Scout Notes

The FPL Round-up: Bruno’s latest blank, Pereira’s form and Mitchell’s benching

Southampton 0-1 Aston Villa

  • Goals: Ross Barkley (£5.9m)
  • Assists: Jack Grealish (£7.7m)
  • Bonus: Emiliano Martinez (£5.1m) x3 Matty Cash (£5.0m) x3 Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) x1

Aston Villa made it 10 clean sheets for the season with a hard-fought win at Southampton.

It was a victory involving another dose of VAR and, less predictably, some post-match musings about the size of John McGinn‘s (£5.5m) backside, but the bottom line was the majority of Villa’s key assets delivering once again.

Ross Barkley (£5.9m) scored the winner when he headed home a Jack Grealish (£7.7m) cross – the fourth attacking return in five Gameweeks for the visitors’ 38%-owned captain.

And while the clean sheet was a fortunate one, it meant a fourth double-digit return of the season for FPL’s most owned goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez (£5.1m).

Currently found in 32.9% of squads, the stopper pulled off some fine saves to deny the Saints.

But VAR helped out too, with a late Danny Ings (£8.4m) goal ruled out for offside by the narrowest of Matty Cash‘s (£5.0m) posterior-based margins, prompting the more generously-proportioned McGinn to later tweet:

Just as well it wasn’t my backside.

Cash had earlier survived a strong penalty shout when a Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) shot grazed his thigh before hitting his arm.

The full-back went on to earn maximum bonus and has now bagged extra points in each of his side’s last three shut-outs.

Some 323,454 Fantasy managers had bought into striker Ollie Watkins (£6.2m) for the encounter. He blanked, but Villa’s schedule is strong enough to offer the promise of returns until Gameweek 31, when things turn decidedly nasty.

As for Southampton, three straight defeats hasn’t prompted major sales of their assets just yet, although a midweek loss at Manchester United might change all that.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): A McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, J Stephens, Diallo; Redmond, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong; Walcott, Ings.

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; Grealish, Barkley, B Traoré; Watkins.

Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

Bonus: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m) x3 Hector Bellerin (£5.1m) x2 Rob Holding (£4.5m) x2

Defenders were to the fore in a goalless draw as the 56.1%-owned Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) blanked for the fourth time in five matches.

Only Tottenham’s Son Heung-min (£9.8m and 59.8%) is a more popular FPL asset than the Manchester United midfielder, but patience among his owners is surely wearing thin, even if that’s not yet prompted major sales.

Another midfielder, the in-form Bukayo Saka (£5.4m), was left out as a precaution due to a sore hip, much to the chagrin of his 11.8% ownership, but a generally under-strength Arsenal more than held their own against United, with Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m) almost winning it when his free-kick hit the bar.

Previous bonus point magnet Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m) rolled back the years with the maximum award, helped by the fact he was one of only two players to provide a big chance on the day.

It was a third clean sheet in five matches for United and a fifth in six for the Gunners.

Of the two teams, the former’s schedule suggests more shut-outs to come over the next few Gameweeks.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Cédric, Holding, D Luiz, Bellerín; Xhaka, Partey; Martinelli (Willian 45), Smith Rowe (Ødegaard 83), Pépé; Lacazette (Nketiah 90+4). 

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka; McTominay (Martial 37), Fred; Pogba, B Fernandes, Rashford (Greenwood 80); Cavani.

Crystal Palace 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Goals: Eberechi Eze (£5.8m)
  • Assists: Jordan Ayew (£5.6m)
  • Bonus: Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) x3, Eze x2, Vicente Guaita (£4.8m) x1

A second-half strike from Eberechi Eze (£5.8m) was enough to win a predictably patchy game for Crystal Palace.

In a game of few chances and even less excitement, the main Fantasy news revolved around a third clean sheet in five matches for the home side and the absence of their most popular defender – the 18.1%-owned Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) – to take advantage of it.

He was replaced by Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) as Palace boss Roy Hodgson made six changes, including three at the back.

