Scout Notes

How Spurs assets fared in their final match before Double Gameweek 26

West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

  • Goals: Michail Antonio (£6.5m), Jesse Lingard (£5.9m) | Lucas Moura (£6.6m)
  • Assists: Pablo Fornals (£5.9m)| Gareth Bale (£9.3m)
  • Bonus: Lingard x3, Antonio x2, Lucas x1

DOUBLE TROUBLE

With five defeats in their last six Premier League matches, Spurs have hardly put in convincing auditions for Double Gameweek 26.

Only four goals have arrived from Gameweek 20 onwards and while their recent fixture run has been far from straightforward, only Crystal Palace have had fewer big chances and shots in the box than Spurs when clubs are filtered their last half-dozen games.

A double-header against Burnley and Fulham would ordinarily have us reaching for the Triple Captain chip but those two sides’ defensive form and Spurs’ own malaise leave doubts lingering in the mind.

It’s the respective ownerships of Son Heung-min (£9.5m) and Harry Kane (£11.1m) that may leave FPL managers fearful of going without a Spurs representative in Gameweek 26 but there was little persuasive from the former in particular at the London Stadium.

Son blanked for the eighth time in 11 matches in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham, with the closest he came to an attacking return being a freak, looping effort that struck the hosts’ woodwork late in the game.

Kane was more prominent, firing on goal at will and teeing up the impressive Gareth Bale (£9.3m) up for a second-half attempt that clipped the bar.

BALE LIFT

Arguably the pick of the Spurs players at the London Stadium didn’t even start the match.

Bale has underwhelmed since his return to north London but he produced perhaps his best league performance all season in Gameweek 25, emerging as a half-time substitute and looking sharp and, crucially, motivated.

The Welshman had also looked the part in the Europa League on Thursday and had been tipped up for a start this weekend, but his manager explained that he physically wasn’t quite at the required standard:

[Bale is] not yet ready to start two matches in three days. The same as Dele for different reasons.

For Dele, because he was injured and out of the team for more than a month, not even training.

Gareth because of his evolution. This is part of his evolution. No doubt that the performance was good and no doubt that I believe sooner rather than later he will be ready to play more than he is now.

Bale remains a massive and unnecessary gamble as a Gameweek 26 asset but a continuation of that form going into the double-header against Burnley and Fulham could be hugely beneficial to the Spurs players we Fantasy managers do own, particularly Kane.

The England striker has so often been the man to grab games by the scruff of the neck, which usually goes hand in hand with dropping deep to instigate attacks.

On Sunday, we instead saw Bale doing plenty of that – and Kane, as a result, spent a bit more time lurking in areas where we prefer to see him, topping the penalty box touch count by some distance.

EUROPA, BETTER BY DESIGN

While it’s still a bit early in the campaign for teams to be writing off their domestic commitments, it’s worth bearing in mind for the medium term that the Premier League might end up being the third priority for Jose Mourinho.

Nine points adrift of a top-four place, Mourinho’s best chance of achieving a Champions League qualification spot could end up being through winning the Europa League – something he himself admitted yesterday:

Of course, if you say nine points now, it is difficult, is very possible.

And the Europa League. We are alive, and when we are alive, knowing that many difficult opponents and everybody has the same ambition that we have, but Europa League is a window of opportunity that is open for us, and maybe we can also get to Champions League through the Europa League.

Never one to turn his nose up at any form of silverware, Mourinho and his Spurs side also have the EFL Cup final to look forward to at the end of April.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast throughout the spring, how far into the Europa League would Spurs have to progress before their head coach views the top flight as a distraction and a chance to hand his star players a breather?

It won’t be Double Gameweek 26, but it’s certainly a prospect in the run-in.

STOP HAMMER TIME?

Source: Soccerstats.com

West Ham are second in the Premier League form table over their last eight matches, with only the two Manchester clubs plundering more goals in that time.

The Hammers are offering value aplenty in Fantasy Premier League at present, from the top-scoring defender, Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m), to the asset who can – temporarily, at least – boast the best points-per-match average, Jesse Lingard (£5.9m).

Tomas Soucek (£5.4m) has also massively exceeded expectations on the goal front in 2020/21, while Michail Antonio (£6.5m), when fit, is among the pick of the mid-price forwards.

