Scout Notes

Assessing the FPL appeal of Marcal and Semedo after Wolves impress again

Away wins for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City are the focus of our latest Scout Notes article, which rounds up the key Fantasy Premier League talking points from Saturday’s games at Vicarage Road and the King Power Stadium.

WATFORD 0-2 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

  • Goals: Francisco Sierralta (£4.4m) own-goal, Hee-Chan Hwang (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Marcal (£4.5m) x2
  • Bonus: Hwang x3, Marcal x2, Joao Moutinho (£5.0m) x1

WOLVES WING-BACKS AGAIN SHINE

Wolves’ first win of the season was the tale of contrasting fortunes for their two wing-backs.

Marcal (£4.5m) delivered his first-ever FPL attacking returns in the 2-0 victory over Watford but Nelson Semedo (£4.9m) ought to have emulated his fellow wing-back with a double-digit haul, spurning two glorious opportunities either side of half-time.

The left-back banked two assists despite not creating a single chance in Opta’s eyes: Marcal’s cross was first turned into his own net by Francisco Sierralta (£4.4m) before the Portuguese defender’s blocked shot was converted by debutant substitute Hee-Chang Hwang (£5.5m).

Marcal and Semedo had three of the six big chances that Wolves created, with the former generally providing service from out wide and the latter drifting infield into more threatening goalscoring positions.

WOLVES FINALLY DELIVER

Boasting the third and fourth-best expected goals (xG) and expected goals conceded (xGC) tallies respectively this season, Wolves were bound to deliver eventually.

“It’s a question of time for the goals and to have the first three points. The most important thing, I said at the beginning, is that we don’t change our pathway. We know what we have to do.

“We want to play this way, create chances and score goals. So, no (it is not a relief). My ambition is the same.” – Bruno Lage

Even in victory, they found a way to ‘underperform’, with a still-rusty Raul Jimenez (£7.4m) and Romain Saiss (£5.0m) missing big chances on top of the brace of gilt-edged opportunities that Semedo wasted.

The openings for Adama Traore (£6.0m) have mysteriously dried up, meanwhile: there were 10 in the first two Gameweeks but just two in Gameweeks 3 and 4.

And while Francisco Trincao (£5.9m) caught the eye, the fact that he again barely lasted an hour before being hooked – goalscorer Hwang replacing him and taking up a left-wing spot – does underscore the fear over reduced pitch-time, if not (yet) a threat to his starts.

As for Watford, the opening-day win over Villa has given way to three goalless defeats on the spin. While there were some nearly moments involving Ismaila Sarr (£6.0m), including one cross that flashed just inches beyond Josh King (£5.5m), the fact remains that they haven’t created a single ‘big chance’ in the last three Gameweeks.

Sarr’s owners aren’t likely to sell before two of the division’s worst defences face the Hornets but Gameweek 7 looks like a good jumping-off point based on recent evidence.


Watford XI: Bachmann, Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Sierralta, Rose, Etebo (Sema 77), Sarr, Sissoko, Kucka, Dennis, King (Hernandez 53).

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Sa, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Semedo, Neves, Moutinho, Marcal, Trincao (Hee-Chan 63), Jimenez, Traore (Podence 81).

LEICESTER CITY 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY

  • Goals: Bernardo Silva (£6.9m)
  • Assists: Joao Cancelo (£6.0m)
  • Bonus: Cancelo x3, Bernardo x2, Ruben Dias (£6.0m)

CITY DEFENCE BACK TO ITS BEST

Marcal and Semedo 3

It’s three clean sheets on the spin for Manchester City, who boasted the best defence in the division last season and who, based on the Gameweek 1-4 evidence, will likely only have to see off Chelsea to match that feat this time around.

It’s no surprise that, after patching up a makeshift defence in Gameweek 1 at Spurs, Pep Guardiola has found more joy with what seems on paper to be his best back four.

Joao Cancelo (£6.0m), Aymeric Laporte (£5.6m), Ruben Dias (£6.0m) and Kyle Walker (£5.5m) have all started the last three matches, with the first three of those players sitting in the top five FPL points-scorers among defenders, having also banked an attacking return apiece.

Leicester caused City more problems than Arsenal and Norwich did, with Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) striking the top of the bar and almost connecting with Jamie Vardy‘s (£10.4m) cross, but the fact remains that Guardiola’s troops have allowed only one ‘big chance’ and effort on target in the last three Gameweeks – that being an Ademola Lookman (£6.0m) effort that Ederson (£6.0m) smothered at source.

