Scout Notes

Antonio the most-sold FPL player of Gameweek 13 as budget defender Ait-Nouri impresses

We continue our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 12 Scout Notes with analysis of Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United.

For a briefer summary of Saturday’s action, click here, while you can read up on Liverpool v Arsenal, Manchester City v Everton and Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United in more detail below.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1-0 WEST HAM UNITED

  • Goals: Raul Jimenez (£7.8m)
  • Assists: Daniel Podence (£5.5m)
  • Bonus: Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.3m) x3, Jimenez x2, Romain Saiss (£5.0m) x1, Jose Sa (£5.0m) x1

JIMENEZ SECURES WIN

Raul Jimenez (£7.8m) scored the only goal of the game on Saturday, as Wolverhampton Wanderers beat in-form West Ham United 1-0 at Molineux.

The Mexican has now produced six attacking returns in his last six starts, and sits fifth in the forward standings on 51 FPL points, only behind Michail Antonio (£8.2m), Jamie Vardy (£10.6m), Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.8m) and Emannuel Dennis (£5.2m).

Elsewhere, Daniel Podence (£5.5m) grabbed the assist for Jimenez’s goal and went close to finding the net himself with two shots that were saved by Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m). The attacking midfielder was a surprise inclusion on the day at the expense of Adama Traore (£5.8m) and Francisco Trincao (£5.7m), both of whom were benched.

After the game, Bruno Lage explained why he opted for Podence in his usual 3-4-2-1 system:

“We looked at the opponent. When you look at the four defenders, especially the two central defenders from West Ham, they are big guys so we need to put guys with agility in these one against one situations. I think he’s one of the best guys we have in our squad to do that.

I think it’s been difficult for everyone. Even Adama, he came into the team and did very well, also Daniel, when he’s played he’s helped us, also Trincao – I think Trincao has played more than the others. He (Trincao) can link the game and create chances. He missed a lot of chances. He needs one goal to be solid.

I’m very happy with the four guys, they are giving me a lot of solutions in each moment.”

As for Wolves, they are now up to sixth in the table, having won five of their past seven Premier League games. Encouragingly, they have been steadily improving since losing their opening three matches, and now have a chance to kick on with appealing fixtures against Norwich City (a) and Burnley (h) up next, before the schedule then toughens up over the Christmas period.

Wolves’ schedule right up until the end of the year

£4.3M AIT NOURI RETAINS PLACE DESPITE MARCAL RETURN

Since making his first start of the campaign in Gameweek 9, budget defender Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.3m) has impressed and deservedly kept his place ahead of Marcal (£4.4m) on Saturday.

What’s notable is how he offers a different level of attacking threat to Marcal, whose underwhelming 343 minutes per chance created total is way behind Ait-Nouri’s 60 minutes. That figure stacks up well against other defenders, too, and is superior to the likes of Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and Joao Cancelo (£6.6m).

Meanwhile, during his last four matches, Ait-Nouri is averaging an impressive five points per match. During that time, amongst all defenders, he ranks amongst the top 10 for final-third touches, passes received in the final third and successful take-ons, while his total of 27 crosses – albeit aided by corner-taking duties – is only bettered by James Ward-Prowse (£6.3m), Phil Foden (£8.3m) and Matt Ritchie (£4.9m).

ANTONIO ANONYMOUS

Saturday’s defeat was West Ham’s first loss on the road in 12 matches, dating back to mid-April, while it also ended a run of four straight Premier League wins.

It was an unusually flat performance by the Hammers, who registered just 0.25 expected goals (xG) from open-play, though Kurt Zouma (£5.4m) did have a goal disallowed from a Jarrod Bowen £6.4m) corner.

As for Antonio, it was a largely anonymous display, as he failed to register a single shot inside the box. The forward started the campaign in promising form but has now scored just two goals in his last eight appearances, and as a result, has seen more sales than any other player ahead of Gameweek 13.

The fixtures don’t get any easier for a while either, with Man City (a), Brighton and Hove Albion (h) and Chelsea (h) up next.

After the match, David Moyes discussed Antonio and what he needs to do to get back to form:

“I think he needs to get himself into a really good condition because he thrives when he is physically in top condition. We have tried to protect him, we have not used him too many times in European games so we have tried to do that because we are trying to keep him fit for Premier League games especially. But we will find a way. Centre-forwards often go through spells with no goals but we hope there are a few to come soon. He is fit but for Mic he always needs to be super fit really. I think Mic will know that when he is really on it he is a real handful but today he was not really as good as he has been.”

The manager also touched on the possibility of shifting to a back-three formation, in light of Angelo Ogbonna’s (£5.0m) long-term injury:

“To the naked eye we’ve been using a bit of it without it looking too obvious but we have to have the right personnel to do it. Arthur (Masuaku) is someone who could possibly do it for us but it is something we have to consider. They played three at the back and caused us problems with their width and wing-backs but we knew it was coming, so it wasn’t something we weren’t aware of.”


