Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Bournemouth plight good news for Villa in Gameweek 1

There was a Premier League v La Liga feel to the pre-season friendlies on Saturday, with English and Spanish opposition clashing across the country.

Brentford, Bournemouth and Southampton all faced teams from Iberia in their final warm-up matches and we’ve got the goals, assists, line-ups and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from these matches in our Scout Notes.

Reports on the weekend’s other fixtures are linked below, with more to follow.

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.


SOUTHAMPTON 1-2 VILLARREAL

  • Goal: Aribo
  • Assist: None

Match highlights

Southampton’s opening run of fixtures, in which they play Spurs, Leicester, Man Utd and Chelsea in the first five Gameweeks, will likely deter much FPL investment.

But we may have a watchlist gem on our hands in the form of Joe Aribo (£5.5m), the summer signing from Rangers who scored a superb solo goal in Saturday’s defeat to Villarreal.

He and Stuart Armstrong (£5.0m) have occasionally been used in a front two this summer, with the latter initially getting the nod alongside struggling debutant Sekou Mara (£5.5m) on Saturday.

Aribo – who started in central midfield against Villarreal – and Armstrong were moved to number 10 roles in a 3-4-3/5-2-3 after the break and it was in that system that Saints improved.

“I think it more and more shows the further up front he is the better he is. I know he can play different positions but I think up front as a striker – especially with his body – we don’t have so much. He can definitely be a goalscorer for us.

“We played a 5-2-3 in the second half to send a little bit more pressure up front, also a little bit more risky. Sometimes you are ending up one against one at the back but you have to do it if you want to put them under pressure.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl on Joe Aribo

It’s far too early to be writing Mara off after one forgettable half but his manager suggests it’ll be a good while before we see the young striker getting a sustained first-team run, perhaps getting the gradual introduction that Armando Broja (£5.5m) endured on the south coast last season.

“Last season with (Armando) Broja it was the same, it took him minimum three/four weeks until he knew what it was about playing up front here.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl 

Southampton XI (3-4-2-1): Bazunu; Bella-Kotchap (Valery 73), Bednarek, Salisu; Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Lavia (Romeu 83), Djenepo; Aribo (Redmond 83), S. Armstrong (Perraud 83), Mara (A. Armstrong, m. 46),


FPL team guides: Everton - Best players, predicted line-up + more

BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 REAL SOCIEDAD

Match highlights

  • Goal: Stanislas
  • Assist: Moore

The prospects look good for Leon Bailey (£5.0m) and other Aston Villa attackers in Gameweek 1, as opponents Bournemouth come into 2022/23 looked ill-equipped for life in the top flight.

This isn’t hyperbole; this comes from manager Scott Parker.

“We’re six days out from the start of the Premier League season and we’re way short of where we need to be. That’s just the cold, hard facts. We barely have any defenders. We’ve lost eight players at the start of the season. At this present moment in time, this squad is much weaker than it was two months ago when we got promoted.

“Of course, no disrespect to what we’ve got, but I didn’t anticipate to be where we are this close to the start of the season.” – Scott Parker

The conservative Parker is intent on playing with a wing-back system in the Premier League but he barely has any centre-halves at his disposal, bar captain Lloyd Kelly (£4.5m). Joining Kelly in the back three against Sociedad were Chris Mepham (£4.5m), who mostly played second string in the Championship last season and who made only 12 starts in the promotion-winning campaign, and James Hill, a rookie signed from third-tier Fleetwood Town in January.

“I wouldn’t want to (return to a back four). My experiences tell me that’ll be pretty tough but it may have to be an option. I’m not sure we will be able to defend well enough in a four and keep the door shut. Of course, I think we look a bit vulnerable anyway. But next year, in this league, the one thing we’re going to have to be is rock solid. We’re not going to be a team that can go and score three or four goals so we’re going to have to try and keep the door shut.” – Scott Parker

Parker had a reputation for risk-averse management even when playing a more attacking 4-3-3 in the Championship last season, so you can well imagine the lack of service provided to Dominic Solanke (£6.0m) in the new shape. Last season’s 29-goal striker did see two clear sights of goal on Saturday but was otherwise starved of opportunities.

