Scout Notes

Why appealing home fixtures are becoming a problem for Abraham

Chelsea assets continue to frustrate Fantasy Premier League managers as they recorded yet another awful home result in Gameweek 19.

They were undone by basement boys Southampton on an afternoon when many a captain armband was placed on Blues options.

Meanwhile, we got our first chance to see Arsenal under new manager Mikel Arteta.

We’ve got some analysis on both matches in this latest Scout Notes article.

Chelsea 0-2 Southampton

Goals: Michael Obafemi (£4.9m), Nathan Redmond (£6.2m)

Assists: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (£4.8m)

Bonus Points: Cédric Soares x3 (£4.8m), Jan Bednarek x2 (£4.4m), Obafemi x2

Tammy Abraham‘s (£7.9m) stock continues to fall as he recorded yet another blank in a disappointing result for Chelsea on Boxing Day.

Despite naming a strong line-up, Frank Lampard saw his side lose 2-0 at home to a Southampton outfit that started the match without in-form goalscorer Danny Ings (£6.5m).

It was the third time in four Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge that Chelsea have lost to a relegation-threatened club without scoring – which has gone a long way to causing trust issues when it comes to captaining their players.

Furthermore, with so many so-called smaller clubs coming to Chelsea and registering positive results, it appears that Stamford Bridge is losing fear for the sides that Lampard’s men should be beating. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl explained his players were motivated by that and it suggests that this sort of problem could potentially create a vicious cycle at home.

“When you see that two teams win here then why shouldn’t you also? This is more of losing the fear, don’t be afraid. Come here, be brave. I spoke before about how we want to win here.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Despite doing so well against Spurs in Gameweek 18, Chelsea barely got any kind of rhythm going against Southampton on Boxing Day, not managing a single shot on target until the stroke of half-time.

Mason Mount (£6.5m), who was named on the bench alongside Christian Pulisic (£7.2m), replaced Kurt Zouma (£4.7m) at half-time, triggering a switch from the 3-4-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1.

There was something of an impact as Abraham soon after had the chance to lash an effort into the side-netting, his only shot of the match, and even after that, Chelsea were still woeful going forward.

“Mason has been feeling rough the last few days. It brightened it a bit [when he came on at half-time] but not enough. We controlled the game but we are not getting anything in the box. It’s a testing period but we have to deal with that.” – Frank Lampard

It means that Abraham has now blanked in six of his last seven Premier League outings. It will be interesting to see how his ownership suffers over the coming days as Chelsea still have relatively favourable fixtures to come, including trips to Arsenal and Brighton.

While there was a second start in a row for Fikayo Tomori (£4.8m) in a back-three, there was no repeat of the impressive defensive display witness at Spurs in Gameweek 18.

Tomori himself and Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.5m) produced important second-half blocks but could not record back-to-back clean sheets.

The fact that Michael Obafemi (£4.9m) and Nathan Redmond (£6.2m), two players with fairly sketchy scoring histories, were able to find the net adds insult to injury in many respects – as the more ruthless Ings featured for only 21 second-half minutes and one-pointed his 14.5% ownership.

With plenty of options at Lampard’s disposal, the Gameweek 20 trip to Arsenal could well see some rotation for Chelsea.

Given recent displays, it must be said that Abraham is at risk of being replaced by Michy Batshuayi (£6.6m).

However, Mount and Pulisic can probably feel more confident of a start at the Emirates Stadium having both featured only as substitutes in Gameweek 19.

Furthermore, Ings’ absence from the majority of this match, while frustrating, should significantly boost his chances of starting Southampton’s hosting of Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.4m) came in for his first start since Gameweek 9 but was panned by the local press. Despite such a poor performance, Lampard lent his backing to the player after the full-time whistle.

