Dugout Discussion

Guardiola benches Gundogan, Stones and Cancelo at Leicester

Pep Guardiola has left a raft of important Fantasy Premier League assets on the bench in Gameweek 30.

The chief of those is Ilkay Gündogan (£6.1m), who has missed out on the starting XI in each of the last two matches.

At 35.0% ownership, the German international remains the most-popular Manchester City asset this season although he has just two attacking returns since Gameweek 25.

It looks as if Guardiola has gone for a 4-2-3-1 shape today with Rodrigo (£5.3m) and Fernandinho (£5.4m) in holding roles.

That leaves Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.2m) to provide the width in attacking midfield either side of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) while Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) leads the line following confirmation of his departure from the club at the end of the season.

Naturally, that leaves no space in the team for Phil Foden (£6.1m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.4m), who both sit on the bench.

John Stones (£5.3m) and João Cancelo (£6.1m) both find themselves among the substitutes too as Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) is paired with Ruben Dias (£6.1m) while Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) and Kyle Walker (£6.1m) staff the flanks of the Citizens’ back-four.

Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) makes his fifth successive Premier League start this afternoon, having found the net five times in his last three.

The Nigerian international is up-front with Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) once more as Leicester still continue without Harvey Barnes (£6.7m).

The fact that Iheanacho stays in the team despite Marc Albrighton (£5.2m) and Ayoze Pérez (£6.0m) featuring bodes well.

The former Manchester City man initially came into the side because several injuries to wide players forced Brendan Rodgers to switch to a 3-5-2 system although his form has helped him hold onto a place – worth knowing ahead of some appealing fixtures for Leicester after Gameweek 31.

Gameweek 30 Line-ups

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Amartey, Evans, Fofana; Castagne, Tielemans, Ndidi, Albrighton; Pérez; Iheanacho, Vardy.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; B Mendy, Laporte, Dias, Walker; Rodrigo, Fernandinho; Jesus, De Bruyne, Mahrez; Aguero.

Gameweek 30 so far…

Leeds beat Sheffield United as expected on Saturday afternoon although it was largely a result that left Fantasy managers wondering what might have been.

Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) registered a blank while Raphinha (£5.7m) was subjected to another outing characterised by his colleagues missing key chances.

In the end, the Brazilian got one assist, was denied a goal by Phil Jagielka‘s (£3.9m) intervention on Jack Harrison‘s (£5.4m) cross, who was the only Leeds player involved in both goals at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Stuart Dallas (£5.1m) was arguably one of the best players on the pitch but managed only two points in the end.

Not only did he miss two decent chances created by Raphinha, he also missed out on a clean sheet as Sheffield United scored a rare goal.

Ben Osborn‘s (£4.7m) first-half effort was the Blades’ seventh on the road this season.

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Jack Harrison, Ben Osborn
  • 1 – Aaron Ramsdale

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646 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    New gameweek looks pretty rubbish. No standout fixtures or captaincy shouts.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Sounds lovely to me. Time to gain some ground on the casuals.

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Man City v Leeds is pretty standout

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Who plays though?

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Gundogan and whoever doesn’t play midweek

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Too risky now

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Which team do you support?

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        : D

        Fair point.

  2. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Massive relief at not getting a Chelsea defender in for a -4.

    Luckily I followed my own advice.

  3. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    I know it's only a meter of time but LiveFPL had KDB on list of threats on 4 points already. Gave me a heart attack lol.

  4. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Always enjoy keeping up with Alessandro Diamantis Instagram stories. He looks like he’s loving life in Australia. He deserves it after the career he’s had

  5. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Holy moly what a goal by Fernandinho that would have been.

  6. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Is everyone confident of getting 11 players out this week still? Some wonderful rotation already of popular picks and we’re only 3 games in

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Fairly confident. Not sure I see Martinez, Digne, Shaw, Son, Kane, Antonio, Lingard being benched.

      If anyone it'll be Antonio due to a mysterious injury lol.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        (I did bench Gundogan & Stones as thought they'd be benched though.)

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      14 for me 🙂

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Struijk no show already though 🙁

    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Easily

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Standard GW post IB

    5. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I'm getting 9, by the looks of it.
      Rudiger, Struijk, Gundo, ESR and Pereira benched

  7. Life_Ban
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Which goal got cancelled in the man city Leicester game. Who would have scored and hypothetically assisted pls?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Was a nothing goal

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Would have been a Fernandinho goal with no assist.

      https://streamable.com/28iwql

    3. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Fernandinho G, Rodri A. I think it was probably chalked off because it just wasn't believable that they'd combined to score.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Not sure it would have been a Rodri assist. Defender cleared it.

    4. Life_Ban
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Ah thanks all. No point then and no feelings of regret.

      Come on Dias, we don't have all Dias

  8. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Why is this place so quiet even during a City match?

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Most peoples players probably on the City bench right now

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Some cant get internet connection behind their couches. Others rather wait for a goal and spam comments saying who scored then disappear again.

  9. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Can’t sleep guys. Double Chelsea defense and triple Leeds on BB is keeping me up. This damn game sometimes... smh

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      what time?

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Coming on 3am, but sleep schedule has also been off recently. Luckily it’s only Sunday tomorrow...

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Not far behind with 2am here as well. No players in this match and luckily had no Chelsea players, so I am off to sleep now. Btw I am a fellow BBer as well 🙂

          1. Thomas Magnum
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 12 months ago

            My man! We have to really dedicate ourselves to stay up and watch prem games/wake up for UCL in timezones such as ours. Good luck with your BB mate, hope we can both kill it from here on out

            1. sunzip14
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 12 months ago

              True. Wasn't a good day today, let's hope tomorrow and day after is better. Fairly confident of all of my remaining players starting, apart from maybe Forster. Good luck to you too mate!

