Dugout Discussion
26 April 2023 1897 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The clash between the Premier League’s top two is the headline act from Wednesday’s four Premier League matches.

The action at the Etihad gets underway at 20:00 BST, with Chelsea v Brentford and West Ham United v Liverpool kicking off 15 minutes earlier.

Nottingham Forest v Brighton and Hove Albion is first up at 19:30 BST.

Compared to the Manchester City side that drew with Bayern Munich a week ago, there is only one change: Kyle Walker in for the injured Nathan Ake.

Arsenal’s only alteration sees Granit Xhaka return to fitness and oust Fabio Vieira.

In the West Ham v Liverpool game, there is just one alteration across the two teams.

The Hammers are unchanged from the 4-0 thumping of Bournemouth, while Jurgen Klopp brings in Joel Matip for the injured Ibrahima Konate.

At Stamford Bridge, Cesar Azpilicueta and Raheem Sterling are in for the sidelined Reece James and Kai Havertz.

Opponents Brentford meanwhile recall Yoane Wissa, Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen, Frank Onyeka and Mads Roerslev, as Bryan Mbeumo, Kevin Schade and Aaron Hickey drop to the bench. Christian Norgaard is injured.

The big news from the City Ground is that Jason Steele gets the nod between the posts for visitors Brighton, with Robert Sanchez only a substitute.

Steele for Sanchez is one of three changes Roberto De Zerbi has made from the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, with Levi Colwill and Facundo Buonanotte also coming in for Adam Webster and Danny Welbeck.

Brennan Johnson and Serge Aurier replace Scott McKenna and Remo Freuler in Steve Cooper’s couple of tweaks.

Aurier and substitute Cheikhou Kouyate were, naturally, described as “not quite ready yet” in their manager’s pre-match presser on Monday.

GAMEWEEK 33 LINE-UPS

Nottingham Forest XI: Navas, Aurier, Felipe, Niakhate, N Williams, Mangala, Danilo, Lodi, Gibbs-White, Johnson, Awoniyi.

Subs: Hennessey, Worrall, Lingard, Toffolo, Surridge, Kouyate, Freuler, Dennis, Ayew.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Steele, Gross, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan, Caicedo, Mac Allister, March, Buonanotte, Mitoma, Enciso.

Subs: Sanchez, Webster, Welbeck, Undav, Ayari, Gilmour, Van Hecke, Veltman, Offiah.


Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, W Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chalobah, Azpilicueta, Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell, Kante, Gallagher, Sterling.

Subs: Badiashile, Aubameyang, Pulisic, Joao Felix, Loftus-Cheek, Mudryk, Mendy, Ziyech, Madueke.

Brentford XI: Raya, Roerslev, Jorgensen, Pinnock, Mee, Henry, Jensen, Onyeka, Janelt, Toney, Wissa.

Subs: Hickey, Schade, Dasilva, Ghoddos, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Stevens, Cox.


West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Cresswell, Aguerd, Zouma, Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Benrahma, Paqueta, Bowen, Antonio.

Subs: Areola, Ogbonna, Kehrer, Emerson, Fornals, Lanzini, Downes, Cornet, Ings.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Jones, Fabinho, Henderson, Jota, Gakpo, Salah.

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Tsimikas, Carvalho, Thiago, Milner, Elliott, Diaz, Nunez.


Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Stones, Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland.

Subs: Phillips, Laporte, Ortega, Alvarez, Gomez, Mahrez, Foden, Palmer, Lewis.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

Subs: Tierney, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Kiwior, Trossard, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Turner.



  1. JBG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wow lovely goal by Bowen

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wiped tho.

  2. JELLYFISH
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chilwell & Gabriel > TAA & Coufal

    Exact funds to do with 2 FT’s - yes or no?

  3. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    any slim hopes of pool top 4 slipping away

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      As you were

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

    Liverpoo

  5. Old Bull
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bowen offside!

  6. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bowen G offside

  7. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    City are unstoppable. I can even see Madrid getting a spanking.

