Dec 14

Man City - Team & Player Guide 2015/16 - Fantasy Premier League Tips

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We're teaming up with knowledgeable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus on Manchester City who will be aiming to win the Premier League for the third time. City fan Rick has provided us with his expert insight in to the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis will help you choose which Manchester City players should make your FPL teams. He will also be at hand to answer any of your Manchester City related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our City team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season.

OPENING FIXTURES

West Brom (A) Chelsea (H) Everton (A) Watford (H) Crystal Palace (A)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure Freekicks: Yaya Toure, Aleksander Kolarov Corners: Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas

TRANSFER TARGETS

Midfielder - Paul Pogba (Transfer rumour) Kevin De Bruyne (Transfer rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUP

Hart Zabaleta Kompany Mangala Clichy Yaya Toure Fernandinho Delph Silva Aguero Sterling

MANCHESTER CITY'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

Man City were solid at the back last season despite the dip in form from the ever reliable Kompany and his partner Mangala chipping in with a few mistakes. Apart from that they were impressive defensively across the whole season they only conceded 38 goals, in front of their own fans at The Etihad they were even more resilient. They conceded 14 goals at home - the joint second lowest behind Chelsea. The season before that it was only 13 goals at home so it's easy to see that Pellegrini has built a solid back line. Keeper Joe Hart also won the Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets with 14.

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Joe Hart (5.5m) - A fantastic keeper who at times is unbeatable. Last season he won the Golden Glove award for picking up the mot clean sheets, behind a solid defence and a guaranteed start. He does have a competitive price range with the likes of Cech, De Gea and Courtois at the same price VERDICT: Opening fixtures aren't kind, look elsewhere for now. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Willy Caballero (5.0m) - The Argentine will be a backup to Hart this season and will struggle to displace him. To pay 5.0m for a backup keeper seems a little bit crazy. VERDICT: Will be used in cups so won't see much Premier League action

WHICH MANCHESTER CITY DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

A habit that Pellegrini has adopted with his defence is rotation, it's almost impossible to guess who will be the back four each week as City have good depth in that department. Despite his errors last season Eliaquim Mangala looks a very good buy at 5.5m, he should be looking to cement his position at the heart of the defence alongside Kompany and improve from last year. The obvious choice was Kompany however after his shaky season last year we believe he doesn't justify his price tag so it's the Frenchman Mangala for us.

DEFENDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Eliaquim Mangala (5.5m) - Moved to City for big money and failed to impress in his first season but at times he did show why City spent so much money on him. He's quick, powerful and danger from set pieces and could certainly turn out to be a fantastic FPL player. VERDICT: He's certainly worth keeping an eye on due to his attractive price tag. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Vincent Kompany (6.0m) - He will be the captain for the season and one of the first names on the team sheet. Last season though he was all over the place, he struggled to put in a run of consistent performances and looked like a lower league defender at times. A very good defender but he seems to have depleted in form. VERDICT: For 6.0m you should look elsewhere, he's wasn't the same player last year - this may change but it's not worth the risk from the start. Pablo Zabaleta (6.0m) - Throughout his time in England he's been very impressive and always a reliable player to have in your FPL side. Provides danger down the right side and also picks up clean sheets. There is however the risk of rotation with Sanga and after playing in the Copa America he may not start the season as the first choice right back. VERDICT: There is the risk he won't be playing due to playing in an international tournament so for now we'd suggest avoiding. Aleksander Kolarov (5.5m) Has an incredible left foot on him and always provides when he plays, the problem is he isn't nailed on to start every week. His playing time is shared with Clichy which makes his a pain to have in your FPL side. VERDICT: The rotation with Clichy puts us off him, if Clichy suffers an injury then he will get consistent game time - consider him then. Gael Clichy (5.5m) - The same as Kolarov - an attacking threat down the left who when he plays is a dangerous outlet, it's just he doesn't play every week because of the talent in both himself and Kolarov. VERDICT: Avoid, he won't be in the side every GW. Martin Demichelis (5.5m) Now at the age of 34 his best years may well be behind him, he's not a guaranteed starter and his price tag looks to expensive. VERDICT: Underrated but to expensive and won't be a nailed on starter Bacary Sagna (5.0m) - Struggled to get a consistent run of games at City comes in every now and then to replace Zabaleta. He may well start the season as he will be fresher of the two. VERDICT: We'd suggest avoiding him, you could spend 5.0m a lot better. Jason Denayer (4.5m) - Impressed during his loan spell at Celtic, but the Premier League is different to the SPL. Likely to be 4th choice to start with so won't be playing much. VERDICT: Unless an injury crisis hits City or the defenders deplete massively in form - avoid him.

