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. OleBall
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    That City team suits Cancelo

    As a non owner, I'm worried.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't be. He only ever turns it on in the champions League.

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

        Not true. He gave me 17 points in 1 of the only 2 weeks that I owned him 😛

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ah that seems like a lifetime ago

  2. SackWenger
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any truth to Zaha injury - struggling with his knees?

  3. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Genius lineup from Pep tbh. Knows Fulham defend in numbers and aren't a threat going forward. Mendy & Cancelo will stretch them as far wide as possible for much of the game. Probably more effective than their usual system and also gets to rest all the key players.

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

      Fulham press and don't sit back generally.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This, not sure it’s the best approach; Fulham will be dangerous dispossessing and countering. I can see Mendy giving away a goal

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He is resting the big guns because he thinks Fulham are shite! Let's not sugar coat this.

  4. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Selling all 3 Man City assets is a no brainer now

    1. Benjustjamin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      brain dead

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Brain dead woth rotations

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

      Only on Free Hit.

  5. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Seems Dias is the most nailed City player.

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

      Him and Ederson

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Missed just 1 game all season.

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

      No

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

        Mr Ed

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          True, but out field player

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

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

    Chance of Stones and Cancelo to assist each other and both get double digits? Near zero?

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

      If we pray hard enough, I reckon we can improve the probability.

  7. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Another reason to FH in 29: Can go with just one City moving forward. Blank 33 not that much of a concern anymore.

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

      Can see myself without City from that point till end of the season, or probably only Dias but many cheaper alternatives exist

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes. May go Dias only.

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

      Yes but the only problem is who will I pick on FH29?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have 5 + Bamford in my team right now which includes double Villa defense. Anyone I get will be better than that.

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

      Join the club

      May yet simply swap Ederson Stones to Mendy Azpi and forget them altogether. Expensive clean sheets.

      Oddly for such a dominant team only Gundo has been a compelling asset really so far

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        So true. Gundo has been the star in that team. I will definitely keep just one. Have Stones Gundo and KDB right now.

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

          KdB is the riddle

          If he is back on goals then he is the one for me. But happy to wait on it and miss a couple than go too soon

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yes. I am keeping him. Getting rid of Gundo and Stones. For Lingard and Azpi most probably. West Ham still looking fresh. Have a lot to play still.

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

      My thinking also. Gundogan to become one of Jota, Neto, Saka. Stones to Chelsea defender. Dias stays.

  8. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo - now’s the time to make it up to me for being so rubbish to own over the last few weeks.

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

      Cancelo can score as much as he likes as long as Stones matches him

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

        Yes! See above

  9. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My 3 City players these last 3 weeks have been Sterling Foden & Cancelo. I Captained Sterling last week. If Foden doesn't come on this week (and assuming 2 pts for Cancelo) my total for the 3 including 2 dgws will be 24 pts, and half of those will be from Foden last week

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

      Rough, forget the past what are you going to do with them moving forward? I am getting rid one by one ...

  10. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo needs to get me 38 points today to make up the difference after picking him over Dias

    1. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ^ This

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Are you normal? After looking at Fulham defence

  11. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo time 😎

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Could be.

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I assume you mean to disappoint us all - again?

  12. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guess it's fairly pointless watching the game now huh....

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

      Especially if Fulham score ... switch off and go to bed.

  13. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Might be bernando Silva day today

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

      Aguero!

  14. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hope Gundogan stays on the bench, then Raphinha appearance and clean sheet haul will come on 🙂

  15. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fulham to score in first 30mins

  16. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    90 mins of Joao 'no end product' Cancelo

  17. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    ML rival has Gundo captain
    I have KDB captain

    Let's see who benefits!

    1. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both with same score

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1 point each

    3. OOJ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1 pointer incoming....

  18. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Last time Aguero and Jesus started together in the prem?
    Villa away last year with Aguero record breaking hat trick I believe

  19. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watching this game is pointless But KDB cappers & gundo owners will watch full game just for those 6 points Dallas stuck on Bench..Amazing

  20. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If Mcy's starting 11 were to play against their benched 9 right now , I wouldn't fancy their chances.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      City can get two teams out next year in PL. They will be 1 and 2 with a title charge more interesting than what it is right now.

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think 2 players down would be too much 😉

  21. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I feel completely violated and pepped!!

    1. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just have a Drink mate

  22. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    All fart no poo XI

    GK??
    Cancelo, Digne, Lamptey
    Raphinha, Lookman, Podence, Trossard
    DCL, Diagne Watkins

    1. SEXY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL scored today

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      GK: Leno (Arsenal fan)

    3. SEXY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DDG in goal

    4. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling will be benched in the All fart no poo squad as well. And need to have Firmino up front somehow.

    5. Supertrooper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL out Timo in

      1. SEXY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Timo doesn’t even fart

      2. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This. And a space for enormous xG/ no goals Maupay

    6. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Neto, Pereira (either)?

  23. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundogen has come off the bench just once this season in the league
    Hope y'all have good first sub!

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

      Bambam ::(

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I hope.fulham leading 1-0 HT

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

      Rudiger. Could be much worse

  24. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wonder why he never rests Dias in the league

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe he is the organiser. No doubt he will be rested pretty soon too.

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

        People were saying this in GW10

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

      It's extraordinary isn't it

      The only one he missed he was sick

      Not even Laporte when he was the only Cb in town got close to this

      1. SEXY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes exactly my thinking, very unusual

        1. Tinkermania
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          It's not a compliment to be played every game though. Pep usually wraps his prized assets in cotton wool. Maybe he is not worried about Dias getting injured. That's how I see it.

    3. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo to Dias in on my w/c

    4. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He is the organiser and Pep trusts him 100%.

      1. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Don't need an organiser when you play Soton at home 😀

  25. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hopefully Aguero recovers and starts smashing them in. Such a joy to watch.

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

      Afraid his time is done

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Old legs

  26. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Might as well hope for a Gundo sub appearance , with Bamford 1 pointer first on bench

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Agree !

  27. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Time to move those City defenders on.

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think time to move few city players on? No shows, benchings etc

  28. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mancity bench stronger than Barca playing 11

  29. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Looks like a low scoring week

    1. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nonsense. Day? Yes.

      Tomorrow is when the fun and points begin.

      1. SEXY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I hope you’re right with my big boys tomorrow too, the signs are ominous though

        1. JohnnyRev7
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Nonsense again. Believe.

  30. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is this Mario Melchiot lookalike playing for Fulham?

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anguissa