Dugout Discussion
3 April 2021 646 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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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 Login to Post a Comment
  1. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    If Leeds are the best team (as a neutral) to watch. Then city must be the ‘best’ worst team.

    Every game so boring as they efficiently pass a team to death.

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      It does get a little overly sublime

      1. TomSaints
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        I’m not downplaying city’s brilliance but it just makes a rubbish spectacle.

        Bit like F1 in recent years. You need competition and not a procession

        1. TOLV TUMS
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Oh to be clear I totally agree. And also agree re F1, here's hoping for this season

        2. Qaiss
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Hopefully that’s changed this season for F1 🙂 the race last week was fab.

          1. TOLV TUMS
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Honestly I'll take anything that throws a spanner in the Mercedes/Hamilton procession. And you're right, it's promising so far

            1. Bushwhacker
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              FIA have tried with the floor rules

            2. Qaiss
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              Just hope it continues this season and then next with the rule changes, 3/4 teams all in the mix rather than 1/2.

          2. TomSaints
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Yep great start, hopefully not a one off fluke!

        3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          FI is not a great spectator sport though as well. Broom, Broom, fast blurs going around in circles.

          1. TOLV TUMS
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Watch a few minutes of any Indy car race haha

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Last 2 mins looked very lethal.

    3. JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Basically all of Peps teams for the last 10 years or so.

    4. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Have you watched Man United? Chelsea under Tuchel? Spurs most of the time?

      Man City are along with Leeds in the PL, the best team to watch.

      1. TomSaints
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        There are definitely worse teams, in fact a lot of poor football this year.

        Maybe better phrased as the ‘worst best team’ to watch. It’s just so boring

        1. Qaiss
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Imo even Liverpool are way worse.

          1. TomSaints
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            I’ve enjoyed watching Liverpool fail haha

          2. TOLV TUMS
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Agreed. I'm a Liverpool supporter and it's incredibly difficult stuff to watch even so.

            1. Qaiss
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              Liverpool were good to watch under Klopp when he first took over with the rock and roll. They’ve done great as well winning things. But since then, it’s just spam crosses and play round the back, bit of magic from Salah/Mane. All I meant was that City are far ahead in terms of style of play and they aren’t boring like some comments here suggest.

              1. TOLV TUMS
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 2 days ago

                I was an admirer when he was at Dortmund and this is starting to feel very late-period Klopp.

                1. Qaiss
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 2 days ago

                  Still, you shouldn’t want him to leave. He’s changed your entire club for the better. Liverpool were 8th five seasons ago. Just need a few new players to freshen things up I suppose.

    5. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Always wondered if City players in some ways get frustrated because it seems every week their opposition will play like 6 at the back with 4 mids dropping back to protect them so all city can do is pass and wait for an opportunity

    6. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Then you don’t appreciate how hard it is to do it. They are brilliant at it.

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        They are. Doesn't mean it isn't a bit of a bore sometimes.

        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          This.

        2. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Then watch 80’s footballers in their heyday. That was horrendously boring. Lump it lad, lump it.

          1. TOLV TUMS
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            I think the point here is that we'd all rather avoid boring, not seek it out. Interesting suggestion though, I kind of thought those TBT cup-final replays from back then during the deep covid times were pretty interesting.

        3. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          It’s the teams that play them that make it a bore. Instead of going at them, they just defend deep which allows them to do it. Should be rules like crickets to limit the amount of defenders you can have in the final third. 😉

          1. TomSaints
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            I like the idea of getting a bonus point for 2 goals scored.

            It would encourage open games and reward attacking right till the end

    7. sunzip14
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      I have a good game to suggest to you if this is boring. Southampton vs Burnley tomorrow 🙂

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Haha - there's sublime and boring, and there's also poor and boring. Good point.

      2. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        😀

      3. TomSaints
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        You mean a season defining clash that allows either team to take a big step towards safety?

        It’s going to be a ‘thrilling’ 1-1 draw haha

    8. Bushwhacker
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      This season has been a terrible advert for football since Christmas really ; players are just done in.

