Dugout Discussion

Firmino return forces Jota onto Liverpool bench for Arsenal trip

Diogo Jota (£6.7m) is among the Liverpool substitutes for Saturday’s Gameweek 30 trip to Arsenal.

After the midfielder impressed on international duty following a goal in Gameweek 28, over 200,000 Fantasy Premier League managers signed him for the season run-in.

However, Roberto Firmino (£9.0m) has frustrated Jota’s 6.4% ownership by making his first start since returning from injury.

The Brazilian missed each of Liverpool’s least two league outings but was declared fit and available by Jurgen Klopp in his Friday press conference.

The rest of the Reds’ starting line-up provides fewer shocks, with Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) and Sadio Mané (£11.8m) either side of Firmino.

Andrew Robertson (£7.1m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) are the full-backs with Nathaniel Phillips (£4.0m) paired with Ozan Kabak (£5.0m) for a fourth Premier League start from the last five.

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) and Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m) have not passed their fitness races for Gameweek 30, left out of the Arsenal squad today.

Martin Ødegaard (£6.0m) is able to hang onto the number 10 role at the Emirates Stadium while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m) and Nicolas Pépé (£7.6m) provide the width for Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) up-front.

Mikel Arteta continues to shake things up at the back. He has now named a different centre-back duo in eight of Arsenal’s last nine Premier League matches.

Rob Holding (£4.2m) and Gabriel (£4.9m) get the nod today with Kieran Tierney (£5.3m) and Calum Chambers (£4.5m) at left and right-back respectively.

Gameweek 30 Line-ups

Arsenal XI: Leno; Tierney, Gabriel, Holding, Chambers; Partey, Ceballos; Aubameyang, Ødegaard, Pépé; Lacazette.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Robertson, Kabak, N Phillips, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Thiago, Milner; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

Gameweek 30 so far…

Pep Guardiola was arguably the key man in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Leicester as he rang the changes.

Ilkay Gündogan (£6.1m), John Stones (£5.3m) and João Cancelo (£6.1m) were all benched for Gameweek 30 and, thankfully for their owners, none of them took to the pitch for one-point cameos.

Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) emerged to get a second-half assist while Phil Foden (£6.1m) replaced Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) in the 88th minute and was unable to involve himself in the goals.

Ruben Dias (£6.1m) kept up his run of starts, making his eighth in a row and capitalising on Manchester City’s 17th clean sheet of the campaign.

Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) got his second goal of the season while Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) now has four in his last four starts.

Meanwhile, this match was also notable for the return of James Maddison (£7.1m) coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Marc Albrighton (£5.2m).

Provision bonus points

  • 3 – Benjamin Mendy
  • 2 – Gabriel Jesus
  • 1 – Aymeric Laporte

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

634 Comments Post a Comment
  1. M00N
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Bagels

  2. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    9 pts from 4, thank you very much 🙁

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Don’t be bragging on here - especially this week 😉

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        😆

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Try 9 From 4, -4 = 5 🙁

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        Damn, I bragged accidentally 😛

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      I'm an early fixture specialist

      Almost invariably nicely up after first 3 fixtures but it never lasts. Think I might swap your 9 for my 15 (4 plus captain) given my track record of creeping failure

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        My world, the community are in desperation after 2-week break 😛

    4. SomeoneKnows
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Same here, only I've got Coufal coming in for Stones and no other playing bench (Gundogan & Cancelo) with Grealish and Bale yet to supposedly play... 🙁

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        Yeah, slightly better here with Lingard and Konsa on the bench. Move on to next week 😛

    5. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Same - bringing in Azpi and benching Lingard for him will likely hurt

  3. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Lingard off the bench for Gundo.

    Benched Cancelo anyway.

    Fine for this week, but time to move them on?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Monitor their minutes mid-week. Cancelo and Gundo could be great picks GW31

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      M Pereira 😉

    3. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      I ditched Stones and Gundo last week - at best they’d only play 3 from those following 6 GWs and it could be worse. Bringing in Rudig hasn’t worked out well just yet but at least he doesn’t blank

    4. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Lingard on the bench is absolute criminal.

  4. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Coady on WC? Or was he only getting up for set pieces while Boly was injured?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      I'd ignore personally

      Not sure it's a positive that he's getting big chances and missing. Saiss or Boly - they both have track record of actually returning.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        Cheers. I think there was a season recently where Coady didn't have a single goal attempt 😆 not much to go on with him

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 20 days ago

          That's it

          I was also tipping Adarabioyo like mad before the Leeds game simply because he'd had 4 times as many chances as Andersen. Rather overlooked the point that he rarely got them on target.

          1. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 20 days ago

            😀

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Not for me.

  5. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Arsenal 2
    Liverpool 1

    Or 2 2... What's most likely.

    A Liverpool win less so.

    1. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Yep Laca double inbound

  6. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Looks like someone’s hacked the BAPS system and given Raphinha an extra point.

    Is this not being looked at???

    1. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      So....one or two?

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        2 baps, he wasn’t even on one and now he’s got 2 , I captained in so as a well known supermarket says “ every little helps” 😀

  7. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Quick tip if you wan't Salah on WC, he could drop tonight so don't get him yet

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      No no, as a salah owner, get him in now and stop his price dropping please.

      1. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        WC transfers don’t affect price changes

        1. jason_ni
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 20 days ago

          I know, so don't activate the wc.. do it later in the week!

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Using WC to reduce your TV would be a novel approach 🙂

  8. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    13 from 3, with Antonio and Lowton coming in for struijk and gundo, so could be worse..

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      4 from 3 on BB. Could be worse sure 🙂

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Yup ... 14 from 3 and this seems pretty damn good from today.

  9. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Love the Raph Bap with 3 Man City no show...

    1. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      It’s clearly been hacked. This can’t be right

    2. Gazwaz80
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      2 baps 😀

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        It's 1

  10. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Will remaining DGW and BGW be announced before GW31 deadline?

    1. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Nobody on this site will know this. Unless they work for the FA

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        I doubt even they know.

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        It's possible so I hear you say 😉

      3. POKE JOHN BALLS THE SECOND
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        I know someone who works with the FA, and even he doesn’t know this

  11. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Anyone without WC, also got 3 x MC / 3 x Leeds before they
    Play next week..?

  12. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Feels like a crappy start to the week but also feels like most are having a crappy start. So maybe not too bad.

    19 from 4 incl C (so 5).

    Avoided Chelsea disappointment. Raphinha (c) so at least he got a return.
    Mahrez was my 1 week punt so it hurt seeing him miss two sitters.

    Due a bad week - just hope it’s not disastrous.

  13. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    6 from 4. Could be 0 i suppose. 😎

  14. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Ooh loving the late Raphi (c) bonus point

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Yep just spotted that - definitely feels like a haul now.

    2. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      It does today

    3. Gazwaz80
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      2 baps...

  15. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Lingard & Targett coming in for Gundo & Cancelo. I feel carefully hopeful.

  16. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    don't care if Liverpool win or lose all I want is salah to 'surprise' me.

  17. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    AVL lee NEW

    I might actually triple up on Pool 😀

  18. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    With the inevitable City rotation + Pool's enticing fixtures x KDB's tendency to 'almost' haul - KDB -> Salah is feeling somewhat tempting

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Erm

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        I know. But Salah's got to get something from that run of games surely

  19. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    WC31 draft, how's it looking?
    Martinez forster
    TAA alonso shaw coady coufal
    Bruno son jota raphinha neto
    Kane lacazette antonio

    Could do son and laca to Salah and bench in 33

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Laca and Auba both starting today confuses things for the SHU game. Rotation that much harder to call now.

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        True, but I feel like I will have decent enough bench cover?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 20 days ago

          Might be a bit easier if only one of them starts in EL I guess. But Iheanacho is where I'd go first I think despite moderate fixture in 31

          1. waltzingmatildas
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 20 days ago

            Hmm good idea. Cheers

  20. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Looking for a mid under 7.4M

    A. Mount
    B. Maddison
    C. lingard
    D other?

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Jota, neto ?

    2. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      I’d punt with Mount

      1. Miniboss
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        But wait and see first if Jesse boy goes for another masterclass performance this gw..

    3. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Maddison looked lively in his cameo today. Suspect he’ll be back starting but hard to know just yet.
      Mount rotation is tough. Jota too.
      Lingard might be the pick for consistent starts.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Really tricky with the Jota benching today.

      Lingard first choice while he's still hot I suppose. Like the idea of Maddison but Neale was pointing out on a pod that he was eased back in very gently after his last injury so he might be dicey for starts short term too.

  21. The Cherry Picker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Who’s WC’ing this week? If so, how are you getting on?

    1. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      I am but I’m also clueless now after Rudiger, Jota and Stones got benched.

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Me!

      Currently like this:

      Leno Martinez
      Tierney Cresswell Rudiger Saiss Phillips
      Salah Jota Son Bruno Neto
      Kane Antonio Iheanacho

  22. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Auba coming in for Gundo. Lets go, ONE TIME!

  23. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Smooth . Dias 6 on bench boost.

    Rough Got in Azpi 0 points

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Your the 3rd person I've seen who says he's BBed. What a strange week to try it.

  24. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Jota on WC worth it or upgrade to salah?

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Never doubt the Egyptian king

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        Ok cheers will try to fit him in

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      All about bench cover probs.

      The hot Liverpool fixtures don't start till 33 anyway. Leeds away isn't great on their current form there and Villa is only moderate too.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        Ok thanks

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      I'm still thinking Jota, but no Salah personally.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        Maddison might be another good option

  25. Carefree Crew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Leicester fans thoughts on Amartey please?
    £3.9m, played 90 mins 3 of the last 4. Cheap & good fixtures.
    Will he keep his place?

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      HES a trap.. His place is under threat with Pereira lurking

      1. MGMT
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        You mean Soyuncu right?

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 20 days ago

          Amartey has been playing RW so I did mean Pereira

          1. mezza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 20 days ago

            He’s playing right centre back in a back 3

    2. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Soyuncu has Covid, he’ll be straight back in once he recovers

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Thanks all. Thought it was too good to be true.
      I'm still considering a Leicester DF.

  26. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Anyone bringing in Creswell on WC??

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      He is in my provisional team currently.

  27. balint84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    A) kdb+bamford
    B) son+dcl

  28. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Azpi or Creswell on WC?

  29. The Fantasy Doctor
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    RMWCT (hoping those rested will come back and going for good squad to cover benchings)

    Mendy Forster
    TAA Rudiger Shaw Stones Coady
    Fernandes Gundogan Son Jota Lingard
    Kane Vardy Antonio

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Too much Chelsea after their horror show today

      1. The Fantasy Doctor
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        Yeah they weren’t great. Rudiger cheap though and can be benched if it continues. I wouldn’t judge on one game, no matter how bad.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Double Chelsea def? No, thanks. And too many City as well

      Teams to target:
      Arsenal, Liverpool, Leicester, West Ham and Spurs

      1. The Fantasy Doctor
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        Apart from Arsenal have a reasonable amount from those teams. I’m happy to accept the odd City benching with appropriate cover.

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 20 days ago

      Is recency bias clouding your judgement on Chelsea DF?
      In the previous 14 games the only opposition player to score was Minimino.
      Zero big chances conceded in the last 4 before today.
      Best XGC for the season & last 6 games.

      I'm considering Mendy, Rudiger & Alonso!

      1. The Fantasy Doctor
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 20 days ago

        I do agree. I’m always cautious about judging on the basis of one game.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 20 days ago

          Especially as WBA were completely out of it until Thiago Silva got sent off.

  30. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 20 days ago

    Something´s wrong with fantasy server...