Scout Notes

Saka’s goal contributions, Lacazette’s creativity, Watford’s home form: FPL notes

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Watford v Arsenal in our latest Scout Notes.

All stats taken from this article are from our Premium Members Area.

IN-FORM SAKA

Bukayo Saka (£6.5m) is now up to 14 Premier League goal contributions in 2021/22, after making the first and netting the second at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

As a result, the England winger is up to eighth in the midfielder standings, only behind Mohamed Salah (£13.2m), Jarrod Bowen (£7.0m), Son Heung-min (£10.8m), Sadio Mane (£11.7m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m), Bernardo Silva (£7.2m) and Diogo Jota (£8.3m).

And although he trails the above group for overall points, amongst all midfielders from Gameweek 16 onwards, only Bowen, Riyad Mahrez (£8.7m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) can better his tally of nine attacking returns (six goals, three assists):

Already owned by 63.09% of the top 10k, Saka is now set to receive plenty more Fantasy attention, with a double-header in Gameweek 29 followed by a guaranteed fixture in Gameweek 30.

Furthermore, the Gunners have a favourable run of matches right through till the end of the season, with two more as-yet-unannounced Double Gameweeks to fit in somewhere during the below.

LACAZETTE’S CREATIVE ABILITIES

After failing to find the back of the net against Watford on Sunday, Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) has now gone six Premier League games without a goal. In fact, you have to go all the way back to mid-December for his last one from open-play.

However, despite not scoring many, the Frenchman is contributing assists, with another two today taking his tally to five in his last four appearances.

It’s easy to see why, too, with attacking trio Saka, Martin Odegaard (£5.5m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£5.3m) buzzing around him and feeding off his exemplary hold-up play.

Above: since earning a regular role in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI in Gameweek 15, no forward has created more chances than Lacazette

“He will still not be happy in that dressing room because he wants to score, but a lot of the things he does for the team are phenomenal.

I think he’s had really good moments in terms of goal-scoring records, probably better than what he’s doing right now, but for what we ask of him and for what I ask of him and the contribution that I need from him, I think he’s doing really, really well.” – Mikel Arteta on Alexandre Lacazette’s contribution at Watford

Elsewhere, Odegaard and Martinelli’s goals were their first in the league since Gameweek 16 and 18 respectively, and whilst it’s hard to put either of them ahead of Saka right now, they are at least cheaper alternatives if funds are tight.

Meanwhile, Arsenal did look a little shaky at the back, with their opponents racking up 13 shots which carried a combined expected goals (xG) value of 1.39, which Mikel Arteta commented on after the match:

“I saw that in the first minute of the game – we could have been 1-0 down. We were really good going forward and we had all the right intention and the energy to do it. We scored three magnificent goals but we didn’t have the same energy and commitment defensively. When that happens, to win a game away from home, you’re going to suffer. That’s why we suffered today – because defensively we didn’t have the right structure. We didn’t detect with enough urgency the moments where they could activate certain spaces that we knew. That’s why we suffered. We conceded two and we could have conceded another one or two.” – Mikel Arteta

EIGHT HOME DEFEATS IN A ROW FOR WATFORD

For Watford, it’s now eight Premier League home defeats in a row and 11 of 14 overall.

Since Roy Hodgson became manager, the Hornets’ away form has generally been good, with one win, two draws and a defeat. In contrast, the home form has continued where it left off under Claudio Ranieri, with three losses at Vicarage Road.

However, their attacking play on Sunday did offer encouragement for the run-in, with their speed on the counter causing plenty of problems.

That’s despite two high profile absentees in Ismaila Sarr (£5.7m) and Joshua King (£5.8m), both of whom missed out with hamstring injuries, although the latter was described as ‘precautionary’ by the club prior to kick-off.

Emmanuel Dennis (£6.1m) thought he’d put the Hornets up after just 17 seconds, but his celebrations were cut short by a narrow offside decision, whilst Cucho Hernandez (£5.0m) was lively throughout, producing his first double-digit haul of the campaign via a goal, assist and maximum bonus.

Kiko Femenia (£4.3m), meanwhile, now has five assists for the season, and has turned provider in back-to-back appearances.

“I don’t think we did miss them (Sarr and King), because I don’t know that those two could have done any better. That’s the bottom line. We didn’t lose the game because there was no Sarr or no King because both Cucho and Joao Pedro did a very good job. We lost the game quite simply because they punished us for one or two mistakes we made in and around our penalty area in particularly the cross-field ball that went out of play and then a quick throw-in that we didn’t adjust to. Whereas we were unable unfortunately to get similar chances against them. However, we did create chances against them. There’s no doubt about that. And Joao Pedro and Cucho were very much a part of that.” – Roy Hodgson on the performances of Cucho Hernandez and Joao Pedro


Watford XI: Foster, Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara, Louza (Kayembe 64), Sissoko, Cleverley (Kalu 89), Cucho, Pedro, Dennis

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard (Holding 90), Martinelli (Pepe 73), Lacazette (Nketiah 80)

373 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is the belief that gw33 is a semi big dgw and 36 a really big?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      33 could have up to 5 dgws, 36 could have 12

      1. gart888
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        FH33, WC35, BB36

        1. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I have played my WC already. Considered FH for 36 but might play the BB. One option is this week with Dubravka, White, Broja, Saiss but not sure..

