Scout Notes

The FPL Round-Up: Pep on Cancelo, Lampard to rotate and Richarlison update

Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

  • Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m), Granit Xhaka (£5.2m), Bukayo Saka (£5.1m) | Tammy Abraham (£7.2m)
  • Assists: Kieran Tierney (£5.3m), Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe (£4.4m) | Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m)
  • Bonus: Saka x3, Lacazette x2, Bernd Leno (£4.9m), Xhaka x1

A much-changed, and much-improved, Arsenal saw off Chelsea to ease the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta.

The result meant a third straight away loss for the Blues, incurring the wrath of boss Frank Lampard, who branded his players ‘lazy’.

Fantasy managers were ill-served by Lampard in the run-up to the match, with injury doubts over full-backs Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) and Reece James (£5.2m) prompting many to sell them on.

As it happened, both started and promptly handed their remaining owners another day without clean sheet points – Chelsea have managed just one shut-out in their last five games.

The team’s most popular attacking player, the 15.3%-owned Timo Werner (£9.3m), made it seven starts without a goal, although his opportunities were severely limited when Lampard hooked him at half-time:

Timo today wasn’t giving us enough with or without the ball and some of it we have to give him time because it is a different league, but also we have to get there quickly. So we’ll see about his tiredness. I will have a conversation with him, but it was a decision I just felt I had to make.

Werner won’t be the only player nervously checking the teamsheet for Gameweek 16’s visit from Aston Villa on Monday either:

I will have to rotate players, I will have to see after Arsenal where players are in their fitness, every individual is different, we will do our best to get the turnaround right.

Arteta has an extra day to plan for the Gunners’ trip to Brighton, with the immediate future of the benched Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m and 7.4%) the main Fantasy concern.

In his absence, Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m), Granit Xhaka (£5.2m) and Bukayo Saka (£5.1m) got the goals, while Emile Smith-Rowe‘s (£4.4m) energy caught the eye.

Tammy Abraham (£7.2m) managed a late consolation goal – his third in two matches – and Bernd Leno (£4.9m) then saved a Jorginho (£4.8m) penalty, but the hosts deserved their win, with the outstanding Saka bringing in maximum bonus points for his 2.4% ownership.


Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tierney, Mari, Holding, Bellerín; Elneny, Xhaka; Martinelli (Pepe 71), Smith Rowe (Willock 65), Saka; Lacazette (Mustafi 90+2). 

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): E Mendy; Chilwell, T Silva, Zouma, R James; Mount, Kanté (Havertz 74), Kovacic (Jorginho 45); Werner (Hudson-Odoi 45), Abraham, Pulisic.

Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United

.
  • Goals: Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m), Ferran Torres (£6.9m)
  • Assists: Raheem Sterling (£11.4m)
  • Bonus: Gundogan x3, Joao Cancelo (£5.6m) x2, Nathan Ake (£5.4m) x1

A routine win for Manchester City came with another unremarkable score from the team’s most popular Fantasy asset, Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m).

More than 189,000 managers sold on the 23.8%-owned Belgian heading into the match after a run of just one assist from three starts.

And a further blank on Boxing Day has prompted another 58,000+ to put him in the top three for Gameweek 16 sales, including (presumably) some of the 561,821 who captained him against Newcastle.

With Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) ill and Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) still being eased back from injury, City manager Pep Guardiola handed the striker’s role to Ferran Torres (£6.9m), who steered home the team’s second goal of a predictably one-sided contest.

But it was Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) who had he most penalty area touches (12) on the day, and from one of those he set up Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m) for the opener.

That was the midfielder’s second goal from his last three starts, and although he later picked up a knock, he played it down post-match.

I got a couple of kicks on my foot, but it shouldn’t be that bad. I should be able to go again on Monday.

Based on Guardiola’s penchant for rotation, that confidence looks ill-advised.

And the manager’s comments on Joao Cancelo (£5.6m), who impressed at both ends of the pitch on the way to a fourth clean sheet in five matches, should send shivers down the collective spine of his 6.1% ownership:

He’s a player with incredible quality, and his regeneration and physicality is incredible. He could play tomorrow!

Newcastle, meanwhile, came to defend, did that well, but not well enough and then left, with their main attacking threat, Callum Wilson (£6.6m) missing out with a knock – and boss Steve Bruce’s desire not to risk him after four matches in 12 days.

The next two will take place over five days and involve visits from Liverpool and Leicester, ensuring interest in Newcastle assets – aside from the 15.7%-owned Wilson – remains the wrong side of meh.


Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Ake; Gundogan (Foden 90+1), Rodrigo (Fernandinho 57); De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling; Torres (Aguero 77).

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie (Lewis 66); Murphy, Hayden, M Longstaff, Almiron (Gayle 82); Joelinton (Carroll 71).

