Dugout Discussion

Watford v Man City team news: Foden, Gundogan and Grealish return

After some underwhelming Fantasy returns in the first four Gameweek 15 fixtures of the day, there is a real chance for owners of Manchester City players to steal a march on those going without any this evening.

Pep Guardiola’s troops are away at Watford, who are now the only club without a clean sheet in 2021/22.

Kick-off at Vicarage Road is at 17:30 GMT.

There aren’t any real shocks with the two teamsheets, despite Pep Guardiola making five changes from the midweek win over Aston Villa.

Jack Grealish makes his first City start in a month, while Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden are all recalled after missing out through injury or suspension on Wednesday.

Guardiola’s pre-match comments about Foden, released from embargo on Friday evening, did plant a seed of doubt about whether the England international would feature from the off but he’s thrown straight back into the action tonight.

Nathan Ake, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus make way from the starting XI, with the latter’s demotion to the bench perhaps the closest thing to an eyebrow-raising decision from the unpredictable City boss.

Watford’s team news is much more straightforward, with Claudio Ranieri making just the one change from the side that began the 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Wednesday. It’s an expected one, too, as Danny Rose comes in for the injured Adam Masina at left-back.

GAMEWEEK 15 LINE-UPS

Watford XI: Bachmann, Femenia, Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Rose, Louza, Dennis, Cleverley, Sissoko, Pedro, King.

Subs: Elliot, Ngakia, Morris, Gosling, Fletcher, Tufan, Kabasele, Hernandez, Kucka.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Walker, Gundogan, Rodri, Grealish, Silva, Sterling, Foden.

Subs: Steffen, Carson, Stones, Ake, Jesus, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Mahrez.

2,196 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez foster
    TAA rudiger cancelo James livra
    Salah son ESR jota bissouma
    Vardy dennis ASM

    0.4 itb 2 ft. Lost on what to do.

  2. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    With rotation almost certain in the coming weeks, having a benching headache now will be worth it later. Discuss.

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Unless you end up with a bunch of expected starters having 1 point cameos and keeping your bench benched.
      Depth definitely important

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Jesus 1 pointer today wasn't funny, but hard to predict exactly imho.

    2. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Benching headache always worth it. Means you’ve managed to build a great squad on top of a great 11-12 starters.

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Never got a decent bench point in my life so Liv Siss is plenty

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I simply agree. Since big hitters haven't been returning, I have had starting XV (XIV when Foster injured) and it has served me well. A lot of points on the bench sometimes, but it's still better to at least have those players.

  3. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    A or B

    A Bowen
    B Bsilva

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B Bsilva -4

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        If Bilva is a -4 then the other change probably impacts the choice.

        1. How I met your Mata
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Would be Christensen to Johnson

          1. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Johnson came off injured didn't he? Would probably prefer a more nailed cheap defender but assume funds won't work?

    2. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A based on the next fixture.
      Both are good medium term options.

    3. snow pea in repose
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      With more City starters returning, does Bilva keep his minutes? I'm leaning towards Bowen...

  4. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT, 0.0 ITB

    Sanchez ¦ Steele
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger Reguilon
    Salah Son* Gallagher Mbeumo*
    Ronaldo Dennis
    ¦ Cornet* Livramento Davis

    Son - Cornet - Mbeumo ->
    A) Rashford - Bowen - ESR
    B) Foden - Bowen - Mount

    Have exact money for both these moves, what to do?

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      B

  5. Ivan Toney Soprano
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Had planned to transfer our Ronaldo to free up some funds for my midfield and upgrade budget defender, without doing so means any moves I make are pretty sideways but can't bring myself to get rid of him with the fixture swing.

    Presume he'll be rested for some games over Christmas period so not sure what to do.

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah defo be rested as the games are fixtures Man U should navigate with or without him

      1. Ivan Toney Soprano
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Original plan was to do a mini wc, bring in rashy or sancho to cover the fixture swing, get a mid priced fwd and upgrade another player with the rest of the cash.

        With the fixtures I reckon he could either play and haul or come on for a 1 point cameo!

        Naff all I can do with the rest of my squad with so much money tied up in him tho

  6. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo James Rudiger
    Salah Jota BSilva
    Kane Antonio Dennis

    Foster Raphinha Livramento Brownhill

    1) Kane to Ronaldo
    2) Raphinha to Bowen
    3) Both (-4)
    4) Save

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

      2

    2. Big Ping
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I think I'll be doing 2 this week

  7. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What would you do here? Willing to take a hit:

    Sa - Steele
    TAA - Cancelo - Alonso - Livra - Williams
    Salah - Son - Jota - Gallagher - Allan
    Vardy - Wilson - Dennis

    1.0 ITB, 1 FT

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Save for now and wait til after CL

  8. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Is this starting XI worth saving a transfer this GW, midweek matches permitting? Still not sure which of Jota/Foden/Bilva/Bowen to prioritise or if any of them will outscore Son next week, so another week's thinking time could be in order.

    Ramsdale
    TAA Alonso James Cancelo
    ESR Salah Son
    Antonio Toney Wilson

    Raph Liv Sarr

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      yeah i don't see anything really pressing there

  9. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What are people doing with Gundogan? With KDB back and Bernardo playing the way he is I can’t see Gundo getting as many minutes. Ship to Foden/Bsilva?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping - could have easily hauled today.

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I'd sell. He will be dropped now that KDB is back.

  10. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Raphina and Zaha to Bowen and Bernardo for free?

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      definitely

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Good use of 2FT

  11. banskt
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Cancelo, Rudiger
    Salah, Jota, Bernardo, Bowen
    Vardy, Antonio, Dennis

    4.0m, Gallagher, Livramento, Duffy
    1FT, 0.5m

    I have mostly a template team but Duffy is suspended next GW and I do not want to play with non-functional bench. Bought Duffy at 4.0m so I have 4.6m to fix the bench. I will do the transfer after the midweek games though (in case there are more fires to put out). Suggestions?

    1. Duffy -> Ben White
    2. Duffy -> Eric Dier
    3. Someone else.
    4. Roll FT (take the chance and then trade Vardy / Gallagher to get Spurs players / KdB next GW).

    1. lugs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Tavares or Tomi, instead of White

      1. Fish up a tree
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Really like Tavares but Tierney will play games as well

        1. lugs
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          yeah, 4.3 though so benchings aren't a problem, and he takes a ridiculous amount of shots, if some of them start going in his price will look silly

  12. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT and 1.9 ITB. No idea on what to do with this team. Any tips and ideas?

    Ramsdale Foster
    Trent James Cancelo Alonso Livramento
    Salah Son Jota Raphinha ESR
    Wilson Toney Davis

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Raph out seems popular.

      1. Ludde
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah, want a United cover in. Not sure on how to do that.

    2. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      raph to bowen / silva

  13. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone considering a King and Dennis double up? They are both really decent value.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yep did it last week with CR7

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        He is the reason to get cheap strikers like Dennis + King/Broja.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      It would be a great move because it could work well, most would not do it. Also can be benched for the difficult fixtures.

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I went to Dennis and Broja to save more money.

  14. TopBinFc
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Go big on defenders they said..... that went well

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        The tide has turned

      2. lugs
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        it will probably swing back around to that next week

      3. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Chelsea are having a wobble, and City can't see out a routine win without conceding to save their lives. The fullbacks will still haul often enough to make them worth the money over any forward atm though, IMO.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Chelsea injury situation is a worry, but I still expect them to keep clean sheets with next fixtures.

      4. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Happy with TAA Cancelo James Reguilon

      5. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        U can't expect them to keep clean sheets or score in every match.

    • Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      play armstrong or white? thanks 🙂

      1. lugs
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        White, Armstrong will probably be benched as Ralph seems to reward goals (Broja) with a start the next game

    • TopBinFc
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Any advice appreciated, dont have city midfielder, getting rid of Raph and have 8.1m to spend, what city midfielder to get. I'm thinking Foden at the minute, what do you guys think?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          i d get foden yes but b silva hard to ignore. depends what you would do with extra funds....

          1. TopBinFc
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Not sure, happy with team once I get in a city midfielder, I'm assuming it's either Silva or Foden, no one else really worth considering?

          2. acidicleo
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            silva over foden.

            1. TopBinFc
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Can you see Silvas amazing run continuing? I feel Foden hasn't really taken off yet and could in next few weeks

            2. Tcheco
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Did the exact move. Foden time

            3. The Knights Template
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Will Foden play?

              1. TopBinFc
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  I'd assume so

            4. Weak Become Heros
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Gundo still a good pick?

              1. Paqueta Rice
                • 3 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Nope

            5. CroatianHammer
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Hoping for green.... 30 with Højbjerg, Rapha and *cough* CR7 twice *cough*

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Oh wow

            6. How I met your Mata
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Manquillo nailed??

            7. Vlad Tepes
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Wait did Gundo really get an assist today?

              1. Fitzy.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                You don't know how to check?

                1. Vlad Tepes
                  • 7 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  well I saw the game and did not think he passed B.Silva, it bounced on two defenders so no way it can be an assist.

            8. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Just out of interest, rank in order of who we think may be the best United options for us under the new management??!!

              A- Ronaldo
              B- Bruno
              C- Rashford
              D- Sancho

              Cheers!!

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                A

              2. Tcheco
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                I think that’s their front 4 & can see points all around. So go with whatever fits your team. Hard to justify Bruno’s price at the moment though.

