Dugout Discussion

De Bruyne and Gundogan benched as Sterling misses Man City’s Fulham trip

Pep Guardiola took his rotation policy to a whole new level for Manchester City’s Gameweek 28 trip to Fulham.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m), Ilkay Gundogan (£6.2m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m) are all on the bench tonight where they are joined by Phil Foden (£6.1m).

After missing Manchester City’s second Double Gameweek 27 match against Southampton, Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) is absent from the matchday squad entirely tonight.

There are fewer rotation casualties in defence as it looks as if Guardiola has switched to a rather unprecedented back-three.

Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) joins Ruben Dias (£6.1m) and John Stones (£5.3m) in the team while Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) and João Cancelo (£6.2m) are set for full-back roles.

Even more intriguing is that Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) and Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) start together for the first time since March 2020.

While that prospect sounds dangerous on paper, it will be interesting to see how the two players gel at Craven Cottage considering they have 15 minutes on the pitch at the same time this season.

Meanwhile, Fulham have seemingly set up to defend tonight, André-Franck Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m) coming in for Josh Maja (£5.5m) to join Mario Lemina (£4.5m) and Harrison Reed (£4.4m) in the central-midfield trio.

Gameweek 28 Line-ups

Fulham XI: Areola; Aina, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Tete; Lemina, Reed, Anguissa; Lookman, Cavaleiro, Loftus-Cheek.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Laporte, Dias, Stones; Mendy, Rodrigo, B Silva, Cancelo; Torres; Jesus, Aguero.

Gameweek 28 so far…

Despite Everton suffering yet another home defeat this season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) finally rewarded his patient owners with his 14th goal of the campaign.

It was his first since Gameweek 23 while the in-form Richarlison (£8.0m) blanked for the second successive match after getting four goals in the previous four.

Burnley’s Chris Wood (£6.2m) got his first away goal since Gameweek 2 and has now netted in back-to-back league games for the first time in 2020/21.

That ensured more frustration for owners of Everton defensive assets, of which Lucas Digne (£6.2m) is the most popular (10.1%).

The Toffees have now conceded at least twice in four of their last seven league matches.

Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (£4.8m) was forced off in the first half to be replaced by João Virgínia (£4.3m).

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Dwight McNeil
  • 2 – Chris Wood
  • 1 – Tom Davies

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1,094 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    33 plus Bruno (C), Kane and Son to go decent?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Below the Elite* Average

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        Is it? 🙁

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        (I actually have 34 with Bruno (C), Kane, Son, Shaw, Antonio)

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 16 days ago

          And I have 22 with Bruno Kane Son Antonio Shaw and Bale C

          yeah I know

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Please leave. Ffs

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      You know it isn't 🙁

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        I have more pts + C Salah, Jota, Son, Kane and AWB to go. Did you really try to brag with that? Why?

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Nope no brag at all, nice going with that lot. Could be a big week

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Do you actually need a lolly every time you go to the bathroom successfully?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        Chill bro, jeez

        1. OleBall
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 16 days ago

          Bushwacker wants a scrap

          1. Bennerman
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 16 days ago

            I've noticed BW is a bit of a bell, observed for a while now

        2. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 16 days ago

          Its so tiring mate. You play the game religiously, you know what a good or bad score is, what do you want? Just stop it.

          1. OleBall
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 16 days ago

            Chill bro, buy Bitcoin

          2. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 16 days ago

            A good/bad score is relative to the gameweek though.

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              I'm sure you're well versed on Live FPL rank and league.

              1. Big boy Bowen
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 15 days ago

                I avoid it until the gameweek is near on finished, or my captain has played

          3. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            So gtfo off this site

        3. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Don't know of anyone on here doing better than you. C'mon guys, I'm supporting...

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Could be skinny with just 3 to play. Need your captain.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        Who’s popular who’s left to play? Cresswell/Antonio?

        1. OleBall
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 16 days ago

          Shaw, Salah

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 16 days ago

          United defence, Cresswell and Mo

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 16 days ago

            Ah yes that could be a problem, need Bruno to go large!

        3. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Bruno

    6. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Personally, I don’t think Kaptain Kane was trying to brag and his question is genuine

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Yeah I try not to brag, just celebrate in the moment

        1. Bennerman
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          KK seems like one of the solid citizens on here to me. I'm a neutral voice on this. I doubt he'd brag, personally

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            He does like fishing for compliments tho!

            1. Bennerman
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              Not especially noticed myself.

              But I don't like the 'is this good?' angle anyway, not much point in seeking validation of a score, it is what it is

            2. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              I try to do it gracefully though 🙂

              I’m usually horrible at the game

  2. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Raph in for Gundo. 🙁

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Uuurggh. Same.

    2. Fintroy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Sell all man city players - pep not interested in the prem anymore and wont play any players (apart from ederson) for 2 games running..... sell, sell, sell

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Better than Lowton/Pereira in for KdB/Gundogan

  3. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Getting Bench order right seems impossible this season

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Does it really matter? I started Alonso and Gundogan over Stones.

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        Hunting for bites this evening .... woof!

  4. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Did Maja just get rested?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Tactical rest.

