Scout Notes

How De Bruyne looked on his Man City return against Arsenal

Arsenal 0-1 Manchester City

  • Goals: Raheem Sterling (£11.6m)
  • Assists: Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m)
  • Bonus: Fernandinho (£5.4m), Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) x2, Mahrez, Ruben Dias (£6.1m) x1

A fixture between two of the division’s meanest defences ended in a predictably low-scoring game.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) settled the contest after little more than a minute, nodding home Riyad Mahrez‘s (£8.1m) teasing cross from close range.

Pep Guardiola’s side secured their 15th clean sheet of the season, and their 11th shut-out in 13 matches that featured both Ruben Dias (£6.1m) and John Stones (£5.2m) at centre-back.

TALK ABOUT KEVIN

Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m) made a swift return from a groin injury in Sunday’s match in north London, while Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) was handed his first start in a month after his own recent lay-off.

Neither player could deliver an attacking return, although the pair almost combined for a City second when Gundogan made a hash of his teammate’s pinpoint through-ball.

Part of a fluid three in Pep Guardiola’s strikerless set-up, the pair took their turns along with Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) in operating as the spearhead of the City attack.

Many of us will already own Gundogan: his ownership stands at over 85% in the top 10k (a better gauge of active managers than the overall figure) and may increase further heading into Double Gameweek 26.

But De Bruyne sits in less than 1% of these squads and is something of a differential among active managers.

.

He looked the part at times on Sunday, supplying two superb key passes to Sterling and Gundogan before almost finding the back of the net with an audacious chip in the second half.

Both Gundogan and De Bruyne have found themselves in more advanced positions than usual this season and the former has adapted better: the German has converted 28.9% of his shots in 2020/21, with De Bruyne’s rate down at a poor 4.8%.

The Belgian can’t even begin to compete when it comes to value for money and it is more of a question over whether he can form a double-up with Gundogan in FPL squads going into the Double Gameweeks.

Still a tad rusty and rested by his manager after an hour at the Emirates, his final audition will come on Wednesday against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

He’ll have that game not only to prove his match-sharpness but to suggest he is a preferable premium option to the quietly consistent Sterling, who now has 13 attacking returns in his last 14 Premier League starts.

CANCELO CULTURE

“He’s due a haul” sums up Joao Cancelo‘s (£6.1m) season as a Fantasy asset.

One duly arrived in Gameweek 20 against West Bromwich Albion but the fact remains that this was one of just two Premier League matches this season in which the defender-turned-midfielder has delivered attacking returns.

The likes of Joel Matip (£5.4m) and Darnell Furlong (£4.5m) have exactly the same record as Cancelo in terms of goals (one) and assists (two), although the 12 clean sheets that the Portuguese full-back has banked are a bit of a sweetener.

There was yet another “nearly” moment at the Emirates, with the premium City defender tiptoeing his way into the Arsenal penalty box and ruining a superb feint on Pablo Mari (£4.4m) by prodding wide from 10 yards.

Another haul does seem inevitable at some point – but then so does the odd benching given City’s upcoming schedule, and that is the trade-off owners have to swallow.

SUB-PAR

Injury updates on Aguero and Antonio as De Bruyne makes return in West Ham draw

It was a third successive Premier League game as a non-playing substitute for Sergio Aguero (£10.3m), whose campaign has been hampered by a knee problem, a hamstring injury and even a positive coronavirus test.

The Argentine has little more than two hours of game-time to his name in the top flight this season; the fact that we are approaching successive Double Gameweeks for City without even considering him as a viable FPL option shows how much of a non-event his 2020/21 has been.

His playing return could be imminent, however, at least according to his manager:

I am looking forward to putting him in. We cannot forget he was a long time injured and you get rhythm when you play minutes.

But he deserves to play and I want it. I want to say keep working hard and your time is coming.

It’s about his physical condition – he was one year injured; he only played a few minutes. I want to be sure for him – for us as well – but for him.

