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. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Rate the Liverpool def in less chances of being rotated...
    I'm thinking;
    A VVD
    B Robbo
    C Lovren
    D Gomez
    E TAA

    Look about right?

    1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Yup

    2. KingOllie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Not enough data on Lovren.. i might put Gomez above him as he can play CB and RB

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Fair point.

  2. Francescoli
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Play:
    A) Success (new)
    B) Fraser (mun)

    1. pressdpm
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      A

  3. pressdpm
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Any ideas on what to do here? 1FT, 0.0 spare.
    Thinking Hennessy > Fabianski, does that sound good?

    Hennessy
    Alonso - Bennett - Robertson
    Salah - Hazard - Richarlison - Maddison
    Mitrovic - Aguero - Jiminez

    Stekelenburg - Shaw - Wan Bissaka - Biling

  4. rodog
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    A) Keep Mitro for this week vs Huddersfield
    B) Swap for Vardy
    C) Swap for Arnautovic

    1. Regin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      c

  5. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Hazard flag gone and now not dropping in price!!

    1. KingOllie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      FPLWallStreet manipulation right here

      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        True Story

    2. john25
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      This is what I saw as well. Is it correct?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Flag gone, so people buying him.

        1. McSauce
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          nope its a recorrection afte a flag! If red flag is goes back to ZERO

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      yep

  6. Stupendous
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    All set I think? 0ft.

    Patricio
    Mendy Alonso Robbo Digne
    Richarlison Maddison Mane Hazard
    Aguero(c) Arnie

    Hamer Wilson Doherty Hjobjerg

    1. Hacksaw
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      benching Wilson seems brave...he's on fire and the Man U defence hasn't shown much resistance up until now

      1. Stupendous
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        He doesn't score at home

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 hours ago

          It makes perfect sense with your team anyway

  7. HAMMERTIME107
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    How's this looking please?
    *

    Ederson
    Robertson | Alonso | Mendy
    Maddison | Pereyra | Barkley | Salah
    Lacazette | Arnautovic | Aguero(c)

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 hours ago

      Juicy

  8. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    A. Trent & Maddison -> Mendy & Deulofeu
    B. Trent & Wilson -> Femenia & Arnautovic

    1. Udo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 hours ago

      A, but with Kennedy instead.

  9. Dynamic Duos
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Hazard and AWB to Sterling and Diop/Zaba?

    1. Regin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      why does everyone want to get rid of hazard??

      next 4 fixtures
      ;
      3 home matches crypal, everton, fulham
      1 away to Spurs

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        I will get him back for Fulham not willing keep someone at 11m who is a doubt.

        1. THAT'S LIFE
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          Totally agree - I like him but I can have Sterling and Mane at full fitness in juicy fixtures for a bit till it is clear he is fully fit.

  10. Cornholi0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    What do you think of this WC?

    Ryan (Button)

    Mendy, Alonso, Robertson (AWB, Peltier)

    Salah, Mahrez, Siggy, Barkley (Camarasa)

    Aguero, Vardy, Arnautovic

  11. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Current WC team. Was initially annoyed with the Hazard news but now means I'll have Sterling which offsets the lack of Aguero.

    Comments on this squad?

    Fabianski
    Laporte / Mendy / Alonso / Robertson
    Salah / Mane / Sterling (C) / Barkley
    Wilson / Arnie

    Ryan / Camasara / Doherty / Success

    0.4 ITB for option of Sterling > Hazard next week

    1. Regin
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      all of u getting rid of hazard will regret big time.

      1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        I can bring him back in next week

    2. The 5% Team
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Would be my team as well if I were to WC this week I think, but I would do only one of Fab/Ryan and a 4.0 goalie

  12. AandyzZ
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Mendy as (C) even if you own Aguero?

    Clean sheet and attacking potential Vs usual 5-8 points from 60 minutes

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      or 20 points like vs huddersfield . are southampton that much better than hudders?

      1. AandyzZ
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        They are better defensively than Huddersfield

    2. puhd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      No way

    3. Styles_X
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      ballsy

    4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Too risky and now with hazard ruled out as captain option kun huge haul could be a rank killer

      1. AandyzZ
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Not much to suggest a huge 'haul' he's had plenty opportunities with great fixtures and GW2 is still the last time he got to double digits

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          In an ideal world and in theory u could make a case for Mendy but ownership plays a huge part in these calls and nearly every kun owner will captain him due to the hazard news.Variance will be less and sometimes u just have to play the game

    5. nach248
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Agreed, I think mendy cleansheet pretty much nailed on if he plays and possibly an assist or 2. Still don't get why Aguero is so popular as captain of choice, we are only getting 2/3 of him week in week out!

  13. puhd
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Richarlison and Mitro out for Mane and success? For free

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      No.

    2. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 hours ago

      No. To Barkley and Vardy

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 hours ago

        My maths might be weong though 🙂

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 hours ago

          Barkley and Arnie then

  14. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 hours ago

    Thoughts on Deulofeu?

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      horrible fixtures . gray at leicester is better . even murphy at cardiff frees up funds and is good

    2. MTPockets
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        I have him. Very good value.

      • Styles_X
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        i think he's good looking

    3. rdamjan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Which one? I have 2FT and still have WC, so little punty players.

      A. Rudiger + Josh Murphy
      B. David Luiz + Deulofeu
      C. David Luiz + Snodgrass (shame he is on 4YC:( 🙂

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Of those, B

      2. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        look at watfords fixtures theyre absymal! luiz + murphy?

    4. I Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Mitro to Arnie or save?

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        I was asking the same question yesterday. Most answers I got were “yes” to the move

        1. Styles_X
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          save

        2. I Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          Probably gonna do it. Even if it doesn't pay off this week I want Arnie long term.

          1. puhd
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            My thoughts exacyly

      2. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        im gonna give mitro one more chance

      3. The 5% Team
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Save, I would also give Mitrovic at least this week

    5. Big Ping
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Tom Cairney to repay his patient owners this week with a juicy haul...

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Lol

      2. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Fingers crossed! Have had other issues to adress so haven't had the chance to transfer him out. All of a sudden I have two Fulham players on the pitch this weekend. Oh my...

        1. Big Ping
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          Lol same, lost .2 on him as well. A brace of assists this week will start to make things better!

    6. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Cheers sarri.Kun captain let's goo

    7. Zladan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 hours ago

      Pick one you would rather start this week (plenty of options):

      Dilva
      Bilva
      Mahrez
      Eriksen
      Barkley
      Alli
      Martial

      1. MTPockets
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          mahrez

        • Styles_X
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          mahrez

      2. simong1
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        A or B?

        A) TAA > Alonso & Mitro > Success
        B) TAA > Balbuena & Mitro > Arnie

      3. FPL-(VAR)dy
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Sigurdsson + Laporte
        or
        Richarlison + Mendy

        1. Styles_X
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          B

        2. Fernando Torres
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          B.

      4. Dynamic Duos
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 hours ago

        Ok let's look at it like this , Sterling v Hazard , no injury or even other problems just who as the individual player is better on fpl and why?

        1. I Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 hours ago

          Hazard. 100% nailed, on penalties, bonus magnet.

          1. FPL-(VAR)dy
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            This

        2. MTPockets
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            hazard. nailed

          • Styles_X
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            haz because he has fulham incoming and he's probably in the top 4-5 players in the world rn

          • jtreble
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            I don’t want Sterling as part of a captaincy rotation.

          • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            Hazard - nailed, pens, baps monster, and Sarri seems to keep him out of Europa so he’s fresh for FPL games

        3. JohnnyMagrinho
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            No KDB and bearing in mind the team that played in the cup, are we fairly assured of a David Silva start and as close to 90 mins as possible for the Southampton game?

            1. Zladan
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              Yes

          • Don Kloppeone
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            Last question for the masses. Bench order?

            Doherty, Capoue, Duffy

            Thanks!

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              You've got to decide something yourself.
              Otherwise, are you even the one playing?

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 8 hours ago

                Fair challenge... I don’t normally ask so many questions. Just a bit of last min panic lol.

                Will stick to my gut. Has fared me fairly well so far

                1. Rupert The Horse
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  6 years, 8 hours ago

                  Always happy to help, but these little things are more for you just to tinker with.

                  1. Don Kloppeone
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 8 hours ago

                    Totally agree. Cheers Rupe!

                    Disappointed with myself for appearing as a spoon fed casual 😉

            2. Styles_X
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              duffy doherty cap

            3. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              Capoue, Duffy, Doherty in my opinion

          • as33
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            Laca to Kun? and Captain Kun?

            1. Styles_X
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              yas

            2. McSauce
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              no brainer that

          • Mr_Barbs
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            Gtg? Doherty ahead of TAA?

            Ederson
            Alonso, Robertson, Doherty
            Hazard, Sterling(c), Fraser, Maddison
            Aguero(vc), Wilson, Arnautovic

            Steklenberg, TAA, AWB, Neves

          • C'mon the Fylde
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            Should i;

            A) Hazard for Sterling -4
            B) Hazard for Mahrez -4
            C) Just f*****g leave it!

            Patricio
            Alonso Mendy Robertson
            Maddison Salah Hazard Fraser
            Vokes Wilson Aguero

            Hamer, Billing, TAA, Bennett

            1. CostaCoffee
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              C

            2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              Log off

            3. McSauce
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              keep him if for hit as you will want him back! Start TAA

              1. C'mon the Fylde
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 8 hours ago

                Why TAA? Is he playing? I've not read the press conference.

          • Powers106
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            Is everybody looking forward to the EPL Classic on Monday night, Huddersfield v Fulham?! Get IN!!!

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              Mitro captain!

            2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              A drab tense affair with Huddersfield nicking a 1-0 due to home support

            3. FPL-(VAR)dy
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              Billing (C)

              1. Powers106
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 7 hours ago

                I am sure you are joking but Billing c is just gonna get you 4 points if you are lucky! Guy only scored 1 time this year, no assists even!

            4. Regin
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              a massive relegation 6 pointer.

          • CostaCoffee
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            Might have to transfer in and captain Mahrez. Don’t want to take a hit for Sterling

            1. Zladan
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              Considering bringing him in. Aguero captain though of course.

          • Dacra
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 8 hours ago

            Maddison + Vardy > Mahrez + Anrie for -4?

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 hours ago

              No.

            2. MTPockets
                6 years, 8 hours ago

                no