                1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  Agreed mate!! Shame coz he’s such an amazing footballer and was a brilliant asset for us before Ronaldo came

              3. manu4life99
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Have to wait and see Rangnick tactics/plan

              4. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Too early to say, we haven’t seen them play under Rangnick.
                Bruno will probably be the most nailed out of them. But I’m hoping Sancho becomes an option due to his price

                1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  Me too mate!! He’s the one I’m exited about, Ronaldo I’m sure will be the one I go for however

                  1. have you seen cyan
                    • 4 Years
                    2 years, 4 months ago

                    Yea, I have Kane and Vardy so it’s probably inevitable I end up with Ronaldo again

                    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      2 years, 4 months ago

                      Easy moves for you mate, I have to lose Son to get Ronaldo, so will have a good think about it all week

              5. Amartey Partey
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                A, B, D, C

            9. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Bernardo won’t score another goal for ten games now will he

              1. Zimo
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Probably

              2. WVA
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Na he'll score but not in prem

              3. Amartey Partey
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                He'll get injured.

            10. manu4life99
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              A) Sissoko > Mount (bench ESR or Wilson)
              B) Save FT, Start ESR & Wilson

              Sanchez
              TAA Cancelo Rudiger
              Salah Jota BSilva ESR
              Antonio Toney Wilson

              steele reguilion tierney sissoko

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                You're already benching Reguilon v Brighton

                1. manu4life99
                  • 14 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  Hard to see who else to bench instead, maybe ESR...

                  1. WVA
                    • 7 Years
                    2 years, 4 months ago

                    Yeah but I mean you don't need a further benching headache by getting Mount

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

                B

              3. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                I wouldn’t bother with Mount, in your draft team maybe, but not FPL

            11. WVA
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              FFS Abtoni got an assist for that? Masuakas cross deflected in!

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                *Antonio

            12. La Roja
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Buying Bilva GW9 was the best decision I ever made

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                For his 1 point v Palace? Great since mind

                1. La Roja
                  • 12 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  Exactly, gone mental after that

            13. The Big Larsbowski
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Bought deGea this week. Any chance he will be benched with a new manager? Want to do Raphinha- Bilva, but not if i dont have a goalkeeper

              1. thegaffer82
                • 12 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                I’m guessing Ragnick knows De Gea has been player of the season so far, and without DDG he’d be taking over a team in 13th who are in the Europa league

              2. Amartey Partey
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                He won't get benched. Unless he makes a string of howlers.

            14. Timbomars
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Did something I’ve never done before tonight, brought in players for next week before the GW has finished in order to beat the price rises. Trossard and Toney for Bernardo and Dennis for a -4…I’m way too risk averse to feel comfortable with it though

              1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                I always do it if I have a plan long term and want to avoid price rises. It is rare that an early transfer bites back. It means I have a good team value and gives more flexibility.

                1. Assisting the assister
                  • 8 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  So many price rises of key players tonight - worth the risk

                  1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                    • 14 Years
                    2 years, 4 months ago

                    I agree plus the turnover of games is so short - getting the team/bench you want is important.

              2. Timbomars
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Thanks both, I hope it pays off!

              3. hotine
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Think that’s a fantastic decision. I do transfers as late as possible but never at risk of being priced out and if they don’t play before next GW I’ll sometimes go early to catch a rise where I wouldn’t have been priced out of

            15. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Ok I just did a transfer - which I had planned Hwang out - King In

              But it leaves me with a benching problem

              Sanchez (Steele)
              James - Rudiger - Cancelo - TAA (Livramento)
              Jota - Salah - Son (ESR - Gilmour)
              King-Vardy-Toney

              Am I right on paper to have ESR as first sub and start King/Toney - double chelsea defence v leeds?

              1. Fish up a tree
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Would play ESR home to Southampton with both first choice keepers injured

                1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                  • 14 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  Thanks I didn't realise that.

            16. mcflyjohn
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Went for a gamble on getting two Citeh defenders (Dias and Cancelo) which I'm now doubting, annoyingly dropped Livra to get Dias

              Here's the current team

              Sanchez

              Rudi - Dias - TAA - Cancelo

              Jota - B Sliva - Salah

              Antonio - Vardy - Dennis

              Bench : Foster - ESR - Williams - Bissouma. 0 ITB.

              I'm thinking of maybe Vardy downgrade and bailing on Dias (maybe Rudi too). But not sure who to get instead? Seems like Utd defender might be a smart choice (not sold on the attacking options in my budget).

              Any suggestions? Shake it up or stay the course for a few more GWs?

              1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                I have the answer for you if you want to shake up your defence in a few gameweeks.
                The two Villa wingbacks - Cash and Targett - lovely fixtures and both very attacking. Most will not have thought of it.

            17. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              All the old Sages are holding their transfers until after all the midweek European games are done and dusted. Apparently.

              1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                Well the two big guns - Man City and Liverpool have dead rubber European games. So I wouldn't worry about them.
                I have Vardy who is likely to be rested in Europe.
                Arsenal are not in Europe. So I don't really see the worry - taking my team as an example.