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. youzef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play Taylor or Aurier?
    Play Watkins or Soucek?

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

      Aurier, Watkins

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

    Robertson Dias Coufal Lewis* Mitchell*

    Plan FH 18 and TC Salah week 19 so probably rules out B and D but happy to play as single game players in 19

    Best option for Lewis or Mitchell over next few games from

    A Dallas
    B Dier
    C Lindelof
    D Stones or Cancelo

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

      D Cancelo

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

    My entire team is out. Coufal, Cancelo, James, Mitchell, Lamptey, Jesus...

    Merry Christmas from the FPL Gods...

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

      Walker not Cancelo

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That’s rough mate!

      Worth a hit or two rather than wasting a chip though

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

      Why is Coufal out?

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

        His partner just gave birth so rumoured paternity leave.

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

          Bloody hell

          1. Lev Yashin
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Yes, the placenta exploded.

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

              Nice

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

      Coufal not out

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

      Damn. Time to go to 'Hit City'

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

      It's not April yet.
      The funny thing is that most believed you.
      If you had Chilwell instead of Cancelo and no Jesus, it might have been believable.

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

        I have all of those players except walker

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

        Also very naughty of you to use your downvote mod power!

  4. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With only 1 playing sub and 0FT, would you stick with this team or take a hit on anything?

    0FT 0.2itb
    Martinez
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal, KWP
    Salah (C), KDB, Bruno, Son
    Bamford, Adams
    (Forster) (Wilson, Stephens, Branthwaite)

    Cheers and Happy Xmas!

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Stick with it mate. Good much and merry Christmas

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks mate and to you!

  5. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which is a more safer transfer ?
    Stones or Dias

    1. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Chilwell replacement

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Stones safer this week. Dias better

    3. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dias.
      Stones is a risk of losing his place to Laporte I would say.

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

      Dias

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

      I’m tempted by Cancelo now with Walker out

    6. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dias, but woudnt be suprised if Ake and Laporte start coz u never know with Pep.

  6. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Worried about Pep Roulette, might just end up getting Dier

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

      Hehe, see Your point

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

    2FT, 1.5 itb

    Walker and Chilwell -> ???

    (have Zouma, Dallas and Taylor)

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo and Stones

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

        Stones nailed?

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

          Yes playing like a champ

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

      Matip and Dias/Cancelo

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

        Thanks

  8. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Walker and Jesus out with Covid-19?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo nailed

  9. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kun fit and raring to go is worth a FH consideration

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

      Id wait on that.

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

      Yeah but he isn't fit and raring to go to be fair. Wouldn't be surprised if he's benched and Torres or Sterling start striker tomorrow.

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

      I'm thinking of whether to FH Kun in for GW 18... tasty fixture vs BHA

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

    Best 5.9 m striker who plays GW18? Cant believe my choices are Lord Benteke OR Lord Welbeck.

    Areola
    PVA Dallas Dier
    Salah KDB Bruno Mahrez
    Richarlison Wilson Bamford

    Lamptey 3.9

    2 FT. 0.3 ITB

    Benching Wilson. Thinking of Lamp Rich> Cancelo Benteke.

    Allows Mahrez> Son next week.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Welbeck

    2. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fabio Silva

  11. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas everyone 🙂

    G2G?

    Martinez
    TAA Dallas Coufal
    KDB Salah Son Bruno Bowen
    DCL Bamford

    (Steer, Justin Brewster Mitchell)
    0FT 0ITB

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

    Chilwell and Wilson to Trent and Rodrigo/Haller?

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes with Rodrigo.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not a fan of the FW options

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

      Adams?

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

        Already got Adams

  13. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Taylor or Balbuena?

    They will play now till dgw

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd go Balbuena. Better DGW fixtures. I might be priced out of Coufal so will likely get Balbuena myself.

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

        He said now till dgw. Overall Burnley have a better defence and have better fixtures till the double and could easily keep clean sheet in double against west ham as well. So Taylor.

  14. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best cover for Coufal.

