Scout Notes

Can FPL managers still trust Brighton defence after derby debacle?

Brighton 1-2 Crystal Palace

  • Goals: Joël Veltman (£4.3m) | Jean Philippe-Mateta (£5.8m), Christian Benteke (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Jordan Ayew (£5.6m), Andros Townsend (£5.5m)
  • Bonus points: Benteke x3, Mateta x2, Veltman x1

DERBY DISASTER

Brighton failed to deliver on their recent defensive promise as they lost the A23 derby to Crystal Palace in a dramatic fashion.

After dominating proceedings with their 25 shots, Graham Potter’s men fell to a stoppage-time winner from substitute Christian Benteke (£5.5m).

Such a disastrous end to the game was frustrating for the growing number of Fantasy Premier League managers invested in Brighton’s defence.

They had kept five clean sheets in the previous six Gameweeks, 62.5% of their shutouts for the whole campaign occurring during a period which pitted them against Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Furthermore, Crystal Palace had not scored a single Premier League goal in five matches without Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m) this season… until they netted twice on Monday night.

Can Brighton’s defence still be trusted then?

A Double Gameweek 26 meeting with West Bromwich Albion still holds clean sheet promise based on Brighton’s mid-term form and the fact that Sam Allardyce’s men have blanked in two of their last three.

They also face Southampton (away) and Newcastle (home) between now and Blank Gameweek 29.

BACK TO BASICS

While Crystal Palace have hardly been a team worth relying on for defensive returns this season but they showed a glimmer of potential on Monday night.

They weathered Brighton’s storm of 25 shots impressively, producing a total of 56 on the Clearances, Blocks and Interceptions (CBI) metric.

Gary Cahill (£4.5m) said at full-time that the Eagles’ recent form had triggered a ‘back-to-basics’ approach from them in the A23 derby.

For a team like Palace, that means a focus on defence. If they are able to lay down another deep (and effective) block in Double Gameweek 26, it is possible that Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) could be a worthy starter or someone to Bench Boost.

A more defensive approach makes it more likely the left-back will start ahead of the more adventurous Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) while Fulham have the second-worst shot accuracy in the Premier League over their last four matches.

“I think that was an important factor because we had to accept we weren’t able to do enough ourselves with the ball, when we were able to win it back. We were put under pressure immediately and as a result quite often the ball was more around our area and final third than we were able to get into theirs. But I thought the resilience, the determination and the sheer guts really that the players showed both in terms of the shape of the team in those areas, but also in terms of their desire to block and not concede clear-cut goal chances.” – Roy Hodgson

WHAT A WONDERFUL PHRASE

Jean-Philippe Mateta (£5.8m) will be pleased with his first Crystal Palace goal but it could be Benteke who answers the Eagles’ questions about playing without Zaha.

Over the last three Gameweeks since making his Premier League debut, Mateta has registered just two efforts on goal.

By contrast, in just 105 minutes over the same period, Benteke has unleashed seven efforts on goal.

Five of those have been inside the penalty area and five were on target.

That makes for an impressive minutes-per-chance figure of 15 while James Maddison (£7.3m) is the only Premier League player to register more shots on target than Benteke since Gameweek 23. His total of five is level with Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m), Phil Foden (£6.1m), Jesse Lingard (£5.9m) and Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m)

“(Benteke’s goal) should make a big difference. This is what all coaches expect of their players. You can only pick XI. There are always going to be people left out of the team that makes people think the coach doesn’t know what he is doing. The only thing players can do is take their chance. All too often, I find, players would prefer to feel sorry for themselves than do what Christian did tonight. Come on for the last 15 minutes and prove the manager wrong for not picking him.” – Roy Hodgson

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-4-1-2): R Sánchez; Burn, Dunk, White; Alzate (Welbeck 46′), Bissouma, Groß (Jahanbakhsh 81′), Veltman; Mac Allister (Lallana 68′); Maupay, Trossard.

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Guaita; Mitchell, Cahill, Kouyaté, J Ward; Eze (J McCarthy 90+1′), Milivojevic, Riedewald; A Townsend, Mateta (Benteke 75′), Ayew.

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611 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who wins:

    A. Raphine & 16pts

    B. McCarthy, Dallas, Bamford & Ings

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

        Who takes penos for Leeds?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Bamford or Klich

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

          Bamford till he misses

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Need either a 0-0 with McCarthy & Dallas in the baps or 2-1/1-2 with Bampot & Ings sharing the goals and no Raphine involvement?

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

        Klich peno saved by McCarthy might work - that ain’t gonna happen...

