Dugout Discussion

Sessegnon replaces the suspended Son as Potter rings the changes

The first of nine matches to take place on Boxing Day kicks off at 12:30 GMT, with Brighton and Hove Albion the visitors to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With this being the first of two Fantasy Premier League deadlines in the space of 48 hours, we FPL managers will be anticipating a shock benching or two today.

The damage isn’t too bad from a Tottenham Hotspur perspective, with one of Jose Mourinho’s two line-up changes being enforced.

Spurs’ appeal to get the Gameweek 18 dismissal of Son Heung-min (£9.9m) overturned has failed, so the South Korea international will now sit out the Lilywhites’ next three league matches – starting with this one.

Son’s place on the left flank has been taken by Ryan Sessegnon (£5.4m), who makes his first league start of 2019/20.

Eric Dier (£4.9m) drops to the bench, meanwhile, with Harry Winks (£5.2m) promoted to the starting XI.

There are starts for popular FPL buys Harry Kane (£11.0m), Dele Alli (£8.9m) and Serge Aurier (£5.1m), who maintain their ever-present Premier League appearance records under their new manager.

There are five changes for the visitors, however.

Shane Duffy (£4.8m), Ezequiel Schelotto (£4.0m), Bernardo (£4.3m), Aaron Connolly (£4.6m) and Steven Alzate (£4.5m) are all brought into the team, with Martin Montoya (£4.5m), Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), Davy Propper (£4.9m) and Neal Maupay (£5.8m) dropping to the bench.

Lewis Dunk (£4.7m) is absent from the matchday squad altogether as he is suffering from illness.

Christmas-led rotation is perhaps only one of the reasons for Graham Potter’s tinkering.

Albion look to be adopting a three-man central defence, with Potter perhaps having witnessed the joy that Wolves and Chelsea got against the Lilywhites when playing a similar formation recently.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Winks, Sissoko, Lucas, Dele, Sessegnon, Kane.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Ryan, Schelotto, Webster, Duffy, Burn, Bernardo, Stephens, Mooy, Gross, Alzate, Connolly.

1,772 Comments Post a Comment
  1. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    best captain for next GW?
    I am thinking Varddddddyyyyyyy locked in

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

      Vardy could be rested.

    2. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers both, out of the loop lately...

    3. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Salah c, Mane VC
      Atleast one will play

    4. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ings maybe if benched vs Chelsea and given the easier Palace game at home

  2. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Alli EO?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      55% in the top 10k

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      55.3%

    3. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Deli come and me wan' go home?

  3. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Spurs lucky, shocking in defence but not as shocking as Brighton

  4. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    That Son red card is so annoying, now every man and his dog own KDB and his effective ownership is above 100%!

    1. Dont give a fuchs
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Except Mourinho's. He died last night unfortunately

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same as last GW only 2% higher. Was the obvious captain choice this week

  5. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Top 10k EOs of popular captains
    KDB 106%
    Vardy 105%
    Lund 97%
    Abraham 66%
    Alli 55%

    No one else higher than 35%

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sorry rashford 45%

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

      So basically, if you own KDB, Vardy, Lund then don't worry. It is your other players who are going to gain you OR this GW.

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        It's my other players that worry me.

      2. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Unless you captained KDB or Vardy like I have

  6. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    It’ll be interesting to see how much Sissoko is pushed forward again today.

  7. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I should've capt Mousset. Already, felt bad about not doing Jota to Kane and captaining... My ML Rival has Kane C, Rashford and Sterling. Taken Mane and Vardy out. Could be interesting

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not 100% clear he'll start though, reckon McBurnie will stay on given he scored

  8. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bloody hell Brighton are bad all over the pitch

  9. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Oh piss off... Maupay benched. Great start

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bad luck

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      As expected

  10. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Oh f me it's raining. Won't score now, will they?

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

    spurs blank confirmed. Never bank on the early kickoff.

