Scout Notes

Rashford plays down injury worries after latest FPL double-digit haul

We continue our round-up of the Gameweek 22 matches with a look at what happened from a Fantasy perspective at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United 4-0 Norwich City

  • Goals: Marcus Rashford (£9.2m) x2, Anthony Martial (£7.9m), Mason Greenwood (£4.3m)
  • Assists: Juan Mata (£6.2m) x2, Brandon Williams (£4.0m)
  • Bonus: Rashford x3 Mata x2 Williams x1

Marcus Rashford (£9.2m) marked his 200th game for Manchester United with a fourth double-digit haul of the season as Norwich City were swept away at Old Trafford.

The striker scored a goal in each half as his 30.2% Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership continued to reap the benefits of his fine form – he’s now scored four times in as many Gameweeks.

Rashford opened the scoring when he converted a Juan Mata (£6.2m) cross before he doubled United’s advantage from the penalty spot after Brandon Williams (£4.0m) was brought down by Canaries keeper Tim Krul (£4.5m).

The only potential downside to his day came when he was substituted after 58 minutes, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying that “he is struggling a little bit so we took him off”.

But the player himself later confirmed on social media that the move was more about staying fit for his side’s FA Cup replay with Wolves in midweek, saying:

Just a precaution and looking forward to getting back at it Wednesday.

Mata earned his second assist when Anthony Martial (£7.9m) headed home his cross, a finish that meant the France international matched Rashford’s fine goalscoring record over the last four league matches.

Substitute Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) then rounded off the rout to make it three goals from the last five games for the young striker, only one of which has involved a place in the starting line-up.

Consistency remains an issue for Solskjaer’s side, although they have at least started to see off supposedly lesser teams in recent weeks, but Norwich’s notoriously leaky defence is not the benchmark required to judge the overall improvement of this young United outfit.

Next week’s trip to Liverpool certainly is, and it’s a fixture that ushers in a tough run involving away matches at Chelsea, Everton and Spurs and visits from Manchester City, Sheffield United and Watford.

All of that has not dissuaded Fantasy managers from buying into Rashford, who is in the top three for transfers-in ahead of that Anfield clash.

Investing in a defence with two clean sheets from the last three Gameweeks is proving less tempting, but the rise of youngster Williams offers a cut-price way into that backline, with the added bonus of potential attacking returns as well – only Martial and Rashford had more attempts than the left-back on Saturday.

The key question is whether Williams can now hold down a regular starting spot. Solskjaer was certainly not ruling out that possibility in his post-match praise for the 19-year-old:

We want to get to a place where players understand that, if I play well, I’ll keep my place. If I don’t, there’s competition behind us. There’s good competition there now (at left-back) and Brandon has never let us down. Another excellent performance by him.

If United’s final position in the league is still unclear at present, Norwich are now looking nailed-on to finish bottom.

With Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) out of form and injured (although expected to be back in Gameweek 23), their one Fantasy asset worth considering remains Todd Cantwell (£4.9m), who came closest to scoring for the visitors when his fine shot was expertly saved by David de Gea (£5.4m).

The fact that the United keeper ended up producing more stops than his Norwich counterpart said it all – the home side were ruthless, the visitors wasteful.

Either way, there’s little to tempt managers into buying Canaries assets, especially with Liverpool, Leicester and Spurs to come over the next six Gameweeks.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; Fred, Matic; Mata, Pereira (Greenwood 71′), Rashford (James 59′); Martial (Gomes 80′).

Norwich City XI (4-2-3-1): Krul; Aarons, Hanley (Lewis 81′), Zimmerman, Byram; Tettey, Vrancic (Amadou 65′); Cantwell, McLean, Buendia; Idah (Hernandez 65′).

Members Analysis

Chelsea 3-0 Burnley

  • Goals: Jorginho (£4.9m), Tammy Abraham (£7.8m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.3m)
  • Assists: Reece James (5.0m), Willian (£7.2m), Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.8m)
  • Bonus:  Azpilicueta x3, James x2, Jorginho x1

Chelsea bounced back from a three-match winless run with a regulation victory over struggling Burnley.

Goals from Jorginho (£4.9m), Tammy Abraham (£7.8m) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.3m) didn’t flatter the Blues, who had eight shots on target to the visitors’ one.

