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

    Wilson and Fraser still on big ownerships 🙁

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah 🙁

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      The purple patch already ended no?

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

    oh my ings

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Benched him this week, can’t wait to sell. Terrible buy

  3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    --- Vahrez 15/16 ---

    60 attacking returns in 38 GW's (41G + 19A)

    --- Frilson 18/19 ---

    31 attacking returns in 21 GW's (18G + 13A)

    Both pairs 11.5m 🙂

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Nice stats

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        (Bournemouth league win incoming)

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

      Imagine Bournemouth with Kante

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

    lol, dodged a bullet by benching ings.

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

      had him on my watchlist - be gone Danny boy!

  5. Jon Snow
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Long on for Ings at halftime. Alonso clean sheet locked!

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

      Long due.

      1. Limbo
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Long overdue...

  6. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Just say it. Casuals winning it again this year. Nothing works nothing.

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

      True chunku

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

      How are "casusls" winning it ?

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Because he's having a bad season.

    3. Regin
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Agree with I. Nothing at all working.

    4. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Im playing fixtures.. works good... knock on wood.

  7. LeicesterA
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Was so close to transferring out Fraser for -4. Thankful!

  8. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    What everyone's worst gameweek rank of the season? Last week I did a 4,769,644 😎

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

      4.2 last week

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Over 5m + a hit

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

      3.9m in GW3

      1. L S P
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        got you beat: 4.69m in GW3 😛

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

      5,832,348

      Haha.

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

        We have a winner!

        1. Limbo
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Could be my worst ever season. I've taken to making wild hits like some kind of mad max kamakaze.

      2. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        wow. Did you take a 36 point hit or something?

        1. Limbo
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          No - unbelievably only a -4pt hit.

          Blanks from Aguero, Hazard, Sterling, Anderson, Chicharito, Digne, Doc, Rich.

      3. King Carlos
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        5,550,509

        Close but no tobacco

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

      Had a couple of 4.5+ in a row over Xmas

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

      4,952,065

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

        And I played my WILDCARD that week

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

      5.6m I think

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

      4.62 mill - GW 18

    9. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      5.2 on the week of cup qualification

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

      Last week. 4.359m rank.

    11. Shultan
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Got a 5 mil a few weeks ago

    12. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Gw18 just over 4 mil

    13. mookie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      GW1 - 3,106,519

    14. Go Loons
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      5,493,103 gw13

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

      4,829,924 in GW18 Ugh

    16. Black Knights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I had a 4,951,369 a while ago and only went 13k to 22k.

    17. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      5.999m rank overnight.

    18. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      4,170,496.

      Weirdly only dropped 3k-ish in the ranks. Was in the Top 10k at the time, however.

      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Must have been a small swing gameweek

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

      5,320,478 (GW15)

    20. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      About 4.6m also last week. Or at least, my previous +4m week did far less damage, very flat score distribution.

    21. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      GW16 5.5M

    22. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      4m and a hit gw13

    23. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      3.126m

    24. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Hadn't even realised there are now over 6 million players. I'll never make the top 10k again.

      20k is the new 10k.

      1. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        100k is the new 10k.. too much info making it far more competitive

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

        An article on here the other day concluded that, from a sample, there are less than 50% active teams.

      3. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        4,495,210

    25. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      4x 4m+, 4.6m in GW18 the worst.

      This week might beat it if Hazard doesn't get off his arse!

    26. J T
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      4.7m followed by 25k followed by 4.2m 😀

    27. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      5.4m GW13.

      Now OR 7k

    28. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Well
      My last few weeks is my worst run ever...
      4.6 mil
      3.3
      2.5
      3.5
      3.3
      2.8 mil currently

      Was 16k now 150k

    29. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Pah Amateur. I’ve had a 5,125,727 and another 5mil. Lone behold I’m having a shocking season

  9. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hazard not doing anything apart from fending off players with his fat arse.

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

      That's "big bottomed small" to you

  10. Limbo
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I hope those we talked out of Ings on their WC took the advice.

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

    Should cap whoever is playing Bou, or Wat.

    1. BIG TONES
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Everton in two GW's. Richarlison a good shout

  12. Planet Head
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Back in the top 10k for the first time in ages. Cheers Fraser!

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

    Typical performance by hazard this. Never convinced he's worth his price tag in fpl

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

      It’s why I haven’t got him. I’ve been tempted but have to be strong and hope the streak ends.

      Fanderson and hazard may end up being the same guy.

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

    Carroll bandwagon derailed

  15. SirStevieG
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Pogba captaincy not looking a great idea so far, only 1 shot off target and thats it

  16. micsway
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    typical fraser delivers after I drop him, at least I still got wilson!

  17. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    If Haz continues on the left, it might be time to drop him. Thinking Martial + Hazard >>> Pogba + Eriksen, eventually.

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

      Yes, equally concerned about Martial rotation.

  18. zon
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Fraser and Wilson on the counter vs Everton will be gold

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

      So are Richarlison and Siggy

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

        Yeah I fancy Siggy. Too bad I don't own him, yet.

  19. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Luiz deserves some BAPs after this tackle on Armstrong alone. Solid work.

    1. dark91
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      As a Luiz owner I agree 😀

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

      Haha and the backheel nutmeg.

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

    are Southampton actually gonna score?

  21. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I told everyone to buy deeney.. in my dreams. FPL virgin did you listen?

  22. TOPCAT1960
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Need some nice Hazardous points urgently !

  23. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Players sold on this weeks WC

    Kane 12
    Vardy 8
    Fraser 9 (and counting)
    Lacazette 6
    Chilwell 6

    Brought in
    Brooks 1
    Richarlison 2
    Digne 1

    Season well and truly done

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

      What transfers you planning my friend?

    2. jason_ni
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Selling 5 and buying 3.. you got ripped off.

    3. glufs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Serves you right for bringing in only 3 players after selling 4

      1. glufs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        *selling 5

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

    Do we have any news on Solanke's loan deal yet?

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

      Its collapsed because he failed fitness test and injured too.

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

        Balls! I was hoping for that so there would be a decent sub-£5m striker to free up funds. Was that at Palace or Huddersfield?

  25. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    This game is unbelieveble, had owned Hazard for weeks, useless on the left, sold him, he immediately played false 9 and got lots of points, bought him back last gw, immediately returned to the left and useless again

    1. Pooodle
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Same. He has averaged under 5PPM for the games I've had him and repeatedly gets double figures when I don't.

  26. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Damn. Palace goal would hurt:

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/4668/event/21

  27. Pooodle
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Such a frustrating few weeks:

    GW19 - go for Martial over Pogba to save some funds and so I can keep Fraser. Martial doesn't play and Pogba goes mental.

    GW20 - panic about Hazard so ditch Sane and Fraser for Hazard and Brooks, tearing up my Fraser plan. Hazard blanks but at least Brooks gets an assist off my bench.

    GW21 - ditch Pogba for Martial. Fraser then goes mental when I don't have him. No goal involvements from Brooks despite 3 goals scored. Currently blanks from Pogba and back-to-back blanks for Hazard.

    Overall rank plummeting. Lesson learned... stop taking hits!

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

      Im not sure that's the lesson...maybe just a little more, patience?

      1. Pooodle
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah that's another way to put it.

  28. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    C'Mon The Casuals!

  29. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Only 5 points tonight ... anyone worse? 🙁

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

      Same here

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Salah will save your GW tomorrow.

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

      5 also, high five guys

    4. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      3. Could've had 22 from Deeney and Fraser

  30. BoomXhakaLaca1
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Any idea how Zaha is doing? Look like scoring?