Dugout Discussion

Rodríguez returns on Everton bench as West Ham recall Coufal

Everton and West Ham’s matchday squads are beginning to edge closer to full-strength as of their Gameweek 17 teamsheets.

James Rodríguez (£7.7m) returns for the first time since Gameweek 11 although is only fit enough for a place on the Toffees’ bench.

For now, Bernard (£5.8m) occupies his slot on the right-hand side of Everton’s attacking midfield, joined there by Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m) and Richarlison (£7.8m).

How long until Rodríguez will be ready to start games regularly again remains unclear but Fantasy managers will certainly have him on their radars.

However, anyone invested in Michael Keane (£5.1m) will be disappointed by Carlo Ancelotti’s team selection in Gameweek 17, with the centre-back named on the bench for the first time this season.

Mason Holgate (£4.8m) tucks inside from his recent right-back role to staff the heart of the defence with Yerry Mina (£5.6m) with Seamus Coleman (£4.8m) making his first start since Gameweek 8.

It is a similar story with West Ham who, once again, feature Michail Antonio (£6.2m) on the bench, which makes for a seventh successive start for Sebastien Haller (£6.1m), but suggests they could be back to full-strength soon.

Fantasy managers will certainly have their eye on that situation, especially with West Ham’s appealing fixtures in Double Gameweek 19, where they host Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.

David Moyes has recalled Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m) to the line-up, having rested him against Southampton but Issa Diop (£4.3m) and Fabian Balbuena (£4.4m) remain out of the starting XI, Craig Dawson (£4.5m) impressing enough in his Gameweek 16 audition to keep his place.

Everton XI: Pickford; Godfrey, Mina, Holgate, Coleman; Doucouré, T Davies; Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Bernard; Calvert-Lewin.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Dawson, Coufal; Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Fornals, Bowen; Haller.

1,770 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I need 3 of my players to blank for climbing up in rankings, I hate this situation. With one player that's ok but three takes away all the joy of it !
    (EO of Salah, Bruno and Son is %111, %114 and %107 respectively)

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Doesn’t that only work when you look at them in isolation, i.e. if you own all 3 and they ALL return well, what are the odds that your opponents have all three too?

      With EOs close to 100%, I think you’d still gain an advantage.

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Weird conclusion

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      stop moaning. your OR is 45k

      1. Runaway
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        What is the threshold for moaning? 100K!

  2. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If I save a FT in gw18 so i have 2 for gw19, but then use my free hit, do i then have 2 available for gw20?

    Would I have 2 for gw20 if I used my FT in gw18, then free hit in gw19?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hello

      1. baines is god
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        lol

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No. FH leaves you with 1 transfer next GW regardkess

    3. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No, you always get 1 FT after FH

    4. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Free hit works like a transfer. If you have two free transfers and you play free hit, you will have one transfer next week. If you transfer out a player before playing free hit in the same week, free hit cancels that transfer.

  3. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    First f------ game of the new year and I already have a payer out injured in the warmup. Awesome.

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Who is your backup keeper?

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Steer, rip.

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          He was likely to get a 2 pointer anyway.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            2 points? Fabianski has been the save and bonus point king for about 5 years. Also Everton haven't been scoring that much recently.

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same. Got his 8 pts last week at least. Hope he can play the double!

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Was happy with the immediate return there after switching from Martinez, but the news of Martinez now having a double was a bit of a downer.

    3. Party time
        3 years, 3 months ago

        😆

      • OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        whAt? who is injured?

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Fabianski

      • Blzbobuk
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Snap screwed before th first game starts aaargh

    4. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Everton are going to be nice and fresh for this game after the Man City cancellation - can see a decent win here for them.

    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      LMS safety score currently -3

      Bruno 116, Son 112 Salah 110

      Son 37, Kane 25, Bruno 20

    6. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldnt activate FH yet. Imagìne all games being postponed because of covid. Ignore price rises !

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'm risking it. Yolo. They had their chance to suspend the league and they didn't. Waiting is 0.5m in team value and I can put that to really good use.

