Dugout Discussion

Mahrez and Wilson benched as Guardiola opts for Torres over Aguero up front

The Premier League action on Boxing Day concludes with two matches that kick off simultaneously at 20:00 GMT.

Manchester City take on Newcastle United at the Etihad, while Everton are the visitors to Bramall Lane for a clash against Sheffield United.

After all the talk and worry over whether Pep Guardiola would roll out some seasonal rotation for tonight’s fixture, the City boss has made only one alteration from the starting XI that defeated Southampton in their last Premier League outing.

It’s an enforced one at that as Nathan Ake comes in to replace Kyle Walker, who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Gabriel Jesus also returned a positive COVID-19 test result ahead of this match and, like Walker, is currently self-isolating.

Sergio Aguero is again only among the substitutes, with Ferran Torres given the nod to lead the line for the hosts.

There are four changes for Newcastle from their 1-1 draw with Fulham, the most notable of which sees Callum Wilson benched.

Sean Longstaff, Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett also make way from Steve Bruce’s line-up, with the latter two not in the matchday squad.

Matty Longstaff, Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden and Jacob Murphy are the players handed recalls.

Bruce said of Wilson’s benching ahead of kick-off:

He has got a knock as well, so he’s not quite 100%. He’s played four games in 12 days, so it’s important to look after him a bit.

Over in South Yorkshire, there are two changes made by Chris Wilder from Gameweek 14.

John Lundstram is banned and John Fleck drops to the bench, with Oliver Burke and Ben Osborn handed starts.

That means that Rhian Brewster gets another run-out in attack for the visitors.

Carlo Ancelotti, who has promised rotation in the Gameweek 16 match against Manchester City, goes full strength at Bramall Lane – or at least, as full strength as he can amid the glut of injuries at the club.

His only change to the starting XI from last weekend is enforced, with Richarlison missing out with a concussion and replaced by Anthony Gordon out wide.

James Rodriguez remains out.


Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Baldock, Osborn, Ampadu, Stevens, McGoldrick, Brewster, Burke.

Everton XI: Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Mina, Godfrey, Doucoure, Davies, Sigurdsson, Gordon, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gundogan, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Torres, Sterling.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Hayden, M Longstaff, Murphy, Almiron, Joelinton.

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2,017 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on GW19, BB team?

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Balbuena - Coufal - Justin - Taylor - Alioski
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Rashford - Raphina
    Bamford - Adams - Firmino

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks incredible

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pretty similar to mine, so love it!

      Justin > Lowton
      Alioski > Dallas
      Adams > Vardy
      Son > Soucek

  2. Tabasco
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Don't really want KDB, Grealish, DCL or Wilson anymore but I was planning to field a full squad for BGW 18 and it'd take a bunch of transfers to get rid! Probably just need to go ahead with the plan and forget about this gameweek in terms of perfomances... KDB and Grealish still looked good at least.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      FH!?

      1. Tabasco
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        DGW 19

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish was particularly frustrating (and Cancelo for me). How on earth he blanked is beyond me

      1. Tabasco
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Watkins was pretty at awful at finishing Grealish's passes! Irony is he still hauled

        Cancelo looked great I got him in for Chilwell1

  3. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    FH 18 BB 19 should I do DCL to Che now and get back DCL for a hit (losing his value though) on gw21?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He will drop price quickly.

  4. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Guys, I will probably lost my third consecutive game in my head to head league (my rival use bench boost for this GW..). And last GW I choose Kane as a captain so it was absolutely terrible..

    What would you change on that team? Do I miss the Manchester City & Liverpool defense train (Stones, Matip)? I was also thinking on Maddison instead of Grealish or DCL...

    Meslier
    Dier - Chilwell - Zouma
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Grealish
    Kane - DCL - Bamford

    Nyland - Coufal - Mitchell - Soucel

    Team Value: 105.8
    In the bank: 0.1

  5. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB & Brewster >>> Soucek & Kane...

    Yay or nay?

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      As soon as Soucek is on the bench yes

  6. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB and Lamptey -> Son (have Kane) and Robertson ( have Trent) looks good right? (-4)

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely

  7. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Starting to doubt BB19.

    BB is undoubtedly the strongest chip for doubles, and I’ve had weeks of 100+ in the past, but usually around GW33.
    But this WC is meant to set up my team for the next 15 or so game weeks.
    Preparing for BB means an extra £1-2m invested in the bench, giving selection headaches and weakening the starting XI for several weeks, or multiple hits.
    When there are DGWs nearer the end of the season, you can deploy WC2, get 15 starters, and it only impacts your team structure for 2-3 weeks of the season.
    Now leaning towards WC16, FH18, TC19, and then using WC2 and BB later on.
    Anyone thinking similar?

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not sure you need to invest *that* much in the bench though.

      Johnstone, Coufal, Balbuena, Taylor, Soucek, Leeds defs, Raphina, SOU def, etc. Depending on your formation you could get a bench that's little heavier than standard, I think.

  8. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Truly brilliant performance from Cancelo tonight He was everywhere

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      At least he wasn't involved in the scoring.
      The yellow card was a highlight.

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

        As were the lovely 7 points.

  9. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    21 from 3 so far. Salah(c) and Trent need to come up big tomorrow. Would love some Soucek/Raphinha returns as well.

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      TAA is benched apparently

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Where's that coming from?

  10. Davekitson
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How's this for a plan for DGW19?:

    Nyland + Brewster + Sterling + Mitchell --> Bowen, Adams, Chilwell + Fabianski? Would require a -8 before FH18.

    Also is there any obvious reason not to go with FH18, DGW19, WC20?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Transfers are fine but the use of all the chips is premature ejaculation. Lots of blanks and doubles to negotiate before the end of the season and spunking them all early will leave you wanting at the end imo. I’m personally going with 7 in 18 and FH in 19.

  11. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will Watkins drop today? Seems not?

    Was planning to ship him out, but I guess can wait till tomorrow when the other games have been played?

    1. AllINeedIsCoffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Seems not.

  12. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why all the hype for Raphinha all of a sudden? Just intrigued.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2 assists last GW.

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Oh ok. I need a midfielder to replace KDB so I can do DCL > Kane. Raphinha worth a look at then?

        1. Silecro
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          just have in mind that he was not once mentioned before Manu game...only 1 goal in 9 games if you remove those 2 assists

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

      I'm not allowed to posts members stats.

      1. AllINeedIsCoffee
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Did someone ask you for those?

  13. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2 days until Mahrez gives me a 15 point parting gift!!!

    God I hate owning my own club's players for FPL.

    Might go without one until the end of the season.

    1. AllINeedIsCoffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What is up with him not being included two matches in a row?

  14. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which of these 'ideas' sounds somewhat sane when looking to make up lost ground?

    1: triple West Ham in defense for my TC19 squad (Fabianski, Balbuena & Coufal)
    2: triple Sheffield United in defense for my FH18 squad (Newcastle looks poor atm)
    3: Trying to outsmart the FA-cup drawings and build a BB DGW squad with FT's from GW20-GW26 (and use WC to somewhat cover the BGW29)
    4: Handing KDB the armband (again) in GW18
    5: Keep on playing this game without Salah

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      None of them tbh

      1 might be best of the bunch but not smart imo

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1

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

    Windy AF tonight lads.

    1. Bojam
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Curry?

  16. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What about Calvert Lewin to Cavani? Fixtures and a Double. Great link up with Bruno too.

    It’s obvious he should be starting for United now. Martial is awful.

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Like the idea but too risky

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Won't play every game

    3. andres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You might be right. Nice differential as well

    4. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Could get a ban very soon no?

  17. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Vestergaard out for a month and Mings RC, will miss next game.

    Should I just keep Mings and swap Vestergaard for James Reece or anyone better below 5.6m?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will Reece even start?

      1. aborg
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No idea. I am FH on 18 so any other player under 5.6m you can think of with good fixtures before or after? Matip maybe?

  18. HARLEY
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Dallas or Coufal?

    1. AllINeedIsCoffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Both. Probably Coufal over tho.

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So it’s time to talk about DCL replacement, thinking about the ones below:

    1. Adams
    2. Rodrigo
    3. Barnes/Wood
    4. Martial
    5. Firmino

    Thoughts?

    1. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1

  20. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Tell me why i should choose Raphina ahead of Klich ?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Better underlying stats and and on set pieces

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers. Is he rotation risk ?

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Watch a game....

  21. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB has been pretty rubbish to say the least ! After tonight a very easy decision to make he’s out of my team !

  22. Dannyb
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Was that lfc team leak bulls£&t then?

  23. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions on Calvert replacement? Up to 7.7mil.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Move the 7.7 into Trent or Robbo or get both of you already have one.

  24. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why are people getting Barnes in? He just had a good game, now it's time for his regular 9 bad ones...

    1. AllINeedIsCoffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's the logic most people follow.

  25. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Siggy is back.

  26. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Palace. 10 conceded in 2 games. Currently the whipping boys. If Vardy plays he must be rubbing his hands.

  27. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KdB to Kane for -4 wort it? the other players for the transfer are 4.4 striker/midfielder

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      With the run of games coming yes.

  28. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I don't think I've ever been more reluctant to play an FPL Wildcard. The potential to break things seems far greater than the likelihood it will be used for good.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I agree unreservedly. I’m going into 18 with 7. FH 19. That wc will be precious later on. Even considering nothing in 19. Maybe TC Salah.

  29. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Zouma was through on goal .. unlucky owners