Dugout Discussion

Guardiola benches Gundogan, Stones and Cancelo at Leicester

Pep Guardiola has left a raft of important Fantasy Premier League assets on the bench in Gameweek 30.

The chief of those is Ilkay Gündogan (£6.1m), who has missed out on the starting XI in each of the last two matches.

At 35.0% ownership, the German international remains the most-popular Manchester City asset this season although he has just two attacking returns since Gameweek 25.

It looks as if Guardiola has gone for a 4-2-3-1 shape today with Rodrigo (£5.3m) and Fernandinho (£5.4m) in holding roles.

That leaves Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.2m) to provide the width in attacking midfield either side of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) while Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) leads the line following confirmation of his departure from the club at the end of the season.

Naturally, that leaves no space in the team for Phil Foden (£6.1m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.4m), who both sit on the bench.

John Stones (£5.3m) and João Cancelo (£6.1m) both find themselves among the substitutes too as Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) is paired with Ruben Dias (£6.1m) while Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) and Kyle Walker (£6.1m) staff the flanks of the Citizens’ back-four.

Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) makes his fifth successive Premier League start this afternoon, having found the net five times in his last three.

The Nigerian international is up-front with Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) once more as Leicester still continue without Harvey Barnes (£6.7m).

The fact that Iheanacho stays in the team despite Marc Albrighton (£5.2m) and Ayoze Pérez (£6.0m) featuring bodes well.

The former Manchester City man initially came into the side because several injuries to wide players forced Brendan Rodgers to switch to a 3-5-2 system although his form has helped him hold onto a place – worth knowing ahead of some appealing fixtures for Leicester after Gameweek 31.

Gameweek 30 Line-ups

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Amartey, Evans, Fofana; Castagne, Tielemans, Ndidi, Albrighton; Pérez; Iheanacho, Vardy.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; B Mendy, Laporte, Dias, Walker; Rodrigo, Fernandinho; Jesus, De Bruyne, Mahrez; Aguero.

Gameweek 30 so far…

Leeds beat Sheffield United as expected on Saturday afternoon although it was largely a result that left Fantasy managers wondering what might have been.

Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) registered a blank while Raphinha (£5.7m) was subjected to another outing characterised by his colleagues missing key chances.

In the end, the Brazilian got one assist, was denied a goal by Phil Jagielka‘s (£3.9m) intervention on Jack Harrison‘s (£5.4m) cross, who was the only Leeds player involved in both goals at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Stuart Dallas (£5.1m) was arguably one of the best players on the pitch but managed only two points in the end.

Not only did he miss two decent chances created by Raphinha, he also missed out on a clean sheet as Sheffield United scored a rare goal.

Ben Osborn‘s (£4.7m) first-half effort was the Blades’ seventh on the road this season.

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Jack Harrison, Ben Osborn
  • 1 – Aaron Ramsdale

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646 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Come on Kev one return and you’re in the BAPs

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      City just gunna chill and play out the final 5mins now 🙁

    2. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      He’s a fraud and I’ll never own him again 🙂

  2. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Is Jota essential?

    1. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      now he's had a rest yes

  3. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    KDB looking a certainty now to sit out Leeds.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      One can only hope!

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I wouldn’t make predictions on this sadistic roulette

  4. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Foden on
    KDB off

  5. Bada Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Kdb making a fool of himself.

  6. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Brewster haul coming off the bench for me

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I waited for this for 15-18 gws and went with a 3-5-2.. what a trap it was

  7. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    No Gundo no Cancelo. 9 players if Bale and Davis from Villa don't play 🙁

    1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Davis won't play. You can write that off.

      Hoping Bale does

  8. lewis274
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    anyone think sterling will start next week?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Don't even think about going there

      1. lewis274
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        i have him already hehe,

  9. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    KDB doesn’t half sulk a lot doesn’t he.

  10. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Worst gameweek of the season for me

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      You’re not alone

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Repeat every GW 😀

    3. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      you are not alone mate.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Not been on 12 from 4 before?

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Oh just checked transfers - less good but hardly a disaster

        1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 21 days ago

          Pereira would have come on for Gundogan for me

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 21 days ago

            See your pain

            If it helps down at my much lower pay grade - Jota in for a hit isn't feeling very clever right now.

            1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 21 days ago

              That is annoying, who did you sell

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 21 days ago

                Bale of course 🙂

                Knew the risks so no complaints here.

      2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        More selling Pereira and getting Rudiger

        1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 21 days ago

          Plus Cancelo no show

  11. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Lol that's a red... Face on KDB

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Most cynical team ever?

  13. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Yes! Blank for KDB, phew

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      3 is a haul these days.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Hehe

    2. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Bamford and dallas blanks even better!

  14. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Anyone already pressed the WC button?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I think I should, Cancelo dropping

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I pressed, did not work 🙁

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Turns out I’m not allowed a 3rd WC unfortunately

  15. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Time for one more scuffed Leicester shot with luck.

  16. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    How much is this Philips lad? Is he first choice and therefore worth a punt?

  17. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Periera off my bench for Gundo. Lets gooooooooo

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Juhuuu

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        OMG

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Tasty that!

  18. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    To think I considered bench boosting this week with Gundogan, Stones and Cancelo in my squad. What a waste it would have been. This is the issue with City players and the BB chip. You really need 15 nailed players for it to be effective.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Yep City were one of the sides that messed up my BB / DGW week.

      It’s a total mess this City rotation.

      I might just do Stones > Dias & ignore the rest

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Im fairly sure I wont be having any City players in my wildcard team. I was considering having Dias only but I dont really want to spend 6.1m on a defender who only offers a clean sheet and limited attacking threat.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Or dgw

  19. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Week from hell itself

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Post IB, we should learn shouldn’t we?

  20. Keep Calm and Play On
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Never really seen this side of Kevin DiveBruyne before today...I get it’s unfortunately common place in the game now to get fouls but it’s odd when you see someone you don’t expect to do it!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Yeah he’s better than that and doesn’t need to do it.

      Was very moany today.

  21. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Once again it’s down to coufal and souceck to save the game week

    1. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Soucek will, I can feel it

  22. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    At least there were no cameos from Cancelo or Stones meaning I will get Lingard off the bench.

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Come oooon Dias, BP needed

  24. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Johnstone & Dias on the bench, Auba to grab a hattie to inflict further pain?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      God I hope so.

      But I’m expecting a solid 2pts from Auba

  25. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Iheanacho and Jota crossed off the wildcard players list then.

  26. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    I have 5 confirmed 0s in my team already

    f

  27. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Early thoughts for captain next week?

    I am considering TAA if he looks lively tonight

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Gundo!

    2. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      A Chelsea defender

  28. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    4 from 5 including captain

    Anyone doing worse ?

    Could finish with less than 10

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      2 points from 3

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      That’s Spudtastic!

    3. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      You could get a GW score less that 10

      That be cool

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Get ready to screensave that team

  29. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Hit me with those fresh WC drafts lads

  30. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Let's go Aubaa!