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          0.5 is nothing especially that you can afford to have 3 or 4 bench fodder on FH

        2. Kryptonite666
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          What’s your FH18 team Camzy ?

    7. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Noob question - Anyone else on wc? When’s the best time to pull the trigger ? Don’t Want to go early incase the league is cancelled? Do you generally take hits and then just wc button near deadline ?

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

        Wildcarding in GW17 is a relatively odd choice.

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

          18*

        2. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Miserable hazz is back

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

            It's not being miserable, you're just limiting the players than can be effective for you that week.

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Atm, last day WC would be best.

      3. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Best time was 30min ago. Pulled the trigger

    8. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Son, Salah, Bruno all with EO above 100%. So you can't cheer them if you haven't captained them.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Unless you enjoy football.

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

        Make FPL fun again.

      3. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        They arent even that essential. Grow some balls people

      4. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Fantastic! FPL at the very best!

      5. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        See my comment, top of this page.

      6. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Unless you're like me and you care more about mini-leagues than overall rank in which case it's good because people in my league don't have some of them.

      7. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        So I get to cheer if I've capped one? Who died and left the keys to the empire to you anyway? It's football, not fantasy ffs ..

      8. Top Dog
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Depends on your rank, can still move up with these players even if not captaining

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

          Still detrimental for your rank in the long run as the people ahead of you will be harder to catch

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            so the season is over?

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

              If Son and Salah haul, most definitely

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

      These are players for week 18. Could I get away with no FH. Could get couple in for hit but at prejudice of week 19 BB as would not have sufficient players to make worthwhile

      A Play as below
      B Raphinha and Mitchell to El Ghazi and Cancelo-4 and play with 9
      C FH

      Martinez
      Dias Mitchell
      KDB Son Bruno
      Watkins Brewster

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I only count Martinez, Dias, KdB, Son, Bruno and Watkins.

        That's only 6 players. It's not good enough imo. Compare your lineup to a FH team of:

        Leno
        Dias Cancelo Maguire
        KdB Fernandes Son Rashford Saka/Martinelli
        Kane Wilson

        I think the FH wins by a significant amount to justify its use.

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

          Thanks- appreciate the feedback. FH it is- really like that FH team

        2. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          yep, most will have Martinez/Kane/Grealish/Son. A 1-1 0r 0-0 and thats an disaster.

        3. Salan
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Fair comment.

          Only 6 players is bad. Even 8 is not good enough.

          Many here underestimated the damage and won by a FH.

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

        Wouldn't count Mitchell or Brewster

      3. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ofc you can count Brewster.

        He has returned 1 or 2 points in the last 12, and he will return that in BGW as well.
        Better than nothing, and if you -4 him out you need a cheapie returning 5-6 points.
        Who knows - he might even score...

        I am saving FH next GW, and I am starting BrewSTAR

        I don't count Mitchell unless he starts today

        1. Salarrivederci
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          starts this GW*

        2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          So true.
          Brewster also kind of due a goal that BGW. More wishful thinking, but let's hope hahaha

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

      Come on Soucek

    11. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm considering if it's even worth using Free Hit next weekend. I could field 11 after - 4 hit if Brewster and Mitchell feature.

      What do you reckon guys?

      1. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I wouldn't. I have 5 so I have to.

      2. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Depending on which players you have, looks like you can justify saving it.

      3. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        How many extra points could/would you get?

      4. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        sounds good.

      5. Runaway
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I can only field 9 and I will not. I assume it will be much more needed in BGW26. I would not use it with 7+ players as long as those 7 includes some essentials like Bruno, KDB, Kane/Son, City def, etc.

    12. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      After using my FT, I'll have this team for the BGW, can save FH right?

      Martinez
      Cancelo Dias Holding
      Fernandes Son Grealish Riedewald(1-pointer)
      Bamford

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        DCL not Bamford haha

      2. Runaway
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        G2G, save it

    13. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fabio did Adams to Watkins too - It gives me hope 😀

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Think he copied me, poor guy.

