Scout Notes

Guardiola promises rotation for Gameweek 36+ after City and Sterling rout Brighton

Brighton 0-5 Manchester City

  • Goals: Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) x3, Gabriel Jesus (£9.7m), Bernardo Silva (£7.6m)
  • Assists: Jesus x2, Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m), Rodrigo (£5.3m)
  • Bonus: Sterling x3, Jesus x2, B Silva x1

A bumper 21-point haul from Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) was the cornerstone of Manchester City’s 5-0 thrashing of Brighton.

The 17.3%-owned midfielder hit a hat-trick as Pep Guardiola’s squad rotation looked out for the many, not the few, for a Fantasy change.

All four of City’s most popular midfielders, including Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m and 52.4%), started, with the 50,000+ managers who’d drafted in Phil Foden (£5.5m) the main losers of Gameweek 35+’s pleasingly dull instalment of Pep Roulette.

In terms of major alterations, the Poundshop Pep that is Brighton boss Graham Potter was the man to blink, although his five changes really didn’t help one bit.

The stats tell that tale with a sparse elegance – City had 26 attempts to Brighton’s three, with eight of those on target to the home side’s zero.

Five of the shots found the back of the net, starting with a lovely finish from Sterling, who curled home Gabriel Jesus‘s (£9.7m) pass from the edge of the area.

The Brazilian striker then hit the bar before scoring when he helped on Rodrigo‘s (£5.3m) flick from a De Bruyne corner.

That goal summed up the Belgian’s day – he was consistently the man who assisted the assister, while his one goal attempt involved a knuckle-ball free-kick that hit the outside of the post.

Two nil to the good before the interval, City doubled that advantage alarmingly quickly after it.

Sterling’s second, on 53 minutes, involved a close-range header from Riyad Mahrez‘s (£8.6m) cross, and three minutes later, Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) got in on the act by following up his own shot, which Brighton keeper Mat Ryan (£4.7m) should have dealt with far better.

It would be nice to report that Sterling saved his best until last, but that would be to ignore the major comedic value of the hat-trick goal.

The winger was released by substitute David Silva‘s (£7.3m) pass over the top. He flicked the ball over one defender, lost his balance in the ensuing tussle and, as he hit the turf, the ball bounced off his unsuspecting head, through Ryan’s legs and in off the post via a doomed last-ditch Dan Burn (£4.5m) clearance attempt.

It was messy and, in Fantasy terms at least, magnificent, helping Sterling to his highest haul of the campaign.

The goal also emphasised just how hot is his form at present – he’s produced three double-digit returns from the last four Gameweeks, of which he’s only started three. And in his six appearances since football resumed, Sterling has six goals, three assists, three clean sheet points and eight bonus.

Mahrez has featured in all seven City fixtures since the restart, starting six of them and producing three goals and as many assists. That might prompt alarm bells among his 10.4% ownership in the run-up to Wednesday’s Gameweek 36+ home match against Bournemouth.

And if it doesn’t, Guardiola’s post-match comments really should:

We played one team against Newcastle, today another one. A new four or five or six players will play against Bournemouth.

One of the men who might survive is Sterling. He was certainly on the receiving end of some major Pep praise, and possibly a hint as to his future selection prospects.

He is a huge competitor, self-confident, aggressive. He loves to score goals. We have wingers who score goals. This is so important. All the credit is for him, not just for the three goals, but they are important for what we have ahead of us.

City have been either brilliant or indifferent post-lockdown, winning four times by an aggregate score of 18-0, but also losing twice away from home.

Their desire to win, and win convincingly, is clearly being influenced by the fact that their best chance of winning the Champions League – possibly for quite a while – will come when that competition returns in August.

The need to find and maintain form is therefore driving this team to ruthless heights at present, and Bournemouth look ill-equipped to cope.

Jesus, with two goals and two assists from his last two starts, could be a decent differential pick as he’s owned by just 5% at present, although he is in the top five for Gameweek 36+ transfers-in, albeit a long way behind leader Sterling in that particular race.

Foden, meanwhile, has been used a lot more at home than away, and his cameo at Brighton suggests much heavier involvement to come in midweek, which could bring in good returns for his bargain basement price.

Brighton were uniformly awful against City, and Potter’s summation of the match is best left brief:

City were too good tonight. We were well beaten by the better team.

The in-form Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), who’d scored in consecutive Gameweeks before yesterday’s debacle, was the team’s brightest spark, although that was in relative terms only.

