Scout Notes

Palace defence impresses again but tricky upcoming fixtures dent FPL appeal

Bournemouth 0-2 Crystal Palace

  • Goals: Luka Milivojevic (£6.7m), Jordan Ayew (£5.2m)
  • Assists: Wilfried Zaha (£6.7m), Patrick van Aanholt (£5.6m)
  • Bonus: van Aanholt x3, Milivojevic x2, Joel Ward (£4.3m), Gary Cahill (£4.4m) x1

Crystal Palace eased to victory over a Bournemouth side that produced a performance as poor as might be expected from a side dropping into the bottom three of the Premier League table.

Goals from Luka Milivojevic (£6.7m) and Jordan Ayew (£5.2m) were more than enough to secure the three points for Roy Hodgson’s men.

It also meant a fourth straight win for Palace – all of them including clean sheets – which would usually be enough to persuade plenty of Fantasy managers to tap into their assets.

But the Eagles’ schedule is not the kindest over the rest of the season, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Wolves, Spurs and Manchester United still to come as they seek a European place to crown a fine campaign.

Those sides are likely to provide a far tougher test than Bournemouth did yesterday.

The Cherries took more than an hour to manage their first – and it turned out only – attempt on target when a Nathan Ake (£4.8m) header brought a routine save from Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita (£5.0m).

Not that Palace were much more progressive themselves. Their two shots on target led to the goals as the typically compact and disciplined visiting side negated a toothless Bournemouth devoid of both confidence and verve.

All of that led to a match best described as ‘one for the purists’ and which, as a contest, was over pretty much as soon as Palace scored their second goal.

That came from a fine move involving Wilfried Zaha (£6.7m), who slipped the ball to an advancing Patrick van Aanholt (£5.6m) in the opposition area, with the defender’s cutback picking out Ayew to side-foot home with calm authority.

Zaha was also heavily involved in the opening goal as he earned a free-kick from which Milivojevic curled home an exquisite 25-yard finish.

The effort earned the Serbian midfielder two bonus points, but it was van Aanholt who brought in the maximum award and a second double-digit haul in four Gameweeks.

The Holland international has now scored 41 points for his 5.4% Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership over that time frame – that’s 18 more than the entire Bournemouth rearguard, including keeper Aaron Ramsdale (£4.5m), have managed as a group.

Van Aanholt’s numbers have been boosted by returns at both ends of the pitch, although yesterday’s assist was his first of the season.

That his pass was well finished by Ayew was no surprise. The striker has now scored in three straight Gameweeks and produced an assist in the match before that – the sort of fine form at such a low price that might tempt Fantasy managers to invest despite Palace’s tricky schedule.

It certainly prompted Hodgson to praise his striker in the build-up to the match, but the Eagles boss was more pleased with the team as a whole when he spoke after it.

Hodgson said:

The player fitness was quite good. I was surprised. We only had the three weeks

We took Christian [Benteke] off because of the slight concern that his hamstring might have been tightening a bit. We took Macca [James McArthur] and Luka [Milivojevic] off because they were tiring a bit. But if I needed to keep them on, I could have kept all three of them on.

Wilf [Zaha] and all of the front players were superb. Yes, they’re flamboyant and have skill and pace but they were very sensible. If we can keep doing that, it might be a nice end to the season.

Zaha could, and probably should, have made the win even more emphatic as Bournemouth chased the game late on, the winger spurning a couple of opportunities on the break.

And Gary Cahill (£4.4m) was another who had a decent chance to seal the deal, volleying an effort over the bar from a corner in one of the few bits of penalty-area action in the second half.

Then again, the centre-half could, on another day, have been handed a red card for a challenge on Josh King (£6.1m) that took the ball cleanly enough, but also took the striker’s leg with the follow-through.

VAR had a look and decided no further action was necessary; the right decision, probably, but one that has gone the other way on more than one occasion in the past.

The tackle led to King’s withdrawal, with Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe later confirming the striker has an injury issue:

I don’t know the extent of the damage, it looks like an ankle injury, so we’ll wait and see.

