Second guessing Pep Guardiola’s starting XI dominates much of the discussion this week as the Spaniard continues to torment us with his teamsheet tinkering. Our Hot Topic posters also find time to discuss whether to hitch a ride on Jose Mourinho’s bus and mull over Harry Kane solutions, while our community scribes analyse the different ways teams build their attacks.
We also welcome back one of last season’s most popular community article series, sift through the best defensive statistics and find out who has got the measure of the Manchester City line-up at the top of our community leagues.
The Community Articles
This week saw the welcome return of YMA’s look at how form and fixture data can help pick the best captain for the next set of fixtures, with Sergio Aguero among the key players to consider for the armband according to his Gameweek 10 preview.
Manchester City assets are also under scrutiny in André94PT’s analysis of the different ways Premier League teams attack, and in Hutch_James’ latest crowd predictions.
Meanwhile, Sky Blues rotation produced mixed results in Gameweek 9 for the Career Hall of Fame top five being tracked by Top Marx.
Elsewhere, Niemi dropped by with the latest news on team form in the Norwegian top flight, as Fantasy Eliteserien nears its nail-biting conclusion.
Don’t forget, if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.
The Hottest Topics
While City’s excellence in attack is not in dispute, what is troubling our community is how much pitch-time their assets will be given.
As our Gameweek 9 rough with the smooth round up of your highs and lows revealed, many were caught out by some surprise omissions from Pep Guardiola’s starting XI last weekend.
We canvassed your views on how you plan to deal with the heavy threat of rotation that looms over City assets, while Ktk Interista attempted to find some method in their manager’s team tinkering. In addition, Ludo’s analysis of Pep’s team sheets left us in no doubt that the Spaniard simply doesn’t care about our Fantasy teams.
The community feels they have a better steer on how City’s rivals Manchester United will set up ahead of the visit of Spurs this Saturday and a trip to Chelsea the following weekend.
Eden Wizard has strong reason to believe Jose Mourinho will be eschewing attack and is preparing the biggest bus he can find to stop Spurs, although following today’s revelation of Harry Kane’s absence, maybe even Jose will consider changing tact.
But even if the Red Devils may take a more defensive approach, The Twelfth Man believes that Romelu Lukaku owners should keep hold of him, particularly with Kane injured, while unlike City options, the Belgian is at least guaranteed to start.
Among the teams to see an upturn in fortunes from Gameweek 10 is Watford, which has prompted considerable interest in their Brazilian sensation Richarlison, who has scored three times and assisted a further four this season. But while he earned considerable praise on our latest Scoutcast, we asked whether you think he is the real deal.
The young winger also earns a mention in VK’s discussion on the perfect midfield and Pukka–Geoff’s Hot Topic on the increasing competition for midfield places in our Fantasy line-ups.
We also found time to discuss Kane’s dazzling display against Liverpool in Gameweek 9, when he broke his league hoodoo at Wembley by scoring twice. With strong underlying statistics over his barren ‘home’ run, we asked whether Sunday’s turnaround was a victory for number crunching analysis.
But, of course, Kane will sit out Gameweek 10 which today sparked much discussion on possible solutions. First our Hot Topic asked for your plans in light of his absence. Then chatter turned to the Free Hit chip as a possible solution. Tears for Fers turned up to clarify the rules, while Musicholic offered an example of how the chip can impact squad value and budget while active.
Finally, our Live Hall of Fame has been updated to take into account Gameweek 9’s scores, and it revealed that a former number one is staging a dramatic march back to the top.
To view all our discussions please visit our Hot Topics page.
The Members’ Tables
Had enough of Ben Davies failing to make the first XI? Electrue understands your pain and has been taking a look at some replacements to consider.
But those shopping for an alternative to the Spurs defender are urged to steer clear of those highlighted in dingo 1982’s dreadful defences table.
There is further rearguard analysis in Montafly’s comparison of Liverpool and Burnley assets, with both teams having a raft of budget defenders to consider.
Jurgen Klopp’s troops also come under the gaze of Dexter4king, who is in search of their best midfield options.
If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.
The Community Tournaments
Fabio Borges has regained the lead in Red Lightning’s Top 10k Any Season league, as well as the summit in the FFS Members League, while Damir TeNay still leads the main FFS league and is seventh in the overall standings.
In TorresMagic’s Last Man Standing, the safety score was 39, which saw 202 players depart and over 2,600 remain.
FC Lackless retains top spot in QPR Utd’s FFS Frequent Summer Posters league, and in the FFS Old Farts Club league, PDM has a commanding 21-point lead over second-placed Ross Graham.
Uwais Ahmed remains first in the FFScout Moderators and Contributors league, with Stilicho’s ghost ship team docked in second.
In Heels Over Head’s R U Smarter than 10K Club, for those who have never finished so high, Bargain Hunters is in the lead. Heels Over Head also issued a plea for community members to take part in his expanded draft competition.
If you are running a community tournament and would like the latest scores included in future Community Round-Ups, please email us summary of the current leaders and a link to your league, spreadsheet or head-to-head competition, at jonty@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk.
