With the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 33 deadline simply two days away, our Scout Notes are a whirlwind affair.
All 5 of Saturday’s Premier League fixtures are coated on this article, with the same old array of graphics and Opta numbers sourced from our Premium Members space.
TONEY AVOIDS 10. BOOKING
Whereas an accusation from the Soccer Affiliation nonetheless hangs over his head, Ivan Toney (7.7m) is a minimum of free from the specter of suspension from accumulation of yellow playing cards.
Brentford have now performed their thirty second league recreation of the season, so if and when Toney picks up his tenth reserving of the marketing campaign, he’ll not face a two-match ban consequently.
Above: Solely 4 Premier League gamers can nonetheless obtain two-match bans
Toney scored his nineteenth purpose of the season in a 1–1 draw in opposition to Aston Villa; solely as soon as because the restart on Boxing Day has he gone multiple recreation with out scoring.
Powerful video games await Brentford within the run-up, however Toney and the Bees are usually large characters: this was the striker’s twelfth purpose in opposition to top-half opposition this season, two greater than some other Premier League participant has managed.
Ollie Watkins’ (7.7m) wonderful run of kind got here to an finish because it needed to sooner or later and in actuality it was a quiet afternoon for the striker who didn’t register his first shot on the right track till the 86th minute.
This was a little bit of an off day for the Villans after their distinctive outcomes and performances in current months, nonetheless Emi Buendia (5.7m) – once more enjoying up prime alongside Watkins – was a shining mild, carving out plenty of openings earlier than Douglas Luiz (4.8m) slammed residence a late equalizer from Buendia’s tee-up.
Alex Moreno (4.5m) virtually knocked a clear sheet – his quantity was being arrange simply earlier than Toney’s sixty fifth minute opener and the substitution went as deliberate within the wake of the purpose.
IN ILLNESS…
Emi Martinez (5.0m) stored Brentford at bay within the aforementioned match in west London, however didn’t function within the second half, being changed by Robin Olsen (3.9m) between the studs.
Over on the King Energy StadiumJames Maddison (8.1 m) was not even within the hosts’ squad.
Each gamers suffered from sickness however hope to be again for his or her respective Gameweek 33 video games on Tuesday evening.
“The physician informed me this morning. Hopefully he’ll be prepared to coach on Monday. He was one of many first to get me proper then.” – Dean Smith on James Maddison
He has a abdomen virus. He was feeling unhealthy earlier than the sport. We tried to help him. After the primary half, he felt worse and couldn’t proceed. It is one thing together with his abdomen. He wasn’t feeling nicely.
We have one other recreation on Tuesday (in opposition to Fulham) so we’ll wait and hopefully it isn’t one thing that may rule him out. – Unai Emery on Emi Martinez
THREE KNITTER, DEAN? IT’S INSANE
Within the absence of Maddison and Harvey Barnes (6.7m), who can also be anticipated to strategy health in Gameweek 33, Dean Smith set about naming Patson Daka (5.6 m), Kelechi Iheanacho (5.9 m) and Jamie Vardy (9.1m) in the identical association. Iheanacho began behind Vardy up prime, whereas Daka struggled with a left-wing position and regarded rather a lot just like the placeholder for Barnes.
Iheanacho was fortunate together with his purpose when Vardy was injured when he received Leicester’s penalty within the thirty seventh minute. The Nigerian duly stepped as much as convert the spot-kick as his veteran positional rival obtained remedy.
A 3-striker set-up sounds very thrilling from an FPL perspective, and it helped the Foxes to one in every of their highest single-game xG totals of the season (2.42).
But it surely have to be emphasised that Barnes and Maddison have to be locked again into the aspect, in positions initially occupied by Daka and Iheanacho on Saturday, so we could possibly be left with one orthodox striker in opposition to Leeds United.
Vardy is a little bit of a doubt for that recreation as he didn’t shake off the blow he took when he received the Foxes’ penalty.
