Scout Notes

FPL review: Kane’s goals, why De Bruyne was benched

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City is the second and final Sunday fixture to get the Scout Notes treatment as we look back on the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from north London.

The numbers you see in this article are taken from our Premium Members Area, where you can access Opta player and team data for every single Premier League fixture.



RECORD BREAKING KANE

Harry Kane (£11.7m) surpassed Jimmy Greaves to become Tottenham Hotspur’s record goalscorer on Sunday, by netting the winner against Man City.

The champions dominated possession in the early stages but looked vulnerable to the counter attack, with Spurs’ goal arriving after Rodri (£5.6m) gave up possession on the edge of his own box, allowing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.5m) to tee up Kane.

The England forward came close to adding a second twice in the second half, ending the match with five shots in the box, which included two Opta-defined ‘big chances’. That was at odds with fellow premium Erling Haaland (£12.2m), who failed to have a single attempt on goal for the first time in Man City colours.

As for Kane, the Spurs forward has been absolutely electric this season, scoring 17 goals and blanking in just five of his 22 league outings. His ownership currently sits at 78.66 per cent in the top 100k, but with a decent run of fixtures still to come (see below), that will continue rising, despite a likely blank in Gameweek 28.


“Harry Kane, in his DNA, he has football. He understands football in every moment. He can play in any position. He is a GOAT in this league, in this sport. He is a great example.” – Cristian Stellini

Elsewhere, Emerson Royal’s (£4.9m) performance means we might have to wait a while longer for Pedro Porro’s (£5.0m) first start, having impressed on Sunday.

Defensively, he was superb, with two interceptions, five ball recoveries and six clearances.

“We have seen him play great games. Against City last season it was similar. Today he was a good player and he used to be better when you are winning. He has to improve in other situations but today he was perfect.” – Cristian Stellini on Emerson Royal

DE BRUYNE BENCHED AGAIN

Owners of Kevin De Bruyne (£12.4m) saw the playmaker benched for the second time in three Gameweeks on Sunday, with Julian Alvarez £6.0m) preferred.

Both substitute appearances have arrived against Spurs and their back three/five formation, with Pep Guardiola saying prior to kick-off it was “definitely” a tactical decision.

“We want to defend inside and attack inside, that’s why we put two strikers there to try to put balls to them with Bernardo [Silva] in the first half and second with Kevin [De Bruyne] and be patient.” – Pep Guardiola

De Bruyne was introduced just before the hour mark, replacing Riyad Mahrez (£7.7m), who came closest to scoring in the first half when his shot rattled the crossbar.

On bringing De Bruyne on, Guardiola said:

“I wanted him for the last pass, to find between the lines, he can make one of these actions and that was the reason.” – Pep Guardiola

£12.4m is a lot of money for a player who isn’t a sure starter each week, but his owners will likely keep faith ahead of Man City’s Double Gameweek 23, in the hope he is reinstalled in the starting XI against Aston Villa and Arsenal, both of whom traditionally line-up in back four formations.

It’s also worth noting De Bruyne created more chances (three) than any player from either side despite being on the pitch for just 31 minutes.

Phil Foden (£8.0m), meanwhile, was not involved at all after feeling ill overnight.

“He was there at the hotel. He felt unwell all night – really, really bad.” – Pep Guardiola on Phil Foden

LEWIS AT LEFT-BACK

Rico Lewis (£3.9m) lined up on the left of Man City’s back four against Spurs, which coincided with him completing 90 minutes in a league fixture for the first time this season.

It’s an intriguing development in light of Joao Cancelo’s departure to Bayern Munich, having previously been deployed solely on the right, from where he would often invert into midfield.

There is, of course, still plenty of competition for places even on the left, with Nathan Ake (£5.1m) and Aymeric Laporte (£5.7) both able to perform the role.

However, Lewis’ positional versatility is undoubtedly a plus, adding another string to the youngster’s bow.

Above: Rico Lewis’ average position by Gameweek


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Royal, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic (Sessegnon 79); Kulusevski (Sanchez 88), Son (Bissouma 84), Kane

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Lewis; Mahrez (De Bruyne 59), Rodri, Bernardo (Gundogan 84), Grealish; Alvarez, Haaland



485 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Hi

    Kepa (ward)
    Trippier botman white(mee Paterson)
    Kdb Bruno rashford mitoma(Pereira)
    Haaland kane nketiah

    1ft 0.2 itb
    Am tempted to save
    Any suggestions?

    Thank you 🙂

  2. mdm
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Almiron to Mahrez worth -4?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yeah

  3. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Why was Mahrez subbed early?

    Is he now no longer nailed?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He was never nailed

    2. Lord of Ings
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I’m pretty sure he’s nailed for now, switch was probably tactical
      And Mahrez probably had the best chance of the match for city as well, If his shot was a few inches lower totally different scenario. Fine margins!

    3. Arteta
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      The last time Mahrez was truly nailed, he played for Leicester.

  4. Ask Yourself
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Early planning !

    A) Mitro + Saka
    B) Nketiah + Bruno -4

    1. Lionel Fellaini
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

  5. Eleven Hag
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Roll FT here? (1 FT, 1.6itb)

    Feels wrong to have only one city asset but not convinced either Mahrez or a defnder can get too many pts over what I got already.

    Kepa
    Shaw/Cucurella Tripps White*
    Saka* Odegaard* Bruno Rashford
    Haaland (c) Kane Havertz
    - Ward Cucurella Andreas Bueno

  6. Kodap
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Bottomed on last page:

    Looking forwards to next week, what would be my best moves here? Got 3.5m in the bank (Did KDB > Bruno for this week) looking at Toney > Nketiah, and Almiron > Mahrez for -4? Does that look okay or is there anything else you would do here. Also very tempted to hit the BB button with those fixtures sat on the bench..

    Kepa
    White - Akanji - Trippier
    Almiron - Martinelli - Rashford - Bruno
    Kane - Toney - Haaland

    Ward - Shaw - Botman - Andreas

    1. Lionel Fellaini
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Can you get Saka and Mitro for Almiron and Toney? Gives you 2 more for the blank

  7. Lionel Fellaini
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Ederson

    Trippier White Shaw

    Martinelli Bruno KDB Rashy Andreas

    Haaland Wilson

    Sell Andreas for Ode or Wilson for Nketiah? 1FT and 3.7 ITB can’t afford Andreas to Saka

    1. Lionel Fellaini
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Leaning towards Wilson to Nketiah and keeping Martinelli. Even off the bench he could score/assist.

      1. space mercenary
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yes, best move with bgw 25 for Wilson anyway.

  8. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    What to do here chaps?

    Kepa
    Trippier Saliba* Shaw
    Rashford Bruno Odegaard* Saka* Almiron
    Haaland* Kane

    Ward IrishHaaland Stones* Bueno

    2.8m ITB and 2 FT’s

    A) Bruno ➡ KDB (bank other FT)
    B) Bruno Stones ➡ KDB Ake
    C) Almiron Stones ➡ Mahrez Ake
    D) Almiron ➡ Mahrez (bank other FT)

    1. aleksios
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I like C or D

      I think Pep now sees two strikers don’t work

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Is there any chance Stones is back for 25? Think I would lean D/C

  9. Rex Lapis
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which one?
    A. Odegaard + KDB
    B. Saka + Grealish?

    1. aleksios
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A.

  10. space mercenary
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    The TC chip is a real dilemma. GW 23 is not the best time to use it on paper, but by the time the next round of doubles appear then the league could be as good as decided. Especially if Arsenal beat City in 23. Player rotation may become more of a factor as might injury to potential TC candidates.

    1. boc610
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      its not a dilemma for Rashy TC'ers

      1. space mercenary
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Agreed, Rash TCers in the driving seat at the moment imo.

    2. notlob legin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      There will be plenty of opportunities later in the season - even a club fighting relegation, a club trying to get into Europe etc - I've not used mine yet and will be holding it for later in the season - possibly even a single game week will become an option

    3. Dunster
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Agree. I hovered over the button a lot last week with reference to Rashford but eventually declined to push it (still not sure why I dithered).

      Now really don’t fancy Haaland in GW23 and so reluctantly concluding might as well hold it until I get the urge to push it later in the season! It is a worry though that it may conflict with other chips.

  11. dshv
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    1. Andreas to Mahrez (bench toney but keep)

    2. Toney to Nketiah (toney will be benched if I do 1 will miss gw25. And i will triple up arsenal)

    Choose and opinion please.

    1. aleksios
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      2

  12. aleksios
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Tough one.
    Have White-Saliba-Martinelli-Walker-Haaland.
    1 ft 3.2itb.
    Which one to do?

    a) Walker+Bruno to Ake+KDB for a hit.
    b) Just Bruno to KDB and hope Walker plays.
    c) White+Bruno+Almiron to Scar+Mahrez+Ode for -8.

    Thanks.

  13. Danstoke82
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Hi guys which one please? Already own Martinelli and White from Arsenal and only Haaland from City;

    A) Almiron > Mahrez -4
    B) Almiron > Saka -4
    C) Almiron > Odegaard -4
    D) none

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Kaptenen
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B/C

  14. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Wildcarding to change 8 players……does this look good or any suggestions? 0.4ITB

    Kepa Ward
    Trippier Shaw Ake Tarkowski Coufal
    KDB Saka Rashford Odegaard Andreas
    Haaland Kane Nketiah

    1. Kaptenen
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Looks nice, but don't really like Ward on WC. Maybe get Sanchez and Kepa to benefit best from upcoming DGWs and blanks?

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I like that advice but I’m 0.2 short…..any suggestions where I can save? Could downgrade Shaw to Davies

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Have you BBed already?

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yep, got it out of the way early, didn’t really work out….

  15. Kaptenen
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Mitro (NFO)
    B) Mitoma (cry)

    1. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

    2. melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      a

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A. Mitoma too hot to bench right now

  16. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    How’s everyone dealing with BGW 25?

    Really want Mitoma but that just adds another blank player to the list?

    Team,

    Ederson
    Trippier, Shaw, White, Botman
    Bruno, Rashford, Ode, Saka
    Hauland, Kane,

    Ward, Toney, Andreas, Bueno

    1.9.

    1FT