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. Chirsbom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Why did they let Mahrez run alone like that? Not greedy of him, all alone, just a poor finish.

    1. J T
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      They know he can’t finish

  2. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Need Ederson to do his classic taking down a striker in the box trick, ideally with Ings on the pitch. My rival has Ederson and if he gets a clean sheet it means I need Pgoba to go mental as Fabs just lost me my CS

  3. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Why does no one pass to Sterling?

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      He is me at school but all grown up. Tbf I should get off FFS and get back to the game. See ya

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Racism

  4. ZaZaZu
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I have a bone of contention with FFS 'team news' section. I understand it's predicted but a lot of the time it's not even close and it begs then
    inevitable question, why have it at all? If anyone uses that to effect, I would be amazed.

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

      I actually find it quite useful

      1. ZaZaZu
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        if the information is wrong though, how do you find it useful? That's simply my point. Take City for example, the predicted lineup is way off what is was today. I understand predicting Pep is impossible but then why have a tool which people will use if it's no better than just predicting the line up yourself? Team News shouldn't be just your average Joe who likes football predicting lineups from press conferences. it should be from a 'reliable' source. If you don't have one, don't have it. Otherwise its guesswork and you are fooling the members into thinking you have insight.

    2. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Then it shouldn't worry you if it's wrong should it?

      1. ZaZaZu
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Doesn't worry me, I'm a fan of this site, the only one I use. It's an opinion and looking for some constructive opposing opinions..alas

    3. Alexis Nonsense
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I stopped using it myself after getting burned a lot

      But I guess it's useful for people whith no time to read up on it, after all it is expected lineups...

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

      Should just say who's out and leave it at that really. They have no more idea than we do about rotation.

  5. Monkey Hanger
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Austin actually outpaced someone. 🙂

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

      Himself?

    2. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Didn't know Zabaleta played for Saints now 😉

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

    Mahrez showing why he's second fiddle to Sane and Sterling. Too focused on getting "his" instead of linking up with teammates like everyone else

  7. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Set and forget Fabianski working well 🙁

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

      He'll still pick up 2-3 save points

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

      Main point is to forgot about it

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      GW14 = 8 points
      GW15 = 9
      GW17 = 9

      Thats pretty good for a cheap GK.

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

      brought him in last night after being trolled by Ederson

  8. Woy_is_back
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Come on Fanderson, Fraser, Rash.
    Save my gw

  9. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    A lot of ex-pros on today.....

  10. JCrosbie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    If you had to pick one:

    1. Auba +1.2m

    2. Kane

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

      Kane

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Auba for the next 3

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

  11. Erdogan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Trying to sort my defence, can someone please help out on how nailed is Lovren?

    1. MAVER!CK
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Nailed for next month or so

  12. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    C'mon Fanta!!!!

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

    Sky Sports commentator just said Mahrez has the most appearances for City this season out of any other player. Surely that can’t be right?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Can be, Bernardo had most last seson but rarely started

    2. JCrosbie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      includes being subbed on (he always comes on)

  14. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Snoddy booked

    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      My god can this gameweek get any worse

      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Sane stays on the bench? 😉

    2. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      This day is going pretty, pretty, pretty bad

  15. JustPark
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Someone needs to tell Mahrez that Sterling doesn't do header.

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

      He scored a header a few weeks ago..

  16. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Snoddy YC

  17. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Any chance of a review of this wildcard draft? Thanks gents.

    Alisson
    Doherty Digne Shaw Robbo
    Hazard Salah Rich
    Kane Jiminez Mitro

    Button Deulofeu AWB Camarasa

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

      Kane -> Kun?

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Dow grade your bench and upgrade Shaw to Luis. Or rich to dsilva or pogba

  18. King H
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Lots of Salty sterling owners hating on Mahrez because he didn't pass to there captain haha. Love it.

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

      *their

      1. King H
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Grammar police out in full force hahaha. Salt shaking intensifies !

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          But he's right isn't he? If no-one mentions the spelling & grammar then it just becomes perpetuated. Not best.

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

            Grammar police is a term made up by stupid people to stop people from calling them out.

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

              I dont mind being given a title as long as the role comes with a paycheck.

    2. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn’t have passed to him either

      And I sold sterling

    3. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      *Their mate.get it right before you laugh at someone.

  19. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Snoddy the YC magnet.

  20. King H
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Agueroooooo. Oh wait !

  21. Woy_is_back
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    When are you guys using the second wc?

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

      When its needed. No chance this early.

    2. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      In DGW imo

    3. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Need it ASAP after this 😆

    4. *sigh*
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      GW 34

    5. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Before a DGW, so I can BB in the DGW

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

    Sterling to Aguero and saved by McCarthy

  23. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy legend, keep it up son

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Mick's young fella. Surely can sign him up.

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

    Kun big chance missed, Sterling big chance created. McCarthy!

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

    Great passing from Sterling. Could have had 2 assists by now

    1. CC22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      *should

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

      Passing to kun away in the PL has an xG of, 0.001

  26. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Only 2 CS for GK until this gw
    - De Gea gw 4
    - Patricio gw 17
    Anyone worse than me?
    Now have Fabs in GK.

    1. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Well, having Fabianski all season means only 3 clean sheets in 20 for me!

      1. Positive vibes
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        But you have save pts and save penalties

  27. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What a crap finish!!

  28. Catastrophe
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What's better?

    A) Alisson (3.9)
    Lovren, Digne, Doherty (AWB, 3.9)

    B) Fabianski (3.9)
    TAA, Lovren, Digne (Doherty, AWB)

    Cheers

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

    God sterling (c) more lively than I could dream of !

    This has to be 20+ doubled

  30. Woy_is_back
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Great save