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. ZTF
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall)
    Tammy Abraham is NOT for sale from #ChelseaFC. More on #SSN + https://t.co/122byxPDkX soon #CFC

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Chelsea are a stain on English football.

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

        Their only capable cf is out of position, Tammy is 21 and they're going to reject 20m.. you're not wrong

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

          Assuming that they aren't going to recall him ofc.

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

        The Russians will have a thing or two to say about that.

  2. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    What to do here bros;
    [I have 2FTs and 0.7 itb]

    Fab
    Alonso • TAA • Digne • AWB
    Salah(c) • Sane • Sonny
    Kane • Rashford • Wilson
    ————————————-
    Subs: Button; Doherty, Snod, MGW.

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

      Snod out.

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I’m thinking of doing Sonny out once he goes Asian Cup so will get rid of snod too (for Pogba + another...)

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

      Wilson has really poor fixtures - could do Wilson and Snod to Pereyra & Jimenez?

  3. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Which one should I opt for?

    A) Mane

    B) Firmino

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

      B

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

      Depends

  4. Fantasy Gold
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Was the Ings sub an injury or tactical?

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

      Tactical I believe.

    2. Puzzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Heard rumors of an injury.

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

        I will kindly point you to this thread my good man, before Geoff smites you from the realm of the living with his ban hammer with the force of a thousand suns

        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2019/01/02/kane-and-sons-remarkable-runs-of-fantasy-form-continue/?hc_page=2&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_19637625

        1. Puzzle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Haha, thanks. It was with a good intention, but point taken. I have no link, just some twitter-babbling of a slight hamstring worry.

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

            I've heard the same rumours by the way 😉

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

              ban

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

                Apologies forgot to add link:

                https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumours_(album)

    3. Maneonthemap
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Tactical apparently

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

      Tight hamstring

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers all

    5. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ings to Kamara i think.

      Will spend the funds elsewhere

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

    I’ve doubled my rank this GW 🙁

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

      Grass is greener on the other side. I keep sliding, now in 200ks. Losing ML. We got time.

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t worry fella, just keep plugging away and things will turn eventually.

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

      I'm really hoping this is the week when I stop the rot. I've had 8 red arrows from 9 GWs now.

      This game.

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

        Its a tough one, gets harder each year. Just keep going. I always get discouraged myself.

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

      I’m down to 2.4k. Festive periods just been horrific

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

        Ha

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        lol

      3. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        2.4k
        LOL

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Similar here but your -8 didn’t help along with Schindler but there is always next week!

  6. Lav
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Just have no consistency with my scores. Bottled my ML top position, OR now in the 200ks. Salah in?

    Pat / Etheridge
    Robbo / TAA / Digne / Doherty / AWB
    Haz / Sane / Anderson / Richarlison / Billing
    Kane / Rashford / Jimenez

    1. Puzzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      yes

  7. SADIO SANÉ
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    taa PEREIRA Digne (Holebas Doherty)
    Salah Haz STERLING Pogba Rich
    ARNIE Rashford (Kamara)

    taa BEDNAREK Digne (Holebas Doherty)
    Salah Haz ANDERSON Pogba Rich
    KANE Rashford (Kamara)

    a) Pereira Sterling Arnie
    b) Bednarek Anderson Kane

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

      B

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      ta both, 1-1 keep the votes coming 😀

    4. joebukit8
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      b for sure. Kane will bangs more n more

  8. Maneonthemap
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Got 2FT, which of these to go for?
    A)Martial+Mitro/Wilson>Pogba+Ings
    B)Martial+Shaw>Pogba+Bednarek
    C)Martial+Balbuena+Mitro>Pogba+Bednarek+Jimenez(-4)exact value so would have to be done tonight
    D)Balbuena>Bednarek and save FT

  9. Bobby
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    keep hazard for one more game, if you dont have salah? Or bring in Salah for a hit?

  10. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Who to ditch for Salah? Auba, Kane or Hazard?

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

      gotta be haz?

    2. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Haz blanked this week so has to be him.

      😉

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

        2 consistent goal scorers, and 1 streaky player...best of luck

        1. Volley127
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Haz goal or assist in 13/21 games, 6 double figure hauls.
          Kane 14/21, 5 double figure hauls.
          Auba, 12/21, 4 double figure hauls.

          Not so simple I say..

          1. Puzzle
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            No, really difficult. None of them have bad fixtures either.

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

      Auba

  11. mazkills
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Front seven currently:

    Richarlison/F.Anderson/Salah/Son (Holjberg)
    Auba/Rashford/Mitro

    A)Mitro > Kamara and Holjberg > Fraser and run 3 5 2?

    B)Wildcard

    C) Neither

  12. GazPage
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    hennessy - etheridge + perrerya - fraser. free no cost.

    worry about getting salah in in a few weeks with wildcard, if i want to

  13. Infamy, Infamy
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Martial and Success to:

    A. Rashford and Camarasa
    B. Arnautovic and Brooks

    1. GazPage
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      b

  14. Macam Dave
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Yes or No: Auba and lingard TO Salah Barnes/deeney/mirror/ings/kamara?

    If yes to get Salah in which best attacker? Can't afford better than above options

    Thanks

  15. fenixri
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Rich or Fraser to Salah?

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

      Think Fraser is better valaue so Rich.

  16. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Which combo is better?

