Dugout Discussion

Cooper return sees Struijk drop to Leeds bench for Yorkshire derby

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has made just one change to his side for the Gameweek 30 meeting with Sheffield United.

Captain Liam Cooper (£4.3m) returns to the starting XI for the first time since Gameweek 27, named alongside Diego Llorente (£4.4m) at centre-back.

With Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) reestablished in midfield following a positive international break, there is no place in the team for Pascal Struijk (£4.0m).

The budget defender drops to the bench for the first time since Gameweek 14, having only missed the Gameweek 27 defeat at West Ham through injury.

That will be of some disappointment to Struijk’s 5.6% ownership considering Leeds’ latest opponents Sheffield United are the Premier League’s worst goal-scoring side on the road this season.

In 14 away matches, they have found the net just six times, working out at 0.4 per game.

Stuart Dallas (£5.1m) will be relishing this afternoon’s encounter though, considering more time on the bench for Mateusz Klich (£5.2m) should make for another outing at central midfield alongside Tyler Roberts (£4.6m).

The 13 goals conceded by Sheffield United in their last six matches has put some of the Fantasy focus on Raphinha (£5.7m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) this afternoon.

They are the differential captains among the top 10,000 Fantasy managers for Gameweek 30, earning the backing of 3.6% and 3.2% at that level respectively.

Gameweek 30 Line-ups

Leeds United XI: Meslier; Alioski, Cooper, Llorente, Ayling; K Phillips; Harrison, Dallas, Roberts, Raphinha; Bamford.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale; Stevens, Jagielka, Bogle; Osborn, Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram, Baldock; McBurnie, McGoldrick.

Gameweek 30 so far…

West Bromwich Albion executed a shock win at Stamford Bridge in the lunch-time kick-off, making a mockery of recent claims about the Chelsea defence.

Matheus Pereira (£5.3m) and Callum Robinson (£5.2m) both found the net twice in a shock 5-2 win, Thomas Tuchel’s first Premier League defeat after a streak of two goals conceded in 10 matches.

The Baggies were helped by a sending off for Thiago Silva (£5.6m) in the first half but were arguably the better side throughout.

There was mixed emotions for those invested in Chelsea, whose line-ups are increasingly becoming as hard to predict as Manchester City’s.

Antonio Rüdiger (£4.7m) was benched for the second time in three Gameweeks and remained there for the duration while Mason Mount (£ was also among the substitutes, although the midfielder came on to grab a second-half goal.

While Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) beat the Tuchel Tombola as predicted, he ended the afternoon with just three points.

He did add plenty of attacking threat, hitting the post twice and coming away with an assist but he lost two points due to the number of goals Chelsea conceded.

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Matheus Pereira
  • 2 – Callum Robinson
  • 1 – Mbaye Diagne

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767 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    SHU scored yet?

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      On its way- and four more to follow!

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      SHU to shut Leeds out , hair on the floor ...

  2. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Bloody joke really. You couldn’t write it that the week everyone moves in bulk for Chelsea defenders they crap the bed after being so solid for 14 games.

    Ffs. FT wasted and now Stones probably gonna haul on my bench

    1. fusen
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      This is much more likely to be a one off than a permanent collapse. Anyone with a Chelsea def that isn't Alonso is probably still going to do well in the future

      1. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        May be a blessing in disguise. Wildcarders to avoid Chelsea D

        1. fusen
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          I'm wildcarding in 31 and I'm going to still double up. This was a fluke result. The historical data Vs better teams shows they are a good defence

  3. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Nearly Raphinha OG !

  4. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    So I missed the Chelsea match, anything interesting happen 😆

    I see Silva got sent off...was that the reason for this scoreline?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Yes

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      No, completely deserved by Baggies.

      Brilliant goals and play against a possession team.

      Textbook.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Diagne worth considering on WC? Will mostly be benched in a
        3-5-2 though.

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Yep. Fixtures okay for the next 4.

          I like Pierra too.

    3. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Alonso should have hauled , he ended up helping West Brom to haul

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Dodged a bullet there. He was supposed to be my pre-WC punt.

