Leicester City assets might be a little worried by Brendan Rodgers’ team selection in the EFL Cup penalty shoot-out victory over Newcastle.

Having proclaimed a desire to win a cup competition this season, he made just two changes from the team that beat Sheffield United in Gameweek 3, Harvey Barnes (£5.9m) coming in for Dennis Praet (£5.5m) and Wes Morgan (£4.4m) replacing Jonny Evans (£5.0m) at centre-back.

Key figures such as Jamie Vardy (£8.9m), Youri Tielemans (£6.4m), Ayoze Pérez (£6.4m) and James Maddison (£7.0m) all playing 90 minutes again.

Unlike Everton, the Foxes’ next fixture is at 3pm on Saturday, so it will be interesting to see if there are any adverse effects in terms of fitness.

Thankfully for those invested in key Leicester attackers, this match, despite going to a penalty shoot-out, did not feature any extra-time first.

Maddison reminded Fantasy managers of his threat from set-pieces as his free-kick was deflected into the net during the first half.

However, once again, Leicester failed to particularly impress going forward, just three shots on target amassed between them and their hosts on Wednesday night.

The fact that Newcastle made seven changes to their first-team selection that beat Spurs on Sunday probably adds further distrust to Leicester’s attack from a Fantasy perspective.

Jamaal Lascelles (£4.5m) remained on the bench after picking up an injury in Gameweek 3, while Joelinton (£5.9m) and Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m).

The Magpies’ injury crisis also worsened when Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) had to be replaced at half-time following a bad challenge from Hamza Choudhury (£4.5m).

Manager Steve Bruce confirmed after the game that Jetro Willems (£4.5m) and Emil Krafth (£4.5m) were taken off because of injuries. Miguel Almirón (£6.0m) also missed the game with an ankle problem.

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Darlow; Willems (Dummett 78′), Clark, Fernandez, Schär, Krafth (Manquillo 50′); Ritchie (Atsu 45+3′), Hayden, Shelvey, M Longstaff; Muto.

Leicester City XI (4-4-1-1): Schmeichel; Fuchs, Söyüncü, Morgan (Evans 57′), R Pereira; H Barnes, Tielemans, Choudhury (Praet 46′), A Pérez; Maddison; Vardy.

Bournemouth 0-0 Forest Green Rovers
3-0 on penalties

Mark Travers was the penalty shoot-out hero for Bournemouth

Goals: None

Assists: None

Eddie Howe rang the changes to his Bournemouth side as they had to beat Forest Green Rovers on penalties. However, Callum Wilson (£7.9m) still played the first hour of the EFL Cup tie.

The Cherries created plenty of chances against the League Two outfit and were often denied by goalkeeper Joe Wollacott.

He produced saves to stop Harry Wilson (£6.0m) and Jordon Ibe (£4.9m) in the first half before denying substitute Joshua King (£6.4m) twice in the second.

Jack Stacey (£4.4m), making his debut at right-back, also hit the post following a venture forward.

Forest Green weren’t without their chances in the match, Junior Mondal blasting over from 12-yards in the second half, while Andrew Surman (£4.9m) had to clear a Matt Stevens shot off the line.

Mark Travers (£4.4m) was the hero in the penalty shoot-out as he saved all three spot-kicks he faced, King, Dominic Solanke (£5.4m) and Philip Billing (£5.0m) scoring theirs for Bournemouth.

AFC Bournemouth XI (4-4-2): Travers; Rico, Simpson, Mepham, Stacey; Ibe, Surman, Kilkenny (Billing 84′), H Wilson (Fraser 61′); Solanke, C Wilson (J King 60′).

Lessons learned from Gameweek 3

915 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A bit different I know but here she is locked and loaded:

    Pope
    TAA / Robbo / Laporte
    Sterling / KDB / Pepe / Lanzini
    Pukki / Haller / Barnes
    (Woodman, Cantwell, Lundstram, Rico)
    0.4itb

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could be absolutely fantastic. GL

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate, love a positive first comment...good on ya!

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No problem pal. Thoughts on the Wesley/Haller/Barnes for me as a long term Jota replacement? 😆 especially when trying to fit a 9.5+ mid in for Siggy ?

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            If you dont have KDB and can afford him by doing Jota to Wesley I def would! Villa have decent fix and he might be on pens also!

            1. aspilcueta
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I believe he is on penalties...

