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

    McCarthy, McGovern
    TAA, Soy, Lund, Kelly, Rico
    Salah, KBB, Maddison, Cantwell, Traore
    Vardy, Ings, DCL

    5m ITB, 1FT

    Plan was Maddison to Mane
    Any reason to change? Or go for it?

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

      Do it

    2. S3
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      great move

      1. S3
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        think Ings will start?

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

      Do it for certain.

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

    Would you play Kelly or Lundstram

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

      Jelly

      1. Sterling Malory
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I can see Lundstram being rested for Besic, he looked off the pace at Arsenal. And they will need more defensive coverage vs City.

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

      Kelly

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

      If you’ve got Ings, I’d play lundstram

  3. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ryan (rams)
    Sidibe soy taa (lund simpson)
    Kdb mane(c) mads martial (traore)
    Vardy dcl maupay

    Which ? (mids - grealish/docuore/fleck/moura/tross)

    A) mads rams -4 to salah buton/4.0 gk
    B) mads martial -4 to salah 7.5 mid.

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

    repost sorry just can't decide
    Hendo
    Taa, Soyuncu, Lundstra, Rico, Kelly
    Mane, Kdb, Mahrez, Maddison, Dendoker
    Vardy, Ings, Jimenez
    1 FT and 2.5 in the bank

    A. KDB to Salah
    B. Jimenez + Mahrez to Salah + DCL (-4)

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kelly to Gomez.

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

    Abraham + Maddison OUT

    DCL + Son IN (-4)

    Thoughts???

    1. S3
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I will to be honest

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

        Thanks!

  6. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Not much love for Greenwood.

    I think Even if he was £6m I would still choose him over DCL and Maupay etc... thoughts???

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

      Would help if a guaranteed starter.

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Well it’s lucky that OGS Won’t be picking an XI that will be playing against Liverpool every GW then ay...

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

          Martial missing hardly helped him start.

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Don't own Greenwood but I'd say things are different now, I think he'll be starting regularly unless we sign someone...which we really should.

          2. Ten Season Wonder
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Martial missing?

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

    Is everyone TCing this week? No chance of a better double Gameweek down the line...?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Every chance.

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

      @BenCrellin
      Treble Gameweek watch

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

        Based on bookies odds, Man City have about a 25% chance of reaching the EFL Cup Final (1/66), FA Cup SFs (8/11) and Champions League SFs (1/1).
        This would lead to them having three postponed fixtures and only two midweeks (34+37) to play them in.

        1. ItOnlyTook9Years
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Shame Man city are the worst team possible to have a treble

        2. Babit1967
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Dare say that there would be heavy rotation though so even with a triple gw the likes of Kun, KDB may only play one of those games if the league already over

  8. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Had a nightmare couple of weeks!!

    What would you do with the 1.2ITB?

    Ryan
    TAA Soy Lundstram
    Salah KDB Maddie Grealish
    Vardy Firmino Ings

    Martin Cantwell Rico Kelly.

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

    Cantwell or fleck as 4th mid?

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

      Fleck

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

        Don't like the 4th mid part.

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

          Why not?

          After this ge he plays

          Cristal (A)
          Bou (H)
          Bright (H)
          Aston (A)
          Norwich (H)

          Honestly my only concern is having lundstrand and feeling like i should play 2 Sheffield players

  10. S3
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Need help....In free fall and lost over 10k in rank in 3 weeks.

    Guaita
    TAA, Soy, Lund, Williams, Kelly
    KDB, Mane, Martial, Alli, Maddison
    Vardy, Ings, DCL

    2FT and 1.0 ITB

    With price rises I have exact money and need to make my xfers tonight, which is better?

    A. Alli & Maddison > Salah (C) & 4.5 - 4.8M Midfielder (dendoncker, rice , etc)
    B. Maddison & DCL > Firmino & Fleck
    C. Alli, Maddison & Soy > Salah (C), Doucoure & Tanganga (-4)
    D. Alli & Maddison & Guiata > Salah (C), Fleck and Foster (-4)

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

      Add at least one zero if you want to call that freefall ffs

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

    Gonna have to take that Rico drop on the chin. Already on a -4 now!

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

      No you're not. 😛

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

        Uh, I am

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

    McCarthy
    Trent Soya Lundy Rico Kelly
    Mane Salah Grealish De bruyne Cantwell
    Ings Jimmy Vardy

    0.6 in the bank and 2 frees.
    Any ideas what to do?
    Defender?

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

      Rico > Williams probably. Then you can maybe play a 4-4-3 with Williams over Cantwell if you wanted (TAA - Kelly - Williams - Soy).
      Save the other transfer

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

    What bench order do you reckon?

