Scout Notes

Son, Watkins and Iheanacho enter FPL conversation ahead of Gameweek 8

We continue our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 7 write-ups with analysis of Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa and Crystal Palace v Leicester City.

For a briefer summary of Saturday’s games click here, while the recap of Sunday’s four matches is available here.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-1 ASTON VILLA

  • Goals: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£4.9m) | Ollie Watkins (£7.3m)
  • Assists: Son Heung-min (£10.0m) x2 | Matt Targett (£4.8m)
  • Own goals: Targett
  • Bonus: Hojbjerg x3, Son x2, Eric Dier (£4.6m) x1, Emiliano Martinez (£5.5m) x1

SON STEPS UP

With Aston Villa lining-up in their new-look 3-5-2 formation, Spurs’ wide players were always going to be key in this fixture.

And that proved to be the case, as Son Heung-min (£10.0m) caused huge problems for Dean Smith’s side and managed to exploit the space between Matty Cash (£5.1m) and Ezri Konsa (£4.9m) time and time again.

 Above: Aston Villa’s average position map v Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 7, featuring Matty Cash (no. 2) and Ezri Konsa (no. 4)

The South Korean produced two assists and was a little unfortunate not to score, having registered five goal attempts, three shots in the box and one big chance during the match.

With Newcastle United’s shaky defence up next, Son could be in for another haul in Gameweek 8.

As for Nuno Espirito Santo’s set-up, they looked far more comfortable in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the double-pivot of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£4.9m) and Oliver Skipp (£4.5m) screening the back four well. That meant Dele Alli (6.5m) dropped to the bench, with Tanguy Ndombele (£5.8m) preferred in the more advanced midfield role.

WATKINS OFF THE MARK

Aston Villa fell to their first defeat in three matches against Spurs on Sunday afternoon, and while there weren’t many positives to take from it, forward Ollie Watkins (£7.3m) has at least now opened his 2021/22 account.

The England international equalised in the second half, and has put up some good attacking numbers since Gameweek 4, when Dean Smith switched formation.

Ollie Watkins (left) v Danny Ings (right) xG comparison since Gameweek 4, when Villa shifted to a back-three formation

After the game, Smith touched on the Watkins and Danny Ings (£7.9m) partnership and said:

“I have no concerns. Danny’s scored goals already. Ollie’s got his first today and we’re creating chances. The pair worked as hard as anything again. They broke things down when Tottenham had the ball.

But we’re playing against top teams at the moment, Everton, United, and Tottenham. But we believe we’ve got good players as well. There’s no frustrations. In the final third our final ball wasn’t good enough. Cashy’s got into some good areas but the final ball wasn’t there. JJ (Jacob Ramsey) in the second half. The final pass wasn’t quite there today.”

He also discussed Villa’s defensive set-up:

“Last week we were playing against Ronaldo, Greenwood and Pogba. This week it was Kane, Son and Ndombele. They’ve all got different qualities and Son’s biggest one is his pace in behind which can hurt you. They’ve got Harry Kane as well. We had a lot to deal with but our back three with Douglas Luiz thought we’d cope with that but, as I say, the game was too scrappy. We didn’t do much with our possession and they didn’t do enough with theirs either.”

Up next for Villa is a home clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, when they will hope to welcome back Leon Bailey (£6.4m), who has missed the last two Gameweeks with a thigh injury.


Tottenham XI: Lloris, Royal, Romero, Dier, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Ndombele (Lo Celso 76), Moura (Gil 89), Son, Kane

A Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Hause (Traore 81), Mings, Cash, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, J Ramsey (Buendia 69), Targett, Ings (Archer 90), Watkins


CRYSTAL PALACE 2-2 LEICESTER CITY

  • Goals: Michael Olise (£5.4m), Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.4m) | Kelechi Iheanacho (£7.0m), Jamie Vardy (£10.4m)
  • Assists: Harvey Barnes (£6.7m)
  • Bonus: Iheanacho x3, Vardy x2, Olise x1

IHEANACHO BACK ON THE FPL RADAR

FPL Gameweek 7 round-up: Sunday’s goals, assists, bonus and injuries 5

On his first Premier League start of the campaign, 2020/21 Fantasy favourite Kelechi Iheanacho (£7.0m) hit the back of the net at Selhurst Park, and as a result, presents FPL managers with an intriguing differential option for our frontlines. 

The Nigerian international bagged 11 Premier League goals and two assists in his final 12 matches last term, and across the entire season, ranked top amongst all forwards per 90 minutes for goals and joint-fourth for expected goal involvement (xGI).

However, it is worth noting that he operated in a slightly deeper role on Sunday, and his goal was his only attempt of the match.

Above: Leicester City’s average position map v Crystal Palace in Gameweek 7, with Kelechi Iheanacho (no. 14) dropping deeper in Brendan Rodgers’ 4-4-2 formation

“I feel that he is a player that, over a period of time, he will either create or score a goal. His energy at the top end of the field posed a threat.

He can’t play in another position. He is purely a striker. When you play with two strikers, there is then a change behind that. That is one of the things I need to look at because of some of the types of players we have: it doesn’t allow us to keep the ball as well as we would like.

That is something I need to look at.” – Brendan Rodgers discussing Kelechi Iheanacho and his system after the game

As for Jamie Vardy (£10.4m), the veteran forward was also on the scoresheet, with his sixth goal in just seven Premier League games. Having been played through by Harvey Barnes (£6.7m), Vardy slotted in, and as a result is now the third highest-scoring player in the entire game, with 48 FPL points. Despite that, his ownership sits at just 13.7%, which is lower than the likes of Danny Ings and Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.8m).

PALACE UNBEATEN AT HOME

Following Sunday’s draw, Crystal Palace remain unbeaten at home, despite a reasonably challenging run that has seen them take on Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton and Hove Albion and Leicester.

Two substitutes made the difference in Gameweek 7, as Michael Olise (£5.4m) – who also took on a share of set-pieces after his introduction – and Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.4m) both scored, with the latter replacing Conor Gallagher (£5.7m) after 71 minutes.

Interestingly, the Eagles have now scored eight goals in their last five Premier League matches, and rank sixth for expected goals (xG) over the same period.

“I think we are all really excited about his talent, but at the same time, we have to understand it will take time to be a Premier League player. He is working really well, working really hard, and he is in a good football club who will support him to develop himself.

It’s just about him keeping working. He’s working in training, he can score goals as he showed today. It is a long season, so he will definitely play some games, but we have to give him time as well to develop himself.

He had a long injury and he is not at his best yet, but he is improving and he will be a really important player for us.” – Patrick Vieira on Michael Olise


Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Soyuncu, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Lookman (Albrighton 80), Choudhury (Soumare 60), Tielemans, Barnes, Iheanacho (Maddison 71), Vardy

C Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Milivojevic, McArthur, Gallagher (Schlupp 71), Ayew (Olise 53), Zaha, Edouard (Benteke 85)


220 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rate this wildcard team?

    Ramsdale, foster
    Rudiger, azpi, cancelo, Dias, livramento
    Salah, raphina, Townsend, foden, Mbeumo
    Lukaku, Antonio, Jimenez

    1. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rotation headache esp up top

      1. 03farmboy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        The midfielders would rotate

        1. Rednev1983
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          It`s a very good team,i get why you have gone double CHE and MCI defence especially with fixures but some don`t like it and Taa is usually essential for fpl.All in all it`s very solid and i see many points for you especially in the short term.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Downgrade Townsend for sure

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        You need taa

      2. 03farmboy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Could change Townsend and foden to brown hill and Someone

    3. Rednev1983
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      What formation do you plan to play? Your whole team is strong so dilema who to bench.

      1. 03farmboy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        The midfielders would rotate depending on fixtures

    4. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      nice foundations, but for me Son Toney TAA > Townsend Lukaku Rudiger. First is more expensive but you can fund it by removing some money from your bench.

    5. Diddly Squat
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Awful midfield,
      Foden rotated or 20 min cameos.
      Townsend will fade away when dcl/ Rich back.
      Mbeumo could be anything but won’t be .
      Raph Leeds not a patch on last season .

      1. 03farmboy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        What midfielders would you suggest?

  2. Rednev1983
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ok here`s my dilema.

    I got stung bu Alonso being benched and only have Williams as back up,so with Chillwell seemingly back in favour for now i want to do Alonso to Dias and Williams to Liveramento and i have the exact money however the price rise charts predict thay will rise in 2 days.Should i make the changes now and hope they both don`t get injured on international duty or are the price rises over and international break a bit sketchy or governed by wildcarders?

  3. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Williams/Jota>Dias/Saka the plan. Have exact funds before any rises/drops. Thoughts?

    1. Diddly Squat
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Saka , 2 returns so far and in a crap team .

      1. SINGH
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Why crap? 3 wins in last 4 including only conceding 1 goal. Since all the players have been back fit Arsenal look alright for a top 6 finish.

  4. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    One of the worst starts in a long time...
    Which players do I absolutely need in this team?

    Sanchez | Steele
    Rudiger Dier White
    Salah Jota Raphinha Gray Gallagher
    Ronaldo Lukaku
    ¦ Digne Dennis Ayling

    0.0 ITB

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Had my worst start ever too, the Ron Rom combo did it for me!
      What do you mean?

    2. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'd drop Dier and your entire bench, but the rest looks okay. I'm not ruling out Ronaldo & Lukaku still coming good... A city defender looks your biggest gap.

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Dier out for double Chelsea defence or a City defender?

        Thinking of getting in Vardy next week or...should I keep Ronaldo?

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

    Guys watsapp injured. Worth taking a -4 to bring telegram in??

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’d free hit mate rather than take the -4 haha

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Already have twitter as a cover to fb, don't want instagram. Telegram is looking nice. But watsapp may return soon which will drop my rank.

  6. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Most will have 2 of each by now.

    Which 2 from the below Def Mid and FWD are your picks ahead of the next set of fixtures?

    TAA Dias Cancelo Rudiger

    Salah Bruno KDB Son

    Lukaku Ronaldo Vardy Antonio

    1. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      TAA, Cancelo
      Salah, Son
      Antonio, Vardy

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

      Azpi
      Salah KdB
      Lukaku Vardy

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      TAA Cancelo Rudiger
      Salah Son
      Lukaku Antonio

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      TAA Cancelo

      Lukaku Vardy

  7. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    "Raphael, can you walk?"

    "Yes, Bielsa. But I just got off my fli..."

    "You're starting."

  8. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone seen my pigeon?

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Should've told you. Sent them to send some letters to Minas Tirith.

    2. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Just dug my Navy semaphore flags out of the attic. Chatting nicely with my local mates. Though standing on roof is a tad scary.

      1. SINGH
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Semper Fi? Or is that the army?

  9. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Crazy to go without Lukaku?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing crazy in this game.

    2. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No. Did you see him last match?

    3. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Kaku gonna hit 5 goals min in next 3

  10. Matt Sk
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Last chance saloon against Leicester for Ronaldo if he blanks I drop him

  11. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I have come to realise the amount of times I unlock my phone just to check whatsapp or Facebook without any reason is too dam high

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I deactivated my facebook account months ago. I call it fakebook.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Glad to see you being so genuine on here though

      2. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Around 2 years without Facebook for me. Not that I've been very productive in the time I've saved either, but quite glad I don't watch that drama site day in day out anymore.

  12. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Just saw KDB's price and it wasn't what I expected at all

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      11.9m for a player which is not guaranteed to start is a very expensive excersise.

      1. Diddly Squat
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        If he’s fit he starts . The only city midfielder easy to own .

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      too dam high?

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yep

        1. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Should be around 11 like Mané

  13. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    My SV is 99.1.

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Overpriced I reckon. What's your team SV? 😉

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        99.0. Can't afford myself 🙁

  14. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you get Arsenal/Everton mid for free or Son/Foden for a hit?

    I have a fear of missing out on Son/Foden but not sure that another -4 is worth it.

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Are you already on -4?

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Nope but took hit last week

        1. BeWater
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Leave it and try and get Son for free the following week.

          1. Atimis
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Next week I won’t bother that much as they are playing Newcastle now

            1. SINGH
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Lol why bring in a player just for one game and even that for a -4

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

    Sarr out but for who? Mbuemo/Gallagher/someone else

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

    On WC Son will be more interesting than Lukaku?
    Bur those chelsea fixtures

    1. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Goal machine Werner taking chances off Kaku

  17. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you make any changes to this team? I have one free transfer. £0M ITB.

    Sanchez
    TAA, Cancelo, Rudiger, Duffy
    Salah, Son, Benrahma, Gray
    Ronaldo, Antonio

    Subs: Sarr, Livramento, Dennis