Dugout Discussion
21 February 2021 2309 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Having been leapfrogged by Leicester City earlier in the day, Manchester United will attempt to go back to second in the Premier League table at Old Trafford this evening.

A win over visitors Newcastle United will do just that and keep league leaders Manchester City within ten points’ reach, following a win for Pep Guardiola’s troops in the late-afternoon kick-off.

The last of four Premier League matches to take place on Sunday gets underway at 19:00 GMT.

Daniel James (£6.2m) and Nemanja Matic (£4.7m) are brought into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI tonight.

Both of the United manager’s changes from Gameweek 25 are enforced, with Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) and Scott McTominay (£4.9m) missing through injury.

Mason Greenwood (£7.0m) is again only among the substitutes, with Anthony Martial (£8.7m) preferred up front.

Steve Bruce has made just the one change to the Newcastle side that lost at Chelsea last Monday as Joelinton (£5.7m) replaces Dwight Gayle (£5.9m) in attack.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) is the second-most-popular captaincy pick of Double Gameweek 25 overall and within the top 10k, trailing Patrick Bamford (£6.9m) in both instances.

Selected by the vast majority of the top 10,000, Fernandes’ effective ownership is, once again, in excess of 100% – so any return means a small red arrow for those who own the Portuguese midfielder but haven’t captained him.

LINE-UPS

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Willock, Hayden, Shelvey, Joelinton, Almiron, Saint-Maximin.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fred, James, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 25 SO FAR…

Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m) made a swift return from injury at the Emirates this afternoon but couldn’t add to his season’s goal tally of 11.

The German started and finished the game in his now customary ‘number eight’ role but he, and City as a collective, never really clicked in an attacking sense in north London.

Not that Pep Guardiola’s side really needed to get out of second gear, with Arsenal failing to capitalise on some threatening positions in the final third and mustering only one shot on target in the entire game.

This was City’s 15th clean sheet of the season and their 13th in the last 16 Gameweeks.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) made his first start on his return from injury as a ‘false nine’ and provided some typically incisive through-balls, while the advanced Joao Cancelo (£6.1m) again saw plenty of penalty-box action and wasted a glorious chance to double City’s lead when toe-poking wide from 10 yards.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) was the visitors’ match-winner, nodding home Riyad Mahrez‘s (£8.1m) second-minute cross for his 13th attacking return in his last 14 league starts.

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  1. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    The Paraguayan Messi is a joy to watch

  2. DangerFC
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    On wc would really appreciate a bit of advice.

    Which of the following would you rather have in your team?

    A. Madison, barnes, watkins, gundo
    B. Madison, saka, gundo, vardy
    C. Kdb, barnes, saka, maja

    Cheers lads appreciate your input.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes Saka Gundo Vardy

  3. @persecuted_by_mods
      5 years, 1 month ago

      What competition did Dan James win? Fastest at school egg and spoon race?

    • FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Interesting numbers on DCL
      He’s scored 8 of his 13 goals away from Goodison. Scored in his first 3 home matches (5 goals) and none since
      Mirrors the form of the team really.

      So blank vs Saints, hat trick vs WBA incoming?

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Looks a great option, I def want to get him. Not sure you can read too much into the home/away thing. Could be fixtures or fitness play a part in that stat

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yeh could bring him in alongside Ings and Bamford no Kane as a somewhat differential. Would be 3rd time owning ha

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Same here on owning for third time!

    • istanbul05
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Currently ranked around 3k and considering quite an aggressive -12. What are your thoughts on:

      Coufal, Raphina, Grealish, Bamford to Konsa, Barnes, Son, Watkins (-12)

      Would be playing my BB and in theory getting 3 extra games, not even including Grealish to Son. Would have 5 GW29 players, which I could get up to 7-8 with transfers...

      Martinez, Pope,
      Cancelo, Dias, Dallas, Mee, _____,
      Salah, Bruno, Gundo, _____, _____,
      Ings, DCL, ____.

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        considering something similar myself

      2. thegaffer82
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Can’t really argue with the transfers. -12 is a big hit, but you obviously know what you’re doing with a 3k rank.

      3. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I’d take Watkins Bamford off

        1. Bobby Crush
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Agree. Watkins doesn't fill me with confidence, also Grealish out.

