Scout Notes

How Man City’s key FPL assets fared ahead of Spurs’ fixture swing

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

  • Goals: Gabriel Jesus (£9.3m) | Mohamed Salah (£12.4m)
  • Assists: Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) | Sadio Mané (£12.0m)
  • Missed penalties: De Bruyne
  • Bonus points: Jesus x3, Salah x2, João Cancelo x1 (£5.4m)

CITIZEN OR KANE?

Fantasy Premier League managers may want to get another look at Manchester City’s attacking assets before pulling the trigger on a Gameweek 9 transfer.

Ahead of a swing of fixtures in Gameweek 10, Pep Guardiola’s men are still struggling to hit their exhilarating best this season, most recently in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

The last time they scored more than one goal in a Premier League match was the 5-2 home defeat to Leicester in Gameweek 2 which preceded a run of consecutive matches in which they found the net just once.

Despite threatening very little against Liverpool, Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), remains Manchester City’s highest-scoring Fantasy asset this season, with 33 points, but ranks as low as joint-43rd when compared against the entire player pool.

Such statistics are largely unheard-of during Guardiola’s tenure at Manchester City, who have now drawn three of their last five Premier League matches, as many as in their previous 70.

As a result, the Citizens do not look quite ready to command the full attention of Fantasy managers looking to replace Son Heung-min (£9.6m) or Harry Kane (£11.0m) when Spurs’ fixtures turn for the worst in Gameweek 9. Considering Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m) and Timo Werner (£9.4m) are showing some consistency as well as favourable fixtures of their own, Manchester City assets certainly need to improve soon.

JESUS AT THE CENTRE

Whether or not Manchester City can get back to the devastating attacking form we have come to know is likely to depend on Gabriel Jesus (£9.3m).

The Brazilian made a first start since Gameweek 2 on Sunday, slotting back into the void he left through injury, naturally fulfilling the role better than Sterling, Ferran Torres (£6.9m) and Mahrez have in his absence.

As a result, despite Liverpool’s attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, it was Manchester City who slightly edged their opponents in terms of looking the more dangerous outfit going forward.

That led to Jesus scoring an excellent goal on the turn and ensuring he has found the net in both of his Premier League starts this season.

Considering the price points of players Fantasy managers are likely to sell, it is certainly easier to replace Kane with Jesus than finding the money to upgrade Son to Sterling or Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m).

“He was really good. I didn’t expect he could sustain 90 minutes, but he did. He helped us. He made a fantastic goal – a good goal. It was a good result for him.” – Pep Guardiola

CANCELO BUTTON

JOTA THAT DOWN

Despite blanking against Manchester City, the long-term Fantasy credentials of Diogo Jota (£6.5m) were handed a boost on Sunday.

After scoring six goals in his four matches in all competitions previous to Gameweek 8, he has already attracted 8.5% but many of us have been reticent to secure the services of someone who is hardly a nailed-on starter at Liverpool.

In order to facilitate Jota in the team, Jurgen Klopp usually has to switch to 4-2-3-1 and station him on the right-hand side of attacking midfield, although this is a formation he has used sparingly in the calendar year of 2020.

But that could be about to change, when we consider the Liverpool manager has now set his team up with that shape in two of the last five matches in all competitions and has admitted that we could see it more often.

“When you can do it (start Salah, Mané, Firmino and Jota) against City then you can do it against other teams as well. It will not be our new, all-the-time [formation] but there are moments when we might use it. That’s very helpful for us. Usually, people know which system we play, that’s now water under the bridge. From now on we can play three or four different systems, which is good, and tonight it worked really well. We wanted to use the skills and the power of the four up-front in specific moments to cause City problems, that’s one thing. The other thing is that we all like to prepare a game in the way that we know exactly what the opponent is doing and Pep, I don’t think he knew we would play 4-4-2. It’s not important but it needed a while for City to adapt to it, that was the plan for today. We will not have used that the last time.” – Jurgen Klopp

Finally, there will be plenty of attention on the outcome of Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s (£7.4m) scan, following an enforced substitution at Manchester City.

“Trent will be out for England, that is clear. What he has, we don’t know, but he cannot play for England. He will not be the last and not the only one who Gareth [Southgate] will miss for this international break. He will have a scan tomorrow and then we will see.” – Jurgen Klopp

Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Cancelo, Laporte, Dias, Walker; Gündogan, Rodri; Sterling, De Bruyne, Torres (B Silva 61′); Jesus.

Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Robertson, Gomez, Matip, Alexander-Arnold (Milner 63′); Wijnaldum, J Henderson; Mané, Firmino (Shaqiri 59′), Jota; Salah.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 8

837 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KdB & Cancelo for me

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

    is it crazy for Son+DLC => Bruno+Watkins??

  3. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    "CITIZEN OR KANE?"

    This is genius, top top quality writing. Well done Munday.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, David gets some abuse about his rank history but his writing is top notch.

