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What has happened to Bruno Fernandes’s form in FPL?

There was a time, not so very long ago, when there was a man in everybody’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team and his name was Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m).

Technically speaking, he was in all the good ones – 99% owned amongst the top 1,000 teams by the end of February. FPL at large has never quite forgiven him for the mortal sin of not having a fixture in Gameweek 1 and his overall ownership only nudged a mite over 60% at the height of his popularity.

These days, he’s in 84% of top teams and 57% overall, but as everyone prepares for the final frantic weeks of FPL many owners have become jittery. For a long time, his mere appearance on a football field seemed a virtual guarantee of at least six points and often many more, but his modest returns in the last four Gameweeks have had managers wondering whether that £11.6m could be invested more usefully.

So what has happened to his form, why might it have happened, and is he still worth holding on to despite his recent run?

Fernandes exploded onto the Premier League scene in the second half of last season. Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) finished that campaign as the leading provider of FPL double-digit hauls with ten, but that took him 34 appearances at a rate of 29%. Fernandes managed six such scores in only fourteen matches at a rate of 43%, leading many to wonder if he could possibly repeat that this time around.

With six Gameweeks still to go, the Portuguese midfielder has already eclipsed De Bruyne’s marks from last year, amassing a league-leading 11 double-digit hauls at a rate of 37%. Only three other players have more than six such returns: Son Heung-min (£9.5m) with nine, Harry Kane (£11.8m) with eight and seven for Ilkay Gundogan (£5.8m). De Bruyne currently has six, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) has five and Raheem Sterling (£11.2m) four.

Yet take a look at Bruno’s History on his FPL Transfer page and you quickly notice that in his last seven league appearances he has only one goal, a very early penalty at Manchester City, and one assist when he picked up a loose clearance against Brighton, drove to the edge of the box and fed Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) who swept it home. He was once superlative, but has he simply gone off the boil?

If you lay out Fernandes’s FPL double-digit hauls for this season and then note how many games there were in between them when he didn’t haul, it looks like this:

1 match, Haul (H), 1, H, 2, H, H, H, 3, H, H, 1, H, 4, H, 2, H, 1, H, 4.

Seven of Bruno’s 11 hauls came in the early part of the season. The last time he hauled in back-to-back games was in Gameweeks 14 and 15. Since then, each haul is isolated and they have generally become less frequent. If there is a point where a decline happened, Gameweek 16 would seem to be where it began.

Using the player statistics in the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, it’s easy to contrast Fernandes’s performance up to Gameweek 15 with his performance afterwards. That second period contained a few more matches, so it makes sense to use averages for the comparison rather than bare totals.

306 Comments Post a Comment
  1. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need help here, really unsure after a few disastrous weeks. 0.6itb 1ft

    Raph + Dias to Lingard + Dallas (-4) ? Suggestions?

    Meslier
    TAA Digne Coufal Lowton
    Salah Bruno Jota Raph
    Nacho Brewster*

    Areola** Dias** Kane** Son**

    1. Lav
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Keep faith in Raph with that fixture swing. I would want Dias out. Coufal an issue I think too. Even Brewster - would want to try and work Bamford in for fixture swing too.

  2. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best option between Dallas, Pereira or Saiss for the coming weeks?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dallas.

    2. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Saiss & Dallas dont have a DGW. Pereira does possibly.

  3. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    why is it that ARS, CHE, LEI, MUN can all blank in 36?

  4. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sell son for rash or siggy for -4?

    1. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      no

  5. SINGH
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    would people serious captain trent?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's a good option but I will probably go Salah

    2. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      40 points from his last 4 matches and home to Newcastle. He has to be in the mix doesn't he?

      1. SINGH
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        But Newcastle have looked good attacking wise and they aren't conceding many goals. Fair enough though.

  6. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who is the best alonso replacement for this backline please?

    Taa alonso shaw dawson holding

    I'm looking at digne and castagne but opencto options. Thanks

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rudiger

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm thinking about just going back to dallas

  7. Lav
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bottomed.

    1. Stones + Phillips + Mahrez --> TAA + Veltman/Alioski + Saka (-4)
    2. Phillips + Mahrez --> TAA + ESM

    Have Salah + Jota, so cannot just bin Stones & Mahrez and bring TAA in.

  8. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy forster
    TAA alonso shaw veltman holding
    Salah Bruno moura jota lingard
    Kane nacho vydra

    A) mendy to meslier
    B) alonso to dallas
    C) moura to JWP
    D) moura to greenwood
    E) save ft

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Forster to Sanchez.

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Interesting idea, thanks!

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      D looks nice. Also like what GREENRED says

  9. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which option is the best, for the long term :

    A) Areola + Lucas to 3.9 + Greenwood/Pogba - 4
    B) Lowton + Lucas + DCL to Phillips + Greenwood/Pogba + Ihenacho -8
    C) Dias + Lucas to Coufal + Pogba

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C is -4 as well.

  10. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rate my fh team.

    Martinez (Sanchez)
    Taa-Castagne-Dunk (Coady,Holding)
    Salah-Mane-Bruno-Greewood-Trossard
    Vardy-Nacho (Brewster)

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Your team value must be pretty high. I'm also on FH and at the moment my XI is the same as yours minus Castgane and Mane. Starting to doubt the Man United double up though, and also whether it's worth doubling up on Brighton defence by playing Sanchez over Martinez.

