Dugout Discussion
23 February 2022 1521 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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After a two-day breather, Double Gameweek 26 returns with a vengeance this evening with three Premier League fixtures.

Liverpool v Leeds United is a 19:45 GMT start, while both Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur and Watford v Crystal Palace get underway a quarter of an hour earlier.

The big team news from the game at Anfield is that all of the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) assets start, which wasn’t the case at the weekend.

There are five changes from the Liverpool side that began the 3-1 win over Norwich on Saturday, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson making returns after their well-earned but ill-timed breathers.

It’s an all-new midfield, too, with Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Curtis Jones coming into the side.

Making way are Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

As for Leeds, they too restore a well-owned FPL player to their line-up as Raphinha is recalled after his high-profile benching against Manchester United.

Junior Firpo is the other new addition to the XI named by Marcelo Bielsa, who was forced into his two alterations thanks to injuries picked by Robin Koch and Diego Llorente.

Switching focus to the two 19:30 GMT kick-offs, the absence of Maxwel Cornet from the Burnley squad is the main talking point.

Jay Rodriguez is in for the injured Ivorian, while the fit-again James Tarkowski ousts Nathan Collins at centre-half.

Spurs are unchanged, so Dejan Kulusevski again joins Son Heung-min and Harry Kane in a Lilywhites attack that impressed at the Etihad on Saturday.

A similarly unchanged Watford take on Crystal Palace, who make four alterations to the side beaten by Chelsea last time out. Jack Butland replaces the absent Vicente Guaita in goal, while Conor Gallagher, Will Hughes and Jean-Philippe Mateta are also recalled.

James McArthur, Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew drop to the bench.

GAMEWEEK 26 LINE-UPS

Burnley XI: Pope, Roberts, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters, Lennon, Cork, Brownhill, McNeil, Rodriguez, Weghorst.

Subs: Lowton, Barnes, Hennessey, Stephens, Collins, Bardsley, Long, Thomas, Richardson.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies, Emerson, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Sessegnon, Kulusevski, Son, Kane.

Subs: Doherty, Reguilon, Sanchez, Winks, Rodon, Bergwijn, Lucas Moura, Austin, White.


Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Thiago, Fabinho, Jones, Salah, Mane, Diaz.

Subs: Konate, Milner, Keita, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Tsimikas, Origi, Kelleher.

Leeds XI: Meslier, Ayling, Harrison, Struijk, Firpo, Forshaw, Dallas, James, Klich, Raphinha, Rodrigo.

Subs: Roberts, Klaesson, Bate, Gelhardt, Cresswell, Summerville, McCarron, Shackleton, Kenneh.


Watford XI: Foster, Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara, Sissoko, Cleverley, Louza, Sarr, King, Dennis.

Subs: Troost-Ekong, Cucho, Kalu, Sema, Masina, Ngakia, Kabasele, Bachmann, Kayembe

Crystal Palace XI: Butland, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Hughes, Gallagher, Kouyate, Zaha, Olise, Mateta.

Subs: Matthews, Milivojevic, Ayew, Eze, Schlupp, McArthur, Benteke, Edouard, Kelly.


  1. Rassi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If I didn't take this game too seriously, I would definitely transfer in Zinchenko.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo benched in your opinion? I'm on my WC and thinking about going without...

      1. Rassi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        No, just because of Zinchenko's nationality

      2. banskt
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Why would Pep bench Cancelo in an away game just when the heat of the title race is back on?

        1. Rassi
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Oh, Cancelo starts. This has nothing to do with it.

  2. Kannbury
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play up Salah TC.

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

    6-0 Salah, Salah, Salah, Salah, Salah, Diaz (assist Salah)

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      First 5 goals assisted by Robbo and we'd be talking

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeaaaaaah boy!

    2. TomSaints
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I can see a Salah 30 pointer her

      1. ZimZalabim
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        half way there

  4. banskt
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Oh, such a nice ending to my Edouard punt. First bench Laporte.

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      First bench Dennis here. Wonder if I could PayPal some money to a ball boy or someone to kick Edouard in the shin and make sure he stays where he is.

      1. banskt
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ha ha, I played Dennis ahead of Laporte, so at least he is on the field. I wouldn't mind a cameo with a goal from Edouard. 😉

  5. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    There's no better thing than FPL twitter in the mud. Salah punish all those WCers PLEASE!

  6. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Cheers Viera getting my Guaita hopes up

    1. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      There's never any hope with Guaita in the first place

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Any point is a point gained

        1. Il Capitano
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Very true, going to be painful watching Foster rack up more points on my bench

  7. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    At the risk of jinxing it.

    With Salah TC and 5 others players, I’m going to be really dissapointed with anything less than 140 points

  8. RogDog_jimmy
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    phewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

    Salah(tc), Robbo, TAA, Kane, Raphinha.....big day today.
    Probably not much of a return but all the bases are covered.

  9. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Really looking forward to the Burnley 2-0 win and Kane missed penalty

    1. NorCal Villan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I can completely get behind that. And a red card as well for him, yeah obviously

  10. Coaly
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    White D.Sanchez to Semedo Digne -4?

    Set on Semedo but any better options than Digne, with the doubles in mind?

  11. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    More than the Salah TC, I'm looking forward to Edouard bagging a brace off the bench.

  12. Firmino
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Dalot looks good for the weekend.

    1. BeWater
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hope so. I'm not free hitting and really need him to play.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. I think he's very likely to play. They need more attacking impetus vs Burnley than away at Atletico.

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hope do but AWB also on bench

  13. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Edouard to Jimi for a hit it is

  14. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    All the eyes are on Kane today so Son defo outscores him

  15. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Reckon eduoard gets any minutes?

