Dugout Discussion

Sterling benched as Guardiola subjects Man City to heavy rotation

Pep Guardiola has struck perhaps the cruellest rotation blow of 2019/20 as he benched a swathe of Manchester City assets for an appealing home match against Bournemouth.

Raheem Sterling (£11.8m), Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) were all among those selected to watch the initial proceedings among the substitutes.

That could prove a particularly disastrous development among the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers with roughly 20% of them handing Sterling the armband for Gameweek 36+ and just over 10% opting for De Bruyne.

Gabriel Jesus (£9.8m) and Phil Foden (£5.5m) are among the fortunate souls to survive Guardiola’s infamous rotation policy, both named in the front-three alongside Bernardo Silva (£7.6m).

There will be plenty of attention on David Silva (£7.3m) who scored 17 points in his last home match against Newcastle.

The points potential for all Manchester City attackers has certainly taken a boost from the Bournemouth line-up, which features left-back Lloyd Kelly (£4.4m) filling in at centre-back again, this time alongside Steve Cook (£5.0m).

Meanwhile, not even Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) could escape Guardiola’s roulette, selected on the bench to allow John Stones (£5.3m) and Nicolas Otamendi (£4.8m) to start together at centre-back.

Manchester City were not the only team to shuffle the pack for Gameweek 36+ with Wolves also making some alterations to key personnel.

Matt Doherty (£6.5m) has dropped to the bench, which means a start at right wing-back for Adama Traoré (£5.6m).

The FPL midfielder’s drop back to a deeper role has left a space open in the front-three, where Daniel Podence (£4.9m) joins Diogo Jota (£6.0m) and Raúl Jiménez (£8.1m).

Wolves face a Burnley side which still features Erik Pieters (£4.2m) in midfield and Jay Rodriguez (£5.7m) up-front with Chris Wood (£6.1m).

Finally, Spurs are in action at Newcastle, with their key Fantasy assets all in place, even Serge Aurier (£5.1m) whose family have faced a difficult week.

The right-back is joined in the team by Son Heung-min (£9.6m) and Harry Kane (£10.9m) while Newcastle go with a 4-2-3-1 formation in support of Dwight Gayle (£5.0m).

Full Line-ups

Burnley XI: Pope; C Taylor, Tarkowski, K Long, Bardsley; McNeil, Westwood, Brownhill, Pieters; Rodriguez, Wood.

Wolves XI: Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Boly; Vinagre, Neves, Moutinho, Traoré; D Jota, Jiménez, Podence.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Mendy, Otamendi, Stones, Walker; Fernandinho, Gündogan, D Silva; Foden, Jesus, B Silva.

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale; Rico, L Kelly, S Cook, Stacey; J King, Billing, Lerma, Gosling, Stanislas; Solanke.

Newcastle United XI: Dúbravka; Yedlin, Fernández, Schär, Krafth; Shelvey, Bentaleb; Ritchie, Almirón, Saint-Maximin; Gayle.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris; B Davies, Sánchez, Alderweireld, Aurier; Winks, Sissoko; Son, Lo Celso, Moura; Kane.

2,336 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden, Jesus, Dilva here. Let's go lads, nothing stopping us now precious

    1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Top comment precious

    2. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      same here, which one to sell for next weeks game of pep rotation??

  2. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sold Aurier for Doherty this week, thought that would have been a fairly decent transfer but shows the unpredictability of this game sometimes!

  3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Chances of Foden getting less than 6 points??

    Last minute change from getting him to getting Pulisic after the Rockstar lineups last night has tured this match into a fully fledged Code Brown - could get ugly

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Less than 26 points? 10% chance

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Very slim.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden should haul. Need him to with my captain and Laporte on the bench.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm off to play Last Of Us 2

      Its honestly going to be less traumatic than watching City bum Bournemouth into next week as a mere KDB/Sterling owner

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Brace in a 30min cameo pls Raheem

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Could very well happen

  5. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Doherty better stay on that bench

    The city rotation is what it is but Doherty is too much!

    1. Bada Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      One point cameo for him seems inevitable I'm afraid 🙁

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This ;(

  6. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    12 degrees with rain in Burnley.

    1. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It's ok. Cup of tea@22mins.

      1. Monkey Hanger
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        And cold black pudding.

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would need a drinks break

    3. Rashleigh Runabouts
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Traditional Lancashire fayre for July

    4. Shipstontrev
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      That’s a heatwave for Burnley

  7. gers23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Could Auba be on the bench later you think?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Few starters might get rested but he's a bit of a machine and in the golden boot race, would be surprised.

