Scout Notes

Penalty-taking El Ghazi outperforming Grealish as goal-scoring run continues

Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa

  • Goals: Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) | Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m)
  • Assists: Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) | Matty Cash (£5.0m)
  • Bonus points: Giroud x3, Cash x2, El Ghazi x1

A GREAL G

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) is making a strong case to replace Jack Grealish (£7.8m) in Fantasy Premier League teams after scoring for Aston Villa in their 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

The Dutch winger now has five goals in as many appearances since Gameweek 12, the most of any colleague during that time.

Crucially, the penalty-taking El Ghazi has vastly outscored Grealish over the last five matches – an impressive feat for a man who can offer a £2.0m saving on top of his points potential.

In that time, the cheaper of the two has scored 42 points, averaging 8.4 points per game.

Meanwhile, Grealish has contributed just two attacking returns since Gameweek 12, both of them assists, for a total of 19 points (3.8 per game).

ROTATION PROOF?

Anyone considering El Ghazi can take additional comfort from Dean Smith’s comments after the draw at Chelsea.

Despite a gap of just two days between Villa’s Gameweek 15 and 16 matches, he made just one change to his team – and even that was enforced. Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) missed out due to suspension so Ezri Konsa (£4.7m) and Kortney Hause (£4.4m) were paired together at centre-back for the first time this season.

That meant El Ghazi, Grealish, Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) comprised the front-four once again and, it must be said, none of them looked as if they were suffering from the busy schedule, each putting in a gut-busting shift.

“I’m a big believer that you want to play every game. That’s what footballers want. If they doing well, keep playing them. I didn’t name the team until today but I wanted to check they were alright but I’m still yet to see a player carried off the pitch due to exhaustion.” – Dean Smith

Smith may not be entirely accurate with the second half of that quote (I’ve seen plenty of players forced off with exhaustion and/or cramp and I’m close to half his age) – but his commitment to keeping the same team is encouraging for Fantasy managers.

His squad was possibly helped by the postponement of a Gameweek 11 hosting of Newcastle, as that afforded them 12 days of rest at the start of December – a luxury few other clubs have enjoyed this Christmas.

Either way, looking ahead, it will arguably be much easier to predict the Villa line-up and invest with confidence compared to many other teams – perhaps until they suffer another bad patch of form.

Villa’s short-term fixtures could play a part in that as they face Manchester United (away) and Spurs (home) in the next two Gameweeks – perhaps warranting pause before jumping straight into signing El Ghazi.

LAMPARD LOTTERY

By contrast, Frank Lampard wreaked havoc with Fantasy teams on a day where Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) were handed an unexpected Blank Gameweek.

Three of Chelsea’s four most-popular assets, Kurt Zouma (27.0%), Timo Werner (14.0%) and Reece James (12.8%), missed out on a place in the starting XI against Aston Villa as Lampard managed the minutes of his squad.

Zouma and Thiago Silva‘s (£5.6m) absences was simply down to the volume of games played recently but in the case of James, he was left out of the squad because of a “minor” hamstring problem suffered after recent issues with his knee.

Despite playing the full 90 minutes, Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) still caused some Fantasy anguish. After losing over 855,000 owners over the last four Gameweeks, the left-back now has the same number of assists in that time (two) than he did during the first 12 league matches of the campaign – and he nearly scored a wonder-volley in the closing stages.

Meanwhile, it was noteworthy to see Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) start a second game in two days and manage to last 90 minutes each time – perhaps suggesting he can offer a robust route into Chelsea’s attack for matches against Fulham (away) and Leicester (away) in Double Gameweek 19.

“Christian was really bright which is great when he’s played two games close together, fitness-wise.” – Frank Lampard

That said, Fantasy managers should keep an eye on any breaking news coming out of the Manchester City camp in the next few days.

Their trip to Everton, originally scheduled for Monday, was postponed due to an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, putting their Gameweek 17 trip to Stamford Bridge in jeopardy too.