    A. Rico (BHA @ Home)
    B. Lundstram (City @ Home)
    C. Hayden (Eve away)

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

    Best Rashford replacement?

    a) Ings
    b) Jiminez

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

      A

  15. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Soy
    Mane (TC) KDB Martial Maddison
    Vardy Jiminez Ings

    Button Cantwell Lunny Rico

    Roll the transfer here? Would like to get rid of the Leicester triple up to be honest.

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

      Yeah roll it. I’d have personally kept Maddison if could for WHU but wanted Salah. Think you’re all set. If 2FT sell Rico

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

    -4, 0.2 ITB. Think we’re all set. Will likely switch to double defence soon but couldn’t resist Salah for the double - and also the opportunity to ditch Maddison/Jimenez before fixtures turned sour.

    McCarthy (Martin)
    TAA Soyuncu Kelly (Lundstram Rico)
    Mane(TC) Salah KDB Martial (Hayden)
    Vardy Ings DCL

    🙂

  17. AubameBLOODCLAATyang
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on a 2 GW punt on snodgrass??

    GW 24 - Leicester (A), Liv (H)
    GW 25 - West Ham (H)

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

      He plays himself?

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

      Could work. Then again.

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

      GW 25 - Brighton (H) ****

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

      Concern is Snodgrass doesn't seem to be nailed
      Started 2 of the last 4 and was benched for the two harder games

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

    Am I the first to say that the Vardy party is over?

    Aguero would have hat tricked that sugar and spice Burnley defense- if he were not inexplicably Pepped

  19. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A. Rash / Vardy > Aguero / DCL
    B. Rash > Jiminez
    C. Rash > DCL

  20. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison is a troll pass it on

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

      So many chances. He’ll haul v WHU now I’ve finally ditched

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

    GTG?

    Schmeichel
    TAA Williams Kelly
    Mane(TC) Salah KDB Martial
    Vardy Deeney DCL

    Button Dendo Lundy Rico

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      But light at the back

      You locked for tc?

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

        Not locked yet!

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

      Yeah GTG, Deeney nice pick

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

        Thank Zico

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

    1ft 2.7m itb

    Pope,Martin
    Taa, Soyuncu, Lundstram, Kelly, Rico
    Mane, Kdb, Son, Traore, Dendoker
    Abraham, Vardy, Ings

    a. Son to Salah
    b. Rico to Robertson (bench Traore)
    c. Abraham, Traore, Soyuncu to Greenwood, Salah, Wiliams -8 (all to keep Son)

  23. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which ?

    A) mads rams -4 to salah buton
    B) mads martial -4 to salah grelish/docoure/fleck/moura/tross

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

      A if you have a another keeper

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        ofcourse mate have ryan defo wont trabsfer out gk and play with 10

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Probably B

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        which other mid ?

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

    Anyone concerned about a potential Ings rest next GW?

    Hasenhuttl on Ings: "It doesn't mean that he should play in the future every game. We have now again a tough schedule in the next week, Crystal Palace on Tuesday, we'll have a look. Especially our two strikers, they have to do a lot of running against the ball."

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Take no notice. Uncle Anchelotti said the same about Holgate....So I benched him and he gets an assist and 3 bonus....thank you very much

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Winter break in a few weeks. Can rest then.

  25. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Evening,

    After this weekend's results all.the talk has been how Liverpool could win the title with a win at the ethihad.

    But with city's fixtures does anyone think Liverpool could seal the title before?

    I can't see city winning next 10 games

    1. Big Mac 24
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      At Goodison would be nice on 14.3

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I have just seen city fixtures and cannot see them winning every game. Doesn't fill me with much confidence on city assets either

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

          Incredible insight

  26. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Richa+Jimmy+rash>mane+ings+CL(-8)

    Yes or no

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

      Nobody likes a -8 but that could be good

  27. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Have 2ft and 0.2 itb. Kelly and Rash out for:

    A) Firmino and Williams/Cathart
    B) DCL and Robbo
    C) DCL and VVD

    Ramsdale Martin
    TAA Soy Dunk Lund ___
    Salah KdB Son Grealish Dendo
    Vardy Maupay ___

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

    Worst week ever. Again. Maddison to Grealish? Give Vardy one more week?

    McCarthy
    TAA Sidibe Cathcart
    Salah Mane KDB Maddison
    Vardy Ings DCL

    Button Cantwell Lundstram Rico

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Give vardy more time....decent team

  29. Big Mac 24
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What do we think the odds of Aguero playing next game are?

    My team is

    Foster
    Williams Soy Lundstram (Kelly) (Simpson)
    KDB Salah Maddison Saar (Nakamba)
    Vardy Aguero Ings
    2.4 itb

    I am looking at

    Ings Maddison Simpson > Firmino Rice VVD

    or I’d I think Aguero misses out

    Aguero Maddison Simpson > Firmino Mahrez TAA

  30. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is there any live UK sports radio on TuneIn right now besides Cricket and NFL? Or a podcast, preferably football.