Scout Notes

Firmino and Henderson make cases for attacking double-up with Salah

Liverpool 4-0 Southampton

  • Goals: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£6.2m), Jordan Henderson (£5.4m), Mohamed Salah x2 (£12.6m)
  • Assists: Roberto Firmino x3 (£9.6m), Henderson
  • Bonus Points: Salah x3, Henderson x2, Alisson x1 (£6.1m)

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) looks back to his ominous best after a second double-figure haul in as many Premier League matches.

He took his time to get involved in the goals for Liverpool but registered two strikers in the final 20 minutes of a hard-fought 4-0 win over Southampton.

The fact that the Reds had to toil for a large majority of this game arguably increases Salah’s appeal ahead of an incredibly appealing run of fixtures.

Between now and Gameweek 29, Liverpool travel to Norwich and Watford and host relegation-threatened West Ham and Bournemouth.

Salah probably would have been in the captain conversation for each of those matches anyway, but as his ownership and form continue to sky-rocket, the Egyptian is moving closer to ‘essential’ status once more.

Wildcards continue to break up top 10k template as Salah rewards massive backing
Salah celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Southampton

Naturally, the increased interest in Salah’s services has been greatly influenced by a recent injury to Sadio Mané (£12.3m), although there remains a chance that the Senegalese international could be fit in time for a Gameweek 26 trip to Carrow Road, where Norwich have conceded more goals than on their travels this season.

Of course, such a statistic is also welcome news to Salah owners too.

However, with Salah soaking up so much support of late, his ability to propel Fantasy managers up the rankings has been dampened somewhat.

Thankfully, two of the Egyptian’s attacking colleagues have also been making strong cases for inclusion recently, neither of which are so widely owned.

The first is Roberto Firmino (£9.6m), who managed to chalk up three assists against Southampton. The Brazilian was, yet again, an instrumental part of Liverpool’s offensive efforts and is finally starting to convert this into something tangible for his 17.7% (and increasing) ownership.

Firmino could pair with Salah very nicely for FPL managers

In the last eight matches, Firmino has produced four goals and three assists and averaged 5.9 points per game. With Mané’s fitness still admittedly in doubt, and a number of centre-forwards frustrating their owners, there certainly seems to be merit to considering a Salah/Firmino double-up.

However, an even cheaper option has recently presented himself in the form of Jordan Henderson (£5.4m).

The central midfield player got a goal and an assist in the win over Southampton, his sixth and seventh attacking return of the campaign.

Henderson has arguably been one of Liverpool’s best players this season but, like Firmino, it has only been in recent weeks that he has converted this into something worthy of Fantasy investment.

After the first 23 matches of the season, the former Sunderland man had scored just once and produced only two assists. In his last three, Henderson has two goals and has set up a further two.

Henderson has been in excellent form recently

With those aforementioned favourable fixtures coming up, Henderson’s appealing price and 1.6% ownership could ensure he remains a powerful differential for Fantasy managers.

With all of these Liverpool options, we should, as previously mentioned, hand them extra credit for how they were able to break down a stubborn Southampton side.

The Saints arrived at Anfield in decent defensive form, as was reported in our Captain Sensible article, and they managed to largely frustrate Liverpool for the opening 45 minutes.

While it was not too surprising to see Southampton do their best to stifle their illustrious hosts, it was impressive that they were able to do so with their staffing problem at right-back.

With Cédric Soares (£4.8m) injured and subsequently loaned to Arsenal, and Yan Valery (£4.6m) only recently returning from an illness, Ralph Hasenhüttl was forced to play midfielder James Ward-Prowse (£5.8m) at right-back.

Ward-Prowse played at right-back for Southampton

Despite that disadvantage, Southampton went into the break at 0-0. They also did a great job of protecting their slightly makeshift back-four with some excellent marauding runs from Danny Ings (£7.0m), Shane Long (£4.6m) and Nathan Redmond (£6.2m).

Ings, in particular, was unfortunate not to get some attacking returns as he troubled Liverpool in the first half, exploiting some space by Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and forcing some important saves. With favourable fixtures on the horizon for Southampton, Ings still looks lively enough to capitalise.

