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

    Until double Gameweek: Grealish or Maddison and why?

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

      Grealish. Better hair

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

        😀

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

      Grealish, socks lower

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

      Maddison. Rumour has it he once wrestled a ferret to win the heart of a blind pigmy.

  2. 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?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Adams/Wood/Rodrigo

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

        Thanks. They look good for the GW19 transfers. Any ideas on where to use the 0.5 now? I’d love to shift we beck but im 0.1 short of anyone better as far as I can tell

        1. Bad Kompany
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I’d just play soucek over him

  3. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one for the next two?

    A. Son
    B. Kane
    C. Vardy

    If Son/Kane I’ll captain salah this gw and them next. If vardy I’ll captain him both gws. Will likely want vardy for the double so getting vardy now would save me a ft later

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

      C

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

      Kane

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

      Kane captain this week looks juicy

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

    Kdb to who?

    Have Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish

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

      Vardy or Kane

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

      Keep for now

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

      Rashford

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

      Cheap mid, get Vardy?

    5. TheOneAndOnly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same midfield, thinking of holding, would go Rashford/Mane if you must

  5. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Top 3:

    Defenders
    Midfielders
    Strikers

    for DGW19?

  6. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one??.

    KDB and Lamptey -> son and robbo (have Trent and Kane).
    or.
    KDB and Lamptey/Mitchell -> Mané and 5.1/4.4.?

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

      B

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

    What would you do with KDB?
    A. —> Son
    B. —> Rashford
    C. —> Mane
    D. —> Save

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

      I am doing KDB to salah but c could be good move

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

      A

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

      Would punt on C.
      Is gaining some form and can see a response from LFC.

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

      C

  8. pstokes2010
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed. How does this wildcard team look? 0.8m in the bank.

    McCarthy

    Taylor Chilwell Cancelo

    Salah KDB Fernandes(c) Maddison

    Watkins Adams Bamford

    Johnstone Soucek Dallas Justin

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

      Needs a premium striker

      1. pstokes2010
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Who? Don’t like Kane and Vardy going to be rested.

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

          Kane. Might not like him, but you have to love green arrows

    2. Sloane426
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Watkins on wildcard?

  9. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can I play my WC on the 1st Jan before the deadline for gameweek 17? Thanks

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

      The 1st one or the 2nd?

  10. Ayzay112728
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Maddison or Rashford with DGW in mind?

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

    Bench one of these three : Soucek / Wilson / Watkins .... ?

    1. Ayzay112728
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson

    2. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Soucek

  12. YLK13
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Please help:
    A) DCL, Wilson -> Vardy, Reid
    B) DCL, Wilson -> Kane, Brewster

    Both options are for a hit.

    Thanks!

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

      Neither look that appealing. What's your full team? How much ITB?

      1. YLK13
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Martinez Forster
        Dias Dallas Coufal Justin Kilman
        Grealish KDB Salah Bruno Soucek
        DCL Wilson Bamford

        1.4 ITB

  13. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Expect KDB to do well against my Toffees. Pen and a couple of assists from set pieces. Pickford usual rubbish

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

      Do you think DCL starts Irbox?

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        In the absence of Richarlison, yes. Tosun just isn’t up to the required level under Carlo

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

          Cheers

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

      This

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

      Think Coleman will come back in to starting eleven?

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

    Is Podence to Saka points chasing?
    Am doing FH in gw19.

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

    Start one?

    A. Dallas
    B. Reese James
    C. Coufal

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

      Jameson

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

      Dallas

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

      Not feeling B; So A

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

    What to do here please?

    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

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

      Already replied to this. I'd go B. Don't ditch Watkins. Villa look much more dangerous than Everton and Watkins can haul any week.

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

        Cheers

  17. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best 2nd GK (excluding Martínez) 5th defender and 5th midfielder costing 14.0m for a GW19 BB?

    Out: Forster/Mitchell/Burke/1.8m

    Some options include...

