Scout Notes

The Kane injury latest as Ings continues his fine run of form against sorry Spurs

Southampton 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

  • Goal: Danny Ings (£6.7m)
  • Assist: Jack Stephens (£4.3m)
  • Bonus: Ings x3, Jack Stephens (£4.3m) x2, Alex McCarthy (£4.3m) x1

Danny Ings (£6.7m) continued his superb goalscoring run as Southampton saw off a lacklustre Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium.

The striker made it nine goals from his last nine starts to round off an excellent festive run for the Saints, who have taken 10 points from 12 over Christmas.

The contrast with the lot of Spurs forward Harry Kane (£11.0m) could not have been more stark, the England captain limping off with a hamstring issue that could well prompt a flurry of sales among his 20.4% Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership.

The injury came as he stretched to prod home what looked like an equaliser for the visitors, only for his effort to be correctly ruled out for offside.

It would have been an undeserved strike either way as Southampton out-fought, and for the most part outplayed, a one-paced Spurs side for the majority of the match.

Chances were at a premium throughout – no player had more than three attempts – but Ings took the best of his two with aplomb.

The 17.2%-owned forward latched onto a ball over the top by Jack Stephens (£4.3m) before flicking it past the flat-footed Toby Alderweireld (£5.4m) and finishing smartly on his left foot.

The lack of goalmouth action made for dreary viewing, although the select few with Southampton defenders in their Fantasy sides won’t have cared as they banked clean sheet points for the second time in three Gameweeks.

Alex McCarthy (£4.3m) was the busier of the two keepers, but none of his five saves were any more than regulation ones as Tottenham lacked purpose and cohesion in the final third.

The potential loss of Kane for any length of time will not help remedy that, with Jose Mourinho’s initial assessment understandably guarded.

It is negative, hamstring is always negative. Is it a tear? Is it a small thing? At this moment I cannot say.

The Spurs coach was rather more forthright about midfielder Tanguy Ndombele (£5.8m), who had to be taken off in the first half after taking a knock to the knee.

He’s always injured. He’s injured, he’s not injured, he plays one match. This is the same since the beginning of the season.

Mourinho claimed to be a changed man following the bitter end to his time at Manchester United, but publicly singling out a player for criticism has been a long, and generally divisive, tactic of his. How Ndombele and his team-mates respond to it will be worth keeping an eye on.

For now, however, most eyes will be on Southampton assets.

Ings’ ownership has ballooned by nearly one million in eight Gameweeks and looks certain to rise ever higher over the coming weeks.

The Saints will have to travel to both Leicester City and Liverpool in the next four Gameweeks, but will fear nobody having beaten both Chelsea and Spurs over Christmas.

And after Gameweek 25, a five-match run of attractive fixtures awaits, suggesting that investment in more than Ings might be worth considering.

Coach Ralph Hasehuttl was certainly happy to spread the praise post-match:

It’s the first step in the right direction if you defend like a Premier League team and at the moment we are defending very well. We know we can always score with Ingsy up front. When he has a chance, the chance is big that he scores and it’s enjoyable to watch this team at the moment.”

Stephens’ assist capped a fine four matches for the defender, who has also scored and kept two clean sheets over that period.

And in midfield, a revitalised Nathan Redmond (£6.2m) and the industrious Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m) led the way for both attempts and chances created against the Londoners.

Spurs’ schedule is less inviting, and their form too inconsistent, to warrant much interest.

Mourinho’s men have badly missed the pace and directness of the suspended Son Heung-min (£9.8m) of late and his return can’t come soon enough – particularly if Kane ends up sidelined for a significant spell.

Southampton XI (4-2-2-2): McCarthy, Cedric, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Djenepo (Long 58′), Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Armstrong (Romeu 90′), Redmond, Ings (Obafemi 76′).

Spurs XI (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga, Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sessegnon, Sissoko, Ndombele (Lo Celso 25′), Eriksen, Alli, Moura, Kane (Lamela 75′).

Members Analysis

Watford 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Goals: Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.6m) | Pedro Neto (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Deulofeu, Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m) | Joao Moutinho (£5.4m)
  • Bonus: Deulofeu x3, Doucoure x2, Moutinho x1

Watford’s bid to escape the nether regions of the Premier League gathered pace with a third straight home win since Nigel Pearson took charge.

The Hornets had to dig deep to see off Wolves, surviving with ten men for the last 20 minutes when Christian Kabesele (£4.3m) was shown a red card, after VAR intervened, for hauling down Diogo Jota (£6.1m).

That decision, and a 60th-minute goal from Pedro Neto (£5.0m), meant a nervy end to a game that the hosts had previously controlled.

A 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Gerard Deulofeu (£6.1m) and Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.6m), didn’t flatter Watford, although neither attack overly worked the goalkeepers, with the sides managing just seven shots on target between them.

Deulofeu opened the scoring when Wolves gave away possession inside their own half and the Spaniard finished with assurance when played in by Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m).