“It’s something we’ll discuss considering we’ve got them at the weekend. It’s something I’ll have to pick up with the medical team and the Premier League.” – Frank Lampard

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): E Mendy; Chilwell, Rüdiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Mount, Jorginho (Havertz 72′), Kanté; Pulisic, Giroud (Werner 72′), Hudson-Odoi.

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Targett, Hause, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; El Ghazi (J Ramsey 81′), Grealish, B Traoré (Davis 87′); Watkins.

2,089 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Novelty game with an extra 5.0m to add a manager
    Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fantasy fantasy scenario:

    You are given an extra 5.0m budget for the introduction of a manager slot to the FPL game. You will receive this extra cash, along with unlimited transfers, for GW19.

    Who would you pick for the second half of the season, and why? (The manager doesn't count towards the limit of 3-players per team).

    Klopp: 7.0
    Pep: 6.5
    Lamps: 6.0
    Ole: 6.0
    Jose: 6.0
    Rodgers: 6.0
    Arteta: 5.5
    Ancelotti: 5.5
    Nuno: 5.0
    Hasenhüttl: 5.0
    Smith: 5.0
    Moyes: 5.0
    Dyche: 4.5
    Bruce: 4.5
    Hodgson: 4.5
    Potter: 4.5
    Bielsa: 4.5
    Allardyce: 4.5
    Parker: 4.5
    Wilder: 4.5

    FPL Manager points:

    Win: 3
    Win from behind: 1 (4 total)
    Draw: 1
    Loss: 0
    YC: -2
    RC: -5
    G/A contribution from sub : 3
    No-show: -1
    Sacked: -5

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Easily Ole. Loves going behind and turning the game around. Also has a game or two in hand on others.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        And would never get YC or RC

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Game or two in hand is a solid reason for sure. Is an extra point every few gameweeks for a win from behind enough though? He could get good sub points for scoring later in games though 🙂

        1. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cavani getting him stacks of points!

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

      Ole would rack up win from behind points like crazy.

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Love this as a concept added to the actual game

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pep.

    5. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you choose Pep as a manager, your ‘locked in’ team gets randomly rotated with your bench

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oo that would be sweet. Asymmetrical traits for each manager to add a bit of flavour to your team.

        Maybe they can get different points for things, like Jose gets an extra 3 points for a clean sheet. Arteta get an extra point if no-one is sent off. 😀

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Lamps can save up 3 transfers to spend all at once, instead of the usual 2.

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            ‘Manager perks’

        2. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Love it haha

        3. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ole extra 3 points for each injury time goal

        4. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Allardyce 3 points per set-piece goal

      2. 272MK
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If you choose Mou, 5-4-1 park the bus formation must be played

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I like it! Plus Mou is allowed to play mids and forwards in defence. 😀

    6. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I quite like Bielsa for goals scored, which could translate into more wins and sub points.

      Arteta, toot, as I'm an Arsenal fan and I priced him hdown 0.5 due to current struggles. He's a fiddler like Pep which could result in sub points.

      And then Pep, toot, for that reason, matched with a deeper squad to allow it.

    7. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very dissapointed at fpl already that we don't have a nailed 4.0 manager

      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Maybe 4.0 for all managers currently managing in the Championship or below?

    8. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pep would get the most sub points. I think he would be the best pick, Ole wins from behind not sustainable

    9. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good idea mate!! Initially my first thought was Ole. Would be tough to stretch to Kloppo.

    10. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bielsa. Worse value than defenders so picking the cheapest and investing elsewhere

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I was thinking similarly, but then you still need your 4.5 to be getting points. Klopp could get 80-140pts I guess, while Wilder might get 2pts. Bielsa, on the other hand, looks like he would be a good value replacement.

    11. JonBoy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bit can you transfer your manager?

      1. JonBoy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        But

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm thinking you have to stick with a manager for, say 5 GWs, then you are allowed to change if you like after that. Once locked in, you have to keep for the full 5 GWs.

        Otherwise, you have to use you transfers as normal (so it could be free or for a hit).

        I think it would bring people back for the following season aspeople would want to play as the different managers. Obviously it's too farfetched to expect something like this from the official game.

        1. ClassiX
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          How would Manager BPS be awarded? Simply 3-2-1 to the top scoring managers of each GW?