Moussa Djenepo (£5.2m) also stung Alisson‘s (£6.1m) palms in the first half, receiving the ball from a Long knock-down and firing an effort towards goal from the edge of the box.

In the end, it must be said that four goals flattered Liverpool to an extent, as their class and desire to win the Premier League shone through in the second period – but that is, of course, great news for owners of their Fantasy assets.

It was also an eighth clean sheet from a possible nine for Liverpool, even if they were mildly fortunate to register this one.

However, no defensive player was able to get involved in the goals on Saturday afternoon, with Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.6m) taking a slightly less prominent role in the match than usual. He nearly scored an overcooked cross in the first half but it landed on the roof of Alex McCarthy‘s (£4.4m) net. Aside from that, he played no key passes all afternoon.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum (Minamino 81′), Fabinho, J Henderson (Lallana 88′); Oxlade-Chamberlain (Keita 73′), Firmino, Salah.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, J Stephens, Ward-Prowse; Redmond, Højbjerg, Romeu, Djenepo (Boufal 82′); Ings (Adams 70′), S Long (Obafemi 70′).

Members Analysis

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BOURNEMOUTH 2-1 ASTON VILLA

by Colm Hayes

LIVSOU/BOUAVL notes
Nathan Aké bundles in the winner for Bournemouth
  • Goals: Philip Billing (£5.0m), Nathan Aké (£4.8m) | Mbwana Samatta (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Ryan Fraser (£6.9m), Dan Gosling (£4.9m) | Keinan Davis (£4.3m)
  • Bonus Points: Billing x3, Samatta x2, Aké x1

Despite being heavily involved in every Aston Villa attack at the Vitality Stadium, FPL favourite Jack Grealish (£6.7m) failed to notch any attacking returns in GW25.

The Villa star terrorised Adam Smith (£4.3m) down the Cherries’ right, while Jefferson Lerma (£4.8m) picked up two yellow cards for fouls on Grealish – though the player may rightly have been upset at the decision for his second booking.

The red card was soft, there were a few decisions out there that left a lot of people scratching their heads. – Aston Villa boss Dean Smith

Grealish topped several statistical charts among all players during this relegation battle and ‘assisted the assister’ for Villa’s goal.

His pass allowed substitute Keinan Davis (£4.3m) to shoot in the 71st minute, an effort which was blocked but looped up favourably for debutant Mbwana Samatta (£6.0m) to nod before Aaron Ramsdale (£4.7m) was able to claim.

LIVSOU/BOUAVL notes 2
Samatta beats Ramsdale to the punch

But despite Grealish’s best efforts, first-half goals from Philip Billing (£5.0m) and Nathan Aké (£4.8m) were enough to give Bournemouth a huge three points.

The Villa midfielder created more than double the chances of any other player – including one particularly decent opportunity for Matt Targett (£4.4m) – while one of his raids down the left saw a cross/shot from the byline go through the legs of Ramsdale but amazingly not into the goal.

LIVSOU/BOUAVL notes 1
A dejected Grealish at full time

On his side’s defeat, Dean Smith – who lost Ezri Konsa (£4.3m) to injury at the interval – said:

We didn’t start particularly well, they picked up too many second balls and ended up with territorial advantage in the first half.

I wasn’t happy with the first half and how we played 11 v 11 but the second half, after they had a man set off, was better – although we did not do enough with possession.

They have had a man sent off and after that we have dominated possession but have not done enough to create clear-cut chances to get ourselves back (in it). (We) deserved to lose in the end.

Smith’s opposite number Eddie Howe also recognised how pivotal Lerma’s red card was in the game:

The red card changed everything, we felt a little bit bit hard done by on that decision – Jeff was incredibly unlucky as there were other challenges in the game that didn’t get punished with a yellow card which were worse than that.

At a time when we were in a good place in the game, looking to go 3-0 up, suddenly the game swings on that moment and I didn’t think it was justified.

