Scout Notes

Jota ends goal drought as Jimenez’s creativity is brought into focus

Brighton and Hove Albion 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Goals: Neal Maupay (£5.8m), Davy Propper (£4.9m) | Diogo Jota (£6.1m) x2
  • Assists: Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), Dale Stephens (£4.4m) | Raul Jimenez (£7.6m), Jonny (£5.4m)
  • Bonus: Jota x3, Maupay x2, Stephens x1

Diogo Jota (£6.1m) doubled his number of Fantasy Premier League attacking returns for the season with a brace in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

There has been plenty of attention on Raul Jimenez (£7.6m), Adama Traore (£5.2m) and Matt Doherty (£6.0m) of late but Wolves’ upturn in form hasn’t coincided with a glut of goals or assists for Jota, who had just one of each in 2019/20 going into this weekend.

The promising underlying stats had hinted that a return or two could be in the offing soon; Joe’s Goals Imminent table had indeed suggested that in the build-up to Gameweek 16.

They duly arrived at the Amex, with Jota first latching onto a fine Jimenez pass to break the deadlock and then turning sharply in the Brighton box to restore parity after the Seagulls had gone 2-1 ahead.

There could have been other/further attacking returns for Jota, too, with the Portugal international spurning a one-on-one chance with the score at 1-0 and seeing a shot from ten yards blocked by a couple of desperate Brighton challenges on the hour-mark.

The interplay between Jota and Jimenez was superb in the first half especially and something Nuno Espirito Santo highlighted in his post-match interviews.

The Wolves boss said:

It’s good for us. No matter who the scores the goal, it is a team goal. But it’s good to see Raul and Diogo combine for us.

It’s so good. It can give us so much in the future, and it’s something we want to invest in, clearly.

The momentum of players goes up and down but we stick with them, trying to find solutions. It’s football.

Jota was a similarly slow starter last season, registering just one attacking return in the first 14 Gameweeks before going on to bank nine goals and seven assists in his final 20 appearances.

Could lightning strike twice this time around?

Fantasy managers may want to see a bit more of this from Jota before they take the plunge (the fixtures aren’t great either) but at least the focus for Wolves now will be on the Premier League, with Santo’s side out of the EFL Cup and not facing a meaningful Europa League tie – Thursday’s game against Besiktas effectively being a dead rubber – till late-February.

Jimenez was surprisingly the most-sold player of Gameweek 16, with the return to fitness of Tammy Abraham (£7.9m) and the form of Marcus Rashford (£8.9m) perhaps coming at his expense.

The Mexican offered little in the way of goal threat himself, registering no shots, but his Fantasy appeal isn’t just about finding the back of the net.

Jimenez hit double figures for assists in 2018/19 and he was the arch-creator at the Amex, supplying all three of the ‘big chances’ that Wolves carved out.

The mid-price FPL forward had set Jota up for that aforementioned one-on-one opportunity and almost replicated his assist from Gameweek 14, with Mathew Ryan (£4.8m) pawing out a Romain Saiss (£4.4m) header from Jimenez’s cross.

Traore and Doherty didn’t get a great deal of joy down the Wolves right but the former was, as has become increasingly common, the target of some ‘special’ treatment from the opposition, with three Brighton players booked for fouls on him on Sunday.

Santo said of Traore after full-time:

He’s a strong boy. Everybody can see that. No matter how strong you are, if you are being kicked it’s impossible.

Wolves’ clean sheet was ruined by two quick-fire first-half goals, with Neal Maupay‘s (£5.8m) early shot catching out Rui Patricio (£5.2m) before Davy Propper (£4.9m) nodded the Seagulls in front.

While Wolves sit bottom of our Season Ticker over the next ten Gameweeks, Graham Potter’s side lie somewhere near the top.

The Seagulls have exhibited their attacking credentials in trickier games over the last week, taking Liverpool close before beating Arsenal and holding in-form Wolves to a draw on Sunday.

Maupay has two goals in as many games and he is now the leading points-scorer among sub-£6.0m FPL forwards.

He hasn’t always convinced – he is joint-second among Fantasy players in his position for goal attempts this season but the lack of a clinical edge, or too many touches, has meant that many of those chances have gone begging.

Still, the former Brentford striker was a handful on Sunday and his overall link-up play was something his manager highlighted after the game:

Neal thinks he has struggled. I just think he has worked really hard for the team. He has sacrificed himself at times and it is nice when you are a forward and you do that and you get your rewards.

He got the winner on Thursday night (at Arsenal) and again he has contributed to a point.

I thought he was as good as anybody with his link-up play and how he affected the game. That’s six goals now in a team that is going through a transition. He has been fantastic.

Aaron Mooy (£4.8m) had another fine game for the Seagulls and went close to scoring when dragging a shot wide, while Leandro Trossard (£5.8m) returned to the starting XI and set up Propper for Brighton’s second goal.

