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. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So who to get as third pool player debate will continue, Gakpo, Jota or Robertson

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota

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

        Is he fit?

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeh and played 60 mins so more likely to play more minutes DGW34

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

      Jota

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

      Jota

    4. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1. Jesus + Chilwell > Jota + defender up to 5.0 (Dalot?) and bench Saka (-4)
      2. Jesus + Saka > Jota + MF up to 7.5 and bench Chilwell (-4)
      3. Jesus + Ode > Jota + MF up to 5.9 (not Brighton) (-4)
      4. Saka > Gakpo for free and play one of Odegaard or Jesus

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        reply fail

    5. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      KDB

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

      Jota

  2. TOBY1
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who is triple captaining Haaland next week?

    1. Crystal Alice
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      o/

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Right here, glad I waited with it, feels like the perfect time

    3. jammie26
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Me

    4. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hmmmmm..........

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

    Any injuries to report from tonight?

    Will transfer in Jota before price rises if not

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

      Young Nico taken off on stretcher (head injury), but I can't see that effecting your choice.

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

    Haaland aka Vigo the carpathian

  5. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Haaland was good but Kev was head and shoulders above him tonight

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

      Only really got going in the game once he let his hair down

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

        Ponytail was probably too tight.

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Impressed by the goals they each banged in.

  6. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Haaland = 14, other 7 players who have played = 11. Oh dear.

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have more 1s than Geoff Boycott

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

      I don't understand where everyone else has got points from.

      1. Big Mike
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Martinez, Mings, Harrison, Maddison, Haaland (c). 67 points plus still have Tripps, Dalot and Isak to play.

  7. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Brighton fans, we think Steele will continue to start?

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      We would all get Ederson for his 2 pointers then... I am not ready to get hurt again

  8. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    64 after bonus with Kane, Rashford, Trippier and Schar (or Henry's 5 pts) to go. Up from 18k to 9153. I am speechless

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nice!

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks, mate!

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

      How? FFS I'm on 33.

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Steele, Mings and March heroes

    3. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wow huge. KdB and Stones doing bits for you I presume?

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Nope, Steele, Mings and March did it. I am perhaps getting KDB in for next week tho

    4. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Great!

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers, mate!

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

      Well done

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks!

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

      Congrats!

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you!

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

      Bravo

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hvala, brate 😀

    8. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      BAN

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        😆

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

    City are really celebrating like they’ve won the league.

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

      Call the celebration police

    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They have

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

      They just did.

  10. Superflymonk
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal were never going to win at the Etihad, they just had to win vs Southampton and Westham and maybe draw vs Newcastle, they'd still be in it. Still it's been an unbelievable performance for a team that was not even in the top 4 last year. Arteta has done an incredible job! It's gutting, but the boys should be proud of themselves for how far they've come. Where would City be without oil money?

    1. FPL Emu
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You catching any of those straws there mate?

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don't disagree and nobody can argue with City's financial doping... but Arsenal have spent nearly €350m in the last 2 seasons and made about €50m from outgoings. Not like they haven't spent a huge amount either

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

      Can't beat the financial dopers forever.

  11. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If only Pep took off Stones that could have been a truly superb return, but to be fair Haaland wouldn't have scored if he didn't win that header so can't complain with him still getting a bonus pt

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

    Loreal need to up their game. Jason Macteer, Joe Hart, come on. Ginola putting in a good word for Erling.

  13. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1. Jesus + Chilwell > Jota + defender up to 5.0 (Dalot?) and bench Saka (-4)
    2. Jesus + Saka > Jota + MF up to 7.5 and bench Chilwell (-4)
    3. Jesus + Ode > Jota + MF up to 5.9 (not Brighton) (-4)
    4. Saka > Gakpo for free and play one of Odegaard or Jesus

    Leaning towards 1.

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

    Holy s*** just seen Ederson made a save

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

      I think he was on a Bonus point before Holdinho scored

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

        He was never on a bonus point because he always concedes

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      After the final whistle?

  15. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    This is a transition season for City and they're still looking unstoppable.

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

      Come off it!

    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Transition season? 😆

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They've changed to a no9 system, Foden playing more, sold key squad players and promoted young players to squad. Shame I had to explain \0/

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

        Ridiculous. No more changes than the average team, and it helps that one of those changes is the world's best goalscorer

        1. The Mandalorian
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Lazy comment and generalisations. Going from a false 9 system to a no9 is very different. Clearly many here don't understand.

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

            System changes all over the league since last season, and even between and during matches, like Man City today with KDB's advance role.

  16. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bad GW, relying on Kane Isak and Rashford tomorrow ... what could go wrong? 😛

    1. Steve Stiffler
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      same as that not great so far, loosing my cash quarter final tie. Need Rashford and Shaw to outscore De Gea, Tark, Fernandes, Kane 🙁 Not looking good brev

  17. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sanchez->DDG for a hit?

  18. HD7
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Im not so upset for Kane Saka to Jota Salah (-4) because I always knew it could be premature.

    But playing Kepa and Estupinan Chilwell with having Steele and Henry on the bench is really dissatisfying.

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

    77 with 2 to play. Average GW so far. Need Isak to go big tomorrow

    1. Steve Stiffler
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Below average tbh

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Awful

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

        DM me if you need help with your team x

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bit more creative with posting please, no offence but well done 😛

    4. Heiro
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You trolling? Average for who?

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

        I am trolling

    5. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Average HOF rank?

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

        2245467

  20. Jon Snow
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Glad I went DDG over Ederson, if I'm going to get 2 pointers until the rest of the season I might as well save 0.4

  21. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How was Salah tonight?

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

    Arsenal are shite but barely a word on Chelsea on route to 16th place by the end of the season

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

      Gotta fancy them to pick up a point to hit the magic 40, they'll be safe

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

      That last 6 form table, my god
      https://thefishy.co.uk/formtable.php?table=1

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

        AMazing. And still only 18th from the last 10

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

    Reckon I may get away without Mitoma next week?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You reckon? Are they knackered?

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

        Have March so don’t want to invest too much and get disappointed again

        1. Big Mike
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Probably. One Brighton midfielder is enough.

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think so you know.

  24. Well you know, Triffic
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jota isn't nailed tbh, Klopp himself said in a press conference last week that Nunez will probably start a game at some point due to the volume of games.

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

      Think I'll have him for 120ish mins in the DGW and move him on

  25. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Salah and Stones
    B) KDB and TAA

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  26. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who wrote that book...wasting your WC?

    Final decision was DDG Stones or Ederson Shaw...FFS...of course I didn't go for Stones...

    Hold Ederson now or knee jerk the jerk out?!

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

      Hodl

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

      David Wardale

  27. Cash'nBurn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On a WC….

    A) KDB + Gakpo

    or

    B) Salah + Grealish ?

  28. GoonerSteve
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which two to bench?

    Trippier, Estupinan, Isak, Jota?

    After tonight leaning towards benching Estupinan over Tripps despite dgw.

  29. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal's best chance of winning the title for the next few years has gone. Unlucky Arses

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why would you say that? They built on last season's upswing and have a very young team. They have positive momentum and are a threat to win the league in the next few years.