Antonio returned from injury on Sunday and opened the scoring from close range (again), while Lingard’s excellent strike just after the interval made it four attacking returns in as many games since his loan move from Manchester United.



The issue with the Hammers is not form, but fixtures.

Between now and Gameweek 33, West Ham face all four of the other clubs who currently sit in the top five of the Premier League table.

More pressingly, however, they are among just six other teams who don’t have two fixtures in Double Gameweek 26 – and their one game is against Manchester City at the Etihad.

For those FPL managers not playing their Bench Boost in the upcoming Gameweek or without a Free Hit chip, Soucek et al are at least worth keeping on board for their match against Arsenal in March – that fixture is one of just four to take place in Blank Gameweek 29.


West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen (Benrahma 65′), Lingard (Noble 90′), Fornals (Johnson 81′); Antonio.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-2-3-1) Lloris; Tanganga (Doherty 46′), Sanchez, Dier, Reguilon (Alli 77′); Hojbjerg, Ndombele; Lucas, Lamela (Bale 46′), Son; Kane. 

897 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    How's this for a WC team? Bench sucks but not too concerned, chasing in ML.

    Martinez
    Keane, Rudiger, Cancelo
    Salah, Sterling, Fernandes, Maddison, Gundo
    Watkins, Kane

    Taylor, Dunne, Brewster, Button

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Quite good. Barnes over Maddison and upgrade 1 bench player maybe?
      Or Dias over Cancelo for safety of starts?

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Maddison has a potential injury with his hip. Grealish out make Watkins less appealing. Not sure on the Rudiger pick as one of main defs.

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Surely you want some playing bench players after this GW? Man City players will all see rotation going forwards

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I would downgrade Maddison to Barnes and Keane > Aina/ Thomas to be able to upgrade the bench

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        agree fully with this

    5. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      You'll be chasing an even bigger lead with that bench though mate, no way you are getting away with pretty much no cover for very long.

    6. coolmule
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 23 days ago

      2 of the 3 City players might be rested - too risky.
      Sterling is also too expensive.
      You need 2 decent bench subs - fix above & get Shaw or Pereira, both great DEFs

  2. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Who is a better pick

    A. Watkins
    B. Barnes.

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Barnes 100%

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Leicester City Barnes a yes

    3. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Watkins until grealish got injured

    4. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      No keen on Watkins with Grealish out

  3. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Bottomed

    Weighing up my early options ahead of DGW26 - would appreciate your views!
    I have TC and WC left - planning on TC this week and WC in 30/31.

    A) Ings, Pope > Kane, fodder (-4) - Kane + Son double up
    B) Ings, Bamford, Son > Kane, Watkins, Barnes (-8)
    C) Ings, Son, Coufal > Kane, Barnes, Targett/ Aina (-8) - play 442 and bench 3x LEE
    D) Ings, Bamford, Coufal > Vardy, Watkins, Thomas (-8) - keep Son, no Kane

    1FT 1.3itb
    Martinez
    Dias, Stones, Shaw
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Son, Raphinha
    DCL, Ings
    (Pope) (Bamford, Dallas, Coufal)

    Cheers!

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      A - Son playing like trash, but | woldn't minus 8 him out.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Hmmm I need to find a way to get a LEI player without a -8 and still getting Kane ideally!

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Hmmm. C is the best of your minus 8 options I think

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            I could just do
            Ings, Son > Kane, Barnes (-4)
            Then bank the 1.4m and start Raphinha?

            1. Fulchester's New Centr…
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 25 days ago

              This 1000x, really coming round to playing Leeds over poor DGWer.

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 25 days ago

                Thanks!

                Unless you think Dallas > Digne is worth an extra -4?

  4. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Would you WC this team?

    Pope
    Mee/Dallas/Dias
    Sterling/Barnes/Fernandes/Gundogan
    Bamford/Barnes/Ings

    Johnstone/Raphinha/Coufal/Ogbonna
    1ft 4.9itb

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Looks a bit better than mine and I'm not

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Definitely doesn't need a WC!

      Ings > Kane
      Ogbonna > ?

      And you are G2G

    3. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Yes but would keep that midfield 4

    4. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      cheers all.

