Scout Notes

City’s players assessed for FPL Gameweek 8 fixture swing after Liverpool draw

We start our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 7 write-ups with analysis of Liverpool v Manchester City.

For a shorter summary of all of the weekend’s action, click here for Saturday’s games and here for Sunday’s fixtures.

LIVERPOOL 2-2 MANCHESTER CITY

  • Goals: Sadio Mane (£11.9m), Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) | Phil Foden (£7.9m), Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m)
  • Assists: Salah, Curtis Jones (£5.0m) | Gabriel Jesus (£8.6m)
  • Bonus: Salah x3, Jones x2, De Bruyne x1

SALAH PERMA-CAPTAIN?

FPL Gameweek 7 round-up: Sunday’s goals, assists, bonus and injuries

Having reached 70 FPL points quicker than in any previous season, the shouts to “perma-captain” Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) are getting louder. In some ways, it’s hard to argue against it, given his scores from the opening seven rounds:

17, 3, 10, 8, 12, 7, 13

In fact, Salah has either scored or assisted in eight of his nine games in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

It probably boils down to which type of Fantasy manager you are. For those who like to play the fixtures, Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m) faces Norwich City (h) in Gameweek 9 when Salah travels to Old Trafford, which is, of course, the better matchup on paper, but the consistency on offer from Salah during the opening weeks is unrivalled.

And with attacking returns against Chelsea and Man City so far, albeit a penalty against Thomas Tuchel’s side, he has proved that he can produce against even the sternest Premier League defences.

CONSISTENT MANE

Due to Salah’s incredible start, team-mate Sadio Mane’s (£11.9m) performances have perhaps been going under the radar. 

The Senegalese winger has now provided an attacking return in five of the last six Gameweeks, but hasn’t been as explosive as Salah, having failed to return a single double-digit haul so far.

Admittedly, he is tricky to fit into our FPL squads, but a midfield double-up isn’t completely out of the question for managers wanting to move away from the current one premium midfielder/one premium forward template.

Interestingly, Diogo Jota (£7.6m) led the line at Anfield, with Roberto Firmino (£8.8m) coming off the bench to replace him on 68 minutes.

The latter is not in action for Brazil during the international break which does suggest that he may get a start at Watford in Gameweek 8, but with Mane and Salah both away with their respective international teams, it’s hard to speculate too much on Jurgen Klopp’s XI at this stage.

“We caused them massive problems [in the second half], we were really in the game, we scored wonderful goals. The first goal is a great, great counter-attack, winning the ball, bam, bam, two passes, Sadio great position, top finish. The second goal, only the best players in the world score goals like this. The first touch, the first challenge he wins, then going there, putting it on the right foot and then finishing the situation off like he did, absolutely exceptional. Because this club never forgets anything, people will talk about this goal for a long, long time and in 50 or 60 years when they remember this game. It was a really good one.” – Jurgen Klopp

CITY ASSETS ON FPL RADAR

Ahead of an appealing run of fixtures – Burnley (h), Brighton and Hove Albion (a) and Crystal Palace (h) – Man City assets will of course be of interest heading into Gameweek 8.

However, nailing down an attacking starter isn’t straightforward.

Here’s a quick look at Pep’s line-ups so far this term:

And against Liverpool, Pep Guardiola lined his troops up as follows:

On Sunday’s evidence alone, Phil Foden (£7.9m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) look like the best midfield options. The former was electric at Anfield, as he scored and played a key role in the build-up to De Bruyne’s equaliser, ending the match with eight attempted crosses, two shots in the box and 0.60 expected goal involvement (xGI).

However, we’ve seen before how quickly the landscape can change at City. Only a few weeks ago, Ferran Torres (£6.9m) was of huge interest but has now failed to feature since Gameweek 4, while Riyad Mahrez (£8.7m) – a popular pre-season pick – hasn’t started a Premier League match since Gameweek 1.

