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. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Heads up, I’m probably the only one who who hadn’t noticed that tonight’s game is 6pm ko, not 8pm.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah can't wait. Hopefully it'll be a cracker with a Leeds victory .

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh, cheers.

    3. Im New Here
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Leeds followed by Atleti v Chelsea, nice evening lined up

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

      Another night when I will sleep at 0400! Looking forward to it though.

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

      Scheduling gods. I can watch FPL disappointment AND Champions League disappointment tonight!

    6. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Was sure it was too, but CL i think is the reason

  2. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope, Johnstone
    Cancelo, Stones, Digne, Lowton, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Raphinha, Soucek
    Antonio, Bamford, Ings

    1FT £0.1m ITB

    What should I do here guys?

    A) Antonio ---> Watkins
    B) Salah + Antonio ---> Gundogan/Barnes + Kane (-4)
    C) Ings + Soucek ---> DCL + Gundo (-4)
    D) Salah + Antonio + Soucek ---> Gundo + Kane + Barnes (-8)
    E) WC

    Or suggest something else please??

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

    Who will score more:

    A. Konsa/Target
    B. Rudiger

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A short term, better fixtures

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

    Dream - Bamford blank with a Raphinha haul

    1. tommo-uk-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Opposite for me

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Two hauls would be perfect.

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

      Both haul would be ideal.

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

    Fellow Liverpool fans. Has anyone seen Firmino liking a photo on Instagram posted by Richarlison celebrating the win at Anfield. Friend or not it’s just plain embarrassing

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

      I dont mind it all

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

        Yeah some wont mind. It irks me, i hate everton always have, it just annoys me

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

          Tbh a part of me even wanted everton to win at Anfield its been so long

        2. Lev Yashin
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          It annoys you that they're friends?

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

            Not friends no obviously not. Just the fact that he’s liking a post by an Everton player celebrating the win after being humiliated at home. add the form in and it just feels like a kick in the teeth to fans

        3. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          No wonder it irks you so much
          More than most if you hate Everton. I for example quite like them so it doesn’t matter to me in any way.

  6. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Safest Spurs defender to bring in? If there is one...

    1. tommo-uk-
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dier probably, spurs have a terrible CS record though.

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

      Difficult to know who plays in a given week, and they’re not good enough to be worth the risk.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        DGW and gw29 fixture is hard to pass up though

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

          I did have Dier, but after Jose dropped him for Spurs’ only clean sheet in recent weeks I shifted him for Shaw.

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

      Reguillon. He didn’t look good in return, but if healthy he will play. Chance for offense too.

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

    Who is the must have City DGW 26 mid?

    A. KDB
    B. Sterling
    C. Gundogan
    D. Foden

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

      Form says Gundo.

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

      Mahrez probably

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  8. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Afternoon all. Worth doing this?

    Pope + Dallas + Raphinha > Johnstone + Targett + Barnes(-4)

    To leave this team which I'd then BB:

    Martinez Johnstone
    Dias Stones Digne AWB Targett
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo Barnes
    Watkins DCL Bamford

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

      If you're FHing in 29 then those moves sound great

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

        Unfortunately I've used my FH. But I can still get 8 players in 29 with those moves. Just worried about lack of Kane this week.

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

    Despite playing, Mitchell still a major rotation risk? Would help with another DGW player if nailed?

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

      Probably a risk, but there is also a good chance that Woy will stick with a winning team.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Worth a shot.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Major risk.
      Used to just be Sergeant risk but got promoted in game week 21.

  10. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is there a nailed on Spurs defender?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not really . Dier I suppose but they were awful at the back on Sunday.

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

      Just checked. They're all over the place with potential for even more changes given their crap form. Would've loved a nailed Spurs def

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

        If you must, Lloris is your best bet

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

        Really? Because of fix and gw29?
        They always concede..

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

      Cheers, too bad :/

  11. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys,

    Pope -> Martinez

    Is it worth a hit?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think so to be honest.

  12. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez Forster
    Stones Shaw Mee Dallas Coufal
    Son Grealish Bruno Raphinha Gundogan
    Kane Ings Bamford

    Thinking Grealish Ings and Coufal to Barnes Dcl and Dias for a minus 8 to give me 11 doublers and triple captain Bruno/Kane
    Or
    Could just do the first two for a 4 and play Bamford or Raphinha.
    Any advice welcome.

    1. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm looking at pretty similar moves for -4 to leave me with 10 doublers and Raphinha playing...

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

      Just do the -4 and play Mee and Bamford/Raphinha.

