Dugout Discussion

Raphinha absent as Armstrong, Jimenez, Dias and Grealish are benched

Raphinha is absent for Leeds United’s clash with Southampton, one of five Premier League matches getting underway at the traditional Saturday kick-off time of 3pm.

The Brazilian was in action for his country in the early hours of Friday morning and a start always looked like being a tall order against the Saints given the swift turnaround but he has failed to even make the matchday squad today.

The injured Kalvin Phillips and Junior Firpo also make way, with Tyler Roberts, Jack Harrison and Pascal Struijk coming in.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl makes five changes to his starting XI, with Adam Armstrong a surprise omission.

Captain James Ward-Prowse begins a three-match ban and Che Adams is injured, with Kyle Walker-Peters, Theo Walcott, Nathan Tella and Armstrong all benched.

Romain Perraud, Armando Broja, Moussa Djenepo, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Ibrahima Diallo are promoted to Hasenhuttl’s line-up.

Manchester City v Burnley, Leicester City v Manchester United, Norwich City v Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers are the other top-flight games taking place this afternoon.

Pep Guardiola has sprung a few surprises with his teamsheet, with Ruben Dias and Jack Grealish benched.

Raheem Sterling gets the nod in the City attack, with Zack Steffen, Nathan Ake and Riyad Mahrez the other players who come in.

Burnley make three changes from the side that drew with Norwich last time out. Jack Cork, Erik Pieters and Maxwell Cornet replace Charlie Taylor, Aaron Lennon and Matej Vydra.

Aston Villa include Emiliano Martínez and midfielder Douglas Luiz despite their recent international commitments, while Emiliano Buendía and Axel Tuanzebe return in place of Kortney Hause and Jacob Ramsey.

Wolves make two changes from the side that beat Newcastle, with Adama Traore and Leander Dendoncker starting in place of the ill Francisco Trincao and the benched Raul Jimenez; the Mexican striker was in action for his country in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Man Utd captain Harry Maguire makes a swift return from injury to replace the sidelined Raphael Varane, while Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho also start for the Red Devils.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers makes five changes to the team that started the 2-2 Premier League draw at Crystal Palace before the international break.

Defender Jonny Evans comes in for his first league start since April, while Daniel Amartey, Ricardo Pereira, Boubakary Soumare and James Maddison also make the cut.

Ryan Bertrand, Harvey Barnes, Hamza Choudhury, Jannik Vestergaard and Ademola Lookman drop to the bench.

Brighton and Norwich are both unchanged.

GAMEWEEK 8 LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Tuanzebe, Mings, Cash, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Buendia, Targett, Watkins, Ings.

Subs: Sanson, Steer, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Hause, Philogene-Bidace, Archer, Jacob Ramsey.

Wolves XI: Jose Sa, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Nelson Semedo, Neves, Dendoncker, Joao Moutinho, Marcal, Traore, Hwang.

Subs: Hoever, Ait Nouri, Jimenez, Daniel Podence, Moulden, Boly, Silva, Ruddy, Cundle.


Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Soyuncu, Evans, Pereira, Maddison, Tielemans, Amartey, Vardy, Iheanacho, Soumare

Subs: Ward, Bertrand, Barnes, Albrighton, Perez, Choudhury, Vestergaard, Daka, Lookman

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fernandes, Pogba, Greenwood, Ronaldo, Sancho

Subs: Henderson, Bailly, Mata, Rashford, Lingard, Dalot, Telles, Van de Beek, McTominay


Man City XI: Steffen, Stones, Ake, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Foden, Mahrez

Subs: Carson, Walker, Dias, Gundogan, Grealish, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Palmer, Slicker

Burnley XI: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Collins, Pieters, Cork, Brownhill, Westwood, Cornet, McNeil, Wood

Subs: Hennessey, Norris, Gudmundsson, Barnes, Roberts, Lennon, Rodriguez, Bardsley, Long


Norwich XI: Krul, Aaron, Gibson, Hanley, Normann, Lees-Melou, Pukki, McLean, Sargent, Giannoulis.

Subs: Gunn, Rupp, Gilmour, Dowell, Rashica, Tzolis, Williams, Idah, Omobamidele

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Dunk, Duffy, Burn, Veltman, Gross, Lallana, Moder, Cucurella, Trossard Maupay

Subs: Lamptey, Connolly, MacAllister, March, Steele, Locadia, Roberts, Richards, Sarmiento


Southampton XI: McCarthy, Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud, Romeu, Diallo, Djenepo, Elyounoussi, Broja, Redmond.

Subs: Forster, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Valery, Tella, S. Armstrong, A. Armstrong, Long, Walcott.

Leeds XI: Meslier, Shackleton, Cooper, Llorente, Dallas, Klich, James, Roberts, Struijk, Harrison, Rodrigo.