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Could do that, but if I understand your thinking correctly, you'd need 20 managers to play once each week, and so it could get a bit unbalanced with blanks, doubles, postponements, etc, reducing the pool of reasonable manager options during certain periods.

            Would prefer to give managers points directly. Perhaps even get rid of the player bonus system (certainly overhaul it), but that's another point entirely.

    12. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      G/A contribution should be higher

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Maybe instead it could be:

        Goal scored: 2pts
        Goal from sub: 4pts (6 total)
        Hitting target/woodwork from sub: 1pt
        Assist from sub: 3pts

        Or something like that

    13. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think you've underpriced Bielsa! I'll take him for 4.5m!

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He's a tempter!

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

    If Chris wood can't play I quit. I actually quit. Screw this season.

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fudgyyy!!

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hey

        1. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I got Taylor and Pope so i do hope game happens

          1. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Omg chaos bro

            1. Zimo
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Haha yeah. Already missing out on KDB and Zouma 😛

              1. Fudgy
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                It's a disgrace. Fpl need to do something for us ffs

                1. Zimo
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  I'd take an extra FT or 2 🙂

          2. John Nerdelbaum
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Pope will still get a 12 pointer even if the game is called off

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      But we will all miss you x

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks pal I know u got my back

    3. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      please say that you will no longer be on here as well..

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'll still post and share my insight into the game

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          thats quite sad to be honest

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Why u gotta be so mean? He just venting. He's not being rude to anyone.

            1. The Train Driver
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Well he is being rude, annoying and some other words I can't write here. Wonder if you have read his corona conspiracy theories? Basically mocking the people who have died and lost their loved ones...

              1. Zimo
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                ._. No i haven't read those. Fudgy did u really say those things 🙁

    4. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Finally

    5. Rochdale_Cowboy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bye

    6. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sorry but you are inside 500k, nothing to moan about then.

  3. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why do people think the pool game is postponed?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Rumours

      • Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Panicin.

      • KGFC
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nothing else better to do

      • Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Speculations because Newcastle played Man City last game (but I think they never came closer than 2 meters from them)

        1. Von Lipwig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          haha, that's why I read these comments

      • Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Anyone on here could say without any info, that any given game could be off and four pages time it become fact

      • Mmm sausages
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think people take the view that because Newcastle played Man City that they are at risk, but that doesn’t follow at all. West Brom played Newcastle before the game with Villa was called off and their fixture went ahead.

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

        Baseless speculation just because City played Newcastle last week

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It was a main talking point last night on Amazon.

      • Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Newcastle played City

      • Karhumies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Newcastle players potentially catching covid from Man City in their previous match. Purely rumours and speculation.

      • g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Needs to be a simple rule, post a source or bye bye banning.
        Should sort all the false shite on here.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          This

      • Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks all

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

      Which set would you choose for DGW ?

      1) Johnstone/McCarthy, Justin/Cresswell, Raphinha

      2) Johnstone, Lowton/Balbuena, Barnes

      Now have Vardy, Bamford, Adams, Soucek, Dallas and Coufal

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Everytime I own Barnes, he gets benched. That's all I can say.

        1. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, not sure he is worth it as I also have Vardy

    3. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ralph Hasenhüttl will be absent from the dugout tonight, following a positive Covid-19 test in his household.

      The #SaintsFC boss will manage the game remotely and be in touch with his coaching staff throughout:

      Saints Twitter page

    4. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Got to ask ourselves if we were the Burnley FC would we even want to play SHU this week. I wouldn’t.

      1. JJeyy
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        With a weakened team of course they would

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

        Most teams would want to play them every week.

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You probably noticed I wrote Burnley FC. In the context of COVID the club is much bigger than just the players on the pitch...even during lockdown, of sorts. I wouldn’t want them anywhere near the ground at such short notice. It’s not just players at risk.

    5. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jeeeeeez

      So much outrage over 1 GW.