Potter’s rotation in the wide areas and up front is somewhat off-putting from an FPL managers’ perspective.

Even Maupay didn’t escape a benching in Gameweek 14, while Trossard has been in and out of the team since his return from injury and may well not have started on Sunday had Aaron Connolly (£4.7m) not missed out with a dead leg.

The gaps at the back and the handful of unforced defensive errors were a cause for concern but, as we mentioned on Friday, Ryan’s ability to accumulate saves and bonus points at least provides his owners with some consolation: this was the tenth match in 11 Gameweeks in which he has picked up at least one save point.

Forthcoming matches against Crystal Palace and Sheffield United ought to provide better chances of clean sheets after the Seagulls’ recent tricky run, too.

Members Analysis

876 Comments Post a Comment
  1. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    any suggestions guys? 2 FT and 0.4 ITB but also WC available...

    Want to get Rashford in there somehow...

    Heaton Button
    TAA Rico Dunk Lunds Chillwell
    Mane Son KDB Zaha McGin
    Tammy Vardy Greewood

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

      Take couple of one week punts and get Rashford on WC(next week)

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

      I'd get in JWP or ings for this week

    3. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB has to be sacrificed for Rashford i think, can't see another way

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

    V unsure what direction to head in. TAA out is tempting next week to maybe fund Rash?

    2FT 0.0itb

    Hendo
    TAA Perreira Lund
    KDB Mount Mane Alli Son
    Vardy Mousset
    (Gaz, Kelly, Connolly, Rico)

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

      With Pereira there you’re arguably overfunded in defence anyway. TAA isn’t value right now imo and won’t be unless cs start to flow.

    2. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      An upgrade on Mousset would be nice. KDB is your other cash cow

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would try to upgrade Mousset to Rashford.

  3. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ryan Button
    TAA Lund Perera Aurier C Taylor
    Mane Pulisic Dendo Maddison KDB
    Vardy Tammy Jimi

    2 free transfers this week. Ultimately want spurs mid and rashford but realistically that involves downgrades for Pulisic and KDB but this doesn't seem the week for that?

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

      KDB, Jimi to Rash, Alli could work but risky :/

  4. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kdb to son for free ? Already have Alli

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

      I have all 3 (see above) but considering moving KDB on to fund Rash... who are your other mids?

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mane Cantwell mount alli kdb

  5. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Another benching headache - is this setup correct?

    Hendo
    Taa robbo soy
    Mount mane son madd
    Vardy Tammy ings

    Grealish lunds Rico

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Robbo will get his rest imo anyways -
      One of mount/Tammy cud be as well

    2. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Too many good players you got there!!! Graelish deserves a spot in the first 11 somehow though

  6. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ok I found my captain for GW18

    He is from the team with best home atmosphere last GW and playing one of the worst defences in GW18 - who is he ?

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

      Ings? Lol

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ings was away last GW 🙂

    2. fantasyfog
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      rich

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah - I see Everton winning the game - the atmosphere cud be intimidating for arsenal coupled with evertons direct approach with 442 cud trouble arsenal - early goal for Everton cud see 3 or 4 goals for them imo

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Richarlison 😉

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah

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

      Shelvey? Richarlison?

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Rich 🙂

  7. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Team looks fine to save atm doesnt it?
    Then perhaps a mini-wildcard next week to change things up slighty for the BGW!

    Pope
    Trent / Robbo / Lundy
    Mane / Alli / Pulisic / Zaha
    Vardy / Rashy / Jimmy
    (Henderson, Kelly, McGinn, Rico)
    1FT
    0.3ITB

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

      I would have Zaha behind McGinn and Kelly

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        McGinn playing too deep these days unfortunately and Zaha at home to Brighton looks a good fixture....last chance saloon most likely

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yup save this week.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

    3. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah save FT

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

  8. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So just another question, I mean my God I bought Lundstram at 4.2 it says sales price is 4.6 and current price 5.1. I am just curious why the big price gap, like I guess I’m married to that dude now because I don’t want to let him go and cost me .5 to bring my baby back! What gives?!

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      you only get half the profit from an money made on any asset and its rounded down so when you make 0.9 you only get 0.4 not 0.5 in value.

  9. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A little bit of form and Ozil could be tempting at 7.2

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2.7 wouldnt barely interest me as bench fodder 😉

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2 assists in last 6 is not enough... He would have to show much more for me to consider him as an option

  10. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Just did these transfers for free:

    KDB > Alli
    Jimenez > Rashford

    0.0 itb

    Feels good, just hope cl games will not punish me with injuries

    1. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      not a fan

    2. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      like it

    3. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Prefer the original 2

    4. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      love an early move but these ones stink a little...selling good assets for two who could still have a game to play..GL

    5. Jay Arell
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb could bite back badly but i guess you had to to not get priced out

  11. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - Lundy - Soy
    Mane - Alli - Pulisic - Tielemans
    Vardy - Kane - Jiminez

    (4.0 - Aurier - Cantwell - Rico)
    1ft & 1.0m

    A) Kane to Rashford
    (Will do Pulisic & Tielemans to Son & Grealish -4 for GW18)

    B) Tielemans & Jimenez to Grealish & Rashford -4
    (Keep Kane over Son long term or atleast for another 2 games)

    Basically its Kane & Pulisic/7.5m vs Son & Jimenez/Abraham.

