Scout Notes

How De Bruyne’s new Man City role affects his FPL credentials

Wolves 1-3 Man City

  • Goals: Raúl Jiménez (£8.5m) | Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m), Phil Foden (£6.5m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m)
  • Assists: Daniel Podence (£5.5m) | Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), De Bruyne
  • Bonus points: De Bruyne x3, Foden x2, Jesus x1

Kevin De Bruyne‘s (£11.6m) new role at Manchester City looks set to have a massive impact on Fantasy Premier League managers this season.

Having spent much of 2019/20 in a central midfield trio, the Belgian was deployed as an out-and-out number 10 in Monday night’s 3-1 win over Wolves, something that heavily influenced his 13-point haul.

De Bruyne registered a goal and assist at Molineux, spending the evening causing unending problems for a defence that has been the Premier League’s best since Gameweek 25 of last season.

In that time, Wolves had ranked best for shots in the box conceded, big chances conceded, shots on target conceded, expected goals conceded (xGC) and clean sheets. But De Bruyne’s more attacking role helped Manchester City dismantle Nuno Espirito Santo’s men with relative ease.

The Belgian’s number 10 duties were facilitated by the addition of Nathan Aké (£5.5m) to Pep Guardiola’s squad. That meant, despite Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) missing the game, that Fernandinho (£5.5m) was free to return to midfield, where he formed a defensive patrol alongside Rodrigo (£5.5m).

“Fernandinho will be really important. He’s 35 years old and he cannot play every three days. Last year he struggled a lot to be fit for most of the season but he played really well with Rodri [against Wolves]. They were both good with and without the ball.” – Pep Guardiola

They were an effective pair in terms of protecting Manchester City’s back-four from Wolves’ attackers for most of the game, allowing De Bruyne to focus only what was in front of him. As already mentioned, the result was a man-of-the-match performance from the premium midfielder, as he tormented Wolves all night long, scored a fifth penalty in all competitions since February, and threw himself into the captaincy conversation for a Gameweek 3 visit to the Etihad Stadium for Leicester City.

“Not just today but since we came back, every training session I feel (De Bruyne) is incredibly committed. Right now, he is an incredibly important player for us. He always was but with the situation, we are in now he is so important. He played really well, shot an incredible penalty, he was strong and he did it perfectly. The amount of assists, how he runs. He played really well, like the whole team.” – Pep Guardiola

The question is, will Guardiola continue to use De Bruyne as a number 10? It is always impossible to second-guess the Manchester City boss, of course, but considering how effective his 4-2-3-1 formation was at Molineux, it would make a lot of sense to deploy it against Leicester too.

In many respects, Guardiola will be restricted in how much he can tweak his team selection for Gameweek 3 considering the number of absent players right now. Bernardo Silva (£7.5m) is out until the international break, while Ilkay Gundögan (£5.5m) has tested positive for coronavirus.

“Joao (Cancelo), Bernardo (Silva), Oleks(andr Zinchenko) and Sergio (Aguero) will be longer probably after the international break. That is the situation today but it will maybe change a little bit.” – Pep Guardiola

Those absences should leave Guardiola with no option but to roll with Fernandinho, Rodrigo and De Bruyne in midfield against Leicester. Meanwhile, the City manager has done his Fantasy counterparts a favour in terms of peace of mind, by revealing on Monday night that the Thursday-evening EFL Cup match would mostly feature younger and academy players instead of key first-teamers.

Meanwhile, Aguero’s ongoing absence boosts the FPL credentials of Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m), who got his first goal of the season in Monday night’s win.

While Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) and Phil Foden (£6.5m) still have to compete with Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) and new signing Ferran Torres (£7.0m) for starting berths on the flanks of attacking midfield, there is a lot more certainty of starts for Jesus until Aguero returns.

The Brazilian made the most of his first outing of the campaign at Wolves, acting as a tireless member of the attack and going close to finding the net before his stoppage-time goal.

In the 42nd minute, he provided an excellent cushion header for De Bruyne to ghost past Willy Boly (£5.5m) and get one-on-one with Rui Patrício (£5.5m). The Wolves goalkeeper produced a fantastic save to deny the Belgian, who would have earned an assist for Jesus.

