Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 7

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 7.

It’s another Friday deadline and for those of you outside of the UK, note that we’ve switched from BST to GMT – get your team ready before 18:30 GMT.

Also, a quick heads up for next week: the Gameweek 8 deadline is on Friday at the unusual time of 16:00 GMT. 

Gameweek 6 proved to be a “horror show” for many, none more so than Pro Pundit Darren Wiles who emerged with a paltry 27 points. But, as he pointed out in his latest piece for Fantasy Football Scout: “it’s not the Gameweek score that maketh the manager, it is your response to it that really matters.”

Patience and a premium defence have been key to his success in recent years – at the last update Darren sat second in our Live Hall of Fame. So how does he cope when things go disastrously wrong?

I think it is so important for us to remember not all good decisions lead to good results in FPL. Ultimately, we pick our teams but we have absolutely no control over what happens on the pitch.

– Darren

Darren offered three great tips to help Fantasy managers with their FPL decision-making following a bad Gameweek:

  1. Identify the difference between bad decisions and what is bad luck.
  2. Try not to chase points.
  3. Embrace the highs and lows.

For more detail on each of these points have a read of his article.

What Happened to all the Goals?

There were four clean sheets registered in Gameweek 4; this rose to five in Gameweek 5 and to six in Gameweek 6. This trend for increases in clean sheets and decreases in goals scored week on week suggests that potentially now is the time that we as FPL managers should be looking to invest more of our budget in our defensive units.

– Sam

Pro Pundit Sam Bonfield highlighted the trend in increasing clean sheets this week as she considered investing more in defence. And Darren agrees, arguing that football managers are reacting to the early glut of goals:

However, I believe we will soon see a return to normality and Premier League managers will address the defensive issues. Manchester United’s rather dull, stalemate draw with Chelsea is perhaps a good early example of this.

– Darren

So which defences should we target? 

Three defenders featured in the headline Team News that’s emerged over the last couple of days, while the absence of Michail Antonio (£6.3m) could impact West Ham’s ability to hold up the ball and take the pressure off their backline:

Career Hall of Fame No 1 Fabio Borges was among those to be stung by Digne’s dismissal last weekend and he discussed replacements in his latest offering. While highlighting a potential rotation risk, one of the players he picked out was Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell (£5.8m):

With great fixtures ahead, an impressive attacking threat and some set pieces in his arsenal, Chilwell seems to be the best Chelsea defender to have and, simultaneously, the logical replacement for Digne.

– Fabio

Described as a “great option” by Sam, the former Leicester City full-back has attracted attention from most Pundits and observers following his recent performances. Writing in his Scout Notes on Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford, David Wardale noted:  

Chilwell leads the way, not just among Chelsea defenders but the entire team, for chances created this season, with nine.

– David Wardale

While Pro Pundit Zophar pointed out that Chilwell’s potential reaches beyond the confines of Lampard’s team:

Since Chilwell’s first start for Chelsea in Gameweek four, only Robertson beats him for touches in the final third (99 v 117). No defender has created more chances over this period.

– Zophar

David offered further encouragement: not only is the left-back an attacking threat but there are good reasons for Chelsea’s improved defensive displays, and the fixture ticker looks promising too:

In the last three matches in which Thiago Silva (£5.5m) and Edouard Mendy (£5.0m) have started together, Chelsea haven’t conceded a single goal. The Blues are embarking on a very promising five-match schedule in which a visit from Spurs looks perhaps the toughest test

– David Wardale

The budget options in the West Ham United rearguard have also been attracting attention of late given their impressive performances.

West Ham’s defensive numbers are elite. Having played Manchester City, Spurs, Leicester and Wolves in the last four, the Hammers are still ranked the second-best for Shot in the Box conceded (18) and have allowed just four big chances.

– Zophar

Vladimir Coufal (£4.5m) and Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) are the two players being considered. Pro Pundit Tom Freeman and Lateriser shared their thoughts on the pair:

At the back, Vladimir Coufal stands out due to his security of his starts.

– Tom

With Lateriser explaining:

I fear that Masuaku will make way, which makes me a little worried about his nailed-on-ness. The reason for this concern is if Moyes changes his set-up to accommodate his new signing Said Benrahma (£6.0m) into the team.

– Lateriser

The Hammers embark on an appealing run of fixtures from Gameweek 8, which could see their full-backs enjoy more attacking opportunities. But that injury to Antonio might hinder their threat going forward. Sam counselled:

Coufal looks like a fantastic option after the Liverpool game in Gameweek 7. His link-up play with Antonio was superb and managers who invest in the Hammers’ new boy will be hoping for a quick return for Antonio following his hamstring strain in Gameweek 6, as the prospect of a nice run of fixtures from Gameweek 8 until Christmas looks great for an in-form £4.5m defender.

– Sam

However, Sam is wary of filling her team with budget options:

Suddenly, owning Alexander-Arnold feels good again on the back of a really positive performance in the Champions League on Tuesday which saw him keep a clean sheet and register an assist. He was unlucky not to register points in Gameweek 6, too. Alongside him, it no longer feels ok to have a series of £4.5m defenders. Whilst the likes of Coufal and Mitchell look like great options if they continue to start, freeing up cash for the likes of Chilwell, Saiss and other £5.0m+ assets seems like a really good FPL strategy.

– Sam

Armband Dilemma

As David Munday reported in his Scout Notes from Liverpool’s encounter with Sheffield United, FPL managers can feel rather hard done by that Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) didn’t score. And the creator of the Transfer Algorithm, Mikkel Tokvam, doesn’t feel unduly concerned: 

A blank like Salah managed in Gameweek 6 has not worried the Algorithm at all. His underlying statistics for the Sheffield United match were amazing, it just wasn’t his day. After all, even the best players blank about half of the time anyway, and long-term data holds substantially more value than the short-term noise.

– Mikkel

The opportunity is there for Salah to redeem himself against West Ham and many, including Tom Freeman, are likely to hand him the armband. But our double-points maestro Jan Sienkiewicz, outlines an enticing case for Son Heung-min (£9.5m) in his Captain Sensible article. Analysing the upcoming fixture, Jan noted that the space left behind Tariq Lamptey (£4.7m) when he bombs forward could be exploited by the South Korean.

Brighton’s style of play suits Spurs, who have already proved this season, against Southampton and Manchester United, that they can be deadly on counter-attack.

– Jan

Opportunities to Consider

A switch to a back four for Arsenal increased Kieran Tierney’s (£5.4m) attacking threat. As Neale mentioned, the Scotsman is worth monitoring should Arteta stick with the formation.

Elsewhere Southampton’s front two are in good form:

In terms of value, the pair are ploughing remarkably similar furrows – the more expensive Ings is producing 4.6 points per million (PPM), the cheaper (but less productive) Adams 4.7 PPM.

– David Wardale

But will their high defensive line be exploited by Aston Villa, and in particular Jack Grealish (£7.3m)?

The average position map from Villa’s defeat to Leeds reinforces the idea that Grealish would stand to benefit most from the Saints high defensive line.

– David Munday

Although Zophar noted the Saints’ improvement at the back:

They have conceded a league-best two big chances over the last four Gameweeks does indicate to me though that this side is capable of producing solid defensive performances.

– Zophar

And could it be another chastening Gameweek for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m), who was starved of service and managed only two penalty area touches and zero shots against Southampton, with the now-injured James Rodriguez (£8.0m) forced to play a little deeper:

Coleman’s absence also had an impact on Rodriguez, who was forced that much deeper and less central in a vain bid to provide some kind of help for Godfrey.

– David Wardale

Upcoming opponents Newcastle United restricted Wolves last Sunday to shots outside the box.

Wilfried Zaha (£7.3m) is Crystal Palace’s talisman, so should we be considering him for our teams given his recent form?

