Dugout Discussion
16 December 2021 1890 comments
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Following the postponement of Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, tonight’s Premier League action now gets underway at 19:45 GMT with Chelsea v Everton, followed by Liverpool v Newcastle United 15 minutes later.

It has also been revealed that a further four Gameweek 18 fixtures have been called off this weekend, which makes five in total:

  • Everton v Leicester City
  • Manchester United v Brighton and Hove Albion
  • Southampton v Brentford
  • Watford v Crystal Palace
  • West Ham United v Norwich City

The following fixtures remain on, at least for now:

  • Aston Villa v Burnley
  • Leeds United v Arsenal
  • Newcastle United v Manchester City
  • Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea

As for tonight’s team news, Thomas Tuchel makes two changes for Chelsea, with Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic coming in for Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.

Havertz and Werner miss out completely, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Romelu Lukaku also absent from the matchday squad.

Rafael Benitez makes five changes for Everton, with Jonjoe Kenny, Jarrad Branthwaite, Alex Iwobi, Anthony Gordon and Ellis Simms replacing Seamus Coleman, Fabian Delph, Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray and Richarlison.

The headline news at Anfield is that Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones are not included in the squad due to Covid, while Callum Wilson starts on the bench for Newcastle United.

GAMEWEEK 17 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Alonso, Ziyech, Mount, Pulisic

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Bettinelli, Christensen, Chalobah, Kante, Niguez, Barkley, Sarr

Everton XI: Pickford, Kenny, Godfrey, Holgate, Keane, Branthwaite, Doucoure, Gomes, Iwobi, Gordon, Simms

Subs: Begovic, Lonergan, Allan, Coleman, Gbamin, Dobbin, Onyango


Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson, Thiago, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Mane, Jota

Subs: Kelleher, Pitaluga, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Minamino, Tsimikas, Williams

Newcastle United XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, Hayden, Shelvey, Fraser, Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton

Subs: Darlow, Clark, Ritchie, Hendrick, Willock, Almirón, Gayle, Longstaff, Wilson

  1. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think Chelsea game gets postponed?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think they all will. So green arrows for anybody how doesn't take a hit.

  2. Firminooooo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    With Jota(C) I would have loved it if he scored that big chance after Salah was rested. 16points it cost me.

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

      Cost 8 for most others.

      1. Firminooooo
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes, but think about all the bragging I could post about my fantastic captain pick.

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jota & leaving points behind is becoming iconic.

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

    GW rank 57k. By far my best gameweek of the season.

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

      11K GW rank 😯

    2. Jump in Micah
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Anyway of seeing GW rank on the app?

    3. Kannbury
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      73k, best gameweek in the last 3 seasons!

  4. Subzero (-4)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any arsenal fans shed any light on best defensive pick. Tierny looks the best but is he first choice when both left backs are fit?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tierney first choice but fragile. Gabriel expensive but goal threat. White & Tomi cheap, Tomi small attacking threat.

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tierney looks the best when he plays but a) he has never played 10 consecutive games for Arsenal and b) he is the only one atb with anything like competition for his place
      He is first choice but not by enough to pick in fpl

      Tomiyasu for me

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

      Tierney 100% first choice but he'll always end up picking up an injury. If you've money to burn than Gabriel is the biggest goal threat, if not just go Ben White.

    4. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      White is the BPS magnet.

  5. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Only have 5 players fit for this weekend.... all my planning has gone to waste.

    Think I'll have to write the season off now!

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Feeling the same….

      So much for building for 15 quality players….!

    2. 11SPECIALONE11
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Good time to use the free hit...no?

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Possibly, but you could still run into trouble if games are postponed after deadline.

        I used mine this week. Gained 50 points on my previous team and climbed 230k places.

        Had to go two deep into my bench though, so that's a definite danger.

        1. Brehmeren
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Wow, that's a huge win then. Well done.

          1. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks. Desperately needed it after 7 reds on the bounce.

            Hopefully won't be too badly punished by future blanks with the free hit now burned.

