Dugout Discussion

Aguero, De Bruyne start for Man City as Sterling, Cancelo on bench for Double Gameweek 26 opener

Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) both start for Manchester City in their first Double Gameweek 26 fixture at home to West Ham.

Aguero makes his first appearance in a City starting XI since Gameweek 6 – in the reverse fixture against the Hammers – while De Bruyne made his full injury return by starting in the 1-0 win at Arsenal in Gameweek 25.

Ferran Torres (£6.9m) is another longer-term absentee making an injury comeback, which means a host of FPL assets find themselves on Pep Guardiola’s bench.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m), Phil Foden (£6.1m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) are all out of the XI, as is Joao Cancelo (£6.1m).

Rodri (£5.3m) is also on benchwarming duty as Fernandinho (£5.4m) earns a second consecutive league start, anchoring a midfield three also featuring De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan (£6.2m).

Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) drops out of the starting line-up after beginning in the Champions League, as FPL managers’ favoured duo of Ruben Dias (£6.1m) and John Stones (£5.2m) are flanked in defence by Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) and Kyle Walker (£6.1m).

On his rotated side, Guardiola told BT Sport ahead of kick off:

Many games, we have two days recovery. We have a fantastic squad. Everyone deserves to play, all doing incredibly well, fresh legs and a very good mentality.

On West Ham, the Man City boss added:

Looks like they will play five at the back, previous seasons they did it as well, we knew it. They can do normal shape but they’ve done five at back at Old Trafford. The ideas are the same, good runners up front, two incredible holding midfielders. We try to impose our game.

Fabianski is absent for the Irons

Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) is the big name missing from West Ham’s starting line-up, with the Poland keeper ruled out due to a training-ground injury.

“Unfortunately one of the players just stood on Lukasz’s arm yesterday (in training). It’s swollen up, he’s just not been able to extend his arm. It’s a real blow, he’s been in really good form.” – David Moyes

Ireland international Darren Randolph (£4.3m) is between the sticks for the Hammers, behind a back five of Ben Johnson (£3.9m), Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m), Craig Dawson (£4.5m), Issa Diop (£4.3m) and Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m).

Declan Rice (£4.7m) and Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) will hope to add to the spoiling effect of Moyes’ five-man defence, behind a front three of Jesse Lingard (£5.9m), Pablo Fornals (£5.9m) and Michail Antonio (£6.5m).

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko, Dias, Stones, Walker; Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne; Torres, Aguero, Mahrez.

West Ham United XI (5-2-2-1): Randolph; Johnson, Cresswell, Dawson, Diop, Coufal; Rice, Soucek; Fornals, Lingard; Antonio.

1,312 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ilkay blowing...

    Rest up on Tuesday...

  2. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hands off the baps Prince Harry....

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

    Gundogan won’t start vs Wolves 🙁

  4. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundo benched in the next game.

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

      Doubtful

  5. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Full 90mins for KdB, rested vs Wolves?

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

      for sure

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably starts and plays for 60 odd min

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

        Full rest for the Man Utd game 😉

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Oi!

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

      probably or 20 min cameo

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

      Nope, starts every league game when fit

    5. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Potentially

    6. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Be more concerned about Gundo being rested personally.

  6. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Well the hit for Sterling to KDB would have paid off so far, hope I don’t regret pushing the button after the next game

  7. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have successfully cursed Gundogan. First week I have owned him, get in

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

    Gundo off, not even a cancelo or Ster cameo point, just glad they have a dgw still next game to go for benched players

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

      unless you put TC on a player like the leader of my mini league who put it on Sterling (still time for me to win as usual!) . Nightmare for him counting on him doing well in one game now rather than it swapping to his VC! haha

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

    Dias BPS

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

    Cancelledo

  11. fusen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Considering the idea of 'purple patches' and realistically no one surely thinks Gundo would continue scoring a game basically every game.

    How many blanks will Gundo need before people start to think he will revert to his early season form and is a decent player for City but isn't an FPL style player?

    He's had 2 blanks in a row now, GW29 will be 4 more games gone at that point.

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

      Getting rid after next week in prep for 29.

    2. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'll give him the next three matches, then decide.

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It could be over already but he's so cheap there is no urgency to sell.

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think Fulham will be last whether he does well or not

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

      I would have removed on WC but if you watched last game he was still getting in great positions and having chances. Definately need to give him few more games.

    6. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't judge too much on this WHM game, WHM are better than most teams City will play

  12. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Genuine question. How did KdB just go from 29 to 31 baps when I don't think he has touched the ball in the last few mins?

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

      you're not meant to ask questions

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Manipulation as always 🙂

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

      May i ask how you check live bonus points? In a way like you mentioned, 31,29 etc. thanks

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Fantasy football fix
        LiveFPL

        Few sites like that track them live ...

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

          Thanks guys

    4. tokara
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Game fixing

  13. krishgorwani
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo sterling gundo owner 😀

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

      ouch

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. Usual old shite in a DGW

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

      oh dear

  14. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mike Dean would sent Soucek off for this.

  15. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KDB less than 5% EO in the top 10k....

    Craziness

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's a reason why they are top 10k

    2. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He literally came back like a week ago. Craziness is expecting it to not be 5%

  16. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Immediately takeaways -

    Citeh are definitely no pretenders to the throne. They lost so many points last year by allowing opponents back into the game, or by failing to capitalise on possession. There are a few minutes left here, so if it ends up 2-2 I don't think that counts.

    Ze Hammers are just great. Did not let down this game. Deserving of their lofty position this season.

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

      Cheers Shakespeare....

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      “Immediately Takeaways” would be a great name for a fast food outfit

  17. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1(-4) from 3 any good?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      How did you manage that?

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cancelo, Foden, Sterling

    2. Miro
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      same here

  18. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who are Cancelo owners getting off their Bench Boost bench to come in??

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

      apart from he'll play their second game so no one i'd imagine

    2. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ? He will probably start next game

    3. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If he’s a no show again then it’s White for me

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Assuming he doesn’t play the next game, Raphina for me.

    5. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dallas

  19. Davros
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will stones get 3 baps for winning goal?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No, it's already calculated

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Already added

      2. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Is it?
        What do they tally at the end then?

        1. Benjustjamin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          pass complete %

          1. Brimble82
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            So KDB likely to go up even more!
            Damn you Kev and your bap magnetism!

            1. Benjustjamin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Its added pretty much as soon as whistle blows

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Added in game

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Will prob be
      KDB 3
      Diaz and Stones 2 each ... not likely to change

  20. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Keep those BAPS Dias!

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

    West Ham close...Soucek!

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

    Soucek inches...

  23. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fernandinho YC...owner spewing

  24. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Oh ffs... so close...

  25. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Didn't see the game but Kdb back is the end of Gundo?

    One of Gundo or Cancelo goes for Kdb.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo looked ok-ish once Kun went off I think

      He was very close to Stones for the goal

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This.. Will on bench vs wolves right?

  26. Drumandbaines123
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo you owe me some serious points midweek my friend. No Stones or Dias = disaster start to the gameweek.

  27. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will kdb get any bps deducted? He lost the ball alot

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

      And ginger hair.....

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Let’s just chill out there Bemba

    3. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hope not.

    4. JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He dodnt lose any ball i think
      Bad passes in first half yes,but thats it
      Should stay on 3 easily

      1. tokara
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He was pathetic first haf

  28. King Drogba11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Decent (K)DB, same against Wolves and I’ll be a happy man.

    1. tokara
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wont start

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

        Pep?

  29. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KDB (c) happy with 16 pointer

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

      Jam Central

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😛

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

      +1

  30. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo (C) next GW anyone?