Scout Notes

De Bruyne and Foden unlucky as Silva and Sterling score big for Man City

Man City 5-0 Newcastle

  • Goals: Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m), David Silva (£7.3m), Raheem Sterling (£11.7m)
  • Own Goals: Federico Fernández
  • Assists: D Silva x2, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m), Sterling
  • Bonus Points: D Silva x3, Jesus x2, De Bruyne x1, Sterling x1

Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Newcastle was very much achieved by the alternative options with the more mainstream Fantasy assets struggling to live up to their billing.

While Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) managed just one assist in the rout, Raheem Sterling (£11.7m) reminded managers how much of an explosive differential he could be for the remainder of the Premier League season as he scored 10 points on Wednesday evening.

The England international only played 29 minutes in Gameweek 34+ but still managed to come away with a goal, an assist and one bonus point as he operated as a centre-forward once again.

The fact that he initially was rested for this game is great news for the 16.3% invested in Sterling looking forward to the Gameweek 35+ trip to Brighton as it would imply he will start at the Amex Stadium.

However, he might be of more use to Fantasy backers in the Gameweek 36+ home game against Bournemouth, considering where his attacking returns have come since the Premier League returned.

From Gameweek 30+ onwards, every one of Sterling’s three goals and three assists has come at the Etihad Stadium, the player blanking in both of his away trips during that period.

Sterling’s latest spell up-front could be somewhat ominous for owners of Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m) in Gameweek 35+, who has struggled to make that spot his own since Sergio Aguero‘s (£11.7m) injury. The Brazilian by no means had a poor game, putting up eight points against Newcastle before coming off on the hour-mark.

Jesus could have taken a little more from the game too, which was very open in Manchester City’s favour, as he could not direct a first-half header beyond Martin Dúbravka (£5.1m) and saw his pass into Phil Foden (£5.4m) screwed wide shortly after. Jesus was also in possession of the ball when Matt Ritchie (£5.3m) tackled him and kicked it onto Federico Fernández (£4.6m) for the own goal that made it 3-0.

Whether or not Pep Guardiola decides to start him for that trip to Brighton is rather hard to second guess at this stage though. Coming off around the 60th minute sometimes implies the manager wants to keep that player fresh for the next outing, but that happened for Sterling at Southampton before his Gameweek 34+ benching. Perhaps, with both player’s minutes now managed over the last two matches, Jesus and Sterling could start together at Brighton.

After all, it does seem unlikely that Foden will feature from the beginning next time out as he is yet to make a start away from home since the Premier League restart.

Those in possession of the budget midfielder will be cursing their luck after his blank against Newcastle as he really should have come away with at least a brace.

After acting as the assister for the assist of the first two goals, Foden went through for a chance of his own in the 39th minute. A neat one-two with Jesus put the goal at his mercy, but the midfielder somehow managed to pull it wide of the post when he really should have scored.

It was even more galling for his owners in the opening exchanges of the second half. In the 49th minute, De Bruyne looped a cross over to Foden on the back post for what looked an easy chance from very close range. But the budget midfielder looked in two minds as he approached the ball, almost standing on it as he spooned agonisingly wide.

Despite the frustrating nature of both near-goal incidents, the level-headed way of responding to such a performance would be to retain faith in Foden, perhaps benching him for Gameweek 34+ and bringing him back into the starting line-up when Bournemouth come to the Etihad Stadium in Gameweek 35+. Even though he failed to return on Wednesday evening, the youngster still averages 9.3 points per home game since the Premier League restart.

Mahrez’s credentials for Fantasy inclusion continue to look good, especially at home. He was one of Manchester City’s most dangerous players before youngster Tommy Doyle (£4.5m) replaced him in the 74th minute.

The Algerian was rewarded with his 10th strike of the season, taking him into double figures for both goals and assists for the first time as a Manchester City player.

It was also Mahrez’s fifth attacking return of the Premier League restart, although, like many of his colleagues, the majority of them have come at home.

Even though the huge contingent of De Bruyne captainers were disappointed to get just one return from a 5-0 win, he was almost as unlucky as Foden not to come away with more from the 5-0 win.

In the 44th minute, De Bruyne played a shot-turned-cross into the box, only to see his own player Rodrigo (£5.3m) direct it over the bar like a defender’s clearance.

He was then stood over the direct free-kick won by Sterling in the second half, having netted plenty of them this season. However, it was David Silva (£7.3m) who pulled rank and dispatched it himself.

It was Silva who blocked another De Bruyne goal involvement in the 74th minute, the Belgian getting around the back on the left-hand side, squaring to his colleague who could only force a save out of Dúbravka from the edge of the six-yard box.

Then as stoppage time beckoned, De Bruyne won the ball on the right, offloading to Silva. He pressed towards goal from a tight angle but could not trouble the goalkeeper with his effort.

For all of those reasons, De Bruyne’s place in Fantasy teams remains exceptionally secure, especially with Brighton and Bournemouth up next.

