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. SPorting
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    56.
    Red arrow.
    Keep on keeping on.

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

      I’ve just got my 8th green arrow in a row. Falling out the top 3k tonight. Disgusting season

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

        Not far behind you mate

    2. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      56 and red? you must be high ranked

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

        2600 now

    3. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Surely a green, that's a good score ain't it. Thought I've had a big week but only on 65

    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I got 59 and expecting green.

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

        Here’s hoping

    5. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      59-4
      Same

  2. EL tridente
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Jota to Mane for a hit?

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

      no

  3. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Glad I caught it all live in the end. I'd have been FUMING had I just seen the FT 5-0 scoreline only to discover Salah only scored 6 (C)

    1. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      We all failed the challenge ? 😉

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Challenge?

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

    What to do with Auba and Son!

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

      4-2 score first half of the season.

    2. Shakshuka
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy + Haz?

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

        Have considered it. Or Higuain+Hazard.

    3. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Kane and Mhki?

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

        No. Preparing for 31.

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          FH

    4. Pooodle
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Tempted to ditch them for Higuain/Vardy and Sterling this week...

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

        Higuain and Sterling(c)?

      2. mr. inconspicuous
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Might go Vardy and Sterling myself

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

    Bookies took a hammering tonight!

  6. Ludde
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Who to transfer out? Preparing for GW31
    A. Son
    B. Pogba
    C. Lloris

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

    Son > Hazard -4?
    Only 1 FT and set on doing Auba > Higuain.

    1. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      yeah why not

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

      not for hit

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

        unless ur planning on taking hits before 31 anyway

    3. Pooodle
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't

  8. CarsonYeung
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance of Auba keeping that one bap he has pre deductions?

  9. Richd
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    64 points is only a small green in the top 5k. Insane.

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

      How would you know?

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Livefpl rank mate. Checked mine

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

          Ah, gotcha.

    2. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Just few points above average, so it makes sense

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Small green in top 20k too

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Exactly same score as me... I’m slightly below top 5k.... about 210k below 😆

    5. Pooodle
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'm pretty surprised to be dropping 7k places with a score of 51. FFS.

    6. Madmag
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I got 61 and only moved 300 places

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

        Oops 68 after bonus

  10. One More Hit
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Changed captain last minute to Aguero, so at least that worked out. Gutted I didn’t do Son > Mane but proof if ever it were needed you need to play your own game

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

      I was going to do that, but Rashford, Firmino, AWB injuries put paid to that.

  11. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Auba > higuain a no brainier?

    Did higuain look good tonight?

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

      Definitely not a no brainer, but I'm tempted. Didn't want tonight though

    2. JIMMY TUGGINS
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Not really but I'm still probably putting him in. It's him or Vardy.

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Did you captain Doherty in the end pal ?

        I really wanted too but dodged it

        1. JIMMY TUGGINS
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Certainly did! Wasn't even that annoyed, it was more like laughing in a dark room by myself. He missed a huge chance at 0-0, scraped to 43 (-4) with that.

          1. Richd
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Ah gutted for you

            To be fair you had the guts to do. I’m impressed ! Makes the game more fun and it’s only 2 less than Salah anyway !

            1. JIMMY TUGGINS
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              And same as Sterling who I originally planned on capping before the 120 min, I'm trying to decide Captain early and stick to it unless there's injury news, I always find it hurts more when you switch last min and do worse.

  12. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you rather have lads
    A- Mané
    B- TAA
    C- Van Dijk
    Have Salah and Robbo

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

      C

  13. Pooodle
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    What a ridiculous season.

    51 points, no hit, captain Auba comes in with an ok haul, none of the other big hitters go crazy, and yet I'm forecast to drop 7k places from 53k to 60k, my lowest rank of the season.

    Just no idea how to turn it around this season. So frustrating.

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I have 38 with Sterling Pogba Son Salah(C) Rashford Jimi Aguero and Kosc scored a goal

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

        join the club

    2. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You're hardly having a disaster bud. Luck comes and goes.

      And if you have all your chips left you'll smash it.

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

        Thanks mate. It seems weird but most seasons I start slowly and then you constantly feel progress the whole season rising up the ranks. I've found this season way much tedious starting off in the top 40k in week 1 and then trying to cling on week by week with tiny moves up and then down.

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Lol it's a slow torture. And a bad gw is like a kick in the nuts.

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

            Especially when it doesn’t feel like that bad a Gameweek but then everyone has more points!

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

      53 points (potentially), and looking at a rank drop from 108k to 115k.

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

        Rough - there's been so many explosive scores from random unexpected players this season that each week it's so hard to gain any ground

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

          Indeed. It's really a difficult season to predict.

          My season has been one step up, two steps down. Managed a 57k ranking in GW20, but straight down to 103k the following GW. And I still can't get inside the 100k.

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

            My high was 14k in GW16, since then I’ve only had 2 greens and now down to 60k. Death by multiple paper cuts!

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

              Man, that's brutal! Only getting two green arrows since GW16 is quite incredible really.

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

    Red arrow again down to 19k no Liverpool defence killed me!

