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, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

      Got some promising players.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

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

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

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

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

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

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        I think they will struggle to keep Tielemans

      3. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Yep, me too

        1. PrettyDick
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 days 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. Saxe-Gotha
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

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

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

    Will Mahrez make an appearance, like a pantomime villain?

    1. M'arvin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Oh yes he will!

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

      OG

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 days 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, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

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

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

    Vardy goal please.

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Dilva saves Sterlings shot 🙂

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

      Dilva can F right off. Been poor.

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

    come on city, put the dagger in LFC!

  6. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Kompany YC could of been RC

    1. Vlad Tepes
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Haha never close to a RC

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

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

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

      No way.

    3. radawson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

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

    1. M'arvin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

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

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

        Not if City get beat too!

        1. M'arvin
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

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

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

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

  9. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Classic Kompany. Soo past it.

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

      Vardy party loading

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

    City preparing the brown envelopes in the away dressing room.

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

      Brendan preparing Brendan envelopes too...

  11. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Bilva SOT

  12. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Sane off for foden at half time

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      On

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

      Foden shouldn’t have started a game like this

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        You dare question pepe ?

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

    HT

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      We are watching.

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

      Dont see why it wouldn't

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

      Yes.

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

      Yes

    4. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Actually I remember rose v Burnley. Yes.

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

      Someone didn't play during the Rory Delap days

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

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

  15. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

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

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

      He is an absolute rank killer

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

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

  17. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

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

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

        But he smiles so it's ok...

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

          His elbow on Kane in the CL was proper dirty

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

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

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

      Yes. 7th all the way.

  19. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

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

  20. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    We know the drill

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

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Sorry flapjack not seeing it

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

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

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

      Need a Leicester goal to give them a scare first!

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

    As a neutral I think this is brilliant

  22. Yoshioka
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

      Only a matter of time, yeah.

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

      think you mean Sane again

  23. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 days 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, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

      Agreed.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

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

        1. The Sociologist
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 days ago

          Definitely this

    2. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

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

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 days ago

        Steven Caulker up front?

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

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

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

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

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

      He already is.

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

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

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

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

    6. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Cannot play Salah already.

    7. PrettyDick
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      no way he's doing that

  25. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

      Start writing your concession speech.

  26. abaalan
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Unrelated to the game ...

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

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

      play Ings!

  27. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

    Odds on Sterling outscoring Hazard this week?

    Really regretting my captain choice....

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

      One goal and he almost matches him. 50/50

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

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

  28. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 days ago

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

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 days ago

      Fake news, ban

  29. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

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

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

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

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

        A cardigan with a zip and hood?

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

          A cardigoule?

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

          I own a cardigan with a zip.

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

            Hood?

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

            Look at you fancy pants.

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

      Why is his hood inside out too?

  30. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 days 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, 2 days ago

      City don't look like scoring

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

        they super duper look like scoring

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

          This is convincing.

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

      ? Really.

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

        They'll score 2 or 3 in second half.

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

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