Scout Notes

Smith Rowe tops the GW35 points table as Tuchel laments his own rotation

Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal

  • Goals: Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m)
  • Assists: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m)
  • Bonus: Smith-Rowe x3, Bernd Leno (£5.0m) x2, Rob Holding (£4.3m), Gabriel (£4.9m) x1

Arsenal channelled the spirit of George Graham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, grinding out a hard-earned 1-0 win.

It was a classic backs-to-the-wall display, with Arsenal registering only seven penalty box touches all evening – a total matched by Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) in a 25-minute cameo.

They did ride their luck, with Kai Havertz (£8.3m) missing an early sitter and Chelsea hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession.

But the Gunners have been solid on their travels all season and this was their eighth away clean sheet of 2020/21, a total that only Manchester City have beaten on the road.

And up next is Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, a side that have scored just twice in their last six home matches.

ROTATOR WAFFLE

A total of 18 players were used by Thomas Tuchel across his side’s Double Gameweek 35, with only Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.9m), Reece James (£5.1m), Billy Gilmour (£4.3m) and Christian Pulisic (£8.3m) escaping a benching.

Azpilicueta remains Tuchel’s most-used player since his appointment, having started 15 of the Blues’ 17 league matches from Gameweek 20 onwards.

That’s one more than even Edouard Mendy (£5.2m) has managed; the Chelsea custodian was benched again on Wednesday, with Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m) handed his third Premier League start in the Tuchel era.

The Chelsea boss has had great success with his squad management since his appointment but this proved to be one step too far, with the Blues delivering a flat display.

An admirably honest Tuchel said after full-time:

The choices were not so good today from my side.

I’m not happy with my line-up, was too many changes. I should not have done it like this.

RIGHT PAIR OF BLANKERS

Arsenal and Chelsea now take a backseat in Blank Gameweek 36, with the Blues’ involvement in the FA Cup final on Saturday meaning that they and Mikel Arteta’s troops are without a Premier League fixture this coming weekend.

With Chelsea’s Gameweek 37 and 38 fixtures sandwiched by their appearance at Wembley and the UEFA Champions League final, it seems likely that we’ll see a similar division of minutes between their squad – although a top-four place could still be on the line on the final day and Tuchel’s comments above are worth bearing in mind.

As for Arsenal, their elimination from the Europa League means that they can focus on domestic matters, although the odds on them qualifying for Europe next year are still long.

A double-header against Crystal Palace and Brighton is a decent way to round off the season for the Gunners but again, Arteta’s predilection for a spot of rotation – there were five changes tonight – will be offputting for some Fantasy managers.

RED ALERT

Wednesday’s result suddenly handed an advantage to Liverpool in the race for a top-four place.

Leicester and Chelsea face each other in Gameweek 37, meaning that the Reds ‘only’ need to win their remaining four Premier League matches to secure a qualification spot for next season’s Champions League.

That should keep Jurgen Klopp’s starting XIs at full strength for the remainder of the campaign, with their FPL assets enjoying some favourable matches against the likes of West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace in Gameweeks 36-38.

EMILE PESKY

One of FPL’s cheapest midfielders is the highest-scoring player of Gameweek 35 so far.

The busy Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m) found the net for the second successive match to end the Gameweek on 19 points.

While not rotation-proof, he’s been a regular in Arteta’s side: of the last 19 Premier League matchday squads he has been available for, Smith Rowe has started on 16 occasions.

That’s an excellent record for someone so cheap, as is his tally of seven attacking returns in those 16 starts.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m) has been less reliable for minutes but when he has featured, he has quietly delivered.

The Gabon international has seven goals and two assists in his last eight league starts and it was he who teed up Smith-Rowe for the game’s only goal in west London.

456 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why isn't Watkins flagged? He got red did he not?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He is free to play next GW.

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He isn't flagged because he still had a fixture this game week. He will miss that fixture and be back for the next GW.

    3. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1 match ban

  2. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any Hames news?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ancelotti said he was ready to train but hadn’t had a chance yet so won’t be picked tomorrow. Expects him to train Fri/Sat and be available Sunday.

      I have him and am sticking with. Would be a -4 to replace and not worth it imo.
      Wish I knew for sure though.

  3. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Gtg with these 3?

