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. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A KDB to Mane
    B KDB Wilson to Zaha Kane (-4)

    Have Son and Salah. Going without FH in GW18

  2. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Obviously KDB hasn't done too well, what are owners doing? Keeping or selling? Can't really see anything else that needs doing.. worth holding my FT?

    Martinez (Meslier)
    Dier - Stones - Coufal (Taylor & Dallas)
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Soucek (Burke)
    DCL - Kane - Bamford

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB to Son

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping, especially as I’m not using FH in 18.

      But, I tell you one thing, he’s miles away from being considered for captaincy

    3. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      On my WC so easy decision to get rid of him.

  3. El_Gigante
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Lamptey, DCL > Robbo, Adams
    B. Lamptey, KDB > Robbo, Rashford
    C. Lamptey, KDB, Wilson > Robbo, Raphinha/Soucek, Kane (-4)

    (have Son)

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. MoeZe3bi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

    3. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

  4. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo, Chillwell, Coufal (Dallas, Mitchell)
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish (Bissouma)
    Adams, DCL, Bamford

    2FT’s 0.5 ITB
    KDB>>>Son
    DCL>>> Vardy
    Exact cash?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

    2. MoeZe3bi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  5. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    DCL just isn’t getting anywhere near the service he was getting earlier in the season (for obvious reasons).

    Think he would’ve been sold off in even greater numbers if it wasn’t for the fact that many people have a lot of cash tied up in him.

    He’ll be an attractive option again at some point no doubts. But for the time being, he’s a sell imo

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who would you replace him with?

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bamford if going down, Martial if upgrading

  6. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    5 blanks today. Hopefully tomorrow is better!

  7. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one out of these lot please:
    A. Dallas (wba)
    B. James (AVL)
    C. Coufal (sou)
    D. Taylor (SHU)

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

  8. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Correction:

    Martinez
    Robertson Cancelo Dallas Coufal
    Salah Son KDB Grealish
    DCL Bamford

    Forster Soucek Brewster Ferguson

    1. Grealish DCL >> Fernandes Wood or Adams (initial DGW19 plan)
    2. KDB >> Fernandes (save 1FT)
    3. KDB DCL >> Fernandes Kane
    4. KDB DCL >> Fernandes Vardy

    Thanks

    1. MoeZe3bi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      3

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Three

  9. MoeZe3bi
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Apologies for reposting

    A) Exact cash for Lamptey>Dier
    B) Lamptey>Stones

    I'm planning for BB19 but their fixtures are appealing.

    Rest of the team:
    McCarthy-Ryan
    Chilwell-Zouma-Coufal-Taylor-Lamptey
    Salah-Bruno-Son-Bowen-Raphinha
    Kane-Bamford-Wilson

  10. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wc for me.Do you think i should keep James?

  11. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Looks to be a tough stretch over the next 4 for Aston Villa's defense and Martinez in goal, are you guys holding onto him through that period or ditching?

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nailed on for save pts.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pope time

    3. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      holding, getting McCarthy to cover and for the doubles too

  12. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cancelo or Stones?

  13. DonBenzema
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    bottomed

    So tempted to pull the trigger on this one.... someone please convince why I shouldn't

    KDB and DCL -> Rashford and Vardy (-4)

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Very nice especially for DGW19 if you are not FH19

      1. DonBenzema
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I’m doing FH18 seeing as KDB and DCL are some of my only players without two fixtures in the double gameweek

        Really tempted to just pull the trigger now

  14. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need Dale Stephens to show up after Mahrez and Wilson No Show.

    33 from 7(6 if Dale shows up). Salah(C) Bamford Dallas and Dier to go.

  15. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which do you prefer to set me up for the double?

    Adams -> Vardy
    De Bruyne -> Son
    Grealish -> Raphinha (-8)

    Grealish -> Raphinha
    Chilwell -> Robertson (-4)

  16. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    DCL to Cavani for free?

    1. MoeZe3bi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would wait until he starts

      1. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I think he does in the midweek

          1. KGFC
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            You really expect no rotation in mid week?

            Martial looks off the boil, Rashy and Bruno both played 90...

  17. Calculated Risks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    As a non dcl owner and someone who sold kdb to mane for this week after capping him for the last 2 weeks...can I just say how much I enjoyed this evening

    1. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You know Mane is benched tomorrow... right?

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Let him enjoy tonight lol

        1. KGFC
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          😆

      2. Calculated Risks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Not after being pulled at 60 last week. Salah vice will do if he is tho

  18. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB to son tonight or wait for spurs game?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What's the hurry ?

  19. Ginola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sold Watkins for Adams.
    Chillwell owner.
    KDB owner.
    DCL owner.

    GW from hell.

    1. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      But surely you have Salah and Fernandes?

  20. Fletch365
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you rather:

    A: TAA & Justin
    B: Robbo & Taylor

  21. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Trent is today owned by 14,5%. But only 100k people new owners the last two game weeks, the other owners is dead teams. That means only 1,29% is with me on this boat.

    Lets go, a big Haul from Trent tomorrow would be a huge lift.

    1. Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Isn't the rumour that TAA is benched tomorrow?

      1. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        What is the rumored lineup?

    2. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He is benched

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

      He isn’t benched, maybe but total guess at this stage. Fpl fish is on crack cocaine

  22. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    30 from 6... that’s including Mings -2, Grealish and Adams...

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

    4 points from 3, an exciting day of FPL!

    1. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You need to get Bruno ASAP!

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

        Finally have him now, this was Grealishs last week

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

      Congratulations

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

        Thank you! My rank has plummeted lol

    3. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Delete your team mate

  24. Gemma817
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB, Mahrez, DCL --> Son, Bruno and Che Adams for -8?

    Let's go or nott?

    I need Bruno and Son.. And to accommodate that, I need to let go off DCL..

    1. Calculated Risks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Great simple moves

  25. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wow, the PL is so tight from 1-8. Usually you can tell for sure who it will be around Christmas or new years.

  26. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which combo?
    A. Rashford Rodrigo
    B. Raphinha Vardy

    1. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  27. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi all pondering these moves;

    DCL + KDB > Kane + Grealish or another 8.4 midfielder

    Yay or nay?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m looking at selling Grealish I think...

    2. FootieFan77
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure about Grealish. Since El Ghazi is in the team he has struggled to have the same goal threat.

  28. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is this move ok ?

    Mings, Grealish and Adams to 4.6, Raphina and Vardy??

    Or would you rather Robertson, Raphina and Antonio

    Thanks

  29. FootieFan77
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB sadly isn’t worth 10.8 mill this season. He will struggle to score from open play and will rely on assists primarily and the odd penalty if Ageuro isn’t playing.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      My patience for him is now spent... I cant wait any longer for him to replicate his returns from seasons past. Will be bringing in Kane so now have to decide on which make weight midfielder to bring in ... thinking Rafina at leeds currently

  30. Atimis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which one from DCL and Grealish would you out this week and who would you get?

    Both got tough fixtures and no DGW.

    1. Atimis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Been thinking about DCL Grealish to Kane Soucek -4?