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. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play Martinez or Johnstone

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

      Johnstone

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

      Johnstone for saves. I think both will concede.

  2. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kdb and Brewster to
    Kane and Maddison (-4)

    Pull the trigger?

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

      No keep the points

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

      Not for me

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

    A) Johnson, Cancelo, Rashford, Martial
    B) Taylor, Robbo, Raphinha, Vardy

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

      C) Johnson, Stones, Rashford, Firmino

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

      B)
      But would personally try to fit in rashford over Vardy

    3. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      Prefer B, but both will have rotation uncertainty. Would rather have Cancelo over Robbo too for the extra cash

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

      Cheers all, was on B but just thought of A 🙂

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

    Need to burn a transfer. 2ft 0.5itb

    McCarthy Steer
    James Matip Justin Coufal Taylor
    Salah Bruno KDB Son Bissouma
    DCL Bamford Watkins

    A) KDB -> Rashford
    B) Watkins -> Adams
    C) Both

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

      You will need Kane next 2 games

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

        I dont NEED anyone. Targeting Fulham every single gameweek is not the way i play.

        Fulham have done decent against top teams, and have Son against Leeds.

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

          Blimey - someone has a chip on their shoulder.

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

            Was no meant as a attitude response. More pointing out that Kane is not in my transfer plans, as i dont feel like he is a must like most players here do.

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

              To be fair it was only in reference to French Fries 🙂

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

                Haha

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

      I'm doing DLC & KDB to son & kane.

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

        Good luck!

  5. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I'm now so sure anymore I'd go all out to get a Liverpool defender for GW19. With Zouma, Creswell and KWP all playing double. I would have to take a hit and downgrade a player such as Grealish for that.

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

    DCL and Grealish to Vardy and Soucek for free?

    1. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm considering the same except Kane and Soucek for a hit. Can't decide between that or Son/Adams.

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

    Getting a Burnley defender, can afford Mee, Lowton or Taylor. Any of them a better option than the others, or just buy the cheapest ?

    1. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Taylor
      Mee
      Lowton

      In that order for me personally

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

      Taylor

  8. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Not sure what to do.. quick 1 or 2? (if any lol)

    1) Grealish + Zouma --> Robbo + Raphinha

    2) KDB + Davis --> 4.5 + Kane

    Team:
    Martinez
    Zouma / KWP / Dias
    Salah (c) / Fernandes / Son / Grealish / KDB
    Adams / Bamford

    Bench: Button, Ayling, Michell, Davis.

  9. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Current GW16 team

    Martinez
    Reguilon Dallas Justin
    Salah KDB Mahrez Podence
    Vardy DCL Bamford

    4.0 Soucek Saiss Mitchell

    2 FT. Best choice of transfers?

    A) KDB + Mahrez > Brubo + Son
    B) Mahrez + Podence + Vardy > Son + Bruno + Brewster for -4? (Play Soucek)

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

      B. Question. Do u prefer son or bruno if u had to choose one?

      1. Better luck next year
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Son for GW 16 I think, but Bruno long term for sure.

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

          Yeh same.

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

      Vardy will be rested im gw16 imo

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

      A all day

  10. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL and Grealish to:

    A) Kane and Soucek
    B) Son and Adams

    Both for a hit. FH18, gearing up for DGW19..

    Cheers!

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

    Kane will be rested in 16 gw imo. Sell him

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

      Lol

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

      Hahaha outrageous commnet. You need a break mate lol

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

      I've logged you're name and make sure I never take you're advice.

  12. Balrath123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    On WC, considering Antonio instead of Che Adams. Antonio out on pitch this afternoon after match for shooting practice. Good move or not, am in Top 80k

  13. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Matip to :

    A) Dier
    B) Cancelo ( have Stones)
    C) keep and pray he starts next game

    thanks

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

      I’d say Dier if you have stones already

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

    Hey guys..
    Team and bench order ok:

    Johnstone
    Robertson Dier Cancelo
    Salah Son(C) Bruno Raphina
    DCL Adams Bamford
    McCarthy Taylor Soucek Coufal

  15. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hello guys. Any ideas what to do with this lot?

