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. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Looks like Leeds are suffering with a bad dose of second season syndrome.

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

    So lucky

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Time to sell Ayling or keep him for the goals?

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Bought him for assists and goals

      1. Podge
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        After none of either last season?

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Lol, this

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Which one would you get instead?

    3. Steinburg FC
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      don't think hes left his half today... owner

    4. Alexis Nonsense
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'm keeping for sure

      Will not play him in tough fixtures, if you had him in your team for clean sheets then thats on you 😛

  4. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Bit lucky, everything ran for Everton there

  5. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Check Rafa out

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Legend!

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Certainly is , YNWA

  6. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Leeds def still as awful as ever, as seen in pre season

    • Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pep please put Mahrez on I beg

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Me too, Pep is poison though and he won’t, can’t wait to sell Mahrez

    • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Toney 30 odd championship goals not looking too good now

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Bam started slowly too last season

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No he didn't. He got 14 points in GW2.

          1. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Goal at Anfield opening night too.

        2. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Scored in first 2-3 games lol

      2. The Wise Owl
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Weren't the majority of them penalties?

      3. Marvin.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        We're not even two games in.

    • Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Meslier this years Ramsdale

    • dark91
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling and Mahrez warming up

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        YES! C'mon Riyad!

    • Thanos
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Leeds trying to emulate Sheffield??

    • fantasyfog
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Going forward who bags more minutes/points

      Greenwood Jota or a n other 7.5 or less?

      1. Carlton P
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Greenwood until gw5/6…after that who knows. Better going for a 5.5/6/6.5

    • diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Waiting for those Man City goals.....

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        And still we wait……..and wait…….and wait

    • Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      DCL denied just on the line.

    • Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone else triple captain Toney?

      1. mezza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I hope you’re joking

        1. Differentiator
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Capitano'd Ingsy

    • Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      DCL nearly

    • Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Gray 5.5m and plays pretty advanced

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yup.

      2. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        He has looked good so far this game, is he nailed?

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Gray Townsend Iwobi for two winger spots

          1. Stoic
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            F

        2. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Don't know. His avg pos was way above anyone else from Everton in GW1.

        3. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Not even glued mate

    • TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      How does Toney look?

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        3070 have transfered him out so far. That no. will rise considerably if he doesn't return.

    • Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Get in my team now, Dominic!

    • Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Raphinha & Harrison playing out far too wide, especially Harrison. Raph coming in more but still nearly starting out on the touchline

    • Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Gray nailed for Everton?

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Hot Rod might cause issues when back but Gray looks great.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 8 months ago

            If he ever figures out who Everton are playing

            1. Rainer
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              😛

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Looks like it, is doing well and is integral to the spam crosses to DCL tactic

          • Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I am on him, watching, plan B for ESR

            1. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Thanks all. Could be a go to if Mbuemo fails

          • diesel001
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Needs James Rodriguez to leave IMO. Then Richarlison can play central and Gray and Iwobi on the wings. With Townsend a replacement sub.

            1. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Ah forgot about Townsend

        3. Carlton P
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Anyone else thinking of not going for lukaku gw6/7?
          I’m 3-4-3 and currently on
          Ings l Antonio l Wilson
          Wilson > DCL obviously on the cards
          A) lukaku + 6.5 mid (Raphinha)
          B) ings/DCL + son
          B by a mile surely

          1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Way too early to say.
            But atm B does look more balanced.
            Lukaku a flat track bully though.

        4. Bartowski
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Who would have got the assist for the DCL chance?

          1. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Gray.

            1. Bartowski
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Ta.

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

          Getting lucky already. Two below me have Gray & Tsimikas on the bench.

          (Benching Tsimi obvs. makes no sense.)

        6. Stupendous
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I know he had one ruled out but I think that's the sign to sell Torres now!

          Easy downgrade to fund DCL!

          1. Stupendous
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            You fancy Jesus to keep his place after today's performance. KDB returning, Mahrez starting.

            Adios Ferran

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

          I'd forgotten Richie was on the pitch

        8. Thanos
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Villa pen??

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

            Don't think so

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

              Ignore, stream was behind!

        9. Sim Simma
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Ings double coming up

          1. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            nah, no complaints from Villa players

        10. _Ninja_
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Pen Ings

        11. Ibralicious
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Sterling is in now but Mahrez is still being shunned by Pep. You can see his frustration on the touchline, how does he put up with this. How do we put up with this?