Scout Notes

City’s derby win and knife-edge title race is good news for FPL bosses

Manchester City went back to the top of the Premier League by beating their cross-city rivals on Wednesday evening.

City’s 11th league win in a row leaves them one point ahead of Liverpool, who are in action against Huddersfield Town on Friday night.

The hope for the legions of Fantasy managers who have representation from both clubs is surely that the title race goes to the wire, avoiding any “dead rubber” scenario and possible end-of-season rotation in Gameweek 38.

That looks increasingly likely after City’s two victories in Gameweek 35, with the matches against Spurs and United having been widely viewed as the biggest obstacles in their bid to defend their Premier League crown.

Given that they are in such good form, still have a title to play for and, unlike four of the “big six”, are now not competing in Europe, the Citizens’ players will likely be immovable in many Fantasy squads between now and the end of 2018/19.

We dissect last night’s Manchester derby in our Scout Notes article below.

Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City

  • Goals: Bernardo Silva (£7.6m), Leroy Sane (£9.3m)
  • Assists: Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m), Raheem Sterling (£11.6m)

Three days after Liverpool secured a hard-earned 2-0 away win in South Wales, Manchester City did likewise at Old Trafford.

The two title rivals had to endure tense, goalless first halves in their respective victories but class ultimately told in both situations.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer summed up City’s latest win perfectly after full-time:

We got a reaction [from the defeat to Everton] and in the end, we were beaten by a better team.

But we got a reaction from the fans, from the players, we had a go. You can see the work-rate and everything was there, it just wasn’t good enough.

There is a difference in quality, definitely. That is why they are at the top of the league and we are where we are. They have set the standard.

City were ultimately just better than their hosts on Wednesday night but nerves would have been jangling until Bernardo Silva‘s (£7.6m) 53rd-minute opener.

Manchester United’s 3-5-2/5-3-2 line-up had suggested that they would set out to frustrate their cross-city rivals and that was indeed the case, with Solskjaer’s troops largely successful in containing City in the first half.

There was very little goalmouth action of note in the opening 45 minutes, with Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) coming the closest to breaking the deadlock when he tiptoed into the United box and fired straight at David de Gea (£5.7m) just before the break.

Chris Smalling (£5.6m) almost deflected another tame Sterling effort past his own goalkeeper before Bernardo stung de Gea’s hands with a fierce strike but City went into the interval with nothing to show for their dominance in possession.

The Red Devils had their moments, too, with Jesse Lingard (£6.7m) volleying an excellent Paul Pogba (£8.6m) pass narrowly wide before Ederson (£5.6m) had to rush out to deny Marcus Rashford (£7.4m).

The enforced 50th-minute substitution of arguably the game’s best player in the first half, Fernandinho (£5.3m), indirectly swung the game in City’s favour.

The Brazilian’s departure led to Bernardo moving from the right wing to the right of a central midfield three, with Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) shifting across to become the anchor.

Leroy Sane (£9.3m) was introduced on the left flank and all three of those players were involved in City’s two goals.

Gundogan’s pass was fired low past de Gea by Bernardo to put City 1-0 up and the United goalkeeper’s unconvincing form continued when he failed to stop Sane’s savable shot 12 minutes later – both goals beating de Gea at his near post.

Sterling grabbed a fine assist with a run and pass for Sane’s goal to emerge from Gameweek 35 with a consolation attacking return.

The England winger was not at his absolute best but it is a reflection of just how dangerous a Fantasy asset he can be that he still tested de Gea twice in the first half and would have had another excellent opportunity had he manage to control a dinked pass over the top from Fernandinho on 35 minutes.

Sergio Aguero (£11.8m) was another premium City asset who was not operating at his usual stratospheric levels but who could easily have left Old Trafford with a goal to his name: the Argentinean striker whistled an effort wide just before half-time and later clipped the upright with a curling shot just after Bernardo’s opener.

We can’t learn much new about Sterling or Aguero from a tight game such as this, with not just local “bragging rights” on the line but a Premier League title too.

The hope now for Fantasy owners is that the pair’s professional, hard-working displays against “big six” opposition in Double Gameweek 35 can be rewarded with points hauls in what should be relatively more straightforward matches in the season run-in – although Burnley and Leicester have themselves been in decent form of late.

David Silva (£8.5m) blanked but produced a much-improved performance in midfield, registering more penalty box touches and key passes than anyone on show.

With Kevin De Bruyne (£9.7m) out and Gundogan and Fernandinho potentially sidelined as a result of the injuries they picked up in the derby, Silva’s place in the City starting XI could well be nailed for Gameweek 36 at least.

Guardiola said of City’s two new additions to the injury list:

In the half-time, there was a little problem in both [of Fernandinho’s] legs. Muscular, he was not comfortable. Gundo has a big kick in the first half. We’ll see tomorrow.