      4. wantsharptv
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I'm thinking similar but a -20...

      5. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        in theory i suppose b boost will pay for the transfers, in regards to gw 29 you would be taking out 4 gw29 players, and bringing in 3?. im also currently around the 3k mark, trying to get b boost out of way, keeping gw 29 in mind to ! (no fh), good luck

    • Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      AWB sighted. Still awaiting his 1st touch of the match

    • el polako
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Martial looks like someone who don't really want to be professional footballer.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          5 years, 1 month ago

          It's like Willian for arsenal, at this point only the managers are to blame

          1. el polako
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Slight difference- Willian is at the end of the road, he only found mugs to give him contract.

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Ofc, I mean more the how the hell are they still getting minutes part

                1. el polako
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Agreed, it is baffling.

          2. Zladan
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            He is trash. Want him out my club.

        • Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Martial = John Cena. Yo can't see him.

          1. Bobby Digital
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            More like Kevin Bacon

          2. Zladan
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Are you blind? You can’t see me? Why you coming fast?

        • michaelington
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Really don’t rate Dan James. Headless chicken. Don’t think he’s cut out for premier league level.

          1. michaelington
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            He’s obviously going to score now.

            1. Bobby Digital
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Ha

            2. michaelington
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Haha no way!

            3. Hybrid.power
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Lmfao!

          2. Butcher
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Lol

          3. Zladan
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Do it again!

            Slander Martial.

        • Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Joelimping

        • Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Which combo would you prefer?
          A. Son Raphinha Watkins
          B. Son Barnes Watkins (-4)
          C. Barnes Raphinha Kane (-4)

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I like C

          2. DangerFC
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I like c aswell.

          3. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks both

        • rnrd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Has Bale time arrived?
          I thought he was really sharp the last two times he came on.
          Spurs need a to make thing happen and it looks like he could be the man to blow some kind of new fresh air in the spurs side.
          A bit punty but quite a great differential

          1. Towsor44
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Ballsy!

        • Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          James goal

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Good boy

        • Londongeezaa
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          That Bruno assist 🙂

        • Dannyb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Seriously, how many chances does Solskaer need to give Martial before he realises he's utter garbage. Just chuck Diallo in there and give him a go.

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            And play Rashford up front? noooo

            1. Dannyb
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I'd prefer Rash up top than Martial.

        • Make United Great Again
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Bruno assist

        • Zilla
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Bruno possible assist

        • Duke Silver ☑
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Lukaku assist.

        • FantasyTony
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Salah to Dan James for a hit?

          1. Jindaljain
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yes

        • Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Get in Bruno, never in doubt

        • Zladan
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Bruno pointssss

        • Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Goals from players no one owns!

        • Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Classic Bruno assist

        • jdoyle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Its given

        • FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I hate Bruno.

          And I own him

          1. TheDragon
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            So much this

          2. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Sell him then

        • Bubz
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Did those celebrating Bruno assist captain him?

          1. Duke Silver ☑
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Only people that captained him should be celebrating that 😆

          2. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            No, but had him continuously since GW2 so feel I should celebrate it anyway 🙂

            EO certainly needs a fix somehow

        • @persecuted_by_mods
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Did he definitely touch that? Didn't get a good enough look

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Ah who am I kidding highly owned player only has to look at the ball for an assist

                1. Duke Silver ☑
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  In fairness he did touch it.

              • Paganoi
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                He did.

              • BeWater
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                He definitely touched it.

            2. OneDennisBergkamp
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              which players are you liking that have a DGW26 and dont blank in 29?

              (basically Spurs, Villa & Fulham)

              1. Jindaljain
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Spurs

                1. OneDennisBergkamp
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  who specifically outside of Son & Kane?

            3. Jindaljain
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Salah to Lookman is differential next week

            4. dunas_dog
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Who would you rather keep for weeks 26 and 27- one needs to go for Barnes to afford Kane DCL

              A Salah ( shu, CHE, FUL)
              B Sterling ( WHU, WOL, MUN, SOU)

              1. Pat Bonner
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                In isolation I’d still have salah. There will be lots of rotation with city but would still have 3 City - prefer combination of kdb gundogan stones Dias cancelo.

                1. dunas_dog
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Cheers- would need extra transfer to get third City player ( Dias) if taking out Sterling but in double week may be worth additional-4