Scout Notes

Everton’s budget FPL assets underline appeal but tricky fixtures lie in wait

West Ham United 1-1 Everton

  • Goals: Issa Diop (£4.4m) | Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.9m)
  • Assists: Robert Snodgrass (£5.2m) | Mason Holgate (£4.5m)
  • Bonus: Holgate x3, Calvert-Lewin x2, Mark Noble (£5.0m) x1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.9m) rewarded his growing army of Fantasy fans with another goal in an evenly-matched encounter at the London Stadium.

The Everton striker has seen his ownership rise from 62,000 to over half a million since Gameweek 16, and he responded with his sixth strike of that run.

Chances to cash in on his form and budget price are receding, however.

The Toffees’ short-term schedule is solid enough (NEW, wat, CRY) but turns ugly after that, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Leicester and Spurs to play over seven brutal Gameweeks.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side fell behind when Issa Diop (£4.4m) glanced home a Robert Snodgrass (£5.2m) free-kick. It was only the defender’s second-ever league goal for the Hammers, while the Scot’s delivery confirmed he is a man in form, with a goal and two assists from his last three starts.

The lead lasted just four minutes, Calvert-Lewin athletically heading in from Mason Holgate’s (£4.5m) flick-on, and chances then came and went for both sides.

Hammers striker Sebastien Haller (£7.0m) had the best opportunity for the home side, only to shoot straight at Jordan Pickford (£5.3m) from close range, while Theo Walcott (£6.2m), Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies (£5.3m) threatened, but couldn’t convert, at the other end.

Maximum bonus points went to Holgate, who has now produced returns in four of his last six starts. His price, and 1.8% ownership, mark him out as a budget differential, but that horrible upcoming fixture list is likely to put off all but the bravest of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.

West Ham’s assets are equally vexing, despite Gameweek 24’s double helping of matches.

Those two games are away at Leicester and home to Liverpool, and while a Gameweek 25 visit from Brighton looks appealing, the fixtures that follow are anything but: mci, liv, SOU, ars, WOL, tot, CHE.

David Moyes has brought some much-needed stability to a talented, if flaky, set of players, but one win, a draw and a defeat from his three-match tenure is hardly the classic ‘form over fixtures’ justification for investment in their assets.

Snodgrass could be the exception, having registered an attacking return in each of his last three starts.

At least rotation might not be an issue, if Moyes’ post-match comments are to be believed:

We’re a bit short on the bench at the moment, we’ve just not got loads of changes we can make just now, but I’d rather have people here who we know and who we know are going to be reliable, rather than trying people who we don’t exactly know what we’re going to get from them.

Even so, the Fantasy jury will probably remain out on West Ham’s stars, as it should do for assets from both sides until their respective fixtures ease towards the end of the season.

As for those managers already invested in the 11%-owned Richarlison (£8.1m), a return to action in the midweek match at home to Newcastle looks on the cards.

The Brazilian missed Saturday’s encounter, with Ancelotti relatively optimistic that the issue is a minor one:

His problem is on his knee, he had a little twist, but nothing special. I hope he will be available on Tuesday.

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Randolph; Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Noble; Snodgrass, Fornals (Masuaku 60′), Lanzini (Ajeti 84′); Haller.

Everton XI (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Digne; Walcott (Sidibe 57′), Davies, Delph, Bernard (Gordon 46′); Calvert-Lewin, Kean (Niasse 74′).

Members Analysis

Newcastle United 1-0 Chelsea

  • Goals: Isaac Hayden (£4.3m)
  • Assists: Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m)
  • Bonus: Federico Fernandez (£4.4m) x3 Reece James (£5.0m) x2 Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) x1

Newcastle’s last-gasp win over Chelsea wasn’t exactly daylight robbery, but only due to the fact that the match had an early evening kick-off.

The winning goal from Isaac Hayden (£4.3m) came in the darkest depths of the 94th minute following the Magpies’ one and only corner as Frank Lampard’s side dominated possession (69.7%) and attempts (19 v 7) but failed to turn any of that into goals.

The Blues also failed to trouble home keeper Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) unduly, with just three of those 19 shots forcing him into a save.

Chief culprit was Chelsea’s most popular FPL player Tammy Abraham (£7.9m).

The 34.5%-owned striker saw the whites of Dubravka’s eyes on a couple of occasions, being unable to finish when rounding the Magpies’ shot-stopper and then seeing an apologetic effort hooked clear from inside the six-yard box as it slowly bobbled goalwards.

Lampard was at pains to deflect blame away from his profligate striker, though, saying:

We can’t absolutely rely on Tammy Abraham. We have to have goals from across the front line if we want to bridge the gap upwards. Tammy has been fantastic this season – it didn’t quite come off for him today, but that’s football.

At the other end, the goal machine (of the past few days at least), Joelinton (£5.5m), hit the bar with a header, but Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.5m) had precious little else to do until he failed to keep out Hayden’s decisive header from Allan Saint-Maximin‘s (£5.4m) pinpoint cross.

The victory came at yet more cost, injury-wise, for Steve Bruce’s side, however.

