Scout Notes

Maddison and Grealish injury updates and Sunday’s FPL action reviewed

We round up the headline FPL talking points from Sunday’s matches in our whistle-stop review.

JACKED IN

Jack Grealish (£7.7m) was absent as Aston Villa succumbed to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Leicester City.

Rumours had swirled about the midfielder’s potential absence both before and after Friday’s Gameweek 25 deadline and there is still an element of mystery about how long the England international will be sidelined for, with the Athletic’s Gregg Evans reporting that Grealish will also miss next weekend’s match against Leeds United and the BBC’s Simon Stone going a step further and declaring (in a subsequently watered down article) that he may miss a month of action.

Interviewed after full-time, Villa boss Dean Smith expressed hope that Grealish could be back in time for Gameweek 26 – although did admit that he would have to be an “optimist” to think that:

Jack had some discomfort on Friday afternoon so we pulled him out of training, assessed him and didn’t think he was right for the game.

It’s not a re-occurrence of a longstanding injury or an old injury. It’s not going to be a long-term injury but I’ll be guided by the medical staff as to how long he’ll be out and Jack himself. I can’t tell you any more than that really.

Pretty much [a case of taking it game by game], yeah. If I’m an optimist maybe he’ll be back for Leeds or, if not, Sheffield United but I have to be guided by him and the medical staff and see how it is.

FPL managers aren’t hanging around either way, with Grealish the most-sold player of Gameweek 26 and already flogged by over 100,000 managers.

MADDISON ALL RIGHT?

Gundogan fit to start as De Bruyne returns to City XI and Foden drops to bench 1

Leicester City have their own injury concern as we prepare for the biggest Double Gameweek of the season.

James Maddison (£7.3m) continued his fine form on Sunday and opened the scoring at Villa Park – his 12th goal or assist in his last 14 appearances.

But the England midfielder hobbled from the field of play just after the hour-mark, having twice needed treatment from the visitors’ physios.

Brendan Rodgers said after full-time:

He had an issue with his hip last season. He just felt it when he was taking the corner so as a precaution we’ve taken him off and we’ll examine that over the next couple of days.

Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) is probably the biggest winner from the flags on fellow mid-price midfielders Grealish and Maddison: he is currently the most-bought asset of Gameweek 26.

Barnes recorded his second successive double-digit haul with a goal and an assist in the Foxes’ victory, which took his total to 10 attacking returns in 11 Gameweeks.

Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) was intriguingly deployed ‘out of position’ in that win for the Foxes, lining up on the right of midfield ahead of Timothy Castagne (£5.7m) – although how much that selection was made with a plan to combat Grealish in mind is another question.

1-0 TO THE ARSENAL’S OPPONENTS

.

Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m) made a swift return from injury at the Emirates this afternoon but couldn’t add to his season’s goal tally of 11.

The German started and finished the game in his now customary ‘number eight’ role but he, and City as a collective, never really clicked in an attacking sense in north London.

Not that Pep Guardiola’s side really needed to get out of second gear, with Arsenal failing to capitalise on some threatening positions in the final third and mustering only one shot on target in the entire game.

This was City’s 15th clean sheet of the season and their 13th in the last 16 Gameweeks.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) made his first start on his return from injury as a ‘false nine’ and managed to look both classy and rusty before being hooked on the hour-mark, while the advanced Joao Cancelo (£6.1m) again saw plenty of penalty-box action and wasted a glorious chance to double City’s lead when toe-poking wide from 10 yards.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) was the visitors’ match-winner, nodding home Riyad Mahrez‘s (£8.1m) second-minute cross for his 13th attacking return in his last 14 league starts.

SON/ANTONIO/SPURS

Grealish absent through injury as Castagne returns for Leicester's trip to Villa 3

West Ham United defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the first Premier League game of the day, with Jesse Lingard (£5.9m) continuing his purple patch of form in east London.

Lingard’s goal was his fourth attacking return in as many appearances for the Hammers and turned out to be the match-winner, which secured him maximum bonus points and a double-digit haul.

Michail Antonio (£6.6m) was passed fit to play and marked his return with an early goal, although his comeback was ever-so-slightly tainted with a second-half booking.

Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) also picked up a yellow card en route to a one-pointer, with FPL’s most-owned defender, Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m), losing his clean sheet when Lucas Moura (£6.6m) nodded home Gareth Bale‘s (£9.3m) corner.

Soucek and Vladmir Coufal (£4.7m) were involved in separate collisions but recovered to finish the game.

Son Heung-min (£9.5m) and Harry Kane (£11.1m) both blanked but came within inches of a return: the former striking the woodwork late on with a freak, looping touch, with the latter seeing a potential assist go up in smoke in the process.

Kane had also teed the impressive Bale up for a second-half attempt that clipped the bar.

All in all, though, another underwhelming Spurs display (their fifth defeat in six) will leave some FPL managers pondering whether even Kane and Son are worth the outlay for the upcoming Double Gameweek.

BRU-NO WHO

“It’s not been his best game but…”

That line has regularly been used in conjunction with Bruno Fernandes‘ (£11.6m) name over the past few months and there was almost an inevitability on Sunday that, after an anonymous first half in which his most notable contribution was to pick up a booking, the Portuguese playmaker would still come good.

A slightly fortunate assist for Daniel James‘ (£6.2m) goal and a customary penalty brought up his 10th double-digit haul of the season and means that he has now racked up 307 FPL points in his 39 appearances for Manchester United.

Matching Fernandes on the day was Marcus Rashford (£9.6m), who won the aforementioned spot-kick after earlier firing United in front.

Anthony Martial (£8.7m) couldn’t take advantage of the injured Edinson Cavani’s (£7.9m) absence and turned in a poor showing, while United’s back four yet again conceded to a Premier League struggler – the bottom five teams in the division have all breached the Red Devils’ defence in 2020/21, with Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) the latest to profit.

Luke Shaw‘s (£5.1m) owners may overlook those deficiencies so long as the left-back continues to create chances a furious rate – the defender was again top for key passes for his side on Sunday.

GOALS, ASSIST AND BONUS

(Courtesy of LiveFPL.net)

922 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will Barnes rise tonight? Seems unlikely on 93% and rising very slow on fpl stats?

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

      Not tonight

  2. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will sell Bamford to dcl this week, considering im bench boosting is there anyone worth sell dallas or raphinha for for a - 4/-8

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

      Dier for Dallas. Good fix’s and plays in 29

      1. barton fc
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haven't spurs only kept one clean sheet in the last ten tho? Was thinking villa defender or Everton defender

        Plus is dier nailed? Especially has how poor he was today

        1. barton fc
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          If dier is nail i think the good fixtures would provide the poor from tho

          1. barton fc
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Especially with jack of for 29

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

    Martinez McCarthy*
    Dallas* Stones Cancelo Lowton Konsa
    Barnes Son Salah Bruno Gundogan
    Antonio* Bamford* DCL
    2FT

    Best way to get to 13 DGW:
    A. Antonio -> Watkins & McCarthy -> Lloris (Capt Son) for Free
    B. Salah -> Hamez & Antonio -> (c) Kane, McCarthy -> Lloris (-4)

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably just A, just depends how badly you want to captain Kane

  4. Monya Meow Meow
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Grealish confirmed out for Leeds?
    Grealish > Barnes with my FT sounds good?

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

      Yep

      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you

  5. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news when grealish is expected back?

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nobody knows, I doubt he’ll be back for this week though

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

      About 3-4 weeks I would predict

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

    DCL safe from rising tonight right?

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

      Looks like it

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

        Cheers

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

    Do we think Grealish drops in price today?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think he will but FPL stats has been off recently so nothing will surprise me at his point

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

    Anyone else completely gone off villa assets? Without cash and grealish they loook poor. Plus play a defensive Sheffield utd, and Leeds who should beat them easy.

    Not sure its worth taking big hits for Leicester players either against a very defensive Burnley and arsenal? Can see them being low scoring games.. thoughts?

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

      I only have Martinez from Villa. I agree that they look poor; however, many are locked into thinking they want 3 Villa, 3 Spurs, and 3 Leeds for BGW29.

      Since I've committed to FH29, I believe I can gain an advantage by backing other assets instead in the interim.

