Dugout Discussion

Mahrez and Wilson benched as Guardiola opts for Torres over Aguero up front

The Premier League action on Boxing Day concludes with two matches that kick off simultaneously at 20:00 GMT.

Manchester City take on Newcastle United at the Etihad, while Everton are the visitors to Bramall Lane for a clash against Sheffield United.

After all the talk and worry over whether Pep Guardiola would roll out some seasonal rotation for tonight’s fixture, the City boss has made only one alteration from the starting XI that defeated Southampton in their last Premier League outing.

It’s an enforced one at that as Nathan Ake comes in to replace Kyle Walker, who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Gabriel Jesus also returned a positive COVID-19 test result ahead of this match and, like Walker, is currently self-isolating.

Sergio Aguero is again only among the substitutes, with Ferran Torres given the nod to lead the line for the hosts.

There are four changes for Newcastle from their 1-1 draw with Fulham, the most notable of which sees Callum Wilson benched.

Sean Longstaff, Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett also make way from Steve Bruce’s line-up, with the latter two not in the matchday squad.

Matty Longstaff, Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden and Jacob Murphy are the players handed recalls.

Bruce said of Wilson’s benching ahead of kick-off:

He has got a knock as well, so he’s not quite 100%. He’s played four games in 12 days, so it’s important to look after him a bit.

Over in South Yorkshire, there are two changes made by Chris Wilder from Gameweek 14.

John Lundstram is banned and John Fleck drops to the bench, with Oliver Burke and Ben Osborn handed starts.

That means that Rhian Brewster gets another run-out in attack for the visitors.

Carlo Ancelotti, who has promised rotation in the Gameweek 16 match against Manchester City, goes full strength at Bramall Lane – or at least, as full strength as he can amid the glut of injuries at the club.

His only change to the starting XI from last weekend is enforced, with Richarlison missing out with a concussion and replaced by Anthony Gordon out wide.

James Rodriguez remains out.


Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Baldock, Osborn, Ampadu, Stevens, McGoldrick, Brewster, Burke.

Everton XI: Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Mina, Godfrey, Doucoure, Davies, Sigurdsson, Gordon, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gundogan, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Torres, Sterling.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Hayden, M Longstaff, Murphy, Almiron, Joelinton.

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2,017 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Gundogan G
    Sterling A

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo AA

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No KDB involvement ?

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Think he assisted the assistor's assist.

        1. Duke Silver ☑
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Or one more assist back 😆

        2. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Just like Grealish...

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

    G Gundogan
    A Sterlingg

    Sterling you should have shot... Would have been a Cancelo assist!

    1. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would have liked that. Beautiful composure from Sterling though

  3. icanseethroughyou
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez, Forster
    Zouma, Justin, KWP, Dias, Lamptey
    Grealish, Salah, Fernandes, Bissouma, Jota
    Vardy Bamford Welbeck

    In a bit of a dilemma on how to tackle GW18/19. My first thought was to FH GW18 and build a squad towards GW19. But now I’m having a crisis of confide thinking the riches on offer in GW18 aren’t worthy of losing a FH chip.

    That said, to field the side below in GW18 and then FH in GW19 I would need to make 5 transfers in the next 3 game weeks (16,17,18) which would cost me -8 points. I’d have no options from the bench. Is it worth it?

    Martinez, Forster
    Dias, Lamptey, Keane (Zouma, Justin)
    Grealish, Salah, KDB, Saka, Bissouma (Salah)
    Kane, Wilson, Welbeck

  4. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Why always Gundogan!

  5. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ahh sterling slot that for a cancelo assist

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

    2 FT, 0.7 ITB

    Martinez ¦ Forster
    Coufal Taylor Holding
    Salah KdB Bruno Grealish Soucek
    Vardy Watkins
    ¦ Wilson Ayling Lascelles

    Don't want to waste a transfer, help maybe?

    No chips in 18/19 for me.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Get Spurs/Man City players.

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

        Thanks TM.

        Thinking of Grealish, Watkins to Son, Davis & playing Wilson. Can this work out?

  7. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How long are we going to ignore Gundo?...

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

      Forever.

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

    FFS KDB

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

    Ughhh hate Gundi so much

    Stealing KDB points all the time

    Need fernandinho back in the team

  10. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Loooll no KDB involvement

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

    Dang. Need KDB, not that

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who still has Sterling?

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      UK after Brexit

  13. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    First of many!

  14. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kdb will score big. Well done cappers

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ake next goal

  15. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Got a feeling this is how it feels to own Cancelo.

    Assisting the assister.

  16. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I'm pretty sure it's against the rules of football to take your time like Sterling did there when that close to goal.

  17. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McG wasting a Brewster assist

  18. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How are Newcastle looking ? Need them to win this for a bet

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Unlikely

  19. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kdb didn't even want a goal there it seems..
    3 City players were waiting for the sweat from Sterling, not 1 off them were Kdb.

  20. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    FFS KDB !! Even gundo scoring ahead of you!

  21. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Problem with Gundogan is that he hogs all the bps. KDB will need more than a goal or assist to get maximum bonus.

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

    *Sees Cancelo's position on the pitch*
    *Checks his FPL position*

    WTF!

  23. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cancelo is basically playing as a central attacking mid lol. Jealous as a Dias owner.

    1. Cruyff Turn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I've had both of them for the past 5 gws, all those advanced runs of Cancelo have resulted in nothing.

  24. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On WC. Which option? FH18 BB19

    A. Antonio
    B. Adams
    C. Wood

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

      B

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

    4. Fpl stress
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you're considering Antonio then wait to see if he's back, could be a very good pick

    5. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers everyone

  25. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling has started every game and returned each time since I sold him. Such a troll player!

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

    What to do here? FH18. 2FT 0.5 ITB. Would you ditch KDB to someone to upgrade elsewhere? Likely BB19

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Dallas Taylor (Coufal Mitchell)
    Salah Bruno KDB Son Soucek
    DCL Bamford (Davis)

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB to Raphinha and upgrade Davies to Kane/Vardy

  27. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Come on DCL

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Let's gooo!

  28. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kdb way too deep again with gundo

    Same thing happened vs wba

    Sellling him becoming easier

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Je created a couple of great chances vs. West Brom from a deep position.
      If only Sterling and Gundogan could finish

  29. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need a farewell goal from Torres!

  30. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB doing his best Grealish/JWP impersonation. Playing deep as baritone.