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Yeah, very much. Astounding number of games being played, especially considering all the internationals

    9. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      It's sport not Netflix. Guardiola wants to win trophies not Britain's got Talent. I blame Facebook for telling the world that football should be entertaining 😉

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        As Bob Sugar famously said, "It's not show-friends, it's show-business" 😉

    10. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      See your point

      Really looking. forward to City Leeds - they're one of the very few teams that will try to put City off their game. Not sure they've still got the aw energy of the start of the season so it may not work next time. They gave them an awful scare first time around

      1. TomSaints
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Partly it’s a reflection of the financial disparity of top teams v rest of league. Plus one of the best managers ever.

        So it’s crazy impressive but doesn’t lead to great football.

        It’s one reason I’ve really gotten into nfl in last few years. I still prefer a good football game but the average nfl game is pretty competitive and action packed (if you watch a 60 min game highlight without adverts and pauses).

        1. Moderately content penguin
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Not sure if this works or not

          But my instinct is that the pattern changes slightly as the season wears on and teams start to look at league position more carefully, Lots of teams are now more concerned with not losing than giving themselves a chance of a win.

          My memory of early season was that there were more teams who were prepared to "have a go". Didn't Brighton take it to them too. Not sure they would now given their position.

    11. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Some teams are purely entertaining because they leave so much space at the back (Leeds), or consistently make mistakes that allows dangerous chances (Arsenal, United)

      City doesnt have that characteristic, which makes them seem less entertaining, but they're just a good coached team that doesnt allow the other team to do much

  2. sunzip14
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    0 shots from Leicester in 45 minutes but I plan to get 2 forwards on my WC.
    5 goals conceded by Chelsea vs WBA but I plan to get 2 defenders.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Mind games.

    2. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      🙂

    3. beetlejuice
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      same here

  3. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Dammit! So close!

  4. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    What a boring game.

  5. @persecuted_by_mods
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Aguero was right, they really don't pass him

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Actually, Aguero doesn't fit their system anymore.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Yeah but still, they're clearly ignoring him sometimes

        2. sunzip14
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          There was a short compilation video of when his teammates didn't pass to him against Borussia. It was quite plain to see that they didn't want to pass to him and it was very sad watch with sad background music on it 🙁

          1. Toby Lerone
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Can you post the link please haha

            1. sunzip14
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4quTNN5jpM

              Not the video I watched with the sad background music that broke my heart but still shows some of it in this video too 🙂

        3. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          City were right to let him go. He is done at this level.

      2. dshv
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        WC

        Mendy (button)
        Coady dias TAA (dallas mitchell)
        Jota Kdb mount raphinha bruno
        Kane lacazette (brrewster)

        Any advices ?

        1. Flynny
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          I'm steering away from city due to rotation

          Also arsenal may favour Europe and their formation I think means laca is not nailed

          I may do a captaincy punt on laca v Sheffield next week if he doesn't start In Europe with cAsh for vardy

      3. Rolls-Royce
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Well done Dias owners!

      4. Eleven Hag
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        So what's the ideal WC team for ppl with BB and FH left??

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          *Searches for crystal ball

          1. Eleven Hag
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            hehe

            1. Forever In Our Shadow
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              Seriously though. No city as you can’t trust Pep. Multiple Chelsea defence at your own risk and a health warning. Leicester on this performance, expect disappointment.

              1. TOLV TUMS
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 2 days ago

                Hahaha all of this.

        2. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          The same players as the ones who have been performing all season

        3. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          play your own game, the transfer planner on livefpl is a great tool

        4. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Get your cheapies from Wolves, Leicester, West Ham

      5. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Leiecester are a disgrace. Literally offering nothing.

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Agreed. And they are the reason this game is boring. Not city, as others have suggested!

          1. TOLV TUMS
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Well, it could be both reasons 😉

        2. el polako
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Not the worst night out and great curry.