Jack Grealish (£7.9m) and Bernardo Silva (£6.9m) look like two of the more ‘secure’ starters right now, but it’s also worth noting that Gabriel Jesus (£8.6m) has now started all of City’s last six Premier League fixtures, with his ability to feature out wide as well as through the middle a major plus for FPL managers.

“There are some performances where it’s not necessary to talk about just watch. The performance speaks for itself. It was magnificent – he’s a great player and an exceptional person. 

Phil is a special player, we know it. Fortunately, he’s back now, he’s a fantastic player but not just him, Rodri, Gabriel everyone was fantastic today.” – Pep Guardiola discussing Bernardo Silva’s form and Phil Foden’s excellent display

Given their defensive numbers since the start of the season (see below), a double-up at the back certainly makes a lot of sense, and will surely be a popular choice for those on a Gameweek 8 Wildcard.

TotalRank v other Premier League teams
Goals conceded31st=
Shots conceded421st
Shots in the box conceded261st
Shots on target conceded81st
Big chances conceded51st
xGC4.011st

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Milner (Gomez 78), Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Salah, Mane, Jota (Firmino 68)

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Jesus, Grealish (Sterling 66), Foden

206 Comments Post a Comment
  1. tommo1989
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA Rudiger Reguilon
    Salah Greenwood Raphinha Benrahma
    Lukaku (c) Aubameyang Jimenez

    Steele Duffy Livramento Gilmour

    Thoughts on this for 2 free transfers and the exact money - Gilmour & Benrahma to Smith Rowe and Townsend?

    I’m thinking of benching Jimenez in GW8 as can’t see him starting for Wolves after Mexico's game against El Salvador kicks off in the early hours of Thursday morning before Wolves play Villa at 3pm on Saturday.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Isn't Jimenez flying back early like lsat time?

      1. tommo1989
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He plays in the early hours of Thursday 14th then flies back before Wolves play Villa at 3pm on Saturday 16th. Just can’t see him starting

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

      Are we sure that he will play vs El Salvador?

      1. tommo1989
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        We aren’t but I’d be surprised if he flies back before the match even if he doesn’t play the full 90.

        1. tommo1989
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Whether Jimenez starts or not, what do we think of Gilmour and Benrahma to Smith Rowe and Townsend for exact money? Will be priced out when Smith Rowe and Townsend both rise and looks like Gilmour could drop soon too

          1. RogDog_jimmy
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I don’t like it. I’d rather chose one of the two and keep the 4.5 midfielder.

          2. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I don't like the moves. Should be buying City players with FTs this week imo.

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

    Will bring TAA back in for cresswell with my ft. GTG after?

    Ramsdale

    TAA - Christensen - Cancelo - Rudiger

    Salah - Saka - Raphinha

    Antonio - Lukaku - Vardy

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Tidy. What’s your bench like?

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Livramento, Brownhill and Douglas luiz

    2. Meme2011
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      what is your bench?

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        See above

  3. thewhitepele
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC? Where to place extra 0.8m ITB?

    Ramsdale (Foster)
    Dias Azpi Rudiger (Livra Manquillo)
    Salah Son Raphinha Townsend (Luiz)
    Lukaku Antonio Toney

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’d upgrade Manquillo to someone you might want to play one day. White or something.
      Worth spending a little extra with rotation and injury potential

  4. GW7 Rough with the Smooth
    RedLightning
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rough with the Smooth, Gameweek 7

    How did your Gameweek go?

    Were your transfers, hits or wildcard successful? Did you get a big red or green arrow? Were you one of the few whose captain didn't blank?

    You can share your tales of joy or woe here.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Barnes got something at last.
      Green arrow with pathetic score.
      Saka and Rudi, my new recruits, both blanked.

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

      Rough - Christensen over Azpi on a wildcard to save money, kaku (captain)
      Smooth - Jimi over Ronaldo on wc that allowed me to go Son

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Silva will miss GW8 (confirmed) so at least Christensen should start the next game. Great smooth!