    1. EffPeeEll
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      definitely

  16. One for All
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Diaz 2 starts in the premier league already. Feel sorry for Minamino has good ratio of assists and goals based on his. Don't know what he has to do to start. Not much faith in Minamino from Klopp starting overrated average Jones over him...

    1. One for All
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Based on his minutes

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Minamino's head is not for PL yet - I bet he is great in training but seems to be nervous and make wrong decisions in PL.

      Diaz has made an immediate impact the same way Jota did.

      1. One for All
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He has barely played in the premier league, what's the point just subbing Minamino on 89th minute?

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

      I don’t think he’s good enough. Couldn’t break into the saints team

  17. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Edouard was such a nice pick couple of weeks ago.

    1. banskt
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      How quickly the FPL changes. The current nice pick is Weghorst. But, I have now decided to just ignore that forward position and go with Sargent or Pukki for a third bench position.

  18. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender for the next few weeks/doubles?

    1. banskt
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      for 26 - 29? I think Cancelo is the best pick. Then TAA (I know he has only 2 games), Robertson, Laporte, VVD, Dias, Bednarek, Kilman.

      1. banskt
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        mixed it up. Dias should come before VVD.

        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Already got Trent, Cancelo, Teirney, Digne looking for a differential with a double 😉

          1. banskt
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Oh, I thought you were on a WC and getting the defenders long term.

            Then, if money permits, I suggest Kyle Walker-Peters. 3 home games, relatively secure starting full back in an attack minded Saints team. He can play both RB and LB, so would probably not be affected by Perraud / Livramento competition. Ralph recently compared him to Lahm, so sounds like he has made a very good impression and not be dropped in the near future.

            However, Saints are not quite solid at the back, so may not be many points from clean sheets. Wolves are relatively more solid, but they are playing against relatively more difficult teams, with 2 home and 2 away matches. I reckon they will keep at least 2 clean sheets, so expected 16 points from Kilman, and some bonus points, if any.

      2. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Kilman & Bednarek appeal low ownership

        1. banskt
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yes, they could be nice differentials, if you think they will score more than the standard templater.

          But, personally, I doubt they can score more points than ManCity / Pool defenders even though they play 2 extra games over Pool and 1 extra game over ManCity.

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea

      1. banskt
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Chelsea play Burnley away and Newcastle home between 27 to 29. I would pick Liverpool, Man City, Southampton, Wolves, Arsenal before Chelsea. However, if the focus is on long term (beyond 29), I will definitely pick Chelsea.

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          With a potential double in 28, I will prefer Chelsea over Wolves and Southampton. Especially if you can afford James.

          1. banskt
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yes, that's an extra 90 mins. If they get a double in 28, then yes, I completely agree and will even pick them over Arsenal.

          2. Rassi
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Would James play both games though? I doubt it.

  19. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I have

    A) Pope, Weghorst, Son
    B) Dennis, King
    C) TAA, Salah(c)

    Which game should I watch?

    1. BeWater
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A or C

      Will have both running 🙂

    3. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Dennis vs King

    4. Mario Balofail
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Doesn't matter. Whichever you choose it will be a fail, so 🙂

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Better avoid the Spurs game as an Arsenal fan then!

        1. Mario Balofail
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Haha! It's your choice.

    5. Scrumper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A is going to bag you the most points if it goes well

  20. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Congrats to Diaz punters. Balls rewarded.

  21. EffPeeEll
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    shocking weather at turf moor

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

    Pope, Trent, Virgil, salah (c), son, kane, zaha, sarr

    Let’s gooooooooo!

    1. Under my Cucurella
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ooft, entertaining night for you incoming! GL

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      3, 2, 2, 10, 3, 2, 1, 2. 🙂

  23. fantasist
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hope Reguilon doesn't play any minutes. I want those 12 pts from Livramento off the bench!

  24. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anywhere to watch the games tonight?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        At Turf Moor, Anfield, and Vicarage Road.

  25. EffPeeEll
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    salah hattie and athleti rout of manure please

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I wanna see MU play well just to see them go back to crap in The Prem

  26. Under my Cucurella
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on the strategy for this GW below?

    Currently with 10 players for this week and 1FT could do Laca > Weghorst to have a couple of double GWs with 11 starters hopefully and save a chip then can consider chip strategy for 28 onwards with the following (WC, 2FH & BB)

    DDG
    Cancelo Tark Lamptey
    Bowen KDB Ramsey McArthur
    Dennis Antonio

    Bachmann Salah TAA Laca White

    1. EffPeeEll
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The Leghorse knee has to survive tonite's game first so hang fire on him.

      1. Under my Cucurella
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I'd be definitely waiting till as late as possible for the transfer anyways the bigger question was whether I should stick to navigating this week without a chip, ditching Laca for X and thinking about the chip strategy after 27 with the remaining 4 chips

  27. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    King fail

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bit late

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Already

  28. DycheDycheBaby
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I thought Lucas might get a run out tonight but he must be completely out of favour now 🙁

    1. BeWater
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Kulusevski looks like he can bring some much needed consistency and composure. Moura will be good as on option off the bench for us now.

      1. I Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        How can one good performance be an indicator of consistency? Wasn't consistent at all at Juve.

        1. BeWater
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          He brings a bit more control and composure. Of course it's only been limited minutes. Moura on the other hand is like a headless chicken that loses the ball and dribbles into blind alleys constantly. Kulusevski ran all game and was still there in the 95th minute to put a great ball in for Kane.

  29. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    who to pick alongside cancelo and mee on fh?

    a cresswell
    b digne
    c maguire
    d kwp

    cheers 🙂

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Cresswell

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have KWP & Tark instead Mee as he is back in the side tonight

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

      D. KWP

      if money and squad permits, Laporte.

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      thanks

  30. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    King brace incoming