Dugout Discussion
15 April 2023 761 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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The next match of Gameweek 31 takes place at the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City host Leicester City in the 17:30 GMT kick-off.

It’s a clash of contrasting fortunes, as Pep Guardiola’s champions are on five successive victories in their quest to chase down Arsenal but the freefalling Foxes are winless in eight and deep in relegation trouble.

This sits in-between both Champions League quarter-finals with Bayern Munich, so Guardiola has made three changes to the line-up from last Saturday’s 4-1 win at Southampton.

There are starts for Erling Haaland (£12.2m), Jack Grealish (£7.2m), Kevin De Bruyne (£12.1m) and former Leicester wizard Riyad Mahrez (£7.3m), with places on the bench for Nathan Ake (£5.1m) and Manuel Akanji (£5.0m).

Furthermore, midfielder Bernardo Silva (£6.7m) comes in for Ilkay Gundogan (£7.3m). An appendix injury keeps Phil Foden (£8.0m) away from proceedings.

For his first match in charge, Dean Smith has made four changes to the Leicester line-up. Youri Tielemans (£6.1m) is back from an ankle problem and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£4.9m) returns from suspension, as Caglar Soyuncu (£4.2m) and Harry Souttar (£4.5m) are given the nod.

Without a clean sheet since Gameweek 16, it looks like the Foxes have used Harvey Barnes‘ (£6.7m) injury to revert to a back five.

James Maddison (£8.1m) starts, with Daniel Iversen (£3.8m) still preferred in goal.

GAMEWEEK 31 LINE-UPS

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Laporte; Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

Subs: Ortega, Ake, Akanji, Gomez, Lewis, Phillips, Gundogan, Palmer, Alvarez

Leicester City XI: Iversen; Castagne, Soyuncu, Souttar, Faes, Kristiansen; Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndidi, Maddison; Vardy

Subs: Ward, Amartey, Thomas, Mendy, Praet, Marcal-Madivadua, Tete, Iheanacho, Daka

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FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

761 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Effe
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Wonder if Hauland will still get 3 bonus

    1. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      He will

  2. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Piss off, not Stones you bald Fraud

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah that's devastating

    2. Babit1967
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Wtf Pep ya dafty

  3. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    The game's done. Makes sense to rest for Bayern.

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Beware of the surprises the Champions League can bring

  4. DycheDycheBaby
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Haaland must be fuming. I think he is one away from matching Shearer's record of hattricks in a PL season.

  5. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Pep hates Erling getting hat tricks lol

  6. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    This would piss me off so much if I was Haaland. Imagine how many more goals he could have this season

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Makes me wonder if Pep would have done the same if he’d have got Kane instead, as he’s very much a 90 minute man

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      It's not like he has a shortage of game time. It's just understanding that City are trying to win three different trophies and he can't play every single game.

      Better to manage his minutes and keep him healthy for longer than to flog him and see him turn into R9. Imagine if Pep was managing R9 now what could have been possible...

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        As a young striker gunning to break all kinds of records I wouldn’t give a flying f*k about being kept healthy

        1. I Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          I doubt Haaland felt this way last season when he missed about half of it due to injury.

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Hasn’t Pep always struggled with strikers injury, thinking Aguero.
            Maybe all this rotation nonsense actually harms against injury proneness I don’t know

      2. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        And tbf Pep does seem to have learnt the lesson on resting players.
        I.e I never used to understand why he’d rest an important player only to bring them on near the end to desperately try and get the points.

        Now he’s doing what I’ve always thought, start them, put the game to bed and then rest.

      3. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        We were robbed of R9. What could of been...

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Adriano too

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      I imagine he's privy to all the sports science that's guiding these decisions, so I'm sure he understands.

      Pep gave an interesting interview recently where he mentions Haaland's huge build, and how they micro manage every single aspect of his life 24/7. https://youtu.be/PaSrQUpoI_w

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      The top players like ronaldo and messi played almost every minute of games. Even the lesser games and their performance never dipped and they rarely if ever got injured

      All these red zones etc sometimes give too much info. It might cost them if he’s not careful

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Those 2 are a different breed though, unmatched

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Haaland's injury record last season was abysmal.

        Players have different builds, different biology's, and their fitness has to be managed differently. Haaland is built different.

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

      On one hand yes but on the other if he let him play all those minutes & would he have been able to do it without getting injured?

      Great handling and as Pep has said, he's still young. Plenty of years to continue on like this. Keeps the hunger!

    6. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      The guy has a history of being injury prone.