  4. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Quite tempted to target Fulham (EVE, lei, mci, LIV) for the next 4 matches

    DCL, Vardy, KDB & Salah captain next 4 weeks.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It might work, but we aware of DCL and even Vardy

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Can we trust DCL with the armband?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Great question

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I wouldn't as he's only 'exploded' once this season, and Everton have been supplying less chances to him for the last few weeks.

        Hopefully changes this GW with Richy back too, but we'll see.

    3. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I find this strategy quite enticing.

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

      I'm with you on 3 out of 4 but will probably skip the DCL one.

  5. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who should I prioritise in getting in: Grealish or Bruno?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Both for a hit imo. If you must than Grealish, I think away games are better suited for Bruno

  6. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Was it just me that wasn't impressed with KDB last game? Looked to be missing his usual flare and accuracy

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He was injured recently. He needs time to get match fit and be sharp. His stats are still good. I might skip him for the Burnley game and wait one more GW but after that he is coming in most probably

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah I guess I'm weighing up Son replacement, and was due to be KDB but Ziyech bandwagon tempting...glad it wasn't just me, perhaps just not his day

    2. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      City overall haven't been themselves attacking wise tbh.

    3. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Doesn't help that every team who played them played deep even pool played deep too which I was surpised

    4. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He’s getting forward which is the main thing. He can flick a switch so not worried about a rare off day from him

    5. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They don't look anywhere near the invincibles they once were. I'm following form over fixtures this season so I'll pass for now

    6. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yet still he has 6 assists in his last 4 games (in PL/CL) and is about to embark on a dream fixture run. Don't overthink it.

  7. @FPLMason
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No Ruben Dias takers?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No thanks

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would prefer to take my chances with Cancelo

  8. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who's more nailed, Cancelo or Dias? Was going to get Dias personally

    1. NOMONEY
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      no such thing as nailed, the main CBs should be laporte and dias, ake will play the occasional game here and there, and then throw in fernandinho and stones who can also play there..

      i mean its pep, who knows

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dias by far

    3. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It's Pep. Nobody is nailed tbh.

  9. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which WC team do you prefer?

    Team A
    Martinez, Button
    Chilwell Coufal Holding Lewis 3.9
    Salah KdB Bruno Grealish (Bissouma)
    Vardy DCL Watkins

    Team B
    Martinez, Button
    Chilwell, Cancelo Creswel, 4.5 3.9
    Salah KdB Bruno Grealish Ziyech DCL Watkins (Brewster)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm a bit traditional. Would rather 3-4-3, especially with many value forwards near the 6 mill mark.

  10. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anything you’d change about this defence on WC? Nothing itb...

    Martinez Forster
    Chilwell Lamptey Justin Coufal 3.9

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Standard defence

    2. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I have creswell for coufal and rest same.

  11. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    from Aston Villa--better to have Martinez or Targett?

    current GK is McCarthy; will look to transfer out Saiss, who is one of the DFs

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A lot have been suggesting Targett. I'm happy to hold McCarthy.

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d stick with McCarthy if you have him. Targett was solid against Arsenal and does deliver the odd assist - decent value at 4.5

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Targett doesn’t get forward enough for me, I prefer Martinez

  12. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Still undecided between Rash or Bruno for my MU midfield cover. Rash price point makes him more attractive but Bruno just seems the safer and more consistent pick.
    Thoughts?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno has been the best player in the game since he's been added.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don't think Man U cover is a necessity

    3. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno

    4. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno worth the extra

    5. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you have to, Bruno.

    6. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno for me no doubt

  13. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez+KWP worth the 0.3 over McCarthy and Targett? I don't think it is but most people on WC seem to go for the former..

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Prefer latter

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martinez will heavily outscore McCarthy long term imo due to fixtures alone. The former

  14. Vlad
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota might be rotated and benched more when Fabinho and Thiago are back. Cancelo also a rotation risk, so is Jesus when Aguero is back.
    Basically only sterling and kdb are safe options for mci, but they cost as much as they cost and if mci can’t find the usual shape they are not worth it.

    1. NOMONEY
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      agreed on city, none of the options look that appealing

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Well said

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      City have a fit striker now, with the fixtures coming up there’s no way I’m going without KDB/Sterling

      1. Vlad
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Both or one of them?

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Just one

          1. Vlad
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Though choice. I will cover with one for sure, its the safe thing to do. But what depresses me I still have my wc and I was planing to exploit the mci fixtures with a triple , which know doesn’t seem a viable plan. I mean it could work but more likely not.

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

              Go Jesus, KDB & Cancelo, but save money itb for an upgrade to Kun. It's a risk but could pay off big.

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Captain dilemma?

    Just put it on Mo?

    Got no United or City assets.

    Could go rogue and put it on Grealish or DCL?

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mo safest for me

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m going Grealish

    3. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno if you have him.

  16. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    0 FT 0,3 ITB

    Anything you would change for a hit?

    Mendy
    Chillwell - Holding - Justin
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Grealish
    Vardy - DCL - Wilson

    (Button - Bissouma - Taylor - Ferguson)

    I'm thinking:

    Vardy + Son --> Kane + City asset could be a good investment.