Philip Billing (£5.5m) is also a victim of the formation change, being benched here, but we did see him brought on as a substitute as the system was tweaked to a 5-3-2. That also allowed budget FPL forward Kieffer Moore (£5.5m) to enter the field of play and provide the assist for Junior Stanislas‘s (£5.0m) consolation.

AFC Bournemouth XI (5-2-3): Travers, Smith (Stacey 74), Mepham, Hill (Bevan 67), Kelly, Zemura, Cook (Billing 57), Lerma, Christie (Stanislas 74), Solanke, Anthony (Moore 57).


BRENTFORD 1-0 REAL BETIS

Match highlights

  • Goal: Mbeumo
  • Assist: Henry

David Raya (£4.5m) would appear set to start 2022/23 between the posts for Brentford, with the Spaniard not only between the sticks for the Bees’ final pre-season friendly against Betis but also the three warm-up games prior to Saturday’s clash.

Positional rival Thomas Strakosha (£4.5m), whose summer arrival caused a few jangled nerves among Raya’s FPL ownership, hasn’t even kicked a ball in pre-season, by contrast.

Seemingly gone are the days when Bryan Mbeumo (£6.0m) was in a front two with Ivan Toney (£7.0m) every week, with the newly reclassified FPL forward playing out wide in a 4-3-3 for much of Saturday’s contest and even spending time at right wing-back when Thomas Frank switched to a 3-4-3 later in the game.

Chances continue to come his way, however: Saturday’s strike was his third of the summer and he had spurned a golden opportunity to break the deadlock shortly before his goal, seeing a low shot palmed away. The dangerous-looking Mbeumo ought to have had an assist to his name, too, when Toney latched onto his pass and could only fire into the side-netting after rounding the visiting ‘keeper.

“He’s in top form, Bryan, such a threat. What a goal, top finish. Pleased for Bryan.” – Thomas Frank

The return to fitness of Christian Norgaard (£5.5m) meant one fewer spot in central midfield – and bargain-bin FPL asset Josh Dasilva (£4.5m) was the man to make way, having to make do with a half-hour cameo in the second half.

“We can hopefully replace [Christian Eriksen] with something different. So when a player goes out if they are sold or get injured, always another player steps in.

“You tweak things that create other relationships, other dynamics. That’s what I’m constantly trying to think about. Hopefully we can construct a different game where we can still create a lot of chances.

“But Mathias (Jensen), for example, needs to step up a bit more. I still think we have some very interesting midfielders in both Shandon (Baptiste), Josh (Dasilva) and even Saman (Ghoddos), that have some of those qualities.” – Thomas Frank

Frank confirmed after full-time that Ethan Pinnock (£4.5m) would miss the “first part of the season” and that Kristoffer Ajer (£4.5m) was hoping to return in mid-to-late August. Sergi Canos (£5.0m), suspended in Gameweek 1 anyway, is 2-3 weeks away from a comeback from a hamstring issue.

Brentford XI (4-3-3): Raya, Hickey (Roerslev 61), Jansson, Mee (Bech 76), Henry (Ghoddos 76), Janelt (Onyeka 76), Jensen (Dasilva 61), Norgaard (Lewis-Potter 61), Wissa (Baptiste 83), Toney, Mbeumo

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,199 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Off topic completely but finally decided to kick the smoking habit.

    Hoping I can stay strong, I’m sure there’s others in my position!

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

      Well done and all the best mate. Stay strong. You definitely can do it.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thank you

    2. DelPiero10
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Good luck.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Thanks

      • Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Nice one. I quit 2.5 years ago. The key is to find another addiction to swap it with

    3. mitre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Ramsdale
      TAA Robbo Cancelo Jonny
      Salah Sancho Martinelli Bailey
      Kane Jesus

      Gazza, Dunk, Andreas, Plange

      0,5m ITB, all set? or upgrade someone?

      1. Joe
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Looks good, I'd use the 0.5 to get Mount over Sancho.

    4. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Haaland or KDB?

      1. Swahealy
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Don't know how this is even a question. Haaland will be rested time to time and has said he wants that as he was at time rushed back by Dortmund. KDB is a beast proven and is on par with Salah.

    5. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Darwin mount
      Or kane neto?

    6. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Couple of questions.

      Trying to fill a mid spot around the 6.0/6.5 mark as a starter in a 442 formation.

      Have seen ZERO talk about Eriksen at Man U. Isn’t a player like Eriksen exactly what United have needed? He had a similar output to Rashford last season - is it just because people are picking Rash over him?