  5. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    This.
    League will be over in next 2/3 games

  6. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    With Bruno (c) and Kane (and Bale) to play .... need a Bruno special and a Kane ghost performance tomorrow.

  7. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Stones or Canc — Dunk / Cress I think

  8. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    digne had only one job.

    1. Kermit Special
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Been an absolute disaster transfer. Was meant to be an explosive differential with Assist potential. Overpriced as well.

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        Yeah ... hype .. no substance ... another one I regret and out on WC31

    2. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Keeping for my BB30...fingers crossed

  9. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    33 from 6 shows as red roll on Kane C

    1. Kermit Special
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Hopefully NLD is high scoring....

  10. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    38 (K)ane Salah Auba

  11. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Predicted Man U v West Ham score tomorrow?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      2-0 ... Bruno and McTominay

    2. OleBall
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      0-0. United don't have any forwards fit

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Greenwood’s not fit?

  12. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Rival benched Stone but getting him subbed due to Gundo no show

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      That would put me in a mood alright.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Very interesting. What do you think about that and how should we react?

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        Haha ... mean.

  13. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Is Rash fit ? And no Lingard

  14. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Idiots guide to punditing on Man City games:

    - Mention how Dias coming in has made them a good defensive team
    - Note that Dias has been a good influence on Stones and he now knows when to just clear it instead of turning it over

    1. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Not an idiots guide, it’s what had actually happened and is fact

      1. Says
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        sure, just tired of hearing it like 10 games in a row

  15. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    What are people doing with Gundo?

    Staying patient?

    That's 19 points from the last 7 matches. DGWs disguise returns and blanks.

    1. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Keeping, but probably getting rid of all other City players. Will aim to have strong enough bench that I don't mind if Gundo doesn't play - easy enough to do this since Gundo is cheap.

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        He goes in wc gw 31, stones, cancelo and Dias will be my city players... mine field predicting who plays in Midfield and attack

        1. Says
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          well interesting approach getting 3 defenders in, I suppose odds are you'll have 1-2 per games at least. Not sure I want to risk more than one City player though.

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Selling him for Kdb in gw 30

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      I’ll consider on wilcard 31 but he is in no way secure. I will only want one man city def and one midfield ... so he’s certainly not nailed for me anymore.

    4. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Im keeping for sure.

    5. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      Also "19 points from the last 7 matches."

      yeah but I get 6 from Dallas today coming in for Gundo. A player not playing is better than them playing and getting no points.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        Fair point that

        Better than a Foden who gets those awkward minutes

        1. Says
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 16 days ago

          It's kind of counter-intuituve, but players who don't play all the time, but score when they do play and don't come on as a sub when they don't play is actually quite optimal as long as you have a decent bench.

          You need to measure the points you get from the spot in your team, not the individual player.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            The not being subbed on thing is key I guess. Not really thought about it this way before with mids - just defenders.

    6. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      All MCI assets need to be reassessed on WC. Gundo is cheap, so having him benched isn't as bad as owning KdB.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 16 days ago

        Have Lingard in the cheap spot for now but rather think I'll be swapping him out to Jota soon enough.

        No WC and very much chasing. Sold up this week.

      2. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Or sub him before European/ cup game.

        Pep won the league and will drop his big ones

  16. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Did Maja just get rested?

    Thanks

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 16 days ago

      probably yeah.

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      I was wondering this. My guess is that he didn’t suit playing City. I’m pretty sure Parker used to remove Mitrovic for the same reason. Hopefully it’s just temporary. Maja’s been getting chances

    3. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Made sense, Fulham were never going to get anything from this game and Parker knew that

  17. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    Tarkowski and King coming in for Gundo and Mahrez. 3rd sub is Strujik. Typical

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 16 days ago

    41 post autosub, with Bruno Bale Son Kane(c) to go. Cmon.

    Just scared of Salah now.

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      I’ve captained Salah this week so he’ll blank for sure so you’re alright mate

    2. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Bruno bale and son blanks would be immense, come on kane

    3. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      38 with salah, Son and (K)ane

  19. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Antonio likely to score tomorrow?

    1. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Nope, 0-0

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Yep, possibly 2

  20. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Scott Parker is still doing an amazing job, not least since he's also leading a double life as Spiderman

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      That’s Peter Parker

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Which, interestingly enough is my real middle and surname 🙂

  21. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Wow, I missed the deadline by accident this week, thought it was 7pm in my head, but for some stupid reason didn’t think of 6.30pm, realised at 6.32pm when I seen it all updating. So my captain and vice captain stayed the same from last week. Gundo (c), Cancelo (vc). First bit of luck I’ve had in ages

    1. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Wow how amazing

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Not sure where u from, but if UK it was last night. And I'm from Africa
      South if yoi had to know

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Oh! Just read again

    3. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      That laissez faire management approach

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Nice jam!

    5. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      The “miss the deadline” strategy has been outstanding this year

      1. SuperMane Returns
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        First time I’ve been
        caught out this year. I’m very grateful with my jam.

  22. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Best defenders for gw 29 & 30?

    Reguilon/Spurs defender?