Scout Notes

In-demand Jimenez, Rashford and Martial on the scoresheet in Europe

We round up the key Fantasy talking points from the three UEFA Europa League games that involved Premier League clubs on Wednesday and Thursday.

Manchester United 3-0 Partizan Belgrade

  • Goals: Mason Greenwood (£4.3m), Anthony Martial (£7.7m), Marcus Rashford (£8.5m)
  • Assists: Rashford, Ashley Young (£5.4m)

Manchester United waltzed into the knockout stages of the Europa League with two games to spare thanks to a performance of dynamism and flair from their front three.

Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) was the star of the show, his pace and directness causing havoc in the Partizan backline.

He set up United’s opener when his ball into the area was calmly dispatched by Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) and rounded off the scoring with an emphatic finish from an Ashley Young (£5.4m) pass.

In between came the goal of the night from Anthony Martial (£7.7m), who pounced on a loose ball from the visitors before beating two players, holding off a third and flicking the ball home as goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic advanced.

The scoreline should have been more emphatic.

United had seven shots on target to the Serbs’ zero and Rashford could easily have walked off at half-time with a hat-trick to his name were it not for Stojkovic’s saves and his own profligacy.

Whether manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is bold enough to field all three of the attackers in the league remains to be seen. Partizan’s defensive shortcomings need to be factored in, but the speed and chemistry of the trio produced a heady mix that will have many a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) boss considering a dabble.

The 13%-owned Rashford is finding some form coming in from the left flank, while midfielder Martial (6.9%) continues to be deployed as a central striker.

Both are in the top 20 for transfers-in ahead of Gameweek 12’s visit from Brighton.

As for Greenwood, his bargain bucket price tag prompted just over a million to invest in him by Gameweek 2, but limited minutes from the bench has produced no goals and a quarter of a million drop in ownership since then.

Solskjaer made only four changes to the side that lost at Bournemouth last weekend, with Daniel James (£6.2m) one of the few to miss out. He stayed on the bench last night and it would be a major surprise if Greenwood was preferred again on Sunday. James, after all, has scored 43 FPL points – second only to Rashford (58) at United this season.

The manager was just happy to praise all three of his starters post-match, saying:

We know they are a dangerous trio, with players behind them who can provide chances. Well done to Mason for a very, very calm finish. He was composed and waited for the keeper. The second one was from Anthony and was probably the skill of the night. Then it was great to see Marcus finishing with his left foot.

Despite denying the visitors a single shot on target all night, United’s backline rode their luck at times, with full-backs Young and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m) pushed so high up the pitch that they left huge amounts of space for Partizan to exploit on the break.

Brighton might prove better equipped to punish a defence with just two league clean sheets – and none since Gameweek 5 – to their name, although the Seagulls have scored only once in their last four away matches.

They will face a backline down to its bare bones, however.

Marcos Rojo (£4.8m) replaced the injured Victor Lindelof (£5.4m) last night, while Harry Maguire (£5.4m) played the full 90 minutes despite picking up a knock in the second half.

Solskjaer provided an update on the centre-half, as well as influential midfielder Scott McTominay (£5.1m), who went off with an ankle problem after 75 minutes.

I think Harry will be okay. He finished the game anyway. Scott is more of a concern, so let’s see how he recovers in the next few days. He said he was going to be okay out on the pitch and he said ‘I’ll be fine’. He’s tough, but he had to come off. But I hope he’ll recover for Sunday, but I don’t know.

With Young suspended for the Brighton match, Solskjaer has limited options at the back and could well be forced to give young left-back Brandon Williams (£4.0m) his first-ever start in the league unless more seasoned performers prove their fitness.

Lindelof probably holds the key there. Should he be fit, Rojo could move across to left-back. Phil Jones (£4.8m) is another who could come in, although he’s not played a single minute in the league this season.

Solskjaer will hope the players further up the pitch can continue last night’s excellent form to offset those defensive concerns.

Fantasy managers buying into Rashford and Martial will be of exactly the same mind.

