Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Sterling Strikes Again

The newly prolific Raheem Sterling makes the difference as Manchester City cruise to a 1-0 win at Newcastle.

A third straight double-digit haul from the Manchester City winger took Pep Guardiola’s side to 18 league wins in a row and Sterling to second in Fantasy Premier League’s (FPL) scoring charts.

The England international scored his 13th goal of the season, and his fourth in three Gameweeks, as City edged a very deep-lying Newcastle.

Kevin De Bruyne provided a ninth assist of the campaign – a league-high tally – and missed a couple of chances to score himself, while Sergio Aguero hit the woodwork twice in the first half.

But it was Sterling’s night. Again.

The midfielder has featured in every match since Gameweek 10, starting the last 10, and has produced either a goal or an assist in eight of them.

Despite such consistency of both starts and performance, he was captained by only 168,406 (or 3.0%) for Gameweek 20, as maximum bonus took him to 11 points and 36 across his last three stellar performances.

His ownership has increased by more than a million over the last six Gameweeks and his price has now risen to 8.8 as a further 64,000+ managers have made him Gameweek 21’s fourth most popular signing.

Captained by 229,000+ (4.1%) last night, De Bruyne has started every league match this season and has now produced points in seven of the last ten Gameweeks to emerge as the go-to option for Sterling owners looking to double-up on the City midfield.

Frustration elsewhere for City attack

Despite starting a fourth straight match for the first time this season, Aguero continues to disappoint.

He has now blanked in four of his last six starts – a big blow to the 340,000+ (6.1%) who handed him the armband and then endured 76 fruitless minutes from their man.

For once, he wasn’t replaced by his erstwhile strike partner Gabriel Jesus as the Brazilian was already on the pitch.

Jesus, who was sold by more than 93,000 heading into the Newcastle match, replaced the injured Vincent Kompany after ten minutes as coach Pep Guardiola switched to a 3-5-2 in which Fernandinho dropped back into defence.

But these are tough times for managers hanging onto City strikers, with those standing by Jesus suffering the most.

Since his last goal in Gameweek 12, he’s started just twice, not featured at all a further two times and the three assists he’s managed have not been enough to dissuade more than 336,000 FPL bosses to sell him and move on.

Midfielders David Silva and Leroy Sane both enjoy ownerships close to the 900,000 mark, but neither is proving to be a reliable source of points at present.

The Spaniard was again absent from the squad last night, with reports that he was back in his homeland for personal reasons as yet unconfirmed.

The fact that even the club’s official website failed to give a reason for his absence would suggest it wasn’t a tactical move on Guardiola’s part, however.

Sane, meanwhile, has apparently dropped down the pecking order in recent weeks.

Having started eight matches in a row from Gameweek 6, the German has been named on the teamsheet in just four of the subsequent seven and was given just seven minutes from the bench at St James’ Park.

He was sold by 86,000+ ahead of Gameweek 20 and although he could be on for starts at Crystal Palace and then home to Watford, nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to Guardiola and rotation.

Another Clean Sheet for Otamendi and co

The league leaders moved level with Chelsea and Man United for clean sheets by grabbing their tenth of the campaign.

At the heart of that defensive resolve is Nicolas Otamendi (6.3).

FPL’s most popular defender, with 29.8% ownership, the Argentine has helped City keep a league-best six clean sheets on the road and his two bonus points last night took him to 14 for the season.

An eight-point tally took him into third among FPL defenders on 102 points, just eight off Marco Alonso at the summit.

Second only to the Chelsea wing-back for transfers in this Gameweek, Otamendi’s security of starts was underlined once again last night as Kompany limped off early, while John Stones is still unavailable.

Elsewhere at the back, Fabien Delph missed out for the first time since Gameweek 6 as he was deemed to be “not fully fit”, making him an early doubt for the Palace match on New Years’ Eve.

Danilo took Delph’s place on the left as a result and mirrored Otamendi’s output after also claiming two bonus points.

Benitez keeps his powder dry

If Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez’s plan was to rest key players while trying to keep the scoreline respectable last night, then it was job done.

City were never forced into top gear against their hosts, but the fact that it was the first time since Gameweek 7, against Chelsea, that the league leaders have failed to score two or more goals was tribute to the Magpies’ organisation.

