Scout Notes

Rests and rotation, Reece James in midfield and Maddison’s form: FPL notes

We round up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Thursday’s final three Double Gameweek 37 fixtures in our Scout Notes summary.

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

GOALS, ASSISTS AND BONUS

INJURIES AND BANS

Ronaldo's goals, Chelsea's wing-backs, wasteful Havertz: FPL notes

Kai Havertz (£7.9m) was among the returnees from injury on Thursday evening, coming off the bench for the last 12 minutes of Chelsea’s draw with Leicester.

Brendan Rodgers hopes to have Youri Tielemans (£6.4m) back available on the final day after the Belgian missed out at Stamford Bridge, while James Justin (£4.9m) was another absentee due to illness.

Matthew Lowton (£4.4m) will miss Burnley’s final match of the season after being sent off at Villa Park for serious foul play but Mike Jackson hopes to have “maybe a couple” of his currently sidelined players back for Gameweek 38, having recovered James Tarkowski (£4.9m) on Thursday.

FPL TALKING POINTS

RESTED FOR GAMEWEEK 38?
Who are the best FPL captain options for Double Gameweek 34?

There were a number of notable omissions from the teamsheets on Thursday evening which would, you’d think, increase the chances of Gameweek 38 starts for the players affected.

Mason Mount (£7.7m) was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s draw with Leicester, while Danny Ings (£7.7m) and Philippe Coutinho (£7.1m) were handed second-half cameos off the bench in Aston Villa’s clash with Burnley. Conor Gallagher (£6.0m) was also benched by Patrick Vieira at Goodison Park.

Five of the six teams in action on Thursday night have, wait for it, “nothing to play for” on the final day of the season, so you’re not quite sure what the respective managers may do in Gameweek 38; we have already seen the head coaches of the comfortably mid-table Villa and Palace hand run-outs to squad players in the run-in, for instance.

Turnarounds of less than 72 hours may also have to be considered, with the likes of James Maddison (£6.9m), Reece James (£6.4m), Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) and Richarlison (£7.6m) all handed 90-minute run-outs on Thursday and Jamie Vardy (£10.3m) and Ollie Watkins (£7.5m) both getting 78 minutes.

Fatigue may be less of a concern than normal given that a summer’s breather follows but there is still the nagging uncertainty over what Messrs Vieira, Gerrard, Tuchel, Rodgers and Lampard will do in Gameweek 38 as a result of their sides being out of any final-day scramble to avoid the drop or seal a European spot.

JAMES IMPRESSES

While the extended game-time might be a minor concern, Reece James (£6.4m) delivered a beautifully timed Gameweek 38 audition.

Registering four goal attempts and three chances created, he had the highest expected goal involvement (xGI) figure of any player on show at Stamford Bridge. The England international was even pushed into a more advanced central midfield role for the final half an hour.

Above: Reece James had more final-third touches (67) than the entire Leicester team on Thursday

It was his ‘pitching wedge’ assist for Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) that brought the scores level in west London and owners of the Chelsea defenders ought to feel miffed that they didn’t have clean sheets to go with their attacking returns, as the Foxes registered only two shots on goal all match – one of which, from James Maddison (£6.9m), found the back of the net – and Jamie Vardy (£10.3m) was restricted to three touches in the opposition half.

Elsewhere, those managers with Mount and Havertz in their squads will have been encouraged to see disappointing displays from Christian Pulisic (£7.9m) and Romelu Lukaku (£11.4m) in their steads.

Maddison meanwhile made it 20 attacking returns in his last 22 appearances, a run that dates back to Gameweek 13. His average points tally per start in that time (7.1, below) is one of the best in the division:

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

Everton’s dramatic win over Crystal Palace has now made them mathematically safe and means that it’s a straight fight between Leeds United and Burnley for the final relegation spot.

The Toffees supplied two of the five biggest scorers of Gameweek 37 (the other three are on Leicester’s books), with the most-captained player in the top 10k, Richarlison (£7.7m), notching his ninth attacking return in 10 games.

