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

    Southampton and Leeds being reliable is nice

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

    As Brostan says, you need cultural understanding to play this game

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

    Last time we listen to a random Leeds fan.

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

    ings starts

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

      Could be a great option for DGW19 if there is one...

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

        Doubt it. Will get 120 min max.

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

    Taylor, Meslier, Bamford all start let's gooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Taylor start and finnished

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

    For DGW:

    1) Justin/Cresswell, Raphinha

    2) Lowton/Balbuena, Barnes

    ?

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Justin + barnes

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

    Is Lowton starting?

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      look below

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

    BRIGHTON TEAM NEWS

    Team to face Arsenal: Sanchez, Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Burn, Bernardo, Bissouma, Gross, Propper, Mac Allister, Jahanbakhsh.

    Subs: Steele, White, Connolly, Maupay, Trossard, Welbeck, March, Zeqiri, Molumby.

    ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

    Team to face Brighton: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Elneny, Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Saka, Martinelli, Aubameyang.

    Subs: Runarsson, Ceballos, Lacazette, Maitland-Niles, Cedric, Pepe, Mustafi, Willock, Nketiah.

    BURNLEY TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Sheff Utd: Pope, Lawton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Brady, Brownhill, Westwood, Pieters, Wood, Barnes.

    Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Norris, Stephens, Bardsley, Long, Dunne, Mancini, Benson, Mumbongo.

    SHEFF UTD TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Burnley: Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Baldock, Osborn, Ampadu, Stevens, McGoldrick, Brewster, Mousset.

    Subs: Verrips, Fleck, Lowe, Burke, Norwood, Bogle, Bryan.

    WEST BROM TEAM NEWS

    Team to face Leeds: Johnstone, Furlong, O’Shea, Ajayi, Gibbs, Phillips, Sawyers, Gallagher, Diangana, Robinson, Grant.

    Subs: Button, Pereira, Grosicki, Austin, Harper, Krovinovic, Peltier, Kipre.

    LEEDS TEAM NEWS

    Team to face West Brom: Meslier, Dallas, Ayling, Struijk, Alioski, Phillips, Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison, Bamford.

    Subs: Casilla, Poveda, Roberts, Costa, Hernandez, Davis, Shackleton, Jenkins, Casey.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This guy went and got the subs too, respect

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

      Who’s Lawton?

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

        Lol 😉

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

      Free WC for Coufal owners!!!

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

      Southampton

      McCarthy
      Bednarek
      Bertrand
      KWP
      Stephens
      JWP
      Walcott
      Djenepo
      Romeu
      Ings
      Adams

      Subs:
      Valery
      Forster
      Smallbone
      Vokins
      Long
      Diallo
      Armstrong
      Obafemi
      Salisu

      West Ham:

      Fabianski
      Dawson
      Fredericks
      Cresswell
      Ogbonna
      Rice
      Fornals
      Soucek
      Lanzini
      Yarmolenko
      Haller

      Subs:
      Coufal
      Antonio
      Benrahma
      Bowen
      Noble
      Randolph
      Johnson
      Diop
      Snodgrass

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

    Soucek and Creswell start

  10. The Hunt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Ings essential!

  11. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Balbuena not in the squad?

    Scenesss

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

      Thats concerning..on the bench but wanted him for the DGW

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

    No one missing from my team thus far... worrying

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

      Why?

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

    Hope Bowen rested and not dropped ...

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

    Miracle - Brewster starts!

  15. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    OMG FUDGEY Ings starts

    Season over

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

    Could this mean that Coufal has his rest now and more likely to play both games in DGW19?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Most likely

    2. Hect.OR 98th
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      There won't be a DGW19, in my opinion.

    3. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      he also had a kid so maybe been away from training a bit, likely to start from now on in, as an owner im not to fused

    4. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      There is a 2 week break between gw17 and 19. He could have played today and still have a very similar probability to be in line for the DGW.

      In any case his chances are high if fit.

  17. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufal was suppossed to come in for Zouma.
    Kilman’s called on duty then... 😐

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

      Good luck with that.

  18. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No COUFAL. GREAT.

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

      Down to 10 then so far

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

      Same

  19. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufal out for me. Means I need to go Anguissa deep this week.

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

      Was already anguissa deep. Now i am 10 players deep.

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

    If i'd of know Ings was back i would have got Adams on WC!

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

    Not a single one of my guys for tonight benched or rested, it's a Christmas miracle!

  22. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    ⚽ Team News 📰
    BHA: Sánchez, Webster, Dunk, Veltman, Burn, Bissouma, Groß, Bernardo, Pröpper, Jahanbakhsh, Mac Allister
    Subs: Steele, White, Molumby, March, Trossard, Connolly, Zeqiri, Welbeck, Maupay

    ARS: Leno, Bellerín, Holding, Marí, Tierney, Xhaka, Elneny, Martinelli, Saka, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang
    Subs: Rúnarsson, Cédric, Mustafi, Ceballos, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Nketiah, Lacazette, Pépé

    BUR: Pope, Mee, Lowton, Taylor, Tarkowski, Brownhill, Westwood, Pieters, Brady, Wood, Barnes
    Subs: Norris, Peacock-Farrell, Bardsley, Dunne, Long, Benson, Mancini, Stephens, Mumbongo

    SHU: Ramsdale, Jack Robinson, Egan, Basham, Baldock, Stevens, Osborn, Ampadu, Mousset, Brewster, McGoldrick
    Subs: Verrips, Bogle, Bryan, Lowe, Fleck, Norwood, Burke

    SOU: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bertrand, Bednarek, Stephens, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo, Oriol Romeu, Walcott, Adams, Ings
    Subs: Forster, Salisu, Vokins, Valery, Smallbone, Diallo, Armstrong, Obafemi, Long

    WHU: Fabianski, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Dawson, Fredericks, Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Lanzini, Yarmolenko, Haller
    Subs: Randolph, Diop, Coufal, Johnson, Snodgrass, Noble, Antonio, Benrahma, Bowen

    WBA: Johnstone, Furlong, Gibbs, O'Shea, Ajayi, Callum Robinson, Gallagher, Sawyers, Diangana, Phillips, Grant
    Subs: Button, Peltier, Ivanovic, Cédric Kipré, Grosicki, Harper, Krovinovic, Austin, Pereira

    LEE: Meslier, Phillips, Struijk, Ayling, Klich, Rodrigo, Alioski, Dallas, Bamford, Harrison, Raphinha
    Subs: Casilla, Casey, Davis, Jenkins, Shackleton, Hernández, Roberts, Costa, Poveda-Ocampo

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

    Balbuena???

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

    So. No Coufal, no Balbuena, No Zouma, No KDB. Wonderful.

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

      No Coufal, KdB, Stones or Dias. Still time for Lewis not start.

  25. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufal and Balbuena not nailed for DGW

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

      No one is

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

    Dallas, Taylor and Bam started - now needs Burke to come off the bench.

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

    Well, It looks like i'm fielding 9 players this week unless Coufal & Burke feature at some point...

    Still need Bruno/Kane & Dier to play to field a full 11..

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

    Down to 10 this week, painful

  29. Halftime
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB to Auba looking good...

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

    Pleased with the team news. Taylor, Cresswell, Brewster, Adams, Bamford all start. Noticed that there was no Raphina and no Coufal.

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

      Raphinha is playing

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

      raphinha is starting?

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

      raphinha starts mate

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

        BBC sport have his name displayed as Dias Belloli. Didn't realise that was him. Sorry of I caused any alarm.

        1. Sloane426
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ban