    Balbuena or Alioski

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Prefer Balbuena.

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

      Balbuena

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sub?

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah

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

          How long might he be out for? I'm very reluctant to sell but Vestergaard is doubtful too. Reminds me of Keano and Keane story.

          https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUj7ABgOXl0

          1. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Is Coufal out?

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

              Don't know. His partner had a baby. Wait for update I suppose. Anyways, congratulations to both of them and their newborn.

              1. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Congratulations, but the baby could have been born on the eve of a game vs Liverpool/City 🙂

                But did Moyes said anything conclusive about him being rested?

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

                  Don't know, nothing on usual media, just announcement of arrival on twitter is all I can see.

                  https://mobile.twitter.com/FPLWILSON/status/1342389476497174529

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

      B

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

    1) Grealish, Walker and Chilwell -> Son, Dias and Cancelo/Stones (-4)

    2) Walker and Chilwell -> Two of Robertson/Dias/Cancelo/Stones

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

      2. Robbo & Cancelo

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

        Matip an option?

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

      Robbo and Stones

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2 Robbo and Cancelo

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

      Trent and Cancelo

  16. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Xmas all.

    Any reasons NOT to do this for a -4? For one week only before I WC in GW16.

    Lamptey, Mahrez, Kane --> Matip, KdB, Bamford

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

      If Mahrez starts he could outscore KDB.

      Kane is obviously better than Bamford.

      Risky one IMO, esp. for - 4

  17. Cruyff Turn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play Soucek (BHA), Neto (TOT) or KWP (ful)? I already own McCarthy.

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

      KWP

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

      Soucek or KWP coin toss

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

      I'm playing Soucek - Brighton's defensive record from set pieces poor this season

  18. PaladinVargas
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Kane & Grealish > Salah & Adams (-4)?
    B) Walker & Kane > Robbo & Firmino (-4)?

    WC in 16 but going Salahless this week seems incredibly risky.

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

      A

  19. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best Leeds defender to get?

    Have 4.9 to spend and my current defenders are:

    Coufal Matip Stones Mitchell

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

      Dallas

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

    Chances of mahrez starting?

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

      60%

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

      67.5%

  21. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas All. What's this about Coufal not playing ? I just bought him last night

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

      Speculation

  22. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I have three Man City players. None of them has Covid-19 for now, but this news is almost precisely how every team's outbreak started.

    Terrifies me now. Glad all my plans are flexible, but bloody hell.

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

      Maybe Walker, Jesus and and 2 staff are a bit more terrified.

  23. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you?

    a) Bruno and PvA -> Salah and Dallas (-4pts)
    b) Bruno -> Mane
    c) Son and Kane -> Salah and Firmino (-4pts)
    d) do nothing (no Pool assets)

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Save imo

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      D

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

      why getting rid of Bruno?

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

      Only because Liverpool is playing home game against WBA and I do not have Salah..

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

        Do A!!

  24. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which duo for the long run?

    A. Zaha/Grealish + Matip
    B. Neto + Trent

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

    I brought in Coufal for James...

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      +1 and bought James for Justin GW14

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

      Chilwell>coufal here, what can you do really

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

      Do we have any news on him?

  26. cemal
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any idea if Aguero will start tomorrow?

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

      He can start sterling upfront..

  27. Aurora
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Saturday U.K. weather could play a big part in proceedings.

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

      Would you say stormy weather leads to more or less goals?

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

      ?

  28. The Greenback Boogie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Have Chilwell, Konsa and Coufal. The other 2 are Taylor and Stones. Planning to replace Chilwell with my 1 FT. Who would be the best option over the next 3 game weeks at least.

    A. Dier
    B. Matip
    C. KWP
    D. Keane
    E. Double up on city and get Dias

  29. KJT123
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL > Firmino for a one week pre-WC punt?

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

      This week?! Dcl vs sheff?

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

      Yes and keep him

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

    Start kwp or cresswell???
    Seems like saints have a few injuries, cresswell better ?

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

      Cress