The Champions League will almost certainly see rotation at the back return in earnest but Guardiola knows the value of a solid backline, and there’s always at least one stopper – Dias last season, Laporte in 2018/19 – who he builds his defence around.

“Aymeric (Laporte) is playing incredibly well. Ruben (Dias) like last season with John (Stones) and I know Nathan (Ake) is going to happen. It’s a contribution of everyone.

“The real reason we won the Premier League last season is because we were incredibly solid. We made, I don’t know how many clean sheets.

“We haven’t conceded much. Against Norwich we had one shot on target [against] and against Arsenal it was the same. On Saturday we had a little bit more.

“Against Leicester it is not easy to do it. If you are able to concede few chances, like we did today, we are going to win games.” – Pep Guardiola

ROTATION, WHAT ROTATION?

Marcal and Semedo 2

Guardiola named an unchanged starting XI for the third consecutive game, the first time that has happened in the Premier League in five seasons with the club.

Ferran Torres (£7.2m) was yet again chosen to lead the line and the ‘out of position’ midfielder saw chances come his way once more but there was to be no repeat of his Gameweek 3 heroics, with the Spaniard, Gabriel Jesus (£8.6m) and Jack Grealish (£8.0m) perhaps a little below their stratospheric pre-international break standards.

Bernardo Silva (£6.9m) popped up with the match-winner and, for those FPL managers who like to try to make sense and draw team selection conclusions from Guardiola’s inscrutable babble, the City boss explained his choices after full-time.

“I like to have one or two players in the side who go to the natural side. So, when Jack Grealish plays right and Gundo plays right, every movement in behind is not on the proper foot, they have to turn. The first action we had when Jack played with Bernardo, he dribbled and made a cross.

“At least one or two of the three need to be on the natural foot to be effective in the final third. They can play both sides of course. Bernardo prefers to play on the right, so it can happen.” – Pep Guardiola

Whatever the methodology behind the teamsheets, there’ll soon be Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) and Phil Foden (£7.9m) – who both made the bench at Leicester – to add to the mix in midfield.

“We will see [if De Bruyne plays on Wednesday]. He made a really good training session this week. When he came back to training, he did really well. Step by step. We have a deep squad, just to see Phil (Foden) was there [on the bench], Kevin was there, Riyad (Mahrez) was there, John (Stones) was there.

“The last two games against Norwich and Arsenal were amazing. They were at an incredible high level and deserved to play. The guys who didn’t play today have to be ready. The quality of the team is so high and that is the only reason that we had success in the previous seasons, everyone made a contribution.” – Pep Guardiola

LEICESTER BOOSTED BY KEY DEFENDER RETURNS

Jonny Evans (£5.4m) and Jannik Vestergaard (£4.9m) shared 90 minutes of game-time between them on Saturday, with both making their returns from injury.

“I’m delighted with Jannik. He gives us that great presence in the box when we defend and you see him, he gets his head on to a lot of things when we’re attacking as well.

“He got some good blocks in and reads the game so well. Then he has that calmness when we have the ball. I was delighted with him.

“The plan was to get him to 60 minutes and when he starts to fatigue then bring Jonny in. I’m delighted with both but really pleased for Jannik in terms of his first game in and I think you can see over the course of the season he’ll do great for us.” – Brendan Rodgers

The Dane was imperious on his comeback and not only does Daniel Amartey‘s (£4.1m) time in the budget FPL defender spotlight seem over, the availability of Evans and Vestergaard could spell bad news for a below-par Caglar Soyuncu (£5.0m).

Like Soyuncu, James Maddison (£6.8m) and Barnes haven’t hit form this season and Rodgers was even forced to defend them after full-time.

“They worked very hard. Harvey is still getting up to speed fitness-wise. He had Covid and injury-wise he didn’t join the group at the beginning of the season so I still think he’s not at his level yet. He’s still such a threat.

“The beauty of the squad now is that it’s competitive. We know if it’s not quite working for us, we can make changes, and like you see with Kels (Iheanacho) and Ademola (Lookman) coming into the game, they give us that extra energy, that pressing element, and they were a threat. But James and Harvey worked very hard.” – Brendan Rodgers on Harvey Barnes and James Maddison


Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Jesus (Fernandinho 84′), Grealish, Torres (Sterling 64′).

