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. BIG TONES
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez / Villa defence has been sooooo clutch this season

  2. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Have exact cash for this, pull the trigger?

    Wilson + KDB + Grealish - > Kane + Son + Raphinha (-4)

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No. Commit to either GW18 or GW19 don't split the difference.

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

        FH18 is in cards
        Will keep Son for 19 and Kane - > Vardy?

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          It depends on the rest of your team. I'd likely just get Vardy now because it saves you a transfer for 19.

          They play CPL and NEW two of the league's worst teams. In fact, I would probably consider them the biggest whipping boys. CPL are awful. They're 0-10 in their last two games including losing 3-0 to Villa when up a man for 50 minutes.

          Basically, who do you think scores more:

          Kane: FUL LEE shu
          Vardy: cpl new SOU CHE

          I'm backing Vardy here. Transfers are precious. 2 week hokey cokey not worth. Pick one and stick.

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

            Nice insight, thanks for the detailed reply!
            Also, Kane out would be for a hit as that is only what would allow me to upgrade my fodder keeper to a DGW keeper for the BB team

            It's just the thought of Kane being captainable matetial for the next 2 and the fear of missing out on hauls or a possible hatrick

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

      Good

  3. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mahrez to:

    A Maddison
    B Bowen
    C soucek
    D raphinia

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

    Kdb is finished at the top level

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No.

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Stupid comment

    3. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Few years left

    4. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, cause he didn't get any fantasy points he's finished as a top player...

      The whole City team looks out of sorts right now.

    5. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      As FPL asset?

  5. 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...

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  6. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Looks likely that Trent was behind the FPL Fish account. Surely punished by Klopp tomorrow

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

      How do you think it was trent?

  7. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB + Mahrez > Bruno + Son for free a no brainer right?

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes for certain

    2. vincentwsho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Depends if you FH for GW18

  8. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Do you think KDB will be most captained in BGW18?

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

      Yes

    2. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Spurs attackers could also be popular

    3. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah. I’ll probably go with Sterling though.

    4. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      no

      Son or kane

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

      Might be Aguero by then

    6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely not

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

      Yes, since they play Brighton at home and Spurs play Villa away

  9. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Apart from that one game vs Burnley, City are just crap to watch this season. They do enough to win, but never get out of first gear. Good for defensive assets atm, but I'm shipping KDB and not rushing to get their attackers back other than on FH.

  10. LSK
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB and Lamptey to Son and Trent/Robbo for a -4?

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

      YES

    2. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

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

      Yes

  11. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So relieved as a non KDB owner to come out of that unscathed. I own Cancelo so a good result.

    1. LSK
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo looked so dangerous today

  12. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Relax and enjoy, cheer up, it’s christmas and still many matches left of FW 15!

    Can’t imagine how negative it will be on this forum tomorrow if both Son and Sterling blank for A 2nd consecutive week, do we sell the whole team or WC before next GW?

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

      Sterling already played?

  13. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Tierney and Martinelli at least look a shout for FH18 now

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Holding looks great value of budget an issue

  14. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cancelo assist still missing. When it will be added?

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

      When the 9 changes to 10.

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

      Will it be added at all?

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

      What assist?

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

      Wasn’t a block shot

    5. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The ball changed direction

    6. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Never.

  15. HippY
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Wildcard activated, but still with one eye on GW16+17.

    Meslier McCarthy
    KWP Dier Coufal Robbo Taylor
    Son Bruno Saka Soucek Salah
    Bamford Adams Kane

    Looks okay? 11/15 playing the DGW atm but it's likely I'll move out Saka and 1 spurs player for 2 assets who play twice.

  16. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Watching that game, Man City still reek of having a "smaller club" mentality. Look at their performances in the Champions League. KDB has a big-club, "I'm the best in the world mentality". He should go to an actual big club that actually truly believes it is the best, like Bayern, Real, Barca.

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      City are way above Madrid and Barca at the moment

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

        What?

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They won comfortably without expending too much energy during a hectic schedule, not sure they care about scoring loads of fantasy points unfortunately.

