Scout Notes

Bamford, Raphinha and Dallas star in Leeds’ audition for Double Gameweek 25

LEEDS UNITED 2-0 CRYSTAL PALACE

  • Goals: Jack Harrison (£5.4m) | Patrick Bamford (£6.7m)
  • Assists: Stuart Dallas (£4.8m) | Raphinha (£5.3m)
  • Bonus: Dallas x3 | Illan Meslier (£4.7m) x3 | Harrison x1 | Liam Cooper (£4.3m) x1

Leeds put on a convincing performance to comfortably see off Crystal Palace 2-0 on Monday evening.

Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) and Raphinha (£5.3m) once again delivered attacking returns and are set to receive added attention ahead of two fixtures for Leeds in Gameweek 25.

But the same cannot be said for Crystal Palace, who looked completely out of ideas without their talisman Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m)

TOP PAT

Bamford’s display epitomised why he delights and frustrates FPL managers in equal measure.

Still priced at a modest £6.7m, Bamford was good value for his goal and had the most attempts on goal and shots in the box throughout the game.

But as shown by his attempts, he really should have added to his tally, skying a one-on-one after knocking the ball past Gary Cahill (£4.5m), and miscontrolling a through ball expertly put through by Raphinha.

Still owned by more than half of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, Bamford looks good value for his price and could start delivering more double-digit hauls if he can find a more clinical edge.

A keen FPL player himself, Bamford revealed he was kicking himself after missing his first chance.

I captained myself. After I missed that one in the first half I was kicking myself so I am glad I scored.

Patrick Bamford

Pundits and FPL players alike who predicted Bamford’s early-season form would come to a halt have been left with egg on their face.

The Elland Road striker and his teammates have shown incredible consistency this campaign, with Bamford having the most attempts, shots in the box, and big chances of all forwards this season.

With Bamford proving he can sustain this level of form, his high ownership could still rise with the Double Gameweek on the horizon.

Players with Bamford may even be looking to double or triple up on assets from Leeds’ impressive attack.

AN ALTERNATIVE?

 1

Despite not coming away with any of the bonus points, Raphinha was arguable the best player on the pitch last night.

The Brazilian offered a huge goal threat, bettered only by Bamford, and deserved a lot more than the one assist he came away with.

As well as Bamford’s chance, a wicked set-piece delivery from Raphinha should have been put away by Pascal Struijk (£3.9m), who was guilty of missing two clear chances.

The £17m signing is now stamping his influence on the team, with two goals and three assists in his last four games, and eight returns in nine.

Not even Bamford can boast more FPL points over the same period, and no player in the game has created more goals in the last six Gameweeks.

While Bamford has attracted a 50.1% ownership, Raphinha has stayed largely under the radar.

Despite his impressive run of form, his price has even dropped twice over the last five Gameweeks.

At £5.3m and with 2.3% ownership, he offers a fantastic route into covering Bamford’s points for those who have missed the boat

Also, owners of Bamford may even want to consider doubling up on two of the game’s most in-form players.

OOP BANKER

Stuart Dallas (£4.8m) recorded maximum bonus points for the second time this season to add to his assist in creating Leeds’ first goal for Jack Harrison (£5.4m)

Marcelo Bielsa’s tactical tweak in moving Dallas further up the pitch has made him even more of a threat going forward than he was at full-back.

As well as setting up the goal for Harrison, Dallas showed he wasn’t afraid of taking on a shot, hitting two from outside the box.

Even with Leeds’ woes at the back, Dallas’ points haul puts him fourth overall out of all defenders in the league, and above highly owned options such as Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) and Andy Robertson (£7.3m).

Leeds’ defensive displays this season, where they have accumulated the second-highest expected goals conceded rating (xGC), will be enough to put some managers off investing in their defence.

But Dallas has the attacking potential to offset this, coupled with a good run of fixtures.

Bielsa’s post-match comments – see below – also perhaps hinted at a renewed focus on defence going forward.