His two attempts led the way for the Seagulls, but seeing as two City defenders – Benjamin Mendy (£5.5m) and Eric Garcia (£4.5m) – and defensive midfielder Rodrigo also matched that total, it was little to write home about.

Overall, Potter’s side are more muggle than magic at present, unsurprising seeing as they’re all-but guaranteed Premier League football next season.

And their final three fixtures – home to Newcastle in between trips to Southampton and Burnley – will surely involve fewer goals than yesterday’s game, but could still all end in the same result.

The team’s most-owned asset in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is back-up keeper David Button (£3.9m) – an apt summary of their Fantasy appeal as the season winds down.


Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-3-2-1): Ryan; Bernardo, Webster, Dunk, Montoya (Lamptey 59); Bissouma, Mooy, Pröpper (Stephens 59); Trossard (Jahanbakhsh 70), Groß (Burn 78); Connolly (Maupay 59).

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Mendy (Zinchenko 64), Garcia (Stones 72), Laporte, Walker; Rodrigo (Fernandinho 72), De Bruyne (D Silva 64), B Silva; Sterling, Jesus (Foden 64), Mahrez.

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

FPL LESSONS LEARNED FROM GAMEWEEK 35+

1,106 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    With all the guessing games around city this week is anyone considering avoiding any city transfers in?
    Might just do Mahrez to Pullisic and hold the rest?

    Pope
    TAA Diop Doherty
    KDB Salah Martial Bruno Mahrez
    Vardy Greenwood
    Martinez DCL Fernandez Aurier

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

      It could be a good strategy to avoid. But you have to think there can be uptil 5 goals in this game for City. Probaby 3 or 4. And if chasing, like me, you wanna try to hit a high scoring player in that game.

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

    Noooooooooo

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

    City ban waiting room

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

      Theyre not banned

  4. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimmy to:
    a) Jesus for a -4
    b) Tammy for Norwich
    c) Keep

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

    City only get a 10m fine

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wait... so they're guilty, but only a little bit?

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

      Kinda expected with the money they have to shove it down anyone's throat

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

    Corruption

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

    FFP is a complete joke and I say that as a fan of a midtable club. Would be fuming if Leicester/United/Chelsea

    1. Rt505
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Leicester can, and yes fuming. Our own fault for throwing it away I guess. This type of corruption from the top makes it so difficult for clubs like ours to break into the top levels though

      1. Rt505
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        *fan

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

    Chelsea fan here, not even surprised. Fighting corruption with corruption

  9. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    City Ban overturned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

      10,000,000 fine!! JOKE

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

      Yeeees ! 🙂

  10. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    S(umbags

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      LOL

  11. AA33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Man City's UCL ban lifted

  12. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Come on Roman! Please buy Benteke for 500 millions

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

    They had a real opportunity to do the right thing here. Not surprised but disappointed.

    1. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      There's nothing 'fair play' about these rules tbf ... it's the established big clubs trying to protect their monopoly

  14. 2999 - Lady of Legend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Triple Captain?

    KDB v Bourn 36
    Bruni v Wham 37

    (Looking to free hit 38)

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno. You know he will start, are you convinced KDB starts v Bournemouth?!

      1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I was until I saw this article!

  15. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Looks like Sterling back in the race for golden boot (17 goals).

    He'll be begging Pep to start him as striker against bournemouth.

    Vardy- SHU tot mu

    Sterling- BOU wat NOR

    I think if he smashes another hatty next gw he'll be in pole position for golden boot alongside likes of salah auba

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

      Guardiola wouldn’t appreciate that sort of attitude. If Sterling gets injured in the run in because he is playing too many games in the chase for the golden boot, it could cost them the FA Cup and Champions League. There’s no way, Guardiola would let the golden boot influence his decision.

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

      ..and don’t forget to mention Ings in the golden boot race. I have just got him in!

  16. Boywiththesoupdragontattoo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thought experiment. If FPL created an exchange where at the start of the season you could sell some/any/all of your chips in exchange for points, what level of points would you find tempting?
    WC1 =
    WC2 =
    TC =
    BB =
    FH =

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would take 20 for TC / FH or BB

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

      I'd probably sell the 2nd WC and FH for 15-20 points each.

      1st WC worth maybe 60 points. The other chips worth 15 each, BB 25? FH maybe 10

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

        I'd never sell the WC. That's the best chip in the game.

        FH and BB for 20 points and I'd take it.