Wolves XI: Sa, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Semedo, Neves, Moutinho, Ait-Nouri, Podence (Traore 76), Hwang (Dendoncker 87), Jimenez

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Bowen (Yarmolenko 71), Benrahma (Vlasic 71), Fornals (Lanzini 59), Antonio

157 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jon.terry.tfh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    If Benteke kept getting minutes he is surely an option given how terrible the forwards are this year?

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

      My thoughts exactly at the moment.

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

      Yeah, should do. Viera says he likes Benteke against teams who sit back cause of his aerial ability

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Possibly but will go Gallagher in midfield so double up too much

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

    A) Toney --> Dennis/King
    B) Mbeumo --> Gilmour (2x 4.4M and play 433 most GWs)
    C) Antonio --> ASM/Benteke
    D) Foden --> Bernardo Silva

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

      This would be to help finance Jota + Cancelo in, if both are fit

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B looks the most simple and obvious

  3. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hey lads! Have 1.1m itb and 2ft. what would the best moves be here? Cheers.

    ramsdale
    taa - cancelo - james
    salah - raphinha - gallagher - son
    antonio - vardy - hwang

    (foster - duffy - livra - luiz)

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

      Raph to Jota if he's fit?

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        cheers. yeah that could be wise

  4. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What to do with Kane ? Am tempted to hold and swap for Ronaldo depending on how utd play now ole is gone. Other options are selling for vardy or mane ?

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Assume you brought Kane in with gw12-15 in mind. I'd see out the next 3 games as Spurs have great fixtures and there's slim pickings for forwards anyway

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

      Lukaku if fit or go to Mane . I wouldn't go with Vardy.

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

      Just stick, monitor united, and if all else fails, go to Mane is my plan

  5. AM9
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Wilson and Williams to James and Dennis w/exact cash for a hit?

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Surely hold Wilson for nor

      1. AM9
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Do you think I should surely get a Chelsea fullback though?

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

      Just replied on last page

      1. AM9
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks man, but Norwich are still going to concede plenty and Wilson is one away from a yellow and not having James is literally killing me!

    3. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Similar dilemma in looking to bring in Chilwell and Dennis for a hit (I already own James).

      Think not having the 4 big defenders is a rank killer at the moment

      1. Dave’s Rubber Digne R…
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I did the same. Rudiger to James to give me the quad of TAA, Chilwell, James and Cancelo. Unless there’s injuries I can’t see any need to rotate given defensive records and attacking returns.

  6. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    How long is Firmino out for? Is Jota a better pick than Mane?

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

      We don't know and depends how you spend the difference.

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Jota is better value than Mane whilst he is nailed to start. Firmino injury is a grey area. Athletic said he was out till mid December but Klopp kind of suggests he will be back sooner.

    3. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      If same price I would probably pick Mane. But Jota is close and a nobrainer for his price.

  7. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Had a solid week, also I still have WC so that is always a option. Where to go from here? Use ft on something or hold?

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Rudi Cancelo Livra White
    Salah Saka Gallagher Raph Bisso
    Kane Antonio Toney

    0.4itb, 1ft

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Rudiger to James.....or roll transfer

  8. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Friends, a little help here please:

    Ramsdale, Foster
    TAA, Cancelo, Chilwell, Dias, Livramento
    Salah, Foden, Raphinha, Mbeumo, Luiz
    Antonio, Wilson, Toney

    A. Toney to Jimi, Mbeumo to Jota for free now not to be priced out, or wait and do one of the following:

    B. Mbeumo to Jota, Luiz to Gilmour
    C. Mbeumo to Jota, Dias to James
    D. Mbeumo to Gallagher, Luiz to Cornet

    1. CoracAld2831
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I appreciate it! Cheers!

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thank you, sir!

    3. demob
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C all day

  9. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    1FT, 2.0 ITB, thoughts?

    Sanchez - Steele

    TAA - Cancelo - Chilwell - White - Livramento

    Salah - Foden - Raphinha - Mbeumo - Allan

    Vardy - Antonio - Toney

    Thinking either:
    Mbeumo to Jota / Gallagher / Cornet?
    Or, White to James??

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

      need to upgrade mid. mbuemo to any of those options is fine

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Ima say the opposite. Upgrading White to James does improve the midfield because James is basically an attacking midfielder. James is the form player to have right now, upgrading any of that midfield will probably get more points but not James-level points.

  10. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Better move this week?

    A. Veltman > Regulion (Bench Antonio and play 4 - 4 -2)

    B. Antonio > Jimi (Play 3- 4 -3)

    1. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I'm doing B so will say that

  11. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Team now:

    Sanchez
    James-TAA-Cancelo(vc)
    Mbeumo-Havertz-Raphinha-Salah(c)
    Vardy-Antonio-Jimenez

    Foster-Livramento-White-Gilmour

    0,1m
    2 FT

    I was thinking doing Havertz, White -> Jota, Reguilon for free. (I have the the exact cash to do that). Thoughts?