The attacking pair have form and fixtures on their side as they start the new year.

Striker Deulofeu has two goals and an assist to his name in the last three matches, while Sarr has two of each since Gameweek 18 ushered in the packed Christmas schedule.

Watford’s next five fixtures should tempt Fantasy managers to consider at least of one of them.

They’ll face Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Everton and Brighton, while a Gameweek 23 visit from Spurs looks the toughest test on paper.

With Pearson in charge, the belief is flowing back into the side, perhaps best exemplified by the emergence of Doucoure as an attacking threat.

The new manager has been employing the midfielder in a more advanced role and he has responded with a goal and an assist from the last two Gameweeks.

Clean sheets are also back on the table – the Hornets have kept three from Gameweek 16 – although injuries, and Kabasele’s dismissal, are now leaving them dangerously light at the back.

That situation wasn’t helped by Keko Femenia (£4.2m) being subbed off seconds before the magic 60-minute mark against Wolves, denying his (small) army of owners shut-out points. The move wasn’t tactical as the defender required treatment before he left the pitch, but there was no immediate indication as to the nature or severity of the problem.

Wolves got a goal back immediately after Femenia went off when Joao Moutinho (£5.4m) set up Neto, whose shot took a deflection on its way past Ben Foster (£4.8m).

The home keeper was only worked sporadically after that, even when Watford were down to ten men, as his team-mates repelled the visitors time and time again – eight of the top ten players for clearances, blocks and interceptions were Watford assets.

That resilience was recognised by Pearson in his post-match comments.

At times we’ve played some really good football and won, but today it was about showing desire and character as well as ability.

Wolves, meanwhile, looked tired – hardly surprising as they were playing their 35th game of a long and well-travelled season so far.

The main Fantasy interest in their stars centred on Adama Traore (£5.6m), who was the most transferred-in player for the Gameweek, with 502,389 new owners.

But the winger was a peripheral figure who managed no attempts and created just a couple of chances.

As a team, Wolves lacked a cutting edge. They had 16 shots all in, but only four on target, with wing-back Matt Doherty (£6.1m) having half of those himself.

Coach Nuno Espirito Santo was honest enough to acknowledge his side’s deficiencies when he spoke after the game:

We didn’t create enough to really come to the draw and get what we wanted – a good performance, a team with character – we didn’t have that today. But we should improve and we should perform better.

Wolves’ fixtures, in the very short term, are good, with Newcastle at home and Southampton away.

Things turn nasty after that, however, with Liverpool, Manchester United, Leicester and Spurs to play during a five-match spell from Gameweek 24.

The side remain good enough to beat pretty much anyone on their day, but fatigue and a lack of defensive stability – they’ve not kept a clean sheet since Gameweek 15 – mean few Fantasy managers will look past the prospect of points offered by the goals of Raul Jimenez (£7.5m).

Watford XI (4-2-3-1): Foster, Dawson, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenia (Holebas 60′), Capoue, Chalobah, Sarr (Pereyra 90′), Doucoure, Deulofeu (Masina 73′), Deeney

Wolves XI (3-4-3): Patricio, Doherty, Bennett (Neves 54′), Coady, Dendoncker, Jonny (Vinagre 54′), Saiss, Moutinho, Neto (Jota 66′), Jimenez, Traore.

Members Analysis

940 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone know Mane RO in top 10k with all the vice captains to come in?

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

      *EO

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

      Close to 100 I think.

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I think around 106

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah 27.

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

      106

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

      106%

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

        Yikes, so hoping for no returns from one of yupr key players sucks.

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

          Unless you’ve capped

  2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mane vs Salah - round 20

    Ding Ding!

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      it's time for Salah owners !

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'm not confident

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          i'am because i changed C from him to Kane 😀 2

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

      I need 16pts from Salah to progress in the cup, so I'm not feeling confident at all 😀

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

      The cool kids got them both 😉

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Only 1 can win though 😉

  3. JJO
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Main q is is
    Lundstram starting?

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

      Trained this morning.

      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thats great news
        Thanks man

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

    Grealish a hold for the new few weeks?

    Or would you sell for Sarr?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Season keeper

    2. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I was tempted to switch last gameweek but am most certainly holding now

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

        I was stupid enough to bench him but Vardy helped me.

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

    7 mins until SCENES!!

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What kind of scenes.

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

      Yeah

    3. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      my favourite time of the week

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

      Teams are already known

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        not sheff u's

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Fairenough

    5. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      We are having 20 scenes 38 times a year. 720 scenes in total.

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        more than that with monday kick offs etc

      2. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        380 metinks

        1. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah 380 indeed.

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

    Anyone know if Webster is nailed with Duffy back?

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

      looks like he is ahead of him, but wouldn't say nailed

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

      1st choice.

      Potter wants to play out from the back & Duffy can’t do that but may start specific games.

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

      Hes 1st choice, Duffy's lack of ball playing abilities has meant he's lost his place.

