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

    Got rid of Jimenez, Grealish and brought saints defense doubleup 🙂

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

      Is this a joke? All in 1 gw?

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

        WC

    2. Party time
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Well Played Sir

    3. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Let´s go Reece, 15 pointer

      ta

      1. The Fed
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Are you gonna win it all this year?

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

          Of course 😉

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

        i wnt him too

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

      Most of this community is so blinded by a game, you probably didn’t notice that football this season is absolutely awful. Even the rules are being implemented terribly wrong.

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

        Pretty sure people here have noticed VaR

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

          Sure, but you can’t completely prove to what extent VAR is at fault, there are also rising inequalities between clubs and leagues, and the amount of money the elite in the sport generates borders immorality.

          FFP, on the other hand, is just another way a company can keep people
          interested and it’s a shame only something as irrelevant as points is being discussed day in day out.

      2. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I wouldnt watch a minute of football if I wasnt playing fpl tbh lol

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

          That’s fair, the game is quite cool if you’re engaged.

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

      Supporting Sheffield united is helping my awful season :p

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

        Fair play to SU... had an amazing season thus far

    6. -Klaus-
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd be lost without you Sergio!

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

      Vardy Captainers Unite

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

      Think I have solved Bournemouth crisis... Cook in goal...

      Can outfield players get save points and pen save points?

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

      Bottomed. Zaha in? I need a sub-7m midfielder to fund my triple LIV plans.

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

        Zaha is a known trap

      2. Mingo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Trossard, Traore, Doucore, Sarr (if he isnt injured). Plenty of options that aren't Zaha.

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

      13 from 6

    11. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That's me up to 350k from 1.4 million as things stands thanks to captaining Aguero 2 weeks in a row. Wow this game is about luck and taking risks.

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

        Yep one of those huge variance moves

        Well done 🙂

        1. Mo Salah No Mane
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks Dragon
          Thought my season was dead but didn't know the gap to the top is so small.
          Strange season

      2. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yessssss kun old school hauls

        1. Mo Salah No Mane
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No better feeling in the world

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

            There is nothing better in FPL than captain Aguero scoring (sadly I’m a non owner)

            1. Mo Salah No Mane
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Ouch
              Was upset after the penalty wasn't given but he came good as always

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

              Aguero playing and scoring in both matches in a DGW is better

              1. MagicMessi
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Even better

    12. dshv
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Guys Help

      Jimenez and rico for DCL and VAN. DIJK ??????

    13. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Any news on Rashford?

    14. Superflymonk
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      We benched and sold Jimenez ahead of Southampton...
      Jimenez, "Am I joke to you?"

    15. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What’s happened to Sterling....looks a shell of his former self

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

        shell of a tap in merchant. Not much left

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

      32 with Adama on the bench and KDB cappo fail.. Can't catch a break 🙁

    17. Firefoxed
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Is salah rising tonight

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

      why didnt I captain Henderson, what an idiot

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

      good week for me, much better week for my rivals. bad week for me

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

        Hahaha

    20. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Great Week:
      22 points on the bench and 7 on the pitch.
      Eventually got Ings and took Jimmi out for him.
      Worst Gw in my memory.

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

        Sucks, but you aren’t alone. Been a really annoying season this one, can’t catch a break

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

      Jimenez saves my GW.

      also makes it interesting for next weeks. was gonna transfer him out. Traore too

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

        Jimenez is the type of player you can keep for a season - will always get steady returns and isn’t really impacted by fixture difficulty

        1. Party time
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Indeed, he is a sensation

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

        Could be 8 red arrows from the last 10 GWs if I keep this up 🙂

      3. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        those Kun goals hurt but a KDB haul would have been way way worse

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

        Kun(C) and 53 points after bonus as it stands. Up from 1.9k to 375th OR. Looking good and on track to beat my last year finish at 549th OR.

        1. olidooley
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Wow

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

        Congrats to jimmy owners 🙂 !

        Another haul from kun° 🙂 made my day!

        1. Party time
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Congrats!

            Unfortunately, I broke Kdb. 1st time capper here

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

              Hving jimmy ??? 🙂

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Siiii Señor 🙂 & Grealish

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

                    Siiiiuuuuu ronaldo hatty incoming ! Thumbs up !

                    Congrats bud !... If yu had gone 2x with jimmy other than kdb !! It could be a spike! 🙂 Anyways happy for yu ! 🙂 ! ....

                    Traore (✓★) not grealish hehe!

                    1. Party time
                        4 years, 3 months ago

                        Yes. This gw is so horrendous, I'll gladly take an form of returns 🙂

                        Well played.48 with 4 is great, 34 here with 5 to play

                        1. Party time
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            any*

                          • FirMinaMiMo
                            • 4 Years
                            4 years, 3 months ago

                            Cheers!matey! . Hve a nice day for a better pointer! 🙂

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

                based on this season VVD, Bobby and some West Ham player will be the ones to own next week.

              3. Hits from the Bong
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                How does KDB and Cantwell to Mahrez and Grealish sound?

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

                  Knee jerky

                  1. Hits from the Bong
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Disagree, its not like Mahrez hauled massively this week, and not owning Grealish has been hurting for a long while. KDB next for a rest too probably

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

                48 ! With 4 remaining ! 🙂 !

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

                Kdb and maddison to

                Salah and grealish for free?

                Fed up of kdb playing deep

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

                Randolph to start both games in DGW? thinking of getting him for Button... other keeper is Hendo

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

                  WC?

              7. Party time
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Any chance Kdb sneaks in a bap

                  1. MagicMessi
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 3 months ago

                    Hell no