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. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    fofana or justin to replace mitchell ? thanks

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

    Pep has learnt from Jose

  3. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB making my decision easier to sell him with the doubles in mind.

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

    ON WC

    Chiwell kdb dcl -> robertson rafinha vardy ??

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

      Basically did that this week on my WC

  5. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Complete disaster with KDB, Torres & DCL tonight

  6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone keeping KdB?

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

      Casuals

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

      Feel like I have to because of the blank, but nah, he’s useless this season

      1. DycheDycheBaby
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Edit: City are useless this season

    3. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No, Kane is coming in

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

      Nah. Son’s 2 home games look fantstic

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

      Love the guy but no. Needs to make way for Fernandez for me

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

    KDB FK time?

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

    Any Arsenal players worth a look?

    Excellent fixtures.

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

      No

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

    Argh Stones why not score you muppet

  10. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What the heck is Stones doing?

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

    That fpl fish guy didn’t Acc state that this is the team lol he could be trolling

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

    DCL YC 🙁

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Mehhhhhh

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      For absolutely nothing.

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

        he got one last week for nothing too.

  13. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Stones you idiot

  14. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    The story of KDB this season:

    1) Can't finish himself
    2) No one can finish his passes

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

      2

      1. BeWater
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I mean it's both of those!

  15. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Stones idiot

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

    Should have bought Messi

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

    WTF Stones?!!! Jesus I give up

  18. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Owning both Stones & KDB... that's painful

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

    Only Vardy and Kane appeal but moving DCL to them is financially difficult

  20. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What did stones do?? Lol

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Shout have scored. Instead he was looking to pass

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

      Started doing step overs in his own box

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

    If anything it seems like De Bruyne has had too much rest. He looks so sluggish.

  22. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    The thing is that if I sell KDB I would probably not get a city player in again this season. Goals are very few and apart and defenders are very rotation prone !

  23. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Well it looks like that's it for DCL for this season. Might get a 2-3 goals still, but not going on that run he had at the start.

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

    Torres G
    No Assist

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

    Three cheers for KDB, hip hip hooray!

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

    To make way for Bruno:

    1. KDB
    2. Grealish

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1

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

      1

  27. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Torrressssss yuhuuuuuuu

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

      Bravo

  28. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo is so unlucky man

    1. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This, I honestly feel like he should have robbo / TAA returns

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

    On a wildcard, Would you :

    [Remove]
    Button
    Justin Mitchel
    Grealish JWP
    Kane DCL

    [Get In]
    Johnstone
    Dias Dallas
    Son Raphinha
    Che Vardy

    [WC Team]
    McCarthy Johnstone
    Coufal Robbo Dier Dias Dallas
    Salah Son Bruno Raphinha Souchek
    Che Bamford Vardy

  30. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Masina got phat.