      Looks like everyone is in the same boat...this gw looks like it will hardly matter. Just laugh and move on

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It's a lot funnier when you have few players affected. One City, no Chelsea, no Everton

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Kdb matip Zouma here with lewis Brewster coming on but dont think this gw will make a big difference

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Every GW matters. One like this especially could have huge swings for very unlucky reasons

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Huge swings only happen when these is big scores and lots of differentials

          80% of the teams look identical and rotiation shd have limited swinging

      3. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Chelsea V Man City could do out next GW as well...

    6. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      @Fudgy.
      Shall we compare seasons?
      What has gone wrong for you? Mine has gone beyond a joke, a joke is way back, now it’s become animal cruelty.

      1. Evil Buddha
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fight for your rights. Say no to animal cruelty. All animals get a free wc.

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

        First of all I am a vegan and stand against animal cruelty. 2ndly I didn't own Salah week 1, but did own Kane instead and I took Kane out week 1 and got Salah and never got kane back until be began blanking. It made my season hell so far and made me very unstable.

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Boycotting meat isn't really a stand.

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

          First rule of vegan club:
          Tell everyone you're a vegan.

          1. Evil Buddha
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            What about being gluten free?

        3. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Don't know why you moan so much.

          You're in the Top 500k, got your chips in hand, and will probably get 11 players out this GW.

          You're ahead of seasoned pros like Joe, Az, TM etc.

        4. The Train Driver
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Vegan, ah I see, that explains a lot...

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

          Are you FPL Virgin?

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            A vegan troll who is an animal cruelty activist? Surely not?

        6. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Blimey. Yeah I was insanely busy at the beginning of the season. I actually started the season with an auto correct team, as I never got round to doing putting my own touch on it. I WC week 2 and it was awful. I got in Jota for the injured Barkley, then I had to get rid of him as he got injured. I later got blinded by City, got in Mahrez and Mendy for Saiss and Son. Saiss appeared out of nowhere and Son continued his fine form. Then I had to sell Gabriel as he got a red, so I got Konsa as he'd played every minute of the season. He got injured before the game and Villa got 4 clean sheets in a row, he was part of 1 but oh yes, he came on at half time (ish). James and Chilwell get injured, so I flipped a coin and sold Chilwell, but he comes back and plays is rested. Final move was either KDB to Son or Mitchell to Taylor. I did the defensive move as the previous week I only had 1 defender available from 5. A massive surprise to me Michell plays, I couldn't believe it. Add to that, the City game gets called off so completely the wrong was made, even though I hate making defensive transfers. Also I had 4 players involved in that game. Now if the SHU gets called off I don't have the very defensive transfer available that I didn't even want to make.

          1. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Well I'm not fielding 11 this week. I've taken a ridiculous amount of hits. I did cancelo in then cancelo out for a -4 for James then James our for a -4 . I'm all over the place and not able to stabilise

        7. Doctor Evil
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Lol

    7. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This week should have been declared Null. So unfair to some. The luck factor was never this much in this game. Some dude in my ML was kinda happy that my City players have no game. How can you feel happy when someone has got Rona and it doesn't even matter to you?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        its a game.

      2. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who's Rona?

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Co Rona?

        2. Bounce
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That's what the EDL call Covid-19.

        3. The VAR Team
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wayne Rona! Striker back in the day

      3. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        dry your eyes, its only a game

      4. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lol, no different to snow or a storm calling off a game

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If anything that was far worse...esp back in 10, 09. Rememebeing gws with only 2 matches going ahead

      5. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It’s a game and a game that throws curve balls. It’s a rollercoaster of a game.

        It is what it is. Be Brave, Embrace it.

        And in real life wish health and happiness to everyone.

      6. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do u not remember when snow would literally postpone half the games
        That invovled far more luck

        Only 2 games off this entire season cuz of covid

      7. Feanor
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I suggest permanently retiring from FPL in protest.

        1. The VAR Team
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          FPL towers in tears 😉

      8. chrismoo75
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        One game is cancelled, which it could be in any GW in winter with weather conditions and you cry for it being declared null and avoid? Bit of an over reaction don't you think. If it was 4-5 games then yes but otherwise it is not really any different to any other game week.

