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. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anybody on WC going double city def with me?
    currently on Dias Cancelo TAA Coufal Justin

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

      Not on a wild card but considering Lamptey to Stones which would leave me with him and Cancelo.

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

        yup stones a good shout/gamble. cheap option for best defense in league and there have been some great quotes from pep that hes in great form

    2. gellinmagellan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What does the rest of your team look like because that's an expensive defence?

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

        Fabianski Johnstone
        Dias Cancelo TAA Coufal Justin
        Salah Bruno Son (will be Mane for dgw19) Soucek Raphinha
        Bamford Rodrigo Wood/Adams

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

      I think a double up of Cancelo and one of Stones or Dias is a good move. Especially with decent bench cover

  2. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Struijk a starter?

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

      Probably not long term

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

      Seems like it at the moment. But when Cooper or Koch are back he is ver likely dropped.

  3. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy | Meslier
    Lamptey | Zouma | Taylor | KWP | Dier
    Raphina | Bruno | Salah | Son | Soucek
    Bamford | DCL | Kane

    This is what I have so far. Not sure of DCL and Meslier. Thoughts?

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      *Coufal instead of Lamptey

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

        Ah, just saw this comment. GTG then

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

      Like it. I’d get rid of Lamptey though.
      Bit of a benching headache most weeks, but rotation will make decisions for you and decent bench cover isn’t to be sniffed at over the next while.

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yep, have Coufal instead of Lamptey. Don't know about City defenders yet tbf

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

          Is this a WC?
          What about city attack?
          If you have Son, I would look to swap Kane for a city attacker.

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

      However, no City could bite you

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Would you do DCL to Adams? That would free up money for Coufal to Cancelo - could always change Son for KDB or something later

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

          DCL seems to have gone off a bit and Adams isn’t exactly setting the world on fire (I have both and will be shifting one for Bamford soon)
          Coufal to Cancelo would mean an expensive back line and you’ll be benching points a lot. I’d prefer to keep Coufal and maybe swap KWP.
          Also think having funds for Son to KDB is wise to have up your sleeve based on performances in next game or two.

          1. The Head-Ake
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks 🙂

  4. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    who you all capping this GW?

    currently torn between Salah & Bruno?

    You?

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

      salah or son for me. 90% sure its salah. Liverpool gonna be hungry for goals

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

        Son not a bad choice either as I have him too.

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

      Considering Kane but not sure after last few games...

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

      Bruno or KDB. Currently Bruno but feel KDB is so close to hauling most weeks it’s only a matter of time.. surely!!
      Have Son and not considering him.

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

        Go for the one that's always about to but never does, or the one who consistently does? FWIW Salah gets another chance for me.

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

          That is common sense. Reckon I’ll keep it on Bruno as a KDB haul is becoming a bit of a differential now anyway with so many getting rid.
          For what it’s worth, if I had Salah I would cap him!!

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

            Sterling's the one to get for city not KDB.

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

              Not a bad shout

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

                If he had scored that last min screamer vs WBA or started the Burnley game there won't be any debates. I had Sterling cap and KDB in that WBA game, just my luck I lost 15 points thanks to that miss.

          2. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            I stupidly stupidly stupidly sold Bruno for KDB last week. Now I'm dumping KDB but for Mane. I'll return to Bruno later, maybe for Son if Spuds prove to have transformed into a Mourinho bus.

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

              Mane a good punt. Looked loads sharper against WBA. Bruno better than Son long term. Spurs def gone off the boil it seems.

    4. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Go for the weaker defence if it's a toss up, and in this case is newcastle.

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

    Preparing for gw18 and FH gw19.

    Lamptey to:
    A. Dier
    B. Stones (already have Cancelo)

    Or alternatively just KDB to Bruno?

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

      Lamptey to Dier but I would also get Bruno anyway

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

    WC Draft 1:
    Fabianski McCarthy
    Robbo Cancelo Dier Coufal Taylor
    Grealish Salah Bruno Soucek Raphinha
    Kane Bamford Adams

    WC Draft 2:
    *Johnstone* McCarthy
    Robbo Cancelo Coufal Taylor *Struijc*
    *Son* Salah Bruno Soucek Raphinha
    Kane Bamford Adams

    What's a better bet? Have no idea if I'm BBing or not 😐

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

      WC Draft 3:
      *Johnstone* McCarthy
      Robbo Cancelo Stones Hause *Struijc*
      *Son* Salah Bruno Soucek Raphinha
      Kane Bamford Adams

    2. yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      i like 2) with downgrading Kane to say Vardy and upgrading whoever struijc is hahaha

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

        On the WC itself or next week? struijc is leeds defender haha, had no idea either...cheap option for 3.9 and incidentally started the last game

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

          if u on wc id plan only two moves total (one before 17 and one before 19). im personally starting with only son as spurs cover and going to move him to rashford or mane for dgw19

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

            ah fair enough, thanks for your input!

  7. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is this team ready? 0FT, 2.0 ITB. Want to take Werner out but not planning to take a -4.

    Sanchez
    Zouma Coufal Taylor
    Salah(v) Bruno Son(c) Grealish
    Werner DCL Bamford

    Button Konsa Bissouma Kilman

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

      If you want to take Warner out and will do so next week, and he's in your starting 11... I'd take the hit. He will probably be rested next game based on Lamp comments

  8. tinear
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Appreciate any opinion on this lads.

    Martinez
    Zouma, Stones, Taylor
    Grealsh, Salah, Bruno, Son
    Kane, Bamford, DCL

    Steer, Ayling, Bissouma, Mitchell
    2ft, 1.3 itb

    Plan
    GW16 DCL to Adams
    GW17 Kane Mitchell to Vardy Robbo
    FH18

    Leaves me with this for GW19 (not the best team to BB)
    Martinez
    Robbo,Zouma,Stones
    Son, Salah, Bruno, Grealish
    Vardy, Bamford, Adams

    Steer, Taylor, Ayling, Bissouma
    0 itb

    Do you reckon any better transfer?

  9. Pat
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    We are on the eve of GW16 and the last chance to use a WC and we have no significant updates on:
    -Scout Squad
    -Watch List (last updated a week ago)
    FWIW, it is 11pm on the west coast of the US and the GW deadline is at 5:30am.
    Good luck for those on WC1. I will leave a few planned (sort of) transfers available b/w now and DGW 19 and will probably use my FH in BGW 18.

  10. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lamptey wasn't even showing as a minus on the price change indicator last night at 12.30 - shocked he's dropped.

    Anyone know extent of Rashford's injury, will he play tomorrow?

  11. Pommie22
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys comments greatly appreciated. I will doing these tonight.
    Grealish, Anguissa > Soucek, Raphinha
    This gives me 9 dgw + Son,Kane,Stones,
    Watkins,Martinez,Ryan 2.0 itb.
    Going to FH gw18 and will still have 2FT for gw 19 to look at maybe GK and FWD.
    Thanks in advance

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

    What happens when you use two free transfers before you activate your Free Hit GW18?

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

      Transfers cancelled.
      Only 1 FT following week so you effectively lose 1.

  13. Blens
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys,

    Dilemma with my front line have Bamford, DCL and Wood

    Have 5 ITB and 1 FT

    Seeking inspiration today..

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

    GTG?

    Meslier
    Zouma Dier Taylor
    Mo(c) Bruno Son Soucek Grealish
    Bamford Kane

    Bench: DCL Matip Lewis
    0 FT, 0.5m ITB

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

      Other keeper is Martinez btw