Dugout Discussion
2 April 2022 713 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Five top-flight matches get underway at the traditional 3pm kick-off time, and there are some big Fantasy Premier League (FPL) names in action.

There are juicy-looking fixtures for Chelsea and Manchester City, against Brentford and Burnley respectively, while Leeds v Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion v Norwich City will have a big say in matters at the bottom of the table.

The mid-table clash between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa rounds off proceedings.

TEAM NEWS

Reece James isn’t part of the Chelsea line-up at Stamford Bridge and instead has to make do with a place among the substitutes.

There are four changes to the Blues side that beat Newcastle United 1-0 in Gameweek 29 (a match that James also missed), with Marcos Alonso, Thiago Silva, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and César Azpilicueta all coming into the side.

The fit-again Christian Eriksen and Mads Roerslev are back in the Brentford starting XI as Yoane Wissa and Mathias Jensen drop out.

Joao Cancelo does start for Manchester City this afternoon, defying some predictions of a possible post-international break breather.

Pep Guardiola make three changes from City’s last outing, with John Stones only on the bench after picking up a knock on England duty. Zack Steffen and Gabriel Jesus also make way as Nathan Ake, Phil Foden and Ederson return.

Kevin Long replaces the suspended Nathan Collins for the Clarets, while Jack Cork is in for Maxwel Cornet.

Wolves make four changes from the side that began the 3-2 home loss to Leeds: Max Kilman, Marcal, Fabio Silva and Francisco Trincao all start, while Romain Saiss and Rayan Ait-Nouri drop to the bench.

Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez are out because of suspension and injury.

Steven Gerrard makes three changes from the side beaten by Arsenal in Gameweek 30: Lucas Digne, Morgan Sanson and Leon Bailey come in as Ashley Young, Douglas Luiz and Emiliano Buendia drop down to the bench.

Liam Cooper comes in for Diogo Llorente for the hosts at Elland Road. Raphinhar replaces Patrick Bamford in attack, with Joe Gelhardt only among the substitutes.

Che Adams and Armando Broja are paired up top again for Southampton, as Tino Livramento starts at right-back. Stuart Armstrong makes way for Ibrahima Diallo, however.

Brighton make two changes from their defeat to Spurs in Gameweek 29, with Yves Bissouma and Shane Duffy dropping out and Tariq Lamptey and Danny Welbeck coming in.

Norwich make five changes from the defeat at Leeds almost three weeks ago: Ozan Kabak, Brandon Williams, Max Aarons, Lukas Rupp and Josh Sargent, all of whom are injured, are replaced by Sam Bryam, Dimitris Giannoulis, Grant Hanley, Billy Gilmour and Mathias Normann.

GAMEWEEK 31 LINE-UPS

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Lamptey, Dunk, Veltman, Cucurella, Gross, March, Mac Allister, Trossard, Welbeck, Maupay

Subs: Steele, Bissouma, Mwepu, Lallana, Moder, Alzate, Duffy, Offiah, Sarmiento

Norwich XI: Krul, Byram, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis, Gilmour, Normann, McLean, Lees-Melou, Rashica, Pukki

Subs: Sørensen, Rowe, Dowell, Gunn, Tzolis, Springett, Kamara, Tomkinson, Zimmermann


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Alonso, Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Mount, Ziyech, Havertz, Werner

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Christensen, Jorginho, Kovacic, Lukaku, Saul, Barkley, James, Sarr

Brentford XI: Raya, Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock, Henry, Roerslev, Janelt, Norgaard, Eriksen, Mbeumo, Toney

Subs: Canos, Jensen, Wissa, Ghoddos, Jorgensen, Fosu, Baptiste, Sorensen, Fernandez


Burnley XI: Pope, Roberts, Long, Tarkowski, Taylor, Lennon, Westwood, Brownhill, Cork, McNeill, Weghorst

Subs: Hennessey, Norris, Lowton, Barnes, Stephens, Rodriguez, Cornet, Thomas, Dodgson

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Ake, Laporte, Cancelo, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Sterling, Grealish, Foden

Subs: Steffen, Stones, Jesus, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Egan-Riley, Mbete


Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas, Klich, Forshaw, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison, James

Subs: Koch, Klaesson, Struijk, Phillips, Gelhardt, Cresswell, Summerville, Greenwood, Kenneh

Southampton XI: Forster, Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Diallo, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi, Adams, Broja

Subs: Stephens, Long, Adam Armstrong, Caballero, Perraud, Stuart Armstrong, Smallbone, Tella, Valery


Wolves XI: Sa, Jonny, Boly, Coady, Kilman, Marcal, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Silva, Podence, Trincao

Subs: Ruddy, Ait-Nouri, Neto, Gomes, Cundle, Semedo, Saiss, Chiquinho, Hwang

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Sanson, Ramsey, Bailey, Coutinho, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Chambers, Luiz, Buendia, Chukwuemeka, Iroegbunam, Young, Traore, Sinisalo

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713 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who is the worse striker: Broja or Watkins?

