Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Bamford brace, Sancho ill, Ricardo injured

James Maddison (£8.0m), Marcus Rashford (£6.5m) and Pedro Neto (£5.5m) were amongst the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) names in action this weekend as the final batch of pre-season friendlies were staged.

We’ve got all the goal, assist and line-up information you need in this latest Scout Notes article.

We’ve also been 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.


LEICESTER CITY 1-0 SEVILLA

  • Goal: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
  • Assist: James Maddison

Match highlights

Another injury to right-back Ricardo Pereira (£4.5m) marred what would have been a positive end to Leicester City’s pre-season, defeating Sevilla 1-0 thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

With other £5.0m midfielders like Leon Bailey and Miguel Almiron finding some pre-season form, Dewsbury-Hall has bagged two goals and three assists for himself. There could be some value at that price point, although the Leicester man seems to be more secure in the starting line-up.

It’s been a tough time for Ricardo, having barely played since his ACL tear in March 2020. He went down in the 35th minute with nobody near him, resulting in an ankle or Achilles problem that “doesn’t look good” according to Brendan Rodgers.

Harvey Barnes (£7.0m) went down holding his knee but his removal was more precautionary.

“We think it’s okay. He just felt it was unstable, so there was no need to take the risk. This is a time of the season you don’t need to force it. But sat on the bed there, he seems fine, and the medical team think he’s fine, but we’ll see how that is.” – Brendan Rodgers

Ricardo’s injury could both secure the place of James Justin (£4.5m) and end the experiment of playing defender Timothy Castagne (£4.5m) on the right wing. The latter could have been very intriguing for FPL managers.

With Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m) rumoured to be departing, there was another start for the as-of-now unpriced Daniel Iversen. In such circumstances, he may, unfortunately, be priced at £4.5m rather than £4.0m but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

Leicester XI (4-2-3-1): Iversen (Schmeichel 46′); Ricardo (Tielemans 37′), Evans, Fofana (Amartey 46′), Justin; Castagne, Dewsbury-Hall (Mendy 84′), Ndidi (Soumare 68′), Maddison (Albrighton 84′); Barnes (Praet 67′); Vardy (Daka 68′)


LEEDS UNITED 6-2 CAGLIARI

  • Goals: Rodrigo (x3), Patrick Bamford (x2), Robin Koch
  • Assists: Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison (x2), Brenden Aaronson (x3)

Match highlights

Jesse Marsch gave this team the whole 90 minutes, making this their likely Gameweek 1 line-up. Injury to Junior Firpo (£4.5m) meant that Pascal Struijk (£4.5m) was again used at left-back.

Meanwhile, the performances of midfielders Rodrigo (£6.0m), Jack Harrison (£6.0m) and Brenden Aaronson (£5.5m) could tempt managers into taking a punt for Leeds’ promising run of early fixtures – Wolves (H), Southampton (a), Everton (H) and Nottingham Forest (H) are amongst the first seven outings.

Aaronson’s glorious outside-of-the-boot pass put Patrick Bamford (£7.5m) through to score his first of two goals – nice to see after last season’s injury woes.

Rodrigo also hit a hat-trick, with Aaronson claiming a treble of assists.

“What I said to the team afterwards is that when you have good performances it’s not time to relax, it should feed us and give us hunger to keep improving and know that there’s some positive reinforcement that we’re moving in the right direction. In general I would say that performance showed we’re moving in the right direction.” – Jesse Marsch

Just don’t expect clean sheets to suddenly appear. Their high defensive line gave several big chances to Serie B side Cagliari, of which only two were converted.

Leeds XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Llorente, Struijk; Roca, Adams; Harrison, Aaronson, Rodrigo; Bamford


MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 ATLETICO MADRID

Match highlights

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 RAYO VALLECANO

  • Goal: Amad Diallo
  • Assist: Alex Telles

Match highlights

Over their two weekend run-outs, Manchester United gave minutes to 29 players including debutant Christian Eriksen (£6.5m).

