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. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Reckon im okay to hold off my sexy transfer of Steer to Johnstone tomorrow? He is on around 96% right now but hoping they are WC transfers.

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wait

  2. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Would you play the FH if going in with only 5 players for gw 18?

    Currently have Kane, Son, Martinez, Konsa and plan to add Stones to the list.

    Can still manage to get 12 dgwers out for gw 19 and play BB.

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

      Compare the FH18 team you expect

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would. I think 8 players would be the point where I shift to going without the FH, depending on which 8.

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Apart from KDB and maybe Grealish, who I don't have,which other players do you think would be essential for that week?

        The fixtures are awful for a FH

        1. sully29
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Don't know about "essential" but if I was FHing in 18 I think I would definitely have KDB, double city defence, Son, Kane, Grealish, DCL and Wilson, then fill in the rest with whoever. Not saying you need to have them all or that they'll all return but those are the obvious picks atm, I think

          If I had 8 player that mostly consisted of that bunch though then I wouldn't bother FHing.

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

      I would not FH if I could field 8 strong.

    4. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How does that work? Five in 18 and then a hit in gw19?

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No hit, this would be my gw 19 BB team with 12 doublers.

        Meslier
        TAA Silva Coufal
        Salah Bruno Son Raphinha
        Vardy Bamford Adams
        Martinez Stones Taylor Anguissa

  3. GoonSquad
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bruno the flavor of month, but only 4 weeks ago he was expendable, now KdB is surplus goods on a team that cruised to victory with another game in 3 days.

    Funny game.

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

      I’m actually about to sell Bruno and keep KDB as don’t want to free hit in 18. Then Bruno shall come back for the DGW. Man united at home against low blocks also aren’t as good as away from home,

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

        Yes I'm planning the same, great that Bruno rises today.

        But thinking whether Mane is a better option than Bruno for DGW19 due to fixtures and both games at home... if solely on form then surely Bruno

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

          I think Bruno is probably the better choice, his value is so good. Seems like Bruno is playing and thinking like a striker whereas KDB is playing and thinking like a defensive mid. But I still just can’t sell KDB, as I’ll just want him back for the blank.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      But 4 weeks ago he had just come off the back of three consecutive double-digit hauls..?

    3. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      After missing out on the points bonanza early doors I thought/hoped there'd subsequently be plenty of oppurtunity to get some hauls as the season progresses. Alas, the goals and action have dried up it seems

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

      Bruno has 4x the amount of goals as KdB and the same assists, for less money and looks way more dangerous in every game. That’s what it really boils down to

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        5x sorry

        1. GoonSquad
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Not much reason to not own both + Salah. Strikers and defense are so inconsistent this year.

    5. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bruno costs less and is destroying KDB most weeks

  4. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who's with me in the "kept KDB thinking people were idiots for selling before NEW" club?

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      VIP membership for the ones who (C).

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

      Me, except I try not to call people idiots based on their FPL decisions.

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

      Had the choice of him of bruno out for salah..
      Newcastle home, Leicester away, no brainer right? Sell bruno..

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

        exact same thing ffs.

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

      Yeah... Not too happy. I think it might be time to lose him.

    5. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Tbh I sold him last season and he then scored one of the goals of the season against Newcastle and then scored 19 points against Arsenal. So I think twice before selling him.

  5. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Dallas, James/Dier/Stones (any defender up to 5.2)
    B) Balbuena, Cancelo

    1. GoonSquad
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B, only because WHU DGW looks so good.

  6. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No 17 pointers for KDB. Looks like I will keep losing ground to my ML leaders.

    1. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very tempted to offload him.

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

      Keeping for BGW. And thankfully, it’s not like he’s a rubbish player or he’s playing particularly badly. It’s just he & his teammates are not living up to their price tags...

      So hopefully keeping him will still garner points, just not anywhere near close what you would hope for

  7. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I think Saka meant his goal. That was my first reaction on seeing it. I think if this were a more established player doing it then claiming he meant it there wouldn’t even be a question. Either way he is going to be a heck of a player.

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

      Him and Martinelli are our future. I just hope Saliba will be allowed to play soon as well.

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He meant it. Mendy went for a hotdog then forgot his wallet...

  8. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hello folks, thinking of scraping through BGW18 and then FH GW19 and save the WC + TC for the end of season chaos...

    Perhaps WCing GW19 is a better option than the FH?

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

      I would save the wildcard for later

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, that's what I'm leaning towards. A poor GW18 and a FH focussing on the double carnage of GW19

        WC and TC for season end

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

      I’m happy with the team I will be left with after the FH, so a WC is not necessary.

      Only thing for my team is that I will need to get either Salah or Bruno back into my team after losing one of them in BGW18

  9. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    TAA or Grealish?

  10. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So at this point which DGWers do you think you'll definitely have in your GW19 side?

    1. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      TAA - Robbo - Coufal - Balbuena
      Salah - Bruno - Rashford
      Bamford

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looking at something like this XI

      Martinez
      Robertson, Cresswell, Dias
      Salah, Bruno, Son, Barnes
      Kane, Martial, Bamford

    3. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      TAA
      Salah
      Bruno
      Vardy
      Bamford
      Coufal

  11. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL + KDB > Kane + 6.4 midfielder (who?)

    Current midfield and forward line as follows;

    Salah - KDB - Son - Bruno
    DCL - Bamford - Adams

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sorry that’s meant to be 8.4 available for a midfielder although could get Raphinia and next week upgrade BIssouma + Mitchell > Soucek + Cancelo

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

        Go Raphina and try get a pool defender with the extra cash

        1. Danstoke82
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Got Robbo last week

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

            Can you afford Rashford and Vardy?