With that feeling, with the way the game had gone and the run of form we’d been on, it was hugely important we got over the line and won that game. We don’t know whether it will define our season, but it feels like a big moment now.

Bournemouth XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Rico, Aké, Francis, A. Smith; Gosling, Lerma, Billing; H. Wilson, C. Wilson, Fraser.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Reina; Konsa (Engels 46′), Mings, Hause; Targett, Douglas Luiz, Nakamba (Trezeguet 80′), Guilbert; Grealish, Samatta, El Ghazi (Davis 58′).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

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Gameweek 25 Match Reports

  • Leicester City 2-2 Chelsea
  • Bournemouth 2-1 Aston Villa
  • Crystal Palace 0-1 Sheffield United
  • Liverpool 4-0 Southampton
  • Newcastle United 0-0 Norwich City
  • Watford 2-3 Everton
  • West Ham United 3-3 Brighton and Hove Albion
  • Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
  • Burnley v Arsenal
  • Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
481 Comments Post a Comment
  1. onceuponatyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Looking for a 'keeper to take Henderson's place in the BGW, and potentially a few other fixtures.

    Who's likely to be playing in the DGWs and a good shout? 🙂

    1. DontPiqueTooSoon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy 100%

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

      Have you looked at McCarthys fixtures?

    3. onceuponatyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy looks like a good pick guys. Any chance of a DGW?

    4. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy.

      Fixtures couldn't be better.

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Any chance of a DGW?

        1. COLLIN QUANER
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          No idea about that I'm afraid

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am considering keeping Hendo and getting someone better than McCarthy. FH 31 might solve the other other fixture, and would allow to WC later after BB. Yet having one extra million on bench would be annoying.

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Nice.
        Yeah, I like McCarthy - but ideally I want to keep Hendo and have a cover keeper who has a DGW (and not the same blank as Hendo). No idea on which clubs though.

    6. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Got Hendo and a McC but tempted to switch to Hendo and Pope

      My only issue is that when I tried to play an alternative keeper for Hendo's difficult fixtures, he always outscored them

      1. onceuponatyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I hear you. I benched Hendo and brought in Randolph for the West Ham DGW. He played one game and got one point, while Hendo got 11 or 12. 😐

        1. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          One of West Ham's 5 keepers! ... what a bunch of dross

    7. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bur, Bou, Wat and Wol are atm only teams that will certainly play gw31. After having said this Shu will have two matches postponed and Henderson is not eligible to play vs MU. So planning to use him for dgw BB has this caveat.

  2. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) lundstram to Gomez
    B) vardy to firmino

  3. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Burnley 1-1 Arsenal

    Pope (O.G), Aubameyang (O.G).

    Too much to ask for?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Too much to ask for IMO.

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It is fantasy after all

    2. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No Pope penalty saves?

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I like the cut of your jib.

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think that is odds on happening for sure

  4. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martinelli again. Greenwood replacement?

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say so. Maupay replacement for me.

  5. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy playing in GW 31?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Unless he kicks dropped or injured

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

      Depends on FA cup

    3. Morph - Unbelievable Geoff
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Unlikely. It would need Portsmouth to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup and Southampton to lose to Tottenham or Norwich.

  6. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Early captain thoughts for next GW?

    Safety of Salah or are you looking at City assets in Kun/Kdb or a differential pick in Son/Alli or are Auba owners taking their chances against Newcastle?

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Very tempted by Auba (NEW) but will probably play it safe again with Salah

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero

  7. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Currently 3rd in my cash mini league (28 in it) and I have wildcard, b/boost and free hit....
    As there seems to be a lot more canny, strategically minded peeps on here than me, when do you think the best time to use my remaining chips is? Many thanks in advance...

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      People are thinking:

      FH 31
      WC 32
      BB 34

      But I would not think too much about it yet. First thing is to get over the hurdle of BGW 28, particularly if you are loaded up on Man City, Sheffield Utd and Grealish.

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, trying to sort that out at the mo, got McCarthy for Hendo, will bench De Bruyne and O’ Connell and getting rid of Grealish as tough fixtures and you can only carry a team so far on your own, thanks for your reply...

      2. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        BB 37 more likely ... I don't expect many teams to play twice in gw34

        1. Gazwaz80
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Lots to consider, thanks for replying.

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can't really know anything before FA cup R5 - 3rd to 6th March - no replays so we will then know who blanks in gw31 and have gw 29,30 and 31 to plan

      The teams definitely playing gw31 are WOL v BHA and BUR v WAT
      Liverpool could be knocked out this Wednesday .. it which case LIV v CPL will be on too
      We could have NOR v EVE or TOT v WHU

      Liverpool being out would be great as that would be 3 players sorted - I am also expecting to have Pope, Boly, Traore and Jimmi

      The teams playing gw31 have pretty poor fixtures in gw30

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Great piece of information Hash, thanks very much for taking the time out to reply

  8. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Carragher is right that Dele Alli is a second striker. But that makes him awkward in the Spurs and England team because what both need are creative passing players behind the striker and defensive midfielders to win the ball back quickly. Neither of which Alli is.

  9. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Prioritize changes in def or attack?

    Hendo Button
    TAA Holgate Rico Kelly Lundstram
    Salah KDB Martial Traore Cantwell
    Aguero Vardy Ings

    1 FT, 1.4 in bank.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Defence for you should be priority. All of your front 8 play and are nailed.

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Defense imo. Need a backup gk for gw28. Rico, Kelly, Lund(if he's really lost his place in the XI) and most likely Holgate needs replacing.

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Roll transfer and remove Holgate next week.

    4. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Could do Kelly to Stephens this week.

    5. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Defence easily.
      Still holding wc?

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers! Considering holding Hendo

  10. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who should I prioritise out?

    A) Greenwood
    B) Lundstram
    C) -4 for both

    Also own Manè, Button and Rico.

    1ft 1.1itb

    1. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C

  11. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So are Saka and Martinelli possible options now?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lets see how they perform, cant bench Pepe and Kolasinac forever

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saka is not classed as a defender

  12. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Watched some Ighalo highlights... Not impressed.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Watford or Chinese team?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Chinese

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Had a good start at Watford

          1. Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Ok

  13. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wonder what fresh new hell Pope will bring me today. Will probably score

  14. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone pulling out the free hit for GW28?

    Currently only have 8 eligible players so can only just make a full XI with free transfers between now and then

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I've done similar before, unless you get lucky it's usually not worth it - most people have the best players and your advantage isn't great

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

      Use FTs.. Save FH for later. GW31 could be a big blank week.

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Seems a waste, especially as you say you can get a full XI with FTs.

  15. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Current team:

    Ryan (Button)
    Robbo Baldock Lundstram (Holgate Tanganga)
    Salah Maddison KDB Grealish (Dendoncker)
    Vardy Jimenez Firmino

    Dependent on how Son looks today, v tempted to do Vardy, Maddison, Lund -> Ings, Son, Stephens (-4)
    Slightly dangerous to go without Vardy but reckon Ings can match him with upcoming fixtures. Any thoughts much appreciated.

  16. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pepe deadball supersub brace incoming

    pls

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      New team name: Pépé sur le Pew

  17. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Worth getting Firmino (next to Salah and TAA) for Vardy?

    1. Taco Juice
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He seems to be doing well lately in the absence of Mane. Yes for me.

  18. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Aubameyaaaang!!

  19. Taco Juice
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A) Fleck
    B) Bergwin
    C) Wijnaldum
    D) Redmond

    Random list I know, but I'm in a draft league and looking to offload Zaha.

  20. Clinton19
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you bring in for Snodgrass? Midfielder under 5.8m or I can move Grealish aswell to free up some funds. My other midfielders are Salah, Son, Martial

  21. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Captain ??

    a- Sergio. b- Mohamed

    Henderson
    Sais. Trent. Baldock## Kelly balbuena
    Salah KDB Grealesh Fleck##Snod
    Kun Ings Firminho
    0.1 itb

    Thanks good luck all

  22. PURPLE-RONNIE
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which one to drop for Robbo or VVD lads?
    Lundstrum or Rico