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I agree with your assessment of Villa, without those two they just seem like any other mid table side. I kind of disagree thought about Lei, even if it is low scoring your player may end up scoring the only goal in a 1-0 and collect max bonus points. But I agree I don't see either game being that high scoring

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

      Yeah I'm only going with Martinez on WC at this point. Arsenal, Fulham, West Ham are good alternatives for GW29

  9. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which would you do?

    A) Dallas to Lowton so have 11 for DGW?
    B) or downgrade AWB to Shaw and keep Dallas and have 10 for DGW?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably B just because I don't see Lowton getting anymore than 4 points with the fixture he has for the double, why do you need to Downgrade AWB though, funds?

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Only way to get Kane for Ings

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Okay in that case I'd do that, probably not what you wanted to hear but just not that confident in Burnley getting a clean sheet in either game, plus depending what you brought in Dallas for I presume you'll want him back in 29 and will have to presumably buy him back for a loss

          1. The Polymath
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks. Will keep Dallas for 29.

  10. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm kinda lost guys so any help is appreciated, current team is a mess
    McCarthy Peacock-Farrell
    Dias Stones Dallas White Targett
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish Gundo
    Watkins Antonio Bamford
    1FT 2.2ITB All chips remaining
    Was hoping Mccarthy got a double to use bench boost but not really sure its worth it now.
    Is it worth possibly taking a -8 for Grealish & Antonio & P-F > Lookman/Pereira/Neto & Vardy & Areola
    Any advice?

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

      I'm closing my eyes and going -8 or -12 for a bench boost, personally. Don't fear the reaper!

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Might need to borrow some of your bravery, good luck!

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

      I'd do grealish to Barnes and antonio to dcl with that

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks! Not too worried about no Leicester coverage?

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

    A Dallas to Targett

    B Dallas to Konsa and Raphinha to Pereira (-4)

  12. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How’s she looking folks?

    Pope (McCarthy)
    Dias Targett Rudiger Lowton
    Bruno(c) Salah Son Sterling Gundo
    Watkins

    Bench: Ings Coufal Brewster

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      looks fine, would probably start Ings over Lowton or Rüdiger

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

        Cheers

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

    Is there still any chance Everton v Villa goes into GW28 or would it already have been added by now. Thanks.

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

      Yes, Crellin says they are likely waiting on the Europa League scheduling to see whether there will be a Spurs EL game on that Wednesday night.

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

        Thanks a lot, that's very helpful.

  14. luk46
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    just did DCL > Ings for -4 this gw, is it kneejerk to swap them around again?

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings has a DGW soon...

      1. luk46
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        ye I know, just think the city game is like a 2 pointer anyway

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Weighing up the move as well. DCL's DGW is almost too good to resist...

      1. luk46
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I would for free, but can see Ings scoring as well...

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

      at least wait til Ings plays tomorrow

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

    Using BB this week & no FH in 29...

    Would you do Amartey > Burn (-4)?

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      who are your other bench players?

  16. Wag the Drog
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kilman -> for second hit
    a) Targett (Have Martinez)
    b) Dier
    c) Leicester Defender
    d) Everton Defender

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

      I'm probably doing D.

      1. Wag the Drog
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        could also do a United defender.

        1. barton fc
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          If you already own sure would you consider united double up?

          1. Wag the Drog
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I don't own a United defender right now.

            1. barton fc
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Meant to say Shaw not sure my bad

              1. Wag the Drog
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                you think Shaw over AWB?

                1. barton fc
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  I already own Shaw but yeah i would say Shaw over AWB, i ses more attacking potential in him

    2. barton fc
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      In a similar situation i can't afford my budget is 5.2

      If diers nailed i like him, poor from but great fixtures, surely some cleenies

      Would avoid target, go elmo or konsa, think him and jack work well together so can't see attacking returns this week

      Think the Everton defence looks best this week but villa and spurs have an extra fixture (tho Everton will get an extra one at some point against villa, but who knows when that will be)

  17. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Raphinha to Bertrand traore a good punt on bb?

