Pro Pundits - Zophar

Why I’m looking at Man City amid Double Gameweek 24 planning

With the Double Gameweek for Liverpool and West Ham in Gameweek 24, much of the transfer activity and attention has been focused on Liverpool assets but two more teams certainly warrant discussion – Southampton and Manchester City.

I will start by talking about the Saints first. No team has racked up more points (13) over the last five Gameweeks with four wins and a draw (Liverpool played only four matches). They are joint-top of the form table along with Watford, scoring nine goals and conceding just three.

The 2-1 victory against Leicester last Gameweek epitomised their resurgence after a 9-0 hammering in the reverse fixture. They restricted the most prolific striker in the league to zero shots in the box (SiB), an impressive feat. This warranted a deeper look into their defensive and offensive numbers over the last five Gameweeks – which was also the focus of a recent Members Article.

Furthermore, only Manchester City (15), Watford (11), Manchester United (10) have scored more goals than the Saints’ nine over the aforementioned period. As the table shows, they are ranked fifth for SiB (43) which is again impressive considering the opposition they have faced. They are also fourth for big chances (13), trailing only Liverpool, Man. Utd (both 14) and Manchester City (17).

Screenshot from the FFScout Members Area: Gameweeks 18 to 22

The Saints are second only to Liverpool in terms of fixtures all the way up to Gameweek 30. I have chosen that as the cutoff point as Gameweek 31 is likely to be the big blank Gameweek due to FA Cup fixtures and I will likely use my Free Hit chip then and Wildcard in Gameweek 32.

I’ve not owned Danny Ings (£6.8m) at any point this season due to his past injury record, but after his recent performance against Leicester, I think he’s almost ‘essential’, if I’m allowed to use that word. No forward has scored more goals (five), taken more SiB (19) or landed more shots on target (SoT) (11) than the Englishman over the last five Gameweeks.

Manchester City’s attacking numbers need no elaboration so I will instead talk about the form midfielder in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) over the last five Gameweeks – Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m).

No midfielder has racked up more FPL points (37) over this period and the Algerian is also top for shots (20), SiB (15) and SoT (seven). Only Anthony Martial (£7.9m) (four) has scored more goals than his three.

As with any Manchester City asset, rotation is always a concern but he has now started each of the last five league matches and the latest comments from Pep Guardiola are encouraging:

“You see his legs it is impossible to be injured because he has no muscles. The final third he has something special, always I have the feeling he can score a goal.” – Pep Guardiola

After a dive into these numbers, I have made three transfers for my team for a -4. Alex McCarthy (£4.3m), Mahrez and Ings have all come in.

Nick Pope (£4.6m), Martial and Neal Maupay (£5.9m) have made way. I am aware that Maupay has a great fixture run but Ings passes both the eye and stats test with flying colours so I decided to make the move.

The captaincy is currently on De Bruyne but given his low ownership (6.6%), a punt on Mahrez appeals. Diego Rico (£4.4m) is next on the chopping block after losing his spot in the Bournemouth starting line-up with Brandon Williams (£4.0m) likely to come in the week after.

Thanks for reading and good luck in Gameweek 23.

427 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Time for Pep to permanently bench Sterling. They look a lot better without him

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts here with 2FTs and 2m itb

    Ryan -- Button
    Taa Aurier Lundy -- Rico Zabaleta
    Martial Kdb Salah Grealish -- Stephens
    Vardy Rash Ings

    A: Aurier >> Robbo
    B: Aurier + Martial >> Robbo + Fanderson
    C: Martial > Mahrez and do Mahrez/Vardy >> Mane/DCL gw24
    D: Martial > Mahrez and Vardy >> Firmino in gw24
    E: Something else

    1. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      e) something else

  3. zøphar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hope you guys found the information useful , feedback is always welcome

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Excellent article. I still own Pope... a -4 to bring McCarthy probably makes sense looking at Saints fixtures from now until GW30. Though I want Richarlison and Maupay this believe it or not 😀

      1. zøphar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Pope simply had to go, Burnley are absolute pushovers at the moment.

        Richarlison is a great pick, but I found maupay a bit underwhelming. Was very put off by his underlying numbers but he does have a great fixture run

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good job, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

      Owning Mahrez in fpl must be the very first test in anger management courses.
      I have enough stress in real life, no thanks:)

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

        Same

      2. zøphar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Haha, I normally wouldn't buy players such as mahrez but I need a differential or two.
        Having watched city closely, I also think he offers much more than Bernardo does on that side. Until sane regains fitness, I think he's first choice as he's their best wide player. Sterling is more of a support striker type

    3. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good to know Mahrez has no leg muscles!

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I lol'd at this pep quote 🙂

      2. zøphar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I couldn't resist sliding that one in the article

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

      Very good article.
      I've gone for Son as my differential attacker

      1. zøphar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Amey. Son is a great pick, very unlucky to blank Vs Liverpool

    5. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice article, I will say that you can look elsewhere from pool as your already set up with TAA salah and mane!!
      Nice position to be in.

