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. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Is Guaita nailed enough to risk it on a WC?? Or do I stick with Etheridge/Patricio?? Team would be:

    Guaita - Button
    VVD - Luiz - TAA - Doherty - Bednarek
    Salah - Hazard - Pogba - Rich - Camarasa
    Kane - Rash - Arnie

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

      Gunn is cheap too.

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        True but again, is he nailed??

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

          See Differentials post below.

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

        You definitely can't go Guaita and Button. Button back on the bench soon, Guaita a watch this space for me.

        Sort your keepers out. From someone who has not done that this season.

        1. Andy Mac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Ok cheers mate! I feel it’s a risk too far tbf! Don’t want to lose Doherty really for WB though......

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

      Are you really thinking of WC'ing? You don't need to be that rash

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Already done it mate!! Trying to build big TV to benefit later chips....

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

          Didn't notice that. oops.

          Nice team :0

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

      Yeah I’m looking at Guaita, played last five, CS in three of them, the other two being Chelsea and City so must bode quite well.

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

    I've been scratching my head trying to decide who to upgrade to Salah out of Richarlson and Anderson. But as long as Hazard is surrounded by these clowns, I'm very tempted to ship him for Salah.

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

      I think it's a good call.

      Plus, you will have the added benefit of getting rid of a Chelsk player.

  3. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Someone better tell Valery to empty his pockets, Real Madrid are asking for Hazard.

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

      I think Jon Snow's statement in the comment above is partly the reason his pockets were so effective today...

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Haha, I mean, it's easy to look bad with Alvaro as your target man.

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

          Funnily enough, he didn't have his worst game today. Put some good balls in the box... the rest of the Chelsea players just couldn't be bothered to get in there (apart from Kante at times, who is tiny).

          He was (of course) offside a couple of times, but it was really unfortunate that is goal was disallowed. Marginal but they probably saw him and just assumed he was offside as usual, lol.

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

        Yep, Chelsea is actually one man team.

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

        S'ton defended really really well. But the whole game so frustrating to watch, essentially the only attacking threat was Hazard trying to weave through 3 players.

        I wouldn't be surprised if Arsenal and even ManU catch Chelsea. Desperately need a better striker (although Morata wasn't even that bad today imo) and wingers.

        I definitely don't mind RLC getting a run in the team

  4. 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
    C) Son/Aubameyang >> Salah/Jimenez
    D) Hazard/Martial/Ings >> Salah/Richarlison/Kamara
    E) Kolasinac >> TAA

    With the accompanying GW23 transfers.

    A) N/A (or Kolasinac >> TAA)
    B) Ings/Martial > Rashford/5.8m(?)
    C) Ings/Martial > Rashford/6.3m(?)
    D) Son/Aubameyang >> Hazard(?)/Rashford
    E) Son/Aubameyang/Martial >> Salah/Rashford (+ likely Martial downgrade, as Rashford would have risen)

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      A

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        On second thought, B. Arnie is unplayable when he hits form.
        Accompanied by Kola to TAA. Pool defence is too good to miss out on.

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

          Cheers. I'm tempted. Hard to lose Auba against that leaky West Ham defence though!

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

      B

  5. EgyptianKing
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Just a bit of early thoughts...

    Would this look good for a free hit next GW? (GW22)

    Guaita
    Luiz, TAA, Digne
    Salah, Mane, Sane, Hazard, Brooks
    Auba, Mitrovic

    Hamer, Bissaka, Balbuena, Kamara

    Cheers!

  6. Reckoner
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I want to get Pogba before tonigths price change; but have a big dilemma who should I switch him for!

    A) Son (or keep for UTD and then sell)
    B) F.Anderson (schedule toughening, Arne back....)

    Help!

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

      I'd say Son.

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

        Me too, I just have a feeling he might run riots against Man UTD defense....

  7. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    In case anyone was thinking whether Gunn is nailed, Hasenhuttl did mention that he picked himup today because Chelsea liked to put long ball over the defence, and Angus was more sweeper keeper/quucker off his line than Alex. So him playing could be purely tactical.

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

      Good call by Hasenhuttl if that was the case. Came out and smothered/knocked the ball away on a couple of occasions where Chelsea's players could have been through.

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

    362 points with 1 capo fail in 21 GWs

    How many more captain fails will I have this season?

    A) 2
    B) 4
    C) more than 4
    D) 0

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

      How many more times Hazard C?

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

        Don’t have him at the moment 😀

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

          You should be safe

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

    Anything between Valery and Bednarek?

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Bednarek more nailed imo. Best CB in our squad at the moment.
      Valery has just broken through. Wouldnt say he is too secure in the XI, but Hasenhuttl has said he rates him more than Cedric in the right wing back position.

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

      Bednarek much more nailed - Yoshida off to Dubai will increase his minutes, and Bertrand returning will decrease Valery's.

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

      Cheers both!

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

    What are your thoughts on Anderson and Arnautovic the upcoming weeks?

    Downgrade Anderson to get Salah reasonable?

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

      It is definately; I am thinking of getting rid of Felipe too, especially with Arnie back now.

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

        Good. Their run of good fixtures are coming to an end too.

  11. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on jiminez + son > arnie + siggy (-4)?

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

    Pickford is Joe Hart 2.0

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

      He the Man! We know it.

