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. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start Ayling or KWP?

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ayling I think

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

    Thoughts on DG19 BB team??

    Johnstone - Meslier
    Robbo - Dier - Justin - Balbuena - Coufal
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Raphina - Soucek
    Vardy - Bamford - Adams

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks fine.

  3. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Matip to:
    A) Rhys Williams
    B) Justin
    C) Aurier
    D) Dier
    E) anyone else?

    Already have Dallas, Taylor, Stones, Coufal.
    5.5 mil to spend...any suggestions appreciated.
    Plan is to Free Hit gw18 and maybe bench boost 19.

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

      B (accepting a risk Pereira could be back at some point)

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yea was swaying towards him. Not the most exciting but just want him for the double really. Cheers.

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

      E. James

  4. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do either of those moves for -4?

    A) Chilwell -> Dias/Cancelo + KdB -> Mane

    B) Grealish -> Raphinha/Maddison + KdB -> Mane

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

      Just Chilwell to Cancelo with no hit

  5. L S P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Better use of a FT this GW?

    A) Targett->Taylor
    B) Gros->Raphinha/Soucek

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

      B Soucek

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

      B Soucek

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

      B

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

    1) KDB > Mane
    2) KDB & Matip > Mane & Dallas
    3) KDB & Mitchell > Son & Dallas
    4) KDB & Burke > Son & Soucek
    5) KDB, Matip & DCL > Son, Dallas & Vardy (minus 4)

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2 for me

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

        Agree

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

      Please keep posting the same

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Defo getting rid of KDB I take it then hehe

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

    Who scores more in GW19 alone:

    A) Johnstone (wol + whu)
    B) McCarthy (lei + lee)

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B for me

    2. korbendallas82
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A, just because they have a new coach.

  8. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Have quite a few players playing against each other this gameweek. Bench one?

    1. KWP - WHU (H)
    2. Cresswell - SOU (A)
    3. Soucek - SOU (A)
    4. DCL - MCI (H)
    5. Dias - EVE (A)
    6. Stones - EVE (A)

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

      1

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

        Thanks for the reply, on 1 currently.

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

    Is Vardy definitely getting rested?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No, but i wouldn't bring him in this week. Possibility of a team leak before deadline.

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

      Highly Likely. But if he gets 25 minutes he could still get a decent haul. Full disclosure - I'm bringing him in.

  10. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Abraham or Adama for GWs 16-19?

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Adams*

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

        Prefer Tammy I think

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

      Adams - I think Giroud starts v Villa

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

    Palace fans absolutely crying out for Mitchell think he starts Tomorrow

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

      As if Roy cares. Mitchell is finished as an FPL asset

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

    Comment your wc teams below and we will discuss 🙂 pages flying and no comments.

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hey bro - not WC team but possiblé plan below!

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Or do what car grav guy does and just copy and paste repost every 5 minutes.

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

        Lol

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

      Thoughts on this 3-5-2 WC mate?

      McCarthy // Johnstone
      Cancelo // Justin // Coufal // Balbuena // Lowton
      Salah // Fernandes // Son // Rashford // Soucek
      Vardy // Bamford // Brewster

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

        Very nice. Basically mine but Rashford, Cancelo, Brewster over Raphinia, Robertson, Adams which could work tbh... Any thoughts you're doubting?

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

          Rashford the main doubt but kinda fancying the Bruno&Rash double up!

      2. D.Glynn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not a fan of Brewster

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

      McCarthy Johnstone
      Robbo Taylor Justin Dallas Coufel
      Salah Bruno Son Soucek Lookmann
      Vardy Bamford Wood
      Cheers also, feedback appreciated

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

        Very nice... Wood Im not too sure on. Not done enough previously but also don't like adams tbh. Lookman over Raphinia due to funds I'm guessing?? Might well end up with an identical defence..

        Like it mate

        1. D.Glynn
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks lad, feedback appreciated as usual. Would you go Adams over Wood? Fixtures are misleading me

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

            I'm not sure.. Not keen on either in bb tbh

    5. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      McCarthy Johnstone
      Dallas Coufal Justin Taylor Balbuena
      Salah Mane Bruno Son Soucek
      Bamford Wood Adams

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

        Looks goood. Mane and no premium stiker over robertson and Vardy to etc is interesting

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

    Chris Wood, good option?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

  14. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What looks the move? 2FT 0.5 ITB. KDB Davis to Raphina Kane(c)? Something else?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Dallas Taylor (Coufal Mitchell)
    Salah Bruno KDB Son Soucek
    DCL Bamford (Davis)

    FH18, likely BB19. Cheers all and GL 🙂

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

      Hi mate, been a while... Hope you had a good Christmas 🙂

      Them moves look very nice, what's your plan for BB in 19??

