Scout Notes

Dias + Maddison injury news as Nketiah stars for Arsenal: FPL notes

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Sunday’s four Double Gameweek 36 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

INJURIES AND BANS

Ruben Dias (£6.2m) limped off with a hamstring injury at half-time on Sunday, with Pep Guardiola revealing he will not play again this season, along with Kyle Walker (£5.4m) and John Stones (£5.2m).

“Ruben (Dias), Kyle (Walker) and John (Stones) are out until the end of the season. Next pre-season maybe they will be ready. (Ruben’s problem is) muscular. Not the same position, but hamstring. He has had a problem in his ankle for a long time.” – Pep Guardiola

And with Nathan Ake (£4.7m) also carrying a knock, they could be down to “three defenders” for their trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.

“It happened in the game against Leeds. Still, he (Ake) has a little niggle and doesn’t feel comfortable. Maybe not (ready) for Wolves, but maybe for the next two.

We have Joao (Cancelo), Oleks (Zinchenko) and Aymeric (Laporte). Otherwise we have to play CJ (Egan-Riley) or Luke Mbete.

If Rodri has to play in that position, it is not a problem, or if we have to play someone from the Academy. We have 13 players available for these games. No more than that, plus Academy. 

When we do that, everyone has to do more to help our absences and the problem we have. It is what it is. We arrive with problems. Today we had three defenders in the second half.

Fernandinho played well against Callum Wilson. That’s what we have to do.” – Pep Guardiola

James Maddison (£6.9m) was missing from the Leicester City matchday squad because of a tight hamstring, although Brendan Rodgers did sound fairly optimistic about his chances for Wednesday.

The Foxes boss also issued updates on full-backs Ricardo Pereira (£5.2m) and James Justin (£4.9m), both of whom missed out.

“Hopefully James (Maddison) will be okay for Wednesday. Ricky (Pereira), it’s questionable if he will play over the next couple of weeks. JJ (Justin), you remember he fell on his shoulder at Roma, there’s a dislocation there. We have to see if he’s going to be able to play in any of the other games.” – Brendan Rodgers

Frank Lampard has revealed Yerry Mina (£4.9m) will have a scan on the calf problem he sustained in Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Leicester City on Monday, and says he is hopeful the issue which forced Vitalii Mykolenko (£4.9m) off midway through the second half was “just cramp”.

“Yerry had a small feeling in his calf. We don’t know (how bad it is yet). Hopefully it isn’t a tear. He felt it in his calf, so he had to come off. We’re hoping it’s not a high-level injury and we can keep him involved in the next two weeks. He will have a scan tomorrow (Monday).

With Myko (Mykolenko), we hope it was just cramp. It would be a result if that is the case.” – Frank Lampard

Three players also took a knock for West Ham United, although David Moyes didn’t seem to think they were too serious in the aftermath.

Mick’s (Antonio) got a bit of a knock on his hip. Dawson took one in the calf, and Said’s (Benrahma) could have been his ankle – I’ve not had the chance to see it yet – so hopefully they’ll all be okay. I don’t think they looked that serious.” – David Moyes

Bukayo Saka (£6.7m) is “fine” according to Mikel Arteta despite his 67th-minute withdrawal, while Ben White (£4.6m) has a chance to feature on Thursday.

“I think so, he’s started to do a little bit of work on the pitch and we want everyone available for that game because it’s so important. – Mikel Arteta on Ben White

Mathias Normann (£4.5m) missed out due to a thigh injury at Norwich City, while Luke Ayling (£4.3m) will miss the rest of Leeds United’s season after picking up a straight red card against Arsenal.

FPL TALKING POINTS

NKETIAH AT THE DOUBLE

The most-bought player for Double Gameweek 36, Eddie Nketiah (£5.5m), started his fifth successive Premier League match for Arsenal on Sunday, and responded to Mikel Arteta’s call by netting another brace.

The cut-price forward has now produced 29 points in his last four outings, posting team-leading totals for goal attempts (17), shots in the box (12), efforts on target (nine), big chances (four) and penalty box touches (26) in that time.

As for Arsenal, they will head into Thursday’s north London derby four points clear of Tottenham Hotspur, knowing a win will secure Champions League football for 2022/23.

“We know that and we have earned the right to play that game in that context. We started the season with nine or 10 players out and playing the best two teams in Europe. Winning any match is extremely difficult. We are going to prepare for the game as best as we can.” – Mikel Arteta on Thursday’s north London derby and knowing victory will seal a Champions League spot

However, despite conceding just three shots to Leeds United, they still failed to keep a clean sheet and have now gone seven top-flight matches without a shut-out.

MESLIER AND AYLING’S ERRORS

Leeds United edged closer to relegation on Sunday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates.