  11. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone got a clearer update on Phillips 'minor hamstring issue'? He's 75% on PL, but ruled out on another usually reputable source https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

    I currently have the options of:

    A. Transfer Phillips to TAA?
    B. Transfer Stones to TAA, thereby giving me double Liv def going forward, but no City def

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Been keeping a few clean sheets 50/50 but Trent is purchased for his A potential?

    2. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Haven't seen any news, ESL shifted attention for a while.

      PremierInjuries aren't ITK, don't take anything from that

  12. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling to Rash or Greenwood -4?

    Thought about Salah but too many hits required!

    Mendy,
    Rüdiger, Shaw, Pereira, Trent
    Lingz, Jota, Bruno, Rashy/Greenwood
    Nacho, Watkins

    Martinez, Phillips, Kane, Son,

    .6

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Is Rashford injured?

  13. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will alonso start this weekend?

  14. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Really wanna try siggy for a punt? Too brave?

  15. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Posted on an old article 😆

    What would you do here? 2FTs and 0.1itb. Still got BB.

    Gundog >> Sub 5.9 to not lose the FT? Pereira perhaps? Any other nice ideas?

    Mendy
    TAA. Shaw. Coady. Rudiger
    Salah. Bruno. Jota. Lingard
    DCL. Iheanacho
    (Forster, Holding, Kane*, Gundog*)

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah I like the gundo move

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gundo - > Trossard

  16. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dias and Dawson to Shaw and Konsa for free?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Perhaps just the first and roll and FT

      1. JasonG123
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I only have 9 this week 🙁

  17. chrrizzy
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Aight guys, need your help.

    Doing my WC team and this is what I got planned as of now:
    Lloris - Romsdale
    Holding - Keane - TAA - Coady - Dias
    Salah - Jota - Lingz - Bruno
    Kane - Iheanacho - Watkins

    Question is:
    TAA + Watkins or Philips + Vardy

    Open to any other suggestions and thoughts

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Keane for me is a no. Everton been poor at the back and yes watkins and trent for me

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      TAA+Watkins

  18. bitars
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Should i use my last ship FH with this team or take a -4 and save it for later?

    Martinez

    Digne, Dallas, Azpi

    Jota, Bruno, Lingard, Son*, Raphina*
    Watkins, Iheanacho,

    Pope, Kane*, Cancelo*, Reguillon*

    1FT 2,8 itb

    Could do Cancelo and Reguollon to Trent and Castagne for a -4

    1. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Depends on how your going in your leagues. If your near the top of keep FH until the double just to try maximize your points.

      1. bitars
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I am 30 points after the leader who got no chips left and a team similar to mine.

        1. DangerFC
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Save fh for the double and try maximize return. If you can keep it around 30 points or less until the double you can easily catch him.

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Team looks kind of weak for GW33 especially with no Salah , so I think I'd play FH. You can gain rank picking likes of Maddison, Castagen/Pereira/Fofanfa, Mané , Brigthon players, Greenwood. DGW35 is a bit of a damp squid from the looks of it

  19. DangerFC
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Somehow both stones and white got sent off for me this gameweek!!
    Current defence targett, white, shaw, phillips

    Best stones replacement?
    7.2mill to play with

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      robbo or castagne maybe

  20. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Areola to Sanchez worth a hit ? Ederson other keeper

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nope

  21. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dias to...
    A) Dallas
    B) Pereira
    C) Shaw
    D) Saiss
    E) Other?

    Def: TAA Digne Coufal Lowton

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      D

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks. I do have Meslier (+Areloa) which would mean Leeds def double up

    3. Ch0udini
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dallas, great fixtures GW34-38.

  22. Ziko7
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What would you do?
    A: Neto and Dias to Greenwood and 4.5 DEF,
    B: Son to Greenwood and then in GW34 Bruno to Son,

    Don't want to get rid of Bruno against Leeds but would rather have Greenwood for the rest of the season.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Ziko7
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I forgot to add that A would be for a hit. Still worth it?

  23. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Someone could feasibly have had a team with 2 no show keepers (Mendy, Forster) 3 red card's (Dawson, Stones, Cash) and 4 injuries (KDB, Lingard, Kane, Lacazette) in one week - would be enough to never look at FPL again.

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lingard, what's up? Not yellow flagged in fpl team

  24. Ch0udini
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi all!

    Mendy
    TAA Fofana Coady Holding
    Salah Jota Bruno ESR
    Nacho Welbeck

    Bench (all non playing this week): Forster Son Kane Reguillon

    Am I G2G, or need to take a -4 hit for one of the Spurs to secure 11 starting players?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good to go, strong team

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Forster to Sanchez if you don't hear Mendy will start.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Should be ok without a hit and hope Mendy or Forster starts

  25. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son to trossard for 1 week punt?

  26. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy
    Alonso shaw taa saiss
    Mount salah saka lingard
    Nacho vydra

    Subs steer cresswell son kane

    Since alonso might be bench and vydra not nailed
    Sell son to who for -4?
    Siggy?
    Trossard?
    Rash?
    H2H opponent has greenwood so shall take a different person

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Greenwoid, Jota.

  27. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Think I will be keeping Mendy... Tuchel explicitly said he is still #1. No reason to bench your #1 against your direct competition for CL places