ART LIES ELSEWHERE

European club competition returned last week and much of what we wrote about Tottenham Hotspur in another Gameweek 25 Scout Notes may also apply to their north London neighbours.

The Gunners are 11 points away from a top-four spot and their best bet for securing qualification to next year’s Champions League may be to win this year’s Europa League.

The deeper the Gunners go into that competition, and the longer they remain mid-table fodder, then the risks of rotation around Thursday nights on the continent will increase.

We saw the first glimpses of that at the weekend, with Mikel Arteta making five changes to the team that lined up both in Gameweek 25 and in midweek against Benfica – semi-popular budget midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (£4.3m) finally losing his spot after 10 successive league starts.

Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) was a welcome returnee on his comeback from injury and would be among the names to consider for the Gunners’ fixture swing in Gameweek 31, with he and left-sided partner-in-crime Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) again catching the eye going forward on Sunday.

But should Arteta’s troops still be involved in the Europa League when the tournament reaches the quarter-final stage, then the Gunners’ Premier League line-ups could be tricky to second-guess.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Holding (Luiz 82), Mari, Tierney; Elneny (Ceballos 86), Xhaka; Pepe (Smith-Rowe 73), Odegaard (Lacazette 73), Saka; Aubameyang.

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, Silva, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne (Jesus 63′), Sterling.

1,044 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Quick vote for defender transfer this week; Coufal OUT for ?

    1. Digne
    2. Pereira
    3. Other? up to 6.5m (excl. MCI)

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2

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

      2

    3. Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I understand that Pereira has better fixtures. But Digne does have decent fixtures too and could play twice on GW27/28?

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This is whats getting me, the extra games that could be happening. Pereira has a great run, though Everton with an extra game or two could be a lot more tasty. Pereira is a super differential as well.

        1. Gemma817
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I'm on the same boat. It's a tough choice. The 0.7% ownership is enticing.
          To break it down
          Pereira from GW 26 to 28 -> Ars (h), Bur (a), Bha (a), Shu (h)
          Digne -> Sou (h), Wba (a), Che (a), Bur (h) & likely Avl (a)*

          I think Digne edges it for me

    4. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1

    5. Trippier Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1 for me too

  2. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1 Free transfer and 0.1 itb.
    Best Grealish replacement next couple of game weeks?

    A) Gundogan (Already have Sterling/Stones)

    B) H. Barnes

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      a

    3. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Trippier Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Try to get both?

  3. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to ship for DCL?

    A) Antonio
    B) Ings

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      antonio

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

      a

    3. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yikes, thats hard. Ings could have another double. Antonio has trash fixtures but can score.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah tough, Antonio plays 29 as well.

    4. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio.

      Ings has a double in 27.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        True but Antonio plays in 29 which is also part of my thinking.

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

        The double includes MCI though - so it's essentially a ceiling of 2 for that match...

    5. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    6. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all, surprised at the consensus tbh.

    7. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B. Ings peaked last season. It's all downhill from here.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.

  4. hogree
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How's this Wildcard look?

    Martinez
    Targett - White - Shaw - Cancelo - Aina
    KDB - Gundo - Fernandes - Son - Lookman
    Calvert-Lewin - Watkins - Kane

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Salah?

      1. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Past 11 weeks Salah averaging sub 4.2ppg. Not good for an 8m player, let alone 12.5.

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Salah for a DGW isn't good ;-). Especially against Sheff UTD

      1. Don Van Vliet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Salah-di-dah

  5. Pilgrim62
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who do you prefer:
    a .Lascelles
    or
    b. Lewis

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Neither. Newcastle are garbage.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This.

    2. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A. He has a much better name. Lewis sounds like he should be working at the local chemist.

  6. hogree
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this Wildcard lads

    Martinez
    Targett - White - Shaw - Cancelo - Aina
    KDB - Gundo - Fernandes - Son - Lookman
    Calvert-Lewin - Watkins - Kane

    1. hogree
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Whoops sorry

    2. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Barnes or Digne?

