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

    I knew it Torres is the real deal

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

      Had him in UCL and he brought me a lot of points. Better than Jesus atm for sure

  2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2-0 (No KDB again :()

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

    Cancelo A?

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

      Unlikely.

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

    Is that a Cancelo assist?

  5. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No assist.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fantasy assist

  6. mattk lfc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cancelo assist? (please)

  7. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Torres and Cancelo, baby!

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

    Looks like a cancelo assist

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

      Only if you own him.

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

    For dgw 19

    Robertson and Antonio
    Or
    Alioski/Balbuena/4.6 and Vardy

  10. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cancelo very unlucky not to haul

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

    That doesn't count as a Cancelo assist, right?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Shouldn’t be

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

    Pls don’t say that’s his assist?

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

    It was assist to box from Cancelo

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

    Does Cancelo get the assist for that? Shouldn't really, completely changed direction

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No intended target but who knows.

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

      Shouldn't no

  15. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Starting to become frustrating being a KDB owner

    1. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      THIS

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

      Just starting??

  16. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No assist.

    Not his intended target or area.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hard to see who else would be the target tbf

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

    On WC

    Would you keep Dias Or sell ?

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

    Does Mark own Cancelo?

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

    What's with this FPL Fish guy?

    1. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      ?

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

      He has Klopp's nudes.

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

      He's plays for Liverpool. Klopp trying to figure out who he is

  20. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    God please let it be a cancelo assist

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

    @OfficialFPL
    ·
    5s
    Goal - TORRES
    Assist - None

    Man City 2-0 Newcastle (55 mins)

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

    KDB fraud. See ya later.

    Double move to Raphina and Davis to Kane/Vardy?

  23. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Won’t be assist for Cancelo as came off defender error

  24. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Stones ruined Dias haul. Should’ve left it

  25. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Goal - TORRES
    Assist - None

    Man City 2-0 Newcastle (55 mins)

    #FPL #MCINEW

  26. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Torres magic

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

      😛

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        😉

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

    Rest Kevin now Pep come on

  28. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Actually starting to wonder if KDB is essential. The funds could be useful elsewhere

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not essential

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

    No assist.

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

    KDB a terrible differential against Kane in ML ffs