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. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Right, went away for twenty minutes. How many kdb assists have been ruined, presumably by kun

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      3

    2. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      At least 3

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

      Ugh! Thanks, gang.

  2. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I’m sobbing.

    Sterling(c), Digne, no Kun/Otamendi, Barnes over Wood.

    Only KDB doing anything. Norwich boys done zilch so far too.

    1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Unfortunate that.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’m so upset bro

        1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not over yet.

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Effectively is. Sterling 1pt cameo incoming

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same

    3. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Exactly the same here

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This is the first, and may be the last, week I am happy owning Wood

    5. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same

    6. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Time to WC. Kun, Son the boys

    7. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same here, very tempted to wc

    8. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same

  3. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Never thought I'd be disappointed with 8-11 points from Aguero at HT. Could've and should've been on a monster score by now.

    1. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm telling myself I'd have taken an 11pter gratefully before kickoff.

  4. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I was correct...it was the fastest to 5 goals in Prem history...

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

    Aguero could've had 4 goals. Now more likely to be subbed off in the second half

    1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      King redemption.

  6. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hope Sterling stays on bench!

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Should get a few minutes near the end.

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wishful thinking. Will get the last 10 mins

  7. NotNowKato
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If Foden doesn't get a half the he has no future at City. Pep had to manage this and so I see kdb and aguero coming off for Foden and a young striker that isn't Jesus to give them match experience

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nah kun will want to win the golden boot

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Valid point

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

      Cant see that happening considering hes not in the match day squad.

      1. NotNowKato
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Is he not? My bad

    4. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What young striker? You can't just invent players.

    5. Hairy Chinese Kid
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Foden isn’t on the bench

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A horrendous 30 minutes for those with (K)un & KDB.

    Non-owners luck has to run out soon.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      True. I'm happier to have sterling captain and zinc missing. Far better off.

    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      seriously

  9. Wally711
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is everyone getting rid of sterling?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, everyone.

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sauce?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Ketchup because I'm boring.

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I bloody might do tbh. Son in?

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Because? This is his rest.

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, and he will punish sellers!

    5. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nah

      1. Wally711
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        God it’s so frustrating I only have 11 points so far. But fpl aside it’s been amazing watching us kill watford

  10. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    This is crap

  11. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can Watford get back in this?

  12. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Will we see an exodus of Sterling?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Certainly. And exodus of all chips intact.

  13. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hold boys. Hold

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      .

      1. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        OK I'm trying to post a heart but this site doesn't like 'less than' signs

  14. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Guys

    -8 or Wildcard?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends if you will make even more changes on WC.

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        My wc will be -12

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      -8

  15. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If city keep a CS

    Biggest transfer this week will be Zinchenko to Otamendi
    Followed by Digne to Otamendi

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Trigger ready to be pulled as we speak mate Zinc > Ota straight after the game.

  16. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    "Keep Digne because he has Sheff U this week" 😉

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The mighty blades

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah 6 million is too much

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tbf SHU have had zero shots on target...

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        😉

    4. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sheffield United have not had a shot yet. Yes are a goal up, Everton defence should have been a good thing this week. That football. And Sheffield united winning without a single shot is sooooo lucky

  17. alastair
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Apologies if this joke has already been made, but is there any truth in the watford manager told his players to treat the game as if it was a cup final

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      😛

  18. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    plz Norwich come out strong

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Honestly. Pukki Cantwell party needed. But I need some from Barnes too

  19. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    As a Kun non owner, I'm pretty happy with that, he could've easily had 5 goals by now.

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      45 mins to come. Brace yourself

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

      2. Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Nah, Pep will sub him out soon, and I don't mind a hattrick now. Also have Ota to ease the pain

    2. TheBrazilianRonaldo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He will come off at 60 I would have thought and Jesus on

  20. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling already the third most transferred out player this GW
    Does that make sense? Surely he is more likely to play the next one?

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes it's ludicrous

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      People making Saturday transfers look backwards instead of forwards.

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

      That logic does not compute with the masses

  21. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    People will be selling every player I own at this rate so they'll become differentials next week. Checkmate folk having a good gameweek.

  22. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Quiche out!

  23. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on Digne Sterling and Barnes to Otta Maddison and Aguero for a -4? LOL!

    Pope
    TAA Digne Soyuncu Lunds Rico
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
    Pukki Tammy Barnes

  24. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone watching Digne?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      who?
      lol

  25. BobbyV
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling to Salah for free?

  26. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Surely a Sterling rest is a reason to keep him?

  27. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Typical... Brought Barnes in this week :/ ahhh well

  28. fusen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So which 3 of these subs are likely to come on?

    Ilkay Gündogan (8)
    Angeliño (12)
    Eric Garcia (50)
    Claudio Bravo (1)
    Raheem Sterling (7)
    Gabriel Jesus (9)
    João Cancelo (27)

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bravo Garcia angelino

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends who gets injured in the second half

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cancelo
      Sterling
      Garcia

    4. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gundo Jesus given, then toss up between raheem and cancelo. Hopefully sterling stays put

      1. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Given retired long ago mate

    5. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      8 9 27

  29. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just realized Digne CS is gone :p

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hehehe it is indeeed

  30. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Talk me out an 8 point hit to get:

    Pope
    TAA, Digne, Ota
    Salah, Son, KDB, Dilva
    Pukki, Tammy, Wilson
    (Button, Cantwell, Lundstram, Rico)

    Salah perma cap to get rid of the rotation headaches

    (Sterling, Wickham, Kelly > Ota, Wilson, Dilva)

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm looking to sell Dilva so cant advise you to buy.