    Ings DCL Kane

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'd prefer Bam or Antonio over Kane tbh.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I'm not selling Kane sorry. I have 6 players with no game and he is staying regardless.

        Have a Leeds mid and Lingard also

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          No need for apologies mate, if that's your stance then all good. Fwiw I would have Bam and Antonio in front of both DCL and Ings, maybe just personal preference.

          End of the day those three do look to have good potential to give you returns.

  4. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dallas or Digne for the run in?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dallas for me. Although I have both.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Ta

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dallas

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Did Maguire & Iheanacho to Bamford & Dallas for a hit to catch the price changes. Had exact money for the moves. Let's hope none of my players get injured tomorrow!

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Just beat both rises. Nice work.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate

  6. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Risers: Bale (9.2) Bamford (6.4) Dallas (5.3)

    Fallers: Lucas Moura (6.5)

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Got Dallas & Bamford a few minutes ago! Cheers RB!

    2. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Damn didnt think bale would go up

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I just had a bad feeling he would rise but with games to play took the gamble

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly.

    4. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        That's cool - I'm intending to sell Bale this GW.

  7. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    No bale love this gw?

    1. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I captaining him

  8. tc93
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    97 on FH so far.. Thought about the next week over the week- only logical move for this team is Rudiger + Nacho --> Coufal + Antonio. Solid moves for the run in. 1FT, 0.5 ITB

    Allows me to field 10.5 (yes davis only counts as 0.5 as he'd get a 1pt cameo haha)

    Areloa
    TAA / Rudiger* / Dallas
    Salah / Raphinha / Jota / Son
    Nacho* / Kane / Davis

    Mendy / holding / Shaw / Bruno.

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Good moves for mine.

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah looks good.

      Could do Bruno > anyone too, if there was a midfielder you liked over Antonio.

      1. tc93
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        yea just not sure who I want in mid over bruno - kinda wanna keep him for next week too

  9. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Holding to maguire turned out well

    1. BRFC1883
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I am sensing some sarcasm

  10. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thinking Rashford (definitely) and possibly Iheanacho out.

    Which 2 replacements for these.
    1. Mahrez, Raphinha, Son.
    2. Aguero (if Raphinha), DCL, Antonio. (-4 worth it)?
    Raph + DCL possibly..

    Martinez.
    Dallas, TAA, Digne.
    Salah, Jota, *Rashford, Lingard.
    Watkins, *Iheanacho, Kane.
    Steer, Burn, Shaw, Greenwood.
    1ft, 0.4m ITB, No more chips.

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Like Raph and DCL.
      Wouldn’t do Aguero - feel like Pep will play a stone team for some of the games so it’s a lot of money in a guy who might not play much.

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

    Best option here? 1ft, 1.8m itb.

    A. Zaha castagne > son Phillips -4
    B. Zaha nacho > son benteke -4
    C. Bruno > son for free

    Pickford
    Taa Dallas ward
    Salah siggy zaha lingard
    Dcl Watkins

    Mendy Bruno castagne Shaw nacho

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  12. greenybne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Guaita Forster
    Rudiger Coady TAA Coleman Phillips
    Bruno Salah Greenwood Zaha Son
    Kane Iheanacho Brewster

    Happy to take some late season risks after cracking 100 already this GW. Worth taking a -8?

    Rudiger -> Dallas
    Greenwood/Zaha -> Raphina
    Iheanacho -> Bamford/Antonio.

    If so who comes/goes?

    Thanks!

  13. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Last Man Standing Quarter-Final Update (15 teams)

    Current safety score = 82
    Top score = 91
    LMS average = 80.13 (-2.4) = 77.73
    Players played = 4.67/12.27 or 18.33/25.86

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

  14. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone tempted by Aguero? Surely he plays a decent amount before the end of the season with the title already wrapped up?

    Might even be a decent (C) option Vs Newcastle. I'm really considering it.

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      certainty to start in final game at home in front of crowds. then it's whether he starts 1 of the next 2
      captain choice though not for me

  15. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    is ederson a definite starter in 38 with UCL final only days after?

    need a mendy replacement that will play the next 3.
    money not an issue and was leaning towards Allison as a differential with others like Meslier (even Pickford) options

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Alisson and Meslier arguably better fixtures; Pickford could be the audience for Agüero's swan song in 38

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        you think pool have better fixtures from a cs potential?
        own dallas and harrison so hesitant to double up on leeds defence

        1. rainy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          You don't want my opinion, my rank's more than twice yours 😉 But there's your members' area data to the rescue: goals conceded by team and where from (centre, right, headed etc), chances big and otherwise vs opposition metrics ...

