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. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So what are the chances of Coufal & Burke at the very least featuring today at some point? Even if it's for 1 point...

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

      I don't care about 1 point. Burke either score or stay on the bench along with his 1 point.

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

        I'd rather field 11 players, than 10 surely?

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

          442,100k and 441,100k are same for me.

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

        That one was the difference between top 10k and me last season. Every point counts. And I am down to max 10 men now.

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

          1 pt...

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Coufal less likely than Burke

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

      since when do right backs come on

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

        I'm just asking a question, not hard to answer no?

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

          Coufal has very low chance. Burke has a good chance though

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

        After injuries?

    4. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      can see burke coming on, not coufal.

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

    I need Cofoul to come off the bench or Jones (liv) to play tomorrow to get 11

  3. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Spurs Fulham might be off tomorrow due covid

    I want to see the ones laughing on Kdb yesterday and City postponed match

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

      Why? Source?

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        The athletic

  4. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DGW19 BB teams turned into GW16 get-more-than-8-players-out teams.

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

      Fantasy 5 is the new Double GW

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

    Just arrived back in guys, is there a problem with the Spurs match?

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

      Yes 🙁

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

      yes likely to called off.

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

        be*

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

      yes it could be moved

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

      COVID positive tests at Fulham

  6. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No players missing out for me so far, what’s all the fuss about? Looking like a good week

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

      Spurs players ?

  7. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any chance Coufal Kilman or Stephens play any part in todays proceedings.

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

      stephens may be 1 pointer like last game

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

    KWP, McCarthy, Adams, Meslier, Bamford, Soucek, Taylor, Saka all starting from my team, feeling blessed!

    At least if other games are called off I'll manage some sort of points today from those!

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

      Aaaand we needed to know this why?

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

      bullets dodged

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

    I'm slowing falling out of love with fpl

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

      Something good at last....

  10. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Burnley Fulham likely off if Fulham/Spurs is you'd think.

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

      Probably yes

    2. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      There goes my only decent GW17 defensive fixture in Taylor. Lol.

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

    Looks like this will be the last FPL GW for a while

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

      How is this gathering momentum so quickly!

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

    Here goes my third gameweek owning Saka. Hopefully another beautifully sculpted, intentional lob on the cards.

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

      Nice differential, looks like you got him at the right time (unless the Chelsea game was an exception)

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

        Hope so. Really tempted by Martinelli as well. In fact, nearly when for him instead, but heard he wasn't going to play the week I got Saka. Smith Rowe a tantalising proposition too. Can see an early WC to get all 3 if they continue to get regular minutes! 😀

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

          I'm tempted by Martinelli too especially at that price and for the BGW in particular (if we even get that far!)

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Smashing it you mate

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

        I am doing so well

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

    No Coufal off the bench for me but I will get Bernardo - looking forward to a mega haul from him 🙂

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

    When will they postpone the season. Please postpone. I'm feked if fulham don't play burnley next week as well. Already no city chelsea.

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

      Needs cancelling right now this is a disgrace

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Things are suddenly picking up pace again

      Decision will be made soon I think

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

        PL discussion imminent over a two-week break.

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It’s fine makes fpl more exciting

    4. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Snowflakes

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

    Who's more likely to be off Liverpool or spurs ? Or both?

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

      spurs

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

      Spurs game looks likely to be off

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

      Spurs because an actual trusted source has written about it

  16. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else now hoping for a Brighton clean sheet owing to Bernardo being their fifth choice defender coming on from the bench?

    1. Party time
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I will never hope for a Brighton clean sheet again even though Webster is in my team. I count that as a steady 2 points in the bag

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

      Anyone own Dias Belloli?

      You may do even though you don't know it.

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

        raphinha, and yes

      2. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Is his first name Ruben?

      3. AlternativeB
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Who is that? Don't see him in the lineup at Fotmob

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

          Raphinha (Leeds)

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      And Leeds who play with more intensity don't make a single chang

    4. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      To take a step back from FPL, it seems we're at a peak unlike even the first of the virus - new variant + winter + family time at Christmas is a perfect storm. I think they might have to suspend the league at least for a month or so.

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

        Yep

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

        The problem is that if the bubbles don't work, one month is not enough. It is going to be 3-4 months in that case.

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

      Hoping Coufal stays benched. The way things are happy to take the Mitchell 2 points

    6. MoSalad
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Coufal still nailed on & just a rest?

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

        Yep

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

        Rest, and a day or two with the new baby.

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

      Positive cases at Fulham. However, also positive cases at Sheffield Utd yet game goes ahead tonight.

      Lot of scaremongering going on

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

        Depends if players are affected, no?

    8. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Null and void

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

        Has it been disclosed how many cases at Fulham there has been?

        I believe if they can still field a squad it goes ahead right?

        1. pundit of punts
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Depends if it’s more staff or players

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

            Makes sense

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

          Surely man city could still have fielded a squad

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

            I saw something earlier on here which had a load of suspected players on, so if that was true they wouldn’t have been able to I don’t think

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

              Man City players that is

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

          This

        4. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Manager now fully recovered?

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

          I think the issue is the close proximity of games. A few positives is manageable but there isn’t time to resolve it before the next game comes along.

          It’s likely only a few players will come back positive but everyone is in incubation period for a couple of days before a positive or negative.

      • pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Kane (c) KDB (vc) for me

        😀

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Oooops

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

          Damn.

      • FPLord
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Given that so many games are in jeopardy atm, could it be wiser to cancel BB plans, stay away from hits and keep transfers for as long as possible?

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

          Absolutely

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

          Probably. step by step...

      • Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Benrahma wasted talent at West Ham

      • Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        If Spurs don't play some of us will be down to 7 lmao

        1. pundit of punts
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I’ll be down to 9 and without a captain

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

          Down to 9 atm. Would be down to 7 or 6.

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

        Quite phenomenal head loss on here

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

          It's pretty hilarious really.

      • Party time
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Liverpool game cancelled will be the icing on the cake

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

            Liverpool and Newcastle two of the safest clubs.

            Newcastle already had their outbreak and Liverpool (the city) been badly hit so they have a much stronger testing program then other places.

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

              New played City some two days ago