Scout Notes

Saka + Maddison injury news as Son presents compelling Gameweek 36 case

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Sunday’s three Gameweek 35 fixtures in our Scout Notes summary.

The graphics below are taken from LiveFPL, Ragabolly’s excellent and ever-improving website, and our own Premium Members Area.

GOALS, ASSISTS AND BONUS

 1

INJURIES AND BANS

Richarlison (£7.5m) made it four goals in five matches with the winner against Chelsea on Sunday but his afternoon ended a little prematurely, with the Brazilian seemingly unable to shake off an injury.

Frank Lampard allayed any fears after full-time, however.

“Cramp! He’s a hard one to communicate with. I wasn’t sure how bad it was or not and the way he was moving… it was cramp.” – Frank Lampard on Richarlison

Influenced by the distraction of a Europa Conference League semi-final, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers made eight changes to his side for their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Not included in the squad were Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£4.4m) and James Maddison (£6.9m), who Rodgers claimed were omitted as a precaution – so there’s every chance that these injuries are as serious as the short-lived ones that force players out of international duty.

“We have to assess it. Both couldn’t be involved today, they’ll be getting treatment. Kiernan has played a lot, felt tightness, so we’ll assess it . James Maddison with his hip, we just have to monitor it.” – Brendan Rodgers

Ben White (£4.6m) was absent from Arsenal’s squad in the late-afternoon kick-off at West Ham United, meanwhile. The Gunners cited a “tight hamstring” as the reason for his no-show.

Also limping from the field of play in east London were Takehiro Tomiyasu (£4.5m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.7m) but the news was positive from Mikel Arteta on those two.

“Ben got injured against Manchester United, he felt a muscular problem and we checked him, and we will have to access him in the next few days to see how he is. Bukayo was fine, he was really fatigued and he has been through a little injury as well. Tomiyasu is just that he had been out for so long and could not continue. No, hopefully, he’s fine.” – Mikel Arteta

FPL TALKING POINTS

KULU SHAKE-UP

What a rollercoaster afternoon it was for owners of Dejan Kulusevski (£6.3m), who would have been fearing for the Swede’s game-time, not just today but also in Double Gameweek 36 after a first benching since Gameweek 25.

Ninety minutes later, however, the picture was looking much rosier.

His replacement in the starting XI, Lucas Moura (£5.9m), turned in a poor showing, being hooked for Kulusevski just 10 minutes into the second half.

As if fired up by that omission from the line-up, Kulusevski sparked a humdrum Spurs into life and he claimed two assists for Son Heung-min‘s (£11.0m) superb brace.

“Sometimes it was a pity because we have only the league to play and for this reason, you can’t make a lot of rotation when… it’s not simple to give chances to play. I think this week Lucas deserved to have this chance, also because don’t forget Lucas Moura is an important player for us and I decided in this way, and then when Deki came in I think he played really well. In the same way, Lucas did in the 55 minutes. I repeat we have to think about a team not individual players if we want to reach something important for this club.” – Antonio Conte on Dejan Kulusevski’s benching

Surely now, despite Antonio Conte’s positivity about Lucas’s performance in the quote above, Kulusevski will return to the Lilywhites’ line-up at Anfield next weekend.


Since his first start for Spurs in Gameweek 26, Kulusevski has claimed 12 attacking returns in as many appearances (see above image). Only his two much more expensive teammates can better that tally in that time.

SUPER SON

The narrative around Kulusevski was a mere sub-plot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, of course.

Son Heung-min stole the headlines and 19 points from the victory over Leicester, taking his total to 223 for the season. He’s also now just three goals behind Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) in the Golden Boot race, not that the modest South Korea international is the type of player to fixate on such individual achievements.

His finishing has been underappreciated for some time, as he had routinely overachieved his ‘expected’ goals tally since coming to England.

Only Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) of the 10 FPL assets costing £10.0m or more has required fewer xG to score an actual goal (see below) this season; essentially, the Belgian and Son are pretty bloody excellent at converting half-chances.

What to do with Son now will be a question on many managers’ lips ahead of Double Gameweek 36. Is he a no-brainer ‘hold’ after today’s display? Should be moved on to another premium midfielder with easier fixtures, like De Bruyne?

