Dugout Discussion

Alonso benched and Higuain makes league debut as Son returns

Gameweek 24 comes to a conclusion on Wednesday evening as four top-flight matches take place.

Bournemouth v Chelsea and Southampton v Crystal Palace get us underway at 19:45 GMT, with Liverpool v Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur v Watford scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT.

Marcos Alonso is benched for the first time in the league this season as Emerson Palmieri – who impressed in the Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg against Spurs – is handed a start at left-back, while Gonzalo Higuaín makes his Premier League bow up front for the Blues.

Eden Hazard is thus deployed on the left flank for Maurizio Sarri’s side, with Pedro getting the nod on the other wing.

The Cherries are without Callum Wilson this evening, with Joshua King leading the line for Eddie Howe’s side.

Ryan Fraser starts as expected, while there are places on the bench for January signings Dominic Solanke and Chris Mepham.

Son Heung-min is back in Spurs’ starting XI and looks set to play just off Fernando Llorente as Mauricio Pochettino once again deploys a wing-back system.

Christian Eriksen is also primed for a more advanced role but Kieran Trippier only makes the bench.

Javi Gracia has made three changes to his side from Watford’s last league outing, with Daryl Janmaat, Craig Cathcart and Will Hughes drafted in.

Virgil van Dijk has recovered from illness to line up at centre-half, with one of Jordan Henderson or Georginio Wijnaldum potentially filling in at right-back after a cursory look at the teamsheet.

Xherdan Shaqiri joins Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in the Liverpool attack.

Claude Puel has made three alterations to his Leicester City side following the 4-3 defeat to Wolves: Jonny Evans, James Maddison and Marc Albrighton being handed recalls.

The fit-again Vicente Guaita returns between the sticks for Crystal Palace, with Wayne Hennessey named among the substitutes.

The Eagles are otherwise unchanged from the team that lost 4-3 to Liverpool in Gameweek 23.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has named the same eleven players in his starting XI that lined up against Everton, meanwhile.

Bournemouth XI (4-2-3-1): Boruc, Clyne, S Cook, Ake, Smith, Surman, Gosling, Stanislas, Fraser, Brooks, King.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Emerson Palmieri, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Higuain, Hazard.

Southampton XI (3-5-2): McCarthy, Bednarek, Stephens, Vestergaard, Valery, Hojbjerg, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Targett, Redmond, Ings.

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

Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson, Henderson, van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Keita, Shaqiri, Salah, Mane, Firmino.

Leicester City XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Maguire, Chilwell, Mendy, Ndidi, Albrighton, Gray, Maddison, Vardy.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-4-2-1): Lloris, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Aurier, Winks, Sissoko, Rose, Eriksen, Son, Llorente.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster, Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Holebas, Hughes, Capoue, Cleverley, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.

4,426 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    4 posts in a row selling Hazard before Huddersfield

    1. Blanka
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He's also just played Newcastle Southampton and Palace and returned 1 assist.

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        1 assist from Palace Southampton Newcastle Arsenal Bournemouth but Huddersfield are really bad

        1. Blanka
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I have him, but have my head turned by Sane.

      2. fenixri
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        True but I would keep him for HUD and then ditch before City and blank gw

  2. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you say is more nailed to play more minutes in DGW?

    A) Sterling

    B) KDB

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  3. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski
    Digne* | Luiz | Trippier
    Hazard | Salah | Richarlison | Pogba*
    Jimenez | Firmino | Rashford
    Button* | TAA* | Camarasa* | Pereira VsX

    2 FT, 0.3 ITB

    Don't want to waste a transfer. But I'm clueless, as what to do?

    1. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sort some of your injuries/suspensions out

  4. andre_c
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    best midfielder under 6.6m. already have jimmy and doherty, dont really want to triple on wolves.

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Townsend?

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wolves fixtures are great. Your loss

    3. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      try babel 5.5

  5. MASTER ROSHI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I think ill be doing haz, pereyra > sane, son for 2FT, but only if pogba and arnie injury isn't bad and mendy isn't back in the next week, does it sound sensible?

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      yes wait for pogba news

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Mendy irrelevant. This Sane Mendy myth is based on Sane being unfit and in a funk at beginning of season

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Arnie was in a moon boot

  6. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Not FPL related but which premier league team (except Man United, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea) is most likely to win this Gameweek?

    Bottomed.

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Spurs, Southampton, Palace, Bournemouth

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Liverpool

    3. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Liverpool

  7. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more Richarlison or Son

    Next 5

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      sonaldo

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Son probably outscores Rich next 5 in one game next 5

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rich had 20pts previous 7 before scoring against Hudderslol

      1. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        So keep or get rid for Son?

        I’m tempted by Son but need to check fixtures

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Keep Rich for DGW I suppose

  8. fenixri
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Finally back in top10k, I am really happy that putting armband on Auba paid off big time. Now I need advice.

