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. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anything to do here with 1 ft and 0.1 itb?

    Martinez

    Robbo Zouma Coufal
    Salah Mané Bruno Raphina
    Kane Watkins Bamford

    Button Kwp Riedewald Branthwaite

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

    GTG? I envisage another incredibly lacklustre performance from Spurs and am even considering captaining KDB. Saving a FT, 0.1 ITB

    Martinez
    TAA Cancelo James
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish
    Watkins DCL Bamford

    Forster Coufal Bissouma Kilman

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Spurs will smash fulham

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

        Lol. Have you watched spurs recently? Their goal threat is non existent and Fulham are sneaky good

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I said smash

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

            If by smash you mean blank then yes I agree

            1. The Knights Template
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              As in Hulk smash

  3. S3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Taylor, Cresswell Stones
    Salah (C), Son, KDB, Fernandes, Grealish,
    Bamford, DCL

    Steer, Lamptey, Mitchell, Davies
    1FT and 0.0ITB

    Who to replace Lamptey @ 4.6M?. Will not be FH in GW 18
    Do I just roll FT and hope all 11 plays (expecting Stones to be rested tbh)

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Get Coufal or Dallas

      1. S3
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not enough funds...got only 4.6M

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

      Alioski

      1. S3
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        What you guys think about holding

  4. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Want to get rid of one of Watkins/Grealish for the DGW and fixture turn...

    Is Watkins to Wood the most sensible transfer? Or is Adams the better shout?

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

      Tough but think you’re on the right track. Adams as they’re much more attacking I reckon.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        More attacking but the entire team only generated one chance against Fulham...

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

      Not keen on either tbh... think I’d prefer Grealish to Maddison, Mount or Raphina. Traore on a lot of set pieces now and Watkins slowly getting them hauls in

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I’ve considered that, but getting rid of Grealish feels wrong for some reason. Plenty of upside in it though

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

      I'm thinking along these lines as well. Next 2 look pretty good for Wood if you have a plan for gw18.

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

    Bench one:

    A) KWP
    B) DCL
    C) Coufal

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

      C

  6. Silva’s Left Nut
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    start one:
    A)soucek
    B)grealish
    C)DCL

    thanks

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

      What a team you must have.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If you’re only starting one of those something is terribly wrong

  7. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Still worth holding James? Probably not gonna play next GW, then MCI, then possible rotation in DGW

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What makes you think he won't play?

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

    To plan for DGW19, Konsa >>

    1. Justin (cry, new, blank, SOT, CHE)
    2. Taylor (SHU, FUL, blank, whu, liv)

    Cheers

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

      Taylor I think.

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

    Any thoughts on castagne on WC?

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

      Decent pick, but Justin better value since he probably isn't losing his place in the team now for .7 cheaper.

  10. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start 2 from these:

    A) Dallas (WBA-A)
    B) Bednarek (WHU-H)
    C) Coufal (SOU-A)

    Cheers!

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

      A and B (C if you have McCarthy)

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ab

  11. MOZIL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Stones gonna start?

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

      We gonna find out

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

      Highly doubt it

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I believe Dias will be rested.
      Except for GW 10 where he played 69 minutes, he played full 90 minutes in every PL game since he joined City.
      Stones didn't play in GW 13.
      But it's Pepe Roulette 🙂

  12. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I'm about to pull the trigger on Grealish to Son to give me:

    Martinez
    Zouma Dallas Cresswell
    Salah(c) Bruno KDB Son Soucek
    DCL Bamford
    (Forster/Taylor/Brewster/Kilman)

    Leaving me with 1.4 ITB to bring in two more double gameweekers before GW19 BB (Forster + Kilman > Meslier + Coufal)

    Does my plan still makes sense? Those spurs fixtures...

    Any thoughts much appreciated 🙂

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

      Yes, it does. Been sticking to a GW 19 BB with my plan as well.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks sound

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

      I made the same move. I like the Spurs fixtures even without a double.
      You need at least 4 more moves for 19 if on BB and remember if you FH 18 you only have 17 and 19 to make those moves so a hit each week but that’s not bad.

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Interesting. I was planning on not hitting, just doing Forster + Kilman > Meslier + Coufal. It leaves me with all starters. not sure -8 to upgrade DCL and Brewster to double gameweekers is worth it. Who were you thinking I would spend the extra 2 transfers on?

