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. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you bring in Barnes for free or DCL for a 4 point hit?

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

      depends who you are selling, can you get both?

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

        Selling Grealish.. can’t get both mate unless I sell Watkins, which I’m not keen to do

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

      Barnes for free but both for -4 if poss

  2. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Kane a must if you already have Son?

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

      no way

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

        This, not with the way they're playing

    2. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not a must have. But base on the set of fixtures in gw26, gw27, as well as having a game in gw29..he is a must have for me

  3. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    salah out tempting

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      that always backfires for me 🙁

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

      Personally wouldn't sell him right before he plays the bottom team, but then again I should've sold him weeks ago

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        kane is a better option so i dont really care who he plays this week

    3. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If u are not captaining him for gw27, it soften the blow

  4. 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) (could TC)
    3. Ings Coufal >> Kane Targett (could TC)

    Thanks

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

      3 followed by 1, kind of raises the question if not bench boost this week when would you but also when would you plan to TC

  5. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio to Kane and ??? to Barnes for a -4?

    A) Sterling
    B) Salah
    C) Neither, don't get Kane

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

      B looks good if you cap Kane

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

    Would you do a

    Cresswell, Bamford > Targett, Kane?

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

      for a -4 hit

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

        definitely

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

          90% on it will, I have the exact money to bring both in, looked like kane will be rising this week

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

    Would you bring in Barnes for free or DCL for a 4 point hit??

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes for free

    2. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Although I might do both this week 😛

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

    10 for the doubles sufficient?

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

      easily, got 9 myself probs

  9. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Grealish looks likely out for 26?

    1. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      up to a month

  10. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How about this for a -4

    Grealish, Brewster, Ings => Barnes, DCL, Watkins

    Looks ok?

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

      like it

    2. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      nice

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

    A-Kilman to Stones

    B-Salah and Bamford to Son and Kane -4

    C-Bamford, Fernandes and Kilman to Kane, El Ghazi and Dias -8

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

      As in Bruno Fernandes? Dead god no...

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

        Dear*

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

    Kane worth with Son?

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

      yes

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No.

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I asked if you had Son is Kane a must above and got no.

  13. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With team of

    Emi (Pope)
    Digne Cancelo Stones (Dallas Cresswell)
    Bruno Salah Gund Barnes (Raph)
    Kane Watkins Bamford

    I'm considering Watkins -> DCL (-4). Feel my rival will bring DCL in and he's Everton's talisman anyway, but it does rid me of a 29 player.

    thoughts?

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

      no, Watkins got 2 fixtures as well

  14. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this FH Team?

    Ederson
    Digne Castagne Reguilon
    Salah Son Gundo
    Kane Vardy DCL

    Last Spot between one of
    Pereira Ghazi Semedo Targett Stones

    Thoughts??

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

      I'd axe Gundogan, playing deeper now and defo not on pens with KDB back. Dias a more likely starter for both than Stones.

      rest of the team is good

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

      improve Reguilon? Punt on TAA?

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

    A-Kilman to Stones

    B-Salah and Bamford to Son and Kane -4

    C-Bamford, Fernandes and Kilman to Kane, El Ghazi and Dias -8

    Any other options appreciated

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

    Is Antonio Ings Shaw -> Kane DCL Target worth -8? Gives me extra players for 29

    or just Ings Antonio -> Kane Watkins -4?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Shaw
    Salah Bruno Gundogan Son Raph
    Ings Bamford

    Pope Antonio Coufal Dallas

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

      maybe Ings > DCL for free, but none of the hits

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

    Who scores more this week
    A) DCL (SOU, wba)
    B) Vardy (ARS, bur)

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

      A for me

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

      50:50

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

      A.

      Both arse and Burnley will play a tight game

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

        Tight Arse Burn? Sounds painful.

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

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Shaw
    Salah Bruno Son Barnes Gündogan
    Ings Bamford
    Pope Dallas Coufal Brewster

    would you consider a hit here? bb with a -8, but not worth it?

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

      explain clearly your situation and options

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

        got 1.5m itb, move for -8 would include Coufal + Brewster > e.g. Dunk + Maja

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

    A-Kilman to Stones

    B-Salah and Bamford to Son and Kane -4

    C-Bamford, Fernandes and Kilman to Kane, El Ghazi and Dias -8
    ??

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

      A

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

      tricky one, I would only have Kane from them... probably A or B without Son

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

    Gonna best boost best thing to do with my leeds player?
    A) Bamford > DCL
    B) Bamford + dallas > DCL + kean - 4
    C) Bamford + raphinha + dallas > a.barnes + maddison + konsa - 8 (already own Harvey Barnes)
    D) dallas to pereira

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

      A

    2. S3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  21. borispkpk
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Dias Stones Digne
    Bruno Son Salah Gundogan
    DCL Bamford Watkins

    Pope Coufal Dallas Raphinha

    a. Bamford + Pope > Kane + 3.9gk (-4)
    b. Raphinha > Barnes

    TC? who?

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

      B
      TC bruno

  22. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any suggestions on what to do here? 1ft, 0.7m itb. WC, TC, BB available.

    Martinez
    Stones Mee digne
    Salah bruno Sterling gundo
    Dcl ings bamford

    Forster raphina Dallas coufal

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

      Forster to areola or similar and bb

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

        No spurs?

  23. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pick:
    1. Kane + Barnes + Nathaniel Phillips
    Vs
    2. Son + Watkins + Digne

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

      1

  24. S3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Choose one on a wildcard?

    - Kane or Son

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

      Kane easy

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

      If you watched today's game, the choice is an easy one. Kane all day long

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

    Martinez, Pope
    Stones, Cancelo, AWB, Dallas, Coufal
    Bruno, Salah, Gundogan, Son, Raphina
    DCL, Bamford, Ings

    Looking at bringing in Kane for Ings but will have to find funds elsewhere

    Any suggestions?

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

      5 non double gameweek starters is tricky.

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

      You’d have to lose Salah for Kane if you want him. Can’t lose Bruno and doesn’t make sense to spend two transfers to switch one Spurs attacker to another.

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

    Bench boost start Strujik, JWP and Ings

    or Triple captain Salah and bench boost another week?

  27. WOLVERiNES
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you bench boost >> Pope + Ben Mee + Bamford + Luke Shaw ??

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

      yes definitely. 3 double gameweekers and Bam with a decent home game, if those are your bench options your team must be ridiculously strong nxt week

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

      Yes, really decent bench for this week

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

      Absolutely would BB that, yes

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

      Yep, you won’t have a better bench than that this season

  28. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Was all set on Sterling > son but not so sure now after today’s games. Thoughts?

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

      a good chance Sterling doesn't start 1 of the 2 DGW fixtures. Son will start both.

      Sterling scored today and had a couple of chances, but he's not pivotal to City's attack in the way Son is.

      Son's Expected return for the DGW is higher than Sterling's IMO, even though City's XG is obvs higher than Spurs'.

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

        Cheers, think I’ll stick to the plan and get in Son. Maybe Sterling and ings > Kane and Barnes instead?

    2. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not worth unless u are getting another city player. They have anothrr dgw ahead

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

    2 questions
    1) How many DGW players should you have on your bench for it to be worth playing it
    2) Whats is the biggest point hit that you'd take to justify your answer to 1

  30. money face bandwagon
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    30 more points to top 10k.