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

      A. Are you B?

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

        Yes

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

      B

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

      A

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

    Raphinha, Bamford & Ings --> Smith-Rowe, DCL & Kane(C) = -8

    A) Yes
    B) Madness

    I can do Ings to Kane with FT

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

      See how Ings fairs tonight, might limp off....

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

      Ings is gone for Kane either way tbf

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

    Which couple do you prefer (I’m on bench boost):

    A. Barnes, Mitchell
    B. B. Traore, Targett

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      Barnes, Mitchell.

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

    Who wins?

    1. Raphinha + Struijk + Vestergaard
    2. Bamford (C) + 3 points

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

      1. The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2

  5. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1FT, 3.7 ITB, thoughts?

    Martinez, Pope

    Cancelo, Dias, Dallas, Coufal, Lowton

    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Gundogan, Raphinha

    Cavani, Bamford, Antonio

    A - Cavani + Raphinha to DCL + Barnes for a -4?
    B - Wildcard

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

      Definitely not a WC. A looks good.

      1. The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate

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

          And good look to the might whites tonight. I'm tripled up!

          1. The Mighty Whites
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Haha likewise, could do with a comfortable victory!

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

    Bamford ——— > DCL (-4) ?

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

      Yeah, go for it

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

    DGW punt, who to pick?

    1. Traore
    2. Watkins
    3. Other AVL mid

    1. quayle99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins

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

      Watkins

  8. arkom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy / Forster
    Dallas / Maguire / Cancelo / Coufal / Justin
    Bruno / Rapinha / Salah / Foden / Son
    Ings / Bamford / DCL

    1 FT
    2,7£ ITB

    What do you think guys, should I activate wild card?

    McCarthy / LLORIS
    Dallas / STONES / Cancelo / TARGETT / PEREIRA
    Bruno / BARNES / SOUCEK / GUNDOGAN / Son
    VARDY / Bamford / KANE

    - Maximize doubles players for next gameweeks (for example playing keeper GW26 Lloris and GW27 McCarthy)
    - Free hit played, so prepair GW29 (that's why Soucek)
    - Lloris > Martinez because any Spurs def is not nailed.
    - DCL vs Vardy is a difficult question..
    - Soucek & Kane vs Sterling & Antonio etc?

    Should I make changes to above line up? Targett > Shaw because GW29. Anyway, both will play doubles GW26.

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

      WC team 2 with Salah. Any better?

      McCarthy / AREOLA
      Shaw / Stones / STRUJIK / Targett / COUFAL
      Bruno / Barnes / SALAH / Gundogan / Son
      DCL / Bamford / Kane

  9. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think of Kane TC this week?

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

      I like it

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

        I LOVE it

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

      As good as any

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

      No perfect option this week. He's as good as anyone.

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

      Can’t trust it.

      Spurs not in high goal scoring form at the moment and Burnley and Fulham have tightened up defensively recently.

      I’m not even sure I’m single capping Kane this GW. A City mid looks a better bet right now, the scoring form they’re in.

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

        agreed

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Burnley don't concede much when Pope/Mee/Tark start together

      Fulham concede 1 in last 4

      MouMou getting ready to launch his traditional volley of excuses blame & Hang the players & board out to dry...

      Not ideal circumstances but could definitely work

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all. Looking to field this team for - 4 at weekend.

    Is it worth another hit to upgrade Lowton?

    Anyone up to 6m in range - eg pereira / reguillon (can't afford digne)

    Thanks

    Martinez
    Cancelo dias Lowton
    Salah Bruno Barnes gundog
    Kane (tc) dcl watkins

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

      No further hits required for me. Looks good.

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

      Pereira worth it IMO

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

        Cheers.....pereira teasing me

  11. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Every game next GW involves a DGW team

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

      Which is why I think it’s the week to BB, hence not using WC.

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

    This week only:
    A) cresswell, Bamford
    B) aina/rudiger, DCL -8

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

      I wouldn’t do a -8

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

        Forget bb: Sanchez, Dallas, cresswell, Bamford, and TC Kane?

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

          I think that TC option is better.

        2. quayle99
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I have almost the exact same bench, I'm TC Kane instead

  13. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So i can either play watkins or get in dcl for a -4... also need to move out pope first with a FT...
    Any help on whom to get will be app. !

    Was thinking dcl and pickford IN for -4

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

      Wouldn’t lose Watkins, consider Bamford -> DCL -4

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

        Can only play 1 of watkins or calvert-lewin..

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

          3-5-2

  14. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who Wins:

    A) 15 points
    B) Bamford + Raphinha + Struijk + Vestergaard

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

      15 points

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Even with the potential 8 appearance points for B?