“I thought (Hudson-Odoi) put a lot of effort in today, he was trying things, making runs, not quite coming off for him in the first half. He’s come off the back of a big injury and this is certainly a period where we have to stick with him. He’s very young. A lot of talk last year about contract and would he or wouldn’t he and now he has and he’s in a period now where he has to get his head down and work and he knows that – to show what he can be for this club. It’s down to him now. I showed faith in him playing today and I will continue to do that. But we also have to go with him a little bit. And I’ve sat here and I’ve probably been relatively harsh on Callum a couple of times and I don’t think now is the moment to do that because I think today I saw an effort and a desire, I’ve seen it in training these last couple of weeks.” – Frank Lampard

Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Kepa; Tomori, Zouma (Mount 46′), Rüdiger; Emerson, Jorginho, Kanté, Azpilicueta; Willian (Pedro 84′), Abraham, Hudson-Odoi (Pulisic 67′).

Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, J Stephens, Cédric; Redmond, Højbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Romeu 86′); Adams (Boufal 80′), Obafemi (Ings 69′).

Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal

Goals: Dan Gosling (£4.9m) | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m)

Assists: Jack Stacey (£4.3m) | Reiss Nelson (£5.3m)

Bonus Points: Stacey x3, Aubameyang x2, Gosling x1

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) scored the first goal of Arteta’s reign as Arsenal manager as he continued his recent impressive form away from home.

In the Gunners’ last four matches away from the Emirates Stadium, Aubameyang has now registered a total of five attacking returns.

The centre-forward did not offer a huge amount in the first half but sprung to life in the second period. 

As predicted, he was deployed on the left flank of an attacking midfield trio behind Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m), his wide station helping him remain unmarked by marauding full-back Jack Stacey (£4.3m).

Aubameyang caused plenty of problems when running at the Bournemouth defence and his persistence led to ending up in the right place at the right time to turn in the rebound from Reiss Nelson‘s (£5.3m) shot.

Back in the team for a first start since Gameweek 15, Lacazette showed some threat early on but faded as the game went on and he started missing easy passes.

Of particular note for Arsenal was an impressive performance from Mesut Özil (£7.2m), who earned praise both from the local press and his new manager.

He was deployed in the number 10 role of the 4-2-3-1 formation and was arguably unfortunate not to leave Bournemouth with a couple of assists to his name.

He set up Lacazette for a decent chance but the Frenchman couldn’t get the ball under control while Aubameyang spurned another chance created by Özil.

“Özil’s attitude since I’ve joined has been incredible. We believed he could be the key and he responded and he could have created two or three goals.” – Mikel Arteta

However, there is still not much improvement to Arsenal’s defence as, once again, injuries elsewhere in the squad forced them into starting Bukayo Saka (£4.5m) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) at left-back and right-back respectively.

As players who have mostly played in midfield, they offered a little extra going forward but remain assets to be exploited.

Bournemouth’s opening goal came after Aubameyang’s pass to Saka did not find its target, leaving room behind to run in.

The Cherries’ attack has stuttered in recent months but they got some joy down Stacey’s flank as his cross was swept in by Dan Gosling (£4.9m) at the near-post.

Callum Wilson (£7.4m) was back in the starting XI for the Boxing Day clash but has now gone 12 successive Gameweeks without any attacing returns.

A suspension for left-back Diego Rico (£4.3m), as well as long-term injuries to Lloyd Kelly (£4.4m) and Charlie Daniels (£4.3m), did not put Howe off deploying a 4-4-2 formation once again.

Rather than switch to a wing-back system, he brought budget defender Jack Simpson (£3.9m), who usually plays centre-back, into the side to operate as make-shift left-back.

Fantasy managers should probably not expect Simpson to stick around in the first-team for too long as Rico will be available for the Gameweek 20 trip to Brighton, likely starting the game having technically had a rest on Boxing Day.

Finally, Bournemouth’s defensive potential has arguably increased somewhat by a surprise return to fitness of Steve Cook (£5.0m), who came in for the injured Simon Francis (£4.4m) and lasted 90 minutes.

Bournemouth XI (4-4-2): Ramsdale; Simpson, Mepham, S Cook, Stacey; Fraser, Gosling (Billing 70′), Lerma, L Cook; J King (H Wilson 66′), C Wilson.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Saka, D Luiz, Sokratis (Mustafi 77′), Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Torreira; Aubameyang, Özil (Willock 75′), Nelson (Pépé 82′); Lacazette.

3,484 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    5 prices for me tonight and finally got rid of Pulisic 🙂

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

      *rises

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nice, 4 here probably.

  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How to fix this lot?

