Scout Notes

Who will start for Man City in Gameweek 38+ after win at Watford?

Watford 0-4 Manchester City

  • Goals: Raheem Sterling x2 (£11.9m), Phil Foden (£5.5m), Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m)
  • Assists: Kyle Walker (£5.6m), Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m)
  • Penalties missed: Sterling
  • Penalties saved: Ben Foster (£4.9m)
  • Bonus Points: Sterling x3, Foster x2, Walker x2

Raheem Sterling (£11.9m) has all but cemented himself in Free Hit squads for Gameweek 38+ with his latest double-figure haul.

The premium midfielder’s 20.1% ownership got exactly what they wanted in the big win over Watford, as Sterling secured three attacking returns in a scintillating display and came off just after the hour-mark too.

Between the massive haul and rest time Pep Guardiola was able to give him, Sterling already looks likely to be a relatively sure starter when Norwich come to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

There was already plenty of interest in the Englishman before this latest Premier League outing, his score at Watford the fifth double-digit haul from a possible eight since the restart, but he has also added another feather to his cap. Penalties.

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m) has been the spot-kick taker for Manchester City since solving the club’s issues from 12 yards in February.

However, it appears that Sterling’s late charge for the Premier League Golden Boot award might have influenced the pecking order, with the Englishman taking the penalty against Watford which he won. Admittedly, he saw his effort saved by Ben Foster (£4.9m) but was savvy enough to bury the rebound.

“I seen I was on, I scored the first one and knew I was on 18, I knew if I got the second one and I was on the pitch for 90 I knew I had another chance of getting a hat-trick. So I wanted to try and get a hat-trick today but it didn’t happen but I’m really happy with the two goals. A winger to score 20 in the Premier League is a great achievement, we have one more game left and hopefully, I can do it then.” – Raheem Sterling

While Sterling has been involved in eight of Manchester City’s last 16 goals, De Bruyne has had a direct hand in just two, the latest an assist for Aymeric Laporte‘s (£6.3m) headed effort on Tuesday evening.

However, the Belgian was certainly unfortunate not to come away with a bigger score at Watford.

Just before half-time, Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) got to the dead-ball line and cut the ball back for De Bruyne, who was arriving at the back post, but he could only hook it high and wide under pressure from the defence.

The two players swapped roles after the break, De Bruyne pouncing on a loose ball from a Foster save, squaring to Bernardo, who could not find the target.

Then, on the hour-mark, the Belgian won a free-kick in a prime position on the edge of the box. Stepping up, De Bruyne always looks like scoring direct efforts from this sort of range and he went incredibly close against Watford, finding the top corner perfectly, only for Foster to produce a fantastic stop.

De Bruyne would have also received the assist for a Sterling in the second half, were it not rebounded to Foden to convert.

While Sterling was able to get on and off with just over 60 minutes to his name, owners of Gabriel Jesus (£9.9m) might be a little more concerned ahead of Gameweek 38+.

The Brazilian striker, who was arguably a little unfortunate to blank at Watford as a late goal was ruled out for offside, has now played 90 minutes in each of the last two matches in all competitions. That fact, combined with Sterling’s managed minutes at Vicarage Road, could see Jesus drop out of the starting XI against Norwich, especially as his English counter-part can play the centre-forward role and is potentially on a late charge for the Golden Boot.

Similarly, De Bruyne and Phil Foden (£5.5m) also lasting the entirety of the Watford perhaps concerning their respective owners, especially in light of Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) and David Silva (£7.4m) earning rests in Gameweek 37+. The Algerian came on for Sterling for the last half-hour, while Silva, ahead of a Premier League finale against Norwich was an unused substitute. A start on the last day of the league campaign looks even more assured now, and the Spaniard has double-figure hauls in each of his two most recent home matches.

Silva has played alongside De Bruyne recently, but 90 minutes in each of the last two in all competitions could be enough for Guardiola to consider benching the Belgian.

Foden’s case is harder to assess, especially after he stole in to convert Sterling’s rebounded shot in the second half. Manchester City’s number 47 got his rest in the FA Cup semi-final, playing just 24 minutes of the defeat to Arsenal and has started all but one home Premier League match since the return of football.

With Jesus also getting sufficient game-time to place a question mark over his starting berth, there is a chance the Manchester City front-three could feature Sterling as the spearhead, leaving room for Mahrez and Foden either side.

Anyone looking to Guardiola’s defence for the final Gameweek of the season were given a helping hand by the Manchester City manager.

After he had found the net in the second half, Laporte was handed a brief resting period at the end of the Watford win, replaced by John Stones (£5.3m) in the 74th minute. 