In the 52nd minute, De Bruyne played an outside-of-the-boot pass to Jesus, who came back across Conor Coady (£5.0m) and saw his left-foot shot saved by Patrício again.

Then, late in the game, the striker surged forward on the counter-attack and fired a powerful shot from distance that Patrício did well to tip around the post. It looked as if it would be a night of bad luck for Jesus owners in terms of attacking returns, until De Bruyne rolled the ball to him on the edge of the box, allowing him to blast home a deserved goal.

With Leicester, Leeds, Arsenal and West Ham the next four matches for Manchester City, an attacking double-up would certainly have its merits. As already mentioned, Jesus looks the most nailed-on option outside of De Bruyne for anyone looking for such a set-up.

As much as Manchester City kept Wolves at bay for most of the game, the home side did force their way into proceedings during the last half an hour, a spell which helped fine-tune how best to invest in their assets moving forward.

Nuno’s men face an excellent run of upcoming games, putting them against West Ham (away), Fulham (home), Leeds (away), Newcastle (home) and Crystal Palace (home) between now and Gameweek 7.

Perhaps the safest bet has to be Raúl Jiménez (£8.5m), whose headed goal against Manchester City means he has two in as many appearances at the start of this season.

But with his price still causing a few issues for the big spenders in midfield, Fantasy managers are considering Daniel Podence (£5.5m) for their teams, and with good reason.

Like Jiménez, Wolves’ number 10 has two attacking returns in two. In his case, they are both assists but Podence’s first goal of the season does not look a long way off.

In the 53rd minute, makeshift wing-back Adama Traoré (£6.5m) got the better of Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m), squaring the ball early to an unmarked Podence hovering in the middle of the box. His shot on the turn was off-target, but this passage of play was indicative of the positions Podence has been drifting into from the flanks of Wolves’ front-three.

Pedro Neto (£5.5m) found some joy behind Mendy a few minutes later, cutting back to Podence in the box. While he let the ball run for Ruben Neves (£5.5m) with a dummy, it was another promising position taken up by Wolves’ number 10.

Then in the 59th minute, Podence was put through one-on-one with Ederson (£6.0m) and came close to finding the net with a lob that landed on the roof of the net.

And nobody will forget the way Podence helped put Wolves back in the game. It was him who produced the exceptional cross for Jiménez’s header… just seconds after nutmegging De Bruyne (?!).

Podence’s ability is there for all to see and we are likely to see investment in the £5.5m man over the next few days based on form, price and fixtures.

However, it is worth just keeping our readers informed of the caveats that come with transferring the former Olympiacos man for Gameweek 3.

It seems fair to say that Podence’s chances of further starts are, to some extent, reliant on the shape Nuno chooses each week. So far, he has operated in a 3-4-3 formation, which accommodates two wingers, while a switch to 3-5-2 could put Podence in competition with Neto and Traoré for the right wing-back slot.

While Wolves are without a recognised like-for-like replacement for Matt Doherty (£6.0m) in that position, a new signing at right wing-back could also put Traoré back into contention for a place in the front-three.

Meanwhile, Vitinha (£5.0m) offers competition on the flanks of attacking midfield, and Wolves are expected to unveil the signing of Nelson Semedo very soon.

For the short-term, Podence has probably earned a start in at least the next match based on merit, although it is interesting to note that, despite two strong performances, Nuno wants him to improve moving forward.

“I think (Podence) is improving. It’s about the complicity with his teammates. He has more knowledge and the talent of Daniel is huge. He is very talented, has quality and is a fighter. He did well. He must improve like everybody. He must be more clinical in the box and that will be beneficial for us. We are going to work. Every day is a day to improve. Of course, the more games, the more complicity, the better we can be.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Meanwhile, options in the Wolves defence took an interesting turn in Gameweek 2. After it appeared Ruben Vinagre (£4.4m) had lost his place from the start of the campaign, Marçal (£5.0m) was forced off with an unspecified injury eight minutes into the Manchester City match.

Nuno could not reveal the extent of the problem post-match, but anyone still holding Vinagre should pay close attention to his Gameweek 3 press conference later in the week for updates.

