Dugout Discussion
18 December 2021 2028 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The only Premier League match of the day sees Leeds United face Arsenal, with kick-off at Elland Road at 17:30 GMT.

Five other top-flight fixtures scheduled for today, the last of which was Aston Villa v Burnley, fell by the wayside after Covid-19 ripped through the football calendar.

The evening match is still standing, however, despite the fact that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad has been ravaged by injury.

Ten senior Leeds players are unavailable for the clash with the Gunners, with Diego Llorente added to the nine we already knew about.

Bielsa’s four changes are all enforced, with Jamie Shackleton, Llorente, Daniel James and Junior Firpo all out.

Robin Koch returns from injury, while Joe Gelhardt, Cody Drameh and Mateusz Klich also come into the side.

The Whites’ very youthful bench contains 15-year-old Archie Gray, with the average age of the hosts’ substitutes being less than 19 years old.

Arsenal’s team news is a serene picture by comparison, as the visitors are unchanged for the fourth match in a row.

Emile Smith Rowe remains a substitute as a consequence, with the fit-again Bernd Leno joining him on the bench.

The Gunners do have a confirmed Covid-19 case, however: Albert Sambi Lokonga misses out after testing positive.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang also sits this one out following a recent disciplinary breach.

GAMEWEEK 18 LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Drameh, Ayling, Koch, Dallas, Forshaw, Raphinha, Klich, Roberts, Harrison, Gelhardt.

Subs: Klaesson, Bate, Summerville, Greenwood, McCarron, Jenkins, Moore, Kenneh, Gray.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Saka, Partey, Xhaka, Martinelli, Odegaard, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Smith Rowe, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Chambers, Elneny, Nketiah.

  1. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Getting Saka and Laca in for -4 for two non playing players wasn't so bad in the end. Laca (vc) means 10 points if Salah doesn't play.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks

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

      Yes, could have been much worse, at least neither blanked (but had Saka not missed his firs chance...)

  2. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    White, just why do you have to be so crap

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

      Agent Ben White.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Lmao

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

      He forgot to take Raphinha out of his team and had to get him a pen

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Haha! Fair point

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

      VVD idolises White 😉

  3. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Got Jiminez Antonio Tooneu for about 20 gamea and not even one penalty, rap got 3 in last 5 ffs

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

    So where will Raphinha ply his trade next season?

    1. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Newcastle

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

      Hopefully Liverpool.

      Anywhere he wants tbf.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not sure where hed get in at the mo

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bayern

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

      Would be great at Anfield

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Psg

  5. yanky
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    odegaardddd is a baller!! lets go!!

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Let's go to Eisengard?

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It was 20 years ago today
        The fellowship began to play

  6. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So 33 pts with 7 to play is pretty good so far? (OK I played fh, but still chuffed)

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why even ask such a stupid question?

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Haha

      2. tbos83
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Bc I so rarely get to brag I need to take my opps

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Awful attempt at bragging to be honest

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Won't get much love on here for that.

    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Did you set up your account just now to post that?!

    4. marcus2704
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes you are amazing well done!

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

      FH lost, who cares about few points?

      1. tbos83
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        300k rank boost so far - I'll take it

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          You'll lose places in the long run which is good.

    6. Qui-Gon-Joe
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      nice

  7. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone riddle me this please? If the Mayor of London has declared a 'major incident' in London (albeit to help London Hospitals), does this mean that Spurs won't host Liverpool tomorrow as the game would need to be called off maybe? Or are there reports of C19 in the Liverpool camp, anyone in the know?

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

      Should be announced that it is being played behind closed doors imo

      1. Dammit_182
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        ^^^this

      2. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sounds sensible imo.

  8. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Dare to estimate the average score?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thought it's down

  9. Old Bull
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    8pts with 8 to go (in theory)

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

      Nice

  10. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Finally got Ramsdale after weeks of watching clean sheets.Was always going to concede.

    1. drughi
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same here not even save points as he always gets. Well now he is broken for everybody atleast

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I miss Guaita already

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Lol .

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I just knew it was around the time for Leeds to score, I did NOT expect White to do that, absolute idiot

    4. DycheDycheBaby
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Aren't you a Leeds fan?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        What has that got to do with it. Leeds are shocking at the minute. Even as a fan I know that.

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

          Interesting. I wouldn't have done it lol

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

        He is but likes to do Hokey Pokey with Bielsa and Klopp lol

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Elaborate please !

  11. drughi
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Fpl is just so boring 80% of the time

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

    Ben White is kind of like the Arsenal version of Luke Shaw. Good enough at football but probably has donkey brains.

  13. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thank goodness Laca didn't haul!

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah glad he didn't

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Has he ever?

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pretty sure people got him this week will sell him by -4 ay some points, 10.3 is expensive

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Laca is 10.3?!