    But Vardy + Son is a deadly combination aswell, so will probably hold for now.
    Any comments much appreciated.

    Thanks.

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

      Have you seen Vardy's next 3 after Liverpool? No way I'd be removing him.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No, no. Looks good as is!

    3. Vlad
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No hits for that team

  17. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on my current WC draft?

    Martinez
    Konsa, Coufal, Chilwell, Cancelo, KWP
    Ziyech, Salah, Grealish, Bruno, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Jesus

    Might make sense to try to get KdB in for Grealish and lose Jesus

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Losing Grealish is mental

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This

      2. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Okay no KdB than?

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Upgrade ziyech or bruno if you really want him. Not really sure about jesus's nailedness so wouldn't get him.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Werner over Jesus?

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Burnley a Fulham at the eithad don't want to miss out that. Maybe afterwards

    3. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You could probably even squeeze him in for Soucek by bringing in Brewster for Jesus and trimming the defense

  18. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which one ?
    A. James, son -> 4.0 def, bruno
    B. Robertson, son -> cancello, bruno

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't like any of that

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Constructive

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Not much more to say unfortunately.

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

        Why

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

      If A stretch to kilman

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Only Son to Bruno this week? Will def be good enough?
    Some additional move?

    2FTs, 1.6ITB

    Martinez
    Robo/Kilman/Chilwell
    Salah/Son/Hamez/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Martin/Reguilon/Mitchell/Stephens

  20. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB dropping currently. Any chance he's 11.4 before next deadline?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think the casuals will help get him to 11.4 yes

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Still a long way to go though 45k transfers

  21. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Think it's WC time for my team now?

    McCarthy Nyland
    Bavies Cresswell Coady Lamptey Dallas
    Salah Son Sterling Podence Bissouma
    Kane DCL Adams

  22. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else not had a goal from any of their defenders yet ?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone else not had a CS from their forwards yet?

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Chilwell changed that for me last gw thankfully

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hadn't thought about it, but yep, here.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Or no, Chilwell last week!

    4. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I've had 4, Saiss(GW1), Zouma(GW7), Lamptey(GW7), Chilwell(GW8)

  23. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ay or nay?

    Son & Podence to Grealish & Rashford? (Free)

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Team:

      McCarthy
      Justin - Chilwell - Targett
      Salah - Son - Podence - Bruno
      Kane - Adams - DCL

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

      I'd probably just do Son to Grealish and roll one FT.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Podence to Souchef

  24. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    do you think Watkins is a good choice? just got Wilson recently (seeing as he has good form, fixtures, key player for team); who do think will do better?

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You need to transfer out Wilson he might miss like 10 games.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Both fine. I have Bamford in that slot

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Prefer Bamford & Antonio (if fit) over Watkins. Grealish is definitely the better option and I don't like the idea of doubling up on Villa attack.
      Also Wilson might be injured for a few weeks.

    4. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would like Antonio over him if he is indeed due to come back for the next gameweek. Watkins is fine with the run of fixtures Villa have next though

  25. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On a wildcard, would you get Bruno or Vardy?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno probably

    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno

  26. Jässi
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT and 0.4 ITB, what would you do?

    A) Son, Pulisic & Brewster -> Bruno, Soucek & Watkins (-4)
    B) Son, Pulisic & Brewster -> KDB, Soucek & Bamford (-4)
    C) Son & Pulisic -> Bruno & Soucek (play Soucek, bench Brewster)
    D) Pulisic -> Hamez and save 1 FT

    Rest of the squad is:

    McCarthy - Forster
    Zouma - Robertson - Dallas - Konsa - Mitchell
    Salah - Grealish - Zaha - Pulisic* - Son*
    Kane - DCL - Brewster*

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Robertson, Pulisic -> XXX, Bruno?

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This is a better suggestion

  27. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Feel pretty happy with my team.
    Save FT if no injuries?

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Zouma
    Salah Son Ziyech Grealish
    Kane DCL Bamford

    (Steer Ayling Justin Bissouma) 1FT 0.1ITB

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good to me!

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate!

  28. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guys I have one query.....Which transfer is worth doing??

    A. Son >> Bruno
    B. Bowen & TAA >> Bruno & Coufal
    C. Hold

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      TAA could miss the next 3 games so B

  29. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi all

    Currently have zero bench cover (team below). Who would you prioritise shifting?

    Was thinking Saiss to a cheapie - Kilman, KWP, other?

    Martinez
    Chilwell - Cancelo - Lamptey
    Salah - Fernandes - Grealish - Zaha
    Kane - DCL - Wilson*

    Steer / Saiss - Mitchell - Burke

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

      (1m ITB.)

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Saiss out for sure. Cheapie is fine and use the money next week to upgrade to a City player

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

      Is Kilman 100% nailed?

  30. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you take 2 consecutive -4 hits if you could end up with the below team? Feels way too imbalanced, no?

    Martinez
    Cresswell - Chilwell - Lamptey (Mitchell - Ferguson)
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Grealish - Soucek
    Kane - DCL (Brewster)

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

      Yes - Great team. Kane to Vardy GW10?