Hudson-Odoi’s strike, from a Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.8m) assist, was his first Premier League goal for Chelsea and with just 0.5% FPL ownership, the young winger could be a major differential candidate if he can build on that landmark.

His manager, Frank Lampard, was certainly happy to praise him post-match:

For Callum to score in the six-yard box is more exciting than him scoring from 30 yards. It means he is willing to get in there. It wasn’t the only time he did that. His overall performance was a statement of what he has to do. That was the real Callum. If he carries on like that we will have a real player.

The one rider when it comes to investment in any of Chelsea’s players involves their immediate schedule, however.

Lampard’s side travel to Newcastle next before embarking on a brutal four-Gameweek run involving Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester United and Spurs, although the only away fixture in that quartet will be at the King Power Stadium.

At least Abraham will head into all of that with his return to form gathering pace. He produced an attacking return for the third straight Gameweek – two goals and an assist – when Burnley keeper Nick Pope (£4.6m) failed to deal with his header.

Reece James (£5.0m) set up the goal and he and fellow defender Azpilicueta dominated the bonus point standings as the Blues kept their first clean sheet since Gameweek 18.

A tendon injury ruled out Christian Pulisic (£7.0m). The American has been in the thoughts of many Fantasy managers this season, while his team-mate Willian (£7.2m) has spent much of the campaign under the radar.

The Brazilian was brought down for the penalty kick converted by Jorginho, making it two assists from the last three matches for the winger. He also scored twice to bring in 16-point haul against Spurs in Gameweek 18 and is now seven points clear at the top of the team’s midfield scoring charts in FPL.

That nasty upcoming schedule will persuade only the bravest to tap into Chelsea’s stars, while Burnley’s wretched form means investment in their players would be an act of desperation.

Sean Dyche’s side have now lost four straight matches in the league, scoring just the once along the way, and they’ll be facing Leicester, Manchester United, Arsenal and the in-form Southampton over the next four fixtures.

The manager knows just what is needed to revive their fortunes.

We have to fight for everything. We have always had to do that. The confidence gets sucked out of players if they are not winning. We are trying to revive that.

But until that revival kicks in – if it does at all – their players look off-limits, with even the popular Pope (13.0%) shipping managers in seven of the last eight Gameweeks.

On the injury front, Dyche explained:

Jay Rodriguez is ill. Bardo only trained yesterday morning after four days of illness. Barnesy we will find out more about [this week]. Johann [Berg Gudmundsson] is settling down his hamstring and we are not sure on that one, we will have to wait and see. Robbie [Brady], calf, so he will probably be back on the grass hopefully this week.

N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) missed out for Chelsea, meanwhile, with Lampard saying:

It was something that came up last night. It was more of an awareness in the hamstring as opposed to a moment where he had to pull up. That makes you hope that it’s a small thing but we’ll have to see how it goes.

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; James, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Barkley, Jorginho; Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Willian; Abraham.

Burnley XI (4-4-1-1): Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Lennon, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Hendrick (Vydra 73′); Wood.

Members Analysis

1,961 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you replace with TAA?
    A) Kelly
    B) targett
    C) Rico

    The othe move to facilitate is rashford > ings

    1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C if he has lost his place

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

      B

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

      C

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

      C

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

    Fabianski *
    Taa - Robertson - Soyuncu - Lundstram - Rico
    Mane - Kdb - Willian - Traore - Cantwell
    Vardy - Rashford - Jimenez

    2FT 0 itb

    Gw23 Fabianski -> Mccarthy
    GW24 jimenez/Traore -> Ings/Grealish or Sarr

    Is this a good plan??

    Thanks

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

      Looks good given you already have 3 pool

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

    Thoughts on this potential WC team?

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Dunk
    Salah KDB Mahrez Richarlison
    Aguero (c) Ings DCL

    Martin Lundstram Hayden Williams 0.0ITB

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

      Very nice

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

      Looks good but no Leicester can impact your rank adversely

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

        Cheers - think it is a calculated gamble and have easy routes back to Vardy and Maddison when i clear some MCI players in a few GWs

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

      Mahrez Rich DCL > Martial **** Vardy?

      Is that affordable?

