Scout Notes

Another start for £4.0m FPL defender Mitchell as Zaha is again deployed as a forward

Having rounded up the Saturday friendlies involving Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Aston Villa in our previous Scout Notes article, we now turn our attention to the games involving Crystal Palace, Burnley, West Bromwich Albion and Brighton and Hove Albion.

As usual, we’ll provide a summary of the key talking points, manager quotes, injury news, minutes played and attacking returns registered as the clock ticks down on Gameweek 1.

Crystal Palace 1-1 Brondby

While the chances of Nathan Ferguson (£4.0m) being fit for Gameweek 1 seem to be on the slim side, another budget-freeing route into the Crystal Palace defence has presented itself – at least, for now.

Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m) started his third straight pre-season match in a row on Saturday, again deputising for the injured Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m) at left-back.

In truth, the Eagles’ defence almost picks itself at present, with Joel Ward (£4.5m), Scott Dann (£4.5m) and FPL midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate (£5.0m) having started all four of their side’s warm-up games at the back.

Ferguson, van Aanholt, Gary Cahill (£4.5m), James Tomkins (£4.5m) and Mamadou Sakho (£4.5m) all remain unavailable at the time of writing, leaving the versatile Martin Kelly (£4.5m) as Roy Hodgson’s only real senior alternative in defence.

Jairo Riedewald (£4.5m) and Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m) have previously filled in at left-back under Hodgson, with the former indeed starting in that position in the 2-1 win over Oxford United, but it’s perhaps telling that Mitchell has held onto the shirt since then and even more so that he lasted the full 90 minutes in what was Palace’s final warm-up match ahead of Gameweek 1.

One word of warning, however: van Aanholt has been recently pictured doing work on the training ground, so the Netherlands international may not be a million miles away from a return.

The Eagles may have a decimated backline and are often put to the sword against tougher opposition but they are traditionally good bets for clean sheets in clashes with fellow also-rans, having kept ten shut-outs in 20 matches against teams finishing 10th or below last season.

Vicente Guaita (£5.0m) is usually a dependable sort between the posts (he had the third-best expected goals prevented tally last season) and he made a couple of smart stops against Brondby, narrowly failing to keep out the Danish side’s second-half equaliser.

Palace had taken the lead through Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m), who grabbed his third goal in four games when collecting Jordan Ayew‘s (£6.0m) pass and smashing a deflected effort past Marvin Schwäbe.

Zaha and Ayew were again playing as a strike duo in a 4-4-2, a system Hodgson has turned to frequently in pre-season in the absence of his two bona fide centre-forwards.

With new signing Eberechi Eze (£6.0m) again missing out because of a groin injury, it was Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m) and Andros Townsend (£6.0m) who were given the nod to flank Zaha and Ayew in what was at times a fluid front four.

Schlupp caught the eye with his probing runs and a couple of early chances, with the Eagles more threatening than we became accustomed to last season.

Ayew and Max Meyer (£5.0m) also wasted one-on-ones, with another Zaha effort being hooked off the goal-line.

Hodgson said after full-time:

We’ve got to start taking chances. Today I think [we had] 20-odd really good opportunities and, quite frankly, five or six of them were such clear goal chances I can’t believe we didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

The back four once again and goalkeeper were really good and I thought our attacking play produced the goal chances we were hoping it would produce.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; Ward, Kouyaté, Dann (Kelly 65′), Mitchell; Schlupp, Riedewald, McArthur (Milivojevic 45′), Townsend; Zaha, Ayew (Meyer 65′).

Burnley 4-1 Heart of Midlothian
Burnley 4-2 Mansfield Town

  • Goals: Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m), Max Thompson, Lewis Richardson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m) | Josh Brownhill (£5.0m), Chris Wood (£6.5m) x2, Bobby Thomas
  • Assists: Richardson, James Tarkowski (£5.5m), Thompson | McNeil x2

Sean Dyche again split his squad in two for a pair of friendlies on Saturday, with each Burnley XI plundering four goals at their Barnfield Training Centre.

The return from injury of centre-halves James Tarkowski (£5.5m) and Kevin Long (£4.5m) was the main headline from the weekend’s double-header, although Sean Dyche is still without the sidelined Ben Mee (£5.0m), Jack Cork (£5.0m) and Ashley Barnes (£6.0m) – none of whom have featured at all in pre-season.