Subs: Klaesson, Drameh, Hjelde, Cresswell, Summerville, McKinstry, Forshaw, Greenwood, Gelhardt.

1,289 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Greedy Greeny

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Good for fpl points?

  2. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    The traditional 5-0 pasting of Burnley is underway...

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I reckon just the 4 today.

      Burnley may even sneak one but I doubt it.

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        but it's traditional! It has to be 5-0...tradition!!!

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          The script may not have been fully read.

  3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Foden A

  4. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    2 Man City assets, are they involved in the goal?

    Of course not.

  5. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Mahrez over Foden gone wrong

    1. MADCHESTER UTD
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Give it time

  6. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    There's every chance my pre-WC team will outscore my WC team this week.

  7. Crunchie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Yep with Benchings, i have Jiminez, Dias, Raphinha (NP) (so far) with a -4 with Trent playing (bought). OK with that, as it has been brutal

  8. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    So it seems Ake is playing LB. That's interesting. Laporte was the one to get 3 years ago. No reason he can't be the nailed on CB again this year, maybe even over Dias.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Started talking sense earlier, now you're talking rubbish now. Dias is the No. 1 CB.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Laporte, Stones & Ake will share minutes at centreback

      But Laporte will also get the (very) odd game at left back

      To be fair to him he *is* an absolute monster in FPL Laporte, I'll definitely give him that, but why do it to yourself with Pep

      Also - City definitely aren't going to maintain this rate of cleansheets either - they will finish the season with 20 (absolute maximum), and maybe even as little as 15 - with 5 already in the bag it's not getting in on the ground floor anymore and Cancelo is waaaaaaaaaaay more than enough City defensive representation

      imvvho of course

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      What happens when Laporte and Cancelo are benched next week?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        It’s just the way it is

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Exactly so don’t understand this nailed talk. History tells you Dias is the most nailed defender, and history is all we have to work with so no point trying to predict the future just make a calculated call and stick by it.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Honestly, you just have to let people figure this out the hard way when it comes to City

            Everyone realises it eventually, it just takes more time in some cases

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Then (assuming it's Stones who starts) we write little paragraphs about how there's no reason Stones can't be the nailed centreback this season, and how Stones & Cancelo are perfectly viable

        Alternatively (assuming it's Akewho starts) we write little paragraphs about how there's no reason Ake can't be the nailed centreback this season, and how Ake & Cancelo are perfectly viable

  9. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Ronaldo so tired of Greenwood.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      So am I….need a goal today or he’s gone

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Can’t blame him. Is Greenwood still hogging the ball up?

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Greenwood didn't want to look but he checked.

      Ronaldo hung back but Mason can take that shot on all day long.

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The balance of the team is off. They need a creator on that right side.

  10. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    If anyone would like advice on which players to pick, I’m here all week.

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      🙂

  11. We Go Again
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Burnley are there for the taking as expected.

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      No Mee and Taylor was always going to make it a tall order

  12. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Man utd are so boring

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who goes first:

    A. Greenwood
    B. Gray
    C. Gallagher
    D. Sarr

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C or D

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Timing G GW

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The manager...

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        😛

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Oui….

      2. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Team is managerless so that’s not gonna happen…

  14. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Think I've watched too much Seinfeld recently to be dealing with the constant mentioning of Castagne....

  15. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Greenwood needs to just leave

    1. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The wood isn't always greener on the other side though.

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Timing 😛

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lol

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Lmao, the jinx worked

        1. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          No chance he scores again

    4. OLEgend
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Haha

  16. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Cancelo assisted the assist 🙁

  17. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Greenwood G

  18. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Greenwood!!!!!!

  19. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    The wood of green has scored

  20. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    GREENWOOOOOOD

  21. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What a goal!!!

    1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Goal of the Year

  22. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Goalaso!

    Bruno assist

  23. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Never doubted Greeny, just superb….

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lol

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        😛

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      😎

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        😎

  24. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno assist?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yas

    2. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

    3. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

  25. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bruunooo

  26. Ode
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Finally a good shot from Greenwood, what a goal

  27. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno assist

  28. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hasn’t everyone sold Greenwood already? … never owned myself but at that price looks decent

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn’t touch him personally, he finally just got lucky with a goal

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        He's a great player and will shine again.

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        started every game and four goals & an assist for 7.6 … pretty decent imho

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Still holding 🙂

    3. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sold him on WC this gw

  29. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which match to watch?

    1. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Leicester Man U is decent

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Southampton dominating Leeds and missing.

      Villa v Wolves lively.

      Greenwood with his shooting boots on!

  30. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    So glad I resisted the Ronnie-wagon and kept Greenwood.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Said no one