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

    Doucoure nearly flukes a winner

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

    Top 30k with Bruno, Shaw, Antonio left 🙂

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

      Nice but only red arrows from here.

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

        I know, temporarily

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Only thirty six gameweeks to go!

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

      Might be lucky to be 100K when the GW ends.

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

    Points for everyone except Salah

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

      Signs of the decline...

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

      and Toney

  4. pakornk
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    time to get rid of Digne?

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

      Brighton and Burnley next. They're not exactly prolific

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

    Just being curious - anything against Gundo Salah to Benrahma Son if all fit and for free ?

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

      Salah vs old club?

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

        It doesn’t work like that.

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

          If Salah is available vs leaky Leeds in GW4, good luck.

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

            Leeds is another story. Man, you seem grumpy a bit.

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

      only if quarantine rules arent changed and Salah miss GW4

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

        Yeah that’s one of the conditions.

    3. People in Preston
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could be gold. Watch Son tomorrow and Benrahma on Monday, and decide. I have similar thoughts. There's no rush.

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

        Sure thing!

  6. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    All of a sudden Raph, Grealish and Mahrez all over my ML. Need a Greenwood brace tomorrow!

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

    Picked Raya over Sanchez. Come on Watford!!

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

      Well done. Nice pick.

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

        Thanks

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez CS and pen save incoming

  8. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Have 2FTs with Gundo, Veltman, Toney and Tsimikas in the squad. Who’s top priority to transfer out?

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

      The replacements should make it obviously although Veltman can stay.

  9. Random Name
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If you knee jerk Toney out then you got him for the wrong reasons. I said weeks ago he's not gonna light up the prem. He's a 10-13 goal player at best who will notch a few penalties and tap ins.

    For 6.5 that's good value and arguably the best value for that price. Unless Armstrong or Dennis outperform which is unlikely

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

      Will be same price as Pukki soon so easy swich too

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

      only really makes sense if you could upgrade him to a Ings / DCL

    3. Khark
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I agree with this, we will have to eat a few prices falls but so be it.

      1. Random Name
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He still has Villa and Brighton coming up

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

      Problem now is the fixtures aren’t great, these were his 2 best fixtures

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

        You can't say Arsenal was a better fixture than any of his next 3 ... villa, brighton and wolves.

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

          Well, aaaaaactually....

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

      Who the hell is this Dennis people keep talking about?

      1. Random Name
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Watford striker got a goal and assist in his first game

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

          Thanks. I'm not quite so on the ball these days.

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

        Watford striker 5.1 finding the net already

    6. One More Hit
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Similar thinking with Mitro last season and that was disastrous.

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

      Time to downgrade Gundo and upgrade Toney

    8. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bro my team is flying and I hot use at least one transfer this week. He is my only double blank and my plan is to upgrade him. Dcl beats toney right? Mahrez to raphina looks good too. Not saying toney won't do what you say but I dont have to stay in this bracket either

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

    Guaita get in

  11. james 101
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on Buendia?

    Others eg Raph tempt also.

    1. james 101
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      (I have him currently as my 5th mid)

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

      Sold after GW1.

      1. james 101
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thinking of losing him now.

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

      Buendia out for me - not Raph though just in case he misses GW4

      1. james 101
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Who to then mate? My team below.

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

      Buendia is a Steer very clear currently.

    5. james 101
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Current team for info.

      Sanchez

      TAA Shaw Tsimikas

      Bruno(vc) Salah(c) Buendia Benrahma Greenwood

      Antonio Ings

      (Foster Cresswell White 4.5)

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

    Toney is a poor mans Joelinton…..

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The worst possible insult 😆

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hahaha

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

      Not sure why so many have transferred him in

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

      Hahaha! Joe it is then. Was he in the lineup today?

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

    Bamford wants a pen...

    2-2 FT.

  14. pjomara
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Went for a punt on Jesus that netted 11 pts.
    Is he worth keeping though?

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

      Yep, can't sell.

      Game plan worked today and it should be similar against a similar team next GW.

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

      Well played

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

      Good job, I was close to Ings -> Jesus which wouldn’t really have been worth it in the end

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

    Can’t wait for Sanchez to concede later!

  16. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bruno(C) save me cause I didn't own Dias Grealish Mahrez Raph

  17. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Time to sell Buendia?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Absolutely. I'm getting him out tonight. A punt that went horribly wrong. Bad player, bad attitude and another flop from the Championship.

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Adel Taraabt 2.0

    2. fish&chips
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think so. Particularly as i have Ings too and villas fixtures turn after GW3. Who are you considering?

    3. Zoostation
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think I will.

      Tough call who though, Sarr or Benrahma obviously a thought depending on how rest of the week goes

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

      Shame theres uncertainty about the IB... Raph probably misses GW4

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

    Lol, Harrison, fitting ending not sure if you went to shoot or pass there

  19. fish&chips
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mahrez & Buendia -> Son & Mbuemo

    Yes or no? Early I know but I'm afraid I'll be priced out. Will wait until a price change looks imminent

    1. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mbuemo is a poor pick. It's slim pickings at that price range..

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

        Hit the pole again today. That makes it 2 out of 2.

        Still a better pick than Toney

      2. fish&chips
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah this is the issue, maybe just switch to another 6.5m and hold mahrez

    2. FFSbet.com
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ødegaard

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

    Bruno masterclass tomorrow

  21. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can you please start townsend instead of iwobi going forward.Wtf rafa benitez.

  22. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best Toney replacement? Guess everyone is getting rid?

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

      Basically, watch how Dennis plays lol.

      I have 1m ITB & 2 FTs, so can go for DCL but not everyone in my position.

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

      Think I’ll hold for 1 more

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thinking downgrade to fodder and upgrade Brownhill to Raphina

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

      Holding on.

  23. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hope no-one started Digne

  24. LIARS POKER
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best Digne replacement?

    Ideally downgrade (5.0 or below) as the cash could come in handy in the coming weeks

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

      Coufal

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

      I went with AWB

    3. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tierney?

    4. Plant Based FPLer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If he falls in price, painful. GW1, Keane, painful. But good fixtures are coming.

  25. dshv
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Barnes and greenwood to grealish benrahma ?? Or wait..

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

      Barnes & Greenwood will crush them

  26. AzzaroMax99
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Pogba attractive as fantasy option? What about Mahrez to Pogba?

  27. seewhyaxe
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    seems like Toney & Mahrez are easy sale for me now.

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

    Mings man, is he the top scorer so far? Or at least close…

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

    How are people saying Martinez should keep the yellow since it was offside. Nobody seems to remember last season when VVD was killed but nothing was given since it was offside. If it was on, RC + pen would have been the call.

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

      In my opinion fouls without the ball in play should still be punished

    2. ANGRY PERSON
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Because they dont own Martinez

  30. Gunneryank
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So Brentford's goal is still unassailed after 2. Interesting development.

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

      It’s impressive but they played Palace (no attack) and an arsenal team without Laca or Auba

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

        Fair points. As a gunner fan i still say they are gash. But i will concede that once Ode, Auba, and Lacazette are in the team we might be less horrific.