Matches against Liverpool and Arsenal might not look good on paper but Son has scored against both sides already this season. The Reds’ higher defensive line, indeed, was something he exploited when finding the target at Anfield earlier in the campaign.

EVERTON’S HOME COMFORTS

What a curious team Everton have become. Abject on the road, they have been much more solid on home soil – especially since Frank Lampard took charge.

Everton under Frank Lampard
HomeAway
Played76
Won40
Drawn10
Lost26
Goals scored74
Goals conceded317
Clean sheets40

The effect of a home crowd’s raucous backing is one of those factors that we can’t really quantify but Frank Lampard was in no doubt that the Goodison faithful were the key reason for Sunday’s win:

“Today was a huge game for us and when you see the fans turn up before this game and what they did to this game – they were people of the match. Men, women and youngsters, all Everton crazy, they love this club and they pushed us over the line.

“It was amazing and I can only thank them. I have been through a lot in football but it was a goosebumps moment on the way in. It is not the norm, driving up and seeing the fans like that, it is special, and it makes a big difference when you feel pushed on by the ferocity and nice aggression of the fans’ support.

“The great discipline and work ethic stemmed from the great support.” – Frank Lampard

Everton play twice away in Double Gameweek 36 but twice at home in Double Gameweek 37, so it’s the latter where the form guide is steering us with regards to FPL investment in their players – even if a distracted Leicester and a Championship-bound Watford are very decent opponents in the upcoming Gameweek.

As well as Richarlison and the budget-freeing Anthony Gordon (£4.6m), the defence and Jordan Pickford (£4.8m) are now starting to increase in appeal too.

CHELSEA’S BLUES

Unless you snapped up Marcos Alonso (£5.6m) ahead of Double Gameweek 34, this past fortnight has been one to forget for owners of Chelsea assets.

A tired-looking Blues side turned in an insipid display against Everton, with Thomas Tuchel defying pre-match predictions that he would rotate heavily and making only one enforced change; there’s no guarantee that the second string would have done any better but a lack of freshness did look to be one factor at Goodison Park.

Kai Havertz (£7.9m) and Timo Werner (£8.4m) were both poor up top but it was the collective defensive effort that Thomas Tuchel turned his ire towards after full-time, with Chelsea now having kept just one clean sheet in their last four matches.

“If there is something I can do I will try it but if I knew about it I would have done it before. I think, for me, the key is to have a clean sheet. Manchester United was a different game, more open, fluid, more spaces, and we finally scored late and conceded straight away.

“For me, this is more like the game against West Ham. The opponent defends deep, we struggle to find space in the first half, but against West Ham, we had a clean sheet and played without any big mistakes. That gives us the chance to score late. If you run behind against an opponent like this, in this atmosphere and install emotion and belief in a stadium like this and the opponent’s team, you struggle.” – Thomas Tuchel

Reece James (£6.4m) being deemed able to start two matches at wing-back in the space of 72 hours was one positive but the question now has to be asked over how many minutes the key Chelsea assets will get in Gameweek 36, as the second of their two matches – against Leeds – falls three days before the FA Cup final.

STEADY EDDIE

His finishing still needs work but Eddie Nketiah (£5.5m) was a lively presence in attack for Arsenal in their 2-1 win over West Ham United, earning plaudits from the watching media.

He was responsible for over half of Arsenal’s shots from open play (six of 11), flashing one effort centimeters wide and spurning at least one opportunity he should have scored from.

Budget forwards are usually cheap for a reason, and Nketiah isn’t some clinical Son-esque finisher; his historical shot-to-goal conversion rate is in the low teens (as a rule of thumb, the top players tend to be nearer the 20% mark).

‘Liveliness’ doesn’t get you FPL points either.

But the standard of forwards is pretty shocking this year anyway and as a budget enabler, or perhaps as a Bench Boost option in Gameweek 36, Nketiah has worked his way into late-season contention.

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) wasn’t even brought on as a substitute against the Hammers and his game-time amounts to one minute in the last three Gameweeks, so Nketiah still seems to have the edge going into Double Gameweek 36.

