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

    Aguero 5 goals vs Newcastle confirmed.

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

      Top of the page too. It's a sign.

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Or Sterling up front?

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

        Yes i feel pep wont start aguero .

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

      Ferran Torres might start with Kun eased in.

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

        No please, please dont start torres!!!! Sux upfront,

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

    James, Chilwell, Vestergaard, and now Coufal out. I give up.

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

      Who said Coufal out?

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

        wife gave birth the other day, not confirmed out tho.

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

          Oh, I am glad Coufal didn't give birth. So should be fine to play.

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

            Good one lol!

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

      Coufal?!

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

      Come on, only mention those confirmed out,

    4. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Coufal thumb ducking goal celebration on sunday confirmed

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

        Thumbed a duck did he?

        1. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Dont know about that

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      So it begins...

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes. If Jesus can test positive on Christmas Day nobody is safe !

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

          We are doomed , doomed I say !

        2. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ha ha, you made me laugh, thank you Sir

        3. Maeki2
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Best comment! 😀

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Time to get rid of KDB

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why? No I prefer Torres or Kun starting, even Sterling up top.

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo start confirmed.

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

    So tempted to get Cancelo over Dier now!!

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I went for Dias. Think I might regret it with Covid in the City squad.

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

        The rest of the squad returned a negative test. So no need to worry

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I'm thinking further ahead.

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

          How many tests did they do? Don’t you have to do more than one to be sure?

          1. davidfromkent
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            No

  4. turd ferguson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it Boxing Day yet?

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

      Why wait, get your gloves out.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is there a Boxing Day ? I normally can't remember it !

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

    Merry Xmas to all.

    Is anyone else considering no chips in 19? My current team requires FH in 18, but I have no easy route to a BB in 19 I'm happy with and I'm not crazy about the TC options either. May keep my powder dry for a BB 26 and TC in another double.

    My team for reference:

    Mendy (4.0)
    Robbo Reguilon KWP (Ayling Mitchell)
    Grealish Son Bruno Salah Soucek
    Vardy Bamford (Brewster)

    1.2 ITB probably Brewster to Rodrigo next week.

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

      I'm tempted, but only issue is BB in 26 doesn't look optimal with no FH to deal with the blank in 29. And then there's the rotation risk too

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

        That's true, but my thinking is the blank 29 is likely to be made up of bad teams as most good sides will progress in the cup. It's a gamble, but if I'm right you could muddle through with 4 or 5 players?

        I can get to 10 DGW players & Son with Grealish on my bench for 19. But to get a good BB will take at least a minus 8 along the way. I just don't see how that's worth it.

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

    All other City players ok Sterling in anyway Torres upfront?

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

      No please torres sux upfront

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

    Cancelo owners are the luckiest

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

      Not really, he's playing well.

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

    Yeah Kun can't play 90 mins so on bench. Mahrez looks certain now

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

      Hope so!

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

    Cancelo looks nailed on now till Walker is back.
    Although not sure he plays GW18 on Jan 13 with Walker back by then.

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

      Perfect if you free hit in 18 anyway!

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

        Im freehitting in 19.

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

          my condolences

  10. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one would you go for? Cheers 🙂

    A) Chilwell* > Dias
    B) Chilwell* Zaha > TAA Raphina (-4)
    C) Hold Chilwell and save

    B and C means I'll try to get together a BB in 19

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

      A or B. I wouldn't be holding Chilwell for 2 games out, city and a blank.

      If you have Zaha A could be good for no free hit 18, but don't know rest of your team.

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

        Cheers I'll free hit in 18 so Zaha is out sooner or later anyway

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

          I like B then, I think double Leeds attack is great value.

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

    Dias passed Covid test so okay

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

    A) Vardy
    B) Firmino

    Who to have over Christmas?

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

      A

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

      Firmino for the next two games. Vardy after.

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

    2 City backroom staff also fail Covid test

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

      Rest all returned a negative test. 2 players 2 staff... The game will go through.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It will but its not a good sign for those of us who have other City players.

  14. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bielsa organised a raffle in Leeds Utd for those who work in the training ground. So he gifted a TV in a canteen worker and a Volkswagen Polo (11.000 £ cost) to a kit-man.
    How not to love this guy!

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very generous, more of the high paid players should do the same.

      Bale gave £15k to a food bank, that’s like me giving a homeless person 1p, the guy is on 650K a week !

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

        It's still good of him to do it though surely?

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

        High paid players?

        Would you consider Chris Wood at Burnley, James McCarthy at Palace, Jake Clarke-Salter on loan at Birmingham high paid? Because they all earn €3m per year, more than most people earn in a lifetime.

  15. afsr
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Still have Chilwell in my team. 0FT this week and 0.0 ITB?
    Should i transfer him out this week for a (-4)? (plan to FH18 and maybe BB19)?

