Scout Notes

Leeds defence in danger of achieving FPL ‘whipping boy’ status once more

Crystal Palace 4-1 Leeds United

  • Goals: Scott Dann (£4.4m), Eberechi Eze (£5.8m), Jordan Ayew (£5.7m) | Patrick Bamford (£6.0m)
  • Own goals: Hélder Costa (£5.7m)
  • Assists: Eze, Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m), Wilfried Zaha (£7.4m) | Mateusz Klich (£5.6m)
  • Bonus points: Eze x3, Ayew x2, Bamford x1

WHIPPING FORECAST

Fantasy Premier League managers are likely to start targetting the Leeds United defence again when searching for attacking returns after another heavy defeat.

The Whites were beaten 4-1 by Crystal Palace in Gameweek 8, the second time in as many Premier League matches that they conceded four times.

That is the sort of form they displayed in the opening weeks, as Marcelo Bielsa’s men gave up seven goals in the first two matches of the campaign.

After a period of defensive improvement, in which they conceded just 0.5 goals per game against Sheffield United, Manchester City, Wolves and Aston Villa, Leeds have looked rather exposed in both of their last two outings.

There was an element of fortune about some of Crystal Palace’s goals, although their pace on the counter played a part in the build-up of each.

Scott Dann (£4.4m) nodded home a corner supplied by Eberechi Eze (£5.8m), who netted a direct free-kick won from his own determined running before Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) got into too much space in the corner before his cross was bizarrely turned into the Leeds net by Hélder Costa (£5.7m).

While there is unlikely to be Fantasy interest in Arsenal attackers for Gameweek 9, Leeds face trips to Everton and Chelsea in the following two rounds, two sides with plenty of talent in the midfield and forward positions.

DALLAS COWBOY

While Leeds’ defensive credentials are slowly declining, Fantasy managers may still be intrigued by the role of Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) in Bielsa’s side.

The Whites manager rolled out his famed 3-3-3-1 formation for the first time this season as he took his side to Crystal Palace. 

That featured Luke Ayling (£4.5m) on the right-hand side of a back-three with Liam Cooper (£4.4m) and Robin Koch (£4.5m) which, arguably restricted his ability to get forward and be involved in attacking play compared to when he is afforded a right full-back role.

By contrast, Dallas was afforded a spot on the right-hand side of central midfield which, accordingly, led to the FPL defender having a greater involvement higher up the pitch.

Meanwhile, there was a noteworthy start for £4.0m FPL defender Pascal Struijk (£4.0m) in that central midfield trio.

How long his run in the team can realistically last largely depends on the fitness of Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) and, now, that of Jamie Shackleton (£4.8m), who sustained a muscle injury in training this week. Both of those players will have the opportunity for recovery over the international break, of course.

TICKING ALONG

Owned by 33.5% and 29% respectively, this game’s popular options Bamford and Wilfried Zaha (£7.4m) both highlighted they were fully capable of ticking along.

Leeds’ first-choice centre-forward came away with a seven-point score but it could have been even more were it not for a rather contentious VAR call ruling out a first-half goal.

Finding the net courtesy of a Klich knockdown, Bamford is still yet to blank away from home in 2020/21, averaging 9.8 points per game on the road this season.

Meanwhile, Zaha’s assist may have been a little less than his owners wanted from Palace finding the net four times but it helps extend his positive start to the season.

Ahead of facing Burnley (away), Newcastle (home) and West Bromwich Albion (away) between now and Gameweek 11, the out-of-position midfielder has seven attacking returns to his name. It took him 23 Gameweeks to string together that many last season.

Anyone looking for a differential in the Palace attack for those favourable fixtures could consider Eze who offers a budget price as well as a role in corners and direct free-kicks, those helping him score 13 points in Gameweek 8.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; van Aanholt, Dann, Kouyaté, Clyne; Eze, McArthur, Riedewald (McCarthy 77′), A Townsend (Schlupp 71′); Zaha, Ayew (Benteke 85′).

Leeds United XI (3-3-3-1): Meslier; Cooper, Koch, Ayling; Alioski, Struijk (Roberts 71′), Dallas; Harrison, Klich, Costa (Raphinha 46′); Bamford.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 8

575 Comments Post a Comment
  1. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does today’s game have any barring on which out of Kane/Son you’re going to sell?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If spurs look good I’ll likely sell neither.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same here

    2. mookie
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Only have Son and he's staying even if he blanks.

    3. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Son first. I need myself some Bruno

    4. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Will see how the game puns out, but Bruno is most likely going to replace Son.

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Personally I don't own Kane, but of the two, Son would be the one I'd sell first (which I'm doing), as Kane on pens. If Kane starts playing deeper with Bale starting or Bale starts soaking up the points, then that would certainly force my hand to sell.

  2. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does everyone in the game have Kane captain?

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Only 150k of top 10k somehow.

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        150%.

      2. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        huh

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Couldn’t have botched that up any more lol 150% EO in top 10k so lots of non-captainers.

