Dugout Discussion

Saiss benched and Doherty returns as Santo continues to rotate Wolves starting XI

Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Crystal Palace in Monday’s late kick-off, with play getting underway at Molineux at 20:15 BST.

Nuno Espirito Santo continues to tinker with his starting XI and has made three changes from the side that drew 1-1 against Burnley.

Romain Saiss (£4.8m), Ruben Vinagre (£4.1m) and Diogo Jota (£6.0m) are the men to drop out, with regular wing-backs Matt Doherty (£6.5m) and Jonny (£5.5m) returning along with Leander Dendoncker (£4.4m).

Saiss’s benching is a notable one from a Fantasy perspective: the Moroccan sits in just over 6% of FPL teams overall and in 35.11% of the squads in the top 10,000.

Dendoncker appears to be playing at centre-half this evening as a result of Saiss’s omission.

Doherty sits in more than one in two of the teams within the top 10,000, with Raul Jimenez (£8.1m) – starting his 36th league game of the season – boasting an ‘effective ownership’ of 50.63% among this group of leading managers.

Crystal Palace have made two changes to the side that lost 2-0 against Manchester United in Gameweek 36+, both of which are enforced through injury.

Patrick van Aanholt (£5.6m) is replaced by budget FPL defender Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m) at left-back, with Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.4m) coming in for Luka Milivojevic (£6.4m) in midfield.

Not one of Palace’s starting players has a double-digit ownership in FPL and there is negligible interest within the top 10,000.

Jordan Ayew (£5.1m) has the highest ‘effective ownership’ among these managers – and his ‘EO’ is only 0.19%.

The Eagles are on a six-game losing streak, a sequence of results that has seen them ship 15 goals and score just twice in reply.

Wolves have kept clean sheets in eight of their last 12 games, by contrast.


Wolves XI: Patricio, Doherty, Dendoncker, Coady, Boly, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Traore, Jimenez, Podence.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Dann, Sakho, Mitchell, McArthur, McCarthy, Schlupp, Zaha, Ayew, Townsend.

1,538 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pulisic in for Saiss! I'll take that!

    1. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Don’t get why so many benched Pulisic

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        surprised also, Pool havent been exactly tight at the back and Puli vs TAA? lol

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Did you play a 4 back this week?

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yup

  2. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I am thinking of escaping Pep roulette but will wait for team news.

    Here is what I may do

    Have exact cash...

    Sterling to Mane
    Jesus to Auba
    -4

    Patricio
    Dunk TAA Doherty Aurier
    Salah Mane Dilva Martial Fernandes
    Auba

    Could play Greenwood instead of Aurier.

    Let's see how it pans out before deadline!

    1. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wow big moves, good luck

    2. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bold. My Hero 🙂

  3. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any Sterling capers?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Next GW

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Salah!

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This

      2. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Triple Salah here

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Reckon you are in for a motherhaul mate...

    3. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nope. Got burned last week...imagine it will be the same this week.

    4. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’m here haha hopeful

    5. FPLHaggis
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      O/

    6. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nope Kane me but I do have Sterling

    7. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Salah

    8. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He will be up to all sorts of capers.

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

      He once ordered some hookers for Kyle Walker during lockdown...

  4. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you start Doherty or Azpi next GW?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Az

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yep

  5. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Play or hit?

    A) Pulisic (WOL)
    B) Mahrez (NOR) -4

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B all day my friend

    3. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wait and see if Mahrez plays vs Watford and how Pulisic performs vs pool

    4. Uncle Gamst
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Chelsea have more to play for and then there's Pep rotation, all for -4. I think I'd play Pulisic.

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  6. Uncle Gamst
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sat through that match expecting Saiss to come on for 1 point, welcome to my first XI Serge 🙂

    Also have Dunk & Pope, so no baps but hopefully TAA will start against Chelsea

    1. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      "Sat through that match expecting Saiss to come on for 1 point, welcome to my first XI Serge"

      Same

    2. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same re Serge for Saiss

  7. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope Tark Doc Son Ings and Jimmy all give me something.

  8. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lascelles > Jonny worked out a treat this week.

