Podcast

Scoutcast Episode 324 – The impact of coronavirus on FPL

The impact of coronavirus is being felt globally, with a number of countries taking measures to stop its spread via changes to the sporting calendar and other events.

Already this is affecting the Premier League, with Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City on Wednesday evening postponed as a precautionary measure. This is due to a number of Arsenal players coming into contact with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has contracted the virus.

In this latest episode, our Scoutcast trio of Joe, FPL Family’s Lee and Az discuss the impact of coronavirus on Fantasy Premier League and the possible scenarios managers face, such as behind-closed-doors games. Empty stadiums are now commonplace across Europe, including in UEFA Europa League and Champions League ties.

Meanwhile, the crew consider how best to handle the depleted Gameweek 31 schedule and the best players to target.

Kevin De Bruyne‘s (£10.6m) central role in FPL managers’ squads is also called into question as Chelsea’s form and favourable fixtures makes them ripe for investment.

There’s some very unfortunate teams featured in our ‘Rough with the Smooth’ round-up of your Gameweek 29.

Clean sheets and differentials are also considered and this weekend’s fixtures are a central focus as our trio reveal their transfer and captaincy plans.

This episode was streamed live on Youtube on Tuesday 10 March. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

407 Comments Post a Comment
  1. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    No point in making future transfers now is there.

  2. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Is there any possibility ManCity - Arsenal to take place in BGW31?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I suppose there is a possibility they change the FA Cup quarter finals/semi finals/final to a week-long event after GW38 if they postpone the UCL and Euros in order to get as many league fixtures crammed in as possible.

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        This would be amazing - should do it every year; would really bring back magic of the cup.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          I'd rather they bought back Soccer Sixes

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            🙂
            Those were the days.

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I guess it could even happen in GW30 if the Champions League fixtures get cancelled. Guess it's tricky to organise at short notice, though.

  3. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Auba owners, what are u doing.
    Arsenal should play against Brighton, right?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Keeping. As of now the game is going ahead. If it gets called off I'll punt on Giroud.

      1. Strchld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Cheers, probably doing same and saving ft If its not called off

    2. rozzo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Who knows.

      If you sell him for Vardy you just know Vardy will be quarantined next.

      Its only a game is fpl, but this season had been ruined.

    3. Philip Jones's Diary
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      We will know in the next day. 24 hours and they will know if any Arsenal players got infected. If they are clear the game will probably go ahead (although you never know), if there are any infected lads then it will set off a few cancellations, most obviously West Ham vs Wolves this week.

    4. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Will probably keep until Norwich then reassess. With the circumstances though, there's really no point in planning transfers.

  4. Typo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Any news on the man Mount?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Pretty sure he'll be fine. Has come off early a few times this season with injury only to play the next game.

      1. Typo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Thanks

  5. GaribaldiT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Reading all the bad luck stories and gripes about Fpl not being any fun any more, I just think we should put things into perspective. Many of us have played this game for years and know there is a massive element of luck involved. It is, dare I say it, part of the fun. Maybe we should be more concerned about the effects of the virus on people rather than on us as those playing a game.

    This is not me being smug by the way. I took a hit to get Auba in and captained him and this week dropped from 27k OR to 54K. I was also one of those who triple captained Mane for 3 points. But I have also have had weeks where luck has been on my side.

    Life and fpl goes on. Enjoy!!!

    1. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Please leave me alone and let me be angry - please and thank you =)

      /g

      1. GaribaldiT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Ok. My mistake!

      2. GaribaldiT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Why so angry though. You didn't suffer did you?

        1. gedda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          I took a hit for Saka and captained Auba, all for the DGW. Didn't suffer per se, but I prefer to be grumpy and think of what could have been 🙂

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      This is the internet and I haven't seen a cat on this site since maybe Sunderland. Your pragmatism is not welcome here. 😉

      1. GaribaldiT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Sorry. Cat??

      2. GaribaldiT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        You had a good week too.

    3. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Haha. I was also 26k and went to 51k after taking a hit for the same trade.

  6. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Play:

    A. Lascelles (SHU)
    B. Stephens (nor)

    Asked this before but then Dubravka wasn't injured...

    1. Twisted Melon
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      B

  7. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    What's the point of speculation? Just take one GW at a time. Whatever happens will affect all of us equally.

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I don't think it will affect us equally

    2. Lukakuna
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Isn't speculation the point of this site?

  8. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Do we suspect all of these "Scott Talent" managers are one and the same person? Seems awfully suspicious.

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I'm Scott's talent

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        No mate, you're obviously a Russian AI bot.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      All part of Ruth's masterplan to go undetected.

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Where's ruth now?
        What name do they go by.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Scott something I believe.

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          😆 whatever his pet hamster is called.

          Ruth retired , gladly.

  9. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    People with WC and FH still intact, what are your plans for 31? I was gonna save it but now I'm starting to doubt if it'll be that useful down the line. With 37 looking like the only really good double, perhaps the chip is best used in the blank, letting us get in players from say Chelsea and Leicester, and from Sheffield for their upcoming double outside of 34/37?

    Sorry for prolonging this never ending discussion.

    1. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I was thinking FH31, then WC32/33 to cover the known doubles in 34 and 37 with a bit of planning.

      Now? Who knows...

      1. Lukakuna
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Exactly, no one knows what's happening down the line now, so a FH could potentially be very handy at some point

    2. MOTHRA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I’d play what you know.

      Currently we know what’s going to happen in GW31. That said, it could quickly change in the next week.

      So, for example, if you’ve only got: 3 pool, 2 Wol, 1 Bur. It would make sense to FH. Because it’s a certainty, but you’d then have to manage future GW accordingly, all of which are uncertain.

      If I had 8 starters already, I wouldn’t FH. But I also wouldn’t want that team longer term.

  10. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Whatever happened to the Arsenal fan that posted on here very regularly?

    Went under the name Legend of Rosicky. Anyone seen him around at all?

  11. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Wow, how long does it take to update the league tables?

    1. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      does anyone know how many added points to average from auto-subs / vice captains?

      1. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Check LiveFPL - they usually have those stats.

        1. lespaul
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          I don't think they do

          1. lespaul
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            not retrospectively i mean

            1. the Penman
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              Final scores > See more (overall) > Check Live Autosubs link.

  12. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Guillem Balague suggesting La Liga could be suspended imminently.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      There goes the CL fixtures...

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Hope it happens, and the PL as well. I've had it with the speculation when we all know where it's going to end in a few weeks anyway.

  13. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    How can they even keep this sham FPL season going. Should be declared void right now. Bring on next year...

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      In your dreams

    2. villa_til_i_die
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I blame casuals!!

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Why is it sham - because of one postponed match? Are you having a bad year?

  14. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Time to take each week in isolation.
    Soooo, Maddison to Willian?

  15. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Any thoughts on Bruno(c) this weekend?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Popular pick

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      It makes complete sense but my gut feeling is Spurs will stand strong for Mourinho in that game. United probably win but I don't see them scoring more than twice.

  16. Wheato182
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    If i had 2FT in GW31 but then activated my FH chip would i still have the 2FT in GW32 or would this be written off?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Always on 1 FT the GW after a FH.

    2. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      You won't be able to activate the FH chip until you make the transfers, so you lose them.

    3. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Cheers guys best use my transfer for this week then!

    4. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Written off

  17. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Damn on you Crono virus. But whats the point of cursing you when virus isn't even a living thing

  18. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    I know the chances are slim, but just imagine if Burnley beat Man City on Saturday.... Liverpool then could clinch the title at Goodison Park on Monday night. Pretty sure that would be unthinkable for Evertonians!

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Liverpool fan here 😀

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Hello 😀

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Hope Liverpool doesn't win on Monday cause then City players will have to greet them at the Etihad!

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Nothing would surprise me this season mate

      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Already resigned to Liv as champions so this would be best outcome for me.

  19. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    When I see TOT(A) it's like CRY(A) change my mind

  20. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    League tables updated

  21. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Watching the Cheltenham Festival feels a bit like the scene in Jaws when they refuse to close the beach.

  22. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Make sense to save ft this gw and make 3 transfers for 31? Trying to save the FH chip for later.

    McCarthy
    Taa Doherty Stevens
    Salah kdb Bruno grealish
    Auba Jimmy ings

    Button soy Taylor dendo

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      More pressing issues at the moment mate

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I'd probably ditch Grealish.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        For Sarr?