MARCHING ON TOGETHER

What was expected to be a close game turned out to be anything but, with Leeds running out comfortable winners.

Their excellent attacking play has been on display all season but their solid defensive work against Palace caught the eye.

Monday night’s game saw them restrict the visitors to only three attempts on target.

Palace also finished the game with an expected goals rating (xG) of 0.36, which compared to Leeds’ of 1.92, shows how dominant they were in victory.

Speaking after the game, manager Marcelo Bielsa said it had been a target to keep a clean sheet.

We could have scored a few more goals. We defended well, we conceded very few chances, the performance of the team was even and constant.

(A clean sheet) was an objective for today. It was very important we didn’t concede a goal today.

Marcelo Bielsa

The only bad news coming out of the game was midfielder Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m), a vital part of their attacking and defensive play, limping off near the end of the game.

However, it will be hoped the injury is not too serious, with Phillips on his feet congratulating team-mates at full-time.

Even the most diehard Leeds fan will struggle to claim their side has turned a corner after facing one of the league’s worst attacks, without their most influential player.

But it could be worth keeping an eye on Leeds’ defensive displays in their next few games.

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU, ZAHA

Crystal Palace fans fearing their side would miss the influence of Zaha were proved right, as their side lacked any cutting edge to their play.

Taking Zaha’s place was loan signing Jean-Phillipe Mateta (£5.9m), partnering Jordan Ayew (£5.6m) up front.

But without Zaha’s ability to carry the ball up the pitch, Mateta was largely forced back into his own half to go looking for the ball.

Hodgson’s experiment of playing Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) further up the pitch also didn’t work, with the manager abandoning it at half-time.

Speaking after the game, a dejected Hodgson admitted his side were well beaten.

“We started both halves badly in terms of the goals we conceded. Both were pretty poor technical errors. You can’t afford to go 1-0 down after three or four minutes and then 2-0 down after 50 minutes and come away with a result unless you play outstanding football but we didn’t play outstanding football unfortunately.

“The bottom line for me is we didn’t pass the ball anywhere near well enough and we have to accept that we lost to the better team. We were not able to pressurise them like they pressurised us. We are a passing team and when we don’t pass the ball well we fall below our standards. We were deservedly beaten but we made life difficult for ourselves.”

Roy Hodgson

With Zaha suffering from a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him out for the next few games, interest in Palace assets will be low.

Without Zaha, Palace have failed to score a single goal and have conceded nine in the four games he has missed, so their immediate future looks bleak, even with a favourable run of games coming up.

Leeds XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Alioski; Phillips (Shackleton 88); Harrison, Klich, Dallas, Raphinha; Bamford

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; Clyne, Dann, Cahill, Mitchell; van Aanholt (Townsend 46), Riedewald, Milivojevic, Eze; Ayew (Benteke 76), Mateta (Batshuayi 65)

422 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any other changes needed, don’t have many dgw’s 1ft 4.6itb

    Martinez
    Stones coufal rudiger lowton
    Salah sterling(c) Bruno son
    Antonio bamford

    Forster soucek Mitchell davis

    1. richarlison2348
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      three potential transfers for me.
      Forster to Pope (I know, everybody's doing it)
      Soucek to Gondogan
      Antonio to Kane

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

    I really feel GW24 is the best TC week. GW25 Leeds have a park bus Wolves fixture and a full Saints backline fixture. GW26 is in between European games and better to use BB there anyway. GW27's city will have rotation and they are facing United anyway. The other fixtures Everton vs Villa, Villa vs Spurs and Fulham vs Spurs don't excite me in terms of goals. GW26 is probably good for spurs if you've already used your BB. So just get the chip over and done with?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, its lucky draw anyway. Even the best possible TC can fail or a worst possible TC can work wonders...

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

        Yeah it's all luck whenever you use, guess I would just use it as I really see no better GWs to use on, assuming no Covid postponements.

    2. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For your TC you want either someone that will play at least 120min. Not sure any man city midfielder/attacker will get that. Outside City team its just DCL but one of his fixtures is against City so thats a no for TC

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

        This week's one will be the safest with the UCL coming up.