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

          Depends on your style of play maybe. I've never benefited much from the 2nd WC and mostly use it for the sake of it. If there was a crisis of course it becomes very valuable

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

        BB is worth like 10 and FH 25.

  17. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Reasonably safe to assume they won't start Willian for a 5th time in 14 days tomorrow night? Pulisic at least had his minutes managed.

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

      Now that they need a win he probably will, CHO still not fully fit

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I suppose even 60 minutes vs Norwich is worth it, resting him a little for the Liverpool game. I hate the idea of moving him out just yet.

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

          FA Cup semi comes before Liverpool game btw

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Oh, of course. That's not too bad then - five days rest. Settles it.

  18. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    BBC ban lifted 🙂

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wait what!!!

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

    Who to bench and captain out of these lot -

    A. Mane
    B. KDB
    C. Sterling
    D. Foden
    E. Fernandes
    F. Greenwood
    G. Rashford
    H. Ings

    Thanks 🙂

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mane?

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

      Bench A
      Captain C or D. D safer option.

    3. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      H

  20. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    The best club in PL !
    Cant wait Lautaro arrival and new decade ruling PL

  21. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    City celebration hammering of Bournemouth coming up

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Think I'm going to wait for the predicted FFS team sheet before bringing them in. I have someone to blame that isn't myself then.

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I've already got KDB Sterling Mendy so just sticking with those. Will get annoyed if I switch it around and sell the top scorer.

  22. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    City have won their appeal at CAS - two-year ban overturned. Club will only have to pay a 10m euro fine after being ruled to have contravened Article 56 of the Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations #mcfc

    1. Jensen Luiz Coleman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Money! Money changes everything.

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

        Not according to Michael Ball

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

        LOL

  23. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Now City's ban has been lifted 5th place won't get CL anymore right?

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

      Correct

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

    3. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yup

    4. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Unless an English team wins the CL I believe.

    5. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No, if man city win the CL 5th still counts

  24. NOSLEEPTILLBROOKLYN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How's this for a free hit team?

    Kepa
    Digne Azpi DOherty
    Sterling KDB Martial Bruno Pulisic
    Greenwood Jesus

    Button Rico Connolly Cathcart

    2.6 itb

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

    Aurier’s brother shot dead early hours of this morning!!

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      RIP

  26. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    CHELSEA will rest star players (against Norwich), before that sick run after that? What do you think?

    Tue 14/07/20 PRL Chelsea Norwich City
    Sun 19/07/20 FAC Manchester United Chelsea
    Wed 22/07/20 PRL Liverpool Chelsea
    Sun 26/07/20 PRL Chelsea Wolverhampton Wanderers
    Sat 08/08/20 UCL Bayern Munich Chelsea

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure they need to? Long enough break between Tuesday and Sunday. Chelsea can't afford anymore slips ups.

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

      We'll see the lineup before hand from Rockstar most likely so it's not a big deal.

    3. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Norwich game arguably the most important of them all

    4. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Doubt it, lots to play for and will want a reaction against Norwich. Hopefully we’ll have early team news for that one anyway.

  27. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need some opinions please? Won't pull the trigger until after tonight's game... Current situation *I FH GW35;
    ML1 (biggest £ pot) - Chasing 59 points
    Me; Bruno (c), Martial, Greenwood vs Bruno, Greenwood, AWB - for tonight

    ML2 (smaller £ pot) - Leading 10 points
    Me; Bruno (c), Martial, Greenwood vs Bruno, AWB, DDG & Ings - for tonight

    For GW36;
    Patricio, Button
    TAA, Doherty, AWB, Cresswell, Egan
    Mane, KDB, Bruno, Saka, Hayden
    Rashford, Jimi, Ings

    A) Rashford, Saka, Hayden > Greenwood, Foden, Antonio (-8) < Then bench boost, will leave only Button as non-playing player.
    B) Your thoughts?

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

    Vardy essential now that only top 4 qualify

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

      Leicester aren’t getting it

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

      I'm ditching anyway.

      Leicester are useless

    3. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      3 tough fixtures coming up. I own him and will hold for Sheff Utd but may sell after that.

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

    Azpilicueta enough Chelsea cover this week? Tempted getting Pulisic in too, but last two games are tough...

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

      They'll prob just win 2-0

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Chelsea conceded 49 goals what do you think?

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

        What I think is that I already own Azpilicueta, so makes no sense dropping him for Norwich

    3. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2-1 Chelsea

      Barkley and Giroud

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

    Uefa still corrupt af...

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Money talks.

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an institution independent of any sports organisation.