    Doherty and Jonny kicking off my GW in style. Now for the big boys and Rashford(c) to turn up!

  9. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    7 Clean sheets in 6 games, time to go 4/5 at the back??

    1. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Time to go? Lol! It’s the last week mate..the time to go was weeks ago!

  10. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Dohertys 12 points (even though I took a -4) has me going down majorly in rank!!

    25k to be exact wtaf?

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

      All the big players have returned so far this GW.

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yes, but except for Kane the returns were not eye watering

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Top 10k has had 4.5 players played - presume you have less?

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Highly owned with active managers

    4. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’m on 18 from 3 players

      6K tank drop, hurts but 8 to go + cap can turn it around

  11. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Likelihood of starting tomorrow?

    A. KDB
    B. Jesus
    C. Foden

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Will Sterling start?

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I doubt it

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          But why he has only started 2 of the last 4 games

          1. Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Because it's Pep and I think he'll start Foden in this one! But that's just my opinion!

        2. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          He’s more likely to start than Jesus

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yes

    2. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A) 50%
      B) 40%
      C) 80%

    3. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Everyone is very nervous but personally I see:

      Bilva XX KDB
      Foden Jesus Sterling

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Think only one out of Jesus and Sterling will start, probably Sterling

        1. AYLD28
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          People forget that Pep could easily play Jesus on the right side with Sterling down the middle

      2. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I could do with any one of TAA, KDB, bruno, sterling, foden, martial or rashford being rested to bring pieters off bench. So for all you who are panicking about line ups, you can guarantee that ALL of them will get at least 1 minute cameo. Dont think I've had one bencher coming in for a good haul all season.

        1. AYLD28
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I’ve got Stephens coming off the bench for 8

          But city have an annoying habit of bringing on for 1 point. I just want Sterling to start or be completely benched

      3. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Looks like I’m an ITK account

    4. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      50%
      90%
      50%

  12. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on FH team?

    Martinez

    Bardsley / Pieters / Long

    Salah / KDB / Fernandes / D Silva

    Kane / Aubameyang / Jesus

    Subs: Martin / McCarthy / Braithwaite / Thomas

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You'll be fuming when Maupay scores, but it's a fantastic front 7.

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        *Connolly

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      nice

  13. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Captain next week

    A. Sterling
    B. Dilva
    C. Jesus

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      See after Watford...

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      See early team news which 1 who starts

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers everyone

  14. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    33, 6 to play- all got points so far.

    Onto the free hit.

    Got 2 plans, all revolves around the city lineup

    Without Sterling + KDB

    GK Pope
    DEF TAA*, Tierney, Aurier*
    MID Salah, Bruno, KDB*, Silva(c), Antonio
    FWD Auba, Kane

    Subs (Martin), Greenwood, Peiters, Lamptey.

    With Sterling and no KDB

    GK Pope
    DEF Robertson*, Tierney, Williams*
    MID Salah, Bruno, Sterling*, Silva(c), Antonio
    FWD Auba, Kane

    Subs (Martin), Greenwood, Peiters, Lamptey.

    Both leave 0 in the bank. How's the free hit looking?

    Thanks

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not certain about Antonio

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Why not. He’s on fire

  15. battlecat
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So, first FH draft. What do you reckon?

    Martinez
    Robertson, Pieters, Bardsley
    Salah, Martial, D Silva, Antonio
    Auba, Kane, Jesus

    Martin, Dendoncker, Williams, Watts

    Too much up top?

    1. Seamy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Similar to a lot of FH drafts... Not that that’s a bad thing

      1. battlecat
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I guess it’s too early to make any decisions. I thought the FH would pick itself a couple of weeks ago. Fat chance.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have pretty similar draft (Sterling over Antonio and Aurier as first def over TAA/VvD to finance it).

      1. battlecat
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        How the Jiminy Christmas do you afford that?!? You must be made of money.

  16. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Getting nervous about Sterling (c) now, he isn't starting is he?

    1. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Doubtful. Played the whole game in the cup.

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        So did Jesus, can’t see him resting both

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        But has been rested previous?