      I know he may be in a slightly deeper role, but didn’t most of his points come from set-pieces anyway?

      The other question is Lingard - how has he got on in preseason - is he central to Forest’s attacks. Both players are presumably going to be playing the vast majority of games. Don’t see Lingard in many RMTs.

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

        Won't start enough

        1. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Really? I though he’d be starting almost every game. What makes you think otherwise?

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

        Lingard could be decent but forest need to gol as a team first. Plenty of new players.

        1. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Yeah, of course. It’s basically a new squad - 12 new players. Good point.

    7. Joe
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Would you rather:

      A) Gabriel & Andreas (playing Gabriel & Dalot and benching Andreas) OR

      B) Saliba & Bailey (benching one of Saliba, Bailey and Dalot and playing the other two based on fixtures, form etc.)?

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        A

        1. Joe
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Thanks!

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

        A

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

      Best starting 11?

      A)
      Sanchez
      TAA-Cancelo-James-Cash
      Salah-Diaz-Martinelli-Rashford
      Kane-Jesus

      B)
      Mendy
      TAA-Cancelo-Robertson-Cash
      Salah-Mount-Martinelli-Bailey
      Kane-Jesus

      C)
      Sanchez
      TAA-Cancelo-Robertson-James
      Salah-Martinelli-Sancho-Bailey
      Kane-Jesus

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        B

        But prefer Trip over Cash

        And I think Saka is far and away the best 8.0 mid

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

          Thanks. I'm not to keen on Newcastle defence yet - I think Cash is more proven at this point. Perisic could be the alternative downgrading Mendy to any 4.5m keeper.

          I'm not tripling up on Arsenal off., so going Saka over Mount would mean swapping Martinelli to Neto or Guimaraes

          1. Third Eye Vision
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            I know what you mean about not tripling up - I’m the same.

            But I do think it’s important to have the very best players and I think Saka is a much better pick than Mount.

            I’d actually rather have Maddison, Diaz or Bowen ahead of Mount as well.

            But I’m convinced that Saka is by far the best pick.

      2. terrypaulpearce
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Mount is going to have a monster of a season. First non-premium name on my team sheet. Keep.

    9. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A) Robbo + Rash
      B) Perisc + Diaz
      C) Robbo + Trossard

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

      Please:

      Ramsdale
      TAA, VVD, Cancelo, Trippier (Neco)
      Salah, Bowen, Bruno Guimarães, Bailey (Andreas)
      Haaland, Jesus (4.5)

      A. Keep it as is
      B. VVD to Perisic, 4.5 fodder to Brennan Johnson
      C. Ramsdale to Hendo/Raya, VVD to Robbo

    11. Tosa86
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      My Current Draft:

      Mendy - Forster
      TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - Trippier - N.Williams
      Salah - Foden - Martinelli - Bailey - Andreas
      Kane - Jesus - Archer

      my doubts:
      1) Robbo+Martinelli or Zinchenko + Saka?
      2) Foden, mahrez, maddison or other ?

      Any suggestion??

      1. Joe
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        1) Robbo + Martinelli
        2) I'd go for Mount

        Otherwise looks good! I'd go Ramsdale over Mendy just because Chelsea has lost a few defenders.

        1. Tosa86
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          You prefer Arsenal defence instead Chelsea?

          1. Joe
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Yes I do, at least for the first few weeks until Chelsea sort the defence out a bit.

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

              This ^

    12. McGinn
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I've tinkered and tinkered and always come back to this team and currently can't seem to tweak it further. I plan to WC in GW7ish.

      Ederson
      Zinchenko / Walker / TAA / Robbo
      Salah / Bruno G / Martinelli / Bailey
      Kane (c) / Haaland

      Any notes?

    13. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Why are people going Trippier over Cash? Seems to me Cash and Digne have better fixtures and a better team...

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        All good options but I’d favour the Villa lads myself too

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

        Trippier on set-pieces

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

          I guess Digne is too...

      3. Vovhund
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I agree

      4. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Newcastle had better defensive form than Villa towards the end of the season.

        Trippier looked pretty damn good upon his return to the Premier League.

        Both good picks, but based on the upturn in Newcastle’s performances and squad, Trippier edges it.