“We must assess (Marçal’s injury). It was just at the beginning of the match. He felt something and now we are going to assess. Let’s see. He said that he felt something and was not able to continue, so we immediately made a substitution so things didn’t get worse.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (3-4-3): Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Boly; Marçal (Vinagre 8′), Neves, Moutinho (Dendoncker 78′), Traoré; Neto (F Silva 78′), Jiménez, Podence.

Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; B Mendy, Aké, Stones, Walker; Rodrigo, Fernandinho; Sterling (Torres 82′), De Bruyne, Foden; Jesus.

PREMIUM MEMBERS ANALYSIS

PREMIUM MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 2

3,103 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Reckon TAA will drop? Wouldn’t mind picking him up on a discount

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

    2. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      may be
      but i think won't drop before this deadline
      may be next week

  2. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Podence only likely to get minutes if wolves play 4 3 3. Wish I'd known before bringing him in.

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i think podence will be nailed on
      neto on the edge as semedo will play instead of doherty and traore will play upfront with jimenez and podence

      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Az discussed it on the scout cast, not promising

        1. Totti
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          why not promising?

        2. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          What insight does Az have that most people didn’t know about Podence anyway?

          5-2-3 tactic has been the more often used tactic for a while now and with Jota having left, Podence is still the most likely option to play alongside Jimenez even in 5-3-2.

          Wolves don’t play with 4 at the back.

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I watched replay of the City game last night and I was very impressed with him but don't think I'll go with him on my wildcard, Saiss & Jimenez likely enough. Think it might depend on how Neto performs...if his form drops off Podence could be a nailed starter. But for now think I prefer Klitch (but might well be a position that I change over the course of the season). Thinking of rotating my 5.5 mid with a my 4th defender leaving me with a flexible 352 / 442 option.

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Whats your WC looking like?

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Martinez Forster
          Digne Saiss James1 Castagne Lamptey
          KdB Salah Son James2 Klitch
          DCL Jimenez Brewster
          0.1

          1. PapaWengzz
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Interesting Everton Triple up! Very similar to mine but going with Robbo + Justin for Digne + Cast

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah, no Liv defender could hurt me! I had EVE triple up last week also but the wrong one with Doucoure and Digne getting 1 points but still think Everton offer great value now that they've got a top engine room!

              1. PapaWengzz
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                I agree and that's why I would trust them enough to get 2. 3 too much for me

                1. jia you
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  yeah I'll likely lose DCL soon enough by downgrading Son and upgrading him to Werner/Jesus...any best of luck with it, hope we both smash it!

                  1. PapaWengzz
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Yeah hope we do! Cheers mate

    3. Nightrain_
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      High chance he'll be given chance to start as he got back to back assists, great value this season him and Foden I reckon

      Poden Foden, funny to have them both together 😀

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Podence is ahead of Neto.

  3. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed
    Any of the following worth a hit?
    A) Bruno > son
    B) Bruno > sterling (have KDB)
    C) martial > jimi
    D) Werner > jimi

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B or C should make back the hit

    3. Nightrain_
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing worth a hit

    4. Aubamazette
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hold pls

    5. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Next week

  4. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Finally pulled the WC trigger ......
    So many choices
    Looks like KDB is in ..... just 14 to go !!!

    1. Nightrain_
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Drop Werner and Havertz quickly if you have them so you can profit from their drop 😀

      1. Seanigula
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        but then you’d have to bring them back

        1. Nightrain_
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yup, buy back on a lower price and pocket the 0.1 profit

          WC makes you able to do that for free, same with buying all players during international break that has chance of double rise, a chance of 0.1 - 0.2 profits

    2. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Me too...the Egan red was 1 too many problems

      1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Egan RED made me laugh .... NO Hatty !!!

        1. Seanigula
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          He’ll get one this weekend...on his PlayStation

    3. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      who’s KDB?

    4. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Have Werner penciled in for Jesus next GW ..... Obviously this plan will backfire like Son/Bruno 🙁

      1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Spine ATM

        TAA Digne
        KDB Son Salah
        Werner DCL

  5. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How has James Rod not gone up in value. He's been due to rise since Sat night.

    1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably didn`t take his viagra 😉

  6. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    i think that werner won't drop this week 🙂
    will be on -100% till WBA game if he scored then won't drop
    if he didn't score then will drop saturday night

    obviously FPL are manipulating with the prices as usual

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      keep the tin foil in the box until deadline...he should drop before then I reckon

  7. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hello all, how's this GW3 Wildcard looking folks?

