Scout Notes

Little to concern defences of Liverpool and Burnley after bore draw at Brighton

Brighton and Hove Albion 0-0 Newcastle United

  • Goals: None
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus: Dan Burn (£4.5m) x3, Lewis Dunk (£4.8m) x2, Mathew Ryan (£4.7m) x1

The two-word album review for Spinal Tap’s Shark Sandwich sprung to mind as Brighton and Hove Albion secured their Premier League safety with a goalless draw against Newcastle United.

Chances of quality were scarce in a desperately poor game that had a whiff of ‘pre-season friendly’ about it, although that was perhaps unsurprising given the frequency of fixtures over the last fortnight, the low stakes (Albion were pretty much already safe anyway) and the absence of a crowd.

Interest in these two teams is limited from a Fantasy perspective, with not one player on show having an ‘effective ownership’ of more than 4% in the top 10,000.

Brighton and Newcastle’s opponents in Gameweek 38+, Burnley and Liverpool, are much more in-demand, however, so this would have been a scouting mission of sorts for owners of Nick Pope (£5.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m), Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) et al.

On the basis of what we saw last night, there was little to worry FPL managers going big on the Clarets or the Reds – especially at the back.

The Magpies only forced one save out of Mathew Ryan (£4.7m), with the Australia international having to be alert to palm a Miguel Almiron (£5.8m) flick away from goal.

Most of the visitors’ threat came from set plays, with Dwight Gayle (£5.0m) glancing a header over just before half-time and substitute Andy Carroll (£5.4m) nodding an excellent opportunity wide late on.

So long as Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.3m) is fit, then Newcastle pose a danger to any side’s clean sheet and he’ll be the main concern for owners of Liverpool assets this weekend.

The Frenchman recovered from a calf problem to start at the Amex and showed glimpses of his talent but couldn’t do much with what little possession he was afforded, not registering a single shot or key pass.

At the other end of the pitch, Martin Dubravka (£5.1m) saved smartly from Leandro Trossard (£5.8m) and Adam Webster (£4.4m), with the Belgian also hooking a decent chance over in the final quarter of an hour.

A 0-0 was about right, though, and anyone targeting Trossard and Neal Maupay (£5.7m) for this meeting against a patched-up Newcastle defence who were without five recognised centre-halves were left short-changed.

That makeshift backline will be of interest to owners of Salah and Sadio Mane (£12.2m), who will no doubt give it a sterner examination on Sunday.

Danny Rose (£5.3m) and Emil Krafth (£4.3m) played either side of Federico Fernandez (£4.6m) in a back three, with Matt Ritchie (£5.3m) and Javier Manquillo (£4.3m) tasked with wing-back roles.

Steve Bruce said of his side’s display after the match:

Considering the problems we’ve had, I was delighted. The one thing you can’t deny about this group of players is their ability to roll their sleeves up and have a go.

We played two full-backs as centre-backs today and they were terrific. I was delighted with their attitude.

Emil’s got a really sore ankle and did well to carry on, but I think he epitomised the spirit of all them.

Three of Brighton’s backline hoovered up the bonus points, while Tariq Lamptey (£4.1m) has now started six of Albion’s last seven league games and is a budget defensive option going into Gameweek 38+, with Burnley themselves not renowned for scoring an abundance of goals.

The Seagulls may have been put to the sword by the two Manchester clubs and Liverpool recently but against the rest of the top flight, their defensive record is a bit better: Ryan has conceded 26 goals in 25 matches against non-big-six sides, keeping eight clean sheets along the way.


Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-3-3): Ryan; Lamptey (Duffy 86′), Dunk, Webster, Burn; Bissouma (Propper 73′), Stephens, Mooy (March 58); Gross (Mac Allister 58′), Maupay (Murray 73′), Trossard.

Newcastle United XI (3-5-2): Dubravka; Krafth, Fernandez, Rose; Manquillo, Bentaleb, Shelvey, Almiron (Lazaro 86′), Ritchie; Saint-Maximin (Joelinton 74′), Gayle (Carroll 74′).

Members Analysis

FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 37+

1,266 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    As a Mahrez owner, I’m quite disappointed there. I was hoping he would start and then I could easily ditch him on my FH.