Benitez watched his side reduced to just two shots on target from 22% possession, although Otamendi did have to clear one effort off the line.

But he was able to preserve key men Matt Ritchie, who was rested, and Dwight Gayle and Christian Atsu, who were given limited second-half minutes, for the rather more winnable fixture that is the visit of Brighton on Saturday.

Newcastle’s most owned player in FPL, goalkeeper Rob Elliot (23.4%), was again benched by the vast majority of his 1.3 million managers.

Those who risked him were rewarded with what was probably a better than par total of three points, thanks to the surprisingly low final score and an extra point gained from the five saves he made.

1,236 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    not sure what moves to make this week? Dont have a bench if any players get rested! Hunemiser to Long or anything for a hit or save?!

    Pope
    Otta Jones Kenny
    Sterling KDB Hazard Salah RLC
    Firmino DCL

    Speronni Kane Ogbonna Huemieser

    0.1 ITB.

    1. Clifford☯
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save FT and downgrade Hazard next week to improve your bench.

    2. TheGloriousViking
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save and Hazard, RLC to Son and Arnie next week? Maximize those doubles

  2. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts/feedback on this plan appreciated! Utd defence doesn't look reliable.

    GW21: DDG ➡ Ryan/Adrian
    GW22: Hazard ➡ Alli + Richarlison ➡ Son + RLC ➡ Arnie, for a hit

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good

    2. DJ1000
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Perfect

  3. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Better combination for at least next few games:

    A) Mee/Ogbonna(rotation), Alli, Arnautovic
    B) Christensen, Son, Arnautovic
    C) Christensen, Alli, Lingard

    1. Tazah
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C

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

      C

    4. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C

    5. FPL_Sponge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A (but b is also good)

    6. Clifford☯
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

  4. Tazah
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Groß,alonso
    Or
    Kdb, 4Mil Def

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      a

    2. AnderEstimatedHerrera
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A with lingard, or atsu

    3. Clifford☯
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

  5. ewangri
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    For DGW

    Sane to Lanzini/Arnie
    Hazard to KDB
    Morata to Kane

    -4

    Worth it?

    1. Tazah
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Very

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      yaaa

    3. Clifford☯
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      yeah

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

    A. Luk>Firm
    B. Luk/Gomez>Firm/Ota
    C. Luk/Maguire>Firm/Ota
    D. Save

    (1ft & zero in bank)

    Elliot
    Duffy, Gomez, Kenny, Christen
    Hazard, Salah, Stirling, Richarl
    Kane, DLC, Lukaku
    Fab, RLC, Maguire, Kane 

  7. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Lukaku to Morata or Firmino?

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      any of those moves will be an upgrade!
      Firmino but its 50/50

      1. JoeSoap
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I am thinking of getting Firmino, mostly because I have Hazard as cover.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Firmino... Lukaku doesn't look good at all, whereas pool are scoring for fun

  8. FootballFanatic365
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    as im gonna bag 1 outta 2 FT for DGW

    so How to use that?

    ___Pope__Elliot___
    _Ota_Christnsn*_Jones_Kenny_Masuaku_
    _Sterling_KDB_Hazard_Salah_Richarlsn___
    _Morata_Murray_DCL_

    i wanted firmino for Murray this week

  9. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    2FT.

    Kane > Morata make sense for one week?

    I do have a full squad but currently playing 532 with Francis.

    1. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      no

    2. melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No

    3. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Why don’t you just take Francis out?

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Because there’s more value/points potential in getting Morata instead?

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Won’t you just swap Morata back out anyway wasting a FT when there’s ‘more points potential’ in getting Alli/Son etc next week. Team will look better when you have a defender you want too.

          1. Fantasy Gold
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah I hear what you’re saying.

            The allure of Morata is very strong though, especially with Stoke’s depleted defence.

            1. Athletic Nasherbo
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Of course. Some decent Francis replacements surely? Will look good also when you have Kane and a Spurs mid with two fixtures next week! Good luck

              1. Fantasy Gold
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 3 months ago

                Thanks for your replies.

                It’s food for thought

  10. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Best move here? 1.6 itb

    1) Maguire -> Ota
    2) Christensen -> Alonso
    3) Hope that Chr plays, save

    Fab
    Jones Maguire Christensen
    Salah Cout Haz Rich Sterling
    DCL Depoitre

    (Elliot - Kane Ogb Mbemb)

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      1

      1. JoeSoap
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        1

    2. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers lads

  11. You Must Be Jokin Ere
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    f you ad to pick right now - Kane(TC) for GW 22 ?

    1. You Must Be Jokin Ere
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      *if * had - bloody keyboard!

    2. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      perhaps

    3. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes for sure. Form is great, so are the fixtures. Also not too worried about rotation since Llorente can play vs wimbledon

    4. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I can't see that there will be many better chances to use it. In form and 2 plum fixtures.

  12. LaCazettio
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What’s everyone doing with Kane this week?

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      benchin

    2. You Must Be Jokin Ere
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Bench

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

      TC

    4. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Bench

  13. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Any Newcastle fan can tell me how Yedlin is playing ? Is he a good fullback ? Is he at risk when comes rotation ?

    1. Espen8
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Dummet back now. Rotation risk at right back with Manquillo.

  14. The Alli Way
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    How does this sound...?

    Hold Kane and save FT this week and do Hazard > Eriksen and Azpi > Vertonghen for free for the DGW, then Eriksen > Hazard GW after for those sweet fixtures, no hits needed!

    Or I could go Kane > Morata this week and then Morata > Kane again the week after

    1. DJ1000
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      First one

  15. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is anyone keeping 1 of Morata/Hazard? Tempted to dump both of them tbh

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      lol

    2. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ditching Haz for spurs’ DGW. Terrible value all the games I’ve had him except for Newcastle

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

      Thinking of dumping Hazard for DGW. Don't own Morata.

  16. jia you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I've been very impressed with KDB's work-rate this season! He's running around like a mad man! Very surprised that he hasn't been given a rest, it must be coming as soon as Silva returns!

    1. gunner 2727
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Had a week off for caraboue

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Ah yeah forgot about that, with the league almost wrapped up there will be serious rotation in the new year surely! Think I'll just keep Otamandi and sell Sane after this week!

    2. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      He is so allround, best player in the PL if you ask me. Saw the MCI-New highlights today, could have gotten 2 more assists (Aguero's header and post) or at least some bonus. But i agree, when silva's back his fantasy potential is less and he might be getting a rest soon.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Agree, you have to hand it to Pep, playing him in a slightly deeper role where he's even more involved makes the team so much better!

  17. MarkyMarkovic
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pickford
    Otamendi • Christensen • Schindler
    Haz • Salah • Sterling • Richarlison
    Aguero • Rooney • Firminio

    (Elliot / Mariappa / Long / Atsu)
    2 ft & 0.7 itb

    Tempted to go Richarlison -> Lingard and save 1ft

    Before the big DGW moves

    1. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Sounds right!

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Keep Richarlison for Swansea

  18. DeadStarComing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    So if I've done my maths correctly I now have a decision this game week of whether to play a newly brought in forward over Lewis Dunk (and have an extra sub available) for a 8 point hit. I will likely want to transfer in at least one more DGW player. This is my crazy thinking...

    Option 1: Do nothing. Save transfers and keep Kane. In a way no transfer costs. Would mean playing Dunk and have only one sub available this week.

    Option 2: Transfer Kane out for...? Get him back next week. This would likely mean at least 3 transfers next week, so a -8. This would give me a Firmino or Morata over Dunk this week. Maybe just as important - this would also give me another sub.

    I know option 2 is the more risky but if there is some surprise rotation this week just having that extra outfield player could be vital. I'm a little undecided right now. Thoughts?

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      1 sounds good to me

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Option 1, not close.

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I tried to keep the post short but I also own Ogbonna, Sane, Sterling and Calvert Lewin so I'm a little concerned I may struggle to get 11 players out this week.

    3. DJ1000
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Option 1. More potential for dbgw

  19. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with this lot?

    De Gea
    Kenny, Mee, Naughton
    Salah , Sterling, KDB, Gross, RLC
    Lukaku, Niasse

    (Elliot, Kane,Vertonghen,Ogbonna)

    0.2 in the bank

    1 FTs

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save or Lukaku to Morata

  20. machickenz
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I want to save 1 FT for next gameweek so I'm able to make just one transfer this week. Thoughts? 2 FT 0.3 ITB

    Courtois
    Alonso Otamendi Jones Naughton
    Salah Sterling Hazard Cork
    Firmino DCL

    Bench: RLC Mbemba Kane*

  21. Espen8
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Big Sam said after the game that Calvert looked fatigued. Im pretty sure Niasse starts next game.