Bernardo scored only his second league goal of 2019 and drew praise from his manager afterwards:

Bernardo has had an incredible season, the second half he played like a holding midfielder. It’s not just today, all the season was a masterclass – a masterpiece, every single game.

He finished good last season and, this season, his pre-season was incredible. I said to the guys, I spoke with Leroy and the others, I cannot leave out Bernardo with his performances.

He’s one of the best players in Europe.

Pogba’s tenth-minute shot from distance turned out to be the only save that Ederson had to make as City banked their 18th clean sheet of the season – ten of which have come in the last 14 Gameweeks.

Aymeric Laporte (£6.1m) recorded three bonus points to go with his shut-out, taking his total in the three Double Gameweeks to 53 points – over a third of his overall score in 2018/19.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between for United (as the below graphic shows), although Lingard ought to have done better in the second half when he failed to make meaningful contact with a Marcus Rashford (£7.4m) cross with the goal gaping.

Manchester United’s shot map v Manchester City (red = off-target, blue = on target or blocked)

Reflecting on United’s lack of goals from open play of late, Solksjaer said:

I’m not reflecting on the statistic but I’m reflecting that we don’t score goals or make efforts. We created chances today but didn’t take them. Of course, that’s something we need to improve on. It’s not a lack of effort but the quality, in the end, today wasn’t good enough.

Rashford’s only shot was a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque toe-punt from 35 yards out but he was praised by his manager after the game.

Solskjaer said:

Rashy had a terrific first half. He’s always threatening, he’s running in behind. That attitude of wanting to create something was great to see. Of course, they stopped him a few times. He was close today and Rashy will be important for us and he’s got the right attitude. We’ve just got to keep working on it.

Rashford, however, was critical of himself and his team-mates, saying:

Today we didn’t play like Manchester United. The bare minimum is to work hard and give all for the badge, the supporters, the club and yourself.

It has been a tough road to get to where we are, to get there and not be putting up the same performances as we were in January is disappointing.

We know what’s been going wrong, it’s mentality and willingness to run for your team.

We never call each other out but we have to be real with each other. It’s a matter of trying to improve each other.

Pogba may well have been one of the players that Rashford was referring to, with moments of class from the Frenchman (that aforementioned pass for Lingard) all too fleeting in a fairly ineffective display.

Playing against the champions-elect and having inferior players alongside him in midfield – Fred (£5.3m) and Andreas Pereira (£4.5m) this time – doesn’t help, of course, but other than favourable opposition in Gameweeks 37 and 38, there is little to further Pogba’s cause as a premium midfield option for the run-in.

De Gea’s decline in form has mirrored Pogba’s and United’s in general but Solksjaer backed his under-fire goalkeeper after full-time, saying:

I think David made some terrific saves today. It’s everyday work for everyone and David’s got high standards he’s set himself. He’s working really hard to improve, so when we are now having a time like this, we have just got to stick together, batten the hatches down and make sure we don’t do anything rash, anything stupid and keep working and stick together as a team.

Manchester United XI (5-3-2): De Gea; Young, Darmian (Sanchez 83′), Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Andreas Pereira (Lukaku 72′), Fred, Pogba; Lingard (Martial 83′), Rashford.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; Gundogan (Danilo 89′), Fernandinho (Sane 51′), Silva; Bernardo Silva, Aguero (Gabriel Jesus 89′), Sterling.

1,022 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Is Mane a must for this GW?

    1. Party time
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yes

      • KingOllie
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Im going without him or Salah i think... eek

      • TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        If one of mane / Salah hauls and the other blanks and you only own the blanker it’s going to be a very painful week with all the TC chips in play.

      • Majestic Chanka
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        No ones a must for one game, thought people would of learned that through Kane by now.

        But you will probably want one of him or Salah in your squad in general.

        1. Dokdok666
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Would you go as far as to say it's a must to have one of them for this game?

    2. simong1
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A) Jota (wat) or Redmond (BOU)? Already playing Jimenez

      B) Duffy (NEW) or Doherty (wat)?

      1. Champ
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I’d go double wolves

    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Play?
      A-Foster (Wolves)
      B-Ryan (Newc)

      1. Schafsalat
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I have the same two options, will probably go for Ryan (and double up on BHA def) rather than Foster.

        1. HVT
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers just reading an article now which gives odds on cs potential, it places those teams;
          Brighton 38%
          Watford 30%

          So Brighton just edging it.

          1. Schafsalat
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Oh, I didn't know that, thanks!

              1. Schafsalat
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 11 months ago

                Thank you sir!

      2. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Got both. Ryan easy.