    Meslier
    Robertson, Dias, KWP
    Grealish, Fernandes, Salah, KDB
    DCL, Bamford, Watkins

    Subs --- Coufal, Bissouma, Bernardo --- 1 FT, 0.6 ITB

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

      I'm thinking KDB + DCL > Son + Kane is the safe move. Surely there'll be a reaction from spurs

  16. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1FT, 1.3 ITB, thoughts?

    Martinez, BPF

    Robertson, Dias, Coufal, Lamptey, Mitchell

    Salah, Bruno, Son, Raphinha, Anguissa

    Kane, DCL, Bamford

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

      Lamptey to Taylor
      Anguissa to Soucek
      One or both

  17. luk46
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    whats the chance that Vardy starts, slim init?

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

    Would you play Martinez against Chelsea, or Meslier against WBA?

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Meslier.

    2. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Meslier

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

      Meslier

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This.

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

    Any preference? (working towards GW19 as well)

    A. KDB>Son
    B. KDB/DCL>Son/Vardy (-4)
    C. KDB/Mitchell>Son & TAA/Robbo
    D. Other (Grealish probably go for DGW as well)

    McCarthy
    Zouma, Justin, Dallas
    Fernandes, Grealish, KDB, Salah
    Bamford, DCL, Adams
    Steer, Coufal, Mitchell, Mendy

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

      I’m not getting rid of KdB as I think he’s got to start returning soon.
      If you have to, C looks the best option there

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

        This could be part of denial owning him ha!
        How long can he remain on goals imminent table....
        Hard call but FPL form says we shouldn’t own him

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

      Thanks. It is a hard call and could backfire but with two tough fixtures maybe now is the time.

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

    How about a ManU defender through to GW19?

    Bailly now that Lindelof is out?

  21. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    any news on danny ings?

  22. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Son for Grealish

    Yes or No

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No

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

      No

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

      Yes wish I had the funds to do it

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

      Yes!

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I would say yes - do people think it’s worth keeping grealish then ?!

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

          It’s because Son blanked tonight

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

            Recency bias

          2. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Oh ok I have both son and grealish and thinking of dumpling grealish but it’s tricky to know to who as will be rotation ?!

            1. Heisenberg W. W.
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              CT mid is - Fernandes, KdB, Salah, Grealish*, Soucek

              Have the funds with ft to do it

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

      Yes

  23. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Pick one defender and one midfield:

    A1) Zouma
    B1) Grealish
    A2) Castagne
    B2) Maddison

    Meslier
    Chilwell - Dier - ?
    Salah (c) - Bruno - Son - ?
    Kane - DCL - Bamford

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

      A2 (seeing as you already have chilwell) And B1

  24. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in the last 6 PL games and conceded 12 goal. Are managers sure they want to double up in defence? Next 6 games:

    sou, eve, BUR, WBA, cry, liv

    i don't see many clean sheets there.

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

      The important ones in caps there though 🙂

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        i'd be hesitant to have two W.H defenders

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

    Salah C ?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KDB to salah yes or no?

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

        Yes i did it

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yep then captain salah

  26. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What would you do?
    1)play coufal
    2) Targett to cancelo for -4 and play cancelo.

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1

  27. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Dallas KWP (Coufal) (Kilman)
    Salah Bruno Son Raphinha (Burke)
    Kane DCL Bamford

    1 FT and 1.3 ITB
    A) Roll the transfer and have 2 FT for next GW
    B) Strengthen the bench with some move 🙂

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

    Rate this team:

    McCarthy Johnstone
    James Coufal Dier Balbuena Taylor
    Salah Mane Bruno Raphinha Soucek
    Kane Adams Bamford
    0.1m itb

    what would you change?

  29. Alli
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    First WC draft. Thoughts?

    McCarthy - Jonstone
    Robbo - Zouma - KWP - Justin - Dallas
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Soucek - Raphinha
    Vardy - Adams - Bamford

  30. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Captain who this game week?

    A. Bruno
    B. Salah
    C. Son

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

      B