Dugout Discussion
4 January 2026 775 comments
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The final match of Gameweek 20 sees Manchester City and Chelsea square off at the Etihad Stadium.

Kick-off is at 5.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Pep Guardiola makes three changes from Thursday’s goalless draw at Sunderland.

Josko Gvardiol, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders come into the starting XI.

Nathan Ake drops to the bench, while Nico Gonzalez and Savinho are injured.

Nico O’Reilly starts for the hosts at left-back.

Calum McFarlane will be in the dugout for Chelsea today after Enzo Maresca’s sudden departure.

He makes five alterations to the side that drew with Bournemouth.

In come Filip Jorgensen, Benoit Badiashile, Reece James, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro.

Robert Sanchez (muscle), Wesley Fofana (illness) and Moises Caicedo (suspension) miss out, while Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap are named among the substitutes.

Marc Cucurella remains absent.

LINE-UPS

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Reijnders, Cherki, Foden, Haaland

Subs: Trafford, Ake, Doku, Khusanov, McAidoo, Mukasa, Lewis, Mfuni, Heskey

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto, James, Enzo, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, J Pedro

Subs: Slonina, Merrick, Tosin, Hato, Santos, Garnacho, Gittens, Delap, Guiu

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout this season is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:


Introducing The Eye Test 2
775 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    For such a big unit Gvardiol is very fragile.

  2. Mighty Duck
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Neto you absolute lummox

    1. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      £160k a week not enough

  3. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Gvardiol off on 50 mins is probably enough for me to stop playing this game this season

    Such a joke, everything turns to turd every week

    1. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Also wounded by this mate.

    2. Babit1967
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      That is just rotten - 2 x 1 pointers

    3. terranullius
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 11 days ago

      I felt that too, mate

    4. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      O’Reilly owners have sympathy

  4. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    what are etikite owners doing? l'd keep if nailed to play v burnley but who knows....

    1. SINGH
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Taking out for goa machine Watkins or Thiago

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        cheer

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Watkins is coming in

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        thanks

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Rejoicing! Rice first on bench!

  5. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    not ake on?

  6. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Rodri down. Again

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Seems ok

    2. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      James ankle killer YC

  7. Bada Bing
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    No citeh player bothered to help gvardiol off the pitch, so James had to step in. Pretty pathetic from citeh players.

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      James looking for penance for the 3 x YCs he should have....

  8. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    James has been awful

    1. Bada Bing
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      At least he gets the sportsmanship award for helping gvardiol off the pitch.

    2. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      He’s not getting injured or a red carded. This is amazing form.

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        He should’ve had 3 yellows

      2. mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        lol

  9. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Of course I moved out O'Reilly who started this one with a guaranteed CS and then Gvardiol gets injured which makes O'Reilly pretty nailed.

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Kusanov is on. plenty of time to mess this up.

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Well that is true 😀

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      I dropped O’R on WC for Gvardiol

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Ah mate, that is horrible luck.

  10. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Who are the 5 midfielders to own?

    I've got Saka, Rice, Rogers, Cunha, Foden currently but 3m itb, so any midfielder is within reach. Palmer was on the radar but not firing yet.

    Just hold for now?

    1. SINGH
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Salah coming back going to fire Liverpool to 4th place

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      your 5 is gtg

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      You Haaland-less? That feels like insane value to them have £3m left.

      I'd hold for now. Cunha to Bruno or Mbeumo perhaps. Palmer not worth it

      1. The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        No, I've got him, but also got DCL and Mane so cheap up front. Strikers are another bunch of inconsistency for me this season so maybe I should pump it all into defence!

  11. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Who to start here?

    A - Szob (ars)
    B - DCL (new)

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      A

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      b

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      dcl

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      B

    5. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      B

    6. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      DCL. Hard to bet against this Arsenal defence and Pool aren't firing atm.

  12. Captain Mal
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Imagine someone doing O Reilly to Gvardiol after last week's early sub...

