Scout Notes
13 April 2025 254 comments
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Matheus Cunha (£6.8m) made his eagerly anticipated return from suspension on Sunday, as Wolverhampton Wanderers recorded a fourth straight Premier League win.

Liverpool, meanwhile, moved a step closer to the Premier League title with a dramatic 2-1 victory over West Ham United.

Here are the main Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Molineux and Anfield.

CUNHA RETURNS

Matheus Cunha scored on his return from suspension at Molineux.

The Brazilian, who served a four-match ban for the red card he received in the FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth, climbed off the bench in the 70th minute and marked the occasion with a goal, robbing Lucas Bergvall (£4.4m) of possession before slotting home.

There has been a lot of noise about Cunha off the pitch recently, but his quality on the ball isn’t in question.

Indeed, he’s now produced 14 goals and four assists in just 24 starts this season.

“He knows his quality, he knows the team was playing good games and winning [without him], in the right moment that we need him he said ‘yes I am here to help the team’.” – Vitor Pereira on Matheus Cunha

Cunha also banked more bonus points yet again. Even though he has made just 24 starts, Chris Wood (£6.9m) is the only forward who has more bonus points to their name in 2024/25.

On Sunday, Cunha earned 38 points for his positive actions in the BPS, thanks in part to two key passes, three successful dribbles and three ball recoveries.

Towering forward Jorgen Strand Larsen (£5.4m) also impressed, registering four shots and two big chances, and has now found the net in four consecutive Premier League games, a period which has seen him average 8.5 points per match.

IN-FORM WOLVES/SON INJURY UPDATE

Sunday’s clash at Molineux highlighted two teams on opposite trajectories.

Vitor Pereira has won 26 points since taking over at Wolves in Gameweek 17, winning eight of his 16 Premier League games in charge.

With a talented squad at his disposal, including Emmanuel Agbadou (£4.0m), Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.8m), who scored and assisted on Sunday, Joao Gomes (£4.9m) and Strand Larsen, plus consistency in his selection, it’s exciting to think what Pereira could potentially achieve with a full pre-season under his belt.

Before then, Wolves host strugglers Leicester City in Gameweek 34, with Free Hit usage set to see a spike in their assets’ popularity.

As for Tottenham, it’s all a bit of a mess.

They scored through Mathys Tel (£5.8m), who was a rare bright spark from his left wing position, and substitute Richarlison (£6.8m), but it was an error-strewn display, with Spurs’ focus seemingly on the UEFA Europa League, which remains their only hope of success this season.

The club sits a lowly 15th in the Premier League, while only the current bottom three – Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich Town – have lost more games in 2024/25 (17).

On the injury front, Dejan Kulusevski (£6.2m) did at least return as a substitute in Gameweek 32 and should now get further minutes in Frankfurt on Thursday.

Ange Postecoglou also discussed Son Heung-min (£9.8m) and Wilson Odobert (£5.3m) in his post-match interview, who missed out in Gameweek 32.

“It was good for Deki, Richarlison and Matty Tel to get minutes. That will be important on Thursday night, for sure. It was really good to get decent minutes into them and they all felt really good.

“Sonny got a knock and no point in him travelling today and with Wilson, as I said before, I was just managing him, but the whole idea was hopefully managing him so he can be right for Thursday night.” – Ange Postecoglou

LIVERPOOL EDGE CLOSER TO TITLE

Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) headed home a late winner as Liverpool edged closer to the Premier League title on Sunday.

The Reds are now 13 points clear of Arsenal with six games remaining, meaning they could be crowned champions as early as next weekend.

At Anfield, it wasn’t a vintage performance from Arne Slot’s side, but they still got the job done.

In his first match since he signed a new two-year contract, Mohamed Salah (£13.8m) produced a superb assist for Luis Diaz’s (£7.5m) opener, with a beautifully weighted pass with the outside of his left boot.

The Egyptian failed to get on the scoresheet (he’s now gone five league games without a goal from open play), but instead, his creativity came to the fore, with two big chances created.

Diaz, meanwhile, ended this clash through the middle and has now produced either a goal or assist in each of his last five matches:

As for Darwin Nunez (£7.0m), he missed out after feeling unwell on Saturday.

ALISSON + BRADLEY IMPRESS

Arne Slot made four alterations to his starting XI, with Alisson Becker (£5.5m) and Conor Bradley (£4.7m) among those recalled.

Both players impressed, with the return of Alisson particularly key, as the Brazilian made some big saves to deny Carlos Soler (£5.0m) and Jarrod Bowen (£7.5m).

“We needed Alisson because Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus were incredible, the whole game but especially in the second half. Scoring immediately shows you how much mentality these boys have.