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

      I’d hold Kane for a couple anyway. Isn’t he the festive season specialist?

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He might be but feel Tammy & Rashford will match him 2-3m less.

    2. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  12. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kdb to son? And why?

  13. jb1985
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2FT 0.0itb not sure what to do with this as don't want to burn a transfer.

    Hendo,
    TAA, Robbo, Lund, Soy
    Mane, Son, KDB,
    Vardy, Tammy, Rashford

    Button, Dendo, Rico, Hayden

    Hold for this week or downgrade Robbo in preparation for GW18 blank? Obvious choice would be for Kelly and then use the money to upgrade the bench. Or swap out Hendo this week for Gazza?

  14. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone following Mark's season? I wonder how he's going to turn it around...

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope, where’s he currently sitting? Whats his ID

      1. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        21074

        1. The Man Pastore
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Holy... He is having a mare this season!

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If he isn’t ahead of me I couldn’t care less!

      Only need to focus on those who are competitive

    3. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He obviously doesn't care about his own season. Why should anyone else?

  15. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Really don't know what to do with 2 ft and 2.7 itb. Had a horror show last week ... Any suggestions?

    Pope, mcgov
    Taa, lundstram, aurier, Rico, soyuncu
    Mane, kdb, maddison, pullisic, zaha
    Vardy, Abraham, Connolly

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hold 1FT Leicester, Chelsea, Liverpool all have favourable fixtures, dont panic. Honestly this week i’d just upgrade someone on your bench.

      1. abaalan
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yep team looks strong on paper this week. 10 of 11 at home too.

        Just don't want to waste a ft

    2. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not a big fan of Pulisic or Zaha, you need start thinking about getting in Son/Alli/Rash

  16. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any tips appreciated guys:

    If you are 93 points off mini league leader would it be time to start taking some risks? If so what would be some of the "not so obvious moves" you would be making in the near future (chips, double ups, differentials etc)

    Considering having a bit of fun and TC Mane this weekend. Thanks all.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’d say it’s time to set up your team for the Xmas period and slowly chip away at that lead

  17. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Are these transfers worth doing for free?? Got exact ITB to do this transfer....

    KDB & Jimenez >>> Alli & Rashford

    1. MC Hammer
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yep go for it

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nows the time, although don’t complain when Jiminez consistently returns and Rashford starts to ease off.

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB has a home fixture in GW18 and Jimmy visists Norwich so could easily backfire

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        noriwch away is like a home fxiture isnt it 🙂

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          better than most home fixtures!

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Captain material

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              loads on here going to get a Jimmy burn (no way I'm selling him til after that fixture) 😉

              1. Eleven Hag
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Jimmys record against top 6 teams is as good as anyone and the way wolves play suits them against big teams... I am still holding despite the fixtures

                1. jia you
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Yeah, Wolves are a very good team and he's their talisman at a cheap price...might also keep and remain without Tammy!

  18. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have Soy Dunk Rico and Lundstram for GW18. TAA will be on the bench.

    I will be playing Soy and Dunk but who would you rather go with for the 3rd spot?

    Rico at hom to Burnley or Lundstram away to Brighton?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I havent got much value tied up with TAA, so looking to domcguire IN TAA out for GW18 and 19..and bring back TAA for 20th if Matip is back, if not will look at PVA ...bench soy for these two gws as they play liverpool and city...

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This, why the need to start Soy away to City?

  19. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Lund Kelly TAA
    Alli Son KDB Pulisic Maddison
    Vardy (C) Rashford

    Mousset Aurier Hanley

    1) Start Kelly or Aurier?
    2) Bring in Tammy/Mane for a hit? or save and play the same team?

    1. Bojaninho
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1. Kelly
      2. Mane and Captain

  20. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    a) Mount + Jimmy
    b) Grealish + Tammy

    1. Bojaninho
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2

  21. Bojaninho
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Need a Janmaat replacement..

    Possibly a Man u player? or any other ideas?

  22. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Rashford the best option to replace Auba? Have Tammy and Vardy.

    1. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yeah

  23. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish likely to rise tonight which is a pain!

  24. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Need some advices here~1ft and 3.4itb

    Hendo
    Kelly Lund Soy Willems
    Son KDB Mane Maddison
    Vardy Tammy

    Heaton McGinn Ayew Tomori

    1) McGinn → Martial
    2) Tomori → Aurier
    3) Tomori and Ayew → Rashford and Rico (-4)
    4) other options