Scout Notes

Injury latest on De Bruyne as Gundogan emerges as Man City’s best FPL attacker

Man City 2-0 Aston Villa

  • Goals: Bernardo Silva (£7.4m), Ilkay Gündogan (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Rodrigo (£5.4m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m)
  • Bonus points: Rodrigo x3, Gündogan x2, João Cancelo x1 (£5.8m), Ruben Dias x1 (£5.8m), B Silva x1

KEVIN!

Pep Guardiola and owners of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) alike will be sweating on his fitness after the player was forced off in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

There were already concerns about the Belgian’s condition going into Wednesday night considering he was given a rest during the final 20 minutes of the 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace.

De Bruyne was able to start for the 13th straight Premier League game but he lasted just 58 minutes in the second match of Double Gameweek 19.

And Guardiola only heaped further concern on De Bruyne’s owners by confirming post-match that the injury could be muscular.

“Kevin De Bruyne put his hand on his leg, so I have the feeling it will be something muscular. These things happen with this amount of games.” – Pep Guardiola

It is, of course, too soon for either Guardiola or Fantasy managers to know the full extent of De Bruyne’s injury and the player is likely to have a scan on Thursday to assess the damage.

It is worth saying that there is slightly longer than usual for De Bruyne to recover considering that Manchester City’s next Premier League match does not take place until next Tuesday.

There is also an FA Cup match against Cheltenham Town on Saturday which will allow Guardiola a chance to rest De Bruyne.

Crucially, it means we will have at least two pre-match press conferences for the manager to update us on the Belgian although not many in the Fantasy community will enjoy being at Guardiola’s mercy in a media briefing…

HAPPINESS IS A WARM GÜN

Ilkay Gündogan (£5.5m) extended his impressive run of form for Manchester City on Wednesday evening.

His fifth goal of the season, and second of Double Gameweek 19, helped the German international to a third double-digit haul since Gameweek 13, more than any colleague across the same period.

In total, Gündogan has racked up 54 points in his last seven matches (7.7 per game) and, with West Bromwich Albion (away) and Sheffield United (home) up next, interest in his signature is sure to increase.

His new advanced role has been well-documented of late but what helped him get on the scoresheet against Aston Villa was his place in the penalty pecking order.

With a flagging De Bruyne removed from proceedings after 58 minutes, it fell to Gündogan to dispatch a 90th-minute spot-kick after Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) had forced a handball out of Matty Cash (£5.0m).

And if the Belgian is set to miss a few games, then Gündogan’s stock can only increase further, especially if he has a stronger claim to penalties than Jesus and Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m), who he shared the pitch with during stoppage time against Aston Villa.

Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) had gone off by the time Gündogan put Manchester City 2-0 up but his troubles from the spot this season have been well-documented.

SILVA LINING

For the second time in three Premier League matches, Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) was selected to occupy the false-nine role for Manchester City.

With Jesus consigned to the bench for the second time during that run, Guardiola’s preference for a more fluid front-three comprised of midfielders is becoming clear.

Judging by his pre-match comments, it sounds as if that outset may continue until either Jesus or Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) can start finding the net again – when given an opportunity, that is.

“Strikers have to score goals. The way we want to play does not depend on strikers, centre-backs, full-backs. We have a special way to play, sometimes we need strikers, sometimes we don’t.” – Pep Guardiola

Silva is already reaping the rewards of his false-nine role as he scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Aston Villa.

But he went close on other occasions including a well-saved header at the back post in the third minute.

“Bernardo Silva, I said many times, is one of the most intelligent players I have ever seen. He can do everything in every position and he has the quality to score goals too. It’s really good for him and us. A fantastic goal.” – Pep Guardiola

CANCELO CULTURE

The João Cancelo (£5.8m) rollercoaster still had plenty of dips and loop-the-loops in the second match of Double Gameweek 19.

Fresh from a one-point cameo against Crystal Palace, the full-back returned to the side on Wednesday evening, playing in the left-back role initially and securing a clean sheet and one bonus.

That made for an eight-point score for the Double Gameweek while John Stones (£5.1m) and Ruben Dias (£5.8m) enjoyed 27 and 17-point hauls.

But Cancelo certainly had chances to get close to his central-defensive counterparts as he struck the crossbar in the first half, which would have resulted in a De Bruyne assist had he found the back of the net.

And in the second half, the Portuguese international drove through the middle of the pitch and fired an arrow of a shot at the bottom corner before Emiliano Martínez (£5.1m) turned away a certain goal.

