Dugout Discussion

Sterling starts as Sane, Lacazette and De Bruyne are benched

There were a few surprise selections in Unai Emery and Pep Guardiola’s starting XIs ahead of this afternoon’s 16:00 BST encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates.

The headline news was perhaps Raheem Sterling‘s (£11.0m) inclusion in the City line-up, although Guardiola had teased the prospect of that possibility in his press conference on Friday.

Leroy Sane (£9.5m) is the fall-guy in the Sky Blues’ line-up, to the chagrin of the 14.3% of FPL managers who own the wide-midfielder.

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m), another late returner after his World Cup exertions, starts on the bench for the reigning Premier League champions this afternoon.

The rest of Guardiola’s starting XI is perhaps as expected, with Sergio Aguero (£11.0m) leading the line and Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m) handed his City league debut.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) always looked at some risk of being benched for the visit of City and the French forward indeed starts among Arsenal’s substitutes, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) fielded as the spearhead of the Gunners’ attack.

Though not likely to cause many ructions in the Fantasy community, Matteo Guendouzi (£4.5m) – who admittedly has had a fine pre-season for Emery’s side – has been preferred to the more experienced Lucas Torreira (£5.0m) in the engine room. Aaron Ramsey (£7.5m) also gets a start for the Gunners.

Nacho Monreal (£5.5m) has failed to prove his fitness, so FPL midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.5m) deputises at left-back.

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ramsey; Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang

Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; Fernandinho, Gundogan; Bernardo, Mahrez, Sterling; Aguero
4,682 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is there any way to create a watchlist per say in the Members area?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just write on post it notes and glue them to your screen

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Think you can make one on the FPL site.

  2. Tomerick
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    74 with Neves and Wan-Bissaka on the bench. It stings 🙁

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      who did you play ahead of them?

      1. Tomerick
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Aguero captain, mitrovic, auba, sigurdsson, Mahrez could all have gone out

        1. Majestic Chanka
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Only Mitrovic was one you might have done, don’t beat yourself up. Play B.B. next year in GW1 though 🙂

          1. Tomerick
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            May just do that. Puts me second in my mini league with the leader having used their bench boost. It only got them 7 extra points though

        2. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          reread those names... you were never gonna start a 5mil mid or 4mil def over them... it shouldn't sting! you made the smart calls... 9/10 times it'll go for the bigger players

          1. Tomerick
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks man. I suppose on the plus side it should do wonders for the team value

            1. kennethrhcp
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              that's it!

              i'd neves 1st sub... was hoping for a no show today from someone. but like you I was never gonna bench Zaha, Arnie or Aguero for him

              1. Tomerick
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                True

    2. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      54, which could be below lms threshold, with Tomkins and awb on bench. Please.

  3. 3-4-3
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    92 points with neves (12) and WBA (12) on the bench. Good scouting pre-season. Getting rid of King for Jiminez though.

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure on that move after one game. King could easily outscore Jiminez over the next few.

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It’s an option and one I’m considering, but don’t you think saving the FT for now is sensible. See what happens next week.

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        ^this

      2. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Totally

    3. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Why u got west brom.on ya bench

  4. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Armchair doctors in the house.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What ails you my child

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You called?

  5. Pea Soup
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    103 about average?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      no

    2. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      *humble brag*

    3. Son is Rising
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

    4. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just below. Unlucky.

      1. Pea Soup
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Dammit

    5. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No bit low average is 120

    6. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Average for me and you yes

      1. Pea Soup
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Congratulations

    7. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Below Average

    8. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Below average. Better luck next week 🙂

    9. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes 😉

    10. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Below me anyway 🙂

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

    Worth using my .5 in bank and free transfer in Billing to Neves and playing away to Leicester over Mitrovic away to Spurs? Or be sensible and carry?

    Foster
    Mendy Van Dijk Shaw
    Salah Mané Richarlison BSilva
    Aguero King Mitrovic

    Patricio Tomkins Wan-Bissaka Billing

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      So similar to my team that, my starting 11 is Eriksen and Robbo instead of Mane and VVD, I'm sticking and I think you should .