    3. Johnny too hotty
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Will you have benching headaches ?
      Do you have fh left

      1. hogree
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nah. I dont think benching headache to be honest. Lookman as backup, simple defensive decisions

  7. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Targett and Barnes
    OR
    B) Digne and Watkins

    1. gryffsonofarthur
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  8. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play pope or areola? thank you.

    1. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Areola

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope.

    3. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go Pope

  9. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lots of people touting Pereira who clearly weren't frustrated wining him last season 😛

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sure to end in tears

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Got him in as a minus 4 on an early transfer immediately before lockdown. Not sure how that happened but that’s when he got injured

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

        Annoying. At least you got a free wildcard, hey!

  10. AlCapwnUK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dallas to stones for -4?
    Raphinha to Foden for -4?

    Dallas to Dias, Raphinha to Lookman -8

    BB team

    Martinez, McCarthy
    Cancelo, Target, Lowton, Dallas, White
    Bruno, Salah, Barnes, Gundo, Raphinha
    Kane, DCL Bamford

  11. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Safe enough to pull the trigger on Ings to DCL?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If I want DCL why not.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You not I

    2. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings has a nice DGW27

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No he absolutely doesn't at all.

        One is City.

        Also blank 29

  12. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you prefer?

    A. Son (have Kane)

    B. Rashford (have Bruno and Shaw)

    Cheers

    1. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  13. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    how nailed on is Stones for City's next 4 league games

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3/4 i d say

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nailed as possible for 3 of them 50/50 on the other

      1. baines is god
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dias the same or will he likely play all 4?

        Only thing is I assume Stones will start both CL legs which makes him even more prone to rotation

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      But don’t worry he will score again to make up for it

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think he plays. Well 90% lol

  14. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone got 15 dgw players on their BB?

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For a -12, how does she look -

      Martinez Areola
      Pereira Cancelo Stones Shaw Rudiger
      Salah Fernandes Barnes Maddison Gundogan
      DCL Watkins Kane

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Very nice

    2. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've got 14 + Bam

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lovely

  15. cigan
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Got 1 FT with 2.5 cash itb. No BB. I think the core of the team looks good atm but not confident in defensive options at all + missing Spurs attack so a -4 is on the cards I think

    Martinez (Johnstone)
    Dias Cancelo Mee (Dallas Coufal)
    Salah Bruno Barnes Gundogan (Raphinha)
    DCL Ings Bamford

    A) Ings & Coufal > Kane & Konsa (-4)
    B) Ings & Mee > Kane & Targett (-4)
    C) Bamford & Mee > Vardy & Mitchell (-4)
    D) just Coufal > Pereira/Castagne

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

  16. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone considering bringing in Pereira (5.4m) from WBA. 5 goals and 4 assists this season. On all the set pieces, up next BHA, EVE, NEW, cpl.
    Can't get any better fixtures and WBA know it's now or never.

    1. Eastman
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes me for Grealish

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thinking the same, i may bench boost and Pereira would be in my squad. Just need a goal from him in the DGW and the transfer would be justified.

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No. They are really bad

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        they're bad, though he looks good and i think it's worth the risk to hope he can haul over two games

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tempted but that West Brom kit looks minging in my team

    4. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Great option if you have a space for him.

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        if i bench boost, he's in.

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

      Yes

  17. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What's the most pts/hits you'll do for a BB?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      -8

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      8

    3. Trippier Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm looking at between -4 to -16 combos, but will probably end on -8 ish, it is a -4 on a DGW effectively

    4. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all

    5. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Really depends on the players you're bringing in for mine.

    6. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm doing 8

    1. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      haha! bit strange though if they don't also ban pressers

    2. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've been saying for years that it shouldn't be allowed as it presents a clear conflict of interest on multiple levels. Kind of glad this has happened.