WHICH MAN CITY MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Manchester City have one of the most exciting midfield options in terms of FPL. It's stacked with high scoring players and provides various options for all you avid FPL players. Firstly there is David Silva, the Spanish midfielder makes football look so easy and is a joy to watch. He provides both goals and assists and with Aguero upfront he's bound to be picking up a lot of assists. Next you have Yaya Toure, the powerhouse in midfield he was off his usual fantastic form last year but if he can recover his form that helped City win the league he could be a solid pick. Finally the new signing Raheem Sterling, he has the ability to change the game as seen at Liverpool, there will be pressure on him but he has the qualities to live up to it. In terms of who we'd recommend we feel Silva is a solid pick for the start of the season.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]David Silva (10.0m) - The highest scoring Manchester City midfielder last year, he picked up 191 points with 12 goals and assists. He's a guaranteed starter and the majority of City's attacks go through him. He's expensive but he earns a lot of points. VERDICT: Out of all the City midfielders he's the star man. Get him in! [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Raheem Sterling (9.0m) - Worked his way out of Anfield in controversial fashion. There is a belief that is is very wasteful in front of goal, however with the service Silva provides he will be getting countless chances. He's impressed during pre season and will be a starter. VERDICT: If you cannot afford Silva, we highly recommend Sterling. A fantastic option for your side. Yaya Toure (8.5m) - Although he wasn't incredible last year, he still managed to pick up 134 points and scored 10 goals. His price has actually dropped from last year and you could take advantage of that. He's not been put through a summer tournament and has had a full rest, he's deadly from free-kicks and we may see his trademark driving runs through midfield. He could be a bargain. VERDICT: Keep a eye on Toure for the first few GW's he could be worth a lot of points and at 8.5m he's a fantastic option. Samir Nasri (7.0m) - On his day he can be unplayable but them days seem to be behind him. He's going to be rotated a lot and with the new signing of Sterling he will see even less game time. VERDICT: Avoid him for the start of the season. Jesus Navas (6.5m) - He may also suffer due to Sterling's arrival. Wasn't all that impressive last season, will be rotated on the wing and isn't guaranteed to be playing week in week out. VERDICT: He doesn't do enough to justify selection for FPL. Fabian Delph (5.5m) - Once again another player who has moved to City in a controversial fashion, scored 69 points last season in FPL for Villa that probably justifies his low price tag. VERDICT: We'd suggest avoiding him. Fernandinho/Fernando/Roberts(4.5m-6.0m) - Two defensive minded midfielders and a youngster who won't be a key player. VERDICT: All three are not solid FPL players.

WHICH MAN CITY FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

There isn't much of a debate over this selection is there? Sergio Aguero won the golden boot last year and scored 216 points last year, yes 216 points. He is a clinical finisher who seems to get better with each passing season. You are going to have Aguero in your team at some point that's a given, he may not start the season though due to his Copa America tournament in the summer.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Sergio Aguero (13.0m) - You've probably all had Aguero in your team at some point, he's incredible in front of goal and with City bulking up their midfield he's going to be getting more and more chances. He now takes penalties and almost everything City do involves through the Argentine. VERDICT: He's expected to be out until GW3/4 but once he's fully fit - GET HIM IN. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Wilfred Bony (8.5m) - The next best striker for City, yet to get a consistent run of games and goals since his January move from Swansea. He'll be playing whilst Aguero is recovering, apart from that his game time will be mainly from the bench. There are better players out there for 8.5m VERDICT: Spend the money elsewhere. Edin Dzeko (7.5m) - When he plays he needs four or five chances to score, and with the arrival of Bony his game time has been limited and when he does play he doesn't look like he wants to be there. VERDICT: Avoid, we don't think he will get the game time. Jose Pozo (5.0m) - A promising young striker whose playing time will be limited. VERDICT: Don't take the risk.

OVERALL SUMMARY

There is only one pick for goalkeeper and that is Joe Hart, there is no chance Caballero will be playing regularly and Hart is always a safe bet to pick up clean sheets but he is at a competitive price. In defence you have a selection of top quality players but the problem is deciding who plays more. We feel Kompany is to expensive after his performances last season and we believe if you want a Manchester City defender it has to be Mangala - He's now had a season in England and is cheaper than Kompany offering less risk. Midfield it really is who you prefer but we feel Silva would bring the most to your team, he brings goals and assists on a regular basis but the likes of Toure and Sterling are worth keeping an eye on. As for forwards we can only recommend one man, and that's Aguero - it's hard to talk about the striker without repeating ourselves. So take our word for it when he's back fit, get him in.