    My current team is:

    Fab, Speroni
    Alonso, TAA, Digne, AWB, Doherty
    Pogba, Salah, Hazard, Fraser, Gibbs-White
    Auba, Rashford, Jimenez

    I have 2FT

    My thinking:
    - Keeping Hazard for HUD then ditch before City and blank for Son (for now)
    - I dont want to ruin my team by bringing City players for DGW; they are kinda out of form plus rotation risk
    - I want to keep Pogba, got him pretty early for cheap, I am willing to ride out his potential injury
    - I need to get rid of Digne this week and potentialy Alonso. Not sure for Alonso should i keep him for HUD?

    Any advice? Ty in advance

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      City aren’t out of form, they were lethargic

      Beating teams 5 nil two days before indicates it’s not form

      Alonso out, I’d go Laporte and Auba to Aguero

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Haz and Alonso for Hudd. Keep Pogba unless definitely out +3 games when he could easily be fine for next game

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hey mate 🙂
      Thanks for assuring on Auba cap. It really saved my gw.
      I did Hazard to Sane. Chelsea have gone off the boil imo so did it. Next few fixtures also helped.
      Can get him back for dgw's.

      1. fenixri
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Hi Amey, glad you did it. I'll think about city assets, maybe Auba->Aguero amd then bring Auba back, but I am keeping Haz for Hud

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah.
          Good luck mate 🙂

    4. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I will keep both Alonso and Hazard. Alonso comes back straight to the team after that shocker imo.
      Get rid of Digne, for Kola maybe and bench. Arsenal have nice 2 games after City.

  9. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    My team:

    Ryan
    VVD TAA Doherty
    Pogba Salah Sterling Sane Rich
    Mitro Rash

    Lossl Bennett Digne Kamara

    1 FT 1M itb

    If Pogba is fit, save?

    1. fenixri
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Save, good team

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        thanks, cheers.

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Save

  10. cuppatea78
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking of the following changes. What do you think?

    A) Hazard & Fraser out, Son & Sane in
    B) Hazard & Fraser out, Son & Pogba in
    C) Stick with what I've got

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A because of the double.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      C both have a good fixture

  11. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best Digne replacement?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Robbo

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Or Taa if fit / Pereira

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Have him since GW1. Should've mentioned

  12. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Jiminez the obvious Kamara replacement?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Very obvious.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sure

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Absolutely.
      I hope i had funds to do the same

  13. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    0FT 1.8ITB

    Boruc
    Robbo AWB Doherty TAA
    Son Salah Pogba Sane
    Auba Jimenez

    Fabianski Højbjerg Digne Kamara

    Should I take a -4 for a Digne replacement or hold for now?

  14. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I need to deal with almost 1/2 of my team but I don't think it's worth wildcarding.

    Priorities: Hazard, Alonso, Digne
    Inferiorities: Pogba, Billing, Fabutton combo

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I am also considering a WC?

      Hamer Alonso Digne Hazard Pogba Snodgrass Billing

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Oh and no City or Everton for DGW!

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          No Everton either thanks to Digne. No interest. 1-0 against Huddersfield lol

      2. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Woaaah, that's even worse!

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Let's both wildcard then!

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Why not wildcard? I still feel people hold onto it to long in the hopes they'll get a perfect one and frankly if at least 4 playing guys need to be switched out, just do it. The sooner you use it, the longer the value of having a good structure can benefit the team. Deadweights like non-playing keepers, bad benchies, players who've lost their place, can hold you back for weeks.

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I'll be loving my strategic WC around 31-35

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I agree but the first time I have kept my WC, simply because of:
        Pat/Fab
        Digne WanB Alders Robbo Doherty
        Sane Richa Pogba salah (Lamela)
        Kun Jimi Rashford.

        Would you use it?

      3. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        That's true! Maybe it's time. I'll decide later today ...

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard and Alonso play the absolute worst team in the league at home next

      1. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I ruined my season because I was too stubborn and kept them for so long. They had amazing fixtures and failed miserably. I've got loads of excuses every single week and finally reached the point where I don't care anymore. The damage is already done though.

    4. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think Fabianski is not an issue, doesn’t look likely to have blank GWs which is good news.
      If you consider keepers important just get Alison but I wouldn’t bother

    5. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing wrong with that team, at least for gw 25, bar maybe Fab. I will still keep him though.

    6. Rohirrims
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Mostly GW 31 will have 4-5 blanks and 33 can have maximum 4 (likely 3) blanks. If you're able to FH in 31 you will be okay playing a wild card now with BB 32 and TC 35 in mind.