Their latest victim was Jetro Willems (£4.6m), who had to be stretchered off with a knee problem after just 11 minutes.

The manager was less than optimistic about the defender post-match:

It looks a horrendous injury for Jetro, which is a big blow to us. We fear it’s his cruciate. We’re due a bit of luck. I’ve never known anything quite like it over the last few weeks, so we’re due.

Willems was replaced by Matt Ritchie (£5.3m), who is only just back from a long-term knee injury himself, while four defenders – and five other squad members – are now out for the foreseeable future.

Newcastle remain a tricky team to exploit, Fantasy-wise.

The six clean sheets they’ve kept puts them joint-seventh, but only five teams have conceded more than the 34 goals they’ve shipped and the 22 they’ve scored is only two more than the league’s most toothless sides, Bournemouth and Watford.

Dubravka, with 89 points, is easily the team’s most productive player, and his 91 saves is a league-leading figure.

Other than that, too many players are scoring too few points too inconsistently to promote investment, which is a shame when Newcastle have an excellent schedule all the way through to Gameweek 34.

As for Chelsea, Lampard’s reliance on youth is, perhaps, starting to bite him.

They’ve experienced two defeats in their last three home matches and have had a curious stretch of away games in which they’ve won at Arsenal and Spurs, but only drawn at Brighton and now lost to Newcastle.

Their immediate schedule involves three home matches in the next four games, but those will be against Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs, with their one road trip taking them to Leicester.

That is unlikely to inspire purchases of their key players, at least until Gameweek 28, when their fixtures improve immeasurably for the rest of the season.

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dubravka; Krafth (S Longstaff 71′), Fernandez, Lascelles, Clark, Willems (Ritchie 12′); Almiron, Hayden, Shelvey (M Longstaff 84′), Saint-Maximin; Joelinton.

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; James (Emerson 75′), Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Kante, Jorginho; Hudson-Odoi, Mount (Barkley 67′), Willian; Abraham (Batshuayi 80′).

Members Analysis

2,847 Comments Post a Comment
  1. stamboy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Moura or Son Vs Norwich? Thinking Moura as Son looked a bit wide against Watford.

    Thoughts?

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

      Moura it is then!

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Toying with Moura too

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

      I’m on the moura band wagon since sons red, waiting for my returns still though

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

        Haha me to! Not selling till I get paid 😀

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

    Best 2 Midfielders (not completed fodder) with a combined value under 12 million outside of Salah, Mane and KDB?

    Any suggestions?

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

      Traore+1

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

      Cantwell and Grealish surely.

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

      Grealish + Moutinho

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Doucoure and hmm 6.4 left, maybe Trossard. Or Traore if you dont mind Wolves fixtures.
      JWP could be an option but those other 3 better

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

      consider fleck plus 7m player..

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

    Anyone else TC on Trent?

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

      Yes, since before it was fashionable around here.
      I would TC a Liverpool mid instead if I owned one though.

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

        Unreal score this week!

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

          Thanks, the week couldn't have gone much better, nice to have some good luck after a terrible start.

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

            Looking good for it. I just keep getting to around 100k then have a poor week like this setting me back. Hoping for a bit of luck with which Liverpool player to TC...

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

              Gameweek ranks don't matter in isolation, its all about your total rank in week 38. You can't have a perfect team set up every week and there will always be good and bad weeks.
              100k with all your chips is a really good place to be at this point in the season.

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

      I just can’t TC a defender.

      Realistic best case is 1-2 clean sheets and 1-2 assists. 11-15 points

      Salah or Mane have a very good chance of getting 3 attacking returns and not unrealistic for 4 or 5. Higher ceiling

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

        Check the latest hot topic on Liverpool 'double gameweeks' and player ceilings.

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Mane can’t hit a barn door at the moment and Salah missed an open goal. Not sure I’d be so gung-ho about them ...

  4. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    looks like Vardy and Rash to Bobby is popular tonight

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

      I did Rash to Firmino, no brainer with DGW and getting in Mo or Mane would have meant extra transfers as not enough cash

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

        this is also me

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Those not using TC, when do you plan to use it?

  6. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Haller or DCL?

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL

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

    Early transfers made. Here's hoping Aguero gets enough game time.

    Ryan
    TAA, Holgate, Kelly
    Salah(c), Mane, KDB, Grealish
    Aguero, Ings, DCL

    (Woodman, Traore, Lundstram, Simpson)

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

    I have Trent and Mane. Would you triple up with:

    A) Firmino
    B) Robbo
    C) Salah -4

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

      C

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Difficult to say without seeing your team, huge difference in price. Robbo looking decent value - him or Salah.

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

      Yes triple with No you get 2 points for an extra game so transfer only costing you -2

  9. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Traore or Doucoure?

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Close. Probably Doucoure just about.

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

    Just did Ings and Soy to Firm and Bendarek. Easy points

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

    Red arrows and red arrows...!!!!!
    Ryan
    Soyu Holgate Taa
    Salah Mane Maddi Kdb
    Vardy Maupay Ings
    Bench: Button, Cantwell Lund Baldock
    1ft Bank:0.0m

    1) Drop Soyu for Williams/Tanganga
    2) Maddi for Grealish/7.7m
    3) Hold ( which i am not keen on as Soyu & Maddi both like drop )

    Help needed guys....!!!!

  12. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Abraham + Madders
    B) Abraham + Martial
    C) DCL + Son

    First to 2.

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      C

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

      DCL and Martial

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

    A) Salah & DCL
    B) Martial & FIrmino

    Ryan - Button
    TAA - Lundstram - Holgate - Lascelles - Cathcart
    Mane - KDB - _____ - Grealish - Fleck
    Vardy - Ings - _____

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

        B

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  14. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy & Rash out for Kun and one other in?

    6.6 for the other

    Tosun (fixtures)
    Deeney (fixtures)
    DCL (form)

    Can’t afford Ings...

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Prob DCL

      1. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I took DCL myself but it was a tossup between DCL and Deeney

        Comes down to Deeney being a head case and red card risk

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

      Considered Maupay?

  15. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    With price rises I need to make a move tonight which is better?

    A. Alli & Maddison > Mane & Fleck
    B. Rico & Alli > Robertson & Grealish

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B for me, just about

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A for me. Fleck under radar. Mane will come again

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

    Who goes for Salah??

    Troare or Sarr???

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr is injured so him

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

      Sarr is injured so easy call

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

      One is injured.

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

      Going the Sarr route will mean no hit btw...

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

        Why?

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

          Coz iv 6.5m itb

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

          Costs more.

  17. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Genuinely, genuinely can’t decide if I wanna go safe or risk.
    A) Rico to VVD/Robbo for free - double defence looks great, both have attacking threat, and cheaper, likely to stay in team for longer

    B) Jimenez Maddison to DCL Salah (-4) - shorter term move, for a hit, losing back in form(?) Jiménez and Maddy v WHU, DCL fixtures turn soon...

    Help!

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A. Close one!

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

      DCL is very short term, it's making me uneasy

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Right! Good form and stats and short term fixtures but iffy after that

  18. Wensink
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who do you think has more potential attacking returns, Cathcart or Holgate? Or another 4.5-4.7m defender?

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

    Mane-Salah-KDB-Traore
    Kun-Firm-DCL

    Bring on next week

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

      wHaTs YouR DeFFFence?
      Pope
      Kelly-Rico-Lund-Bend

      Feel better?

  20. Fishy
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Would you use free hit?
    Button schmeichel
    Taa sidibe dunk lundstram Kelly
    Sarr kdb salah grealish martial
    Vardy ings dcl

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

      What would the FH team be?

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

        Well mane for one and a few slight changes

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

          Do you want that lot back in 25?

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

            Not really no quite happy with team atm

      2. Fishy
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Snodgrass, mahrez etc

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

        If you don't have cash tied up I'd be taking out Sarr and either Vardy or kdb to get mane in.
        If you fh Almost have to put 2 or 3 West ham in which doesn't seem great.

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

    How it sounds,

    Jimmy and rico/baldock for dcl and van dijk (-4)

    2. Martial and baldock to grealish and van dijk (-4) ?

    Team;

    Ryan
    Lund baldock kelly rico soy
    Mane salah kdb martial dendo
    Ings vardy jimenez

  22. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Aubameyang from GW26 looks tasty!

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I would have to say yeah. Especially as he continues to drop in price. I’m sure many casuals just noticed he was out this week.

      At 10.5, he’s a great bargain

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

    In free fall

    Dendoncker-salah-alli-kdb-martial
    Vardy-Ings-Abraham
    Alli & KDB to mane & grealish
    (would do Salah or mane to kdb in a couple of weeks and upgrade a defender to Liverpool)

    Or

    Alli & Abraham to mane & greenwood

  24. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Son or Martial? Money no object.

  25. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 Questions:

    A) Thoughts on Neto for wolves at 5.0 mid? Alternative to Traoré?

    B) Best Defender for the next 3 only(will play all 3 GWs) ? Under 4.9mil

  26. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Reckless punt? Vardy to Kun?

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

      I am looking at this in a week or two.

      1. Old Bull
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Leicester seem to be in a bit of a rut. Vardy is not quite upto the mark since his mini break.

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

          yes, i am curious to see the next game or two if they can step it up again

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

    Ooo that comparison tool has thrown a spanner in the works for TC...

  28. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I’m way behind in my ML and chasing big time. Nobody has Aguero but all own Vardy and KDB.

    Shall I do Vardy + KDB > Aguero + Martial (-4)?

    I already have 3 Pool

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

      Wouldn't lose kdb but the Vardy to kun is tempting me too. Would find another way to free up funds if possible.

  29. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Screw it. No Salah for me. Rico to Robbo for free, TC Mane with Trent Robbo double

    1. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’m tempted by the Mane TC, but his end result was a bit disappointing today

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

    Keep mahrez and hope he starts v SHU or switch to Moura for a one week punt
    Other option is Rico + mahrez to Moura + aurier (-4)