Dugout Discussion
21 August 2021 1861 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Four Premier League matches kick off at 3pm BST today, including reigning champions Manchester City against newly promoted Norwich City.

Aston Villa v Newcastle United, Crystal Palace v Brentford and Leeds United v Everton are the other top-flight fixtures taking place at the traditional Saturday afternoon start time.

The headline team news comes from the Etihad as Pep Guardiola makes five changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.

Aymeric Laporte, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva are all recalled to the starting XI, with Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Nathan Ake, Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho dropping to the bench.

An ankle injury keeps Kevin De Bruyne out, while John Stones isn’t part of the hosts’ matchday squad.

Norwich are unchanged from the side that lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool last Saturday.

That’s also the case with Brentford, as Bryan Mbeumo gets set for another out-of-position run-out alongside Ivan Toney.

Summer signings Conor Gallagher and Joachim Andersen get their first Palace starts, with Christian Benteke also recalled. Jordan Ayew, Jairo Riedewald and Jean-Philippe Mateta drop to the bench.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith makes two changes to the team that lost to newly promoted Watford last weekend, with Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz replacing Matt Targett and Marvelous Nakamba.

Targett’s benching means that Ashley Young starts at left-back.

Joe Willock starts for Newcastle as Steve Bruce makes three changes to the Magpies side that lost at home to West Ham last Sunday.

Willock replaces the injured Jonjo Shelvey in midfield, with Fabian Schar and captain Jamaal Lascelles coming into defence in place of Emil Krafth and Ciaran Clark.

Kalvin Phillips and Junior Firpo are make the Leeds line-up after fitness-related benchings in Gameweek 1, with Robin Koch and Rodrigo dropping to the bench.

Yerry Mina for Mason Holgate and Alex Iwobi for Andros Townsend are Everton’s two alterations.

GAMEWEEK 2 LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young, McGinn, Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, El Ghazi, Buendia, Ings

Subs: Steer, Targett, Wesley, Hourihane, Tuanzebe, Nakamba, Hause, Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuemeka

Newcastle XI: Woodman, Murphy, Schar, Fernandez, Lascelles, Ritchie, Hayden, Willock, Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin

Subs: Gillespie, Clark, Joelinton, Lewis, Hendrick, Krafth, Fraser, Gayle, S. Longstaff

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Kouyate, Schlupp, McArthur, Benteke, Gallagher, Zaha.

Subs: Butland, Matthews, Tomkins, Ayew, Mateta, Kelly, Riedewald, Rak-Sakyi.

Brentford XI: Raya, Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock, Henry, Janelt, Onyeka, Mbeumo, Norgaard, Canos, Toney.

Subs: Goode, Forss, Wissa, Fernandez, Ghoddos, Dervisoglu, Bidstrup, Sorensen, Roerslev.

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Struijk, Cooper, Firpo, Phillips, Raphinha, Dallas, Klich, Harrison, Bamford.

Subs: Forshaw, Roberts, Klaesson, Helder Costa, Rodrigo, Summerville, Shackleton, Cresswell, Drameh.

Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gray, Richarlison, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Kenny, Holgate, Delph, Townsend, Begovic, Gbamin, Davies, Kean, Branthwaite.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Walker, Gundogan, Rodri, Grealish, Silva, Torres, Jesus.

Subs: Steffen, Ake, Zinchenko, Mendy, Fernandinho, Sterling, Mahrez, Doyle, Palmer.

Norwich City XI: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis, Lees-Melou, Gilmour, Rupp, Cantwell, Pukki, Rashica.

Subs: Gunn, Omobamidele, Dowell, Tzolis, Sorensen, McLean, Sargent, Mumba, Idah.

FANTASY5

There’s still time to enter today’s Fantasy5 contest, in which you can win £10,000 without paying a penny.

Simply pick five players from the nominated Gameweek 2 matches and, if they all exceed their Fantasy ‘points targets’ (a par score set by Fantasy5 for each asset), you’ll be in the money.

The deadline is at 3pm BST – so get those entries in now.

We’ve selected our own picks for Gameweek 2 in the article below, with Ted Talks FPL following suit.

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  1. Chalobah's Witness
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Toney to DCL for a front three of Antonio, Ings, DCL sounds tempting.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If you can don’t hesitate. Toney isn’t it

      1. Chalobah's Witness
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        yeah got the funds, really should consider it

      2. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not so much Toney, it’s the supply, we are missing 3 key mids and need a couple of signings to boost it and try and keep the ball better and supply Toney

    2. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have 4m itb with a 4.5fwd, could go 343 with the 3 u mentioned or get in Lukaku.

    3. FPL Alaska
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ugh that DCL price rise is a killer. Otherwise I could do Mahrez + Toney > Jota + DCL.

    4. Podge
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just about to post this looks the perfect front 3 at the mo

  2. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    what to do with ings when the fixtures turn?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      DCL calling...

      1. TheBiffas
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        got him.

    2. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ings scores against anybody.

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keep him.

    4. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Villa's attack will only get better when Bailey/Watkins are fit.

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keep until injured imo

      He will score goals against every defence in the league when Bailey & Buendia are properly dialled in behind him & Watkins keeping defenders busy outside him

    6. MGMT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keep until injured

  3. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone watching the Brentford game? How are they doing?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      pretty even, both teams have hit the woodwork. Palace still pretty defensive tbh, I thought they'd be more attacking.

