Dugout Discussion

Third straight league start for Bale as fit-again Zaha returns on Palace bench

Gareth Bale (£9.3m) has been handed his third Premier League start in a week, as the Welshman and his Tottenham Hotspur teammates prepare to face Crystal Palace in the final Gameweek 27 match of the day.

Kick-off in north London is at 19:15 GMT.

Bale, Harry Kane (£11.2m) and Son Heung-min (£9.6m) were bought by a combined 635,000 Fantasy Premier League managers ahead of this encounter with the Eagles, placing them all in the top 11 for Gameweek 27 transfers in.

That trio are joined by Lucas Moura (£6.6m) in the hosts’ attack, with Dele Alli (£7.4m) making way.

Ben Davies and Tanguy Ndombele (£5.9m) also drop to the bench, with Sergio Reguilon (£5.5m) and Harry Winks (£5.1m) recalled.

Roy Hodgson has made one enforced tweak to the side that began their 0-0 draw against Manchester United on Wednesday, with the injured James McCarthy (£4.3m) replaced by Jairo Riedewald (£4.4m).

That means that Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m) has to be content with a place on the bench despite recovering from injury.

Hodgson said ahead of kick-off:

He could give us quite a lot of time if we feel that’s the right thing to do but I didn’t really want to change the team from the last two performances, which have been very good. Of course, Wilf has been out a long time and hasn’t done a lot of training.


Tottenham XI: Lloris, Doherty, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Reguilon, Winks, Hojbjerg, Moura, Bale, Son, Kane

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Kouyate, Cahill, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Riedewald, Townsend, Eze, Ayew, Benteke.


DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 27 SO FAR…

Third straight league start for Bale as fit-again Zaha returns on Palace bench 3

Manchester City’s Double Gameweek 27 got off to an underwhelming start at the Etihad on Sunday, with the champions-elect’s cross-city rivals once again getting the better of them.

After much negative coverage of United and Bruno Fernandes‘ (£11.5m) recent record against ‘big six’ opposition this week, it was almost inevitable that the Portuguese playmaker would find the net; his second-minute strike coming from the penalty spot, naturally.

Luke Shaw (£5.1m) then continued his fine form by lashing in United’s second goal, which took him to five attacking returns in the last six Gameweeks – that’s two more than any other FPL defender over the same timeframe.

An improved Anthony Martial (£8.7m), who returned from injury at the expense of the absent Edinson Cavani (£7.9m), wasted a further two big chances as United caused City numerous problems on the counter.

Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) was a casualty of the victory, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying of the winger’s injury:

It is one of them. It was a great recovery run, a recovery sprint, he saved maybe a goal, so he sacrificed himself for the team.

It is something with his ankle I think. I am not a doctor but hopefully, it is not too bad. We will have to scan him in the morning.

Third straight league start for Bale as fit-again Zaha returns on Palace bench 2

United’s backline once again shone on the biggest stage: six of the Red Devils’ 10 clean sheets this season have come against Chelsea (twice), Liverpool, Man City (twice) and Arsenal.

City had their opportunities, with a misfiring Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) wasting the best of them, but they were due a sub-par display and it duly arrived on Sunday.

There was some encouragement for Ilkay Gundogan (£6.2m) owners, with the German, getting into some promising shooting positions without capitalising on any of his four attempts.

He and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) were among the City assets who for once were not quite at their best and the worry now, of course, is that rotation will strike for what is the most appealing of their two Double Gameweek 27 fixtures in midweek.


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1,372 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bale to come off now and let Son do SOMETHING... pleaseeee!

  2. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is a better pick for BGW29

    A. Joel Veltman
    B. Dan Burn

    1. Mighty Wings
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

        Thanks, why?

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone please?

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lamptey has had yet another set back so he's nailed. Been playing well according to Brighton fans & good stats.

  3. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Salah Firmino for Bale Vardy worth it -4?

    Yay or Nay.

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

      Vardy? No

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy loves Sheffield United

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

      Bale Richarlison maybe?

