Dugout Discussion

Sterling, Silva and Bernardo benched as Guardiola rotates heavily

Double Gameweek 32 comes to a head on Wednesday evening with three Premier League matches that all kick off at 19:45 BST.

Crystal Palace are the visitors to Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, while Manchester City and Chelsea host Cardiff City and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively.

The headline team news at the Etihad sees Pep Guardiola make seven changes, with Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and David Silva among the players to drop to the bench.

Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gündogan are also among the substitutes, while Nicolas Otamendi drops out of the match-day squad.

Guardiola had previously ruled Sergio Aguero out of tonight’s match, so it is no shock to see Gabriel Jesus leading the line for City.

Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez will flank the Brazilian, while there is a first Premier League start of the season for Phil Foden.

Fernandinho, John Stones and Danilo are also recalled.

Neil Warnock has made only one change, with Harry Arter being replaced in the starting XI by Joe Ralls.

Maurizio Sarri has matched Guardiola in making seven alterations.

Eden Hazard returns to the Chelsea starting XI following his benching at Cardiff on Sunday, while there is a full Premier League debut for Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Gonzalo Higuain makes way for Olivier Giroud, while Emerson Palmieri replaces the injured Marcos Alonso.

N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christensen are recalled as Willian, Pedro, Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic and Antonio Rudiger drop out.

Chris Hughton has made four changes, the most eye-catching of which sees the fit-again Florin Andone replace Glenn Murray up front.

Solly March, Bruno and Gaetan Bong all start at the expense of Anthony Knockaert, Martin Montoya and Bernardo.

Son Heung-min returns to the Spurs starting XI, replacing Lucas Moura in the Lilywhites’ attack.

Ben Davies is preferred to Davinson Sanchez in Mauricio Pochettino’s only other change.

Roy Hodgson has brought Cheikhou Kouyate, James McArthur and Martin Kelly into his starting XI and benched Scott Dann, Max Meyer and Andros Townsend.

That means Jeffrey Schlupp will move even further upfield on the left of a front three, with Wilfried Zaha switching to the right flank.

Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Hazard.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Ryan, Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Bissouma, Stephens, Propper, March, Andone, Jahanbakhsh.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Zinchenko, Stones, Laporte, Danilo, Fernandinho, Foden, De Bruyne, Sane, Mahrez, Jesus.

Cardiff City XI: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison, Manga, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Camarasa, Murphy, Hoilett, Niasse.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Trippier, Sissoko, Eriksen, Rose, Alli, Son, Kane.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Kelly, Van Aanholt, Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur, Zaha, Batshuayi, Schlupp.

3,638 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Grab another one hazard

  2. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    82 points from free hit. Is that considered OK? I personally think it was quite hard to call after the international break. I definitely made a few silly decisions!

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think it is below average tbh.

      1. estheblessed
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yea think you are right. I should still see a green arrow.

    2. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Should ve got 100

      1. estheblessed
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        If sterling and hazard can get me one each I probably will reach a tonne.

    3. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Top 10k average is 89 I think

    4. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not too bad, but not brilliant if you're on a FH

  3. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    When will Batshuayi score?

    Asking for a friend.

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Bants

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      August

  4. Ambrosiana Inter
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Go on Brighton now that azpi came out

  5. Trilly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Higuain isn't even going to come on is he? Pathetic.

  6. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How jammy are Azpi owners. Offside goal and now this.

    1. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Ohhh yesss

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      What, Chelsea hasn't conceded yet...

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Ignore the last three words and it's still true

        1. Sgt Frank Drebin
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          yep, that part is.

  7. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Chelsea can concede now

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

    Now score Brighton 😀

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Please lord I know. Duffy ftw

  9. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Why do we not want sterling to come on?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      EO over 100% so every point he doesn't get is good for non-captainers

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Effective ownership in the top 10k is 110% so unless you captained him any points he gets will hurt your rank

  10. Amey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How many city subs left ??

    1. JohnnyMagrinho
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Pep's blatantly going to wait till last few minutes to troll us and bring on Sterling and David Silva.

        Sterling will naturally grab a brace while David Silva sits on the ground watching everyone else play football around him.

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          🙁

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          He he
          I'd take that though 🙂

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Do something (K)ane!!!

      1. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        My gosh kane ,what an epic fail,every double go he blanks

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, should have known better. Got suckered by the new WHL nonsense.

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

      Guaita's 6th save denies Son his brace.

    4. tm245
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      The points counting with 15-20 minutes left can only mean CS heartbreak.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I hope it does. Go on Cardiff

    5. JELLYFISH
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Pogba > Maddison

      Yes/no?

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yes

    6. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Just didn't see dropping 5k places on a FH. Bonkers.

    7. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Tiny green arrow now from 92...

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

      Hands up if your non-FH team scored more o/

      1. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nooo really?

      2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Outscoring non-FH team by over 50 o/

    9. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      What a waste of 12m Kane has been...

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Never fails to disappoint in the doubles 🙂

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        To think I could have had Lukaku and change.

      3. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I was thinking the same! Unbelievable

    10. fenixri
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Come on Brighton

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        -1

      2. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        +10

      3. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Shoo

    11. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Just need Sterling to come on to get to 100.

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I need Sterling and Silva and Aguero to come on, and score something each.

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

      Jesus is pure comedy.

      KDB assist wasted.

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Was behind him tbf.

    13. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus is a bit shite

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yup

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Fit to warm the bench for Kun

    14. Trilly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Would love a Brighton goal but not even worth investing hope in that. The game is completely dead.

    15. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Is Higuain coming on?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Really ????

      2. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Gru can't last 90 surely

    16. Lucackadoodledoo
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus got onto the end of a cross

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Offside with a ridiculous flick miss. Sure 😉

    17. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus you muppet

      Aguero could of had 5 G & 1 A tonight.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Don’t say that 🙁

      2. Syd.
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I would have scored 5 tonight

    18. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Honestly thinking Son on my WC over Kane... With a front 3 of Deeney, Laca and Jimi. Hmmmmm

    19. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      One more Hazard

    20. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Okay sarri, now just take off kepa. Poch, fancy taking off trip?

    21. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus having a mare

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        As usual