There was no Jadon Sancho (£7.5m) at all, due to illness, whilst new signing Lisandro Martinez (£4.5m) started in the weaker Sunday line-up that brought an eye-catching performance from Alejandro Garnacho. The 18-year-old is also without an FPL price.

The most newsworthy event was Cristiano Ronaldo (£10.5m) getting his first pre-season minutes, only to leave the ground soon after his half-time removal. Whether he ultimately leaves or stays at Old Trafford, Anthony Martial (£7.0m) is likely to start the first games as a forward.

Diogo Dalot (£4.5m) and Tyrell Malacia (£4.5m) faced Atletico, although the latter was initiated by a Luke Shaw (£5.0m) illness.

Man United XI (4-2-3-1) vs Atletico Madrid: de Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; McTominay (van de Beek 69′), Fred; Elanga (Pellistri 76′ (Garner 90′)), Fernandes, Rashford; Martial (Eriksen 69′)

Man United XI (4-2-3-1) vs Rayo Vallecano: Heaton; Laird, Varane, Martinez (Bailly 61′), Telles; Garner (Iqbal 74′), van de Beek; Chong (Hansen-Aaroen 85′), Eriksen (Mejbri 61′), Garnacho (Shoretire 73′); Ronaldo (Diallo 46′)


WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1-1 SPORTING LISBON

  • Goal: Ruben Neves
  • Assist: Pedro Neto

Match highlights

FARENSE 1-1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

  • Goal: Hwang Hee-chan
  • Assist: Chem Campbell

A pair of spot kicks for Ruben Neves (£5.5m) and Hwang Hee-chan (£6.0m) were all that Wolves could produce in their final friendlies.

Without main forward Raul Jimenez (£7.0m), they resorted to a fluid front three of usual midfielders Daniel Podence (£5.5m), Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.5m) and Pedro Neto.

The latter is nearing 20% ownership for Gameweek 1 and, by winning a penalty, will maintain such popularity for promising matches against Leeds (a) and Fulham (H).

Bruno Lage is committing to a back-four system where Jonny (£4.5m) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.5m) are starting full-backs. For the second successive weekend, Conor Coady (£5.0m) was left out of the stronger XI and placed into the other.

Wolves XI (4-3-3): Sa; Jonny, Collins, Kilman (Coady 83′), Ait-Nouri (Bueno 89′); Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker; Gibbs-White (Campbell 82′), Podence, Neto (Hwang 66′)

Wolves XI (4-3-3): Smith; Mosquera (Tipton 69′), Coady, Boly, Toti (Griffiths 46′); Hodge (Hodnett 83′), Ronan, Cundle (Fraser 83′); Bueno, Campbell (Harkin 76′), Hwang (Birtwistle 69′)


FULHAM 1-1 VILLARREAL

  • Goal: Aleksandar Mitrovic
  • Assist: Kevin Mbabu

Match highlights

Alongside the 43 goals of Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.5m), the contributions of Harry Wilson (£6.0m) were a huge part of Fulham’s Championship-winning campaign. His ten goals and 19 assists were vital, so it’s concerning to hear of a knee injury that occurred in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

“Harry Wilson and Nathaniel Chalobah are both injured. We’re waiting on the medical staff but it doesn’t look good. Harry’s injury is in his knee but we’ll wait for the medical staff.” – Marco Silva

A lengthy absence could affect Mitrovic’s output, although it should push more set-piece duties onto Andreas Pereira (£4.5m).

New signing Kevin Mbabu (£4.5m) made a brief appearance but still found time to assist Mitrovic’s late equaliser with a dangerous cross.

Owners of Liverpool assets will be encouraged by the lack of summer upgrades on the unconvincing Marek Rodak (£4.5m) or Tim Ream (£4.5m), although the transfer of Bernd Leno (£4.5m) could still be pushed through ahead of Gameweek 1.

Fulham XI (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete (Mbabu 84′), Tosin, Ream, Robinson; Palhinha (Harris 70′), Reed; De Cordova-Reid, Andreas (Cairney 84′), Kebano (Stansfield 67′); Mitrovic


LIVERPOOL 0-3 STRASBOURG

Match highlights

With Jurgen Klopp’s main team defeating Manchester City to win Saturday’s Community Shield, this was very much a back-up side against Strasbourg.

A few known names started, such as James Milner (£4.5m), Harvey Elliott (£5.0m), Ibrahima Konate (£5.0m) and Joe Gomez (£4.5m), but the match will have little bearing on the Reds’ Gameweek 1 line-up.

Konate was substituted as a precaution and will be assessed ahead of Saturday.

“Naby [Keita] is ill and Curtis [Jones] felt a little bit and we couldn’t take any risks. All of a sudden the team was really young and we play [against] a really strong Strasbourg side.

“We don’t know exactly yet on Ibou, but it doesn’t look too concerning, so I hope we caught it in the right moment.” – Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool XI: Davies, Mabaya (Phillips 46′), Konate (Van den Berg 57′), Gomez, Chambers, Milner, Bajcetic (Clark 57′), Morton, Frauendorf (Musialowski 76′), Elliott, Carvalho

PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER


FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,000 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A neto and peresic?
    B bailey and james

    1. x.jim.x
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bailey and Perisic

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        cheers

      2. hassanh0081
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        look at perisic's gametime last season. he played 32 games lasted 60+ minutes in just 17 games. the serie a is much slower than the prem so if he can't survive 60 mins in italy, how will he in a much faster and physical premier league?

  2. stat sifter 888888
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Realise that no Kane or Son could hurt me but I'm prepared to take the risk on Spurs for now, given Conte's tendency to prioritise the defence. I also want to have a more well-rounded team (with good subs), instead of blowing it all on one player and then trying to rejig my team if they either flopped or got injured. I would like to swap Mount for Havertz but Mahrez is a must have for me and I am fairly certain that Havertz will get almost (if not an equal) chunk of the 3rd highest scoring team's goals last year.

    De Gea, (Guaita)
    TAA, Cancelo, Trippier, (Tomiyasu, Guehi),
    Salah (C), Mahrez, Zaha, Martinelli (Bailey)
    Havertz, Wilson, Watkins,

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Mahrez will be playing 6 Champions League games before November.

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      It’s different. And you can’t hate on that. Although Ramsdale over De Gea is an obvious one for me.

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      There are ways you can get differentials without going quite that far out there.

      The forwards especially are very punty and no Jesus doesn't make sense. Forget the ownership, he is the starting Arsenal striker on great form with great fixtures for 8.0m.

      1. FPL Emu
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        8m also gets you Saka, though. Who is at least as nailed, used to the team, gets CS points and 5 points for goals.

      2. Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I think the Jesus hype is over the top even though I agree he’s a good pick. No reason why Watkins - with a better fixture - can’t outscore him GW1. Same for Havertz and Wilson.

    4. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I don't know why you would get Bailey and not start him? Makes no sense to me given those first three fixtures. It is after those that you bench him.

      I assume you are a palace supporter?
      The Zaha and Guaita picks could be decent value. But going Geuhl as well is a bit OTT.

      I think there are better 5m keepers than De Gea - Sa for example. I think you would be better off picking two rotating 4.5m keepers or going one 5m and a 4m.

    5. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Oh and the Wilson and Waktins picks made me smile as they were my very first draft. I am not sure on Havertz though as Chelsea seem in flux at the moment.
      And isn't Tomiaysu injured and has tough competition for his starting place?

    6. One Man
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I like Wilson, have him as well, Watkins has great opening fixtures. Zaha on the othet hand has tough opening fixtures.