“Second half they made it much more difficult for us because they brought so many players into the midfield. Kudus started to run everywhere and he was almost uncontrollable for us and that led to chances because they also have Jarrod Bowen – a player that can run in behind. That made it really hard for us but Alisson saved for us multiple times.” – Arne Slot

Bradley also deserves credit.

This was the right-back’s first start since Gameweek 24, but he looked at ease throughout, making several dangerous underlapping runs, crucially creating space for Salah.

Understandably withdrawn on 67 minutes as he continues to be managed on his return from injury, Bradley even banked four clean sheet points and scooped the maximum bonus, having departed well before Liverpool conceded.

Next up – a trip to Leicester.

West Ham also face promoted opposition in Gameweek 33 in the form of Southampton.

They improved after going behind at Anfield and actually created four big chances in total, two more than Liverpool, with Mohammed Kudus’ (£6.2m) curling effort hitting the bar.

At the other end of the pitch, Alphonse Areola (£4.2m) made four saves and generally performed well, suggesting he should get another start in Gameweek 33, despite some recent iffy form.

“We are disappointed not to get anything from the game but the performance is probably the strongest we’ve had since we’ve been here. We’ve given a top team, the best team, a real game today.” – Graham Potter



254 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. dansmith1985
    • 3 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Have only FH left,is it better to be played in 34 or 36?

    1. Thicksolidtight
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      What's your current squad looking like, good pal-o friend buddy?

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Depends how your team is setup for 34 and there is no guarantee of DGW36

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 5 days ago

        Players that double in 33 and progress to FAC final may double in 36

    3. Black Knights
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Depends how your team is set up, and what happens in 36. Likely to have more problems in 37 (blank) than 36 (double) though.

    4. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      As everyone else, depends on team setup. Lots of people have triple Palace, Arsenal & City and therefore FH34 is a no brainer

      1. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        8 months, 5 days ago

        Surely if you have 8-9 of those in a squad of 15, FH is the least of you worries. GW 35 and beyond you have two of three teams whose minds are on different cups and a third who change five players a game.

    5. Thicksolidtight
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Come on Dan you big vague trolley

      1. dansmith1985
        • 3 Years
        8 months, 5 days ago

        Sorry have replied in new thread

    6. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      If you can survive 34 well, I'd say 36 is better.

  2. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Fh34?

    Team in 33 with no hits
    Raya
    Saliba Munoz livra
    Salah saka Murphy Bowen
    Islam marmoush Matera

    Fh33?
    Team in 34 with no hits
    Vert
    Cucu livra ran livra
    Saka Palmer Bowen Murphy
    Isak Cunha

    Thank you v much !

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      What are the FH teams?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 months, 5 days ago

        Haven't worked that out yet but which team looks best for 33 or 34 above ? Thanks

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          8 months, 5 days ago

          Given you have 2 Livras, probably not that one.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 5 days ago

            Oopds milenkovic instead or livra

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      GW33 team is not bad. Triple Newcastle the only flag (saying that they are on form)

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 months, 5 days ago

        Cheers

  3. XX SMICER XX
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Bench Boost time:
    A. Gabriel Livra Murphy to Kiwior Bradley Rashford
    B. Above with Rogers over Rashford
    C. Any other DGW punts

    Raya Areola
    Munoz Gvardiol Konsa Bradley Kiwior
    Salah Savinho Sarr Saka RASHFORD/ROGERS
    Isak Mateta Marmoush

    3FT 1.9M ITB

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      B.

      Unless you know that Rashford is starting both matches, which he might?

  4. Drizzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Who scores more in DGW33?

    A) Isak (avl)
    B) Savinho (eve, AVL)

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Probably A.
      Savinho will get 1 start at best.

      I own Savinho and am tempted to switch

    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      The one who is a regular starter

    3. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Cheers guys. Still think Savinho may get 100+ mins in these games and that could be a closer call than it looks against Isak's 75 mins.

  5. Fnug
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    I've failed in my chip strategy and seen my rank plummet the last few weeks. Still leading some of my MLs, though. I have WC and BB left, but the look of my team sickens me to the point where I want to WC now and just BB when the fixtures fall nicely.

    Current team:
    Henderson, Flekken
    Munoz, Robinson, Livramento, Faes, Van den Berg
    Salah, Palmer, Eze, Nwaneri, Gordon
    Marmoush, Gakpo, Isak

    Thinking about going six doublers in GW33 which will leave me with 10 starters GW34. Something like this:

    Raya, Areola
    Bradley, Gvardiol, Livramento, Ait-Nouri, N.Williams
    Mbeumo, KDB, Rogers, Salah, Murphy
    Marmoush, Isak, Mateta

    Thoughts?

