Opinion

The Digest – Gameweek 5

Our final look back at Gameweek 5 focuses on the player, the team and the major talking point served up.

Not surprisingly, Manchester City dominate in all three categories, as Sergio Aguero reclaims his Fantasy royalty status and Pep Guardiola’s in-form outfit prepare for a superb run of fixtures that looks set to have an impact on our short-term plans.

Here’s The Digest…

The Player

Sergio Aguero went into Gameweek 5 sitting in just 10% of Fantasy Premier League squads.

At the time of typing out these words – just three days later – the Manchester City striker now boasts a 19% ownership thanks to his three goals and assist in the 6-0 demolition of Watford.

Aguero’s 20-point haul at Vicarage Road has turned the Fantasy market on its head – he’s already risen twice in price since the weekend, sitting at 11.6 after earning over 430,000 new owners.

His return to form could barely be better timed as Pep Guardiola’s side prepare for three superb home fixtures in the next four Gameweeks, with Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Burnley all visiting the Etihad.

Many had written off the Argentine ahead of this season, with Gabriel Jesus looking the likelier candidate to spearhead City’s attack as the lone striker.

But Guardiola’s decision to switch to two up front has forced a reassessment.

The top forward for shots and efforts inside the box last season, Aguero racked up 20 league goals but converted a mere 14.4% of his opportunities.

This time around, he’s netted 29.4% of his efforts – far superior to his previous career-high of 20.2% in 2015, when he scored 24 times.

Perhaps tellingly, City are providing Aguero with more quality scoring opportunities, with his big chances per appearance up from 0.9 to 1.2. And Aguero himself is also being far more creative – a total of 12 key passes is more than any other forward.

Granted, his appearance as a sub against Bournemouth in Gameweek 3 is still a sign that Guardiola will throw us a curveball from time to time.

Yet despite starting four league matches to Jesus’ five, Aguero has played 50 minutes more than his team-mate. Of those four starts, he’s only failed to complete eight minutes.

Encouragingly, his lack of pitch-time for Argentina could also play into our hands – he’s now failed to play a single minute in their previous four matches and last featured (as a second-half substitute) for his country back in March.

We never doubted his quality – the only concern was his manager’s penchant for rotation. But with those fears now gradually evaporating, Aguero’s form and upcoming fixtures are paramount in our thinking.

The Team

Saturday’s win at Watford continued a relentless run of results as Man City sweep aside their opponents with a ruthless efficiency.

In their last three matches across all competitions, Guardiola’s troops have racked up 15 goals without reply and Fantasy managers are clambering for a piece of the action.

After flirting with different tactical set-ups, including three-man defences, lone striker systems and 4-2-2-2 formations, it appears that Guardiola may have finally struck gold with 4-1-3-2.

While Aguero is the flavour of the week on the back of his latest haul, let’s not forget that strike partner Jesus has netted four times. Indeed, the duo are the top two forwards for minutes per goal (75.4 and 81.8) this season – both are ahead of Romelu Lukaku (90 minutes) on the other side of Manchester.

But there is clear points potential elsewhere in Guardiola’s XI.

In midfield, David Silva’s pair of assists took him to four for the season, offering a cheaper alternative to Kevin De Bruyne at 8.3 to 9.9. Both sit among the top four in the Premier League for key passes, supplying 17 and 15 respectively.

Written off by many after drawing blanks in the first three fixtures due to a deep-lying role, De Bruyne – like Aguero – has been one of the main beneficiaries of the new formation, serving up three assists to Silva’s two from Gameweek 4 onwards.

Yet it’s been the addition of new full-backs Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker that’s arguably allowed Guardiola more tactical scope.

The pair offer an energy and drive down the flanks that City sorely lacked last season. In the past two Gameweeks alone, they’ve served up three FPL assists and 35 points between them, while Nicolas Otamendi also delivered 12 points at Vicarage Road.

From front to back, it seems we’re spoilt for choice as we look to invest in a side that sits joint-top with Man United for goals scored (16) and least goals conceded (two).

And their allure has only been heightened by Guardiola’s recent lack of tinkering. He’s made just one change to his line-up in each of those last three matches and seems to be looking for a little more stability in his quest for the title.

The Talking Point

Prior to Saturday, it looked as if Lukaku and Harry Kane would continue to dominate our three-man frontlines.

One has FPL popularity and output to consistently punish non-owners, the other boasts the underlying numbers that suggest goals – and then more goals – will follow.

Yet both have been among the main victims in the scramble for Aguero’s services.

Kane, understandably, has suffered most on the back of four blanks in five – over 75,000+ have replaced him with the City striker, yet he’s set to play West Ham, Huddersfield and Bournemouth in the next three.

And despite scoring for the fourth match in five, over 49,000 Lukaku owners have made the same move. That’s perhaps influenced by the schedule – whereas City offer three home matches in the next four, United play just once at Old Trafford, albeit against Palace.

The same applies to Roberto Firmino (71,000+) owners and Alvaro Morata (46,000+) as the Man City impact is felt right across our frontlines.

To an extent, the focus on forwards has been partly down to the lack of goals from midfield – at this point last year, 18 midfielders had scored at least twice, whereas only 10 have achieved that feat in 2017/18.

So far, the forwards have been more explosive than beforehand – six have scored at least three times, compared with only four at the same point in the previous campaign.

Yet therein lies the problem – we can’t fit all of them into our squads.

Sometimes, sitting still and keeping faith can be the answer – there can be a fine line between chasing last week’s points and trying to predict what’s to follow.

On the other hand, with so many in-form options on offer, perhaps this is a campaign where few of us will grant any frontman a permanent spot in our squads.

Striking that balance in our attacks – or, as the song goes, knowing when to hold ‘em and knowing when to fold ‘em could be pertinent than ever.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

2,069 Comments Post a Comment
  1. COYS Down Under
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Foster Myhill
    Mee Jones Davies Naughton Hegazi
    Mkhi D.Silva Ramsey Ritchie
    Aguero Lukaku Jesus

    GTG?

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yu'huh (slobber)

    2. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes but Hegazi might need fixing soon. Plus Ramsey is a troll imo.

    3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      GTG! nice.

    4. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      doubling up on City's attackers, worth the gamble!

  2. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Listening to the scoutcast regarding Jesus and Kun:
    I think they missed something.
    If Citeh score early and have the game won, Jesus comes off.
    If Citeh are still chasing a result they put on Sane etc for a defensive player.
    I don't think it has anything to do with resting.

    1. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Correct. And these things will also depend on how CL games play out. If both Kun and Jesus play 90 in one CL game then the knock off on next PL game can be uncertain.

  3. rl248
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Pick 2:

    A) Mata
    B) Ramsey
    C) Willian
    D) Fabregas

    Cheers

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      BD

    2. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      This is for the draft? For fpl none of them make any sense.

      1. rl248
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Any other better sub-7 mil midfielders?

        1. athreya
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Ritchie, Gross, Atsu, Brady.

  4. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Foster
    Davies Bertrand Jones
    Eriksen Coutinho Mooy Carroll
    Kane(c) Lukaku Firmino

    (Myhill Aké Romeu Lon
    _
    A. Aké > Kolašinac or Otamendi (ML differential)
    (bench Mooy, 4-3-3)
    _
    B. Lukaku > Aguero(c) (ML differential)
    _
    C. both for (-4)
    _
    D. Firmino Bertrand > Jesus(c) Naughton (-4) just for City coverage
    _
    1FT and 1.0ITB.
    Hope I'm catching the tail end of the DZ helpline 🙂
    I'm 100pts back in my ML hence considering differentials - they've all got Jesus and Kolašinac but no Kane...it figures!
    Thoughts much appreciated - cheers.

    1. rl248
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      C.

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Kol

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Or consider Kos over Kol ( Bap Magnet) and a diff for you.

  5. pedro1979
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    WC draft 2... thinking maybe too light in midfield?

    DDG Elliott
    Jones Naughton Kola Bavies Mbemba
    Ritchie Salah Eriksen RLC Obiang
    Vardy Luk Kun

    0.3 ITB.

    Any advice?
    Cheers

    1. rl248
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No need for an expensive goalie (DDG). Upgrade one of you 4.5 midst.

    2. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Ddg to 4.5 and upgrade Obiang or RLC to a 5.5-5.7. Or if you are playing 433 upgrade naughton. You can get fabianski as goalie and ditch naughton.

      Personally I would replace Bavies with a city defender.

  6. Game of Throw_ins
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Rosenoir played 109 mins in EFL cup. Maybe Bruno back this GW. Looks like a good enabler gone.

  7. QPRUTD
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I believe that the best way of getting Aguero in, is to get rid of Lukaku.