        1. Swahealy
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          You'll be relying heavily on Trippier providing attacking returns when Newcastle have 0 clean sheets in they're first 6, could easily happen. Better to have Villa defender for 1st 3 then move him on to Zinchenko

          1. Third Eye Vision
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Pretty sure that Trippier will be providing some attacking returns. Predicting clean sheets for non top-6 sides is pretty hard. Based on form I’m expecting more CS for Newcastle than Villa. I think Pope improves their CS potential too. Great fit for Newcastle.

            Also, why Zinchenko over Gabriel? I think Gab is a much better pick.

            1. Swahealy
              • 2 Years
              1 year, 7 months ago

              Could easily be Gab but over the years I've always picked wingbacks over centrehalves and Zinchenko will be put in the midfield when Tierney is fit, come GW4 could all change though. And as for Newcastle defenders it's still Newcastle.

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

      3 Pool
      3 City
      3 Arsenal
      2 Chelsea

      Eggs in basket... Done.

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Chelsea wont start the season good first 2 gws difficult ones

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

          Yeah all their good fixtures are away too, but I've had Mendy and Mount in pretty much every draft.

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Too much Chelsea to begin with. Unless your city are 3 of Ederson, Cancelo, Kdb and Haaland, it’s rotation galore.

        Eggs scrambled

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

          I have Cancelo, Foden and Halaand

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            I’m only kidding mate, all good options. Lots of ways to play the game. I wasn’t joking about Chelsea though, I’m not sure what I expect from them to begin with ?

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

              Mendy is so nicely priced and Mount is well.. Mount.

          2. Swahealy
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            2 Chelsea and Bench boy Foden on top of that, steer clear

    15. Obould
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Hi.
      First post here, looking for comments on my «unusual»? 3-4-3 formation this year with heavy hitters up front. Contemplating trying it with an early WC as an escape route if big at the back is the way to go.

      Sanchez (Steele)
      Alexander - James - Walker
      Salah - Martinelli - Neto - Bailey
      Haaland - Kane - Jesus

      (Steele, Andreas, Neco, Patterson)

      Any views on this?

      O.

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Your super cheap bench might actually be good enough.

        So that leaves your allocation of funds for the starting 11. I think you’re underestimating the value of defenders.

        Having Neto and Bailey as starters is weak sauce. I punted on Bailey last season and got almost no return from him. I’ve yet to figure out why Neto is in so many teams. What did he do last season to inspire so much confidence this year? Do Wolves really look much better in attack going into this season?

        1. Obould
          • 1 Year
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Thank you, appreciate your comments.
          I agree with you about weak sauce Bailey and Neto.

          Bailey is a pick based on form from the pre-season (have been burned there before)

          I have the same question as you regarding Neto, its a «follow the masses pick» as he is the 6th most picked midfielder right now.
          I am trying to find a way to switch one of those to a better midfield pick, but the alternatives are few.

          1. Swahealy
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            I agree with starting Bailey and Martinelli as they are both underpriced in attacking teams (Arsenal obviously more so). Bailey is a different animal now, 2nd season and gr8 1st 3 gws. Neto I don't get at all, I would if he was in an attacking team, but its 1-0 or 0-0 Wolves, Wolves defenders I would definitely get in.

      2. slack87
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Team is almost the same as mine. I've been playing for 10+ years and I am happy to brag that I have been hitting top 1-2% almost every year. In other words, I think you're more than fine considering its your first year.

        Structure is fine. You're gaining 1.0M elsewhere in your team having two playing 4.0 defenders, and whilst Patterson is probably not going to stick in Evertons first team, having him as a third sub doesn't really change your points much comparing to the Greenwoods, Archers, Cafus and Colebacks going around. Only real worry with this setup is if you get injuries on either budget midfielder or premium forward in GW1. In that case there won't be much of a real option for a one-for-one transfer in GW2.

        You have all known and probable budget bandwagons in your team, and whilst there is no guarantee that all of them are going to fire from the start, I am assuming that at least a few will. The ones that doesn't perform is going to be switched in a GW3 double-or-tripple transfer involving whichever premium is proving to be the most lackluster. No wildcard needed, you just stick have to with your guns for GW2 even if our threemium fails miserably. Worst case scenario is all three premiums are dominating from the start, and we'll have a hard time fitting a 8.0 mid, which isn't really a bad scenario at all.