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        got Calvert just punt trying to make ground messing up my cap this week

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy (c) this week is a lovely shout

      Mega differential & he won’t stay quiet forever

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        yep this what I am planning if I did it not many with have him

        1. Ange Ball
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          will sorry *

      2. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He is quiet because Barnes and Maddison are missing, not because of bad luck

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He’ll be grand - Iheanacho doesn’t have Maddison & Barnes & has smashed it last in 2 games (and he’s half the player of Vardy)

          Vardy goes through these little divots every now & again & generally explodes out of them

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

            Have to disagree, he isn’t healthy and doesn’t look right; without mad/Barnes I wouldn’t buy for 6.0

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I think he'll be fine - nice long rest in the run up to the game, quiet of late & will be absolutely chomping at the bit to put SHU to the sword to get back into the golden boot race

              Lovely captaincy shout especially with Kane & Bruno both having quick turnarounds after Thursday night europa's + Salah & KDB having midweek champs lge

              Can see a treble return tbh

  4. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Absolutely amazing how Spurs have demolished Hodgson's
    Werther's Original XI...

  5. Kermit Special
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Son been very frustrating to own recently. Always dangerous on the eye test but is now being over shadowed by Bale now.

  6. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Zaha post

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I was on Kane for a while but that Southampton fixture for City was just too tempting. You know they could easily collapse.

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

        Yeah cant be too hard on ourselves, it was a DGW afterall

  7. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Zaha post

  8. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Zaha post

  9. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Switched over to the golf at half time.
    What have I missed?

  10. Kaneyonero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Zaha post

  11. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bale 1.67% ownership in top 10k

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Casuals 😉

  12. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Zaha so unlucky

  13. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bale rested, Son chances incoming

  14. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lamela Sissoko on
    Winks Bale off

  15. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bale rested

  16. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Zaha post, he said don't sell Bruno.

  17. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Did Luke captain Bale again?

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Said he was going Cancelo on Blackbox.

    2. Viper
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

  18. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bale will take a penalty if they get one now for the Hattrick instead of Kane 😉

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Never minds 😆

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

      He's off.

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

      From the bench?

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not from the bench he won’t

  19. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bale off, time for Kane to catch him in the BAPs, or am I just being greedy?

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

      I can’t understand how he isn’t on 3

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

        Goals must be worth a lot more than assists

    2. Ejaaz11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If palace score then Kane will get winning goal baps and bale will go down by 3 so there a small chance Kane can get all 3 baps

  20. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benched Shaw and sold Kane for a hit. I am not well

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Now this I do not believe.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Benching Shaw is one thing but why sell Kane for a hit before palace?

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

      I get benching Shaw.
      But selling Kane?

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Zing

    4. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Impossible

    5. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sold Kane? Why?!

      A lot have benched Shaw.

    6. Big Mac 24
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sold Fernandes as part of -12 and benched Shaw. Bale in as part of that hit, plus Antonio who’ll score well tomorrow, right....

    7. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I brought Son in cause Barnes was goosed, so needed to make funds for Son. Also had plans to possibly go for KdB this week or next, but alas it's all gone terribly wrong

      30+ point swing

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Unlucky.

        1. Clintymints
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Damned if you do and damned it you don't this season

          Play safe and don't make transfers and it doesn't work, be more aggressive and make them and it still doesn't work

          It's pretty rough!

          1. DycheDycheBaby
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Absolutely that is the story of my season.

      2. Big Mac 24
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Fhk

  21. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thursday night Bale so.

    Hold off!

  22. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone remember the grav website? My pic has disappeared

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gravatar

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gravatar

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

      http://Www.gravatar.com or something

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gravatar.com

  23. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane be like friendship with Son ended. Bale is my new best friend.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Alright Bebo.

  24. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Cancelo gone into the bad books or should he be safe for midweek now?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn't surprise me if he misses out but could also see him being switched to the left.

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

        Zinchenko was good today

    2. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m looking to sell him for a Chelsea DF

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

      I would be surprised either way, easy to rest him before CL, either midweek or against fulham

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

        Wouldn’t *

  25. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is a better pick for BGW29

    A. Joel Veltman
    B. Dan Burn.

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      Can you give reasons please

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

        Look on the FPL site, threat etc filters

  26. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Catching Bale before the imminent price rise

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Chasing last 2 weeks' points?

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

      No brainer

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Be quick, he's going up tonight

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ditching salad so not too concerned ... will wait until day before deadline at earliest.

    5. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What could go wrong

  27. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Son wide open on the left and Kane blanks him for Doherty 😆

  28. Bounce
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Unrelated to FPL, but if you want to feel old... the creation of YouTube is closer to the 80's than it is to 2021.

  29. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    4 goals scored in a premier league game......what is this witchcraft?