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I did the same and thought its a pointless transfer

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Gives me a chance to not FH.

        2. Bolasie Come Home
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Love the name!

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

        I had Watkins previously swapped to Adams after listening to the crowd but decided Watkins better Flp asset

    14. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Must have some sort of glitch on my laptop as it isn’t showing City as having a Dgw. So I went and got Holding instead of Diaz or Stones. So frustrating.

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not this week, the next week.

      2. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        city extra game confirmed yesterday. UTd also blank gameweek game. Holding still a good option! Unlikely City guys play both games in my opinion

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Soothing words. Thanks.

        2. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, Holding is a decent option in the short term. That’s who I’ve just transferred in.

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah got him in a few minutes before deadline thanks to the help of folk on here.

      3. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Brought in Holding also rather double-up on City def. Like Arsenal fixtures and have KDB & Aguero in the holster for their nice run

    15. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fabianski and Balbuena owners starting the Blank GW one week early.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        One step ahead

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Brutal

      3. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        good preparation

    16. Alexis Nonsense
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why is Fabianski benched?

      1. Blzbobuk
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not benched , withdrawn in last hour.

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He just got injured

      3. BeaversWithAttitude
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Injured warming up, apparently.

    17. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      FH Team first Draft, 0.0 left
      Comments welcome. Worth Swapping McGoldrick to Brewster to upgrade bench player?

      Ramsdale
      Tierney Holding Saiss
      KDB Sterling(C) Fernandes Grealish
      Kane Lacazette McGoldrick

      - Kilman Mitchell Stephens(Dale)

    18. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      We own 3/4 most captained do not total damage unless the 1 we don't own goes mental and the other 3 go AWOL

    19. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Any of the Everton defence nailed? Keane benched lol.

      1. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Coleman

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

        Coleman might be now that he’s fit

        1. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I don’t think Coleman is nailed at all. I think there’ll be rotation in our back 4. Only Keane and Digne nailed.

          Keane is rested tonight after getting a niggle in the last game.

    20. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Already regretting benching Coufal.

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        same

      2. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        sounds promising for my cresswell purchase?

      3. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why? Doesn't look like CS's likely.

    21. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Just saw Fabianski is out! That’s gotta hurt some who brought him in for the DGW

    22. beso
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      play with 8 players in next GW or use free hit ?
      will there be anymore blank rounds to save free hit for it ?

      1. Blzbobuk
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Save and yes. I have to use it as I have around 3 players.

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

        Depends who the 8 are

    23. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dawson slight injury would be nice for BB plans

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That’s a very heartless comment I must say

      2. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Any chance you could wish for a Son haul next? Ta

    24. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Currently have 6 players plus Mitchell for BGW18. Is it worth free hitting to get a full 11 or maybe go -4 to get 8 + Mitchell and save my FH for later?

      1. Patio Kev
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Depends who the 6 are.

        If they are the likes of Bruno, Martial, KDB, Sterling, Kane and Son then that’s fine.

        If it’s Targett, Dier, Pope, Kilman, Egan and Mason Holgate then you might want to Free Hit.

        It’s all about the Quality especially a decent Captain option and not the Quantity.

    25. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I guess Fabianski & Antonio will be well rested for the DGWs

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Fab is inj

    26. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fredericks out with COVID. Keep an eye on the rest of West Ham in the next week

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        They’ll have already been tested?

        1. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Incubation

    27. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Soucek goal would be wonderful

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

        This.

    28. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A lack of Digne & James makes DCL such rubbish pick. Hope he can prove me wrong

      1. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        And having Haller up front makes West Ham such a rubbish team.

      2. Londongeezaa
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I’m ready to ship him out.

        Bought cheaply but he just won’t haul.

    29. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cressy the only man safe

    30. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why is Cresswell overlooked for DGW? More nailed on and already has 5 assists

      1. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I don't want to pay 5.3 for a West Ham defender.