Further Fantasy salt was rubbed into Mitchell owners’ wounds when his replacement went on to earn the maximum bonus award.

Such an experienced campaigner could well keep Mitchell out of the side for the foreseeable future, although Hodgson showed plenty of appetite for innovation, switching his team to a 4-2-3-1 formation to both nullify Wolves’ midfield and boost the attacking threat of match-winner Eze:

We also think that Eberechi Eze is not a winger. In that position with Wilf (Zaha) to one side of him and Jordan (Ayew) to the other with a target-like centre forward…it might work out for us and get us on the ball more.

It’s a viable system and I think we can certainly get it to work but I think we were probably better when we went to what we’ve been doing when Eberechi went out into a position as a wide midfielder and Wilf went up top alongside Jordan Ayew. I thought we were probably slightly better in that respect.

But it’s not something which I wouldn’t try to do again because I think it’s got possibilities, that way of playing or that tweak in our system.

The experiment didn’t last the entire game, as Hodgson mentioned above, so a rush on Eze will probably have to wait, as will investment in a Wolves side with just one clean sheet since Gameweek 7.

Crystal Palace XI (4-2-3-1): Guaita; Van Aanholt, Dann, Kouyaté, Clyne (Ward 85); McCarthy (Riedewald 45), Milivojevic; Eze, Zaha, Ayew; Batshuayi (Townsend 79).

Wolves XI (3-4-3): Patricio; Kilman, Coady, Boly; Semedo, Dendoncker, Moutinho (Fábio Silva 78), Hoever (Traoré 63); Neto, Willian José, Podence (Vitinha 68). 

West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Fulham

  • Goals: Kyle Bartley (£4.4m), Matheus Pereira (£5.6m) | Bobby De Cordova-Reid (£5.3m), Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.3m)
  • Assists: Matheus Pereira (£5.6m), Mbaye Diagne | Aleksandr Mitrović (£5.5m), Harrison Reed (£4.4m)
  • Bonus: Pereira x3 Mitrović x2 De Cordova-Reid x1

A surprisingly entertaining relegation scrap ended level in what was a classic game of two halves.

Fulham dominated the first period, but scored just the once, before West Brom improved to snatch the lead, only for substitute Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.3m) to equalise four minutes after coming on.

With neither side pulling up the footballing trees this season, Fantasy interest in the encounter was the disinterested side of muted.

The most popular player on display, the 3.6%-owned Aleksandar Mitrović (£5.5m), made his first start since Gameweek 14 and responded with an assist and two bonus for only his third decent haul of a horribly barren campaign.

But the star of the show was West Brom’s Matheus Pereira (£5.6m), who is one of the few Baggies players clearly thriving under Sam Allardyce’s tutelage.

The midfielder scored, assisted and brought in maximum bonus points for a second double-digit score from his last four starts.

Over that period, he has four goals and an assist, although that fine form is currently only enough for him to squeeze into the top 30 for Gameweek 22 transfers-in.

But aside from a nasty double-header with Spurs and then Man Utd in Gameweeks 23 and 24, West Brom’s fixtures look attractive enough in the medium term to suggest Pereira’s 1.2% ownership might receive a bigger boost.

West Brom XI (5-4-1): Johnstone; Gibbs, Bartley, O’Shea (Grant 24), Ajayi, Furlong; M Pereira, Gallagher, Livermore (Phillips 83), Snodgrass; C Robinson (Diagne 45).

Fulham XI (3-4-2-1): Areola; Adarabioyo, Andersen, Aina (Tete 81); A Robinson, Anguissa, Lemina (Reed 72), De Cordova-Reid (Cavaleiro 72); Lookman, Loftus-Cheek; Mitrović.

 

2,029 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    All set?

    3.3m itb 1 free

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Robbo
    Grealish Salah(c) Son Gundogan
    Wilson Bamford DCL

    Martin Digne Chilwell Soucek

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      G2G

    2. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play Digne somehow. Instead of Bamford maybe

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Either way gonna haunt me. Bamford flagged isnt he? So might sort itself out.
        Everton just can't keep a clean sheet for their lives. Bamford will haul again.

