Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Sterling and Jesus to the Fore

Man City stroll past West Ham 4-1 to promote a pair of compelling alternatives to Harry Kane for the Double Gameweek 37 captaincy.

Any doubts as to the motivation of Pep Guardiola and his title-winning team were brushed aside on Sunday afternoon, both by the players on the pitch and post-match by the coach himself.

City produced a dominant display at the London Stadium, outshooting the Hammers 19-4, before Guardiola outlined just what his all-conquering side have left to play for with three matches remaining, while also appearing to dismiss the idea of heavy rotation to come…

“We wanted to win today so that we can get the record of 96 points at home when we get the trophy in front of our people next week. We have something special in terms of confidence and we needed some targets to set in front of us.

Huddersfield, Brighton, Southampton, they deserve for us to be who we are all season. It wouldn’t be fair to them if we came down here for a holiday.

We have to show who we are, who we’ve been all season, that’s why we scored nine goals in two games.”

That should be music to the ears of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers looking to bring in City assets for their decidedly attractive Double Gameweek 37 (HUD BHA).

And two of their brightest stars – Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus – made convincing cases for it to be them.

Sterling continued his fine form with three assists, which took him to a third successive double-digit haul, and his tenth of the season.

He was the most bought midfielder (130,000+) for Gameweek 36 and now has three goals and seven assists from his last six appearances.

Sterling was also unlucky not have a fourth assist when he was clearly fouled by Aaron Creswell in the penalty area, only for a spot-kick to be denied by the match officials. He was also deprived of an assist when Jesus saw his penalty saved by Lukasz Fabianski in Gameweek 35.

His consistent performances and points output makes him a strong rival to Kane for the Triple Captain chip.

Jesus is another.

The striker was second only to the Spurs option for Gameweek 36 transfers-in (133,000+), and his goal at West Ham means he has scored in each of his last four starts, with two assists thrown in for good measure.

In fact, he has now been directly involved in 30 goals in just 25 starts (19 goals, 11 assists) over his two FPL seasons.

Sterling may just be considered for a rest in one of the Gameweek 37 fixtures, whereas Sergio Aguero’s absence through injury appears to make Jesus an assured a starter as any player can be in Guardiola’s line-up.

One recently rested player, Leroy Sane, is testament to the coach’s rotation policy. The German returned after his benching, following six straight starts, for the Gamweek 35 win over Swansea City.

As a result, the midfielder was bought by just 17,000 heading into this weekend, but today’s strike means he now has two goals and an assist from his last four starts.

City’s other goals came from Fernandinho and a Pablo Zabaleta own goal. Kevin De Bruyne was denied the assist on that one, with his cross taking two diversions, first from goalkeeper Adrian and then Declan Rice, who stuck the ball off Zabaleta for a calamitous pinball-like own goal.

Not so rosy elsewhere

All three of Sterling, Jesus and Sane could well be the go-to options for next week’s double, with the first two currently the most purchased players of Gameweek 37.

And their attraction is perhaps partly down to the doubts surrounding City’s central midfield stars.

De Bruyne’s influence remains unparalleled, but his Fantasy form is tailing off badly – another blank today made it just one goal and an assist in eight matches.

At least he was involved.

David Silva’s run of seven league starts came to an end. He was the third top midfielder for Gameweek 36 transfers-in, only for Guardiola to give him the weekend off.

Problems remain at the back as well.

Last week’s clean sheet against the Swans proved to be a false dawn, as Aaron Cresswell’s fine free-kick, awarded for a foul on Edimilson Fernandes, kept City to just one shutout in five matches.

That made it a barren return for both Nicolas Otamendi (26.2%) and Kyle Walker (13.2%), with the latter’s ownership dented further when their man was subbed off with a muscle issue. Meanwhile, skipper Vincent Kompany missed out altogether through injury.

Guardiola’s willingness to mix and match at the back is not helping City’s defensive solidity, which will surely drive Fantasy managers to invest in attacking assets only for remaining fixtures.

Hammers still not safe

Events yesterday – and this afternoon’s result – keep West Ham fully embroiled in the season’s relegation saga.

They too have a Double Gameweek 37 (lei MUN), and next weekend’s trip to the freefalling Foxes could well be the best chance they have of securing the victory that should confirm their Premier League place for another campaign.

The Hammers’ assets are certainly not attracting great Fantasy interest, however.

Aside from the 7.4%-owned Chicharito, who hasn’t started a match since Gameweek 29 and is presumably to be found in a number of ‘ghost ship’ sides, their most popular player is Marko Arnautovic (6.2%).