Manchester United XI: Romero, Maguire, Rojo, Fred (Garner 63), Young, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay (Lingard 75), Mata, Martial, Rashford (Pereira 67), Greenwood.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Slovan Bratislava

  • Goal: Raul Jimenez (£7.3m)
  • Assist: Adama Traore (£5.1m)

A late winner from Raul Jimenez (£7.3m) edged Wolves ever closer to the Europa League’s final 32 on a tricky night at Molineux.

The striker headed home Adama Traore‘s (£5.1m) cross in the early stages of 12 minutes of time added on after Jimenez had accidentally kicked defender Kenan Bajric in the head.

Bajric had to be stretchered off with concussion and the Mexican’s later goal celebration was a muted and contrite affair, as is suddenly the trend among innocent-but-guilty offenders.

Wolves controlled much of the game, only to be frustrated by a resolute Bratislava, with visiting goalkeeper Dominik Greif setting the tone when he saved a Ruben Neves (£5.3m) penalty not long after the break.

That miss could have major Fantasy repercussions, as Wolves boss Nuno Espirto Santo explained after the match.

Today was Ruben’s turn, he didn’t make it, next time it’s going to be Raul (Jimenez), hopefully, he will make it – this is the moment that we have to decide. We practise a lot in the training sessions, we have designated penalty takers, today it was Ruben, he was not happy because he didn’t kick well, he’s conscious of that and he must work hard.

Jimenez, with two goals and as many assists from his last four league starts, is now up to 12.3% FPL ownership and in the top ten for Gameweek 12 transfers-in. His growing army of Fantasy fans will be delighted to hear he now has another string to his point-scoring bow.

Greif also did well to deny efforts from Joao Moutinho (£5.3m) and Matt Doherty (£6.0m) as the home side’s pressure threatened to come to nothing.

The fact that Doherty was even playing was a major plus point for his 3.2% FPL ownership, however, as the wing-back had been a doubt after picking up a knee issue in the Gameweek 11 draw at Arsenal.

Espirito Santo had made just three changes from that match, with striker Diogo Jota (£6.1m) an enforced one as he sat out last night’s tie due to European suspension.

He looks likely to return for the weekend derby with Aston Villa, as should wing-back Jonny (£5.4m), who only came on for the final five minutes against the Slovaks.

Wolves XI: Patricio, Kilman, Coady, Dendocker, Vinagre (Jonny 90+7), Neves, Moutinho, Doherty, Neto (Cutrone 69), Jimenez, Traore (Bennett 90+10).

Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal

  • Goals: Shkodran Mustafi (£5.2m)
  • Assists: Nicolas Pepe (£9.3m)

Arsenal’s defensive fragility was exposed once again as they conceded an injury-time equaliser that scuppered their chances, for now at least, of securing guaranteed progression from the Europa League group stages.

The Gunners dominated possession in Portugal on Wednesday, but did little with it until Shkodran Mustafi (£5.2m) headed home Nicolas Pepe‘s (£9.3m) free-kick with ten minutes to play.

That should have been that, only for the home side to produce a late rally and an even later goal that made it four matches on the trot that Arsenal have had to make do with a draw.

Manager Unai Emery made eight changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Wolves in Gameweek 11, handing the captain’s armband to defender Rob Holding (£4.5m).

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (11.0m), together with back-in-favour playmaker Mesut Ozil (£7.2m), didn’t even travel.

One of the few potential starters for Saturday evening’s tough trip to Leicester City, Kieran Tierney (£5.4m), played the full 90 minutes, although investing in any member of an Arsenal defence with just two clean sheets this season looks ill-advised at present.

In attack, Pepe also started and finished the match; worrying news for his 3.0% ownership after he was dropped in Gameweek 11, playing no part in a league game for the first time this season as a result.

The 1.7% who own Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m) will have been rather more heartened to see their man given only a 25-minute run-out from the bench in Portugal.

Midfielder Daniel Ceballos (£5.4m) did start, but had to be replaced after 54 minutes with a hamstring problem and Emery couldn’t provide a positive assessment post-match, saying:

He has a small injury, but I don’t think he is going to be available this week.

The Gunners have indeed since confirmed that Ceballos will miss Gameweek 12 as further assessment is awaited.

Arsenal have a decent run of fixtures to come once the Leicester clash is out of the way, with a Gameweek 17 visit from Manchester City by far the toughest test they’ll face until after Christmas.

