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. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who else has Grealish AND Cancelo?

    At least 6 gilt edged chances created for teammates today, plus umpteen half decent chances created.

    Not one assist to show for it 🙁

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

      Got two yellows though

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

      Yep, and played McCarthy over Martinez. But first world problems, take the points and the performances

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

      Moi

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

      Here.

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

      12 from 4 today when everyone else is 30-40.

      Can make some ground up tomorrow but another poor week =[

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

      Have them both 🙁

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

      More reason to keep

    8. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I did.

      Dropped Grealish yesterday to fund robbo.

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

      Have KDB (C)

      He will be out before next GW - that is a promise.

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

      Me too

  2. STEP rOVERS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Foden 1 pointer

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

    Cancelo still on 2 baps

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

      Unlucky

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Such a silly tackle /yellow

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Scant consolation for owners

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

    City players looks knackered and are away to Everton in 2 days time.

    Can see a big rotation coming up.

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

      Everton also fighting and tired though

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

    Bobbbyyy! Brace incoming!

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

      Yes mate, start the engines! Bobby time!

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

    We need to talk about Kevin...

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What for?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He is home alone

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

    Fpl fish going to jail

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

      FPL jail

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

      Lol’d hard

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

      Joke twitter account

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

      Where was he getting the leak from I wonder

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

        Liverpool team is regularly leaked. Been that way for a season or 2 and its usually spot on or almost right

        Don't understand how the club can allow it to happen

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

    Kdb to Mahrez for the yolo

  9. MSTRKRFTSMN
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Shocking scout picks this week

  10. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 4 months ago

      KDB just doesn't look right this season, energy seems sapped

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

        His body language

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yup, emergence of Liverpool maybe

        2. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          The 1 on 1 miss was a particular low for me. He didn’t even seem too bothered either way to me. Lost a bit of the fire in his belly imo

      2. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Mahrez> Son is a no brainer for me

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Good move deffo.

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

        As a Cancelo and Grealish owner I feel robbed

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

          Same!!

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

        FPL Fish get in the bin

      5. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        32 from 6.... not ideal

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          39 (-4) from 6 also.

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

            Captain played?

            I have salah (c)

            1. AzzaroMax99
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Nope.
              Salah C, Bamford, Robbo, Bowen & Cresswell to go.

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

          32 from 5. I'm ok with that if the other do well and Salah hauls!

      6. Mr Arsenal
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Man City are so boring to watch - no attacking intent. Best to get their defensive assets.

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

          Cancelo cs will do, even though he gonna got booked
          Dunno how he hasn’t had attacked my returns lately

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

        2-0 FT

      8. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Kdb+Watkins to Pulisic+Kane seems logic, right?

      9. Party time
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Kdb gotta go... Nonsense!

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

          this is how city have been playing all season

        • KGFC
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Another escape without KDB!

          Glad kept Vardy

          1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Sold Vardy to fund KdB some weeks back - been whack.

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

          An utter joy toilet of a watch, that. KDB can't get out of my team quick enough.

        • manu4life99
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Is Vardy a rotation risk for GW16?

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

          KDB C clean sheet woo

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

          KDB blank phew.

          Now come oooooon Kane!!!!

        • diesel001
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          0-1 FT

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

          Gündogan (35)
          Cancelo (33)
          Aké (32)

        • DonBenzema
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          So tempted to pull the trigger on this one.... someone please convince why I shouldn't

          KDB and DCL -> Rashford and Vardy (-4)

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

            You should.

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

            Yup

        • Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Always thought there was something fishy about that guy.

          1. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Oh my cod.

        • Silecro
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Who would have thought, defenders are actually the only assets worth getting from City this season

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

          15 -4 from 5 - another great start to a game week