Scout Notes

Abraham asking tough questions of patient owners

We round up the key Fantasy talking points from Brighton v Chelsea and Aston Villa v Burnley in our first Scout Notes article of Gameweek 21.

Brighton 1-1 Chelsea

Goals: Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£5.8m) | Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.8m)

Assists: Lewis Dunk (£4.7m) | Tammy Abraham (£7.8m)

Bonus Points: Azpilicueta x3, Jahanbakhsh x2, Bernardo x2 (£4.3m)

Tammy Abraham (£7.8m) owners may have a tough decision to make over the FA Cup third round break.

The centre-forward continues to tick along with points, registering an assist in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Brighton, but his Amex Stadium performance was another quiet one, just as was the case against Arsenal in Gameweek 20.

Across the 90 minutes, Abraham only touched the ball in Brighton’s penalty box three times and registered just two shots on goal.

Admittedly the first, blocked by Aaron Mooy (£4.8m), led to Cesar Azpilicueta‘s (£5.8m) goal, earning him a Fantasy assist. However, it is this continued drip of points that may make selling Abraham a tricky decision.

Up next for Chelsea is a meeting with Burnley at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues have struggled this season, although the Clarets themselves were exceptionally poor in Gameweek 21.

Abraham was not the only Chelsea asset to struggle at the Amex Stadium as Mason Mount (£6.3m) in particular spent most of the afternoon on the periphery.

Christian Pulisic (£7.0m) was more involved than most but, as has too often been the case of late, his performance largely consisted of snatched shots from the left-hand side that did not trouble the goalkeeper.

The American managed to find space to shoot on five different occasions but regardless of whether he went around the outside of right-back Martín Montoya (£4.4m), or cut inside the defender, Pulisic never really looked like scoring.

“In the first half, the game was there to be won. We weren’t ruthless enough. We got the goal and we had the possession, but we just didn’t kill the game off [The lack of consistency] is a concern. It’s something we absolutely have to look at.” – Frank Lampard

Arguably, the most impressive attacker for Chelsea was right-back Reece James (£5.0m), who surprisingly surfaced in the starting line-up after Frank Lampard had ruled him out for at least a week.

The versatile youngster used his pace to get around Dan Burn (£4.5m) plenty of times in the first half and could have got on the scoresheet with a fierce shot in the first five minutes.

However, James’ forward-thinking helped Brighton maintain a foothold in the game, as Neal Maupay (£5.8m) in particular was able to expose the space behind him.

His runs into that area of the pitch helped set up Steven Alzate (£4.5m) in the fifth minute and Leandro Trossard (£5.8m) just before half-time.

Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.5m) was called into action for that Trossard effort and was forced into three more important stops in the game too.

Antonio Rüdiger (£6.0m) also had to put his body on the line to keep Chelsea in the game in the second half as Brighton asked plenty of questions.

The Seagulls finally made a deserved breakthrough in the 84th minute when Lewis Dunk (£4.7m) nodded across to Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£5.8m), who scored with a spectacular bicycle kick.

The Iranian international had to go over a year before scoring his first-ever goal for Brighton against Bournemouth and he now has two in as many outings.

However, it remains unclear whether or not Jahanbakhsh can be turned to as a viable Fantasy asset as he featured only as a substitute against Chelsea, which means he still only has one league start to his name all season.

“Everyone is delighted for Jahanbakhsh. He’s worked so hard and waited so long, and to have his freshness off the bench was the thinking and he popped up with a great strike. He’s had to be patient, but he’s got qualities and he’s getting his reward.” – Graham Potter

Brighton’s goal does tell us a lot about what we need to know on Chelsea’s defence.

It ensured that their only clean sheet since Gameweek 13 was that 2-0 win at Spurs last month and with Fikayo Tomori (£4.8m) missing out on Gameweek 21, not even on the bench, the number of viable assets in Chelsea’s defence is rapidly declining.

“We allowed them to stay in the game. In the end, it was a wonder goal but we were lucky not to lose the game. In the end, the tactics matched up for both teams but they were better than us. We have to take that on the chin.” – Frank Lampard

Finally, there may be a budget option emerging in Brighton’s defence following a serious-looking injury to Burn.

