Scout Notes

The James injury latest as Mount, Havertz and Werner disappoint

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Sunday’s Gameweek 34 fixtures in our Scout Notes summary.

The graphics below are taken from LiveFPL, Ragabolly’s excellent and ever-improving website (which now has a new look!), and our own Premium Members Area.

GOALS, ASSISTS AND BONUS

INJURIES AND BANS

Reece James (£6.4m) missed Chelsea’s narrow win over West Ham United on Sunday, with Thomas Tuchel confirming that he had felt some discomfort in his hamstrings.

The German coach, however, did say that it is not a reoccurrence of the injury that kept him out of action for the early part of 2022, and that it was a precautionary measure.

 “Reece (James) felt some discomfort in his hamstrings and so he misses out today. It isn’t a new injury or a reoccurrence of an old injury. We checked the medical images and there is absolutely nothing but he didn’t feel totally comfortable. He felt like something could happen if he took that risk, and we absolutely do not want to have a reinjury, so we’ve taken the safe route today and left him out. With Reece individually, having only just come back from injury a short while ago, there really is no choice for us today but to be safe and leave him out. He will use this time to have a little bit more time to recover.” – Thomas Tuchel on Reece James

Andreas Christensen (£4.6m) also dropped out due to a stomach cramp, despite initially being named in the starting XI, with Trevoh Chalobah (£4.7m) later drafted in.

After a lengthy stoppage, Tino Livramento (£4.3m) was given oxygen and stretchered off the pitch at the Amex with a serious injury.

“It’s not good looking. It’s a pity to say that this is serious. We don’t know it yet, but no matter how long he is out, he will come back even stronger. He is very, very down, but this is understandable. I think we will definitely see him coming back even stronger.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl on Tino Livramento

Maxwel Cornet (£5.9m) was absent for Burnley against Wolverhampton Wanderers with a “niggly knee”, while Jay Rodriguez (£5.2m) – who shifted to a wider role in his absence – will be monitored.

“He is struggling a little bit with his calf. We wanted to give him as long as we could because we didn’t want to make too many changes too early. Fingers crossed he will be okay.” – Mike Jackson on Jay Rodriguez

Graham Potter has confirmed that Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) has a slight knee issue after he missed out against Southampton, and that he did not want to take any risks with the 21-year-old, given his previous injury problems

At Anfield, Ben Godfrey (£4.7m) tweaked a quad muscle in the warm-up with Michael Keane (£4.7m) taking his place, while Yerry Mina (£4.9m) was left out as a precaution after only recently returning from injury.

“Bad luck, muscle injury. I never second guess them, same as Donny (van de Beek). No idea (on length of Godfrey’s injury). We’re hoping it’s minor.” – Frank Lampard on Ben Godfrey

Craig Dawson (£4.9m), meanwhile, was sent off for West Ham late on at Stamford Bridge and will now miss Gameweek 35.

FPL TALKING POINTS

ALONSO HAULS BUT CHELSEA’S ATTACKERS DISAPPOINT

Marcos Alonso (£5.6m) provided a rare bit of quality with his assist late on at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but it was a frustrating afternoon for Chelsea’s trio of attackers Mason Mount (£7.7m), Kai Havertz (£7.9m) and Timo Werner (£8.7m), all of whom blanked.

Mount – the most transferred in player of Gameweek 34 – was the liveliest of the three, although the best chances fell to Werner.

The German came close to opening the scoring with an effort that hit the side netting, and he was then denied by Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) from close range. The end product was once again an issue, however, but he is at least getting chances.

Havertz, meanwhile, was used for much of the contest out on the right-flank and only managed one shot all afternoon.

Above: Kai Havertz’s touch heatmap v West Ham in Gameweek 34

However, it was Alonso who stole the show, with his late assist ensuring a double-digit haul ahead of Thursday’s visit to Old Trafford.

The assist was paired with a clean sheet, a welcome relief for Tuchel, having seen his side concede four goals in consecutive home league games leading up to Gameweek 34.

SAKA A DIFFERENTIAL CAPTAIN FOR GAMEWEEK 35?
Saka's injury, Jesus' goals, in-form Toon: FPL notes 8

West Ham will be without the suspended Craig Dawson (£4.9m), plus the injured Kurt Zouma (£5.4m), Angelo Ogbonna (£4.9m) and Issa Diop (£4.2m) for next weekend’s visit of Arsenal.

Added to that, their Gameweek 35 clash is sandwiched in-between two Europa League semi-finals, which may see David Moyes rotate: he made six changes on Sunday with Declan Rice (£5.0m), Jarrod Bowen (£6.9m) and Michail Antonio (£7.4m) among those sitting on the bench.

The Hammers aren’t in the best shape, either, losing six of their last 12 most recent games in all competitions.

As a result, Bukayo Saka (£6.8m) – providing he can overcome his injury – is an intriguing differential captaincy shout, with the Gunners in decent attacking form over their last two matches.