Despite those late fluffs, Silva was actually the top-scoring player from this game, his goal, two assists and three bonus making for a 17-point haul.

Whether that sets him apart as an option for the run-in is probably still in question though. 90-minute outings in each of the last two matches will not have done him any favours in terms of starting at Brighton. Furthermore, since the Premier League came back, Silva has only delivered attacking returns in two of a possible six matches.

“We have games every three days so everybody has to play.” – Pep Guardiola

It was arguably very difficult to find too many takeaways from this game as far as Newcastle were concerned.

Recent injury problems forced Steve Bruce into a back-five that featured three full-backs, with both 

With Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) and Jamaal Lascelles (£4.3m) standing a better chance of involvement in the Gameweek 35+ trip to Watford, the Magpies are sure to have better fortunes at Vicarage Road than they did at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Stones, Otamendi, Cancelo (Walker 46′); Rodrigo (Gündogan 46′), De Bruyne, D Silva; Foden (B Silva 61′), Jesus (Sterling 61′), Mahrez (Doyle 75′).

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Rose, Fernández, Schär, Krafth (Muto 84′), Yedlin; Ritchie (Atsu 84′), Bentaleb, Shelvey (M Longstaff 66′), Lazaro (Manquillo 66′); Joelinton (Gayle 66′).

Members Analysis

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1,665 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How does Jimenez, Doherty > Vardy Saiss -4 sound?

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Popular move this week.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      50/50

    3. michaelington
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t take hits for one good fixture

    4. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t get Saiss

  2. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    All hail king Salah! Up to rank 380, what a season for me 🙂

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Gratz!

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      FPLKING

  3. MiLK2018
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    The template WC forward line - Rashford, Jimenez, DCL didn't worked out well...

  4. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Whadya reckon are the best moves?
    Need 1.6m to fund jimmy to vardy
    A) Rashford + Nketiah to greenwood + 7.2m probably not so keen on this one
    B) Trent to 6.0m def
    C) Salah out to 10.7m mid
    D) B+C for a hit

    Pope
    Trent AWB boly Holgate kiko
    Salah kdb mahrez Bruno Willian
    Rashford jimmy Nketiah

    1. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B with Azpi

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yolo. Let’s hope he doesn’t sit for the Norwich game!

        1. Rover
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I doubt it. Didn't he play every minute of their title-winning campaign?

  5. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimmy to Vardy for free.

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      All day long

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hell yes

    3. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Even for a hit

  6. marquinhos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What are Foden owners doing?

    Starting him or Moving to Sterling?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you can do Foden to Sterling. Do it man!

  7. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I was planning on doing Salah > Mahrez in order to fund Jimenez > Vardy but won't be touching Mo after that haul. Should I try to squeeze Vardy in or save? 1 mil ITB.

    Ederson

    Doherty, Maguire, Justin

    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Martial, Pulisic

    Ings, Jimemez

    Subs: Martin, Egan, Baldock, Nketiah

    1. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You can swap Doherty out or squeeze funds from downgrading Baldock to Lamptey

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers mate

  8. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    TAA-Lund to Robertson-VVD for a hit?

  9. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any chance Foden plays bha considering he came off at 60? Probably not right since Sterling was rested and Mahrez also came off?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      probably not.
      Pep probably took him off cos of his missed chances.

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden has only started 1 away game all season, a 2 nil defeat.

  10. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    *BOTTOMED*

    Hey fam!

    A. Jimenez to Vardy. Play Foden.

    B. Foden to Antonio. Play Jimenez.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers fam

  11. rohan
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah, Trent and KdB are risks as far as starting next Gw is concerned. Definitely keeping Mo. Definitely want Vardy in for Jimi. Gotta make a downgrade. Hmmm... Any ideas?

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KdB will start

    2. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not saying Trent won’t get attacking returns but they were lucky to only concede 1 today

  12. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Choices - triple City or United?

    Ederson (Hendo)
    Maguire Boly Egan (Lascelles Lord)
    Mo KdB Bruno Mahrez Son
    Jim Greenwood (Tammy)

    2FT and 0.5 itb

    A Maguire and Son to VVD Martial
    B Jim and Hendo to Vardy
    C Ederson and Son to Sterling
    D ?

  13. Blue&White85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which would you play in 35?

    A. Boly (EVE)
    B. Calvert-Lewin (wol)
    C. Femenia (NEW)
    D. Saka (tot)

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They all look to be good shouts. Do you have your BB chip available?

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Just played it this gameweek.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D

      1. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks.

  14. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mane to Salah for a -4 point hit?

    Pretty much all of my ML rivals have Mane and not Salah..

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not for this week. Do it for free next week!

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not going to have funds available next week mate

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nah, not worth -4, especially with Mane likely to start next GW

  15. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I'm chasing in ml most above have Vardy should I bring him in or get the differential which is Jesus?

  16. jay01
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So far this gwk im on 95 with no chips used after bonus. DCL and Rashford yet to play. Could i be top of the gameweek by tonight? Potentially fpl goodie bag worthy as its no chips used

  17. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So 3 bonus will take Salah top of the pile for points. Who is going to bet against this fella not finishng highest points scorer YET AGAIN. Ha ha.