    2. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Maybe not in 38 but Forster would possibly play the last game of the season?!

  16. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Do we think Mendy returns for the last two prem games??

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      i'm not taking that risk after kepa was supposedly the fa cup keeper
      who would you replace with if forster doesn't start?
      see my posts above

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Well the goal was mainly Jorginho’s fault tonight but Kepa should’ve been better positioned perhaps?!

        Tuchel took it on the chin tonight that rotation cost the game, surely he doesn’t take that risk again knowing they may need max points from their last two?

        I’m not sure what to do this weekend, whether to go without a keeper or take a hit for either Fabianski, Meslier (have Dallas), or Ederson (which is a good shout by you)

        Is it worth a hit for a new keeper??

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          would obviously play forster this week if we get word he will start
          i'm chasing points so want a keeper who plays all 3 - which i have some concerns for ederson in gw38

          1. FCSB
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            I think there’s concerns all round for GKs though on the final game of the season... ?!

            I don’t have any city players so you’ve tempted me with Ederson

            1. FPL_Crisis
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              you'd expect more chance of CS than pool but having Forster as backup for 38 isn't the worst shout either
              also don't have any city

  17. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    On FH, is triple Leeds away vs Burnley too much?
    Antonio instead of Bam?

    Pickford
    TAA, Digne, Dallas
    Salah, Mane, Son, Raph
    Kane, DCL, Bam
    (Forster, Coufal, Mitchell, Burke)

    Cheers.

    1. petergriff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes I think triple is too much. How much ITB? Raphinha>Foden? Downgrade Pickford?

      1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        None itb, how about Antonio instead of Bam?

    2. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’d rather have Antonio over Bamford. Dallas and Raph the best Leeds picks.

  18. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1. Mendy Rudiger Fernandes Iheanacho >> Ederson Dallas Son Bamford (-12) (gets 11)
    2. Holding Fernandes Iheanacho >> Dallas Son Bamford (-8) (gets 10)
    3. Mendy Holding Fernandes >> Ederson Dallas Son (-8) (gets 10)
    4. Holding Fernandes >> Dallas Son (-4) (gets 9)

    Best option?

    Thanks guys.

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Have a similar issue to with debating on taking a -8 or -12 to field a team.

      Assuming you have Forster or a non playing keeper as 2nd keeper.

      Option 1 looks good if you can stomach the -12......otherwise option 2 for the -8 and 10 players works well

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks for replying, I am thinking 1 or 2 too mate

        Would you go Bamford or Antonio?

        1. House Frey Wedding Planner
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          That's another dilemma that's tearing me....I'm slightly leaning towards Bamford for now but I could change.

          If your protecting a lead in your ML and your rivals have Bamford, then I'd go with Bamford as a shield pick. You're taking a big hit as it is for next week.

          Good luck!

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I like option 1 for the most upside but of course costs you the most
      option 2 with rudiger out instead of holding who could be a decent backup for final 2 games. chelsea have too many games to play and not worth keeping with rotation

      fwiw i'm looking at bruno + vardy to bale + dcl
      with the aim to go el ghazi to greenwood in 37
      maybe nacho to bamford for 37 or 38
      plus mendy to ederson like we discussed earlier if forster misses

    3. petergriff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Slightly depends on your backup keeper and if likely rotation risk. But 1 looks v tempting tbh

  19. House Frey Wedding Planner
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Dias likely to start for City next week?

    If unlikely then I might need to do a -12 to field a full team instead of -8

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      This weekend? Yes I think he will

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

  20. ILOVEBAPS
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I prefer Ant over Bam

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ha thanks mate... I can’t decide

      Rivals in my ML have Bamford and trying to protect a lead so perhaps that is the sensible approach?!

  21. ILOVEBAPS
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why does my reply button not work?!

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Do you click on "Reply" ?

  22. ILOVEBAPS
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Yes I think WHU have it all to play for and they will be disappointed in their result last game.

