Dugout Discussion

Mount, Pulisic and Ings benched as Boxing Day rotation strikes

There are six Premier League matches kicking off simultaneously at 15:00 GMT this afternoon.

Aston Villa v Norwich City, Bournemouth v Arsenal, Chelsea v Southampton, Crystal Palace v West Ham United, Everton v Burnley and Sheffield United v Watford are the half-dozen fixtures in question, with two more games to follow later this evening.

The headline team news perhaps comes from Stamford Bridge, where there are benchings for Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Danny Ings.

Frank Lampard has seemingly stuck with a 3-4-3 for the visit of Southampton, with Fikayo Tomori again lining up at centre-half.

Marcos Alonso, the suspended Mateo Kovacic and Mount drop out of the team that defeated Spurs, with Jorginho, Emerson and Callum Hudson-Odoi promoted to the starting XI.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s alterations both come in attack, with Ings and the injured Shane Long replaced by Che Adams and Michael Obafemi.

Bjorn Engels, Frederic Guilbert, the injured John McGinn and Conor Hourihane make way for Aston Villa, with Ahmed El Mohamady, Ezri Konsa, Marvelous Nakamba and Trezeguet recalled.

Norwich City are unchanged.

At the Vitality Stadium, Jack Simpson, Callum Wilson and the fit-again Steve Cook replace the suspended Diego Rico, the injured Simon Francis and the benched Philip Billing.

Mikel Arteta makes three changes from the side that started the goalless draw at Everton.

Sokratis returns from suspension and replaces the banned Calum Chambers, while Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil oust Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe from the starting XI.

Mamadou Sakho returns from suspension for Crystal Palace, with Cheikhou Kouyate moving back into midfield and James McCarthy dropping to the bench.

Max Meyer replaces Christian Benteke in attack.

Neither Lukasz Fabianski nor David Martin have recovered from injuries, so the much-maligned Roberto starts between the posts for West Ham.

Pablo Zabaleta replaces the suspended Ryan Fredericks at right-back in the Hammers’ only other change.

Carlo Ancelotti makes two changes for his first match in charge.

Seamus Coleman and Bernard start, with Tom Davies and the injured Alex Iwobi dropping out.

Robbie Brady replaces the suspended Jeff Hendrick for Burnley, while Jay Rodriguez is in for the benched Ashley Barnes.

There is one change apiece for Sheffield United and Watford: John Fleck is back from suspension and replaces Luke Freeman for the hosts, while Nathaniel Chalobah is in for the banned Abdoulaye Doucoure for the Hornets.


Aston Villa XI: Heaton, El Mohamady, Hause, Konsa, Targett, Nakamba, Douglas Luiz, Grealish, El Ghazi, Wesley, Trezeguet.

Norwich City XI: Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Hanley, Byram, Tettey, Trybull, Buendía, McLean, Cantwell, Pukki.

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale, S. Cook, Mepham, Simpson, Stacey, L. Cook, Lerma, Gosling, Fraser, C. Wilson, King.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, David Luiz, Sokratis, Saka, Xhaka, Torreira, Nelson, Özil, Aubameyang, Lacazette

Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Rüdiger, Zouma, Tomori, Azpilicueta, Kanté, Jorginho, Emerson, Willian, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Soares, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Højbjerg, Redmond, Adams, Obafemi.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Kelly, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Kouyaté, McArthur, Meyer, Ayew, Zaha.

West Ham XI: Roberto, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Snodgrass, Noble, Rice, Fornals, Antonio, Haller.

Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Digne, Sidibé, Sigurdsson, Delph, Bernard, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

Burnley XI: Pope, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Brady, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Rodriguez, Wood.

Sheffield Utd XI: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McBurnie, McGoldrick.

Watford XI: Foster, Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenía, Capoue, Chalobah, Hughes, Sarr, Deeney, Deulofeu.

1,485 Comments Post a Comment
  1. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wow Deu so tempting with those fixtures

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yep. He was excellent vs United but without any points.

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

      Save yourself the headache and don't. Has 3 goals in 19 gws. This isn't his season.

