Dugout Discussion
24 February 2019 1786 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Gameweek 27 came to a conclusion earlier this afternoon with two matches held at Old Trafford and the Emirates, so our focus now switches to the EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Kick-off at Wembley is at 16:30 GMT.

Both of these sides blanked in Gameweek 27, of course, as a result of this tie.

Pep Guardiola has made only one change to his starting XI from the side that beat Schalke in midweek, with Oleksandr Zinchenko starting instead of Ilkay Gundogan.

That alteration means that Aymeric Laporte will move back over to centre-back, with Fernandinho pushed forward into his usual central midfield position.

Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling start in a front three with Bernardo Silva again.

Leroy Sane is among the substitutes, though Gabriel Jesus hasn’t recovered from injury to make the bench.

Eden Hazard starts as a central striker in Maurizio Sarri’s usual 4-3-3, with Gonzalo Higuain only among the substitutes.

Marcos Alonso is not part of the match-day squad, so Emerson Palmieri starts at left-back.

Both of these sides return to Premier League action on Wednesday evening: Chelsea face Spurs at Stamford Bridge, while City take on West Ham at the Etihad.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger, Emerson, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Willian, Hazard, Pedro.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Zinchenko, Laporte, Otamendi, Walker, Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling, Aguero.

  1. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Chelsea need to bring on someone with appetite.

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      lukaku

      1. FPL DONKEY
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Beat me to it

    2. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Higuain never let's himself get hungry

    3. Majestic Chanka
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Wayne Shaw?

  2. aborg
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone thinking that Aguero will not start on Wednesday after playing 120 mins?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      jesus injured

    2. MTPockets
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Who else plays though if Aguero/Sterling get 120 and Jesus still injured?

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Kdb, Mahrez, David silva

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            cant wait to see dilva upfront

          2. MTPockets
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Who plays up front though with say Sane/Mahrez?

        2. Rainer
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          With Jesus not in the squad today I heard Kun will be starting vs West Ham.

        3. Orion
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          He’ll start, if he stays fit until the end of this game

          1. aborg
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            He will be tired though. You think Inshould hold to Auba at this point ?

            1. Pocky
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              100% keep Auba

            2. Orion
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Yeah hold for sure...

            3. MTPockets
                7 years, 2 months ago

                yes

          2. Homer21
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Please refer to last 5 pages for varying answers

        4. FPL ZB
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          As a Laporte and Rashford owner.. this hasn’t been a great week

          1. FPL ZB
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Also AWB

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

            Look at the positives

            You can guilt free move them on for 31/33 players 🙂

            1. FPL ZB
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Very true 🙂

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

            Could be worse. You could have had Firmino as well.

          4. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            same, and still own martial

        5. Longlatini
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Out: Firmino and Camarasa

          In: Barnes and Almiron

          Good moves?

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

            Love it

          2. JohnCarewCarew
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Yep. V good moves.

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

            bit of a downgrade

          4. Longlatini
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks chaps!

        6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          William rested for spurs

          Spurs win confirmed

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

          Willian off for Higuain.

          Taking off a decent penalty taker.

        8. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Well feel a tad better position not owning Aguero/Sterling now, maybe

          1. Silecro
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            it changed my whole FH31 strategy, now im just gonna hold on sane and build towards GW31

        9. Flynny
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Was planning on bringing sterling in.

          Does that go out of the window field to 120 mins today?

          Thanks

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            they have to play someone

        10. HD7
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Hi Managers!

          GW31- Good plan?

          From GW27:
          Fab
          Pereira Doh Robbo
          Salah Pogba Son Jota
          Rashford Auba Llorente

          Subs: Button, AWB, Camarasa, VVD

          GW28: Rash to Vardy
          GW29: Auba Llorente to Higuain King (-4)
          GW30: Jota to Fraser
          GW31: Son Pogba to Anderson Haz (-4)

          And play in 31:

          Fab
          Pereira VVD Robbo
          Salah Fraser Anderson Haz
          Higuain Vardy Wilson/King

        11. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Rash -> Higgy seems like a decent punt for the upcoming weeks. Shame Laporte got injured.. Probably taking in a Chelsea defender but not feeling that good about it.

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            i wanna see how chels go vs spurs before commiting to any of them

        12. Hy liverpool
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          This isn't looking good for us Hazard and sterling owners

          1. Dannyb
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Hazard is basically undroppable so I'm not worried.

          2. el polako
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Haz will play.

        13. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          WHM winning midweek or Pellegrini will gift City 3pts?

          1. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Agent Zabaleta will look after the tired legs.

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

            Pellegrini and Zabaleta gifting City 3 pts. West Ham will put out a weak side citing the quick turnaround.

            1. El-Kloppico
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Guess so.. against LIV pellegrini mentioned he's still City fan.