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I did captain Vardy earlier against Saints and didn't regret it 😉

  12. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sessegnon misses easy chance but offside

  13. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    This will be 3 or 4 to Spurs, Brighton worst team I've seen so far

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You haven't captain Spurs player and we get it

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

        What do you mean? I genuinely think it will be, have Alli so could be great for me

  14. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy most C player again......

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Quite rightly. A must win game if they have any notion of winning the title.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Lol

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      My closest rival benched him lol

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        An astonishing decision but it's possible that it might be inspired. Is he a Pool fan?

        1. beric
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Nope hes birmingham like me, hes played cantwell over him...seems mad to me

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Well let's both hope that he gets severely punished. (Foxes fan so ulterior motive)

            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Im with you man!

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

        Lots of people have benched him

        1. beric
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Its not like pool are known for keeping clean sheets..

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Just shows the poll on here means nothing?

  15. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Brighton playing far too open. They’re gonna get thumped.

  16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Ryan (BOU)
    B) Gazza (nor)

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Rust Cohle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B. No doubt.

  17. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Moura doesnt help Kane/Alli pursuit of returns.

  18. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Alzate close

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bless you.

  19. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Spurs looking really bad, can't see them keeping a CS today 🙁

  20. pedro-tacuara
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Brought Sterling (C) and Pogba. Time to own up to my own decisions and gut feelings, not worrying too much about the pack.

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nice.

  21. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Brighton clueless without Maupay

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Will come on for a point then

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Resting for games that they can actually win. Like ings will be later.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Spurs were there for the taking, mentally unstable team

      2. beric
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Nah ings will start and score

  22. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    C stats in the top 10K:

    Abraham 17.56%
    De Bruyne 16.76%
    Kane 12.98%
    Rashford 9.92%
    Vardy 9.29%
    Alli 9.03%
    Salah 6.16%
    Mané 5.14%
    Lundstram 2.53%
    Grealish 2.19%
    Sterling 1.73%

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Stats from top 1.78M please.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Only casuals in top 10k at this point..

  23. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Too much turkey for Spurs?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Need Bruce Gobbleaar in goals

    2. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It sure seems so for now...

  24. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    This is bizarre:

    #8 ranked player in the world (finished 104th overall 2 years ago) has BENCHED VARDY this week........and started Maddison.......what could the rationale possibly be?!?!

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      few too many glasses of Prosecco maybe

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy red card incoming

    3. Joey Barton and Friends
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      that does seem very odd. We will find out tonight. (I benched Maddisson so hope he's wrong)

    4. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I hope that's an awful decision.

    5. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thinks Maddison outscores Vardy and he can steal a march on Vardy's huge ownership

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        That is a helluva bet

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

      Possible Vardy benching.

    7. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bizarre
      Maybe thinks vardy wont start and will get a 1 pointer. Strange though.

    8. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Super weird

    9. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He's playing to win, betting against Vardy

    10. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe he read too much into Rodgers comments that Vardy can't play all 3 matches and was experimenting and forgot.

      The logical pattern would be play, rest, play though for Vardy...

      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He wont bench vardy against liverpool

    11. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Maddison winner incoming

  25. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Keep up the good work Harry son!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Make Woy sexy again

  26. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any Chelsea leaked lineup? Really hope Tammy starts

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sure he will

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Michy time

  27. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    There must have been a lot of problems around Eriksen since he is not getting playtime.

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Think it's formation as much as anything - 4231 and no place for him as Mourinho wants pace on the wings and Alli has the no.10 spot

      They are really missing Eriksen's creativity though

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

      He is leaving next month

    3. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      his problems are personal in nature

    4. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I know, just play him because he is a good player. TBF Jose has no problem subbing him on.

      Beginning to think there is a match start bonus clause Levy doesn't want triggered.

  28. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    C'mon Harry...ruin Potter's day!

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Clever, but no.

  29. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Gdmmit. This is why it football shouldn't be on boxing day. Those Christmas feast surely will its toll on the very next day.

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

    glad I moved the armband from overrated LOLiii