Dugout Discussion
30 December 2018 2155 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Two more Premier League matches kick off at 14:15 GMT today, as Manchester City look to bounce back to winning ways against Southampton and an in-form West Ham United make the trip north to face a Burnley side who shipped five goals on Boxing Day.

The headline team news at St. Mary’s is the benching of Leroy Sane, with the German winger missing his first Premier League match since Benjamin Mendy picked up his latest knee injury ahead of Gameweek 13.

Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez start in a front three with Sergio Aguero, while the influential figures of David Silva and Fernandinho return to the City midfield.

Aymeric Laporte is the only defender to keep his place from the defeat to Leicester, while Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan are not part of the 18-man squad.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has made six changes to his Southampton side and appears to have ditched the three-man backline, too.

Danny Ings, Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong are among the players to make way, with 18-year-old defender Kayne Ramsay making his debut against the reigning champions.

Marko Arnautovic makes a quicker-than-anticipated return to the West Ham United starting XI and lines up in Manuel Pellegrini’s side for the first time since Gameweek 15.

Felipe Anderson and Robert Snodgrass start in midfield for the Hammers, who have five wins in their last six league matches.

Sean Dyche has rung the changes after the 5-1 trouncing at the hands of Everton on Boxing Day.

Joe Hart is dropped to the bench as Tom Heaton makes his first league start since September 2017, with wingers Dwight McNeil and Johann Berg Gudmundsson also returning to the team.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Heaton, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Barnes, Wood.

West Ham United XI (4-4-2): Fabianski, Antonio, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Snodgrass, Anderson, Arnautovic, Perez.

Southampton XI (4-5-1): McCarthy, Ramsay, Stephens, Bednarek, Targett, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Lemina, Romeu, Elyounoussi, Austin.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Danilo, Laporte, Kompany, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Silva, Bernardo, Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez.

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  1. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Defo getting Salah in after weekend. Question is. Sane or hazard out... hmmm

    1. DAZZ
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      With haz fixtures has to be Sane

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Means a defender under 4.9... Hazard means defender under 6.1 and no city cover... hmmmmm

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Has to be sane

    3. fenixri
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I am getting rid of Auba after Fulham game

  2. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    hold Burnley hold

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Heaton, my sweet prince from last season.

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      this this this

    3. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      might be the only one with a Burnley def

  3. The Enlightener
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    They try to get tackles like that out of the game, but there will likely always be a sufficient supply of asshat players like Højbjerg to keep them coming. No excuse for that.

  4. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    would you do kane snoddy to salah fodder now? or wait another week

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Wait a week

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        why

  5. vardys party
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Lloris (Button)
    Rudiger Robertson Young Balbuena Bennett
    Hazard Richarlison Anderson Kenedy Hojbjerg
    Rashford Kane Aubameyang

    1FT
    0.4 itb

    What happens now?

  6. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Heaton being benched this season has been a bizarre decision. Best English keeper

    1. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Pope?

      1. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Injured all season.

      2. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed he’s next for me. Pickford massively overrated

  7. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    A joke really if Sterling only gets an assist here.

    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      his assist was the joke

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        But it wasn't.

    2. *Reformed-Character*
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Was lucky to get awarded that!

    3. Adriano
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Unlucky

    4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      On for 2BPS currently if it’s any consolation?

    5. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It was an epic display. I’m glad I held firm !

  8. shearer9
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    My bench has Jimenez and Camarasa and I transferred out Hojberg for a -4 this week to get Pereyra in haha. Only 'smooths' have been captaining Salah and getting Luiz's haul.

  9. Chirsbom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    No matter the outcome, can we all agree that this is the best Southhampton has looked in years?

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Better than Koemans team with mane and van dijk?

      1. Tempestic
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        This

    2. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Erm... 15/16 finished 6th with 60ish points?

  10. tucaoneo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Which will win?
    A) Pogba + Rashford
    B) Wilson + 5 pts

    1. Chirsbom
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      i hope A as i need a massive haul from pogba

    3. Amey
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A, comfortably.

    5. tucaoneo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks for the kind words. You guys are the best.

    6. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Which ever one is you

    7. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson masterclass coming

    8. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A

  11. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys could really use some advice...

