The final countdown. Ten simultaneous matches that will decide our Fantasy fate.
The very last Dugout Discussion of the 2012/13 season is underway as we prepare for what could be a roller-coaster of emotions. While both Spurs and Arsenal battle for the final Champions League spot, Fantasy managers everywhere look to their final day lineups to push them to mini-league glory, not least at the summit where it’s very definitely squeaky bum time.
The Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open to serve those who are looking to live out the drama in real-time.
Here’s the main team news for today’s final round of matches:
Liverpool make three changes from last week’s line-up, with Martin Skrtel and Jose Enrique replacing Sebastien Coates and Andre Wisdom in defence, with Brendan Rodgers reverting to a back-four. Youngster Jordan Ibe is handed a debut as Jonjo Shelvey drops out. Loic Remy partners Bobby Zamora up front in QPR’s final game in the Premier League.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto is back for Spurs, with Emmanuel Adebayor keeping his place up top against a Sunderland side that has Seb Larsson at right-back, with Phil Bardsley omitted from the squad due to his off-field indiscretions. Connor Wickham partners Danny Graham in a front two for the Black Cats.
Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez start up top for United, though Patrice Evra drops out for Alex Buttner at left-back, with Antonio Valencia fielded at right-back. Romelu Lukaku drops to the bench in the final match of his loan spell for West Brom.
Rafa Benitez starts with both Fernando Torres and Demba Ba in his last match in charge of Chelsea. David Luiz is fielded at centre-half, with Franks Lampard partnered by Nathan Ake in central midfield. David Moyes names Steven Naismith in the Everton XI as a result of Leon Osman’s absence – the Scot is likely to tuck in behind Victor Anichebe, with Marouane Fellaini dropping into central midfield.
Arsenal are unchanged from the side that saw off Wigan in midweek after Mikel Arteta recovered from a calf complaint. Steven Taylor is back for Newcastle, with Yoan Gouffran tucked in behind Papiss Cisse once again.
Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva are all missing from the Man City starting XI, with Micah Richards partnering Joleon Lescott at centre-half and Edin Dzeko alongside Carlos Tevez up front. Norwich make just one change, with Steven Whittaker in for Seb Bassong at the back.
Ali Al-Habsi is handed a start between the sticks for Wigan, while Antolin Alcaraz and the injured Callum McManaman also drop out. Darren Bent is given a rare chance to impress in light of Christian Benteke’s suspension for Villa, and Matt Lowton recovers from a thigh injury.
Rickie Lambert recovers in time from a back injury to take his place up top for Southampton, though Kelvin Davis is preferred to Artur Boruc between the sticks to face Stoke. For Stoke, Geoff Cameron replaces the suspended Charlie Adam.
Michael Vorm and Ben Davies return for Swansea, with Michu leading the line. Martin Jol brings Philippe Senderos and John Arne-Riise back for Fulham and hands Emmanuel Frimpong a start in his final match before returning to parent club Arsenal.
Sam Allardyce hands Joe Cole a start against Reading, with Mark Noble and Ricardo Vaz Te also making their way into the XI. Kaspars Gorkss replaces Adrian Mariappa at the back for Nigel Adkins’ side.