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No Salah - no thank you

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No Mo, No Problem - thank you

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Love it

      Have Pepe pencilled in from GW5/6. Hoping he stays undervalued till then.

      We’d look very similar at that point. Ironically I’d be the one on United assets with Martial over Lanzini and faith in AWB 🙂

      GL

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate, Im content not having to deal with the double pain as a fan until they find their feet and Im convinced that the Chelsea result wasnt just a fluke!

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Perhaps but there again I think the Palace result was a one off too. AWB all but got baps before YC against Wolves.

          Laporte is your choice I doubt for value. City are in all out attack mode and conceding. See plenty of 5-1 results down the line.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Laporte is just so nailed, can grab a goal perhaps and is an easy downgrade if City keep conceding

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

      Love tye Pepe. Getting Lanzini + Haller double-up is ballsy, when most others are choosing Mount, Trossard, McGinn or Ceballos. Are you planning to play Barnes vs double Pool defense? There is the option of believing in a Burnes blank and playing Cantwell instead this GW to go "all-in" with double West Ham + double Norwich.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers, starting Barnes, will be watching that game and dont want to be shouting on the CS plus have a feeling he will bag one 😉

    5. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pepe is a hard pass at 9.5

    1. aspilcueta
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      YOU BEAUTY. FINALLY. UPVOTE TIME! 😛

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Finally. Just a shame it doesn’t say how long he’s out for

    3. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Greenwood bench points confirmed

    4. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      "Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should provide an update on the situation ahead of the clash against the Saints in his pre-match press conference, which will be held at the Aon Training Complex on Friday morning".

      Changes nothing for me. If confirmed to be a minor issue, I'll happily bench for 1 game week and save him for Utd's decent fixture run.

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

        Innit couldn’t be less official

  2. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If You want difference would you get ?

    A- Haller & KDB
    B- Barnes & KDB
    C- Abraham & KDB

    1. aspilcueta
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

      A

  3. Felix Navidad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I’ve already used my FT.. how do I sort this mess up without doing a WC, how big would the hit be?

    Greenwood, martial, KWP, Rico Dendoncker, Montoya

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      3 of those don't start so just address the ones that will get on the field.

      1. Felix Navidad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, haha you make it sound so easy, my head is a proper mess

    2. aspilcueta
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rico might get a start so worth keeping. Upgrade Montoya to Emerson or Zinchenko and downgrade Martial to Lanzini or Mount, or even Maddison. KWP to either of those defenders too.

  4. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Start Greenwood or Dendocker in light of the above news?

    Pope
    TAA Digne Emerson
    Salah Sterling Mount Trossard
    Aguero (c) Pukki Greenwood

    Woodman Dendocker Rico Montoya

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

      Greenwood. Unless you don't want to risk losing those 2 invaluable points from Dendoncker

    2. _nod
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Greenwood

  5. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Well... I guess Martial is out.

    Worth doing Martial > Cantwell for -4?

    Sets up Perez > Pepe next week. Or I can just hold Martial and hope he's back after the break.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Do you want to keep Martial long term?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I suppose. But it's this week I'm worried about. I have a bench of Lundstram, Rico, Greenwood...

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Greenwood could well step in and get decent mins whether as a starter or as first attacking sub.

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Do it Mate ..
      But what about Mount or some one expensive than Cantwell

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ruins my plans. I have two strategies for post Intl. Break.

        A) Martial, Mount, Barnes
        B) Cantwell, Pepe, Wesley

        A is universally more well liked, but with Martial's injury, it means I'm weaker by going A since I have to carry Martial this week and maybe next too if he hasn't recovered. If the injury has him out a month, I'll just get rid now and try B.

        1. OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          B is so Good Mate do it

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

          B

        3. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I like B going forward.

          I’m looking at something similar around 5/6 but with more oomph than Wesley (perhaps even Wilson) and carrying Martial this week. IB coming up makes it feel a hasty decision to ditch him now imo.

  6. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is there any chance Chicarito stealing Haller’s minutes ?

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

      Nope

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

      Zero

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No way - leaving in January almost certainly too

    4. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks everyone . Haller over Barnes then.

  7. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    There is no guarantee that Martial will be ready after int. break

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

      There is not guarantee he isn’t ready now

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yea there is. man united website

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sadly, there is. Man Utd site themselves ruled him out.