“He had that knock and rolled his ankle. I felt we wanted an additional physique in there, we had three centre-forwards on the pitch. So I felt he had accomplished his job and we might give him that relaxation.” – Dean Smith on Jamie Vardy
The wing-back system was deserted by Smith for this recreation, however his two backs nonetheless mixed for the winner, whereas Caglar Soyuncu (4.2 m) was spectacular at heart half; there may be nonetheless hope that Leicester can finish their clear sheet drought quickly. however for Your Tielemans (6.1m) reward wrapping of Wolves an opener right here, it’d already be over.
Talking of Julen Lopetegui’s aspect, their away issues drag on. Their solely two away wins have come on the golf equipment now 18th and twentieth within the Premier League desk, whereas no group has stored fewer clear sheets (one). They nonetheless should face Brighton, Manchester United and Arsenal on their travels, one thing that may curiosity homeowners of attacking belongings from these three groups.
KNOCK ON ROBERTSON + JOTA
Studies of Andrew Robertsons (6.8 million) loss of life as a Fantasy asset might have been barely exaggerated after he not solely claimed an help within the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest but additionally registered essentially the most possibilities created by any Premier League participant on Saturday.
Nobody current at Anfield might beat him for the ultimate third innings both.
Above: Common positions of Liverpool gamers in Gameweek 32, together with Trent Alexander-Arnold (66) and Andrew Robertson (26)
All this speak has arisen as a result of Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.4m) now operates as one in every of Pep Guardiola’s full-backs (i.e. dealing with into the middle of midfield) and seemingly limits Robertson’s capacity to bomb ahead as he used to.
A lot of the possibilities Robertson offered in opposition to Forest got here from set-pieces, it must be stated, with 13 of Liverpool’s 18 pictures in whole – and all three of their objectives – coming from set items.
Klopp acknowledged that the instances they modified tactically, with Robertson having to “assess the conditions the place he may be concerned”.
“It is a bit football-specific, however after all it modified the position a bit, that is clear. We won’t have one full-back in the midst of the sector and the opposite consistently excessive up on the left. It is tough. So Robbo has to evaluate the conditions the place he may be concerned, like, I do not know what purpose quantity at Leeds, however when Diogo passes the ball after which he overlaps and passes the ball to Cody, Mo, purpose. These conditions are nonetheless there. However within the first second of the build-up, sure, his positioning has modified a bit. However he is clearly a really skilled participant, a really good participant and he is aware of once we want him there. Right now was a little bit of a combination as a result of we additionally wanted width and depth, that means he must be tall occasionally, nevertheless it simply will depend on the second and the scenario.
“The boys should be taught to learn these conditions proper and do these items on the proper second. Right now Nottingham clearly tried to man-mark each sixes and 10s with Hendo and Curtis, it makes life a bit tough and gave Ibou a variety of moments on the ball , and in the beginning he did not use it very nicely. Oh, now I keep in mind Diogo’s probability, the lengthy ball from Ibou and a very good header and a very good save. So Ibou had a variety of time and area. And that is the subsequent factor, if an opponent does that, how can we assist Ibou use these moments just a little bit higher? It is early days, if you’ll, with that type of system, so we now have to work on that.” – Jurgen Klopp on Andrew Robertson’s position
The fortunes of Cody Gakpo (7.7 m) and Diogo Jota (8.8m) could not have been a lot totally different on this recreation, the previous being withdrawn after 59 minutes for a one-pointer and the latter popping up with two set items to complete on his second double-digit haul of the week.
Mohamed Salah (12.9m) shared their tally with a purpose of his personal, his twelfth offensive rebound in his final 10 begins – as many as he had registered within the 20 video games earlier than that.
