Scout Notes

Raphinha “expected back” in time for Gameweek 8 as Watford appoint Ranieri

We’ve two more Premier League fixtures to bring you up to speed with from Saturday: Leeds United v Watford and Burnley v Norwich City.

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

LEEDS UNITED 1-0 WATFORD

  • Goal: Diego Llorente (£4.5m)
  • Assist: None
  • Bonus: Llorente x3, Junior Firpo (£4.8m) x2, Liam Cooper (£4.5m) x1

XISCO DEPARTS, RANIERI ARRIVES

Raphinha

You wouldn’t have got great odds on Watford to be the first Premier League team to change head coach this season and the kneejerking Hornets board have again lived up to their ruthless reputation by dispensing of Xisco Munoz, just seven games into the season.

The Spaniard’s dismissal came after Saturday’s limp defeat at Leeds, where they registered fewer shots on goal than any other team in Gameweek 7.

Replacing Munoz is Claudio Ranieri, the former Chelsea, Leicester City and Fulham manager.

We’ll have a full Scout Report on the veteran Italian on Tuesday, asking what it means for the likes of Ismaila Sarr (£6.3m).

SARR’S APPEAL ON THE WANE?

Raphinha

Watford’s appealing three-game stretch finished with a whimper against Leeds but despite Sarr blanking, the mid-price midfielder still managed to rack up 25 points from Gameweeks 5-7.

Ranieri will have to bring the fabled new manager bounce with him as the Hornets’ fixtures are about to turn very iffy indeed and Gameweek 8 Wildcarders would be forgiven for overlooking Sarr, despite the excellent value he has provided so far in 2021/22:

The Gameweek 5 win over Norwich is starting to look anomalous when we analyse Watford’s other attacking stats this season:

v Norwichin the other six Gameweeks combined
Big chances62
Expected goals2.463.30

Four of Sarr’s five big chances this season indeed came against the Canaries and it was lacklustre attacking displays against Newcastle and Leeds that helped see off Munoz.

There is one glimmer of hope for those retaining the Senegal international’s services: his biggest-ever Gameweek score came at home to Liverpool in 2019/20, when he plundered 19 points against the champions-elect.

RAPHINHA: WILL HE PLAY IN GAMEWEEK 8?

Raphinha

Raphinha (£6.5m) produced a first blank in three matches against Watford but he was the main dangerman again for the Whites, firing in another five shots to take his total to 13 attempts in the last three Gameweeks, a tally that no other FPL midfielder can better.

The question for existing and prospective owners now is: will he be available for Gameweek 8?

The Leeds winger is part of Brazil’s squad for their three World Cup qualifiers over the October international break, the last of which kicks off at 1.30am next Friday morning – that’s 37.5 hours before Leeds v Southampton gets underway at Elland Road.

The new quarantine rules mean that he will techinically be free to face Ralph Hasenhuttl’s troops but the logistics of getting back to England in such a short space of time suggests that involvement against the Saints seems unlikely. However, the Yorkshire Evening Post report that Raphinha is expected to be available for selection.

‘Available’ and ‘starting’ are two very different beasts, of course, so much doubt lingers over whether he’ll be part of Marcelo Bielsa’s line-up a week on Saturday.

“It’s not common [for a flair player to work like that]. He’s a player that stands out. Due to standing out he does not demand privileges. All the opposite he takes on more obligations, even more so. That’s why he’s a player that’s valued so much by all of us due to his humility and his capacity of effort. [That’s] Not common when accompanied with that talent.” Bielsa on Raphinha, on Saturday

As for Leeds as a whole, the weekend win over Watford was a lot like last season in a nutshell: Stuart Dallas (£5.3m) was shooting at will, fit-again match-winner Diego Llorente (£4.5m) helped solidify the backline in open play, chances were spurned going forward and there were hairy moments defending set plays, including a Watford leveller that was disallowed for a foul on Liam Cooper (£4.5m).

It’s a small step forward after a so-so start and, unlike Watford, the Whites have plenty more decent fixtures ahead, streatching through to the beginning of December.

Dallas hobbled off on Saturday, meanwhile, but Bielsa said after full-time that it was too early for a prognosis on the Northern Ireland international.

Burnley 0-0 Norwich City

Raphinha
  • Bonus: Charlie Taylor (£4.4m) x3, Tim Krul (£4.5m) x2, Grant Hanley (£4.4m) x1

The minnows of Burnley played host to the whipping boys of Norwich City on Saturday, making them both seem defensively adequate.

The Gameweek 7 match at Turf Moor saw the previously porous Clarets and the Canaries pick up their first clean sheets of the season, which was more of an indictment of both sides’ attacks than it was a credit to their defences.

