Scout Notes

Bamford injury latest ahead of Leeds’ approaching fixture-swing

Fulham 1-2 Leeds

  • Goals: Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) | Patrick Bamford (£6.7m), Raphinha (£5.6m)
  • Assists: Ademola Lookman (£5.1m) | Jack Harrison (£5.4m), Bamford
  • Bonus points: Bamford x3, Harrison x2, Raphinha x1

PAT ON THE BACK

Owners of Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) are waiting for another injury update after his forced withdrawal against Fulham on Friday.

A hip problem sustained the previous week meant the Leeds forward was a doubt during the build-up to Blank Gameweek 29, although he still managed to earn his 29th start of the campaign.

However, Bamford’s Craven Cottage outing was far from uneventful in terms of his fitness as he twice required extensive treatment.

It was on the second occasion that his race was run, perhaps a result of carrying the after-effects of Gameweek 28’s knock to the hip.

Marcelo Bielsa did not give a specific update at full-time although Bamford himself gave a more informal explanation of what happened.

“He made a very big effort. And I saw him play a very valiant game. I saw him play well, generous apart from that. He also helped facilitate his team-mates having chances and I saw him play in a very valiant manner.” – Marcelo Bielsa

“I was struggling a bit. My team-mates had to put more in than they’re used to. It was just a matter of time as to how long I could last. Fortunately, I got 76 minutes before my legs packed in.” – Patrick Bamford

HOME AND AWAY

Bamford continues to save some of his best performances for away matches.

His goal and assist at Fulham took him to 14 attacking returns on the road in 2020/21, the joint-second-most in Fantasy Premier League at the time of writing.

Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) currently ranks level with Bamford in this area while Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m) is this season’s top-performing away-day asset (15 attacking returns).

Bamford’s road-trip returns account for 60.9% of his goal involvements this season which might have some Fantasy managers examining Leeds’ remaining fixtures.

There is an even more drastic favour for road trips with Raphinha (£5.6m), who has three attacking returns at Elland Road this season and nine away from it.

Just four of their matches between now and Gameweek 38 take place on the road, the Whites’ next away trip taking them to Manchester City.

With Sheffield United visiting Elland Road in Gameweek 30, Bamford is a clear hold, providing he can stay fit, but with Manchester City (away), Liverpool (home) and Manchester United (home) their following three opponents, some opportunistic-minded Fantasy managers might begin looking elsewhere, especially those with a Wildcard in their back pocket.

CUTTING CORNERS

It was set pieces that denied Leeds defensive assets a tenth clean sheet of the campaign in Blank Gameweek 29.

Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) became the latest player to score from a corner against the Whites.

Knowing they are still vulnerable in this area arguably increases the appeal of John Stones (£5.3m), Ruben Dias (£6.1m), Harry Maguire (£5.5m) and Lewis Dunk (£5.0m) who are all set to face Leeds between now and Gameweek 33.

While soon-to-Wildcard managers might be considering what to do with Stuart Dallas (£5.1m), he remains one of just three defenders with more than one double-digit match score since Gameweek 23.

Furthermore, he played in central midfield against Fulham as Mateusz Klich (£5.2m) remains out of the starting line-up. As a result, Dallas came close to adding his sixth Premier League goal of the season in the 80th minute after he was played through by Raphinha.

Meanwhile, Illan Meslier (£4.6m) continues to put in the hard graft for his 6.8% ownership.

He made five saves in Blank Gameweek 29 which means he has earned at least one additional point for stops in each of his last six appearances.

At the time of writing, Meslier now tops the Premier League for total saves (115) and is behind only Emiliano Martínez (£5.4m) for value among goalkeepers, having produced 27.2 points per million spent.

FUL OF IT

Fulham’s recent defensive improvements appear to have hit something of a snag over their last two matches.

Between Gameweeks 20 and 27, Alphonse Areola (£4.6m) was joint-top of the Premier League for clean sheets alongside Edouard Mendy (£5.1m). 

However, since then, the Cottagers have conceded five times and face Aston Villa (away), Wolves (home) and Arsenal (away) in their next three.

Meanwhile, any differential interest in Josh Maja (£5.5m) took a hit on Friday night. He was substituted for tactical reasons at half time and is yet to replicate the goal-scoring display of Fulham’s 2-0 win at Everton in Gameweek 24.

“(Asked why Mitrovic replaced Maja at half-time): Set plays were (a likely avenue). We caused them problems. The goal came from that. In terms of the first half, I didn’t feel we got control in the way I wanted us to. I felt Mitrovic was that guy who could give us that platform up-top and get runners off him.” – Scott Parker

Fulham XI (4-3-3): Areola; A Robinson, Adarabioyo, Andersen, Aina (Tete 72′); Lemina, Reed (Loftus-Cheek 63′); Lookman, Anguissa, Cavaleiro; Maja (Mitrović 46′).

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Alioski, Struijk, Llorente, Ayling; K Phillips; Harrison, Dallas, Roberts (Koch 90+3′), Raphinha; Bamford (Klich 77′).

