Dugout Discussion
2 January 2019 5260 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Six Premier League matches take place this evening before the Gameweek 21 showpiece of Manchester City v Liverpool brings the frenetic festive fixture schedule to a close ahead of FA Cup third round weekend.

Four of tonight’s games kick off at 19:45 GMT, with Bournemouth v Watford (due to a delay) and Newcastle United v Manchester United getting underway at 20:00 GMT.

There aren’t too many surprises in the team selections this evening, with many of the more widely-owned Fantasy Premier League assets getting a start.

Marcus Rashford has recovered from a groin problem to keep his place in Manchester United’s starting XI, with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial also unsurprisingly named in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Jesse Lingard, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez make the bench.

Fabian Schar replaces the injured Federico Fernandez in Rafael Benitez’s only alteration, while Florian Lejeune makes the matchday squad for the first time in 2018/19.

Eden Hazard is again deployed on the left flank as Alvaro Morata replaces the injured Olivier Giroud, but Chelsea are otherwise unchanged from the side that beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in Gameweek 20.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has really shuffled his pack for this encounter at Stamford Bridge, making eight changes – including the recall of Danny Ings – following the 3-1 defeat against Manchester City.

In the delayed kick-off on the south coast, Ryan Fraser returns to the Bournemouth starting XI after his benching at Old Trafford.

Javi Gracia has made five changes to his team, with Jose Holebas, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Troy Deeney among the players handed a recall.

Andy Carroll makes his first Premier League start in over a year for West Ham, who have new signing Samir Nasri among their substitutes.

Glenn Murray replaces Florin Andone up front in Chris Hughton’s only change.

Joao Moutinho and Helder Costa return to the Wolves starting XI, while Jordan Ayew gets his first start since Gameweek 17 as Roy Hodgson switches to a 4-3-3.

David Wagner has made two changes to his team and seemingly reverted to a 4-2-3-1, while Sean Dyche trusts the same 11 players who beat West Ham three days ago.

Bournemouth XI (3-5-2): Begovic, Cook, Ake, Daniels, Brooks, Lerma, Gosling, Fraser, Stanislas, Wilson, King.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster, Femenia, Cathcart, Mariappa, Holebas, Sema, Capoue, Doucoure, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Hazard, Willian, Morata.

Southampton XI (3-4-3): Gunn, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Valery, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Cedric, Armstrong, Ings, Redmond.

Huddersfield Town XI (4-2-3-1): Lossl, Kongolo, Schindler, Zanka, Hadergjonaj, Hogg, Billing, Mbenza, Pritchard, Kachunga, Mounie.

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

West Ham United XI (4-4-2): Fabianski, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Obiang, Snodgrass, Anderson, Arnautovic, Carroll.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-3-3): Button, Montoya, Dunk, Duffy, Bernardo, Stephens, Propper, Gross, March, Murray, Locadia.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (3-4-3): Patricio, Bennett, Boly, Coady, Doherty, Saiss, Moutinho, Jonny, Costa, Cavaleiro, Jimenez.

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Guaita, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt, McArthur, Milivojević, Kouyaté, Townsend, Ayew, Zaha.

Newcastle United XI (3-4-2-1): Dubravka, Yedlin, Schär, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden, Diame, Atsu, Pérez, Rondón.

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Lindelöf, Shaw, Matic, Herrera, Pogba, Mata, Martial, Rashford.

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  1. Rash
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    McNeil essential

  2. tucaoneo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    This Pulisic transfer is beyond moronic. Forget about the money. Why let him stay in Dortmund for this season? He is useless to Dortmund anyway. Chelsea think their bench is good enough? Now Willian is injured. Want some good subs?

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I know. I don't get that either with there injury problem currently.

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Dortmund clearly want him to stay for the season.

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

      Maybe they are the only club who offered the asking price and offered to loan him. Why do you think he would choose Chelsea over other suitors? They were probably the only club desperate enough to offer.

    4. Bartowski
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      To soften the blow of Hazard leaving for Real Madrid I guess.

      Can only assume the price is inflated by the commercial value he offers in the US.

  3. Alli 3',17',64�…
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Schindler on the refs list

  4. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I swear Watford are better away than at home, the new Charlton in the prem

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Noting this for when they face Spurs away GW24 in case I captain Kane

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Haha I think it's likely more they are just such an unpredictable side, probably more so than any other in the prem

  5. Tommyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I've been more entertained watching paint dry.

  6. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Nooooo

  7. _Make
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Deeney essential questions begin now.

  8. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Thanks Schindler! cool:

  9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Schindler red

  10. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Someone asked wheather they should play Schindler or Doherty a couple of days ago. Hope they played Doherty

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Surely nobody would ask that with an ounce of seriousness?

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

    Deeney wagon

  12. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Bubz will be incandescent!

  13. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Schindler is a POS

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Agree

    2. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Saved a lot of people

  14. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Deeney Essential

  15. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    OMG god heard me Deeney brace as I wantedddddd

  16. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I’ve had three reds this season

    1. N00B
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      You should have one for month. Check a doctor!

      1. N00B
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        each*

  17. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    GOALS GOALS GOALS

  18. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Yay Deeney.

  19. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Schindler owner 🙁

  20. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Mark played Schindler! 😮

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Mark knows

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      So did other people.

      1. Fred54
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Seriously how do you end up with Schindler?

        (Says the Rondon owner...)

        1. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          No idea

          1. Yank Revolution
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Great fixtures for a long time --- seemed appealing a month ago

  21. Bartowski
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Who else is wildcarding after these games finish?

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Why wait?

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Cool kids already have 🙂

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        How's your's looking Zico?

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Team is linked bud, really happy with it, i always play it early, plus afforded the team i wanted.

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Very solid, decent bench and TV too!

    3. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Would if I still had it

    4. _Make
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe. Depends on Martial performance.

  22. Zladan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Man United are lacking Lingard's energy here.

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

    I was pondering Deeney WEEKS ago and got shot down - thanks a lot guys! 🙁

    😆

  24. Richd
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Did Bubz captain Schindler ?

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

      Triple.

  25. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Schindler straight red card. Any suggestions for a £4.3m replacement? Asking for a friend........

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Is he not mainly a bench player for you anyway?

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Ahem, I mean your friend.

        1. The Big Fella
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Yes. My "friend" only played him this week because it was Burnley who haven't been too good going forwards and "he" didn't want to play both Liverpool defenders. Schindler will lose value now and with 2FTs in the bank, not the hardest fire to put out

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Straight switch to Kongolo!

      1. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Could do but they are a bit rubbish at the back. Cheers for the suggestion

  26. Hy liverpool
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Where is Bubz ??

  27. Niho992
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Chelsea is just awful team. When Hazard leaves they are going to be on same level as Everton or Watford .

    1. Dannyb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I'm assuming you captained Hazard judging by the 100 posts slating Chelsea lol.

      1. Niho992
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        yes i m and they are awful. Sarri didnt change anything.

        He will be sacked and Mourinho will came again !

        1. George Sillett
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          You obviously know very little about football.

  28. Fred54
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Who are all these non-Pereyra players for Watford? Why was I informed there were others....

  29. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Lascelles will get a red. Just a question of when

  30. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Zanka owners enjoy