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. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo is rising so fast!

    Looks like a lot are getting him in after Walker has tested positive.

  2. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Am I GTG?

    Martinez
    Dias Coufal Taylor
    Salah(C) Son Bruno Lookman Zaha
    Bamford Kane

    Button Bednarek Lamptey Delap

    1.9m itb

  3. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    WC16 musings (im doing FH18, BB19)

    Considering leaving DCL instead of getting Adams. I got DCL for 7.0 so will lose 0.5mio if I transfer him out.

    16,17 DCL plays Man City and West Ham, but Adams is not much better playing West Ham & Liverpool.

    18 I’m FHing anyway

    19 DGW Adams has much better fixtures - lei and lee, while DCL has avl

    But after 19 ...DCL has lei, new, lee next 3 while
    Adams has Ars, avl, mun

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

      I'd be tempted to keep as well.

      I'm getting rid of DCL next week though. I need a cash cow to prepare BB.

    2. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think the writing down helped. Adams has 1 easy 4 medium fixtures ... DCL has 2 easy and 2 medium ...DCL is way better player

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

    When did Coufal’s wife have the baby? Surely he’ll start Sunday?

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Join in with the others who are asking him on Twitter

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

    g2g? MERRY CHRISTMAS!

    McCarthy
    Konsa Dias Robertson
    KDB(C) Grealish Son Bruno
    Kane Bamford Rodrigo

    Nyland Bissouma Justin Taylor

  6. Ritchies Magic Hat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Dallas or Coufal to replace Lamptey?
    Can't decide who is the better pick!

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

      This week Dallas

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

    Bamford or Adams? Own Taylor btw.

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

      Adams

  8. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play:

    a) Wilson and hope for a pen

    b) Bobby Reid vs. Southampton

    both likely 2 points, but still want to field the one with best chance of a return

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

      Reid, i fancy Fulham to beat Southamton tomorrow

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

    Rodrigo captain?

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

      Why not

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Well. A leeds striker with 2 goals over salah and kdb is quite brave.

  10. royaljoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Barnes or Wood for Burnley worth getting with the fixtures or go for Bamford? Or any other 6m striker.

    I have Watkins

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Has to be Bamford

  11. tyron
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So who wants to guess the man city lineup on this Merry Christmas

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

      Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Mendy, Rodri, Gundogan, KDB, Sterling, Mahrez, Torres

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

        Interesting I think the exact same.

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

        Aguero

  12. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is cancelo now secure for next 2 starts at least?

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

      Should be

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The games are less than 48 hours apart. It will be tough. Harsh on City

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

    Do you think Coufal is gonna play or not?

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

      I guess he will miss brighton

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

      Yes- baby arrived yesterday and game is Sunday- bit of scaremongering going on here about this

  14. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Keeping BGW18 in mind who should I transfer in for James this week. Plan is to transfer out in GW19.

    A) Clyne vs Villa (average fixtures till 19)
    B) Holding vs Chelsea (great fixtures post Che)
    C) Ampadu vs Everton (decent fixtures till 19)

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

      Those are all awful. Are you really committed to getting a guy for GW18?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I know Camzy but do not want to use the FH in 18 and want to get at least 8 playing. Hence.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          A cack player scoring 1 or 2 every week isnt going to be better than a decent player who scores nothing in gw18.

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

            This. It's not how many you have, it's who you have.

            1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Have Dallas and Coufal. The other three are James, Lewis and Mitchell. Need to ship James and Mitchell out. Plan is to get two playing def for GW18. Save 2 Fts for GW19 and get one fodder and one DGWer.

          2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            In my H2H cash ML, the margins are mostly 1 or 2 points. Every point makes a difference. Do not want to miss out.

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

          I'd rather focus on the now.

          I'd bring in Taylor. He will score well over the next 3 games. Is nailed. And MIGHT have a game in GW18 vs United if they game is rescheduled for there.

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Makes sense Camzy. Thanks. Do you think one of the Southampton boys is an option too? KWP maybe.

