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

    Jota and DCL 2 in 2!

  2. 3 A
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Dcl score.. Salah blank... A good day haha

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You don’t own Salah?!

      1. 3 A
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Of course I have him, but not captaining him. Non owner basically is a clown player.

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

    This gameweek is gradually turning into a train wreck.

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

      Into a sweet shop and then there’s free sweets for everyone. Unfortunately you were the driver so you’re dead.

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

    I love the sight of DCL doing the shush with the cheeky boy grin

  5. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Camzy in heaven both DCL and Grealish score. Bruno (C) as well.

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

    That’s the first penalty DCL has taken.

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

      I have a vague memory of him missing one for me before. I’m sure of it.

      DCL one of those players who’s rubbish when I pick him

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

    Ings > dcl done

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

      You got money ITB?

  8. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    DCLLL lessggooo

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

    Literal dreamland for me today so far.

    Grealish, DCL, Tsim, TAA and I capped Bruno xD

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

      Nice

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

      Well played!! FPL is won by these differentials that really shouldn’t be (DCL, Grealish)

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

      Congrats

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What has Bruno done? 😉

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

      Bruno could get 2 pointer, too early to celebrate that one.
      Nice other picks though

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

        Don't kid yourself mate!

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

        Yeah that's true. Should've said 'didn't cap Salah' 😛

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

      Nice,well done.

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

      Very nice! Grealish goal off his knee and DCL's first ever penalty in normal time...

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

    Tsimikas please rise so I can afford Ings to DCL

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

      This

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

      Arise, Sir Tsimikas!

  11. LiamK17
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Think Mahrez + 4.5m striker to DCL + 4.5m mid looks like a sensible move with the idea of a WC GW7 when Eve fixtures turn

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

      i'll be doing this

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

    Leeds look rubbish

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

      Yeah

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

      Especially Raphina I expect

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

      Few players such as Harrison playing too wide to look dangerous

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

      really? thought they've responded well

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

      Second season syndrome

  13. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Need Ings hatrick now

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

    Stiff on Richarlison not being on penalties. May just be because DCL was fouled but don’t remember Richo ever missing one

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

    WCs flying out the gate after GW3.

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

      Already played it 😎

      Better to get rid….never improves my team anyway

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

    One of these games will end 0-0 is written all over it….but which one? I have no idea.

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

      Not much happening in villa Newcastle

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

        Feerk, need Ings involvement….

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

        If only Wilson scored that 1 on 1 earlier. Anyway, that game is definitely not ending goalless

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

        Are you watching this game?? There will be goals for sure

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

    Leeds first season honeymoon over

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

      They getting pumped?

  18. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Niceeee not many can afford DCL as he's 8.1 already

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

      I've got 1m ITB

    2. The Red Devil
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      lots have 2 FTs

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

      How an earth has DCL risen in price when his ownership has barely changed?

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

        was asking mself the same questio today

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

        Low ownership to start with

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

          It's still low...

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

    Richa off pens 🙁

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

      I think I read somewhere Rafa has said it’s based on who wins it

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

    According to Sky Sports, Leeds are playing 3-3-3-1

    Can’t be right surely

    1. sk24
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      That and 4-1-4-1 are their most common setups

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

      It is right. That's sorta Bielsa's thing. But as with all formations, fluid.

    3. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bro Bielsa is famous for his 3-3-3-1

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

      Indeed, thats the attacking formation.

      5 at the back defensively

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

    Do something Ings!

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

    Raphinha, need you to deliver pal

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

      He will score and assist

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

        LOL

  23. DAZZ
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ings > DCL might have to happen. A juicy 0.5ITB ready

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

      You don't need the .5 same price?

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

      Ah yes riser

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

      Oh yeah?

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

    Mina is such a clown 😆

    Funny battle with Bamford.

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

      Both booked.

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

    May just do Ings > DCL this week.

    Is Brentford are anything like their Arsenal performance, Ings may not even get a sniff!

  26. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    hahahh Mina being absolute clown

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

    Leeds Everton turning into a wrestling match

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

    'Comedy football' Mina Bamf dance

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

    He just wants a hug. Give him one.

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

    Gundo YC