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FPL Q&A: How to fit in Salah, Lukaku and Ronaldo, best Everton mid and Leeds picks

The template is finally being shaken up, with Michail Antonio (£7.9m) and Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) having been shipped by nearly a million managers this week.

With that in mind, I thought it would be a good time to use the tools and data in the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area to help answer some questions from the FPL community.


Q: Who is the best Everton midfield option? (@smallccapitalt)

A. Everton have a bunch of good midfield options – Demarai Gray (£5.7m), Andros Townsend (£5.4m) and even Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.5m) have already notched multiple attacking returns. Out of the three, I think Gray is the standout. As the below table from the last three Gameweeks shows, despite scoring three goals from as many shots on target, he is top amongst their midfielders for expected goals (xG, 0.78) and third for chances created (three). With Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.2m) injured, Benitez is likely going to look from goals from his midfielders and I think Gray offers great value at just £5.7m. 

Q: Who is the best forward under £6.5m to replace Ivan Toney? (@anathelana)

A: There’s very limited choice in the £6.5-and-below striker price bracket. Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.5m), Adam Armstrong (£6.0m) and Emmanuel Dennis (£5.2m) are some of the candidates but the standout in my opinion by some distance is Teemu Pukki (£5.9m). Norwich have failed to impress so far but it is worth mentioning that the Canaries were bottom of the Season Ticker for Gameweek 1-4. However, as the below image shows, they are top of the same ticker for Gameweeks 5-8. Norwich’s season starts now and Pukki is clearly their talisman. At just £5.9m and with very low ownership, he’s a great pick for the next four weeks. 

Q: Who would you pick between Patrick Bamford or Raphinha as a Leeds asset for the next three fixtures if you’re only going with one? (@FPLPHD)

A: Without going into the value/price argument, first let’s compare their numbers using the Comparison Tool in the Premium Members Area, starting off with assist potential. As the below image shows, it’s no shock that Raphinha (£6.5m) leads the way for chances created (seven to two) but the Brazilian’s numbers are not that great in isolation. Seven chances created over four matches is less than two a game and only one of those was deemed to be a ‘big chance’. 

In terms of goal threat, Patrick Bamford’s (£7.9m) numbers are impressive. He has been afforded nearly double (23 to 12) the penalty area touches compared to Raphinha and has taken 10 shots in the box to the Brazilian’s three, more than triple. The fact that Raphinha averages less than one shot in the box is not great.

When you add penalty-taking duties to Bamford’s repertoire, I think it’s pretty clear that despite the difference in price, the forward is the superior Leeds’ attacking asset. Raphinha’s numbers are likely to improve with the easier run of fixtures, of course, and he’s also a good asset in isolation. 

Q: Differential punts for Wildcarders in each position? (@FPLJames23)

A: I’ll skip the goalkeepers and start in defence. I think Nelson Semedo (£4.9m) is a great pick, his numbers versus Marcal (£4.6m) have been covered in detail in this piece by Neale. The fact that the Brazilian outscored him significantly last week means that the Portuguese will continue to go under the radar. If Semedo is too mainstream for you, then I would suggest Kieran Tierney (£4.9m). Arsenal switch to a back three in possession with the right-back tucking in to help the defence, so Tierney plays pretty much as a left-winger.  

In midfield, my pick would be Ismaila Sarr (£6.0m). Watford could not have asked for better opponents in the next three matches: Norwich, Newcastle and Leeds. As the below image shows, they are three of the five worst sides for open play goal attempts conceded over the first four matches:

Up top, Pukki is a great differential for the reasons mentioned earlier in the piece. Raul Jimenez (£7.4m) is also one to consider: he’s yet to find the back of the net this season but is posting good underlying numbers, indicating that a haul is just around the corner.

Q: Is Conor Gallagher a must-have? (@KaartikKrishFPL)

That’s it from me for now, hope you found the Q&A useful. We discussed a lot of the topics above and more on this week’s episode of The FPL Wire, so check it out below:

743 Comments Post a Comment
  1. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hey all!

    Does it look like Jota will be benched this weekend? See he started in the CL.

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Doubt it. Firminho isn't back yet.

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

        This

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

      Yeah not sure Origi showed enough to warrant starting over Jota - assuming Mane is back in.

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

      No. He came off on 71'.

    4. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers all. Will have to sit on Lukaku then until gw7. Just seems a tad stupid.

    5. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I would say there is a small chance Minamino starts instead of Jota.

  2. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Cancelo or James on WC?

  3. Spurrsy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    WC , any changes? 0.9m in bank. Semedo or Tierney will become a Chelsea defender when fixtures turn. Jota could be Greenwood

    Ramsdale
    TAA/Semedo/Tierney
    Salah/Raph/Gray/Jota/Sissoko
    Lukaku/Ronaldo

    Steel/Duffy/Livamento/Locadia

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

      What is your thinking behind Ramsdale over say Jose Sa?

      An upgrade of Tierney to Reguilon would still be possible.. as is R.James (for example) nailed on to start every PL game - doesn't Tuchel like to rotate his (very advanced) wing back positioned players (thinking Hudson-Odoi last season etc).

      1. Spurrsy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Ramsdale played well. If he keeps another clean sheet, find it hard for him to be dropped. A bit of a punt

    2. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Leno back in a couple of games apparently

  4. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    So worried about Antonio getting injured here. That pitch looks terrible.

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

      Perfect situation for all the GW5 wildcarders!

  5. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    RMWCT please all...

    Sanchez
    Semedo Cancelo Taa James
    Sarr Raph Salah Gray
    Lukaku Ronaldo

    Steer Sissoko Livra Scarlett

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

      Looking good if you feel the need to overhaul your squad now but could James' arrival not be delayed till their fixtures swing? That 5.6m could be put to some great use over GW5 & GW6..

      Sarr is a good player & is on Penalties but Watford are struggling as a team & maybe Traore might keep his place in your team longer avoiding an early transfer out problem.

      Unsure of your squad value but would you consider Ramsdale at 4.5m as a replacement for Sanchez (eventually) - or even Jose Sa if you have the funds..

      I take it you feel like you can't wait 'till GW7?

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

    How many EL games will Antonio miss if he gets a red in this one?

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

      Depends on the red

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

        A straight red will help us in PL 😉

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

          A red for violent conduct would be a three match ban

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

            That's what is required!

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

              He just needs to let an elbow slip away nonchalantly to a Zagrab defender's head and we're good. Nothing permanent.

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

                Will do!

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

    I have just selected my team from this squad & it came out as 4-5-1!! Is my selection of Williams over Duffy and Hwang (in that order) even correct?

    Any serious alternative selection ideas appreciated please.

    Sánchez
    LEI (H)
    Alexander-Arnold
    CRY (H)
    Tierney
    BUR (A)
    Shaw
    WHU (A)
    Williams
    WAT (H)
    Greenwood
    WHU (A)
    Salah
    CRY (H)
    Raphinha
    NEW (A)
    Torres
    SOU (H)
    Gray
    AVL (A)
    Ronaldo
    WHU (A)

    Gunn
    WAT (H)
    Duffy
    Hwang
    BRE (H)
    Antonio (SUSP)
    MUN (H)

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      my eyes

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

      Yea not good

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

      Wait. Let me get some Japanese script reading lessons first.

    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Where's Shane & Kevin Long?

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

        Apologies everyone. I didn't realise how bad that would look. I'm sacking my paper-clip & not using copy & paste from the official FPL site again when it comes to my team/sqaud selections. I'm quitting while I'm behind as not wanting to lose any goodwill I may have left on here.

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

    ..Duffy has Leicester at home btw (missed that off)

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

      Need to post the whole thing again.

  9. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    GW-5 - 0.3 bank - WC
    Sanchez/Steele
    TAA/Alonso/Marcal/Duffy/Livramento
    Salah/Greenwood/Gallager/Gray/Sarr
    Lukaku/Ronaldo/Scarlett

    A or B

    A - Alonso/Sarr - 0.3 bank
    or
    B - Rudiger/Raphina - 0.0 bank

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    Antonio goal

  11. The bean
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Dcl and son > jota and vardy?

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

    Ugh, Antonio to Bamford or play Coufal (MUN)?

    1. OneArseneWenger32
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      play coufal

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Coufal out and play someone else!

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

    Anything against DCL to Bam now?

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Thats the move i guess,wanted Jimenez coz i own Raphinha but will double

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

        Same here!

  14. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Antonio non-sellers unite!!

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

      o/

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

      o/

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Amen brother!!!

    4. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Europa league goal gives 0 fpl points

    5. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      \o

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

      Here!

    7. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      \o/

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

    Antonio just can't stop scoring!

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lukakwho?

  16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Imagine selling Antonio

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

      Before the red card 😎

  17. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Dyche on Maxwell Cornet: "He is certainly available... but pitching him in at the right time is important. It's got to be appropriate when he plays, why he's playing, how he figures, and his understanding of the team. His English is still pretty limited."

    Then learn French you ginger nut!!!
    #FFScout #FPL

  18. Gunneryank
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Dude is a penalty box predator.

  19. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Antonio scored

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

      He is on fire. One blank and one game he misses against United; and people are selling. Love it!

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        He has the most points of anyone in the game (including taking a -1)
        and he's 7.9m

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

          Absolutely. And I find it strange that people here are moving him out.

        2. 2001: A Space Origi
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          and, if you sell him and want him back you spend a wasted 0.2M, absolute craziness from the 'outers'

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

        Yup. Holding

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

          Definite hold.

  20. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) DCL -> Bamford -4, play Gilmour/Tsimi/Omo
    B) DCL, Tsimikas -> Jimi, Semedo -8, bench Gilmour/T/O for Semedo

    Sanchez Steel
    Trent Shaw Coufal - Tsimi, Omobamedele
    Salah Greenwood Raphinha Benrahma Gilmour
    Ronaldo XX - Antonio

  21. RooneyforLife
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Grealish or Torres ,who would you pick on wildcard?

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Grealish if you can afford

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

      I did Torres last week on WC as he is playing as a center forward. I'm starting to question my sanity picking a City attacker however. And, i mean we know better. Their goals come from like 18 different people. He may end becoming Raph and paying for Reece James though, so, eh.

  22. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    OH MICKEY YOU'RE SO FINE!

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

      You're so fine you blow my mind HEY MICKY...HEY MICKY!

  23. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Would you get Sarr in for a hit?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I might.

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

      Not even if you paid me.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        £1,000?

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

          You don't have 1,000 pounds to waste like that. But yes, that would do it 🙂

          1. 2001: A Space Origi
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            I'll take £50...

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

  24. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odsonne_%C3%89douard

    Edouard has scored almost every other game, 91 goals in 197 professional games.

    I bet there's a bandwagon forming in a few weeks time.

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The SPL doesn't count. Even Joelinton could score 30 goals a season playing against Kilmarnock and Motherwell

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Ha ha

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        True but you can only play your opposition.

        His French international record is decent too.

        I just reckon he'll be a bit of a gem.

        Especially for those looking at Lukaku and Ronaldo and trying to afford Salah and keeping Trent too.

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Only worry I have with him is gametime, can see him being rotated a bit with Bentekkers (unless Vieira wants to play them both)

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Fair play, after the Liverpool game it will be one to watch.

        Mind I'm happy with Antonio as my 'third' striker!

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

      With a couple of good crosses even I could score a few in Scotland.

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

    Anything against DCL to Bam now ?

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

      Sorry for the duplicate, thought I couldn’t post that before.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Antonio could get injured etc, otherwise no.

    3. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Do it.

  26. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Any love for my WC?

    What would you change?

    Sanchez
    Semedo Cancelo Taa James
    Sarr Raph Salah Gray
    Lukaku Ronaldo

    Steer Sissoko Livra Scarlett

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It's stupendous.

      Enjoy

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

        Cheers

    2. OneArseneWenger32
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      covered all the bases so pretty good

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

        I'll take pretty good

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Stupendous is surely better!?

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

            Boom! Ta!

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Missing Antonio

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

        Can't have them all.

        Suspension, Europe, team form may dip, injury waiting to happen etc etc.

        For now he is a big worry not to own though. I'm just looking ahead.

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Sa
          Taa shaw tierney Duffy
          Salah raph gray
          Lukaku Ronaldo Antonio

          4.0 williams Allan 4.5

          Shaw to Reece in 7

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Good call.

    4. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Like it, the James rotation worries me but high risk reward.

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

        Yup ta

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Team full of wing backs, nice

  27. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    So Antonio Ronaldo Lukaku up top + Salah and TAA.

    Points galore!

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Doable

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

      Already have that. Along with Jota and Raph.

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

      Except when they have an off game and the rest of your team is training cones.

  28. Manani
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Mahrez replacement:

    A. Raphinna
    B. Torres
    C. Grealish

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

    A B or C with 2 FT's - Embarrassingly forgot to do my FT this week so I am lumbered with son.

    I am thinking C over A as A means I have to start Gilmour next gameweek.

    Sanchez Foster
    TAA Shaw Dias Dunk Livramento
    Salah Fernandes Son Benrahma Gilmour
    Antonio Toney Scarlett

    A - Fernandes Son and Toney to Raphina Jota and Ronaldo for a -4
    B - Son and Fernandes to Raphina and Jota and do Toney to Ronaldo GW6
    C - Fernandes Son and Antonio To Raphina Jota and Ronaldo for a -4
    Thanks guys!

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

    Sanchez
    TAA, Shaw, Coufal
    Salah, Greenwood, Benrahma, Barnes
    Toney, Antonio, CR7

    Steele, Amartey, Tsimikas, Gilmour

    1FT £1M itb

    A) Tsimikas > semedo (go 442)
    B) Tsimikas, Barnes/Benrahma > semedo, Raphina -4
    C) any other suggestions?