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. Aaron P
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Rashford or Mahrez this week?

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

      Rashford

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Neither

  2. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1FT 0.4 ITB

    Martinez (Steele)
    James Dallas Taylor (Lewis Struijk)
    Salah Bruno KDB Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL (Brewster)

    Planning to save FT, good to go?

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

      Gtg

  3. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Happy Xmas everyone!

    WC next week..Who to SELL for Salah this week?

    A. Son (have Kane)
    B. KDB
    C. Bruno

    Who to BUY for Chilwell?
    1. Dias
    2. Cancelo
    3. Matip
    4. Anyone up to 6.2

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

      A2

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B3

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A1 (caught in the middle)

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

      B3

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

    What’s the plan for teams that are set up for a bb in 19... wc soon after or just slowly downgrade bench?

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

      Slowly downgrade

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

        Wildcard around 25 for 2nd dgw

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

      Probably neither.

      More than ever there is a strong argument for good bench options, so I'll probably have some cheap enablers who can stay and cover if required.

    3. Barryyuen
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Downgrade slowly

  5. Barryyuen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Long one but please help out

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

      McCarthy Areola
      Robertson Coufal Lowton Targett Ferguson
      Salah Fernandes KDB Son Soucek
      DCL Bamford Watkins

      Planning to do
      1) Watkins to Rodrigo
      2) Targett to Balbuena
      3) Ferguson to Alioski

      0FT and 0.0ITB.

      FH in 18 and BB in 19.

      Which means I have to -4 this GW as Watkins is dropping in price now. Otherwise, I will be priced out for 2 and 3, is this the right move??? I’ll have an extra FT in 19 if I do this...

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

        You have 14 likely starters. For this reason, I don't think a -4 is necessary.

        Your plan looks fine, but so many things can change over the next 4 GWs.

        So taking a -4 now for the sake of that plan - one that involves the lowest valued members of your squad (and likely lowest scoring) isn't one I'd do personally.

  6. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who is the best Chilwell replacement? Less than 6.0 mil....

    A. Matip
    B. Stones
    C. Anyone else

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

      Cancelo

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

      A or maybe cancelo?

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

        This

    3. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Tarkowski.

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

      Dias

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

    Who to downgrade to get the cash i need to transfer Chilwell to Trent?

    Got 900k and 2FT so need to raise 400k.

    Martinez, Steer
    Chilwell, Coufal, Dias, (Lamptey, Lewis(
    Son, Salah, Bruno, Grealish, (Bissouma)
    Che Adams, Kane, Wilson

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

      Kane...

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

        I think he will be the best Captain choice GW 16 and 17 against Fulham and Leeds.

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

    A bit of kind help here please? Spent my WC so just gonna use FH in GW18 and maybe triple C in GW19.

    9.1 ITB, 1FT, ready to go -8!

    Martinez,Button
    Chilwell,Justin,KWP,Coufal,Mitchell
    KDB, Mahrez,Bruno,Soucek,Bissouma
    Wilson,Bamford,Che Adams

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

    Who to get in for Chillwell? Anyone upto 6.5.

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

      Zouma, Mings?? No idea.

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

        Already have Lamptey(inj), Dallas, Fuchs, Justin

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

          Dias

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

      I’m considering Dias

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

      Castagne? Could be a great differential in the DGW

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

      Dias

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

    Who would you bench here?
    Dallas (BUR), Targett (CRY), Coufal (BHA), or Soucek (BHA) ?

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

      Dallas

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

      Dallas

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

    Kane or Son?
    My team
    Martinez/ MacCarthy/
    Couful/ Dallas/ Balbuena/ Justin/ benerak/
    Salah/ KDB/ Bruno/ ( Grealish* or Son *) Bissouma/
    ( Kane* or DLC* ) Wilson/ Adams

  12. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why exactly is Coufal doubtful?

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

      Became farther

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

      Mrs gave birth

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

        Thanks. Good chance he'll still start though

    3. Philman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jesus!

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

      Surely he’ll still play?

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

        I would think so

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

      2 week Paternity leave..

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

      Only doubts have come from posters here- no reason, or reports that he will not start.

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

      Softies think real men will stay home because the wife gave birth

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Humane men usually do.

  13. Rushford
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy
    Chilwell* Lamptey* Taylor
    Salah Bruno KDB Mahrez Neto
    Bamford DCL

    Dead bench
    1.8 ITb 1ft

    A) Chilwell and Lamptey to Robbo and WHU def and build for DGW19. Go without spurs for whole period And FH in GW18
    B) Chilwell and Lamptey to Dias and Dier and build for BGW18. Get in Son for Mahrez next and use FH in GW19

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

      Ooh your team is right on the edge.

      I'd probably lean towards survive 18, TC Salah in 19 and save both FH and BB for later.

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

        Cheers, so for now get the city and spurs defender? And let robbo slide

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

          Yeah I think that's fine.

          I'd probably go B in your spot. Although maybe consider upgrading your dead bench over Lamptey with money ITB. He might be a useful GW18 fill slot.

          I'd plan to do the Mahrez > Son in 16, roll FT 17, 1 FT in 18 and 2 FTs in 19. TC Salah.

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

            Good shout. Would have to get a cheaper defender than dier in order to have enough cash for Son. Will consider that, thanks

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

    Zouma to Dias good move? With gw 18 in mind also.

    Got no other pressing issues

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

      Um... no?

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

      Why? Zuma playes twice in gw18 and is probably more nailed for both games than Dias

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

      Sorry thats gw 19. Still wouldn't do that move

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

      R u free hitting in 19?

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

        Yes

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

          Hmm. I guess u could do it or save the transfer.

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

    With walker now out surely Cancelo is nailed for the next three games?

    Is Chilwell to Cancelo viable?

    Or Dias/stones better?

  16. Deeney-is-a-god
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Robertson or trent and why?

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

      Robbo if you're boring, Trent if you want some fun.

      1. Deeney-is-a-god
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Good reasoning

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

    What to do?

    Martinez
    Zouma KwP Taylot
    Grealish Salah Son KdB Bruno
    Dcl Watkins
    (Brewster Lamptey Mitchell)

    0,4m in bank and will try to field 10-11 players in gw 18.

    No idea what to do - any thoughts?

  18. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo or mendy for 1 week (before WC)?

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

      Cancelo

  19. Bunk Moreland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas, fellow ffsers!

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A Jesus to Firmino
      B Jesus and Chilwell > Adams and Robbo (-4)
      C Jesus, Zaha, Chilwell > Kane, Soucek, Robbo (-8)

      Got kwp (ful) and Coufal (BRI) as first two subs.

      1. Bunk Moreland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Merry Christmas, Bunk! Looks like you’ve got quite a conundrum there . I am at a loss..

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

    Quick poll, what is your plan for gw19?

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

      FH and get 10/11 for 18 using transfers.

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

    With walker now out surely Cancelo is nailed for the next three games?

    Is Chilwell to Cancelo viable?

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

      Prolly is nailed but do you expect many points Vs Everton and Chelsea? I already have him but wouldn't be too keen on starting him in 16 and 17.

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

        Fair point. I have considered transferring a city defender straight out for dier in gw16.

        I need a city/spurs defender for gw18.

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

    Anything I'm missing..?

    Martinez
    Coufal / Justin / Dias
    Salah(c) / Grealish / Fernandes (vc) / Son
    Kane / DCL / Bamford

    Steer / Bissouma / Kilman / Lamptey

    0FT 0.4ITB

    Thanks.

  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).