      9. DickFranDyke
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You should have played FPL in Jan 2010 during Snowgate. Premier League lost seven matches to severe weather...You would have had a heart attack.

    8. Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Southampton v Liverpool on 4th January could be postponed as Ralph Hasenhüttl has tested positive for Covid-19. The incubation period is 4-5 days, and if we assume he's been in contact with the entire Southampton squad a lot of their players could also start testing positive around 2nd-3rd January.

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you Doctor.

        1. FPL Forward Thinker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Please Note: All 231 remaining fixtures hold the risk of being postponed or rearranged due to weather, Covid19 or domestic cup involvement.

          1. Bounce
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Not much of a forward thinker are you?

            1. FPL Forward Thinker
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I think.... looking forward, any of the remaining 231 fixtures hold the risk of being postponed or rearranged due to weather, Covid19 or domestic cup involvement.

      2. Evil Buddha
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think it's being blown out of proportion. Just wait for official news. Not in our hands anyway.

      3. Well you know, Triffic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He hasn't tested positive....yet....

      4. Feanor
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He hasn't tested positive. Someone in his household did.

      5. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He hasn't tested positive though? Someone in his family has apprently

      6. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah right

      7. Karhumies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Someone in his household other than him tested positive?

      8. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He didnt test positive. Someone in his household did and he's isolating from them as a precuation

      9. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Now shite like this

    9. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As a Taylor owner i'm scared Sheffields attackers are the ones with covid, as there is a chance their u23 attackers could actually score goals

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Oh schnitzel

      2. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I heard two rumours.
        1. Rhian Brewster is 20 years old, thus u23.
        2. He can score goals, albeit in meaningless Liverpool friendlies and Championship matches for Swansea.

        Not that this info helps much

    10. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why can't the people at fpl actually get off their arses and help us? I'm not even going to have 11 players this week ffs

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        By doing what? If they award 20 extra points to everyone that would still be useless. So what suggestions do you have in mind?

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

        hel pin like send you a blow up doll?

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

        We get the message. Can you stop going in about it please

      4. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Also where's eBay when there's dishes to be washed and why isn't someone from Amazon coming to wipe my arse?!

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You don’t have Prime then?

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

        They couldn't even stop the gameweeks from being played during lockdown, this is probably well above their paygrade

      6. Karhumies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cue 10x u23s introduced to FPL with 4.0 price tags.

      7. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        There will be many teams without 11 players if games get postponed. It's bad luck. Accept it and move on.

      8. I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Are you a troll?

      9. chrismoo75
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Maybe FPL should write an article and ask FPL managers to maybe consider having a bench that plays so they can come on for situations like this?

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If you have 5 players in a postponed match or if your bench players also randomly get rotated due to tight fixtures, it doesn’t help to have a bench.

          Not suggesting FPL should do anything about it though, it’s written in the rules and luck is always a factor in this game.

          1. chrismoo75
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Agree that is unlucky - but I would suspect that most people that are raging are ones that have either A) transferred in City/Everton players for this GW, or B) don't have a bench to start with.

            The OP only has 1 player out from that game so not sure what the gripe is

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

        What exactly would you like them to do?

      11. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        so entitled. Get over it

      12. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You have Stones and DCL, with Coufal and Mitchell off your bench.....

        That's 11 innit....

        1. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Why am I even reacting...

          Yup, the joke's on me....

          Well done Sir.

      13. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I love parody posters

    11. schwing
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Highest scoring team this GW has 47pts ... with 14 transfers (-52pts) LOL https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/3200680/event/16

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I saw his history. He just gets players playing on the first day of each GW to try and be first after day 1, I'm guessing. Not sure if there's any prize for that.

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

        4 off the bench for 51 🙂

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

        He has a negative overall score!

      4. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Phew, if they had been ranked above me...

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

        His overall points after 16 gameweeks is -58.

        1. Evil Buddha
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Won't be the last in world I bet.

      6. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Happens every week.

      7. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Another reason this site could be better & stop all these one week wonders grabbing all the headlines.

        Simple algorithm could eliminate all these, would probably see the numbers drop from 7m to 4m 🙂

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

        Why do they even do this...like what do they get out of it?

