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. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hope everyone’s having a good Christmas

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You too fella 🙂

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

      back at you - Merry Xmas to all

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

    All set? Happy holidays.

    Martinez
    Dallas Coufal Matip
    KDB(V) Bruno Salah(C) Son
    Bamford Adams DCL

    Steer Bednarek Taylor Bissouma

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

      Yeah nice team

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very nice

    3. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Gtg Merry Christmas!

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

      G2g

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

      Cheers all. Wish you the best.

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

    Dias to TAA/Robbo worth it for free?

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

      Yes, if you have no other issues, but thats unlikely

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

        No other issues i dont think

        McCarthy
        Coufal Dias Targett
        Son KDB Salah (C) Fernandes Podence
        DCL Bamford

        4mill Taylor Justin Brewster

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

          If you are fh 18, Podence to Raphinha seems better

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

      Why are you selling Dias 😮

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

        Only way to afford TAA/Robbo

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

    Martinez
    Lamptey Justin Dias
    Salah (C) Son Bruno Grealish Pulisic
    Bamford Kane

    Steer, Taylor, Brewster, Mitchell

    A) Lamptey > Dallas (FT)
    B) Lamptey & Pulisic > TAA & Raphinha (-4)

    Asked earlier on but only got 1 reply so hopefully a fresh perspective here lol

    1. Sasquatch Slayer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      I like A

    3. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lamptey to Coufal

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

        Yeah was gonna do him instead of Dallas but nervous now with latest rumours.

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      What is your strategy for GW 18 and 19?

      B could pay that -4 back over the coming weeks.

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

        FH 18 and TC Salah 19.

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

          Then I would do it.

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

      A

  5. Sasquatch Slayer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Berba (C)

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

    The defense is crippled:

    *Chilly *Lamptey *Mitchell Justin Dallas

    Thinking of Chilwell out for a hit:

    Dias
    Stones
    Cancelo?

    Who to transfer in? Remember I don't have bench defender the transfer in has to play. I am gambling on the Pep roulette and not feeling confident at all.

    Please advise

    1. Sasquatch Slayer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo

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

        Pep might play Zinchenko at right back

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

          He will not. He still wants to win games, remember xD

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

            He can win with Zinc boy no? 🙂

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

    Merry Christmas everyone!

    Thanks for all the tips,suggestions, and info!

  8. JohnnyRev7
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on these moves...

    1. Turkey cooked and resting.
    2. Roast potatoes in duck fat in the oven .
    3. Veggies simmering at minimal heat.
    4. As a differential, homemade yorkies in in about 30mins.
    5. Pigs in blankets in for 20mins when everything is starting to look good.
    6. Homemade gravy from the turkey juices (heavy on the garlic, thyme and lemon). Didn't want to do a -4 by using Bisto.

    GTG?

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

      6

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

      Very template. Try some cauliflower cheese as a differential.

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

      Bench no.3

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

    Worth selling DCL to get TAA/Robbo?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not this GW

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

        +1

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

      What would the options be?

      DCL to who? And what defender to TAA/Robbo?

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

        Lamptey to Robbo/TAA
        DCL to Brewster (Soucek will start)

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

          Hmm, personally no. I'd just do Lamptey to Dallas/Coufal.

  10. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Please i need your help since I'm struggling to use my 2 ft's and 0.4 itb

    Martinez
    Robertson-Coufal-Dallas
    Son-KDB-Grealish-JWP
    Kane-DCL-Vardy

    Steer-Taylor-Bissouma-Lewis

    Lewis-JWP > Cancelo-Soucek?
    any suggestion appreciated...

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

      Get the King

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

        any hint how?

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          KDB JWP to Salah Soucek

  11. Angelic upstart
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best one week defender punt ?

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

      Cancelo TAA Robbo

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

      If money no object it's Trent or Robbo.

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

      Robbo TAA or a bit cheaper I'd go Yerry Mina

  12. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With Coufal confirmed out who to bring in?

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

      He is not confirmed out

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This. Coud easily play aswell

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Where'd you hear this?

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

      Wow

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Huh??

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

      Why do you guys fall for bait so easily 😆

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

        What bait? Did he actually just got a baby? Then there is no bait right?

    6. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He's gonna play don't be silly.

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Lets hope

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

          He’s obviously going to play

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

            Not obvious with a new sproglet but certainly not confirmed out either

    7. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I googled it earlier and the other thing I could confirm was his missus is a stunner.

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

      This post should be deleted as not true

  13. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If I take total of -12 hit between gws 16-19 I could field 11 dgw players. Not sure it is worth it.

    In that case Salah (tc) in gw19 better option?

    1. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      -12 on bench boost I neither here nor there TC and get 11 doublers

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Tc chip + 9 dgw players looks better option imo

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      To clarify was set to use bb in gw19 but to take fully advantage it would require multiple hits

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Tc Salah the best option. Personally I’m fh in 19. That way I can keep the team I have that’s set for many weeks to come.

        1. S.Kuqi
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          How are you planning to deal gw18?

          I'm pretty much forced to free hit gw18. Altough I could get 7 bgw player with one hit.

  14. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any chance DCL doesn’t play this weekend? On WC and may sell after this week anyways

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

      Ancelotti: "I think, not for the first game [v Sheffield United in GW15] but for the second game [v Manchester City in GW16], we are going to rotate the players."