      1. zøphar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Yep I got taa and Salah as part of a -8 a few weeks ago so that I could focus on other areas leading up to the double

    6. Ready Player One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not been on site in a while and just read this... am on my Wildcard and your article has really helped me! So thanks!

      1. zøphar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Glad you found it helpful mate, appreciate the kind words

    7. Ruud000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good piece, thanks for writing.

      I’m a full 1.1 mil off that team. Got the exact same team except Saka not Mahrez and 2.9 in the bank to make my transfer.

      David Silva worth a punt?

      1. zøphar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the kind words
        As much as I love David Silva , I think he's being phased out this season so I would prefer going with other options at his price point

        1. Ruud000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Any suggestions?

          I’ve got Grealish. This would be for a 5th playing midfielder in a 352. Greenwood 3rd striker.

          7.4 absolute maximum value.

    8. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Great article, thanks for sharing.

      I've been trying to shoe-horn Mane into my side with different combinations, but none appeal. The addition of Mane is not worth the sacrifice of overall playing value.

      Then I saw yours, and thought 'nice', but it's quite obvious I haven't built up adequate TV to afford what you have. Was TV something you worked from the start this season?

  4. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I can see Rash and Martial tearing it up over the next 4-5 GW’s.

  5. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Nice. Although it's easier to look at man city assets when you already have 3 liverpool players in your team. I am still trying force one more in to mine, and ignoring lots of other good options!

  6. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on a cheap Hammers defender for DGW?

    Cresswell aside for his slight goal and assist potential, waste of a transfer?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I wiuldnt

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No

    3. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't. Watford or Southampton instead.

  7. sailor x
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Question about Rico... substituted after 45min (GW21), on the bench GW22.. Is he out of first team now?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn't look good does it 🙁

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It'll be clearer after the next game, Ake might move back to CB, I assume Howe started him LB to specifically counter Sarr but he's by far their best central defender so I can't see him staying there. We can't really complain if Rico is dropped though, he's terrible and we've been lucky that he was starting for so long.

  8. Bagayokeso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on robbo TC he 24?

    1. Bagayokeso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      gw*

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It's an option bit I would taa.
      Still huge differential

  9. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    This has got to be the most boring transfer window ever.

  10. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can just afford this set up (team A)
    for week 24 - no Mané but does overall balance make it better side? Alternative with Mané is B below? Differences marked *

    So A or B ?

    A
    Ryan
    TAA Lundstram Van Dijk*
    Salah KDB Richarlison* Grealish
    Vardy Rashford* Ings

    Button Cantwell Kelly Rico

    B
    Ryan
    TAA Lundstram Soyünücü *
    Salah Mané* KDB Grealish
    Vardy Ings DCL *

    Same bench

    1. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  11. Mogger11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hi. My first ever post. Which is better going forward?

    A) Aguero, Robbo, Doucoure
    B) Salah, Soy, Abraham.

    Money not an issue and already have Mané and Trent in place for gw24.
    Any advice greatly appreciated.
    Ta.

    1. Atom&Humber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      i think i prefer A. i'm struggling to chose between doucoure and sarr

      1. Mogger11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.
        I’d forgotten about Sarr. He looks more threatening on paper but the Duke’s numbers are good recently.

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B for 24 but A looks decent too

      1. Mogger11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        If I don’t buy aguero now, I won’t be able to get him easily later. That’s the dilemma. Pep roulette is always a nagging doubt though, even after a Kun hat-trick.

    3. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Are little chasing points with kun?
      Robbo and sarr yes.
      Yeah maybe a

      1. Mogger11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah maybe I’m chasing. And city won’t play villa every week.

    4. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

    Hallerback if you’re with me GW23-25

  13. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What is the best combo here guys?

    1) ROBBO - Alli/Martial - Jimenez (Hayden fodder)
    2) Kelly- Alli - FIRMINO (Hayden fodder)
    3) Kelly - SALAH - Ayew (Fleck fodder, will be rotated with Ayew)
    4) GOMEZ - Martial - Alli (Ayew fodder)

    Current team:
    Ramsdale
    Taa- Soy - Kelly -Rico- Lundstram
    Mane- Kdb -Maddison- Alli- Grealish
    Vardy -Ings - Jiménez

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      1

  14. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    DCL or Maupay and why?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dcl better

      Maupay not done anything

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dcl cause you asked me to

  15. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rico to Williams for free .I have two ft and don't know where to use them
    Ryan
    Taa lund Sidibe
    Salah mane kdb Cantwell
    Ings maupay vardy
    Button Traore Kelly Rico
    I could do Traore to Grealish but I would have a benching headache then
    Thanks in advance

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish and bench cantwell

      1. FISSH
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        No way. Play Cantwell

  16. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy to Aguero
    KdB to Silva

    Different from rivals and 60odd behind or too soon for such moves?

    Y or N
    .

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB to Silva looks ugly

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't like those moves.
      Both are talismen to their clubs, that is Vardy and KDB.

