Dugout Discussion
1 January 2023 677 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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2023’s second Premier League match takes place at City Ground, where Nottingham Forest host Chelsea in the 16:30 GMT kick-off.

A poor end to pre-World Cup life saw Graham Potter’s side be winless in five matches, although this run ended with a Gameweek 17 win over Bournemouth.

It also delivered a clean sheet to the many managers that had bought goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.6m), who starts again this afternoon.

Marc Cucurella (£5.2m) has almost 300,000 new owners for this round – he remains in the starting XI, with Cesar Azpilicueta (£4.8m) in for the injured Reece James (£5.7m) being their only change.

That means Mason Mount (£7.6m), Kai Havertz (£7.8m) and Raheem Sterling (£9.7m) all begin proceedings.

With a win, Nottingham Forest can go up to 16th place and Steve Cooper makes two changes from the team that lost at Manchester United.

Dean Henderson (£4.7m) was ineligible to face his parent club but immediately reclaims his spot between the sticks from Wayne Hennessey (£3.9m). The other replaces hamstring victim Jesse Lingard (£5.4m) with Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.5m), out with a groin problem since bagging two goals and assist throughout Gameweeks 15 and 16.

Cheap FPL defender Neco Williams (£4.0m) is on the bench.

GAMEWEEK 18 LINE-UPS

Nottingham Forest XI: Henderson; Aurier, Worrall, Boly, Lodi; Yates, Mangala, Freuler; Johnson, Awoniyi, Gibbs-White

Subs: Hennessey, Williams, McKenna, Cook, Toffolo, Colback, O’Brien, Surridge, Dennis

Chelsea XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Zakaria, Jorginho, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Pulisic

Subs: Bettinelli, Chalobah, Hall, Gallagher, Kovacic, Chukwuemeka, Hutchinson, Ziyech, Aubameyang



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

677 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Yates knows his job

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    James and Foden to Botman and Sterling(c)?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah why not. For free?

    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds good.

  3. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kepa
    Tripper White Cancelo
    KDB Rashford Odegaard Andreas
    Haaland Darwin Mitrovic

    Ward Martinelli Bueno James

    Not sure what to do for the double gameweek,

    A. James to Shaw
    B. Darwin to Havertz

    Also would should I bench to play Andreas?

    1. KDB
    2. Rashford
    3. Odegaard
    4. Martinelli
    5. Darwin

    Cheers

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Madness you have actually included Rash in that list.

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I agree, who would you bench?

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

      Bench Martinelli maybe. A, B if for free as well

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks for the reply, just the 1 free transfer so both would be for a hit

    3. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bench andreas

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Really? You think the rest outscore him?

    4. Men in green tights
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Similar position to you I've benched almiron in my case.
      In yours I would bench one of the arsenal players.
      Cheers

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks for the reply. Horrible decision to make, Odegaard and Martinelli both in great form

        1. Men in green tights
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          If it helps I think they're next game is going to be a tight one so suspect maybe 1 goal if any, odeguard is involved in everything at the moment so keep him .

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Thank you

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

      5

    6. Bank$y
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It's got to be Darwin benched from that list.

  4. FantasyTony
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Don't think Chelsea are passing the eye test at all.

    1. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yep, very conservative in possession - look solid but they’re not going to run riot and score lots.

  5. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any suggestions here? 2FT 0.3 ITB, had a crappy week!!

    Ward (Iversen)
    Cancelo Trippier White (James** Neco)
    Sarah Rashford Martinelli Almiron Andreas
    Harland Kane (Solanke)

    Thinking Kane might have to go (Havertz?), also tempted by Shaw for James, Kepa for Iversen?

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

      Not sure I'd ditch Kane before his DGW

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      James to Shaw and Iversen to Kepa looks good imo

  6. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mitrovic too risky to captain given he could miss the 2nd game if he gets booked?

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

      I'll probably go for it

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

      The upside is there, I have Kepa but still fancy Mitrovic against this Chelsea team if he doesn't get booked. If he does, Leicester is still a decent fixture

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

      Not convinced when some better single week options if he picks up yellow. Haaland v this Chelsea defence for example

  7. FFSbet.com
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kulu and KDB bad punts...Kulu > Mount?

  8. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This double looks like distraction. Ignore it largely and focus on improving team fir next 5 surely.

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

      I agree. Brought in Mitrovic but he's a nice long-term pick IMO, seeing so many people bringing in Chelsea assets just for the sake of it against two teams that could both beat them and then having a run of games that aren't exactly ideal. Think a lot are thinking them out playing Bournemouth is indicative of much better performances

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

    What’s reasonable expectations for Mount this DGW? Judging by FH vs Forrest 4-8 points seem realistic.

  10. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Should I do Martial + Doherty to Mitro + Mings?

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

      No!

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

      Just Mitro.

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

        0.3 short

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

          Amartey or Thomas? Mings not such a bad pick next 4 GW, looks better than Patterson, Bueno. Emery making Villa a bit more solid.

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

      I actually think Mings could be a good enabler.

      Unai has clearly improved them.

  11. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Darwin, James, Ederson -> Mitrovic, Cucurella, Kepa (-4)?

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

      No

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

      Keep Darwin this could be the week the net bulging session starts.

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d probably do that

  12. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just not impressed by Chelsea in attack, double or not I'll give them a miss

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      thinking same just kepa bet sgw players will put score chelski attack

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

      OK betting on Chelsea to score in 90 mins. Choosing which one will score is trickier.

  13. Twisted Melon
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lose Cancelo to enable:

    A) Rashford
    B) Odegaard
    C) Saka

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

      Think you need all 3

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      B

  14. Cojones of Destiny
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Darwin or B. Martial to Mitro ?

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

      B

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

      B of the two, but not sure I'd do either

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        think Martial gotta go runs hot and cold for my liking and only hot next game before 2 tough ones thx for reply

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  15. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Do I drop ether Darwin or Martial for Mitrovic?

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

      Neither but if that is what you want to do then Martial

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        same dilemma Martial to Mitro what possibly could go wrong ) everyone and his dog will own Mitro

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

      As above, Martial but not Darwin. He will punish you soon enough.

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martial

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

      I did Martial. He just look so sad and depressed. Darwin looks full off confidence.

  16. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Considering Chelsea double-up on DGW19.

    Would you sell SALAH or KDB to fund it?
    Greenwood + Salah / KDB >> Mount + Havertz

    Kepa (Ward)
    Cancelo - Trippier - Botman - White - Bueno
    KDB - Salah - Rashford - Martinelli - Andreas
    Haaland - Darwin - Greenwood

    KDB blank in GW17-18, face CHE(A) on 19, but potential DGW20 & DGW23.

    Salah have two away games next : BRE(A) and BHA(A). Not great and I still have Darwin.

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

      No.

    2. VeloFPL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don’t think Chelsea attack potent enough to saddle yourself with too many of their assets for one double

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

      Thank you. Watching them now and kinda agree.

  17. meechamspowders
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Darwin/kane & Patterson > mitro & cucurella worth a -4?

    Team is this:

    Ward, Leno
    Tripp, Shaw, Gabriel, Patterson, Bueno
    KDB, almiron, rashford, Andreas, odegaard
    Kane, Darwin, haaland

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don't like that hit for this double

      1. meechamspowders
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I think the only one I really want is Mitro. Who would you ditch to get him in?

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I would sell any for Mitrovic, bench Miggy

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Wouldn't *

    2. VeloFPL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would do just one move Darwin for Mitro. Save Kane for GW 20 double

  18. VeloFPL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who to bench for Andreas GW19 double? Almiron, Martinelli, Rashford, Salah. I’m currently reluctantly benching Miggy

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Almiron

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

      Hard call. I seem to be in the minority but my thinking at the minute is that the Arsenal-Newcastle game might actually be an entertaining watch and might have a few goals so I'm thinking of playing Almiron, but that might change. Probably in your scenario it's the best call, although Martinelli v Trippier will be an interesting battle

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

        Agree I can see either hauling, but Martinelli has looked hot recently and consistent all season. Rashford in top form with good fixture. Not bold enough to bench Mo

    3. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Almiron

  19. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kepa save point

  20. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sell for Mitro ?

    A Darwin
    B Martial

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wouldn't bother tbh

    2. VeloFPL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martial
      Darwin is a slot machine that will go off at some point soon.

    3. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Similar, martial has Bournemouth this week, then it’s city an ars, depends if f you want to hold him
      Fulham have new, tot, Chel after dgw

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

    Has T Silva scored yet?

  22. Mark Colonel
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any suggestions here ?

    Kepa ( Ward )
    Cancelo - Trippier - Shaw ( White - Patterson )
    Andreas - Salah - Martinelli - KDB - Rashford
    Haaland - Wilson ( Greenwood )

    2 FT, 0,5m in bank

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

    Absolutely fair play if you tripled up on the Chelsea defence cos the algo said to. Easy points.

  24. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cloughie would have fined Johnson a week's wages for that

  25. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Save? Darwin to mitro? Kdb to salah?

    Kept (ward)
    Shaw / trip / cucu (bueno/pat)
    Ode / rash / kdb / Pereira (almiron)
    Darwin / haaland / kane

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

    Kepa haul loading…

  27. mdm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cucu or Azpi?

    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cucu

  28. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Unai was unlucky not to be given time to move on Wenger's wasters

  29. Subzero (-4)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What do we think for gameweek 19 fellas. Used free transfer so it would be for a hit?

    Kepa
    Shaw Trippier white
    Salah KDB Odegaard Almiron Rashford
    Haaland Martial

    Ward. Patterson Botmab Greenwood

    2.8 itb so pretty much any player in reach .

    1. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Almiron to Mount?

      1. Subzero (-4)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        For a hit?

  30. putana
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    kepa might be this year's ramsdale