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

    Coutinho and 4.5 non-starter to Toney + Eriksen (-4)? Could be a mauling.

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

      Looks great! Like the Brentford punts - expect them to fight for top 10 finish!

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

        Do it

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

    Rival is 21 points ahead. We pretty much have the same starting 11 except that I have Foden, Kulu & Schmeicel when he has Nketiah, Maddison & Pickford.

    He is most probably goning to sell Salah for Son and (C). Should I avoid Son and go KDB (C) or do something like Salah & Saka --> Son & Diaz/Pulisic (-4)?

    Schmeicel
    TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - James
    Salah - Foden - Mount - Saka - Kulu
    Kane

    Cheers! 🙂

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

      You could always get Son but put the armband on Kane! Great squad so not sure I would take a hit

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

    Leicester are playing for 8th position and prize money.

    Brighton, Brentford and Newcastle could catch them points wise. But they will rotate again.

    Will Maddison start on Sunday?

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

      I guess unless he's feeling any further issues that have troubled him (hip) he won't but he seems to be fine of late.

      I just realised a West Ham win and ManUtd loss on Sunday (not inconceivable, I'd certainly expect the latter right now) would mean that they swap places and West Ham go into EL again while ManUtd drop into the Conference League!

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

        Yeah.

        West Ham playing for a proper competition that they enjoyed this season.

        There's an argument for Bowen over Maddison.

        Good luck in the final shoot out!

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

    Which combo scorest most points?

    A) Son + Vardy
    B) Maddison + Kane
    B) Son + Jesus + 4

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

      I would guess A

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

      C

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      2nd B

  5. simong1
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    10 points behind in my ML. Best option from below?

    A) Salah > Mane
    B) Salah & Jesus > Diaz and Kane (-4)

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Matip - James - Laporte - Cancelo
    Salah - Son - Kuluveski - Saka
    Jesus

    Dubravka - Gordon - Weghorst - Kamara

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

      B

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

      B

  6. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Right gents, want to take a hit for a final day punt rather than have to start one of White/Gordon/Weg. Best option of these, taking into account likelihood of start/haul?

    A) Maddison
    B) Barnes
    C) Bowen
    D) Eriksen
    E) Jesus

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

      Eriksen or one of the Leicester boys if they are looking likely to start 🙂

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

      A

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

    Salah and Watkins to Mount and Kane -4?

    1. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Same moves I’m looking to do

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

    Who would you suggest me as the best differentials versus top10k template? Someone like Mane/Diaz, Sterling/Foden, Ronaldo/Bruno, Lukaku/Pulisic, Bowen, Toney, Martinelli, Pukki?

    I'm afraid I can't play safe with Kane and Son at this point and need to take some risks.

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

      Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

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

      Toney looking nice, recon CR7, Bowen and one of the Pool mids could also do good.

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

      Mané (C)

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

      Toney, Barnes and Vardy .. defo go heavy Leic attack I'd say decent differentials with massive upside imo

  9. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Leading by ~40 points. Just Salah to Son (c) or Salah Pukki to Kane (c) Maddison?

    Ederson
    TAA/Robo/Cancelo/Alonso
    Salah/KDB/Mount/Saka/Kulu
    Pukki

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

      Unless a freak mega haul, your league is won. I'd go B of those

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

    Not sure if it was just me but I couldn't help but laugh at the video of Vieira last night. Has a go at one fan that's in his face and when another comes along and is about to hit him, Vieira just stands still and stares him down and the guy realises who it is and runs away instantly

  11. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Reposting...

    1 FT 2.1 ITB

    Pope
    TAA Cash Cancelo James Alonso
    Zaha Gordon Saka Son Kulu
    Ings Jesus Nketiah

    What should I do here? Chasing (BIG TIME)

  12. peco12
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any advice here. 1ft. 0.3ITB
    I am worried about not having KDB and Kane. 15pts behind the leader.
    Also, I don't want to take more than a -4 hit. Any suggestions would be much appreciated

    Schmeichel (Foster)
    Alonzo, Robertson, TTA, Cancelo, Laporte
    Salah, Foden, Son, Kulusevski (Gordon)
    Nketiah (Pukki)

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

    Play 2
    A- Jesus
    B- Nketiah
    C- Matip
    D- Pukki

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

      B an C maybe

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

      AC

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

      AB

  14. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    At 450k hilarious that I'm calling it "chasing" rather than "doomed season" xD

  15. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Watkins jota to Toney and bowen for -4
    Or toney and mount for -4 is better?

  16. BlzE_94
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    GTG guys?

    Guaita
    Robertson Cancelo James E.Royal
    KDB Son Mount Maddison
    Kane Nketiah

    Foster Weghorst KDH White

  17. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Pretty tight for the race to OR1 among the top 2.

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Glad to be a part of it

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Good luck to us both

        1. Philosopher's Stones
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Yeah mate, may our arrows be green

        2. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Yeah I'm happy with third.

  18. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Morning....what moves would you make here? 40 ahead of rival who has kane, Mount, James and alonso

    Maybe vvd salah and ramsey to son Mount and sessegnon - 8?

    Thanks

    Schmeichel
    Taa vvd* cancelo rudiger (schar)
    Salah* kdb saka kulu (Ramsey)
    Jesus pukki (broja)

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

      If you aren't playing for anything else they look like good moves

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

      If you just want to make sure you win your league, just go Kane rather than Son. Salah/Pukki to Mount/Kane Can do VVD to James/Alonso too.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers will look at that.

        Been leading league for several months, but rank slipped badly of late. So just want to win the league

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

    a) Laporte to James
    b) Salah to Mane

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

      B if any

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

      B assuming you have KDB+Son

    3. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

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

    Best use of ft this gw-

    A Cout to Mount
    B Cout to Diaz

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

      A

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

      A

  21. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Last week and between the top 2 of us in my paid league, we only have 2 identical players this GW. Thoughts on the below:

    Schemeichel
    Robertson, Matip, Laporte, Csstagne, Sessegnon
    L Diaz, KDB, Son (c), Mount
    Richarlison

    Ramsdale, Jesus, Coutinho, Gelhardt

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

      Nice team, should do well

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

    Salah+Rich/Toney to Kane+Maddison/Mount. Currently on AC

    Sell one:
    A) Rich
    B) Toney

    Buy One:
    C) Maddison
    D) Mount

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo James Cancelo
    Salah Son Saka Kulu
    Rich Toney

    Schmeichel Nketiah Myko Gordon

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

      BC

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

        You'd rather keep Rich than Toney? Interesting thanks.

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

          Form over fixtures sometimes. Arsenal look finished this season

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

      Keep Toney!! Great fixture. Maybe Rich rest after securing the contract?

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

        Thanks, my thoughts were that Everton safe and may be on beach now.

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

      AD

  23. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    A) Salah, Pukki -> Maddison, Kane (-4)
    B) Salah, Dennis -> KDB, Toney (-4)
    C) Other

    Schmeichel, Foster
    Robertson, Cancelo, James, Alonso, Holgate
    Salah, Son, Saka, Mount, KDH
    Richarlison, Dennis, Pukki

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

      A

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

      Like A better

  24. dannyreeves1977
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Chasing a 25 point gap in my ML so got to roll the dice for GW28!

    Current team:

    Schmeichel (Foster)
    Cancelo, Alonso, TAA, Davies (Cedric)
    Dewsbury Hall, KDB, Son, Salah (Gordon)
    Kane (c) , Pukki (Greenwood)

    Salah has to go as Kane is in. Do I go bring in Mount or Diaz for him??

  25. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    1 FT 2.1 ITB

    Pope
    TAA Cash Cancelo James Alonso
    Zaha Gordon Saka Son Kulu
    Ings Jesus Nketiah

    A) Jesus > Vardy
    B) Kulu > Diaz
    C) Cash > Robbo
    D) Kulu > Maddison

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

    G2G or any hits needed?

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

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

    Best option?

    A) Pukki
    B) Toney -4
    C) R.James -4

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

      A

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

  28. DF
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Anyone help me out with Jota? I'm happy keeping him if he's likely to play 60+ mins.
    A. Jota to Diaz
    B. Keep and use FT elsewhere.

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

      B

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

      B

  29. primal33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    31 points ahead in my mini-league. Chaser has Mount.

    Do I get:

    A. Maddison (-4)
    B. Mount (-4)
    C. Both (-8 losing Jota)

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

      Probably B just to cover Mount

  30. desirelines
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Last push towards to the top 50k! Little help with this conundrum would be appreciated (Cash and Dennis being shown the door)

    A: R Sessegnon and Toney
    B: M Alonso and Nketiah

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

      A

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

      A