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers...yeah I wasn't sure what to expect from Palace but looks like it's not much changed yet

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          yeah, It's tough for Brentford to create much, the game gives a feeling of both teams being happy with the draw.

  4. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Looking to ditch Tsimi and Veltman. Any thoughts on how I should spend £9m on two defenders?

    Holgate and Pinnock?

    Or better alternatives?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Veltman should be playing next game.

    2. TomSaints
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Everton defence looks very poor

    3. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      if you want a brentford defender, go for rico henry

  5. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Only a matter of time before we have a Toney-Jerk article

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Heads Shoulders Toe Knee Jerk...Toe Knee Jerk

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        😀

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's already started in my mind

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Shame there’s no other real standouts at 6.5

    4. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Two blanks with no real involvement is exit time

  6. 420king
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I was hoping Tsimiksas would be good for for at least 3 GWs. Do I have to use one of my 2FT on a defender now or just start White?

    TAA-Shaw-Tsi-Amartey-White

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have the exact same defence. If Tsimikas rises I'm getting rid

    2. El Presidente
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tsimikas will not drop from starting 11

      1. Maeki2
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yes robo back

      2. Chalobah's Witness
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        TAA might be out so I think there's a chance one of the LBs will play RB.

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          TAA isnt out...

          1. Chalobah's Witness
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            not yet but there clearly was a problem. Could be a hammy.

      3. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        yeah exactly, thats why you should buy if you dont have him 😉

      4. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He'll be benched when Robertson starts, surely? Rob was on the bench today

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pool was always playing Chelsea in GW3.

      1. Warby84
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

  7. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ings a bit like Arny was or vice versa, miss Arny in the PL

  8. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Oi. My brother did Salah/Toney > Jota/Lukaku. Genius!

    1. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not really

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He's laughing at you

    2. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Well done! If I had Salah these would have been my exact moves for GW3.

  9. 1zverGGadeM
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    how bad is Wilson playing?
    Really need to get rid >:

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      missed an absolute sitter 1 on 1 with the keeper

      then shirt tugging with mings got him a yellow

    2. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He always scores when you get rid

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not much chance but he needs only one to kill it, should get that chance Vs Villa defense.

    4. 1zverGGadeM
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      thanks everyone

  10. Sparkys Barmy Army
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mahrez + Toney > Gundo + DCL

    Seems simple enough and need to get it done before any price rise?

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      why gundo

      1. Sparkys Barmy Army
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not sure who else is better at that price point, would also like City cover as Mahrez is my only player of theirs. Who would you suggest?

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      not Gundo, Bernie back in the fold and playing well, I guess the transfer window is still open but still.

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He needs Gundo as DCL has gone up 0.1m

  11. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ings what a goal!!!!

    1. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sensational

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I swear you’ve never seen anything like this before!

    3. Carlton P
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I defo thought he had his second!!

  12. TheDragon
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Giannoulis owners in tears

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kicked in the giannoulis

  13. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ings we want moar!

  14. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    45 mins for Toney to salvage his spot in my team

    Hope that pressure isn’t to much for him

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same here, could be another Werner, one more week.

    2. Podge
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He’ll cope

    3. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Missed a great chance there.

  15. Egg noodle
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ings you monster

  16. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thinking of a mini WC (-4) with 3 moves

    1. Carlton P
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What you thinking?

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Pukki to Ings
        Jota to Sarr
        Coufal to 4.5

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Don’t like the selling Jota bit though

        2. Carlton P
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Like it but Jota will be worth keeping for price rises and possible start gw4

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yup, either way Pukki is gonna have to go, will see how Armstrong and Southampton look tomorrow

      2. Bartowski
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        a mini WC (-4) with 3 moves

        1. Andy_Social
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Didn't know they call a hit a mini-wildcard now, but I'd contemplate Ings' upcoming fixtures before taking a hit.

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            They probably don’t. The term just sprang to mind haha

    2. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm doing that but leaving it while after gw3, during IB. Good tactic whichever week you do it. The more info the better IMO.
      Good luck with your choices.

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers, you too. Certainly won’t rush into making it

  17. AlCapwnUK
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Imagine if cancelo was nailed.
    What a player.

    1. Egg noodle
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I prefer Alonso to be honest

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He is first choice LB. Zinchenko second choice. Mendy out the frame. Mendy got his last chance vs Spurs and blew it.

      1. mezza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        First choice doesn’t mean nailed unfortunately

  18. Pacer.
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Absolutely love Ings going from a 97th minute only shot to that. He truly is The Prince. Where is the money going to come from when Son goes banzai and Ings DCL and Son are all too good to ignore

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A missing Salah maybe

  19. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Could do with a Raphinha attacking return...

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Greedy 😛

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This, him and Toney are my only dud picks so far this season

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This

  20. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pressure getting to Toney

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Steve The Spud has a lot to answer for...

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      And his managers

  21. Chalobah's Witness
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Duffy nailed?

    1. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Until Veltman starts next week, yeh.

    3. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wait and see. Was MotM last week. See if Potter is willing to give him a second chance.

      1. Chalobah's Witness
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        sounds so negative, what happened?

  22. tricpic
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gundo done anything yet?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      YC

    2. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just a YC

  23. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson and Gundo 🙁

  24. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gray G

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Doucoure A

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      That's it, I'm bringing him in.

  25. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Leeds losing again

  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Leeds are awful

  27. Egg noodle
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Please be Digne

  28. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Leeds poor pre season has carried into the start of this season

  29. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gray from Doucoure

  30. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who is kid ?

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      GOAT