Dugout Discussion
30 December 2018 2155 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Two more Premier League matches kick off at 14:15 GMT today, as Manchester City look to bounce back to winning ways against Southampton and an in-form West Ham United make the trip north to face a Burnley side who shipped five goals on Boxing Day.

The headline team news at St. Mary’s is the benching of Leroy Sane, with the German winger missing his first Premier League match since Benjamin Mendy picked up his latest knee injury ahead of Gameweek 13.

Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez start in a front three with Sergio Aguero, while the influential figures of David Silva and Fernandinho return to the City midfield.

Aymeric Laporte is the only defender to keep his place from the defeat to Leicester, while Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan are not part of the 18-man squad.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has made six changes to his Southampton side and appears to have ditched the three-man backline, too.

Danny Ings, Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong are among the players to make way, with 18-year-old defender Kayne Ramsay making his debut against the reigning champions.

Marko Arnautovic makes a quicker-than-anticipated return to the West Ham United starting XI and lines up in Manuel Pellegrini’s side for the first time since Gameweek 15.

Felipe Anderson and Robert Snodgrass start in midfield for the Hammers, who have five wins in their last six league matches.

Sean Dyche has rung the changes after the 5-1 trouncing at the hands of Everton on Boxing Day.

Joe Hart is dropped to the bench as Tom Heaton makes his first league start since September 2017, with wingers Dwight McNeil and Johann Berg Gudmundsson also returning to the team.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Heaton, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Barnes, Wood.

West Ham United XI (4-4-2): Fabianski, Antonio, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Snodgrass, Anderson, Arnautovic, Perez.

Southampton XI (4-5-1): McCarthy, Ramsay, Stephens, Bednarek, Targett, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Lemina, Romeu, Elyounoussi, Austin.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Danilo, Laporte, Kompany, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Silva, Bernardo, Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez.

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  1. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    If Sterling blanks again will people continue to sell and say he's played rubbish?

    1. BigBillyBass
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      He won’t blank today

    2. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Probably. Let them 🙂

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I'll let them sell, yeah 😀

      2. CC22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, I’m currently still holding, and watching this makes me think thay’s the right call!

        1. Richd
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          I have captain on and this is intense. He should haul but the clock ticks

    3. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    4. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Blank = rubbish
      Points = essential

      No in between!

    5. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Seems to be trying a bit too hard to score or assist IMO. Cut in a few times on to his right foot looking to shoot when he could have cut in and laid it off to Aguero or Dilva. He is playing well overall though,

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I hate it when he tries !!!!

    6. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      You think he’s playing well?

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yes. Two big chances created. Unlucky not to have at least one assist.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          I must have missed the other big chance. Just seen the Kun one. Cut in a few times and looked terrible. Bad corner and a mid control also

      2. Tommyg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        He's not playing bad. Carved out an excellent chance for Aguero and had Mahrez picked up his head could have had a chance to score.

      3. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yes. Today and last two matches he's look at the top of his game in my eyes.

    7. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah I'm sticking barring injury. He looks like points to me.

    8. F_Ivanovic
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Feeling he will be benched vs Liverpool now he started this one as Pep likes to favour Mahrez against tough opposition. He also has favoured Sterling and not Sane but that was mostly cause Mendy was playing back then.

      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I’m sure Sane and Sterling will play to expose the flanks and attack pool. Especially the lw.

        VvD will have Aguero or Jesus in his pocket so pace on the flanks will be essential. Sterling and Sane to start, with Mahrez to come on if they need more creativity

    9. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Well, it will be rubbish from an FPL point of view, regardless of how well he's played.

    10. fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I certainly think he'll be back in the points once the Christmas period is over

  2. BigBillyBass
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Fabianski is a fraud

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      He's due a pen save.

      1. BigBillyBass
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Poor man’s Etheridge

  3. Adriano
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    City still seem to be missing that final touch though

  4. Monkey Hanger
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like Ralphy Rabbithutch has nicked Wagner and is using him as a physio.

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      LOL

  5. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    You kidding me Snodgrass?

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      He loves a yellow.

  6. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    No 33 has a target painted on his back there.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      *printed

  7. Chirsbom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    FPL match day live page showing Burnley - West Ham as 0-0 on the live blog. GJ!

  8. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Ederson you clown

  9. Alexis Nonsense
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Little Pea --> Jimenez a no brainer ?

    It's exact funds, Ings being the only other option I guess

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Jimi for sure.

    2. *sigh*
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Youre oblivious to the mighty Ashley Barnes?

    3. fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      If Hernandez is out for Brighton, Jiminez is the most fixture proof option I think.

      1. dannyhesse
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah was thinking the same with one eye on Arnie today too.

  10. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I want City to concede so Sané can get minutes and I have Laporte.

    Better go lose some games in FUT champions

  11. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Not even a save from Fabs yet

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      He's fkt.

  12. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Ederson showing he has more ability than the Southampton midfield

  13. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Ederson +BPS successful dribble.

  14. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Thats just idiotic from Ederson

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Didn't have much choice after the bad first touch.

      Brazilian Pickford.

  15. BigBillyBass
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Snodgrass the new Barkley

  16. seewhyaxe
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Time to say goodbye to fabianski!

    1. QueefParkRangers
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      to?

  17. Catastrophe
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team chaps?

    Fabianski
    TAA, Digne, Lovren
    Salah, Fanderson
    Kane, Jimenez

    (Speroni, Doherty, AWB)

    Last 4 spots:

    A) Pogba, Hazard, Richarlison, Kamara(sub)
    B) Aubameyang, Martial, Richarlison, Camarasa(sub)
    C) Firmino, Pogba, Richarlison, Camarasa(sub) (1.7m to upgrade def/GK)
    D) Mane, Pogba, Richarlison, Kamara(sub) (1.5m to upgrade)
    E) Sterling, Martial, Richarlison, Kamara(sub) (0.4m to upgrade)
    F) Mane, Martial, Dilva, Kamara(sub) (0.7m to upgrade)

    Currently on A but not sold on Hazard.

    Cheers

    -----------------------------------

    What's better?

    A) Alisson (3.9)
    Lovren, Digne, Doherty (AWB, 3.9)

    B) Fabianski (3.9)
    TAA, Lovren, Digne (Doherty, AWB)

    Cheers.

    1. Amey
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. BigBillyBass
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Advice - don’t post huge RMT posts like that during the live games. People don’t have the time to read them, nor do they really care when the footy is on

  18. BigBillyBass
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Charlie Austin is the pits

  19. Chirsbom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    So, Fernandinio MVP at City?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Close tie with D. Silva

  20. Fin
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Ederson’s play is sometimes as questionable as his neck tattoo

  21. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    From a neutral perspective, which is the better match? I am going to stream one

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Watching both

  22. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero YC

  23. Adriano
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I'm just waiting for Ederson to make a mistake in his box

  24. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Kun YC

  25. bialk
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Kun YC.

  26. Zladan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Ederson is so good lol

    It must be stressful watching him if you're a City fan.

  27. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero booked

  28. Monkey Hanger
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    City defence hardly looking solid.

  29. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero booked

  30. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero shot on Targett

    1. Ruinenlust
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Looool

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Is your grav John Henderson (darts player)?

      1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Aye

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Thought it was Sloth from the Goonies.

        2. Monkey Hanger
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Handsome fellow.

        3. Mysterion
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          😀 genuinely thought it was a cartoon

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Post of the year 😀