        1. Saka Rice
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Son or Kane when they get a double...what's safer than them?

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

            City have the best upside in attacking returns now, spurs just aren't scoring enough. And if you're using BB on 26, that means you can't TC them that week.

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      On who though?

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

        It's just between Gundo and Sterling now.

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

      Posted earlier. Thinking of TCing Gundogan. Inform currently and before KDB returns and mid week European fixtures kick in.

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

        Yeah best week to cap a city player before KDB returns. I don't even trust a normal cap on KDB now.

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

      Gundo would be the only choice for me (possibly Diaz?) if you are doing it

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

      Overrated chip, just use it whenever

    7. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      GW25 Danny Ings (TC) ⚽️⚽️⚽️

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

    What's the most suitable strategy for people with WC, TC and FH (but no BB anymore)? Load up on 3 Leeds players with FTs for GW25, WC GW26, FH GW29.. TC wait and see?

  4. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Unsure what to do with my chips mates ...
    WC, BB and TC left.
    2 FT, £2.4 ITB.

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Coufa Talyor*
    Salah Bruno Sterling Maddy
    Antonio DCL

    Fraser, Bamford, Mitchell, Bissouma

    GW24: Taylor to Mee
    GW25: DCL to Kane; Sterling to Gundo

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

      Good moves

  5. FPL_BUCCANEER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Martinez + Mee
    B) Pope + Bamford/Son

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

      A

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  6. Pops15
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone considering Ings for his GW25 double? I'm looking to him for a one gameweek punt before moving on to Kane for GW26

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

      Southampton seem to be struggling

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't have any vacant spot unfortunately, struggling to even fit Dominic

      1. Abra Dubravka
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Watkins, Antonio & Bam?

    3. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Currently have Bam/DCL/Antonio and looking to move on Antonio for Ings then Kane

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes but will not do it in isolation, GW26 fixtures will be key to decide

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

    A lot is mentioned about Leeds's defensive frialties. However, we have kept 7 clean sheets in 22 games.

    Other teams who have kept 7 clean sheets: Brighton, Burnley and Tottenham

    More clean sheets than: Liverpool (6), Wolves (6) and Everton (4) who many perceive as having a better defences.

    So yes, a lot of risk and reward in the way we play, but given the right fixture, clean sheets shouldn't be that surprising.

    That being said Dallas is a must have, especially whilst he is playing at central midfielder. If you need the budget Struijk will continue to play until Koch, Llorente and Berardi come back from injury. Good option for a 5th defender for those wildcarding in 25 with an eye on the blank GW29 where leeds play Fulham

    1. richarlison2348
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I can't agree with this more

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

      Everything depends on Kalvin Philips.

  8. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2fts 2.6itb.
    WC 30 but no FH/BB
    A) Johnstone to pope
    B) Coufal to shaw (bench Shaw?)
    C) burn ft

    Martinez
    Cancelo stones mee
    Salah Bruno gundo soucek
    Bamford antonio dcl
    (Johnstone son dallas coufal)

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. It's the sensible option but just worried about putting more money into gks.

  9. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How’s the following team. Any changes ?

    Pope
    Cancelo Mee Digne (Coufal) (Dier)
    Salah Sterling(c) Fernandes Gundogan (Soucek)
    DCL Bamford Antonio

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good

    2. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Very good

  10. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Using my 3 FTs until the GW26, I could get the following BB team 15 GW players (based on Ben Crellin predictions)

    Would you be happy with this??

    24 - Martin to Mendy
    25 - Coufal to Shaw
    26 - Rafinha to Son

    Martinez Mendy
    Dias Cancelo Digne Shaw Mee
    Salah Bruno Grealish Gundagon Son (c)
    DCL Watkins Wood

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

      Curious why Mendy?

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

        And why Shaw for that matter?

      2. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Just for the DGW

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          26

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

      Nice. But without Bamford for the double, you may struggle a little

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

    Should I do

    A.

