Feature

Merry Christmas from Fantasy Football Scout

Christmas Day is finally upon us, although perhaps not in the form many of us expected.

In years gone by, I have written these Christmas messages with references to Fantasy Premier League managers pulling themselves away from FPL content to spend more time with their family and friends.

But it would be naive of me to assume all of you have the opportunity to do so today.

2020 has been a generation-defining year for the people of the United Kingdom and the wider world. The global pandemic has affected all of us in different ways with subtle, often unquantifiable, nuances.

The one feeling that unites us this Christmas is heartache, as we all strive to adapt to life in an ever-changing world.

Football has not gone unscathed, as we all know. Fantasy managers can consider themselves lucky to have the sport in our lives still, but it has been forced to endure most of the year without the presence of its most important component: the fans.

And, of course, due to recent changes, many of us are now unable to see our nearest and dearest on the most important day of the year.

So, to anyone who has not been able to enjoy a sorely-needed Christmas celebration with family and friends, I say this: We feel your pain. You are not alone in this fight.

I know these crumbs of comfort cannot replace the things many of you have lost this year, especially on Christmas Day. There is only so much Fantasy Football Scout can do to battle the ongoing crisis but, if providing a healthy distraction from all the doom and gloom makes a difference in your lives, then I will be very proud.

To business, then.

As you know, the Gameweek 15 deadline looms large on Boxing Day morning, which is why the full array of Fantasy content is already up on the site.

Make sure you head to the Complete Guide to Gameweek 15 tab at the top of the page to find everything you need.

It is not long until the first Wildcard deadline passes – and don’t forget to set your plans in place for Blank Gameweek 18, Double Gameweek 19 and your chip strategy.

That just leaves me to pass on my gratitude to some key individuals.

Once again, deputy editor Neale Rigg has been an invaluable resource. You are all probably tired of my comparing him to N’Golo Kanté, but until we get another Premier League player renowned for doing the dirty work and mopping up in midfield as well as the Chelsea man, you will all have to make do!

Commercial director Chris James and community manager Geoff Dance continue to help the site develop behind the scenes and push forward to bright new things in 2021.

Head of content, Paul McKinnon, Will Timbers (or TopMarx) and Ted (Rotation) are also key members of fulfilling a number of key Fantasy Football Scout responsibilities – who all have my thanks too.

We have also enjoyed the help of Sam Bonfield and Ian Archer in developing our presence on social media. The pair have taken our Twitter and Instagram accounts to new heights with their vision and execution in 2020.

Video manager Andy Mears has had the same effect on our YouTube content during his first full campaign at Fantasy Football Scout.

We should also thank Gianni Butticè for spearheading our Matchday Live content, with the help of Seb, Toby and Lee. And we cannot forget host of the Scoutcast and captaincy videos: the long-serving Joe Lepper.

The editorial output has grown this season too. Andy, Az, Holly, Luke, Sam, Simon, Tom, Pranil and Utkarsh have all continued to provide excellent Pro Pundits articles – and we are delighted to have added Fábio Borges, Darren Wiles and the great Mark Sutherns to that list in 2020/21.

David Wardale, Jan Sienkiewicz, Colm Hayes and Marc Jobling all deserve praise for ticking key editorial boxes while Karam Tayser has done a great job in helping us reach new audiences this year with his translation of our content into Arabic.

And, of course, I would like to express gratitude to the moderators, who all perform the thankless task of managing our community at ground level every day.

The list of people contributing to the site behind the scenes continues to grow. To these individuals, you know who are you and you have my thanks.

I hope you all have as Merry a Christmas as the current restrictions allow. Good luck in Gameweek 15!

1,786 Comments Post a Comment
  1. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James replacement:

    A taylor
    B dallas
    C other - up to 5.6
    D kdb, james => robbo, raphina (-4)

    McCarthy
    Coufal Dier Targett (James, Mitchel)
    Son KDB Bruno Salah (Soucek)
    DCL Bamford Adams
    1FT, 0.4

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

      I like your team as is.
      Save this gameweek and then do D next week for free?
      You'll also have KdB for the Newcastle game.

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Problem is no bench really... in terms of defenders.. this is risky going into xmas

    2. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      depends on your chip strategy, but B look best

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks.
        Fh18, 19bb

  2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    You there, boy! What tier is this?

    1. Fit of Pique
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Brilliant

  3. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 3 months ago

      My last two defensive transfers

      James in

      Coufal in

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Congrats

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

        +1.

    • diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DGW19.

      BB with 3 SGWs (being Leno, Dias, Kane) or TC Salah?

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why will you bench Kane?

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Does it matter?

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

          I wouldn't. But he is a SGW player.

          DGWs if I don't bench the above would be Johnstone, KWP, Justin, Soucek.

      2. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        BB

      3. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        BB

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

        Thanks all.

      5. Davros
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Bb

      6. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        bb

    • C_G
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Am i GTG? 0 FTs, 0.3 ITB, took a -4 for this team.

      Mendy

      Taylor Cresswell KWP

      KDB Salah(c) Bruno Soucek

      DCL Kane Watkins

      Forster Mitchell Lamptey Riedwald

    • youzef
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best 3 to start from below?
      Wilson
      Taylor
      Soucek
      Aurier
      Watkins

    • Pepeye
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Update City training has Dias & Stones in defence, KDB & Gundogan in, Jesus upfront, Ake not training

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Mahrez?

