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. Nailed Jesus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone remembers the last time Pep made a comment about Sterling being super fit or something like that. What date was it? Wanted to find out if he then rests in him the very next games...

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Last season.

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

    Who wins this week?
    1. Maddison + 4 points v Burnley away
    2. Mane v United

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

      1

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

        Thanks, Maddison stays for one last game.

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

      1

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

      1

  3. fridge
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all, had a bad one last week

    Ramsdale
    TAA. Soyuncu. Lundstram (Aurier, Kelly)
    Salah. KDB. Maddison. Martial. Traore
    Vardy. Ings (Greenwood)

    A) Aurier, Soyuncu, Martial > Cathcart, Williams, Mane (-4)
    B) Maddison, Martial, Aurier > Mane, Grealish, Holgate (-4)
    C)Aurier, Ramsdale > Robbo, Ryan

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

      Same here... B sounds good

    2. Lukakus Unit
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C. Maddison could have a big week this week, you'll upgrade your keeper and Robbo is likely to play both DGW matches. Also avoid a hit.

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

    Struggling.. Any ideas? I have 2FTs and 0.3ITB

    Guaita
    TAA, Soy, Lundstram
    Salah, KDB, Martial, Maddison
    Vardy, Abraham, Jimenez

    Button, Dendo, Rico, Targett

    1. Gally11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I would get in Ings and take the cash and try to invest Madison to Son.

  5. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    So Firmino is being talked more about in context of DGW.

    Im not going to call him a trap and wish all new onwers well but somehow looking at his streaky FPL history I wont be buying him.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fell free to re-write it in english 😉

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

        So Firmino is being talked about more often, in the context of the DGW.

        I'm not going to call him a trap - I wish all new owners well - but from looking at his streaky FPL history, I won't be buying him.

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Danke schon senior !

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

          If Liverpool’s fixtures were worse after the double I’d maybe consider him. Would be an easy in and out transfer then.

          Don’t think I’d want him long term and getting double defence or Midfield where the points are more consistent over a period of fixtures makes more sense and uses less transfers.

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

      I personally think he is worth investing in for the DGW as a transfer for either Rashford or Vardy rather than spunk multiple transfers and majorly rework midfield to get in Salah/Mane.

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

        Rashford has burnley and vardy has west ham.. hardly screams get rid of either.

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

          Worth a punt on a differential and think better choice than De Bruyne out or a -8 which I would need to do.

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

      Bobby is a trap! 😀

  6. arkom
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    Kelly / Aurier / Soy / Lundstram / Rico
    Willian / Salah / Mane / KDB / Cantwell
    Vardy / Ings / Jimenez

    1 FT
    1£ ITB

    Guys, any advices - what to do next with this team? At least I need soon Pool def in..

    Maybe these moves on this and next gameweek:
    Kelly --> Gomez
    Willian --> Maddison/Richarlison
    Jimenez --> DCL

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

      Your defence looks very weak so I'd address that 1st

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

      B with Maddy

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

    New post

  8. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    DGW, from memory defenders usually score the most - any pros / data experts out there to confirm?

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

      One word - LAPORTE

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

        Waiting for his return. My team is ready to shoehorn him in by GW30

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Last two years highest scoring player?

      3. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly this - maybe LIV defender is best GW24 cap

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

    Silly speculation question BUT what are the chances Richarlison’s value holds at 8.1m until Sunday’s fixtures are over? Thinking about Rico, Martial > VVD, Richarlison for GW 24 and I have just enough ITB.

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

      Why? Keep Martial for BUR...

  10. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you get next week for this team?? 1.9ITB

    McCarthy
    TAA BWilliams Soy
    KDB Mane Salah Grealish
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    - Lund CTaylor Donker

    1. Sirreal83
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Get some Watford players. Deeney has scored 5 goals last meetings with Villa.
      Plus everything points towards Watford coming up now.
      But best advice?
      Replace your keeper with Henderson, Sheffield. Great ein of fixtures after City!

  11. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Lundstarm Gomez
    Salah KDB Martial Moura
    Jiminez Vardy Rashford

    Button Kelly Simpson Guendouzi

    Vardy/Guendouzi/Gomez/Jiminez to
    Ings/Mane/Reid/Greenwood

    Cheers

  12. Bocaginge
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    On a WC, suggestions for A, B or C below:
    A) McCarthy, Dunk & VVD
    B) Ryan, Stephens & VVD
    C) Allison, Dunk & Stephens

    1. Captain Beefheart
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  13. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which trio is best

    1) Ings + Deeney + Richarlison
    2) Jiminez + Ings + Grealish
    3) Ings + Martial + Deeney
    4) Ings + Martial + Anderson -4

    Thanks!

    1. Lukakus Unit
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2

      1. Sirreal83
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Agree.
        But Deeney, Docoure and Delo should not be overlooked. Great defenders and Welbeck might start against Villa Also. If not, he will start next. Welbeck and Delo supplying Deeney with balls in the box;)

        They have also signed a young brasilian. Look promising!

  14. Bocaginge
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone think there is any value in owning DCL & Richarlison over the coming weeks or is one enough? Which one would you choose?

  15. The Fed
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Need help to decide which 3th Liverpool player to get in for DGW.

    Kasper

    Soy | Lunds | TAA

    Salah | Martial | Rich | KDB (C)

    Vardy | DCL | Abraham

    Button | Rico | Kelly | Lansbury

    1 FT. 0.9 ITB. at the moment.

    Next week do:

    A) KDB and Abraham > Mane and Ings

    B) Kasper S and Abraham > McCarthy and Firmino

    C) Soy and Abraham > Robbo and Maupay

    D) Soy and Abraham > VVD and Ings

  16. migas2k7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who for the next two GW's:

    A) Abraham
    B) Maupay
    C) Calvert (got richarlison cover)

    additional up front i have ings and vardy.

  17. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Right chums. Finally settled on a DGW24 structure, which just leaves the following question

    DCL or Maupay for the third striker slot?

    DCL has better stats, Maupay the better fixtures for longer.

    Thanks!

    1. shearer2020
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I have DCL and prefer him over Maupay

  18. shearer2020
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    First time commenting here. Q: Would it be worth a -4 hit to replace Alli with Cantwell for gw23? I think Cantwell could get more at home v bournemouth compared to Alli v Watford away. Thoughts/ advise welcome!

    my team:
    Henderson
    Soy, Lunds, TAA
    Mane, KDB, Madds, Alli
    Vardy, DCL, Ings

    Subs: Mcgov, Traore, Rico, Kelly
    0 FT. 1.9 ITB

    1. ppv
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Might be good idea then get a Liverpool player next week. I got shot of Alli last week