  15. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lots of options and having a tough time narrowing it. Apologies. 2FTs, 0.3itb
    1) Kilman > Taylor & roll FT
    2) Kilman, KDB > Cancelo, Son
    3) Kilman, Wilson > Cancelo, Dec-Reid
    4) Forster, KDB > Meslier, Son (prepping for BB in dgw19 + funds)
    5) Grealish, Wilson > Son, Brewster (352 + funds to upgrade Kilman later)
    6) Kilman, KDB, Wilson > Robbo, Son, Dec-Reid (-4)

    McCarthy, Forster
    Chilwell, Targett, KWP, Coufal, Kilman
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Wilson

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

      1 or 2

  16. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do we reckon Raphinhia rises tonight? Currently on 98.9 on FPL Statistics

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Easily could.

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

    Current team is:

    McCarthy
    Dier, Matip, Alioski
    Salah, Son, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish
    Bamford, Adams

    Bench: Coufal, Kilman, Davis

    Building with DGW19 in mind (free hitting in 18), what’s the best move for this week out of:
    A) KDB -> Mane
    B) Grealish -> Maddison

    Cheers

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

      Save and use 2 next week

  18. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ready with my WC

    McCarthy Johnstone
    Dallas Coufal Justin Taylor Balbuena
    Salah Mane Bruno Son Soucek
    Bamford Wood Adams

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wood?

  19. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo Dias double up anyone?

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

      If funds allow its def not a bad idea. At least one of them should play in any given GW.

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

      Been on it for a while and got plenty of points from doing it. Only disadvantage is only single game week in the doubles but nice fixtures still after. Less rotation risk than some previous fears also, esp with Cancelo one of the few players creating chances

    3. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Awesome. Just did it, thanks for the replies and final push

  20. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:
    A) DCL (Man city)
    B) Wilson (Liverpool)
    C) Soucek (Southampton)

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

      DCL, Man City has the best defense

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

    Get Son or Kane?

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

      I just did. Son for grealish

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have both and honestly can’t say I recommend either at the minute. Kane is a CB now. The fixtures are great but I’d look elsewhere. If I had to pick: Son.

  22. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do Watkins and Dier to Bamford and Dallas?

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

      Bit sideways

  23. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Salah Bruno Kane Son

    Captain and why?

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm on Kane at the minute but Salah nagging at me

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

      I'm on Salah at the minute but Kane nagging at me!

  24. dsefton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2FT, 0.6itb
    Martinez
    Chilwell Zouma Taylor
    Salah Bruno Son KdB
    Adams Bamford DCL

    Coufal Podence Mitchell (Nyland)

    KdB + DCL -->
    Pick one from each:
    A) Soucek or B) Raphina
    C) Kane or D) Vardy

    Thanks!

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

    Bench one

    1. Coufal vs Southampton
    2. Konsa vs Chelsea

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

      konsa

  26. liiusions
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Regulion
    Salah KdB Grealish Bruno Bowen
    DCL Bamford
    (4.0 Ayling Lewis Brewster)
    0.6ITB 1FT

    Any ideas on what to do this week? Bowen is now a big problem, as is lack of spurs.

    Plan to take GW18 on the chin and FH19

    1. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bowen to Soucek and bank the rest?

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

    Anyone considering going without Son (if you don't already have him) and doubling up with Mané?

  28. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone keeping KDB? think he comes good soon.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Below, thinkin of just keeping him now, but flummoxed as to who to move him on to and would have a better plan with 2FT’s i guess, but at the same time feel I need to boot him haha

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      “He’s due”. The problem is not KdB, it’s the lack of a forward.

    3. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yea, just can't see him blanking all the time going forward. He'll come good. Also cant find someone I'd like to replace him with. Have Son, Salah, Grealish and Bruno already.

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

      Agree it's the lack of a forward, but also his seeming lack of confidence in front of goal. E.g. the missed penalty dragging it wide, a poor penalty he did score, no deciveness with tha recent one on one.

  29. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    At a bit of a loss as to what to do still and thinking of rolling the FT, what ya reckon chaps?

    Martinez
    Robertson - Dallas - Dias
    Raphinha - Son - Salah - KDB - Bruno
    DCL - Bamford
    ________________________________
    Forster: Brewster: Mitchell: Dunne

    1FT, 0.6 ITB

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

      Roll

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

    Who would you rather start this GW

    A) Cancelo (eve)
    B) Adams (WHU)

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

      A

    2. Twisted Melon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A