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

          Looks ropey to me

    2. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      We should know after Ole's presser tomorrow.

      1. Gringo Kid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You dont need Ole's statement for Soton game. Official website has ruled him out

        1. grumpyman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I was responding to your original statement. Ole's presser should give us insight on whether it's a simple one game benching or whether we need to move him on. His status for the SOT game should be irrelevant to your decision, unless you are the type of manager who only thinks one game week ahead.

  8. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    With Martial out:

    1. Save FT and play Cantwell & Kelly
    2. Martial & Dunk -> Douglas Luiz & Trent (-4)

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1

  9. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    When City play against 5 atb, do the winger s stay really wide to pin the wing backs back?

    Could Sterling be very wide, with a lot of action through the middle?

  10. aspilcueta
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    All this Martial news is bliss to my ears and eyes.

    Almost like OGS is on these forums reading my pleas for help.

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

      Looking forward to my jammy bench point haul actually

  11. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mods, we need a seperate AMMD (Advise My Martial Dilemma) thread! 😉

  12. aspilcueta
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Dying to put Pepe in for the derby. But Emery's lack of English skills and willingness to help us all out, is really annoying.

  13. tc93
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Should I ship out son and upgrade elsewhere? Or stay patient and back him? (always one of my fav picks in FPL- and a major differential right now as he's only in 1.9% of teams)

    Pope
    VVD / Zichenko / AWB / Digne
    Mane / Sterling / De Bruyne / Son / Cellabos
    Pukki

  14. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Looking at the state of the last few pages and the various martial comments and plans to take him out etc - I despair, I really do

    JUST WAIT FOR THE PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (unless there are price rises tonight which are absolutely pivotal in your decision making)

    Maybe he is fit, maybe he is injured for 1 game (so just bench him if you want him long term) or maybe he is out for ages.

    It feels like the majority on here are only ever looking at the next game week which is generally a poor strategy and will not see you do well over a whole season

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe he is fit 😀 just been ruled out mate by the club

  15. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Greenwood the likely Martial-replacement in the starting XI?
    Most similar player?

    1. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mata could start I suppose. However Greenwood is highly likely to get decent minutes given how much Ole has talked him up this year.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He also talked up Sanchez and where is he?

        1. Philip Jones's Diary
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          He has to talk Sanchez up to get him out of the club.

  16. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Do you have Argentinian roster for int. break?

  17. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane and martial worth a -4 for kdb and haller?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think great moves money left over too!

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Or Sergio and Mount another option

  18. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I still have my wildcard but:
    1) Kane to Aguero (I think Aguero will hammer it this week and the next 3-4) or;
    2) Dendonker to Mount?

    In terms of upgrade, 2) is the better one but we don't know how nailed he will be when the others come back from injury and Aguero is proven and, IMO, the best striker in the league. Plus City always do well in the opening half of the season and then cool off over time.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think Kane to Auba may yet be the one. Wait to see who has pens there. Pepe could be a second Zaha and if it’s Auba he then becomes almost irresistible

  19. andrinho
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    a Sterling, H. Wilson & Haller
    or
    b Mount, Aguero & Cantwell

  20. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Funny how Southgate includes AwB now that he's with United xD. Surely the red shirt didn't give him a sudden surge of talent injected into him?

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

      Typical isn’t it. Only called up Mings because of his move to villa got confirmed aswell

    2. DIMITRIS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      AwB deserves the call, he's good, young player, and perhaps has a higher celing than Walker.

  21. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bench one out of these:

    A. Lundstram
    B. Cantwell
    C. CWilson

    I'm leaning towards CWilson since he blanked against Forrest Green Rovers. But feels wrong to play budget def and mid ahead of CWilson. Thoughts?

    1. DIMITRIS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bench Lundstram. Cantwell plays against leaky WH defence and Wilson can score against Bournemouth. I would play this by the book, and bet against Lundstram bandwagon.

  22. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Martial out for Mount?

    1. DIMITRIS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Take a punt on Pulisic perhaps. He's classy, and is flying under the radar so far. I get the feeling that 15 pointer is around the corner for him.

  23. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I went -4 for this transfers:
    Siggurdson OUT --- Pepe IN
    Rashford OUT --- Haller IN

    Godd or bad move ?

  24. JHolmes
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Barnes+zinchenko vs. Haller+4.7 def (other defs taa, digne, lund, montoya)?