Dyche provided an update on two of them after Saturday’s game:

Corky is a bit longer term, going well but the whole programme, we knew that was longer.

Barnesy is making real good progress at the minute, he’s had a real tough run of it. He’s not with us yet but he’s working hard with the science team.

Tarkowski, who has racked up five attacking returns in each of the last two seasons, claimed an assist for the Clarets’ second goal in the 4-1 win over Hearts, with youngster Max Thompson tapping in his knockdown from close range.

With Barnes sidelined and Chris Wood (£6.5m) on the other pitch, Jay Rodriguez (£6.0m) tucked away a penalty to give Dyche’s side the lead in that match.

Lewis Richardson netted a third before Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m), who is one to watch in FPL should he stay fit, rounded off the scoring with a sumptuous chip.

In the other game, Josh Browhill (£5.0m) curled in a superb direct free-kick and Wood scored a second-half brace as the Clarets saw off Mansfield 4-2.

Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) put through his own net in that fixture.

Without a fixture in Gameweek 1, Dyche said that the Clarets may indulge in one more pre-season friendly on Friday before the competitive action commences.

Burnley XI v Hearts (4-4-2): Norris; Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Pieters; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Benson, Rodriguez; Thompson (Mumbongo 65′), Richardson (Elva-Fountaine 73′).

Burnley XI v Mansfield Town (4-4-2): Jensen; Bardsley, Thomas, Dunne, Taylor; Goodridge, Brownhill, Tucker, McNeil; Wood, Vydra.

Brighton and Hove Albion 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

The David Button Classic ended goalless at the Amex, with the budget goalkeeper watching on from the bench as his former and current employers drew a blank.

This was a bit of a bore draw on the south coast, with Albion bossing possession without having much penetration in attack – something that was true of the Seagulls for a large chunk of 2019/20.

What good came from Albion stemmed from Yves Bissouma (£4.5m) in the middle of the park, with the Malian midfielder continuing his fine form that saw him become a regular at the back-end of last season.

He may well be the pick of the current crop of £4.5m midfielders in FPL, even accounting for Graham Potter’s unpredictable line-ups.

Bissouma thumped a volley narrowly over in the first half of Saturday’s stalemate and registered Albion’s only shot on target of the game, later producing a superb through-ball that Adam Lallana (£6.5m) couldn’t capitalise on.

The former Liverpool man, along with Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m) and lone striker Neal Maupay (£6.5m), did little to impress in attack, with Albion deprived of the services of Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) because of the Belgian’s involvement with his national side.

Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) was also on international duty, with Steven Alzate (£4.5m) the place-holder at right wing-back, but there were further starts for Ben White (£4.5m), Lewis Dunk (£5.0m) and Adam Webster (£4.5m) in what seems to be Potter’s first-choice trio in central defence.

Slaven Bilic was also short on numbers at the weekend, with four players away on international duty, Conor Townsend (£4.5m) and Kenneth Zohore (£5.0m) absent with ankle and calf injuries respectively, and new signings Grady Diangana (£5.5m) and Cedric Kipre (£4.5m) not involved.

The Baggies were mostly reduced to shots from range, although that has never held Matheus Pereira (£6.0m) back before and the Albion talisman twice went close from distance in his 45-minute showing, with one of his efforts deflected onto Mathew Ryan‘s (£4.5m) left-hand post.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-5-1-1): Ryan; Webster, Dunk, White; Alzate (Bernardo 60′), Bissouma, Lallana (Gross 60′), Stephens, March; Mac Allister; Maupay.

West Bromwich Albion XI (4-3-3): Johnstone; Furlong (Peltier 74′), Ajayi, Bartley (Hegazi 58′), Gibbs; Harper (Field 58′), Sawyers, Livermore; Pereira (Phillips 45′), Austin (Tulloch 71′), Edwards (Soule 74′).


Best players by position:

1,736 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ThisPostsOnFire
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GW3 + Team

    THOUGHTS?

    McCarthy (Nyland)

    TAA, Robo, Justin, Vinagre (Mitchell/Fergusson)

    KDB, Bruno, Son, Havertz (Stephens)

    Werner, Mitro (Vasiliev)

    Thinking behind no Auba/Salah:
    1. I prefer KDB
    2. I think Son + Havertz will give better returnns than Auba/Salah + Soucek
    3. Flexibility - I know Soucek is mainly an enabler for most - but if anything happens to him/West Ham, alternatives are scarce

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ask us in GW3.

