Dugout Discussion
28 December 2021 2337 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Following the rare sight of weekday 15:00 (GMT) kick-offs, Tuesday’s action concludes at the King Power Stadium when Leicester City host Liverpool.

Kick-off is at 20:00 (GMT).

Liverpool have made five changes from the 11 that played nine days ago at Tottenham Hotspur. Their Boxing Day match with Leeds United was postponed, giving more time for Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho to recover from Covid-19 and return to the line-up.

There are no shocks regarding much-owned trio Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota – all three start tonight, as do Sadio Mane and Alisson.

Their three-man midfield has changed completely, with Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joining Fabinho in replacing Naby Keita, Tyler Morton and James Milner. The final change sees Kostas Tsimikas step in for the suspended Andrew Robertson.

Takumi Minamino and Thiago miss out with minor muscle soreness, whilst Divock Origi still hasn’t recovered from a knee problem. Sat amongst the substitutes are Roberto Firmino and Ibrahima Konate.

Things are trickier for Leicester, as the hosts are without the likes of Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Ricardo Pereira. All are joined on the injury list by Caglar Soyuncu and Ryan Bertrand, as confirmed by Brendan Rodgers:

“Patson [Daka] will be three weeks, Soyuncu will be out for three weeks and Ricardo Pereira will be six to eight weeks. That’s so frustrating for him with how hard he has worked. It’s a fractured fibula and he’s lucky it’s not worse. Ryan (Bertrand) twisted his knee in the warm-up, which was disappointing.”

Unlike Liverpool, the Foxes played just two days ago and had to manage the minutes of Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi accordingly. Both start here, with Timothy Castagne replacing Marc Albrighton at right-back.

In-form James Maddison is chosen for the sixth consecutive time, having returned four double-digit hauls in his last five games. The 53 points of this spell average out at 10.6 per match, linking up well with Kelechi Iheanacho during a strong second half at Manchester City.

Yet their defence conceded six times on Sunday and Salah captainers will relish the sight of Daniel Amartey and midfielder Ndidi being paired at centre-back in the absence of Soyuncu and Jonny Evans. There is only a place on the bench for Youri Tielemans, as Hamza Choudhury makes his second league start of the season.


GAMEWEEK 20 LINE-UPS

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Ndidi, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Soumare, Choudhury; Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy

Substitutes: Ward, Daley-Campbell, Nelson, Vestergaard, Albrighton, McAteer, Tielemans, Lookman, Pérez

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane

Substitutes: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Jones, Beck, Williams

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FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

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

    I was joking with my rival earlier who had to start Amartey this gameweek while I started Reguilon....

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 3 months ago

        In the ultimate super Saints luck I am having

        Site crash free hit meant amartey started for me last week Vs city, only took the freehit mainly to keep Salah for this game to cap. Would be my luck this year if amartey now gets a cs and Salah blanks

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

          Haha that would be proper FPL stuff

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I know how you feel, I think I've exceeded your bad luck this season it's kick in the nuts after kick in the nuts. Everything not only backfires but spectacularly

      • Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Burnley v Spurs off due to snow

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

          Ha I lost Reguilon and Son to that too

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

        Calvert-Lewin could become a really good option with all the extra matches that Everton have

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

          Yep, Gray may be better value but Ronaldo to DCL looking very tempting!

        2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Might come good in March - April yes

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

        Dcl buyers in tears.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          not really, last few weeks I have had like 7/8 players and still rose in rank. DCL not playing until the 2nd, I can live with it

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 3 months ago

            If it continues this way not many of us will be with dry eyes

          • Bushwhacker
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Wilson to DCL was unfortunate. No tears.

          • TomSaints
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Not my best punt

          • _Ninja_
            • 15 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Apart from that DCL owner earlier that had Bowen 1st sub!

            1. Duke Silver ☑
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              There's always 1 fooker

        3. el polako
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Hopefully Klopp will go Salah to Firmino soon enough to save us all a lot of stress.

          1. DARE TO BISCAN
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Amen

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

          Everton Newcastle off which means its likely Southampton v Newcastle will also be off making my Broja transfer this morning pointless. Why do we bother?

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

            The whole game is pointless at this stage. Scrap the whole thing.

          2. Will Kane
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Passes the time

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

            Southampton might get a game rescheduled to that week.

            1. Pat Bonner
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              That’s interesting, cheers. Gives us Borja and livramento owners hope!

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

            Saints could still play Brentford in 21.

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

          Vardy getting Kane-esque protection from the ref

          1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Brexit means Brexit

            1. Defcons are for Kinnear
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Exactly. No more foreign refs discriminating against us. Remember Lampard v Germany

        6. it lies in the proles
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          None-Sala owners: “end of the game for you”, “hope you have a big sofa to hide”, etc..

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

            That could come back and bite you....