      1. Don Van Vliet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Even my local team prohibited you from owning yourself when we did an integrated fantasy football league (using the Telegraph's system with 2 additional players from our own club) about 15-20 years ago.

  18. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated, no idea what I’m doing atm - I have 1.2 ITB, 1 FT, plus a WC, TC and BB

    Pope
    Dias Cancelo Mee
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo Raphinha
    Ings DCL Bamford

    Steer, Ings, Dallas, Coufal

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You've got Ings twice.

  19. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else looking at Salisu for their double?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Only you.

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

        Alright, jog on then.

  20. highsguy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lowton and Coufal to Targett and Pereira -4 for this squad?

    Areola
    Dias Cancelo Targett Pereira
    Son Salah Gundo Bruno
    DCL Watkins
    B: Pope Bamford Raph Dallas

  21. ppv
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Villa players banned from playing FPL because of Grealish leaks. Seeing as you can't look at anyone's team until after the deadline and update, can anyone tell me how anyone knew about players selling Jack?

    1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      it was about giving their actual opponent information on the squad, nothing to do with FPL. Turns out the managers don't give a crap about FPL.

    2. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Twitter.

      1. ppv
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        So Villa players leaked teir own teams on Twitter?

        1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          the deadline was friday, people are aware of player and worker's team accounts and noticed they all took him out after the deadline. so Leicester had two days heads up he was injured.

    3. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        They got no balls at that club. What a stupid decision to ban players from playing fpl as if they lost because of fpl

      • istanbul05
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think the point is that no one wants their injury/team news leaked before their game, not FPL deadline.

        1. ppv
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Right OK. Friday night deadline! Of course

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

          Yeah.

          Whilst I don't think the FPL Insider Twitter Account is breaking any game rules or terms explicitly themselves, it is towing a fine line on the following T&C:

          -----------

          PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES:

          31. You also warrant and agree that you shall not:

          (b) upload, post, publish, transmit, reproduce, distribute or in any way exploit any information or other material obtained through the Game for commercial purposes (other than as expressly permitted by the provider of such information or other material);

          -----------

          Their account isn't likely making profit, but others could do owing to this information getting out.

          The wording is explicit as 'commercial' though, which causes them a bit of an issue in this instance.

      • DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm wondering this too. The word came out of a grealish possible injury before game was updated on Friday.

        1. Manani
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I doubt they care about players making use of 'insider information' to benefit that FPL team, is more about Leicester knowing Grealish wont be playing 2 days before the game and can plan accordingly

    4. Johnny too hotty
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      With no FH and no Spurs what’s my best option.

      Martini steer
      Dallas maguire Dias coufal mitch
      Bruno salah sterling raph bissouma
      Dcl bamford cavani

      Cavani coufal to Watkins digne
      Then just bench boost ?

      1. Tomsk
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think you gotta get a second goalie in if BB'ing.

    5. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A Sterling Raphinha Bamford to Gundogan Barnes Kane (TC) (-8)??

      B AWB to Digne (TC Son)

      C Areola to Martinez ( TC Son)

    6. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bin Ings or Bamford for DCL?

      1. jimmy.floyd
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ings

    7. Manani
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Adams > Kane
      or
      Grealish > Barnes

      will bench Adams/Grealish for the incoming player

    8. Johnny too hotty
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone else
      Having to go without Kane and son this ganeweek ? I’m worried it could be more than damaging

    9. barton fc
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Best option on bb?

      A) Bamford > DCL
      C) Bamford + dallas > DCL + kean /lindo - 4 (already own Shaw)
      D) Bamford +raphinha +dallas > DCL + reed + pereira/digne - 8

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A

    10. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Those trading in KDB who do you not own out of Gundo, Cancelo and Stones?

      1. Trippier Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gone without Cancelo - need a big sofa

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

          that's punty.

    11. S3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pls vote, currently on wildcard

      A. Son
      B. Kane
      C. Both

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

        B

      2. Trippier Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        B