Dugout Discussion

Jesus benched despite Aguero injury as De Bruyne and Sterling are recalled

The final match of Gameweek 31+ could be the Premier League title-decider, with Manchester City needing a win to prolong Liverpool’s wait for their first top-flight crown in 30 years.

Chelsea provide City’s opposition, with kick-off at Stamford Bridge at 20:15 BST.

The injured Sergio Aguero (£11.7m) is of course missing from Pep Guardiola’s starting XI but Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m) doesn’t benefit from his positional rival’s absence, with the Brazilian only named among the substitutes.

Guardiola said of his selection ahead of kick-off:

We have Phil Foden injured, Joao Cancelo is injured, Sergio Aguero is injured.

Gabriel had a big kick, too, in the game against Burnley and the day after he could not train.

We have Newcastle and Liverpool, and we need him, so that’s why we decide to rest a little bit. He may help us for half an hour or an hour.

Guardiola has instead gone “strikerless” for the trip to west London, although it remains to be seen how exactly he lines his side up and which of his midfielders – if any – occupies the false nine role.

The City boss has made six changes in all, with Raheem Sterling (£11.7m), Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m) and Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) all returning.

Christian Pulisic (£6.9m) and Ross Barkley (£5.7m) are both recalled by Frank Lampard, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£6.2m) and Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) making way.

Jorginho (£4.9m) is back from suspension but is only on the bench.


Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rüdiger, Christensen, Alonso, Kanté, Mount, Barkley, Willian, Pulisic, Giroud.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Fernandinho, Mendy, Gundogan, Rodrigo, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 31+

973 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What City now are playing for? The fixtures towards end of season are great, even greater rotation bonanza?

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yep ditching KDB. Foden will eat his minutes and Pep will want to give DSilva a swansong

      1. Boomerang V
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Maybe I'll get Dilva then

      2. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Brave or possibly foolish, time will tell.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Would have thought so, plus the 5 subs will mean key players constantly not getting 90

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

      Pre-season for the FA Cup and Champions League fixtures.

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

        They still need points to mathematically get top 4 (United are 14 points behind), so it's not like the first choice players will be abandoned.

    4. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Keeping the team fit and sharp for CL

  2. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Looking to take my first -8 of the season but and it will put me 28 points clear at the top of my ML. Reckon it's worth it with my lead?

    Kun, Grealish, Leno 》Rashford, Son and Martinez (-8)

  3. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Liverpool deserved winners no doubt.

    The bigger question is who likes Liverpool? Reply N for Yes, Y for No

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Regardless of which club you support no one can dislike this actual Liverpool team and Klopp, they are class.

      Liverpool fans in the other hand.... 🙂

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Nothing better than an empty City stadium.

    2. John Barnes
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      others are sore losers.... just keep singing YNWA... LFC fans the best in the world... 30 yrs wait and loyal supporters for our club, at last!!!!

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

    All those fake Pool fans tooting their horns, they will be supporting City/Man U next season

  5. doppelganger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Play Laporte vs Liv or Stevens vs Spurs?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mane and Salah waiting for you.

  6. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Leicester are really looking like they are going to miss out on top 4 (even top 5) aren’t they?

    Chelsea right behind them and with the fixtures can easily see united winning all remaining games.

    Vardy needs to find some form quickly

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Haven't watched the game tonight. Who caught the eye from Che?
      Thinking to sell Grealish and get Mount maybe.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hopefully in GW32.

  7. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mahrez to Son? Y or N?
    I have KDB.

  8. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    84p on free hit , pretty good even though I sold nketiah

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sold on free hit?

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

        Yes, he's back for Norwich

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Good stuff

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

            😀

  9. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) DCL Martial

    B) Rashford Foden

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A. But close one

    3. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A Foden is injured anyway

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Doesn't sound like he is out for long, i'd expect him to be back in the squad for next league game, probably even FA Cup.

  10. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    The League was won before all the sh*te hit the fan but to Chelsea, thank you for confirming it tonight!

    Roll on next season.

  11. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any issues with this WC team

    Martinez Ederson
    AWB TAA Doherty Aurier Lasc
    Sarah KDB Martial Pulisic Foden
    Rash Jimi Nketiah

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sarah, new comer? 😉

  12. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Cheeky little green arrow even with the Bruno (C) fail.

  13. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So simply we want players from Chelsea , Manu , Wolves and whom?

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pope and a punt

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pretty much. I also want a Tottenham player

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Brighton, West Ham, Villa, Watford, Bournemouth, though nothing standing out there!

  14. wantsharptv
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    100 points this gameweek.. Not bad

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      More than not bad. Fair play.

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

    Heres to another 30 years

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      UTD catching up to 30 years.

      So ironic.

  16. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Grealish to Son worth a -4 ?

  17. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sarr > Pulisic, knee jerk?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nope

  18. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    The best thing about pools title win is it won’t be remembered as a the most significant thing in the year nor will it be celebrated like the victory they deserve!

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

      Salty? 😉

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Glad you are happy about a pandemic that has killed millions

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Millions? That’ll be the worldwide lockdowns your talking about!

    3. -Klaus-
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You're a salty mermaid tonight aren't you!

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

      I think in adversity and a few colder months ago when no one knew anything about what was to come, it will be celebrated as the event that signalled we're all going to be ok and life will be normal once again.

      Kind of. Like we're in Life on Mars or Ashes to Ashes maybe.

  19. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    This is class!

    @SkySportsPL: Has anyone seen @GNev2?

    #WheresGary https://t.co/MSNoSaBdwD

    https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1276263423563698176?s=09

  20. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Well done, Liverpool! They finally did it, Adam! (RIP 1971-2017)

  21. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Remember the famous saying "Your boys took a hell of a beating" preceded by a list of deserving names? Who would be added to that list from the FFS community? Bobb? 😀

  22. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Need to sell one:

    A) Jota
    Or
    B) Ings

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Who are you going to bring in?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I’m switching to a 352 so I can bring in Pulisic. Have 2ft.

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        So probably Nkietah as a bench player.