    3. banskt
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      7 for me. and 2FTs. (so total 9 hopefully if none of the remaining 5 matches gets cancelled)

      None of my players are fodders, thought that will help over the busy season. Everything out of the window. Now, I have to rip apart my squad just to have 9 players on the pitch.

    4. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same here. Was ahead in my ML and now it's all down the drain

  6. One More Hit
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Brutal gameweek, gone from 14k to 31k. James, Mount seem to be the issue and Foden and Watkins the differentiators

    1. Firminooooo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Only 8 points from James, ragetransfer him out at once.

    2. Nice Baps.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, very annoying because they were my transfers in (for Jesus and Saka) but was 0.1 short so just did Saka to Gallagher. Probably cost me 100K OR

  7. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale or Mendy for the next two games?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kante update fairly key.

      1. Old Wulfrunian
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        cheers

  8. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    73 pts up to 88k what a rubbish week and only 9 players next week

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sounds like you came out of a bad week pretty well

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, pathetic week, give up FPL.

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

    Funny. I just realized that if I sell CR7 to Watkins, I can't afford him back unless his price drops.

  10. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Not doing any transfers til 13.29 Saturday. God knows what matches will be off by then

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      For Saturday players only too.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Green arrow for anybody who doesn't take a hit probably.

    3. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yup … we’re all collectively going to crash that site and then moan when we can’t make any transfers.

  11. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which is Best Two Strikers instead of Vardy & Antonio Budget 18.5 M ?
    My 3rd striker is Dennis.

    1. Alcapaul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Watkins and maybe Lacazette at this point out of the teams that will actually play.

    2. Critical Observer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      For next weekend, Watkins & Lacazette.

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thxxxx Guys

  12. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Green arrow for anybody who doesn't take a hit in GW18 ?

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

      After the game updates, sure.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        and at the end of the GW if all matches are postponed.

        1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Good god, that would be awful … imagine taking a -12 and then all the remaining games get postponed… ouch …

    2. dshv
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes small green back in 28k actually a was at 14k 5 weeks ago

    3. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Or those who dare to take the hits and score some points

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        games need to take place for that to happen though.

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

    Those teams had COVID Cases does their players prices Drop ?? Or they are locked in ?

    Thanks a lot for your help.

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

      No locks unless red flag to 100% available.

  14. dshv
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Reguilon to cash?
    Antonio to Watkins? For free

    Question.. keep antonio for fixtures? Cash less money than reguilon and actually villa is a on good way.

    1. Alcapaul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good. Worth remembering Antonio will have a double at some point now but can always buy back.

  15. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    IF fixtures stay as they are, thoughts on:

    Ronaldo, Gallagher, Livra ->
    Watkins, Foden, Cancelo
    (-8)

    Y/N?

    In theory only a 4 point hit as blank players otherwise

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      but would you want CR7 back ?

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

      So it's a -2 hit then?

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ummmm - yes…..cracking maths from me

        When you put it like that….

        (And yes I would like Ronny back….hmmm)

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          and can you get Ronny back without taking more hits ?

  16. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If City game who would you bring in as third player ( got Cancelo and Foden)

    A Ederson
    B Jesus
    C Gundogan

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Probably gundog
      But I’m considering Dias as well
      He’s just so reliable.

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i went ederson to side step the rotation

  17. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pick one of:-
    A)Cash
    B)Dias
    C)Laporte

    1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  18. Scratch
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have 1 goalie, 5 defenders and 2 midfielders as it stands, guess that's probably average?

    1. Kannbury
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      0 goalie, 5 def, 4 mid, 1 fwd.

  19. CheesyZoot
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Assuming Lukaku won’t be ready for the weekend even if the game goes ahead?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

    2. Alcapaul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Unlikely

  20. banskt
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Will there be a worse blank gameweek worth the Free Hit more than it is this week?

    (I have 7 players from those 5 games and 2FTs).

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Use your ft's and maybe hit to get 10 players playing

      1. banskt
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks! So, you think there would be worse blanks along the way to the finish line.

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

      How much different would the FH team be?