Moving to the flanks to accommodate Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.5m) hasn’t really done his goal threat much harm, as nine goal attempts were registered across the two Double Gameweek fixtures.

Above: Richarlison’s touch heatmap in Gameweek 37 shows him plenty involved in central areas and inside the opposition box, despite the move to a wing role

Calvert-Lewin’s season meanwhile is neatly bookending: having scored in Gameweeks 1-3 and done precious little since in an injury-ravaged campaign, he’s now bagged back-to-back goals going into the final weekend and looked back to his old self against Palace. He’s a candidate for our summer Sleeper series ahead of next season and it’ll be interesting to see how he is priced in FPL for 2022/23.

Anthony Gordon (£4.7m) owners had scant reward, however, with the young winger barely making it to 60 minutes before being hooked. After another display lacking in end product, and with substitute Demarai Gray (£5.4m) having an impact, a Gameweek 38 start would have to be called into question.

BARNES STORMING

If you’re looking for a cheap-o forward for the final day of the season, perhaps as an emergency bench option on a Free Hit, then Ashley Barnes (£5.2m) – don’t laugh – might be worth a look.

On penalties and again given the nod ahead of Wout Weghorst (£6.3m) up top, the long-serving striker converted from the spot to hand Burnley an early advantage at Villa Park. Yes, that was his first goal in 15 months – but he’s barely been on the field in that time due to injury. He had also been centrimetres from scoring against Spurs on Sunday, seeing an effort from range thwack the upright.

The Clarets may need to beat Newcastle in Gameweek 38 to survive; currently, all they have to do is match Leeds’ result.

600 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    James and Alonso getting 90mins have ruined my FH defense. Not sure about getting both now. 😀

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Both nailed imo. Long summer rest after.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Are you sure? Can I blame you if it doesnt work? 😀

        Issue with them is they are likely to make a sub appearance. otherwise I would have gone with them with a decent bench cover.

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

      Honestly shouldn't make that much difference this week..I am still eyeing them up with my ft

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Alonso final game for Chelsea, so he must start?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        who knows, could be a sub appearance. its not like he is a club legend.

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      James on for Azpi on the 28th min 😉

    5. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Why would they be rested?

      1. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Why wouldn't they be is just as fair a question. Chelsea sealed 3rd and it could be a time to give fringe players a game

  2. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    1pnt behind in ML.

    Rival has: Trent/James/Alonso/Kane/Raph/Mateta

    I have: Robbo/Rudi/KDB/Nketiah/Coutinho/Richa

    Rest is the same.
    Original plan is to do Richa/Couti to Toney/Madders. Bit worried about Nketiahs minutes though.

    Any other tips are really appreciated guys. Its make or break!

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Captain KDB and win your ML

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        haha i think theres better captain picks this GW

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

      Cout > Mount?

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

        Yeh I’d shift coutinho… been such a troll and I fancy mount to get something

    3. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      We both have Mount guys. Seriously considering capt him.

  3. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    How should use my FT here?

    I am thinking get Toney for Ings and bench Niketah.

    Dubravka
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Alonso
    Son (c) Mount Maddison Zaha
    Richa Niketah
    - Ramsdale Ings Coutinho Cash

    1. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Toney for Richarlison would be the safest bet!

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Do we expect Niketah to get more pts than Richa?

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

      Looks good, probably start Nketiah over Richa

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Then Richa to Toney?

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

    How does this look for bench boost?

    Ramsdale,
    TAA, Cancelo, Laporte, Alonso
    Salah, (S)on, Mount, Saka, Kulu
    Nketiah

    (Dubravka, Sess, Broja, Hwang)

    0.7 ITB

    Currently hovering around the 100k overall…. Reckon I take a hit to ditch Hwang? Or take a hit to ditch Salah for KDB?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      FTs used?

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

        Yeh did havertz to mount already

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          0.7 unfortunately gets you no decent players for Hwang. so better to just roll with it.

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

            Yeh I thought that too.. what about Salah?

            1. Holmes
              • 10 Years
              1 year, 10 months ago

              lets wait for update. if he is out, you can take a punt on Mane-Toney for Salah-Hwang

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

                Good shout thanks mate

  5. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Best option? Leading ML with 17 points.

    A. Dias/Ings > James/Toney (start Kulu, Martinelli, Richarlison)
    B. Dias, Ings > James, Toney (-4)(Bench one of earlier mentioned)

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A kulu

      1. Jones Kusi
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        With option A i Will have to start all of them.

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Oh ya got it, still A with uncertainty over James starting

  6. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    play one:

    A) Laporte vs avl (double with cancelo)
    B) Pukki vs tot

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Laporte

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

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

    Schmeichel
    TAA Cancelo Matip Alonso
    KDB Son Saka Mount Zaha
    Nketiah

    4.0 Laporte Richarlison Pukki

    Can't find a good move - thoughts on these options?

    A. Laporte > James (bench Zaha?)
    B. Schmeichel > Ramsdale (0.1 off Lloris)
    C. Zaha > Bowen/Maddison
    D. Burn the FT

    Also:
    A.

  8. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Get one

    A) Toney
    B) Laporte
    C) Foden

    1. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      C

  9. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I’m using my bench boost but currently have the following

    Weghorst
    Broja
    Allan

    Worth a hit to get rid of allan n weghorst?

    1. Steve McCroskey
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I'd say at least one hit, depends who your upgrade is though

      1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Was gonna do salah, allan and weg out

        Jota, Bowen and Jesus in

        -8 though but could pay off

  10. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Richarlison, Salah and Doherty to Kane, Diaz and Sessegnon for a hit?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      how many hits? just -4? then go for it

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Diaz sure starter ?

  11. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I'm leading my ML by 10 points and my rival has both Son and Toney; worth doing a -4 to do Salah & Weghorst > Son & Toney?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      yes

    2. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yes

  12. LosSurenos
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Leading ML by 14 points going into GW38. Few issues as only have 1FT and 0.3 ITB, anything obvious? Thinking maybe just Salah to KDB as not sure it is worth a hit? Cheers

    Ramsdale (Sanchez)
    Cancelo TAA Gabriel Rudiger (Dalot)
    Son Salah Rodri Kulusevski Martinelli
    Ings (Broja Dennis)

  13. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Do we think Arsenal finally keeps a clean sheet, now that the Everton boys are going to party till kick-off. Have White. The only way I can move him out is by taking a hit.

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

    Horrible GW, dropped from 60k to 115k.

    What are the chances Salah plays this week?

    Current FH draft,
    Dubraka,
    Cancelo, James, Guehi, Matip
    Mount, KDB, Son, Eriksen, Maddison,
    Kane (c)

    Any changes, going without Salah could be a killer?

    1. Steve McCroskey
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I'm dropping Salah for Son.

      Think that's a solid FH team. Do you have some viable bench options in case players don't start?

      1. TopBinFC
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers, yes, have Mateta, Jansson on bench, both should play

  15. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Salah to...

    A. Diaz
    B. Mane

    Thanks

    1. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Keep Salah

      1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Will he start?

        1. TopBinFC
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Wait for presser. Chasing Golden Boot which he is all about, if there's a chance then he starts

    2. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Diaz

  16. as33
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Diaz or Kulu? Have Son, no Salah

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Diaz

  17. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Red arrow on FH has all but guaranteed me not getting into the top 50k (75k), really got all the wrong decisions this week (went for Jota over the likes of Maddison, captain Ings after having it on Vardy up until last minute, Son over Kane, 2x Everton defence, etc.), really hoping next season will be more normal (ignoring the WC break). Going into a week that typically has a glut of goals and freak results with 5 at the back is just asking for more pain, let's go!

  18. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Start
    A- Nketiah
    B- Pukki

    1. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      100% A

  19. TopBinFC
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I see a few saying James etc might be rested? What exactly might they be rested for? Will they not have enough of a rest all summer? The only team I can see with players being rested is Liverpool for obvious reasons. Surely fans want to see their best team play on final day unless in CL final? Cant understand why Chelsea and City wouldn't play their strongest 11? Or am I missing something..

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Because he could be res zoned playing 2 days later and why risk an injury in a dead rubber of a game against a relegated team?

      I can see it. Play the squad.

      Mount should feature and Rudiger but it could be huge rotation at Chelsea.

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Seasons over, they can't improve position, and give some game time to plays who haven't featured as much to reward they clubmanship.

      Still think he'll start personally.

    3. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Sometimes from memory on final day there's rotation to give some fringe players or up and coming youngsters a game

  20. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Help me with my FT plz

    A) Ings ➡ Jesus/Toney
    B) Coutinho ➡ Foden/Diaz
    C) Cash ➡ James/Laporte

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Foden or Diaz?

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Either.

          Foden, just.

    2. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B or C, with James, Foden options. Depends on rest of team, have you any other City or Chelsea? Need a few from each this GW I feel

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        This is the team and am looking to bench Richa over one of the above

        Dubravka
        TAA Robbo Cancelo Alonso
        Son (c) Mount Maddison Zaha
        Richa Niketah
        - Ramsdale Ings Coutinho Cash

  21. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Foden or Mount for Sunday?

    I was watching the other 2 games, is Maddison a risk for this weekend now or likely to feature in 2 days time?

    I guess it's 2 from Mount, Maddison and Foden. Which way would you go?

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Mount is a cert for me.

      The other 2 could be close, you have to think foden starts, but who knows.

    2. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Mount Foden for me. Have you KDB? If so the go Madi and Mount

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Mount and Madd

  22. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    34pt lead.
    His
    Kane - James - Saka - Coutinho
    To my
    Kdb - Alonso - mount - davies

    Should be close if he capts kane and hauls and kdb doesn't.

    A) take -4 Davies to james, covers him hauling
    B) -4 elanga to maddison and bench Davies, ignore james

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Will James start?

      Will Alonso play too?

      Can he really catch you. You could play positively and not worry so much about the rival.

      1. TopBinFC
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Why wouldn't James start? They resting him for start of next season...

  23. mdm
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Zaha to Mount worth -4?

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

      No

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I would be mightily tempted

  24. mdm
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Are there any pressers today?

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

    leading by a small 11pts in my ML...1 FT 1.5 ITB, was thinking Salah + KDH to Son + Madds for -4pts?

    My team:
    Schmeicel Foster
    Taa cancelo Laprote Alonso Matip
    Salah Saka Kulu KDB KDH
    Nketiah Pukki Dennis

    His team:
    Rams Foster
    Taa Fofana Myko Cancelo Alonso
    Gordon salah son kdb brownhill
    nketiah richa dennis

  26. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    On FH

    A. Robbo, Eriksen, Gelhardt(bench)
    B. Matip, Maddison, Barnes(bench)

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Probably A

      But B if you think that Maddison starts. Will he?

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

    Reckon VVD starts ?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      No

      1. TopBinFC
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Konate and Matip?

  28. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Schmeichel
    Taa, cancelo, James, rudiger
    Kdb, son, kulu, havertz, saka
    Weghorst

    (Forster, pukki, digne, broja)

    1ft, 0.3 itb

    Obviously fwds are concern...best option out of nketiah, Toney, Antonio etc?
    Havertz likely to start?

  29. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who to start:
    A. Nketiah
    B. Toney

    1. TopBinFC
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B defo

  30. Yozzer
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Playing BB .

    -8 worth this?

    Coady , Brownhill ,Watkins -》 Saka/Dias , Alonso , Toney ?