Dugout Discussion

Mahrez and Sterling benched as De Bruyne and Stones miss out on City v Norwich

Four Premier League matches kick off at 3pm BST today, including reigning champions Manchester City against newly promoted Norwich City.

Aston Villa v Newcastle United, Crystal Palace v Brentford and Leeds United v Everton are the other top-flight fixtures taking place at the traditional Saturday afternoon start time.

The headline team news comes from the Etihad as Pep Guardiola makes five changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.

Aymeric Laporte, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva are all recalled to the starting XI, with Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Nathan Ake, Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho dropping to the bench.

An ankle injury keeps Kevin De Bruyne out, while John Stones isn’t part of the hosts’ matchday squad.

Norwich are unchanged from the side that lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool last Saturday.

That’s also the case with Brentford, as Bryan Mbeumo gets set for another out-of-position run-out alongside Ivan Toney.

Summer signings Conor Gallagher and Joachim Andersen get their first Palace starts, with Christian Benteke also recalled. Jordan Ayew, Jairo Riedewald and Jean-Philippe Mateta drop to the bench.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith makes two changes to the team that lost to newly promoted Watford last weekend, with Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz replacing Matt Targett and Marvelous Nakamba.

Targett’s benching means that Ashley Young starts at left-back.

Joe Willock starts for Newcastle as Steve Bruce makes three changes to the Magpies side that lost at home to West Ham last Sunday.

Willock replaces the injured Jonjo Shelvey in midfield, with Fabian Schar and captain Jamaal Lascelles coming into defence in place of Emil Krafth and Ciaran Clark.

Kalvin Phillips and Junior Firpo are make the Leeds line-up after fitness-related benchings in Gameweek 1, with Robin Koch and Rodrigo dropping to the bench.

Yerry Mina for Mason Holgate and Alex Iwobi for Andros Townsend are Everton’s two alterations.

GAMEWEEK 2 LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young, McGinn, Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, El Ghazi, Buendia, Ings

Subs: Steer, Targett, Wesley, Hourihane, Tuanzebe, Nakamba, Hause, Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuemeka

Newcastle XI: Woodman, Murphy, Schar, Fernandez, Lascelles, Ritchie, Hayden, Willock, Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin

Subs: Gillespie, Clark, Joelinton, Lewis, Hendrick, Krafth, Fraser, Gayle, S. Longstaff

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Kouyate, Schlupp, McArthur, Benteke, Gallagher, Zaha.

Subs: Butland, Matthews, Tomkins, Ayew, Mateta, Kelly, Riedewald, Rak-Sakyi.

Brentford XI: Raya, Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock, Henry, Janelt, Onyeka, Mbeumo, Norgaard, Canos, Toney.

Subs: Goode, Forss, Wissa, Fernandez, Ghoddos, Dervisoglu, Bidstrup, Sorensen, Roerslev.

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Struijk, Cooper, Firpo, Phillips, Raphinha, Dallas, Klich, Harrison, Bamford.

Subs: Forshaw, Roberts, Klaesson, Helder Costa, Rodrigo, Summerville, Shackleton, Cresswell, Drameh.

Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gray, Richarlison, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Kenny, Holgate, Delph, Townsend, Begovic, Gbamin, Davies, Kean, Branthwaite.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Walker, Gundogan, Rodri, Grealish, Silva, Torres, Jesus.

Subs: Steffen, Ake, Zinchenko, Mendy, Fernandinho, Sterling, Mahrez, Doyle, Palmer.

Norwich City XI: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis, Lees-Melou, Gilmour, Rupp, Cantwell, Pukki, Rashica.

Subs: Gunn, Omobamidele, Dowell, Tzolis, Sorensen, McLean, Sargent, Mumba, Idah.

FANTASY5

There’s still time to enter today’s Fantasy5 contest, in which you can win £10,000 without paying a penny.

Simply pick five players from the nominated Gameweek 2 matches and, if they all exceed their Fantasy ‘points targets’ (a par score set by Fantasy5 for each asset), you’ll be in the money.

The deadline is at 3pm BST – so get those entries in now.

We’ve selected our own picks for Gameweek 2 in the article below, with Ted Talks FPL following suit.

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1,861 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    The premier league should be a closed league to Norwich. Not a single signing and Tim Krul in goal in 2021. petition to swap them out with one of the championship clubs now

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Would rather bring in Rangers and Celtic. With PL TV money they will become competitive.

      1. Marvin Moon
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I'd love to see this. In fact I've long thought we should have a British league system. Not sure it's realistic though.

      2. BoleynWin
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        This argument has rumbled on for years and it’s laughable, the standard is absolutely atrocious in Scotland. If they want to join the English leagues then let them join from the bottom, I’d wager as much money as you want they wouldn’t get past the Championship at best

        1. Random Name
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Rangers wouldn't have trouble against Fulham, West Brom, Sheffield and Co.

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Exactly.

        2. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          They would struggle initially. But they have one massive advantage - fan base. Aligned with PL TV money, they would attract better players than their Championship equivalents. Players would rather go to Celtic or Rangers in the PL than Newcastle, Southampton or Brentford.