        2. Toom
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Surely FH30, WC35, BB36

          That's my plan. Or are we expecting more from 33?

          1. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Wc already played. Will have 9 for 30 already

          2. gart888
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah, if you only have one FH left. I've got two.

      2. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Zladan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      36 should be big yes. Thankfully I’ve now used my BB without taking hits to use it, so I can now maximise 11 more expensive assets in 36.

      I swear BB is a curse!

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        😆 BB is a curse, I agree

  2. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Would you bench boost Dubrawka x2, Saiss, Kilman, Ramsey?

    1. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I would not

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Prob not with the way Wolves are defending. Ramsey also looks impotent in the diamond formation villa are now using

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        You could have stopped at “Ramsey looks impotent”

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Def not

    4. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You will have those benched mist weeks anyway, must be times where fixtures are better for all, even with Dubravka DGW

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

      No. I think that would be 8-10 points.

  3. RamboRN
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ddg
    Taa cancelo tierney livra rudiger
    Salah foden saka martinelli
    kane

    Subs foster dennis, bowen, martinelli weghorst

    Bowen, dennis, livra to James, kulu, hwang/broja for -8? Will probably bench boost then

  4. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    will Tierney start 3 games in 9 days yes or no

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Can’t see it as surely be rotation

  5. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Digne + Bowen --> T.Silva or Alonso + Saka for a -4?

  6. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Regardless of some poor DGW scores in starting XI including Digne I can't be unhappy with 34 from bench on BB

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not at all, that’s a great result

    2. BeWater
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I would be booking an open top bus parade if my BB got me 34.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        😆

    3. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      That's a quality result, well done!

  7. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts appreciated folks.

    A) Kdb to Salah and play Ramsey
    B) Kdb and Lowton to Salah and my tip / Cash -4 and bench Ramsey
    C) Kdb and Bowen to Salah and Coutinho / Saka / Kulu -4 and bench Ramsey

    Sanchez
    Trent, Cancelo, James
    Kdb, Son, Raphina, Ramsey
    Adams, Rodrigo, Broja

    Sa, Bowen, Reguillon, Lowton 1ft and 2.1 itb

    Thanks all

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      C

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks Hansel. Saka, Kulusevski or Coutinho?

        1. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Saka by a distance

    2. BeWater
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A or C with Saka.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks Bewater. Saka so highly owned in the top 10k that it’s more damage limitation than climbing rank it seems…

        1. BeWater
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I like Kulusevski (Spurs fan) but think Saka is a safer option.

        2. banskt
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          to climb rank, you have to find someone who scores more than Saka. That is difficult.

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Yep, agreed

    3. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      C among those.

    4. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      D) Reguillon, Kdb and Bowen to Robertson, Salah and Odegaard/ Martinelli

    5. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yup. C with Saka mate

  8. BeWater
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who would be your ideal midfield 5 to take you through to the end of the season?

    I'd go something like Salah, Son, Maddison, Saka, Havertz.

    1. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Salah, Son, Mahrez, Saka, Maddison. If no injuries.

      (currently have Fraser instead of Maddison, but will get him in GW31).

      1. BeWater
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I've never owned Mahrez because I know it would annoy me too much when the random benchings happen.

        Had a look at which players score the most FPL points per 90 minutes:

        1. Chilwell 9
        2. Mahrez 8.94
        3. Salah 8.83

        1. banskt
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Mahrez has been quietly helping me climb the ranks.

          And of course, today was amazing.

          1. BeWater
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Bet you loved that VAR call at the end!

            1. banskt
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Oh yes, that was sweet. But the best thing about owning Mahrez is that you know your points by looking at the teams before the games. If Pep chooses him, you will get the returns. If Pep doesn't choose him, then you get whatever your first bench player scored.

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Salah, Mahrez, Havertz, Coutinho, Saka

  9. Zladan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    WC26 has certainly been a success. Managed to beat most Salah TC scores that week, decent FH, and now a solid BB.

    I’ve taken my rank from 185k to 74k and still have 11 players to go this week!

    1. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers! Good luck for rest of the season.

      1. Zladan
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Still 25% or so of the season to go.

        10k is a dream but not out of the picture just yet.

      2. Zladan
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        And good luck to you sir.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Well done

      1. Zladan
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I’d say I’m most relieved to have done away with the BB.

        Now to focus on getting the best XIs for the next doubles and not worrying about the bench so much.

    3. PartyTime
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Well played

    4. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Well done buddy

  10. Clintymints
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Have exact funds to get Kulu and Kane in for Bowen and King, trouble is Bowen may drop tonight. Worth the risk? -4

    Alternative is Son in for Bowen

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Can’t do it before they play unfortunately. Well you can but the risk of them getting injured… you know yourself

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe do Kulu for Bowen only tonight.