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

        Haha this - Barca, bayern, real don't batter everyone 7-0 every week either

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

      KDB clearly hates his team mates. Not one of them is anywhere near his ability OR work rate

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

        Ability anyway.

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

          Everyone except KDB goes into hiding the second a game gets difficult

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

            Yes but he's not slow to whinge at his teammates either if things aren't going City's way. Was a better player with better players performing around him, Kompany, Fernandinho, Silva, Aguero.

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

      Imagine KDB with Lewandowski on the end of his passes. Fantasy gold.

  17. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Could do with Targett price rising before Stones.

  18. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    best >7.5m dgw mid option?

    A) bowen
    B) Raphinha
    C) Maddison
    D) Other - who?

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

      Is that supposed to be < ?

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

        yh my bad

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

      Thinking about B

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

    Ideas here with 1.2ITB? Both Grealish and DCL out for a hit?

    Martinez
    Robo/Coufal/Dallas
    Salah/Bruno/Son/Grealish
    Vardy/DCL/Bamford

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      To who?

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

        Tough call, could be Kane Soucek, Firmino/Martial Raphinha

        1. The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Firmino and raphinha myself out of the two options

  20. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    You know KDB will haul when next week when you sell don't you

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

      Hoping for this as a KDB owner... possible with Everton players rotated

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yep - I'm keeping because he's the best player in the league + Im not removing anyone who plays BGW18

  21. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Son or Kane RC tomorrow would be wonderful and make things much easier

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

      Let that be Kane

  22. Injury Prone o_O Gooner.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    this wc bb has disaster writen all over it

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Always.

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

    Which is better for the DGW19?

    A) Firmino + Martinez
    B) Vardy + Martinez
    C) Firmino + Fabianski (-4)

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

      B for me, looks safer
      A is a bit exciting, depends on your playing style

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

        Agree that B is safer.... just wondering if Vardy would be benched for one of the games, since I guess Firmino would play both with early sub?

  24. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any possibility of any of these rising or falling in price tonight?

    Wilson
    KDB
    Grealish
    Kane
    Son
    Raphinha

  25. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    if there is anything to take from today it's Cancelo. He was amazing today in his proper spot. Could've smashed a massive haul

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, yet he’s on less than most fulham and saints defenders. Such a terrible BP system.

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably should have done Chilly > Cancelo like I was thinking last night. Alas.

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

        Did exactly this

  26. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which players should I worry about if I'm not FH 18?

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

      Spurs and City mainly.

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Can I get away with just these 5?

        Kane
        Son
        Martinez
        Konsa
        Dias

        City seem to be playing in 2nd gear all season and I don't see them scoring more than 2 goals vs Bri

    2. Davros
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB as he will probably be most (C)

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

    Which of these moves do you prefer (both -8)?

    A) Adams -> Vardy
    De Bruyne -> Son
    Grealish -> Raphinha

    B) Chilwell -> Robbo
    De Bruyne -> Son
    Grealish -> Raphinha

    C) Neither

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B but not sure it's worth a -8..

  28. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FTs, 0.3itb - Can't think of much else, so I'm open to suggestions. FYI - Probably using FH in 18, unless it's worth using the second WC that quickly to set up for 18/19 (but guessing not).

    1) Grealish, Wilson > Son, Brewster
    2) Chilwell, Grealish, Wilson > Cancelo, Son, Dec-Reid (-4)

    McCarthy, Forster
    Chilwell, Coufal, KWP, Targett, Kilman
    Salah, KDB, Grealish, Bruno, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Wilson

    1. GoonSquad
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't like 1, your current players outscore the new players IMO. Cancelo might sit next game so taking a -4 when you can do 2 of 3 transfers and wait on him seems too risky.

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

    Im going to FH in 18, but 19 im not even gonna play a chip. Will have 9 Doubles and then Son and Kane. That will be ok wont it?

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Absolutely

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I might not play a chip in either, City and Spurs both have great fixtures in 18/19 anyway.

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

      thanks, weirdly my closest rival played FH this week. I wonder if he even knows about 18/19 seems an odd week to play it

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

    Best WC draft on paper to FH and BB, please? 😀