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      WC when your team needs it. No point plodding on with the wrong team every week

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      You may be able to BB in gw36 but you should probably decide now for your goalkeeper pick and 5th defender etc.

      It looks worth doing.

      I'm not sure if KDB will fire in gw33 but you need some differentials too.

      It just that he's not had a streak for a long time.

      Maybe Pep plays him for the run in?

  6. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Why these journos won't just ask Pep what's his deal with Savinho? Surely it's interesting why the guy has been suddenly dropped being a regular so far.

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Allegedly he told Pep to stay humble.

  7. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Livramento's recent performances at LB have completely stepped up compared to the first couple of game he played there.

    Previously he would tend to cut back onto his right foot and make the attacking play narrow. Now he is confident taking defenders on and running to the byline providing good crosses.

    Not a must sell this GW, probably fine to hold for the rest of the season.

  8. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    On a BB

    Would you rather

    A. Start Timber, BB with Munoz + Murphy

    B. Start Rogers, BB with Kerkez + Mbeumo

    Albeit in A Mbeumo is in the 11 and in B Munoz is in the 11. The difference is the BB and Timber or Rogers.

    1. mookie
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Why not just ask to pick one?
      A Kerkez to Timber
      B Murphy to Rogers

      So we can answer "it depends on whether you'll play FH in 34 and the rest of your squad". 😉

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 months, 5 days ago

        I know

        I'm trying to get it straight in my head

        I think A, but is that right?

        Kerkez looks a sell. Murphy a keep?

        What do you think?

        1. mookie
          • 12 Years
          8 months, 5 days ago

          Depends again imo. How many time will you play Murphy? Exclude the GW in which you'll play FH.

          You have to wait for the CL game for Arsenal and Friday presser (news on White) as well before deciding.

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 months, 5 days ago

            Yeah

            Waiting all week

            I'm also getting Kiwori in.

            Obviously it depends how Rogers does in Champions League tomorrow too.

            I think I'm 0.1m off of getting Rashford but prefer Rogers.

            Murphy has been a strong pick, but arguably you play him in gw34 and 38.

            I will likely FH him back in gw34.

            The other point is that both Ipswich and Palace are more than capable of scoring in gw33, so is double Arsenal defence really the play to make?

            You also probably don't want double Arsenal defence in gw36 and 37.

            Rogers it is!!

  9. boc610
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Howe showing that Snipers Alley
    probably comes a lot quicker for football managers. The stress must be unreal. They probably get terrible sleep and knock even more years off their lives.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Is it heart related?

    2. Batman1983
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Howe's illness isn't showing anything.

      Not good to speculate and gossip.

  10. Dutchy FPL
    • 2 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Assuming everyone is and stays fit. BB33 team looks like this:

    Raya - Martinez
    Timber - Konsa - Munoz - Rúben Dias - Gvardiol
    Salah - Palmer - Eze - Rogers - J. Murphy
    Mateta - Isak - Marmoush

    Would you:

    A) Palmer --> Saka
    B) Palmer --> Martinelli or Rice
    C) Palmer --> Martinelli or Rice + J. Murphy to Bowen (-4).

    Twelve doublers, Bowen plays Southampton Home in 33

    1. Dutchy FPL
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Will play FH34! WC already played in GW32

  11. mookie
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 5 days ago

    Kind of funny how most picks were obvious and unquestionable on WC30 and WC31, yet safety scores were in the 40s so far. This GW needed a bunch of BBs and TCs to push it to over 50.

    1. Tommy Template
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      I guess in football obvious & unquestionable on paper doesn't actually work out half the time. The other thing is when we see a double we always see that as a positive when in reality its an extra fixture thrown into an already crowded schedule for most teams.

    2. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 5 days ago

      Just a low scoring gw. The overall average is 38. Most active teams still have 5/6 players left with a lot with chips still in play and should get 60+

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 months, 5 days ago

        Yet teams with RAN in are beating BB, TC and Glasner AM chip teams.

        1. Tommy Template
          • 11 Years
          8 months, 5 days ago

          The guy with the most points so far this week got over 100 on BB, just depends who you picked I guess. He had Barnes and captained him. Fair play. He also had a lot of less obvious single GW players that paid off well like Pickford and Joao Pedro

        2. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          8 months, 5 days ago

          Pure luck 😉

        3. _Ninja_
          • 15 Years
          8 months, 5 days ago

          Random players do well every week though, look at the team of the week.

          Ramsdale
          Bradley Johnson Virgil RAN
          Enciso KDB Thomas Doucoure Barnes
          João Pedro