  7. romperstomper
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    In 1994–95, Blackburn Rovers became Premier League champions. Relegated just four seasons after being crowned champions.

    At least leicster lasted longer

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Blackburn Rovers were sold to numpties, who allegedly weren't aware of relegation.

      1. romperstomper
        • 16 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        were their players unaware of relegation too?

  8. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Winning titles is the most important thing

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Phillips still fat?

  10. AutoFill 2021
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Will Haaland be 14 million next year?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      More

    3. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Nearer 15 I think

    4. Neevesy
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      14.5 I reckon.

      Think RVP was 14.5 once?

  11. Shultan
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Wasn't it just a week or so ago that pep said walker can't play the way he wants city to play or something to that effect
    Yet now he's looking like getting minutes
    Cant trust anything this guy says

    1. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Doesn't mean what he said isn't true. Walker isn't playing in that CM role. He's keeping wide? He's deployed a different tactic this week

  12. Tcheco
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Will Ederson ever get a clean sheet? Always concedes a consolation goal

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Maddison will score one

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      This one is already added.

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Can’t see Leicester scoring here tbh, this CS looks a lock at least

  13. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Stones in last two, goal an assist
    Brought off before cs banked, lucky, unlucky, at least had returns

    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Cost us 7 points probably. Thought he’d make 60

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Better second half Leicester especially with no Haaland

  14. AlternativeB
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    FH GW 32 or 34? What are you guys doing? (currently got 5 players not playing with one FT)

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

      In this case you must FH 32

      1. AlternativeB
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Really. With one transfer i could get 10 players playing.. So

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

          Oh sorry I thought you said you have 5 players playing. Definitely hold the FH for 34 then.

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

            I will play 10 and FH in 34 as well

          2. AlternativeB
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Ah cool 🙂

  15. Random Name
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Pep's made like 5 subs and now has his starting team vs Liverpool from 2 weeks ago. what on earth is this squad depth

    1. ☈☾
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      oil money

  16. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Game died

  17. SomeoneKnows
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Raya
    Trippier, Botman, Zinchenko
    Saka, Martineli, Maddison, Mitoma*
    Watkins, Kane, Haaland*

    (Kepa*, Rashford*, Shaw*, Estup*)
    2FT + 1m itb + plan to FH34

    A) Transfer out Haaland for Salah in order to have 10 players and Kane cover against the free hitters (will want Haaland back in GW33)

    B) Transfer out Kane for Salah and simply play with 9 players (leaves me with no pre planned transfer)

  18. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Only 45 minutes for Haaland.

    C fail.

  19. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Jack wtf

  20. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    On one hand, I started Stones over Fofana (switched late last night) and brought Haaland back for Kane... On the other, it was also at the expense of Watkins and a (-4) and neither lasted the full match. Still, if Maddi finds a goal in the second half, I'll be pretty happy.

  21. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Grealish close

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

      Not good enough

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Close to row Z

  22. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Watch Pep finally let Stones finish a game next week, in the FA Cup

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      He played a lot in the world cup during the winter. And given how unbelievably good his form has been, I don't blame him for taking good care of him. Must have a key role against Bayern.

  23. Total Foot 5
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Mi capitano hauland lookin like goin for a hattie

    Anyone tc hauland?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      What language is that?

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      No chance parked on bench

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      He's been subbed bro

    4. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Was close, but decided to keep it for 37

    5. Total Foot 5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Hauland got subbed

    6. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      lol

  24. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Nah, game over for me in my ML. Mee to Ake was really stupid of me. Don’t even know what to do with him now

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Keep him. He’s had his rest now

  25. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    KDB off

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Makes 60

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Palmer on

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      I think this might be the year City win the UCL. I can feel it in my bones.

      1. DycheDycheBaby
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah I have a feeling too.

      2. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Treble!

  26. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    KDB subbed

  27. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Grealish playing 90 it seems!

  28. DycheDycheBaby
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    KDB made 60 lol

  29. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    What is wrong with this website lately? RMT keeps adding random players in and now I can't even X them out. Honestly. First ads. Now paid features not working...

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

      I've experienced that with RMT. It's well buggy. It is a shame that features that get talked about a lot never come to fruition or take a bloomin' long time to actually appear.

    2. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Could you email support@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk if you haven’t already

  30. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    80 points with Grealish to finish and Salah tomorrow. Happy with that. Eze and Watkins coming up trumps today.

    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Why wouldn’t you be happy with that? Thanks for the update

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Stay salty

        1. RICICLE
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Stay broadcasting muppet

          1. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Bell end

          2. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            Correction, 81 points with Salah to go.