And it was a first-half horror show which cost them, with ‘keeper Illan Meslier (£4.8m) gifting Nketiah his opener after he failed to control a backpass, before Luke Ayling was sent off for a reckless challenge after VAR intervention.

Worryingly, the Whites’ goal difference now stands at -35, compared to relegation rivals Burnley and Everton, who are on -17 and -19 respectively.

Their next game is at home to Chelsea on Wednesday, before they round off the season against Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford.

“I think we had a really bad start and dug a hole for ourselves which we didn’t need to. At half-time we talked about keeping our composure and treating the game like it was 0-0. That’s what we did. Obviously, we are in a difficult situation. We have now lost two right-backs for the season in two matches. We have to regroup and figure out what we can do. Our backs are against the wall. We are in the relegation zone but we have to fight for our lives. When I came here two months ago I knew this was not going to be easy. The group has stayed strong. Our second-half performance highlights the character of the people we have here. The fans and the support at this club is unreal. We want to put a performance on the pitch that honours that support.” – Jesse Marsch

In terms of their FPL assets, the two most popular – Raphinha (£6.3m) and Joe Gelhardt (£4.7m) – had days to forget for differing reasons. The Brazilian struggled to get into the game, was booked and then replaced in the second-half, while budget forward Gelhardt – making his first Premier League start since the reverse fixture against Arsenal in December – was sacrificed early in the wake of Ayling’s red card.

IN-FORM EVERTON

Everton will head to Watford in midweek on the back of successive Premier League wins, which has seen them move out of the relegation zone with a one-point safety cushion.

Despite having the worst away record in the top flight in 2021/22 with just one win and three draws from 16 games heading into Double Gameweek 36, the Toffees found a cure for their travel sickness at the King Power Stadium, as they registered a massive 2-1 victory.

Richarlison (£7.5m), who started despite soreness in his ankle, grabbed the assist for Mason Holgate’s (£4.2m) winner – his sixth attacking return in his last seven appearances – but it was undoubtedly Jordan Pickford (£4.8m) who was the star of the show, as he racked up six points despite conceding thanks to six saves and bonus.

“He’s in great form and he’s getting the recognition he rightly deserves. A couple of big saves for us and you need those top-level players to produce. I think we’re building confidence. At Goodison we’ve been great but the away form has held us back.” – Frank Lampard on Jordan Pickford

Mykolenko netted a stunning volley from the edge of the penalty area, his first goal since signing for Everton, and along with Pickford, Richarlison and Anthony Gordon (£4.7m), will be popular targets for Double Gameweek 37, especially for those on a Free Hit.

LEICESTER’S SET-PIECE WOES

Familiar problems were on show for Leicester City at the King Power on Sunday, as they conceded from a corner yet again.

Defending set plays has been a real problem for the Foxes throughout 2021/22: no side has allowed more chances to be created from dead-ball situations, while their expected goals conceded (xGC) tally from set plays is also a league-worst.

“The biggest disappointment was the corner. They had one corner in the game and to concede from that… I changed the system to try to put extra height into the team. We have lacked the profile of player. Today it wasn’t that, it was just sheer determination and the lack of that to defend the ball into the box. That’s on me, I need to keep looking at this year to try to make it right before the summer when we can do something about it.” – Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers’ side have had a difficult time of late and are winless in their seven most recent matches in all competitions.

They also look short of confidence and energy, which is an important factor to consider ahead of their Gameweek 37 double-header against Watford and Chelsea.

BRILLIANT BOWEN

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the impact of Jarrod Bowen (£6.8m) in FPL this season.

The winger supplied a trio of assists for the second time this season against Norwich City, having done so against Watford in Gameweek 20.

As a result, only Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) and Son Heung-min (£11.0m) have provided more attacking returns than the West Ham man in 2021/22, with his current Premier League tally standing at 10 goals and 17 assists.

Michail Antonio (£7.4m), meanwhile, netted his first Premier League goal since New Year’s Day, while Said Benrahma’s (£5.9m) brace of goals was a throwback to the start of the season, when he raced out of the blocks with four attacking returns in the opening two weeks.

CITY BOUNCE BACK

Man City shrugged off the disappointment of their Champions League semi-final exit by claiming a comfortable 5-0 win over Newcastle United.

The victory leaves them three points clear of Liverpool, with a now-superior goal difference and just three games remaining.

“We talked about that at half-time – the importance of the win. It could have been 3-1 (with a big Newcastle chance) and after we scored two goals at the end, there’s a big difference.” – Pep Guardiola on goal difference

Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m), Rodri (£5.5m) and Phil Foden (£7.9m) scored in between Raheem Sterling (£10.5m) goals, although it was Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) – deployed in the left attacking channel for much of the game – who was undoubtedly the star performer.