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

      no
      without grealish i really wouldn't want any of their attackers

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

    First pass at WC26, not sure on KDB and Periera though... Will use the 3Ft to get to 8 GW29 players

    Martinez
    Cancelo - Pereira - Digne
    Gundo - Bruno - KDB - Barnes- Lookman
    DCL - Kane

    Sanchez - White - Bamford - Dallas

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      maybe a Fulham defender and Raphinha instead of Lookman?

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

        Dont like Fulham's fixture defensively and Lookman has a decent double as opposed to a mediocre single for Raph

  19. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone looking at Foden for the double after his rest?

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

      Staring right at him, as he's in my team! Frustrating to have, would love to get rid but he gets a load of points every few weeks and I have to keep him on

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I can imagine. Just considering as a short term punt for the next two dgws. Have to accept he won't play all of them of course...

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

    Strange question but bear with me (as it involves points estimates over the coming gameweeks beyond 26). Would you take:

    Bamford vs. Villa +7 points

    OR

    Banes vs. ars & BUR?

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

      Barnes imo

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      quite close, I would back Barnes given the current form

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

        Thanks!

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

      Bamford. Barnes would need to score two to make it worth while and both arsenal and Burnley will try keep it tight.

      1. luk46
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thats if Bamford scores tho

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

          He said bamford +7? So I thought he meant whatever bam scores and 7 more PTS. If not Barnes

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

    Grealish to Barnes for a -4?

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

      yes

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

      Just did it

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

        cheers, do we know how long the Grealish injury is?

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

          because Smith was talking as though he was optimistic Grealish would play v Leeds.

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

    Antonio gonna drop tonight?

  23. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this -8?
    Wood, Grealish and Lowton to DCL, Gundogan and Pereira?

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      not much downside imo, could already pay off next gw - unless Lowton gets another double digit 😛

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah loved his double digit haul while it lasted!!

    2. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lowton to Pereira might not pay off

  24. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which Spur would you bring in:

    A. Son
    B. Kane

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Would bring in B if I had neither but have Son and am happy to just ride with him for now

  25. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez Areola
    Mee Strujik Cancelo Shaw Kilman
    Salah Gundogan Fernandes JWP Rodriguez
    Ings Bamford DCL

    1 FT 1.6 ITB

    I'm thinking either Kilman to Stones and play bench boost
    or

    Salah and Bamford to Son and Kane then triple captain Kane and bench JWP, Strujik, Areola and Ings

    OPEN to any other suggestions

  26. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish, Ings, Justin to Traore, Kane, 3.9 (-4)?

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      don't like the Traore pick

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

      Not sure about that. No to Traore (villa also worse without Grealish).

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

      Get Pereira from WBA as a punt. Has great fixtures next too

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

    injury aside
    Maddison vs Barnes
    how are you deciding which one?

    Will likely just go Grealish to Barnes but is there a legit case for Madi?

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Madds

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

        reason over Barnes?

        1. Wag the Drog
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Just really think he's in great form. Always think he's getting points.

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

      Im debating both honestly

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

        that's actually a good shout if you can find the room

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

      Barnes

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

        what's your rationale

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

          Barnes form slightly better, he's cheaper and maddison is injured. And Barnes rising tomorrow

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

      Barnes right now anyway as Madi is a slight injury doubt.

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

    Raphinha to Pereira for a hit?

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

      No way

  29. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dallas to dier worth a - 4 on bb?

    And how nailed is dier?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't do it. I only just got rid. He's not nailed and Spurs aren't keeping clean sheets at the mo.

      1. barton fc
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Poor form is worrying but if he's nailed I'd be very tempted, great double and great 29 (if jacks out)

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

      No way.. dier is dire

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

    Pope
    Cancelo Stones Robertson
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan Raphinha
    Bamford DCL Ings

    Martinez Soucek Coufal Ferguson

    1. Soucek Coufal Ferguson >> Barnes Targett Shaw (-4) (play BB)
    2. Ings >> Kane (save 1FT)
    3. Ings Coufal >> Kane Targett

    Thanks

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

      2 and 3 could play TC

    2. barton fc
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think target works well with jacks help, not sure his attacking potential will be the same with out him