    1 FT 0.6 itb

    Lloris

    Alonso, Mina, Young/ bennett, wb

    Salah, Rich, Son, Maddison / snodgrass

    Kane, Jimenez, Wilson

    A) Save Ft?
    B) maddison to felipe?
    C) other ideas?

    1. Chirsbom
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Save FT for getting rid of Son after next game week.

  12. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling on 2BPS as things stand!

    1. *Reformed-Character*
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      No chance after deductions

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Who gets winning goal bonus? Not sure how it works with an og

      1. Tempestic
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Warde prowse will

    3. Adriano
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Hoj red card and Aguero off really helps his chances!

  13. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Shane Long is awful, my 78 year old dad would stand more chance of scoring than him

  14. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    How Austin and (especially) Long are ahead of Ings beats me

    1. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Legs for that fixture. He'll start next game.

  15. Patch
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Will sterling captaincy outscore Kane?

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      looking like 7 at the moment yes

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Nope

      2. Patch
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Wow Kane might need to go!

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Still time for Sterling RC.

  16. Ask Yourself
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Pogba (c) you are the only hope we have left

    1. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      this

  17. Bumbaclot
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Best replacement for ederson?

    1. Niho992
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone.

    2. The Enlightener
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Alisson probably best overall option, I am thinking.

  18. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    My main rival has Bolys 10 points third on his bench. No Kiko or Balbuena so he’s having that jam. I have Jiménez 1st in my bench. Sané comes on in 84min

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch. Tough one

  19. Niho992
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Last GW my midfield scored 9. This week 0.

    It was crazy to expect to they do something similar but i expected at least 2-3 goals.

    Pogba left.

  20. JohnnyMagrinho
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Utterly ridiculous sub by Pep for Fantasy reasons as well as actual footballing reasons.

      The game is won. It’s over. Against 10 men. The impetus has gone - what is he actually going to do? And why not let Mahrez have a full 90 minute run out.

      Utterly bizarre decision.

      Regarding Fantasy Football it just means bench points are lost and lucky morons continue to get more lucky.

      Even if Sane scores it’s still a ridiculous sub.

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        He came on before red card?

      2. *Reformed-Character*
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Oh dear

      3. J âš’ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Southampton went down to 10 men after Sane came on....

      4. Ravager
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        It's not that deep.

      5. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Are you really telling Pep how to best do his job?

      6. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        maybe he wants to try / observe something, test fitness, you dont know his agenda

        occupational hazard of picking City mids

      7. Adriano
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Not really... Sane gets a run around before his start against Liverpool. This is very standard stuff for any manager

      8. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Bald fraud. Hopefully binning Sane tonight will lift whatever hex he & Sterling put on my team when they came in for Haz & Salah.

      9. Volley127
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Your blinded by FPL

    • fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling should have had a lot more here, food for thought!

      1. MTPockets
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Or minus one assist

        • Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          2 baps atm

      2. Alli 3',17',64�…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Hows Kun looked today? Good?

        1. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          His Final Fantasy hair...still not sold on it.

        2. Adriano
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Could have had more. Sterling and Aguero very lively

      3. BobB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Has Danny Ings been caught shagging the manager's missus?

        1. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          No. Just rested. Looked very leggy last game.

        2. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Their three strikers are unfit. Can't play this many games in the time period. Ings will be back next GW.

      4. Big Sam Time
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        So Even tho united are still to play, this is my team going into the midweek games, i also have 2 ft and havent a clue what to do with them, thanks in advance,

        Lloris
        Laporte, shaw, luiz, Pereira
        Salah, de bruyne, pogba, snodgrass
        Kane, rashford

        Bench, hamer, rondon, Torreira, awb

        1. Chirsbom
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Get rid of Laporte and Snodgrass

      5. DAZZ
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Im full expecting Salah to run riot at City

        1. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          If he starts.

      6. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Sane on for 1 pointer. Bald fraud strikes again

      7. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        36 + Pogba (C) at the moment. Can I breach 100 this week?

      8. Tshelby
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Going to keep Sane still think he's a steal for that price. Son and Kane making space

      9. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Stupid bald fraud

        1. Niho992
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Fraudiola they got Fraudiola they got.

      10. Tsparkes10
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        After next gw:
        Sane, Alonso, Holebas > Salah, TAA, Kiko (-4)... hmmm