        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes what about mahrez?

      2. Muscout
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        What about Cancelo?

      3. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Which eye are you ? wheres Mahrez ?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          The browneye

          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            What I thought 😆

            1. Debauchy
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Then again Pep has 3 of them , browneyes

    • Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Areola
      PVA Dallas Dier
      Salah KDB Bruno Mahrez
      Richarlison Wilson Bamford

      Lamptey Stephens 3.9

      2 FT . 0.3 ITB. Building for 18 and FHing 19

      Any suggestions? Need to bench Wilson.

      Lamptey> Stones and save the other transfer to get in Son next week on mind.

      Thoughts??

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

        Lamptey >> Stone looks solid imo

        1. Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers

    • Jdpz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Play
      a) Justin
      b) Taylor

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

        A

      2. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        B

    • Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hi all start cresswell or kwp?

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

        Cress

    • FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Konsa >> ?? worth a hit

      Y or N ?

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

        First sub?

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

          Chilwell then Stephens then Douglas do a weak bench...

          Relying on a Konsa start ugh

      2. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No Sire .. not worth a hit. Unless its for Robbo or someone. Mind to give your thoughts above?

      3. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Only if you have no sub replacement

    • Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Good to go lads?

      Martinez
      Robbo Coufal Taylor
      KDB Grealish Son Bruno Salah
      Adams Bamford

      4m - Lamptey Mitchell Brewster

      0FT 0.4m ITB

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Coufal might be out so you need backup for that

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

          Worth a hit?

    • drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Did chilwell > coufal lol

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

        Same!

        The West Ham match is Sunday, so I reckon he plays... fingers crossed!

    • TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A. Get Dias now (which means playing sub 5,4m mid in gw 18)

      B. Get Stones or Dier now (which means playing up to 6,3 mid in gw 18, prob Podence)

      Thanks

    • Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mancity predicted lineup i hope is this

      Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Sterling; Jesus

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Can’t see Mendy playing. Pep doesn’t like him

        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          U have cancelo?

      2. jay01
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Walker and jesus covid 19 positive

    • jay01
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Coufals wife has had a baby this morning. He surely wont play this weekend?

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Course he will

        1. jay01
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Paternity leave? Xmas fixtures so makes sense to be rested for one anyway?

          1. Ron_Swanson
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Footballers don’t get Paternity leave. She will be back at home later today or tomorrow and the game is 2 days away, and they’re at home in a winnable game. He could be home by 5pm

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

        He might. He might not

      3. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Goal with ‘baby rocking’ celebration

      4. Davros
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        60-40 he plays I reckon, but wouldn’t be bringing him in now

    • youzef
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best 3 to start and play from below?
      Wilson
      Taylor
      Soucek
      Aurier
      Watkins

    • FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Happy Xmas guys!!

      Martinez
      Robertson Cancelo Dallas Coufal
      Salah Son KDB Grealish
      DCL Bamford

      Forster Soucek Brewster Ferguson

      1 FT, 2.9 itb

      Is this good to go?

      Thanks

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

        wouldn't be opposed to brewster to adams

        1. Davros
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Consider this

      2. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Where is your Konsa?

    • Jdpz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will Konsa play against Crystal Palace?
      Is Konsa to Dallas (or best def under 4.7m) worth a hit?

    • CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Happy Xmas all.

      Would you mind letting me know what you think of this potential FH draft for gw18. Thanks.

      Leno
      Walker - Reguilon - Holgate
      Sterling - KDB - Auba - Son - Neto
      DCL - Wilson

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Rather have Grealish than Auba

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Rather have Jon Obi Mikel than Auba

      2. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Aubamalamayangdang

      3. CONNERS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ha. I get the Auba out message. Will get Kane instead perhaps and switch to 343. Or Grealish maybe.

        Thanks

    • olly:)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Walker and Gabriel Jesus have tested positive for COVID-19

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Wow .

    • Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Presume the City games goes ahead with Jesus and Walker testing positive?

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Probably. Cancelo nailed

      2. olly:)
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        yes i assume by the way it’s been reported the rest of the squad and staff have tested negative so should be all ok.

    • Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hoping to turn my 8 straight green arrows into 9 this weekend. Would make for a good Christmas.

    • DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lamptey Chilwell Coufal Kilman Dallas.
      What a defense.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Or lack thereof.

    • Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Walker and Gabriel Jesus positive for COVID-19

      https://twitter.com/RobHarris/status/1342425727619235840?s=19

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

        Cancelo nailed then.

    • asdf_1
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Breaking: Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker have tested positive for Covid-19, plus two members of #ManCity staff.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Oh dear , who's next....

    • RVP 20
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Merry Christmas all!

      Can i get some help on my situation..
      Currently i have only 5 players for BGW 18... is the FH way to go.. and then probably TC or BB in DGW 19??

      1. Davros
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes

    • Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What is Aguero's price?

      1. olly:)
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        10.3

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

        Do you not play fantasy on the fpl site?

    • seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Merry Christmas guys!

      Is this gtg and anything worth a hit?

      Martinez
      TAA, Robertson, Coufal
      Salah, Son, Grealish, Bruno
      DCL, Bamford, Watkins

      Johnstone, R.James, Mitchell, Burke

    • Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo is a nailed On option now that Walker has tested positive(May he have a quick recovery).