  3. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    I need to decide on the goalkeeper and 11th player:
    A) Ederson - James, no money left itb (5-3-2)
    B) Ramsdale - James, 0.5 itb (5-3-2)
    C) Ramsdale - Toney, no money left itb (4-3-3)
    D) Ramsdale - 7.0 mid (4-4-2)

    __
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Perisic
    Salah Martinelli Neto __
    Haaland Jesus __

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

      If you don't mind 5 atb.

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B but Dias over James?

      1. N00B
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        It's an option but I don't really like Dias, no offensive threat.

  4. Stari Prus
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hello guys, what do you think about my team:

    Mendy
    TAA Chillwel Cancelo
    Salah(C) Bailey B.Guimares Martinelli Mount
    Haaland Jesus

    Bench: Dalot,Neco,Taylor.

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

      It's okay.

      Go James over Chilwell (unfit). Otherwise it's pretty solid.

      I don't like Bruno G personally and got Perisic instead but that's up to you really.

      1. FPL Emu
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Agreed on these points. I'm also not sold on Mendy.

    2. Vishal sharma
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Mendy to 4.5 and b guimares to rashford

  5. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who do you think scores the most over the first 5 GWs?

    A) Robertson and Walker in a 5-3-2

    B) James and Martinelli in a 4-4-2 (+ 0.5 million to spare)

    1. Malinwa
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

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

    Below my dilemma. Pick 1 and why?
    A) Archer
    B) Greenwood
    C) Plange

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

      You might want to see my post below 🙂

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

    Which 4.5 attacker might get some minutes?
    Looking at the pre-season data:

    Name Mins % Games Competition
    Greenwood 169 37% 4 7.5/5.5
    Archer 127 28% 4 7.5/7.0
    Plange 208 38% 5 5.5/5.5/5.5
    Taylor 309 49% 6 6.0/6.0/5.0

    So based on pre-season Taylor has played in every game but is back up to 3 other attackers
    Greenwood has played in 4 and is only Backup to 2 strikers, same as Archer
    Hmm im leaning towards Greenwood simply as it might be easier to compete with Gelhardt, what do you think?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Based on comments it has to be greenwood or Archer imo. Greenwood can also play wing and mote versatile according to manager which is leading me towards him

    2. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      doesn't matter cause u are never going to play him.

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

        That depends on your team structure
        If you are only playing with 1 attacker and 2 x 4.5 bench
        Then all it takes is for Pep to pick his team sheet by drawing names out of a hat (which I'm sure he does) then Haaland doesn't play and on comes your 4.5 attacker

    3. Truicegod
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      thanks for that really helpful i will go greenwood

    4. Cheeky Onion
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Archer is my top pick, but I have Bailey and Cash/Digne in my squad so wouldn't have an extra Villa place on the squad if an early bandwagon emerges. Only plan on having Villa defender for the first 4 GWs, so this shouldn't be a problem.

      For Greenwood, only thing I don't like is his high ownership - making it easier for him to bleed value. Since I'll be playing with 2 forwards and will have Neco & Pereira likely ahead of him on the bench - his point likely won't matter. Holding or increasing his value is my priority

  8. alfast1c
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Zinchenko
    vs
    Gabriel
    vs
    Trippier

    Guess Arsenal defense is priority for opening of season, but choose 1 plz.

    1. vova
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Trippier out of those 3 and maybe Ramsdale in goal for Arse coverage?

  9. vova
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who is your choice for 8.0 mid?

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

      Currently on Mount, but Saka if I didn't have 3 Arsenal already.

    2. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Mount or saka

    3. Markmondo
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Now contemplating Diaz!

  10. Markmondo
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Newcastle fan obv, but not much love for Wilson it seems. 12-15 goals for 7.5m if fit.
    Am I trying to convince myself...probably.
    Any thoughts?

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

      if fit is the key

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      It's the opening fixtures and switching to 4-4-2 that eventually put me off. Same with Tripps.