    GW25: Brewster to Bamford
    AND
    GW26: Bamford to Kane

    OR

    B.

    GW25: Brewster to Kane

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

      Anyone please?

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you have no other fires to put out, I'd do the double hokey-cokey.

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

    Team Value Check

    106.1m for me

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      104

    2. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      105 (and £3m in the bank im guessing that is rolled into the 105?)

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

        Oh sorry yes it is and its gone up 105.1m

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

          TV = CP of XV + mitb

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

      TV 107.8m - SV 105.2m

    4. richarlison2348
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      103.7 with 0 ITB haha, I have no value

    5. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      105.9

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

      107.1

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

        SV 104.9

  13. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 2:

    A) Coufal
    B) Soucek
    C) Bamford
    D) Grealish?

  14. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Salah + Wilson > Grealish + DCL
    B) Maddison + Wilson > Raphinha + DCL

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  15. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Am I right in saying GW26 will be the biggest amount of fixtures in any remaining GW?

  16. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Palace are yet to score a goal in a game Zaha hasn’t started this season. Reason enough for double BUR defence?

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

      Yup. Burnley are pretty solid at the back anyway. Pope makes saves so will be the obvious choice.

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

      17/19 - Crystal Palace have lost 17 of their last 19 Premier League games when Wilfried Zaha hasn’t played, failing to score in 15 of those 17 defeats. Vacant

  17. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth playing Hokey Cokey with city assets to get double attack instead of defence?

    So a move like salah and stones > razz and mee

    Problem is it Gives less flexibility going forward as won’t have 2FT

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      i don't think so, no.

    2. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They really are water tight at the back (ok Salah got a pen). I personally wouldn't plus there is additional rotation with their front players. I know Cancello/Walker tend to get rotated a bit but not quite as drastic.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        you say water tight, but Mane missed a sitter of a header in the first half, and had another header that he should probably have done better on. but yes, they look pretty damn solid in general.

    3. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Possibly, but I think if you have 3 already it's best to stick with what you have.

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

      That’s what I’m thinking

    5. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I did it over two weeks - sold Stones instead of benching him v Liverpool and this week have bought in Sterling

  18. Gemma817
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How's this looking guys? Would appreciate some constructive thought on this.

    Pope, (4m)
    Dallas, Stones, TAA, (Justin, Mitchel)
    Bruno, Salah, Gundo, Foden, Soucek
    Antonio, Kane (Bamford)

    0 FT. 2.4m ITB

    i) Benching Bamford the correction decison?
    ii) I'm really lost with as to what to do with chips. I've BB and WC left. Thinking WC25, BB26.
    iii) Then use FTs and a hit or two to have 8/9 players available for BGW29?

    thoughts?

  19. Aster
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford or Soucek?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      if that is genuinely your decision, just toss a coin and stick with it.

      the consensus on here has gotten most marginal bench calls wrong recently.

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford

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

      Bamford more likely to score, Soucek bigger haul if he does (clean sheet + likely bonus). Flip a coin.

  20. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do you reckon Alonso starts against Newcastle?

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

      Yeah - Chilwell has been poor in both games he's played under Tuchel.

      FA cup lineup will give a hint though so I'd wait until after that before making any transfers.

      1. Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, echoes my thoughts. I already brought him in last week without thinking after a few beers... At least he outscored Rudiger!

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

        I think he played well, but looks like the tactic is not to pass chilwell. They only attack on one side.

  21. Aster
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does Cavani start?

  22. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    When should We Wildcard?

    Currently happy with my team for DGW 24 with 6 Dgw Players, and already 4 DGW Players for 25, with 3 Leeds Players and 1 Southampton.

    With this scenario, should We wildcard in 25 to get the most out of GW26 with BB, or save?

  23. Fpl_elstatto
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GW23 all wrapped up. Which players performed and give food for thought for GW24 and beyond, and who had a stinker.. https://jumpersforgoalposts.info/fpl-good-week-bad-week-gw23/