    2. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      nice choice. I will consider that tbh

  7. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pretty lame effort from all FPL forwards this weekend..

    1. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wilson was close but that missed his pen.

      Oh well, can't complain too much about that I suppose.

    2. Oooof
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I got 6 points from Auba, Aguero and King

    3. Mackans
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just thought the same

      1. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Got 12 from Kun, Tosun, and Zaha.....thinking of going Bilva to Sterling and Kiun to Arno

  8. noahzark22
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Five clean sheets and 6 assists from my defense. Too bad I only started three.

  9. Alan The Llama
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Best thing about a high scoring gw1, it'll be harder for those sods who start in gw2 to catch us.

  10. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Richarlison safe from a price rise for the next couple of days due to the flag right?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nope. Rising quickly.

  11. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How would you order my bench?

    A) Hughes (bur)
    B) Sakho (LIV)
    C) AWB (LIV)

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

      Just like that.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers all. This is how I have it currently. I figured a CS is more likely than a Wan-bissaka attacking return, so Sakho could compete for bonus. Highes has the fixture, and might play in the hole next game so I feel he's almost a no-brainer for first sub.

    2. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A, B, C

    3. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A C B

    4. noahzark22
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I remember replying abw for the first week!

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        AWB third sub this week. Mendy second. Not an ideal start! 😆

    5. Lukakwho
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      The opposition of whatever seems sensible

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Sounds like I should plays these three and bench Aubameyang, Mane and Mendy

        1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          You don't have salah so why not

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            You gonna troll me for the rest of the season?

            1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              You made a joke and i reciprocated. But happy to leave you alone too. Well played on mane (c) btw

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Lol cheers mate

    6. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Bac

    7. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      C A B

    8. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      ACB

  12. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez out or hold?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn't be surprised if he's benched next week.

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Mahrez > Alli?

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I wasn't convinced by Mahrez today at all

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        So sensible choice Mahrez > others 9.0 and below?

  13. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    23 points sat amongst subs 1 and 2 hurts. Especially when I look at the 1 point KDB & Gross served up between them.

  14. maltasi
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Next weekend’s fixtures look intriguing eh.

    Home debuts for three new managers.

    Man Utd visit a ground where they were beaten towards the end of last season. Liverpool go to a ground where they’ve had their fair share of hiccups in recent years. Fulham return to the stadium where they won promotion just a few weeks ago. Two ‘heavyweights’ (ish lol) meet at the Bridge.

    And then there’s City. Home to Huddersfield.I guess most people are looking at captaining one of their players?

    1. Son is Rising
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Salah I think. Was contemplating a switch to Sterling (c) but got torn apart for suggesting it 😆

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        You were torn apart because it sounded like you wanted to transfer out Salah for Sterling. If you already own Sterling then captaining him is a good option.

    2. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      But which City player would you pick?

      Was all set on Aguero (C) but now not too sure..

  15. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    i want neves's price rise

    1. Marvin Moon
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same here. I so tempted to do Jota to Neves but I'm worried it's a bit of a rookie move.

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

        Why would you want to get Neves out of your team? He's cheap, he's a leader, he's on penalties, direct free kicks and sometimes corners. He's a hell of a distance shooter!

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          you've misread that id say

      2. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        yeah. I have costa and if he was set to drop it would be much easier.

  16. windowview
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thought I had finished on 87, just checked and I'm on 95! Not bad considering all my forwards scored 2 pts each

    1. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same here, 94
      Useless forwards,
      What's your plan?

      1. windowview
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Stick with it I think -I'm on Auba, King and Arnie. Reckon they'll all come good so am keeping my FT

      2. windowview
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        What are you going to do?

    2. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      sama score as you. We might have the same team haha

    3. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Eggwearer to Bobby

  17. Jarnathan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I don't know how many peeps watched the Southampton game, but how did Austin play?

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not great, but we were shocking in first half. Looked much better with Ings on in second half.

      Austin probably on penalties though.

