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. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Literally my only ppints so far from 6 players are from gazzaniga...and i'm quite happy with my score!

    1. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same. 19 points total, 14 from Gazza!

      Never thought I’d say that

  2. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    3 goals in Sou vs Wolves and no involvement from Ings and Jiménez?

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

      Probable because a lot like me brought in Ings lol

  3. Sebbo29
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Wow 5:3 Dortmund after 1:3. Haaland hatty off the bench in his debut. Whattagame

  4. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Neto is quality

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nothing but Neto

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tosun looking unplayable.

      Might just be Stones though...

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 3 months ago

          He was never terrible tbf, just lacks mobility so was never used but with good service he'll score plenty

      2. tm245
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sharp on for Mousset

      3. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sterling cant even shoot.

        1. Sid1891
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          He scored goals before?

          1. ZeBestee
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah, tap ins.

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

              That's just not true is it.

      4. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Kelly CS pointsbon bench 🙁

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

        My 2 goalkeepers now injured wtf 😀

      6. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nice one traore

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

        Mousset off, Sharp on

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          *Blunt

      8. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This is grim

      9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Zaha doing flick ups in the corner. City defenders just watching rather than trying to get the ball back

      10. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Shocking week.

      11. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Frustrated about McCarthy clean sheet gone. he's been a nice little differential for me the past few weeks. grrrrrr

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

          Broke him like I broke Ings

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

        Cynical City coming out now.

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

        Ings and Jimmy, need some goals boys

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

        I can't believe I owned Mousset at some point in the season thinking he'd be a differential. One of my worst decisions this season.

        1. Hiddenpaw
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I owned him too for a few weeks. Terrible decision.

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

        Sidibe on, Wally off

      16. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        sid on
        please score

        1. Sid1891
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          This otherwise Lundy awaits

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

        Mendy yc

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

        When did they bring Sidibe on?

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

        Mendy YC

        Another professional foul.

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

        SIdibe score the winner!?

      21. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Why is pep trying to prove something? Just play Mahrez in form, simple

      22. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mendu YC

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

        Cmon Sid..!

      24. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        At last a yellow for City

      25. WVA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        McCarthy 1
        Dunk 0
        Lundy 1
        KDB 1
        Alli 3
        Cantwell 1
        Jimi 1

        FFS this is pointless

        1. Sid1891
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Put Son in and welcome in my team

      26. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Need this Brighton CS wiped asap..