  15. maurorodi00
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hello guys i am thinking to do auba to jimenez or ings
    And camarasa to son ?
    Any ipinions

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      The only striker I would replace Auba with would be Kun/Jesus on a DGW and I’d be getting Auba back immediatelly in GW26

      1. maurorodi00
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I dodnt think he is so good he hardly score anymore

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Auba.

  16. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all.....1ft....1.1mitb.

    Pending pogba news....why to do here

    A....save ft
    B.....hazard to sterling / kdb

    Ederson (fab)
    Robbo Doherty lindelof (bednarek awb)
    Salah hazard sane pog richi
    Rash Jimenez (kamara)

    Just worried about spending an ft on a player will need to lose for gw27 (potentially for a hit)

    Thanks

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      There are 3 subs to consider but if you have fodder then it could be awkward.
      I have a high TV so I planned to have a decent bench, that can cover DGW's on the bench.

  17. deluca
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Got 2FT and already got Sane Aguero and Richarlison for this week. Need to find some money to trade Richarlison to Son for next week. Who should I trade out, Patricio or Fab?
    Who should I trade in, Boruc or Guita?
    Thanks in advance!

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Pat Boruc rotate wonderfully

      1. deluca
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Do they? Sweet ill check it out

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you for the information

  18. alky84
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would Eriksen to Son be a good move?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, he's Spurs' best player.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  19. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Alli & digne > sane & Jonny for free?

    Means I have double wolves defence but can’t see any other viable defenders for 4.3. (Already have bednarek & AWB)

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yay

  20. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Have 2FT and 0.3M ITB.
    Auba and Pogba to Aguero and Son?
    captain Aguero for this GW, then get Auba back for Hud.

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kun away record horrible.

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It could work if Kun started against Arsenal at home

  21. Amey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What should be a good return from TC in your opinion guys ??
    15+ ??

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      10pts bare minimum, anything more will be sweet

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nice.
        Thank you Holmes 🙂

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      12 + and that will need a DGW.
      A DGW can let you down too.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you Sir.
        This is one though 😉
        You think Sane can score 12+ ??
        I'm tempted

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          He is my C for the week. Maybe he could.
          I would wait maybe. No rush to use it.
          usually enters people's minds to use after a bad GW.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Ha ha.
            Thank you.
            Will decide after press/news.

  22. Mighty Wings
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Sane or Sterling?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sane

      1. Mighty Wings
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        In general or based on expected minutes?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          In general.
          Sterling is more explosive imo but isn't scoring points wrt his price tag.

        2. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Sane scoring more points per minute than Sterling and much less expensive.

    2. frenchfries
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sane, more value imo

  23. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best cheap defender for a 4th/5th spot on the bench to replace Digne. Rolling out 3-5-2 formation so dont want to spend big. Maybe max 4.6m. (No Wolves or AWB)

    1. Bednarek 4.0
    2. Brighton (Duffy?) 4.6
    3. Cardiff (Bamba?) 4.6
    4. Huddersfield (Zanka?) 4.4

    Thinking Bednarek and using rest in an upgrade.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      lascellas or yedlin

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      1 if you want funds and will be 3rd bench.

  24. frenchfries
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    GK: Alisson Boruc
    DEF: Robertson AWB Doherty Digne Bennett
    MID: Salah Sane Pogba Anderson Richarlison
    ATT: Aubameyang Rashford Kamara

    2ft 0.3itb

    How does this look for free:
    Anderson+Alisson -> Son+Etheridge

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Good.
      Can try Digne to Bednarek & Anderson to son too if you are just looking for downgrade.

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      a minus and a plus to a big plus and big minus.
      Concerned Son will need a rest.

    3. frenchfries
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Have to wait for son news i guess. But Bednarek+Son actually works. But was looking to get in Pereira in a couple of gw

  25. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you rather own this GW? I own Sane

    A) Hazard

    B) Sterling

    C) KDB

    1. MMN
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Probably B

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      C

  26. MMN
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Reckon Alonso starts vs Hud? How did Emerson look?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure. Emerson didn’t do much wrong, but didn’t do anything inspiring either.

      Thinking of Alonso > Laporte

  27. DAVESAVES
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What do you think about Son’s gametime this early kick-off after playing 90min yesterday? 2 days rest and looked ”very tired” earlier this week..
    Any concerns?

  28. Ynwalfc
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Etheridge
    VVD,Luiz,Pereira
    Son,Pogba,Salah(C),Richarlison(VC)
    Aubameyang,Rashford,Firmino

    Subs Guaita,AWB,Westwood,Bednarek

    GTG? Had a rubbish week for GW24. Tempted to captain Richarlison for the DGW

  29. Little fekirs
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    KDB or Sane for the next two week ?

    Also, is Kamara and Hazard to KDB/Sane worth a hit ?

    1. Little fekirs
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      And Llorente coming in

  30. Tim
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else considering Free Hit chip for this DGW?.