  11. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Groupthink led to Timo Werner being perceived to be the second coming of Gerd Müller among FPL managers. Wonder if the same thing ends up happening with Gabby Jesus.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Donkeys in everyone's teams

        1) Jesus
        2) Neto
        3) Bailey
        4) Perisic
        5) Haaland
        6) Diaz

    2. Sun God Nika
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Any other playing 4.0 def apart from the obvious neco?

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

        Patterson at Everton likely to start the season with Coleman out. He’s played the third highest amount of minutes for them in pre season as well I believe.

        1. Sun God Nika
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          cheers bud

    3. Meme2011
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Diaz or Nunez - been deliberating over this since community shield. can someone sell me one of these...

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

        I will take diaz

      2. highsguy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Nunez if money not a problem

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

        Darwin all day long if you can find the extra mil. Diaz will run his tits off all game but won’t always look a direct threat in terms of scoring/assisting, whereas Darwin will get at least 2/3 big chances every game.

    4. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Odegaard or martinelli?

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

        M

      2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Odegaard long term - Martinelli short term. It depends what you want to do with the .5.

    5. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I can't find the poster who asked for a 'set and forget' team.

      But this is the 'set and forget' team I would be happy with most will play the majority of games except maybe Bailey.

      A 3-4-3 -zero itb.

      Sanchez(Steele)
      --
      VVD-Cancelo-James (Patterson-Neco)
      --
      Lingard-Odergaard-Salah-Bailey (Andreas)
      -
      Vardy-Jesus-Kane

      -
      Salah captain obviously and Kane VC

    6. highsguy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A) James and Perisic
      B) Saka and Rodrigo

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

      RMT please...

      Alisson
      TAA - Cancelo - Walker - White - Dalot
      Saha - Mount - Sancho
      Jesus - Kane

      4.0 - 4.5 - 4.5 - 4.5
      0.5 ITB

      1. unholysmoke
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I'd take out Louis Saha, he retired some time ago so game time probably limited.

        Is that Saka or Zaha? If Saka...that's pretty much my team too. 😀 Although, starting the season with five defenders and nothing on the bench is risky.

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

      RMT please...

      Alisson
      TAA - Cancelo - Walker - White - Dalot
      Salah - Mount - Sancho
      Jesus - Kane

      4.0 - 4.5 - 4.5 - 4.5
      0.5 ITB

    9. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Here's one for you...
      Both players starting each week in a 442.
      Would you go:
      A) Raya & Neto
      B) Mendy & Bailey
      C) Ederson & Andreas

      NB, C) would mean triple City at the back - but I'm ok with that as I plan to start 'aggressively' regardless.
      Rest of team would be:

      xxx
      TAA/Robbo/Cancelo/Walker
      Salah/Saka/Martinelli/xxx
      Kane/Jesus

      (Ward//Neco/Archer/Andreas (except for in option C - where I'd have Andreas in the XI and Dasilva on the bench))

      Can you tell I have the 'last week jitters'!?!

    10. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Best Leeds Mid folks?

      Happy to punt on their fixtures and currently on Rodrigo. I don’t know enough about the Leeds Pecking Order when Sinisterra & James are back in contention so have Aaranson as an alternative;

      A) Rodrigo
      B) Aaranson

      Any insight is welcome

      1. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Aaronson is more nailed

        1. Dammit_182
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Cheers bud

    11. FPL Froggies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      HI FF Scouters
      I do not want to spam so will give the link only a couple of times here but we start our third season of FPL Podcast in French, FPL Froggies, if you want just chill listening barely good advices in French, or maybe start learning the language in a familiar FPL environnement, you can find the podcast in Spotify Deezer Google etc... and here:

      https://podcast.ausha.co/fpl-froggies-french-podcast-on-fantasy-premier-league-strategy/

    12. Kristobal
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A) Dalot & Cancelo

      B) Perisic & James

    13. TVG
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Guys Gtg?

      Raya, 4M
      TAA, Jansson, Patterson, Neco, White
      Salah, martinelli, Neto, KDB, Rashford
      Greenwood, Kane, Jesus

      Any changes please let me know.
      Thanks