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

          Sorry for late reply. I am also planning on not hitting and getting 7-8 out. Son is a good option if not using the FH

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

          If you were going to BB I think all 4 currently on the bench would need to change.
          But I like the no FH and no BB and maybe TC in 19 option. That’s what I am doing - will lose out short term but will have more TV and a WC to setup for the next dgw and a FH to hit the next blank hard too.

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

    No news on perreira?? Fofana safer than Justin?

  14. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane or Vardy on wildcard? Thank you!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Neither

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        What are your three forwards? Thank you!

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          DCL Bamford Watkins

          I like the cheap structure as I feel much more value in cheap towards this year

  15. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) KDB ➝ Son for free
    B) KDB & Welbeck ➝ Raphina & Kane for -4

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  16. Rex Lapis
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thought on Ben Johnson? Will he keep his place?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Certainly not

  17. ClaireT
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Johnstone or Fabianski for the next few weeks?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Flappy

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

    I finally got to 4 big mids with Son in for Grealish.
    Gtg?

    Mendy

    Robertson Dias Dier

    Salah Bruno KDB Son Soucek

    Bamford Watkins

    Forster Brewster Coufal Bernardo

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I see five big mids there, what are you talking about?

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

        Soucek has been an added bonus for sure 🙂

  19. McMurphy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With Grealish 1 YC away from being suspended, the fixture turn and no DGW, is Grealish to Mane for a hit crazy talk?? Liverpool have a DGW and more time between matches. Don't want to lose Jack really but I can always buy him back in gw20.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The YC count resets next GW doesn’t it?

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

        I'm not sure about that but that's a great point. Anyone know?

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yep it does just had a look. Will reset after Chelsea game

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

            Cheers PB, that's great info. Much appreciated.

            1. Pukki Blinders
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Sorry looked at last years info, it resets gw19 my mistake

              1. Pukki Blinders
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Actually it’s gw22 because Villa have had 2 blanks lol... too much confusion

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

      Lol big money itb?

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

        Haha, yes I'm flush. Saved up some money to bring in Kane but I think Son and Dier are more than enough cover after watching that match today.

    4. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish YCs are because he’s stupid at times. It’s like watching an angry little kid lash out in a fit.

      I bet he stops being so dumb until cards reset in January

      He needs to let his defensive midfielder lash out punishment and concentrate on his job

  20. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB to Son with FT?
    Also would you use the funds generated with that to do Grealish to Rashford for a hit?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not keen on the second move

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

    G2G? Got the team below for a hit

    Mendy
    Chill - Robbo - Dallas - Dias
    KDB - Salah - Bruno - Soucek
    Kane - Bam

    Steer - Brewster - Stephens - 3.8

    Captain?

  22. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best 4.5 defender for the wildcard? Thank you!

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

      Aliosko

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Taylor

  23. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:

    A: Soucek
    B: DCL

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You're doing it wrong.

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Kdb, Bruno, Salah and Son are my four mids. So, it has to be someone between these two who gets benched imo.

  24. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I need to downgrade either Robbo or DCL to manage to found Johnstone and Soucek for the BB19 by upgrading my fodders.
    Who would you drop from the two keeping in mind that I will play FH18, BB18 but I need them till my second WC in gw25

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

      DCL

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Adams or Wood in?

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dcl no question

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Wood or Che in this gw?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Che

  25. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Asm to saka for -4? And also will u keep jwp for this week?

  26. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    As a non-spurs asset owner, will play FH 18, is it wise to buy in Kane or Son these 2 gameweeks? Finger-cross...

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

    Lanzini on a wc?? Came on and gone an assist today and great fixtures in the dgw... can go

    A) Lanzini, Firmino
    B) Raphina, Vardy

  28. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lads please Only for next 2 to 3 weeks
    A-- Son and Watkins
    B-- Soucek and Vardy

    ????
    Thanks ta

    1. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C--Martinelli and Aguero
      ??

  29. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Got 1FT, would you do Kdb > Salah. Got bruno, son, grealish raphinha in Mid. Thanks

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      YES

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

      1. LABILLETHEGOAT
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks guys

  30. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Dcl to laca for -4?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wow