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      And they might bring in another striker in January? Think I'll part with him to fund Lingard.

    2. puhd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think Roonpig will play

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      probably, as I've just transferred him out!

    4. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Hmmm. RLC coming off bench in that case.

  22. Stig
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Current team:

    Foster/Adrian

    Naughton/Mee/Alonso/Tuanzebe/Otamendi

    Hazard/KDB/Sterling/Salah/Groß

    DCL/Morata/Wilson

    Currently saving 1FT for DGW or bringing in Robertson for Mee/Naughton

    For DGW do I
    A) Take out Hazard and Morata for Alli and Kane(TC)

    B) Bring in Robertson this week and then use Free Hit Chip to bring in Kane, Alli, Son, Arnautovic and Lanzini (and any other good players that week such as Mahrez)

    C) Bring in Robertson this week and still do A for a hit

    D) Something else (suggestion?)

    1. puhd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I like B

  23. DEL3PEAT
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Are good moves?

    0ut: sane, pogba and crouch
    In: lindgaard, RLC and Morata (-4)

    DE Gea

    Otamendi Christansen Jones

    Sterling Pogba salah(c) mahrez sane

    Rooney Firmino?

    Bench speroni kenny mariappa crouch

    1. Espen8
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      You will be fine with those players over a week. Save all transfers for DGW.

      1. DEL3PEAT
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I will use the free hit for the dgw mate..

  24. Aladdin Sané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Is Lingard worth considering or is he too much of a rotation risk? Considering Carroll to Lingard

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I would yeh

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'll transfer him in. There will be some rotation and his minutes are limited but he's been very effective lately. Only 6m so he's good value I think.

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        This

  25. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    The general assumption is that Elliot is back as first choice GK, yes?

    1. Espen8
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      100 % yes

    2. puhd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah

  26. puhd
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    If I can only get one for the DGW, which one is best, Son or Alli?

    1. Evil Genius
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Son, son.

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  27. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    GW22 teamsheet :

    Speroni (MCI)

    Otamendi (cry) | Christensen (STO) | Jones (SOU) | Mariappa (SWA)

    Hazard (STO) (c) | Coutinho (LEI) | Sterling (cry) | Richarlison (SWA)

    Morata (STO) (v) | Depoitre (BUR)

    Bench : Adrian (blk) | Loftus-Cheek (MCI) | Kane (blk) | Ogbonna (blk)

    1 FT | £0.6 itb

    I'm already planning on doing Mariappa > Yedlin.

    Any other ideas ?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn’t want Yedlin. Dunk/Duffy/Kenny all good options

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I thought about Dunk but then I realised I only need this new def to play on GW21 & GW23 and Dunk has two games away those gameweeks. :/

  28. Evil Genius
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    2FT's

    Waste one or do something with this lot?

    Pope
    Ota, Dunk, Kabasele, Kenny
    Haz, Salah, Sterling, Richarlison
    Morata, DCL

    Speroni, RLC, Kane*, Masuaku*

    1. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe Pope time has ended ?

      1. Evil Genius
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Pope -> Adrian and bench him.

        Means Speroni vs MCI but good for save points.

  29. _figu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DCL and RLC for Lingard and Quaner?

    1. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nope.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Why not?

      2. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Hmmm, why not?

  30. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Courtois
    Christiansen, Otamendi,Kenny
    Hazard, Salah, Coutinho,Sterling,KDB
    Firmino,Rooney

    Elliot, DCL, Naughton, Masuaku

    2FT 0.0m itb

    I’m seriously considering spending my 2FT this week in preparation to fund Rooney > Kane after the DGW.
    Use Free Hit chip next week to empty Liverpool players for one week and stock up on Spurs West Ham. This would mean Kane (c) in the DGW instead of TC but the added Games for Extra Spurs and WH players would make the difference up of 1 Kane(c)

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Don't use Free Hit next week. There will be better weeks for it.

      Many ways to bring in Kane for -4 next week.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Or I could just go KDB> Lingard this week to free up funds