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. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Henderson
    TAA AWB Aurier
    KDB Sterling Foden Bruno Traore
    Jimmy Rashford

    1.8m ITB

    I hear Traore is injured? I was planning to swap Jimmy for Vardy which leaves me with 6m for a midfielder... suggestions? This would be a -4 hit

    Or swap Traore for Willian/Pulisic and keep Jimmy?

    Or do something completely different? My rival leading has Jimmy and Traore

  2. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hey guys....2 FTs here to ponder

    Pope
    TAA Doherty AWB
    Salah KDB Bruno Mahrez Sarr
    Rashford Jiménez

    Button Lascelles Connolly Robinson

    Jiménez/Doherty TO Vardy/Holgate?
    Others?

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

    Any chances of KDB being rested? Thinking of doing KDB to Mane(C)!

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why mane? Salah is fighting for golden boot

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

        Have him already

    2. Bob_the_builder
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not even Pep knows. I think the best approach with City assets is long term investment while being mentally prepared for benching. Too much uncertainty for short term punts.

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

        Good point.

  4. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Will wait for tomorrow but how does Jimi and Salah to Vardy and Son sound using 2 FTs? Would be 1 week punt since plan to play the WC in GW36, Bench boost in GW37 and Freehit in GW38.

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No from me, keep salah

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

        This

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

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

      i have son, and im planning to ship him out after this GW.

      no.

  5. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi + Mahrez -> Vardy + Puli for -4 or save FT?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Could pay off... but i fancy jimmy to return v everton. Maybe just sell mahrez, that's my plan.

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

    I’m switching to 3-5-2. Who’s the best striker for under 5.4m? Will be on the bench every game.

    1. Better luck next year
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood

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

        Forgot to say, I’ve got 3 United already 🙁

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

      Gayle

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

      Just choose the cheapest striker if you dont want to play him

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

    Guys, please help:

    Henderson
    TAA AWB Aurier
    KDB Sterling Foden Bruno Traore
    Jimmy Rashford

    1.8m ITB

    I hear Traore is injured? I was planning to swap Jimmy for Vardy which leaves me with 6m for a midfielder... suggestions? This would be a -4 hit

    Or swap Traore for Willian/Pulisic and keep Jimmy?

    Or do something completely different? My rival leading has Jimmy and Traore

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

    Captain:

    A) Vardy
    B) Bruno
    C) Sterling

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

      C

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

      C

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

      A

    4. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      See how Bournemouth are today. A

  9. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kdb will start next game? Will use my FH and get sterling. Wanted david silva too but seems no space

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

      Only Pep knows chief

  10. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Have the league tables been updated?

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

      Login baby

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

    2 FTs. Some thoughts would be appreciated!

    Pope
    TAA AWB Doherty (Kiko, Simpson)
    Salah KDB Mahrez Bruno (Guendouzi)
    Rashford Jimenez DCL

    A) Guendouzi, Rashford > Pulisic/Foden, Greenwood
    B) Guendouzi, DCL > Connolly, Foden
    C) Mahrez, Guendouzi > Foden, Pulisic (would have to be done tomorrow)

    I have a v week bench and 343 is killing me atm (missing out on a lot of midfield value in Pulisic, foden, etc). I think Foden pretty much matches Mahrez on returns over the remainin GWs, with the former being much better value. I'm less comfortable downgrading Rash to Greenwood, and will be keeping a keen eye on them tomorrow. What are your thoughts?

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

    How’s this looking for the weekend?

    Henderson (McCarthy)
    TAA Aurier Boly
    Salah KDB Mahrez Bruno Tony
    Vardy(c) Greenwood

    Bench: Egan Ings Taylor

    G2G?

  13. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy price going up tonight?

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

      Naah

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

        I’m not experienced but how does one determine? Is there a set net transfer gain for all players?

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

          fpl statistics

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

            its a website

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

    Start Jimenez or Foden?

    Also (c)?
    Bruno
    Vardy
    KDB

  15. Sargasso C
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lots of Vardy love. He is fools gold.

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

      The top scorer in the league? Right.

      1. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yep! Love me some of that fools gold!

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

          Averages 20 goals per season, 2mil cheaper than either Liverpool winger, has more points, rotation proof... Fools gold, yep!

