Champions League line-ups: Foden hurt but rests for many FPL big hitters
The sixth and final round of Champions League group stage matches took place in midweek. Results were mixed but so were intentions, as all had already ensured progression to the knockout phase. Ahead of Gameweek 16 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), let’s try to guess what can be expected for this weekend’s action.
RB LEIPZIG 2-1 MAN CITY
Steffen – Walker, Stones, Ake (Dias 87′), Zinchenko – De Bruyne (Palmer 87′), Fernandinho, Gundogan – Mahrez, Grealish, Foden (Sterling 46′)
Pep Guardiola rotated slightly, with Ederson and Ruben Dias amongst the substitutes and a complete ‘stay at home’ rest given to Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva. This will delight FPL managers, as the latter two are highly-selected and now very likely to avoid rotation over the immediate league games. However, Phil Foden was withdrawn at half time because of a knock. Guardiola said: “Phil had problems in the beginning of the game with his ankle. He struggled a little bit so he was taken off as a precaution.”
Man City will respect Wolves with their line-up, especially considering their dropped points at home to Southampton and Crystal Palace. The visitors almost shut-out Liverpool, the league’s highest scorers, until a stoppage time winner denied them a fourth successive clean sheet. Bernardo, Cancelo, Ederson and Dias should start, with a late call to be made over Foden.
ZENIT 3-3 CHELSEA
Kepa – Azpilicueta, Christensen, Sarr – Hudson Odoi (Pulisic 65′), James, Barkley (Ziyech 65′), Saul (Alonso 75′) – Mount, Werner – Lukaku (Havertz 75′)
A couple of experiments were attempted by Thomas Tuchel, despite not being guaranteed top spot in Group H. As hinted at previously, Saul was tried out as a left wing-back instead of Marcos Alonso but that was labelled a failure by onlookers as he was often caught out of position and lacking confidence on the ball. In the absence of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, there was a spot in central midfield for Reece James, although Tuchel was quick to point out this was purely because of injuries and that he still wants James out wide.
Alonso and Kai Havertz made cameo appearances but Antonio Rudiger sat the whole match out, as did Thiago Silva. These four are likely to start against Leeds on Saturday, considering Romelu Lukaku‘s gradual return to action afforded him 75 minutes in St Petersburg. The more interesting questions regard whether James or Mason Mount will start, having both played all 90 on this occasion.
MAN UNITED 1-1 YOUNG BOYS
Henderson (Heaton 68′) – Wan Bissaka, Bailly, Matic, Shaw (Mengi 61′) – van de Beek – Amad (Shoretire 68′), Mata (Savage 89′), Lingard (Iqbal 89′), Elanga – Greenwood
The Red Devils were guaranteed top spot and showed it by making 11 changes to the starting line-up. There was no Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho or Bruno Fernandes, meaning they surely all start at Norwich, whilst full-backs Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles were replaced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka (stretchered off at full time) and Luke Shaw.
Such was the laid-back atmosphere, Ralf Rangnick made a voluntary goalkeeping substitution and gave minutes to a bunch of youngsters that included Charlie Savage – son of Robbie. The start for Mason Greenwood suggests he will not start on Saturday.
AC MILAN 1-2 LIVERPOOL
Alisson – N Williams (Bradley 90′), Phillips, Konate, Tsimikas – Oxlade Chamberlain, Morton, Minamino (Woltman 90′) – Salah (Keita 64′), Origi (Fabinho 80′), Mane (Gomez 64′)
Also guaranteed top spot, Liverpool were heavily-changed for their trip to Milan but still came away with three points that meant they won all six group matches. FPL managers were extremely nervous that – despite the low stakes and high rotation – key men Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane still started. On a Gameweek that is starting to resemble a battlefield, this was asking for trouble.
Yet they emerged fine and were replaced in the 64th minute. Diogo Jota wasn’t named in the squad, with Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold unused substitutes. Jurgen Klopp will be pleased with Tuesday night – a win, a lack of injuries and a beautiful city. Expect all the usual big hitters to start against Aston Villa on Saturday.