It is worth saying that Cancelo was more involved in the game during the first half when stationed on the left-hand side of Manchester City’s defence.

However, he was forced to staff the right-back berth after the 28th minute when Kyle Walker (£6.1m) was forced off with a knock and replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) – a switch that somewhat limited his involvement.

That said, Cancelo’s chances of starting games and avoiding further benchings could be boosted if Walker faces more time on the sidelines.

“I haven’t spoken to the doctor. If Kyle Walker asks to be out, it is because something happened. Hopefully just a kick.” – Pep Guardiola

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Walker (Zinchenko 28′); Gündogan, Rodri, De Bruyne (Jesus 59′); Foden, B Silva, Sterling (Mahrez 72′).

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Targett (N Taylor 75′), Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; Grealish, Barkley (Ramsey 68′), B Traoré (El Ghazi 68′); Watkins.

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1,041 Comments Post a Comment
  1. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can't believe this GW and my green arrow depends on Robertson and Martinez

  2. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wish you could block people on here, would make it so much more enjoyable

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just flag all their comments 🙂

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

      Who's annoying you packie?

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just need to avoid here during games!

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That's true! Ppl say crazy things and it would make you question ppls age or mental state

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      'Is 120 points with 5 including Salah (c) to go any good?'

  3. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ok so I'm having a terrible season (as you probably know) and need a rank boost FAST if any chance of a decent rank...

    Used BB & FH

    Do I just use WC this GW, did something similar last season and jumped from 60k to 16k in about 2 GWs. It shaped my season...

    Team is:

    Martinez / Johnstone
    Dias / James / Cresswell / Dallas / Coufal
    Bruno / Salah / Rashford / Raphinha / Soucek
    Werner / Bamford / Watkins

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Save wc imo. That team is good

      A couple of tweeks and you'll be good agsin

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

      Werner and James to Vardy & Mitchell

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

      I'd WC in 23. Get double Spurs.

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    An assist each is not what was expected of KDB(c) and Bruno this week... 🙁 oh well. Onwards and upwards hopefully. Salah Martinez Watkins Pieters to go.

    Kinda almost hoping KDB is just ruled out short term, makes my planned KDB to Gundo this week even easier

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

    I'm taking a long break from here. Never felt so depressed from fpl before. Gonna forget about it and enjoy other things.

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

      Plenty more to enjoy, certainly. Farewell.

    2. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      See you tomorrow then

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

      What other things? Baking?

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

      See you on the next page Fudgy x

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheer up Fudgy, we still have Wood to save our seasons tomorrow

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

      It was quite beautiful to see the TC fail after all those anti-jinx attempts.

    7. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Haha you are nearly on 30 points more than me and my TC team

  6. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    As usual KDB captainers were rubbing it in after the first game. Balls now in your court Salah.

  7. Jammy Dodger
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need Salah to score 7+ points to hit a 150 gw! #crossedeverything!!

  8. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    111 with salah to go. Disappointing as league leader smashed it with Gundo and Pogba

  9. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Why was Targett subbed doesn't anybody know, injury or tactical?

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      look tired
      but he was excellent

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

      Injured aye.

  10. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    ??Do I want 3 MC defenders or 2+Gundog??

    1. Jammy Dodger
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2 +Gund

    2. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundogoal essential for the coming games against poor opponents.

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can we trust Gundogan? Still think I’d go double defence. Cancelo has to score big soon!!

      1. boombaba
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He said triple defence

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

        On Stones/Cancelo now

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2 & Foden if u can

  11. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I usually don't post my good scores but this is a really good gw.142 with 3 to go!

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Some going

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good going my team still hasn't scored a goal in a DGW.

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

      5 stars
      https://imgbox.com/UfbMbgHa

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Epic score!

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

      Nice work

  12. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Moving up to just outside 100k with Salah Martinez Watkins Pieters to go. Can’t complain too much despite that incredibly frustrating KDB captain fail

  13. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Real Madrid out from cup by 3rd divison team hahahahah.

  14. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I would be in the 50s had I not taken a -8 this week, so thanks to those who encouraged this: McCarthy, Targett, DCL > Martinez, Stones, Antonio

  15. Jambot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just seen spurs v Wba being moved do we know where it might go?

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

      Hello??

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

      Imagine it gets slotted into this gameweek!

    3. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think it's just rescheduled by a day or two. Move from. A Saturday to a Sunday or Monday

  16. boombaba
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    132 with salah captain and grealish and martinez still to come

  17. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is the German going to be alright?

