The Scout’s verdict is in for City’s first home match of 2024/25

Manchester City open our doors for the first time at the Etihad Stadium this season on Saturday 24 August against Ipswich, with kick-off at 15:00 (UK).

It follows an impressive start to the season following our 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. 

On his 100th appearance for City, Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a ruthless goal after 18 minutes – raising his tally for the Club to 91.

Mateo Kovacic followed suit after half-time when clinically finishing past Robert Sanchez to all-but assure the win. 

Our meeting with the Tractor Boys will be our first in 22 years after an exceptional 4-1 FA Cup fourth round victory in 2002 represented our last clash with Kieran McKenna’s side.

Eyal Berkovic scored and created numerous chances and was joined on the scoresheet by Shaun Goater, who netted twice, and Darren Huckerby which helped City make it eight wins from our last nine matches at the time.  

The spotlight still remains on the 2024/25 Premier League season and FPL managers will be focused on maintaining a strong start to the term in Gameweek 2.

With that in mind, read the Scout’s report below ahead of Saturday 24 August’s deadline at 11:00 (UK).

CITY STAR

Phil Foden (£9.5m) played 45 minutes in Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League, but he could be in line for more at home to Ipswich in Gameweek 2.

In 2023/24 Foden registered 230 points, the second-best tally in the game.

His 19 goals and eight assists ensure he became a go-to for FPL managers. Last season, Foden registered 73 chances and 105 attempts on goal.

The Englishman’s 203 penalty area touches were more than Erling Haaland (£15.0m). Indeed, in the City team only Jeremy Doku (£6.5m) had more.

ONE TO WATCH

Sammie Szmodics (£6.0m) came on for his first minutes for Ipswich in Gameweek 1. The midfielder registered 27 goals and four assists for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship in the 2023/24 campaign. 

DIFFERENTIALS

Elsewhere, Fulham’s Andreas Pereira (£5.5m) and Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood (£6.0m) are low-owned gems who have good potential in Gameweek 2.

Pereira created six chances in Gameweek 1 for and supplied 12 crosses.  He also took eight corners and has a good route to points.

Wood registered his first goal of the season for in Gameweek 1.  This builds on 14 goals he returned in the previous season.