        14. Rainer
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Even Alonso might get a run out midweek with all the 120's.

          1. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Alonso will be dropped again. Alonso 72 minutes played against City: 6 goals conceded. Emerson 120 minutes played: 0 goals conceded.

            1. Rainer
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Marty McFly?

              1. Brosstan
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Theres never goals in extra time in games like this. Penalty shootout guaranteed

                1. Rainer
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 2 months ago

                  Time to make food so, cheers.

        15. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          three players flagged!

          WC trigger finger twitching!

          1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Same here but definitely not playing it till week 34. Not changing my plan for a few injuries. I got away with it this week with a decent 46 points. Have a feeling that there will be lots of rotation for the midweek games, with the injuries and ET in the carabao final. Luckily all my 3 injured players I can afford a drop of 0.1 on but I would like to maintain TV for the wildcard. Not too bothered about the TV for the FH in gw31 as I can have a rubbish bench.

            1. TRIPOS TOPPER
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              wise words

              I hope you are enjoying your Hamilton fob watch!

              1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah ! It was a John Harrison though.
                Funny. Good luck for rest of season.

        16. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Auba + Aguero FTW

          Rash and Son out.

          You'll thank me later.

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            my tv wont when i want them back

        17. Vobinho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Strange period incoming...

          No Fernandinho means city may well struggle

          Liverpool not playing well at all

          Spurs sketchy

          No team taking this title race by the scruff of the neck.

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            burnley are going to win the league

          2. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            How long is Fernandinho out for?

            1. EMBOLOFAN
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              looked like groin injury which is bad news for city

            2. Vobinho
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              No idea but didn't look good at all the way he was hobbling off

          3. Hy liverpool
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Arsenal to win it

          4. tucaoneo
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Bald fraud getting what he deserved for playing Fernandinho 90' against Everton and 79' against Newport.

        18. EMBOLOFAN
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          eriksen to sterling or haz

        19. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Man City vs West Ham score prediction?

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            2-1

          2. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            4-0.

            1. fr3d
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Jesus hatty?

          3. El-Kloppico
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            1-0

            1. El-Kloppico
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              WHM will try their best to lose it.

          4. Silecro
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            2-1 Sane 2x, Arnie

          5. Hy liverpool
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            3-1

          6. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Ask in 20 minutes.

          7. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            10-0

          8. YEAH PITCH!
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            1-0

        20. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Hindsight is great but wish I’d held off Sane to Anderson now lol. Ffs

          1. Deulofail
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            We knowwww

          2. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, you shouldn't have made that move.

          3. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            You are doing a lot of moaning today TLD.

            1. fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              today?

              1. Rainer
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Quiet day from him & Zico 😀

            2. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Every day*

          4. George Sillett
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            You would be crap on Just a Minute .

        21. CliveTilds
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Rashford > Vardy? Useless manager has gone.

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            YES!

          2. Captain Warlock
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Considering Vardy or Higuaín??

        22. YouReds
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Llorente >

          A) Barnes
          B) Rondon

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            a

          2. Orion
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Flip a coin... Both are good at the moment

            1. EMBOLOFAN
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              rondon isnt

        23. C'mon the Fylde
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          What are your thoughts on...?

          -Suarez OUT
          -Mahrez IN

          Etheridge
          Doherty Robertson Pereira Shaw
          Jota Salah Pogba
          Aguero Jiminez Barnes

          Button, Son, Suarez*, AWB

          1. EMBOLOFAN
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            one of the only worse choices than suarez

          2. Hy liverpool
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            You are asking for troubles

          3. MTPockets
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Mahrez has started 1 of their last 10 PL games

          4. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Chelsea favorites if it goes to pens?

            1. fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Not sure Kepa can save penalties. He's just such an unknown.

            2. Silecro
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              based on current clubs form, yes, definitely. Chelsea would sign pens in a hartbeat before the match

          5. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Is Jesus expected to be fit for West Ham game do we know?

            1. EMBOLOFAN
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              no

            2. Rainer
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              We don't know.

          6. FPL Scoop
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Saving a FT kinda tempting this week, despite having no City... gives another week of info to assess assets I want in.

            1. fr3d
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Probably should’ve kept Sane?

              1. Deulofail
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Why, who did he buy? I have no idea...

          7. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Was going to transfer Aguero is before this. Hmmmm.

          8. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            City rotation gonna be a minefield next week

            1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              No different from any other gameweek? This is pep

          9. Vobinho
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            When's Sir Ben Mendy due to return?

          10. MGD
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Wsup with Laporte ? Rashford injured as well?

            1. Dannyb
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Hamstring

          11. mrpink32
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Laca Rashford to aubameyang (c) barnes

            Good move

            1. Dannyb
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              No