Other than that, Howe preferred to look forward rather than back; understandable given his side’s mediocre performance:

The table is so tight, the difference is so tight, we could look at back-to-back wins as being the difference for us, but we have to believe that can happen.

With a tough schedule – Wolves away next and both Manchester sides, Spurs and Leicester to come after that – belief might not be enough to save the Cherries.

And their dreadful form – just two wins and no clean sheets in their last 13 matches – means few Fantasy managers will be joining them on the journey regardless.

As for Palace assets, their defenders and the confident (and cheap) Ayew might turn a few heads, but only if their form can better their fixtures.

Bournemouth XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; S.Cook, Ake, Smith, Stacey; Lerma, L.Cook; Brooks (Stanislas 61), H.Wilson (Danjuma 45), King (Solanke 49); C.Wilson.

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Guaita; van Aanholt, Cahill, Dann, Ward; McArthur (Riedewald 89), Milivojevic (McCarthy 65), Kouyate; Ayew, Zaha, Benteke (Townsend 76).

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

Double Gameweek 30+ FPL Lessons Learned

2,024 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brimble82
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    One week punt on a cheap defender, go!
    Max £4.5m
    Got Lascelles

    Who’s it to be?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Williams?

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He’s on the list.
        Would’ve liked to have seen minutes Friday night.

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Holgate

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Considered - concerned Norwich need a response at some point though. Or do we think they’ve given up?

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Kiko

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I’ve been looking long and hard at Watford.
        Will probably be a hornet tbh. Just waiting to see what happens with BUR tonight.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Dann!!!!

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Super punty!

    5. Sir_Durs8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jack Robinson if you want to save more money or Holgate

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Isn’t JO’C due back - plus, I think without Egan & Hendo, Utd could go to town against SHU on Weds.

    6. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cahill!!!!!

    7. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ward!!!!

    8. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Just put Guaita in goal 🙂

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Haha! I’ll let Patricio know.

    9. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Well that was conclusive!

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Holgate then

        1. Brimble82
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Added to the list!

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Morning dzzz,

    1) who would be essentials on your WC? Struggling to get rashford/son/Doherty in the same team due to low TV so wondering who to drop....or could drop one of TAA/Pool mid

    2) Aurier or Awb? United A slightly better defence so more chances of CS but it’s José who is a defensive master. Aurier also much more attacking

    3) Best mid upto 7.5? Mount, Sarr, Berg, Maddison?

    1. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going without a pool mid I think team looks a lot better city coming up and title won gamble I'm prepared to take I think

  3. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How does this WC team look? Planning on richarlison-> martial next gw, gtg?

    Patricio
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    KDB Salah Son Fernandes Richarlison
    Jimenez DCL

    3.9 Taylor Nketiah 3.9

    0.3 itb

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      that bench is alarm bells tbh

  4. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Better option on wc?

    a. ddg taylor aurier
    b. pope maguire holgate

    1. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Close, B I'd say

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks

  5. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anybody pick up information to share from the first GW.
    One thing for me is the bench must be stronger. I am considering Sarr for the 8th forward.
    I might avoid wing backs for centre backs for game time.
    Citeh are more reliable picks now as most sides will be rotating like Pep. (The ones with squads anyway)
    A 30 minute cameo is as good as playing the first 60 minutes due to VERY tired legs.
    people playing a GW29 WC have been very badly hurt.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Agree on Sarr - one of the things I’m most happy about is having him as my 8th forward going forward

      Wing backs who may get early subs may also get more banked cs perhaps

      Holding City attack could be a good differential call - don’t really buy into the idea they’ll just pass on this season.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Good point on Wbacks
        Don't really understand "just pass on" sorry.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Lots seem to be divesting City attack partly through understandable rotation fears. But also maybe keeping the idea Pep will focus elsewhere - from pre Lockdown when there was a full fa cup and CL schedule - that doesn’t apply now. I’m not seeing they will lack motivation

          Currently planning on holding double City attack - that seems right off template. Could be of course the template will change.