    Rest of defence is Cresswell, Taylor, Dallas, Mitchell

    A - Zouma (ars this week and ful, lei in DGW19)
    B - Matip (WBA this week and MUN, BUR DGW19)
    C - Vestergaard (ful this week and lei, lee in DGW19), could miss next game
    D - KwP (ful this week and lei, lee in DGW19)
    E - get Robertson next week by saving money elsewhere
    F - keep Chilwell and play Taylor this week ag Leeds

  16. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB captain and no Salah makes me worried now :/ gonna sit tight and hope for the best

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

      why? Its not like Salah will get more than one attacking return

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        In the first 5 mins 😉

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going KDB C too and no Salah.

  17. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    All those Dias Cancelo double ups will get the maximum once more...

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

      Wilson with a penalty nailed as I just sold him.

  18. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Imagine bringing in Cancelo because Walker is out and then the Man City v Newcastle game is postponed anyway.

    Think there are already at least 5 EFL games postponed on Boxing Day doe to Covid.

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

      Why would it get postponed by 2 players testing positive

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      ?

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

      Dont think it will get postponed because of 4 positive cases. The rest have a negative test apparantly

  19. Deano Jones
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My team:

    McCarthy
    Targett Cresswell Robertson
    Grealish Son Mahrez Fernandes
    DCL Kane Wilson

    Bench: Forster, Lamptey, Riedewald, Struijk

    Need advice, should I:

    (A) Sell Kane for Firmino (Free)
    or
    (B) Sell Kane and Mahrez for Salah and Bamford (-4)

  20. shapply
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Don't know what to do with 2FT and 0.1itb. Any suggestions?
    Chilwell to Dias or something?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Cresswell, Cancelo, Taylor (Chilwell, Bernardo)
    Son, KDB, Soucek, Salah (M. James)
    Bamford, DCL, Kane

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

      could do something like that and use the change to upgrade one of your fodder to a gw19 player but depends on your plans for that

      1. shapply
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        yeah, sounds good

  21. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With Coufal having a Xmas baby decided to put him first on the bench?

    Does this setup look correct?

    Martinez
    Zouma, Robbo, Stones
    Bruno, Son, Grealish, Salah C
    Kane, Bamford, Adams

    Forster, Coufal, Dallas, Soucek

    .6

    Plan FH18 & BB19

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd not bench Coufal because of baby

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Who sits out then ??

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

        His starting defenders are better anyways. He can bench Coufal.

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Neh, I'd have a rethink mate....

      🙂

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

      Really strong bench, think you're G2G but I'd put Soucek ahead of Dallas.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ta

    4. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ah got it now. I'd put Soucek first on the bench

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

      Who did you have benched then?

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        50/50 Zouma or Coufal.

        Ars might nick a goal?

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

          I see now. I'd definitely start Zouma anyway

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

    Mahrez should start?

    1. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      On the bench

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

        Thenwho u think will start? Bench 3 premier games? Nah

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

          He's been benched 4 times in a row before. It's nothing new

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

    GTG?

    Mendy
    James, Cresswell, Dallas
    Son, Salah (C), Bruno, Grealish
    Firmino, Dcl, Bam

    Taylor, Anguissa, Lamppost

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

      Good team. Other than Lamptey.

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is James fit?

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

        maybe, assuming not but don't want to bench him and then he plays, he'll either play 60 mins+ or nothing I would assume

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

    Who are your DGW19 enablers?

    Mine are likely to be:

    WBA: Johnstone
    LEE: Raphinha, Bamford
    WHM: Coufal, Soucek
    SOU: KWP, Adams

    Don't like the look of Burnley, Fulham, Leicester for the DGW.

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

      If you're bench boost then add Balbuena to the list, double West ham defence looks great for 19

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

      atm i have

      Dallas, Bamford, Taylor, and cresswell

      will look to bring in Johnstone, Adams and maybe double up on WH defence as my last 3 transfers before DGW

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah pretty much those. Considering Taylor too

    4. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy would be a good pick, but not an enabler

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

      And which big hitters do you plan to have for dgw 19?

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

        Salah, Fernandes, Robbo, Kane and one other 7.5-8.0m mid or forward.

  25. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas all!

    Any thoughts on what to do here?
    1 FT 0.3 ITB

    Martinez
    Dias Coufal Dallas
    Salah KDB Grealish Bruno Soucek
    DCL Bamford

    Steer Wilson James* Justin

  26. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which do you prefer?
    A) TAA and son
    B) James (when fit) and kdb

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

      A all day.

  27. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Dier + Chilwell > CTaylor + TAA -4 done. Fancy Trent’s form to turn now. Liverpool looking good! Didnt want to lose Dier but lets be honest besides CS points he isn’t a great option

  28. VincentVega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like we dont have to worry about Cancelo not starting! Walker / Jesus got the Lurgy!!

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

    McCarthy
    Chilwell Cancelo Coufal
    Salah KDB Bruno JWP Soucek
    Kane DCL

    Steer Brewster J.Lewis Branthwaite

    0.2 itb, no FT, Preparing for DGW19 so want to keep Chilwell

    A) save and hope for a starting 11, Cancelo should be nailed now! And surely Coufal will still play?
    B) make a transfer ASAP (who to get?) although don’t fancy a -4