      2. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Have to agree.

        I mean, an average fixture for arsenal is a defeat right?

        A decent fixture for sheff utd is also a defeat.

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

      James would need to prove his fitness before I would get him back.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I am not planning to get him back. Need a 4.5 or below def to replace him this GW.

  15. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With Walker out with covid, what's the chances that Cancelo will still be rested?

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

      Low not many options there

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think he will rest one of the next two games

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

    My team was never setup well to get through 18 but I don’t like the fixtures so I never wanted to FH.
    I have come up with this plan - obviously no WC
    I have looked at BB too but it involves too many hits. This plan tries to have players with decent fixtures before and after 18 and 19 while minimizing hits.

    Current team

    Mendy

    Robertson Dier Diaz

    Salah Bruno KDB Grealish Soucek

    Watkins Bamford

    Forster Coufal Brewster Bernardo

    GW 16
    Grealish and Watkins to
    Son and Barnes for a hit

    GW18 with 2 FT
    Barnes and Robertson
    To Wilson and Cancelo
    7 out if I count Brewster

    GW19

    Wilson and Cancelo
    To
    Antonio (if fit) and Robertson
    Giving 8 dgwers and Dier for the bench if I play Coufal over Dier.
    I really don’t holding KDB and Son as sgwers in 19
    If you have read this far I would love some feedback 🙂

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

      Both AV out along with Barnes in won’t end well imo

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

        Thanks for the reply.
        I totally get what you are saying.
        Those moves for 16 are totally based on fixtures from 16 to 19
        And Villa’s are so bad.
        I don’t have Kane either so I don’t want to go into this run without Son. I really can’t see me losing KDB or Bruno to get Son. KDB medium to long term fixture are just too good and Bruno keeps bringing in the points.

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

        I will look at some options that keep Grealish as he does have fixtures from 20 onwards
        One I looked at was Firminio instead of Son. Thanks again.

  17. citizenkane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell or James likely to return sooner? If you had to hold one of these two in hope of returning for 19 (or hopefully even sooner), who would it be?

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

      James but I think both will return at the same time.

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

      Chilwell still played for a while after the injury, I think he’ll be back in a week

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

        So did Jota.

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

    With Coufal in my starting XI and Reece and Lewis on the bench, should I just do Reece -> Matip with an FT just in case?

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

      I’m almost certain Coufal will start. So no need to waste a transfer

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Easy GTG?

    Martinez
    Robo/Coufal/Dallas
    Salah(c)/Bruno/Son/Grealish
    Vardy/DCL/Bamford

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

      For sure. GL

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

        U too!

  20. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Coufal Robertson Targett
    Soucek Salah(c) Kdb Penandes Raphinha
    Kane Bamford
    X Konsa Taylor X

    Gtg?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Good enough

  21. tyron
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So I have Torres..yes I know horrible punt. But may boxing day be my lucky day?

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

      For sure. Man City players can be risky to own but can deliver huge in any game week

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

        Plan to rid soon but with the jesus news I'm wondering if it's a hold now

  22. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I still have my first wildcard and here is my current team

    ————McCarthy————
    —Dias Zouma Robertson—
    -Salah Bruno Son Soucek-
    ————Kane DCL————
    Subs: C. Taylor, Fodder x 3

    0.0 ITB, WC, FH and BB available

    Any suggestions what I should do please?

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

      Perfect for now

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Good. But not good enough to play with 10 every week.

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

        Now I understand your comment. Haha!!

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

      You get a free shot.
      Not much you can do tbh.

  23. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I love how you a DGW makes people pick players they'd never pick otherwise all season. Players who barely return anything ever are expected to get double figures

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Duffy (TC)

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

      That’s a brilliant comment mate and I completely agree.

      Despite current form which is hardly great anyway, I would never consider West Ham or Leeds players but somehow the FPL community is making me think otherwise...

