⚡ SCOUT BULLETIN ⚡

💰 NEW FANTASY MERCH STORE! 💰

Just before we get to the international break update, I wanted to let you know that Scout have just launched a new store - www.fantasyfootballmerch.co.uk

Why not take a look and grab a 25% discount by using code ‘BLACKFRIDAY25’ at the checkout.

⚡ THE SCOUT REPORT

For those who’ve used this international break to blissfully forget recent FPL events, it’s time to remember the devastatingly low-scoring Gameweek 11 and generally high-scoring Gameweek 12 that was likely defined by each manager’s Kostas Tsimikas status.

Four of The Great and the Good sold him right before a 15-point haul, whilst many benched him. Meanwhile, Az followed his 11 points of Gameweek 11 by ‘accidentally’ Bench Boosting and therefore fluking Tsimikas’ returns. 

There was also a 4-4 thriller between Man City and a Chelsea side with impressive recent expected goals numbers. It brought 16 points for Erling Haaland but, unfortunately for both himself and fellow early Scout Pick Jarrod Bowen, Neale’s in-depth international tracker has detected knocks for themselves, Kaoru Mitoma and Son Heung-min.

Add these flags to the current suspensions and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to navigate the good fixtures and bad fixtures coming up for all 20 teams. Pro Pundit Zophar’s early observation of hectic December concludes that managers need to invest in some of the most nailed-on talismans that tend to avoid rotation. That doesn’t include Moussa Diaby so, combined with Matty Cash’s disappointing recent scores, Tom asks what we should do with Aston Villa assets.

The busy festive season is soon followed by 2024’s AFCON and Asian Cup tournaments, stealing the likes of Son, Mitoma, Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo for a few weeks.

Elsewhere, recent FFS Cup qualifiers are about to be joined by the FFS Members Cup ones. And former champion Simon March asked if burning an FPL free transfer is ever a good idea.

Still to come before Saturday’s 11:00 (GMT) deadline are pieces from Lateriser, FPL General and the usual Zophar Q&A. Nearer the time there’ll be Scout Squad and differential picks.

As always, check out our Gameweek 13 page to quickly access all recent articles, plus the standard press conference updates from managers. Visit our Members Area for comparison tools and an in-depth collection of Opta data.

Over on our YouTube channel, alongside the usual Scoutcast, Burning Questions and Deadline Dilemmas episodes will be General’s Orders and his 59^th Minute podcast. Az and Gianni took questions last Friday.