      1. Jarnathan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Do you think its only a matter of time before Ings replaces him?

    2. Oooof
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Got subbed off for Ings according to the updates I read.

      Southampton seemed to carry more threat with Ings.

      1. Jarnathan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Which makes sense if Ings is going to challenge for #1

  18. FPL_WILDCARD
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pretty bad start for me... 53 points. Made all the wrong choices. Anyway, any advice as to what I should do with this lot?

    Ederson, Stekelenburg
    Robertson, Cedric, A.Smith, AWB, Boly
    Salah, Mahrez, Lucas Moura, Cairney, Stephens
    Aguero, Aubameyang, King

    Do I need Richarlison in asap?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Midfield needs beefing up.

    2. QueefParkRangers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Moura > Richarlison

    3. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I know he scored twice, but I need to see more.....I would hold.

  19. BooYaKasha
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    94 with AWB on the bench
    Best start to a season, and I've been playing this for 12 years now.

    I have to be honest,
    Mendy, Bilva and Mane instead of Eriksen are all tips I got here on the site

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Wish I’d spent more time on the site!

    2. QueefParkRangers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same, saw few ppl here going on and on about Eriksen, but didn't feel it. Pays to go with gut sometimes, no one heres mystic meg

  20. Please Help I Don't Kn…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RP

    Milivojevic to Fraser on a free a solid move?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Fraser has always burnt me, but if he can stay injury free I think he’s a good player!

  21. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Bad start. Hate the 7pm starting deadline! Ran out time to go with Mane instead of Eriksen, and went Mkhitaryan over Richarlison. Urgh.

    Anyway, thinking of small 4 point hit surgery to do:
    Mkhitaryan -> Richarlison
    Cairney -> Neves

    Should allow me to do
    Eriksen -> Mane next week

    Y/N?

    1. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No. just the top one. Cairney to Neves isn't needed for a -4.

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He’s my 4th playing mid is the problem....and I’m goimg to need that cash for other moves in next week or two....

        1. Bouncebackability
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          You need the points more than the pounds.

          Yes in an ideal world you would do it, but who is going to get more points, Neves or Richarlison? I know where my money is.

  22. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Those whinging about AWB points on the bench need to stop really.. I have him too, but there was no way I was ever playing him this weekend so it doesn't count as lost points because the plan was never there to play him. Not to mention the fact that Fulham somehow didn't score and Mike Dean doesn't have any eyes.

    If you played him then fair play.

    1. QueefParkRangers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same, it's really boring now and everyone is in the same boat.

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      you are totally right. I have him on the bench too and I was never going to play him in this week.

  23. Always Lundstram
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Price rise for robo? I have vvd want to get robo before rise.

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just save your ft

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not with others hauling I don’t think

    3. Mackans
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't do that move, It's pretty sideways. Maybe next match scores on a corner and you will regret that transfer.

    4. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I would probably do this too.. but saving the transfers where I can.

  24. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Start Boly or Peltier for next week?

    1. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Peltier

  25. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Noob mistake of playing Ramsey and Eriksen over AWB and Kante.

    Was quite obvious in hindsight.

    1. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Haha, exactly, ypu'd do the same again so don't worry about it.

  26. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I dont think Mark is so happy right now

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I mean, so what? He benched a brilliant player. Not like it was bad luck.

    2. QueefParkRangers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      you got a link to his team?

  27. Mike82
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    If I brought Neves in now would I benefit from his price rise?

  28. davies
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Lucas Moura...

    Stick or twist?

    1. FPL_WILDCARD
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same issue for... I think Fulham at home with Son going away... tempted to stick one more and see what happens

  29. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Was very worried about playing double city defence against Arsenal and was strongly advised against it, glad that at least once my gut feeling paid off, anyone else with Ederson & Mendy?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Walker & Mendy for me 🙂

      I also had a gut feeling on Everton... Pickford & Coleman didn't work out this week but i'll give it a few before even thinking of changing them

  30. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Was Richarlison's injury any serious?

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

      Go to the bottom of the last page.