Sleeper
19 September 2024 91 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Sponsored by Sleeper


Having held a draft during September’s international break, last weekend brought the first set of fixtures in the Fantasy Football Scout staff mini-league.

It’s part of our association with Sleeper, a popular app now branching into Premier League football after several years of hosting US sports contests.

Liked for its chat facilities and attractive design, simply download Sleeper on either the App Store or Play Store.

What is Sleeper + how can you join our free Pick'em league? 1

SCOUT SLEEPER DRAFT UPDATE

First, here are the 10 competitors:

  • Sam Bonfield – General Manager, half of FPL Family and a regular on Sky Sports News
  • Chris James – CEO of Scout, ‘El Fozzie’ hosts our Spaces on X
  • Neale Rigg – Editor who does a bit of line-up predicting on the side
  • Tom Freeman – Deputy Editor, a differential specialist and five-time top 1k finisher
  • Marc Jobling – Staff Writer who is now the Goals Imminent podcast co-host
  • Ian (FPL Partridge) – Social Media Manager, formerly of the FPL Partridge ‘X’ account
  • Tom Johnson – Multimedia Manager, began with Ian but recently expanded into video
  • Ed Gray – Strategic Advisor, UCL podcast co-host and creator of Fantasy Football Fest
  • Louis Roberts – Fantasy Football Community Staff Writer and master of many formats
  • Scott Worrall – Social Media Executive, the newest recruit and an EFL Fantasy contributor

And this is how Matchday 4 played out:

How Scout staff are preparing for Sleeper draft league's Matchday 5

Goal-scoring defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Fabian Schar gave Ed an incredibly tight 93.75 – 93.00 win over Sam, whilst the heroic hauls of Ollie Watkins, Gabriel, Diogo Dalot and David Raya accumulated a huge 140.00 score for Scott.

Yet the biggest win belonged to Marc. A brace from Erling Haaland allowed him to thrash Tom J, the unlucky owner of goalless Dominic Solanke and the surprisingly absent Joao Pedro.

MATCHDAY 5

How Scout staff are preparing for Sleeper draft league's Matchday 5 1

Preparing for the next round of games, four managers have adjusted their roster with transfers.

All have a Brentford theme, as Fabio Carvalho, Mikkel Damsgaard and Kristoffer Ajer are captured by Sam, Marc and Neale respectively. The latter also brings in Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey. Meanwhile, Tom F takes a punt on Kevin Schade, believing he’ll be the starting centre-forward during Yoane Wissa‘s injury.

“I was delighted with the winning start against Tom Freeman – I say ‘winning’, more of a thrashing at 99.75 to 53.00 – that sees the Fielding Foxes into second place.

“It was a somewhat ironic outcome for an Everton fan versus an Aston Villa fan, even more so as a Villa player was my second top scorer – Lucas Digne’s 15.5 points were only behind Mateta’s 22.5. Meanwhile, my four much-mocked Everton assets (including the 28.5 of Dwight McNeil) were stuck on the bench!

“Looking forward to the match-up against last-placed Tom Johnson this week. I have high hopes for Mateta, Calvert-Lewin and Gordon but am a little concerned about Dominic Solanke.” – Chris James, manager of Fielding Foxes

As Chris alludes to, he experienced neither the joy of Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin points nor an actual real-life win for his beloved Everton. But he’s confident of compounding Tom J’s misery from last week.


JOIN OUR SCOUT PICK’EM LEAGUE

Alongside Fantasy FC drafts, there’s Pick’em – a Premier League prediction league. You can join Scout’s for free by clicking here.

In Pick’em, all you do is predict wins and draws for the upcoming matches, earning a point for every correct guess.

Not only is there a football shirt of choice to win each month but the overall season-long winner gets £7,500 worth of prizes!



FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

91 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Evasivo
    • 15 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Sangare red flagged until end of Nov 🙁

    Pedro & Isak out more of priority… probably latter for Watkins if he’s fit now?

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

      Let's go Dibling!

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Is Pedro definitely out?

      1. Evasivo
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Hopefully not! As don’t want to take a point hit, and Isak gotta go

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

        João Pedro update:

        “Yeah so… he made a training session today and we shouldn’t, we don’t want to go any risk for today, and let’s see how the next days will be.”

        (Via “Official Brighton & Hove Albion FC” on YouTube)

        Credits to Brighton fan FPL Instinctive on Twitter/X

        1. Evasivo
          • 15 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Thanks JBG, sounds like a 20min run out let’s see

    3. Josh.E
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I thought Pedro trained

  2. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Diaz (C) or prioritise Salah (C) for one week before moving to Saka?

    Munoz, Jota, Muniz, Isak > Greaves, Salah (C), Stewart, DCL 4FT’s.

    Pope
    Saliba Gabriel Porro
    Salah Diaz Gordon ESR B.B.Diaz
    Haaland DCL

    Sa Robinson Greaves Stewart

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Do it.

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Could just do Isak > Watkins.

        Diaz vs Haaland for (C) GW 5.

        Then,

        GW 6:

        Munoz, B.B.Diaz, Jota, Muniz > Greaves, Dibling, Mbeumo, Havertz

  3. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Would Isak be injured, still go with Saka to Salah (c) while playing Konsa/Murphy or do Isak to Watkins/DCL/Vardy?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Get Watkins. You will need Saka after this GW.

    2. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      If Isak is injured, transfer him out. Haaland capt is fine (or Watkins even if you bring him in)

      You'll want Saka back next week.

  4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Which option:

    A) Save FT. Play Rogers.
    B) Wissa to DCL. Bench Rogers.

    1. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I'd play Rogers still but nothing wrong with B.

      Is there an option to do B and play both...?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Yes. Can bench ESR.

        1. twoplustwo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I’m doing this alongside the DCL transfer and playing Rogers

    2. Captain Beefheart
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

  5. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Carvalho - talk to me. If the minutes are there whats not to like?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I don’t think he is a user on this site.

    2. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      It's the IF part of this that is the problem though although with Wissa ruled out, chances are better.

      Mbeumo nailed leaving two spots between Lewis-Potter, Schade and Carvalho???

      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I prefer Schade. He's a smooth operator

  6. Mother Farke
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Wirtz G. Already.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      And another

      1. borntorun
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Glorious. Have Wirtz and Grimaldo. This first half has been absolute heaven.

        1. jacob1989
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Same here!

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

    Areola (Fab)
    TAA, Gabriel, Greaves (Lewis, Mosquera)
    Salah, Diaz, Mbeumo, Eze, Rogers
    Haaland, Pedro (Wissa)

    4 FTs for GW6. Early thoughts on?:

    A. Salah, Wissa --> Saka, Havertz
    B. Diaz, Wissa, Pedro, Areola --> Semenyo, Havertz, Stewart, Raya

    A is probably clear? Especially since I think Raya's hopefully capped at 6 points each in GW6/7 and I can live with using a transfer for him later. Don't love losing Salah but can't have them all

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

      C. Wissa to DCL

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

        I get the appeal but atm I'm fine playing Rogers this week and am pretty set on Havertz in in 6. Cue the DCL brace!

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

    On WC:

    A. McNeil
    or
    B. Rogers

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

      I think it's McNeil, unless the 0.3 makes a big difference!

  9. Haa-lala-land
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Everyone wildcarding to get three Arsenal players GW6
    Fair enough.
    But Arsenals good fixture run only lasts three games between GW6 and GW8 and afterward face Liverpool at home, then Chelsea and Newcastle away.
    I might save my WC and just use freebies.
    I'm pretty sure I don't want to be wildcarding in McNeil and DCL etc

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

      I think it's viable to just use frees if you don't have too much to clean up in your team. I do also think they've illustrated they can keep clean sheets against anyone at a high clip. Lots regretting not having Arsenal defenders for these early tricky fixtures. But sure a triple up isn't required from GW9, which can also be addressed with frees after a WC

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Chelsea and Newcastle are easy. Only Liverpool will be tricky.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Wishful thinking

      2. Mighty Duck
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Woudn't be so confident about Newcastle. They made Arteta whine af at St. James Park last year.

  10. Hanz0
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Worth taking a -4 to get Salah (c)?

    Went without Salah this past GW and it worked out great but not sure I want to roll the dice again.

    Already own TAA Diaz and Jota and plan to WC in GW6.

    Would likely sell Jota to Salah funded by downgrading Saka or Isak.

    Not optimal taking a hit but makes for a stress free weekend not having to worry about Salah hauling. Thoughts?

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

      I took a hit for Salah last week. Didn’t work out but don’t feel bad about it for the reasons you mention. Great captaincy option this weekend

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

      I think it's reasonable. Isak may be out and Saka's ceiling shouldn't be too high this week. Questions over Jota/Diaz minutes

  11. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Thoughts, Benching Isak & Lewis currently?

    Who to bench if Isak is fit to play?

    Henderson,
    Robinson, Konate, Porro
    Salah, Gordon, Jota, Rogers, ESR
    Haaland, Welbz,

    4m, Isak, Lewis, Hall,

    0.4

    1FT

    1. Hanz0
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I would bench ESR over Isak.

      Sure he has scored more than Rogers but plays fewer minutes and has been fortunate to get the points he has imo.

      Rogers has better fixture (Wolves conceded 6 vs Chelsea) and in opposite fashion to ESR has been super unlucky not to score / assist

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

      50/50 ESR or Rogers. Maybe ESR

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

      Probably ESR. Maybe even Welbeck though. Forest defense is legit

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

    What would you do here?

    A) Sell Isak for a punt (DCL etc) and maybe wildcard for 6
    B) Wildcard now
    C) Roll the FT, start ESR and use 2FTs for 6

    1FT 0.0ITB
    Raya
    Gvardiol Konsa Munoz
    Salah Jota Eze Rogers
    Haaland Isak** Pedro*

    4.0 ESR Robinson Barco**

    Thanks!

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

      I'd roll, that's what the bench is for. Not the week for WC. If DCL braces it's just bad luck!

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

        Nice one, thanks. Reckon WC6 is the move here or just use 2FTs on, say, Gabriel and Mbeumo?

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

          I think it's just about WC as it'll let you get to three Arsenal if you'd like, move on Isak, Barco, Munoz. I have Pedro after WC'ing but I think there are better options than him from 6 too. Jota/ESR/Gvard (unless he looks more attacking) probably not in a WC6 team either. Nice one though if you had Haaland/Salah/ESR/Raya from the start - your team did what it needed to do to get to WC6

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

            Thanks man. Alas, only had Salah since last week. Raya’s been my player of the season! Slow start but that can all change. Think I’ll wildcard for 6. All the best!

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

              Raya alone a great call and I think against the grain of ffs readers. You too mate!

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

                Cheers mate! My thinking was the new bonus system, while punishing keepers who rely on save points alone, would reward those with greater clean sheet chances, so putting a bit of a premium on the keepers has worked out. Shame the rest hasn’t worked out!

  13. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Would you risk selling Haaland this gw to fund Salah and Watkins?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Value?

    2. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      1 week punt, sure!

      1. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Yep

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

      Yes, though ofc it's 2 FTs that could be used at a later point. Just depends on your approach to transfers!

    4. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Depends on the size of yo balls

  14. JÆKS ⭐
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Which one would you rather have, gw5 only:

    A) Salah (C) Greaves
    B) Diaz (C) Trent

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

      A. No minutes concerns for Salah, pens. Can't ask for a better Greaves fixture. TAA looks great but more likely to not get an attacking return than to get one. I own Diaz but couldn't trust with (C)

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Cheers man!
        Pool's front 3 will be a total surprise for me against BOU 🙂

  15. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Best one week punt to replace Isak? Budget is 8.9. Watkins seems the obvious choice but what about Solanke ? Cheers

    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Nah Watkins is the choice I feel

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

      Watkins

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Cheers both

    4. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Solanke for me

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

        I have Solanke in my draft league, but he has 2 baboons in Werner and Johnson sending him horrible balls. Shame.

  16. Bobadoba
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Pedro out for DCL?

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

      DCL's the better option on a WC with better fixtures and no fitness concerns, but I'll be holding the transfer instead of doing this as Pedro can easily outscore DCL. But if you have a hunch go for it!

      1. Bobadoba
        • 16 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Ok ta

  17. jacob1989
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Just fantastic. Wirtz brace, grimaldo goal.. should be grimaldo assist too but given as gk own goal

    1. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      132 pts 🙂

      1. kamdaraji
        • 16 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Well done but you don't win any money

        1. kamdaraji
          • 16 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Even where I get high scores I don't brag seems a bit childish

          1. PartyTime
            • 4 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Did I hit a nerve? Quit being a salty oldie 🙁

            1. kamdaraji
              • 16 Years
              1 year, 2 months ago

              Points total at end of seaso

              1. PartyTime
                • 4 Years
                1 year, 2 months ago

                Complete your sentence, oldie

                1. kamdaraji
                  • 16 Years
                  1 year, 2 months ago

                  You will never beat my 20th position overall in Uefa CL in 2011/12. I am both older and wiser than you young man

          2. jacob1989
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            We moan and complain when our players fail. Why not cheer and be happy when our players succeed?

            1. kamdaraji
              • 16 Years
              1 year, 2 months ago

              I'm happy just remember don't get ahead of ourselves lol

  18. Sid07
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    saka + isak to salah(c) + vardy

    1) yes
    2) no

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

      Yes

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

      Y

  19. kamdaraji
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Points total at end of season is what matters. Good start but you probably won't win the tournament lol

    1. kamdaraji
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Oops meant in reply to partytime above lol

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

      Everything alright??

      1. kamdaraji
        • 16 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Nope lol

    3. jacob1989
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Doesn't matter. I dont expect to win tournament. So will u just sit like a statue everytime ur player or captain scores?

      1. kamdaraji
        • 16 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I just split with my partner not doing too well right now sorry. My FPL is in tatters for good measure seems like the whole world is against me. I guess FPL or fantasy footie can sometimes take a backwards step. We will all have good times and bad times

  20. Meechum
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Took a punt this week, who to start:

    1. Carvalho (TOT)
    2. Nketiah (MUN)

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

      Think it has to be Eddie until we know what Carvalho's minutes look like

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

        I think so too, I just don't really want to put him against my defender Dalot.

  21. Hurnt
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Best use of 1 free transfer this week?

    Sanchez
    Trent Mykolenko* Harwood
    Salah ESR Jota Palmer
    Haaland Pedro* Wood

    Vald Anderson Nedeljković Sangaré

    1 ft 0.3 itb

    Squad is hanging on by a thread, what are the chances Pedro and Mykolenko play gw5?

    If Mykolenko ruled out I might just risk Pedro with Anderson to sub in if he doesn’t play.

    Advice appreciated