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Seriously, us non owners should have suffered but hey ho on we go

        2. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Missed a 'sitter' before goal, his assist could have been his goal and then hit the post in 2nd half.

  5. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Wow. Just logged on. Guess my Johnstone to Mendy swap went...poorly.

  6. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Bamford Dallas combo nearly

  7. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Gotta say, I'm extremely happy with my decision to captain a Chelsea defender this week :-p

  8. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Guess no one will be arguing that FPL isn't mostly luck after that then . . .LOL

    1. fusen
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      It isn't mostly luck. It's about 60/40 decision making / luck

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Yes, West Brom were so lucky to score.
      x1
      ... x2
      ... x3
      ... x4
      ... x5

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        It’s more the fact the performance came out of nowhere

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

      How does one result define the entire game?

  9. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    1-0

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Harrison G
    Raph A

  11. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Harrison goal
    Rafa assist

  12. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Raph assist come on!!

  13. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Harrison G
    Raphinha A

  14. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Captain assist 😎

  15. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Lol, was alway gonna happen....

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Who did you captain lad?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        ‘Arry

        Good call on Raph Roja

        Transfer this week was Veltman > Rudiger, dodged a bullet and now have Cresswell coming on

  16. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Well that softens the blow a tiny bit

  17. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Raph is so good. Really happy to have capped him. Let's go!

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Nice call

  18. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Looking ominous for an absolute rout here.
    Cue no more goals or a Sheffield Utd come back.........

  19. Salan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Raphinha should at least get 3 attacking returns tonight.

  20. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Advantage to you Hazz

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Plenty of time!

  21. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Bottled raph cap

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      P*ssy

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Yep, you are right there

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          :mrgreen:

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Oooh, an 1 assist captain . .awesome. Unless you had a Chelsea defender I think you're still in with a shot.

  22. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Getting a Chelsea def over Raph this week is going to be punishing, can’t catch a point atm!

  23. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Congrats to Raphinia Captainers. On course to match Pereira

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Poor jinxing attempt this is

  24. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Raph (C) lovely

  25. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Good start Raph...keep going!

  26. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    What are people doing with Leeds people players after this week, especially those who are gonna w/c?
    City, pool, utd, tot in next five, then good fixtures again after that

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Holding both attackers probs I think

      They did score against all three of those early season. Jus the defence is an avoid I think

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Same here I think, Dallas raph bam owner

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          The one I might move on is Bamford to Iheanacho - but I've got plenty of other things to fix so might well not bother

          1. Gizzachance
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 12 months ago

            Could be a good move with Leic fixtures

    2. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Getting rid of Bamford and Dallas but keeping Raphina as 5th mid. Bamford easy to get back when fixtures turn good again.

      Great time to get rid / bench Leeds and get Wolves / Leicester assets instead as a differential.

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Cheers, thinking along same lines, as you say, easy to get back

  27. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Phew

    Jack Harrison is still decently ahead of him on overall returns for the season. Has anyone ever owned him?

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      He's a casual pick do I'd hope noone here has

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      No chance, group think won’t allow us 😉

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

      My brother got Harrison during the double a whole ago and I got Raph. I kept telling him it made more sense to go for Raph and he ignored me. At the time I came out massively on top.

      Raph is a better player over the same minutes.

  28. fusen
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    As a Raph captainer, surely more than an assist is needed realistically to try to make sure the score betters what Kane will get?

    Great start obviously but more is now needed.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      You would think an assist is a bit of a nothingburger ; but better than nothing.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Who knows , happier as a Kane captainer though

  29. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Alonso(c) fail thanks to Grandpa Thiago and Werner

    GW already ruined cant even enjoy triple leeds now

    1. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Captaining Alonso who was not nailed and is a defender was always a stupid decision

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Not nailed but plays 90 mins or doesnt come on

        Plus if u watch chelsea alonso is not a defender but gets points for a defender which is a bonus

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

      Captaining a Chelsea defender always risky with WBA's record against them

  30. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Worst case scenario I thought was Chelsea conceding a freak goal and my Azpi getting 2 points. Oh how I was wrong. This season...

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Same every season, that’s football! Always a dead cert that breaks an accy