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936 Comments Post a Comment
  1. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    BBGW36-team
    1FT, 0.3 ITB

    Schmeichel - Foster
    TAA - Matip - Cancelo - Laporte - Alonso
    Salah - Son - Foden - Kulu - KDH
    Pukki - Richarlison - Dennis

    A, KDH -> Gordon
    B, Pukki -> Nketiah

    Will FH37 so an unused FT is a wasted FT.

    1. amonito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

    2. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

  2. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Everton fans 1 Chelsea 0!

  3. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Kulusevski
    B) Reece James
    C) Nketiah

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      B probably only gets 1 game

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        That’s almost certainly true and yet I’m mortified of putting him on the bench

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      C

    3. amonito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      C

  4. mdm
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Who to captain:

    A. Salah
    B. Kane
    C. Saka

    Thanks.

    1. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A. Easy.

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

      A

  5. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Schmeichel
    TAA | VVD | Dias | Soyuncu
    KDB | Foden | Salah | Son | Saka
    Nketiah

    Any adjustments to this FH team?

  6. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Who to bring in for Broja:
    A) Nketiah
    B) Dennis
    C) Broja & Weghorst -> Nketiah and Dennis?

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

    BB36, FH37. 1ft and 1.2itb

    Ederson Foster
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James White*
    Salah Mount Saka Kulusevski KDH
    Watkins Pukki Dennis

    KDH -> Ödegaard and then gtg if White is fit?

  8. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    I've 0 city players

    Have Werner, Alonso, Rudiger

    Werner to Jesus a no brainer?

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

      Yes

    2. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      yeah do it

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

    I think it's time to bank Sons points and switch him for KDB this week. Gotta risk it for the biscuit !

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Swap them last week. Didn’t end well.

    2. Oscar Slater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I'm contemplating that myself. Could be a shrewd move.

  10. Athletico Underachieving
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    For next few weeks would you rather:

    A) Cash, Nketiah, Foden, Kulu
    B) James, Madds, Gordon, Watkins

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

    2. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

  11. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Which def instead of Schar should I get (4.8 mil max)? Plan is to play BB chip.

    A) Cry def (Mitchel, Andersen)
    B) Ars (Tavares, White)
    C) Eve (Keane)
    D) ???

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

      White if he is fit. If not then Tavares

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A unless FH37

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

    Foden over saka right?

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Not for me

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

        Ok cheers assume risk foden May only play 1

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Mainly cos I don't like losing Saka. Foden is ok if you cant get KDB but would try to find another way

  13. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Good morning. I need some input here please. 1ft, 0.3itb. Will FH37. I actually want to remove Sa for Schmeichel, but also want Werner gone. Best move for this team?

    Sa
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Laporte
    Salah Son Saka Martinelli Coutinho
    Werner
    Dunravka Broja Cucho Livra

  14. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Which option??

    A) Pickford, Gordon & Cancelo
    B) Ederson, Gordon & Gabriel

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

      A

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

  15. Catalan Rangers
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    So, still 2 FHs left. It’s said cant use them two weeks in a row.

    However, does this apply to 37-38? Won’t the system allow me to use FH last week of the season if I’ve used in 37?

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

      No. You can't use 2 in a row no matter the situation. Just use one now and then in 38.

  16. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Coutinho & Kane > Pukki & KDB (-4)?

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

      Nah

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      My instinct says no especially as I'll captain Salah either way.

    3. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Only if you captain KDB

    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Nope

    5. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      In principle, I like Kane - KDB. Can you afford someone better than Pukki?

    6. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I like it but don’t like Pukki though

  17. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    FH option.
    A) TAA,Alonso,Foden,Jesus ( 4-4-2)
    B) Cancelo,VVD,KDB,Gordon ( 4-5-1)

  18. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Sterling and Foden + 4 points
    KDB and Mount

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      For 36 and 38. 37 is FH.

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        B probably.

