Dugout Discussion

De Bruyne and Gundogan benched as Sterling misses Man City’s Fulham trip

Pep Guardiola took his rotation policy to a whole new level for Manchester City’s Gameweek 28 trip to Fulham.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m), Ilkay Gundogan (£6.2m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m) are all on the bench tonight where they are joined by Phil Foden (£6.1m).

After missing Manchester City’s second Double Gameweek 27 match against Southampton, Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) is absent from the matchday squad entirely tonight.

There are fewer rotation casualties in defence as it looks as if Guardiola has switched to a rather unprecedented back-three.

Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) joins Ruben Dias (£6.1m) and John Stones (£5.3m) in the team while Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) and João Cancelo (£6.2m) are set for full-back roles.

Even more intriguing is that Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) and Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) start together for the first time since March 2020.

While that prospect sounds dangerous on paper, it will be interesting to see how the two players gel at Craven Cottage considering they have 15 minutes on the pitch at the same time this season.

Meanwhile, Fulham have seemingly set up to defend tonight, André-Franck Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m) coming in for Josh Maja (£5.5m) to join Mario Lemina (£4.5m) and Harrison Reed (£4.4m) in the central-midfield trio.

Gameweek 28 Line-ups

Fulham XI: Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Tete; Lemina, Reed, Anguissa; Lookman, Cavaleiro, Loftus-Cheek.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Laporte, Dias, Stones; Mendy, Rodrigo, B Silva, Cancelo; Torres; Jesus, Aguero.

Gameweek 28 so far…

Despite Everton suffering yet another home defeat this season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) finally rewarded his patient owners with his 14th goal of the campaign.

It was his first since Gameweek 23 while the in-form Richarlison (£8.0m) blanked for the second successive match after getting four goals in the previous four.

Burnley’s Chris Wood (£6.2m) got his first away goal since Gameweek 2 and has now netted in back-to-back league games for the first time in 2020/21.

That ensured more frustration for owners of Everton defensive assets, of which Lucas Digne (£6.2m) is the most popular (10.1%).

The Toffees have now conceded at least twice in four of their last seven league matches.

Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (£4.8m) was forced off in the first half to be replaced by João Virgínia (£4.3m).

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Dwight McNeil
  • 2 – Chris Wood
  • 1 – Tom Davies

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1,094 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I know all of you hate me! :/

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Its stronger than hate.

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm actually loving it, after whole day of boring irrelevant fpl events something is really happening before the ball is even kicked.

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just keep Gundo on the bench and I wont!

  2. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Oh man. KDB Gundo Stones not looking good.

    1. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same!!

  3. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gotta love Pep.

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

      Love and hate, they are so close to each other

  4. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Very good GW so far...

  5. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Of course Cancelo and Stones start the week I have clean sheets on my bench, Bamford in for Gundogan too FFS

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

      Gundo cameo is probable.

  6. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Shall be watching Fulham CBs and Lookman for transfers next week. Wasnt impressed by Leeds.

  7. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kevin De Bruyne in for Salah
    Ilkay Gundogan forgot and left the C from last GW
    Sub Optimal

  8. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have all three, Sterling, Gun, and KDB (c) !

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You trying to make me feel better?

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hope you have a good bench

  9. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    News on Bamford?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      None as yet.

  10. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do who do we reckon comes off the City bench? I'm predicting Walker, Mahrez and Foden.

    Gundo and KDB sit out. Maximum Pep carnage.

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Foden Mahrez and Zinchenko

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Only Foden Mahrez

  11. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo 35 pointer a reasonable expectation to have right?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Content with that.

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anything less will be considered a failure.

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

      It is.

    4. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Took him out so yes.

  12. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I guess I will be watching golf....

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Inform us how Bales swing is looking before the bgw

  13. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Imagine pep playing FPL - he will be the clear winner

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

      He's still troll even himself

    2. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have a hunch he actually does

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Oooo

    3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Changes his 15 every week with giant hits

  14. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    BT making Areola sound like Peter Schmeichel.

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Peter was overrated - Areola is the real deal.

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

        😆

  15. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on these moves?

    Pope, Stones -> Sanchez, Veltman

    GW 30
    Son-> De Bruyne?

  16. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ederson
    Walker Dias Laporte/Stones Zinchenko
    Bernardo Fernandinho Gundo
    Mahrez KDB Sterling

    Would it be fair to say that could/likely will be City’s line up for Tuesday?

    Going off of that, a Bernardo subbing will be likely this evening. Mendy & Kun’s lack of match fitness might see them struggle to finish the game. Garcia on for Dias/Laporte?

    I doubt we’ll see both KDB & Gundo, but likely one. Foden should be a lock.

  17. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL got the same number of Baps as a defender who conceded 2 goals with no attacking return - wow

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Because DCL should have scored at least two.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No ball possessions and few misses

  18. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Sterling Salah to Bale auba -4, 8 players
    B) Free hit
    C) Sterling Gundo to Son Bale -4, 8 players

    Areola
    Veltman Coufal
    Raph
    Antonio Kane

    1. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  19. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What odds that gundo gets a run out? Have Bamford first sub :-/

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You can bank your 1 point anyway.

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on score but I would expect him to get some minutes

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Figures crossed

        1. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Haha *fingers

    3. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo captainer here - hope he stays on the bench

  20. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fair chance I continue my 100% record of choosing the wrong goalie

    I'v had two playing goalies for 5 weeks so far but still have chosen wrong 6 times with Guaita over Steer 🙂

  21. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo playing the KDB role today?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo playing free roaming role most likely.

  22. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rival has KDB and Gundogan and Strujk and Dallas first and second on bench.

    Typical

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He will probably get one on

  23. Fintroy
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Done with this pep roulette now, no more man city picks for the rest of this season

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nose.

      Face.

      Cut.

      Spite.

  24. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any must have 4 players that play in GW29 worth bringing in and keeping beyond that

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane. Son. Raphinha. Martinez

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Kane Son Martinez feels an odd combo - very defensive

      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Kane, Son, Bale, Antonio, Martinez or Areola, Raphina, Dallas. Take thy pick.

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

  25. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have Gundo and Kdb. And Rudi and Dallas on bench.

    How am I looking?

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Drink in those 1 point cameos a-coming!

  26. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fulham early lead. Mild injury to Mathew. Gundo and KDB masterclass in 61 mins. You read it here.

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Crazy gw so anything could happen.

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I ignored it here first

  27. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you prefer a cameo from Gundogan or Coufal as a sub?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      30min Gundogan

      1. HellasLEAF
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        GUNDO

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Couf as sub

  28. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Suddenly Captain Kane's yellow flag doesn't seem too bad

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane will play.

  29. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Really amazing how Pep really took out any FPL options in attack unless you unfortunately own Aguero, Jesus or Bilva

  30. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    wow. Had a feeling KDB would miss but Gundo too??

    And they both blank next week.

    This hurts.