That should see the premium centre-back start against Norwich, who have conceded more goals from set-plays than any other side this season…

“Laporte had a tough tough injury important player for us a lot of time out. a big guy, needed more time to regain condition. today was one of the best games he has played int he last month.” – Pep Guardiola

Watford XI (4-3-3): Foster; Femenía, Dawson, Kabasele, Mariappa; Hughes, Doucouré (Chalobah 82′), Cleverley; Pereyra (Masina 87′), Deeney (Welbeck 67′), Sarr.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Laporte (Stones 74′), Garcia, Walker (Zinchenko 64′); De Bruyne, Rodrigo, B Silva; Sterling (Mahrez 64′), Jesus, Foden.

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FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 37+

1,882 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Saro0808
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On Freehit

    Draft 1
    Martinez
    Aurier Pieters Brantwaite
    Mahrez Salah Bruno Martial Sterling
    Kane Rashford

    (This is after the horrible performance by jesus and auba)

    Draft 2
    Pope
    Aurier Pieters Brantwaite/Williams
    Silva Salah Martial Sterling
    Kane Rashford Jesus

    (i feel like watford will score)

    Draft 3
    McCarthy
    Aurier Pieters Brantwaite/Bradley
    Silva Salah Martial Sterling
    Kane Rashford Jesus

    Draft 4
    Martinez
    Pieters Brantwaite/Bradsley Long/Williams
    Silva Salah Martial Sterling
    Kane Rashford Auba

    Team value - 104.5m
    So confused 🙁

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No Jesus draft

      1. Saro0808
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        jesus is there in draft 2 and 3

        1. Garam MOSALAH
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I meant don’t go with draft which has Jesus in

          1. Saro0808
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            draft 1 and 4 doesnt have jesus.i m so confused atm,after the horror show by auba and Jesus today.

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

    Thoughts on this FH
    Pope
    Van djik Pieters Bardsley
    Mahrez Salah Sterling David Silva Fernandes
    Ings Auba

    (Williams Watts Connolly)
    Thx

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane over Auba maybe?

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

    How is this for a newly created auba-less FH?

    Mccarthy
    TAA/Digne/Pieters
    Salah/Sterling/Dilva/Mahrez/Martial
    Kane/Greenwood

    Bench: Martin/Diop/Brantwaithe/Nketiah

    0.3 itb

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

    OR 2.9k. Thoughts on this FH team????

    Martinez
    TAA / Pieters / Branthwaite
    Stirling (C) / Mane / KDB / Son / Fernandez
    Kane / Nikieta

  5. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why is Pulisic all of a sudden a bad pick... Let’s hope he punishes his sellers..

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

      I don't think he's considering a bad pick, per se. Just better options out there. Antonio, for instance. Not to mention Wolves' defensive form.

  6. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good Ole interview from last week
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmlKbg3yzBA

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

    Tie breaker for gw38? Leading ML by 20, I will TC, rival will FH.

    1) Vardy, Pulisic > Rashford, Dilva
    2) Vardy, Pulisic, Doherty > Auba/Kane, Dilva, Pieters (-4)

    Pope
    Trent, Doherty, Aurier
    Salah, Pulisic, Bruno, KDB
    Vardy, Jimenez, Greenwood
    (Martin; Saiss, Douglas Luiz, Holgate)

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

      2.

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

    Please help!

    Foden and Justin ➡️DSilva and Pieters
    Ings and Justin ➡️Jesus and Pieters
    Ings and Bruno ➡️Antonio and Kane ( playing Justin)
    Bruno or Justin ➡️Son and Mendy

    McCarthy Allison
    Trent Doherty C.Taylor Lascelles Justin
    Sterling Foden Tony Bruno Salah
    Ings Greenwood Wood

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Top one looks best.

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

      Ings out lol. Just no.

      A and it's easy.

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

      A

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

      A -- Foden and Justin out. Without question.

    5. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A for sure

  9. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kdb to sterling? 1FT 2.8itb

    Martinez
    Taa Doherty long
    Salah kdb fernandes pulisic
    Vardy rashford greenwood

    Button c.taylor* guendouzi Simpson

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

      Si

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

      Do you have enough for Bruno to sterling?

  10. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I hope Watford sue the premier league for this botched relegation.

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      good one

  11. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you expect Rashford and Cresswell to outscore Ings and Laporte?

    1. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      nah

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

      nope

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No, Cresswell's the problem.

    5. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks gents

  12. Whiskerz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Not sure i like antonio now villa have something to play for.

  13. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ings and Mahrez to Kane and Silva?

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

      looks good

  14. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ok guys help pls. Decided my TC will be sterling. How do I get him. Would rather dump foden as I think Mahrez plays too

    A) Mahrez fernandes > sterling Antonio
    B) Mahrez rashford > sterling Ings
    C) foden fernandes > sterling, Douglas luiz
    D) foden rashford doherty - pieters, Sterling, Wood/DCL (-4)

    Current team looks like
    Martinez
    Aurier TAA doherty
    Foden kdb mane fernandes Mahrez
    Giroud rashford

    Bench: nkeitah & injures fodder

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D. Go big or go home

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

        That’s what I’m leaning to. Dcl or wood then?