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Would get KDB

  19. Yes Ndidi
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Morning all.

    Any weak links worth a hit, or GTG with this lot? 0.3ITB, 0FT

    Kasper
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James
    Salah KdB Havertz Tielemans Ramsey
    Werner
    (all doubling)

    Foster Guehi JRod Broja

    Not fussed about the bench as I only have FH(37) left.
    Many thanks

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Decent but might be a bit overinvested in Chelsea with rests likely v Leeds

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thanks. Thats my only real concern. Werner to Jesus or James to Laporte are the things that have crossed my mind.
        James could still explode at any time though......

  20. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    2ft,

    A) Kane & Havertz -> Son & Jesus

    B) Robertson and Coady -> Cash and VVD

    Thanks!

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Chilli Heatwave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thanks mate

    2. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Or C Havertz -> Foden and roll FT

    3. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Chilli Heatwave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thanks bud

  21. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on Kane, Martinelli, Doherty and Weghorst to Nketiah, KDB, Laporte and Gelhardt for -8?
    Or keep it boring and do Weghorst Doherty to Gelhardt Laporte for free?

    2FT 0.0 ITB

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James
    Salah Saka Kulusevski Martinelli Mount
    Kane Weghorst

    Foster Broja Schar Doherty

  22. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    We sure Nketia starts these next games?

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Nope

    2. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      But worth the risk against Leeds at home - could get a brace

  23. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Reece James and Alonso, who’s starting them both?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Holing the one I have; James. Holding 2 is a likelihood of 2-3 games but good fixtures. My answer is hold whatever you have but don't buy.

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        The thing is I’ve got both

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Then keep them both. This was your initial thought. Why use a transfer now?

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Starting Reece but he'll be my only Chelsea player

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

    2FT (BB36 FH37).. plan is to do:

    Schar + Havertz to matip + Saka.. worth a -4 to upgrade pukki to Watkins/Richa??

    SChmeicel Foster
    Taa cancelo laporte alonso schar
    salah kulu havertz kdb kdh
    dennis pukki nketiah

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I'm not really sold on Watkins or Richarlison but like the enabling moves in themselves

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

        thanks mate, so you suggest just saka + matip in

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Yeah I like those 2 moves. Not as keen on GW36 fixtures for Watkins/Rich but if you think they outscore Pukki by 4+ then go for that too

  25. Little Frank
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    I've still got my TC left but not sure when to play it. Maybe Salah this week? Any other ideas?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Sounds mad but any of a few in GW38. it will be fun knowing you have the edge in the last game of the season.

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

      Depends if you've got other chips that could be used this GW, if not Salah in a DGW seems obvious.

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Play it this week. I would plump for KDB myself but have no issue with Salah

  26. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Wildcarded in gw 34 and have 15 double game week players for bench boost but seriously considering Werner and Mount to Son and Nketiah for a 4 point hit

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I would consider keeping Mount.

  27. JorisLa
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Was KDH dropped or rested?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Rested

  28. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Which option?

    1. Sterling Havertz/Mount to KDB "Someone"
    2. Sterling Havertz to Son Foden

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      2

  29. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    BB36 FH37

    Going for broke this week after an injury-ravaged month ruined my initial plans.

    How about this for -12?
    Dubravka, Schar, Mount, Weghorst and Cucho to Ederson, Holgate, Sissoko, Dennis and Richarlison?

    Currently 2FT 0.4ITB
    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo Cancelo White*
    Salah Saka Mount Kulu Ramsey
    Kane

    Dubravka Weghorst Schar* Cucho**

    Cheers!

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Dont mind those sales but the players you're bringing in dont look impactful enough to make up -12.... I mean, how much do you really expect from Sissoko & Holgate?

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        True. It's not ideal. I reckon Holgate could get at least one clean sheet. Sissoko would just be there for the appearance points, which I'm not totally against with Schar and Cucho likely to score 0 between them.

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          I would consider a rejig of your buys. What about a cheaper keeper than Ederson, a cheaper fwd than Rich (esp since you FH37) to enable someone better than Sissoko?

          1. PascalCygan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 11 months ago

            Good point. Thanks

  30. boombaba
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Best DGW defender for 4.5m or under ?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Don't laugh but Holgate at 4.2