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

        Requires Rich to go to a 4.9 mid that would need to be played most weeks.

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

          fleck

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If your chasing and willing to take the risk in no Vardy then, yes it looks good to me.

      Maybe strengthen Hayden if you can if having 3 City attackers.
      Richarlison > Maddison
      Hayden > Fleck
      Maybe for cover.

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

      Ryan Stephens preferred god when Southampton defence reverts to type and you need to bail.

      DCL I don’t see. I’d go Sarr and Greenwood. Aoart from anything else he’s a horrid pricepoint when you decide it was a trap.

      Don’t mind Kun for Vardy. But the triple up in attack is one too many probs.

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

    Son or Richarlison?
    No clue what I'd do with any spare.

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

      Richarlison

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

      Rich - avoid Spurs right now

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

    Anyone else have an urge to transfer in Aguero after yesterday?

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

      Oh yes

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

        Already have Salah/Mane/KDB so doesn’t look affordable

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

          Yeah don't think you can have those three and Kun unless you are willing to go without TAA/Robbo and Vardy. What do you think of my WC side above?

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

      I cant get him anyway, if he was 9-10, then maybe I would have considered.

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah but it'd involve a hit and /or losing someone like Rashford who is a much better long-term pick. Kun(C) could be huge again next GW.

    4. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I can afford Rashford > Aguero but that would mean Gomez as my third Liverpool.

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

        That's not a bad thing..

  6. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Morning.
    If I do Soyuncu,Cantwell,Rashford > Holgate,Mane,Greenwood for -4 next week I can this

    Ryan
    TAA,Lundstrum,Holgate
    Salah,Mane,KDB,Maddison,Sarr
    Vardy,Ings

    Button,Kelly,Greenwood,Rico.

    Bench too weak?

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

      Wouldn't lose Rashford..

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Looks like double Liverpool defence then
        Soyuncu > Robertson

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

          The better choice

          1. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks

      2. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I agree, dont lose Rashford

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

      Salah and mane isn't the sure way to points as tempting as it may look and I'd loathe to lose Rashford against burnley

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeh which ever way we look at it a sacrifice has to be made somewhere to afford Salah,Mane. Maybe DD is the more balanced approach.

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

        Check ppm - looks pretty good to me. Way better fixtures than United coming up and already both ahead on ppm despite Rashford form

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

          Point being Salah Mane have played 3/4 fewer than Rashford this season

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

      Ha

      My exact team bar Martial for Sarr.

      Think Kelly is good for one more anyway probs. Then you can get Stephens.

      Greenwood is great fodder. Pretty much matching Firmino over last 5/6 just getting returns no minutes

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

    Hi all,

    I want a Rico replacement. I already have TAA Dunk Kabasele Williams. I have 2 FT. Here are some options:

    A. Jack Stephens & keep 1 FT
    B. Rico & Kabasele to Holgate & C. Taylor
    C. Rico & Dunk to Egan/Basham/O’Connell & C. Taylor

    Thank you.

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A.

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

      A

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

    Schmeich
    VVD TAA Holgate
    Martial Salah KDB Maddison
    Vardy Ings Abraham

    McGov Lunds Hayden Kelly

    1ft, 0 itb

    Everything good? Planning to save transfer.

    1. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good, planning to keep Tammy long term?

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

        Keeping him for now, might get rid after Newcastle, fixtures toughen up.

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

    Which option is better? The defender would be rotated with Lundstram depending on fixtures?

    A) Ryan, Stephens
    B) McCarthy, Dunk

    1. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  10. Is Firmino the answer?
    Sam FPLFamily
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is it time to consider Bobby Firmino? He is currently in only 9.5% of teams and his ownership is significantly lower than the other two parts of the Liverpool attack - Salah and Mane. All of Firmino’s 7 goals have come away from home and with both of Liverpool’s double Gameweek fixtures away does that make him a better option than both Mane and Salah whose returns away from home have not been as good as Firmino’s.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If mane and salah double up will unbalance your team or it requires too many hits, i would go for bobby ofcourse.

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        But if not, you wouldnt? You wouldnt say he is a better asset than Salah or Mané, would you?

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

      Firmino might be the answer. He usually gets one good run in a season and ppl bring him in and then he freezes again. (Freezes comparing to Mane & Salah) He might be getting in form again perfectly before the dbl GW.