“It’s a difficult thing (being without three centre-backs), which maybe you can get for one game, but I don’t know if you can get by for two or three or four.” – David Moyes

WARD-PROWSE’S AWAY FORM

James Ward-Prowse (£6.4m) served up his fourth double-digit haul of the campaign on Sunday, and is now up to nine goals and four assists for the season.

And it’s his away form that stands out, with 11 of those 13 goal involvements arriving on the road.

In fact, amongst all players, only Mohamed Salah (£13.2m) has netted more away from home in 2021/22:

Above: only Mohamed Salah has scored more away goals than James Ward-Prowse in 2021/22

“We all know he is the best in the world from free-kicks and he will be, in the future, the best in the Premier League, for sure.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl on James Ward-Prowse

BURNLEY REMAIN UNBEATEN UNDER JACKSON

Burnley got a great result against Southampton on Thursday and followed that up with another win in Gameweek 34, a result which has seen them climb out of the relegation zone.

And whatever happens next, Mike Jackson deserves a lot of credit for taking seven points from his three games as the Clarets’ caretaker boss.

Simple changes like playing out from the back, allowing Dwight McNeil (£5.5m) to be more creative and letting the wingers stay further up the field has helped revitalise their season, with an appealing run of fixtures up next.

Key to that form has been the improved attacking displays of Wout Weghorst (£6.4m), who has claimed two attacking returns under Jackson, registering seven shots in the box and three big chances in three appearances.

ROBERTSON’S RETURNS
Who is the best third Liverpool asset to own during AFCON? 2

From Gameweek 13 onwards, Andrew Robertson (7.3m) has produced a whopping 25 returns, at least five more than any other player in FPL.

The Scots’ two goals, 10 assists and 13 clean sheets means he is averaging 7.7 points per start in that time, a remarkable figure given that his ownership still sits at a modest 10.7%.

Following today’s derby win, Liverpool have lost only one of their past 26 matches in all competitions, while the last English team to beat them was Leicester City in Gameweek 20.

As for Everton, their dismal away form continues: they have now lost eight games in a row on the road in all competitions and won just six Premier League points on their travels all season, the fewest of any top-flight side.

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611 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    I found Havertz in the Wernhole!

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Did you Mount it?

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        I would like to mount them all on mine castle wall!

  2. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    1 Ft 1.4 ITB.. going to BB36 + FH37..

    Should I roll my FT or do Schar to Cash now? Could then do kulu to Saka next week?

    Schmeicel Foster
    Taa cancelo Laporte Alonso Schar
    Salah Kulu KDB Havertz KDH
    Dennis Pukki Nketiah

  3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Looking at my plan to get Salah back for DGW36 and I'm starting to question the necessity of it. Realistically I'm minimum looking at -8 to do it, possibly -12 if I want to add some better DGW options around him while I'm still removing players that already have doubles to fund it (Kane, Martinelli, possibly TAA to Robertson). Then I know I'll likely want Kane back for GW38 v Norwich so I may end up reversing the move for -4 (I'm using FH in 37 so I'm just disregarding that week). I'm also considering captaining a City player in GW36 if they double, or possibly even Son. Is there sense in doing the move? I'm feeling like I might just be better off trying to work in Diaz/Jota and hoping for 120 mins over the DGW for them.

    Here's my current team for reference, 0itb:

    Ederson (Foster)
    Cancelo TAA James (Burn Doherty*)
    Son KDB Saka Martinelli (Bruno G)
    Kane Toney (Broja)

    1. CRAZY TRAIN
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Have you considered Robbo as an alternative option? May need less hits and he's on fire.

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Yeah I'm definitely considering it, I had him this week on FH luckily, maybe focusing on him is a better idea (although I do think that high line suits Spurs). Is doing TAA to Robbo and Doherty to Matip too much / too sideways?

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      So many words!

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Apologies Knight, it seems I don't quite feel like myself unless I have a post that exceeds a 300 word count every few days

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Tis fine. Fill thine boots!

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      He could be rested in one of the games. Not worth too much fuss over imo. Any one of the Liverpool forwards could be the star. Salah is the ideal asset, but if you don't have the luxury, don't force it imo

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Cheers, I suppose FOMO getting to me a bit, I'll try look at other avenues with Liverpool I can move easily go for

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Hmm tough one, currently you are betting against Liverpool with LIV defence EO >100% and Salah EO >100% and betting for Spurs with the double up that is now only in 6% of teams. Bench maybe looks a bit thin with James maybe hamstring issues, Martinelli/Broja being benched and Burn/Bruno having a horrible next 2/3 games. I'd wait until the City DGW news anyway before making any moves.

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thanks. Martinelli is definitely being moved on either way, but yeah Broja, BrunoG and Burn could cause me issues short-term as well as still having Doherty. I may just focus on double Liverpool defence and getting rid of Doherty. James does feel like a wasted space right now and could miss that first game in the DGW so I'm not fully opposed to moving him on if it means I have better options to bring in

  4. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Anything urgent need changing with this gw35 team guys?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Matip Cancelo Alonso
    Salah Son Saka Ramsey
    Kane Toney
    (Foster Bowen Ait Nouro 4.5)

    1 FT which I would prefer to roll in to dgw 36 if poss.
    Bowen to cover Saka if injured.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Looks good, nothing urgent I can see.