  13. Plymouth
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    OR updated?

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Nt yet

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Not even gwr

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Gw rank has pal

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

          Looks like OR updated for me too. Could be wrong

        2. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Yep, it must have been about the same so I didn't notice, OR now updated and that has hardly changed either

    3. Plymouth
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Phew, thanks

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        It has now

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

      Yes

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

      Updated in the last minute. Fallen to 2.9k. FML

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

    it has updated

  15. Bob B
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Fabianski
    TAA Digne Bednarek
    Salah Hazard Pogba Richarlison Camarasa
    Kane Aubameyang

    Button - Kamara - AWB - Doherty

    Am I really sacrificing anything by having the 4 big hitters here? I can spread the funds but it gives me problems choosing who to bench

  16. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    33k > 12.9k so far

    Sane to go!

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

      Will depend on what Salah will do.

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

      You’re moving in the right direction!

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

      Played sir!

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate

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

      Nice jump.

      48k > 36k for me, but I'm worried Sterling and Sane won't be enough to stay green if Salah does something or Liverpool keep City out. Expect to lose some of your gains so you're not disappointed when it happens, I'd say 🙂

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah deffo see that happening

        Hopefully not though

  17. Jayv807
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hello all

    Which of these would you pick considering form/fixtures over the next 5-6 gameweeks?

    1. Rashford
    2. Arnie
    3. Jimenez

    Trying to decide on who I upgrade Ings to....

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

      1

  18. jia you
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Ugh...just getting around to checking last night's results! Hazard(C), Pogba, Felipe, Jimi & Fab all blanked and it looked such a promising GW!

  19. Captain Beefheart
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hazard exodus has begun, no doubt he'll score heavily next game week, Newcastle at home tasty! Am shipping! Then again!

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

      3 scores over 6 in last 10 games

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

    2FTs what would you use it on? Fabianski? Or Kane & Fanderson —> Kun & DSilva?

    Fabianski
    TAA-Digne-Wanbisa
    Salah-Hazard-Pogba-Richa-Fanderson
    Kane-Deeney

    Subs: Speroni-Doherty-Kamara-Bednarek

  21. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Wtf to do? 2 FT 1.6 ITB... I'm stuck

    Fab/Button
    Alonso/Doh/AWB/Digne/Holebas
    Pererya/Haz/Sane/Rich/Anderson
    Kane/Jimenez/Rash

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

      Wow @ money on the bench

      Tbh I would downgrade someone to fodder and plan a big upgrade of any midfielder next week.

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

      probably downgrade holebas to cheapest playing defender, chamber perhaps.

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

    lol people selling hazard...

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

      -88% already...

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

        Not -88. It’s 88...

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

      😆

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

    Didn't realise Iwobi was so cheap at 5.4m. If he can add more goals and assists to his game could be a bargain for the rest of the season.

    Emery seems to rate him and he plays every game.

  24. Hits from the Bong
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    A. Schindler to Bednarek
    B. Schindler to VVD
    C. Something else

    Does it make sense to do Digne, Pogba + Jimenez to Bednarek, Fraser + Kane over the next few weeks? Cheers

    Fabianski
    TAA Digne Doherty
    Salah Hazard Pogba Anderson
    Aubameyang Arnie Jimenez

    (Button Camarasa Schindler AWB)
    £2.9m itb

  25. Scout15
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Is it really time to get rid of Richa with those games ahead of him?

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

      I'm almost set on getting him this week

    2. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Not for me it isn’t

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

      Ill keep if i have him

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

      I was just thinking about doubling up and getting Siggy too.

      1. Scout15
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Haha same story. Was just looking is there any better option than Martial and Anderson.
        Maybe it’s too much, not sure.

    5. Scout15
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Thought so. Couldn’t believe that his price is falling.
      Yes, he did nothing last two games but still it’s hard to get better fixtures than this...

  26. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Enough is enough! I need to have Salah in my team but need to lose Aubameyang and Fabianski for a hit to make it happen.

    Which of these looks best?

    A) Wilson and Etheridge
    B) Rashford and Button
    C) Arnie and a 4.4 (Lossl/Begovic/Rico)
    D) Don’t bother - keep Lingard, Aubameyang and Fabianski

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

      C

  27. Fortune
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    i have fabs-mccarthy as pair of GK.
    now that gunn seemingly takes mccarthy spot, worth downgrading to button (on free transfer) ???
    cash could be spread elsewhere.
    the rest of the team are

    alonso - robbo - digne - awb - hadergjonaj

    salah - pogba - martial - fanderson - biling

    kane - rashford - rondon

  28. Klein
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    So martial gonna get significantly less playing time? Or was it just today?

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

      No one's been more patient with Martial than I.

      I know he's a fine player but he's finally been given his chance to shine and I've been underwhelmed to be Frank. Better options I feel and I say that with a heavy heart.

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

        I'm not surmising his playing time bye the way just my disappointment.

    2. waldo666
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Very hard to tell with Lukaku and Sanchez returning.

  29. DAZZ
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    In a couple of my previous comments ive said how ive dropped from 2.5K to 85K im now 120K. Since start of December ive had 1 green arrow 🙁 it honestly makes me want to delete my team. In the past 2 GW’s every single player has blanked. Bar Kane, 49 points in 2GW’s

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

      GL finding out how to delete it

    2. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      December was an awful fpl month.

    3. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I was 20k in GW7 and have now not even finished in the top million for ten gameweeks and outside the top 2m for six of those. So I can sympathise. Forget my mini leagues which I was once well ahead in.

      If you find a solution let me know.

  30. waldo666
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Bringing Salah in this GW and wondering what looks best here?

    A) Sane to Salah and roll 2nd FT
    B) Anderson and Richarlison to Salah and 5.8

    1. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      A

      1. waldo666
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers.