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′).

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1,665 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How do people find out their OR rank change so fast? The FPL app takes forever to update.

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

      Livefpl

    2. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Live fpl.net.

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

        Thanks guys.

    3. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      However, don’t start using it after 61 mins. It only brings disappointment when Egan scores in the last minute!

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ain't that the !@#$% truth

  2. adams_6
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    60 and 4 to come. Not the best week to sell Salah I guess but I wouldn’t have captained him again this season. All my rivals have got rid too, luckily!

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      60 without Salah? Good going!

      1. adams_6
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Slight cheat. Bench boost to get rid with Charlie Taylor, Kiko and Foden on board. No gk though. I wasn’t going to get one just for BB. Couldn’t see another week when I’d use it.

  3. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope has to be England number 1.

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Distribution and ability to play is pants.

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Better than pickford.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 8 months ago

            It's really not

          • Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Pope is much better at shot stopping and commanding the 18, but modern GKing is not just about that anymore!

      2. Cheeto__Bandito
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        McCarthy

      3. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        It's frustrating. We have such quality coming through, but the keepers feel average irl. Maybe Henderson will make it.

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Any idication anywhere as to why Mendy not even on bench? Thanks.

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

      Bottommed
      Team set for next gw?
      Ddg
      Doherty aurier taa
      Kdb mahrez martial pulisic Antonio 
      Rashford jesus

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

      Firmino rested vs Villa
      Mane vs Brighton
      I think it s pretty clear that Salah will get rest vs Burnley.

      Similar was earlier in the season when Salah and Firmino got rest vs Everton and 1 GW later Mane was rested vs Bournemouth

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

      Hate seeing Doherty & Saiss high on the RMT scores for next GW still.

      The double-defence feels like a no-go now, and very few good options to replace them (sub 5.2m ish).

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        tbf they were about a minute away from another clean sheet (i also have double wolves defence), reasonable fixtures coming up

    6. The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      How to improve this FH team please?

      Schmeichel
      Azpilicueta, Soy, TAA
      Willian, Pulisic, Sterling, KDB, Bruno
      Vardy Jesus

      Money not really an issue. Would you change anything? No Liverpool midfield an obvious gamble, but hit and miss at the mo!

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Digne?

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

      Kane > Vardy or Jesus?

      Jesus a pick for the rest of the season feels like he’s worth it. Even though he doesn’t look great.

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Prefer 3 city mids myself, feel that are more explosive

    8. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      On FH:
      (A) Ederson Justin TAA KDB
      (B) Schmeichel Garcia Robbo Sterling

      1. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A

        1. Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Sorry just noticed it's FH, probably B.

          1. AYLD28
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Garcia, nah

            1. Begbie.
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Surely him and Laporte in this week?

          2. The Senate
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I’m a bit scared of rotation for both KDB and TAA which is why I made the ‘B’ option
            I think the alternative would be to swap Sterling + Garcia to Mahrez + Laporte

    9. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best GK to see out the rest of the season?

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

        Ederson

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

          Tempted, but want that third city slot really

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

            Then Pope

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

        Pope

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

        Or Martinez if you need the extra cash

    10. MikeLowrey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Already looking to next GW.

      Which move for 2FT

      A) Son & Jimenez > Vardy & Pulisic
      B) Jimenez & Doc > Vardy & Saiss
      C) Son & Doc > Salah & Egan

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

        A

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

        A or C, Salah is a must but then again so is Vardy this week

    11. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tempted to get rid of Trent. Hasn’t really looked a threat in attack and their defence is awful at the moment

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

        Not vs. Burnley. After, maybe.

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Freekick goal and clean sheet coming up

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

        Would you take a hit to do Jimenez to Vardy?

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

          For free yeah
          For hit no

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

            Cheers mate

        2. Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Personally no. I think Jimenez to Ings is the transfer next week.

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

            That's what I am thinking

      4. Kuzser
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        What to do here guys?1ft, 0.3 itb.
        1)Rash Jota -> Vardy Greenwood for -4, bench Sarr
        2)Jota Martial-> Greenwood Willian for -4
        3)Jimenez Mahrez-> Vardy Willian for-4

        Krul
        TAA - Doherty - Baldock
        KdB - Fernandes - Martial-Mahrez - Sarr
        Rashford - Jimenez

        Subs: jota lund Lascelles Leno

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

        Kane please save my season

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          *Son

      6. FPL_DON
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        People really making changes this evening? 2 big games still to go...too late in the season to waste transfers

      7. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Would have like salah to get 20mins rest - can see klopp benching him regardless of golden boot

        He wants to win all the games, it’s about the team and two bigger games follow Burnley

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

          Lets hope so. He killed me tonight.

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

            Hey buddy, would you move Mane out for Salah for a -4 point hit?

