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. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Kdb goal

  2. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Which position is Moder playing? Is Veltman CB or RB here?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      No expert but I believe both are full backs

      1. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        Cheers Bemba

  3. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    How many are looking to WC during IB other than before GW31?

    1. ZAMUNDA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Already on it! IB is always perfect time for WCs

      1. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        I was originally on this strategy, for all the good reasons you guys no doubt are. Reason I'm now waiting another gameweek is that my team, which I was running into the ground, actually shapes up really well for 30 anyway

        1. ZAMUNDA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 days ago

          I can imagine, especially that Spurs, Leeds and Villa have nice fixtures in GW30. And I'll have them in my team (not all definitely) but not to have 8 players from these 3 teams when Chelsea is playing WBA, Everton Vs Cry and Man Utd Vs Brighton. Wanna jump on Chelsea's double defence before it's late tbh

          1. Bennerman
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 days ago

            I'll be getting in probably one Chelsea, plus Bruno, I think. Then wildcard in at least one more Chelsea

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        It usually is. Thing is for me, my team looks set up well for GW30.

        I even have a slight benching headache.

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      No point as team so strong in 30- week 31 for me

  4. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Ha Not until 30 - 32!

    1. Isca Extremadura
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Schoolboy stand up, at its best

  5. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    =0(

  6. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Come on Newcastle, 2-0 victory and Dunk YC preferably.

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      Clutching at straws

  7. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Why aren’t my Gundogan points showing??

  8. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    KDB and Gundo with 4 goals combined in their last 2 games yet the game that actually matters they combine for 0. Nice one

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      And get benched after International break 🙂

  9. djman102
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    One of the fantasy games includes (or used to include) the cup games as well. Anyone recall which?

  10. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Well played City.
    Well played Joao Virginia. Hold your head up high lad.

  11. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    So those teams who proceed in the FA cup likely to have a game moved and get a DGW in another week ?

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

      Don’t think so- games will be moved to midweek in same game week

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 days ago

        OK, no reason to change transfer plans then

    2. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      There's slim chance for finalists.

  12. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    When you take a step back and look at how much attention this Brighton - Newcastle fixture is getting
    FPL is a funny ol game 😆

  13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    This is going to be “fun”

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 days ago

      😀

  14. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    Has Trossard scored yet?

  15. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 days ago

    The fact that the sight of goal will consistently reduce pro footballers to clumsy uncoordinated messes will never cease to amaze me. Is it that difficult to just kick the ball cleanly without leaning back? Does practicing 1000s of shots not just make it automatic?

  16. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    That 0.1 short for Veltman and getting Lascelles instead bit my ass!

  17. Crouchy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Trossard (c) still feels sweet this morning

    1. Crouchy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Love a good punt

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      wow!
      excellent