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This is beautiful news mate. Thank you

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not against Manchester
      City of Carlo is to be believed.

  15. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell to dallas -4

    Or

    Play taylor

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Taylor

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

      easy Taylor

    3. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Taylor

  16. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy
    Dias - Coufal - Taylor
    Salah (C) - Fernandes - Son - Soucek
    Kane - Vardy - Bamford

    Forster - Justin - Burke - Mitchell

    0.9 in the bank.

    Chances of Dias & Coufal starting? Thanks

  17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufal

    Cleansheet + assist + goal + Bebeto baby celebration confirmed for Sunday

    1. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dat guy welbz to ruin the party

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lovely. Can’t wait. Otherwise is a 0 for me as I have no bench.

  18. Shafinology
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo or Dias as Chilwell replacement?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Keep

    2. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Went Diaz two days ago, kinda regret it now with the Covid news

    3. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo

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

      Dias- no point in keeping Chilwell as even if misses only 2 games then has City followed by blank so not sure why someone advises you should keep

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

        Can easily return against city
        Dgw after blank

        Many are keeping

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

        Thanks. I can't afford to keep Chilwell coz I still have Kilman & Mitchell. Cancelo was back on my thought bcz of Walker news & also 0.2 cheaper. But Dias is better pick for long run ig.

  19. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My provisional GW19 squad is full of players with 2 matches. Only 3 have single matches:
    Cancelo
    Son
    DCL

    What is the best chip to play here? Best to BB or TC?

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

      Cancelo, Son and Dcl would be one hell of a bench for a BB despite only having a sgw

      1. AC Yew
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yep leaning this way. Was also considering TC Salah vs Man U and Burnley but thats a tasty looking bench!

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

    How’s this looking? Lewis to Cancelo for -4. No WC so should probably be looking to maximise double week players so would you get Dallas over Cancelo?

    Martinez
    Cancelo* Dias Robertson
    Salah (c)KDB Bruno Son Raphinha
    Watkins Bamford

    Forster Coufal Brewster Mitchell

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

      play Coufal surely? Great team mate

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

        Cheers- would you get Dallas over Cancelo with week 19 in mind and bench him ? Or is the upside in Cancelo worth getting him over Dallas ?

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

          Walker's confirmed out - play Cancelo

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

          I don't think the hit is worth it this week when you can play Coufal and bench Lewis?

    2. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would Coufal over Watkins which is what I'm doing, no returns from Watkins since I bought him lol.

  21. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Whats the drawback of Freehitting in GW19? (Have TC and BB left too but no 1st WC)

    I own Martinez, Dias, Dier, Lamptey, Grealish, Son, KDB and I plan to get Stones in for Mitchell this gw and Kane in next gw.

    Surely, the upside of FHing in dgw19 is higher as I plan of getting 11 dgwers, can also good 1 week punts who I would usually not get like Vardy, Mane, double WHM def and probably Rashford, whilst keeping Kane, Son and co and not spending hits in the hockey cockey.

    Thoughts?

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

      You can't use it in BGW29

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

        Yup that's about the size of it.

    2. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is my plan certainly - minimal disruption if you are pretty happy with your side and have value in players you want to keep longer term like Grealish who has great fixtures upto31 post dgw.

  22. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you transfer chilwell out or leave him in and let Justin come in on your bench?

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Transfee him out

  23. KEN YA DIG IT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Scenes when Coufal starts and grabs a goal and cleansheet.
    Hopefully I will be here for it

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

      Chilwell starts and hauls would be way funnier 🙂

  24. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Walker covid makes Cancelo nailed?

    They have no other RBs?

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Zinny moght be play there

    2. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      yeah cancelo at rb 100 percent , mendy / zinchenko at lb will be rotated

  25. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Boxing day football cometh! Good luck everyone!

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      GL too Bobby

  26. nadman89
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    thinking of doing chilwell+vardy to firmino + taa and already have robertson , is that enough cover for salah or should i just bite the bullet and take -4 for salah

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

      Salah must have, dnt trust Firmino

  27. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Had Vardy this time last year and Coufal now. From now on I'm only picking jaffas and players who've had vasectomies for my Christmas FPL squad.

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

    Neeed James replacement:

    A cancelo
    B dallas

    I plan to fh18, bb19

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

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dias? I’m torn on Dallas. Can’t decide if he’s a good or bad pick haha. Cancelo could be a good pick too.

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

        0.1 short to get dias..

  29. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    One last quick one...

    Dallas >> Dier on WC? Or keep the 0.4ITB.

    McCarthy
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal
    Salah(C), KDB(v), Bruno, Raphinha
    DCL, Bamford, Adams
    (Johnstone, Soucek, Dallas, C.Taylor)

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

      keep

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

      Dallas.

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

      Keep dallas

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sorted, cheers

  30. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best 1GW punt before WC?

    A: Firmino
    B: Martial
    C: DCL
    D: Watkins
    E: Haller
    F: Welbeck
    G: Bamford
    H: Wood

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

      Firmino by far for me

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

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

      C

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

      Bobby

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

      Bobby.

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

      C

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

      Firmino

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

      Stirling

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

      Sterling or mane

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Only strikers