    3. Tsssst
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not as a striker on the game

  2. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    get Mousset in at HT!!

  3. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pukki yellow, last man foul

  4. One More Hit
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I'll be lucky to get 20 points at this rate

  5. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Alli to be my only FPL return today?

  6. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If I didn't know any better, I'd say Obafemi was the 16m signing.
    Che needs to take his chance and show his quality today, or risk being
    Bench fodder for the rest of the season. His physical attributes doing him good so far, but desperately needs a goal.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ralph always liked Obafemi. Has energy and speed about him. Shame he got that injury.

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Agreed, love the lad. Starting to really grow as a player under Ralph!
        Preseason, Ralph commented how Mikey needed to be more serious in fitness training, and how had to show he was committed to the club. Seems like he has taken the advice in stride!

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

    Love that Sheffield clean being wiped, get innnnn therrree.

    1. MITHRRANDIRR
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ya loads of Lundy and Hendo double-ups.

  8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    This makes benching the Lord so much easier for next 2

    So he will probably get at least one 20-pointer in there

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

      Just keep, the hauls easily balance the blanks.

  9. SB007
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Tammy hurt

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hudson Odoi, actually.

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

      CHO mate and not even similar ha

  10. SB007
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Tammy ok

  11. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Good thing no one was actually stupid enough to captain Lundstrom

  12. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    First time Lundstram owner.

    You're all welcome.

    1. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks

  13. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    First 2 goals and my 3 cs gone 🙁
    This week couldn't start better.

  14. Hands Guber
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Snoooooozefest so far. Yikes.

    1. FPL_Sponge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not Bournemouth vs Arsneal

  15. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pukki yellow

  16. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    It’ll be a Boxing Day Goal fest they said. Ultimate day of football they said.

    Who is this They bloke anyway?

    Would be some nice odds on BOU, SOU and WAT being ahead at half time!

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Goals being saved for Wolves 3 - 7 Man City tomorrow night

      KDB breaks the FPL scoring record with 3 assists and 4 goals

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        That would be totally glorious as a KDB capper!

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          It’s happening 🙂

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I need it I tell you!

            We have a long wait with all the other captains playing today!

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This!

  17. FPL_Sponge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Josh King big chance, amazing run and ended up 1 on 1 with Leno from a tight angle

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Perhaps Southgate will take notice of him

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

        Haha love this every time

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Can you have a word with frank and explain to him how good Pulisic is so that he starts playing him again!

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          They look toothless. Willian cannot be relied upon. Frank is still a rookie Prem manager who still makes selection mistakes. And he seems to have a weird understanding of the asset he possesses.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Get him on at HT

            1. Yank Revolution
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              That would be the wise thing to do. Let's see if he's a wise man or a foolish one!

  18. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Heaton save point

  19. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Well done Vardy and KdB cappers...

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The games aren’t finished yet

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

      Thanks but a bit early for that

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The formula is simple. We just over-think it.

    4. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      *Rashford

  20. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Torres magic capped pukki

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Who?

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

      Torres "lost his" Magic.

  21. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Danny Ingured?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No. Rested.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No. Rested

    3. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rest. Can't risk tempting date and playing him.
      We're doing fine so far, aren't we 🙂

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Not bad 😀

    4. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No. Hes on the bench for Rovers

    5. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rested like Vardy will be next GW

  22. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sheff Utd pen...

    1. Burger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Come on Lund 😎

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Norwood scores it...

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Baldock assist

  23. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Lund to take?

  24. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Norwood G (penalty)

  25. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Tammy not touched the ball

  26. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who assisted?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Baldock, I think.

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Think good old none

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Oh yes it was baldock ffs who my cup opponent owns obviously

  27. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Sidibe nailed or is Coleman rotation a risk?

    1. Big Ping
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks like hes now playing OOP...

  28. KAPO KANE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bloody get Mount on!

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      THIS

  29. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I'd do anything to take my captaincy off Rashford and put it on Alli

  30. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hendo assist?