“I feel the second purpose can actually see what objectives do to offensive gamers. They offer confidence. It was an excellent first contact, it did not seem like an enormous probability within the first second once you see three within the field, bam, first contact, nice, after which the second is simply excellent. He might have already scored a 3rd within the first half. I am undecided, did he have an opportunity within the second half for the third? Once more, it reveals that as an offense you participant may be concerned in completely each defensive scenario and nonetheless be a menace offensively.There is no such thing as a if [or] or you are able to do each and Diogo does. That makes him, for us, so precious, and that is why, after all, he deserves it.” – Jurgen Klopp on Diogo Jota
Jota is the one striker in Liverpool’s squad to have began all 5 league video games because the worldwide break in March; an indication of the esteem during which Klopp holds the previous Wolves man, however maybe additionally a priority for the back-to-back fixtures in Gameweeks 33-35, with Darwin Nunez (8.7 m) and Luis Diaz (7.8m) is ready within the wings.
In reality, there in all probability aren’t many Reds who will escape a minimum of one bench within the subsequent fortnight.
EVERTON’S RIGHT BACK PROBLEM
A recreation that completed 0.51-0.39 in Anticipated Targets (xG) was as uneventful because it instructed.
Crystal Palace stored their second consecutive clear sheet and Sam Johnstone (4.4m) drawn once more, the potent mixture of comparatively simple saves to make (9 in whole within the final two gameweeks) and a scarcity of massive possibilities (only one) serving to to spice up his bonus level rating with out bringing his clear sheet in jeopardy.
Vicente Guaita (4.4m) was within the match squad on Saturday however didn’t get Johnstone unfastened; maybe he has not been deemed match sufficient to start out, however it might be a shock to see the Spaniard make a right away return given how nicely his positional rival has performed.
The bullet spray Joachim Andersen (4.4m) offered two extra alternatives from centre-half within the meantime, taking him to 5 possibilities created in 4 Gameweeks underneath Roy Hodgson.
Everton stored their first away clear sheet since earlier than the World Cup and Sean Dyche’s purpose was clear right here, switching to a extra defensive 4-5-1 set-up after the current flirtation with a 4-4-2.
Their proper again space stays an issue within the absence of Seamus Coleman (4.2m), nonetheless with Mason Holgate (4.2 m) has a blazing afternoon and is shipped away every week later Ben Godfrey (4.3m) and Nathan Patterson (3.9 m) was torn off William (5.5 m).
Jordan Ayew (5.2 m), once more working on the palace’s left flank within the absence of the soon-to-be-fit Wilfried Zaha (7.2m), was the hosts’ clearest participant consequently, registering as many pictures as Eze, Edouard and Olise mixed.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7.9m) made his first begin for months and lasted an encouraging 90 minutes, giving Everton a bit extra purpose menace, curling an effort narrowly huge of Johnstone’s upright.
PEREIRA: SHOOT ON SIGHT
High: Andreas Pereira’s attacking output in 2023
Andreas Pereira (4.4m) has gone on a taking pictures spree in current weeks, registering extra makes an attempt on purpose in his final six video games than some other Premier League participant.
Whereas a lot of these have come from distance, his tally of 10 pictures within the field this time period is simply two wanting what he had managed in the entire of 2022/23 earlier than that. Three large possibilities additionally double his season’s tally.
It’s tempting to hyperlink Aleksandar Mitrovic‘s (6.6m) absence on to Pereira’s improved output, with the shot-hungry Serbian not getting all the probabilities, however the two shared the pitch in Gameweeks 26 and 27.
A goalkeeping error from Illan Meslier (4.5m) helped Pereira discover the online in opposition to Leeds United, however the truth that he arrived within the field within the first place was an honest signal.
A resurgence Harry Wilson (5.7m) was additionally on the scoresheet for the Cottagers, his second purpose in as many begins.
Leeds conceded two extra objectives to go along with the 11 they’d shipped the earlier week, their very own proper again space (like Everton’s) and a substandard central midfield apparent sources of bother. If match, Maddison might have a discipline day on Tuesday evening.