    2. Yoshioka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not with Nketiah banned - more like to be rested in the next league game after the cup.

  8. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Owning KDB for the last few weeks has been fun...

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Waste of space sadly.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Those who sold for Raz are winner's

  9. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So Jesus to be benched for the folling match?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      ...which is FA Cup

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        What if he starts FA Cup?

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          The joy of Pep

        2. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          He will.

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Plays 60 tonight and starts FA Cup then who knows.

    3. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      he';ll be subbed at 60 for Sterling.

      Foden gets 90.

      KDB might get 0...

  10. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Arsenal vs Liverpool score predictions:

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1-3

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      0-3 Salah Hatty, TAA 3 Assists

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1-3

    4. Yoshioka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      3-4

    5. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1-3

    6. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Over 3.5 goals
      2-2,2-3

    7. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      3-3

    8. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      0-0

  11. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson to assist Foden three times beyond the realms of possibility?

  12. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Did KDB >> Sterling . lol.
    Glad I put the armband on Salah. LMHO if he's benched too.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      😀

  13. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pep really has no chill. Guess C.Taylor to come off bench.

  14. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I've just seen that Aurier is starting!! I played my FH this week mainly because I was under the assumption that I couldn't field enough defenders to have a starting 11.

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      fair play to Serge considering what happened

    2. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Aurier red card within 10 minutes.

  15. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Weird how you can have a player but need him to come on for a one pointer. Rival’s captained KDB.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same here 😛

  16. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Taylor is sole warrior on my bench to cover KDB Doherty Mahrez Greenwood !!
    Come on Burnley ...
    Kill those Wolves !!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The mighty Egan first bench

  17. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If DSilva plays 90 tonight, would you do Pulisic to DSilva in GW37 for free? Or wait untill GW38 to do this move?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Avoid Dilva Bilva
      Go for Foden if you need

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Doubtful if Foden will start an away game! DSilva is a must for GW38 though.

  18. Dr. Agabuse
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone WC with BB in 38 in mind?

    I thoought i will have cup game line ups and resuls to help
    Urgh

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Well. you've been helped...

  19. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Just going to put it out there. This City 11 ain't all that. Bou fighting for their lives.

    City generally without KDB don't look anywhere near as explosive. Could be a low scoring affair. Then the big guns on sooner than 60mins

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      How many do you have on the bench?

      1. EWH2020
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sterling (C), KDB

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Ouch

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They won the league with 98 points and 95 goals in a season where KDB only played 968 minutes with 2 goals and 3 assists

      Maybe it's the Sane influence, but...

      1. EWH2020
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        True but KDB, Sterling, Mahrez and Aguero are their best players. Without all 4 they may be a bit toothless in attack

  20. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain KDB and Doherty benched, unfortunately they will both come on for 1 pointers and block Greenwood and Aurier from my bench. Unbelievable to see Aurier starting mind!

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood ain't coming off that bench

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Why is that?

  21. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What's all this talk of Greenwood being benched based on?

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

      Swollen ankle reports.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ole mentioning his swollen ankle.

    3. EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Swollen ankle. Ole said will give him as much time as needed to heal

    4. EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably a week or 2 off

    5. Rashleigh Runabouts
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Man U mate text me this earlier. Dunno the source though

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

    Love watching City at home, the atmosphere doesn't feel post corona at all..

  23. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Perfect week to have Free Hit .

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not really. Chelsea disappointed

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        We’ll have to see what Sterling does from the bench.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looking like 38 with the emergence of Scarface.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you have Dilva Bilva Foden Azpi Alonso Yeah

  24. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I dont get the Mendy start

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

      Why not mate

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Get him match fit for SF, wont be on long past 60.

  25. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling will come on people don't worry

  26. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last minute I changed from Foden to Fernandes captain. How much will I regret it?

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

      Big time. Disastrous.

    2. Rashleigh Runabouts
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Likewise. Who knows, but had no luck since the restart so lots probably!

  27. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    *pukes over GW points screen*

    It was nice knowing you Top 50k

  28. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    There’s basically no pace in this city team. Very frustrating as a West Ham fan because now bournemouth are flying and will rip through this city team

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Get a big bet on Bournemouth then

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mendy and Walker are one of the fastest players in PL.

    3. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They'll have like 80% possession anyway so won't need much pace.

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

    Dilva subbed off?

  30. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Gundo on pens?