  18. Magic Hamster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does Robertson to a city defender make sense? (only have KDB for city, and salah for pool). If so which one... I'm thinking stones or cancelo?

    1. boombaba
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias

  19. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How bad did the Walker injury look?

    If he's out a while then Cancelo is a lock

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

      Cancelo was a lock anyway.

  20. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    93 with Salah Robertson Martinez to play - good or bad ?

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Average

    2. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bad

  21. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Season is pretty much over with no where close to my target of 150 points for the GW and massive DGW fail, but at least my BB was a relative success with 23 points

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

      Link team

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        118 (-8)... just useless Chris plonkerwood left

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

          Beautiful

  22. Karhumies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Free Hit team: 113 with Salah C, Mane and Robbo to play

    My team from last week without any transfers, chips or moving the armband (2/11 players in common with FH team): 113 with Martinez and Watkins to play

    Not sure if this was a successful FH, but at least it did not backfire on me.

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Similar mate.. took an -8 point hit to get ederson and vardy in for Kane and steer.

      Total points was 17-8=9

      The same as Kane on his own and steer benched!

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

        I was similar last year. My FH team scored just 9 points more than my normal team would've done.

        I'm always gonna prefer to FH in blanks where you're guaranteed value and as a way to do damage control rather than in doubles when your SGW players can occasionally outscore your doubles like Kane over Vardy.

        1. MikeS
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yer I've never done well with bench boost, often triple captain is a let down too. Free hit the best chip like you say, in weeks when you're struggling to field 11

        2. Karhumies
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Captain choice could have huge swings this GW. I thought about Dias, Salah and Vardy and went for the middle option. My ML leader used TC on Soucek. He's not the leader anymore. Owning vs not owning Stones was also massive.

          1. MikeS
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yer stones was lucky. I toyed with Antonio captain but didn't have the balls.. went for Salah too

      2. Karhumies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Team from last week:
        Saka 9, Kane 9, Sterling C 2x 11 = 22, Fernandes 8, Son 5...did not expect that much from them.

        FH team:
        Soucek 4, Vardy 4, Salah & Mane 3 each from first match...was expecting more from them.

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

      Cue Pool blank and Watkins hatty

  23. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Already own Dias, should I now get....

    A) Cancelo

    B) Stones

    C) Digne

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

      B

  24. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Scenes when Kdb misses this weekend and Bruno is rested vs SHU

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lol.. glad I got a rock solid bench from playing bb

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who is gonna play CAM Lingard?

  25. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    WC18-ers the big winners of the BGW-DGW?

    I played no chips and got a small green in 18 and will scrape a ton this week, which is not to be sniffed at I know.

    But I have tracked a few people who WC-ed in 18 like my bro, and they’ve had well above average in 18 and are pushing 150 this GW.

    Incredible rank increases if you are one of them!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've been doing awful and have raised by 1 million.

      But what paid off for me was no chips until BB this week and playing into the blank game week with one eye on DGW.

      Planning for dgw in late December or early Jan was madness and why did Leeds v Southampton look so attractive anyhow?

  26. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    123 gw points with 1 to go.

    Only a Salah haul will switch BB logic to TC.

    Ge rank drop from 21,000 to 33,000 tho.

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No way you dropped that much unless you are on -16 hit or something

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Minus 4.

        Gw rank not overall
        ... Hence the big rise!

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Oh ok.. no one cares about gw rank 😛

  27. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Assuming KDB is injured, best option here please?

    Martinez
    Robertson Stones Cancelo Coufal
    Salah KDB Fernandes Rahpinha
    Vardy Bamford

    Forster Soucek Brewster Ferguson

    1 FT, 0.2 itb

    1. KDB >> Sterling
    2. KDB >> Gundogan (save funds to bring in Son / Kane for someone next week)
    3. KDB >> Son
    4. Save FT, play Soucek

    Thanks

  28. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford captain this weekend feels tempting

    Has had his rest and is playing against a Sheffield United without Egan

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I can't get him in but I think it's a great shout. They are super vulnerable to pace.

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm doing it. It's his last game in my team, so if he blanks he can f off and never come back.

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

      Plays Man United this weekend in cup

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

        * oops-plays Liverpool

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

      Yep, especially when Bruno has his rest

  29. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    58 points from my triple city def this week is madness (Ederson, stones and Dias)

    Anyone else on the triple up? Perhaps with cancelo

  30. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    62 points with Martinez Targett Salah C to play.

    I real car crash of a game week.

    1. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Love it when the post above you practically gets your entire team score with just 3 players....

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Soz