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. just a man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Klopp said nobody injured in interview just now

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

      beautiful

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

      Hopefully it was just an impact knock for Trent.

    3. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Let's go Tsimikas price up Boy!

    4. Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What was that with TAA?

      1. just a man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Limped off

      2. WHUFCSmith23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Took a tumble. Would be surprised if he was injured from that

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

      Yes, nice one!

    6. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Beautiful

  2. Keep Calm and Play On
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Well going Jota, Amartey and Mahrez over Son Sarr and Tsimikas hasn’t gone well…but could have been much worse! Thanks Jota

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

    What game to watch fellas? Own Toney, Raph and ingsy

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

      Ings

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Answer is always Leeds

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

        LEE-EVE could be entertaining (hopefully) ...

      • WHUFCSmith23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Villa vs Newcastle should be decent

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

        Leeds and Brentford

        Hate having to watch two games simultaneously, and STILL be missing two teams I want to watch in City & Villa

        This multiple kickoffs can suck a bag of donkey balls - such a load of shite

    3. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salah (c) anyone?

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

        Not for ages now, probably time to sell at that price.

      2. Joey Tribbiani
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        nah no one

      3. WHUFCSmith23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, oh well win some lose most

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

        Salah is rubbish, find someone else

      5. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This GW yeah. For GW3 it'll be Son, Grealish or Ings.

      6. Salarrivederci
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Dunno. Got Bruno. Will sleep well tonight.

      7. SINGH
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thinking of Salah out next 2 weeks and Son in?

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

      Just while we’re waiting for 3pms, does anyone reckon Ramsdale replaces Leno as no.1 at arsenal?

      4.5 for a defensive arsenal team seems good

      1. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Here's hoping

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

        Not outside the realms of possibility at all.

      3. Keep Calm and Play On
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Defensive arsenal? Just because they are woeful going forward doesn’t make them defensive, they are just crap all around..

        1. Oxyd
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          3rd least conceded goals last season.

      4. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It'll happen eventually, Leno is massively overrated

        • WHUFCSmith23
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Seems unlikely that they would spend 30 plus million on a back up keeper but who knows with that club.

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

          Would be great

      5. Salarrivederci
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        TAA, Tsimikas and Salah. Great start ;)!

        Now on to Ings, Toney, Sanchez & Sarr

      6. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Crouch is a good pundit asides from being craic. Joe Cole is brutal.

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

          Love Crouchy

        2. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Crouch gets better and better and such a genuine fella, zero pretence…

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

            Crouchy really grows on you, doesn't he...

            1. GreennRed
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              He needs to stop soon!

              Good podcast too.

            2. Jafooli
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I see what you did there….Crouchy didn’t, cause his heads in the clouds….

        3. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          They're no John Giles and Eamon Dunphy,that's for sure. 😉

          1. GreennRed
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            How's tricks Ógie? I still listen to them on the Stand. Would have either of them on before Sadlier. Very old school but interesting insights.

            1. Ógie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I am good G&R,hope you are keeping well.

              Sadlier is an awful moaner who is hard to listen to.I still like to hear what Giles has to say about the state of play on his Off The Ball slot.John is the best football pundit in the world in my book.

      7. iL PiStOlErO
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ok its Pep so nothing strange here and it is easy to switch when City has 2 good teams for pl. On the other hand no Targett worries me…what should we expect with this guy?

        1. I Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Sarr ended Targett's career according to Az.

          1. iL PiStOlErO
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Maybe its time for Coufal then, was 50/50 before the start of season but went with Targett cause of Martinez.

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

            He did run him ragged.

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

          Sarr destroyed him last weekend, ASM today would have been capable of similar.

          Dean Smith mentioned about him not having a proper pre-season after ending last season injured, needs time to get up to speed.

      8. I Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Praying Mahrez gets 20-30 mins. Knowing Pep it will be 7 or 0.

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Knowing Pep we dont know nothing.

      9. ☈☾
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Stones signed a new contract and no where in the squad

        Talks of Laporte leaving and he starts

        This is Pep

        1. I Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Talk of Bernardo leaving as well and he starts over Mahrez.

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

            Last audition for buyer

        2. PartyTime
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Poor men picked Stones instead of Dias

        3. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Isolation? I was planning to get Stones, but didn't do it because this happening was real fear for me. Pep rested some players also 2018 quite long time imo.

