Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Two assists for Trippier and another start for £4.5m Dasilva

We’re nearly at the end of pre-season, with this weekend seeing the final round of warm-up matches take place.

Four Premier League teams were also in action on Tuesday, however, and we’ve got all the goal, assist, line-up information and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points you need in this latest Scout Notes article.

We’re also keeping tabs on the minutes played in all of these warm-up fixtures, with Premium Members of Fantasy Football Scout able to access this information at the bottom of this article.


BENFICA 3-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED

  • Goals: Almiron x2
  • Assists: Trippier x2

Match highlights

Kieran Trippier (£5.0m) contributed a brace of assists in Newcastle United’s narrow loss to Benfica on Tuesday.

The right-back supplied both of Miguel Almiron‘s (£5.0m) strikes, with the Paraguayan continuing a rich vein of pre-season form that has seen him score four goals in recognised friendlies and another two in an ‘unofficial’ warm-up game against Burnley last weekend.

“It was excellent from Miggy and he could have scored another one as well. So getting goals from him in good goalscoring positions was great. His finishing was excellent, his second goal in particular was a great finish.

“Miggy is such a good team player. He’s great in the dressing room and every aspect of his personality is very good. I am delighted to see him scoring goals and playing with confidence. I hope it is the start of a really good season for him.” – Eddie Howe

Almiron, of course, is not someone we FPL managers associate with goals – far from it. His highest tally in a single campaign with Newcastle is four, while 2021/22 saw the winger score on just one occasion.

Pre-season form is to be taken with a fistful of salt, too, although Almiron’s Newcastle career wouldn’t be the first that Howe had salvaged after the likes of Joelinton (£6.0m), Fabian Schar (£4.5m) and Emil Krafth (£4.5m) were revitalised last season.

Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) will be assessed for a hamstring injury, meanwhile, something that could help hand Sean Longstaff (£4.5m) or Joe Willock (£5.0m) a start in Gameweek 1.

Newcastle United XI (4-3-3): Pope (Darlow 46), Trippier (Krafth 46), Botman (Burn 46), Lascelles (Schar 46), Targett (Bondswell 46), S. Longstaff (Shelvey 46 [M. Longstaff 75]), Anderson (Willock 46), Guimaraes (Joelinton 46), Saint-Maximin (Ritchie 46), Almiron (J. Murphy 46), Wilson (Wood 46)


BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION 0-1 BRENTFORD

  • Goals: Toney
  • Assists: Dervisoglu

Match highlights

A second-string Brighton outfit were beaten by a late Ivan Toney (£7.0m) strike in both clubs’ penultimate pre-season friendlies.

Graham Potter clearly had one eye on Saturday’s last warm-up match against Espanyol as the final chance to fine-tune his starting XI ahead of Gameweek 1, although here he did at least persist with the same 3-5-2 formation that he has favoured since the back-end of 2021/22.

Budget FPL forwards Julio Enciso (£5.0m) and Denis Undav (£5.5m) both featured, the former at wing-back, while Neal Maupay (£6.5m) also lasted 90 minutes against the Bees.

Enciso may still leave on loan, while it’s fair to say that Undav hasn’t quite hit full throttle yet after his 25-goal campaign in Belgium last season.

As for Brentford, head coach Thomas Frank named a stronger XI without being full strength; Bryan Mbeumo (£6.0m) and Rico Henry (£4.5m) were two notable new absentees, along with the injured Ethan Pinnock (£4.5m) and Kristoffer Ajer (£4.5m). First-team regular Christian Norgaard (£5.5m), meanwhile, has yet to kick a ball in pre-season.

Brentford ended up last season in a 4-3-3, with Frank saving the 3-5-2 formation he had started 2021/22 with for matches against the so-called bigger teams.

Both systems were in evidence last night, to keep us guessing ahead of Gameweek 1. Yoane Wissa (£5.5m) and bargain-bin FPL midfielder Josh Dasilva (£4.5m) lined up either side of Toney in a 4-3-3 in the first half, with Dasilva dropping back into central midfield upon the switch to a 3-5-2 after the interval.

Dasilva has racked up more minutes than any other Brentford central midfielder in pre-season, so it’ll be interesting to see if he features in his manager’s final line-up of the summer this Saturday – the last pre-season friendly before Gameweek 1 is often a good indicator of an opening-day line-up.

The sole goal of the game came from a Kjell Scherpen error, with Toney finishing in front of an open goal.