    4. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks guys that was quick

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

    Leaked Team vs Sheffield Utd:

    Alisson
    Alexander-Arnold
    Gomez
    van Dijk
    Robertson
    Wijnaldum
    Henderson
    Keita
    Salah
    Mane
    Firmino

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      @Kop_Central source

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

      sauce?

      1. Somar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ketchup

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

      No surprices

    4. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      As long as the team doesn't leak goals I'll be happy. Virg and Trent owner.

  8. mazkills
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any reason to depart from Jimenez/Vardy or Tammy in favor of Ings with 2ft?

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

      Keep Vardy. Others could go.

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jimenez and Vardy has great fixtures.

      Ings on fire but shite upcoming fixtures. But he’s kinda fixture proof. Maybe sell Tammy for him?

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings more reliable than Tammy

    4. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hold. Ings plays Leicester next and though his form is trumping fixtures I think this will be different. Wolves play a depleted Newcastle next.

  9. Somar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    TAA, Robbo, Gomez, Mané, Salah and Firmino all start for LFC tonight.

    Good luck FPL bosses

    1. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Source?

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Don't care long as it's true 😉

        1. Fozzyb34r
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Haha too right! Got Salah, mane and TAA tonight

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

        @Kop_Central

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

      Klopp is focused on league

  10. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Cmon Lunny... block that dud Rico from coming on please!

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      he will start, dont worry.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundy -2

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

        Henderson owner here...

  11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Good news for the FPL team that showed 4 Liverpool players

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      you cannot have 4

      1. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        You can

      2. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Under certain very unusual circumstances.

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

        You could via a glitch that was recently exposed. You could have over 6 players from the same team.

        It's been patched and teams who abused it had their accounts deleted.

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

        You can.
        In theory

      5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        That's what I thought but there was a team with 4 Liverpool players.

      6. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I seem to remember a GW1 or 2 a few seasons back where it was possible to have four Chelsea players for an early DGW? Load up on three and the fourth was a player yet to transfer to Chelsea but who did. You have to remedy it at the first transfer you make, though.

        1. kysersosa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I did it in January a few season ago. Had Demba Ba when he went from Newcastle to Chelsea.

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

      Who was transferred to Liverpool after the game was launched?

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

        Adrian?

    3. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I did it with Chelsea and your name sake a few seasons ago. Couldn’t make any further transfers though till I took out a Chelsea player.

  12. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Liverpool fans. Has Klopp told you who will be playing furthest forward tonight...did he say it would be Firmino or Salah?

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      With SHU playing with a back three and Keita playing Salah up front looks likely from a tactical pov,but in all fairness they tend to shift positions during the games.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Are you a Liverpool fan?

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          yep

          1. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Thank god. Somebody who knows what they’re talking about. Which stand do you go in?

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Van Dijk

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ha tricky!

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Indeed.

  13. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Oh well, VAR to break a few hearts tonight

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No doubt

  14. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you take minus 8 to get Rashford and Martial in v Norwich ?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No way Jose

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

      No chance

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      look at fixture after and you have the answer

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

        There are a punt, just and and for free out.

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

          *in

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nah, HNY bud.

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

        Hi Lucas, how is it going? Happy New Year! Gulp 🙂

    5. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      nope. Both will blank.

    6. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not on your Nellie

    7. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Did you watch Man Utd yesterday?

    8. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lol

  15. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Standard Liverpool team, no surprises

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      VAR (C)

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

      Yeah, they had 3 full days break. That's enough.

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Phew, can see a big Virg brace tonight.

  16. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A solid 0-0 would suit me perfectly tonight. Hopefully with a Henderson penalty save.

  17. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    All start.

  18. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lundstarts

  19. Arse Craic
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    John Lundstram is back into the side while Didzy & Moose lead the line

  20. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lundstram starts.

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      lord!

    2. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thank the Lord. Stops Rico coming off my bench.

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

        He could match the -1 tbh 😀

  21. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Goal fest please

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hope so!

  22. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Trent salah (M)ane let's go!

  23. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Come on pool trio, time to save my gw.

  24. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lundy back in my first team, Rico and Kiko stay on the bench 🙂

  25. shaunyjames
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I just realised I accidentally unlocked 'show replies' - just thought everyone was being really rude today

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

    Mousset & McGoldrick should cause problems.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You’re confusing McGoldrick with McBurnie

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I think you’ll find he’s confusing them with McSalah and McMane...

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I like McGokdrick, but how come he never scores when he is quite a good footballer baffles me.

  27. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mousset! Time to repay the faith (and I’ll let you off the .2m)

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

    Come on Salah(C) TAA!

    Mane blank please

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Exactly this.

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      This with bonus point for Baldock first sub to come in!! Haha

  29. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Salah (c), Mane and Trent.

    Get me some points guys!

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same, plus Lund hah

  30. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    wish i had put lundstram ahead of rico in bench.