  13. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have wc, bb and tc left.. I just took - 4 to get this team:

    Martinez
    Cancelo, Stones, tarkowski,
    Salah, Bruno, son, Barnes, gundogan
    Dcl, bamford

    Bench: steer, ings, Dallas, coufal,

    10 dgw players, could play tc son or dcl here..

    A) good to go
    B) take another hitt, could do dallas>shaw and bench bamford
    C) bamford >watkins (-4)
    D)play wc, get 11 dgw and enaugh players for gw29.

    1. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Which transfers looks best? 🙂

    1) Cavani and Son -> Kane and Barnes
    2) Cavani, Ings and Soucek -> Kane, Watkins and Reed (-4)
    3) Cavani, Ings and Bamford -> Kane, DCL and Vydra (-4)

    1. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for me

    2. Im New Here
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    Those going Kane TC I advice you instead give it to DCL. Thank me later.

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

      Ok I will but will put the blame on you if it goes bad

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

        Check the defensive stats for Fulham and Burnley. You realize both have three cleanies in four. Then check DCL's form and opponents.

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

      Dear oh dear, you do realise you'll get hammered by those who follow your advice and blank?

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

        I'll go the other way. Put your triple C on Kane, like me. Happy for the flack or plaudits ;).

  16. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    BB this?

    McCarthy Bamford | Raph | 5.4m DEF

  17. Leeds-Utd
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So I have 10 dwg players next week.(no hits).
    Do I Play
    A) Bamford
    B) Raphina
    ???

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A but not much between them

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Raph

  18. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone here been blocked on Twitter by Joe? Yikes...

  19. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please help guys. On WC.

    Diop > Struijk
    To afford Bamford > Watkins

    I do have a lot of value tied up in Bam but getting Watkins means i have 11 DGWers. Just unsure if hes worth getting if Grealish is injured.

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I also have value in Bamford and I’m on the fence about it, Watkins has better fixtures and a potential dgw28 but I’m unsure if that will translate to more points

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed. If Grealish is declared fit there is no doubt im getting Watkins in.

  20. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Think I’m gonna captain Gundo over Kane Mo Bruno and DCL is that crazy?

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

      Not crazy at all. There is a case to be made for multiple players. As long as you are happy with your rationale go for it.

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

      no

  21. Gharvey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The more I play this game the more I think a good single game week player trumps an ever age double game week. Can’t see de De bruyner, Sterling, Gundo, Foden or Bernardo starting both games? Captain kane or Son then eh:)

    1. Im New Here
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think we get carried away with the DGW. The flip side is that if a player does well in two games you can get BIG points if captained

  22. DanL18
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best DGW26 defender worth £4.6m or below?

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough, maybe Konsa

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

      Charlie Taylor. Bad DGW fixtures though.

      1. DanL18
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks guys. I've already got Konsa, thinking of Aina from Fulham for a one week punt

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

      White (Brighton)

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

        Sorry - SGW

    4. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Konsa

  23. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Transfer in Sanchez or Areola? Using bench boost then probably only going to play again in DGW 29?

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

      The one with the double gw

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

    Am on Wildcard.

    Is it wise to have this goalkeeper Combo?

    Edersen/Sanchez.

    I have an eye on GW 29 but looks expensive af.

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Areola over sanchez

  25. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which is better it’ll be for a -4 ?
    A. Raphina > Barnes
    B. Bamford > Watkins

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Rbyrne95
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mhmm, I mean, the form Barnes is in just now it's pretty hard to ignore. Bamford is on pens too.

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

    Hoping for a 0-0, 1-0 SOU win or 1-0 LEE win (no Bam involvement) today!

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Southampton must be due another 9-0 mauling soon...

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

        Not with their change in system

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

      Odds against you

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

      can't see both sides not scoring. Both teams poor defensively with decent attackers.

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

        Tbh I don't mind even a 1-1 with no Bam involvement.

    4. Bob.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hoping for a goalfest! 4-4

  27. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Nat Phillips worth it over Stuijk just to complete my DGW bench boost?

  28. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Scenes when Bamford and Ings are benched!

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

      Why will Bamford be benched

  29. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How’s this starting 11 for G/Week 26 chaps?
    Martinez
    Cancelo Shaw Stones
    Fernandes Gundo Barnes Son
    Vardy DCL kane
    Cheers fellas in advance 🙂

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

      Looks alright

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Bob 🙂

  30. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which moves do you prefer?

    A Bamford and harrison to kane and Barnes for free

    B Bamford Harrison and pope to vardy son and a 3.9 keeper for a hit

    Thanks

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

      Definitely a. How are you set for gw 29?