But a lack of attacking bite – they’ve been averaging just a goal a game over the last five fixtures – and that defensive frailty means few of their assets are attracting much Fantasy interest at present.

Indeed, while no Gunner is is the top 30 for Gameweek 12 purchases, both Aubameyang and Ceballos are experiencing relatively significant sales.

Arsenal XI: Martínez, Mustafi, Sokratis, Holding, Maitland-Niles, Willock (Torreira 78), Ceballos (Guendouzi 54), Tierney, Pépé, Martinelli, Saka (Lacazette 65).

Lessons learned from Gameweek 11

761 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mikeycee93
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I now can't do anything with my team - every players sell value is less than the buy back value, so i can't move anyone out without never getting them back in 🙁 sitting around 18k overall

    Pope (Button)

    Lund, Mendy, Chilwell, Tomori, Rico

    Mane, KDB, Sterling, Mount, Martial

    Vardy, Abraham, Greenwood

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thats a good team anyway so you are ok mate.

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      And OR is killer

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Worse problems to have mate, that team is v good.

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Only Greenwood is weak

    5. mikeycee93
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers fellas, it is a good team - but i missed the boat on greenwood to connolly a while back!

  2. popcoin
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Crosses conceded in the member's tables: does left flank mean the defence's left flank or the attack's left flank?

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

      Conceded would mean defense' left flank

  3. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play 2 out of :

    A. Rico
    B. Lundstram
    C. Soyuncu

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A, B

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

      AB

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      AB

    4. Astronautovic
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A and b

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

    Who's the most urgent sell, gents: Fredericks or Cantwell?
    And who would you suggest bringing in?

    Team is:
    Pope
    Tomori - Soy - Lundstram - Fredericks*
    Sterling - Mané - KDB - Mount
    Tammy - Vardy
    Bench: Van D. - Cantwell* - Greenwood

    2.1 ITB.

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

      Definitely Cantwell for me. I'd be tempted for - 4 using kdb/Raz to two good mids (e.g. Mads and Martial)

  5. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    bench order?

    Connoley Lund Rico

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I would put totally opposite order from that

    2. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      correct

  6. CAPTAIN_WALES
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to play please?

    A) Lord Lund
    B) Rico

    So torn between these two... already have Soy on the bench and playing Tomori. Cheers!

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lord

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sir

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      On B now

    4. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      4.0 GOAT

  7. Firefoxed
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play lowton or soyuncu?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lowton

    2. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      lowton

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

      Lowton

  8. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Have following question regarding my team, all thoughts appreciated.

    1) Mount to Pulisic for free or keep FT?
    2) Changes to bench and (c)?

    Pope
    TAA/Tomori/Rico
    Mane/KDB/Maddison/Mount*
    Auba/Vardy(c)/Tammy

    Button/Lund/Soy/Hayden

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Keep.
      I would cpt Tammy but other then that gtg.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      1) If he is out, yes.
      2) Good to go

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks, waiting for CHE presser

  9. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What would you do here fellas? 1FT 0.7 ITB

    Pope
    TAA, Tomori, Lund, Rico
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Mount
    Vardy, Abraham

    Button, Dendoncker, Soy, Greenwood

    A) Sterling/Salah > Son/Martial
    B) Mount > Maddison (if Mount is ruled out)
    C) Save
    D) Smth else

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

      I'd save, 2 frees could be useful after the international break.

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

        Cheers

  10. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    1) Play CHO over Tomori

    2) CHO -> Harvey Barnes / Pulisic

    1. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      1

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      1

    3. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Wouldn’t do 2 this week, CHO more likely to start than Pulisic this weekend. (Though I think both + Willian will start)

    4. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Play Tomori over CHO.

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

    2FT
    Can’t decide to Sterling or not to Sterling for the next 4-6GW. If I keep, I’m stuck in a 442 formation, and I want another LEI mid in.

    It comes down to:

    Sterling + Lundstram (must play 442)
    Maddison + Martial (352)
    Maddison + Jimenez (343)

    Team:
    Heaton
    Taa / Soy / Rico / Lundstram (Kelly)
    Salah / STERLING / Kdb / Mount / (DENDOCKER)
    Vardy / Tammy (GREENWOOD)

    Any input would be much appreciated!