      1. tokara
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 7 months ago

        This

  11. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Would you Triple Captain Salah(BHA, ARS) in 29 or will there be a better week to use that chip?

    1. BeWater
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I would do it this week.

    2. banskt
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Of course, you could definitely triple captain 180 minutes of Salah.

      But, personally I wouldn't because tricky opponents. We just had two consecutive weeks of triple captain options, Salah in 27, Chelsea in 28. But, I have no idea if there would be a better week.

      1. Disco Stu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I'm not sure how tricky their two opponents are. Brighton have shipped 7 goals in their last three matches to mostly average or below opposition and Arsenal gave up two and what could have easily been more to Arsenal today

        1. banskt
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          That's true, and with Salah, fixtures are never a concern. So, go ahead and good luck.

    3. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If I had to still use the TC, I'd use it on this GW.

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Would it be massive overthink/screwup to play TC this week on TAA instead of Salah?

        Asking for an imaginary friend

        1. FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Potentially a good shout. I think clean sheet potential is quite low though across both games and it seems TAA/Robbo take it in turns to have assists in games.

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

          Ask the game week 27 lot

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

            *26

    4. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Brighton is reeling and Arsenal can’t keep clean sheets against Brentford wolves and Watford…. Such an easy captain choice

  12. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Whisper it but Bernardo Silva who's been AWOL FPL wise for months has more points than Saka. Silva has played almost every minute in that time.

    1. PartyTime
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I still can’t believe Bilva hasn’t been a victim of the Pep roulette

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not really explosive enough tho atm.

  13. Viper
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I made two moves with 5 minutes to the deadline.

    Robertson -> James (c)
    Lacazette -> Adams (-4)

    Let me tell you, whether this says more about me or FPL I don't know but it's that -4 that is pissing me off an awful lot more than the enjoyment I got from the first one. Such a silly move!

    1. PartyTime
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You captained James. Be grateful. Another haul vs Norwich & you would want to delete this, wouldn’t you?

      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        The James would have happened regardless of the other hit though.

        1. PartyTime
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Adams hattrick vs leeds then 🙂

          1. PartyTime
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            *Newcastle

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

          Just don’t be greedy. See it as a win. Adams could still make it up to you.

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Enjoy the wins. They don't come around often enough.

      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yep, for sure. I know this is a massive win but it could have been a lot better without the hit. Could have just got James

        1. FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I feel that.

          Saka went out on my FH but if I'm honest to myself I'd have benched him in normal circumstances anyway.

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

          You basically have the same mindset as me. Always struggling to find the positive. You nitpick. Your amazing transfer has been shrouded in misery by your unsuccessful one, albeit one that hasn’t ended yet.

          1. Viper
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah that's what frustrates me and makes me wonder why I bother when the minor negative bugs me an awful lot more than I enjoy the big wins it seems.

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

              My main rival is doing my head in. He can literally do no wrong. Every pick and captain choice he makes turns to gold. In 5 weeks he’s outscored me by 150.

              1. NorCal Villan
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                All you can do in that case is tip your cap

  14. Malkmus
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Evening all. Would you wc this team? 0.2 itb. Have bb and fh left.

    Sa - 4.0
    Trent - Cancelo - Thiago- Dalot-Digne
    Mo - Jota - Kdb - Bowen- saka
    Dennis - Watkins - Gelhardt

    Planning to bb in dgw in gw36, not sure about second fh

    Ta !

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Save the WC for GW31 is my advice.

      1. Malkmus
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Ok thanks. Who do you think is key to get in this gw? Son, Fraser?

        1. FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I'd say Son on the basis he plays GW30.

          I've got Son and I am looking for more from him though, he could be an easy downgrade to a City mid though.

          1. Malkmus
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers

  15. Josh.E
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Early thoughts? thanks
    A. Raphinha to Kulusevsli/Barnes
    B. Other moves (please suggest)
    C. Roll transfer

    Sa
    Alexander-Arnold, James, White, Cancelo, Thiago Silva
    Gordon, Salah(C), Raphinha, Saka
    Kane
    Foster, Coutinho, Broja, Jiménez

  16. Viper
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ramsdale Foster

    TAA James Coady Kilman Digne

    Coutinho Son Raphinha Salah Saka

    Adams Broja Jimenez

    Gw 29: Coutinho -> Martinelli

    Gw 30: Digne & Adams -> Amartey & Kane (-4) (Takes money off my bench having already bench boosted)

    Look ok or madness to lose Coutinho & Digne? Will still have 10 for gw30

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

    TAA and Saka to Saiss and Raph has not gone well so far. -22. Let’s hope I can make it up.

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

      Damn

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Still on 69 points though. Not bad.

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

        Thanks for looking. Semi happy I suppose. Was unsure on James minutes so went Rudiger captain. Shame really. Such a boring option

  18. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    When’s everyone using FH2 ?

  19. Damien Sartip-Zadeh
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    That is very unlucky Rupert The Horse

  20. Dale Sartip-Zadeh
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 7 months ago

    Agreed, unlucky indeed