Dugout Discussion
27 February 2019 4674 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Six Premier League matches will take place this evening to bring Gameweek 28 to a close.

Two of those fixtures, Arsenal v Bournemouth and Southampton v Fulham, kick off at 19:45 GMT, while Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace v Manchester United, Liverpool v Watford and Manchester City v West Ham United start 15 minutes later.

The headline team news arguably comes from Selhurst Park, where Marcus Rashford is only fit enough for a place on the bench after suffering an ankle injury in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

Fred, Diogo Dalot and Alexis Sanchez are handed a start, as Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard miss out.

Palace are again without Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with Martin Kelly replacing the injured Mamadou Sakho in Roy Hodgson’s only change.

Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy are among the substitutes for Manchester City as Sergio Aguero is joined by Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez in the hosts’ starting XI for the visit of West Ham United.

There is no Marko Arnautovic in the Hammers’ squad as Andy Carroll gets the nod to lead the line.

Samir Nasri, Ryan Fredericks and Pedro Obiang also start, while 19-year-old full-back Ben Johnson is handed his Premier League debut.

Roberto Firmino has failed to recover from an ankle injury so Divock Origi leads the line for Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold replaces Jordan Henderson in Jurgen Klopp’s only other change, so James Milner moves back into midfield.

Watford are unchanged.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is dropped after the farcical scenes at the end of the EFL Cup final, so Willy Caballero starts in goal.

Marcos Alonso is also recalled, along with Mateo Kovacic and Gonzalo Higuain. Emerson Palmieri, Ross Barkley and Willian make way.

Kieran Trippier, Davinson Sanchez, Erik Lamela and Ben Davies replace Serge Aurier, Juan Foyth, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose for Spurs, as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min lead the line.

Alexandre Lacazette is the premium forward who misses out for Arsenal this time, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns to Unai Emery’s starting XI for the visit of Bournemouth.

Mesut Ozil is also recalled, while Carl Jenkinson gets his first league start for the Gunners since November 2016.

Emery has made six alterations to his line-up in total, with Granit Xhaka, Alex Iwobi, Aaron Ramsey, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Shkodran Mustafi dropping out.

Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Matteo Guendouzi are the other players to come in.

Lys Mousset replaces the injured Dominic Solanke up front for the Cherries in Eddie Howe’s only change.

David Brooks is back on the bench for the visitors.

Jack Stephens, Matt Targett and Stuart Armstrong make way for Southampton as Maya Yoshida, Charlie Austin and Ryan Bertrand are handed recalls.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Kevin McDonald replace Jean Michael Seri and Ryan Sessegnon for Fulham.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Jenkinson, Torreira, Guendouzi, Kolasinac, Aubameyang, Özil, Mkhitaryan.

Bournemouth XI: Boruc, Clyne, Mepham, Aké, Smith, Ibe, Gosling, Surman, Fraser, King, Mousset.

Southampton XI: Gunn, Bednarek, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Valery, Hojbjerg, Oriol Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Bertrand, Redmond, Austin.

Fulham XI: Rico, Odoi, Ream, Nordveit, Bryan, Chambers, McDonald, Anguissa, Cairney, Babel, Mitrovic.

Chelsea XI: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Higuain, Hazard.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Winks, Sissoko, Eriksen, Lamela, Son, Kane.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Kelly, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Schlupp, McArthur, Townsend, Zaha, Batshuayi.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelöf, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Dalot, Pogba, Sanchez, Lukaku.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner, Mane, Salah, Origi.

Watford XI: Foster, Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Masina, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sane, Aguero.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Johnson, Obiang, Rice, Antonio, Nasri, Felipe Anderson, Carroll.

  1. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    It was obvious Kepa would be benched

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Willy in, as expected.

  2. drughi
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling benched is a bit disappointing even though somewhat expected, fresh for the weekend at least. Is he a good option for captain ?

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

      Yes, likely to play

  3. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Went for Salah captain over Aguero after much deliberation yesterday...let's see how that turns out!

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

      Did the same. I think it was the smart move ahead of time.

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Let's hope so...go on Salah!

    2. DandyDon
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Still no idea if liverpool or city will score more tonight. Hoping on Aguero myself

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Same here, hard to tell...a close call either way.

  4. andrewe63
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pellegrini planning his GW31 team by wrapping Arnie up in swaddling cloths?

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      That Huddersfield fixture clouded my judgment so badly.

    2. Ajaxeeding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Well Arnie was a waste of a ft if he doesn’t reappear for 31.