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Yeah, would take an idiot to do that

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      So sideways and unnecessary

    3. Bada Bing
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      There's still plenty of time time for Pep to sub O'Reilly off before the hour mark, just to annoy fpl players.

  13. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Embarrassing from JP.

  14. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Time for Haaland to go I think, fail again

  15. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Gvardiol back to back 1 pointers. Another stellar pick.

  16. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Ekitike > Watkins

    Who’s with me?

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Maybe or Thiago to afford Gab

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Probably

  17. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    When I had Thiago he barely looked fit to play football and now he scores a bloody hattrick

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Classic FPL

    2. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Away at uber right Everton as well, such randomness

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        *tight

  18. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Wait, another GW starts in two days time? Geez, that's even more rotation?

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      There is too much football...forget the players, what about us poor FPL managers!

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Can't keep up anymore...

      2. FantasyTony
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        My I’m already nursing a thumb injury.

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      It's like they don't even think about us FPL managers and the festive period fatigue we suffer when they set the schedule.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Inconsiderate of them...

      2. Monklane
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Yes. I'm mentally, physically and spiritually drained. Fatigue is playing it's part now.

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          FPL winter break is needed. We should go on strike

          1. Mighty Duck
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 11 days ago

            You're getting it after the next GW.

            1. Biggsy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 11 days ago

              Hallelujah! They listened!

    3. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      This was news to me

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        What happened to the winter break lol....

        1. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Thanks for the heads up. Deffo keeping Saka then. Ekitike needs to be sorted out asap

  19. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Has VdB lost his spot?

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      looks that way. Yet another fire to put out. Might just get Collins like I should have done 6 weeks ago

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Erg, same...

  20. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    lol what a dive.

  21. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    ML rival Ekitike C, Thiago VC

    time to quit!

  22. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Guys, look at your Nico O'Reilly points real quick before they're gone.

  23. Pompel
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    C'mon Pep, get that useless OReilly off the pitch - now!

  24. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    If you are feeling down about your gameweek, just think of this poor person

    https://x.com/chrisardinho/status/2007854289767805130?s=20

    1. terranullius
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 11 days ago

      lol. this gw!

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Ehy are they copying me?

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Is it you?

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 11 days ago

          Not quite, but sorta move I've making recently lol...

          1. tiger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 11 days ago

            I've had a few mares this season too 😀

  25. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Cherki has been woeful

  26. Tripleh123
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Which Newcastle midfielder better option for next few weeks?

    A. Bruno G
    B. Gordon

    1. terranullius
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 11 days ago

      A

  27. F4L
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    not one shot on target from chelsea

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      In the whole of 2026...

  28. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    Haaland >> DCL ?

    1. Mighty Duck
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 11 days ago

      *Haaland >> Mane

    2. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Haaland >> Hee-Chan

      1. villa_til_i_die
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 11 days ago

        Just done it for a -4

  29. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    We interrupt this game to bring you breaking news! Upon rising from slumber this morn TKT saw Ekitike had been benched, meaning Rice and his 17 pts substitute in!

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Congratulations on ye olde strawberry preserve!

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      To the gallows you shall go...

    3. MVDP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 11 days ago

      That’s nowt. I got Thiago off the bench for…. Errr …. 17pts

      IT’S A DRAW.

  30. tuturututu
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 11 days ago

    WC, thoughts?

    Raya, John
    Gabriel, Nunes, Chalobah, Alderete, fodder
    Palmer, Rice, Rogers, Cherki, Miley
    Haaland, Watkins, Thiago

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      John is injured and likely dropped for Sels again

      Miley is not nailed now Livramento and Trippier are due to return

    2. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 11 days ago

      Yeh it’s decent.
      I nearly WCed this week.
      The unpredictability over these weeks stopped me. I’d of already wanted to make 2 or 3 transfers if I’d pulled the trigger.
      Personally I’d wait until at least the break. You’ll want Bruno F probably