  23. liboo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Captain salah or mane??!

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Dunno, but don't VC the other one.

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Sound advice Jarvish. I'm also thinking Salah.... it's why I'd love Burnley to cause a massive upset this Saturday

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Think they were about 25/1 when I looked yesterday - might be worth a couple of quid with all the strangeness going on at the moment and one eye on Real Madrid.

          1. Pep Pig
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            I'm no longer a betting man but they are ridiculous odds. I'd have though anything about 10/1 was more than decent

          2. uhahpaulmcgrath
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            ?

      2. Twisted Melon
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        great shout

  24. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    In the course of 24 hours, plans are way out the window... and now I guess I need a Dubravka replacement.

    1) Pope - even with City next
    2) McCarthy
    3) Patricio

    FYI -- FH in gw31

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      1 & hold for the rest of the season

  25. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Do you expect KDB to play in Burnley game? If not, are you selling him?

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Doubt the games even happen this weekend. You realise we are in the midst of the greatest pandemic in history right??

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Why the scaremongering? As of now all of the games are scheduled to go ahead. Nothing to suggest they won't.

    2. Old Man Willow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      From what Pep said, I'm thinking KDB needs to play to get him in the groove for Real Madrid.

      1. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Yes but his game time will be limited imo

  26. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Is there any perk for country leaders at the end of season?

    1. Old Man Willow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      You mean like a percentage of GDP?

      1. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        That or a jersey would do

  27. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    83 new UK cases today, the largest increase yet.

    I fully expect this weekend's fixtures to be the last non-disrupted gameweek this season. From the following gameweek I expect closed stadia and possibly some absent teams. After that it's a matter of whether the season is halted, postponed or outright ended. Playing in closed stadia is one thing but the integrity of the league system can't be kept if some teams have limited squads or are unable to field a team.

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Agreed, there won't be fans next GW

      1. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        I suspect the government's thinking is to try and hang on until close to the school Easter break. They could then extend the academic break to a month (either or both sides of the planned two weeks) as part of a wider shutdown of sporting and other events, large gatherings, etc. University and college breaks coincide, so it's perhaps the best chance they've got of delaying the spread with maximum participation and minimised impact on working parents and the knock-on effects of that.

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Although the universities finish at the end of this week (well, Warwick does) I think schools have several weeks left.

        2. Maddi Son
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          My girlfriend works in childcare and some parents have pulled their kids from her nursery. Something we've been worried about as she wont get any pay if the nursery closes. I just wonder how big of an impact this will have on the country if we do see nurseries closing. I'd imagine many doctors / nurses rely on childcare to be able to work.

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Teams could claim that isn't fair as they lose their home support which is a big advantage

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      They'll play behind closed doors & take the TV money

      There'll still be millions watching, just not in person 🙁

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Yes, the big cash from the PL will buffer any shortcomings from crowd income. I wonder what the situation is for season ticket holders.

  28. Stamford Bridge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Does anybody have an idea why I can see all of the posts on here but none of the replies?

    Not had this problem in 3 years.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      click on the "show replies" tick box - you must have pressed it by accident.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Though I suppose you cannot see this can you 😆

        1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          He's lost forever

          1. Stamford Bridge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Ah ha, that's where you're wrong.

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              Result!

            2. Stamford Bridge
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              I get emails with reply comments so thanks Jarvish, much appreciated fella

        2. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Is there anyone that uses the feature to not show any replies? Seems a bit weird tbh.

  29. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Hows this look as a draft for a GW32 WC, planning of FH 34 for blanks, with maximum double GW players and BB left to use:

    Henderson / Ederson
    Wan B - Soy - Otamendi - O'Connell - Digne
    Kdb - Martial - Pepe - Fernandes - Fleck
    Auba - DCL - Vardy

    Exact cash I have now, likley to change by them but just for an idea if WC32 makes sense.

    So many doubles in there.

  30. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    @Stamford Bridge - click on the "show replies" tick box - you must have pressed it by accident.

    1. Stamford Bridge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Appreciate your help and lateral thinking mate. Like I said above I get emails with replies to my posts so I saw it there. (Got the jist of one aspect of technology at least!). ✔

      In gratitude for your community spirit I shall ensure that your captain this GW scores 16 points