Scout Notes

How Leeds restricted De Bruyne to unfortunate FPL blank in Gameweek 4

Leeds United 1-1 Manchester City

  • Goals: Rodrigo Moreno (£5.8m) | Raheem Sterling (£11.5m)
  • Assists: Ferran Torres (£6.9m)
  • Bonus points: Rodrigo M x3, Sterling x2, Liam Cooper x1 (£4.4m)

Owners of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) can feel very unfortunate after he recorded a second blank of the season in Gameweek 4.

The Manchester City midfielder struck the post with a clever free-kick inside the opening exchanges, while some may feel that his penalty-taking should have been called into action late in the game.

Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) looked to have been brought down illegally in the box by Leif Davis (£4.0m) but neither Mike Dean nor VAR were convinced it was a foul.

On any other day, the typically brilliant De Bruyne might have come out of either situation with goals to his name but, on an evening where Leeds eventually stole the show, it was simply not his day.

DEFENSIVE DE BRUYNE

It was also clear that playing two games in three days had taken its toll on the Belgian who ended up tasked with more defensive duties at Elland Road than his 44.8% ownership would have liked.

Thanks to Leeds’ spirited and open play, they ended up with more possession than Manchester City’s men (52.8% to 47.2%), more big chances (five to zero) and more shots on target (seven to one).

As a result, De Bruyne was bogged down in a midfield battle for large spells of Saturday’s encounter, unable to operate in the exciting number 10 position that Guardiola had cast him in for City’s last away trip (at Wolves).

Reprising such a role was not possible for the Belgian at Elland Road. His freedom at Molineux had been unlocked by a defensive midfield double-up of Rodrigo (£5.5m) and Fernandinho (£5.5m), but the latter was named on the bench for Gameweek 4.

Contributing to defensive duties at Leeds was a job that De Bruyne performed, unsurprisingly, offering greater work rate than those around him and winning more tackles than any other colleague on Saturday.

But it probably goes without saying that finishing top of that metric for the evening is not something De Bruyne’s Fantasy owners were particularly enamoured by. It was only after Fernandinho came on for Mahrez in the 77th minute that the Belgian was freed up to make more significant contributions to attack, but it was a little too late.

“They make a good build-up with the goalkeeper and they put a lot of players behind our midfield line. After our attack, they are quick with their fast players outside. It is not easy to play against them. We were there and made a good defensive game but we had to do that more than usual because they are good in the transitions.” – Pep Guardiola

“If you watch when Guardiola makes a defensive change, when Fernandinho comes on, this is when they started to impose themselves on the game once more. It was a very intelligent substitution and it had a big influence on the game, which indicates a lot of the time that you have to defend better so you can attack well.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Meanwhile, as was the case against Leicester, De Bruyne was asked to split corner-taking duties with Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m), robbing him of a complete monopoly over set-play situations.

STRIKERLESS MAN CITY

This is now the first time since 2010 that Manchester City have failed to win more than one of their first three Premier League games of a season. The ongoing absence of a recognised striker for the Citizens was a key factor behind their draw at Leeds.

Guardiola handed Mahrez the central role on Saturday but he was largely ineffective during his time on the pitch.

The Algerian international struggled to cope with the physicality of centre-backs Liam Cooper (£4.4m) and Robin Koch (£4.5m), robbing Manchester City of something to aim at when pressing forward.

While Sterling finally found his first goal of the campaign, it was not from a centre-forward position. He received the ball from Ferran Torres (£6.9m) on the left-hand side, made a jinking run inside, past two defenders and guided the ball beyond Illan Meslier (£4.5m) 

It was a passage of play that highlighted how much better Sterling is as a winger than as a striker – another dilemma facing Guardiola in the absence of Gabriel Jesus (£9.4m) and Sergio Aguero (£10.4m). 

Even still, the Englishman’s evening was largely littered with some poor decisions and propensity to run down dead-ends in Leeds’ defence, although operating next to an ineffective centre-forward in Mahrez probably increased the pressure on him to fashion chances via take-ons.

Owners of Manchester City assets may take some comfort from the fact they host Arsenal in Gameweek 5, after the international break. Guardiola’s men beat the Gunners 3-0 in this fixture during Project Restart with goals from Sterling, De Bruyne and Phil Foden (£6.6m). However, they did so on that day with the help of Jesus leading the line, who currently has an estimated return date of Gameweek 6…

Wham Bam

While Patrick Bamford (£5.8m) registered his first blank of the season, it was not for lack of trying against Manchester City.

The Leeds forward finished this match with more shots (four) and more shots in the box (four) than any other player on the pitch, an impressive achievement considering the opponents.

However, Fantasy managers should probably keep an eye on Rodrigo Moreno (£5.8m) following his impressive cameo appearance.

He came on for central midfielder Tyler Roberts (£5.0m) in the 56th minute and contributed to a change of shape for Leeds. Instead of a 4-1-4-1, they were able to operate with two forward men on the field – and it had the desired impact.

Rodrigo pounced in the box to equalise when Ederson‘s (£6.0m) failed clearance clattered into Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) and saw an effort turned onto the crossbar minutes later.