    But he starts next match, doesn’t he? Or so you’d think...

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks like Mahrez and DSilva are shoe ins for the next game..who knows though

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I wanted Sterling KDB Jesus on FH but now don’t think all 3 start.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If he comes on & plays well, you'd think he'll start next one. Maybe I'll let go jesus then ....
      It's disgusting tbh 🙁

  2. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez vs tired Kiko 😮
    (Kiko moves to LB in later stages of the games from what i remember)

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kiko is starting LB today

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        LOL
        Thank you buddy 🙂

  3. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden 2 points locked in.

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lol IKR, why do I have Foden

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Come on Foden 🙂

  4. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling(C), KdB and Jesus. Check!

    Now for them to deliver.

  5. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    All I ask for is Silva 1 pointer.

  6. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Forced to start Dawson...

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have Kiko 😆 anything zero or above I’ll take as a success

  7. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez now looks a better option than Sterling for GW38?

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yeah

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      With 5 days recovery - there's nothing fitness related stopping Pep from starting any individual in today's lineup

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        We'll have to see how minutes are managed first.

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah seems so. I was looking forward to Sterling (c) final game. Not looking likely now.

  8. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    3/3 🙂

    Come on Mariappa, Cleverly, Kiko (C)!!!

  9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling EO 28%

    Owners unite

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cappers also. Lets go !

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cappers will absolutely fly if he hauls

      2. timmmuh
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Capper here, need some points Razz

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Really. Cool. Might hit top 1k if he does something then.

  10. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez, Dilva and KdB in my FH team for GW 38 !

  11. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    De Bruyne with a more defensive responsibility playing with Rodri and Foden. Rodri can’t hold the midfield alone, and Foden to easily passed.

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They will not defend today 🙂

  12. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling, KDB & Ederson TFFT

  13. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So Dilva and Mahrez nailed for last GW

  14. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Dilva a lock.

    Scarface will be needed for the other City assets.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Raz Jesus should have been rested this GW....
      Hopefully taken off early now

  15. More_Goals
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else KDB (C) ?!

  16. Fantastic11
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No mahrez!!!

    1. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Meeeeee! ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️

      1. Steiger
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry, was meant for More_goals above lol

  17. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden off for Mahrez at 60 mins?

  18. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    People still want sterling for 38 ?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depends how much he plays. Kevin, Silva, Mahrez might be better

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks Holmes . What's with the change of look ?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Pep's every week expression when he looks at FPL managers 😛

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think i do.
      He has had enough rests recently.

  19. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mendy for GW38? :0

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m on this

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep .

  20. Marmalade Forest
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So GW38 FH is Mahrez and Dilva locked in. Might just go for those two

  21. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2/3 and C Silva last week was ok.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      But he did against Bournemouth?

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bournemouth was a top team?

  22. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Welcome to my FH team Dilva and Mahrez.

  23. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So how many points from Jesus and Sterling?

    Need Dilva to stay on the bench.

    Greenwood 1st sub coming on for Connolly. Aurier 2nd sub will be for Dilva.

  24. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Does Jesus start against Norwich after this team news today?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I am getting in Kane for Jesus. Mahrez and Dilva will start 38.

  25. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Oh ffs... cheers Pep. Mahrez gonna come on and block Aurier first sub then.

    Would you still do Mahrez to DSilvs for next week?

    At least KDB starts. Hope he can get back to some semblance of form.

  26. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Really didnt expect to Jesus starts again.

  27. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB, Sterling and Foden owners unite !

  28. tuvok
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Tonight: Ederson, Walker, Garcia, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Foden, Bernardo, G Jesus, Sterling.

    What are your thoughts on how this effects the line up on Sunday against Norwich?

    1. tuvok
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I expect Mahrez and Silva are pretty nailed on for the Norwich game now. Probably at the expense of Foden and Bernardo?

    2. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Too early to call, wait until we see who is coming in and for whom
      increases chances for Mahrez and Dilva of course, but who know Pep is thinking

    3. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And the guessing game resumes...

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Maz & David likely to replace Bernie & Phil, imho.

  29. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Looking at the team sheet, Dawson's zero or 1 pointer would be a success. Didn't want to take hit for a defender.