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

    Got to be better than yesterday!

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

      *and last weekend

      1. Midlands Saint73
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Let's hope so, couldn't be much worse!

  6. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Carroll goal incoming to ruin the City CS

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Fanny will score as he's on my bench.

  7. andrewe63
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck to Sane owners, Owes you a few points.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Aye this

  8. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ole on Rashford:

    “Rashy is available for maybe half an hour or so,” said Solskjaer. “Marcus injured his ankle and is not 100 per cent ready yet. But he’s ready if we need him. He’s a little bit sore but he’ll be okay if he has to [come on].

    https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/crystal-palace-v-manchester-united-team-news-ole-gunnar-solskjaer-selects-line-up?utm_campaign=ManUtd&utm_medium=post&utm_source=twitter

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      -has to-

      Come on Pog!!

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Poor management to bring him on tonight IMO. Should have learnt from the Lingard one

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Correct.

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Lingard had a muscle injury. Rashford just got a kick to his ankle.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Yes, but a weak ankle can lead to another injury quite easily. It is poor management to throw him on tonight. He’s not fit

    3. fr3d
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Need PogBrace so Rash stays on the bench

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He could really punish sellers over the next 3 GW's - Rondon & Barnes already blanked yesterday

    5. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Ankles are a funny thing, often a weeks rest will do the job coz theyve just been stretched then come back together & once the leaked fluid dissipates - they are fine. If they are is overstretched tendons then that's a different story.....

  9. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Liverpool 1-2 Watford
    My prediction. Just one of those feelings

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

      Get your money on then, big odds

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

      😮

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      That would not totally surprise me

  10. andrewe63
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Zaha and Gundogan differential picks for this evening.

    Anytime goalscorer doubles dabbled.

  11. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I was gonna sell Sterling before fire fighting Firmino instead. Ah well.

    Not hugely enthusiastic about a fernandinho less city anyway.

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Pellegrini's selection makes missing Fernandinho fairly irrelevant.

    2. drughi
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling has bournemouth and Watford coming up, blessing in disguise

  12. FPLGyarados
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck tonight, everyone

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck to you too!

    2. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      And to you mate

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      And you matey

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

    Auba Doesn't inspire me with confidence in that pick.

    Or his hairdresser for that matter.

  14. SweepaKeepa
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    This evening I will mainly be counting Fabianski saves. He loves to haul when he’s not supposed to.

    1. drughi
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      9 saves will do

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

        Possible... Managed that away at Arsenal, conceded three, and still got bonus.

    2. FPLGyarados
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I predict 7 saves

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

      Really does!

  15. Tomerick
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    This is gonna be a weird night. I have to spend it hoping that neither Lacazette or Sterling come on so I get Hazard and Schar from my bench.

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You benched Hazard at home?

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

        Other mids are Barnes, pogba, Jota, Sterling

  16. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Can Watford spring a shock tonight despite being completely written off????

    They have much more of a chance than the bookies are giving them

    Liverpool of late are a bit nervy/tired looking... recent hammer-blows of the defeat to Man City... Conceding three at home to Palace... failing to beat Leciester at home... failing to beat West Ham... A Chris Smalling shoe-size away from losing to an injury ravaged man utd playing with 10.5 men... 180 minutes without a goal...

    Now they are also Firmino-less

    Whisper it softly...

    But...

    Could there be a shock in the making?

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

      Maximus Propagandus 😆

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

      I hope we do, though have Salah captain so 7-6 ideally

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

      No

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

      This aged well.

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

    Thank you all who advised me from doing Son to Sterling for a hit.
    (It may still prove wrong but less likely now)

    Having said that, I'd definitely bring in Raz for Son now. He should start next 2 now right having sat this gw out

  18. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Arse goal?

    1. Cookie Kid
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Ozil

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      ?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Saw it was 1-0 on my bookie but no comment had been made here.

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

    Do your first Kun(t)

    Jk pls don’t do anything. Aubameyang do bits though

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

      Worst... dammit

  20. 420king
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Uh, the Arsenal game is not on TV 🙁

  21. SPorting
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Özil.

    Of course it’s Özil...

  22. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    ozil goal

    who got the assist

  23. DAZZ
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Kola assist.

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Happy Dayz

  24. 420king
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Kolasinac legend!!

  25. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Kola assist

  26. Homer21
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ozil...... lol

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

      Who?

  27. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Kola assist

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

    Wrong player but floodgates open!! 🙂

  29. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Kola assist

  30. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    kola assist, do one.