Dugout Discussion

Guardiola benches Gundogan and Stones for Wolves clash

As expected, Pep Guardiola has struck again, hurting more Fantasy Premier League managers with his latest team selection.

Ilkay Gündogan (£6.2m) is the chief victim this time out, earning a first tactical benching since Gameweek 12, having only missed the second Double Gameweek 24 trip to Everton through injury.

In the German international’s place, Bernardo Silva (£7.4m), Rodri (£5.3m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) form the central-midfield trio tonight.

Meanwhile, John Stones (£5.2m) finds himself among the substitutes for the second time in four matches, Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) and Ruben Dias (£6.1m) the preferred centre-back partnership against Wolves.

Oleksandr Zinchenko‘s (£5.5m) return to the bench means João Cancelo (£6.2m) is back in the side, operating at left-back while Kyle Walker (£6.1m) staffs the right-hand side of defence.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) will share the left flank with Cancelo tonight, selected alongside Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m) in the front-three.

Opponents Wolves have gone with the same 3-5-2 formation that helped them to victory at the Etihad Stadium last season with Pedro Neto (£5.7m) and Adama Traoré (£6.0m) leading the line.

Leander Dendoncker (£4.6m) moves forward to reclaim the central-midfield berth he is more familiar with so Ki-Jana Hoever (£4.4m) joins Conor Coady (£4.8m) and Romain Saïss (£4.9m) in the back-three.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Laporte, Dias, Walker; B Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Sterling, Jesus, Mahrez.

Wolves XI (3-5-2): Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Hoever; Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Semedo; Neto, A Traoré.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,549 Comments Post a Comment
  1. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Come on Riyadh!

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like Dubai more

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

    Sub Dias off for Stones pre60 Pep there’s a good lad

    1. Ejaaz11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      this would make my day

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

    KDB just adds another dimension to this City team.

    Best player in the league, hate to say it

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

      Actually thought they did well without him.

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

        yeah definitely. But KDB just adds something different. Can change the pace of the game with one pass

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

      All he’s done tonight is lose the ball

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

        he's played some really good passes and pulling people out of position

  4. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KDB will probably get subbed before hour mark.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully Gundo is getting the minutes

      1. Salan
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        May be. All the players will get nearly even minutes in these few weeks.

  5. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I am 95% sure that Pep is opening the fpl transfers page, checks who is most transferred in, and tries to have a little bit of fun, now that the title is won.

    How else would you explain Mahrez playing all the time?

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

      or, hear me out, Pep chooses who to play on training performances, matchups with opposition, conversations with his team, and literally anything else other than FPL

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I like your theory but unfortunately is wrong

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

          fair enough lol

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            lol 😀

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

    Annoying that Bernardo looks like Gundo from the TV camera view. Keep getting excited...

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

    Reckon KDB is back on penalties?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ederson is on them apparently

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

    Pretty much the last action of the match that. Going to be 70 mins of passing the ball now.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Unlikely

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

        Hope so.

  9. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have Wolves been in Man City half with the ball?

    85% Citeh...

  10. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Most one sided game I can remember

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The stats I'm looking at don't have one bar for Wolves doing anything at all with the ball.

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

    Everyone so obsessed with minutes. I swear some people here would be happier if Stones played 180 mins and 8 points, than playing only 90 and getting 10.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I guess the points drives the obsession.

      So if your players not starting it gives you the empty feeling.

      Better they get the chance to return. Even off the bench.

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

        Sure, but acting like you don't benefit by having city players in a DGW if they don't start both games is stupid.

        Having Stones this week was valuable because he was very likely to play at least one game. City players have such potential for points in just one game that it's worth having them over many that play 2, even if they only play 1.

        And above all else, no one should be surprised Pep rotated almost everyone between a Saturday game and a Tuesday one.

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

    Wolves are woeful, worst team I've watched this season

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Unbeaten in 3.

      Been watching much Southampton recently?

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

      Last season they were nice..

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

      They really suck the life out of games. Very negative mindset, dull tactics.

      A more adventurous coach could make them more exciting

    4. Steve Chance
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Did you miss the Super Saints against Manchester United?