It will be worth keeping an eye on how often Rodrigo features for Leeds based on his contribution to Saturday’s draw, although Jack Harrison (£5.5m) will be back in the picture for Gameweek 5 – he missed this match as he was ineligible to face his parent club, Manchester City.

“Progressively he will begin to show the great quality that he has. Today, he had a very good start and perhaps the pace of the game hindered him towards the end of the half. When he is able to play at a good physical level for us I think he will make a difference.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Dallas, Cooper, Koch, Ayling; K Phillips; Alioski (Poveda-Ocampo 46′), Roberts (Rodrigo M 56′), Klich (L Davis 77′), Costa; Bamford.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; B Mendy (Aké 71′), Laporte, Dias, Walker; Foden, Rodrigo, De Bruyne; Mahrez (Fernandinho 77′), Sterling, Torres (B Silva 65′).

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3,043 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence Vardy to Son Wilson for a hit.

    Yaay or Naay

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm keeping Vardy, after seeing Villa's defence not that good today.

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Had bought him this week. Surely he returns against Villa.

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          He scored 4 against Villa last season in less than 1.5 games. Had him at the start but this was the game I most looking forward to for him.

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

      No

  2. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Very average well so I've made my transfers already. Foden and Werner out for Watkins and Son. Very knee jerk but it does make you feel that little bit better, even if it's fleeting, right?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably the only goals watkins will score

      1. Surfeit of Lampteys
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lol, right, sure...

    2. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      *Week not well

    3. Bobby_Styles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Early season so catching some team value over an international isnt a horrible idea.

      1. Surfeit of Lampteys
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah agreed mate. Neither has internationals, either.

    4. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      and now the 2 weeks worrying about injuries/covid

      1. Surfeit of Lampteys
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Damn for a short while there I'd forgotten about the spectre of covid

        1. All about the galacticos
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          with your username, i'm sure it's top of mind

    5. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great transfers

  3. Bobby_Styles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Question:

    Where can I find the list of parameters for the stats in the members area on build your own table?
    xG Conceded for example, what is the time frame for that stat? Is WBA expected to ship 10.07 over the next week, two weeks, three??
    Any direction would be greatly appreciated.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks like stats dont matter this season

  4. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy - Steer
    TAA - Davies - Justin - C. Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - KDB - Hamez - Podence - Bissouma
    Werner - Jiminez - Adams

    to

    Martinez - Steer
    Chilwell - Saiss - KWP - Dallas - Mitchell
    Salah - Son - Hamez - Grealish - Klich
    Kane - Ings - DCL

    Have exact funds to do this. Worth the WC?
    The only thing stopping me at the moment is that GW 18 will be blank GW and 19 will be a double GW so that will definitely be the ideal moment to WC if I hold here.

  5. RohanVaswani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Watkins Zaha

    Or

    Grealish Ayew?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Watkins already? Wow.

      B

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ayew's an option?

    3. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish Watkins all in

  6. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Can’t believe people are removing FPL gold assets like TAA and KDB. Recency bias is strong

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It'll be the same people that took hits to get Vardy in. Look how that panned out 😆

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Only scores away nowadays

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Prefer Sterling and Robbo atm

    3. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      good for us...

  7. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    4 point hit taken already (oops), looking good for next gameweek?

    Martinez
    TAA | Lamptey | Dallas
    Salah | Bruno | Son | Rodriguez | Soucek
    Kane | DCL

    Steer | Mitchell | Davis | Buur

    0.3ITB

    Thanks

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What were the moves? That bench is looking dire - the rest is fine but the defence is a bit weak.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Bought Son back after the Mourinho saga:

        Barnes to Son
        Digne to Lamptey

        They could backfire I know...

        Hoping with the 0.3ITB I can do Buur to someone and Davis hopefully be Brewster soonish

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

      V strong team

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

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

      Wow, you must have good rank.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks don’t think rank means much right now but 309 overall points

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Top 10k I think you can do fine without my “advice”

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Early days, could all change! All it takes is one City bashing and I’ll plummet

    4. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep. Looks great.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

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

    Play Digne or Mitchell next GW? thanks

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Digne > Chilwell

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        had james so got rid of him for Saiss...

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Digne for sure

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        cheers..

    3. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Digne if you're ambitious, Mitchell for clean sheet points.

  9. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    sterling and mitro to :

    A - kane and grealish
    B son and watkins
    C son and maupay
    D just sterling to son no hit

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn’t be rushing to get rid of Sterling. Any other route to Son?

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        not really - i'm afraid that after kun/jesus are back the pep roullete wil be on

  10. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What about
    Werner and Podence
    To
    Brewster and Son
    For a hit.
    I was considering another week for Werner but not having Son is a killer.
    I would definitely captain Son if bringing him in.
    Any international duty for Son?
    All 4 players have decent fixtures so there is backfire potential but think I will do it before price changes.

  11. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Could do Jim > DCL, but I must say I'm nervous about that. Past two seasons when I dumped Jim after a couple blanks, he broke out right after.

