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. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB was supposed to be my GW18 captain. I'm more confident in Watkins now

  2. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Come on Newcastle wipe that CS

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Give us KDB owners something cling on to

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

    This game has been a poor spectacle tbh.

  4. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Robertson Cancelo Dallas Coufal
    Salah Son KDB Grealish
    DCL Bamford

    Forster Soucek Brewster Ferguson

    1. Grealish DCL >> Fernandes Wood[or Adams]
    2. KDB >> Fernandes (save 1FT)

    Thanks

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

      2

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

    Cancelo foot fell off...

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

      RIP

  6. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On WC, which defender? 5.2 max

    A) Dier
    B) James
    C) Stones
    D) Justin (sell price 4.7)

    1. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      D

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Justin

    3. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  7. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kevin David Bellion

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

      Haha

  8. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which forwards you are considering on WC ? IMO on Kane, Adams and Bamford.

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

      Not sold on Adam's..

  9. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo - Dallas - Dias
    Raphinha - Salah - KDB - Son - Bruno
    DCL - Bamford

    Who the hell do I switch KDB to?!!

    Brewster to Vardy/Kane is tempting, which will leave around 6.7 for a mid if Vardy, and 5.8 if Kane.

    Help appreciated

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Perhaps Kane and Soucek or Vardy and Bowen?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ooooo I like this! Good shout man!

        1. Muller Reus Corner
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Cheers, I'm considering these kind of moves with my team, but Raphinha instead of Bowen!

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

      Rashford punt

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers bud! Ooo nah I’ve been there with Rashford, awful player to own, terrible finisher, won’t go there again but thank you!

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

    I'm keeping Grealish and Martinez vs. Chelsea

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

      Sure, Martinez fixture proof season keeper, by far Top scoring GK so far

  11. KEN YA DIG IT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Only casuals captained Kdb
    No serious FFS member would captain him

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

      I did Salah(c) because I am a casual.

      1. KEN YA DIG IT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You are a legend. Salah will score a hatty

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Only casuals use the term casual. Unlucky.

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Casual

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

          We are all casuals

  12. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    AVL-CHE next GW, whom to bench
    A. Grealish
    B. James

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

      If Xhaka could score against them...

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

      James. Think there's a solid chance Azpi plays instead this week anyways.

  13. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kevin de Blanked

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

      Classic.

  14. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Even KDB's corners are poor at the moment...

  15. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it time to get rid of Mahrez? Never starts

    Best replacement?

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

      Yes, such a headache to own, will likely sell for Maddison or Raphinha

  16. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo, Chillwell, Coufal (Dallas, Mitchell)
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish (Bissouma)
    Adams, DCL, Bamford

    2FT’s 0.5 ITB
    KDB>>>Son

    A) DCL>>> Vardy
    B) Chillwell>>> TAA
    C) Save FT
    D) any other suggestion? (Planning FH18, TC/BB19)

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A of those

  17. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    RP as bottomed

    Thinking KDB, Wilson > Raphinha, Kane (-4) for this week as the next step towards my BB GW19 team. Look good? Would leave me:

    2.0itb
    Martinez
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Raphinha
    Kane, Bamford, Adams
    ( Forster) (KWP, Stephens, Branthwaite)

    Remaining moves between 17-19 would be:
    Stephens, Branthwaite, Forster > Soucek, Taylor (/ Lowton if priced out), McCarthy

    Cheers

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Go for it

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

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

    City game is so boring.

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pep's tiki taka bullshit

  19. Boom Boom Sheikh the Toon
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For GW 16
    KDB & Creswell > Son & Robertson

    Transfer or stick?

  20. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I feel the mythic Cancelo goal today. Hope he manages to get it.

  21. markus808
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I feel like KDB is becoming a trap at that point. I have had him since GW 11 and he has been my reasonable differential, but I'm not sure he has served me well. 6.5 points on average during these GWs. I don't plan to FH GW18 but I can't justify him any longer.

    Well, actually he has forced me to be razor-sharp with finding value players, which has caused me OR gone up to 450K from 800K. Because I have a power midfield, and he has forced me to stay away from expensive forwards and other experimental BS.

    I will thank him for that kindly, but it's time for me to move on, there are higher ceilings and greener grasses on the other side.

    1. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Let me know when chaper 2 comes out.

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

    Kdb will haul just a matter of time.

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

      As in minutes or days?

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        At this rate, he wont

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes but how long.... better to switch and jump on value elsewhere then get back when he hits form again

  23. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I’ve been looking forward to selling KDB in GW16 since I brought him in.

  24. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For Leeds cover (DGW 19)

    Klich or Raphina or Harrison?

    Clearly Raphina is the better player but what do you guys think from the goal scoring point of view
    I am inclined towards Klich as he is on Pens too
    I already have Bamford

    Please help

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Klich is one yc away from suspension and Raphinha's stats look good

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I still prefer Raphinha.

    3. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Watch the next match and see who you like the look of? I trust the eye test.

  25. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Well, we're getting this season of utter defensive shite from Pep because of that Lyon loss. Now, this year they'll face Madrid or Bayern and get knocked out because they can't score enough.

  26. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB looking nowhere near scoring a goal.

    He got in good position just one time, miraculously. And just run with the ball towards the keeper until having no space to score. A 11 years old defender trying to score a goal if you ask me.

  27. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    FPL Fish says Mane and Trent benched

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

      Firmino too!

    2. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ffs

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

      As a Salah captainer and Robertson owner this would be absolutely amazing

      Salah without Mane is huge points

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

      Lol! Brought Trent in 🙂 great

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      wtf

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

      Robbo was the right choice then 😀

    7. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He reliable?

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He is

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Amazing!

          Great news for my team. Salah cap and Robbo

    8. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      So much for the defensive double-up! FFS

    9. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      lol i bought Firmino for hit ffs

    10. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ffs your joking me

  28. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I'm definitely using FH in bgw18, and building towards DGW19. Will decide if I actually use a chip. 2ft

    My plan for gw16 was always KdB and DCL to (?) and Kane. Then Son, Kane and Martinez will be my only players with sgw. Should I consider Vardy in place of Kane? Next few fixtures for Kane just too good right?

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm considering Kane for next three, then switching to Vardy for 19.

    2. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. Martinez, Son and Kane are good SGWers. Very similar to my team/plans.

      Who would you replace DCL with? Personally, I'm keeping.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        KdB and DCL to maybe Mount (dgw punt) and Kane

    3. Pitch Perfect
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tempted by Kane but it means downgrading Grealish to someone like Rice (£4.8m plays the double). Even then have to find another spare point one from defence. Major surgery!

  29. Bram
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    HT - Man City v Toon has been a horribly dull game - Cancelo looked good though

  30. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Lose Chilwell tonight for Dier (0.2 price swing)
    B. Kerp Chilwell for Villa game

    Got Reese James also

    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A