  13. Rashers
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    6 minutes to get Stones on the pitch

  14. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Come on Cancelo do something

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Poor Rudiger has to stay on the bench, now when Cancelo was not completely rested

  15. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Replace Barnes with someone who plays in gw29?

    1) Lingard --- can't play gw28, but plays gw29
    2) Soucek --- plays gw28 and 29
    3) Saka --- just rotated this week? Plays gw29
    4) Jota --- Big IF on whether he's fit, though.

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

      4 for me

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

      1 if u have cover for 28..

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

      Saka rotation prone now
      Jota doesnt play in 29...

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

      2

  16. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    For Pep, PL match is only used as the preparation for CL games, e.g. building up fitness of KDB or Kun. He knew the PL title is won.

    Most nailed players, e.g. Ederson or Dias, I believe they may get rest in dgw27. No harm for Man City at all.

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

      He will most likely rest Dias in at least one match in 27 - he's not going to play him 4 times in 2 weeks ahead of a CL match

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

        That CL tie is basically won though

        1. Salan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          You can say so but Pep will not take any risk in CL.

        2. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          2-0 in the CL is not a safe score

      2. Salan
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Absolutely. Some may think me crazy but I really believe Ederson may have a chance to get a rest. This gives Pep an opportunity to let Steffen be ready in case.

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

          Yep agreed

  17. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mahrez captain in GW 31 against Leeds?

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

      Will he play?

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

    FPL official site hasn't updated the game stats since 15 minutes in. Bit odd. BPS mysteries...

  19. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KdB AA

  20. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    All but Walker and Dias averaging in the attacking half, they're a few yards short.

    And Ederson.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Only Neto just averaging position over half way line for Wolves.

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

    Every time he’s in position Sterling seems to take agonizingly long to release the ball, ends up losing it or being forced into a backwards pass when they’re trying to build up.

    So crap to watch and I don’t even own

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      8th highest points per game.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        In midfield.

    2. Steve Chance
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh well, Guardiola seems to rate him. Maybe he doesn't know a 'crap' footballer when he sees one. What's he ever done in the game? Or Sterling for that matter. Oh yeah...

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

      I only own him because when I don't, he scores.

    4. dogtanion
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think anyone owns Sterling in fpl for his technique or skill. He's just usually the one to knock in the tap ins.

      1. Steve Chance
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A skill in itself, no?

        1. dogtanion
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          No as he misses a lot of them too.

          1. Steve Chance
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Okay. I'm sure him being at man city under Guardiola is just an oversight. You could be doing it. About as much skill as making toast.

  22. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ok! So that's 12 points + bonus for City double defense owners.

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

      The only way Wolves will get a goal is through an OL!

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

    Cancelo fancies accumulating BAPs tonight for some reason 😮

  24. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With all of the injuries and the return of KDB is now a good time to Wild card?!

    This would be squad (I think)

    Martinez / Areola
    Dias, Stones, Rudiger / Dunk, Konsa
    KDB, Bruno, Son, Lingard / Raphina
    Bamford, Kane, Antonio

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      KDB got outscored by James Ward Prowse in the first half of the season. Without any injuries. People happily forget that.

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

      hmm

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

      Planning to wc also. Own Salah, Foden, Gundo, Robbo to start...

      Might go and pick Ederson, Antonio, Soucek, Cresswell, also need some differentials. Not sure where to find any maybe Chelsea attacker though no one (besides Mount) seem to be nailed...

  25. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo bossing the baps. It hurts. Let's go Diassss

  26. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else thinking of Dias (c) in gw27? Seriously temped..

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah loads

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Surely due a rest?

    3. Salan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me. GW27 involves CL match in between, it's not making sense for Pep to play Dias twice in PL.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Same as last week though.

        1. Salan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          One week after makes Pep more believing PL title was won.

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            What rubbish

    4. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking of Ederson (c), only sure starter

      1. Salan
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        90% I would say.

    5. Effe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve got Ederson (c) at the moment

  27. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lovely tackle. More baps

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      By whom?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cancelo

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

    Looks like city will just sit on this lead, not sure owning double attack is going to be much good moving forward

  29. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watching man City with only defenders is rather boring.

    Give gundog a run out!

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

    I’m beginning to hate DGW’s

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lol