Dugout Discussion

Mahrez and Jesus benched as Guardiola rotation strikes again

Pep Guardiola has frustrated Fantasy Premier League managers once again by leaving Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) on the bench.

That move sees Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.8m) come back into the side for the visit of Crystal Palace.

There is better news for owners of Kevin de Bruyne (£10.7m) and Sergio Aguero (£11.8m) who both keep their places from the win at Aston Villa.

Owners of Martin Kelly (£4.4m) have some reasons to be encouraged, even if they are benching him for the Eagles’ trip to the Etihad Stadium.

Despite Joel Ward‘s (£4.3m) return to fitness, the budget defender starts at right-back while Cenk Tosun (£5.7m) is set to make his Palace debut, named up-front alongside Jordan Ayew (£5.0m).

It is Moise Kean (£6.4m) who replaces the injured Richarlison (£8.1m) for Everton, while Djibril Sidibé (£5.4m) is benched in favour of Seamus Coleman (£5.3m).

Jack Grealish (£6.5m) looks set for another outing as a centre-forward for Aston Villa as Dean Smith lines up in a 3-4-3 formation, with the midfielder at the apex.

There is a return for Matt Targett (£4.4m), who looks to operating as a left wing-back in front of a back-three.

Opponents Brighton have gone with a front-three of Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), Neal Maupay (£5.9m) and Aaron Connolly (£4.4m).

Despite suggestions of rotation at Southampton, Danny Ings (£6.9m) holds onto his starting berth against Wolves.

Mikel Arteta is forced into a change at the back for Arsenal, Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£4.9m) out with illness. That sees Shkodran Mustafi (£5.2m) replace him at centre-back.

Meanwhile, Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.6m) holds onto his right-back berth although Hector Bellerín (£5.4m) is back on the bench.

Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m) comes in for the suspended Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.7m).

Opponents Sheffield United are without David McGoldrick (£5.4m) who has suffered a minor foot injury, which means Lys Mousset (£4.7m) and Oli McBurnie (£5.7m) lead the line, supported by key midfielder John Lundstram (£5.1m).

Norwich have handed an immediate debut to new signing Duda (£5.0m) while there are starts in their attack for Todd Cantwell (£4.9m) and Teemu Pukki (£6.5m).

Bournemouth have lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation with Ryan Fraser (£6.9m) and Harry Wilson (£5.9m) either side of Callum Wilson (£7.4m).

Arsenal XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, D Luiz, Saka; Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil; Pepe, Martinelli, Lacazette.

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

Brighton XI: Ryan; Alzate, Dunk, Webster, Bernardo; Mooy, Stephens, Propper; Trossard, Maupay, Connolly.

Aston Villa XI: Reina; Konsa, Mings, Hause; Guilbert, Drinkwater, Nakamba, Targett; Trezeguet, Grealish, El Ghazi

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Mendy, Fernandinho, Stones, Cancelo; D Silva, de Bruyne, Gundogan; Sterling, Aguero, B Silva

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; Riedewald, Cahill, Tomkins, Kelly; Zaha, Kouyaté, McCarthy, McArthur; Ayew, Tosun.

Norwich XI: Krul; Byram, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Aarons; Tettey, McLean; Duda, Cantwell, Buendía; Pukki.

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale; Rico, Aké, S Cook, A Smith; Billing, Gosling, Lerma; Fraser, C Wilson, H Wilson.

Southampton XI: McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, J Stephens, Cédric; Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Højbjerg, Armstrong; S Long, Ings.

Wolves XI: Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Dendoncker; Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Doherty; Neto, Jiménez, Traoré.

West Ham XI: Randolph; Cresswell, Diop, Ogbonna, Zabaleta; Rice, Noble; Snodgrass, Lanzini, Fornals; Haller.

Everton XI: Pickford; Digne, Holgate, Mina, Coleman; Bernard, Delph, T Davies, Walcott; Kean, Calvert-Lewin

2,126 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Really are missing Mcgoldrick :/

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have him in a draft league. Hasn't really scored a lot so he must be good at creating space for others or something else?

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yup, greattt at link up play

  2. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone watching the Saints game? Howz Saints defense double-up looking ?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Decent, WOL has been poor in final third though.

  3. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Where are my Ings points ?

