Dugout Discussion

Saka passed fit to feature as Aubameyang keeps his place in Arsenal starting XI

The two remaining Blank Gameweek 29 fixtures take place today, starting with West Ham United v Arsenal.

Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 15:00 GMT.

It’s mostly positive news on the teamsheet front concerning the most-owned Fantasy Premier League assets on show.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) was omitted for disciplinary reasons in the north London derby last weekend but he returned to the Arsenal starting XI in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday and keeps his place this afternoon.

The Gabon international looks set to be deployed on the right flank in east London, with Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) still leading the line.

Aubameyang is one of three players who are recalled to Mikel Arteta’s line-up after missing out against Tottenham Hotspur, with Pablo Mari (£4.4m) and Callum Chambers (£4.5m) returning to the defence.

Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m), Gabriel (£4.9m) and Cedric Soares (£4.6m) are all benched.

Willian (£7.5m) misses out through injury but Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) has made a swift return from the hamstring strain that forced him off at half-time of the win over Spurs.

There are two changes for the Hammers from the side that were beaten by Manchester United last week.

Club captain Mark Noble (£4.5m) and young defender Ben Johnson (£3.9m) are benched, as loanee Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) and Said Benrahma (£6.0m) return to David Moyes’ starting XI.

Pablo Fornals (£5.9m) is still sidelined.

Having operated in a more conservative wing-back system last weekend, West Ham look to be back in a 4-2-3-1 this afternoon.

Lingard and Aubameyang were both transferred in by over half a million Fantasy managers ahead of the Gameweek 29 deadline.


West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Lingard, Benrahma, Antonio.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Chambers, Mari, Luiz, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

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2,005 Comments Post a Comment
  1. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WH could push Leicester all the way for 4th - it could be mighty close after GW30

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      We have a horrible end to the season - I wouldn't be surprised to see us do exactly what we did last year.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You do don't you

        Hate to see you miss out again. But I fear it now. Neutrally West Ham would be great too

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Possibly...

      Let's see how this pans out...

  2. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Remind me to never go bold with the captain again. Literally everyone else in the team gave some return, but I had to be the maverick one and go with Dallas, because why the freaking not.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Risk v Reward

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

      He could still match Kane.

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

      Plenty of different captains hauled. Lingard, Raphina, Bamford, Trossard. I’d have put all these ahead of Dallas before the GW begun.

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m with you on that one, saw the potential with Dallas OOP against a low scoring team and if they didn’t score from that corner I didn’t see then scoring at all. We just caught a bad break. First and last time all season I’m going to captain a defender though that’s for sure

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

      It’s all luck. I went with Trossard and that type of decision has backfired several other times

    6. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I captained Dallas in GW25 and still haven’t stopped telling people .... better to be bold than follow the herd if you want to have stories worth telling

    7. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think it’s picking the right week to go different and then the right player. For Dallas thinking Leeds keep a clean sheet and an attacking return is a bonus wasn’t a bad call. This week far is showing going different could have been a good call with so many just picking Kane.

  3. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    played cresswell over velt.

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

    Auba is such a waste of money, but fixtures are so good

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

      He stay for a looonngg time.

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

      Assuming he actually starts those fixtures considering his last two performances now.

  5. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No og rightfully against big Thomas

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

      It just changed to OG on FPL.

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I love when people make statements like that when we all know things like this can and regularly are changed.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      OG it is

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

      It is confirmed rightly as OG

  6. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Happy with my lingaard punt so far over aubameyang. Was surprised to see the score when checking. Took a -8 for dunk, lingaard and creswell. Paying even so even without hammers clean sheet

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

      *paying off so far

  7. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Such bullshit. Got Lacazette as captain and Soucek. As close as a zero-sum game as it gets. Cant catch a break.

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

      You got an assist for Laca missing the target...

      +1 overall...

      1. Drogo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        ....

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

        Yep, he should have been on zero, and you have fluked an assist.

    2. hueycho
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wow thats crazy, hopefully second half will work out better for ya

    3. Drogo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lacazette denied on goal-line. This game....

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

    Tbh people only got Auba on FH cos too much money itb, myself included lol.

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

    Imagine benching JLingz 🙁

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

      Really hope Son starts to block those jambags.

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

      That’s me!

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

      So glad I went with my gut instinct and got him over aubameyang touted on here

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

      Ole kepst playing Martial when Lingard was there all along.

  10. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Average non FH team on 30 points in the top 10k
    FH average is 49 currently

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

      If spurs win big it’ll even uo

  11. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Saka looks like he has aged five years since the start of the season. He is going to be a beast of a player.

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Needs to get his shooting boots on, or imagine he started for a side with a true striker

  12. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys soucek own goal or laca goal?

