Dugout Discussion

Guardiola wreaks havoc as Sterling, Cancelo and Stones all benched for Man City

Pep Guardiola has dealt Fantasy Premier League arguably the harshest blow of the season so far with his Gameweek 21 team-sheet.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m), Joao Cancelo (£6.0m) and John Stones (£5.2m) are all among the substitutes as Manchester City host Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon.

Ilkay Gündogan (£5.8m), Phil Foden (£6.3m) and Ruben Dias (£5.9m) hold onto their starting berths amid all the changes.

Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) returns to Manchester City’s line-up for the first time since the first match of Gameweek 19 while Foden and Ferran Torres (£6.9m) staff the flanks either side of him.

Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) comes in for Stones at centre-back with Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) and Kyle Walker (£6.1m) on the left and right-hand side of defence respectively.

Sheffield United, as ever, line-up in a 3-5-2 formation with John Fleck (£5.6m), John Lundstram (£4.9m) and Oliver Norwood (£4.5m) in midfield while Rhian Brewster (£4.5m) and Oliver Burke (£4.2m) are up-front.

Also of encouragement for the Blades is a return on the bench for Oli McBurnie (£5.6m).

Manchester City are not the only team to rotate this afternoon as Tyrick Mitchell (£3.9m) drops to the bench for Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) to come in.

Jordan Ayew (£5.6m) and Michy Batshuayi (£5.7m) are paired up-front for Crystal Palace with Wilfried Zaha (£7.2m) dropping back to replace Andros Townsend (£5.6m) on the flanks of midfield.

Ruben Neves (£5.2m) and Adama Traoré (£6.0m) are on the bench for Wolves with João Moutinho (£5.2m) and new signing Willian José (£7.0m) come into the side.

Max Kilman (£4.0m) earns another start in the back-three while Romain Saïss (£5.0m) is not in the matchday squad.

West Bromwich Albion are in 5-4-1 for the meeting with Fulham featuring Robert Snodgrass (£5.7m) and Matheus Pereira (£5.6m) staffing the left and right-hand side of midfield.

And Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.3m) is the fall-guy at Fulham, dropping to the bench so Aleksandar Mitrović (£5.5m) can lead their 3-4-2-1 formation.

Gameweek 21 Line-ups

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; Van Aanholt, Dann, Kouyaté, Clyne; Zaha, McCarthy, Milivojevic, Eze; Ayew, Batshuayi.

Wolves XI: Patricio; Kilman, Coady, Boly; Semedo, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Hoever; Neto, Willian José, Podence.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Zinchenko, Laporte, Dias, Walker; B Silva, Fernandinho, Gündogan; Torres, Jesus, Foden.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale; Ampadu, Egan, Basham; Bogle, Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram, Baldock; Burke, Brewster.

West Bromwich Albion XI: Johnstone; Gibbs, Bartley, O’Shea, Ajayi, Furlong; M Pereira, Gallagher, Livermore, Snodgrass; C Robinson.

Fulham XI: Areola; Adarabioyo, Andersen, Aina; A Robinson, Anguissa, Lemina, De Cordova-Reid; Lookman, Loftus-Cheek; Mitrović.

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1,778 Comments Post a Comment
  1. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Knew I should have got Ings over DCL. I will rectify that after next gw.

    Ancelotti should resign after that. Get Lampard in

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

      Lampard will only do well at buffet

  2. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I did not do Wilson> DCL. Dodged the AWB> Digne bullet and saved FT. But guess what ... Pep knew i had Sterling (C) and Cancelo.

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      hahaha can't dodge them all

  3. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is it possible to hide your team so Pep doesnt know which ones I have. Traded in Cancelo and Sterling (C).

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please concede today City. Justice.

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No! I have Dias

  5. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Reckon Dias will be benched next GW

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Close to certain I'd say - amazed he's playing this one

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lose his physicality away to Burnley?

    3. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nah. He’s a constant. Like the sun he is. 😉

    4. Offside Trapattoni
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pep roulette is maddening but he's praised Dias and his ability to play every three days - I think with Laporte fit again this could be the pairing moving forward relegating Stones to the bench/spot start duty.

  6. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My list of candidates for the bench next GW grows:

    A) Mitchell (new)
    B) Tierney (wol)
    C) Saka (wol)
    D) ESR (wol)
    E) Son (CHE)
    F) Richarlison (lee)
    G) DCL (lee)

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, yesh. Son is expensive. Bleh. We'll see

  7. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    ML leader has Stones, Cancelo and Sterling (C)
    And just bought the last 2 for a hit.
    😀

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lucky you!

  8. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    More than annoying Guardiola does things that are really counterproductive from a man management point of view. This thing he has to bench in form players just because he is a rotation compulsive freak is beyond me. He's lucky to always have this really deep squads otherwise this would backfire big time! He destroys players form and confidence. Sané and Aguero in the past are iconic but he never learns. Until one day.

    Is it a coincidence that City has improved a lot since they have several players unavailable? I think not.

    1. FantasyTony
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Which one of Cancelo Stones and Sterling did you bring in mate?

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I ditched Walker for Stones. Kind of figured this was going to happen, cos this is what’s happening every week to me in FPL.

        Whatever move I make it goes spectacularly wrong.

        Last week, sell Wilson for Kane, Kane gets injured, Wilson braces today.

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't know if it's luck. He probably knows.

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe but most successful seasons he has had as a manager (Barcelona 2nd & 3rd City seasons) were rotation minimum seasons. At Bayern he did the same and got booted out quickly.

  9. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pep, I wanted Stones benched last week, not this week

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Me too!! Soucek, yeah...??!

  10. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    for some reason I CAPTAINED Cancelo.

    my bench is:
    ESR Dallas Lewis (11)

    chances of a Dallas or Dier benching?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Slim

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You captanied him because you were envious of my Cancelo captain haul last gameweek! 😀

  11. Athletico Underachieving
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    30 on the bench last week, cancelo and stones benched this week, and I did Wilson - DCL. Brb deleting my team

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

      Keeps us updated

  12. 2999 - Lady of Legend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nice start with Wilson, balanced out immediately with no Cancelo!

  13. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gandhi wins again.

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fraundhi

  14. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chances of Cancelo coming on?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      50/50

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        And the chances of him staying on the bench?

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          50/50.

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      69%

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nice

    3. FPLShaqiri
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      59%

    4. FPLShaqiri
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Chances of Stones coming on?

  15. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I do sometimes wonder if FPL have event he foggiest idea how much anger and consternation they create with their team selections sometimes -

    I'm looking at you Pep! Arse wipe!

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

      * FPL managers have even the foggiest idea

      Sorry poor typing there

  16. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can’t believe I’m stuck with DCL and Digne now

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same

  17. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Wilson scores 2 the week i bench him. Sod off

  18. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Triple City defense is safe.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The only way to guarantee a starter

  19. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Damn, Stones is coming on for a 1 pointer right?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo yes, Stones no.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably needs an injury.

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Doubt he will, TBH.

  20. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance that Sterling stays on the bench today?

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

      A tiny, miniscule chance I would say

  21. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who has all 3 + captain on one of them (Sterling, Cancelo and Stones)??

  22. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hoping Cancelo comes on for a return and Stones gets a full rest so at least I have a chance of points with Dallas sub.

    If both rested... I’ll be seeing Coufal v Liverpool

    1. FPLShaqiri
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I hope Stones gets fully rested. I have Furlong first on my bench. Along with Johnstone it could be a double cleen sheet!

  23. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Annoyed with myself for bringing in DCL for Wilson (-4), watched Everton in midweek and they were dreadful, foolish transfer!

    1. FPLShaqiri
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Everton were decent vs Leicester I thought. Certainly seemed good enough to beat Newcastle. Not foolish, just not their day.

  24. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Oh how I will laugh if Sheff put a couple past City today.

    Admittedly I have no idea how on earth they would do that, but hope springs eternal!

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sheffield won't have >10% possession let alone score 2+

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        All they need is a well-timed Laporte injury

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It would be a double win in Manchester for them this week...can't happen, but oh what joy it would be!

  25. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    who will be the subs that come on for City. My guess:
    Cancelo
    Sterling
    Rodri

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Only 2 will come on.
      Cancelo and Mahrez.

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        i can't remember the last time Pep used two subs only

        1. Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He did. Against BROM..

  26. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    ML rival has Sterling (c), Cancelo & Stones.

    I'm not laughing though, cos I have the latter two as well

  27. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Back from the shop with some Frosty Jack's. F the footy.

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      thank god it's beer and not Blades!

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      lol - Enjoy! 🙂

  28. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bobby Reid is my differential against WBA. Glad I didn't take a (-4) to get DCL.

    1. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lookman for me

    2. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wilson to DCL went well
      Kill me

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What channel is City game on?

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sky main event and sky premier league

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers Fudgy