Dugout Discussion

Rodgers’ quotes on Perez and Maddison absences as Antonio misses out

There are notable absences on either side as high-flying West Ham United and Leicester City meet in east London this afternoon.

Kick off at the London Stadium is at 14:05 BST.

The non-availability of Michail Antonio (£6.6m) had been heavily signposted in David Moyes’ pre-match press conference, with the striker missing as expected today.

His place in the Hammers’ attack is taken by Jarrod Bowen (£5.9m), with the hosts otherwise unchanged from the 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and still without the sidelined Declan Rice (£4.7m).

As for Leicester, Brendan Rodgers has made two changes to the side that started last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat by Manchester City.

Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) and Dennis Praet (£5.2m) are recalled, with Marc Albrighton(£5.2m) and Ayoze Perez (£6.0m) making way.

Perez isn’t in the matchday squad and neither is James Maddison (£7.2m), with unconfirmed rumours alleging that the pair – along with Hamza Choudhury (£4.6m) – are absent for disciplinary reasons.

Rodgers poured more fuel onto that fire ahead of kick-off when guaranteeing their availability for next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final:

They’re not available for this game, but after this game, they’ll be fine. They’ll join the group next week and be ready for next week’s semi-final.

Two of the three most-bought players of Gameweek 31 feature in this match, with Jesse Lingard (£6.4m) and Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.9m) both heavily transferred in ahead of Friday’s deadline.


West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Soucek, Noble, Fornals, Lingard, Masuaku, Bowen.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Amartey, Evans, Fofana, Pereira, Tielemans, Ndidi, Castagne, Praet, Iheanacho, Vardy.


GAMEWEEK 31 SO FAR…

Nick Pope (£5.5m) was absent from the Burnley squad on Sunday as the Clarets made it six matches without a clean sheet when succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.

Sean Dyche said of the England international:

We don’t think it’s too serious. He’s just not made today.

The partnership between budget forwards Chris Wood (£6.3m) and Matej Vydra (£4.8m) continues to reap points in Fantasy Premier League, with the former assisting the latter for the game’s opener.

Wood has five FPL attacking returns in his last four outings, with Vydra registering three goals and an assist in his five most-recent appearances.

Newcastle were, as they so often have been without their first-choice attack, ineffective until the second-half introduction of the fit-again Callum Wilson (£6.5m) and Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m).

It was the Frenchman who turned the game on its head, first teeing up wing-back Jacob Murphy (£4.9m) for the equaliser before grabbing the winner with a fine solo goal.

1,144 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    DCL don't let me down.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He will

  2. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    After my Sterling (C) punt, things have been going ok.... now need Son to stay quiet.... chances?!

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Brace

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      none

    3. HaveYassineChikhaoui
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same, just for this week so that the Sterling > Son switch remains a quiet one 😉

  3. jammie26
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Just bought in Nacho man, a bit late to the party but hey ho.

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same. I bought him at half time luckily

  4. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    That was a cracking game !!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Schmeichel up for the last corner.

  5. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I hope to see both teams in top 4 man

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I hope not

      They would be embarrassed in UCL

  6. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bamford or DCL to Ihenacho?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      DCL I guess.

      1. jammie26
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I've just done bamford to Nacho.

  7. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Called Newcastle to win 2-1 and West Ham 3-2.

    I think 2-1 in the Spurs game but its harder to say which way!

    Home win for Jose?

  8. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Really good win for West Ham even without Antonio and Rice

  9. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    DCL to Nacho for a hit = success

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      We get it, you took hits, jeez

      1. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        16 point hit success JUHUUU

        1. Duke Silver ☑
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          yoohoo

        2. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Lmao

  10. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Only 1 bonus now for Lingard?

    1. DropkickMurphys
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No seems like he s getting 2 along with Bowen

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Currently tied on 2 with Bowen.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hope Teke gets 2 and Jessi Messi only 1

    3. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2

    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2

  11. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any smooth stories?