        Only differences in our teams is that I've opted on Meslier/Klaesson for fixtures. Meslier is pretty much top for saves last two years, and the only real difference statwise between his floor of 106 points last season and ceiling of 150+ points the year prior to that is 6 clean sheets. If he keeps clean sheets, he is a bonus magnet. I've also gone for Dias/Gabriel for safety in a season with 5 subs which are predominantly going to cut the playtime of those players who play in the most physically demanding positions (wingbacks etc.). Also, Arsenal and City's fixtures don't really demand any changes for GW1-8. Dias was playing as captain in CC with KDB etc on the pitch, and Laporte being injured should all but assure he's a pick I'm not going to have to use a transfer on prior to a GW8-9 wildcard. Going with Walker, you're probably looking at rotation when the transfer window closes, and with this thin structure, I would absolutely advice against that.

        Chelsea is in my opinion better to go for in GW3. Defense isn't all settled, and whilst that shouldn't mean much for James minutes, he has indeed been playing as a trio / central back on the right for some of the preseason games, pretty much as Azpi used to do.

        Cheers!

        1. slack87
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Also. From watching the highlights in all Wolves preseason games, Neto looks to be mad value. I am not all that convinced on Bailey who has had a fair share of luck in preseason. Bailey is probably going to lose form or gametime sooner than later and in any case he is a obvious transfer prior to GW5, unless he looks great and you wanna keep him around as a 0.5 more expensive first sub. Consider him a placeholder for whichever 8.0 midfielder you are going for in GW3 (Mount is what tempts me the most).

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

            Bailey to KDH in gw5 locked in.

    16. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Perisic is 33 and was subbed before 60 mins in half of the games he started last season. That’s before Conte’s recent comments. Very risky to begin the season with him but something keeps tempting me.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        So much misinformation here.

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          I’m only basing it off of information that was posted here yesterday? Someone posted that he started 32 games and was subbed before the 60min mark in 16 of them?

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            No he only started 20 games and played past 60 minutes in 17 of them. This was 2 years ago not last year. He played and started 35 games last year and got subbed off before 60 two times. He's perfectly fine playing past 60 and playing every match. All depends on how Conte wants to use him. It's not the Serie A anymore where playing someone like Ashley Young will work. If he wants to challenge for the league he will start Perisic in most games. Like he did with Doherty when he was on fire.

            1. Paqueta Rice
              • 3 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Really appreciate this information. Thank you

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

              This is all true, but worth bearing in mind he's another year older, playing in a more physically demanding league, with 5 sub opportunities, and him starting the season short of fitness...

              1. Zimo
                • 5 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                True true. Still worth the risk considering his underlying stats are comparable to Trents maybe even better. And if he starts and goes off around the 60th minute mark more chances of him being the only one keeping the clean sheet as well if they concede later.

                1. Zimo
                  • 5 Years
                  1 year, 7 months ago

                  Price is ridiculously cheap. He'll outscore everyone at that price range even with half the starts.

                  1. Paqueta Rice
                    • 3 Years
                    1 year, 7 months ago

                    Zimo you’re really selling it here. I was settled damn it 😆

                    1. Zimo
                      • 5 Years
                      1 year, 7 months ago

                      😉 he is still a risk obviously. I just have faith. It could go horribly wrong. But so can anything else. Go with your gut or you'll end up removing the player u put in hesitantly anyways. For me Perisic was my number 3 pick after Trent and Salah.

                      1. Olaniyi
                        • 3 Years
                        1 year, 7 months ago

                        Do you prefer Perisic over Gabriel?

                        1. Paqueta Rice
                          • 3 Years
                          1 year, 7 months ago

                          I have both but yeah I’d prefer Perisic

      2. Swahealy
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Pays to do your own research b4 blabbering utter shi*e. Goes for everything

    17. DARE
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Predicted line-up for Man City with Grealish and Mahrez but it's not updated lately. Foden made an impact when he came on against Liverpool, so I'm wondering if he won't start instead of Grealish or Mahrez? What do you guys think?

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

        I'm betting on Foden

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

        My best guess would be
        Grealish Haaland Foden
        KDB Bernardo
        Rodri
        Cancelo Ake Dias Walker
        Ederson

        Main uncertainties for me would be Grealish/Mahrez and 2 of Walker/Stones/Ake, but whoever starts on the wings I'm not expecting to play much more than 60 mins with 5 subs.