    Fabianski/4.5/4.4
    Johnstone/Alioski/Soucek

    ??

  18. ZakyJ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez/Forster
    James/Justin/Allioski/Coufal/Lamptey
    KDB/Fernandes/Salah/Grealish/Son
    Bamford/DCL/Brewster

    1FT 0itb

    1 KDB & Brewster > Kane & Soucek/Neto
    2 Downgrade KDB to slowly upgrade elsewhere
    3 sort Lamptey > KWP/Taylor/Lind/Holdgate
    4 Hold

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

      Downgrade KDB, they looked bad and he might get rested.

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

        Nah he won't be rested. Pep said he won't over this period.

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

      4 two FTs could be useful

  19. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    For next 2:

    A) C.Wood
    B) Bamford (have Raph)

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

      Bamford.

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

      BamBam

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

    Play:

    A) Meslier & Dallas against wba
    B) Meslier & Bednarek (whu) for risk spread

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Leeds v WBA will be an interesting game, probably see something similar to how Burnley approached the game.
      I would go B.

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

    A. KDB>Son
    B. KDB/DCL>Son/Vardy (-4)
    C. KDB/Mitchell>Son & TAA/Robbo (-4)

    No Kane if it helps.

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

    Captain 1. Play 1. Bench 1.

    Son
    Bruno
    Salah

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

      Captain Bruno. Insane to bench any of them.

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

      Salah (c) and I have to assume you hit your head or something regards the benching part .... call 999.

  23. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Not sure what to do here after Spurs Dip in form. 3.1 Itb:

    Martinez
    Robbo Stones Coulfal Lamptey Mitchell
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish Neto
    DCL Bamford Brewster

    1FT, 3.1 itb

    Thought appreciated!

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Save the transfer

  24. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play Dallas (wba) or Coufal (sou)?

    1. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dallas

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

      Dallas

  25. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Are people benching DCL this week with Richarlison out and Ancelotti saying he's resting players?

    Also who should I bench of these (am playing Dias, Zouma alongside 2 of these):

    A) Alioski (West Brom)
    B) Justin (Palace)
    C) Taylor (Shef Utd)

    Can't decide, think they all have good fixtures

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

      DCL has to play else who would play up front?

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

      Richarlison out so DCL starts

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

    If so many are selling KDB does that mean he'll grab a haul tomorrow and I should keep?

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

      Probably yes

    2. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I sold also, so most likely. Never had it happen so much as this season.

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How many goals does a current City side score away from home against Everton though,
      Pep will try and shut them out, CS scoreline will be the key focus IMO.

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

      KDB was about to be unceremoniously ejected from my squad .... but he has promised to stop pi55ing around and will deliver tomorrow ..... I’m giving him another go .... only because his replacement (Kane) also disappointed as did two of my other premium mids (Salah and Son).

      Last chance saloon.

  27. GS456
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    captain?

    A) Kane
    B) Salah
    C) Bruno

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

      Got to be b

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

      I am on B.
      My captains have been :/ this season.

  28. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions for this team? 2fts, 0.2m itb. Inclined to keep kdb. Thanks.

    Martinez
    Robbo zouma taylor
    Salah kdb Bruno son soucek
    Dcl bamford

    Forster coufal Dallas Brewster

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

    Play

    A - Dallas
    B - Coufal

    Ta!

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

      Coufal

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

      Dallas v WBA.

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

      Dallas

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

        Cheers all

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

      A

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

      Dallas

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

    WC. Thoughts?

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

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

      Or Kane and Stones instead of Vardy and Zouma

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

        I think you can save money by switching KWP to someone cheaper. I have him now but he has no attaching returns, plus you have McCarthy for CSs

        Midfield is spot on but at the same time pretty template, so may not change your ranking much.

        I like your forwards, I just don't think Vardy is going to play tomorrow. 180 minutes in 48 hours with a groin injury...not too sure. I would try to squeeze in Kane and downgrade Son to a differential

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

          Thx