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

    Bench order connolly first or soy first?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Connolly

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ive got Soy first, Connolly second

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

    For my captain:
    A) Safe pick- Tammy or Vardy
    B) Unpopular pick- Jimenez
    C)- Full differential- Hudson Odoi

    Currently on C, thoughts?

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

      Bad week for differential imo

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

        Really? I thought it’d be a good week seeing as there’s no stand out options

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

          A are rly stands out options imo, especially Vardy vs that Arsenal def

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

            Idk I have a feeling Arsenal will tighten up somewhat, even if history would suggest otherwise

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  14. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Folks, if Mount is out, should I ?

    A) Mount to Martial and play Yarmolenko

    B) Yarmolenko to Martial and play Rico/Digne

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

      B

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  15. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Madness to bench TAA and Mendy?

    Rest of the team would be:

    Tomori, Lund, Rico
    KdB, Mané, Martial, CHO
    Vardy, Abraham, Jimenez

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Always. But if you think no cs and no returns then play at least TAA

    2. Adzy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'd start TAA

  16. SB8
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is Son nailed to start?

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

      Yes

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Of course

    3. Adzy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  17. Adzy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Start 2?
    A) Cho
    B) tomori
    C) lundy
    D) dunk

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

      AB

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      AB

  18. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I'm WC'ing during the ITB

    Any one week punts worth it.

    Heaton
    Taa-Soy-Lund-Rico
    Sterling-KDB-Mount Salah.
    Tammy-Vardy

    4m-Lowton-Connolly-Dendon

    a) Sterling > Pulisic/son/Maddi
    b) Connolly > Jota (have enough ITB)
    c) Salah > Same as above.

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

      B

  19. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    13 players flagged at United. Shame

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ole should be falgged also.

  20. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    WC before (now!) or after International Break?

    Pope
    TAA, Digne, Rico, Fredericks, Kelly
    Sterling, KDB, Richarlison, Mount, Dendo
    Aguero, Pukki, Connolly

    1. Astronautovic
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      After

    2. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      after

  21. Maarrrr17
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Should I bother playing Dilva or just start Dendoncker?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Start Dilva and Dendo 1st sub

  22. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son for captain this game week -anyone?

    1. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Dont think so

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Have him but cpt is a little to optimistic

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        *too

  23. korbendallas82
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    This is my team. 1 ft. 0.3 itb.
    The players i want in, have bad Fix this week, or next week. TAA next week. Maby hope for the best, and have 2 ft in international break?

    Any transfer tips this week?

    Pope
    Pereira, Lundstram, Lascelles, Pieters
    Sterling, Martial, McGinn
    Aubameyang, Vardy, Firmino

    Heaton. Alonso, Cantwell, Jorginho

  24. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play 2

    A Rico
    B Yarmo
    C Ayew

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A, C

  25. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which?

    A) gw12 ota to wilems, gw13 kely -4 to taa
    B) gw12 ota to taa

  26. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Got 2FTs and 1.0m ITB - anything I should do here?

    Mount to Martial? (I’d lose 0.1 on Mount but he could go down soon anyway if he’s out)

    Pope
    TAA / Tomori / Rico / Lund
    Mane / Sterling / KdB / Mount*
    Vardy / Abraham

    (McGovern) Soy / Connolly / Dendoncker

    Thanks!

  27. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play Soyuncu (ARS) or Rico (new)?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rico

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I’m currently on Rico, with Soy first on bench with Mount a doubt. But then again I had Soy on the bench last weekend so don’t listen to me!

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rico

  28. jamichael
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Alli or richardlison? Thx

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Neither, lol. But from those two Alli, better squad and fix

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

    What's the latest on Mount. Did he train?

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

      Yes.

  30. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?

    TAA, Lund, Rico
    Salah, KDB, Mount, Yarmo
    Vardy, Tammy, Jimmy

    Button, Soy, Cantwell, Janmaat

    0FT, 3.3ITB (Have done Kun, Wilson > Vardy, Jimmy)

    Should I play Soy/Cantwell ahead of Yarmo, or even take Yarmo out for Tielemans/Maddison or anyone else around that price?

    Cheers