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

      Will tell you at 8pm gmt tonight.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Wouldn't need you to tell me 15 minutes after I would have already known!

    3. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. CBonci
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    5. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B. You're toast.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I am B BTW!

  15. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah and Watkins
    Kane and Rodriguez -4

    Getting increasingly tempted. 4 good fixtures and don’t really fancy Watkins at all

    Rodriguez looks a great differential and arguably has higher upside than DCL who since his Hattie has been consistent not explosive

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

      I don't hate it.

      If you think Liverpool continue to struggle go for it. I'm in the same boat with watkins

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

        Part of the equation here is that Fulham and Wolves look only moderately attractive now in 27 and 28

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

    How dare Aston Villa ban fpl

    I hope they have emotional support and therapy in Place

    Imagine taking away a crack addicts fix and just telling him to suck it up

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      True! I am already dreading what happens post 38. Euros fantasy league maybe!

  17. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which would you rather go without Kane or DCL?

    Have no other spurs and Digne for Everton cover.

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

      DCL

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

      Honestly? I think DCL may well outscore Kane.

      Spurs worry me for the DGW. Two tough defences to crack, and this is Mourinho we’re talking about.

      Everton look like they just want to score all the time. Spurs get one goal and Mou shuts up shop.

  18. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Coufal to digne (-4) ??
    (Should get again coufal for bgw29 again)

    Or

    Play dallas/mitchell

  19. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I've been waiting since Saturday to get 14 points off the bench. Looking forward to that and 3 Leeds in action later.

  20. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DGW26 team for -4

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones AWB
    Salah Son Bruno Gundogan Barnes
    DCL Watkins

    Johnstone Mee Bamford Dallas

    TC on who?

    Transfers planned
    Grealish >>> Barnes
    Raph >>> Gundo
    Antonio >>> Watkins

  21. SCOUT PICKS CHAMPION LOTTERY - GAMEWEEK 26
    andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    We're looking for a new Community Champion for Gameweek 26.

    Think you have the eye to pick the differentials and form a winning team vs the Scout Picks? We need a Community Champion to represent us vs the Scout Picks for Gameweek 26.

    The Community Champion picks a team including a captain to go up against the Scout Picks, within a budget of 83m and in a playable FPL formation. Whichever Gameweek champion beats the Scout’s team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher!

    If you're interested in applying, email us at support@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk with your FFS username and FPL Team ID.

    The Champion will be picked by Thursday evening, so make sure to enter by then! The Champion then has until 11am Friday morning to send in their team.

    Good luck

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

    Any Leicester fans with an insight on if they think Thomas can hold down a spot with Justin out? Really fancy a Leicester defender but can’t afford anyone else 🙁

  23. gavdarby7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does this wildcard team look ready to go.
    Martinez Mccarthy
    Pereira Thomas Digne Cancelo El Mohademy
    KDB foden Bruno Barnes Barkley
    Kane Richarlison Diagne
    0.4 itb

    100 points behind in my mini league so need some differentials

  24. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any suggestions? Other option would be to wildcard, but I need to use my TC and BB at some point

    A) Mee > Digne
    B) Pope/Mee > Martinez/Digne (-4)
    C) Son/Ings > Barnes/Kane (-4)
    D) Pope/Son/Ings > Martinez/Barnes/Kane (-8)

  25. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TC ?

    1. Bruno
    2. Salah
    3. Gundogan

  26. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A - Barnes and DCL or,
    B - B Traore and Kane

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

      b

  27. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pick 3 teams with the highest probability of keeping 2 clean sheets in DGW 26.

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

      city
      spurs
      eve

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

      City Everton Spurs

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      City and Spurs

    4. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What about Chelsea. Liverpool are struggling to score at home and Man U face Chelsea that is yet to concede at home under Tuchel.

  28. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. Barnes (ARS bur) + Lookman (cry TOT)

    B. B.Traore (lee shu) + Pereira (BHA EVE)

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

      Have Vardy but no Villa attack

    2. CBonci
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  29. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    madness how people have taken hits to bring in Rafinha/Bam and now talking about hits to remove them

    where is the upside ?

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

      tonight

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

      chasing next week's points is apparently upside chasing

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

      Upside clear

      DGW 25
      DGW 26

      Two extra matches with quite ok fixtures

  30. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Pereria
    Barnes Salah Gundogan Bruno
    DCl Bamford Kane(TC)

    Pope Raphinha Coufal Holding

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Captain DCL. thank me later.