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

          Hopefully..he is just a Taa placeholder for the next 2-3 either way

        2. Tcheco
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Why is Silva confirmed out?

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            International Travel with Brazil. Sounds like he's staying for the duration: https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1444946092601315329

            Note: Ignore the fact Ben mentions Firmino on IB duty, he was later informed he's not called up.

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

      Rough: Useless across the board like everyone else. Still have Adama Traore!

      Smooth: GW4 WC has saved my backside multiple times these last 4 GWs via White (+ Livramento for Alonso, this week) off the bench. Slight green arrow, 96K > 84K.

      Bamford > Toney didn't gain me much this week but has given me ITB to sit comfortable over the IB

    4. ebb2sparky
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Awful captain pick - ronaldo
      My transfer in got 0 points with my transfer out getting 2 points
      Only had 10 players

      On the plus side I got 47 points which was the best score in my main ML. Thank you Andros Townsend!

    5. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Only dropped 3k in rank & happy about it. Lukaku & Antonio didn’t punish me. Vardy returned again, just wish I was bolder & captained him over CR7

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Had it in mind that Ronaldo could be a slight risk (mainly fatigue over benching) as played Wednesday & early Saturday KO. Still stuck (C) with Vardy VC

    6. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      TAA+Marcal to Azpi+Alonso for -4 ... Got Tierney autosub and Meslier CS
      22 points for those 3 players, 17 for the rest of the team

    7. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Azpilicueta saved my week

    8. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Absolute trash. Unlucky with Coufal almost scoring and assisting, Lukaku's miss, Benrahma & Raphina played well but no return, Ronaldo's benching.

      Made worse by unsubstantiated rumours on Ronaldo turning out to be true, which bailed a few other managers out this week, frustrating.

      Transfers were Bamford and TAA to Tarkowski and Lukaku (c) (-4) which at least were partially successful!

      Glad to be wildcarding, although in hindsight could be a week late.

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

      Rough - double city defense combined for 0 points.

      Smooth - Son & Jimenez on my wildcard still led to a green arrow - my first of the season. (To be fair the only way was down from my gw1 8k OR).

    10. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Brought in for -4 Alonso (0 points) Cancelo (0 points) Rüdiger (2 points) for TAA (0 points) Shaw ( 2 points) and Ayling (0 points)

      If done nothing would be 8 points better off with Livramento 4 points coming in and be going into IB with 2 free transfers and TAA in squad if fit for 8.

    11. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rough:
      A very disappointing wildcard - 40 points, and a 40k drop from 154k to 195k.
      Ronaldo and Alonso both benched.
      Cancelo and Dias failed to trouble the scorers.
      Made a last minute captain switch from Ronaldo to Antonio who wasn't much better.

      Smooth:
      Salah 13 (but unfortunately not captain)
      Ramsdale and Gabriel both kept clean sheets.

      1. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Would probably have been better to take the early loss with a Ronaldo captain ... spares you that 24 hours of false hope 🙂

    12. Shark_Sandwich
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Smooth. Townsend and 3 clean sheets
      Rough. Benched Hwang!

    13. jnugs9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Played wildcard at the start of the week and immediately transferred in Alonso due to his run of form and upcoming fixtures.

      After his half time sub in the CL and rumours of him not starting on Friday evening, his 0.2 mil price rise over the week gave me the extra 0.1 mil I needed to swap him for Azpilicueta!

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I got the 0.1 out of him too but didn’t get Azpi - did use all my money though so that was smooth.

        Good work to you!

    14. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Dreadful week. Went from 41K > 95K

      Rough: Blank city for everyone except Salah and Sanchez.

      Smooth: I'm still in LMS and in the top 100K. My 4 point hit before WC was a failure. I guess the only real smooth is that it's the easiest WC decision ever imo. I was already planning it but after this shambles the button was pressed on Saturday after the games.

    15. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rank dropped like stone from 500k to 750k. Thanks to no Salah. Captain fail like everyone else in Lukaku.