    1. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Unfortunately I think west ham will ultimately be disappointed with their season can see it all going downhill now

  23. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which 2 replacements for Rashford + Iheanacho for -4?
    1. Son (or Bale) + Antonio. (Exact cash with Son).
    2. Raphinha + DCL.

    Martinez.
    Dallas, TAA, Digne.
    Salah, Jota, *Rashford, Lingard.
    Watkins, *Iheanacho, Kane.
    Steer, Burn, Shaw, Greenwood.
    1ft, 0.3m ITB, No more chips.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2

    2. petergriff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2

  24. petergriff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hey! 130k OR. 2FT. 0.0ITB. 10 probable playing players for GW36.

    Martinez
    Reguillon, Coleman, NPhilips
    Salah(c), Son, Lingard, Jota
    Kane, Vydra

    *Fernandes, Ihenacho, Alonso, Holding

    What would you do?

    I want all of the following but I think they’re ranked in order of importance:
    DCL
    TAA
    Leeds cover (including Dallas)
    City attacking cover
    Antonio
    Wood

    And so I’m thinking:
    Fernandes&Ihenacho
    >
    Raphinha/Foden&DCL

    This also leaves me enough £ next week to do Philips>TAA or Jota>Greenwood.

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bruno+Phillips to Raphinha+TAA?
      The perhaps upgrade Nacho to DCL for a hit if you feel like it?

      1. petergriff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers. Does TAA score 4 more than Philips? Unlikely as i think LIV may struggle to keep WBA out. Particularly with Pereira attacking TAA's side. But yeah, if i took a -4 what you suggest would be it.

  25. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Good morning DZ.

    Let me set the scene 🙂

    On FH.
    37 points behind mini league leader.
    Rival has Son, Lingard, Salah, TAA, DCL and Kane.
    Doesn't matter if I finish 2k or 10k. Need to do something drastic to beat him.

    Fabianski
    TAA Digne Keane
    Salah Bale Mahrez Foden
    Kane DCL Ings
    ---------------------------------------------
    Fabri Raphinha Coufal Mitchell

    Nothing in the bank.

    Overall thoughts?

    Punt on Aguero or Mendy perhaps?

    Thanks.

    1. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I would try to squeeze Robertson in, Also Antonio for dcl
      Good luck

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers.
        I wish I could fit in Robertson, will look into it. But I feel SHU is too tempting to avoid DCL.

  26. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I’m going to bin my Leicester assets with 2FTs

    A) Castagne and Iheanacho to Dallas and Wood (I have Vydra)
    B) Castagne and Iheanacho to Dallas and Antonio
    C) Castagne and Iheanacho to Llorente and DCL
    D) Castagne, Iheanacho and Bruno to Dallas, DCL and Greenwood for a hit (feels a bit chasing DCL points this one)

    Or anything else?

    1. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B for me

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  27. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Holding to Phillips for -4

    yes or no

  28. las90855
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Had a very unlucky week with 38 points on the bench. Went for Rashford(c) instead of Greenwood. Could've kept Son but transferred him out to Rashford while keeping Lingard. Worse of all, benched Dallas and ESR and played Kane and Lingard. All the decision made after seeking for advice from this comment section. Now I'm ruing myself seeing my rival in ML extending his lead.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      How much is the gap?

      1. las90855
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        50 points now instead of 10 last week

    2. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I also benched ESR but don’t feel bad no one could have guessed he would do that

  29. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Vardy to ??
    A- Bamford (Have Dallas).
    B- Antonio (Have Lingard)

    1. EL_FENOMENO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  30. Donny_Rover
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Currently have 9 players available this week:

    Pickford
    TAA Dallas
    Salah Jota Siggy Son JWP
    Kane

    Forster, Rudiger Fofana Shaw Vardy Iheanacho

    Definitely selling Vardy & Fofana, also tempted to bring Mahrez in for JWP (-8) as chasing in a couple of leagues. Which moves look best?

    A. Vardy & Fofana -> Coufal & Antonio
    B. Vardy & Fofana -> Coufal & Bamford
    C. A + Mahrez
    D. B + Mahrez

    The only other defender on my radar is Digne but not sure about an Everton double defence, anyone else I should be considering?