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            I might be wrong but Laporte seems a good call. To have double Citeh attack is sound but I also want double United and at least 1 Pool. Trying to work out the best way atm. I expect KDB will get 80% Mahrez and Sterling 60% Kun and Jesus 50%. As we know 4 games in 10 days everyone will have to rotate if they can.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Agree on Laporte - he’s a difference maker imo. Have Ederson and may well keep. City are only 2 cs behind Liverpool as it is and I can see a lot of teams standing off them here on in.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      GW29 WCers suffered a bit this GW as most used FH.
      Their old teams should be close enough to a WC31 team?

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        My side was set but little cover on DGW's coming early.
        To be fair, I wasted my FH a while ago.
        Funny enough, I have more points on my old side than the new one.

    3. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think the 30 min cameo thing will be true for long. I'd give it a couple of weeks before players are match fit again and it is back to normal.

    4. Ain't No Holebas Girl
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      My worry with the 5 subs is that one of your first 11 is even more likely to come on for a cameo meaning your strong bench never gets on the pitch. Could go either way though...

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Granted. But like Salah last night, Klopp did not want to risk him. This can occur. Alonso is a great example of he won't play if not picked in the first place. Traore is an example of the opposite.

  6. YaYaYaYa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Still have WC and FH, not sure of what to do with this team. Advice would be appreciated.

    Leno - Reina
    Egan - TAA - Lundstram - Lascelles - Doherty
    KDB - Mount - Fernandes - Grealish - Cantwell
    Agüero - Aubameyang - McBurnie

    Keepers are obviously a problem, as is the forward line. WC probably best?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      WC before free hit. Horrible to come back to:
      Reina Leno Egan Lund Grealish Cantwell Mc Burnie.

      1. YaYaYaYa
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks.

  7. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How's the WC team looking guys? Template?

    Pope, Button
    TAA, Maguire, Saiss, Lascelles, Robinson
    Salah, KDB, Son, Fernandes, Saks
    Rashford, Jiminez, DCL

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice. Do you think Salah will feature much if LIV clinch the title soonish?

    2. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Template and good to go

  8. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Repost from last night

    Suggestions and feedback welcome

    Pope
    Awb Doherty matip* lascelles
    Kdb sterling son (c)
    Vardy (vc) rashford Jimenez

    3.9 saiss hayden Saka

    * Matip can become Gomez

  9. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who would you punt on for one week up to 6.4 (will be swapped out for Sarr in the following GW)?

    A) Traore (BOU)
    B) Barnes (BHA)
    C) Neither, get Sarr (bur) now and save a FT

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. Traore against Bourn is so tempting though...

  10. Romani
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Mahrez injured or rumour?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Depends how you found out.

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      oh here we go again, where did this come from?

  11. Romani
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I do Fanteam and Mahrez is Red Flagged

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      What does the red flag say?

  12. screamer73
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Vardy or Rashford? Have Bruno.

  13. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Up to £6.5m on my 7th mid/forward on WC, best option? Leaning towards Sarr.

    A) Barnes
    B) Mount
    C) Grealish
    D) DCL
    E) Sarr

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      D or E

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      D

  14. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Matt Ritchie

    OOP, Set pieces, 5.3

    AVL, bou, WHU

    Whats not to love?

    Welcome to my team

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice call

      Had a shufti at him last week but settled for Lascelles. Problem is Newcastle are near the bottom of the ticker for a reason. The next 2 are prime but after that they have wretched fixtures and I’m not keen on a defensive switch.

      If cs continue to roll you’re in

  15. Ibra
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How does this WC team look like?

    Pope
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier - Boly
    Mane - KDB - Son - Bruno
    Rashford - Jimenez

    Button - Greenwood - Lascelles - Guendouzi

    1. LegsA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      light bench but like the starting XI

  16. KingRichud
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Boring question for bench 2 and 3
    A) Nketiah and guendozi
    B) greenwood and K Davis

  17. Romani
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Red Flag says nothing. Just highlighted Red the same as Leno

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sounds like a mistake.