Sheffield United 0-1 Everton

  • Goals: Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m)
  • Assists: Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.3m)
  • Bonus: Sigurdsson x3, Michael Keane (£5.1m) x2, Yerry Mina (£5.5m), Mason Holgate (£4.8m) x1

Everton made it four wins on the bounce – three involving clean sheets – with a hard-fought victory over an increasingly desperate Sheffield United.

‘Desperate’ also adequately describes those (few) Fantasy managers still hoping for returns from Blades players, so after a quick mention of yet another blank for the 6.6%-owned Rhian Brewster (£4.5m), it’s back to Carlo Ancelotti’s side for the rest of this report.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m) scored the winner, his third return in those four victories, from an Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.3m) assist in the 80th minute.

The fact that was the first shot on target in the second half spoke volumes as to the attacking play on offer from both teams.

Then again, with both James Rodriguez (£7.7m) and Richarlison (£7.8m) still out for the visitors, that was no great surprise as the 60.9%-owned Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) blanked for the first time since Gameweek 10.

Ancelotti confirmed that Richarlison would not be ready to return against Man City on Monday:

There is no possibility to prepare the team. We have to think about the players who can recover in two days. After that, we have to rotate some players. Richarlison is following his concussion protocols and has to stay out.

That could prompt plenty of Calvert-Lewin sales – he’s currently sixth for Gameweek 16 transfers out – as the striker struggles for goals without the Brazilian in the team.

And with a clean sheet a tall order against Guardiola’s troops, it’s no surprise to find zero Everton players in the top 30 for purchases either, despite such a fine run of recent form.


Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, McGoldrick (Norwood 63) Osborn, Ampadu, Stevens; Brewster (Mousset 76), Burke (McBurnie 45). 

Everton XI (4-5-1): Pickford; Holgate, Keane (Coleman 66), Mina, Godfrey; Doucoure, Davies (Gomes 74), Sigurdsson, Gordon (Bernard 55), Iwobi; Calvert-Lewin.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 15

4,308 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    @AZ stream on tonight?

    1. Groot the Leveller
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wc for Mark?

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

        So i've heard

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

    Lamptey to Stones (have Cancelo) or Dier? Plan is to FH gw19. Or just KDB to Bruno?

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

      I prefer Stones. Dier has 0 goal contributions and only one bonus point which is not that impressive. Stones has 5 CS in 6 games played and gets the occasional 8 pointer when they keep a clean sheet

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

      Stones if you can stomach the odd benching

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

        Should be ok for that. All my bench players are nailed starters

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

      Stones due to bps magnet

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

        Definitely need Bruno in your team

  3. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A. Adams & Robbo -4?
    B. DCL & Coufal +4

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

      B

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

      B

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers guys

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

      B

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

    Best option to go with Robbo, Coufal and Dallas on WC? BB19

    A) Justin + Stones + 0.1 ITB
    B) Justin + Taylor + 0.5 ITB
    C) Stones + Taylor + 0.3 ITB

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

    For DGW19:

    A) Balbuena and Vardy (have Coufal)
    B) TAA and Martial

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

      B

  6. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start Mendy or Johnstone?

  7. Lemongrab
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Justin or James for the next few and dgw? or anyone else around that price bracket?

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

      I think I'm going Justin and saving some cash

  8. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Deciding between TAA and Robbo. Both Newcastle and Southampton have conceded far more chances from their right flank, i.e. Liverpool's left. Robbo wins this one?

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

      Robbo looks better at the moment imo

  9. Will Kane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    35 all out. Ouch.

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

    Who’s still doubling up on Kane and Son?

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Loads of people it seems. You against it?

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

      Don't think I will

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

      I am. But mostly because I need them for gw18. I cant afford switching to dgw players at this stage anymore without taking ridiculous amount of hits

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

      im long Kane, son and dier

    5. Groot the Leveller
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Now one has inspired as alternatives this week...

  11. Sean
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What’s the latest consensus on rashford and Chilwell? Likely to start?

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

    Template in tatters. Need to sell KDB, SOn, Kane, Salah, Chelsea def....

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Keep all of them.

    2. Groot the Leveller
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      And buy..?

  13. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do Grealish to Son for free??

    1. Matt Sk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sure

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

      After tonight do you rly want to do this move ?
      I was considering the rame move as well...

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

    (C)avani anyone?

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      god no! lol

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

    Hi....what move would you look to make here please?? 0.2itb. 1ft. Bench boost in 19

    Plan has always been... kdb and watkins to kane and raphinha - 4?

    Martinez
    Robbo james dallas coufal balbuena
    Salah kdb bruno grealish soucek
    Dcl watkins bamford

    Thanks

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

      Why not get Vardy over Kane?

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

      Vardy instead of Kane for me

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

        Vardy likely to be rested this gameweek

        If I get kane, it opens the option of swapping him for vardy in 19.....

