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. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC team

    Mccarthy
    Taa dias coufal taylor douglas
    Son Salah Bruno Soucek Rafinha
    vardy bamford davis

    Have 3.5 itb tell opinions ..

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who's your second keeper?

  2. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Enough time to score 5 goals

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

    The goat is back.

    1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      One of my all time favourite FPL picks. Injury prone but when he was fit you'd fear not owning him

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

    Aguero on FH in GW18 interesting

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

    Everton

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

      Score

  6. JBG
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    One of my ML rivals took out Bruno for Mane, hahah love it. And he put C on Mane. VC Kdb.

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

    SIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGYYYYYYYY

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

    What's the twitter account leaking Liverpool news?

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

      Fpl fish

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Reliable ?

  9. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB and DCL making the Spurs switch pretty easy

  10. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Looks like KUN has eaten all the pies

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

    Siggy G

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

    Poor Sheffield

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

    Hopefully TAA stays on the bench so I get KWP points

  14. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on Ampadu 4.3 and played last 4...

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

    Aguero guaranteed to score against Newcastle.

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

    Doucoure A

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

    Not DCL

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

    Doucoure A
    DCL C

  19. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So many f’ing 1 pointers again

  20. sergioaguero67
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Gundogan safe to pick given his recent performances or prone to rotation?
    I basically need City cover for their GW19 match against Palace
    Given Palace's recent defensive record
    Budget 5.5
    Please help

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Happy to help - avoid.

  21. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Fernandinho and Ederson giving throughballs, but not KdB.

  22. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Saka or Martinelli?

    1. BEEZUS
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinelli

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinelli

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

      No

    4. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Saka

  23. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Worth sticking with Cancelo on my WC isn't it?

  24. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Remember Siggy 2014/15?

    6.5m dream mid

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

    Finally non template delivers two weeks on a row thanks Siggy ma man

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Careful now, trying to be different gets punished

  26. Londongeezaa
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Zouma, Grealish and DCL getting me a whopping 4 points combined. Happy days.

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

    Cancelo's xA must be about 3

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

    Aguero denied from a Cancelo pass

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

    Cancelo beyond cursed.

    +BPS

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

    Cancelo should be on 20 points.