    1. Monklane
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Doesn't matter. I have them both.

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Watkins without doubt.

      Broja is 20 and could improve. Watkins is 26 and at his peak (or close to his peak)

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

    Arsenal only 5 points behind Chelsea...could they?

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They could. But Arsenal have to play both Spurs and Chelsea.....

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

    Chelsea failing with 4 defenders. Seems like 3+2 fits better.

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

    Arsenal can still catch and finish above Chelsea. This season is absolutely crazy!

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Champion's League distraction could be their downfall.

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They will finish below Spurs as usual

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

      Let’s hope United can too 😆 lol who am I kidding

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

      Three games into the season Arsenal were relegation candidates and Chelsea, who were title contenders, had just signed Lukaku as the final piece of the puzzle.

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

        ...cue the Benny Hill theme music

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

    Foden off :-+

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

    Foden CS banked, Jesus on.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Phil Foden has ghosted the majority of the season, it's crazy

  7. Hy liverpool
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    F off

  8. @persecuted_by_mods
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Havertz goal James assist, ruled off handball!

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

      Haven't seen it but correct decision.

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

    6 shots on target only 2 goals for City. Got to be better than that

  10. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How the f is that handball?!?!?!

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Them rules

  11. JONALDINHO
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Toney and Kilman on bench is annoying

    1. nanxun
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yep

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

      Kilman is just annoying full stop

  12. The Mastermind
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have 2 Free Hit chips left - when should I use them?

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      33 and either 36 or 37 (fixture dependent)

      1. The Mastermind
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. djman102
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm using mine in 33 and either 36 or 37 (depending on how the remaining doubles fall).

  13. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Havertz missing 2 sitters lol

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

    Broja might actually be one of the worst buys of all time

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

      He’s playing well. Saints are just in one of our bad losing streaks

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

      This. Of this season definitely.

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

      Just can't get rid too.

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      At least he's cheap. Enables you to pump the money in defence and midfield, where players actually get points.

    5. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The solution was to stick with Toney and play 4-5-1 this season.

      Toney has become the best striker in the game. He is almost half the price of Kane and Ronaldo, but has almost as many points as them.

      Could make a case for Pukki too at a similar price.

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

        Except with Dennis, not Toney.

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

    Come on Raph and Rodrigo, combine for a goal please

  16. CABAYE4
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Wolves are the biggest trolls.

    Useless when needed, brilliant when in no one’s team.

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

      Sa and Jonny on my bench…

    2. Monklane
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      true thing

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

      Particularly Kilman

  17. socho
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    James owner and Havertz captain....

  18. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    No ronaldo

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      😮

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

      Illness

      1. The Reptile
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He's sick of playing for Manu

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

          Fair

  19. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Antony/Anthony Pilkington with a goal for Fleetwood. One of my favourite 'cheapies' from yesteryear...!

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Grant Holt assist?

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        😆

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

    Bruno upfront?

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

      FPL Pig about to feast...

    2. Chiellini Me Softly
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Says so much about how far Rashford has fallen down the pecking order that even without Ronaldo and Cavani he can’t get a look-in.

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

    No Amarteyparty

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

      Bad for United

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

    Come on city, get another goal

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

    Stop messing around Havertz

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

    There is always late goals… where are they coming?

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

    Someone out there has Trent, James, Saiss, Digne & Amartey...

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

    Mitovic 37+

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

    Man for man, that Leicester team looks stronger than Utd, what an absolute mess that club is.

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

    Ake shot blocked from Cancelo Cross.

  29. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mitrovic scores his 1000th goal of the season.

    Look forward to regretting buying him next year.

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

      Mitrovic will most likely be priced too high next season for buying.

    2. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn’t touch

  30. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hwang sitter miss

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

      Need to get Hwang out

      1. The Reptile
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Same here