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. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    V good so far 🙂

  2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Probably been discussed but do people still think Kun would have started with no injury? This side looks pretty predetermined to me.

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

      Yeah, at least 3 goals.

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

      Yes, another 60/70 and given the weekend off.

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

      Yes IMO. Then off at HT if they were smashing it.

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Perhaps. But why not start Sterling?

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

          Played two games over international break.

          1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Ah yes, perhaps.

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

          Sterling less injury prone so probs plays weekend and CL and would rather Sane Aguero than Sterling Jesus imo. But who knows...

  3. KAPO KANE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Peltier clean sheet gone

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

      Dial-up ?

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

    Zinchenko injured

    Walker coming on

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

    Walker on for Zinchenko. Hopefully Sterling stays on the bench

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

    One less chance for Sterling to come on

  7. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Walker Yes

    Draft points.

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

    Baby KDB done
    Walker inc

    Two subs left.

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

      One of those will be kdb.
      Raz hope still alive

  9. Tasty Jerk
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Can hear our 3000 supporters loud and clear, excellent 🙂

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Was only initially looking for appearance points from Schlupp and Milli and now such has been the disintegration the last few days, the GW's hopes are pinned on them ha

  10. Mo Mané Mo Problems
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Zinchenko done. Walker coming on.

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

      Damn ML fav!

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

    Ffs Eriksen. Soo poor form.

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

    What about Stamford bridge ??
    Everyone asleep ??
    😀
    Sarriball !!

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

    Zinchenko off Walker on

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

    One sub used :/

  15. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Guaita head injury

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

      No.

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

        He's fine. Was never injured.

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Back up

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

      Like Neymar injures himself 17 times per game

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

    Waste of one of pet's subs

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      The gameweek that keeps on giving

  17. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    feels like ive been playing Walker owners all season

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

    Kane getting his eye in

  19. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    One crumb of comfort is Luiz starting again. Switched from Azpi at the last breath to upgrade Lindelof and then read somewhere how Luiz struggles playing midweek after playing at the weekend.

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

    Waiting for everyone to shout Azaaaard

    Goal incoming hopefully!

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He’ll be in a white shirt when we hear that again.

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

        He'll score for Belgium before then.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeh i’ll Give you that

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

        This DGW has been appalling.

        I don't care who scores just give me some goals please!

  21. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So laporte was the best Capt choice in 26.. and looks like he'll be repeating it!
    Went for ederson instead for 'security'

  22. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    If you were planning to get Murray for DGW34 and beyond... Do note that, quite unsurprisingly, the old man was benched for their second game this DGW. Rotated both full backs as well

    It's Duffy, Dunk, Ryan or no one from Brighton

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Murray is a poor pick. What is he, 45? Will never play all those games.

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

        Yuuuuup. I was never planning to get him. Just showing others than it's much more than fear mongering when we say he's the last guy to get for DGWs

        Plus, Brighton is done.

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

        100

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

      True

      Knockaert maybe worth a punt?

  23. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Captain sterling frustrated here. Any chance of him coming in today?? :((

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

      2 chances left.

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

        Unlikely

  24. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Laporte is underrated king in DGWs.

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

      First name on WC 😛

  25. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    The atmosphere at the Etihad is embarrassing. Not only is there thousands of empty seats, nobody opens their mouth. Shocking club and u are a joke if u want them to win the league

    1. Sif
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      They're tired from getting the train up after a whole day at Madame Tussauds.

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

      fake club, garbage stadium, spurs heading same way

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

      £££££ can't buy Fans.
      But I think they are on the way to domestic treble

    4. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I swear they were fanatical in the late 90s and early noughties when in the second and third tiers whilst Utd were sweeping it all up

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

        Lies told by jealous city fans

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

        I think a lot of those guys prefer it how it was. Remember seeing these guys in Oxford after a 4-1 win. Ecstatic they were.

        1. Ser Davos
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, there seems a rose tinted romanticsm there. Perhaps, combined with the more traditional Maine Road, Utd were supported by nearly everyone at that time and there were mancunians just up the road who wanted to support someone in the second and third tier

          1. Ser Davos
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            which was/is admirable and perhaps their fervant passion was a celebration of their dedication to Citeh's struggle. Now they're awashed with money and success, not only does it come "easy" for the club, but supporting them requires less. Not making much sense, but you get the point

    5. Old Man
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      United fan? Liverpool?

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

      They'll always have this though https://youtu.be/tn6fNYwtGc4

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

    Let’s go Schlupp & Mili, time to make Spurs weep

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

    Liking these city corners 🙂 Laporte goal aswell plez

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

    Only just realised that it was a Laporte assist 😀

  29. EMBOLOFAN
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    anyone got chelsea on? hows it looking?

    does higuain look lively on the bench? any stretching?

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

      He's eating a Big Mac.

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

        sounds good - thanks

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

    LMS safety score currently 68.

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. mir
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Noooo... struggling on 66 at the minute

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

      currently on 69 :/