      1. banskt
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Good question. The 9 players after 2FT are quality I suppose: Salah, Jota, TAA, Bernardo, Cancelo, Foden, Rudiger, Ramsdale, Lacazette).
        FH will bring in 2 players from each team on the pitch to minimize covid exposure, and will also put in a playing bench. So 7 players from the current team will also be there in the FH team.

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      could be a wasted FH if GW is cancelled.

      1. banskt
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That too! Thanks for talking me out of the free hit mates.

    4. lugs
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      maybe not, there is a lot of cancelled games yet to be replayed so the traditional blank gw's might not be so bad, that being said with all of the dgw's that will happen you'd likely earn more points using your FH then

      1. banskt
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        yes, that is true. I can probably make up a lot more using FH during the double gameweeks.

    5. banskt
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers everyone! Thanks for talking sense to me. 2FTs for 9 players in GW18. Here we go!

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    lukaku not flagged why didnt he play tonight ?

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Covid

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        cheers

    2. Brehmeren
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Covid

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

    Tierney or Cash?

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Money rules the world

  23. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    feels like a great gw for fh but so risky too...

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes could end up with nothing from it.

  24. Chilli Heatwave
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How come I am 160k overall but 185k on game week 1 league? Could someone explain the reason for the delta? Cheers.

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

      Hasn't updated.

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They don't always update together.
      Usually overall comes before they do the leagues/regions.

      I bet give it time and the gw1 will update to be similar/same as the overall

    3. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Some teams which started after gw1 have overtaken you.

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Wait, I think I misread

    4. The Legend Squad
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      There are 25k people who started their team after GW1 that are ahead of you in the overall rankings

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That would put you lower down the OR, not higher.

    5. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That's got me stumped as well.

    6. Chilli Heatwave
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks all

  25. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Assuming the Arsenal game goes ahead … Livra out … for …
    A. Tierney
    B. Tomiyaso

    Based on not taking a hit and using available funds?

    1. Pukkipartyy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  26. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Let's be clear, GW 18 will not be cancelled. Teams who can field a full team will play if their opponents can do the same.

    Why do some managers have a GW death wish? Surely having some games is better than no games?

    1. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      We want certainty so we can make decisions.

    2. Sif
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Premier League is resisting but probably for commercial reasons.

      The problems is it won't effect all teams equally at the same time. You could have almist full strength City team facing a debutant academy keeper.
      I'm not sure where to fairness to that is.
      Also given the sheer infectiouness of Om it seems someone futurile in the short term.

    3. Sif
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ultimately this is also about health. Our entertainment should always take second place.

    4. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      still doesn't mean there are going to be games. Teams in fixtures that are still on have Covid in their camps that is likely to have been passed onto other players. Government or PL could also bring the league to a halt.

    5. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Leeds need a safe covid outbreak lol. Only 9 fit players as it stands without covid

  27. kbaby901
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Should I go Livra to Kansas or White for -4 counting on Bernardo or Gelhardt otherwise.

  28. Pukkipartyy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is -8 too much? If want full 11 players its needed...

    1. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No necessarily. A lot will take - 4 at least I'd imagine.

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      i would be very wary of taking a hit at all let along 2.
      but depends on who you're getting in/out and if they are long-term holds i guess.

  29. RogDog_jimmy
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    super happy with the gw in the end.

    69 all out.
    rolled a transfer.
    back into the top 100k (90,515).

    Next week looks like Vardy + Brownhill > Mount/Gundo/Bilva + Watkins/Lacazette
    I can do any combination.

    Will spend time thinking/waiting.

    Hope it went well for all!

    1. Kannbury
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Can't say I'm unhappy with 79, everyone returned except Antonio, as an Arsenal fan I'm kind of happy he didn't!

  30. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    lacazette or jesus? cheers

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      My issue with Jesus is maybe he plays one, but not the next two or three. City is getting just about everyone but Torres back at this point.

      With Arsenal it seems they've turned a corner and Auba is in the bad-books. So I'd go Lacazette.

    2. schlupptheweek
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Both don't seem to have a massive ceiling and are rotation risks. For 2 fixtures Laca could be worth it if he starts both.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      cheers both