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

      Vasiliev over Davis - the template may not recover 😀

      The serious point is that you have a serious problem if either Vin or Justin lose their spot. How far away is Pereira? Taylor and KWP with Ryan in goal may be more solid for nailedness

  2. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which one?

    1) Werner, Greenwood
    2) Ziyech, Martial

    1. ThisPostsOnFire
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For Now, 1; But I'd wait to see what the repercussions for Greenwood's 'antics' are

  3. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Valery not threatening KWP?

    Why is everyone so confident that KWP will start?

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Because he cemented his place as first choice at the end of last season. At least for the time being.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  4. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed

    Alli at 8M could replace Ziyech but not sure if I want double Spurs attack and it means I have to lose Davies for Keane... though the latter is a decent replacement. If Rodriguez signs I've got a decision on my hands.

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Triple up bud, 2nd season Mourinho don’t forget..

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That's the issue, my triple up is being messed up!

        Alli should be great now that he's back to that second striker role

  5. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Folks, does it look like Nketiah will start GW1 ?

    1. unclesbasement
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      not sure..looks like laca might stay

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      no-one has any idea what the Arsenal lineup will be

  6. Arron Wan Bissaka Nil
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Greenwood and Adams
    B) Soucek and Ings

  7. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Don't think we can risk having United or City assets on the bench. Could easily test positive next week as most them are on International Duty. Was quite tempted to bench Martial but now thinking of going with Ings + 0.5m.

    Thinking of going without Vinagre also now with new signing and rumours of him leaving for Porto.
    First 3 fixtures (shu, MCI, whu) anyways aren't great for clean sheets. Will have a better idea about their defence after deadline day and when their fixtures improve from GW4/5 onwards.

    Thoughts?

    1. redsallstars
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yep especially foden and greenwood, sent home from england camp

    2. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think I am ditching too. Will go KWP and then go Brighton in goal. Now massively happy with it but saves 0.5 and eliminates rotation problems.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I've already got Ryan & KWP. So now looking at Justin or Ayling.

    3. ThisPostsOnFire
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Which Wolves signing? Marcal? He's a centre back.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He can play both positions.

        https://twitter.com/TimSpiers/status/1302900465458393088?s=19

      2. ThisPostsOnFire
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I can only imagine he's been brought in as cover

        1. sully29
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          The journalist who covers Wolves for the Athletic has said he's been told that there's a possibility Vinagre could leave, with Marcial likely to be LWB.

    4. SwissWavey
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What if they don't test positive?
      Man U look strong from GW2 and City from GW3, I want their players in then but don't want to wildcard.
      It's a balancing act and a gamble either way

  8. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I keep seeing Liverpool fixtures aren’t great especially for defence but from the first 7 I think they have a good chance of a CS in 6 of those, what do you think ? Barring Chelsea and Arsenal looks like a good run to me

    Leeds Home
    Chelsea away
    Arsenal home
    Aston Vila away
    Everton away
    West Ham home
    Shef Utd home

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      As an owner of TAA, VVD and Robbo, I concur!

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Everton might score but the rest look solid.

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They're very good from a defensive POV, but my main issue with them is the leakiness they've shown since Watford. Not jumping on them until I'm sure they've improved, on the beach or not.

    4. SwissWavey
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm ignoring Liverpool for now based on nothing but gut feeling

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

    Doherty or 5.0 mil spurs and use the 1 mil elaewhere.. long term ?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      5.0m and spread the cash

  10. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    best 4/4.5M options in the defence and midfield?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Taylor/kwp looking the most nailed in reasonable teams to me

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

        Cheers mate..

  11. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For the other sad nerds out there.... Brighton's pictures have been updated on FPL 😀

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What pictures?

  12. unclesbasement
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What are the 3 best 4.5m defenders that are nailed on?

  13. thes7s
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Greenwood and Foden are in so much trouble, great way to celebrate your debut by being ejected from the team on the next game.

  14. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Mcarthy (Nyland)
    Saiss, Doherty, TAA
    Salah, Aubam, Son, Maxim
    Werner, Mitro, Adams

    Justin, Mitchell, Bissouma

    My only concern is the forward line. Im very happy with defence and mids.

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No Ings, dangerous

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I think if Southampton fire Adams might get something ? Could be a risk worth taking for 2.5

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

        id love to have Ings, im compromising with Adams, funds are tied up elsewhere, have a suggestion(s)?

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Mmm...tricky especially with a lack of worthy options in this price bracket. Monitor Callum Wilson’s price.

  15. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any changes here that I can make? Feeling quite settled with this.

    0.5 ITB

    McCarthy
    Trent | Egan | Davies
    ASM | Auba (C) | Saka | Mane
    DCL | Ings | Werner (V)

    GK: Nyland | Säiss | Mitchell | Reed

    GW2 (-4)
    Salah > KDB
    Son > Bruno

    1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Forget this I copy & pasted wrong

  16. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How sure are we that Doherty will start in GW1? Aurier still at the club as of now...

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doubt he starts GW1

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very sure, he's first choice after all

    3. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’d be pretty sure - we need to hit the ground running to build confidence and have any chance of top 4 so the best team will play

      Aurier to play europa

    4. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't think aurier will start with his future still uncertain

  17. DavidFFC
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    In answer to a question at the bottom of the last page, Fulham have played 2 friendlies - 2-2 draw with MK Dons and 2-1 win against Southampton

  18. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wilson to com in at either 6.5 or 7.0 I reckon. At 6.5, I'd still pick Antonio.

  19. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Repost.

    Hey guys, best 4.0 gk? Button?

    Cheers

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

  20. liboo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What u think about that guys

    Lioris nyland
    TAA. Roberston walker petres justin taylor
    Mane son pierera soucek stephens
    Kane warner. Metrovic

    ?

  21. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    The budget striker role

    DCL 1-4 tot WBA cpl BHA
    Mitro 5-9 shu CPL WBA whm EVE
    Wilson 10-14 cpl avl WBA lee FUL
    Antonio 15-23: BHA sou eve WBA BUR cpl LIV avl ful
    Maupay 24-29: AVL CPL wba LEI sou NEW

    by that point you'll be loaded and can afford another 8.5-9 for the run in

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      useful, that. thx

      1. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        hoping to take advantage of the mitro price crash!

  22. Boydinho
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 keeper for the first 2-3 GWs

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      its a bit random over short term frames.

      maybe the leeds one - will get loads of saves against liverpool, and a decent chance of a cleanie against fulham and sheff

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

        Early WC so it's a bit dodgy, were thinking Ramsdale 5.0 first but maybe not worth it short term

  23. gauzah
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    is Ziyech definitely out against Brighton?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not definetly no

      1. gauzah
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Kind of want him in my team. He's at a good price point and I want some Chelsea coverage. I think he will do well.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      *definitely

  24. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Another 5m mid big doubt for GW1!!!

    https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1302934129630216192

    RIP Berge

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A tragedy for all 3 of his owners

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      HELLO LORDSTRAM!

  25. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How many clean sheets can we expect Everton to keep in the first 10? 4-5?

    Keane would be decent value if that happened, correct?

  26. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone like this draft?

    Lloris
    Trent, Maitland-Niles, Coleman, KWP
    Salah, Aubameyang, ASM
    Kane, Ings, Calvert-Lewin

  27. SpagBol
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys,

    What do you think of this latest draft?

    Cheers
    ____________________________________________
    McCarthy
    TAA Dier Saiss Mitchell
    Salah Aubameyang Havertz Armstrong
    Werner Ings

    Button | Bissouma Brewster Taylor
    ____________________________________________

    0.5M in the bank to go Ings to Martial

    Plan is to play 4-4-2:

    - Move Taylor into the 4th DEF spot from GW2 onwards.

    *Auba to KDB/Sterling in GW3

  28. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last piece so far

    A) Alli and Mitro/Adams 4-3-3
    B) Son and 5.0 probably Ceballos 4-4-2

  29. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I’m quite liking this lot......

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Taylor Vinagre Mitchell Ferguson
    Aubameyang Alli Greenwood Armstrong Bissouma
    Kane Vardy Ings

    Ings > Martial
    Auba > KDB
    Vinagre > Shaw.....I’m sure something will go wrong though!!!

  30. mpalmercity76
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    wilson and fraser to newcastle.

    anyone tempted?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      nned prices first