Norwich have looked a bit more solid in their last two matches, largely being successful in suffocating Everton last week (only succumbing to two defensive errors) and reducing Burnley to just one clear opening here – and even that didn’t result in a shot, with Dwight McNeil (£5.9m) unable to react when the ball fell his way at close range.

Owners of semi-popular bench fodder options Billy Gilmour (£4.5m) and Brandon Williams (£4.0m) weren’t able to enjoy the clean sheet points, however, with the former benched for the third time in four Gameweeks and the latter losing his place at left wing-back to Dimitris Giannoulis (£4.4m).

Latterly playing in Gilmour’s spot at the base of the Norwich midfield has been new signing Mathias Normann (£4.5m), who has impressed in his three outings. He is top among Daniel Farke’s squad for shots (all outside the box, admittedly) and chances created in that time, also assuming control at direct free-kick situations and on indirect set plays. He is a name to consider in the bargain-bin midfield pond, then, for those managers looking for an emergency substitute.

As for Burnley, who were without Ben Mee (£4.9m) and who lost Matej Vydra (£5.3m) thanks to minor injuries, they were sorely missing the spark of Maxwel Cornet (£6.0m), who would have been an intriguing differential for this fixture based on his eye-catching exploits so far.

A clean sheet against the Premier League basement club doesn’t convince us that they’re reliable picks at the back again just yet (four shut-outs in their previous 25 top-flight fixtures is a better gauge) but, as we discussed last week, pairing the likes of Matthew Lowton (£4.4m) with a budget Arsenal defender does give the following run of favourable fixtures right the way through to the end of the calendar year: CRY, sou, BRE, WAT, CRY, NEW, wol, new, SOU, WAT, lee, nor, WOL.


Burnley XI: Pope; Taylor, Collins, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Westwood, Brownhill, Lennon (Gudmundsson 60); Vydra (Rodriguez 35), Wood (Barnes 80). 

Norwich City XI: Krul; Kabak, Hanley, Gibson; Aarons, Lees-Melou (Rupp 79), Norman, McLean, Giannoulis; Sargent (Idah 89), Pukki (Rashica 79). 

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

    Hwang or Jimenez?

    Grealish or Saka?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Saka Hwang

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

      Grealish Hwang

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

      None of those 4

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

        Who would you suggest? I already have Lukaku and Antonio

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

        Who would you suggest?

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

      On WC I'm not interested in any of them.

      Hwang maybe if I desperately need funds somehow

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

    On WC
    A.Gray
    B.Townsend
    C.Doucoure

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

      Pot luck really

      Is this your 5th mid?

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

        No he’d play

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

      Prefer Mbeumo or ESR at that price- But Gray from these 3 Everton options

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

        now way is ESR above those imo, especially if you have good bench options to rotate

  3. Minty1337
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any thoughts on this WC:
    Sanchez - ramsdale
    Trent, rudig, white, Duffy, livra
    Salah, raphinha, saka, foden, brownhill
    Lukaku, jiminez, antonio

    I could take foden out for someone and get Cancelo?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’d do that. Double Arsenal defence is too risky for my liking.

  4. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anything here worth a hit?

    Sa
    TAA - Azpi - Cancelo
    Salah - Saka - Sarr - Benrahma
    CR7 - Jimenez - Antonio

    Steele - Livra - Allan - Williams

    0.1 ITB, 0 FT

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not yet

    2. mox81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No hits required, would play livra over sarr this week

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

    Worth a -4 ?

    Ronaldo, Greenwood > Lukaku, Son

    Cheers.

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

      Yes

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe

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

      Tricky one. Ronaldo better option than Lukaku, but Son better option than Greenwood.

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

        How is Ronaldo better option than Lukaku?

        1. REDMOND IN SANDALS
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Better goalscorer playing against the worse defense?

        2. PastaFasul
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Lukaku has a much lower pts expected than Ronaldo GW 8, if you believe the algorithm. GW 9 is Lukaku time.

    5. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No brainer

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

    Ramsdale / Sanchez

    Rüdiger Marcal Cancelo Tomiyasu Tsimi

    Salah Son Saka Benrahma Townsend

    Lukaku Hwang Antonio

    Ok as 1st draft WC?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      One WHU player too many.

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

    Ronaldo, sarr, benrahma, jimenez, christensen
    >>>>>
    Lukaku son mbuemo toney Cancelo
    Seems good?

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

      Looks good but I’d get the Brentford players after the CHE game so GW 9 and I’d monitor Son til GW12

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

    Team with Gk under 5m, defenders under 5m, mids under 7m and fwds under 8m.