    Aguero has just the one difficult fixture in the next 5 (CHE)
    Lukaku has Southampton away next, and we know Southampton can defend.
    Thereafter, Lukaku plays LIV, Spurs and CHE in the next 5.

    Next 3 fixtures for Kane are too good to get rid

    For me, Lukaku to Aguero seems the most obvious option.

    1. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Sot away is not a tough game for United. And have you seen Pool defend?

      1. QPRUTD
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        SOU conceded 2 goals in 5 games
        United missing Pogba as well. They struggled for most parts of the last game, attacking wise

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          4 goals*

          1. QPRUTD
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            My bad...

        2. athreya
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Sou haven't played any strong team till now. Plus if I look at next two games together Kaku will outscore Kun imo.

          That said my preference is to have both of them. Kun, Kaku and me together;-)

          1. QPRUTD
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Can't have them all.....
            Serious headache this season...

            1. athreya
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              I am loving it. Sesons like this will reward those who spend a lot of time on the game. In mini leagues everywhere there is a killing to be made.

            2. Kuqi Monster
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              But you can...

    2. Rajveer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Do it before Kun rises further in price...I have done the same thing as well...

    3. rl248
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      True dat

    4. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Lukaku has Palace in GW 7 and everyone owning Lukaku will captain him. Are you sure you want to play without him?

    5. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Keep Lukaku for the next 2. Pool can't defend against against a pub team from Tibet.

  8. Rajveer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A) Alonso + Hegazi

    B) Davies + Kolasinac (-4)

    Which one guys??

    1. rl248
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      C) Alonso & Naughton

      1. Rajveer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Have Alonso Cedric Naughton Hegazi Goldson...this week I am gona play the first 3...So saving seems the viable option right??

  9. Fantasynørden
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Aguero will score maximum 6 pts this weekend. Kane will at least score 2. Mark my words.

    1. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      2 points?

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Think they'll both score a brace

  10. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Heh, I always have that song playing in my head when thinking about transfers. Even quoted the lyrics as a reply the other day. Even more apt with the high stakes premium forward merry go around.

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/09/17/scout-notes-gameweek-5-sunday-4/?hc_page=33#hc_comment_16517234

  11. JeezLuiz
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Lascelles or Naughton?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Lascelles

      1. enrico.palazzo
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Agree

    2. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Naught. Playing wing back with 4 easiest fixtures of season up next. Don't chase the points, predict them.

      1. athreya
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Isn't there some stat that Swans have given up more shots against when playing at home?

      2. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        You don't think Newcastle's fixtures are favourable?

        Hardest game is Liverpool and Lascelles looks a great shout at set pieces against a team that can't defend set pieces!

  12. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    J rod, Bertrand, mhiki > Aguero, 4.5, Ritchie?

    -4

    Relucstant to lose lukaku or Kane.

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      like that

    2. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, Aguero & Ritchie are great picks

  13. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    4 3 3 wildcard

    Fab
    Alonso Kolisanic Davies Cedric
    Mkhi Silva Ritchie
    Aguero Kane Vardy

    Elliot, Carroll, RLC, Mbemba

    too risky?

    1. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not really and you need to take chances anyway if you want to move forward. I would probably downgrade Alonso and upgrade Silva to Salah. Nice team.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nah, not risky

      1. Pino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        What is risky? Some people may argue that not taking out players that don't deliver is risky too.

        1. The Hindu Monkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          they've said not risky?

          key decision is Davies and a 4.5 bencher (RLC) or Naughton and Gross rotating

          thoughts?

    3. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Good team.

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        thanks

    4. Dele
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nice team, does no Lukaku concern you?

  14. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Morning!

    Am I right to play:
    A) Elliot over Foster
    B) Lowe TC over Cedric Mbemba Chalobah

    ?

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

      don't triple captain Lowe...

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Hahaha 😀 You know what I mean!

        1. The Hindu Monkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          but yes, on all counts 😉

          1. Atimis
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks 😉

  15. KOLASINA(C)
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I've got 2FT, no other pressing issues, is Schindler->Femenia a good move?

    1. tets mcgee (Bachmann an Rob…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      watford fixtures arent good. sure you dont have a better move?

      1. KOLASINA(C)
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        My backline looks like this:
        Elliot Foster
        Jones Cedric Naughton Mee Schindler
        0.0itb

        1. The Hindu Monkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          think you need an arsenal defender for next 3 or 4, so would use to downgrade elsewhere

          1. Lazaretti
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Femenia not nailed, competition with Janmaat

            1. KOLASINA(C)
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              Oh, thanks for mentioning this, I'd forget that.