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Newcastle have a bigger fanbase

            1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Lol

      3. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Should happen. I'm not sure what the reluctance is it's good for the prem and it's especially good for Scotland

      4. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, this. Unify the British Isles, imo.

        1. Marvin Moon
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I've thought this for years. I don't think we could have separate national teams any more though.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Tim krul is not the reason Norwich is bad lol

    3. dark91
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Well if they won the Championship with this squad, it says a lot about the remaining teams

  2. dark91
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling clearly didn't watch the Ribery-Robben combo goal 😀

  3. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Did Camzy say Raya?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Camzy wasn't first lol

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not that lucky 😛

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Guaita is better anyway

    4. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I saw only him on here with Raya shouts

  4. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Dennis to save my gw?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Subbed off at 59

  5. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Bamford and Ings to Antonio and DCL for free?

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ings out?

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Why sell Ings?

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Don't like his fixtures after 3 and want Antonio DCL more

    3. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No, maaaybe one, but both no. Hard to pick 3 out of the 4 though.

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Why would you lose Ings??

  6. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    mahrez could've had another with that FK, just smashed it

  7. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Raph, what a player.

    Need at Liverpool next season!

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

    Transferring out Toney, not gonna even replace him

    Will still end up with more points….

  9. WiredWeasel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Gundo has to go now, yes? Already dropped a point through injury, but on the pitch for 68 minutes in a match where they were 4:0 up without an assist or a goal...

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Easiest game of the season next...

      Keep an eye on KDBs fitness.

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Of course

  10. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Buendia has been disappointing

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Very. He’s gone.

  11. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    So sell Pukki to who?
    0ITB but 2FT:

    Sanchez
    Trent | Shaw | Coufal
    Salah | Bruno | Son | Jota | Mbuemo
    Antonio | Pukki

    Steele | Amartey | Omobamidele | Scarlett

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Watch next game, Dennis could be the cheapie?

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Will he be nailed though?

    2. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      if adam armstrong looks decent tomorrow, its an easy swap

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yes thinking this. Thanks, be nice too cos I love the rest of my squad

  12. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Dias assist hurts as a Cancelo owner.

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez, Toney to Raphinha, DCL for free?

    1. Gunneryank
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      That sounds reasonable.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Raphinha could be unavailable GW4

  14. Zoostation
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Will be goodbye Buendia, just unsure who at this point

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Gray, Mbeumo

  15. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Sell a) esr or b) Toney ?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Toney easily. Esr is 5.5

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers looking at 6m replacement

    2. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Toney

  16. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    3 - Laporte, Jesus, Dias (38)

  17. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Bamford goal incoming

  18. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    tempted to keep mahrez now tbh

    1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I wanna sell still man

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        don't blame u, i probably will aswell

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      yeah Arsenal isnt exactly a defensive powerhouse with Bellerin and Mari

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Why? Absolute headache to own, defo getting rid

      1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        True. Grealish may be the answer

  19. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Thank you Mahrez hahah

  20. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Why doesnt Martinez yellow get taken off? If Wilson was offside then the sequence of play that happens after should be null and void meaning no yellow. Makes no sense.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Dangerous play I guess. Not 100% sure.

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Because it was still a bad tackle.

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Same for a red card?

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ok, now imagine he broke his leg with a horror tackle, the red doesn’t stand because offside? His play was dangerous

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Pickford?

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Yep, that was wrong, he should have had punishment

    5. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      But yellow can happen even during non-live action right? (Martinez owner)

    6. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Should’ve been sent off tbh. Play was live.

  21. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    This was always the risk with Toney, 2 blanks and no where to go!

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Is he looking good atleast?

      1. Gunneryank
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Not really. He drops deep and gets involved by hassling defenders and pressing, but he doesn't seem particularly threatening when in possession.

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

      Dennis and I eat elsewhere…

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

        *invest

        Auto correct

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Dennis?

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Dennis got spurs next though

    4. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I left 1.5m in the bank and sold him for Antonio last week.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Why would u have him then? The only reason people went with him was because he's cheap

  22. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Toney looks slow?

  23. Jensen Luiz Coleman
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Dallas is so good.

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Great TV series

  24. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I know it's early, but -

    Salah/Toney -》Son/DCL

    (Salah out not kneejerk, just fancy Son outscore his fixture vs Chelsea abd potential blank GW4)

    1. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      go for it

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If blank is confirmed it could be good

  25. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Just being curious - anything against Gundo Salah to Benrahma Son if all fit and for free?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Nope.

    2. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      that must put about 4 mil in the bank!

  26. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Townsend is so selfish - poor man's Coutinho

  27. Baberto
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is a price drop looming for toney or do i have time?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Time

      1. Baberto
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Okay

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      After two blanks it’s a matter when not if, check FPL stats

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think people will transfer him out. En masse.

  28. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    That's a decent result for non-City owners. Could've been much worse.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yep. Even the bonus situation only has Dias as a factor.

  29. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Glad I avoided the Toney trap

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Gotta get rid. Will drop.

    2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Me too, just annoyed I got trapped by Pukki instead

  30. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Keane should score from a Digne corner...