    ***No double or triple ups***

    Reckon this would not be too bad.

    Ramsdale
    Duffy Pinnock Livramento
    Gray Raphina Zaha Benrahma
    Ings Jimenez Wilson

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

      This will be a disaster when premiums start to fire

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Must have enough ITB to get anyone in with one move.

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

          Is there Only 1 premium?

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

        Just an example of cheap players who hold extreme value.

        Was not meant to be for picking squad purposes lol

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      People should find other interests during the IB, otherwise this is the outcome.

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

        Ha ha

      2. jackruet
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yes. Why not play FIFA 22

  9. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ronaldo, Sarr to Son and Antonio worth a -4 ?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I read that as 'Ringo Starr's son - and Antonio.'

      Time to sleep I think!

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

      I don’t mind taking hits but I don’t think that’s worth it mate

  10. Team Bobcat
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is Torres going to play again for city. Seems strange o me a manager drops his only number nine after his best haul of season. I don't see how even Pep considers that good management

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think he gets a game against Burnley.

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I am not so sure. To have been dropped like a hot potato to getting a game against Burnley and having all his midfielders now fit again seems to me a stretch too far but it is pep we are talking about so who knows

    2. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He was given enough chance this season. Just 1 return. Foden kdb sterling they got to play Too

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I accept others were/are back but the timing of his dropping was harsh on him at the very least and footballers are a fickle bunch after all

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

          See what Pep did to Bilva, then Laporte, after seasons where each was the best player

          Pep doesn't care, for better or worse. He moves on quickly

          I mean, see Mahrez

        2. jackruet
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Happens When you have bunch of quality players

  11. Wardinator
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hows this WC look?

    Ramsdale. Foster.
    Cancelo. Dias. Rudiger. TAA. Duffy.
    Salah. Raphina. Mbuemo. Townsend. Smith-Rowe
    Lukaku. DCL. Antonio.

    Funds spread right across bench so will have a few benching headaches in midfield but also protection from injuries and rotation which is useful leading up to Xmas

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not a fan. I usually go 4.0 4.0 4.5 on the bench so I get max money on the pitch. Players like Livra are perfect for this.

  12. HTL
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Just done Ronaldo to Lukaku in case FPLstats is accurate (spoiler - it won’t be) and realised it’s Brentford next not Norwich. Whoops

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Whoops

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Good move anyway

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

      yes but then its liverpool for united vs norwich for chelsea

  13. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Save here ? 1.5itb

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah Raphina Saka Gray
    Lukaku Antonio Jimenez

    Foster Livramento Marcal Sissoko

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Save. You have good subs in Livra and Marcal.

  14. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden or Grealish on WC?

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

      Foden higher ceiling but more chance of cameo
      fixtures are there but hard to know who plays vs sits

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Foden

    3. out for a goalkick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish seems to offer limited upside at the minute…. Foden ‘feels’ like it has more explosive impact?

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

    Early days with international games to follow, but what are the suggested moves here with 2FT, 2.8m itb?
    Looking at Semedo to City defender

    Notes:
    - With Brentford looking decent at both ends I could just hold James and hope he plays and then reassess Chelsea defender situation for Norwich in gw9
    - Go for Raphinha or wait another week with potential 2ft in gw9?
    - Can I incorporate Saints players this week
    - Will worry about replacing Gilmour if/when I need to

    Guaita
    Trent James White Semedo*
    Salah Jota Sarr Gray
    Lukaku Antonio
    Steer Armstrong Livra Gilmour

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Since you have 2 FT and 2.8m itb I would just wait and see. Unless you are set on long term plans that could mean you will miss out by .1/.2 there is no real panic.
      There is bound to be a few injuries over the break.

      If it was my team I would be looking to get rid of Sarr and Samedo.

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

        Yeh head says Dias over Cancelo but will forget price changes and wait til deadline
        Sarr not super urgent to replace. Liverpool been a bit shaky defensively lately so we'll assess. Raph has the fixtures coming up - can't see any obvious targets right now

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why get rid of Semedo? Nice upcoming fix.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I assume the OP sees Norwich in a couple of gameweeks for Man City? And Cancelo could have a field day.

