Dugout Discussion

Rodríguez returns for Everton as Ancelotti uses wing-backs against Palace

James Rodríguez (£7.7m) is back in the Everton team as they host Crystal Palace in Gameweek 30.

The Colombian international has missed each of the last four Premier League matches through injury, making his first start since the Gameweek 25 win over Liverpool.

As he did during Everton’s blistering start to the 2020/21 campaign, Carlo Ancelotti has deployed Rodríguez on the right-hand side of a front-three, which features Richarlison (£8.0m) on the other flank with Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m) as the spearhead.

Of particular interest is what Everton’s Gameweek 30 line-up means for Lucas Digne (£6.2m), who has been purchased by 250,000 Fantasy managers since the Gameweek 25 deadline.

Mason Holgate (£4.8m), Yerry Mina (£5.5m) and Michael Keane (£5.1m) all make the cut alongside Digne, who is joined in the team by Seamus Coleman (£4.8m).

That suggests a three-man defence with advanced wing-backs either side of Tom Davies (£5.2m) and André Gomes (£5.3m) in midfield.

Meanwhile, Allan (£5.2m) misses out while Ben Godfrey‘s (£5.0m) international break knock means he is fit enough only for the bench.

The former Norwich defender is joined among the substitutes by Jean-Philippe Gbamin (£5.0m), who makes his first appearance in an Everton matchday squad for 596 days.

Crystal Palace name an unchanged XI from the side that saw off West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 28.

That means budget option Tyrick Mitchell (£3.8m) is fit enough only for a bench role with Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) in for a fifth successive Premier League start at left-back.

Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m) and Christian Benteke (£5.5m) are likely to feature up-front with Jordan Ayew (£5.6m) and Eberechi Eze (£5.8m) providing width in midfield.

Gameweek 30 Line-ups

Everton XI: Olsen; Mina, Keane, Holgate; Digne, T Davies, A Gomes, Coleman; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, Rodríguez.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; van Aanholt, Cahill, Kouyaté, J Ward; Eze, Riedewald, Milivojevic, Ayew; Zaha, Benteke.

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452 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    I cannot wait for this season to be over so we can go back to having multiple games on at the same time instead of this constant drip feeding of one game after another

    I hate it.

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Agreed.

    2. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Definitely, been one of the less obvious annoying things about football during the pandemic. Oddly I really miss watching all of my clean sheets crumble to dust between 4 o'clock and 4:30 on Soccer Saturday.

      1. MIGHTY JOE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Wow this

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Totally agree. Tiresome.

    4. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      I agree. Oversaturated coverage has meant that televised football no longer feels special, to me at least.

      I was happy with one game on Sunday and one on Monday night.

    5. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Definitely.

    6. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      100%.

    7. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Very optimistic of you to think the TV companies/amazon and Premier League are going to want to go back.

      1. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I love FPL but I probably wouldn’t play next year if it was the same fixture schedule ie every game in its own unique time slot so it’s one game at a time all weekend and Monday night

      2. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I prefer this way as it’s only one game at a time and you can watch them all, it will go back but more games at same time means multiply comments at the same time

    8. SEXY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      This, get all the bad games out the way instead building hope false hope each day

  2. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Everton couldn’t hit a cows ar#e with a banjo..

    1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      James being back was supposed to make EVE back to who they were at the start of the season, that was wrong

  3. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Probably need to sell one of Digne or Dcl before Bam and Raphinha.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Sell both.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        But, but they have a DGW to come 😆

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      I kept them for the DGW for half a year. Feel sick.

  4. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Please rate my WC draft 1-10

    Mendy Forster
    Shaw TAA Coady Rudiger Dawson
    ESR Salah Jota Bruno Son
    Nacho Kane Antonio

    Cheers gents

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Pretty much my team so 9.5 🙂 punting on Reguilon over Shaw for DGW32, benching 31 for Coady

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      9

    3. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Cheers boys

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      10

  5. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Would bringing in Antonio be too much when I already have Lingard and Dawson from West Ham? Looking to move Bamford out this week and there aren't many other options catching my eye except Antonio, Ings and maybe Lacazette.

  6. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    If you had to chose 1 player from each group for the rest of the season, who would it be?

    A) Bruno
    B) Salah

    A) Antonio
    B) Vardy
    C) Lacazette

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      BB

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    On WC

    A) Lacca
    B) Ings

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Out of them B

  8. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Lots of antonio on wildcard, but Everton have the dgw

    So isn't it just a transfer waiting to happen and better to wildcard in dcl or richi?

    However bad they look tonight we will want for the double....thanks

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      My aim is to keep Antonio or sell for Watkins for dgw (same price)

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      This is exactly my thinking too

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Having DCL in my team is just disappointment after disappointment. Okay he will have a double but what about the games before and after. Antonio will probably outscore him and is 1m less.

    4. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Wouldn’t want Everton even with their double

    5. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      "However bad they look tonight we will want for the double".

      Wrong.

      I'd rather have good SGW players

    6. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Even with the double, their run in is bad

  9. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Numerous 3pm kick offs were exciting, Scenes..