    3. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks fine to me, strong bench!

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers
        That strong bench ended up getting me over 70 pts total this week.
        Bam and Wilson in for Stones Cancelo

        It will surely hurt at some point of course.

    4. Gharvey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Put soucek as first sub. Otherwise gtg

    5. TheBrat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Too much money on the bench. You have to play Digne

  2. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope or Martinez for GK? Replacing Johnstone.

    Emi seems obvious choice but Pope could be a differential?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Would go Martinez he’s been immense and villa solid at the back

    2. TheBrat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez

  3. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane to:

    A DCL

    B Wilson

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Neither are really attracting me

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like Ings. Has a to play Leeds twice still as well.

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not really considered ings myself, nice differential too

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yep. He should start scoring too IMO, would've had a goal had it not been for his sleeve.

  4. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do? Sell Kane? 1FT 0.3itb

    Martinez
    Stones coufal Mitchell
    Salah sterling Bruno son soucek
    Kane bamford

    Forster holding rudiger davis

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio?

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure on double up with soucek 🙁

  5. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Selling wood

    Watkins
    Maupay
    Antonio?

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      watkins , good til week 31

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

      Ant

    3. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio if you don’t have soucek, Watkins if you do

    4. TheBrat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins or Wilson

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

    Scout picks got 19 points this week. Poor show.

    1. LSK
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I was so close to hitting the button on the wildcard team below. Think that would have been even less.
      Areola
      Chillwell, Digne, Cancelo, Stones
      Gundogan, Mane, Son, Fernandes, Rodriguez
      DCL
      Martinez Watkins Antonio Mitchell

  7. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    gtg? 0FT 2.5ITB

    Johnstone
    Dias Cancelo Lewis
    Salah (C) Bruno(V) Son Grealish
    DCL Bamford Wilson
    (Sanchez | ESR Dallas Dier)

  8. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rudiger is calling out to me. Looks nailed now, Tuchel will want a settled defensive central pairing.

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      thiago silva + goal threat

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Got him this gameweek, doesn’t look as composed defensively and on the ball as I’d like but cheap and with new manager bounce

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not nailed yet, wait and see

  9. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    City certainly getting DGW24 right?

    Thinking to rid of Sterling in GW 24...

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      In GW 23 *

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It would seem like they have to. Lots of games to be made up, not many slots to make them up in.

  10. nadman89
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    i know son is the man but spurs look toothless without kane . is it that crazy to bench son for this game , chelsea look good defensively and gotta belive mourinho will come with a cautious approach

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      One thing I learned this year is never drop son, as soon as I do he smashes it. Season keeper

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      When you take Kane out of that side it is hardly a "top 6" team with the exception of Son.

    3. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Irrespective of Spurs awful form and no Kane you don't bench someone like Son.

    4. TheBrat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't bench him obviously, but maybe a sell soon

  11. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys I'm so pissed off with myself.. bamford, Martinez and Dallas all in the bench.

    And the week before soucek benched. Feel sick and can't even look at my team :/

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yikes Mikes

      1. MikeS
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        And I captained gundogan

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lots of others in the same boat. Got to let it go

      1. MikeS
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        True mate, game so frustrating sometimes

  12. jesta123
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Antonio or Son?

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one

  13. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 2 next week:

    Dallas, son, dcl, bamford, Antonio

    Currently on dcl and Dallas but keep changing

  14. DonBenzema
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Choose a combination to replace Kane and Rashford with

    1) Wilson
    2) Watkins
    A) Sterling
    B) Grealish

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2B

      1. aleksaa2
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        +1

      2. DonBenzema
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Would you take the hit to replace Rashford with Grealish or give him one last gameweek?