    Pope Button
    TAA Lund Dunk Soy Kelly
    Mane KDB Alli Pogba Cantwell
    Vardy Pukki Rashford

    1 FT, 1.3 in bank.

    Probably early on Pogba so would need to lose the United pair for Salah.

    Cheers for any help.

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Clear save ft

    2. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Roll this week

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers both.

  3. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would U rather Aurier or Grealish?

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

      Girlish

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Even tho Aston Villa struggle to score

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

          Are you choosing to completely ignore Grealish's points?

          1. Kane Train
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Nope. But villa have only scored 25 goals for the year. So they aren’t doing it easy. Not the kindest fixtures compared to Tottenham either who will be pushing for top 4

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Both. Aurier even more for me. Underrated Fpl asset imo. Semi haul could be coming soon.

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That’s what I’m thinking. Nicer fixtures to. Mourinho tends to not rotate either so should be safe

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      grealish

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

    Such a good gw that it is awful to wc. How was Alli today except for the goal?

  5. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Fplstats showing grealish n Salah to rise tonight. Reckon that's right? Not been following prices much this season

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It's more accurate than ffs , but still not 100%

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        *fffix

        1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Ok thanks

  6. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Had TAA since day one and just wildcarded him out for Aurier as part of a reshuffle

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

      Do I need surgery to get him back in?

      Guaita/Button
      Aurier Lundstram Kelly Evans Rico
      Salah Alli KdB Cantwell Fleck
      Kane Vardy Abraham

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Drop Abe for Ings.
        That should get you some capital.

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Seriously 0_o

    3. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That certainly is bottoming.

  7. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Going to say "au revoir" to Henderson for a bit now.
    Who's his best replacement.

    A. Guaita
    B. Foster.

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like Foster tbh. Watford got a good run, better form and he's a BPS market

  8. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Where are all this quetions about inujuries coming from? I already saw people ask about Salah, Alli, Rashford being injured. Just a litlle rest people. Its crazy schedule.

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

      Salah - fine, resting/poor performance subbing.

      Alli - looked shattered at FT, may have had a touch of cramp just before the end.

      Rash - off for a rest, game was won, fine.

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly.

  9. Gruu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT please

    Ryan Button
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Kelly Rico
    KDB Salah Alli Maddison Grealish
    Vardy Ings Greenwood

    1.3m ITB

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

      Richarlison over Maddison and is exactly my squad- so excellent WC!

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

        Yeah. Maddy, Richarlison or Martial for this position

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good, not too different to the one I am working on currently, I have Martial and Jimenez in place of your Maddison and Ings

  10. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2FT with 2m ITB, Best move here? Cheers

    A. Tammy -> Rashford and save (or Pope out)
    B Maddison/Tammy -> Salah/Ayew

    Pope - Button
    TAA - Soy - Lund - Kelly - Rico
    Mane - Alli - Maddison - KDB - Grealish
    Vardy - Tammy - Ings

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

    Them Maupay fixtures 😮

    Brighton 'knowers' is he on pens?

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

      Groß will be as a brighton and hove resident x

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

        That's gross. TY x

  12. Perthite
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    On WC - team before using it:
    Would lose money on everyone except Alli, Robertson & Heaton.

    Pope Heaton
    Robertson Lundstram Soyuncu Kelly Rico
    Mane KDB Alli Grealish Mount
    Vardy Abraham Ings

    Thoughts

    Pope RAMSDSLE
    Robertson Lundstram BALDOCK Kelly Rico
    Mane KDB Alli Grealish CANTWELL
    Vardy RASHFORD Ings

    1. Perthite
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe Ings->Maupay?

    2. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Am I misunderstanding, you want to use your wildcard to make 4 very small changes?

      1. Perthite
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Have to use WC or lose it this GW.

        Just don't see wholesale changes in my team.

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Fair enough, I wouldn't double up on Sheffield defence with tough fixtures coming up.
          I like the mid and att move.
          I assume keeper rotation works better with the transfer?

          1. Snevitz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Definitely get TAA in, I would have said it last week as well

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

      Robertson->TAA?

  13. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Maupay nailed ?

    I am assuming he was rested this week?