    Martinez (Steer)
    TAA Justin Taylor (Mitchell, Dallas)
    KDB Salah Hames Zaha (Podence)
    Mitro DCL Werner(C)

    Thanking you in advance 🙂

    1. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      good. don't jump into the zaha trap. You have been warned...

      1. SuperMane Returns
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        So many nice games though, and he looks like he's got the scoring touch! Who do you suggest - Foden?

    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Noice! 😎

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Downgrade podence to a 4.5 mid

      1. SuperMane Returns
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who do you suggest upgrading?

  8. popstar7
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC thoughts?

    Martinez
    TAA / Castagne / Lamptey
    KDB / Salah / Hamez / Foden / Fernandes
    Mitro / DCL

    Steer / Dunne / Mitchell / Davis

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't like Lamptey and 4.0 bench with his fixtures
      Very weak up top. Need one of Werner/Jim/Ings IMO for upcoming run of fixtures (also a good price point).

      1. Nightrain_
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        On the contrary, I can see Lamptey being a shining star like the early cheap days of AWB, Robertson, and Doherty

  9. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody gonna capt werner knowing that he still havent score yet? Nice risk to take?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He didn’t look so great against Liverpool, bad first touch on 1 great opportunity...could he suddenly put it all together vs West Brom? Maybe

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thats why its exciting . Know everyone this week capt will go kdb kane/son or jimenez

        1. Seanigula
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I’m going Firmino (C), he’s due for a big haul

          1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I`ll bet you a Rabbit that you don`t !!

            1. Seanigula
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              You can only get your hands on a Golf

    2. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I`m currently on Mo -
      Maybe KDB or Werner who knows .... Still have days to tinker !!!

    3. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      play safe
      for the first 4 gameweeks 🙂

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Wanted to capt son but not too sure if he can do like vs saints

    4. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      There is no one to create chances for him at the moment.

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

        This

    5. Nightrain_
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sometimes you have to take a risk and I think I'm gonna do that

      The risk is Salah vs Arsenal and KDB vs Leicester, so probably each will get max a goal, but Werner, if he hauls like when he is in Leipzig demolishing Mainz, dude got 3 goals and 3 assists

  10. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will ASM drop?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably

  11. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Chelsea 4/11 away to West Brom. Looks a great price, TBH...

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      just shows that the bookies don't trust Chelsea, they'd be at least 1/6 comparing the two teams if they did!

  12. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Start kwp or asm? Already have mccarthy..

    But asm vs spurs??? Even he start might not do anything?

  13. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Podence & TAA
    or.
    Rodriguez/Zaha & Castagne
    ?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is Castagne the real deal to warrent dropping TAA ??

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, essentially the deciding factor in this.

    3. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A i think

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

      A imo

    5. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      pondering the same myself.

      I'd probably prefer JRod and Castagne

  14. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to drop on WC for Podence (Want to catch the price rise).

    A. Zaha
    B. Son
    C. Hames

    I never planned to keep all 3. Hames about to rise, and I got the other two before their price rises.

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son very likely to rise for the 2nd time and Zaha has a small chance of rising for the 2nd time before the deadline, so you could make a 0.1 profit from them even if you don’t end up keeping.

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This would mean losing out on Podence's potential rise shortly. Tricky one

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Depends on if you want James for sure. He hasn't been rising despite being due for a while now but there is no guarantee he won't rise this time either.

    2. MaRooney 5
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      not Son. more likely to rise again

      1. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Fair, I think Zaha is the one

  15. Tinkertank
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rate my WC please ^^

    Martinez

    James, Robbo, Saiss

    Salah, KDB, Son, Hames, Podence

    DCL, Jimenez

    Bench: Steer, Lamptey, Mitchell, Davis

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Similar to mine, which probably means it's template. Hopefully good.

