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

    5 CS in last 6 for City

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

      Reverse jinx??

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

        Nah. I almost did 8pt hit to get them all Cancelo Stones and Dias

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

      Yea they are solid back there. I've got cancelo

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

    Streetwise Sterling

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

    3 - Gündogan (33)
    2 - Aké (29)
    1 - Dias, Torres (26)

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

      No Cancelo?

  4. kempc23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB, DCL and Konsa to Vardy, Son and Taylor for -4? Will be playing FH18 and TC19 as cant get to a bench boost team without a lot of hits.

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

      Not sure Vardy will start at palace

      1. kempc23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why do you think that? I cant afford Kane. Martial also an option

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

          He will start

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

          Leicester play 2 days time - Rodgers rested whole team last year at this time. I’m just guessing so if you want him then go for it

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

    On WC

    1. Keep dias

    2. Dias to dierR

    1. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1

  6. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Keane cleanie banked

  7. Ted Bovis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Streetwise is not the word I'd call it.

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

    Clearly a penalty

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

    Come ooooon DCL!!!!

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

    KDB to
    A) Raphina / Podence (enables Davis to Kane with other FT)
    B) other (have Son Salah Bruno)

    Also have a DCL-shaped issue

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

    Not long left for Kev.

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

    DCL owners...Coleman on now

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

    Which 3 WHU to get for GW19?

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Souk, Couf, Cress

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        or Fab i/o Cress

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

      Fab, Couf, Souc

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Q.E.D. 🙂

    3. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bal couf sou

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

      Bowen, Cresswell can haul bigger than Soucek and Coufal imo. Plus Fabianski

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

      Thanks all.

  14. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which sgw players are you going to have in gw19?

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

      Martinez and Son.

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

      Martinez Dias and son and maybe grealish

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

        would you hit BB if those players (except grealish) are on bench?

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

          Yes I would. Nothing wrong with a few strong single gw players, would require a hit to remove them. City look good for cleanies and Martinez on form and son against sheff Utd

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

      KDB?

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

      Martinez, Son and Cancelo

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

      At least Son, if not possibly Kane (above). Also Martinez, possibly DCL if I keep that long

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

      Currently on Martinez, Cancelo and Son

    7. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo son

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

      Son and Dier or Kane

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

      Kane

    10. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Son KDB dcl

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

      Son & possibly Dias

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

      Only Son.

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

    Can’t make my mind up to keep KDB or not coz he plays in the blank, but he’s useless!

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

      Honestly he is not the player he has been and city are not the side they once were. Just not worth the £££

    2. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who would you get instead?

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

    Cancelo it's your time to shine

    1. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Come on son

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

    Got Firmino in this week and looks like he won't be starting! :/

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

      Who said?

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

        Some FPL Fish guy leaked the lineup

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

          Need to report him

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

            He literally makes team assumptions based on who’s pictured in training, and been wrong a couple of times as a result

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      People buy Firmino in FPL?

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

        People who've got cash they don't know how to spend

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

      I thought about him with the coming DGW but can't see past Kane or Vardy for premium striker.

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

      No way, serious?

  18. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need Wilson to stay on bench for kwp cs , chances ?

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

      I need him on

      1. Bees4Lyf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Get him on!!!

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

        Ha

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

    78% possession for City. Mostly being played across midfield though.

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

      Both teams would be happy to call it now.

  20. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    what would you do with this team?

    McCarthy
    Coufal Dier Cancelo (Targett, Mitchel)
    Son KDB Bruno Salah (Soucek)
    DCL Bamford Adams
    1FT, 0.1

    Kdb & DCL out?

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

      As always depends on your BGW strategy

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

        FH18, BB19

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

    Gündogan (34)
    Aké (30)
    Torres (26)
    Dias (26)
    Sterling (25)

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

      Cancelo 🙁

    2. andres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      this is so unfair for Cancelo!

    3. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How has cancelo not got the BPS!

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

        Its been the same system for years

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

      Hold Dias, hold!

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

      Don't worry kdb will score and change it

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

    Feel free to score DCL 😉

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

      Or get booked again! 😀

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

    DCL you useless man

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

      Best player on the pitch

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      So your watching the other game then?

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

    I’d just like to go into 1 Sunday without my game week needing a rescue mission

  25. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KDB on the same BPS as Almiron (12).

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

      That one-on-one miss cost him dear

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

    KDB is my differential FFS come on

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

      He’ll do naff all, absolute waster he is

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

    Midfield on WC

    soucek son bruno salah .....

    Tell me that spot

    1. Rafinha
    2. Maddison
    3. Grealish
    4. Other

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

      1

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

    How's my strike force doing? DCL Wilson score many points?

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

      Wilson's points per minute are unreal!

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

    DCL and kdb to vardy and Rashford hmmm

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

    Cancelo on for a ferkin bap.