  5. El_Gigante
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Wildcard team:

    Martinez (Fabri)
    Cancelo, Digne, Stones (Rudiger, Struijk)
    Barnes, Gundo, Bruno, Son, Salah
    DCL, Kane (Davis)

    0.0itb

    Good to go?

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Lovleh

    2. oshsan
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 24 days ago

      Nice - identical to my starting 11 except I’ve got Alonso for Digne.

  6. Huckfead
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    All I have is FH chip left.
    Thinking of using this in GW 29 making the most of a bad fixtures week.
    Should be able to get a full and strong team out for GW33.
    Sound plan or is there a better week to use this?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Depends on how you are set up for this week and 29 but seems sensible enough

      1. Huckfead
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks for that. A strong DGW squad this week with no points hits

  7. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo X X
    Bruno Salah Gundogan Barnes
    Kane DCL

    3.9 - Bamford White ESR

    Which two defenders to pick on WC, bear in mind I have no FH for 29:

    One from:
    A) Digne
    B) Pereira
    C) Reguilon

    One from:
    1) Shaw
    2) Soyuncu
    3) Targett
    4) Dier

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Digne (for this week) and Targett (for 29)

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      If no FH I would bring in C3

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Ta

  8. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    What would you do with 1 FT? (0.1 ITB)

    -----------------Pope
    ----------Dias AWB Mee
    Bruno Sterling Son Rashford JWP
    ----------Bamford Watkins

    Meslier Antonio Coufal Alioski

    A. Mee to Keane
    B. Mee to Targett
    C. Bamford to Maja + JWP to Barnes (-4)

    1. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      C sounds good, I like Maja

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        How did he play vs. SHU? Involved?

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      C i guess, but not wild about it

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Yeah same here. JWP has a double in 27 as well....

  9. fisherja09
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Do we think reguilon will start both games? Thinking of going Pope & James to Martinez & Reguilon, looking forward to GW29 at the same time

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Looks an ok move, concern would be Spurs overall terribleness rather than Regu game time

  10. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Bottomed earlier (I used to think that was a statement of intent):

    With a -8 I can get a bench boost in gw26 of:
    DDG, Lowton, Booby Reid, Bamford (7 games potentially)

    For free in week 32 after a gw31 wild card I can get a bench boost of (somewhat arbitrary selection from my 15):

    McCarthy, Robertson, Stones, Antonio (vs: CRY, lee, avl, new)

    So with the -8, I get 3 extra games plus 1 more for gw29 for, but lower quality and might not all play (Reid).

    I think I might just wait, what would you do?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Would keep BB in pocket for now

  11. LC1
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    So stuck on DCL or Watkins.

    I'm confident DCL scores more this DGW, but Watkins could easily bag a few over the two games and that's 1 more player I have for BGW29.

    Also an extra 1m itb..

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      DCL definitely a better pick imo

      Watkins has degraded as a pick with no Grealish

    2. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Go with whoever you think scores more this week

    3. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      DCL

  12. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Is this too light on DGW players for next 2?

    Martinez

    Cancelo Dias Digne

    Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinia

    Bamford Richarlison Kane

    Subs: McCarthy, Dallas Soucek Mitchell

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Looks okay to me

      1. CrouchDown
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Probably light on 1 or 2 guaranteed DGW players. City players with risk of rotation could end up being SGW players and you have Raph and Bamf in your 11.

    3. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Looks good, 9 is a good number for GW26

  13. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Anyone considering playing Mitchell for the DGW?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      is he even nailed?

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I wouldn't if I were you (or if I were anyone else either)

  14. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Will BB this week:

    Martinez Areola
    Alonso Burn Dias Stones Struijk
    Salah Bruno Grealish Gundo Raphina
    Ings Bamford Watkins

    As things stand currently have:
    10DGW26

    Grealish, Bamford, Ings > Barnes, DCL, Kane -8?

    Will leave me with 12DGW26 + 6BGW29 moving forward

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I think we have been lucky with Villa possibly falling to bits, it makes Leeds SGWers not bad choices. Minus 8 seems a bit heavy.

  15. Sanguinista
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Which attacker would you leave out from the following 3? Remaining attackers are Kane, DCL, Salah, Bruno, Gundo -

    A. Son
    B. Vardy
    C. Barnes

    B seems to be the obvious choice but have a feeling Jamie is going to be having a party these next few weeks.

