Dugout Discussion

Foden replaces Sane in the only change to either side at the Etihad

The final match of Gameweek 37 takes place this evening between Manchester City and Leicester City.

Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is at 20:00 BST.

A win for the hosts leaves them in pole position at the top of the Premier League table going into Gameweek 38.

There is only one change to the starting XIs this evening and it is perhaps a surprising one: Phil Foden replacing Leroy Sane for the home side, with Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne still not fit to return.

Foden’s recall means that Bernardo Silva is pushed further forward into the three-man City attack alongside Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling.

Sane, Gabriel Jesus and former Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez are among the substitutes.

Vincent Kompany again partners Aymeric Laporte at centre-half, with John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi forced to watch on from the bench.

Benjamin Mendy is once again omitted from City’s 18-man squad.

Brendan Rodgers has kept faith with the same 11 players that started the 3-0 win over Arsenal last weekend.

That means that youngster Hamza Choudhury again gets a start in a central midfield three alongside Youri Tielemans and anchor Wilfred Ndidi.

James Maddison and Marc Albrighton will flank Jamie Vardy in attack, so Harvey Barnes and Demarai Gray again have to make do with a place among the substitutes.

Only Liverpool have scored more Premier League goals than Leicester since Brendan Rodgers’ appointment.

Vardy has been involved in more Premier League strikes (nine goals, two assists) than any other Fantasy asset in that time.

Aguero will be endeavouring to keep up his own impressive record of never having blanked when starting a home league fixture this season.

Both Aguero and Vardy registered assists when the two sides met at the King Power Stadium back in December, with the Foxes running out 2-1 winners.

Sterling, who leads all other outfield players for points per match (7.1) in 2018/19, has six double-digit hauls to Aguero’s four at the Etihad this season.

Aguero is the leading captain option this week, with 33,241 managers handing the Argentinean striker the armband while using their Triple Captain chip.

13,121 FPL bosses have used the chip on Sterling in Gameweek 37, meanwhile.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Silva, Foden, Sterling, Bernardo, Aguero.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Chilwell, Maguire, Evans, Pereira, Choudhury, Maddison, Albrighton, Ndidi, Tielemans, Vardy.

1,439 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I'm looking forward to watching Leicester next season, it'll be interesting to see how they do under Brendan.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Got some promising players.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A lot of youngsters who will be a bit older and wiser

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

      I can quite see Maddison or Tielemans in my GW1 squad next year, dependant on rhe fixtures

      1. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Wonder if they will be able to hold onto Tielemans...

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I think they will struggle to keep Tielemans

      3. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, me too

        1. PrettyDick
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          no way, they JUST bought him. It will take a ridiculous number to get them to sell and for that money there are better players.

          1. Rote Teufel
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            He's on loan at LEI. They didn't buy him.

    4. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      As long as they can keep this promising young team together.

  2. Business Cat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Will Mahrez make an appearance, like a pantomime villain?

    1. Marvin of all he surveys
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Oh yes he will!

    2. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      OG

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mahrez to score an own goal on purpose to repay pep for ruining his career

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Being part of trophy winning squad and massive wage hike is hardly career shattering. But game time reduction- yes it’s not ideal for Mahrez

    4. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If City’s do not win league then his late penalty miss at Anfield may be significant

  3. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy goal please.

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Dilva saves Sterlings shot 🙂

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Dilva can F right off. Been poor.

      1. PrettyDick
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Don't know what game you're watching but as far as I can see he's been their best creative player

  5. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    come on city, put the dagger in LFC!

  6. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kompany YC could of been RC

    1. Vlad Tepes
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Haha never close to a RC

      1. PrettyDick
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        yeah, *should* even have been a red, but DEFINATELY *close* to a red

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          DEFINATELY?? You've been watching too much "Line of Duty"!

    2. Licky
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No way.

    3. radawson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No way. Silva’s more chance of a red given it was so cynical and never even played the ball.

  7. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I have a nasty feeling City are going to drop points here, and Liverpool will fail to beat Wolves on Sunday..

    1. Marvin of all he surveys
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I will cry for the rest of the year if that happens.

      1. Dacra
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Not if City get beat too!

        1. Marvin of all he surveys
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Bloody hell you're all about the twist ending aren't you.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I hope that doesn't happen - the crowing of Liverpool haters will be worse than my cockerel at 4:30am

    3. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It’s not any worse than the utd first half imo. Leicester have matched them, can they keep it up when city step it up

    4. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I expect it will be a loss to LEI followed by a win at BHA; but Liverpool draw against Wolves, so City win on Goal Differential.

  8. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Since I signed Sterling he's been an utter waste of space! First time I've ever owned him too

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Second time for me those last weeks. I also had him before Christmas...

  9. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Classic Kompany. Soo past it.

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy party loading

    2. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That was printing money for him to be carded!

      He is, still take him over John stones tho!

  10. Sif
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    City preparing the brown envelopes in the away dressing room.

    1. Mysterion
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Brendan preparing Brendan envelopes too...

  11. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bilva SOT

  12. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sane off for foden at half time

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      On

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Foden shouldn’t have started a game like this

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        You dare question pepe ?

