Dugout Discussion

De Bruyne and Mahrez benched for EFL Cup final

Gameweek 28 has already reached its conclusion but there is another significant match taking place this afternoon between two Premier League sides.

Manchester City and Aston Villa meet in today’s EFL Cup final, with kick-off at Wembley at 16:30 GMT.

City and Villa, along with Arsenal and Sheffield United, blanked in Gameweek 28 as a result of their involvement in today’s final.

Man City v Arsenal and Aston Villa v Sheffield United remain unscheduled at the time of writing.

Pep Guardiola has made eight changes from the side that beat Real Madrid in midweek, with Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m) among the substitutes.

Sergio Aguero (£11.9m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.7m) start in attack.

City have another cup match, against Sheffield Wednesday, still to come before they take on their cross-city rivals in Gameweek 29.

Dean Smith has made three changes to the Aston Villa side beaten by Southampton last weekend, with Orjan Nyland (£4.3m), Bjorn Engels (£4.4m) and Ahmed Elmohamady (£4.2m) recalled.


Man City XI: Bravo, Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Foden, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero.

Aston Villa XI: Nyland, Guilbert, Engels, Mings, Targett, Nakamba, Elmohamady, Luiz, Grealish, El Ghazi, Samatta.

785 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    City win. Caraboa champions

  2. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish being comforted by City players like a teammate!

    1. DeadStarComing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He didn’t quite cheat enough today.

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

        salty

  3. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Worth taking any of Auba/Vardy/Ings for Jimenez this week or just hold? All 3 have good home fixtures

    1. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ings > Jimi

  4. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Times for Ings to go? Stats r really lacking now

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If no DCL, then yes for sure.

      1. JJeyy
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Next two chelsea liverpool tho

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Both leaky.

          If Everton actually attack in the derby, which they should, it could be any score.

          1. JJeyy
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Ings could still outscore tho with new, nor

            1. Yank Revolution
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              He seems to be off the boil so to speak...DCL is on fire.

            2. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              He should and needs to.

              Form > Fixtures but only a brave manager makes that move.

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      See below.

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

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

      Not immediately before Newcastle & Norwich surely. After that, sure.

      1. Citizenkane91
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        May hold for NEW, but Nor are improving and still very motivated. In fact, Soton sits a little too high to have the same urgency that NEW and Wolves will feel (for different reasons), maybe going early on Jota is justified (ie before NEW for Ings). Will have to mull on it.

  5. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone doing Ings to Jota?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at ings and traore to jota and sarr - 4

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

      May wait next 2

  6. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Lund > Doherty for free or wait for Vardy news v Villa?

    Guaita
    TAA / Robbo / Williams
    Salah / KDB / Barnes / Traore
    Vardy / Jimi / Ings

    Button / Cantwell / Webster / Lund

    1. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lund > Doc certainly but not until next saturday 10.30am

  7. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    ok is this worth a four point hit: Ings and Traore > Jota and Sarr. Also gives me extra player for BGW31

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Which teams will play for sure in BGW 31?

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

      Ings might play 31.

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not for a hit

  8. SomeoneKnows
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So Bruno or Aubameyang?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have bowf

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Auba if one.

  9. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Should I WC?

    McCarthy
    TAA Soy Robbo Stevens*
    KdB Salah Fernandes
    Vardy* Ings DCL
    (Button* - Traore* Cantwell Kelly*) 1FT 2.4itb

    1. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      For five players maybe not... (3 on the bench)
      To upgrade a starter with your 2.4 itb YES

      1. thomashl
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeh. Torn between Vardy to Jimenez or Auba

  10. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    45 all out and up to 70k from 98k

    Just wished I had swapped Vardy for Jimi, even for -4

    DCL is the new Ings!

    1. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      WAS the new Ings

  11. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Well done City ! Gotta be a special win for Pep?
    Last title won if the ban gets upheld, I reckon thats it, he'll leave along with many other players.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      FA Cup draws suggest he’ll be seeing Wembley again soon.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Its good that one manager take the cup seriously.

  12. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero and Traore to Auba and Bruno for 2FT?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Oh yes

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

      yes

    3. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      nah keep Kun, they will have DGW 29 according to Ben Crelin....

      1. Vlad Tepes
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        well then the same goes for Auba?

  13. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GreaLLLLLish is backkk

  14. Sting in the Tail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Copy and paste below to answer 95% of questions

    It totally depends on the FA Cup results midweek. Not even worth discussing until you know who blanks 31, doubles in 34 or 37 and even if City and Arsenal have a double in 29.

    1. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It totally depends on the FA Cup results midweek. Not even worth discussing until you know who blanks 31, doubles in 34 or 37 and even if City and Arsenal have a double in 29

  15. Ace Ventura
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else taking vardy out or or keeping hold. Will cost me a bit but the Vardy -> Auba move looks good.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Very, very tempted. We're not looking good at all.

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

    After Vardy news came i had shortlisted 3 possible transfers. (-4)

    A. Vardy to DCL
    B. Mariappa to Taylor
    C. Mariappa to Saiss.

    Guess which one i did 😀

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C. Marathon and all that

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

        Cheers for the positive response 🙂

        Don't wanna lose Vardy now before Villa Watford after keeping him this long tbh. So kept him

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Could be a nice captain this week

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

            Need him to fire !
            Not gonna © for sure. Don't feel it anymore with him. Maybe a goal would settle the nerves

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C

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

        🙂

  17. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So majority are going with Salah/Mane(c) next week?

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

      I am
      Can see salah scoring a hattrick.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Will they both play 3 days before madrid?

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

          Nope
          Mane will be taken off early. Way more important to Pool play than saalah IMO

        2. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yes.

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        You're nothing if not an optimist! 😀

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

          Everything pointing towards it IMO sir
          Easy home game.
          Early goal would settle the game.
          A dodgy pen is close too with those guys.
          Or
          I am looking at it differently 😀

          I'm going to follow the gut feeling though

          1. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Klopp rarely pulls people off early unless the game is going sideways.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rockstar tweet dependent...

      1 of the front 3 missing, maybe a full back rest, and I might jump ship.

      Early rests too if game won.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, I feel it's a good week to take a punt. Aubameyang vs WHM, Jimenez/Jota vs BHA etc etc...

        Salah isnt playing well anyway, not giving a feel of haul.

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

        You've got me thinking now bro.
        vVD to Dockerty then if pool go through the next round of fa cup 😮

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Almost certainly. yesterday should act as a wake up call. Surely they'll now buckle down and get those 4 wins needed in the next 6 or 7 matches.

  18. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Are Doherty/Alonso better picks than Robertson at the moment?

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

      I'm thinking same re Vvd & Doherty 😮

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Fixtures, form, blanks are in Doherty's favor, so I would say yes

  19. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is klopp likely ro rotate v bournemouth, 3 days before madrid?

    Or will he play a reduced team v chelsea in the fa cup to give some of his first choice a rest?

    Ill be benchboosting next week and the last thing ill want is me lpool players not involved....thanks

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

      Unless they get a complete rest, most will have those players.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        So it should have little impact on whether to benchboost then?

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

          If all 15 play, it won't.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t do anything until FPL Rockstar tweets at 11.20 on Saturday morning.

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

        True especially benchboosters

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

        ×× BREAKING TEAM NEWS ××
        .
        .
        .
        .
        .

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          *GIF*

          \o/

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Klopp is going for the FA Cup, no doubt!

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

    Any news on enda Stevens fitness?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      From RAE’s HT:

      Sheffield United

      Stevens’ injury is not as bad as first feared with the Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy confirming that Wilder hopes to have him available for Gameweek 29.
      https://www.sheffieldunited.news/news/republic-of-ireland-boss-mick-mccarthy-gives-injury-update-on-enda-stevens/

      Hopefully plays during the week.

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

        Cheers

  21. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best move here?

    A) Ryan -> Pope (4.8)
    B) Ings -> Jota (7.0)
    C) Moura & Ayew -> Mount (6.1) & Jota (-4)
    D) Save FT

    Ryan
    TAA, Soy, Stephens
    Salah, Mane, Moura, Perez
    Auba, Ings, Ayew

    Button, Aurier, Williams, Dendoncker
    Bank 0.2m, 1FT, all chips

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

      Wolves likely to smash Brighton fwiw.

  22. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking Ings Iheanacho Mooy to Jota DCL Sarr -4 and BB ( already played WC so seems sensible to use now )

    Yes or No for

    Henderson
    TAA Boly Stevens
    Salah Mané KDB Sarr Barnes
    Jota Jiménez

    Pope DCL Stephens Fernández

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Could you not just do Nacho + Mooy > Jota and Sarr

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Sadly .4 m short

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ings (+4) > DCL

  23. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who to sell for Doherty?

    A Soy
    B Stephens

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

      Not a good GW to sell either i guess

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Have GW31 in mind

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

          Can save then.
          Just my thoughts though.
          Doherty is a great asset we all know that.
          If you have to, I'd sell Soyuncu being more expensive

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It pains me to say Soy but that could be right as we're not keeping clean sheets these days.

  24. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Firmino to Auba no brainer ?

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

      could be a brainer

    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Getting tired of Bobby's 2 pointers?

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        yup 😀

  25. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    TAA Saiss Stephens
    Mane Salah KDB Grealish
    DCL Jimi Ings

    button - Holgate -Lascelles - Dendo

    3.1 in the bank and 1 FT

    1. Easy Save
    2. Grealish to Bruno
    3. Saiss to Doherty
    4. Any other suggestions

  26. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do this move - Ings + Traore ➡ Jota + Sarr??

    Which wud give me the following team

    Mccarthy
    TAA VVD Doherty
    Salah (c) Bruno KDB Sarr
    Vardy Jimenez Jota
    - Grealish Stephens BWilliams

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

      Maybe on Friday/Saturday.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you

    2. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Considering doing Traore -> Sarr move early. If Vardy out then I might take hit to bring in Jimmy or Jota

  27. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Keep Barnes and Maddy combo and Ings for one more week or bin them for -8 for Bruno,Sarr and Jota? thanks

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

      Maddy to Sarr & hold those horses for another GW

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  28. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else own Perez and feel like they should just cut their losses and get rid? I'm 50/50 on this. Don't like getting rid of players I've just brought in but have a feeling it was a mistake.

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

      I brought him in on Friday too & also regret, but got to give him Villa at home to give the decision a chance to pay off.

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Think that's what I'll probably do also.

  29. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    DC-L (che, LIV, nor) -----> Jimenez (BHA, whu, BOU), for free?

  30. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Doing more transfers now after using my FT to ship Perez would feel as dirty as taking a walk through the redlight district.

    You just know whats going to happen...