    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Madrid will find a way

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

        36 Courtois saves and 96th minute Benzema winner?

        1. iCon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Please and thank you

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Think City should have the edge this year. Last year they were much better when they played us. This year, if we had finishers, reckon even Chelsea could have beaten them.

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not if Madrid actually show up

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Unlike Arsenal

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

      Have they played that well? I think the Arsenal of the majority of the season would give them a great game, but they've been piss poor today so far

      1. how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        They've pressed well.

    4. Donnie Darko
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Will be a great watch - think it’s MCY time this year for the champs League year

  8. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Estupinian has been a major disappointment since I’ve owned him

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      10000%

  9. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Danilo the Brazilian
    ...ripping up trees

  10. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Jota fail. 1 point

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I feel the pain (-4) so cost of (-5) before GW

  11. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    VVD - finished!

  12. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Great. Got jota for a hit along with salah

  13. borat
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Arteta's tactics not working here. They just play passs pass pass loose possession then chase the ball.
    Just play long direct balls to your forward line and keep 6 defenders defending

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Loose bowel

    2. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Seems a mistake to keep doing the same thing that's not working, and every man and his dog can see what the issue is. Arteta normally tickers vs City, but it seems like his 'tinker' this time was to do nothing when everyone else was saying he should do something different for once. Ah well, maybe there really were no big solutions besides trying to do it better

  14. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Jota 1 pointer

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Camzy on here sold Kane for him for a -4 this week…

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Surprise by that, classic case of chasing points

        1. jacob1989
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Same here but it was to fund saka to Salah with upcoming double

      2. Gandalf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        The transfer would have been more for Salah surely, albeit he hasn't done much better today

      3. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I was close to Saka & Kane to Jota & Salah for a hit. Pulled out thankfully...

  15. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wow jota 1 pointer

    Nice

  16. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Imagine playing Estupinan and benching Botman

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What an idiot you'd be to do that....

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha yeah

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Seriously is there a point starting him next week?

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What's the saying about idiots doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome?

  17. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Aubamayang washed

  18. RICICLE
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thanks Jota

  19. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Brighton still defensively shite.

  20. JBG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Estupidman off.

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Are you kidding me? Started him over Mings because of the scout picks ffs

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I started him over Mee... Chelsea are so trash.

      2. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        11 year vet and making decisions based on the scout picks!!!

        1. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          True. Big mistake trusting the "pros" 🙁

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

        Lol, ouch

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

    This city team are just excellent but doesn’t it all feel a bit soulless?

    Can’t see anyone beating them for a while and then it’s like 6/7 seasons as champs.

    1. FPL Emu
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They'll win the CL, Pep will leave, and then they'll fail with the new guy

      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        They'll win with any manager because of their purchasing power. Whether they are allowed to keep all their trophies is another matter.

  22. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So Haaland cappers happy?

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

      It's not a blank. Always want more of course.

    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Obviously not

    3. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Goals will come

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

      Didn't everyone cap him?

      1. Alan The Llama
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This. Seems like it doesn't matter.

    5. noissimbus
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A goal will do, which will come in the second half. It's inevitable.

    6. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nobody is ever happy with Haaland. captain He is captained solely to protect rank.

      1. thegame983
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Interesting. I captain him because he's the best FPL asset.

  23. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please do something Salah 🙁

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

      He should've taken that last chance on his right foot and not cut inside...

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Santi Cazorla needed!

  24. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lol that Jota bait

  25. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nearly Danilo double ✅

  26. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    After 9 green arrows in a row, it looks like I'm coming down to earth with a bump tonight. On for just 18 points from 9 so far. Anybody worse?

  27. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I benched not only steele. But also Mee!

  28. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Brighton are shattered

  29. Old Bull
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    It’s one of those GWs where I looked at my team and thought yep looks good. Currently on 19 with a -4

  30. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Raya and Henry on the bench, this is painful