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. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Arsenal just need the 2 to turn the title challenge back around!!

    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      3 and it is back in their hands!!

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

        You've got it

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Anything’s possible.

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

      Keeevinnnn de bruyyyneeeeee

  2. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Raya 10 as usual.

  3. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hows Chelsea playing. Need this Brentford clean sheet

    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      How they always play

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      This

    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Brentford terrible away from home. Chelsea must be even worse than I thought..

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        We are. Pay attention!

        1. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          What's with the mo Salah of hazz?

          1. TheBiffas
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Pfp

  4. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Decision made, Pinnock > TAA not Estu for 1 of this weeks FT’s

  5. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    0 subs by Arteta. Yeah good move.

    0 shots on target. Getting absolutely battered.

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      World class subs like Vieira and Kiwior will stop this battering surely

  6. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    It might not be a bad idea to play triple Newcastle against Arsenal. The wheels are off

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Newcastle defense been poor for a while as well

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nothing like a home game against charity Chelsea to find your form again though…

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Saka n marinelli out out out!

  7. The Mentaculus
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Diaz getting 30mins could mean he's ready for a start next GW?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes.

    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nahhh

  8. Salarrivederci
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Gotta be scary not owning TAA in next GW!

  9. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Estupinan has been such a washout

  10. It's Fergie Time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    salah capt fail

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep 🙁

  11. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Arsenal were much better with Nketiah up front. At least he stays near the box.

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      They played some of their best football with Nketiah, but also some of their best with Jesus before that.

  12. Not again Shirley
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pretty sure I was lambasted by at least 3 on here when I suggested Forest could actually win tonight after Brightons marathon match on Sunday. Just wish I had stuck a few quid on them now.

  13. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Don't worry Arse fans__Plenty of time.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bun fans

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        😆

  14. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Navas mega save

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      From?

      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        March

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Godamn.

  15. It's a Wookie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Matip G

    1. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Exocet

  16. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    MATIPPPPPppppppppp

  17. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Trent, Salah and who next week?

    1. bialk
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Andy?

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Lack of clean sheets a concern though

  18. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Matip G

    1. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      TAA assist?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Nope. Robbo.

      2. bialk
        • 16 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Robbo

      3. It's a Wookie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Robbo

  19. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Yes Trent common

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Another assist?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        This one was Robbo

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Nope

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Another annoying poster . Are you DRACO in disguise. Idiot

    3. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ban

  20. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Matip Rose well

  21. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Robbo assist btw

  22. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Emphatic finish from mytip

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Really poor merking by WH.

      1. Ten Hag of Bud
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Merk dem bludclaarts rudebwoy!

  23. RICICLE
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Eurghh still no Salah

  24. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Matip up high

  25. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Nice 8 point swing from what seemed quite 50-50 between Kepa vs. Raya!

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Iversen is a better pick than Kepa. Trash GK and defence.

  26. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Even the camel from cameroon scores. Where is Salah?

  27. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Raya and Pinnock on bench 🙁

  28. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    It’s petty but I just want that Brentford cs gone. Played double Chelsea defence and just tired of benching Brentford points.

  29. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Saw a post saying kdb always finds form when a title is on the line, looks like that is the case!

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Posted this before the 3rd goal…

  30. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Rambo saves again