    1. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Probably A since you have Kane. Leicester are a team in good form atm whereas spurs don't look great

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      B

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Son TBH

  16. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Stuck mulling over a few options, would appreciate any help. 1FT 1.2m in the bank. All chips intact and will probably FH in 29.

    Pope
    Dias Cancelo Digne
    Gundo Salah Bruno Maddison Raph
    Kane Bamford

    Mccarthy Dallas Coufal Brewster

    A. Bamford -> DCL
    B. Pope -> Martinez
    C. Both A and B for -4
    D. Brewster + Coufal -> Maja + Konsa (-4) then BB

    Would really appreciate any advice! Currently leaning towards C

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Prob D

  17. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    I’ll try again: How many hits have you guys taken so far? 5x -4 here

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      2 I think, neither worked

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      9

  18. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Think I’m pretty settled with the core of my wc team. Will FH in 29 so no needs for bow in mind. Pls help me fill the last gaps:

    A R pereira digne (raphina)
    B vardy shaw (ESR)
    C R pereira son (Brewster)

  19. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Bench Grealish and play Leeds attacker vs Aston Villa or Grealish to Barnes -4 (and -4 in BGW29 for 11 players. No FH)

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      It’s tricky. In my opinion, Grealish will miss at least two or three games despite what Dean Smith is suggesting.

      Why would Grealish to Barnes cost you 4 points? Have you already made a transfer!

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Will bring in Kane.

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Worth the hit I reckon and I'm doing it (planning on Ings to DCL with FT). Won't need 11 in 29 really, I'm looking at 8 for free or 9 with a hit.

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        No problem for my team to bench him until GW29. Will WC GW30/31. Have been planning for 11DGW players this GW(Now10 with Grealish out) and 11 in BGW29(if Grealish plays)

  20. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Only have 5 players for gw29 atm. Only 1 from Aston Villa- Everton game if that is dgw28. Anyone in similar shoes and thinking of WC28 with 6 dgw players and full team (or 10 players ) for gw29? Seems that everyone is using WC30 or even now.

    1. joey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I'm holding my wildcard until 31 in theory. Take this week out of it and there's still another 4 transfers available, I'd be happy enough getting 7/8 out that week. Can afford to think short term and then wildcard after. If wildcarding before you'll still need to consider players from Man City, Man U, Leicester, Liverpool, Chelsea etc so you either don't have a fill team anyway or need to spend points fixing it.

    2. joey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Just looked at your profile and I shouldn't be giving you advice!

  21. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Who scores more:

    A) DCL, Dier, Martinez
    B) DCL, Digne, Areola

  22. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Veltman goal

  23. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 24 days ago

    Is it worth me costing myself -4 to take Son out and bring Kane in when i have the below?

    Pope
    Shaw Dias Mee
    Sterling Fernandes Son Raphina Barnes
    DCL Watkins

    Could be Watkins out for Kane, Son out for someone max £5.9m

    Or leave Son as spurs cover and do Raphina to Gundo [swap back for blank week]

  24. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Is Grealish definitely out, and if not would it still be sensible to transfer him out for Harvey Barnes?

  25. Cali
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Never taken a -8 hit before but this might be the week. Thoughts?

    Son & Cavani to Barnes & Kane would give me LEI and Spurs coverage:

    Martinez
    Dias Stones Digne
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Barnes, Rafinha
    DCL Kane

  26. Sasaboe
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Martínez

    Dias Mee Wan-Bissaka

    Barnes Fernandes Salah Gündogan

    Calvert-Lewin Kane (3c) Watkins

    thought Watkins, Mee out jesus , Digne in ?

  27. Nedvěd11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 23 days ago

    Guys,

    Playing BB this round, but should I do -4 for Bam -> Watkins?

    Got

    Martinez, Pickford
    Dunk, Cancelo, Shaw, Dier, Digne
    Bruno, Gundo, Raph, Sterling, Son
    Kane, DCL, Bam

  28. Rizwan
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    So I will be BB this week but I have Bamford and Raphina in the squad. Is it worth taking -8 and bringing in DCL and Anguissa. Bearing in mind I already own Kane, Watkins, Son, Fenrandes, Salah, Gundo etc? Hoping to do some tinkering and bring Bamford in again by GW29....