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. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Quick vote lads?

    1. KDB > Son
    2. KDB + Welbeck > Son + Adams (-4)
    3. KDB > Rashford
    4. KDB + Welbeck > Rashford + Adams (-4)

    Note: I have Kane/Bruno so either of the above would be a double up on either Spurs/United.

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

      1

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

      3

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

      1

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

      1

    5. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks lads

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

    Leicester's game against West Ham last season on the 28.12.19
    Rodgers made 9 changes to the side. Justin, Maddy, Barnes and Vardy owners or buyers, approach with caution.

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

      I think there will be lots of rotation this week

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

    Play Welbeck (Arsenal at home) or Soucek (Southampton away)?

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one. I’d lean to playing whichever of those I’m more likely to watch

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

      Probably Soucek given Vestergaard is out. More likely to put a header away

  4. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on GW19, BB team? Anything you would change?

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Balbuena - Coufal - Justin - O'Shea - Alioski
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Rashford - Raphina
    Bamford - Adams - Firmino

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

    Bring in Adams, Firm or Martial?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      considering martial but worried about cavani starting

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Brought in Adams for Wilson and was disappointed. Will likely move on pretty quick even though he has the double.

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

    Sell Son? I have Kane.

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Have both and inclined to sell Kane

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

        Why Kane?

        1. Igz08
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Son gets more points for goals, + cs points

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

            This.

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

      Sell him for who? Unless you have a burning need why bother? Not like any of the other expensive options are ripping it up (assuming you have Fernandes already?). Patience, the fixtures are good.

  7. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Considering bringing in Rashford.

    Do we know how bad his injury is yet?

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I want him too

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Switching KDB to him allows me dcl to Vardy

      2. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Should be okay for the next game you reckon?

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

      I'd like to get him for grealish...

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

    Quick vote:

    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.

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Own Kane, wouldn’t be getting him in rn tbh

  9. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg?

    Martinez

    Cancelo Dier Dallas

    Salah (c) Grealish Bruno Son

    Kane Bamford DCL

    4.0 Holding Konsa Burke

    Kinda fancy starting Konsa/Holding over DCL this week...

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

    Finally settled on this WC. Any changes you'd make?

    Kane & Anguissa will become Vardy & Raphina by GW 19.

    FH 18, BB 19

    Mcarthy, Johnstone
    Robbo, Taylor, Dallas, Coufal, Justin
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Soucek, Anguissa
    Kane, Bamford, Adams

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

    is justin a regular starter now? nailed?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      For now, pereira may take spot when fit

      1. Igz08
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Been waiting for that all season lmao

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

    Very stuck here....

    A....kdb and watkins to kane and raphinha - 4

    B....kdb and dcl to kane and raphinha - 4

    Plan to bb gw19

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

    Thanks

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

    a) Son + Martial
    b) Mane + Adams

  14. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) KDB + DCL to Rashford + Kane
    B) KDB + Brewster to Soucek(up to 6.6) + Kane
    C) Grealish + DCL To Soucek + Kane
    D) Kdb + dcl to Vardy + Rashford

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

      B

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

      B

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

    Meslier (Fabianski)
    Justin KWP Dier (Alioski) (Coufal)
    Salah Fernandes Son Grealish (Soucek)
    Kane Bamford Welbeck

    Planning FH18 and BBDG19, transfer Kane for Vardy and Welbeck for ??? By the time 19 comes round

    0.5ITB but can’t see where to apply it - any thoughts?

  16. FPL Doc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Need help with wildcarding this week, any threads I can follow?

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

      Fpl blackbox is live on youtube now, Mark is wildcarding

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

        Thanks man!

  17. 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..

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

    Sell
    a) Kane
    b) Son

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

      B, unless you gonna get Vardy for Kane

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

      Depends who you’re aiming to bring in, but Kane if you must. I’d hold personally - fixtures are tremendous and they’ll start attacking more

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

      For who?

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

        Son > Mane?
        Kane > Martial?

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

    Who to bench this GW a) grealish b) Wilson c) Bowen ? Cheers

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

      B

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

      B, and not just this week.

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

        Cheers both that was my thinking so is it worth keeping Wilson or upgrading for -4 hit?!

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

          I would upgrade to someone line Watkins or Adams if you can. I would go with Adams if I had to choose between the two.

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

    GW16-19:

    1) Zouma, Bednarek, DCL
    2) Robbo, Taylor, Adams

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

      2

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

    Martinez
    Robertson Cancelo Taylor
    Son KdB Bruno Soucek
    DCL Bamford Adams

    4.0 Ayling Anguissa Lewis

    KDB to Salah here right? 1ft and 3.5itb to do DCL to Vardy next week.

  22. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start one?

    A. Reese James
    B. Coufal
    C. Dallas

    1. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jameson

  23. Malkmus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best Matip replacement? 1ft 0.7 itb

    McCarthy
    Zouma - MATIP - Justin - (Dallas - 3.8)
    Son - Salah - Bruno - Grealish (Anguisa)
    Kane - Dcl - Bamford

    A - Chilwell
    B - Ogbonna + 1.1
    C - coufal +1.4
    D other

    Ta

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

      c, or dias/cancelo

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

        Cheers

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

    Would you bench Grealish or Watkins for Soucek? Happy to hold onto my Villa attackers but feels like 2 is overkill away to Chelsea while Soucek is on fire.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Chelsea lost 3 of their last 4 games and will try and attack Villa which will suit them perfectly.

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

      Nope don't think so. Soucek might score but Southampton aren't the easiest opposition. Grealish and Watkins both have hauls in them vs anyone. Soucek is unlikely to get more than a single goal/assist in any GW (could happen but hasn't so far this season).

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

    Whose more likely to rise in price from now until GW19

    1. Balbuena
    2. KWP
    3. Johnstone

  26. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Have Spurs been found out now?

    1. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hope not

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

    Lewis to

    A Cancelo (no DGW but good single fixture)
    B Dallas
    C Justin
    D Taylor
    E Play team below and carry transfer

    Martinez
    Robertson Dias Coufal
    Salah KDB Bruno Son Raphinha
    Bamford Watkins

    Forster Lewis* Brewster Mitchell

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

    Bottomed. No reply. Help me lads.

    I would apreciate any input. Thx in advance !

    Final WC draft probably

    McCarthy
    TAA-Dallas-Taylor
    CHO-Raphinha-Bruno-Salah
    Kane(C)-Adams-Bamford

    Johnstone-Soucek-Coufal-Balbuena

    CHO to Maddison in GW 17
    Kane to Vardy in GW 19

    Thoughts??

  29. CC22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB & Grealish to Fernandes & Rashford worth doing for free?

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

      Just KDB to Fernandes. Grealish looks fixture proof and rashford has a niggle

  30. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone benching Vardy due to probable rotation vs Palace? I cant see him sitting out the game completely, 10 minute cameo likely

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

      Was enough for Salah!