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very good, slightly risky with just the one playing sub but Lamptey is the one to have if going down that route.
      9 of your'e starting XI are in my team...I've gone Digne over Robbo for a better bench and Klitch over Podence (although that's a close one for me). GL 🙂

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

        Thank you very much for your input. You might be right about Robbo, but something doesn't feel right about going without a Pool defender... Will investigate a bit. Yeah, Lamptey looks so promising, probably won't mind him coming off the bench from time to time

        1. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Lamptey going off at 57 to "protect him" and "tactical change" doesn't fill me with confidence. Also shows that the manger is ok with makeing subs in 50's

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            true but he played more of a forward than a defender in those 57mins....he was unreal dangerous!

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              he was also carrying a knock (would've been left on for longer other than that I'm sure)

        2. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Oh don't I know it, I've always had one of Trent/Robbo and often the double up over a LIV attacker in recent seasons! It's just they are that little bit more expensive this season so I'm tempted to take the risk on WC, if it doesn't work out I can always get one in I guess...cheers mate

    3. Nightrain_
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm favoring only have Podence and not Jimenez, instead going for Werner.

      Reason is so far Wolves only have average of 2.5 shots on target and the bottom 5 and last seasons they don't score plenty goals so maybe 1-2 goals per match maximum so no double attack

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        wow are the attacking stats that low...surprised as they've passed my eye test big time...not a stats man but def a little off-putting hearing that!

        1. Nightrain_
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Won't judge anything yet based on 2 games but it makes sense judging by the last two seasons where they score 47 goals (1.23/game) and 51 goals (1.34/game)

          Nuno is clearly understand that as a promoted team to thrive in EPL, one cannot attack like Leeds and Norwich or you'll be slaughtered so focusing on defense and counter-attacking is best, and from set pieces or long range shooting

          That's why Sheffield also succeed and i reckon Leeds will fail if they don't focus on defending

  16. SalahFingers
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This WC seem good?

    Martinez, Ryan
    Castagne, Saiss, Justin, James, Mitchell
    Salah, KDB, Son, JRodriguez, Podence
    Jimenez, DCL, Bamford

    1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Do Podence and Bamford rotate well ??

      1. SalahFingers
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Didn't check. I'm not so worried regardless. I will 1st bench one each week and play the other one.

        Podence has a great run of fixtures, and Leeds score tons even against teams like Liverpool so I'm not worried about that.

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

          Imo downgrade either Bamford or Podence and get Lamptey in. He could be this year's Lundstram

          1. SalahFingers
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I was thinking of downgrading Castagne -> Lamptey.

            this would let me keep Zaha instead of Podence in midfield

  17. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Are price rises now at 2.30am?

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think so.

    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep- probably 2.27 to be safe.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers guys.

  18. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC...?

    Martinez
    TAA | Saïss | James
    Salah | KDB | Son | Podence
    Werner | Ings | Bamford

    Forster | Mitchell | Dunne/Buur | Burke

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      can see you fielding 10 the odd GW

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Mitchell will eventually go to Ferguson and if you really wanted Burke could go to a "safer" 4.5.
        Shouldn't be any problems...?

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          PvA will be back soon but Ferguson might not be (also not a certainty that Ferguson gets his place in the team). I'd be a little concerned with CoVid and the potential of rests for James & Podence but GL with her mate!

  19. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you pick Taylor or Keane to replace Egan? Keane is in a better team with more goal threats.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keane

      Burnley have too many injuries, I don't see many CS for them until they recover.

  20. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can I get a bit of advice?

    McCarthy

    Justin / TAA / Taylor
    Salah / Son / Soucek / Auba / Saint-maximin
    Ings / Werner

    Bench: Nyland, Mitchell, KWP / Davis

    A. Auba —> KDB
    B. Auba + Werner —> KDB + Jiminez
    C. Any other suggestions
    D. Wildcard

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Auba to KDB and ASM to someone

  21. FPL_Devil
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM or JWP out on a hit? (Moving to Podence)

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I probably would. With those fixtures it seems worth it.

      1. FPL_Devil
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        ok cheers! who would you move out ASM or JWP? JWP has already dropped and I think ASM will drop tonight.

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          ASM

          If he drops to 5.4 it will be hard to find an alternative.

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  22. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For the rest of the season

    Rodriguez and 4.5 forward
    OR
    Podende and Mitro?

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Well you are comparing 1 player vs 2 players, so Podence + Mitro

      A 4.5 forward will not do anything for you. JRod is good, but not 2 players good.