        7. Defcons are for Kinnear
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Newcastle's next match lineup will be interesting
          Donnuruma
          Tripper Tarkowski Sule Digne
          Hendrix Bellingham
          ASM Joelinton
          Mbappe Haaland

          Subs: Oblak, Ramos, Longstaff, Vlahovic,

          1. AzzaroMax99
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Vlahovic benched?! LOL

            1. Defcons are for Kinnear
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Impact sub

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

            Jeff Hendrick the glue in that squad

            1. Defcons are for Kinnear
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              If his name was Hendriquinho he'd be linked to PSG

          3. Hairy Potter
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Complete fantasy that Hendrick is anywhere near the starting line up!

            1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Really??

          4. have you seen cyan
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Be interesting to see who they can sign, it will be hard to persuade any PL player to go there. Even Alli is now trying in an attempt to avoid it, Martial/Lingard? No chance.

            They either need to be very canny here, or they are going down. Probably going down as I cant see anyone decent going there, and that only leaves foreign players unproven here.

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

              Need a defence. And a manager who knows how to defend.

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                You know who would be perfect for Newcastle? Poch imo, and he decides transfers. He would make that move for sure.

              2. DARE TO BISCAN
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Bleh. Get Keegan back. All out attack 🙂

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

            Hard to see anyone wanting to join a a championship side

        8. The Train Driver
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Tbf, Salah was useless the last game, good job all us non owners who realized it and saw the incoming dip in form.

          1. Goooo Rickie
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            OK captain hindsight

            1. DARE TO BISCAN
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Err, no. That's foresight.

        9. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Get mane off

          1. DARE TO BISCAN
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            He's been poor. Very bad touch.

        10. Digital-Real
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Salah's getting another penalty in this game

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

            Which he’ll miss =[

        11. The Philosopher
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          The number of teams with Burnley, Everton, Leeds double and triple ups when the DGWs roll around is gonna be insane.

        12. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I tell you what, this Tsimikas chap is no mean player. As a back-up player he's real quality.

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

            Lacks a but of pace compared to Robbo but a great player.

          2. Bushwhacker
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Yup ; found a gem

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

          Brought Jota in for a hit, he's been poor just like last time I owned him, don't particularly rate him

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

            Reverse phycology..

            1. DARE TO BISCAN
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Lithp?

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

            You brought in Jota for a hit at this stage in the season?

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

              Yes lol Pool attack pretty important and Salah off to AFCON

          3. @persecuted_by_mods
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Ah, explains why he no longer resembles a footballer

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

                Haha yep

              2. Scapegoat Salah
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                I laughed

            • Alexis Nonsense
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              People brought in Ronaldo for a hit...

              I think jota will come good, he's on 10 goals

            • The Train Driver
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I'm baffled how you aren't on a negative OR score with all your failed transfers.

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

                I think I might be this week

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

              He does miss a fair bit but he does score quite often,especially for his price he’s great value
              If you’ve missed his hauls it’s on you for not being patient enough with him

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

                Actually he got dropped so I sold, it was only Firmino getting injured that let him back in for his run of tap ins

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

            Liverpool missing Firmino's linkup, final pass costing.

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

              Jota off soon for Firmino?

          5. Bobby Digital
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Do something Jota!

          6. RyanMK
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Who should I transfer out for Maddison?

            B. Silva or Saka?

            1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I’m leaning towards Bilva

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

            Tsimilad

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

              He’s too good to be a backup

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

                Yeah he's great, probably starts for every other Prem team bar over Chilwell.

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

                  Assuming Cancelo at RB, of course.

          8. @persecuted_by_mods
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Jesus Christ I know Salah has missed his chances today but Jota and mane are having absolute stinkers

              1. g40steve
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                This Mane still groggy

            • el polako
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              So Leicester without single CB have no problems keeping LFC at bay, pretty sure title is going to Man City this year.

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

                If that first penalty goes in. It’s probably 4-0 now.

                But get that save and suddenly whole team is on it and got momentum

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

                Vestergaard on the bench needs a run in the team

            • Digital-Real
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              If Pool get a penalty in this game and Milner's on the pitch. Do you think he'll take it?
              Just covering all eventualities here

              1. el polako
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Hopefully, couldn't stand another Salah miss.

              2. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Yes.

              3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                I hope Salah takes it and misses again

              4. The Philosopher
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Possible

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

                Salah will want redemption I’d say. Doesn’t seem the character to shy away from it

            • g40steve
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Liverpool are not clicking tonight?

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

                Pen goes in and its probably 0-3/4 big variance swing.

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

              Watching Dewsbury Hall only for the second time and I must say he looks really smooth on the ball,moves a bit like a Rolls Royce

              1. Steve The Spud
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                He’s dews a hall

            • Duke Silver ☑
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              The Ox got sniped there

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

              Dewsbury is 4.4

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

                TripAdvisor rating?

            • TheBiffas
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Mane you complete tosspot

            • Rainer
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Mane huge miss from Jota.

              1. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Sums up Liverpool tonight, that.

            • Kodap
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Oh my lord, mane wasting a Jota assist.

            • Steve The Spud
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              What on earth is that from mane