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

      Potter is a lunatic but yes a rest indeed. It is worth earning you he isn’t a very good footballer having seen him live many times this season

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed

  14. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking of doing Abraham and Maddison > Maupay and Salah for free but is taking Abraham out before Arsenal a terrible idea? Already own Mane

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not terrible, I'll likely be rid of him this week myself.

    2. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm keeping, but I've got other fires, hoping my inadvertent patience will pay off

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

    my front 3
    vardy tammy mousset

    1FT 4.3 itb

    A) tammy -> aguero
    B) mousset -> rashford
    C) mousset -> ings
    D) mousset and tammy -> ings and rashford (-4)

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B.

  16. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best combo on wildcard

    A sidebe and ings
    Or
    B cathcart and Jimi

    1. SamOS1993
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm looking at bringing Sidibe in (seems to have better form than Digne and is cheaper), but for the other striker slot i'm looking at either Jota, Delofeu or Maupay because I feel like Ings has had his purple patch and can't surely sustain the current run of goals.

      1. martyhan
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I've the same concerns with ings too. Maupay has lovely fixtures coming up too. Sidibe looked very dangerous today. Can see him getting a good few more assists in the coming weeks

  17. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Right, it's that time, thoughts on this first cut WC? 0.2 ITB

    Gazza
    TAA Lundstram Soy Kelly Rico
    Salah KDB Martial Alli Grealish
    Vardy Jimenez Greenwood

  18. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Cant believe i sold taa in gw18. Kicking myself. Suppose its a priority to get him back in.

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Season keeper.

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

        Nah, that’s Pope.

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          And Lund&Soy.

  19. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I hate a sideways move but VVD > TAA seems ideal.

    Yes?

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do it and not a sideways move at all

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

      yes but almost a 1m difference though

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      How is it sideways to upgrade to a player who gets roughly 1ppg more?

    4. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ok thanks for the advice. It could just be 6 points each. And VVD is always a sort of threat

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

      Yes. It’s not sideways. TAA is a lot more expensive and has a lot more points

  20. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How is Dunk's doctor appointment going...will he be right to play at the weekend? Need the defensive option!

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

      Similar sickness that saw VVD miss the 1st WCC game.

      Excuse for a rest.

  21. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If you still on Pulisic would you be tempted to keep at all or has the boat well and truly sailed?

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      shipwrecked
      i sold Tammy to Ings after injury and was happy to avoid all chelsea players

      1. KDB4PREZ
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Did same move and ain’t looked back 🙂 that being said Pulisic and Willian there best attacking players imo

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am. CHO was crap today

      1. KDB4PREZ
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah man feel the same way about it here but he’s stinking my team out at the same time lol

  22. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who will you captain next gameweek?

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thinking Vardy, only worry he gets rested

  23. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Zaha to Grealish or hold another week?

  24. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Trent captain GW 20 anyone?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Haha, you never know but I wouldn't.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      To me it seems that players who score massively and get mass transferred in often blank the next GW!
      e.g. Kane GW16 16 points, 1 point next GW

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He was a captain option last season, hopefully he will be for the run in this season.

  25. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Digne worth it on WC? Nice fixtures and double digit hauls in the cards?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Too rich for my blood with cheaper options doing well.

  26. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Wildcarded this week and have following for GW20:

    Guaita
    Soyuncu Holgate Kiko
    Salah KDB Alli Grealish
    Tammy Kane Vardy

    Button Rico Lundstram Cantwell

    Is the following worth a -4 to get in Trent (would downgrade Abraham)

  27. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ings to Rashford for free a good move?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I reckon it is.

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Avoid Man U

  28. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Going to this after the next GW when I have 2 FT.

    Dunk -> TAA
    Ings -> Greenwood

  29. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    On a WC.

    A) Soy
    B) Aurier

  30. FPL FREAK
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gazzaniga. Martin.
    Kelly. Lundstram. Rico. Fernández. Reid.
    Mane. KDB. Alli. Moura. Hayden.
    Vardy. Abraham. Rashford.

    Fernández > TAA.....?? Want to keep defence light but TAA is damaging a lot.. So should I bring him in...?? I kept funds for Salah or Sterling but TAA is back... What u say...??