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's Jimenez. A break out by him is a 6 pointer. I own him but he's allergic to hauling. So frustrating.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's fair. Just might have to do that and upgrade a mid, too, then.

      2. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        6 x 38 is 228 last I checked..

  12. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale Steer
    TAA KWP Taylor Justin Mitchell
    Salah Sterling Jota Romeu Bissouma
    Vardy Werner DCL

    0.2itb
    1ft

    Would you do Jota + Werner to Son + Wilson for -4?

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.

  13. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Barnes and Davis to Son and Watkins (-4) no brainer right?

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’m keeping Barnes.

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I think he will still do one but surely Son will do better no?

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  14. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    4 GW in and finally feel settled with my team:

    Martinez
    Justin, Saiss, Chilwell, KWP, Mitchell
    KDB, Bruno, J Rod, Zaha, Podence
    Jimenez, Kane, DCL

    Team value: £102m

  15. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best 4.5 GK?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ryan

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Meslier

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Leeds are about as open as a team can be. . . .

  16. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What transfers to make?
    Bruno? Davies? Adams? Justin? TAA?

    McCarthy
    TAA - Justin - Davies
    Salah - Kdb - Bruno - Podence
    DCL - Wilson - Adams

    (2.2itb,1FT)

  17. HippY
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2 FT to use. 101 pts this week, repairing the damage from a terrible GW3

    McCarthy Ryan
    Holding Justin KWP Digne Mitchell
    Salah JRodriguez Son Soucek Podence
    Jimenez Kane Werner

    A - Werner + Soucek > Zaha + Wilson
    B - Werner + Soucek > Zaha + Maupay
    C - Werner + Podence > Zaha + DCL (or Wilson/Maupay and bank the money?)

  18. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Given the Covid situation, it seems a big risk to be doing early transfers. Especially since players will be mixing with team mates from all over the world during the internationals.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wildcarded to beat the price rises . . . wait and see . . .

  19. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez, Steer
    Semedo--Lamptey --James--Mitchell--Dunne
    Salah--KDB--Mahrez--Foden--Burke
    Ings--DCL--Jimi

    1.2 itb and 1 FT
    Can someone suggest some good transfer here. I am totally clueless

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mahrez to Son, tonight. Thank me later.

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

    Beat defender for 5.4 that isn’t Saiss?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamps

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

        Have him too lol

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Has to be Bellerin

  21. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cheaper at the back best option going forward?

    CS are very rare how things go

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

      What I’m planning to do

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Same scenario occurred last season and then the big boys tightened up and the clean sheet points came flooding in

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes but with home crowd support,cant see it now

    3. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Left backs and right backs only

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes,not into dull central defenders

  22. stxrty
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC active and a midfield foursome of Son — Rodriguez — Salah — KDB

    OOOOFT.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      4 gws late but good for price rises

      1. stxrty
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Huh? I'm not just getting all four in now lol.

        The WC enables me to now get Son in rather than a cheapie.

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Needs more Grealish

    3. bOttOmEdpOstrEpliEr.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bring in Kane and do a threesome in midfield.

      1. stxrty
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        And shift?

  23. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    James & Foden to Chilwell & Jrod (-4)

    Yay or Nay?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Very kneejerky would hold

    2. Budgies
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chilwell & JRod cost £0.4m more, assume you have spare funds?

      1. The White Pele
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        1.7m itb. exact funds

    3. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes but wait until near the end of IB. If no problems do it.

  24. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Believe it or not after almost a decade of playing this game I still haven't figured out how to properly use my WC to make money.

    If I activate now and bring in risers then don't sell anyone for 2 weeks, is that how I make the money?

    Very tempted to play right now

    Help! Please?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I played it yesterday to avoid the price rises around JRod and DCL . . .so overnight I gained 0.2

  25. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    first hit of the year done
    vinagre to chilwell
    mitroshit to watkins

    will be priced out tomorrow

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitro good games coming up.

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        gets zero service fulham are so crap

    2. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good moves

  26. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    The build up to that Barnes goal was exquisite team passing.

    Almost a shame it was ruled out.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      90+3 minutes to wait for that

  27. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm sitting on this for after the international break. 1FT and 0.4 itb :
    McCarthy (che)
    TAA (eve) - Mitchell (BHA) - Saiss (lee)
    KDB (ARS) - Salah (eve) - Fernandes (new) - Pereria (BUR)
    DCL (LIV) - Mitro (shu) - Jimi (lee)

    Steer - Bissouma - Lascelles - Johnson

    A) Roll the FT
    B) Pereria + Jimi > Son + Bamford
    C) Something else
    C) Make 2/3 changes for -4/-8

  28. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Has Mitchell played his last game?

  29. Boberella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling + Podence > Son + Grealish for a hit?

    Every time I own Spurs players it goes wrong but Son is too damaging not to own.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would hold no hits international break coming up

  30. RohanVaswani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Jiminez Klitch 4.5 mid

    Or

    B) Watkins Podence Zaha?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A