        3. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          No we're not. We're third in the league and drawing 0-0 at half time with the top team. There's another 45 minutes, but what on earth do you expect against a much better side? 1 match of pragmatism seems fine to me.

          1. Forever In Our Shadow
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            If they had a go I think they will get something out of the game.

          2. Bobby Crush
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Spot on.
            Maybe nick it on the counter.

        4. Amey
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          They'd get fecked if they offer too much space to City.
          I am pretty sure as the game progresses they will start to open up a bit ....
          No shame in being safety first vs City.

      6. Slitherene
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        WC from this,

        Martinez Forster
        Reguilon Azpi Coufal Veltman Holding
        Bruno KdB Bale Lingard Saka
        Kane Bamford Antonio

        To this?

        Areola Sanchez
        Pereira Boly Coady Rudiger Dawson
        Bruno Son Gundogan Jota Saka
        Kane Vardy DC-L

        BB & FH available...

      7. Tango74
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Games boring , we need some subs

      8. TheDragon
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Chances of Gundo and Cancelo staying on the bench?

        1. Amey
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Gundogan will come on IMO. City need his creativity

          1. It's Fergie Time
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            This game needs Gundo

          2. Moderately content penguin
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            They've created the openings for at least 3 already. Leicester are very lucky not to be well down imo

            1. Amey
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              Gundogan might stay long in my team if he comes on & chnages this game. He's been brilliant.

        2. Tango74
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Who knows I have both , don’t care if they come on

        3. JBG
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          I need Gundo to stay on the bench... Or Bale for Spurs. Dias first on the bench.

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            I thnk Gundo will get a cameo but Cancelo wont

      9. Fudgy
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Dias owners so lucky ffs

        1. Tango74
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          How they lucky? Games not over yet

          1. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            hook and sinker

        2. Amey
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          You get what you pay for

        3. Kane and Ablett
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          You do get what you pay for , Dias and Azpi

        4. Bushwhacker
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          How so? Only nailed CB

      10. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Castagne goes high on my watchilst

      11. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        So much jinx tries for Dias

      12. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        GW31 wildcarders:

        Has todays game changed your thoughts about Chelsea defence much? Or are we happy to accept that its a one off?

        I was pretty set on Rudiger + Mendy on WC but less sure now

        1. Moderately content penguin
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Might check longer term fixtures

          After 32 it's a pretty mixed bag of fixtures. Still a good defence of course.

          1. Alisson WondHaaland
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            My thoughts too. Though there arent exactly too many defences with good fixtures throughout. Maybe Leno but dont exactly trust Arsenal

            1. Moderately content penguin
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              My concern if I was interested in Chelsea defence is almost absolute reliance on cs - Alonso apart

      13. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Disastrous bench boost. I own all of Rudiger, Struijk, Stones, Gundogan. Unreal season.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Next time check International Break minutes played 🙁

        2. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          After IB is the worst time to BB

        3. Demba Demba
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          To be fair it was predicted that Gundo , stones and rudiger were at risk given their international minutes & travels...

      14. Tango74
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        I thought that was 2nd rule Of FPL

        Never BB after IB

      15. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Bendy Goal

      16. KGFC
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Mendy... Useless goal FPL wise

      17. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Mendy G

      18. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        KDB assist?

        1. KGFC
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Nope

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Lukaku assist

            1. FPL Daniel
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 2 days ago

              Rooney assist

        3. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          No assist?

          1. Forza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            No, Tielemans' touch changed the ball from its intended destination.

        4. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Mendy goal

        5. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          BAM is back.

          Mendy and Alonso delivers, TAA is next

          1. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Who was the B in Bam?

        6. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Points for no one!

        7. Life_Ban
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          What's the point of Dias

          1. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            FPLwise , about 128 of them

        8. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Justin CS busted

          1. Fred54
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 days ago

            Pathetic.

        9. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Take that Justin owners.

        10. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Gundo looks like will stay on the bench.

          I am going to pray for Bale to play then