  10. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Someone on bbc football sent a message in saying that Tom Davies is the most underrated player in the PL. Wow

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Most people rate him as 0 out of 10 when in reality he is a 0.1 out of 10

      As a ratio, 0.1/0 = infinity so technically maybe he is the most underrated

    2. Isca Extremadura
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      It was Irony, late April Fools

  11. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Bam to Antonio / Ing’s or DCL..?
    Keeping Kane & Watkins, No WC

  12. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Will Kilman start now Jonny is out?

  13. richarlison2348
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Current WC draft with 2.5 ITB is
    Mendy Forster
    TAA Rudiger Phillips Dias Saiss
    Fernandes Jota Son Lingard Neto
    Antonio Kane Iheanacho

    I'd like to make some upgrades, but can't quite make it to Salah. Where do I place the extra money?
    Potentially upgrade Lingard or Neto to Maddison?
    Thanks all 😀

  14. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    EX with some early news - Benrahma not starting (assume bench), Fornals and Masuaku in the squad, Dawson starts. Masuaku's return will be huge for the run-in.

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Why doesn't he just release the XI? What's all this teasing BS about?

      1. CroatianHammer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        He stopped for an age because WHU weren't happy with the XI getting out early. Moyes apparently asked him to chill for a bit. So he did.

  15. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Boly Johnny Mourinho out for Wolves, here comes Lingardinho

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Moutinho out for Wolves, Mourinho for Spurs*

  16. Mr Bird
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    So my bench boost was a complete waste of time with Mendy, Rudiger, Stones and Gündo scoring a combined 0pts.

    Honestly feels ok though because i’m still on a green arrow and i’ve rid myself of that horrible chip before the WC.

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Who did you actually have an your bench before those guys dropped out the starting 11?

      1. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Team was

        Martinez Mendy
        Dias Cresswell Dallas Stones* Rudiger*
        Fernandes Son Lingard Raphinha Gündo*
        DCL Kane Bamford

        Bench order didn’t matter but it was Martinez Lingard Dallas and Creswell

        1. Kun Tozser
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          No one can fault the decision making of playing the chip there!

          1. Mr Bird
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Thanks that makes me feel a bit better haha

    2. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Haha that is bad times.

      I don’t buy the theory of being glad to be rid of a chip and with 3 of those questionable starters must have been a better time to play it but none the less, I do feel for you!

      1. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Honestly would have liked at least a few extra players but i’m not that bothered. Not often my bench has had anything all season anyway.

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      That’s absolutely horrendous. I had the same with Cancelo instead of Stones

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        2nd rule of FPL, never BB after international break

    4. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      I didn't play my BB because I'd already played it but nevertheless I've had this for this week:
      Cancelo 0
      Stones 0
      Gundo 0
      Rudiger 0
      Bale 1
      Son 1
      Ricardo Pereira 1

      Not much of a start is it?

      1. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Yeah tough times. Had Son also but capped Kane and the rest are doing ok so could be worse.

    5. A.J.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Had a few failures in mine but no regrets. Couldn't see another week where I'd have such a strong 15.

      1. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Exactly that buddy. Every player had a strong fixture so it seemed a good excuse to get rid before the WC so that I could maximise that chip.

  17. cilz88
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Hi, would welcome advice on my wildcard team. 100 points behind 1st in mini league so probably too much of an ask! This is my proposed team
    Martinez, Forster
    Dias, Rudiger, Regullion, Holding, Phillips
    Son, Jota, Fernandes, Lingard, Neto
    Kane, Vardy, DCL

  18. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Lumbered with dcl, bam and bale with no wildcard who would you keep for next week?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      DCL & Bamford are at least in the first XIs at the moment.

  19. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Mili to the ref: "Look he doesn't listen to me so he's not going to listen to you"

  20. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Martinez
    Coufal Dias Shaw
    Gundo Son Raph Bruno Auba
    Kane DCL

    4.0 Bamford Konsa Alioski

    Wildcard now or GW34?
    If GW34: Gundo -> Jota?

    1.0 ITB and BB still intact.

  21. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Richarlison is just dreadful

    And that stupid face he makes like he cant believe he didnt score. So annoying

  22. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    J Rod G

  23. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    WOLVES TEAM NEWS
    Team to face West Ham: Patricio, Semedo, Coady, Saiss, Ait Nouri, Neves, Dendoncker, Neto, Podence, Traore, Jose.
    Subs: Ruddy, However, Silva, Gibbs-White, Vitinha, Richards, Kilman, Otasowie, Marques.

    WEST HAM TEAM NEWS
    Team to face Wolves: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Noble, Masuaku, Soucek, Fornals, Lingard, Antonio.
    Subs: Martin, trott, Blabuena, Benrahma, Alves, Bowen, Fredericks, Johnson, Odubeko.

    1. SEXY SALAH
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Every defender rotated this week except a Wolves one so I couldn’t get Kilman off the bench lol

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Love to see Masuaku idk why

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Boly knackered again?

    4. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      However is a very unfortunate name, however different ❗

  24. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    GET IN

  25. CapK
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Stones > TAA (-4)

    A) Yes
    B) No

  26. SEXY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Finally!!

  27. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Who got the assist?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Coleman

        1. Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Alright not bad

      • g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Goalman

      • DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Assistman

    2. KAALI_DAAL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Where are my DCL points?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        He’ll get another one at 60.

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Digne so close to an assist

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Pointless goal. Quite literally

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Er. No it wasn’t.

        1. Tango74
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          How’s it pointless ?