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632 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    If Newcastle score at least I'll be consoled by the fact those with three Brighton defenders are suffering triple the grief, 😉

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      True that, win-win situation.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Lol...

      • Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Got on Sanchez early, thought I was being smart.
        Got used to the pain over the last month or so.

    3. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      RIP Peter Lorimer

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

        That's a shame. the man with the hardest shot in football.

    4. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      GW 30 Team | WC 31

      Martinez ¦ Forster
      Reguilon Cancelo* Coufal
      Bale Auba* Bruno Lingard
      Kane Bamford Antonio
      ¦ Saka Veltman Holding

      Thinking of Cancelo, Auba -> Digne, KdB (-4)

      Early thoughts?

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        not worth it imo. would rather get azpi or shaw in for free

        1. Slitherene
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Azpi could be a good 1 GW punt!

      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        What Jeremy says, Digne is not worth a hit for a one week punt.

      3. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Sounds good, any reason why Digne > Chelsea defender, don't know much about Evertons fixtures but i know Chelsea have some good ones coming up

        1. Slitherene
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Dave vs WBA & Digne vs CRY

      4. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        I have him on free hit, not in my team but I wish I had Auba for the Liverpool game. Their defence is not good at the moment.

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          huh, i was considering swapping auba straight back to bruno

        2. Slitherene
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          An IB might just change things for them

      5. CapK
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Chelsea def > Digne imo (azpi / rudi)

      6. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        I'm considering shipping Digne even with the Palace fixture 😆

    5. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Thoughts on Mahrez as a differential if one can't afford KDB and has no other city attackers on WC?

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        gundo still the best value

      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Could be genius as he seems to be a designated PL player rather than Europe.
        Along similar lines, punt on Ake?

      3. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        worth a shot but he can be frustrating to own

    6. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      What is double Brighton defences EO in the top 10k?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Probably around 40

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          That’s overall I guess

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Top 10K collective of Sanchez Dunk White Veltman is about 70-75%

      3. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Thanks all

    7. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      I wish i had a BB.Bench two please.
      a)Dallas
      b)Coufal
      c)Keane
      d)Dias
      e)Mings

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        couf and keane

      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Weirdly, the 2 from the best two teams, b and d

      3. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        cheers both.

    8. VaVaVoom14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      How many more double gameweeks left? How many teams do we think will double from now to the end of the season?

    9. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Best Chelsea defender to own?

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Azpi is the nailedest

      2. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Azpi most nailed, Rudiger best budget, Alonso best punt

      3. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Azpi

      4. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        rudiger

      5. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Going for Mendy (GK)

    10. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      tricky bench headache. bench two:

      stones v lei
      lingard v wol
      raph v shu
      watkins v ful
      AWB v bha

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        The defenders

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          sorry should have made it clearer

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Stones and Watkins?

      2. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        one defender and one mid / attacker

      3. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Not Rap, not Wan Biss

        Lingard and Watkins I guess

      4. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Very tricky, probably Stones or Watkins, leaning Stones as Watkins may have Grealish back to assist him now but Stones may well be rested himself

      5. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Stones
        Lingard

    11. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Super Saturday is finally here

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Semis of All England Open Badminton?

      2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Grand slam decider and only Prem game KO at same time. Great. May as well delay the T20 cricket decider till 8pm as well

    12. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Sold Bamford on FH and benched Lookman for Dallas. Off to fantastic start.

    13. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Hmmm. Just dawned on me Maja is the guy who walked out on Sunderland when they really needed him to avoid a 2nd relegation.
      Anyone who watched the Netflix series will know him

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Yep that is him. Hardly pulled up any trees in France.
        Grabban did something similar to them in another season so I guess there were reasons not to stick around at Sunderland at that time.

        1. camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          And a famous guy called Jack Rodwell. Really screwed them over.

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            He was the worst, you're right. Leaching of SHU now.

          2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Didn't Rodwell refuse to budge on his wages but also refuse to leave for a while even though they couldn't afford to pay him? Pure scum

            1. Fulchester's New Centr…
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 8 days ago

              This is the thing, at least Maja and Grabban (a loanee I think) left.

      2. Mweene
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        99% of players would do the same in that situation.

        Nothing wrong with jumping off a sinking ship to try to further your career in my opinion.

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Loyalty expected from players is so much higher than from clubs, it's downright wrong really.

          1. Mweene
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            When I was a kid I could never understand the players I loved leaving my team because I assumed they were as loyal as I was.

            Now I'm an adult starting to think about having a family etc, I have much more sympathy for players leaving for more money/stepping up the ladder. As we've seen over the years, one incident could completely end a player's career and it's a short one anyway.

          2. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Wasn't disagreeing.
            I'd move from my boring job to a similar boring job elsewhere for more money.
            I'll play for Sunderland when mortgage paid and kids have grown up.

      3. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Nah, Grabban did that. Maja was with us in League One until the Jan window (top scorer at that point). Chairman (c***) decided to sell him for peanuts because his contract was up in the summer. Replaced him with Will Grigg and the rest is history.

    14. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Never realised quite how good my GW30 team would look.
      Happy with the starting 11 and see I've got Gundo, Cancelo and Watkins on the bench!!

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Yeah, Gundo 1st on bench too.

      2. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Same here. Will WC next gameweek unless something really bad happens during international break.

      3. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Surely got to play Gundo

    15. Athletico Underachieving
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      With triple BHA defence tonight, what time do I get on the beers today?

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Right after lunch. I'm rarely nervous because of FPL but today is the day.

      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Now

      3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Might need something stronger than Beer...........and I would start early if I were you..........96th minute pointless consolation goal from Lacelles.

      4. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Already on it. Plan is to be so drunk by the time game kicks off I won't even care if Newcastle somehow manage to score.

      5. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Soon as possible.

      6. Athletico Underachieving
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Pretty resounding. Bottoms up!

        1. camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          I got that drunk one nite I work up nxt morning think my team villa won the fa Cup.
          Felt very silly over breakfast 🙂

    16. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Considering I ended up effectively getting 4 points from my BB last week thanks to benching and early subs, I really should have kept it for next GW looking at my team now

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        No correct decisions without hindsight.
        This whole game is coulda, woulda, shoulda. No point worrying about it.
        E.g. Kane, Sane, Mane TCs over last few years done by many.

        1. The Train Driver
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Mostly shoulda...

        2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          True enough (although I was also in the Sane and Mane TC group too!). Can't complain it just feels a little silly on my part, but at the same time the fixtures looked good so ah well

    17. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Newcastle goal tonight would be glorious.

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        I have Burn but honestly I'd expect it more than anything, 1 CS in last 6 including games against WBA, Soton, Palace and Burnley, only thing going for Brighton is how negative Newcastle normally are in comparison to the above (apart from Palace maybe)

        1. Mweene
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          You would think Newcastle need to target a win from this one.

          If they go for a 0-0 in this then they deserve to go down.

      2. HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        I would celebrate it like they’re my team!

      3. threeputt
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        certainly would

      4. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Both will be desperate for goals I guess, might end up with 2-1

      5. Parsnips
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        no

    18. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      So I still have a FH and TC available, what's the consensus on game weeks in the future these might be useful ? I've heard rumours of gw33 being possible for the FH but atm there are a few bgws showing in that week and I'm after dgws for both preferably. I'm assuming a lot is dependent on FA Cup results

    19. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      I wonder what is Brighton defence ownership. Based on Twitter it looks like 200% but probably it is not a representative sample for the whole population. Based on livefpl even 1 defender in a squad should result in gain in rank in case of a clean sheet

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        See above in this page

    20. lordkippe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Dubravka, Dunk and Trossard today. Get med some points boys!

    21. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      team here with 1ft, should I do Cancelo > Cresswell?

      Martinez
      Cancelo Rudiger Digne
      Bruno KDB Raph Son
      Bamford Kane DCL

      Fabri Gunde Coufal Holding

    22. Gingerman
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Sure this has already been posted but is he spending to much time on ff, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/19/chess-magnus-carlsen-on-the-brink-of-elimination-from-his-own-tournament

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        You win some, you lose some.

      2. 3 A
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Too much time and still compete for third is awesome.

    23. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Took a -4 for Dunk.

      Cue red card and own goal.

    24. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      You know FPL has hit crazy levels when people are backing Brighton 😆

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Remember the hysteria around Dunk triple captain, that ship sunk leaving the dock 🙂

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          It did, at least then they were relatively decent. This time around......

          The worst home record in the league 😆 There is truth that Newcastle are bad but Brighton are atrocious at home

        2. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          It was Duffy! 😆

          1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            ah yes it was Duffy, those were crazy times too. When you look back at the decisions logically at the end of the season throwing a triple c on a Brighton player is nuts

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 days ago

              Absolutely haha

    25. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Aina > Rüdiger to tap into Chelsea nice fixtures, with FT?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Yes

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Cheers

    26. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Early thoughts on McCarthy+Soucek >> Mendy+Havertz (-4)? Would the BB before WC31.

      Martinez, Mendy
      Coufal, Dallas, Dunk, Dias, Digne
      Bruno, Son, Lingard, Raphina, Soucek
      Kane, Bamford, DCL

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Havertz over Soucek*

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Mendy is good to tap into Chelsea defence, Havertz could be gold or dirt?

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Yeah, just a 1 week punt before WC.

      3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        could be good, I am looking at a chelsea player but difficult to pick one.

        Alonso is tempting if I knew he starts but with champions league no certainty

    27. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Newcastle goal is all I care about this GW

    28. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Bam still flagged? Something said after?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Just read the scout tweet

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Dean Smith living in a fantasy world with his Grealish optimism

      2. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        - back on the grass
        - running
        - free of pain

        - back at the start of the 2025 season

    29. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Wtf am I supposed to do today