Scout Notes

Latest on Aguero fitness as Sterling unlucky to blank at Fulham

Pep Guardiola does not believe that Sergio Aguero (£11.8m) picked up an injury in Manchester City’s 2-0 win at Fulham.

The Argentinian was taken off just before the hour-mark for precautionary reasons ahead of further Double Gameweek 32 action midweek.

Obviously, Fantasy managers cannot make any decisions about Aguero ahead of that Cardiff game, and there is no fixture for him in Blank Gameweek 33 either.

However, given that he is in red hot form, it is certainly important to analyse his current situation and how well he played in a 10-point haul at Craven Cottage.

Fulham 0-2 Manchester City

Goals: Bernardo Silva (£7.5m), Sergio Aguero (£11.8m)

Assists: Aguero, B Silva

Aguero will need to be assessed ahead of Manchester City’s next Double Gameweek 32 but Guardiola insists that he is not injured. The forward asked to be replaced in the 56th minute of Saturday’s visit to Fulham, mainly as a precaution. Gabriel Jesus (£9.9m) was the man to come on for him, and would most likely be the one to capitalise if Aguero is not declared fit for the Cardiff game.

“Tomorrow we have the real assessment, he says he felt something but not injured. For precaution he decided not to continue, hopefully, it’s nothing serious.” – Pep Guardiola

Those in possession of Aguero, and the clutch of managers who captained or Triple Captained him, need not be too disheartened by this development. He is already 10 points to the good in Double Gameweek 32 and it must be said that he does still stand a chance of starting against Cardiff.

Coming off so early will have helped ease any fitness concerns and Aguero remains the clear favourite striker in Premier League matches for Manchester City. Jesus struggled to make much of an impact when he came on at Fulham, touching the ball just once inside the penalty box and mustering not a single shot on goal. Considering that he was playing against one of the worst defences in Premier League history, one might have expected more from him, especially in terms of shots.

By contrast, Aguero was a constant menace to Fulham, both on and off the ball. It was his pressing, as well as Bernardo Silva‘s (£7.5m) that sapped Fulham of any confidence in possession at the back, so it is no surprise that Manchester City were handed so many opportunities from defensive errors. Both of Aguero’s attacking returns came from such situations.

So at this stage, if he were to be cleared for the Cardiff game, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him start ahead of Jesus once again. Just as he did against Fulham, he could conceivably help put Manchester City into a comfortable lead and then be substituted somewhere between the 60th and 70th minute to keep him fresh for involvement in the FA Cup and Champions League.

Statistically, Aguero was a little below his usual level but we have to remember his performance was curtailed by coming off in the 56th minute. Even still, four players in the match managed better figures when it came to minutes per chance.

One of those was Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) who was quite unlucky not to come away with any attacking returns. He had more shots than any other player at Craven Cottage, registered the most inside the penalty box too and was joint top for chances created. However, despite his domination of the shot count, Sterling managed just one on target. Ironically, for all we discovered about recent improvements to his game since a move to the left-wing, the England international was most dangerous in the final 30 minutes when he was shifted back to the right flank. Whether he gets another start against Cardiff on Wednesday is hard to assess. There is still more competition for his place than there is for Aguero, especially as Riyad Mahrez (£8.2m) and Leroy Sané (£9.3m) combined for a total of two minutes at Fulham.

As already mentioned, Bernardo Silva was comfortably one of the best players on the pitch, awarded the man of the match award by the Manchester Evening News. The Portuguese international was also joint-top for chances created and managed more shots in the match than Aguero. Crucially, Bernardo was excellent off the ball too, putting pressure on Fulham at the back for both of Manchester City’s goals. Whether he starts against Cardiff is, as you can imagine, hard to call but he has now started the last three in a row and was in the line-up for both matches in the last Double Gameweek.

David Silva (£8.5m) disappointed those who signed him for Double Gameweek 32. He blanked for the first time since Gameweek 28, although he was below other key Manchester City assets for key passes and shots inside the box on the day. There will be hope that he will play a significant part against Cardiff, considering he was used for a greater percentage of Premier League minutes between Gameweek 23 and 30 than both Sterling and Bernardo Silva.

