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. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any despairing KdB (c)s? I learnt my lesson from last week... I am very tempted to ship him ngl.

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

      Seen one (TC) on here....

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheaper options performing better. Sell sell sell

    3. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      5% in top 10k or so

    4. yalala
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Still 30 minutes left

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

      As am I. Can do a swap to get Kane back in by ditching Davis and by replacing KDB with a 5.5

    6. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Shipped last week. Only brought him in as concerned cover over those 3 easy fixtures. Kept him a game too long. The 'other players not finishing his chances' is codswallop. He's got a reasonable number of assists. He had been absolutely woeful in front of goal. That's why he's currently a waste of 12m. Easier to blame other players though than take responsibility

    7. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's like Grealish
      Not explosive enough to be a viable captain option
      Man City still not at their best either
      Better to invest in Man City defence IMO

    8. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I have him C

    9. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Few more goals here. But even if he returns he’s out as just better value options

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

    Can't see Kev lasting too long out here with a 2-0 lead.

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

    So how many points will KDB get this game?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      3

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

      3

  4. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    No way that’s an assist

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cancelo robbed of an assist

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    No brainier?

    KDB+DCL >> Son+Vardy (-4)

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      * fernandes and Vardy for me. It’s really tempting, though I do like DCL

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

    Cancelo cursed.

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Playing with well though

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

    KdB is useless

  8. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling doing sterling things

  9. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo assist will be given!

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      THIS

    2. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Really?!

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

      No way

    4. Lukakuna
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      😉

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not an assist- clearly came off defender error

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

      Not intended target, 90 degree change of direction and new cycle of play. Unfortunately for owners, it’s crystal clear

    7. Predator
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No, boy

  10. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling doing Sterling things 😆

  11. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Siggy do something ASAP

  12. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling and Cancelo owner in pain here

  13. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I think I'll stick with one City def in my WC

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      3 are needed

  14. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How has Cancelo not had an assist yet?!

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Because I cast a spell on him.

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

      Sterling missed it.

  15. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo owner not watching the game... what happened? I want assist if possible obviously 😉

  16. JayLegend
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo deserves more points

  17. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo so attacking, just no attacking returns !

  18. Ted Bovis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cancel looks like FPL gold

    1. UshFPL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's looked like it for weeks without delivering

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pep will prevent that from happening.

    3. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, like owner lijes of robbo, Trent, etc, either no end product, pass cross etc, no quality from city attack

  19. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chillax cancelo owners, assist will be given.

  20. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If only one of these City centre backs knew how to head a ball at goal.

  21. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB DCL >> Fernandes Kane

    Good use of 2FT ??

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

      Incredible

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Have Son though

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

    KDB gonna haul when we all sell him

  23. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who comes in via a KDB downgrade this week? (FH18 TC19)

    A) Vardy
    B) Kane

    Martinez Steer
    Dias Coufal Dallas KWP Taylor
    Salah Bruno Son KDB Bissouma
    Watkins DCL Bamford

  24. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Selling Cancelo was a huge mistake

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

      No where to hide.

  25. yalala
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    DCL or KDB closer to a return?

  26. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo culture strikes again, the assist police won't give you anything these days 🙄 🙄 🙄

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

      Even Lukaku wouldn’t get that one.

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

    At least KDB survived to 60 mins....

  28. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    DCL finally reverts back to his donkey status, can’t score vs Blades..

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

      He’s held the ball up well. Only really had one chance.
      Not much service tonight in difficult conditions.

  29. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kept KDB over Bruno. That's what I get for trying to be different.

  30. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC

    1. Keep dias

    2. Dias to dier