        1. HVT
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Have a +1!
          The only thing is I’m not sure how you make that an easy decision!

          1. YEAH PITCH!
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            Brighton have everything to play for. Wolves want revenge against Watford. Goals will be scored.

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

      Good morning everyone!

      I'm all set for GW 36 but looking ahead at GW 37 I'm wondering whether it is still actually worth it to take a -4?

      Son, Eriksen => Pogba, Sterling (-4)

      I'm thinking Tottenham might start rotating since their top 4 spot will be pretty much nailed soon if ManU and Arsenal keep losing points. However, I'd still want at least 1 ManU for their terrific fixtures (have none atm). Sterling is just...well there is a reason he's so popular, I'd rather have him than not.

      In short, yes or no to this -4 for just 2 remaining GWs?

      1. Lukakwho
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        no

        1. Schafsalat
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers!

    5. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Hi Guys, pick the two transfers for a -4!

      A.) KDB, Dunk > Bilva, Virg
      B.) KDB, Dunk > Mane, Ream

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        B but I presume Ream is bench fodder

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

        Without knowing the rest of your team I'd say A. Mostly because I think both of those two players are good options.

    6. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Good old reply fail

    7. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Got my TC left but no Liverpool attack. Will require some surgery. Which option would you go for?

      A) Mane(TC) and -4
      B) Salah(TC) and -8

      1. Schafsalat
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Obviously depends on which players you'd have to lose, but since I have gotten Mané for this GW (no TC left however) I'll say A ;-).

        1. Jumping Jurgen
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Not to scaremonger but aren't we concerned about Salah being in New York 2 days before a game? Can imagine him getting a rest before Barca having played every minute of every game since GW16...

      2. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        A

    8. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      41 points from the bench. Good work BenchBoost 😉

      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Nice... I was happy at 25 haha

      2. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Jonny 3rd sub saved my bacon

        1. DAVESAVES
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Him and Gray’s late goal was superb

    9. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Benched Ryan & Dunk.Didn't play BB because i expected Bri to concede at least 1 from Wolves and 2 from Spurs.So i lost their 20p,plus 6 from the other 2,meaning bye bye 26 valuable points.But nevermind the bollocks....FPL goes on......

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Imagine how those with 3 Brighton defs with BB activated felt when Eriksen scored? To add salt to the wound Gray also scores late to spoil the Soton cs!

    10. Tatty Bojangles
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling to Salah for a -4?

      Already own Mane and TAA plus Aguero and Laporte from both teams.

      1. Champ
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I don’t think so.

    11. Salah'd n Sauce
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      119pts... green arrows all over the shop and I still can't shake the guy above me in my ML.
      9 points in it with 3 GWs to go. Getting very interesting indeed.
      Only TC left... he doesn't.....
      I need to get this 1 decision right I reckon or it's gna be too close to call.

      What a fun FPL season this has been/.

    12. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Solid?

      Lloris
      Robbo Laporte Duffy
      Salah (c) Eriksen Son Siggy JWP
      Firmino Jimenez

      Foster Yoshida Valery Gray

      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yep... looks good. I'd be tempted with putting Gray in ahead of JWP
        But that's just me.

      2. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Absolutely. I'd maybe put Gray first sub. I can see a great set of defence points there.

    13. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Things can change really quick.

      Last GW 40 pts, 24 on the bench (Redmond 🙁 ) and 5,060,400 GW rank

      This week 135 pts and 2,320 GW rank. Hightes in my 10 years hisrtoy maybe second after the Dempsey double GW explosion.

      So happy, aiming for strong finish.

      How is your luck turning lads?

      Thanks,

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        *Highest in the my history

      2. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I've been pretty slow and steady. 119 this GW dropping me into about 12K OR so I'm pretty happy.
        A few more hurdles and I'll consider it a good season.
        Preferably top 10k though.

      3. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Turning sour here. On for lowest rank in ten years 🙁

      4. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        BB was used in GW1, so looking at sh*t GW rank this week, atleast the red arrow wasnt that big, just 5k drop 😛

    14. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Morning dzz, good couple of weeks that have taken me from 160k to 35k but no pool could damage the good work i feel. 1ft and 1.2m

      Foster (WOL) --- Patricio
      Duffy (NEW) • Laporte (bur) • Doherty (wat) -- Valery (BOU) Kola (lei)
      Sterling • Son • Eriksen • Pogba • Jwp
      Kun • Jimenez --- Gray (WAT)

      A: Save FT and find a big couch for the pool game. 2FT's could be useful next gw to bring in rashford, get rid of duffy
      B: Eriksen >> Mane...then captain either TC Mane or Kun (c) with Kun/Sterling TC in gw37
      C: Sterling + Kola >> Salah (TC) + 4.5m def (-4)
      D: Kola/Duffy >> TAA..seems a bit sideways as duffy has a good fixture

      1. Baked baines
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        You need Liverpool cover ASAP, no player rotation as the title is going down to the wire.
        Can’t Fathom why you think Duffy to TAA is sideways?!
        I would almost certain look to do that transfer.

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

        I'd go B. No strong opinion on TC choice since with my pick of GW25 Sané I'm clearly not in a position to offer advice on that.

    15. Baked baines
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Is Mane really a risk with the TC 2mo night?!

      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I'm considering it. TC is a risk on anyone. All players have blanked.
        I think he's a good option. You never really know which of the Liverpool players are going to shine.
        Not gna lie - I've also considered Robbo

        1. Baked baines
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          I’ve also looked at Robbo and TAA

    16. Simmoo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Bench boost gtg?

      Patricio, Guaita

      Laporte, TAA, AWB, Luiz, Duffy

      Salah, Mane, Son, Sterling, Camarasa

      Rashford, Jimenez, Wilson.

    17. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling > Salah -4 worth it?

    18. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      KDB to Sterling for -4? Already own Mane, TAA and Aguero. My ML rival(whom I'm 70pts ahead of) just took a -4 hit as well, he had KDB also.

      1. Salah'd n Sauce
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yep. I think that's the move to make. Good chance you'll make the points up to as he's always there or there abouts

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks.

    19. Tsssst
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Pogba's getting a lot of hate from the United fans isnt he... more so than DDG which is stupid cosidering his errors lead them to defeat last night.

      Anyone think Pogba could now be dropped for the Chelsea/Cardiff/Huddersfield games?

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Don't think so

    20. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Laca, Son and Doucouré > Long, Salah and Mili for -8? Yay or nay?

      Will TC Salah

    21. NUFCAndrew
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Is this the right line up/bench order you guys think? All my options are solid this week

      Ederson

      Robbo Duffy Bednarek

      Salah (TC) Mane Son Pogba

      Aguero Wilson Rondon

      Gunn , Brooks Boly Wan Bissaka

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Some good planning there if you didn't need a hit for Salah and Mane. Well done!

        1. NUFCAndrew
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Owned Salah all season & didn’t hit to get Mane in. Thank you sir!

    22. HAMMERTIME107
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Who scores more points in the last 3 weeks please?

      A | Pickford (Palace, Burnley, Spurs)

      B | Etheridge (Fulham, Palace, Man U)

      C | Guita (Everton, Cardiff, Bournemouth)
      *

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        ACB... Would go C for value

    23. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Start Llorente in a 3-4-3 or Doherty in a 4-4-2?

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        D

    24. fennyreccer
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      My last 5 OR - standing still
      GW31 12,314
      GW32 12,211
      GW33 12,177
      GW34 11,630
      GW35 12,114

      And it isn't often I get a GW rank of 276,007 and a red arrow (this week) - shows how tight the top is at this time of year

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Consistent!!!

    25. Tronity
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      KDB > B.Silva a no-brainer?

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah i guess.

    26. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      All Set?

      Lloris
      Laporte TAA Dunk
      Son Eriksen Deulofeu Salah(TC)
      Jimenez Wilson Aguero

      Foster Jota Doherty Yoshibear

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Maybe Jota over Jim?

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Was thinking the same thing.

    27. Richd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Bench headache. Forgot how annoying they are

      Ryan
      TAA Laporte Doherty
      mane sterling erikssen son jota
      Kun Jimi

      Foster Llorente Duffy Kola

      I hate benching Llorente and Duffy. My thinking is Llorente may not play and Ryan covers Duffy to some extent as Foster vs my Wolves assets sucks

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Duffy over Doherty

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

        That team looks pretty good tbf. Wouldn't worry about benching Llorente tbf. Duffy over Doherty however, really reliant on a Doherty attacking return.

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Double Brighton defence scares me after the last couple of rollercoasters. It probably does make sense though, I agree with you guys ! I’ll have a ponder

          Thanks 🙂

      3. Schafsalat
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Seems good, would do the same I think.

    28. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Who to start?
      A) Leno
      B) Foster

    29. finnish92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Ryan
      Doherty, Laporte, TAA
      Son, Mane (c), Jota, Sterling
      Aguero, Rashford, Gray
      Bench: Lloris, Jwp, Catchart, Valery

      A) Gtg
      B) Gray -> Ings
      C) JWP -> Babel

    30. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Who to play?
      A. Foster (wol h)
      B. Ryan (new h)

      1. Doherty (wat a)
      2. Duffy (new h)
      3. Bednarek (bou h)

      TC on:
      X. Son
      Y. Mane
      Z. Sterling