Dugout Discussion – Man City vs West Ham

After Bournemouth and Southampton shared the spoils at the Vitality Stadium, Gameweek 15 comes to a close as Manchester City entertain West Ham United at 4pm.

Arguably, Pep Guardiola’s latest selection surprise is the inclusion of Leroy Sane on today’s teamsheet.

The German – who has four double-digit hauls in his last five at home – recovers from a midweek illness and is handed a ninth start in ten Gameweeks.

Yet a booking today would rule Sane out of next week’s Manchester derby – clearly a factor in his manager’s decision to bench both Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho, who also sit on four yellows.

Up against a Hammers defence that was ranked bottom for goals against heading into Saturday’s deadline, the hosts are heavily backed.

Four of City’s starting XI are among the top 13 armband picks for Gameweek 15 – Sergio Aguero (8.8%) is their most captained, ahead of Kevin De Bruyne (4.2%) Sane (1.7%) and Raheem Sterling (1.4%).

It’s not so good news for the 3.3% who captained Gabriel Jesus (3.3%), though – transferred in by over 59,000 for this one, the Brazilian drops down to the bench.

Fantasy interest in the Hammers is minimum at best due to their poor start to the season.

One goal scored and seven conceded in three matches under David Moyes suggests that targeting their opponents as a source of attacking returns could prove a profitable tactic.

And there’s no respite to their evil start in December, with home encounters against Chelsea and Arsenal up next.