    2. mookie
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don't own him.

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not everyone. Lots of Son(c) and Salah(c) about. But Kane is the most popular pick.

    4. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I've gone for Son

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      There are dumb posts and then there's this

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Haha!!

    6. Das Boot
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah (C). No excuses. I got the Friday deadline e-mail and didn't act on it in time. Woulda chosen Kane otherwise

    7. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Son.

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

    No Ivanovic or Pereira? Oh dear.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Covid-19 strikes again

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

        A strong case in favor for waiting until 2 seconds before the GW9 deadline to make moves

  4. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    When do you predict Sheffield United and Burnley will make their first win?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Burnley vs Palace
      Sheffield vs WBA

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I agree with that Mr Holmes but maybe SheUtd surprise us all and win West Ham.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      When they face WBA

  5. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Repost

    McCarthy (Fodder)
    Robbo Zouma Bellerin (Fodder x2)
    JRod Son Salah Grealish (Bissouma)
    Kane DCL Jimenez

    WC to this ? =>

    Martinez (Fodder)
    Chilwell Lamptey Bellerin (Lewis, Fodder)
    KDB Bruno Son Salah Grealish
    Bamford DCL (Brewster)...

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No

    2. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If I were you, I'd prolly do:

      Son --> Bruno
      Kane --> Bamford or Antonio maybe

      Others seems to be alright

  6. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Prolly getting Sterling instead of KDB GW 10. Memories of having KDB and reading people's comments about him playing CDM / playing so deep still haunts me a bit

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Memories of him hauling haunt me more

      1. 272MK
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        haha last season post covid? I remember number 4 OR captained KDB. Won the league if I'm not mistaken

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      For some reason I would be more comfortable missing out a Sterling haul then Kevin's haul.

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

        The difference in ownership

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

      Pep's been using a #10 more and more this season

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He never played CDM, and he got lots of hauls from CM.

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

    No self respecting football club should have that starting 11 in the PL.

  8. Party time
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Son(c) but will like a kane blank here

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Not happening my friend. Who will assist him?

        1. Party time
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Ndombele

            1. ZeBestee
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Ndombele normally assists the assister.

      2. Good Times
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        With the multitude of midfielders available, would you keep Kane over son?

        1. 272MK
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          yes

        2. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yes. Think Kane is the safest pick in terms of min and points u can have.

        3. Das Boot
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Why would you want only 1 is the real question. Both are the highest points scorers in the game and with Bale there to make Spurs even more dynamic there output could actually increase.

          1. Good Times
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Because it's about points to be gained. Spurs have difficult fixtures coming up as compared to say united, Chelsea and city.

          2. 272MK
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            that's a good point. But Spurs dropped in performance offensively, statistically, apparently. Fixture not great too.

            Spurs attack is in decline. Make this a hot topic

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

        Who would you back to get more points today - Harry or Sonny?

        1. Parsnips
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          sonnny

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Son due to CS points

        3. 272MK
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Sonny. Away games

        4. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Kane

        5. camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I'm hoping Son (c) and iv Kane. And Reguilon.

        6. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Kane as against a low block

      4. Party time
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Rip Linda O’brien

        • Coys96
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          59% EO for Kane at my rank. 72% for Son.

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            What the hell?!

            1. Coys96
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Ikr... 3.2m tho

          2. Black Knights
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            140% and 107% for me. I’m on 200% and 100% so let’s go Kane.

          3. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            If you want to finish within the top 500k this season you should still rely on the EOs of the higher ranks. "Rank Tier EO" is absolutely meaningless long term.

        • Sterling Malory
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Thinking of rolling my FT here, unless injuries or any suggestions for either Son or Kane?

          Martinez
          Chillwell Cresswell KWP
          Salah Son Bruno Grealish
          DCL Kane Bamford
          P-F Lamptey Stephens Mitchell

        • camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          PVA worth a punt over nxt few fixtures?
          Had him two seasons ago and did quiet well towards end of that season.

          1. Neeskens Under Matip
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            There may also be a case for taking a punt on van Aanholt who has really made his mark after returning to the Palace team.

            He actually finished this game top for shots in the box as well as efforts on target, his first-half persistence earning him a Fantasy assist.

          2. ZeBestee
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yes. Thinking of bringing him in for Dallas. Next 3 + his attacking threats could be really nice.

          3. Coys96
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yes I really like him. However, changing defenders around frequently isn't the most effective way of using your transfers, imo.

            1. camarozz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Havnt taken a hit yet this season and mostly roll a transfer so have two to play with.

              Reguilon v City next.. would be nice to swap out for PVA v BUR/NEW/WBA

          4. beric
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah definitely. Just dont think i can do the defensive transfer, too much to do up tol

        • The Ilfordian
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Has Kane scored yet?

        • Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          2 minutes in and no goals, disappointing

        • Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I wonder what minute Kane will complete his hat-trick. 30?

        • My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Wtf Son??

        • afsr
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          How was Bowen yesterday? Keep or sell to Fornals/Soucek?