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Can’t believe we’ve spent 2 weeks waiting for this fraud of a gameweek

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Agreed. Next season when I BB I’ll wait for the game-week with the worst fixtures and will probably get better returns

    3. ZAMUNDA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Who's your captain?

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Son, Spurs kick off is at 11:05pm for me here tomorrow night so looking forward to watching and hopefully getting some returns

        1. ZAMUNDA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Yup, same here Son (C). Well, hope it turns out better tomorrow. On a WC with double Chelsea defence and double Leeds lol

  10. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Why do they ruin the commentary of these games by putting Jamie carraghaagahhherr . On. Can’t understand a bloody word he says.

  11. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Cant wait to hit the wc after this gw eirh this poor bb(mendy dunk antonio coufal)

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      What were you thinking?

  12. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Unlucky KDB

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Crossbar challenge.

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Just a sighter.

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

      He duped the free kick in the first place.

  13. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    omg the crossbar

  14. JJO
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    My captain hits the crossbar:(

    1. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      me too

  15. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Last 5 mins - Possession: 100% Man City lol

  16. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    I own Alonso (hit the post twice), Dallas (hit the bar) and KDB (hit the bar). If people think luck doesn’t play a big part in this game they’re wrong.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      The aim is to hit the back of the net, not the bar. Pick better players 😉

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      If my grandmother had wheels she would be a bike.

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I found a new part of the game recently, how it goes is if you sell a player they haul the following week.
      Try that

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Hitting the post should go towards BPS to make owners happier and reward them a little, it’s the least they can do

  17. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    If Arsenal beats Liverpool today they can be involved to UCL race, right? They also has a visit to Chelsea.

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Technically yes.

      Realistically no.

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Don’t be silly. They would have to win every game they have left to stand a chance. Never happening.

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      We aren’t getting top 4 and I don’t even think we’ll win today sadly.

      I just want to win the Europa league. The horror show in Baku 2 years still haunts me.

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        2 years ago*

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Slavia Prague are a tough draw imo

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Tough draw but beatable. Emery in the Semi Final knocking us out would be complete banter though.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Not really - they need too many teams above them to fail and most of them have favourable fixture runs

  18. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    De Bruyne you baller 😎

  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Rubbish from jesus

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      He will rise tomorrow. 😉

  20. JJO
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Cant stand watching City when Jesus and Rodri are playing

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Rodri always plays, so I guess you never watch City.

      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Read again

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          You just can’t stand watching them play?

  21. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Does anyone hit the WC already? When is the good time to activate the WC - tonight or wait till midweek?

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I will do tonight

      1. Riggs
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        I was thinking about the same strategy. Avoid price rises/falls. But a bit worried of cancelling the league midweek. Like last year 😀 Probably I am overreaching..

  22. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Nothing to lose here

    Contemplating Son to KdB next time. He's not got that many miles in his legs this season. Does that offset the glut of games?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Maybe.

  23. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Thoughts on Aguero (C) next week?
    Could be a perfect time to captain him for a massive differential haul

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Knock yourself out. Benched next week.

      1. Isco Disco
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        How can you be so sure?
        CL game against Dortmund 3 days later. Aguero might start against Leeds with first team on the bench again

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          They would beat Dortmund with their first team on the bench.

        2. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          He's not the Aguero of old. There's better captain choices.

    2. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Need to see Aguero do something tonight for him to come into my thoughts.

  24. Bounce
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    I Bench Boosted this week and have 3 players who didn't start so far. My team looked perfect and I couldn't decide who to bench, oh well. I hate this game.

    Mendy Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Ruediger Dallas Coufal
    Fernandes Son Bale Gundogan Raphina
    Kane Calvert-Lewin Bamford

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Same
      Here

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Still got the Bale no-show to come as well I see

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Cancelo and Gundo were always high benched potential

    4. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I'm not being wise after the event. But wasn't Man City rotation likely after the international break in particular?

      I benched Gundogan and Cancelo in my team. A because I thought they might not start, and B because it is a difficult fixture.

      I started KDB as I thought he is a definite most weeks.

  25. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Wildcard activated any hot hips welcome?!thanks

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Maddison

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Cheers I like it

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Pick 15

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Good shout sounds like a plan!

    3. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Shakira

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Do her hips lie?

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Who you thinking mate, only one I’m real keen on is TAA right now, wish Barnes was back 🙁

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Jota, mendy, Mount, laca, Kane,son, Rüdiger, Antonio, Lloris, Bruno but stuck on rest?

  26. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Doesn't feel like I'm going to be getting many save points from Ederson today.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      6 will be fine though. Many would be glad of those.

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Maybe they’re allowing spectators into stadiums after all

  27. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    My ML rival have bench boosted and got all 3 of Cancello, Stones and Gündogan

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      You the lucky one then.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Calculated.

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

      OK

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Should have gone to Spec-savers

  28. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    What is necessery in wildcars?

    Mendy and mount
    Salah or jota?
    Diaz and kdb
    Auba
    Kane

    ???

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      So far Out of those I hsve mendy, Mount, jota (not salah), Lacazette (not auba) and Kane

    2. Riggs
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I think you should be careful with too many spurs and city players. They blank in GW33. Dias, Son and Kane are probably enough to cover and navigate easy through the blank 🙂

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

      Not Auba.

      Depending if you've BB might want a playing fodder playing bench. A look ahead too to DGW and BGW.

  29. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Mahrez miss one on one.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Leicester DNA

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Tbf it was poor.

  30. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Why does KDB always tease hauls like this?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Just getting his range. Wait til later.