    3. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It's a risk for sure. For north of 9m, he gets far too many 2 pointers. Obviously he's going to get some goals every now and again but over a 2 match period I just feel it's dangerous to leave out any of Salah, Mane or TAA

    4. P-h-o-e-n-i-x
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It depends whether your move for the Double Gameweek is a short term move or a long term move.

      If it's a short term move only for DGW24, Firmino is a good option. You should have a plan in place to ship out Firmino by GW 25-26 and bring someone else.

      If it's a long term move that you want to make, the double up of mids or defence makes more sense.

      I'd like to add that I don't understand why everyone in FFS and twitter community is so sure about having 3 Liverpool. After all, it's just a matter of one extra match in GW 24. It's not like they are going to face Bournemouth and Villa at home for the DGW. I think it's okay to not triple up at all and stay with double up.

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Spot on, except last paragraph where I disagree. Best team in the league, have two games while others only have one, so you just get three - otherwise you’re overthinking it imho

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

        Mostly agree but Liverpool run looks very good straight after the double so it’s not just for the DGW

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

          Exactly.

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

      Think he's got to be a good alternative to Salah.
      Brave to go out without Mane due to ownership and a fair % of TCs.
      Mane's ppg away roughly same as Firmino's but comfortably ahead of Salah's.

    6. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It's easy to get swayed towards Bobby. Plays for best club in PL. But, he's a double trouble guy imo. 1. Uses much maligned Striker spot in the team (Vardy/Rashford/Ings... Others better value)
      2. Takes up one valueable pool spot.

      I have gone with double defense (Taa Robbo). If i get 4th pool spot it'd be Salah. 5th will be VVD. Bobby is 6th for me in terms of FPL appeal.

      Having said that, anyone can bang in a GW. Bobby might end up as highest scorer. Not for me though

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

      The answer is literally in his name.

      1. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        In?

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 2 months ago

            No

          • Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            FIRMiNO

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

          Firm

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Love the fact he hauled this weekend - will hopefully mean more knee-jerkers get him instead of the clearly much better Liverpool options for the DGW and subsequent plum fixtures.

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          This is the key for me.

          I think he's potentially an option for the double gameweek, in any given gameweek he could haul and you might get lucky. plus lots of his goals have come away from home.

          But given you really want 3 Liverpool players after the double gameweek as well I definitely want mine from the main 4, perhaps even VVD ahead of Firmino

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

        GET ME IN. I WILL HAUL BIG TIME!

      4. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        If the question is- third test Brazilian striker in the league? Then yes, he is the answer

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

        Is it too maverick to triple captain Bobby?!?!?!?
        I haven’t ruled this out

      6. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        LIV player value (points/GBP) stats:
        - TAA, 15.7
        - VVD, 15.3
        - Robo, 14.9
        - Mane, 11.5
        ...
        - Firmino, 10.8
        - Salah, 10.2

      7. Boomerang V
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I got Firmino 3 GWs ago and I had him for 2 games. He obviously blank the two of them. It was clear to me I had done a BIG mistake as Mané and Salah will out score him by a big difference. Then I downgraded Bobby to Ings and got Mané in (already had Salah).
        Now I feel I’ve fixed my mistake that costed me lots of transfers, money and points.
        Do yourself a favor and don’t do the same mistake I’ve done!

      8. Karhumies
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        You can only captain Salah OR Mane. You can avoid the coin flip captaincy problem by going for just one of them and Firmino.

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          No coin flip problem. I will always captain Mané ahead of Salah.

      9. Fire Chief Moe
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Firmino is destroying Salah in all valuable underlying metrics for last 6 games. Seriously seriously considering.

    8. Juza
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bench

      1 - Grealish (BHA)
      2 - Rashford (LIV)

      1. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Grealish

      2. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Rash

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

        Grealish

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

        1

    9. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I have the exact cash to upgrade Traore to Maddison but it would be for a hit.

      Should I do it for a hit or wait until next week for free?

      Traore plays sou away
      Maddison plays bur away

      My DGW is sorted as I already own TAA, Salah and Mané

      1. Reiger
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Wait

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

        Wait and see how Maddison perform. You might want to pick someone else.