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

    Goodnight guys. Am expecting a kdb 2 pointer when i login to my fpl account in the morning

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

      20*

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

      Copy-Over

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

      Yellow card, less than 60 or Newcastle score?

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

      He is out of my team even if it happens, can't justify his price, brings same points as Neto, but at twice the cost.

  2. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone has Neco Williams?

    He's starting, easy CS

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

      Rival has him last in the bench.

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

    Alisson
    Neco
    Matip 
    Philips
    Robbo 
    Milner 
    Henderson 
    Naby 
    Salah 
    Origi 
    Shaqiri

    1. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Is this their confirmed lineup?

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

        Rumoured

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      As a Salah Matip Robbo owner, this is pretty good

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

        Salah and robbo rested mid week?

        1. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Possible, but Liverpool have a relatively kind turnaround

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

      Oh dear...cant see a Salah haul with that players around him...

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        doesn't need them can do it on his own.

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

        Playing as no.9z you sure about that

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

    Show me your WC drafts felllassssss

  5. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How is this plan for GW 16 - 19?

    Play WC now (GW 16)

    Johnson McCarthy
    Ayling - Furlong - Dallas - Bednarek - Justin
    Salah - Son - Barnes - McTominay - Bruno
    Abraham - Bamford - Kane

    0.0 in bank.

    Save 2 transfers for GW 19
    Kane and Son -> Vardy + DGW player.
    Play BB on GW19 with 15 DGW players.

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

      Tammy wont start both dgw games

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

      you cant have 2 FT if you're planning to play your FH in GW 18

      1. Drogo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thinking of just having Son + Kane on GW 18.

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

      Tammy is useless...

  6. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB my man.. lets go

  7. wildnothing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How would you manage the upcoming blank/dgw with this squad? I have 2 ft and 1.4 itb. I got Mahrez in three gameweeks ago and he hasn't started a single gw since. So he has to go.

    Martinez 4.0
    Cancelo Alioski Coufal Taylor Lamptey
    KDB Salah Fernandes Mahrez Grealish
    Bamford Welbeck Adams

  8. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bit fed up owning KDB.
    Had him for several game weeks.

    Time to move to Kane.
    KDB to Raphina
    Brewster to Kane.

    Leaves me with:

    Martinez
    James - Justin - Matip
    Grealish - Salah - Bruno - Son
    Kane - Watkins - Bamford

    Forster - Coufal - Raphina - Neco

    Thoughts?

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

      Do it

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

      Good moves..

  9. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rip AZ

    Took a -8 to get TAA lol

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

      I took a -4 🙂 KWP first bench

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

      Haha Az is having a stinker of a season

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Whats up with Trent?

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

        Benched according to fpl fish

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ah okay

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

        Rotating

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

      Why isnt he following his own black box notes? Surely "dont rush to get in someone whos just coming back from injury" is on his list after the Pulisic fiasco at the start of the season.

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

        I dunno, I'm not sure I'd class TAA as 'just back from injury' at this point. It's been a month and he's started the last 3 games.

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

    Guess I’ll be selling KDB DCL then

  11. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best defender for 4.6m for the double?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Basically I’m torn between Vardy and a cheap defender for the double or Roberts and Cavani/Martial

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tough choice. Coufal and Dallas recently rose to 4.7. Taylor or KWP/Bednarek probably?

  12. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So, I really hate all this assets but who should go first

    A : Torres
    B : KDB
    C : PVA

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

      Just take the -8, you'll feel better about yourself

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This is not a bad advice

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

          Cheers both! Not really into hits, but will consider this

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

            Not into hits?! Hits are life! Stop being boring 🙂

    2. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      PVA. So many better cheaper defenders out there.

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

    TAA against Newcastle though hehe

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

      Bruce will park a train....

  14. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Brewbum gtfo of my team

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

      Haha. I remember when you thought that guy was going to be good.

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

        That’s a testament to his football knowledge

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

          Its also something Ive never said.

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He was nailed for Ballon D'Or but Wilder has ruined his development

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Why you do you always moan about a 4.5m forward?

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

        Hes awful. Every 4.5 mid is better.

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

          The whole point of your 4.5m mid or forward is they don't play
          And Brewster is good because the cheaper mids (e.g. 6m) are much better than the cheap forwards

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

            Bamford and Adams are better than any 6.0 mid.

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

              Don’t you have catfish to find for dinner or play with your banjo on the balcony? Get going son

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

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

    Thanks

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

      2, any thoughts for the below?

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

      1

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

      2

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

      2 easy..
      Play Grealish vs Chelsea..they are low on confidence...

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

    Which combo folks? FH18 TC19
    A. Grealish DCL James (current team)
    B. Raphinha DCL Robertson
    C. Raphinha Vardy James
    D. Maddison DCL Justin

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

      B maybe C

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

        Ta

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B - James playing with an injury doesn't sound good and I think surgery would be needed sooner rather than later

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

        Yeah agree re James

    3. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Raphina/El Ghazi/Traore, Watkins/Rodrigo, Robertson

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

      B possibly

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

    Salah off on 59 for Mane. Bookmark me!

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Done

  18. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does the potential TAA benching put you off him for WC or reinforce him as a pick? He should be well rested from his injury

  19. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    After being ever present, both DCL and Grealish are most probably gone from my team at the same time.

    Feels like end of an era

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

      No room for sentiment in FPL.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        We should keep reminding us

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Same for me. Both with the most value built up for me. Both bought at 7.1

  20. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    De Bruyne ffs

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What?

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

    Went TAA over Robbo and planning to get Robbo next week

    Just ffs

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What happened?

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

        Apparent fpl fish team news “leak” will link if you like

  22. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    RMWCT

    McCarthy | Johnstone
    TAA | Dallas | Justin | Coufal | Taylor
    Salah | Son | Bruno | Raphinha | Soucek
    Vardy | Bamford | Adams

    0.5m itb. Any improvements?

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

      Very nice setup for BB19...
      Maybe with the best GW19 fixtures 3 WHU players?

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

    Maybe Robbo’s rest comes next week 🙂

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

      Can see a Salah benching vs Newcastle. Kane (C) perhaps

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

        Salah had his benching last week.

  24. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So annoyed for not having a Man City defender - never seen a more nailed on CS

  25. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB and Ollie to Son and Vardy Done...

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

    Can’t believe we’ve arrived at a point were Klopp is more fraudulent than Pep. Sheesh, 2020 is something else

  27. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    The posting of leaked line up needs to stop. Causes panic and affects your team planning.

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

      How can it affect your team planning after the deadline has gone?

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Did it impact salah owners last week?

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

      No it only helps

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

      Nah it’s exciting!

    4. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You can always ignore it, which worked for Salah captainers.

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Easy said than done when the team is plastered everywhere

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

    WCarders will you have both Kane and Son ?

    1. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Very tempting looking at the fixtures but i would prefer Son

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Neither. Spurs have regressed to Mourinho anti football.

  29. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On a wildcard, Would you :

    [Remove]
    Button
    Justin Mitchel
    Grealish JWP
    Kane DCL

    [Get In]
    Martinez
    Dias Dallas
    Son Saka
    Che Martial

    [WC Team]
    McCarthy Martinez
    Coufal Robbo Dier Dias Dallas
    Salah Son Bruno Saka Souchek
    Che Bamford Martial

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

    Who's going to score first, KDB or DCL?