Indeed, owners can count themselves a little unfortunate to end the game with six points, as the Belgian playmaker created three big chances for his team-mates, more than any other player in the Gameweek so far.


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534 Comments Post a Comment
  1. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Those on a FH, have you activated it or worth waiting for any reason?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Still undecided if FH37 or 38 but if def going 37, no need to wait.

    2. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Think I’ll just do it, as have exact money for my dream FH team and it’s almost completely unlikely that I won’t be FHing

      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        What's the dream team looking like?

        1. Boberella
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Pickford (Foster)
          TAA Laporte Cash (Andersen Tsim)
          Son Salah KDB Zaha Gordon
          Richarlison Watkins (Nketiah)

          Laporte over Cancelo enables 2 good bench covers. May go Ings instead of Watkins.

          1. Boberella
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            This leaves me exactly 0.0itb so think I’ll pull it.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Activated 🙂

    4. Red Red Robins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Activated now, better team than i thought it would be

      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        go on then?

    5. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Havent activated it yet - limiting my tinkering in the app since last FH I sold Cancelo then bought him back at full price 🙁
      Don't think my team runs too close to budget

      1. noissimbus
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yep, I've drafted a preferred 11 and imo there's plenty enough reasons to hold first:
        - The pending 2nd round matches this GW may result in suspensions/injuries
        - Many of the targeted DGWers are affordable
        - This makes pairing with expensive SGWers easily doable
        - Bench price is adjustable
        All this assures me to just wait a bit more until most info are available to pull the trigger.

    6. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I've activated it. Will spend the week chopping and changing

    7. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Makes no difference, you can turn it on and off.

  2. drughi
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Fabio Borges transfered in nkethia(13) and laporte (12) this week. He is from another planet

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      pretty obvious transfers

      1. noissimbus
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 10 months ago

        True. Captaining Nketiah however, is an act from another solar system.

        1. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          He captained Salah, not Nketiah

          1. noissimbus
            • 1 Year
            1 year, 10 months ago

            And thus, he is earthly.

            1. TheAbear53
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              1 year, 10 months ago

              Okay ?

  3. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Plan was always to FH37, but team is looking fine, but it also looks good for 38! Do I just FH37 and change a couple of slots or FH38?

    SCHMEICHEL
    Taa Robbo Cancelo MYOLENKO
    Salah Son Kulu GORDON
    RICHARLISON Nketiah

    Ramsdale Saka James Toney

  4. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Pickford
    TAA Cash Mykolenko
    Mane Son Coutinho Zaha
    Kane Richarlison Watkins

    Best option for FH GW37?

    A) Mane, Coutinho, TAA, Mykolenko
    B) Salah, Coutinho, Cancelo, Mykolenko
    C) Salah, Gordon, TAA, Digne

  5. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Where would you spend the 1.1m on a FH here?

    PICKFORD
    CASH, MINGS, MYKOLENKO
    Salah, Son, COUTINHO, MADDISON, ZAHA
    Kane, RICHARLISON

    Steele, Sessegnon, Tsimikas, Richardson
    Bank 1.1m

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Coutinho to Foden?!

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        May only start one with Buendia

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Maddison & Mings to TAA & Gordon maybe.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I'd want a pool defender in there.not sure about coutinho neither.

    4. Red Red Robins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Id lose Coutinho, think will play 2

      1. Red Red Robins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I mean play 1 haha

  6. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Saka to Barnes a good move for gw37?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Nope.

      1. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        why?

    2. Red Red Robins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I dont like it no

    3. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      No. Saka to Zaha instead?

      1. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        already have zaha

  7. Red Red Robins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Currently thinking Mykolenko over Zaha due to better fixtures, is that a bit daft?
    On FH btw, would be 433 with Mykolenko as opposed to 343 with Zaha, just not liking Zahas 2 away fixtures

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Tough one. Is myko nailed for sure ?

      1. Red Red Robins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        id say so tbh, was brought off early but i think he also got MOTM last game - 2 home games too

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          I have zaha too on FH and now consider this 🙂

          1. Red Red Robins
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            haha, sorry to give you a headache!!
            I might just be overthinking it

    2. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      i went for zaha with this same issue. im simply just favoring the attacker. not sure about everton's clean sheet potential and although he is on set pieces, not sure if attacking returns are guaranteed

      1. Red Red Robins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Good point Luke, i already have Pickford as my keeper this week so may be best to stick with Zaha just in case

  8. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    on FH which defence would you double up?
    A) Everton
    B) Aston Villa
    C) Neither

    probably going with Pickford/Martinez + Myko/Digne

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B