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. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinelli 1 point

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      59m of course

  2. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Forest 3

  3. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Repost

    Wee guys - Salah
    Shaggers - KDB

  4. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What a terrible week in a terrible season of fluked

  5. Sharkytect
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ah man. This evening started off with Steele delight, and has since tumbled away. Chilwell, estupinan, martinelli, salah and grealish all letting me down.

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Add Saka, Pdegaard and Grealish

  6. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Brighton dreadful

  7. JBG
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mee last on my bench...

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same. And Raya.

      1. JoeSoap
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Same and when you need them next week you know what happens

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Raya on bench!

  8. DycheDycheBaby
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hahahaha. Can't even get a 2 pointer for Martinelli. I'm just going to delete my team at this point

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stick with it dude next week will be better. I’m having the same season myself a total horror show so I know the feeling

      1. DycheDycheBaby
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah man just going to gamble on different players next gameweek

  9. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What a terrible gw

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Absolute mud fest

      1. DycheDycheBaby
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Awful

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

    Play Mart bench Saka fail :-/

    1. bialk
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      -1 point.

  11. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Go on, Forest!

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chelsea desperately want to get in on the relegation action.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Conceding 2 goals from 1 SoT is impressive

  13. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    as a Leeds fan, horrendous result this.

    1. Salah_Fingers
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Being a Leeds fan is a terrible result #youreds

  14. Make FPL Casual Again
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1 save for Ederson....Next shot likely a goal...

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Blame bamford he should’ve seen up that win last night

    2. Make FPL Casual Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Aaaand there it is, on schedule

      F it, I'm hitting him out next gw

  15. It's Fergie Time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    can't get kepa and chilwell out of my team soon enough

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same

  16. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Name a worse manager than Lampard

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gerrard

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stevie G

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Steve Bruce

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Jon Carver

        1. Hairy Potter
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Steve McLaren

          1. Hairy Potter
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Joe Kinnear

          2. Andy_Social
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Hard to beat a 0% record

    4. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stewart Houston

    5. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Paolo Sousa

    6. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stellini

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Even he won a game.

    7. DycheDycheBaby
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nathan Jones 1000%

  17. Berkshire Hafaway-Line
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Imagine double Steele penalty saves

  18. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Estupinan over Stones is a nightmare

  19. Free Hat
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So Potter actually wasnt that bad

  20. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Toney subbed

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A small bit of good news this GW.

  21. Andy_Social
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Brighton 1-3 down. GK still on max baps 🙂

  22. Cheeky Reijnders
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Salahahahaha! 🙂

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      ?

      1. Cheeky Reijnders
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry, backing KDB over Salah has pushed me over the edge.

  23. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    March should have another assist.

  24. Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    All Arsenal haters coming out in droves here. But Arsenal should be proud of their season. yes, they slipped at the end towards the title but it doesn't take away the entertainment they provided whole season and the team camaraderie ....

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

      Arsenal may well still win the title. If not points, through City's disqualification.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I'm still waiting for the 2014 Carabao cup to be re-awarded

      2. JELLYFISH
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Owners will make sure that doesn’t happen

      3. Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Doubt that will happen but if Arsenal fans were given 2nd position in the league at start of the season, they would have taken it with both hands. Just because they didn't get the ultimate prize, didn't mean they didn't have a successful season and something to be proud of. I enjoyed watching them and I'm not an Ars fan

    2. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Some players have really fallen off recently. Artetas selections and subs have been questionable.

      But overall good season.

      1. Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Agree, they had no bite today. This is not the same side a month back and most of the season, confidence or something is off surely

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

        It's not possible to keep pace with City's squad depth. The big suprise is that City haven't already won the league at this stage,

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Have been there with Newcastle back in 95/96. Was obviously disappointed at the end of that season, but it was a great ride up until the final weeks.

    4. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Agree. They have been great. Just not quite there.

  25. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chelsea's last goal that went in without a deflection was 18th March

    1. bialk
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What year?

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        🙂

  26. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    has anyone found away to get Haaland, KDB & Salah in their WC team?

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep been toying with it all night last night. On WC and managed it

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cool, i can't wuite manage it

      2. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Quite

    2. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why though?

  27. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Johnstone and Castagne over Steele and Stones is a casual 16point swing. Bluergh

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Went well last week though.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yep, when the decision was out of my hands lol Steele and Stones no game. As soon as I have to make a benching decision though

  28. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Does anyone Steele & Mings?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'll let you guess the missing word...

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hate?

    2. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep

    3. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Me, but bit gutted Raya's on me bench!

    4. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      My ML rival does, naturally

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      OR#1

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Of course, them things have to go your way up there tbf.

    6. Scalper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yessir

    7. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have an associate who burgles museums for ancient chinese porcelain.

  29. BUZZBOMB ♡
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The problem with chasing at this point of the season is that you make decisions like (S)alah when (H)aaland was obviously the shield.

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      This

  30. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Might as well bring on ESR for a kickabout