Dugout Discussion
24 February 2019 1626 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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A shortened Blank Gameweek 27 culminates this afternoon, with two Premier League matches kicking off simultaneously at 14:05 GMT.

Manchester United take on Liverpool in an intriguing clash at Old Trafford, while Arsenal welcome Southampton to the Emirates.

There were some notable omissions from the four starting XIs upon the release of the teamsheets.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the second-most-popular captaincy pick of Gameweek 27 – and Mesut Ozil are among the substitutes at the Emirates as Alexandre Lacazette leads the line for the Gunners, who appear to be playing in the same 4-2-3-1 shape they adopted against BATE on Thursday.

Sead Kolasinac returns at left-back after being handed a breather in the Europa League, while Sokratis is fit to start at centre-back.

Angus Gunn gets the nod ahead of Alex McCarthy for the Saints, while Stuart Armstrong will provide support for the “out of position” Nathan Redmond in attack.

Matt Targett is handed a swift recall at left-back as Ryan Bertrand drops to the bench.

Anthony Martial has failed to recover for Manchester United, though Jesse Lingard is fit enough for a place on the home bench at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata again join Marcus Rashford in a three-man attack, though United have lost Nemanja Matic to a training ground injury – Scott McTominay steps into midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera.

United’s back four is the same one that kept a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge last Monday.

Jurgen Klopp has sprung a surprise at right-back, meanwhile, opting for James Milner over Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool’s starting XI is otherwise perhaps as expected, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino again forming the front three and Jordan Henderson joining Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum in central midfield.

Salah, who has only one goal in seven matches against the “big six” this season, is again the leading captaincy candidate for Gameweek 27, having been handed the armband by over 1.3 million FPL managers.

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Herrera, Pogba, Mata, Lukaku, Rashford.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Fabinho, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno, Lichsteiner, Sokratis, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Iwobi, Lacazette.

Southampton XI (3-5-1-1): Gunn, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Stephens, Valery, Hojberg, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Targett, Armstrong, Redmond.

  1. Rik Waller
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    TC Sane in DGW followed by Auba sickness and captain benching... rooooouggghhhh few weeks...

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

      +1

    2. Rik Waller
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      On the plus side... I got a top post

    3. Patch
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      At least you got top of the page

    4. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve gone from 43k to 157k over the last few weeks. Talk about a bad run!

  2. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    This has nil-nil written all over it.....

    1. Patch
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Please no, can't stand the Kola bear getting some bamboo

    2. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Nah not with bus driver Jose gone

    3. Rash
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hopefully then auba comes on and bags a brace

  3. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Auba will come on, no need to panic.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No panic for 1 point?

    2. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Marketing

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Reply fail

  4. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Why KO 5mins after the hour?

    Not helpful to OCD folk, like myself.

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      2.02pm would make more sense I reckon.
      2.22pm would be the obvious option in saying that.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        😮

  5. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    God, we need points. We're hanging on for dear life at the moment.
    Come on you Saints!!!!

  6. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Its 55 minutes to 3

  7. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Just need Laca to outscore Auba and ill win my mini league, still nervous he might come on and do well

    1. Shultan
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Your ML finishes in GW27?

  8. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ol’ Whiskey nose looks happy again....

  9. Lukey27
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Lets go you good thing Auba(C)

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He is not playing?

  10. Numb
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Wow, scumbags singing over Eric Harrison's applause!?

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      ^^
      This

  11. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Young, wtf

  12. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Had Rondón as my captain, switched him to a “safe” Auba. Solid choice, that.

  13. The Enlightener
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Auba captain. And here is me giving my last F about FPL. This crap just ain’t fun anymore.

    1. *sigh*
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Have a giggle and carry on bud.Salah vc here.

  14. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Free kick in pej box, dont see that often.
    Comes to nothing, though.

  15. Merlin the Wraith
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    The mist clears & gw27 finally comes into view this afternoon. Captaincy has fallen by the wayside so far, low scoring week is going to be defined by who has the cajones to make the difference today. Oh, & please keep Kun safe. Thank you.

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

    I think it was a big risk to get Auba for this gw.He played 90 minutes on Thursday and Arsenal has Tottenham on Saturday.So the logic move for Emery was to give him a rest today or against Bou.
    Keeping Kun has the same risk.He played 80 minutes against Schalke,he must start in the final today especially with Jesus injured.So the logic move for Pep is to give him a rest on Wed(Wham) or against Bou on Saturday.

    1. The Enlightener
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Whatever dude. Yada yada blab blab blab. Don’t do the hindsight sh/t. That is so overdone around here.

    2. sunzip14
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      If my captain Auba sits on that bench the whole 90 mins Deulofeu comes on from the bench for me. Such things wouldn't happen to me this season.

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

      Shush

  17. Ghost Gooner
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Why was that given an indirect FK?

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Young tried swallowing a bird poop. Ref wasn’t happy.

  18. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Son cappers looking very lively.....

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Very naughty 😆

      1. Chucky
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        😛

  19. *sigh*
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Things I dislike about attending football games in 2019:
    1.All seater stadiums
    2. Music blasting over speakers until 10 seconds before kick off as if fans can’t create their own atmosphere.
    3. Fans unable to stop using phone video on themselves/crowd even when their team have scored.

    1. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Agree with all the above.

    2. Shultan
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      1) im short so dont mind everyone sitting
      2) some fans are quiet so i guess it helps
      3)people payed for their own ticket if they want to record some bits...no skin off my nose

      1. *sigh*
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        You are an egotistical, musically talented dwarf.You are Elton John personified.

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

          Don't Diss the Dwarfs!

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

    Can someone please explain, like what is the point of playing this game anymore? Seriously. Auba benched, really feel like i’m done playing this game unless someone has any reason to still play.

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

      Reason*

    2. Silecro
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      i've capped auba but im not even mad, im chelsea fan, i am dead inside for a while now, unable to feel anything

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Funny old game.

    4. *sigh*
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Fun?

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

        Lol, what now?

        1. *sigh*
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah maybe reassess it tomorrow. Life’s too short ffs.

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You make your choices and live by them ... suck it up, set your new targets amd fight on 🙂

    6. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I would of gone for Lacca

      1. La Roja
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Would have*

    7. The Enlightener
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      There is no point anymore. Unless they change the deadline policy. This is the norm now. Getting burned week in and week out by surprise benching, etc. There is no point wasting my time anymore. Daily fantasy, such as Draft Kings is really the only option for me now. FPL is a dinosaur.

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

        Agreed, i know people say like “oh i’ve had enough, i quit”, then you get the sarcy responses of “see you next page, ir next season”, but like seriously, at a point of is it even worth it

        1. The Enlightener
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I have been losing interest more and more with each GW. Just don’t care for the game anymore. Been burned over and again. With as much rotation as happens these days, they need to make rolling deadlines for each respective game. None of this shutting it down before lineups can be seen and reacted to.

      2. Tacalabala
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Drama queens, it's just a game, and it's not like there wasn't a rotation risk was there?

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

          Absolute fa****

          1. Rostah
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Time to step away from the internet for a while and get a grip bud.

  21. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Laca G

  22. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    VvD being a rock as per usual so far.

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

    LACAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  24. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Assist?

  25. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ah crap, Laca G

  26. Poseidon.
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    We are dominating so far

    Liverpool struggling to cope

    1. Mysterion
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Weak troll, try harder

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      specsavers?

  27. Magumbo
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Mkhi assist

  28. Meinhoff
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Oh captain my captain

  29. Eytexi
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    LACA AYYYYY