      2. McEwan
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Bit of a scapegoat. Started the spurs game and was decent. Not many with pass marks by their standards so a bit harsh

  13. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    HT

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      We are watching.

  14. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Stupid question: does a thrown in count as an assist in FPL if it leads to a goal ?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Dont see why it wouldn't

    2. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    4. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Actually I remember rose v Burnley. Yes.

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Someone didn't play during the Rory Delap days

      1. McEwan
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        What a celebrity he would be amongst the fpl community with the growth over the years!

      2. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Fuchs had quite a few assists from throw-ins as I recall

    6. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Stupid answer- why wouldn’t it be an assist?

  15. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Really hope Leicester score in this game....can't cope with another Laporte clean sheet + bonus points

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He is an absolute rank killer

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He was crap for the period I owned him, been immense for the rest of the season

  16. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bet on 1-1. Overlooked the 0-0.

  17. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which of the City teams was Pep talking about when he said they weren’t cynical?

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pep has always talked bs about that part of his tactics and I'm really happy managers and pundits are catching on. Just need the refs to realize and start carding thugs like Fernandinho every game.

      1. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        But he smiles so it's ok...

      2. Licky
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I wouldn't say he's a thug, but you are right, he gets away with so much its ridiculous.

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          His elbow on Kane in the CL was proper dirty

  18. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Really impressed with the way Rodgers has this team playing. If they can continue to play this well next season they will be a real force.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      They look like they’re going to be caught out at any minute.

      1. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        First 20 minutes they looked comfortable. The last part of the half they were opened up more but still being resolute.

        It’s hard for any team to come to the Etihad and not look like they could get caught out. You won’t get many teams with the bottle to play the ball around away at the Etihad like Leicester have.

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          One or two of the key links may be gone in the summer also.

          Maguire, Chilwell Tielemans, Maddison.

          1. McEwan
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Hopefully Leicester will have Lee Congerton to find some replacements and they will be fine.....

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. 7th all the way.

  19. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    TC Aguero here, but really dont care about points tonight. Hold Leicesterpool please !

  20. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    We know the drill

    After half time City will come out firing. 3-0 FT. Ez.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry flapjack not seeing it

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I don’t support Man City don’t worry.

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Need a Leicester goal to give them a scare first!

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        They are getting the scare in the dressing room right now 😉

        People forget how weak Leicester are defensively.

  21. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    As a neutral I think this is brilliant

  22. Yoshioka
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Man City have been 0-0 at half-time in their last couple of games and come out and done the job in the second half. Same again, I expect.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Only a matter of time, yeah.

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      think you mean Sane again

  23. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Now forgetting FPL and praying for an Albrighton hattie in second half to reduce the goal difference and push us ever closer!!

    Come onnnn

  24. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If City drop points tonight then surely Klopp has to play a semi weakened side against Barca. Would be crazy to go full strength with a well rested quality Wolves side coming on Sunday.

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Agreed.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        ..And then he'll lose with his strongest squad against Wolves.

        1. The Sociologist
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Definitely this

    2. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes I know Salah and Bobby are out of the Barca game.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Steven Caulker up front?

        1. Jet5605
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Was thinking Heskey and Owen as suggested by Geville on Saturday.

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Play the under 12s with Mane in a barrel of cotton wool.

    4. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He already is.

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pragmatism, but whether the Kop would approve - who knows?

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe start strongish and bring key players like Mane off after Messi or Suarez score.

    6. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cannot play Salah already.

    7. PrettyDick
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      no way he's doing that

  25. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If Aguero doesn't do something and Sterling my season over. My rival is 40pts clear with Laporte. Aguero is my cap.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Start writing your concession speech.

  26. abaalan
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Unrelated to the game ...

    Play ings next week? Or replace jiminez and play whoever I bring in?

    1. PrettyDick
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      play Ings!

  27. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Odds on Sterling outscoring Hazard this week?

    Really regretting my captain choice....

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      One goal and he almost matches him. 50/50

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Didn't fancy either Sterling or Aguero vs Leicester so personally went Hazard

  28. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    2-0 to City, Aguero and Bernardo with the goals. Assisted by Dilva and Gundogan.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Fake news, ban

  29. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pep doesn't deserve to win the league for that woolen jacket he insists on wearing. Hope the heavens open in the second half.

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's his good luck jacket I reckon the man has OCD

    2. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's a cardigan. What would you suggest cardigans be made from?

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A cardigan with a zip and hood?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          A cardigoule?

        2. Gentle_Turks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I own a cardigan with a zip.

          1. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Hood?

          2. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Look at you fancy pants.

    3. MarcusAurelius
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Why is his hood inside out too?

  30. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I knew should got Sane in over Sterling. Sane to come on score a double 2-0 city

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      City don't look like scoring

      1. PrettyDick
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        they super duper look like scoring

        1. AuFeld
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          This is convincing.

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

      ? Really.

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        They'll score 2 or 3 in second half.

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I agree but not picking sane over sterling as was said.