Brighton XI (3-5-2): Steele (Scherpen 62); Van Hecke, Duffy, Clarke; Enciso (Karbownik 62), Sarmiento (Kozlowski 62), Lallana (Zeqiri 62), Alzate, Mitoma (Moran 70); Undav (Andone 70), Maupay

Brentford XI (4-3-3): Raya; Roerslev, Jansson (Yarmoliuk 62), Mee (Crama 62), Hickey; Baptiste, Janelt, Jensen (Stevens 46); Wissa (Dervisoglu 76), Toney, Dasilva


NOTTS COUNTY 2-2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

  • Goals: Surridge, Cafu
  • Assists: Cafu

An understrength Forest side drew 2-2 with their cross-city rivals, with the game being of precious little interest to Fantasy managers.

Cafu (£4.5m) would seem, on paper, to be a Fantasy asset worth monitoring and he continued a very decent summer with a goal and an assist, the former being a rasping free-kick from distance.

Used mostly in central midfield over pre-season but here deployed in the number 10 role that will be earmarked for Jesse Lingard (£6.0m), the expectation is nevertheless that he won’t be near Steve Cooper’s first-choice XI when new and future signings have bedded in.

Lingard should make his debut this weekend, according to his new boss:

“He’s been brilliant on the training ground, I think everybody has raised their game a little bit and I’m sure he’ll feature against Valencia at the weekend. 

“Jesse wants to play for Nottingham Forest, he wants to be part of this team and part of how we work and play. 

“He’s been a real positive influence around everybody so far, he’s a really positive, good addition and we can’t wait to work with him.” – Steve Cooper on Jesse Lingard

Ryan Yates (£5.0m), whose absence has also led to increased pitch-time for Cafu and Jack Colback (£4.5m) over the summer, returned against County on Tuesday after injury.

Also back after fitness issues was Sam Surridge (£5.0m). While teammate Lyle Taylor (£4.5m) is still expected to depart for pastures new, the only slightly more expensive Surridge is worth monitoring for FPL managers in the market for a budget forward.

He has featured in every Forest league and play-off game since joining the club in January, scoring seven goals – including a hat-trick against Swansea in April – in 20 appearances.

Brennan Johnson (£6.0m) and Taiwo Awoniyi (£6.0m) will likely be the starting pair in Gameweek 1 and further reinforcements could yet arrive up top, but Surridge may well be this season’s (more expensive) Greenwood/Gelhardt figure who contributes regular minutes as a substitute and even as an occasional starter.

“A couple of the more senior boys didn’t do so well, truth be told. There’s no point shying away from that – they’ve fallen a bit short with individual performance. But some of them didn’t really play for us in the Championship, so it’s going to be difficult for them to play for us this year.

“It was always part of the plan to be a bit of a bounce game. We knew we wanted to play a certain type of game against Union Berlin (a 1-0 defeat last Saturday), and we know we want to play a certain team against Valencia at the weekend. This game in between was for the guys who needed some minutes.

“We’re on course. It was good for Yatesy and Sam, good for the kids, and a little bit of confirmation on some other stuff.” – Steve Cooper on Tuesday’s match

Nottingham Forest XI (3-4-1-2): Smith, Biancone (Hanks 87), Mbe Soh, Donnelly, Laryea (Larsson 74), Yates (Fewster 46), Ojeda (Hammond 46), Mighten (D. Taylor 70), Cafu (Konate 70), L. Taylor, Surridge (Abbott 46)


PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

942 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on how Diaz affects Robbo?

    Robertson xGI (in epl and ucl)
    When both started: .17
    Over the entire season: .25

    Goals and Assists (in all comps) when both started
    Robertson: 2G, 5A
    Diaz: 3G, 3A

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      This will only improve as they gel more. Wouldn’t read too much into it

    2. yousunkmybattleship
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Small sample size

  2. Tomerick
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Cancelo and Neto
    B) Perisic and Grealish

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

  3. MRC1987
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Any help would be greatly appreiated. Can't decide between these 2 sets...

    Would you rather son/Rashford or
    Salah and neto.

    Thanks in advance

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

      The latter

    2. Old and Slow
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Salah and Neto. I'm not really sold on either Neto or Rashford yet, but I have both.... But I'm hopeful.... And they are enablers for other expensive players...