        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          What are sheds made of?

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

            I like it

          2. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Asbestos Cement typically, if its a farm shed

  15. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who is more likely to haul on the final gameweek?

    a) Salah

    b) Auba

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

      B

    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

  16. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Errr..

    Dilva was on 86% about an hour ago

    Just jumped to 95% on FPL stats

    WTF

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Need him to stay put tonight!

      Why are people so keen

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If he rises I’m priced out of Aurier for GW38 & have to go with either a hammer or an extra Burnley def instead of big Serge

        Oh well, them’s the breaks I guess

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I’ll be priced out of Pieters and will have to go Villa def or Branthwaite

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

    Sorry to disrupt the rhythm of GW38 talk but how soon before the first game of next season is fantasy football reset for us to start creating teams?

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

    Martinez
    Bardsley pieters aurier
    Salah sterling dilva bruno antonio
    Kane auba

    1. Stick
    2. Aurier/Auba for Laporte/Rashford
    3.antonio for mahrez and auba for rash or ings ?

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

      Defo not 2.
      I like Antonio for Mahrez, not so much auba for rash.

  19. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    36 from 5 ... still a red arrow!! 🙁

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

    Have feeling that Free hiters will get red arrows when players like Jimenez, Pulisic, Martial haul. Lol

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

      Nope - it’s wishful thinking

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

        i have FH also

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

    Oops posted as a reply not a new comment.

    Seriously considering dropping Auba after his pathetic showing tonight and with arsenal having nothing to play for.

    My team currently is a FH:

    Martinez
    VVD pieters long
    Salah Sterling Silva Mahrez Bruno
    Kane Auba.

    Would you drop him? If so, who for? Leaning towards Rashford, but where would you spend the extra 2m?

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

      Jesus or Rashford?

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

      Maybe get another defender with the extra cash in case of rotation?

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

      I replied

      Wow - awesome team value

      I’d be tempted to do:
      Auba -> Ings/ Rashford
      Mahrez -> KDB
      VVD -> TAA

  22. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy & Rashford to Kane & Ings -4 yes or no?

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

      No!

  23. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On WC.

    Big question:

    1) Tarkowski + Sterling + Son + Jesus

    or

    2) Laporte + KDB + Salah + Ings

    Rest of team:

    Pope (Martin)
    Aurier Bardsley ?
    Dilva ? Martial ?
    Auba ? Kane

    It's a question of:
    1) 3 MCI attackers or
    2) 1 MCI df + 2 MCI attackers + Salah + Ings

    I personally think option 2 is more varied, but that could my mind melting.

    Thanks all.

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Personally I’d do 2) but downgrade Auba to get Sterling over KDB

  24. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lost on last page

    Haven’t seen much of this forward combo on FHs but I think I really like this team! What do you reckon?

    0itb
    Pope
    Aurier, Laporte, Pieters
    Salah, Sterling, Dilva, Martial
    Kane, Rashford, Ings
    (Martin) (Rice, Williams, Simpson)

    Ings could be Antonio and play 3-5-2 but now unsure if Antonio will have much luck with this battling AVL defence and Ingsy can surely score vs SHU. Have started to love the Laporte pick also!

    Thoughts?

  25. Slacker
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH KDB to Sterling?

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

      Sterling but ideally both

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

      Why not both

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

        lose Martial then?

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

          Yes

  26. wildnothing
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How about this FH team?

    Martinez
    Aurier Tarkowski Pieters
    KDB Salah Sterling Dilva
    Auba Kane Ings

    3.9 Long Guendouzi 3.9

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

      Very nice

  27. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Now considering Auba & Antonio > Ings & Son on FH after watching that and Villa winning essentially making both Arsenal & West Ham players worse propositions now surely? Villa looked decent defensively last few, Son scored a brace and 16pts in the reverse fixture v Palace earlier in the season too and they look woeful right now and zero to play for and no Van Aan either!!...also Spurs have a history of last game of season fixtures that usually provide 4 goals+...mmm?!! Oh and Arsenal not can't get into Europe by way of the league now, can't risk injuries for a must win FA Cup final? Oh and Ings also a better proposition with Sheff Utd unable to get into Europe now too...and still distant chance of Golden Boot?

    A - Auba & Antonio
    B - Ings & Son

  28. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Front 8 of:

    KDB, Foden, Fernandes, Puilisic*, Salah
    Rashford*, Ings, Jimenez*

    A) Sterling and Long

    B) Kane and David Silva (-4)

  29. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Maybe change of plans about Antonio on FH? Villa is going to do everything to keep a cs now...

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

      This. Thinking Dilva or Son if the budget can stretch

  30. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Do we expect Salah to outscore Sterling tomorrow?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no chance

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No