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

      Even average players get 4 points on average so you would be surprised if they pop up with 8 points in 2 games

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

      Yeah for sure but flip side is you can get lucky and haul with these guys. I have hit 185 off a BB .I don’t remember what I got the other times I played it - some 110 and 120’s I think.

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

        Yes but that was when Man City, Man United, Arsenal (when they used to be good), Liverpool, Chelsea all had a double gameweek together and there were plenty of great picks to choose from. For GW19, we are considering to bring in Raphinha, Bamford, Coufal, Johnstone who are substandard players

  24. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I've now lost Walker which means my team having used my 1 FT for this week is

    Martinez (4.0)
    Lewis Dier Targett (Walker) (Lamptey)
    Zaha KDB Mahrez Son (Gros)
    Bamford DCL Werner

    Option A-Walker to Cancelo -4

    Option B-Free Hit
    McCarthy 4.0
    Targett Dallas Balbuena (Mitchell Douglas)
    Torres Sterling KDB Mane Salah
    McGoldrick Bamford (brewster)

    only worry is how nailed on is balbuena, obviously my sub defenders won't play so really need those starting 3 to start!

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A
      You would seriously free hit just cause Walker is out?

      1. baines is god
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        cus my team has no Liverpool coverage, Mahrez isn't a guaranteed starter and i wanna get up the rankings to maintain interest until the end of the season

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          But more valuable in another week.
          If you still have WC1 I'd just do that.

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

      Dont waste free hit

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

    Question ?
    with WC afther this gw. Am i have to get rid of dias and de bruyne ??

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

      Why?

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

        Beceuse if i remove de broune could find cash for robertson maybe..

        Fh18 and triple captain gw19 something like that ?

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn't but you can if you want

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

      lose Dias, easy to buy back in later if you want him. Keep KDB or at least an easy way to get him back in

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

    Zouma to Dias good move? Got no other pressing issues

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

    Best Chilwell replacement?

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      depends on rest of team and double and blank plans

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

        Kinda Stuck

        2FT 0.0 ITB

        Martinez
        Chilwell, KWP, Dias, Coufal, Kilman
        Grealish, Bruno, KdB, Salah, Soucek
        Bamford, DCL, Watkins

        1. BOATIES FC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          team doesn't look like you are going to BB in 19 so build to gw18 players and free hit 19? if so a defender that will play in 18

    2. tyron
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo or Taylor

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

      Dias.

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

    Dallas sure is popular. But he won't be getting back to back goals all the time.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Agreed. Now I have decided not to bench boost might well dump (had since GW5 so I think probably had the best out of him)

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Probably go and score more now hehe

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

        You should keep imo

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Strike while the iron is hot, ha?

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Playing in Midfield sometimes and with their fixtures, i can’t see why he wouldn’t still get chances

  29. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez
    TAA Robbo Dias
    Salah (c) KDB (v) Bruno Soucek
    DCL Bamford Adams
    Steer Ayling Reed Dunne

    Would u rather till gw 20 go:

    A: KDB (eve, che, CRY) and Salah triple captain gw19
    B: Son ( ful, LEE, shu) Bench boost gw19 (Mendy, Cresswell, Ayling & Reed) -4

    Maybe I'm overthinking it....

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

      B

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

        B

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

      Thanks guys. I was leaning B but needed someone else to look 🙂

      Merry Christmas

  30. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Just Lamptey to Taylor and run with it? Likely FH18. 2FT 0.4 ITB so hard to shift Mitchell too.

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Dallas Coufal (Lamptey Mitchell)
    Salah(c) Bruno KDB Son Soucek
    DCL Bamford (Davis)

    Merry Christmas all 🙂

    1. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      sounds good too me

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would make the most sense for now. Merry Christmas too, and nice side.

    3. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yep looks good man Merry Christmas

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

      Team is looking pretty good.

      Lamptey > Taylor yeah. I'd aim for BB19 if I were you. Consider ditching KdB in 16 to fund all your BB guys.

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

      Looks good 🙂 GL mate and Merry Christmas

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

      Merry xmas. Good move and gtg.