  16. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Would you WC this??

    Elliot speroni
    Jones yoshida davies suttner mbemba
    Alli salah mkhi RLC TC
    Kane aguero chicharito
    1.5 itb
    0 ft
    Yoshida id a risk. Chicha plays deep and suttner is rubbish

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No. That's a very decent 3 4 3 this week playing Carroll.

      Save until next week and captain Aguero.

  17. LADY ARWEN'S ARMY
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    need suggestion here please ..
    elliot ,foster
    jones, dawson, bertrand, mee,rangel
    mikhi , salah, eriksen , atsu , tcarrol
    lukaku, kane, joselu

    1.4 itb ,1 ft
    thinking of doing this :

    a. lukaku >> kun
    b. save ft
    c. any other idea
    thanks for reply

  18. QPRUTD
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Shaqiri as 4th mid after this week.
    On set pieces and penalties, and always a goal threat.

    1. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      not for me, hardly scores and always gets inj much better options like Gross, Atsu and Brady

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        this

    2. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Avoid. Will get injured every few weeks.

  19. Chrisirwin01
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Choose one please:

    (A)
    GK: Pope
    DEF: Otamendi, Davies & Jones
    MID: Mkhitaryan, Ali, Silva & Ritchie
    STK: Vardy, Jesus & Lukaku

    Or;

    (B)
    GK: Pope
    DEF: Naughton**, Davies & Jones
    MID: Mkhitaryan, Ali, Silva & Ritchie
    STK: Vardy, Augero** & Lukaku

    Thanks in advance.

    1. Unifié
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B, Prefer Eric for Ali

  20. Top 210 Club
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Sakho gonna spoil Kun's party!!! 😀

    1. Unifié
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I think the same

  21. kime67
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    kolasinac for the next two?

    1. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Why not? But not for a hit

    2. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      agreed

  22. davies
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Everton defence worth investment?

    1. athreya
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on who you are taking out.

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Hegazi > Martina

        4th defender... Can take a punt

        1. athreya
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah that could work. Only if you have a FT to burn.

    2. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Really wanted Keane

      but they look awful

      very much form vs fixtures debate

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Awful against good opposition though

    3. akashan99
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Great fixtures but only ones that are fixed are Keane and Baines. The rest, not so much

  23. Live Lad
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    RMWCT
    Fabianski
    Kolasinac, Jones, Davies
    Eriksen, Mkhi, Ritchie, Gross/ Brady
    Lukaku, Aguero, Firmino

    Subs: Elliot, Carroll, Morgan, Mbemba
    Please help me. Thanks!

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure I would feel confident running two of those mids every week

      1. Live Lad
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Have 0.8 itb and I can downgrade Kola if need but that money won't be enough to get the likes of Silva or Alli. 7.0+ mids aren't reliable.

    2. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Is golden

  24. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think mbemba will start this week?

  25. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Suggestions? 0FT, 0.2ITB 101.7 TV

    Elliott
    Alonso Davies Jones Mee
    Eriksen Salah Mkhi Brady
    Kane Aguero (c)

    Foster Naughton Carroll Quaner

    1. Moves like Dejagah
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Looks fine to me. Bank your transfer.

      1. Moves like Dejagah
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Ah I misread that. No hits required!

  26. Moves like Dejagah
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on my team and whether I need to wildcard, I have 1 FT.

    Foster (Myhill)

    Suttner, Alonso, Bertrand (Ake, Long)

    Salah, KDB, Brady, Choupo-Moting (Carroll)

    Kane, Lukaku, Chicharito.

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      You have 7-8 players I would keep on wildcard. Your call

  27. pineapplepig
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this W/C please?

    Elliot Foster
    Jones Cedric Mbemba Naughton Mee
    D. Silva Ramsey Ritchie Brady Gross
    Ageuro Kane Lukaku

  28. Beard of Zeus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Play two out of

    Mee
    Gros
    Atsu

    Usually lean to mids but Mee has Huddersfield at home..

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Mee, Gross

    2. Moves like Dejagah
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Mee and Gros

  29. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Morning lads pick 3 to play

    A. Cedric
    B. Jones
    C. Naughton
    D. Mbemba
    E. Bavies

    Cheers

  30. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Captain Jesus worth a shot right ?

    1. Moves like Dejagah
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely.