Scout Notes

Man City sweat on De Bruyne fitness as key options rested

Manchester City are currently sweating over the fitness of Kevin de Bruyne (£9.8m) after he came off injured in the League Cup.

However, there were some positives for Fantasy Premier League managers as neither one of Sergio Aguero (£11.3m) or Benjamin Mendy (£6.4m) were involved in the 2-0 win over Fulham.

We’ve got all the Fantasy talking points in this latest Scout Notes article.

Manchester City 2-0 Fulham

Goals: Brahim Diaz x2 (£4.7m)

Assists: Vincent Kompany (£5.2m)

It was a mixed night for De Bruyne as he made his first start since sustaining a knee injury in August. He was in excellent form on the night but had to be brought off in the second half after falling awkwardly under a Timothy Fosu-Mensah (£4.5m) tackle. Thankfully for him, the knee he was clutching as he limped off was not the one he damaged over the summer, but it is still early days, until we get another update from Pep Guardiola.

“I think today Kevin is back. The Kevin we know. He made a huge effort against Shakhtar, played a few minutes against Spurs in difficult conditions. Today he was involved in offence and defence. Hopefully what happened in the last minute is not serious. He is being checked by the doctors. We don’t know if it’s nothing or if it’s something serious.” – Pep Guardiola

Guardiola made 10 changes to the side that won at Spurs on Monday night with only John Stones (£5.3m) keeping his place. That was good news for a large number of Fantasy managers invested in Aguero and Mendy, who played no part in the match.

Aymeric Laporte (£5.8m) looks set to start an eleventh successive Premier League match on Sunday after he was left out of the match-day squad entirely.

Ederson (£5.8m), Kyle Walker (£6.6m), Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.1m) were all unused substitutes, while Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) came on for goal-scorer Brahim Diaz (£4.7m) in the closing stages. The youngster continues to impress in matches outside the Premier League but is still yet to register an FPL minute this season.

“Everybody was good. Brahim make two goals, Aro make a clean sheet. We didn’t concede too many chances, he gave us good security, Phil Foden every time he plays a good level.” – Pep Guardiola

Most of the starting XI against Fulham were always unlikely to be starting against Southampton this weekend so there are not expected to be many Fantasy managers too worried about the so-called ‘Pep Roulette’ this weekend. 90 minutes for Stones and Leroy Sané (£9.2m), as well as De Bruyne’s 86 minutes and injury, are the biggest causes for concern.

There was a start in goal for Arijanet Muric (£4.5m) with Oleksandr Zinchenko (£4.8m), Vincent Kompany (£5.2m) and Danilo (£5.1m) joining Stones in a back-four. Despite fielding a second-strike defence, Man City kept their eighth successive clean sheet in domestic competitions this season.

That will be somewhat discouraging to owners of Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.9m) and Andre Schürrle (£6.0m), as they formed part of a fairly strong Fulham line-up that offered little. There were just three changes from the side that lost to Bournemouth in Gameweek 10.

“It’s not so strange in this country (to name a strong side in the EFL Cup), especially teams plays Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, between these three games it’s nine days and I try first of all respect the competition.” – Slavisa Jokanovic

Despite playing what constituted as a first-team, Fulham were exceptionally flat throughout the encounter. From the moment Diaz’s opening goal hit the back of the net in the 18th minute the match felt more like a training exercise than a cup tie.

Once again the Cottagers’ forward players were starved of service and barely troubled their illustrious hosts. That was largely down to the fact that Slavisa Jokanovic appeared insistent in playing the ball out from the back. Naturally, this was not particularly effective against the best possession side in the country.

There had been suggestions that Fulham would benefit from Luciano Vietto (£5.5m) and Tom Cairney (£4.8m), the former for his creative link-up with Mitrovic and the latter for protection of the defence. Admittedly this was a match against Manchester City, but it appears they did not have the desired effect in a drab performance.

