Dugout Discussion

Aguero and Sterling start for City as Gracia rings the changes

The seventh match of a goal-filled Saturday takes place at the Etihad, as league leaders Manchester City face Watford.

Kick-off is at 17:30 GMT.

Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero are joined in a front three by Riyad Mahrez, who replaces the injured Kevin De Bruyne in the City starting XI.

Bernardo Silva drops back into central midfield to take the place of the sidelined Belgian.

Vincent Kompany deputises for the injured John Stones in defence, while Aymeric Laporte is fit enough for a place on the bench.

Leroy Sane is also among the substitutes.

Javi Gracia has rotated heavily for the trip to Manchester, making seven changes in all.

Kiko Femenia, Miguel Britos, Christian Kabasele, Adam Masina, Tom Cleverley, Isaac Success and Andre Gray all come into the side, as Adrian Mariappa, Craig Cathcart, Jose Holebas, Will Hughes, Roberto Pereyra, Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu make way.

Ben Foster, Daryl Janmaat, Etienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucoure are the only Watford players to keep their places.

Pep Guardiola’s side won the reverse fixture 2-1 back in December, when Mahrez registered his highest FPL score of the season (13 points).

Aguero was transferred in by over 125,000 Fantasy managers ahead of this Gameweek, despite City being without a fixture in Gameweek 31.

The Argentinean striker is the second-most-popular captaincy pick of this weekend, having been handed the armband by over 1.45 million FPL bosses.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Gündogan, Silva, Mahrez, Agüero, Sterling.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster, Janmaat, Britos, Kabasele, Masina, Kiko Femenia, Cleverley, Capoue, Doucoure, Success, Gray.

2,176 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hughes the Daddy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Why do BT have to have that slimy wee ex ref inputting his pish. Makes me boak every time I hear or see him.

  2. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wow, FPL is such a depressing game.

    The downers are just relentless, week after week.

    1. jam
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      True. I think it's been a funny season tbh.

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      But the highs.....

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Speak for thyself, Virg...

    4. Naby K8a
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      cheer up mate it's just a game

    5. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Get some meat in ya, will cheer you up no end.

      1. Hughes the Daddy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Pork or beef?

    6. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I've had a red arrow in every single GW of 2019!

    7. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      +1

    8. Hughes the Daddy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's definitely been a weird season

    9. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You either got it ot not. Rank?

    10. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Unbelievable. I was OR 2.5k 5 GWs ago and 5 reds in a row (soon to be 6) and just can't wait for the season to be over....and haven't even played the chips yet lol

    11. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Elite downers, though

    12. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Swings and roundabouts. From -2 for my captain last week, to 42 for this week's effort. For what's been a pretty rotten season for me all in all, tonight has perked me up considerably in time for chip season.

    13. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not depressing when you (C) Sterling for a hatty.

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        me too whoop whoop

  3. jam
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    No Sterling, Schar suspended and Smith injured for the blank.
    Another winner this week! Looking at my worst ever rank by over 300K...

  4. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Rise your Hand if You C King Mo

    1. jam
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Need him to save my week.

    2. Party time
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Mané(C) but I guess we work together now

      • Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        o/

      • Dele
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        o/

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      this season man 🙁

    4. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      who’d u keep gws ahead ?
      a. kun
      b. sterling

    5. DaveVak
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      So, looking at 31-33 now. Plan FH in 32.
      Waiting for after the EU games are done, but initial thoughts on this:
      1. Doherty + Son > Balbuena/Ogbonna/Schindler + Mane (-4) - Field 10 for 31, 11 for 33
      2. Son > Pedro - 9 for 31, 11 for 33 (If Pedro actually plays both)

    6. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      82 with 3 to play. Big bullets to dodge tomorrow though with no Salah, no Man Utd and no Chelsea players in my team so not celebrating just yet.

      1. TheBrazilianRonaldo
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        If you’re on 82 it’s safe to say you can celebrate as much as you want.

      2. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Salah is scoring 4 tomorrow just to let you know

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Big green guaranteed

      4. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Celebrate, how can you go wrong with that score and Salah is gash 😉

      5. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Well played!

    7. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Took the armband off Sterling this morning after having it on him all week! Season over!!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        How on earth is that season over with your rank? Face palm

      2. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        How is it season over when you still have Sterling's points who is only 14% owned?

      3. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I recall you put it on Vardy no?