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      N

    4. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      60 odd isn’t too bad

    5. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      There’s 16gws left, ample time to reduce a 60 point deficit

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gw 24 good to use TC chip or will there be better gws?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Some are using in 24, some aren’t

      City/Utd and Leicester/Villa DGW

  18. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best captin option:

    A. KDB
    B. Salah
    C. Ings
    D.Mané

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B of those

    2. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A or B

  19. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Yeah well written and informative this one.

    Thanks a lot. I had 2 FT's and a lack of direction. I've done Rico > Stephens for now as I wanted to keep 2 FT's for next week too.

    I am only going with TWO liverpool players for the GW, due to tied up funds elsewhere. There are too many assets in my team and shipping them out for a DGW against two away teams isnt worth it for me.

    Martial
    Maddison
    Abraham
    Vardy
    Traore

    Would you lose any of these next week for the DGW? I have TAA and Mane.

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      to free up funds to allow for 3rd pool i'd sell anyone of them bar Vardy tbh

      *i'm doing crap this year tho

    2. zøphar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd be inclined to lose maddison of that lot, maybe even martial but that wouldn't really get you a pool mid. Something like maddison to cantwell and a defender to Robertson appeals

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore?!? Is he even worth owning? You won't be able to play this game with your money tied dead team soon.

  20. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    any Everton fans about? Or someone who knows about them than me will do 🙂

    Holgate... gonna keep starting? looks like maybe rising tonight

    1. Atom&Humber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      saw a quote from ancelotti saying holgate might be rested but he's been there best defender will probs be a one off rest

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Started the last 12 games.
      It looks like Mina and Keane rotated. Whether Holgate gets a rest , who knows.
      He’s our best defender at the moment.

    3. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      if ye read back, thanks so much

  21. Atom&Humber
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Torn between three WC teams, any help would be appreciated:

    McCarthy x
    TAA Lundstram Williams x x
    Salah KDB Grealish x x
    Ings x x

    A) schmeichel, dunk holgate, martial cantwell, ags firmino
    B) Henderson, Dunk holgate, Mane doucoure, aguero greenwood
    C) Ryan, Robbo Holgate, Doucoure Cantwell, Vardy Aguero

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

    2. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Im not really a fan of any, if i had to choose then C.
      If on WC id try and have Hendo over Mcarthy, Stephens Robbo Rich Rash and Doucoure if possible then Greenwood

      1. Atom&Humber
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        thanks will have a look!

  22. Champione
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Abraham > Ings or save?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do it

  23. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    To replace Maddison 🙁 and fund Rico to Robertson:
    A) Grealish
    B) Sarr
    C) Trossard
    D) Buendia
    E) other, max 6.6m

    And why?? I could also lose Martial (got Rashford too)

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Champione
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A or Doucoure

    3. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B looks most exciting

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

      Doucoure

    5. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish or Sarr

    6. SH@KTIMAAN
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

  24. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy + Rico -> Aguero + Robertson?

    Have the exact funds for it. Had the cash saved for Martial -> Mane, but is Aguero + Robbo better?

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good moves

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go for it

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

      Only Rico to Robbo for me.

  25. 1zverGGadeM
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Roberto>McCarthy with 1ft
    Yay or Nay?

    1. Atom&Humber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      i would, he's also probably rising soon

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Second keeper ?

      1. 1zverGGadeM
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ramsdale who I had brought in last week for Pope sadly..

  26. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I have 2ft's and no pressing issues.

    Thinking of a one week punt..

    Salah to >

    Mahrez or sterling?

    Mahrez in such better form but surely sterling starts.

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Must be another way of getting mahrez without booking in the reverse

      1. FISSH
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Nope. Too much value in mane and KDB, not enough in the bank to replace grealish

  27. teddypicker
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else think Lundstrum will get a rest soon? He's looked very leggy the past few games and Besic has looked great when he's come on. I reckon it could be this Arsenal game coming up.

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t see it

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Can rest whole week

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

      Don't know anything about Blades. Interesting information

    4. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      This week will be his rest surely

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He can easily be dropped. Started only 10 times in Championship last year.

  28. Rover
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    In 7 home starts this season, Cantwell has:
    - Been taken off early in 1 game
    - Blanked in only 1 game
    - Assisted twice in 1 game
    - Scored in 5 games
    - Claimed 8 bonus points
    - A total of 54 points
    - Around 7.7 points per game
    With Bournemouth at home next, surely we start him right? Even over other 3rd strikers or 4th midfielders/defenders.

    1. Rover
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sorry that's 8 home starts and 6.7 points per game

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I am over martial

    3. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Has to start. Benching grealish for him

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

    5. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      start if you have, yes

  29. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any of you stats nerds out there understand what the benefit is of this Fantasy Football data analysis:
    https://github.com/vaastav/Fantasy-Premier-League/tree/master/data/2019-20

  30. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Had no Idea Eriksen is just 27 years old

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He looked early 30s when he played for ajax

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        lolz 😀