The centre-back has done well on the left of defence this season but was replaced in the 22nd minute after injuring his collar bone and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.

Coming in for him was Bernardo (£4.3m), now available for upcoming games against Everton (away), Aston Villa (home), Bournemouth (away) and West Ham (away) at a reduced price.

The left-back played 68 minutes of the draw with Chelsea but came on after Azpilicueta scored the opening goal, so he claimed a clean sheet and one bonus for a seven-point score.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-3-1-2): Ryan; Burn (Bernardo 22′), Dunk, Webster, Montoya; Bissouma (Connolly 46′), Pröpper, Alzate; Mooy (Jahanbakhsh 68′); Maupay, Trossard.

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rüdiger, R James; Jorginho, Kanté; Pulisic (Hudson-Odoi 66′), Mount (Kovačić 73′), Willian; Abraham.

Members Analysis

Burnley 1-2 Aston Villa

Goals: Chris Wood (£6.2m) | Wesley (£5.6m), Jack Grealish (£6.4m)

Assists: Ashley Westwood (£5.4m) | Grealish, Douglas Luiz (£4.4m)

Bonus Points: Grealish x3, Luiz x2, Wood x1, Westwood x1

Jack Grealish (£6.4m) absolutely ran the show for Aston Villa in their 2-1 win at Burnley on New Year’s Day.

The midfielder was comfortably the best player on the park as he registered a goal and assist for a 13-point haul.

Grealish arguably should have been on the scoresheet before he banked his two attacking returns as a controversial Video Assistant Referee review chalked off what would have been the opening goal of the game.

Centre-back Ezri Konsa (£4.3m) played an excellent cross into the box early on, which Grealish nodded beyond Nick Pope (£4.7m).

However, it was ruled out by the VAR for offside against Wesley (£5.6m) in the build-up, whose boot heel was not much more than a millimetre or two closer to Burnley’s goal than James Tarkowski‘s (£5.1m).

“Jack Grealish is unfortunate to not have two goals today. I’m still not sure why it was disallowed looking at the still image.” – Dean Smith

With VAR arguably not a huge helper of Villa this season, the decision galvanised them and Grealish in particular.

Soon after having the goal chalked off, the Villa captain teed up Wesley, who forced a save out of Pope at the near post, before Douglas Luiz (£4.4m) drew another stop from the Burnley goalkeeper.

In the 29th minute, Grealish’s slightly deflected cross was chested down by an unmarked Wesley, who swivelled and slotted home under Pope.

It was a goal that was well-deserved, as Burnley offered very little in the opening exchanges.

Grealish then got his own goal in the 41st minute after some good link-up with Luiz. The Brazilian sprayed wide to Grealish on his left-flank of the attack, who fired an effort into the top corner before Pope had a chance to set himself.

However, it must be said that Villa were helped in their domination of this fixture by an uncharacteristically poor performance from Burnley.

While the Clarets have been somewhat shy in front of goal recently, it was strange to see them so loose in possession in the midfield.

Burnley were so sloppy pn the ball that it was a little easier for Villa to start their attacks in dangerous positions, while Tom Heaton (£4.5m) remained nothing more than a spectator for at least the first hour.

Villa were also helped by a change of formation though, which saw Smith line-up in a 3-4-3 system, featuring the returning Tyrone Mings (£4.5m), Kortney Hause (£4.4m) and Konsa in the defence with Neil Taylor (£4.3m) and Frédéric Guilbert (£4.4m) as wing-backs.

“We changed the system and I thought that we wanted to get on the ball and play. The lads looked really accomplished at it. We’ve only had a couple of days to work on it. A lot of them have played it before at previous clubs. We’ve been conceding too many goals and playing the three helped us get an extra head in the box.” – Dean Smith

Either way, such a big haul will almost certainly increase the interest in Grealish, who is currently owned by 16.4%, especially with his fixtures on the horizon.

Manchester City, who have displayed defensive weaknesses on the road this season, come to Villa Park next, while Brighton (away), Watford (home) and Bournemouth (away) are the three subsequent opponents for Dean Smith’s men.

It must be said that, as per usual, Villa did struggle in the second half. The fact that Burnley worked their way back into the game means that they have still conceded more goals after half-time than any other side this season.

Chris Wood (£6.2m) knocked on the door on more than one occasion before he busted the Villa clean sheet in the 80th minute.

However, Villa were not helped by injuries to Wesley and Heaton in the second half, both of them stretchered off with knee problems.

“Both of them felt their knee. We’re not sure what the prognosis is as of yet obviously, we will let them have a scan and see from there. Wesley felt something following the tackle from Ben Mee and Tom’s was when he was trying to claw the ball out the top corner. Too early to know, but our medical staff are with them now.” – Dean Smith

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; C Taylor, Mee, Tarkowski, Bardsley; McNeil, Cork, Westwood, Brady (Gudmundsson 46′); A Barnes (Rodriguez 46′), Wood.

Aston Villa XI (3-4-3): Heaton (Nyland 85′); Hause, Mings, Konsa; N Taylor, Nakamba, Douglas Luiz, Guilbert; Grealish, Wesley (Kodjia 71′), Trézéguet (Hourihane 78′).

Members Analysis

1,422 Comments Post a Comment
  1. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who is everyone shipping Smelly Alli our for then?

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

      Might go for Sterling!

      1. thepuntmaster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I’d be tempted if I had the funds for sure

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He is done then? Run is over?

      1. thepuntmaster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Wanna stay away from spurs a while I reckon

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Giving him one more. Thinking Son back could be good for the team including Alli.

    4. KINGS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Either Mane or Martial. Depends which forward to replace Kane

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

    Bottomed out.

    How does this look on wildcard? Had a disastrous season so need to act fast.

    Ryan / Button
    TAA / Soy / Lundy / Dunk / Kiko
    Mane / KDB / Maddison / Rich / Grealish
    Vardy / Jimenez / Greenwood

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

    Vardy absence allow Rico -1 flying off the bench. Best

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Everything is awesome!

    2. syke63
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same here. Also KdB inherits the capt.

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

    Minutes played from Salah and Mane in the last 4 games.
    Salah
    Wolves(h)-90 minutes
    Leicester(a)-70 minutes
    Flamengo RJ-120 minutes
    CF Monterrey-90 minutes

    Mane
    Wolves(h)-90 minutes
    Leicester(a)-90 minutes
    Flamengo RJ-120 minutes
    CF Monterrey-benched

    So is Salah more likely to rest?

    1. SB007
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah

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

      think he will rest in FA cup instead

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

    Are Alli and Moura better options now Kane is injured?

    1. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Feel like spurs new manager bounce is done.... it’s all downhill from here with the special one in charge

  6. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Current team
    Ramsdale*, 4.0
    TAA, Sidibe*, Soyuncu, Lundstram, Kelly
    Mane, KDB, Alli*, Cantwell, 4.4
    Vardy, Rashford, Tammy

    2FT, 0.0 itb.

    Plan
    GW22: Alli+Ramsdale -> Fabisanski + Felipe Anderson
    GW23: hold
    GW24: Sidibe -> Robbo (love Sidibe at the moment but have value tied up in every other def)

    Other alternative is to try and get Salah instead of Robbo... but will end up having to break team structure for that ...

    Alli + Tammy -> salah + Greenwood

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

    Alli and Rash => Salah and Maupay/DCL?

    Pope
    Soy TAA Lund Kelly Targett
    Rich Sarr Alli KDB Cantwell
    Rash Jimmy Vardy

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

    What are maupay owners doing? shipping for ings?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Already have Ings, no idea. Jimenez or DCL my options (other than keep)

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        might keep him as ings has leic next.will see after that

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

      Has he looked that bad?
      Great fixtures

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        yes juicy fixtures..that's the only reason I am not wasting my transfer on him

    3. Cadenza
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL looks really good. If you have Ings, I would get him.

    4. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Changing to Greenwood and doing Dendonker to Grealish. I can only do this if Greenwood drops 0.1m before Grealish goes up 0.1m though

  9. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who was managing West Ham when Fanny was epic that time?

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pellegrini. He bought him

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

      Pellers 🙂 - he bought him

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Think he was playing #8 that time too.

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

        Way to break the chain

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

      Pelle. He bought him

  10. st4rty
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Wickham owners unite! Lol, knew he would come good.

  11. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Gomez worth a shout as a pool triple up with Salah & TAA?

    1. st4rty
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going triple Liv def GW24.

    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, but he isn't TAA. I swapped TAA to Gomez a couple of weeks ago, didn't go great

  12. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Alli >

    1. Maddison
    2. Richarlison

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Have a feeling Klopp will field a strong team tomorrow.

    The cup team will be relatively weak imo.

    1. Cadenza
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      With three days of rest, don't really see a reason why he wouldn't field his best XI. Might change a player or two in midfield, but they are even quality-wise.

  14. migas2k7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Alli to richarlison? Those everton fixtures are very appealing

    1. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking about doing that or Martial

      1. migas2k7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        United is so poor =/... and i do have rashford

  15. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo do you prefer in order to enable Salah, Mané and TAA GW 24?

    A) Lundstram + Traoré
    B) Kiko + Grealish

    The mid will become 4th.

    1. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  16. Cadenza
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ditched Maddison and Grealish for Traore and Salah(C) yesterday. Not feeling very smart now.

  17. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather have Martial or Richarlison?

  18. boogle
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    best keeper to get?

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fabianski, McCarthy, Foster

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

      Fabianski or Ryan

  19. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Alli...
    A. Keep
    B. Straight to Salah
    C. Sterling for a few
    D. Someone else (have Kdb, Mane, Martial)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C for a punt

  20. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maupay or DCL for that 3rd striker spot?

    1. Cadenza
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL. Those Everton fixtures look tasty, he passes both the eye-test and the stats.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL

  21. Moolaah
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bournemouth team is already on the beach during this festive season. A bit early than usual though

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

      Better get some points before the real hard fixtures.

  22. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Kane > Rashford despite today?

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

      Plays Pool in 23.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        This, am thinking trading Rash GW23 in prep for GW24 DGW

      2. Ian Davis
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        3 of the next 4 at home though..

  23. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Have we seen enough from Sibide to bring him in now?

    Considering either him or punting on Pickford

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

      2 bonus was a good sign.

      1. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good point TM

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Already have, he got 2 bonus tonight conceding twice...he's a nice pick

  24. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ah lads, this game, this season, so frustrating!
    Imagine captaining your highest scoring player of the GW but still only ending up on 29 points (Trent to go)!

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

      At least you can pick a good captain. The rest of the team is the issue.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        tell me about it...ugh

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      actually make that 28 when Rico come in

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

      Can’t believe tour richarlison cap actually came through. Looked a bonkers mover considering the form/fixtures or vardy/kdb/rashford

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        yup, pity about the rest of them!

  25. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Kicking Pope and Alli out for next week GW.

    Best pair to transfer in?

    A. Schmeichel and Martial
    B. Fabianski and Maddison

  26. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1 FT, 1.9 ITB

    Kasper
    TAA Lundstram Kelly Rico
    KDB Maddy Salah Mane
    Ings Vardy

    Subs: Button, Dunk, Greenwood*, Hayden,

    Greenwood to DCL?

    (+)DCL has the fix and hopefully the form
    (-) Benching becomes difficult

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do it. No bench headache. Kelly rico hayden

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        P. S not in that order lol

  27. Saxe-Gotha
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2FT:

    Alli & Moura > Maddison & Richarlison worth it?

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

      Pool next. Week late on those but good run of fixtures.

  28. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2FT
    0.1 ITB

    needs a wildcard?

    Guaita

    soyuncu Hanley Rico

    Ali kdb mane salah Richarlison

    Ings vardy

    Bench ~Button,Greenwood,Lundstram,Targett

    1. Saro0808
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Drop Alli to madi (save 1 ft and use the funds for a 3rd pool player )

  29. Saro0808
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford & Baldock to Taa & Cwl?
    yaay or nah.

  30. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Decided Aurier has got to go, who's the best replacement?

    Rest of defence: TAA, Soyuncu, Kelly, Rico

    1. Saxe-Gotha
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sidibe?