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2A for me

      1. DonBenzema
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah i like the idea of Sterling against Burnley, and could always downgrade him to Grealish if it doesn’t work out

  15. cruzex
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Shaw or lindlof?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw

    3. TheBrat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      McGuire?

  16. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Had an absolute shocker of a week but I feel like I was a bit unlucky rather than my team being bad.
    I think now may be time for a bit of patience, g2g?

    Johnstone
    Cancelo Stones Robbo
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo
    Antonio Watkins DCL

    Mccarthy Chilwell Coufal Bissouma

    Any glaring issues? Chilwell may be a problem but Im willing to keep for another week since he wont be starting for me anyway

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The core of the team is great, it was just a bad gw. I would roll the FT and adress the problems (like Chillwell) in the next gw, potentially bring a dgw player if there is a dgw for mci or eve or whoever.

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, and agreed

  17. trustmeimpurple
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I wildcard this team missed 2 game weeks?
    2FT 0.5ITB FH,WC available

    Martinez(Martin)
    Dallas,Chill,Konsa(Mitchell,KWP)
    KDB,Rashford,Son,Grealish,Soucek
    Kane,Laca(Brewster)

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd use those 2 FT

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh God. If you're okay with -12, then don't WC.

    3. LSK
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d do Chilwell, KDB and Kane to Cancelo, Salah and Antonio for a -4

  18. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Based on the trend of Gundogans recent returns, he is due attacking returns in the next 4 😉

  19. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you sell for Salah?
    A) Fernandes
    B) Son
    C) Grealish
    D) Gundogan
    E) ESR

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      E

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      E obviously

    3. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well ESR is the obvious one but I assume that means a benching headache.

    4. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ESR and you have the same midfield I had this week.

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

    KWP > ???

    a. Shaw
    b. Holding

    Cheers

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      a.

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

        is shaw pretty much nailed?

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw

  21. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Think I'll bench one of the strikers. Any thoughts between Bamford and DCL this midweek? They both blanked last time they played each other.

    Salah Gundogan Grealish
    Bruno Son
    Antonio Bamford DCL

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in the same position, currently got DCL ok the bench

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What's Bamford's injury saying?

      1. MikeS
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dead leg from carrying the team

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          ah, on a serious point will he miss?

          1. _Ninja_
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            No he's fine

    3. TheBrat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Too many good players, you've got a bench headache there every week

  22. cruzex
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender till 5.0, pls?
    Ty

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Targett Coufal

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Like Pep said, but I'd add Justin

  23. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    est def 4.8 or less. Have Shaw

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      See above

  24. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish captain week!

    Brace v Hammers coming.

    Outscores Salah.

    Feeling it

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      GL!

  25. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is it time to move on from chilwell.. If so which one.

    A) Dawson
    B)Shaw

    1. ExpressoMySonny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      c)Coufal

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

    2. TheBrat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  26. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane to

    A) Wilson
    B) Watkins
    C) DCL

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      watkins

  27. FPL-(VAR)dy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bit of a benching headache.Start one of:
    Son(vs Che)
    Bamford (vs Eve)

  28. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to sell Kane for? Have DCL Bamford.

    Don’t want Watkins as I have double villa defence and want to get grealish. Already have triple City.

    A) Ings
    B) Wilson
    C) Cavani
    D)Martial
    E)Antonio
    F) Firmino
    G) laca
    H) Werner

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      antonio

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just went B)

  29. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek 1st on my bench for the coming GW.
    Let's see how it goes 😉

  30. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Got a defensive issue to sort out. Dier has been awful and didn't even play today. But Spurs will have a double, which is tempting me to just keep and sell someone else instead. Holding + Mitchell are other 2 cheaper defenders.

    A)Dier > Cresswell
    B) Dier > Justin
    C) Holding > Creswell
    D Holding > Justin
    E) Mitchell > Cresswell
    F) Mitchell > Justin

    1. FPL-(VAR)dy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      mitchell to creswell.Good fixtures upto 25

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        agree