    2. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B
      4.5 forward doesn't exist.

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Draft game?

  23. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi all,

    Anyone reckon Zaha @ 7.1m is worth a wildcard punt ? Especially with that sea of green!

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would but I can't justify dropping one of Salah, KDB, Son, TAA, Werner, Ings/Jiminez to fund the $.

  24. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I just hate not owning Sterling.

    That is all.

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't worry. Everyone will buy him after he gets a hat trick.... and he will.

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Too right man. He's the premium that gets overlooked at the beginning of every season. Then when his inevitable 20 pointer happens, everyone finds a way to get him in. 5.4% owned now and will be 20%+ in 2 or 3 weeks.

        Just gotta find a way to squeeze him in.

        1. SalahFingers
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Well for me it's either KDB or Sterling every season. I went with Sterling last season and I'm going with KDB this season. Even though Man City can score enough goals to get them both points, I don't like spending so much money on one teams midfield.

        2. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          He was in almost every team at the beginning of last season.

          1. Maddi Son
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I distinctly remember his ownership being single digits. One of us is lying.

            1. Cok3y5murf
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Nah. Salah and Sterling template last season in GW1. Salah was captained and got a 12-pointer home to Norwich while Sterling got a 20-pointer away to West Ham. KDB was the one overlooked due to having an injury-ridden season in 2018/19 with only 58 pts, but everyone jumped on him soon enough.

            2. Munchen KFC
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              not lying just mistaken

    2. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I understand the logic of why you shouldn't own 3 players above 10.5m because of captaincy. I just feel like throwing the rule book out the window and getting KDB, Sterling & Salah and keeping all season.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I love owning Salah and KNB

  25. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Probably to late but how do you submit your team for rough with the smooth?

    Like a total amateur I blew my WC after the first game week, and took out Son and Mitrovic, and somehow kept McCarthy as my GK when I should have got Ryan in.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Go to "Hot Topics" on the right sidebar on days when there is a Scoutcast, before the Scoutcast is recorded.

  26. Paanmonkey
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    how is my WC team?

    McCarthy ( Steer )
    Mitchell - Justin - TAA - KWP - Saiss
    Zaha - Salah - Son - KDB - Hames
    DCL - Mitro - Bamford

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Template. Very similar to mine.

      People keep recommending Podence instead of Zaha. They also recommend Jimenez in attack. Your attack is pretty weak right now.

      Who knows though. I was going to sell Mitro after GW1 because he didn't start, but then he scored 12pts.

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        podence saves you 1.6

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not great. Quite a few issues there.

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      need a bigger hitting fwd.

      1. I Must Break You
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Why?

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          need a price point
          not all these cheap fwds will keep it up either.
          Werner, Jim and Ings will start going gangbusters over the next few weeks IMO.

    4. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The next 7 for Wolves look superb for Wolves attack (which is looking pretty decent so far)

    5. Paanmonkey
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      aite guys thanks ! need to do some major changes here

  27. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Castagne & 4.5 Forward.
    B) Lamptey & Bamford (means I have a full playing bench).

    Cheers.

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Heskey Time
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’d like someone to convince me about Castagne is he really all that?

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I'll hold my hands up, I haven't really paid attention to him but he has low ownership, a lot of interest (and corresponding price rise coming), Leicester have great fixtures and on the comparison tool he's done better than Robbo so far (who's also had a good start).

  28. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which one?

    A) 4.5 defender
    B) Reece James
    C) Podence
    D) Mitrovic

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      BCAD in that order

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C A D B for me

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks mate

  29. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Davies Justin
    Salah KDB Son ASM
    Werner Ings

    Button Mitchell Brewster Bissouma

    0.5 itb, 0 FT

    1. ASM >> Podence (-4) catch the price changes both ways
    2. Hold (maybe play Mitchell)

    Thanks all

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

    2. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Your team is good, but if you really want to go for value, I think 1 is decent.

  30. Heskey Time
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    On WC:
    A) Lamptey (bench) and podence 352
    B) Burke (bench) and Castagne 442

    If B would play Dunne or Mitchell over Castagne against Man City

    1. SalahFingers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like A

    2. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tough one this
      A for me

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    4. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A