  12. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB, Grealish, Che Adams... who goes first?

    1. chonks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      kdb

  13. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I think I’m coming round to the idea of selling Calvert Lewin.

    No good fixtures, no double and he’s not great without Richa/James.

    It’s been good DCL. Till next time.

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

      Yep, already sold him on. Will get him back at some point when his creative colleagues are back

    2. Carcetti
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Blanked 3 times all season lol

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

      Think this as well, plus I think he'll be rested for the next game

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

    0.1 off douglas and grealish > rafinha and Taa gaah always

  15. Camino Aleatorio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kevin and Grealish both put on great 3 point shows.

    With a tad more lucky sauce, KDB has 100 points and in the last 5 game weeks

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

      Grealish got 2 points?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Nice.

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

      The problem is we say this every week and his last 4 weeks have given us: 3,4,5,3.

      Sterling is beating him with 3,7,8,6.

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

      Grealish got another YC. 2-pointer that is 😉

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

    Raphinha or Bowen? Have Bamford and Dallas, no West Ham.

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

      Trying to decide this also. Add Barnes to the mix.

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

      Let them play.

    3. GoonSquad
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bowen

  17. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mings and Grealish to Robertson and Bowen?

  18. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed

    Which would you rather bring in this week? I am almost certainly playing FH18 and BB in 19:

    A) Kane: FUL, LEE, {FH}, shu
    B) Vardy +0.9m: cry, new, {FH}, SOU, CHE

    Rest of the team for GW19 will be:
    Martinez, McCarthy
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal, KWP, Taylor
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Raphinha, Soucek
    XXXX, Bamford, Adams

    Cheers

  19. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone fancy Vardy over Kane?

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Have Vardy and probably it’s not worth me doing him to Kane. Bet they will get similar scores over the next few weeks.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah. Vardy has the luxury of a double, but if you aren't FH-ing Kane does make sense.

        1. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          True that, depends on the strategy.

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

      I'm doing it on my WC. FH in GW18.

    3. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not with those fixtures. Vardy will dry up now when the he fixtures ease imo.

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

      Nah. Kane for next 3 GW then switch him to Vardy in DGW

  20. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If wanted to get rid of one from DCL and Grealish, should DCL go first?

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

      Yes I think so. Man City defence looks great just now

      1. GoonSquad
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        And no Rich or Rodriguez.

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

      DCL vs City
      Grealish vs Chelsea

      Replacement is also important.

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Just can’t really find some good replacement for DCL. Could punt on Firmino, try with Martial - but not convinced, there is also Adams and Rodrigo but can’t see them scoring much, could punt on Barnes but ain’t it desperate?

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

          DCL probably on the bench vs City so making money is a start.
          Grealish vs Chelsea could be anything.

    3. GoonSquad
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

      1. GoonSquad
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        DCL

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

    Kdb Lamptey and Mitchell to raphinha taa and robbo for -4 looking likely now - sets me up for BB in 19

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

      Nice! Planning to build for BGW 18 and FH GW 19, as I Think my 5 mids Son, Kdb, Grealish, Bruno and Salah can do well after the dgw.
      But dissapointed by kdb and Grealish today

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Do you have to do all at once? Would love to fit a pool defender in the WC, will keep tinkering

  22. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    First WC draft. Plan to move Kane to Vardy and perhaps son to Mane for DGW then back to KDB:

    McCarthy, Johnston
    Cancelo, Dallas, kwp, Taylor, Justin
    Salah, Bruno, son, raphinha, soucek
    Kane, adams, bamford

    Thoughts?

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

      Nice, looks good to me

      1. n-doggg
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

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

      How are you gonna do Son > Mane?

  23. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What’s the average score from six players so far not including C?

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

      23 average overall

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers on 29 🙂

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

          33 from 5 🙂

  24. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Raphinha?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Worth a punt on wc

  25. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I still have my first wildcard and here is my current team

    —————McCarthy—————
    ——Dias Zouma Robertson——
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Soucek
    —————Kane DCL—————
    Subs: C. Taylor, Fodder x 3

    0.0 ITB, WC, FH and BB available

    Any suggestions on how I should play the WC please?

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

      Depends on chip strategy. 3 fodder needs to change.

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

        I’m open to ideas. Please feel free to make suggestions

        1. n-doggg
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Downgrade grealish and upgrade the bench

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

          There's lots of WC teams.
          Need to work out the chip strategy in 18/19 then it's pretty easy.

    2. GoonSquad
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Downgrade DCL, upgrade Fodder

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

        Thanks

  26. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who goes first out of

    Martinez
    DCL
    Grealish

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

      Keep Martinez. DCL sell first

    2. mrelpea
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DCL

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish

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

      You surely can't be considering selling Martinez after 35 points in the last four?

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

      Martinez ? XD

  27. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Rashford in my wildcard?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Honestly it really just depends on which Rashford turns up.

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

      Really good pick. Would love to squeeze him in. Got the double and sheff Utd in 20 as well

    3. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Much better pick when United are playing away from home

    4. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It’s basically Rashford + Antonio/Rodrigo or Raphinha + Vardy

  28. chonks
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    who do we like better over the course of next 4 games

    vardy and raphina or kane and soucek

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

    2. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  29. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KdB to Son provided the later comes unscathed from the Wolves game?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers! 🙂

  30. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Pick one for Kane & GW18 enabler?

    A Martinelli
    B Saka

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Saka. Martinelli's minutes might be managed given he's just come back from injury.

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Saka. But probably better options than arsenal