Scout Notes

The latest on Pope’s injury as Saint-Maximin exploits out-of-form Burnley defence

Our write-ups of Sunday’s matches begin with the early afternoon kick-off at Turf Moor.

A round-up of the day’s other three games follows at the bottom of this piece, with more detailed Scout Notes to follow on Monday.

BURNLEY 1-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED

  • Goals: Matej Vydra (£4.8m) | Jacob Murphy (£4.9m), Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m)
  • Assists: Chris Wood (£6.3m) | Saint-Maximin, Jonjo Shelvey (£5.3m)
  • Bonus: Saint-Maximin x3, Murphy x2, Shelveyx1

SAINT-MAXIMUM BONUS POINTS

After an uninspiring first half from the Magpies which Burnley ended 1-0 ahead, it was the arrival of the fit-again Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) that sparked Newcastle into life at Turf Moor.

It took the Frenchman just three minutes to leave his mark on the Gameweek 31 clash as he took on the Burnley defence in the area before laying the ball back perfectly for Jacob Murphy (£4.9m).

The right wing-back slotted a scintillating effort in the far side of Bailey Peacock-Farrell‘s (£4.0m) net.

Five minutes later Saint-Maximin made it fairly certain he would pick up all three bonus points, with a slaloming run from just inside the Burnley half ending in the winger finding the corner of the Clarets’ net.

It could have been an even bigger haul for the FPL midfielder but for James Tarkowski (£5.3m), who blocked a Miguel Almiron (£5.6m) shot on the line after further excellent work from Saint-Maximin.

“I feel really great. Everybody knows this game is really important for Newcastle. I give this win to the supporters who couldn’t be here. I’m really happy to help my team with an assist and goal in this important game.

“I was really frustrated when we were losing 1-0 and I said to the coach I would like to have time [on the pitch]. [This win] is a big opportunity. We are six points over Fulham.

“Now we just have to keep going forward and try to do the best we can do against West Ham. It’s important to come back stronger after being injured.” – Allan Saint-Maximin

The winger was introduced at the same time as Callum Wilson (£6.5m), who was making his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Of the pair, Steve Bruce said:

They weren’t capable of doing 90 minutes. The question was, can they make an impact? We’ve been without them for so long, you can see what they bring.

We know when we have people like them in the team, you can see the impact it has. Without our biggest and best players it’s been a struggle.

NO BLANK FOR CZECH

While Matej Vydra (£4.8m) just missed out on bonus points after Newcastle’s comeback, he continued to push his credentials as a budget striker option.

The Burnley forward scored from close range after Chris Wood (£6.3m) got down the left-hand side of Newcastle’s defence in the box before pulling the ball back for his strike partner.

Wood has five FPL attacking returns in his last four outings, with Vydra registering three goals and an assist in his five most-recent appearances.

“It was the same last weekend. We were so deep. The game totally changed and we lost again. In the Premier League, there is so much quality. We were unlucky because we just didn’t score that second goal. We have to be focused for 95 minutes. I don’t know what’s happened the last two weeks. We have to be focussed every single game and take some points because we have lost six points from last two games.” – Matej Vydra

BURNLEY LIVE IN POPE

Fantasy community eyes Burnley clean sheet in first Double Gameweek match

A shoulder injury ruled Nick Pope (£5.5m) out of action in Gameweek 31. Following the defeat, Dyche explained:

He made a save at Southampton and [hurt the shoulder]. It has settled down, so we were in risk and reward territory. We decided not to risk him. It has calmed down already.

Having given up a 2-0 lead against the Saints in Gameweek 30 to lose 3-2, the Clarets were again guilty of squandering an advantage.

They are the only Premier League team without a clean sheet in their last six matches and the Burnley boss reflected:

We’re a bit limited at the minute. It’s a strange season for us. We played well for a large period of the game last week and didn’t see it through. The same things has happened this week. We’re not a million miles away.

We have dominated a home game and they had a good five minutes and two key moments but that is sometimes a performance. I think it was our most dominant performance of the season statistically but the biggest statistic is the scoreline.

Bruce, meanwhile, was naturally delighted with three huge points for the Toon.

This win is big but there’s still a bit to go. Certainly, it’s a helping hand. It’s an important game, so to win it was very good. It’s been difficult with our injuries. You can see what Allan Saint-Maximin brings to the team. We’ve missed that bit of quality and excitement. To be missing your top players constantly, it affects teams.

Let’s hope our players stay fit. As good as I think I am, I need our best players. We’ve still got a long way to go, a lot of twist and turns as that’s what the Premier League is. For me it’s always been about the accumulation of points. There’s a points tally you have to get to and we’re creeping towards it. To come and win here is a big result for us.


Burnley XI (4-4-2): Peacock-Farrell; Pieters, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Westwood, Brownhill, Gudmundsson (Mumbongo 90′); Wood, Vydra.

Newcastle United XI (3-4-3): Dubravka; Dummett, Clark, Fernandez; Ritchie, Shelvey, S Longstaff, Murphy; Joelinton (Saint-Maximin 56′), Gayle (Wilson 56′), Almiron (Hendrick 90+2′).

ELSEWHERE IN GAMEWEEK 31…

Ill Aubameyang misses out as Xhaka starts at left-back

Some of the lesser-owned Fantasy Premier League assets from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United took centre stage as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side triumphed 3-1 in north London.

Blanks for Harry Kane (£11.7m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m), Luke Shaw (£5.3m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.7m) meant that four of the five FPL players with double-digit ownerships in this fixture didn’t deliver anything more than appearance points.

Only Son Heung-min (£9.4m) from this quintet popped up with anything meaningful, tapping Spurs into a first-half lead for his first goal since Gameweek 23.

Edinson Cavani (£7.8m) and Mason Greenwood (£7.0m) both registered two attacking returns apiece along with bonus points to supplement their scores.

It was far from a convincing audition for Spurs assets ahead of Double Gameweek 32, with their defence looking particularly suspect again.

Son topped the shot count and key passes table to further his case for inclusion in our squads next weekend but there was more misery for those who retained the services of Gareth Bale (£9.2m), who was benched for the third straight Premier League match; his total pitch-time over the last three Gameweeks comes to ten minutes.

Image

The phenomenal form of Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.9m) and Jesse Lingard (£6.4m) continued at the London Stadium, with both players bagging braces in West Ham United’s 3-2 win over Leicester City.

The pair are joint-top of the Premier League’s goalscoring table from Gameweek 22 onwards, which marked the start of both of their extended runs in their respective sides.

The in-demand pair were among the top three most-bought players of Gameweek 31 and rewarded their new and existing owners with double-digit hauls; this was Lingard’s fifth such return in nine West Ham appearances.

Also among the points was the injured Michail Antonio‘s (£6.6m) replacement, Jarrod Bowen (£5.9m), who teed up Lingard’s second goal and then scored what turned out to be the match-winner when converting Tomas Soucek‘s (£5.3m) pass.

It was a poor afternoon for owners of the defenders on show, with West Ham almost letting a three-goal lead slip yet again.

It’s one clean sheet in seven for the Hammers, one in eight for Leicester.

Vladimir Coufal (£4.6m) and Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) at least partly compensated with assists but Aaron Cresswell (£5.9m) limped off with a hamstring injury, with his substitution marking the first time he has missed Premier League minutes this season.

James Maddison (£7.2m) and Ayoze Perez (£6.0m) were missing altogether from the visitors’ squad but their absences are thought to be for disciplinary reasons rather than injury-related.

Arsenal’s first clean sheet in 15 competitive matches predictably arrived at Bramall Lane, with a doomed Sheffield United side turning in another sorry showing.

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) grabbed a brace in South Yorkshire, taking his total to 10 goals from Gameweek 15 onwards – a total that no other FPL forward can beat in that time.

Injuries and illness played a big part in the narrative in this plum fixture for the Gunners, with semi-popular differential punts Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m), Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m), Martin Odegaard (£5.9m) and Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) all sidelined.

Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) limped out of the match midway through the second half with a thigh injury, meanwhile.

741 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MidTableFantasy
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC. G2G? Some strange picks, I know.

    Patricio
    Saiss Reguilon Holding
    Salah Bruno Son Jota Lingard
    Nacho Kane

    Forster DCL Phillips Struijk

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

      Looks fine.

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks really good. Maybe Coady over Saiss? I'm worried about Saiss's game time when Boly returns

  2. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Starting XI / bench order ok for GW32?

    Or would you start Shaw over the likes of Dias?

    Mendy (4.0)
    TAA Holding Dias
    Salah Bruno Son Lingard Jota
    Kane Nacho

    Subs: Shaw R.James Vydra

    1. gonzalocampos
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Start Shaw for sure.

  3. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start Fofana or Rudiger (got Mendy)

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Fof

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Leaning towards Fofana, but wait to see how West Brom play today - might still be on a goalscoring high after Chelsea which they may sustain

  4. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Come from nowhere to 40 points behind in mini league. Just outside 100k.

    All rivals have Bruno. I don't. Who do I replace Sterling with?

    A....Bruno
    B....greenwood

    Greenwood would be 100 per cent differential in minileague

    Thanks

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you went Greenwood, what would you do with the leftover change?

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It would sit I the bank for use the week after. I have just wildcarded and squad appears in good shape

        1. Dirty Harry
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          If you just WC, keep Bruno surely.

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd get Bruno. There are other, non less risky diffentiatials you can use to make up 40 pts

  5. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC returns an immediately success. This is my last chip, going chipless into the last period will be tough.
    Happy with my rank though

  6. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is this lineup GTG:

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Rudiger
    Son Salah Jota Fernandes Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho

    Forster Holding Vydra Kilman

    0.3 itb, save FT

    Thanks

    1. Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good WC, defenitely save

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd play Holding over Shaw - he's such a BPS monster

    3. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sorry, Holding over Rudiger

  7. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning all. Would you do the following for - 8 ?

    DCL > Nacho

    Already used 2 transfers but feel that DCL needs to go! Using TC chip thus coming GW too.

    Cheers

    1. BurlingtonDriftersFC
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure who is in your team, but unless it is a mess, no.

  8. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WTF top 10k average after auto sub is 55? Is it too high?
    Source: fpl gameweek

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks wrong compared to Livefpl.

    2. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Livefpl is the inaccurate one, unfortunately. Good night!

  9. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Watkins or Bamford.
    Which of these would u sell for Ihaenacho?

    Likely to be benching the other for upcoming games either way in a 352.

    1. BurlingtonDriftersFC
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Tough one, but Watkins based on schedule beyond 32 if you plan to hold for a while.

  10. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Within grasping distance of top 10k (25pts away) but just used my last chip. The only way to get there is to nail captain choices right?

    My move this week will be to fix my stupid 1 week punt on Sterling (C) and bring in Son. Assume I have to wait until Friday before making the move?!

    Mendy
    TAA, Rudiger, Shaw
    Salah, Jota, Bruno, Son*, Lingard
    Kane, Iheanacho
    (Forster) (Holding, Masuaku, Davis)

    Anything else worth a hit? Cheers!

    1. BurlingtonDriftersFC
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nice team, I'd keep as is.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks! Assume you mean after the Sterling > Son move!?

        Best to wait until deadline right?

        1. BurlingtonDriftersFC
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah, after getting Son.

          Wait as long as you can I suppose. Son's price is going to rise quite a bit between now and then, right?

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have brought son in for Sterling already mate. Waited to make sure he finished the match unscathed.

      But guess you could wait until the next price rise before acting (just check that Sterling doesn't drop!)

      If you wanted to be really bold next week, you could go Son (C) over Kane...

  11. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update (185 teams)

    Current safety score = 44 with autosubs
    Top score = 86
    LMS average = 53.85 ​(-0.99) = 52.86
    Captains played = 94.59%

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Still riding my luck! Bound to run out soon .... surely 😀

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Only 6 rounds to go 🙂

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          You never know but with no chips left and a pretty template team luck is all I’ve got!

  12. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who out for Lingard:
    Neto or Raphinha ?

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Definitely Raph if you have Bamford. If not, probably still Raph..

    2. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Close. Personally want Neto right now and want Raph back later

  13. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling (C) punt by selling Son for 0.2 loss cost me10 points 🙁 Safe to buy Son back now or do they have game before the weekend?

  14. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any news on neto injury?
    And will u sell sterling for son if u already got kane

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would sell Sterling even if I had got both Son and Kane 🙂

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would sell Sterling for bench fodder

    3. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sell a.s.a.p

    4. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably that instead of this

  15. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Nacho a trap?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hasn't been so far.

    2. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not overperform like Lingard. Delivered along with his stats

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Less of a trap than Lingard at least

  16. 1984 TC
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No, it’s a nice little snack. All the best!

    1. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nachos is a big trap. Don’t fall for it

  17. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone know the reason behind alonso benching?

    1. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Because he compete with Chilwell and Tuchel is Pep's brother

  18. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any early suggestions for this team? WC, BB available. 1ft, 0.8m itb

    Martinez
    azpi digne stones
    salah bruno son gundo lingard
    kane bamford

    Forster Dallas coufal Vydra

  19. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which defence is better to invest in?

    A. West Ham (Coufal/Diop/Dawson)
    B. Arsenal (Holding/Chambers)

    1. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Both is suspect for conceded a lot recently. Maybe Coufal or Chambers because have some attacking return compare to Holding.

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A Coufal

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn’t touch neither

  20. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Risers: None

    Fallers: Barnes (6.6) Tielemans (6.4) Barkley (5.8) Targett (5.0) Gilmour (4.3)

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers RB

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly.

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly!

    4. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Oh targett. Lame

  21. SuperDan
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What are we thinking the best week left is to use the FH?

  22. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    wow 8-pts from Holding on the bench. No jammy points but that's lovely to see.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hold your horses it was against Sheffield

  23. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is there any reason not to TC GW32? 90% on it..

    1. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane.. lol

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I’m TC Kane or Son. Leaning towards Kane

        1. kobewan
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          worried might be better players on possible GW 35 or 36

          1. kobewan
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            DGW

            1. Kane Train
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              When do we find out who’s got dgw ? Kane destroyed Southampton last time

              1. kobewan
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                that is the dilemma..

              2. Sharkytect
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                That won't happen again, but a goal in each match would represent my best triple captain since sanxhez about 6 years ago

  24. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    dias to fofana or Save FT..?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You'll find a better transfer during the week or could just save.

    2. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Save

  25. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which one to get rid of for Lingard?

    A) Gundogan
    B) Raphinha

    1. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  26. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Please help

    Which one to keep. Gundo or Raphinha.

    1. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Raph

    2. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Was that just the same question worded differently?

    3. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm not sure. Ask again.

  27. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Difference between Nacho and Lingard?

    Nacho is performing at par with his stats yet Lingard is overperforming his stats by over twofold... Lingard’s overperfomance is indicating that he is a better finisher than Messi.

    You can’t make this up...

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Form, confidence, eye test and West Ham scoring 3 regularly overcome stats.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Forget that stats mate, just get JLingz in and watch him tear it apart and count the double figure hauls.

      Best example of the eye-test out weighing stats for mine.

    3. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Get both

    4. dvdguy
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stats don’t score goals, Messi Lingard does

    5. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think Messi's sample size is a tad stronger than Lingard's 797 minutes this season, so let's take it easy.
      Nacho only 882 minutes as well, so also take his results with a grain of salt.
      Lingard will revert to the mean eventually but might as well ride the wave while it lasts. I own both in full disclosure.

      1. dvdguy
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Lingard scored more FPL points than Messi, facts

  28. BIG TONES
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    KDB > Son?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Long week of games to go.

    2. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'll give KDB another one week

  29. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy, Forster
    Alonso, Rudiger, TAA, Shaw, veltman
    Salah, jota, sterling, lingard, moura
    Kane, nacho, vydra

    1 FT, 0.5M ITB

    sterling -> son no brainer?
    Bench rudiger, veltman & hydra?

  30. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling has trolled me 100% of the times I've owned him this season. Today was the nail in the coffin. Hopeless.