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

      OG A

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

      OG

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looked like an own goal.

    4. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      From FPL Twitter

      After review, the Goal Accreditation Panel have awarded Arsenal’s first goal as a Tomas Soucek own goal

      Alexandre Lacazette is therefore awarded the assist

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

    FPL updated Soucek two goal one either end 🙂

  14. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I own 0 Brighton and 0 WHU... 😐

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ouch

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have 3 of both but 1 from each are benched (Sanchez and Antonio)

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

      wtf?

  15. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I don't think Auba is in my thinking for the WC anymore.

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

      Maybe just one week punt vs Sheffield, and ship to Salah.

  16. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    In short - Feck off Arsenal - you are shite

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Love Saka tho.

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tbf, what the F were those goals.

  17. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Using FH this week was useless 😉

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

      Probably with Bamford, Lingard, Raphina goalsas all are owned by many. Only gain really was the Brighton boys.

    2. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      People said this was a nothing game week, I didn’t have my FH but played my WC and have already jumped 20k to 32k overnight and continuing up JLings Laca and triple Brighton defence with triple Spurs attack... be bold when others are fearful and be fearful when everyone is bold or something like that, one hit next week and I have the WC team I wanted anyway

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

      I forgot the deadline was Friday afternoon, otherwise I would have done Son and Diagne to Bale and Maupay with my 2FT.

      Ended up with 6 active players, unless Son plays.

      At least I had Veltman, Raphina and Bamford.

  18. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The only thing I did wrong this week seems not captaining Trossard.

    Hope Kane at least has a goal.

  19. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    OMG Soucek!

  20. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No willian on bench thank goodness

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He’s your top assister.

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

    Soucek just casually poking in Antonio’s (c) goal -_-

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

      The header was going wide without Souceks touch

  22. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    JLingz outscoring Salah this week.

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

      Sold Salah for lingz!

  23. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lingard (C) but I’m on 37 points (-12, lol)

    Gonna need even more from Lingard with that point hit.

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

      Me also -12. I am happy on my decision to take massive hits.

  24. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Soooo I guess it looks like the Lingard and Antonio double up will make the WC squad at this rate

  25. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone have a theory why West Ham is doing so well? In a league full of competition I really don't understand their success. Similarly to Sheffield last season.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      useful players who are playing up to their potential under a good manager - is there anything more to it?

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

        Some not so useful ones in there too

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Moyes is SAF in disguise, SAF and Sir Bobby was right all along when they picked him over Pep, Klopp or other great managers.

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The Rice and Soucek combo in midfield works so well, could argue they’re the best duo in the league right now. Throw in Lingard, Benrahma and Antonio and that’s a fun and exciting forward line, Dawson coming in seems to have revolutionized that defense as well. They just look like a team that works together

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Moyes.

    5. Salan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Their players are not bad. Not similar to SHU.

    6. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They don't have their fans in the ground their fans hate

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

      Bit like Sheffield United last year or saints a few year back (or first half of this season).

      No Europe distractions, well coached defensively and momentum behind them. Players chipping in with goals all over the team.

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

      Not sarcastic answer.

      Moyes is basically replicating the success he had with Everton, with this WH team it is basically the same team he had.

    9. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They finished last year well. Antonio up front with quality players in behind like Lingard, Bowen, Benhrahma, etc. Built on a really solid defence. Rice and Soucek are a wall in the midfield and a really strong defence. Good balanced system

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

      Seriously. Before the year confidence was insanely low.
      I think that the structure of the team is genius. So solid in the back and middle. Allowing Cress, Coufal and Soucek to push up when they choose.
      Then the creativity up front has been working out, even if on their own none of the attackers have been amazing. Managed to find the right combo enough times. Lingard is like the cherry on top.

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

      Don’t worry they will sell Declan and be back in a relegation scrap again next year

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

    As Lingard (C), Soucek and Antonio owner that OG has really knocked me for six.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ouch 🙁

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why?

      You’ve got loads of points from those players!

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

      37 from the three of them at the half not enough?

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wish I had Lingard C 🙁

    5. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It cost me 8 points - Creswell -4, Soucek -3, Lingard -1

  27. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This week has been amazing. Lingz, Tross, Raph and Bam. Need a Villa CA to round it off. Blanks from Cress and Dallas don’t feel so bad when everyone else is banging in goals.

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

      Nice.

  28. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Very entertaining this match... shall we continue in the 2nd half boyz?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dave Portnoy is that you?

  29. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The Moyes effect, finally..

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Moyes transcended Everton and now West Ham. Not his fault man utd are a poorly run club

  30. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Steady on !! But 4th would be huge,

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      We're giving it a damn good go on this showing!!!