      9. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Loves a hit, this guy! Addicted to making transfers so he/she is!

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

        maximum 12 point hit for all,end of problem,i bet sir ragabolly could do the software for that and then all these tools could shuffle off and play with their lego and dollys...

    12. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Come on Sean Dyche, give Dale Stephens a start mate.

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That you Would Ed Woodward?

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

      To make the most of bench boost in gw19 I’d need to take a 16 point hit. Had planned to use my wild card but starting to wonder if better to take the hit and save it for later?

      What do we think?

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just don't Bench Boost?

      2. Evil Buddha
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just wait for more info. Nothing you can do without forewarning.

      3. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Your bench would have to score 30+ points to cover the hit and make BB look good. ABsolutetly no way. Use TC if you want or no chips at all.

      4. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What about after GW19 is your team well setup and no further hits? Either way -16 is too much imo.

      5. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Save

      6. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Pretty much same situation. For that reason decided to use tc instead.

        Will have 10-11 dgw players and Salah(tc)

        1. Mattdrid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks for the replies, feels like a good week for bench boost, could still use with -12 I think, sure I’ll change my mind either way over next few days

          1. S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Prefer bb aswell but not worth the massive hit

          2. FPLGeezer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            In same position would need -12 to make use of BB. Decided to triple captain Salah to Bruno and save BB for after 2nd wildcard

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

      fplstat site seems down or people stop trading? lol

    15. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Any news on Lamptey injury? Need him to start GW17 2nd Jan vs WOL

    16. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do the people whining about unfairness also think it's unfair that all my gw18 players have a blank? Should I get a free wildcard because of that?

      1. Evil Buddha
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You can if it means I can get one too.

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        We’ve known that for a while though and can be planned for.
        Not to mention there is nearly always a BGW a season.

        Not supporting moaning mind you.

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

        I think the problem is the blank happening after deadline so they can't do anything about it.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          So the same as zaha getting covid after the deadline a few game weeks ago then, or Madison/Vardy being rested

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            U know that's not the same

            1. Brosstan
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              It kinda is though. Unforeseen happenstance made them lose players for the gw. It's just that for some managers it was 4 players this time instead of 1-2

        2. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          it's not just a group of people. It's happened to everyone. Just because a pandemic has forced the league to reschedule and delay games after the FPL deadline doesnt mean FPL owes its players anything....

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I didn't say i want anything. I was just giving their point of view.

    17. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FantasyFootballFix just recommended that my one move this week should be to drop Salah for KDB. Ummm, no thanks.

      1. Salan
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Those recommendations are always craps.

      2. Evil Buddha
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        AI recommendations should not be taken seriously in fpl.

      3. Bounce
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I got the same recommendation. Site is worthless.

      4. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I plan to do the same if City game is on

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It's great recommendation. Salah has 1 game against Sot away and KDB has 2. You need to solve the most expensive problem first since it has the most potential

    18. Salan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      More likely that BB gw19 may not be a good option due to this Covid-19 with injuries/suspensions as usual. It is not easy to field 15 players with mainly Dgw players.

      1. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have 15 that are currently fine. Nothings changed for me yet.

        1. Salan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Surely currently can be fine, but we are talking about gw19 not now.

          1. Here's Tom with the We…
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah I agree. Have 12 dgw players already, and was set on bb. Don’t think I’ll risk it now.

    19. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      With the billions of pounds stashed away, couldn't the premier League just buy a bunch of vaccines for all players and staff?

      1. Bounce
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wouldn't be morally acceptable.

        1. Well you know, Triffic
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Neither is Apple, Nike and FIFA exploiting workers from other countries.

          1. Bounce
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            You can't blatantly put sport ahead of human life.

      2. Evil Buddha
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Vaccination for a mutating virus is not a solution. And doing this would risk public anger.

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

          The mutations don't affect the effectiveness of the vaccine.

          1. Well you know, Triffic
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yes that's I thought. Although my source on that is the media

          2. Bounce
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Wrong.

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

              Oh really, show me any evidence this isn’t the case!