Manchester City’s defensive line-up was mostly as expected with the three most nailed-on options in Ederson (£5.6m), Kyle Walker (£6.4m) and Aymeric Laporte (£5.9m) both starting. Nicolas Otamendi (£6.0m) overcame the ankle problem that kept him off international duty with Argentina and continued to post superior attacking statistics than Laporte – although none three of his shots inside Fulham’s box were anything more than poor off-target efforts from corners.

Whether that pair will both start against Cardiff remains to be seen. Vincent Kompany (£5.2m) and John Stones (£5.2m) both shrugged off their yellow flags to earn places on the Manchester City bench at Fulham and will therefore technically be available for Wednesday evening’s match. With an FA Cup semi-final next Saturday evening, Guardiola may prefer to rest Laporte and Otamendi against Cardiff to have them fully fresh for Brighton, although as usual, we can but speculate on his rotation policy.

Fernandinho (£5.3m) returned to the midfield in the final 15 minutes of the match, which is good news for further defensive returns. Ironically, they didn’t really miss him particularly in the majority of this match but that may have been because Fulham caused very few problems. Testament to his quality was the fact that he played such a short period in the match but the local press still gave him a 7/10 in their match ratings.

Manchester City’s clean sheet potential was helped in this particular match by the absence of Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.4m), midfielder Ryan Babel (£5.5m) left to lead a one-man attack. Having played in every Premier League match so far this season, Mitrovic missed out on the first match of Double Gameweek 32 with a stomach problem. The Serbian international is now a doubt for the trip to Watford on Tuesday night.

“He has been struggling for a few weeks with an ongoing issue, he played for Serbia in a tough game with Portugal and came back and he didn’t have a chance today. Whether we can get him right for Tuesday will be on a day to day basis. We’ll try get some treatment into him but I coudn’t make a call for Tuesday. He has something wrong with his stomach.” – Scott Parker

Fulham have made some improvements under Scott Parker but until they iron out individual errors from their game they will continue to be seen as points fodder for Fantasy managers. Tim Ream (£4.2m), one of the main culprits for poor defensive performances in 2018/19, was actually absent after coming back late from international duty with the USA but Fulham still looked incredibly unsure at the back. Parker tried to play a different formation to usual, opting for a back-five consisting of Joe Bryan (£4.8m), Calum Chambers (£4.2m), Maxime Le Marchand (£4.2m), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (£4.5m) and Cyrus Christie (£4.2m) and perhaps asked them to play out from the back too often.

“I wouldn’t change the way we set up or wanted the lads to play, but if there was one thing I was pleased with is the bravery in what they did today because it’s quite easy in a football match against a world-class team like Man City are to go and hide, play from back to front really quick and not pass the ball. I know ultimately we lost the came and errors cost us, but I was pleased with certain parts. ” – Scott Parker

Fulham XI (5-4-1): Rico; Bryan, Chambers, Le Marchand, Fosu-Mensah, Christie; Sessegnon, Cairney (Schürrle 70′), Zambo-Anguissa, Ayité (Kebano 64′); Babel (McDonald 88′).

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Laporte, Otamendi, Walker; D Silva, Gündogan, de Bruyne (Fernandinho 75′); Sterling (Mahrez 88′), Aguero (Jesus 57′), B Silva.

547 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Hiding behind a Higgy sized couch now hoping he doesn’t finally come good!

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I went with him, he likes to punish the lesser teams. Let's hope he does really well. 😉

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        I ended up with stronger defence and avoided him so hoping for the opposite! Good luck!

        1. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          Good luck to you too mate.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Ha ha

  2. Crouching Tiger
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Salah hat trick today to troll FH teams. Let's see 😀

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Vardy,Tarkowski,Morgan,Zouma have already done that

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Vardy six points hardly crushing. Those other three, who even has them?

        1. Sim Simma
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          I have two of them

      2. Crouching Tiger
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        And Pereira, the first gameweek since a looong time, provides a clean sheet when he's on 3rd place on my bench.

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    so hazard, hudson and giroud to start v brighton with willian, pedro and higuain sitting out. Will be interesting, basically all of the chelsea forward line are single gw picks

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      chelsea attacking stats etc are poor going into this gw, if you ignored a chelsea attacking pick I salute you

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        You know nothing Bemba Snow!!!

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          we will see

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Hig may start midweek I reckon

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      That’s an excellent crystal ball you have - can I borrow it?