Admittedly, two penalties taken in the absence of Luka Milivojevic (£5.7m) may have helped slightly inflate Zaha’s long-term credentials and it is certainly worth noting that the Serbian international made his first Premier League start of the season in Gameweek 6. However, Zaha demonstrated that he does not necessarily need spot-kicks to register a double-digit haul, scoring, assisting and taking all three bonus away from Craven Cottage.

– David Munday

And finally, Patrick Bamford’s (£5.9m) “Pat-Trick” mustn’t go without mention, considering it came against a previously excellent Aston Villa defence: 

Aston Villa had kept three clean sheets from a possible four and had the best expected goals conceded (xGC) figure in the Premier League (4.04). Bamford was having none of that, registering a total of nine shots, seven in the box and four on target.

– David Munday

An injury-hit Leicester City side is next up for Bielsa’s men.

Community latest

Yesterday’s Best of the Community feature included a look at some of the under-the-radar players who have performed better than expected and also provided some reassuring stats for those favouring a Salah armband.

For those interested in the Head-to-Head Leagues, the main page can be linked to here. The fixtures for Gameweek 7 can be found below:

Use the drop-down menus to show your league and division. To find out which league and division you are in, follow the instructions on the main Head-to-Head page.

Once the Gameweek starts, if you click on your opponent’s name you will be linked to their team on the FPL website.

May your arrows be green!

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,203 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chill guys, this is Romain Saiss, it will be 1-1 after 29 mins when he comes on for a booked and injured Kilman, with him scoring the winner for a 15 pointer.

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

      You have a very active imagination

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldn't put it past him!

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Or he’ll come on around 70mins and get booked....

  2. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Maybe I'll keep Saiss and do one of Mitchell or Justin to Kilman. Cause one of Saiss or Kilman will surely start

  3. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Shame Saiss never hit the heady heights of 5.4 that 0.1 would be useful

  4. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I was sure I had moved the armband from kane to Salah. Game has updated and it's still on kane.

    1. djoker_nole
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably forgot to click save

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think it's a blessing in disguise for you.

      I'm on Salah (C) and not at all convinced.

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        same

  5. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Makes no sense why Saiss would be benched really

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Makes sense to me. Kilman been playing better than Saiss was at CB. Saiss looks out of place at LWB. Kilman stays and they play a natural LWB at LWB.

  6. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ait-Nouri, as expected.

  7. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So with Saïss in my team with Mitchell on bench leaves me with TAA Chilwell and Lamptey as only bench cover. I just hope Saïss comes on in second half after poor Wolves first half and grabs a goal as have feeling Chilwell will be on Chelsea bench tomorrow !

  8. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Clyne old pal you are getting in my team asap:D!

  9. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Saiss will 100% come on. No point even hoping he won’t

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’ll take a point. More than Davis would give me

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No chance but I'd love it if it happens.

  10. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else own Saiss R.James and Mitchel lol..... time for a defence shake up I think

  11. fusen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone spotted #14 OR - https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/5590789/history

    Captained Schmeichel and did a -24 transfer

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hmmm world #8 did something similar last week, odd

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably his jealous friend knew his password

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He benched Saïss though.. 🙁

    4. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe he missed the deadline !-24 is too much 😀

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Captaining Schmeichel is even more weird

        1. MagicMessi
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yea if he saves a penalty I'm done:D

    5. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Possibly just messing around and was gonna activate a chip and forgot about the deadline

    6. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I know it’s slightly different but what does everyone think of wan bissaka as a Saiss replacement?

    7. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probs down to 10 this week, including relying on Lamptey(tot) and Taylor(che).

      Saved FT, benched Hamez and now Saiss Mitchell bloody out. Davis only other sub.

      At least have 2FT to sort this mess

      Any worse starts?

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm on 8 lol

    8. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cracking start Saiss benched & Mitchell 1st sub?