    A) Mane and Kamara (3-5-2)

    B) Firmino and Billing (3-4-3)

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

      b

  17. GazPage
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    hennessy - etheridge + perrerya - fraser. free no cost.

    worry about getting salah in in a few weeks with wildcard, if i want to

  18. The Mighty Hippo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I've had money sitting in the bank with a view to bringing Salah in this week, but which option should I go with?

    a) Hazard ---> Salah
    b) Sterling ---> Salah
    c) Kane, Fraser ---> Arnie, Salah

    my original plan earlier today was to do c) but Fraser has just returned a bumper haul and it feels a bit strange to think about taking him out.

    1. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Arnie returned a haul as well though.

      I'd certainly be reluctant to do C and lose Kane though.

      I'd edge B, but close call between all 3.

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

      B, for me

  19. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    With just Salah tomorrow that'll be a drop in rank I expect?

    1. Puzzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I don't have Salah or any players tomorrow and still in for a red, so I don't have to worry about that...

    2. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Can't see you dropping rank tomorrow with an additional 21 points tomorrow tbh

  20. boc610
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Kaku appears to have eaten all the people who ate all the pies

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I’ve heard through the grapevine that his new nutritionist is Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock

  21. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Sell Holebas or Doherty to buy TAA?

    1. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Holebas

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

    Chelsea got their priorities straight bringing in a midfielder with 8 goals and 16 assists in 72 games on his CV. Things will turn around now!

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

    Fabianski
    Robertson / Digne / Kolasinac
    Hazard / Son / Pogba / Martial
    Kane / Aubameyang / Ings

    Hamer // Doherty / AWB / Camarasa

    Finding it tricky to get in Salah this week. Well, more-so because Aubameyang & Son have fixtures they could well score in; these are the two obvious replacements. Salah captaincy does scare me for next GW, however.

    What looks better:

    A) Son/Aubameyang >> Salah/Rashford
    B) Son/Aubameyang >> Salah/Arnautovic & GW23: Ings/Martial > Rashford/5.8m(?)
    C) Son/Aubameyang >> Salah/Jimenez & GW23: Ings/Martial > Rashford/6.3m(?)
    D) Hazard/Martial/Ings >> Salah/Richarlison/Kamara & GW23: Son/Aubameyang >> Hazard(?)/Rashford
    E) Kolasinac >> TAA & GW23: Son/Aubameyang/Martial >> Salah/Rashford (+ likely Martial downgrade, as Rashford would have risen)

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

      I love everyone selling Aubameyang. So dumb

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

        Life is a box of chocolates.

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

        Thank you for your useless input. I've already said I'm hesitant selling Aubameyang this week.

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

        Yeah, they are playing West ham ffs. Hatty incoming

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

      Brighton aren't bad at home - I'd wait a week then do A

  24. mazkills
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    A) Holjberg > Brooks

    B) Mitro > Kamara Holjberg > Fraser for a hit?

    Mini league rivals have Fraser, noone has Brooks

  25. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else ever feel like you’re fighting the Gods in their mini-league?

    Him - AWB, Fraser, Milijovic - 25 points
    Me - Doherty, Hazard, Anderson - 6 points

    (And mine all at home with “good” fixtures!!)

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

      I got AWB and Bednarek on my bench and Schindler on the pitch.

      If gods are involved they clearly must hate me.

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

    At a bit of loss what to do here - is it worth trying to fit Kane into this team?

    Current team is

    Patricio Hamer
    Doherty Digne Holebas AWB Daniels
    Salah Haz Son FAnderson Hojbjerg
    Auba Jimenez Ings
    2 FT 0.6 ITB

    Could rather straightforwardly do FAnderson>>Rich this GW, then Son&Daniels >> TAA&Pogba next GW.
    But, I'm also tempted to try and fit Kane in with something like FAnderson>>Pereyra (or similar), then Son&Auba>>Pogba&Kane, then address the defence later (maybe Holebas>>TAA in GW24).
    Is the second route worth it? TIA

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Daniels>Bednarek now
      Next week, Son and Digne > Eriksen and TAA imo

  27. El Lobito 10
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    GW22 captain? Salah here, Haz vc. City MNF is a shout though.

    A. Salah (bri)
    B. Kane (UTD)
    C. Haz (NEW)
    D. Auba (wha)
    E. Son (UTD)
    F. Sterling (wol MNF)
    G. Pog (tot)
    H. Sane (wol MNF)

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

      Salah or Auba for me. I would consider Hazard if Pedro is healthy.

  28. Woy_is_back
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Rich and Alonso falling, still keeping

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

      Not losing any selling value on either so not too worried. Fixtures don't warrant getting rid just yet

  29. Taff1952
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone know if valery or bednarek is nailed for southampton ? Thanks

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

      Would say Bednarek is pretty nailed, especially with Yoshida going to the Asia Cup soon. Valery may see a lot less minutes once Bertrand comes back, which is imminent.

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

      Why don't you come on over Bednarek.

  30. Fergietime
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    82 points and riding high in the ranks without Salah since GW4, tempted to get him in though for the next few matches...
    Trying to fit him in is tricking though, maybe Hazard and dowgrade some other midfielder.

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks for the update + humble brag sir

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

        Sorry for not being miserable, having a bad week?

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Not at all, I’m always sarcastic.

          Forgive me 🙂

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

            Forgiven 🙂 It was a brag alright 🙂 but also wanted to point out it is possible to get a good rank without Salah,hope he doesnt do too much damage tomorrow now...