  16. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Planning for a strong 11 for DGW19, best use of 2FT this GW:

    1. Grealish DCL >> Fernandes Wood
    2. KDB DCL >> Fernandes Kane (have Son)
    3. KDB DCL >> Fernandes Vardy

    Thanks guys

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      3

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

      Has to be 3

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

        But isn’t Vardy due a rest?

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

    Transfer Kane or Son in for gw16 have 3.6itb.
    Can either do Grealish to son with money itb or DLC to Kane with 0.0 itb
    What do you reckon guys and girls?
    My team
    Martinez/ MacCarthy/
    Couful/ Dallas/ Balbuena/ Justin/ benerak/
    Salah/ KDB/ Bruno/ ( Grealish) Bissouma/
    ( DLC ) Wilson/ Adams

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

      Kane

  18. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Did you saw this quote from Moyes on Soucek?

    "You'd certainly pick Tomas Soucek in the big games because [of] his ability to score from midfield.
    If I had a criticism it would be that I need to find a way to get him in the box more.
    Even [today, vs Brighton], he had another chance to make it 3-2 at the back post. On a [day] where I don't think we or Tomas played so well, he still came up with a goal."

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

      He’s on penalties too - I’m telling you now

      Soucek will hattrick this season, his role is obscene

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

      The fellaini role. Happy to have him atm 🙂

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The Czech Yaya could give us a dgw to remember. Might be a left field captain.

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

      Would you play him or dcl next week?

    5. Groot the Leveller
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Left him o my bench

  19. Kip
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best sub 7,5 million midfielder for the DGW?

    A) Raphinha
    B) Bowen
    C) Maddison
    D) other

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

      I would cut Bowen out.

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

        You are probably right, it just felt a bit wrong not to include a WHU attacking player with those fixtures

  20. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Salah captain again vs Newcastle?

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

      I think yes

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Close between him & Bruno

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

    Who is the best replacemnt for grealish ?!!!

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

      It depends on who you have, how much budget you have to spare/need to free budget up [e.g. to go bigger up front or at the back], whether you're planning to FH in gw18 [blanks]/gw19 [doubles], and so on.

      If you don't have Soucek, he's a no brainer, get him in, use the money elsewhere.

      Other contenders include I suppose Son, Maddison, not many Mane if you can somehow stretch that far, etc.

  22. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I was all set for Son (have Kane).

    Now wondering about Rashford instead. Looks in better form and has an extra fixture...

    What do you guys think?

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

      Yeah, I *slightly* prefer Rashford, because of the double and also the far easier GW20 fixture [SHU vs Son's LIV]. But there's not much in it. Son could do really well in those FUL,LEE,shu games.

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

        What I don’t like about Son right now is that Spurs get a goal and sit back.

        Just noticed Rashford has returned in every away game this season, but no home games!

        2 home ones coming up but 2 away in double

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

          Yeah, I transferred Rashford in for KdB last week, partly because I thought MUN could make hay vs LEE [tho sadly Rashford didn't partake] and partly because of the double. But I'm under no illusions, he's an unexceptional player with fairly unexceptional fixtures, and the possible injury makes things that bit worse.

  23. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Am I ok to bench DCL? Heard on here he may be rested?

    Martinez
    Dallas KWP Coufal Taylor
    Salah KDB Bruno Son Grealish
    Bamford
    Johnstone DCL Lamptey Brewster

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’d play and if he’s benched then the next one comes in

  24. The Pesci challenge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB to son or Maddison?

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

      Son

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Or rashford?

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

          interesting choice

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

    GW16 cap?
    A) Kane
    B) Son
    C) Bruno
    D) Salah

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

      D

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      D

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

      Cheers

    4. j16
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same dilemma I'm leaning towards Bruno. Liverpool looked awful today.

  26. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Surely Jose has noticed Spurs concede whenever he takes Son off.

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

    McCarthy (Forster)
    TAA Dallas Coufal (Lewis Branthwaite)
    Sarah KDB Bruno Son Grealish
    Bamford Adams (Brewster)

    A. Save FT
    B. Downgrade Grealish
    C. KDB to Mane

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

      Get rid of KDB and upgrade Brewster?

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

      I’ve the same structure as you only difference is I have cancelo over taa and stronger 4th and 5th defenders but generally yours looks good

  28. puhd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who is a better pick?

    A- Soucek
    B- Rafina

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      A

  29. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which player to transfer out to burn a transfer? (building for GW19)
    A Grealish
    B Martinez
    C KDB

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

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Chilwell Coufal
    Salah KDB Bruno JWP Soucek
    Kane DCL

    Steer Brewster J.Lewis Branthwaite

    0.2 itb, 1 FT, G2G for next GW?