Dugout Discussion

Sterling and Zinchenko rested as Guardiola spins the roulette wheel

Pep Guardiola ‘Roulette’ has struck once again as the Manchester City manager named his team sheet for the visit of Watford.

Raheem Sterling (£12.2m) has been dropped to the bench for the first time this season, replaced in the starting line-up by Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m).

Also missing from the starting XI is Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.6m), who has not even made it onto the bench.

Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) has come into the side in his place to start at left-back.

Key options Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£9.8m) are both in the starting line-up.

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores has named an interesting formation as he prepares for a tough afternoon of football.

Gerard Deulofeu (£6.2m) has been chosen to lead the line while defender Kiko Femenía (£4.4m) is deployed on the right flank of attacking midfield.

A new budget defender has emerged in Dimitri Foulquier (£4.0m) who starts the match at right-back.

There will be plenty of interest in events at Turf Moor this afternoon as Burnley take on Norwich.

The 10% invested in Ashley Barnes (£6.7m) may be giving him his last chance as he starts against the porous Norwich defence.

Meanwhile, Teemu Pukki (£7.1m) and Todd Cantwell (£4.9m) both start for the Canaries amid continued transfer activity for both players.

Finally, Everton manager Marco Silva has trusted Moise Kean (£6.7m) another chance at leading the line this afternoon.

He and Bernard (£6.5m) represent two changes from the side that lost at Bournemouth in Gameweek 5.

Sheffield United also make a change in attack with Callum Robinson (£5.3m) coming in for David McGoldrick (£5.5m) to lead the line with Oli McBurnie (£5.9m).

Burnley XI: Pope; Pieters, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Westwood, Cork, Hendrick; A Barnes, Wood.

Norwich XI: Krul; Lewis, Godfrey, Amadou, Byram; Tettey, McLean; Cantwell, Stiepermann, Buendía; Pukki.

Everton XI: Pickford; Digne, Mina, Keane, Coleman; Delph, Schneiderlin; Bernard, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Kean.

Sheffield United XI: D Henderson; O’Connell, Egan, Basham; Stevens, Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram, Baldock; Robinson, McBurnie.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Mendy, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Walker; Rodrigo, De Bruyne, D Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, B Silva.

Watford XI: Foster; Holebas, Dawson, Mariappa, Foulquier; Capoue, Doucouré; Hughes, Cleverley, Femenía; Deulofeu.

2,288 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Captained Sterling with Haller vice. Why does it feel like my season is over?

  2. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    That fourth goal didn't take long.

    Will they get to 10?

  3. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Otamendi assist
    KDB AA

  4. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bilva!

  5. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Ooh is that an Ota assist for me?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Beutiful

  6. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Good god. This going to be an absolute thrashing

  7. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Oh dear Watford

  8. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    what is happening? Is thi handball? Call it end game, please

  9. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Ota assist

  10. Bolivian Seaman
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    4 shots 4 goals

  11. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I missed the deadline and didn't change Mane (C) to Sterling...

    Wow

  12. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wood again!

  13. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    oh my this is really painful to watch.

  14. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What the hell, this will be the new PL goals record. Otamendi assist too

  15. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Feel like people who captained kdb rather than just had him vc to a no cameo sterling should be rewarded more somehow.

  16. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What the hell is going on at the Emptyhad?

  17. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    The chances of Sterling coming off the bench are receding with ever goal.

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pep will put him on after 80 mins for maximum fraudlulance

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

      This is a good thing.. we need a KDB goal.

    3. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No think he needs to play here to increase confidence

  18. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wonder if Pep will take Kun off before half-time

    1. DaniCT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Scenes..

  19. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    At least there's no reason to sub Sterling on.

  20. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wood brace

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Aight I'm out...

  21. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    wood again...

  22. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Stahp! They already ded!

  23. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wood again

  24. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Total Carnage at Etihad.. 15min..

  25. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Ota Assist?

    1. Saxe-Gotha
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

  26. Saxe-Gotha
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Stop the madness!

  27. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Tonight’s the night the boot will be delivered

  28. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Obviously this is one of the few city games not on TV in the UK

  29. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wood essential !!!!

  30. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mariappa essential? 😆