“It’s important for us (having Cairney back), between other things I try to force him for all the games. I know in life there always exists risk, he push all the game bravely, he made good work, he needed this kind of situation with this kind of game. He didn’t play so much this season, he’s an important player for us and I believe he is positive in everything he made tonight.” – Slavisa Jokanovic

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Muric; Zinchenko, Kompany, Stones, Danilo; Foden, Delph, De Bruyne (Gomes 86′); Sané, Jesus, Diaz (Mahrez 78′).

Fulham XI (4-3-3): Rico; R Sessegnon, Ream (Le Marchand 69′), Odoi, Fosu-Mensah; Seri, Zambo Anguissa, Cairney; Schürrle (Ayité 81′), Mitrović, Vietto (Christie 90′).

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1,690 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Did klopp say anything about playing TAA?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      No.

  2. pressdpm
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you bench?

    A - Robertson
    B - Bennett
    C - Shaw

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B.

    2. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Bennett

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      b

    4. Sickboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B

  3. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso (C), Arnie (VC).
    Crazy or Genius?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Very good.

    2. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Neither

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

      Last GW i captained Alonso and got 22p. I had no Salah and Mane, but had Aguero Sterling and Hazard. I gambeled on Alonso and it saved my GW.

    4. Sickboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Agressive!

  4. Steirish
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Play Ryan or Patricio?

    Think both will concede and also have richarlison

    1. Sickboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Ryan.

  5. BON
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    If selling a player with good underlying stats that isn't delivering FPL points displays a lack of patience then how would you describe selling a player with good underlying stats AND IS delivering FPL points? An idiot?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Depends whether for it’s a better player or not

    2. Rover
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Spot on. Or a mad stroke of genius. Who do you have in mind?

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Depends if he is fit or not

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Maverick move.

  6. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Good to go peeps? Worth doing Haz to sterling (c) for a hit or save?

    Ryan
    Alonso Robertson Mendy
    Hazard Salah Richarlison Madisson Fraser
    Kun (c) Wilson

    Hamer Ings Bennett AWB

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Save

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      save gtg

  7. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    RP
    Hi all

    current team is
    Fabianski
    Alonso / Robbo / Mendy / Doherty
    Salah / Hazard / Fraser / Kennedy
    Aguero(c) / Laca

    Foster / AWB / Kamara / Schneiderlin

    2fts and 0.4 itb

    Looking at Laca to arnie and not sure what to do with the 2nd ft

    A. Schneiderlin to Deulofeu
    B. " to pereyra
    C. " to barkley
    D. Kamara to murray

    Got 7.5 to spend so all opinions welcome

  8. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Just watching Vertigo a man is that Judy desperate for love.

  9. Rover
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    I'm surprised there's not much love for Sterling (c), especially with Sarri explicitly saying that Hazard's minutes will be managed.

    Man City's home record so far this season:
    HUD (6-1): Rested after world cup exertions
    NEW (2-1): 1 goal, 10 points
    FUL (3-0): 1 goal, 8 points
    BHA (2-0): 1 goal, 1 assist, 14 points
    BUR (5-0): Rested after playing both games during international break

    SOU is shaping up perfectly to be a feast for him. And with no international games recently, and with the midweek cup rest, and with the extra point for a clean sheet pretty much locked in, I'm expecting another double digit score from him.

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      There is love but with 6,9% what do you expect to read?

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 4 months ago

        But will he start vs MUN, or whu, or BOU?

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          i trying abit of hokey cokey, Sterling (C), to Mane(Salah(c)), to Hazard(C)

        2. Rover
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          My personal guess is yes, no, yes.

      • Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Yes he is very much on my radar. Insightful post. Thank you.

      • Holmes
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        His ownership is pretty low, especially when compared with likes of Salah/Kun/Hazard

      • Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Theres been constant chatter about this all day long.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          My favorite thing on here is when people say "why is everyone doing X", where X is something no one is doing, or "why isnt anyone talking about Y", when everyone is talking about Y.

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Ha, yep. They look at a post or two and thats all the sample size needed for a strong opinion.

            1. Rover
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              Haha I'll admit I haven't followed posts too much today as I was on the road, but I have been earlier this week, and there was a distinctive sense of hesitation for a Sterling(c)

          2. Rover
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            If you notice, I wasn't saying no one's talking about it. I was asking why there wasn't much love, i.e. why people are seeming hesitant to do it. Small but subtle difference.

    3. MMN
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      1 FT, 1.4m ITB. Any thoughts?

      Was thinking of saving and getting Salah & Barkley in for Hazard & Richa next week - mainly as I want Salah for GW12 & 13. Would you stick to the plan or break it down and do Hazard > Barkley this week and then Richa > Salah next week?

      Pat (Hamer)
      Alonso, Robbo, Mendy (Doherty, AWB)
      Hazard, Mane, Bilva, Richa, Fraser
      Aguero, Arnie (Kamara)

    4. Sickboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Help!

      Would you do KDB to Mahrez for a hit? Otherwise I’ll be playing a 4.5m midfielder.

      Thanks.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        This could be the week to do it.

      2. MTPockets
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Probably, or Mane ahead of Fulham.

      3. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        should i start fab or foster ?

        currently on fab

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Fab

        2. Sickboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Fab

        3. ZimZalabim
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          cheers guys

      4. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Cracked open the WC after a slump from 60k to 360k in recent weeks. GTG?

        Ryan (Hamer)
        Mendy Alonso Robbo (Doherty AWB)
        Haz Mane Sterling(c) Barkley (Stephens)
        Arnie Kun Success

        0 ITB

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          That team gets my nipples going.

          1. Hect.OR 98th
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Shame you have no opposable thumbs to reciprocate

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 4 months ago

              YOURE TELLING ME.

        2. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Success will only be short term, you dont look like you are plying 5 in the midfield so I’d sort that out.

          1. Hect.OR 98th
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Thanks. I’ll consider Sterling to Mahrez to upgrade Stephens

        3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah I like it. Might need a 442 or 352 in mind if Success is a failure...

        4. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Seems like the current template. Personally I dislike the structure with 4 big hitters, Barkley and two trash bench players (success will be once Deeney is back).

        5. MMN
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          I would defo get Salah on WC with no better captain option in GW12 and 13. Will Success play next GW? Doherty and AWB fixtures not great for GW12.

      5. Yordan Letchkov
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        What to do here? 2FT 5.7itb

        Ederson Hamer
        Robertson Luiz Doherty Kabasele Wan-Bissaka
        Salah Mané Fraser Neves Stephens
        Vardy Arnie Mitrovic

        Plan was
        Fraser + Neves to Hazard + Kenedy

        Still could do something like

        A) Mitro to Aguero
        B) Fraser + Neves to Mahrez + (one of Pereyra, Sigurdsson, Willian ...)

        Any suggestion highly appreciated...

        1. weaver93
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          can u do mitro-kun- luiz to mendy?

          1. Yordan Letchkov
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Yes I could. Good option, but want to keep my CHE defender tbh.
            Nevertheless I will have to bring Mendy in soon. (WC still available)

      6. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        No pressing concerns, plus starting 11 this week I am happy to play next week also, so shall I use my FT this week to do Pat to Fab or hold onto it for a 2FT luxury next week?

        Pat
        Alonso Mendy Robbo
        Fraser Mane Salah Hazard
        Aguero Wilson Success

        Hamer Biling AWB Pelt

        Thanks

      7. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Yay or nay

        Laca & Wan-Bissaka > Arnie & Mendy (-4)

      8. EWH2020
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Instead of doing Hazard to Sterling I’m actually considering Salah to Sterling. I don’t have anywhere near as much capital locked in Salah and he has a trickier fixture...would get Salah back next week for Fulham

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Up to you, but Arsenal are so heavily depleted at the back Salah should haul.

          1. ZimZalabim
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            i agree
            arsenal have no left backs
            a 35 year old and jenkinson at rb and only two fit cbs so i would def hold salah who has scored 4 goals and 2 assists in the last 3 games

          2. AuFeld
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            I was pretty set on starting Murphy for KdB, now I'm thinking about bringing in Mane for a -4.

        2. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Im captaining Salah. Love captaining against depleted sides. Arsenal defense is a swiss cheese right now, even when they are full strength they cant defend.

          1. ‘Tis the Season
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            swiss cheese with a swiss messi peppering those gaps!

        3. The Left Duke #3
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          But Salah will play and Hazard might not. Waste of transfers IMO

        4. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          arsenal defence missing left backs and with Lichtsteiner or xaka taking that role it WILL be open season for Salah

      9. Mackans
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thoughts on Deulofeu??

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Monitor

          1. Mackans
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            What a timing

      10. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Would you sell Bellerin for free (5.4) or play him and hope he plays vs Chelsea?

        1. BIG TONES
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Who you going to move him to?

      11. xRedArrow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        4th Defender to get:

        A) Yedlin (WAT,BOU,bur)
        B) Balbuena - double up with Fabianski
        C) Chilwel (car,BUR,bha)
        D) Dunk (eve, car, LEI)

      12. MMN
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        How have West Ham looked defensively?

        I can see they haven't conceded more than a goal in the league in a long time but have they been lucky or really have become more solid defensively?

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          Looking better mate. Diop and Balbuena developing a good partnership.

          Midweek it was Diop and Ogbonna, Oggy was at fault for 2 goals.

          Im tempted to shift Pat to Fab this week as he brings in saves too.

        2. MMN
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          I don't want to do that as they have Cardiff and Huddersfield in 13 and 14. Tempted to do Hamer > Fab as he covers Pat's weak fixtures really well.

      13. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Pickford - Hennesey
        Alonso - Robertson - WanBisakka - Yedlin - Doherty
        Richarlison - Hazard - Salah - Fraser - Masuaku
        Agüero - Mitrovic - King

        0.3 ITB, 1 FT

        King to Wilson?
        Or would u recommend something else? Not a fan of Murray.
        Thanks.

      14. Mackans
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Who do you think will score most points next Two gameweeks (vs sou,new)

        A: Femeina
        B: Deulofeu

        1. Baked baines
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          B by a mile!

      15. Baked baines
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Will keep Mitro this GW and do my transfer Hennessy to Fab

        Next week does

        Mitro & Bennett > Arnie & Peltier -4 cut the mustard?!

      16. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        So I got David Luiz in and Murphy for bellerin and Knokaert
        I could ve gone for Rudiger but I like the fact that the extra saved cash enables me to rotate rich with Willian for next few games
        Chelsea Everton ger Willian
        Spurs Chelsea and Everton Cardiff get rich
        Chelsea Fulham and lvpool Everton get Willian
        Wolves Chelsea and Everton Newcastle stick or change depending
        Chelsea Man City Everton Watford get rich
        And so on...
        I have no haz so willian hopefully helps me out in games where haz can go nuts by also getting point on the board

      17. Snoop
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Considering

        A. Walcott, ings to Paterson, arnautovic.
        B. Walcott, ings, wan bissaka, to kenedy, arnautovic, balbuena. For -4
        C. Wan to balbuena
        D. Something else.

      18. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        best mid up to 7.5m

        A. Deulofeu
        B. Pereyra
        C. Willian
        D. Barkley
        E. siggy
        F. Rich
        G. Martial
        H. Maddison
        I. Lucas Moura
        J. Gudmundson

        1. Weak Become Heros
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          G if continues to get mins

      19. bruuuno
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Ryan
        Alonso Doherty Mendy
        Dilva Salah Rich Madisson Fraser
        Aguero Mitro
        Begovic TAA Ings AWB

        1.0 ITB 2 FT

        Thinking of Mitro + TAA → Arnie + Balbuena
        And then Dilva → Mane next week

        Good plan?

      20. New Post
      21. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        does Diop offer any goal threat?

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          At the wrong end so far..