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

        Don't think avl lee EVE are great fixtures for CS potential and the attacking returns just aren't there
        Jimenez is gaining confidence but more upside in City defence

  16. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I always like to look ahead and have a rough team structure made for the following month just to give me some sort of plan/guideline

    By gw13 I hope to have the following team. With 1.0 itb at the moment for price fluctuations. Plan to play a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2

    TAA - Rudiger - Cancelo - James - (Livramento)
    ESR - Son - Salah - Rafinha (Allan)
    Lukaku - Toney (Hwang)

    My reasoning is as follows

    Sanchez (Steele)

    I think I am stuck with these two until my next WC. Fixtures do not look too bad long term though.
    --
    TAA - Rudiger - Cancelo - James - (Livramento)

    Assume most will have a similar defence by then no surprises here

    --
    ESR - Son - Salah - Rafinha (Allan)

    Hopefully Son will have really hit form along with Rafinha by then. Nice run of fixtures for both,
    --
    Lukaku - Toney (Hwang)

    Again I hope the fixtures kick Lukaku and Toney into top form.
    Big risk selling Antonio - but West Ham's really nice run of fixtures is gw16 - gw27

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

      Seems sound. I will say that taking a -4 for the emerging GK is probably worth doing on a swing week. Doing it in GW9 for instance to buy Ramsdale the same week Sanchez plays City will almost certainly be worth it long term.

      Funny that I learnt that lesson from FPL General last season when he started with Ramsdale (lol) and kept him for so long because he had no free FT to fix him when if he just took a -4 for Martinez in one week even though it might not pay off immediately, will have been worth it long term by like 20 points.

      Ramsdale looks like he's the one to get. Arsenal's defensive numbers are really good since he's started. I do think you'll want to board this train and GW9 seems like a good opportunity.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Unfortunately I have two transfers planned for
        gw9
        Rafinha in for Sarr
        and J
        ames in for Coady -4

        So the Brighton keepers are likely to stay.
        I did consider Ramsdale on my gw4 WC but thought it too risky. In fairness Brighton are not doing too bad defensively at all..

        Funny thing is last season I had Martinez who was flying. Made the mistake of getting Johnstone in as a playing sub keeper when Martinez was suspended for a -4. Benched Martinez the following week for Johnstone as well. Ended up costing me 20 points over all or something like it.
        So maybe that is at the back of my mind now. Leave the keepers alone.

        You are probably right about Ramsdale though. He looks good for save points as well (unlike Sanchez).

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

    WC

    sanchez
    Taa cancelo rudiger white livra
    Salah son raphinha mbuemo townsend
    Antonio lukaku?

    Son or jesus ?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Son

  18. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Has anyone found a WC team with Salah, Lukaku & Ronaldo in or are we definitely losing Ronaldo?

    Obviously rest of team would have cheaper players but some have decent enough value for price.

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I did WC this week and I have those trio. I did pretty well despite two of them blanking thanks to last minute Chilwell pick and planned Arsenal defense double up. Going forward I'm debating losing Ronaldo to get Son but I'll hold FT this week.

      1. AdamJ91
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Obviously they're a good chunk of the budget gone and perhaps losing Ronaldo is the way to go but it's not just anyone, it's Ronaldo who can produce against anyone.

        1. Esalman
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yep even though I just WC, I kind of want Son and Vardy now. But still just not going to take Ronaldo out for a hit. I'll wait and see.

    2. EffPeeEll
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not yet

      Looks like a potential Garth Crooks strikeforce in an upcoming team of the week though.

  19. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ederson worth it with spare cash on WC, seems like he will print 6 pointers with their fixtures

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

      6m keepers very rarely work out but I'm tempted as just seem to have 6 defenders I want for 5 slots and this seems to be an alternative

  20. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    How's this wacky WC with no Trent?

    McCarthy Foster
    Chilwell Rudiger Dias Cancelo Livramento
    Salah Son Raphinha Mbuemo Allan
    Lukaku Antonio Pukki

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

      Mostly good. I wouldn't be touching Pukki on WC though.

  21. Kane5
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    WC team - keen for other's thoughts. Cheers

    Raya (Foster)
    TAA James Dias (White, Livramento)
    Salah Grealish/Foden Raphinha Saka (Sissoko)
    Lukaku Antonio Armstrong

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

      It's good - slight concern that bench is maybe a touch light for James + potentially Foden in the starting lineup (I'd change the lineup rather than the bench)

      1. Kane5
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks yeah didn't think too much about the potential rotation but you raise a good point. Definite risk with City and Chelsea assets

  22. Will1988
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I'm still not sure if i need to wildcard, but this is a WC draft.

    .4 left

    Ramsdale,Foster
    Cancelo,Rudiger,White,Livramento,Manquillo
    Salah,KDB,Raphinha,ESR,Luiz
    Lukaku,Antonio,Toney

    Thoughts appreciated

  23. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jota + Marcal to Townsend/Douc + Cancelo for a hit yay or nay