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, 4 months ago

    Team;

    Mccarthy
    Chiwell taylor coufal dias douglas
    Son soucek kdb salah bruno
    Dcl bamford davis

    ON WC

    Chiwell kdb dcl -> robertson grealish vardy ??

    More ideas please have 1 day to decide.

  2. Party time
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kdb to Gündogan done

    • OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB to Son will be easier now

    • diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB cross, that ended up being a shot, saved by Darlow,

    • Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB nearly score there lol.

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

      Kdb to Xhaka done

    • Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling has low-key recorded 2G 3A in the last 5, very nice

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        But would you pick Sterling over KDB? Bruno and Salah are undroppable

        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Could be a good differential if you're chasing

    • The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      thanks for the parting gift Leno, you've been woeful most weeks.

    • Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      BAPster.

    • Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Gundogan 19 points in the last 3
      KDB 10 points

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

      Sterling outscoring KDB under everyone's radar.

    • diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB playing deep and pulling the strings. Not good for FPL.

    • The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If they counted almost goals and assist KDB would have 400 points now..

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

        This makes it even more frustrating owning KDB - trust me

        1. The Train Driver
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I know, own him as well...

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Watkins would be on 350pts

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

          If he had an ounce of ralent

    • Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Stones could have headed that towards goal.

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

        Could have been Stones A Dias G!

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

        He could have tried to volley it even.

    • sandman58
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      When do we get the 2nd wildcard??
      And do we have it for remainder of the season or just January?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Gw17

      2. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Remainder of season

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

        if only there was a way to know... like if it was written somewhere where we could just read it.....

      4. sandman58
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks guys

    • F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The one good thing I did this week is get rid of Mahrez. Even if I did take him out for Zaha.

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

      KDB needs to see out.

    • Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What an attempt from KDB, too bad it did not get in..

    • KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kdb to Rash done

    • JBG
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Happy I switched from Wilson to Adams.. For now, watch when Wilson comes on and scores.

    • DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Anything less than double figures is a fail for Cancelo

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

        Stones will haul for passing the ball, will be a tad annoying.

    • Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB a massive waste of time. Easy switch to Kane next week with the funds

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

        Son or Kane??

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

        Two switches

    • Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Azpi starts next match.

      https://twitter.com/Ifcibrahim/status/1342927243581009922?s=09

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You said that before

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

          😉

          At least I stuck to my word and sold.

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Both full backs were dreadful

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

        He didn't have a good game did he? : D

    • RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Starting to look nicer and nicer!

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

      McCarthy
      Robbo, Dias, Coufal
      Salah, KDB, Bruno, Raphinha
      DCL, Bamford, Adams
      (Johnstone, Soucek, Dallas, C.Taylor)

    • Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The patience from Sterling was most commendable

    • DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB > Son getting easier by the second

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

        I am going to do it even if KDB scores a hat trick

    • Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cannot wait to sell you KDB

      1. KEN YA DIG IT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Also me

    • KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lol at the Kdb cappers

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

        How many?

    • Salarrivederci
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This is last chance saloon for KDB. He would need a +30 pointer today to make me even consider keeping him.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same

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

        Same here

      3. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Silliness levels in here are through the roof

    • fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Come on Kev brah.