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I broke him

  4. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Feels weird that I'm happy with 17 points.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Try being happy with 7

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      depends how many players you have left - 9 points with 3 left to play (plus Sidibe) ... on a -12 to start with 🙁 🙁

      1. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        OOOOh that sounds bad.

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

    Need Villa goal ASAP

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

    Yeah it’s time. Goodbye Jimmy and welcome DCL!

  7. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Reading on bbc sport but not watching is awful. “Goal for DCL from Digne corner headed on by Holgate” damn as Digne owner. Saints goals “Ings does brilliantly” not involved yuck

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish misses big chance...

  8. TAT
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ings in as a part of a hit. Of course he'll blank.

  9. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Damn, benched Foster. Kelly last sub, Rico coming in for Sidibe..

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

    Ings early subbing to be ready for Palace?

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't be too bad actually. Then he could start against Palace instead of getting benched

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Amen

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      very possible I reckon

  11. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Traore one of the worst bandwagons on here

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Worse than Walcott?

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I remember some article or hot topic saying how great he would be

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fortunately I got his mega haul 😛

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

      only worth playing when he is against MCI

    5. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      There was a few weeks there where he looked class in fairness. And he was very cheap. Not too bad as bandwagons go

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

      18 points in 4 games (2 as autosub) and 200K profit - the perfect 5th mid bandwagon

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

    Vvd or robbo as third pool player ?

    1. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vvd

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

      Vvd for me, price issue...

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ive gone for VVD - has been close to scoring from headers recently - but its a coin flip I think

      1. Kushal
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes i am thinking vvd too as he can get 1 header in, also have mane and trent. Going trent triple cap most probably

  13. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is a Sterling goal to much to ask for? Brought him in last week and will take him out for liverpools dgw. If he blanks today is has been horrendous. Especiamly because I could have brought in Aguero instead

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Especially

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

      Same

  14. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kün plz Score

    1. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He ll score 🙂

    2. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have him C!

    3. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Happened 🙂

  15. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    It*

  16. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I am planning to do Aguero to Salah (including 1 more transfer of course ) . They re both rising tonite it seems and Aguero rise will give 1 extra SV. I should buy him at cheaper price right (to avoid future falls and sell it possibly with a profit ) ?

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      always go for the increase in SV - but I am toying with bringing in Williams and Salah today, need to sell Pereira

  17. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli -> (someone), Soy -> Robbo for DGW24. Not sure who that someone could be. I have 7.2 to spend.

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli NOR next

  18. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    That feeling when you have Jimenez and Wilson

  19. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    7 players to go tomorrow:o

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      😮

  20. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Current LMS safety score is 6

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Beautiful.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I ain't laughing

  21. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Cmon Guaita hang on..

  22. B Sharp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Called it. Benched jimmy(may get a cheeky one yet) Benched Sidibe. Bring on Martinelli and Trossard

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      loving it. deserved

      1. B Sharp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sometimes you gotta go with your heart....the ffs article helped on Trossard but as you know. The choice between old trusty or a cheap exciting one is always tricky

  23. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Lund, Ryan & Mahrez(c) - Had better Saturdays.

    Mahrez likely to feature at this point right?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Whats up with Ryan?

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

      Ryan still CS...

    3. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What's with Ryan?

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

      At least Ryan hasn't conceded yet

  24. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    The most surprising thing so far today is that it wasn't Rico sent off.

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

      Yet!

  25. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Welp, my WC is working out swimmingly so far...

    Dunk yellow (Holgate, whom he replaced in the 11th hour, has an assist)
    Mahrez benched and City generally laying an egg so far, which is awesome for Kun (c) and KdB
    Wrong defender and attacker score for So'ton

    Only way is up.

  26. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    This will be a horrible gw it seems.

  27. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking Jimmy and Traore to Greenwood and Martial

    would mean playing Greenwood against Burnley tho.

  28. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hanging onto Jimenez over DCL / Maupay hasn’t gone too well yet then...

    Neither has the Ings party I was promised! 😉

  29. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Haaland comes and scores 3 min later

    Lol

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Comes on*

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

      GGMU

    3. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      scored anotherone

      wow

      scored the 3-2 and 3-4 now. huuuge

  30. SB8
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    That Dortmund match is amazing!