        Also possible that Foden doesn't start, but I think Pep likes him too much for that

      3. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I reckon Foden and Jimenez starts next game

        Both Grealish and Mahrez looked absolutely rubbish vs Liverpool

      4. Swahealy
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        What impact was that then helping Liverpool get stronger lol

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

          Yeah, very funny.

          If you watched the game you would know. He made so much more happen than Grealish did in his playing time. Both Grealish and Mahrez were really dire.

      5. Ghost of Tomiyasu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Foden didn't have a pre-season so i just cant see Pep starting him over players that did

    18. amitmishr
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Meslier
      TAA Cancelo Chilwell Gabriel
      Son Maddison Martinelli Grealish
      Kane Jesus

      0.5 ITB. Debating
      A. Grealish to a united mid (Sancho or Rashford) and
      B. Gabriel vs Trippier/Cash/Perisic

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Surely Chilwell is a no go for the start of the season.

        Keep Gabriel and downgrade Chilwell to one of the others you mentioned. Upgrade Grealish.

        1. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          You’d be able to upgrade Martinelli to Saka if you went Rash over Grealish (if you did that Chilly swap too).

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

          Thanks.

          Don't fancy Saka, but could look at mount. If martinelli plays, i think he could match Saka in the interim (first 3-4 GW), till smith rowe is back

          1. Third Eye Vision
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Saka is my favourite non-premium pick. He had a great season and his pre-season form is exceptional.

    19. JoelyG
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      RMT please?

      Ramsdale (Willy)
      TAA--Walker--Trippier (Dalot, N. Williams)
      Salah--Aaronson--Bailey--Martinelli (Pereira)
      Haaland--Kane--Jesus

      Does Dalot start or is there a better 4.5 mil defender?

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

        Dalot starts, just how much you're backing United.

        1. Ghost of Tomiyasu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Man United will still finish top 6 so a 4.5m attacking full-back in a top 6 side is a steal
          Wan Bisaka is never getting his place back unless Dalot gets injured or they buy a new right-back before Sept but I doubt they will get anyone better than Dalot cos no one wants to join United at the moment unless they just want a payday so even if they do buy someone it will prob be just cover

    20. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I’m seeing lot of posts about Grealish as City midfield pick due to his attractive price.

      I’m sorry but have u guys watched him vs Liverpool? He was the worst player on the pitch, all over the shop.

      Also what has he done last year? He has been nothing but a major disappointment so far. I get the price being ok and all that but surely there are much better picks at that price?

      At this stage, apart from Ederson, Cancelo, KDB and Haaland, I don’t see any good City picks.

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        stay away from Grealish .. Foden didn't have much pre-season so Grealish started

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          City paid 100m for him…

          Let that sink in

          1. farmerfat
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            English player tax....

      2. Swahealy
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I agree hands down about Grealish, worst money Pep has ever spent. U want to see what a LW looks like just look across the pitch on Saturday at Diaz. My man City midfield pick has to be Mahrez though check out his numbers, up with de Bruyne.

        1. Jock Grealish
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Lol. Everyone was bugging him up before the pool game. Wasn't buying it at all

    21. Ghost of Tomiyasu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Less rotation risk now sterling has gone
      Foden replaced Mahrez on the right
      Only 7million and in the best team arguably in the world
      I can see him getting plenty of assists but....only if he plays regualrly
      Its the pep rollercoster of doom

      1. Swahealy
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        The clues in what u said 'plenty of assists' that's ur ceiling for a LW in a man City team, come on, Mahrez knows where the net is.
        Sterling mainly played RW and Mahrez kept him on the bench, Mahrez is clear and could be on pens ( see what happens with Haaland), only threat he has is Alvarez but he could also be CF when Haaland has his rest days.
        Also Foden came on and played LW on Saturday don't know what game u were watching.

    22. Prinzhorn
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Got rid of my KDB draft, too scared. Salah draft is so thin on Midfield though:

      Ramsdale / Gazza
      TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - Trippier - Neco
      Salah - Mount - Martinelli - Bailey - Andreas
      Kane - Jesus - Archer

      Hmmm.

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Not bad

    23. Ohyeayea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Question:
      A) Grealish + Martinelli
      B) Bailey + Saka