      Smooth: Livra from bench

    16. fusen
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Wildcarded in 2 city and 2 chelsea defenders:

      Played Alonso, Rudiger, Cancelo

      On Saturday morning I changed my bench order from White, Dias to Dias, White.

      Alonso doesn't play, then Dias and Cancelo get yellow cards and let in two goals.

      My defence after autosubs -

      Cancelo 0, Dias 0, Rudiger 2

      White on the bench with 7 😐

    17. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rough or stupid not sure. Got in Alonso for -4.
      Smooth: as many had Livramento off the bench.
      Honors even
      Pure smooth: Ronaldo benched and Ollie throwing a wobbler in team selection to underestimate my Gravatar.
      Keep it up Ollie!!!

    18. Rover
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Went for a pre-WC Hail Mary GW.

      Sold TAA, bought Alonso. Got Wood in for a hit and benched Jota. Captained Wood.

      13 players of my 15-man squad combined for 13 points.
      Salah doubled that on his own, and Dunk lent some support.

      GW rank of 5.6m, massive red arrow down to 725k, out of LMS.
      I'm now using the WC to overhaul my squad with 14 changes.
      Only Salah has done enough to be assured of retention.

    19. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rough: mini wildcarded for a -4, and i'm 4 points better off, so basicly i got the same score, but hopefully i'll be better off in the long run. (Shaw, Torres, and Gilmour out and Alonso, Saka, and Raphinha in)

      Smooth: Captained Salah, 51 points and a small green arrow 11K to 10K

    20. bencaraway
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Smooth - used my wildcard and having made several dozen transfers during the week my final 2 transfers were Alonso to Azpilicueta and Armstrong to Jimenez. Despite captaining Lukaku over Salah got 55 points and overall rank improved from 225k to 107k.

    21. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      55 points and a 160k rank rise from 306k so obviously happy with an above average score.

      Had two frees saved up so I transferred out Greenwood and brought in Raphinha. I had more success with my other transfer, Bamford to Jiminez who got me 10 points.

      Captained Lukakau which was a disappointment. Christensen was rested but got Livramento's 4 pointer off the bench so some compensation. 13 pts from my sole three defenders was a bonus (White, Semedo and Liv).

      I will probably bring in Cancello for Semedo next to give me a useful back 5 and a combo of LIV, CTY and CHS.

    22. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rough: Ronaldo blank, Livra benched points
      Smooth: Lukaku blank

    23. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rough: CR7 captain, Shaw out for Christensen and could only play 10
      Smooth: Hwang hauled for me (got him in GW5) and managed 52 points 460k to 309k

    24. FPLObsessed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Smooth
      I had 2 FT, used them plus a -4 to ditch the injured TAA, Ayling & Bamford for Rudiger, Azpi and Jimenez (c)

  5. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any love for Curtis Jones - seems a bargain at 5.0m

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      First I’ve heard him mentioned.

      I guess if you’re looking for a cheap mid you could do worse - has looked ok when I’ve seen him. Would rather him over Kovacic for example.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No.

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

      Definitely. If you lose Jota, Jones could be a tidy 3rd 'Pool.

  6. The Mastermind
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you wildcard this team?

    Sanchez - Foster
    Rudiger - White - Cresswell - Amartey - Williams
    Salah - Bruno - Gray - Sarr - Benrahma
    Ronaldo - Antonio - Obafemi

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Bruno to Son & Cresswell to Cancelo?

      Then Ronaldo to Lukaku(C) gw9

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

      First time I’ve seen this asked and thought to myself - absolutely yes.

      Defense is weak, Bruno/Ronaldo double seems to be not the best value, would only keep 4 or so of your team if I was redoing it.

  7. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Toying between the 3 below, what do you think wold be a better option?

    A. Doucouré
    B. Townsend
    C. Mbeumo

    Stats wise fairly similar.

    Thanks

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mbeumo for longer term after Chelsea fixture- and could still score in that one

      1. DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks