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.

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

View full match data in the Members Area

MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 37+

1,882 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Jay Rod a viable punt that’s even more punty than Woods?

  2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How is this for FH team?

    McCarthy
    Aurier-Pieters-Bardsley
    Salah-Sterling(C)-DSilva-Mahrez-Martial
    Auba-Kane
    Greenwood, fodder, fodder, fodder

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Branthwaite as one fodder

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

      Excellent. Like it.
      I have gone Auba and Kane too.
      If I had a FH I would actually look at Salah and Mane with the 3 City mids
      By going Auba and Martial to Mane and someone like Ings

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

        After watching Arsenal last night Auba could be a wasted spot.

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

    Lots of hits being mentioned for GW38

    Could be a crazy old GW

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It is good for us who have fh or wc.

      1. Bielsa's Bucket
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Does feel good being on a FH

  4. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Loose one for D.Silva (-4)

    A) Mane
    B) Martial
    C) KDB
    D) Bruno

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      tough one, better decide after todays game..

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

      Probably Martial as Bruno better away. See after today

    3. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kdb.

  5. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which one would you get for GW38+?
    A) Kane
    B) Aubameyang

    Who would you sacrifice?
    1) Vardy
    2) Jesus

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A1

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

      A2

    3. T.Henry14
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A) easy

      but between 1 and 2, I cant decide.
      Vardy i think IF Jesus start

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

      A2

    5. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A and b. The other 2 will get 4 pts between them.

  6. Boberella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Currently TCing Dilva in 38.

    Mid is:
    Mane | Bruno | KDB | Dilva | Foden

    Only 2m ITB, so is it worth a hit to swap out either Mane or KDB to get Sterling in to TC instead?

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

    Bruno or Son for final day showdown?

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

      Son

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son

  8. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Jimenez and KDB to Kane and Dilva worth -4? Would captain one of them..

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

      exact same situation and i'm protecting a lead. Else i need to take -4 to just change jimmi to Kane with Ederson out for a 3.9 keeper

  9. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Pope+Cresswell/Konsa (triple BUR def)
    B) Martinez+Bellerin
    C) Martinez+Aurier

  10. NATSTER
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Now hesitated on what to do with all these assumptions

    - Sterling likely to start and challenge golden boot
    - Jesus, Foden, B Silva played a rare 90 minutes and could be rested
    - KDB played 90 minutes in the last two and could be rested
    - Mahrez, D Silva rested and likely to start

    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Martial - Saka
    Vardy - Ings - Greenwood

    My original plan of Vardy > Jesus doesn't look good now.

  11. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick the best option for this GW :

    Patricio
    Doherty Tarkowski Keane
    Salah KDB Mahrez Bruno Martial
    Greenwood Ings

    Martin Nketiah Kiko Lascelles

    A) Bruno --> D.Silva
    B) KDB --> Sterling
    C) Doherty + Ings --> Aurier + Kane (-4pts)

    Thanks

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

      Tough one. More inclined to say A though

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

      B

  12. Arf F.C
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    There's 6 days before the next game Jesus will start. These things can be thought about too much.
    There's a reason he hasn't don't the false 9 thing since the restart. They won't be playing like that in champs league so doing to that in the game closest to it would definitely take from the rhythm Peps been talking about

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I agree. But he could play sterling up top with mahrez and Bilva or even KDB with him so it’s not completely cut and dried by I agree he won’t suddenly change his shape for a one off against a pub team.

  13. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How is this looking chaps? On a FH. 0 ITB.

    Martinez
    Robertson Long Bardsley
    Salah Sterling Dilva Bruno Martial
    Kane (c) Auba (vc)

    3.9 Williams Nketiah 3.9

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

      Nice

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

      Very very nice. Auba I'm not sure about but you have the money so why not

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I know. He has burnt me several
        Times this season but Watford are in a mess.

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

    Ok so ...

    Last week punt, kdb and foden to SilvaD and Sterling but for -4.

    Armband to go on sterling

    Worth the hit? Or I can just to foden to Silva or Mahrez

  15. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Yes but the big question is - will Mendy play???!