    16 pt hit getting in Salah TAA Nacho Veltman (on the bench and will play in GW33)

    Out DCL Digne Dias Gundo

    1. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You took a 16 point hit??

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yes, I did. People were against it but it paid off. Team in the link

        1. jammie26
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I've never taken a hit that big in all my years of playing. Sounds like you got lucky.

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Not lucky. Should have done it last week too. Huge fixtures swing

            1. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              All luck

      2. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Don't encourage

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You can celebrate of course but you have posted this 100x already...

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I agree I did post it. Wanted to celebrate with the lads. Nacho was the new one in the equation that's why I updated the lads

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          The lads don't actually care, I don't think.

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Maybe they don't, maybe you are right but it is fpl forum after all. If we don't talk about our fpl teams what should we talk about?

            1. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              I mean you're celebrating before Digne & DCL have even played.

              Dias would have got you an auto-sub.

              Celebrate after the fact, not before two are yet to play?

          2. Duke Silver ☑
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Can confirm.

        2. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          The lads lmao, I can’t even

      2. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Jesus you are rude.
        Worse than me.

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      u took a 16 point hit amazing

      u shd have mentioned it before

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Good one 🙂

        Well no one here is taking 16 pts hits. And no one is taking successful 16 pts hit so it is worth repeating no ?

        Just celebrating

        Hope it's ok

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Dear.....

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Congrats. But I have taken 16 pt hit and it went well. Perhaps I forgot to post it all the time 😉

    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Well done Daniel.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you TM, I greatly appreciate your support. Good luck in the remaining GWs

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ok, I'll stop celebrating. I apologize for being happy and sharing with the lads

    5. ppv
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      16 point hit but no Lingard

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Well said. Had to keep Mount I thought and he had an amazing game, should have scored more

  12. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Super Sunday has delivered so far. Now let's go Kane (c) and Son!

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son yes, Kane no

      1. DycheDycheBaby
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I wouldn't mind that! Son is a bit of differential for me in ML 🙂

  13. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Everton are still in this Top 4 race too. 7 teams playing for 3 spots.

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes and due a turnaround in recent form!

  14. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    66 with Kane, Son and Bruno to go.

    So that's probably 74 all out after the 0-0 😀

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thank you

    2. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      72*

  15. @persecuted_by_mods
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would never wish injury on anyone but Joel Veltman if you frequent these forums, fake an injury pal so I can get Dallas off the bench, thanks

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I need him for gw 33 so hopefully not

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 11 months ago

            True. Fake a 1 game injury Joel

        2. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I’d be delighted if this happens too

      2. OLD Rafiki
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Shaw playing 🙂

      3. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        those suggesting Nacho dropped next game is absurd, he's scoring for fun at the minute.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 11 months ago

            More chance of Vardy being dropped, but in reality it will be them both up top with Madisson back

          • Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Never understood people suggesting that, to be honest. You just had to watch him play the last few games to know it wouldn't make sense.

          • Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Why would he be dropped? There’ not even any plausible reason he would lol

          • HaveYassineChikhaoui
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Makes no sense, Vardy is isolated by himself up top, doesn't look quite the same since his injury.

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

            Bigger worry about Maddison being dropped if he has indeed breached COVID rules ... BR and Leicester may banish him for a while. Nacho going nowhere from that first 11.

        2. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Need a spurs win to keep the champions league race exciting

        3. Isco Disco
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          People who WC this GW are the real winners of this GW.
          WC'ers Unite!!!

        4. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Match day.
          Whankers out as usual.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Sorry

          2. gonzalocampos
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Exact money for Gundo to Son. Push the button after the game right?

            1. Gentle_Turks
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Neither's price likely to change tonight. Wait.

          3. dark91
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            What exactly is Fred doing today?!! 😀

          4. The Orienteer - find me in …
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Anyone know any good 'non-betting run' fantasy football sites please?

          5. bso
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Is it worth bringing in Son...would be for Jota or Mount?