But the Austrian blanked for the second time in three Gameweeks – hardly surprising when the Hammers managed just a single shot on target against the champions – which meant that it was left to goalscorer Cresswell to again get in the points.

The defender’s first goal of the season followed up an assist – his seventh of the season – in Gameweek 34.

Cresswell’s dead-ball delivery offers a real attacking threat, which is just as well when he’s operating in a defence that has managed just one clean sheet in eight Gameweeks.

Arnautovic’s continued role as the central striker will surely persuade his owners to hold for the double, while Cresswell (2.2%) and perhaps Manuel Lanzini have some merit as a risky differential, but David Moyes’ side offers precious little else for Fantasy managers to enthuse over.

3,000 Comments Post a Comment
  1. oscarhs
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Which Swansea defender is everyone going with?

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Mawson for the goal threat

    2. MGD
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      None.

      With a gun to my head, Naughton.

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

      Depends on the budget

      Mawson
      Naughton
      VdH

  2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Best choice for this week
    A)mahrez + vardy + 8
    B) Arnie + Jesus

    Need help

    1. 11bigboy11
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Just this week? A for the 8

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

      B) No question, Lei have been awful lately

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

    0.1 short of doing Mahrez + Vardy -> Sterling + Jesus .... (-4)

    Sane instead or just do one? If only 1, then which?

    1. 11bigboy11
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Sane

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

      Sane will play more minutes than Sterling over the double I think.. Sane + Jesus for me

    3. #FPLBhuna
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      mahrez > sterling (ft)

  4. balint84
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A) Ayew+Vardy
    B) Arnautovic/Tadic+Jesus (-4)

    1. 11bigboy11
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B Arny

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

      b - Arny

  5. 11bigboy11
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    All set to save FT for getting Salah in next week? Or use FT replacing Willian or Christenson?

    De Gea
    Christianson, Smalling, Vertonghen, Mustafi
    Son, Willian, Sterling, Sane
    Jesus, Kane

    Barnes, Gudmundsson, Morgan, Ryan

    THanks

    1. MGD
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Christensen, Mustafi and Smalling are rotationrisks. (Atleast for 1 game).

      I would not save a FT before a double.

      1. 11bigboy11
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        What would you suggest? All full of City and Spurs and no nailed United apart from valencia whos too expensive

  6. YouReds
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Barnes to J.Ayew for free? Then I will switch to 3-4-3 and bench GroB?

    DDG
    Alonso Bavies Chilwell
    Sterling Son Mahrez Lingard
    Kane Jesus Ayew

    1. decisions
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      This was my planned move but haven’t seen much from him, albeit tough couple of games.

      Still considering a shift to 352 with arnie and benching Barnes

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

        Yeah there's also the GroB to Arnie move which I'm toying up but would have to be a -4

  7. #FPLBhuna
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    bottomed

    A) Alli + Rudiger/Mawson/Jones
    B) Pogba + Valencia/Azpi/Vertonghen
    C) Hazard + Bednarek/Dummett/VDH

    team

    lloris - fabianski
    klavan - baines - mustafi - smalling - yoshida
    salah - sane - dilva - arnie - kenedy
    kane - jesus - jayew

  8. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Foster
    Baines Kompany Alonso
    Walcott Lingard Shaqiri Eriksen Sterling
    Jesus Kane

    Elliot Barnes Lowton

    Baines & Walcott > Smalling & Arnie sound like a plan?

  9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Honestly wouldn't surprise me to see salah get a ban

    #kanegoldenboot #goldbenboy

    1. goriuanx
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, this would be the only reason why tbh.

    2. J T
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      He did take a good swipe at him, ref didn’t see it.. I think he should be banned

    3. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Haven't seen Sky. If they are making a fuss then maybe something will happen. If low-key on there then doubt there will be any action.

  10. J T
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Ddg
    Smalling Davies Mustafi
    Sterling Kdb Kenedy Willian Arnie
    Auba Kane(TC)

    Ryan Tark Chillwell
    11 dgwers, 0 hits, TC Kane.. g2g??

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      looks good

      1. J T
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers dude

  11. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on the potential ban for Salah ? Has he been cited ?

  12. Plagued by indecision
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    8 points behind rival, who has Sterling. Should I get Sane as a differential?

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

      Nope, differentiate somewhere else... You can go for Sterling AND Sane

      1. Plagued by indecision
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        OK. Trying to work out if he will get Eriksen or not... he already has 11 doublers in his squad, but nothing in the bank although he could sell Salah.

    2. JAC THE CAT
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Get Sterling, try and get Sane also.

  13. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Salah, Lingard, Chilwell ➡ Eriksen, Son, Bednarek for -8?

    1. The Trout of No Craic
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No too much, I’d keep Salah 38C

  14. Jet5605
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys, squeaky bum time in my league. Holding a 10 point lead with TC in hand (unlike rival). Any suggestions on my best moves here? Willing to take a -4 hit and will wait to see how Kane does tonight. 1 FT and 1.3 ITB

    Salah & Lukaku > Jesus/Kane & Sterling?
    Other suggestions?

    DDG
    Alonso - Naughton - Morgan
    Salah - Son - Eriksen - Willian - GroB
    Lukaku - Vardy

    Ryan - Barnes - Lowton - Long

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

      Yes

  15. JAC THE CAT
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Wes Morgan is stinking out my team...

    A, Play for the double and hope for the best.
    B, Play a Burnley defender instead.
    C, Take a -4 for a 4.5 replacement.

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

  16. balint84
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Mawson or Naughton?

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Mawson

  17. willieprunier
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A - Mahrez and Barnes to Eriksen and Ayew (-4)
    B - Barnes to Ayew and keep Mahrez for dgw with no hit

    I have Kane and defending a lead in minileague

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. fkmzcgp
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

  18. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Already taken a -4 to get Jesus in.

    A. Willian to Arnautovic (-4)
    Or
    B. Barnes to J.Ayew (-4)
    Or
    C. Keep both

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I might even be tempted with D, get both for the -8

  19. fkmzcgp
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Which moves look best?

    A) Barnes, Willian, Alonso >> Jesus, Kante and Danilo
    B) Barnes, Willian, Alonso >> Jesus, King, Davies (would have to start Gross)
    C) Barnes Willian, Alonso >> Jesus, Fernandinho, Mawson
    D) Barnes, Gross, Alonso >> Jesus, King, Cedric (would mean having to start Willian)

  20. Pigs in Blankets!!!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Playing BB this week, have 13 DW players and Mili & Salah as below:

    Lloris
    Morgan Chilwell Dummett Smalling
    Kenedy Sterling Eriksen
    Jesus Vardy Kane
    BB) Fabs Lejeune Milivojevic Salah

    GTG?

  21. goriuanx
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Tenner says David Wagner will be Klopp's assistant next season.

    1. JJO
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      So he is sure they will be the ones going to Championship?

  22. Stimps
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Who will get more this GW?

    A) Arnie
    B) Vardy (+4)

  23. Jet5605
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys, I'm holding a ten point lead and so my TC choice in 37 could be the difference between winning my ML or not. Who is the best pick:

    A - Sterling (slight rotation risk?)
    B - Eriksen (should play 180 but doesn't have the games City do)
    C - Jesus/Kane (can only bring in one of the two)

  24. PnutButterWolf
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Play Zaha (Stoke away) or Perez (Watford/Spurs away)? Almost certain to play Wilf but any counter arguments?

  25. dee_top
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Who will score more at DGW:
    A) Jesus Sterling Sane Naughton
    B) Jesus Sterling Mahrez Danilo
    C) J.Ayew Sterling Mahrez Sane

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

      A

    2. fkmzcgp
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      Tough one but A for me.

  26. Goat
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Start Morgan (WHU, ARS)
    Or
    Mariappa (NEW)

    Can see Morgan getting around 1 point. Mariappa could fluke a CS

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

    DDG/Elliot
    Davies/VVD/Lowton/Chillwell/Daniels
    Eriksen/Salah/De Bryune/Milli/Kenedy
    Jesus/Barns/Kane

    I want to use BB on week 37

    A) Salah + Elliot to Sterling + Fabiansky (-4)
    B) Daniels + Elliot to Dummet + Fabiansky (-4)
    C)VVD + Elliot to Laporte + Fabiansky (-4)
    D) Salah to Sterling and get him back in week 38

  28. BHA_Seagull
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    6.2m ITB
    Which defender do you have for the last 2 gwks?
    Currently thinking Bavies.

  29. Maddamotha
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you rather have for GW37

    A) Aubu and D.Silva
    B) Kane and Lingard

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

      B. Just because Kane

      1. Maddamotha
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  30. boc610
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    RIP Anfield Express leaks

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

      Why what happened

      1. boc610
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        it appears their sources may have been rumbled..the axe is being swung at Melwood today

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

          Brilliant. As a Liverpool fan and salah non owner I was hoping this would happen lol

    2. nobwak
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Why?