Dugout Discussion

Wednesday team news: Havertz and Martinelli subs as Rudiger misses out

Four more Premier League fixtures take place this evening on the penultimate night of Double Gameweek 33.

Chelsea v Arsenal, Everton v Leicester City and Newcastle United v Crystal Palace all get underway at 19:45 BST, with Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion kicking off 15 minutes later.

Pep Guardiola has made six changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Liverpool at Wembley on Saturday, with many of the big guns returning.

Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez are all brought into the midfield, with Ederson and Aymeric Laporte recalled at the back.

Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Zack Steffen and Oleksandr Zinchenko drop to the bench, while Ruben Dias is once again a substitute.

Graham Potter has made two alterations to the Brighton side that prevailed in north London at the weekend, both of which are enforced.

Yves Bissouma is suspended and Leandro Trossard is absent from the matchday squad due to illness, so Solly March and Danny Welbeck come into the side.

Over in west London, Chelsea make four changes from their own cup semi-final.

In come Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku and Malang Sarr, as Kai Havertz and Jorginho drop to the bench. We knew that Mateo Kovacic would not be in the squad due to injury but Antonio Rudiger‘s absence has caught us on the hop – he is not involved due to a minor groin problem.

Opponents Arsenal make three changes from the defeat at Southampton, as Emile Smith Rowe, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny come in for the benched Cedric Soares, Gabriel Martinelli and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Alexandre Lacazette is on the bench after recovering from Covid-19.

The Leicester rotation continues on Merseyside as Brendan Rodgers makes seven changes following his side’s injury-time loss to Newcastle on Sunday, reverting to the bulk of the side that played in the Europa League last Thursday.

The back four are completely overhauled, while James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho are all reinstanted in attack.

Yerry Mina returns in place of Michael Keane as one of two changes for Everton but Frank Lampard has lost Dominic Calvert-Lewin to a quad muscle injury that could keep him out for 10-14 days. Demarai Gray steps in.

An unchanged Newcastle, still without the injured Ryan Fraser, take on a Crystal Palace side showing five changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Chelsea on Sunday.

Conor Gallagher, ineligible at Wembley, returns alongside Vicente Guaita, Nathaniel Clyne, Michael Olise and Odsonne Edouard.

Jack Butland, Joel Ward, Eberechi Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta and James McArthur all drop to the bench.

GAMEWEEK 33 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Azpilicueta, Sarr, Christensen, Alonso, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Lukaku, Werner

Subs: Kepa, Jorginho, Thiago Silva, Pulisic, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Havertz

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Holding, Tavares, Xhaka, Elneny, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Saka, Nketiah

Subs: Leno, Lacazette, Soares, Pepe, Lokonga, Martinelli, Azeez, Swanson, Hutchinson


Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Godfrey, Mykolenko, Allan, Delph, Iwobi, Gordon, Gray, Richarlison

Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Doucouré, Gomes, Van de Beek, Alli, Rondón

Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Pereira, Fofana, Evans, Castagne; Mendy, Maddison, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes, Iheanacho

Subs: Ward, Justin, Söyüncü, Amartey, Albrighton, Pérez, Choudhury, Lookman, Daka, Lookman


Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett, Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton, Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin

Subs: Darlow, Lascelles, Ritchie, Fernandez, Manquillo, Murphy, Willock, Gayle, Longstaff

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Kouyate, Andersen, Guehi, Clyne, Olise, Gallagher, Schlupp, Mitchell, Edouard, Zaha

Subs: Butland, Ward, Tomkins, Ayew, Eze, Hughes, Mateta, McArthur, Benteke


Man City XI: Ederson, Joao Cancelo, Stones, Laporte, Ake, Rodri, Gundogan, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Foden.

Subs: Dias, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Grealish, Zinchenko, Steffen, Fernandinho, Palmer, Lavia.

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Veltman, Dunk, Cucurella, Lamptey, Gross, Caicedo, March, Mac Allister, Mwepu, Welbeck.

Subs: Webster, Maupay, Lallana, Steele, McGill, Leonard, Offiah, Ferguson, Sarmiento.

1,000 Comments Post a Comment
  1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Early!... GTG?

    Pope
    Trent Cancelo James Rudiger
    Salah Son Mount(C) Saka Kulu
    Pukki

    (Pickford Tsimikas Broja Weghorst)

  2. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Nketiah on the same number of non-penalty games as Lacazette this season now!

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Konate is clear

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Might unironically solve my Cucho issue. Damn you Lacazette.

  3. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Lukaku registering his first sprint when he sees he's being subbed off.

  4. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Chelsea doing their very best to put us off loading up on their players for their upcoming fixtures it would seem.

  5. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Reece at wing back now for 30 minutes

  6. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Desperately need that newscastle cleanie wiped

    1. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Newcastle*

  7. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Chelsea conceded 4 to Brentford now making Eddie the Feather look decent

  8. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Maybe Mount is enough Chelsea on WC

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      And Rudiger

  9. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Naff all returns from any of my players tonight, as usual.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      BB in tatters, been leaving 15+ on bench recently not this week 🙁

  10. Snake Juice
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    NLD will be the decider if this result holds up. Nervy times.

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      If Arsenal win this they should get top 4. Spurs still have to go Liverpool

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Arsenal have tougher overall fixtures. Whoever wins no shd finish top 4

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Either team could win the rest of their games or lose the rest. They aren't City and Liverpool, who of course, aren't immune to dropping points either.

  11. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Gallagher 59 mins sub and YC for a 0 pointer
    What happened in the second half of the season for him!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Luck ran out.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Was looking at bringing him in next gw and not so sure now!

  12. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Chabolah to a) James or b) cancello?

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      B

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Thanks was set on James but may change to cancello

  13. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 18 days ago

    Alonso could have had a few

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Pints?

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Always plays strike Vs arsenal and spurs

      • Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Looks a much better pick than James.

        They need Rudiger back though.

      • Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        A few xGs?

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Travares is absolutely dreadful man

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Reece James at wing back is different gravy to azpi at wing back though

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Brilliant football uncertainty tonight.

      Probably wipes out 50% of comments and suggestions over the last few days.

    5. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Broja brace coming into my team for Rudiger

    6. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Mahrez lucky

    7. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Werner seems to have found his way into the goal… Chelsea have good fixtures as well.

      Bruno G is also tempting me.

      Anyone else looking to bring in those guys?

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Newcastle's fixtures turn soon

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 18 days ago

          This

    8. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Is Dias or Laporte at left back for City?

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Laporte

        1. AIRMILES
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 18 days ago

          Thank you

        2. dabber7
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 18 days ago

          Why did Ake come off?

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Cancelo is and Stones at RB

    9. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Manchester City goal

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Mahrez

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 18 days ago

          Lovely stuff, before his Watford rest!

    10. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Mahrez!

    11. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Flock of seagulls reunion cancelled

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Slowly disappearing from my view

    12. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Anyone got any points yet?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Not enough

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Yeah - Weggy off the bench!

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 18 days ago

          I'll get him off the bench if Wood doesn't come on

      3. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Yeah, Schar...if he keeps CS

      4. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Martinelli points incoming

      5. jacob1989
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        need newcastle & city CS & will get Iheanacho pts if Laca stays on bench

    13. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Mahrez

    14. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Can't believe Malang Sarr actually gets games for us.

    15. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Martinelli.do me proud.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        Is he on?

    16. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Really want KDB on my WC team, but hard to squeeze in!

    17. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Any assist for Mahrez goal?

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        None

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 18 days ago

          But KDB made it

          1. BeaversWithAttitude
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 18 days ago

            Just like that goal before.

    18. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Come on Maddison and Nacho. Please do something

    19. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 18 days ago

      Well done those who punted Mahrez.

      For any other team he’d be first name on the team sheet, such a good player

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 18 days ago

        If you knew he'd play every week I couldn't see him being any less than 40% owned for most of the season, he's so reliable. As it is goes with the CL pattern, he always plays then so he plays tonight and rests at the weekend