  5. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Roll transfer? Feel nervous without any spurs over the next few weeks.

    Schmeichel foster
    Taa cancelo matip laporte james
    Kdb saka salah havertz kdh
    Pukki werner mateta

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Don’t be nervous, people are offloading some spurs and they’re probs worried they don’t have kin

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Kdb

    2. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I'm nervous about Spurs after having them for the last few weeks.

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Roll.

      That looks like a recent WC. If it ain't you're well ahead of the curve and I presume you built it without Spurs purposefully. KdB has already got you good points so just sit tight.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Right, this.

  6. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Early captaincy and bench thoughts?

    Schmeichel
    Robbo, Cancelo, Alonso, Laporte, Matip
    Mane(v), Mount, Saka
    Ronaldo(c), Werner

    Foster | Nketiah, Martinelli, Elanga

    1FT. 0.2 ITB

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I like Ronaldo (c). I am probably keeping the armband on him as well. Excellent differential!

    2. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Nketiah and Martinelli could haul vs West Ham's defence. But I don't know who I would bench instead. Maybe Matip?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Benched Matip this week and lost out on his points haha. But that's not a reason to play him this week, necessarily, of course. I think Nketiah and Martinelli are likely to share minutes to some extent, as they are both quick, press-leading forwards. But I am tempted to play Nketiah as he's probably more likely to start. With the current lineup, I'm just hoping Alonso, Matip or Laporte or someone is rested lol

  7. Tic Tacs
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    This week's FH team - 41 points
    My normal team- 66 points
    Can't believe I got FOMO and played that FH this week, always stick to the plan... hopefully next season is better cos I can't seem to make a good decision since December!

  8. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    On a WC for 35. How's this looking? Bench isn't great but hoping the starting 11 won't get too rotated.

    Ramsdale
    TAA / Cancelo / Alonso
    Salah / Saka / Mount / KDB / Eriksen
    Kane

    Steele / Veltman / Gelhardt / Greenwood

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      assuming you don't have BB left? Personally I'd be going Martinez or Schmeichel in goal.

  9. Thomas Jerome Newton
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Anything to sort here or save the FT to behave two for GW36.

    Raya, Dubravka;
    TTA, Cancelo, Reguilon, Coady, Amartey;
    Salah, Mount, Saka, Kulu, Martinelli;
    Kate, Jesus, Hwang.

    Thinking could do with another City, and wondering about Reguilon to Matip.

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Apologies for auto corrections.

    2. Bagheri Arce
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      You own Jesus?

      Nice!

      1. Thomas Jerome Newton
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Went for him rather than extra Chelsea. Not so confident of next games.

  10. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Anyone care to help out?

    1 Ft 1.4 ITB.. going to BB36 + FH37..

    Should I roll my FT or do Schar to Cash now? Could then do kulu to Saka next week?

    Schmeicel Foster
    Taa cancelo Laporte Alonso Schar
    Salah Kulu KDB Havertz KDH
    Dennis Pukki Nketiah

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I'd save you've already got a benching headache, and you don't know what else is going to come up between now and BB. For example, If TAA or Salah pick up an injury or suspension you would have more money to spend on a Schar replacement as part of a 2FT move.

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        thanks man, appreciate it. will save then.. for 35, g2g and bench order correct?

        Schmeicel
        taa cancelo laporte alonso
        havertz salah kulu kdb
        dennis nketiah

        foster pukki schar kdh

  11. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Any early suggestions for this team? 1ft. 0.4m itb. Thanks.

    schmeichel
    robertson cancelo tark
    kdb mane havertz saka kulu
    werner weghorst

    dubravka white wood schar

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I would roll personally.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Cheers

  12. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Captaincy this week:

    A) Salah
    B) Kane
    C) Saka (if fit)

    personally like the look of Kane versus his favourite opponents, can see Salah getting his minutes managed.

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      If not Salah, then Kane makes the most sense I think. Saka's recent 'form' is inflated by pens, which he won't get every game, especially if Laca's on the pitch

    3. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Leaning towards Kane

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Kane vs leicester youth 🙂

    4. HD7
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      How about KDB versus Leeds

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        The real madrid 2nd leg is 4 days later. his minutes might be managed.

        1. HD7
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          True. It is also possible he hauls for 60 minutes against Leeds

  13. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Which one of these would you keep for DGW36?
    Barnes (rotation)
    Raphinha (tough fixtures)

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Raph

    2. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      When do you need to make a decision? Monitor Conference league minutes

  14. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Play a) martnelli (whu) b) chabolah (eve)?

  15. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Would you rather take Raphina (tough fixtures) or Barnes (rotation risk) into DGW36?
    Don't think I can replace both sadly.