        Seriously

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah but those 5 extra points...won't sleep tonight!
          😉

      4. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Oh dear you only gave 55 from 5 players - disaster

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          66 after BAPs 🙂

    8. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus looking sharper than Kun

    9. SkeletONv01
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Never again will i bring Sane into my team, never ever, never gonna happen.

      1. Naby K8a
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        that's him nailed in your team GW1 next season then

    10. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep cheers Kun. Rubbish return as Vardy sits alongside you in my team and I don’t own Sterling due to constant rotation. Hope Salah doesn’t go bonkers tomorrow now as was toying between him, Vardy and Kun as captain.

      1. petergriff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        How long have you had Kun in your team?

        1. Danstoke82
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          A long time. I’ve had a lot of good times with him in my team I might add. Not owning Sterling though has caned me this week

    11. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      This week is going to be one of the most polarised ever in terms of scores.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thankfully I'm@ the correct pole for a change 😀

    12. boc610
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Now just take off that assist please

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        It stands

        1. boc610
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          It so easily could

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

            Locked in it seems.

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

        Won't happen.

      3. Hughes the Daddy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Wasn't it handball?

    13. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Who wins?
      A) Mané, TAA, Hazard +8 points.
      B) Salah (C), Jimi, Doherty.

      1. El Matador
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A

      2. tucaoneo
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A

    14. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mane or Salah for TC next week?

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I'm going Mané (C) so that's my answer.

    15. gilean
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy, Hazard and Fraser in for Aguero, Son and Ward for -8?

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        sure

        1. gilean
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Really? Was expecting all no's because of -8...

          1. FCSB
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            a -4 is essentially a -2 in a bgw

    16. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Getting really annoyed lately with my decision to use FTs the past few weeks on GW 32 playing players and basically avoiding City players.

      Obviously hindsight is 20:20 but was really thinking of doing Son to Sterling (-4) and captain as had the exact cash but never pulled the trigger as City aren't playing next week.

      It's my own fault but this season is becoming so bloody frustrating due to the focus on the chips and strategy

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        ^^ GW 31 playing players sorry

    17. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      My ML opponent has Sterling(c), Rondon, Richarlison and according to LiveFPL is on 69 points at the moment with 5 players to go.

      I am so lucky to also captain Sterling, but my lead is gone... the DGW's will probably decide the outcome of the ML, all chips intact for both.

    18. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking about holding Raheem now depending on Hazard's performance? Maybe Jimenez > Wilson instead to get the 11 out in 31? FH 32 then Raz vs Cardiff in 33? Mmm, could be a plan..we'll see?

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Hoping City lose?

      2. bialk
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        City will progress in FA cup. No game in 33.

      3. HNI
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Well Sterling had 3 shots on target and 3 goals. He has that many shots almost every match so performance always there not just this match when it stands out. Hold if more than 0.4mn tied else bring back on fh/wc

      4. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ahh of course forgot about that...doh!! Ty for reminder!! 😉

    19. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      5 players and captain in first 2 games tomorrow .Season-defining

    20. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm having a very good season but I just can't nail my Captains.

    21. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      65 WITH 6 TO PLAY LEGEND! Thank you Sterling C

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ban?

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          really, for what?

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Always look forward to your posts..

    22. HNI
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Wow 42 pts from Sterling C. Mark can go and actually win fpl this season with that pull

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

        Top 50 perhaps.

        1. abaalan
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Why what rank was he?

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Projected to be 920 over night!

        2. HNI
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yes and if he plays Bb and tc properly he can go and win it

    23. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You just know Raheem is going to increase in price even though he has a blank next week...gotta love the casuals

    24. Party time
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I hope Salah(C), Mané(C) & Firmino(C) spread 6 goals amongst themselves tomorrow

        1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          3 captain chip?

        2. JJO
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          you have 3 teams?

        3. Party time
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Hahaha. No! but then I need those 3 to help themselves. An unselfish attack will yield goals. Mané(C) 🙂 Goodluck to all my fellow pool cappers most importantly thise with the C in the attack, we shall have the last laugh 😉

          • elchilangles
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            im not sure you understand this triple captain thing.....

        4. Adriano
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Oh dear... My second highest rank this season after being within/near the top 10k for the entire season. I have gotten the last few weeks horribly wrong

        5. Crouching Tiger
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Rashford hat trick would be nice

        6. Dele
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Pogba, Son, Jimenez >>> Fraser, Hazard, Wilson -4?

        7. Mo Mané Mo Problems
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Arnie, Fab, Lascelles, Son: 3 points
          Fraser and Sterling (c): 55 points