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

      i would do havertz to jota. Hold off on second move, spurs still poor defensively

      1. CoracAld2831
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks you :).

        1. CoracAld2831
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Reply fail.

  12. LC1
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Afternoon all,

    Hope everyone had a good GW. I had a minor green arrow which I will take all day!

    Any advise on my transfers next GW would be much appreciated;

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Chilwell
    Raphinha Salah Saka Havertz
    Kane Jimenez Toney

    0.4 ITB and 1 FT.

    Was always going to go for Havertz to Jota (which I still may well do), but bringing in James is so important and with Hav > Jota I'd still need to make 2 transfers to bring in James.

    I could alternatively do Havertz to a cheap mid like Gallagher and go Williams to James?

    Thank you in advance!

  13. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Saint Maximin or Calum Wilson?

    ASM looks quite sharp and motivated. Wilson a proven GS and on pens. Who would you got with for the next 3 games?

    1. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Money no issue I would go for Wilson.

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Wilson on 4 yellows in 8 appearances. So if he continues that streak and picks up another in one of the next 2 games, he'll miss one of the two fixtures that you are likely bringing him in for.

      Not guaranteed to happen obviously, but there is risk attached...

      1. rnrd
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        valuable input, thanks for that

    3. LC1
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Wilson most probs

  14. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    top tip, if you have cancelo, seriously consider selling him this week.

    I'm finally getting him, so expect the points to completely dry up with immediate effect.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      He's a set and forget option this season.

  15. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Antonio to who?

    a) Jimmy
    b) Toney
    c) King/Dennis
    d) other att @6-6.5 mil

    front 8 (playing 3-4-3 most of the time):

    Salah Jota*, Gallagher, ESR, DLuiz*
    Kane, Antonio, Wilson

  16. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Get rid of Antonio or not?

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

      Will you want him back? Plenty of strikers in better form.

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        are they? I feel like the general consensus this season has been that no strikers are in form.

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

          Antonio certainly isn't atm. Even you are in better form.

          1. Dthinger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            LOL, I scored 5 goals in my entire adult career, from age 18 to 36, but yeah he's been pretty bad.

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hwang still a good option or not?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Sure. He's still quite cheap. But I think Jimenez will score more goals.

  18. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy > Maupay
    Havertz > Mane

    Good moves for 2FT? Maupay could be any sub-7.2m striker but just got a hunch about him scoring against Leeds.

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Lovely. I'd go Benteke. Maupay's on the bench (lost place to Trossard) atm.

  19. chonks
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    play one

    wilson (ARS A)
    hwang (NOR A)
    antonio (MCI A)

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Wilson

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A and B

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

      Hwang

      1. chonks
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        thanks all

  20. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Had my first red arrow since GW 4. the cheap defense finally caught up with me.

    McCarthy Steele
    TAA Henry Livra Duffy Williams
    Salah Son ESR Gallagher Brownhill
    Ronaldo Jimenez Pukki

    2.2 in the Bank 1 FT.
    I know, I know, I know I need to get Cancelo or James (should have done it last week for a hit but just got Son instead). My question is: should I take the hit to also replace McCarthy, who las Liverpool and Leicester up next?

    1. Clive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely not! A hit on a goalie isn't something I would ever do unless I had no playing one. He will likely get save points too.

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        well....you could say the hit would be to get Cancelo.

  21. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    I have been planning my christmas squad - ** transfers in (Based on the appearance of nice fixtures for Villa - Watford - Palace - Arsenal - Leicester)
    I realise - Wolves fixtures go bad. Spurs get mixed - but after a couple of gameweeks they get good again

    Sanchez - Steele

    James - Rudiger - TAA - Cancelo - *Reguilon*
    ESR - Son - Salah - *Gallagher* - *Gilmour*
    *Watkins* - Vardy - Hwang

    --
    I will be happy with that squad going into the Christmas period.
    Aubameyang - Dennis/King - Ings - Bentake are other considerations.
    --
    By the way I was one of those Antonio sellers this week - Hwang in Antonio out and Duffy out TAA in.

    Listened to tedtalks fpl - the fella seems very indecisive and all stats based. Does not see the wood from the trees. Seemed terrified of selling Antonio instead of just playing the fixtures and form! Andy/Sonaldo who was on with him was too nice to talk sense into the fella!

  22. Deer-in-headlights
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    0.3 in bank, 2 FT

    Ramsdale (Foster)
    TAA Chilwell Cancelo (Duffy) (Livramento)
    Salah Son Raph Gallagher (Brownhill)
    Vardy Antonio Toney

    Considering:
    Raph to Cornet
    Toney to King
    Duffy to James (-4)

    Thoughts? Note: This can allow me to acquire James without losing Vardy or Antonio.
    Thanks.

    1. demob
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy to King