    9. ZAWAd25
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would you activate the WC here? Thinking about it even thought I have 2 FT
      0.5itb

      McCarthy
      TAA Saiss Mitchell Justin
      Salah Sterling Son
      Kane DCL Watkins

      (Taylor Bissouma Reed)

      1. ZAWAd25
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Or just do Saiss + Taylor >> Kilman + Chilwell for free?

    10. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Oh well, they've sacrificed the most valuable defender in FF...

      Let's hope their clean sheet doesn't come down that side...

      Buy the manager knows best.

    11. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Early doors, not displeased as did Saiss > Kilman.

      Got Chilwell in. Even with a potential benching, I want him going forward so not end of the world. Have R. James too. Have to hope for an unlikely Chelsea CS; next GW I'll either keep of sell for Cresswell/Coufal.

      The way FPL works, I wouldn't be surprised if Saiss still outscores Kilman, mind 😆

      1. Cant fit my Willian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Chelsea CS against Burnley not unlikely at the minute so you might be in luck.

    12. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wolves LB position was always going to be a problem waiting to happen.

      Marcal was signed for that position but can also play CB. Ait-Nouri is a highly rated French attacking LB and could make the position his own. Saiss moved over to cover LWB and now thanks to Kilman's performances, he finds himself on the bench. And Jonny will come back at some point.

      Nailed defenders for Wolves were, and are Coady, Boly, Semedo.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        How long is Jonny out?

      2. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yep. I own Saiss but I'm happy he's dropped as I also have Jimenez and Podence and they were getting no service from the left. Hopefully RAN gives them more thrust down that side

      3. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Should have kept Vinagre

    13. Fergymac
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Is Saïss to kilman a stupid move at this stage? Reckon kilman keeps his spot?

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Stupid imo.

        Get nailed players

    14. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell was always on borrowed time with PVA back, surprised people didn’t shift him over the last few weeks

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He’s injured I think he’s still nailed

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Think he is ahead of Clyne

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

      Got 2FT to use for next week, who would you change here? Saiss to Cresswell & then how to use my other FT?

      Martine (Steer)
      Trent - Saiss - Taylor (Lamptey & Dallas)
      Salah - Son - Zaha - Podence (Burke)
      DCL - Kane - Jimmy

      0.6m itb!

    16. ace3.1415
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone know Arsenal's xgc this season?

    17. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      We can admit a Podence 3 pointer is a success, right? I benched him at the last minute for MItchell, now he's back in. He won't go away from my team!!!

    18. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No idea why Traore isn’t starting in place of Podence. His speed and physicality is what Wolves need and his assist potential and service to Jimenez is sublime

      1. Plant Based FPLer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Exactly. Maybe NES is taming him rather than that he's stupid, because Wolves look anemic. Neto is a joke. Even though Jimenez scored the last two games, it was there for everyone to see that the first was a ridiculous deflection on a very soft shot, and the second, well, it was good finishing but rarely does anyone get that much time on the ball to arrange and rearrange their shot. 1-0 and 1-0 against low opposition shouldn't even be viewed as a success.

    19. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Was Saiss actually on borrowed time? Or is he just being rested?

      I don’t want to use an FT to move him if he will return next week.

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        its the uncertainty i dont like ,will he wont he play,not for me theres plenty of others in his price range, bye bye...

    20. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Updated

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Pigeon post?

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          76MB and a cup of tea late

    21. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      When will James Rodriguez and Digne’s red flags be removed? Both should be price protected now until next GW

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        only a guess but i think digne when everton kick off and hames when he is announced fit...

    22. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Milivojevic back in the starting line up. I wonder if this means Zaha off pens.

    23. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Will be doing well getting 3 playing defenders this GW.

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        If Saiss doesn’t come on, then I am playing only 2 (probably)

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

      Saiss to come on and score after Wolves concede to Zaha 🙂
      Guaita needs to save a pen as well at some point