            All my ML rivals have Mane and not Salah so he could prove to be a differential

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

        Am I G2G for next GW?

        DDG

        Trent - Aurier - Holgate

        Salah - KDB - Fernandes - Pulisic

        Ings - Rashford - Vardy (c)

        Subs: Henderson, Saiss, Fernandez & Hayden

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

          Yes, already did your transfers?

      9. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        best defender up to 4.6 to go with
        Aurier TAA Doherty Fernandez?

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

          Taylor

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

          Well moving out Salah for Foden didn’t work too well. Needing massive Kane haul! Having disaster since restart. 21 point ML lead into 39 behind?!

          Lamptey perhaps- looked good and Brighton couple of decent fixtures towards end of season

          1. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            damn mate tho still hope with Kane yet!
            I have exact cash to do tonight

            Jimi, Nketiah and Maguiee to Vardy, Greenwood and 4 6 defender?
            Would you do it?

            Can't decide on Egan, Cresswell or Lamptey!

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

              Forgot about Cresswell- I would go for him. Great fixtures and West Ham something to fight for

              1. Rinseboy
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                his scores are dreadful tho!

                Think its worth doing tonight?

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

                  You won’t be starting whoever you get. I would wait as plenty options at 4.5 and under for fifth mid. If Holgate fit that’s another good option.

            2. MrZ
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Egan or lamptey maybe. Just pick anyone & pray.
              Your another 2 transfers is what you have to care of.

      10. vincentwsho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Choose 1 to play this week:

        A) Ritchie (wat)
        B) Foden (bha)

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

          B

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

          Foden was really good tonight and should have scored more.
          If he plays him over Ritchie any time

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

        2FT's banked to use this GW.
        1.4 itb

        Martinez

        Trent - Doherty - Saiss

        Salah-KDB-Fernandes-Son-Foden

        Greenwood-Jimmy-Rashford

        Subs: Pope, Kiko, Lascelles, ?

        Out: Jimmy + ?

        Which forward would you get in
        Vardy, Ings

        Which midfielder
        Martial, Pulisic/Willian, Mahrez, Sterling

        Or defender which one?

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

        Very early but how does this look?

        GW 36 Jimenez ➡️ Ings
        GW 37 Vardy, Doherty ➡️ Auba,Holgate
        GW 38 Martial :(, Willian ➡️ Salah, 4.2

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

          Last 2 are for hits btw

          1. 20 Timess
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Looks excellent!!

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

          Looks good to me

      13. Isco Disco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Who to TC?
        Vardy against BOU
        Mane against Burnley
        KDB/Sterling against BOU
        KDB/Sterling against Norwich
        Bruno against SOU
        Bruno against WHU

      14. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Lucky Sterling Captain here

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

          Not lucky at all

      15. More_Goals
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Wow in one night my mini league rival goes from 5 points to 50 points ahead.... brutal.

        50 points is too much now?!

        1. SAY MY NAME
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          50 perfectly doable, as long as you make more right moves than him

      16. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Jimenez owners what's your plan?

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Lose for Vardy/Jesus. Id keep Wolves defenders though.

        2. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Prob switch to vardy

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

          Keep one more week and ditch to Ings no matter what

        4. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Vardy swith

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

          Its Kane or Jimmy out for Vardy.

        6. SAY MY NAME
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          sold for kane last gw, who after he flops tomorrow will be sold for vardy probably, and when he flops, might punt on ings or even jesus

        7. Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Switching to Ings after this weekend.

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

          thanks

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

          Holding

          I sold Vardy before the Palace game. 🙂

        10. golden skulltula 69
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I´m considering to sell him for Vardy..

          btw, Jiménez might drop tonight and Vardy is near to rise..

      17. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        double wolves defence, double liverpool defence, no Salah, no Mahrez or Sterling etc, not a good week so far, need Spurs to come to life tomorrow with at least 15 goals lol #pray-for-kane-and-son

        1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          That almost feels like a biblical hashtag.

          How did Cain, Abel or Seth have a "Son"?...

          1. SAY MY NAME
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            i certainly need a God-given miracle to recover this gameweek! 🙂

        2. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Unlucky, btw. Must have been a frustrating day.

          1. SAY MY NAME
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            yeah, just a bit but still some hope with Son/Kane/Greenwood/Martial/Fernandes(c) still to go, was expecting to have done better than i have so far though1 🙂

      18. Jolly Good
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Feel like I need more Man City. Any suggestions with me 2FT?

        Foster
        TAA, Maguire, Doherty
        Salah, Son, Bruno, KDB
        Jiminez, DCL, Greenwood

      19. Alli
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        2 FT. Any ideas?

        Pope - Martin
        TAA - Doherty - Maguire - Saiss - Lascelles
        Mané - KDB - Mahrez - Fernandes - Foden
        Rashford - Jiménez - Ayew