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Vestergaard (Evans 61), Söyüncü, Bertrand, Albrighton, Tielemans, Ndidi, Barnes (Lookman 73), Maddison (Iheanacho 73), Vardy.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM GAMEWEEK 4

Wilson injury latest as Ronaldo and Lukaku haul

292 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is Bamford injured or something?

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      No? Not that I'm aware of

    2. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He mentioned a pinging hamstring in the post match interview yesterday. Hard to say much more with any certainty at this stage. Could be a concern

      1. Pasqualinho
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I am a bit sceptical though - the interviewer then asks him how he is feeling but the audio clip is cut off at that point. I get the feeling his answer would be fairly important - but probably didn't fit the narrative, so was trimmed.

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nowt in that surely, he is laughing almost as he says it.

      1. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Sounds like cramping up. A few days rest and some electrolytes and jobs a good un

  2. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which city attack would you pick on WC? Would you even consider Jesus over bamford ? Cheers

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't. With CL coming now, Peptation will be infuriating.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  3. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Anything folk would do here? 1ft 0itb. Raphinha in for mount?

    Sa (steer)
    Marcal, TAA, Shaw, (Williams, Livra)
    Salah, Jota, Mount, Benrahma, Allan
    Ronaldo, Jimenez (Antonio out)

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah raphinha for mount

      1. Rbyrne95
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        What about Benrahma for Gray? Keeping mount for GW 7? Suppose Raph is more necessary

    2. Heard Island Tangerine Exil…
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Raph for Mount most pressing & if you are Wildcarding Marcal, Benhrama, Allan & Jiminez for Semedo, Gray, Sissoko & Bamford (that would leave you some £ itb also I think) although you might want to wait till GW7 given the Man Utd & Chelsea fixture reversal there as you have Shaw & Ronaldo..

  4. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Early thoughts on DCL replacements? Thinking playing safe with 1)?

    1) Bam
    2) Jim
    3) Jesus

    Also would you:

    A) Get rid of Tsim for Wolves def -4
    B) Play Duffy or Tsim

    1. falafel
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A without a doubt

    2. Heard Island Tangerine Exil…
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      1 - Definately.

      B - Unless you've heard Tsimiskas is due to start ahead of Robertson..

  5. falafel
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What do you guys think of Ödegaard?

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Overrated

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        underrated.

    2. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      rated unmature

  6. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I know the answer probably but sarr or gray?
    Sarr has 3 good fixtures as opposed to gray who has ideally 1 in the next 3.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'd go gray. Watford don't seem to be able to score

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'd go Sarr, you don't get the points that have gone.
      However, I do have both so probably not the best to answer.

  7. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone prefer Ronaldo (whu) for the captaincy over Salah (CPA)?

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nop

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Every fan who calls it "Manchester United"

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Quite like Lukaku vs Spurs.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I'd wait to see who starts and who looks tired on Thursday night.

  8. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you pick as your 4.5 GK on WC: Sanchez or Ramsdale?

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ramsdale

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Would probably go Ramsdale

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Likely Ramsdale.

    4. Rankbajin
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Is Ramsdale nailed as 1st team keeper now?

  9. Al Pacho
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA Marcal Ayling
    Salah Jota Raphinha Sarr Gray
    Ronaldo Lukaku

    Subs: Steer Livramento Duffy Scarlett
    WC activated
    0.1 ITB

    G2G?
    Do I need to do any changes to my team?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It’s fine

    2. LeytonOrient
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Missing both Greenwood & Bruno will give you sleepless nights. Dropping 1 is okay, 2 is a crime.

    3. Heard Island Tangerine Exil…
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Traore over Sarr for fixtures, assists & (fixture) longevity. And weirdly McCarthy over Sanchez for near term upcoming fixtures. Other than that who & when might come in for Ronaldo when fixtures, injury or form turn?

  10. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    On a WC with 5.4m to spend on my 3rd defender. Who to go for?

    A) Maguire
    B) AWB
    C) Thiago Silva
    D) Castagne
    E) Digne
    F) Marcal
    G) Reguilon

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Semedo

    2. Heard Island Tangerine Exil…
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah - Semedo & £0.5m itb if you don't have him. Otherwise, Digne until after the Norwich fixture - then Reguilon.

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Marçal + 0.9mil.

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Gone with this for now:

        Schmeichel (Steer)
        TAA - Dias - Semedo (Livramento - Williams)
        Salah - Raphinha - Pogba - Jota - Gray
        Ronaldo - Bamford (Scarlett)

        Could go Sanchez/Guaita and Marçal instead and then would be able to switch to Reguilon in GW7. But quite like it atm.