      2. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It is but Laca is way cheaper

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

        Only 8.4 on my team. I got a bargain!

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

    This gameweek stinks

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Season*

      As usual

  15. Firmino
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gutted as a Saka owner. ESR almost matching feels very wrong. Unlucky again.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Saka is cursed

    2. drughi
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Be glad esr didnt start, would have scored a hatrick

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

        Well he isn't starting at the moment. Part of the game to pick players that start.

        1. Going Home
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No. The game is to maximise points from your squad. 6 from £5.9m arguably better than 7 from £6.5m (if you use the extra well). It doesn’t matter whether they start

  16. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Saka finally returning on his stats, to keep up with the over performing ESR
    Josh King take note

  17. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    20/27 of Arsenal’s goals this season have been a scored by players 23 or under

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

      Nice showing.

      Will Auba ever play for the club again?

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

        Hope not. He doesn't bring anything to the team anymore. Crazy to think his last match that he carried Arsenal in was the FA cup final 2020.

  18. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Esr owners....he had to be kept right?

    Impossible to know if he starts next game tho.....so may be first sub for me...

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don't buy don't sell

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

      Hopefully he doesn't play 90 vs Sunderland but very hard to sell regardless.

      20 mins vs Norwich is better than most mids, City/Jota excluded.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        As a Sunderland fan it's quite surreal to us mentioned on an FPL forum once again. Expect Arsenal will need to go full strength on Tuesday.

    3. drughi
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah first on bench but probably wont matter as games will be postponed

    4. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Selling feels a luxury with so many players without even a game

  19. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If the spurs game is called off tomorrow, at least I can relax knowing I've got a monster Ramsdale (vc) haul in the bag

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

      Lucky

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

    Nightmare second half with Ramsdale, Saka and Lacazette. CS gone, ESR goal, Raphinha goal, Ødegård assist. From green to red arrow.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Red arrow with those bunch? Taking hits?

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

        Yes.

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If that's a red arrow then there's not much hope for anyone (assuming no hits of course)

    3. Free Hat
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep. Frustrating watch, especially watching the missed chances

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

    Raphinha and Smith Rowe, please kindly just fu*k off!!

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

      now now, don't be hard on yourself...

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

      Smith Rowe was a good goal but the Raphinha jam irks me too especially having Ramsdale as well.

    3. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Smith Rowe the luckiest player I think I've ever seen

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

        He and Raphninha has made me feel sick every GW lately.

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

        This 100%

  22. drughi
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ramsdale and lacazette in for a hit, 3 points netto wohoo

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

      Saka Lacazette here. Good enough. 8 point gain from my blank players.

  23. EL tridente
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Are still keeping Smith-Rowe? 🙂

    1. EL tridente
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      We

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

        Oui*

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’ve had him since gw 1. Kept him for this weeks free hit. Can’t imagine selling him this season.

  24. Hooky
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    That was the first time this season that Lacazette has lasted 90 mins.

  25. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Surely Ben White should get the assist not Gelhardt

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

      I wholeheartedly agree with u

  26. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So everyone keeping ESR now?

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

      him and raph

  27. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Plan was to bring in Martz this game week I thought he went off injured last match. He grabs two night now everyone getting him.

  28. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    13 from 2 any good?

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

      Veey poor

  29. Salarrivederci
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Can't believe the -12 actually worked out 😀

    Schmeichel, Zaha, Sissoko & Pukki -> Ederson, Saka, Ødegaard & Gelhardt 😀

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Did it?

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

        Surely ?

        Had 7 players without those 4.

        Now I'm hopefully on 11.

        Saka (7) + Ødegaard (7) + Gerhardt (4) = 18

        18 + Ederson > 12 + FT

        1. Going Home
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Enjoy the points. People will always criticise. I’d probably not want those players going forwards, but I’d love those points today. Swings and roundabouts

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

            Yeah you're right. I am, but I'm actually kinda happy with my picking going forward.

            Obviously Ederson blocks me from getting a City midfielder, but I've decided to simply not take part in that, and I'll try to equal those KDB/Foden/Bilva/Grealish/Sterling/Mahrez/Jesus/Gündogang points from a triple in the back.

            Saka and Ødegaard looks great value and have Norwich in next GW.

            Gelhardt was just for today, and now ha can sit next to Gilmour on the bench. Kinda want two cheapies on the bench, and yes next GW King will be on the bench, but it will be Ødegaard against City.

  30. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ah, well. Laca 5 better than Watkins 0

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah but he didn't look too good. I won't have him too long.

      1. BIGREDDOG
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He looked decent enough early on. He spent a lot of energy pressing though and looked sluggish later didn't he

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

          I think I agree.

      2. Kitman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Great player in real life, average FPL asset

        1. Flynny
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'll aim to keep for Norwich and then lose...probably back to watkins!

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Me too