Dugout Discussion

Aguero returns to the City attack as Guardiola makes four changes

Managerless Huddersfield Town face Manchester City in the first of two Premier League matches to take place this Sunday, with kick-off in West Yorkshire at 13:30 GMT.

Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling both start on the flanks again but Gabriel Jesus has dropped to the bench to accommodate Sergio Aguero’s return to the City team.

Kevin De Bruyne is handed only his second Premier League start of 2018/19 in central midfield, with David Silva and Bernardo Silva making way.

Ilkay Gundogan is recalled to the City starting XI, too.

There is a further change in defence as Nicolas Otamendi ousts John Stones at centre-back.

Riyad Mahrez fails to even make the City bench, reportedly for tactical reasons – though official confirmation is awaited from the reigning league champions.

Interim boss Mark Hudson takes charge of the Terriers for the first time since David Wagner’s departure and has made six changes from the 0-0 draw with Cardiff City in Gameweek 22.

Tommy Smith, Terence Kongolo, Juninho Bacuna, Adama Diakhaby, Chris Lowe and Isaac Mbenza replace Philip Billing, Alex Pritchard, Steve Mounié, Zanka, Florent Hadergjonaj and Erik Durm in Hudson’s starting line-up.

Billing misses out with a “slight knee issue”.

City won the reverse fixture of this game 6-1 back in August, with Aguero racking up 20 FPL points – one of only two double-digit hauls the Argentinean striker has banked this season.

Aguero is the second-most-popular FPL captaincy choice of Gameweek 23, having been handed the armband by almost 670,000 Fantasy bosses.

That rout of the Terriers at the Etihad was the only league match this season that one of Sterling and Sane hasn’t started.

Sterling hasn’t scored more than six FPL points in a match since Gameweek 14.

Four City players were transferred in by more than 100,000 Fantasy managers this week, though two of them were Jesus and Bernardo.

Huddersfield Town XI (4-5-1): Lössl, Smith, Schindler, Kongolo, Löwe, Bacuna, Hogg, Puncheon, Kachunga, Diakhaby, Mbenza.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Walker, Danilo, Otamendi, Laporte, Fernandinho, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Sane, Sterling, Aguero.

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1,385 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling spotted

  2. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    That was going wide. Only explanation is that someone from fpl towers have Danilo or Walker.

    Fpl towers are sh*t

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      IMO it's because they don't have any City players as it means Sterling + Sane unlikely to get 3bps even if they score now (given two defenders now have attacking points and will likely get a CS)

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It's not FPL who decide. It is the PL's official Goals Accreditation Panel. People really need to understand the rules of football and the PL.

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        With FPL is just OPTA, no?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          And where do OPTA get their goalscorers from?

          1. Mysterion
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            The FPL tower intern who owns Danilo or Walker?

          2. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I watched a video of OPTa people watching a game live and manually inputting data in live time. Like every pass is a passing drawing a line on a tablet in real time.

            I assumed they’d input scorers also?

            1. Mysterion
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              They do record everything but the panel may have final say on dubious goals

        2. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          OPTA takes the official goalscorer as determined during the match. The Goals Accreditation Panel can change the goal anytime during or after the match. However, if the panel changes its mind tomorrow it won't count for FPL as FPL finalise today. But there is still 60 mins for the panel to change their mind

        3. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          They do fantasy assists...

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Or they have Schindler coming in off the bench

      1. Alli 3',17',64�…
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        this no doubt

      2. Sánchez
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yep

  3. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Gundogan poor today

  4. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sane, sterling owners, how are we feeling?

    1. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Feeling season over 🙁

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Really poor first half. Hope pep lays into them. And glad mahrez not on the bench

    2. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Got a bit of a sniffle, but OK, thanks.

      1. Marvin Moon
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Oooh I can't stand the sniffles.

        1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Similar here actually. It's the effect of a bad night after my team got less than Salah captain

    3. Marvin Moon
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I've got a bit of a headache but otherwise I'm fine. How are you?

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Irritated. Sterling and (s)ane doing my head in

    4. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Annoyed at how bad the Man City midfields passing has been.

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Gundo I'm looking at you

    5. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling owner. Feeling good. Wbu

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Like I've made no progress on catching the salah cappers

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Variance

  5. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    How can a team THIS good on paper be THIS sloppy. Pep needs to murder them at HT.

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      same f****** hell.Whenever i own any city player they look so sloppy

      1. HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly the same. First time owning Sané. Thought I was in for bundle of points. False advertising. I want my money back.

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          whenever i dont they look like scoring 5 every game

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He looks clearly unhappy having sat down on the bench the last few minutes

    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Agree.

  6. 1zverGGadeM
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Where is my AGUEROOOOOOO's?!?

    1. La Galatica
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Good so they can sub him for jesus

  7. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Need a bit of Silva

    1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I agree

  8. Dannyb
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sounds knee jerky just saying it, but is Jota an option now if they continue with 2 up top? I know Leceister are a joke defensively but he looked really dangerous.

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Ditched Hazard for him last night before the drop.

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        With Bournemouth and Huddersfield next!? That's brave!

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He’s an option. But I’m not tripling up with Wolves.

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Why not?

        Amazing fixtures. All cheap.

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Because that’s all my eggs in a very average basket.

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      yeah think he is, people always cry kneejerk - but they have changed formation so not sure it's relevant, his last 5 games played have been pretty good points-wise (even if you downplay the hattrick)

    4. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He is expected to be good at the beginning of the season with a return in every 3 to 4 matches. Not surprised if he could perform consistently as he looks adapted to the PL.

  9. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Huddersfield to challenge for top 4 at this rate

  10. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Just heard a pin drop

  11. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Typical City so far. Trying to bore the life out of their opponents...

  12. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero looks like Drake on this article picture.

  13. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    So far so good for us non City owners 🙂

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      is that a reverse jinx?

      1. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        No im actually a non owner, it’s a legit jinx!

    2. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      You should be ashamed of yourself

      🙂

  14. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    What min do we think Sane will come on?

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Just after Sterling

      1. Burger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Both non existent, I don't think Sane has touched the ball once yet?

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        20m =1X1

    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sane has looked the most lively attack for City to be honest. Are you not watching the game?

      1. Burger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I am, haven't even seen Sane touch the ball yet! 😆

        1. Burger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          OK he just touched it.

        2. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Sane's role isn't to have lots of touches it's to make dangerous runs, which he has done throughout. The passing from KDB and in particular Gundogan has been awful and the reason Sane hasn't been put through on goal yet.

  15. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    PL's Goal Accreditation Panel:

    Another role the Match Centre provides is the Goal Accreditation Panel, where the process of determining the goalscorers in the Premier League has been streamlined to ensure the right decision is made quickly.

    Any goal where the identity of the goalscorer is open to debate is reviewed by a three-person panel at the Match Centre, usually consisting of a PGMOL representative and two football experts.

    Although there is no strict timescale on the accreditation of a goal a conclusion is sought at the earliest possible convenience, with the utmost priority given to ensuring the final decision is correct.

    The panel's decision is passed on to the Premier League's digital team and Opta who ensure the goalscorer is communicated through their official channels.

    "We recognise the global appeal of the Premier League and we want to make sure that the output is as good as it can be, and part of that is ensuring we continue to keep standards high and we feel that the Match Centre is key to that," Morgan said.

    https://www.premierleague.com/news/143993

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Does that mean PL assister can diifer from FPL assister, but goal scorer can't?
        Because they haven't always been the same in the past

    2. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Where are 6-0 7-0 9-0 ???

    3. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Man City are playing awful here.

    4. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      C'mon Hudders

    5. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Pep is so bored

    6. Alli 3',17',64�…
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      This is why you shoulda start jesus

    7. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wtf is this?
      This is fudgin embarassingly shiet.

      Do one city

    8. Marvin Moon
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Dr No is about to start on ITV guys. Switch over.

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Quality

    9. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Would hate to think the amount of time I spent deciding on getting sane or sterling haha 🙂

    10. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Danilo is shafting sane with since he's right footed it's infuriating watching him go inside every time

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Too much innuendo.

        1. Clintymints
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          one too many

        2. Clintymints
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          One too Mendy

          I meant to say*

    11. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero + Sterling > Jesus + Mahrez half time please Pep!

    12. Alli 3',17',64�…
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      aww someone fouled the dirty fouler fernandhino

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Optimistic username you got there...

    13. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Raz captain fail.

    14. good biashara
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Ok I've Sterling (C) and this isn't looking great at all... but more importantly, I stand to win a nice little accumulator if City win by at least two goals... surely this isn't gonna be a drab 1-0, is it??

      1. Modest Bob
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Nah your bets good bro. Theyll kick on in 2nd half

    15. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No idea on stats but i reckon those in the top 10k have 0 Man city players. Got rid of mine before xmas.

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Sane 33%, Sterling and Aguero around 15%

      2. Modest Bob
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        That will just be dead teams surely.

    16. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Gundogan off at HT. KDB drops back in to DM and David Silva on to play behind front three. Then we get the City we expect.