  18. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi son kiko/lascels -4
    To
    Vardy mahrez/foden/antonio 6.2 def.

    Y or N

  19. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do here? Need some differentials to catch up a 30pt lead.
    1FT & 3.2itb

    Patricio
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Mane - Kdb - Fernandes - Martial - Mahrez
    Jimi - Greenwood

    Subs: Martins - Kiko - Connolly - Simpson

  20. Gomolon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who is the best defender for £5m or less?

    (Downgrading Doherty means I have money to do Jiminez to Vardy)

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just go for another Wolves asset?

      1. Gomolon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I already have Saiss but could get Boly?

  21. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start Foden or Kiko this week? :/

  22. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Been ignored on previous pages, any help appreciated? Thinking of Jimmy > Vardy, but then that only leaves me with 4.4m for a defender.

    2FT's banked to use this GW.

    DDG

    Trent - Doherty - Aurier

    Salah - KDB - Pulisic - Fernandes

    Ings - Jimmy - Rashford

    Subs: Hendo, Saiss, Fernandez, Hayden

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Which defender you selling?

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Want to shift Doherty on to free up funds to do Jimmy > Vardy.

        What about Jimmy to Vardy, Doherty to Justin & Then Saiss to Lamptey? -4.

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Get Taylor I think for Doherty

          1. Kodap
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Taylor has Liverpool next, is it not wise to avoid him for next GW?

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Taylor or Holgate if fit..

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If i do Holgate that leaves me with exact funds and then Saiss on the bench incase Holgate doesn't play?

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would do KDB > Mahrez
      Jimenez > Kane

      If money allows

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nowhere near 1.4m away from that, plus Spurs have looked woeful recently.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Spurs still chasing CL spot. Mourinho might just bump his head and go all out attack.

    4. valurth
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rashford + Jiminez > Greenwood + Vardy could also be an option (bit sideways though)

      Otherwise
      Doherty > Taylor, play Saiss and bench Taylor this week

  23. mr. inconspicuous
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son to Sterling or Jimi to Vardy?

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      b

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jiminez to Vardy

    3. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough call that, wait to see how Son does I suppose

    4. valurth
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Was thinking Vardy myself but Sterling is exciting AS he came of the bench

  24. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Top that: Done Salah to Foden -4. And no this -4 doesn't involve any other transfer, I was all set for the week, then decided to be smart and lose him for a hit 😀

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      That's why you shouldn't do drugs before the gw starts...

      1. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed

      2. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Disagree

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Oh my.

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It's happens to us all but taking a hit to remove Salah was always going to end one way

      1. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Watched all Liverpool games since the restart closely and nothing in the previous sluggish displays were pointing towards any motivation left..

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I was thinking the same. And the fact that Firmino was benched meant for me that it would likely be either Mo or Mane this week. And probably the other next week.

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It isn't doable 😉 I did get rid off C Salah to KdB and upgraded Lascelles to Azpi for -4.

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      On another day Foden would have had 2G and 3bps

    6. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Its just how FPL works. A expencive player looks a little out of form, meets a good defence.....hmmmmmmm. Lets do something clever....thats when they explode in your face.

  25. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench
    Doherty
    Lascelles
    Trent

    Bench
    Foden
    Jimenez

  26. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do here lads? 1 FT and 1.4 ITB. Chasing 40 points in ML.

    Martinez
    TAA-Baldock-Boly
    Bruno-KdB-Pulisic-Foden-Salah
    Jimenez-Rash(C)

    Nyland-Lascelles-Nketiah-Lund

    So many players i want to rid.

    Thinking to do Lund to Maguire and bench Foden/Baldock.

    Anything worth a hit??

  27. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah or Sterling on free hit?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling. Only because he will 100% start the game. While Salah is on 99%. 😛

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Help me lad up !

  28. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    To free up funds to do Jimenez >> Vardy...

    TAA >>

    1. Azpi (shu NOR liv WOL)
    2. Digne (wol AVL shu BOU)

    Thanks

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Very close that one. Probably Digne because of fixtures.

  29. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Just feel sick thinking about the megahaul lucky Pope owners will get against Liverpool.

    1. Gomolon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pope clean sheet and penalty save incoming

  30. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This seasons stats quiz. Name the 4 players...

    A. Most offsides.
    B. Most touches
    C. Most woodwork shots
    D. Most dispossessed

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      salah
      salah
      salah
      salah

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A. Chris Wood 32. Next is Callum Wilson at 27.

        B. TAA

        C. Rashford with 6. Many on 5.

        D. Zaha 130.next is Ayew all the way down at 90.

        1. BOATIES FC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          So the two most dispossessed players both play for Palace? That can't be a good thing for them!

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mo
      Mo
      Mo
      Mo

    3. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A. Lingard
      B. Jesse
      C. J-Lingz
      D. Ellis