  18. Romani
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hope so as cant find any other sources? Just thought somebody might have had further info

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This guy has taken up half the page

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        You taught him well.

  19. Romani
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    This guy is currently 17th in EPL

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This guy needs a training course to learn how to use the reply button

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You are smashing it, good luck. Use the reply button once in a while 🙂

  20. juho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I have exact money for Grealish + Auba -> Son + Rashford

    Is this worth a hit?
    Thank you.

    1. BAMBAA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

      1. juho
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. Your nationality says you can be trusted =)

  21. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    use the green reply button

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No, I am ranked high so I can do what I want

      Also, call me your highness now

  22. mlm
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    WC team for below, GTG?

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Doherty Aurier (Lascelles 3.9)
    Mane(c) KDB Son Fernandes (4.2)
    Rashford Jimenez Ings

    ITB 0.0, thanks

  23. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Martinez going to play for the rest of the season? How reliable is he?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes he should

    2. DD
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He may be reliable but do you trust the Arsenal defence at all?

  24. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Son+Abraham/Jota/Ings+Saiss
    B) Bergwijn+Jimenez+Doherty

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Son+Jim+Doh+ Ings for me

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B edges it

  25. beric
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I like this guy

  26. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is it too optimistic to go with the Rashford-Fernandes-Pogba trio
    Given their upcoming fixture ease?
    Any chances of Pogba starting in the next set of fixtures?
    Please help

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Once fully fit, Pogba will start almost all matches (unless he's unable to walk.) OGS runs his players down ....
      And I'm going with a double up. Might join you in triple after a GW or two

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Martial might be worth a look

      Started 20 of he last 21 league games now which is a phenomenal fitness record by any standard...

      9 goals 2 assists in that run isn’t bad either with hopefully more to come

  27. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Given my low TV, am 2.1m short to afford the template team. So where to sacrifice?

    Pope Button
    Taa Doherty Holgate -- Lascelles Kiko
    Kdb Salah Bruno Son -- Guenduzi
    Jimmy Rashford DCL

    A: DCL >> Nketiah and play 442
    B: Son >> Sarr + 1.3m (for Holgate > Maguire). but no Son is a big worry
    C: Rashford >> Mount/Sarr...but every team will have 2 utd attackers
    D: Doherty >> 4m defender...this is an option but feels it leaves me with a too light of defence
    E: TAA >> Maguire...seriously considering this. will loose 0.4m on TAA

    1. SMOOTH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      thats my team

      son to bergwijn

      the downgrade has to come from son, rashford or doherty i believe. maybe pope to a martinez or something if you are a little short

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I am going B, will get Aurier

    3. BAMBAA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A from these and you are not alone with your TV. Was feeling okayish with my TV until I saw the teams on the forum here and realised I'm 2-3M behind..

  28. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Worth a cheeky BB if not would you play Soy or Alonso?

    Pope,
    Trent, Boly, Soy,
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes C, Sarr,
    Jimmy, Rashford, Vardy

    McCarthy, Barnes, Taylor, Alonso

    .5 itb

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No FT available?

      Think it may be worth it if you can shift Alonso. If not not -,that’s a lot of bench money on a likely 1/2 pointer.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Removed Jota > Rashford

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Could take hit, Alonso > Doherty
          But Alonso has good fixtures after City

  29. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For this GW only:

    A) Maguire, Chilwell or Ritchie?
    B) Richarlison or Martial?

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Norwich looked really bad, more potential goals for Everton this week

  30. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT, I have to save one million from this team, who would you drop (and who to upgrade with that money)?

    Patricio / Martinez
    TAA, Doh, Justin, Lascelles, Robinson
    Mane, Son, KdB, Bruno, Martial
    Rash, Jime, Nketiah

    - 1.0 itb

    A) Downgrade Mane
    B) Martial out to finance DCL
    C) Son to Richa
    D) Something more clever, what?

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B. Bruno and Rashy is enough UTD anyway

    2. Ain't No Holebas Girl
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Personally I’d do Martial > Sarr, rest looks sweet