    2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’d expect he would start and Jesus turn to be rested as Jesus started loads of games in a row now

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He will probably start, and I’m hoping instead of Jesus. Don’t see why he wouldn’t start

    4. FPLHaggis
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He traditionally rests Sterling in the easy home games and likes to play him in most away games. But that doesn't mean much for tomorrow. Nothing to be done about it now anyway

  17. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Was sitting 96k.. only have doherty playing today, and that's resulted in 2k rank drop!

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It’s very odd isnt it given his 57% EO

      Think top 10k must have and 2+ players playing tonight’s so it’s still a huge win for you

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yea, if I was higher up I wouldn't have been as surprised with small drop, just thought that at close to 100k, id have at least seen a green arrow!!

  18. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Another VAR error 😀

    Bunch of Stevie Wonders in them booths.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 9 months ago

        What was the error? Missed all the games

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

          Unintentional handball before 1st goal.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            I was scared 😀
            Had the gone for VAR ...

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

              Was fully expecting it 😆

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Could have REALLY done with Saiss getting a run out tonight

    3. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No Ballon D'Or to be awarded this year which will be a first since it's inception in 1956.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Strange call ..
        Football is underway..

        Maybe something I'm missing

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          what leagues got called off? Maybe thats why

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

            French.

        2. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          They reckoned it wouldn't be fair as some leagues have been scrapped or curtailed.

          I think Messi would have won it again if they were to award it.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Okay.
            Lewa VVD Ma e KDB should be ahead of him this season IMHO.

            1. Ógie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Yeah i can see how you would have fancied them.

              If City manage to win the CL then possibly KDB could have been robbed of the Ballon D'Or which would be a real shame as hes certainly of that ilk.

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

        Typical of Jordan Henderson’s luck 🙁

      3. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cause Barcelona aren’t having such a good season

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Messi is

            1. El Presidente
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              No he´s not.

        2. Jordan.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          next year then benteke

      4. Earwicker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Auba or Kane? Was going to stick with Auba because of golden boot but Palace look like they're there for the taking.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yes, Kane is a must now imo.

      5. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Greenwood 1st bench will come on for Connolly.

        Aurier 2nd bench will come on for either Jesus, Sterling or Dilva lol.

      6. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Jimmy owners getting what they deserve at least tonight... Not much else to celebrate with only Doherty involved considering how many capped him

      7. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        How are Jonnys Baps so low?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Not as involved as Doherty

          1. TheDragon
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Goal and clean sheet and he is barely getting 1. Seems oddly low

        2. FDMS All Starz
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Quantity of passes and the lack of tackles and miss placed passes

        3. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          He had a shocker in the 1st half!!

      8. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I got TAA coming on for Saiss. Jammy goal and CS incoming?

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

          Assist and no CS

          1. Egg noodle
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Booo

        2. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I get Fernandez 6 pointer

          This honestly might be my first ever ‘haul’ I’ve got off my bench this season

          1. Egg noodle
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Better late than never aye. Yeah even i dont think I've got anything decent off the bench this season.

      9. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Which one?

        A) Vardy to Jesus
        B) Willian to DSilva
        C) both for -4pts

        Cheers guys

        1. FDMS All Starz
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          B then A If Jesus’s minutes are managed vs Watford then I’d be tempted by the -4 but vardy could do well vs Utd defence

        2. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          B

      10. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        6pts per player on my bb team atm, happy with it, 2 cs tonight, thanks Boly and Fernandez

      11. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Egan to Pieters for -4?

        1. The Senate
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          could easily backfire

          1. Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            I think so too

        2. Egg noodle
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          It's the last GW. Don't worry about hits, just enjoy it and do what you like!

          1. PompeyUpNorth!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Well said!

          2. Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Cheers mate!

      12. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Pope
        Wan Bissaka Trent Doherty (Egan Basham)
        DeBruyne Pulisic Salah(C) Fernandes (Armstrong)
        Aubameyang Ings Greenwood

        Wan-B+Pulisic for Aurier+D.Silva??

        1. Crouching Tiger
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Wait for the games to finish.

      13. Hairy Potter
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Can TAA match my two other defenders, Doherty and Pieters, this GW?

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I reckon so