With five Premier League matches from Gameweek 34 to be decided today, our Dugout Discussion chatroom has opened up to catch the reactions as the action unfolds. Click here to get involved as we take you right up to this evening’s clash at Craven Cottage.
The team news is in from the three o’clock kick-offs and, as expected, rotation has taken a bite out of our squads. While Gareth Bale is fit to start for Spurs, Harry Redknapp has rung the changes with the weekend FA Cup semi-final in mind. The likes of Scott Parker and Sandro make way in midfield but, more significantly, Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael Van der Vaart are both rested as Jermain Defoe and Louis Saha both earn starts.
Everton are also involved in a semi-final next weekend and they too have put out a much-changed lineup. Those who dipped into the transfer market for in-from Nikaca Jelavic get an immediate disappointment of seeing him rested to the bench. Surprisingly, Moyes also rests the ever present Leighton Baines as a makeshift Toffees lineup takes to the field against Sunderland. They themselves make just one change – David Vaughan comes in for back injury victim Nicklas Bendtner, with Stephane Sessegnon shifting up front.
Elsewhere, Fabricio Coloccini returns ahead of schedule to bolster the Newcastle back four as they take on Bolton. Alan Pardew resists the opportunity to tinker with Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa again unleashed in a 4-3-3 – James Perch moves into midfield to replace the injured Cheick Tiote.
Our Fantasy bench players are likely to come into play then – with more teamsheet surprises likely to be on the way in the remaining matches. Lament your misfortune and vent your frustration in today’s Dugout Discussion chat.