  15. SM001
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is Salah worth hanging on to for 13.5m?

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

      yep

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

      Thats what we’re all wondering.

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

      I swapped him out earlier in the season for Mane, it was fine for a while and then Salah got a hat trick and it cost me. So I’m bitter about that and holding for now. Mane and Vardy or Salah and Success though, seems a no brainer but I can’t do it.

    4. nach248
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I asked myself the same question before xmas and transferred him out. He immediately punished me with several double-digit hauls. As much as I am very tempted to get rid of him, I won't be making the same mistake again.

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

        Hi got both Salah and Mane now. Captained Kun. Will sell Salah after gw31.

    5. Duka
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      nope

  16. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Should I wildcard or is there a better time to do so?

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

      mate

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

      the latter

  17. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Who to ditch to bring in TAA:
    Shaw or AWB.

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

      Awb

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

      My bench is currently AWB, Puncheon and Success so I’m swapping AWB. If he was fit I’d swap out Shaw.

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Awb

  18. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Will Auba be benched Saturday?

    If he plays I'm tempted to keep for another week.

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

      Good chance he plays but he's typically rubbish against the top 6

  19. MikeLowrey
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    AWB > TAA or Rich > Mane? Have Salah & Robbo

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

      b if planning for 31

  20. jia you
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    At least I benched Trippier's -1, sell for Luiz or god forbid Alonso!

  21. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    All set for next week. Who would you give the captain and vice? How about the bench order?

    Patrício
    Robertson, Doherty, Alexander-Arnold
    Sterling (bou) / Pogba, Martial (SOU) / Hazard, Kanté (ful)
    Agüero (bou), Higuaín (ful)

    Boruc | Solanke (MCI), Digne (LIV), Clyne (MCI)

    1. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Bench id have Digne first

      Sterling cap
      Haz vice

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

      digne first haz cap personally

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

        Cheers guys. This was my first instinct, but I maybe overthought it given Liverpool's result today and RMT doesn't fancy Digne at all.

        1. Richd
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Best attacking threat of your whole bench I’d say !

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

            Fair enough 🙂

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling 100%

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

      Can we just have a little time to digest this G/W please.

      tx. I scored 66 but am feeling a little flaccid tbh.

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

        Get over it. Onwards and upwards! 😀

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

          I bought some on-line Viagra and it just made my hair stand on end.

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

            How will you know where your thingy is?

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

              When my daughters best friend comes round.

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

                Your brother then

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

                  What's he got to do with it?

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

        how did redmond captain go?

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

          Average_ But I had Kun first on my bench who got the same!!

          VVD __The Man Mountain.

    5. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Haz or Hig C, VC Sterling

    6. MTPockets
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Hazard, Pogba

      • fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I will own Raz and Haz. Tempted to captain Haz since Bournemouth are tough-ish at home and Fulham garbage everywhere but that's about all I know.

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

          I think Chelsea have in them to absolutely thrash Fulham. My concern is that they won't turn up again, since it's not a rival team.

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

            I usually don't do regret and stuff when it's this close between the captaincy choices. So fairly relaxed about it. There's no way you'll be convinced about a choice by the weekend unless Sarri says Haz is tired and out or whatever.

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

              True. I'm fairly similar too, once the decision is made. I'll keep flip flopping up to that point though 😀 Higuain atm

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

                Probably the best pick.

      • Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks all

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

      Recently Salah looking 4th or 5th most important Liverpool asset!?!

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

        no

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

      So my transfer this week was trippier peltier to kola and chilwell for a hit as I have a bench that doesn’t play

      I was weighing up between chilwell and TAA. Made the wrong choice.

      On the bright side I own VVD and mane.

      Bitter sweet week

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

      Pogbap?

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

      66 all out. Getting Kun (c) in for a hit proved the right call. Chuffed even not that high of a score but a massive captain differential in my ML which gives me the lead in it for the first time this season. Yay!

    11. Peter O'Hanraha-hanrah…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Are there more DGW fixtures to be added to GW32? If so anybody know what games?

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yes there will be more added. I don't think we can predict for sure who.

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

      Difficult captain decision next GW - Salah, Agüero, Sterling, Pogba....

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Aguero easy for me

      2. el polako
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Hazard

      3. EMBOLOFAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        im a salah permacapper

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

        If you got sterling it has to be done

      5. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Sterling

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

          Leaning that way - but Kun in form , though

    13. jason_ni
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Was going to bring in hazard for this gw, May go for sterling now for next 2 weeks, can always bring haz in for 31, currently have 8 for 31.

      A)sterling for next 2 week's, switch for 31
      B)hazard and stick with him

    14. mr messi
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Will TAA play, is he worth bringing in?

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

        Nah might have lost his place today

        1. Richd
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Haha 🙂

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

        no mate he’ll be dropped for james milner after getting motm and 3 assists

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

          I did a lol at this 🙂

    15. Firminooooo
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Tripper(-1), Laporte(Anderson2), Rashford(1) to Vardy(7), Pereira(2), TAA(18) for -8 gave me + 17 points. 72 points(-8). Happy days.

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

        Nice mate!