      Hazard could easily get minutes today

    4. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      hard to tell, some might play twice and then sit out the west ham game

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      willian, Barkley and higuain

  4. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Do we reckon Cardiff score?

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Yes, they're fighting for survival

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Who could doubt them, with that razor sharp, top class forward line.

      2. Ode
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Huddersfield were fighting for survival against Palace too

      3. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Said he was a buffalo soldier

      4. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        They should have thought about scoring earlier in the season, then they wouldn't be fighting for survival.:)

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I have double Chelsea defence so yes it is almost certain Cardiff will score

  5. Punty McPuntface
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Off to the big match today, hit me with your predictions!

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Chelsea 6 - 1 Cardiff
      Spurs 1 - 2 Liverpool

    2. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Portsmouth 1 - Sunderland 2

    3. MTPockets
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Cardiff shock win

      • FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        1-0
        1-1

      • SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        LIV 2-2 TOT
        CAR 1-3 CHE

    4. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      For once I ignored the rumours, ie,

      Hazard may get rest

      Lindelof changing nappies

      Rashford maybe not fit enough.

      Ignored them all.

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

        1 out of 3 went in your favour then

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        I see.

    5. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Eden Hazard Double Gameweek 32
      Transferred in by: 200,705
      Captained by: 463 227
      Triple Captained by: 48,453
      Owned by: 2,020,763

      I don't have Hazard, so I should be delighted I guess. But he will probably come on later and cause havoc.

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Yeah I reckon they’ll struggle without him. Time will tell. If goalless should come on about 60 you would think

      2. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Yes there is a long long way to go before you can start celebrating

    6. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Higuain differential not looking so good without Hazard in the team 🙁

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Azpilicueta will provide the assists 😉

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

          Yess

      2. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        He may be on PEN duty

      3. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Higuain doesn't need Hazard. He is better with Willian, Azpi and Pedro feeding him

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

          All we need is azpi putting in some delicious crosses

    7. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      The ref in that article pic. Don't know what's bigger, his nose or his forehead.

    8. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I knew it Hazard can be rested, got him anyway because everyone has him.

      Higuain or Willian on penalties now imo.

      Pedro was interesting punt too.

      Comeeeee oooonnn Chelsea!!!!!

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Jorginho or Willian on pens.

        Hig has a poor record on pens.

    9. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Hazard Captainers unite 🙁

      1. Futile Tinkering
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        I will never do well in this game with so much fraudulence 😡

    10. micsway
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      How the fk is hazard on the bench!!!!

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

        Kepa decided he needed a rest

    11. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      If I were a Chelsea fan, I would be more worried about Kante not being in the team. Jorginho, Barkley and Kovacic will leave the back four exposed. And Alonso is in there too. What is Sarri thinking?

      1. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        180 mins for France so resting before the worst fixture congestion... Alonso though, yeah, that's criminal

    12. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I have no luck with Eden Hazard. Why on earth has he been benched?

      1. Futile Tinkering
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Too much fraudulence

    13. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Imagine Rangers get a late winner here.

    14. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Who to replace FA with for GW33

      Tielmans/Maddison vs Huddersfield (A)
      Milivojevic vs Newcastle (A)
      Sigurdsson/Richarlison vs Arsenal (H)

      leaning towards Tielmans because of form and fixture and potential price rise or Maddison because he plays a more attacking role

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Considering Tielemans myself. Think a Leicester double of Vardy + Tielemans could be good.

    15. andrewe63
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Association football-The Beautiful game

      FPL- It's ba*stard son

    16. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      First I move the triple armband to Sterling off Aguero and then Hazard not starting. Worried Sterling will be rested now.

      At least I have Camarasa in this match. Come on Cardiff! Few goals so Hazard has to come on and score a few himself.

    17. MINUS FOUR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Just been watching some Higuain highlights to warm up for his hat-trick.

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        great idea hahaha

        1. MINUS FOUR
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          Some of the goals, wow.

          1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 12 months ago

            watching his 38 league goals in 2015/16

            1. MINUS FOUR
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 12 months ago

              Same! I'm fired up now.

    18. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1112330650034552835

      Sarri's explanation for the team selection

      1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        just got home and saw the team sheet.....I TC Hazard, I'm gutted.

    19. ChuckN
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Took a punt on Alonso on FH. Anyone with me?

    20. aarrgghh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      C'mon Pedro

    21. New Article