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

      And I am fool. Soon to be a rich fool enjoying a Vardy Party. 😀

  16. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Cant hit these 50/50 captain choices,will leave it on Salah(C) till end.

  17. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Taylor first on bench. Can only hope for a no show for one of aurier, Bruno or rashford.

  18. 20 Timess
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Very early but thoughts!?

    GW 36 Jimenez ➡️ Ings (free)
    GW 37 Vardy,Doherty ➡️ Auba,Holgate (-4)
    GW 38 Tony, Willian ➡️ Salah, 4.2 (-4)

    Thanks!

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

    All my post-restart moves are leading to negative points. Kane and foden in for a hit meant I sold auba and benched Taylor. Goodness knows how many points I’ll lose from that move unless kane scores a hatty tomorrow.
    The week before I played FH which meant I got in salah and capd instead of Bruno and goodness knows how many points I lost with that.
    The only love that has been a success is selling the injured aguero for rashford

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

      I did the exact same move, fuming Foden hasnt come away with anything. hopefully Kane can deliver

  20. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimmy and gomez to
    Vardy and awb

    Yay or nay??

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

    1) Son > Martial
    2) Son, Nketiah > Vardy, 4.5 fodder (-4)
    3) Son, Jimenez > Vardy, Martial (-4) = exact funds before price changes

    Has to be #2, right?

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

      2 doesn't make sense. Nketiah is cheaper than 4.5.

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

        I only have 0.1itb.

  22. mlm
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son and Jimenez =>

    A) Vardy and Pulisic
    B) Vardy and Martial (-4)

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  23. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Please help:

    Henderson
    TAA AWB Aurier
    KDB Sterling Foden Bruno Traore
    Jimmy Rashford

    1.8m ITB

    I hear Traore is injured? I was planning to swap Jimmy for Vardy which leaves me with 6m for a midfielder... suggestions? This would be a -4 hit

    Or swap Traore for Willian/Pulisic and keep Jimmy?

    Or do something completely different? My rival leading has Jimmy and Traore

  24. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimmy to vardy??
    Yes
    Or
    No

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

      Yes

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm holding as think Everton are on the beach.

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need to do something crazy to catch my mini league leader

    Do Salah to Sterling (C)?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Too crazy

  26. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need 0.3m to do jimmy > Vardy. Who would you downgrade?

    Ddg
    Taa Doherty aurier
    Salah kdb Bruno Mahrez Foden
    Rashford Jimmy

    Martin Taylor Connolly ngakia

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez

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

        Thinking the same. Get in Pulisic?

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I'm looking at antonio as he has watford and norwich and posting good stats. Puli also a good option I am considering him as well.

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

            Cheers

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Doherty->Sais.

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

        Looking at dumping Doherty as well. Stick with a wolves defender?

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

          Yep. Motivated to do well and hardly concede.

  27. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    that Salah -> Sterling move didn't exactly work well.

    Seeing Taylor deep on my bench hurts too

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

      He’s first on my bench. Painful.

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

        no chance of sub?

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

          I have a marginal chance if Stephens is rotated

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

          Need one of Aurier Bruno or rashford to not play.

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Had Egan first sub last week and lucky enough to play him this week. You will be on the right side of the luck again soon my friend. 🙂

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

      Not sure why anyone would sell Salah tbh.

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

        Ha. trying to be different I guess since I'm chasing so much

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

        Half my main ML sold Salah weeks ago for United mids...they were laughing last week and crying this week. I kept.

  28. Uncle Gamst
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    a) Nketiah, Rashford, Jimenez > Vardy, Ings, Greenwood -4.

    b) Just Rashford, Jimenez > Vardy, Greenwood. Will require a hit GW36 for Ings as he's due to rise in value.

    c) Another way to free up cash for Vardy?

    Your thoughts appreciated.

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

      C. Sell expensive ds.

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

      Same boat mate
      I’ve got A with 2FT but want to keep Rashford
      Actually looking at Trent to Azpi to fund jimmy to vardy
      Only 4 games left so damage can be limited

  29. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Gomez to awb
    Already own taa
    Yes or no

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

      No brainer

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No. You may need 3 UTD attacking players e.g 3/4 Martial, Rash, Gwood, Bruno.

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

    Will Antonio still play as striker? Or Haller will be playing now? Any idea anyone?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio up front. Has been good there don't see Moyes changing things.

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

        Cheers mate!