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

        Up to 200k nice while it lasts 🙂

      11. Bobby Crush
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Pep roulette keeps spinning.

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Heavy spinn…Pep the rotator.

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

        Mahrez replacements?

        1. I Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Son

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

          Son.

        3. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Daughter

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

          Any mid from 9.0 below on one transfer. Son if you can find 1.0 extra.

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

          Havertz

        6. iL PiStOlErO
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Looks like Bilva.

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

        Which of these scenarios do you prefer? Both lead to a small green arrow.

        A) Captain haul, rest of the team does't come with many points.

        B) Captain fail, but most of other players return points.

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

          Depends on when the captain plays during the weekend...

        2. Nanoelektronicar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Small green and I am happy, no matter what.

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

          B easily

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

          A is lucky with possible bad picks
          B is unlucky with possible great picks

        5. 4-4-who?
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Neither really, although always take a green arrow!

      14. tokara
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Arsenal a joke, sold Martinez for 20m and buy a even shitty keeper for 25m

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

          Wenger in

        2. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Ramsdale apparently gave up a promising keyboard warrior career to become a professional footballer.

        3. SINGH
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Martinez never wanted to be 2nd choice. Can't force him to stay. Ramsdale whilst is crap can be content with 2nd choice or maybe cup keeper

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

            Surely they're not spending that much on a backup keeper?

            1. SINGH
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I don't think he is coming in to replace Leno though? That's crazy Leno is a much better keeper overall

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

          Martinez forced that sale. You can't let your back up GK pick the team

          1. GreennRed
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            He was right though. Villa number one and Copa America winner. I suppose they couldn't judge him properly on the bench but it's hard to see how they thought Leno is a better keeper. Some bizarre financial shenanigans at Arsenal.

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

          You can't Argentina n.1 on the bench. What they should have done was sell Leno and keep Martinez.

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

            Kept

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

        Salah & Bruno EO in top 10k this week anyone?

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

          Around 155, 135 from what I saw earlier

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

          More than 100% for sure, think 133 Bruno 15% Salah

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

            *155 Salah

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

            Thanks both, man we need Kane back to rustle some feathers

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

              Absolutely, could get bored easily if not

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

                Yes, and I don't trust Lukaku lol

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

        Go on super Joe Willy

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

          Patenting Jet Set Willock

      17. SINGH
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Anyone fancy Salah out for Son for next 2 gameweeks?

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

          He will be history for Lukaku by GW6

          1. SINGH
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I suspect so. Price is too much and I can get the same attack and threat from Lukaku at a cheaper price. Thanks will plan accordingly.

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

          Fancy red arrows?

          1. SINGH
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            But if Lukaku is matching Salah on points then what's the risk? If Lukaku has a good start then I will consider no Salah

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

              If ... that's the risk

      18. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Really like all the live OR and points on FPL this season, just noticed it - much more slick…

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

          Seems that they invested rather significantly

          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Some big improvements in real-time updates and game play

            Fair play to them at the towers…..for once

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

          Not seen that before, yes it's great.

          Spikes a lot of the popular tools

      19. camarozz
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I'm doing better than the legendary managers just saying (:

        Bubble will burst soon

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

        I don't think Mahrez usually comes on, so you might be ok @Mahrez owners!

        1. SINGH
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Aslong as they have Ben White as vice captain

      21. Jdpz
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sell Tsimikas?

        1. SINGH
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Why? His place to lose

        2. Just For Kicks
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          After his prise rise.

      22. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Let's go Norwich! Repeat of last year would be nice

      23. Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Too early to get Lukaku before Liverpool or just get Son?

      24. Ligdon
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        What channel is the city game on

      25. EffPeeEll
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        captained Bruno and with gundog at 6.4%, this is shaping up nicely.

        so much for the experts.

      26. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This is going to be a massacre.

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

          Yup! Cantwell and Pukki masterclass

        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Great for the eyelashes.

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

        How often do league tables get updated? Is it during matches or after every match has finished?

      28. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If its 100% confirmed Salah will have to isolate GW4 i am getting rid of him GW3 for son.

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

        Bamford hand to Mina's face... 😮

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

          Red Card?!