  11. Aribo Starmix
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Dan James' chances over the next few weeks? Leeds next 6 fixtures look like a dream, but is he going to become a starter anytime soon...
    I already have Raph, but tempted by the double up if they are going to end up on opposite flanks attacking the likes of Norwich, Newcastle, Southampton and Watford over the next month!

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Seems an unnecessary risk

    2. TIM NICE BUT DIM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A bit of a speed merchant with little end product anyway - steer clear.

  12. Fadi AMJK
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Raphinha and Jiménez instead of Benrahma and Dennis for a hit?

    1. Rankbajin
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't no

  13. FPL Hitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Wilson & Amartey to ASM & Semedo for a -4 a good call? Or any other alternatives? Team is

    Sanchez Raya
    TAA Shaw Lowton Livra Amartey
    Salah Jota Greenwood Benrahma Brownhill
    CR7 Antonio Wilson

  14. kUwe Inc.
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    No love for Kovacic?
    He seems fly under the radar

    1. Rankbajin
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Is he nailed on?

  15. Mozumbus
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who's the best mf under 7.8m?
    Thinking of Raphina but not confident!
    Already have Greenwood

    1. kUwe Inc.
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Raphina, good fixtures

      1. Mozumbus
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.
        Just realised I posted an older post.

  16. b00tsie
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A= Traore & Torres or
    B= Jota and Smith-Rowe?

    1. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  17. Jmslng
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What are you thinking about having laporte in the team? Will he be the first one from defence to be shot by pep's rotation?

    And ofc, any suggestions on team?
    Sanchez (Steele)
    Shaw, TAA, Laporte (Marcal, Duffy)
    Raphinha, Traore, Salah, Pogba, Gray
    Bamford, Ronaldo (Dennis)

    1. falafel
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Looks really good, would probably change Pogba to Jota!

  18. ZiadHisham
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Raphinha or Gallagher?

    1. kUwe Inc.
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Why not both?

  19. Nelly's Reds
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Hwang? 5.5m FWD, even with partial minutes in a wolves team that is creating a fair amount of chances?

  20. LeytonOrient
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    1. How essential is Raph?
    2. Anyone buying into Leeds defence - If so, who?

    My personal view is Yes & Ayling.

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

      1. Not essential, only thing he has got are decent fixtures.
      2. Nope. Maybe Meslier on WC.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I've had Raph and Harrison from the start. Still waiting for them to catch fire. If I didn't own any Leeds, I wouldn't bring in any just yet; I'd wait to see the offense looking more dangerous and their defence tighter. That might be the next game.

      1. Rankbajin
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I ditch Harrison last week.
        He hasn't made me sorry yet

    3. Oi! Shadders!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      1. Not even close to essential
      2. No

  21. falafel
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A: Raphinha and Shaw
    B: Jota and Ayling

  22. Masons Mavericks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    thinking -4 for Raphinio replace Benrama ?
    or play Benrama , Toney or Gilmor

  23. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I'm okay with a little bit of 4 premiums risk on WC, good to go?

    Sanchez
    TAA, White, Marcal, Ayling
    Salah, Gray, Raphinha
    Bamford, Lukaku, Ronaldo

    Steele, Gallagher, Livramento, Sissoko

    Gallagher benched this week due to fixture, otherwise will play 343
    Bamford can also become Jota in 352, but not sure for how long Jota will keep his place

    1. Rankbajin
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Looks ok to me.
      I don't personally love Raphina.
      Leeds are under performing this season and while I'm sure they will turn it round there are better options now e.g. Fornals

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        My concern also they're stuttering at present .Once they click then he is a TOP option but need to see more

  24. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Think I messed up when I played my wildcard, no Salah, got away with it last week but fearing for this weekend.

    Please help me choose:

    A) Kane + Pogba

    B) Salah + Edourd (-4)

    C) Roll and do B for free next week

    1. Heard Island Tangerine Exil…
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B - You risk missing being left behind & getting Edouard in now before his price rises & fixture list improves after this weekend makes good sence.

  25. Heard Island Tangerine Exil…
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Will Wolves start with Hwang considering his impact in his first game? There must be a good chance they will go 4-4-2 or potentially start Hwang ahead of Trincao/Jiminez at home vs Brentford in this weekend (or Southampton away the week after)?

    Opinions please?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      not worth the risk

    2. Rankbajin
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on how strong your Bench is...
      At 5.5 he is tempting but he is at risk of being a super sub 1pter.