Dugout Discussion

Mahrez and Silva on Gameweek 38 radar after benching at Watford

The final pieces of this season’s ‘Pep Roulette’ puzzle are falling into place thanks to Manchester City’s latest line-up.

The Citizens boss has left Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) and David Silva (£7.4m) on the bench for the Gameweek 37+ trip to Watford, heightening their chances of a Gameweek 38+ outing against Norwich.

For now, owners of the other big names will be much happier with the Tuesday evening team sheet.

It features Raheem Sterling (£11.9m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) either side of Gabriel Jesus (£9.9m) in the front-three, consigning Phil Foden (£5.5m) to a central midfield role.

The Englishman is joined there by Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m) and Rodrigo (£5.3m).

Joao Cancelo (£5.1m) and Kyle Walker (£5.6m) are the full-backs with Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) and Eric Garcia (£4.5m) handed the centre-back berths.

There is next to no remaining Fantasy interest in the Watford side, with the possible exception of ever-present goalkeeper Ben Foster (£4.9m) or Kiko Femenía (£4.2m) who is, tonight, deployed at left-back.

In their first match without recently sacked manager Nigel Pearson, the Hornets have gone with a 4-3-3 shape featuring Roberto Pereyra (£5.6m) and Ismaïla Sarr (£5.9m) either side of Troy Deeney (£6.2m).

Watford XI: Foster; Femenía, Dawson, Kabasele, Mariappa; Hughes, Doucouré, Cleverley; Pereyra, Deeney, Sarr.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Laporte, Garcia, Walker; De Bruyne, Rodrigo, Foden; B Silva, Jesus, Sterling.

1,914 Comments Post a Comment
  1. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Keep Mahrez for last GW now?

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

      I would

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

      You might as well.

  2. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    my ML rival sold Sterling and Jesus for Martial and Jimenez.

    Next 90mins will be torture for him

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

      He knows

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        May be having the last laugh tomorrow tho!

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

          If that means Martial hattrick, Amen!

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            I'd be happy with a couple and an assist.

  3. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If Mendy could stay on the bench that would be great. Hello Phil Bardsley

  4. KINGS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What would you do with this midfield? Couldn’t find a place for another City player..

    Salah KDB Dilva Martial Bruno

  5. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    FH for GW38

    A) Kane & Antonio
    B) Ings & Bruno

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

      A

    2. SomewhatPleasing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      All viable. Depends on what you think of watching Kane over the last couple.

  6. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I benched Foden expecting him to haul now FFS

    Also KDB pleade stay quiet

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

      Did you start Greenwood?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yep

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

    so it turns out Jesus was immune to rotation if Aguero is injured. Wish I'd known that from gw33

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      4
      1
      1
      1
      8
      14
      8
      ?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Under 5.3 ppg

    2. End of King Wilson
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd say it's a masterstroke by pep to slowly gain momentum for Jesus, who looks a little more confident and fit just in time for Madrid. Let's not forget how big aguero has been for city and the pressure for Jesus to replace him

  8. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pulisic owner, foden first sub.

    I’ve already benched Pieters, should I be cheering foden here...

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

      I'd not bother cheering unless on BB

  9. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which position do we think foden is playing tonight? No. 10?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      4-3-3 I think. RW or CM

  10. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Please Jesus start against Norwich.....!

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

      If he plays 60 mins he's got a good chance I'd say.

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

      he will play unless injured or banned

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

    Gonna regret benching Foden tonight.
    He's been useless since I stuck him in my team but will probably go nuts tonight.

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

      Same. Is Puli crocked?

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

        Hope so lol

  12. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Get an assist Ederson....
    It's Due!

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I had him last season when he got an assist.

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

      He might take a penalty - you never know..

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah baby 🙂

  13. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So. Pepped yet again. Mahrez (C) expecting KdB to be managed, and now no guarantee that he won't be on for 10 minutes and another gubbing. Rashers is my (V) if it comes to it. Top 100K was my goal this season, and I was there for a while, but not looking too great now.

  14. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mahrez to come on and get some bingobangobongos

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

      Hopefully he scores ...
      Or stays on bench. I'd rather have Greenwood 1st bench

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I've got Saka coming on in that case

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

    Since Sterling is starting today. is it a good idea to sell him for GW38?

    I have exact cash to do Sterling to Mané

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

      See how he plays tonight, if he does well I would keep. If he plays below par then switch.

  16. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hate this when some teams have FA Cup games after deadline.

    I was sure If Dilva starts FA Cup he won't starts against Watford.
    And here we go..

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Kane or Auba for 38?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Watch the game & make a decision

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

    Foden Jesus Sterling owner here.. could be heaven or the biggest disappointment of the season

  19. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Dilva cap on final day?

    Chasing in ML and rival doesnt have him

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

      thinking the same myself

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

    Foden to David Silva may be the straight forward transfer now

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

      Yes seems simple. D. Silva (C)

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

        I might captain Salah though

  21. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pep better start training for that CL fixture... I would field my best side in preparation.

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

      They already got a lead on Madrid so they just have to hold what they have, could influence how they set the team up.

  22. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I’m actually considering Sterling,Saka >> Dilva,Mahrez .
    Crazy?

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

      Yes a little

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

    I have Dilva in my team and Foden first bench. This will be a nightmare.

  24. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Come on Kev!

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

    Damn

    Last week: Foden (c)
    This week: foden out for mahrez (c)

    Oh well. House always wins with pep roulette

  26. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ederson
    TAA | Digne | Bardsley
    Martial | B.Fernandes | KDB | Willian | Pulisic
    Vardy | Ings

    McCarthy | Greenwood | Doherty | Justin

    2FTs, 1.7ITB

    A. Willian + Vardy => D.Silva + Auba
    B. Martial + Vardy => D.Silva + Auba
    C. KDB + Ings => D.Silva + Auba

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

    Not many in the 10k actually capped City players by the looks of it, guess its all on Martial and Bruno then

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

      Amazingly sterling only has 32% EO

      And even KDB points will count

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

        yea, surprised, hardly any KDB caps either

  28. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Damn it Mahrez, no way he stays on the bench is there..

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      On the naughty step for being with Aguero wife....

  29. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Raz (C) vs Mariappa. Come on !

  30. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Why are there so many midfielders. Can’t fit Antonio into FH with Mahrez, Silva, Bruno, Martial and Salah. So irritating, especially when Ings is a worse call than Antonio but there aren’t the striker alternatives