Fantasy Premier League

Daily Scout Notes: 1 July

1 Jul 2020

The Scout is reviewing every Fantasy Premier League fixture until the end of the season, whether it's noting player rotation and injuries, making tactical observations or highlighting in-form differentials.

BOU

1-4

NEW

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) was the star performer as Newcastle United won 4-1 at AFC Bournemouth.

Owned by just 1.7 per cent at the time, the winger proved a major differential by supplying three of the visitors' assists at Vitality Stadium.

That contribution earned Saint-Maximin his season-high haul of 15 points in FPL.

He has now totalled 37 points in the last four Gameweeks, also scoring twice in that period.

Gayle force

Meanwhile, Dwight Gayle (£5.0m) justified his return to the starting XI by netting the opener. The striker has now scored in back-to-back matches for Steve Bruce’s side.

Three of Newcastle's final six opponents - West Ham United, Watford and Brighton & Hove Albion - are among the bottom six sides in the Premier League.

That also suggests the Magpies' cut-price defenders could be worth considering.

They have three clean sheets in their last five matches, conceding only two goals.

Three of Newcastle's starting back four against the Cherries - Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo - all cost just £4.3m in FPL.

Chop the Cherries

AFC Bournemouth, however, have a far less promising run-in.

Eddie Howe’s men face four of the top eight in the next four Gameweeks.

Owners of Nathan Ake (£4.8m) should consider swapping to Serge Aurier (£5.0m) for Tottenham Hotspur’s favourable run of matches.

Top scorer: Allan Saint-Maximin 15pts (TSB 2.1%, £5.5m)
Bonus points: Allan Saint-Maximin 3pts, Jonjo Shelvey 2pts, Dwight Gayle 2pts.

Next three Gameweeks

AFC Bournemouth: MUN (A) TOT (H) LEI (H)
Newcastle: WHU (H) MCI (A) WAT (A)

ARS

4-0

NOR

Two goals and an assist against Norwich City helped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) to the top of the FPL forward standings.

The Arsenal forward overtook Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) by a single point at the summit after recording his season-high haul of 16 points in the 4-0 win.

While that delighted the 823,000+ managers who handed him the captain’s armband, Arsenal’s upcoming schedule has prompted heavy sales.

Aubamayang has already been moved on by 48,000+ managers ahead of matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in the next four Gameweeks.

Budget pair benched

There was disappointment for owners of cut-price pair Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) and Eddie Nketiah (£4.4m) as both were left out of the starting XI.

Nketiah has now started just one of Arsenal’s last four domestic matches.

Managers seeking a budget pick up front should instead consider Mason Greenwood (£4.4m) of Manchester United, who plays at home against AFC Bournemouth this weekend.

Avoid Canaries

Norwich, meanwhile, have now lost all three of their matches since Premier League action resumed, failing to score a single goal.

Furthermore, head coach Daniel Farke has made five substitutions in each of those fixtures.

Combined with their lack of form, the increased risk of rotation suggests Canaries players are best avoided for the run-in.

Top scorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 16pts (TSB 24.2%, £11.0m)
Bonus points: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 3pts, Granit Xhaka 2pts, Hector Bellerin 1pt.

Next three Gameweeks

Arsenal: WOL (A) LEI (H) TOT (A)
Norwich: BHA (H) WAT (A) WHU (H)

EVE

2-1

LEI

Lucas Digne (£5.7m) supplied his second successive assist as Everton beat Leicester City 2-1.

The left-back has been a big success at both ends of the pitch since Premier League action resumed.

Digne has also claimed two clean sheets in the Toffees’ last three matches, totalling 21 points.

And his run-in suggests he could be a key target in defence from Gameweek 34+ onwards.

After Monday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Everton’s final five matches score no more than three according to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR).

Richarlison appeal

That schedule also looks encouraging for Richarlison (£8.3m) and his 10.2 per cent ownership.

The Brazilian scored his 11th goal of the season before being forced off with a knock before the hour-mark.

However, manager Carlo Ancelotti is optimistic Richarlison will be available to face Spurs.

Meanwhile, cut-price forward Anthony Gordon (£4.5m) has started two of the last three Gameweeks on the left wing. He supplied the assist for Richarlison’s strike.

Vardy drought

For Leicester, Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) endured a frustrating evening, recording a blank for his 27.6 per cent ownership.

The Foxes' frontman has scored just twice since Gameweek 18 and his upcoming schedule could persuade many owners to consider selling him.

Five of Leicester’s remaining six matches score at least three in the FDR.

Top scorer: Gylfi Sigurdsson 10pts (TSB 2.4%, £7.3m)
Bonus points: Gylfi Sigurdsson 3pts, Kelechi Iheanacho 2pts, Anthony Gordon 1pt.

Next three Gameweeks

Everton: TOT (A) SOU (H) WOL (A)
Leicester: CRY (H) ARS (A) BOU (A)

WHU

3-2

CHE

Willian (£7.1m) and Christian Pulisic (£7.0m) both extended their strong run of FPL form in Chelsea’s 3-2 loss at West Ham United.

The Brazilian scored both the Blues’ goals and appears to be on penalty duties when Jorginho (£4.9m) is not selected.

He has now recorded double-figure hauls in three of the last four Gameweeks.

Pulisic promise

Pulisic, meanwhile, has claimed 22 points in Chelsea’s last three Gameweeks, scoring against Aston Villa and Manchester City since Premier League action returned.

The wingers look the most appealing options in the Blues’ attack, with Tammy Abraham (£7.5m) and Olivier Giroud (£6.6m) rotating in the lone striker's role.

Owned by just 5.0 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively, Willian and Pulisic have the schedule to thrive as major differentials.

Frank Lampard’s side face Watford, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Norwich City in the next four Gameweeks.