      1. MRC1987
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Same, I'm hoping they start strong

    3. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      The latter

  4. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Grealish will be a rotation risk right?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Of course. But I feel like he may be the most kindly priced of the City midfielders.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Have a massive problem picking between Foden, Mahrez, Grealish and Mount. Help?!

      1. R.C
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Grealish, Mahrez, Bernardo, Foden, Alvarez will all be rotated for 2-3 spots, so I guess Mount is your option

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Cheers

    3. Swahealy
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mahrez all day he's practically got the RW all to himself since sterling's gone and hits half the corners.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Who would his competition be ?

        1. Indpush
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Palmer

          1. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Plus Alvarez and possibly Silva.

            1. Indpush
              • 6 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Cheers

  5. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    All-aboard the Vardy train:

    Meslier
    Trent, Robertson, Cancelo, Gabriel, Trippier
    Luis Diaz, Mount, Saka
    Kane (C), Vardy
    (Klaesson, Bailey, Dasilva, Archer) (1m ITB)

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Love the Vardy punt. I just can't bring myself to spend the extra 1.5mil over Jesus, who I think has similar points potential.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Prefer Maddison Jesus over Saka Vardy

    3. Old and Slow
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not for me, but hey.... That's part of the great thing about this. It's hard for me to look past Jesus at cheaper....

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Good luck, I wish I could have found a way to squeeze him in but I can't. Contemplated altering my general plan but I'm making an effort to avoid hits this season and be more sensible with transfers so knowing Vardy (for me, at least) would be a short-term punt ruled it out

    5. Swahealy
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Maddison ( on most of the set pieces) better option and saves 1.5mil.

  6. Moneymar
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Meslier & Zinchenko
    B) Mendy & White

    1. Moneymar
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      No Chelsea coverage btw

      1. Old and Slow
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I'm trying to figure out at this point what Chelsea coverage really means.... They seem to be in disarray....

    2. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

      1. Moneymar
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks, just transferred them in now 😀

    3. Swahealy
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      C.) Ramsdale and ait nouri

  7. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Diaz or Nunez?

    1. Old and Slow
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Diaz at least until Darwin proves himself (points and minutes) in the league

    2. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Diaz

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Diaz

    4. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      D

  8. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Best mid or forward upto 7m who is not Rash/Martinelli?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Cout?

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Grealish, Barnes maybe.

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'm on Grealish atm. Not totally convinced but could be fun.

    4. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He's not the most popular around here, but I myself have Bruno G. If you're willing to gamble, Grealish sounds very interesting to my ears.

    5. Moneymar
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Zaha

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Horrible fixtures. Will be interested later on.

    6. Old and Slow
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Maybe Grealish if you can handle Pep benching...I would have said Barnes, but I don't think LEI is a wait and see...

    7. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Grealish

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

    So Nunez starts tonight. Everyone else is benched.

    Interesting

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Needs integration time ; won't last more than 45 I suspect, allow Bobby to play the second half.

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      1 v 11 is a little unfair tbh

    3. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Everyone?! Poor Nunez

    4. Swahealy
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      That tells us Firmino is starting c.s and for the 1st couple of gw's and Matip seems to still be ahead of Konate??

  10. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thinking of going with 3 premiums. Kane and Son (and Salah). Then decide if one becomes kdb or haaland after a week or two.

    Who do I sacrifice in defence?

    A. Cancelo
    B. Trent
    C. Robbo

    1. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Robbo out of those three.

    2. Moneymar
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Andy

    3. Alan Watts
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Cancelo

      Robertsons better PPM, and better fixtures

  11. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A. Cash, Díaz
    B. Robbo, Martinelli

    1. Moneymar
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks, mate

  12. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Who are your favourite 2, 8mil midfielders?

    Maddison and Mahrez for me

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Diaz and Mahrez

    2. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Those two for me as well.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Oops — Diaz and Madds.

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Diaz and Maddison

    4. lugs
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      i like talisman types, so Maddison & Bowen for me, yep the latter is 8.5 but still

    5. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I really can't decide. I like Maddison, Diaz, Mahrez. Not so keen on Mount and Foden. Unsure on Kulu. Saka is good but Jesus and Martinelli are possibly easier options to fit in.

    6. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Saka and Diaz

    7. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Diaz seems very popular, have you guys got Salah and Diaz? Or just Diaz?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Just Diaz

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Diaz TAA Robbo with KDB Kane

      3. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yea thats what it is, cover 😀

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Can't have them all

  13. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    FFHub in the mud. First the data leak and now this, no integrity.

    https://www.reddit.com/r/FantasyPL/comments/w9jku6/fantasy_football_hub_posting_fake_photoshopped/?utm_source=ifttt

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

      Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Glad I never signed up.

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

      How would you rate the integrity of these institutions on a scale of 0-7, where 7 is maximum integrity?:

      A) Fantasy Football Hub
      B) Fantasy Football Scout
      C) British Broadcasting Company
      D) Nestlé
      E) Jordan Peterson

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I’d say they are level with the us and uk government in terms of integrity

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      They are con artists who prey on the desperate

      They lied about the hacking debacle and the other high profile twitter accounts kept quiet because they didn’t want to hurt the hand that feeds them. Bunch of scammers and yet they still post as if nothing ever happened and big accounts continue to go on posting their nonsence and directing people towards their site because they benefit from it

  14. Saviour22
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Latest Draft

    Meslier
    Taa cash tripper walker
    Kdb Salah martinelli Neto
    Kane Jesus

    How is it

    1. Moneymar
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I like it

    2. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I like it, but I think there is too much value in Robbo and cancelo to miss out on them

      1. Saviour22
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Should I tranfer KDb out n bring Robertson in

  15. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Want all 3 of haaland, kdb and salah but can’t fit kdb
    Means downgrading 3 other players
    Worth it?

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

      I tried it. Didn't like it.

  16. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Darwin starts again

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

      Back in the sea we go

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Off for Bobby as expected at the half.

  17. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Rank these premiums in order of priority

    A. Salah
    B. Son
    C. KDB
    D. Kane
    E. Haaland

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A D E B C

      1. Z
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        This is my ranking too....but then i realised that Son is 4th, and that can't be corect...

      2. Visionaries
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        KdB last?
        Yeah, no

    2. Z
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It is imposible.....i would win FPl if i could do that ranking 🙂

    3. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      No way is haaland above son and kdb. Until he’s proven at least

    4. Hattrick Harry
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      ECDBA Haaland essential

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Unproven in the EPL - the ultimate test. Wait and see.

  18. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is Gaza first choice for Fulham? Anyone know?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Rodak started last game.

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      They've signed leno

    3. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      No. Leno will be

  19. Roque Banter Cruz
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    RMT

    Henderson
    TAA, Cancelo, Walker, White
    Salah, Son, Rash, Martinelli, Neto
    Kane

    Ward, Neco, Greenwood, Taylor

    Kane to Haaland GW2 or if he's looking likely for GW1

  20. One Wheels Enough
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I find all these questions hilarious, wait until the Charity Shield, in the meantime calm down and relax...

    1. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      This. KDB not in any teams.
      We'll see what happens at the weekend

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        He's in my team.

  21. Billybigspuds
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Ok, option a or b?

    A Robertson, Patterson, Martinelli, Grealish

    B Cash, Ait-nouri, Rashford, Mahrez

    Rest of squad as follows;
    Meslier, 4m
    TAA, Cancelo, N Williams
    KDB, Diaz, Bailey
    Jesus, Kane, 4.5m

    Pretty week bench with a?

  22. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Consider the following lot:

    Ederson
    TAA, Cancelo, Trippier, Cash
    Salah, Díaz, Bowen, Bruno Guimarães
    Haaland, Brennan Johnson

    Neco, Andreas, 4.5

    Would you downgrade Ederson to 4.5, upgrade Andreas to Grealish, and play a 4-5-1 having only Neco as sub? Or take this more conservative approach above?

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Need 2 premium strikers imo.

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

    Threeium attempt 26......

    Ramsdale
    Robbo / Cash / Walker / Trippier
    Salah / Neto / Diaz / Martinelli / KdB
    Kane

    4.0 / Neco / 4.5 / 4.5

  24. Adilge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Any thoughts for the first stages?
    1. James/Chilwell and Nunez/Jesus
    or
    2. TAA and Watkins/Wilson/Toney or any forward 7.5 or less
    I already have VVD and Salah, Odegaard, not other Chelsea players.
    Thx

  25. Mr Pwps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    This GW1 pick feels nice and rounded to me, like a juicy pert bottom... anyone think it's just a flabby old arse?

    Raya
    Cancelo, James, TAA, Trippier
    Salah(c), Neto, Diaz, Grealish
    Kane, Jesus

    Balcombe, Archer, Neco, Pereira