      3. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Buy from who? Every single vaccine is needed and should go to vulnerable first. There is no surplus.

        What a news story that would be. Premierleague kills 400 for sport

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          (Thats clearly the dailymail headline before I get angst about the numbers.)

        2. Well you know, Triffic
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'm sure Roman has some connections.

      4. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would cause public outrage (even more so than there already is).

        If they could do it on the sly they would

      5. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        As it the club's want their multimillion pound assets to be part of the initial wave of a vaccine that is barely past experimental stage

      6. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        vaccines are not designed to stop you catching covid or passing it on (may help though), they are intended to help you not get too ill if you do catch it ... fit footballers don’t really get ill anyway

    20. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Any definite news or rumors?

      1. Bounce
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        56 minutes.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Too long for me

      2. Mmm sausages
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What exactly is a definite rumour?

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Or

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

          Something that is definitely just a rumor

      3. Evil Buddha
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Definite news and rumours are two very different things. Just wait for definite news to come.

    21. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is the most time I've spent here on one day (very quiet work day) and I'm starting to regret it, is it like this every day?

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        3 trolls, and everyone making their life seem useful by reacting?

        Neh, not always.....

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        For the last seven or so years

      3. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Welcome to the club

      4. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yup

      5. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        yes

      6. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It's usually a lot worse

      7. aleksaa2
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not always, those trolls come and go.

      8. Well you know, Triffic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It gets worse than this on matchday.

    22. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why is Sheffield United different to Man City?

      1. Bounce
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Money.

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        They have less money

      3. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        $$$

      4. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        staff members not playing staff, training ground not closed

      5. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        The number of positive tests could be different. We also don't know when the tests came back positive - it could be that the Sheffield players/staff had time for a second round of tests for anyone who initially tested negative, whereas City players/staff might not have had the time to do that ahead of last night's match.

    23. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What is this im hearing? Burnley game off aswell?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        There is a chance

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Could be yes. Nothing we can do anyway.

      3. Mmm sausages
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sky sports news reporting at 4pm that it is still on.

      4. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sheffield staff members tested positive.

        If you really believe everything you read on the Interweb, best shut down the ol" laptop and go for a run....

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I read a rumour saying running is bad for you. 🙁

        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He didn't say he believes anything, just what he's heard. Could be true, could not be. Lots of these things turn out to be true for a reason.

      5. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think it’s too late in the day now to not go ahead

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Unless it has been decided not to and not reported

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

        No. It's going ahead.

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

      I think teams with sh*t away kits should be punished.

      Sheff Utd home kit looks pinkish from a distance anyway, so having an actual pink change kit it rubbish.

      Dock those last 2 points.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I once heard a theory that Burnley doesn't have an away kit, could be true.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          They wore it at Leeds I think

    25. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That would be a great Blackbox if Liverpool and Burnley don't have game

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

      I'm just randomly thinking about interesting chip ideas. What if they added a 'joker'.

      It's a wildcard, but it has a condition attached. You must change ALL 15 players in your team. Would that be good? Could be nice for dead-ending a team for a BGW.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hmm yeah could be nice to have after a blank gameweek

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

        Great suggestion, very high skill chip that would massively reward planning

      3. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not sure any active team requires that much surgery. Besides, that means taking out some player "you don't really want to get rid of" .
        Maybe it it's a "revert back to type" then yes

      4. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        "Is it worth removing Salah this week against Leicester so i can get him in on my joker team against Fulham. Would be for a -4."

      5. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        people would try and "game" it by transferring out good players one week before

    27. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I hear that a high number of people at Sheff Utd's club have got Covid. Finally something positive for them! On a more serious note, I really hope that one of them isn't Brewster as I need his guaranteed haul. Lol.

    28. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is hilarious, most of these positive tests is probably Janice the physios assistant who had 10 people round for Christmas, all games on as planned.

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

        The fact Kyle Walker tested positive adds weight to this argument.

      2. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Because footballers are well known for being sensible themselves.

      3. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This cheered me up, thanks

      4. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Brainlet footballer are far more likely to get covid than Janice the physio