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. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Best move here?

    A. Saka/Watkins -> Salah/Isak -4 (Isak mostly for dgw36)
    B. Saka -> KDB

    Raya
    TAA Shaw Estu
    Saka Rashford Mitoma MacAllister Grealish
    Jota Haaland

    Kepa Watkins Trippier Zinchenko

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

      No dosh for Salah?

      1. _Ninja_
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Unfortunately just short of Saka to Salah so would need to downgrade Watkins or Zinc.

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

      I'd say A looks nice although benching Isak Vs Soton might be tough (and assume you won't bench the doubles)

      1. _Ninja_
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah mate Isak more for Newcastle's DGW where he should get decent mins.

    3. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  2. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Best option below? KDB or Salah?

    Raya
    Trippier, Shaw*, Estupinan*,
    Grealish*, Mac*, Mitoma*, Saka, Maddison
    Haaland*, Kane

    Kepa, Watkins, Schar, Chilwell

    A) Maddison & Kane > Salah & Isak
    B) Saka, Maddison & Kane > Salah, Rashford & Isak/Toney (-4)
    C) Chillwell, Saka, Maddison & Kane > TAA, Salah, Rashford & Martial (-8). 10 doublers

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      c

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Greetings all!! Any objection to these moves folks??? Fed up benching headaches and points on the bench!! Haha…

    Neto, Martinelli, Watkins and Kane

    To

    DDG, KDB, Jota and Greenwood

    Would leave this….

    DDG
    TAA Estupinan Trippier
    Salah KDB Rashford Mitoma March
    Haaland Jota
    Subs- Kepa Mings Greenwood Emerson

    Thoughts welcomed!!!

    Cheers everyone!!

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

    How far the mighty Chelsea have fallen! Chillwell has got to be one of the worst transfers of the season. I think I have to get rid of, even for a hit. Just hope Bruno plays tomorrow, even a cameo is welcome, otherwise, it's another 1pointer from the blues.

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

    I'm not even joking when I say that Chelsea could realistically lose every single game they have until the end of the season and get relegated

    Their run in is horrible.

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not on 39 points they won’t.

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

        they easily could

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          37 points likely enough for safety

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

            Is Notts and Bournemouth beat them then that's a huge deal given where both teams are

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

              Notts County?

        2. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Which off the bottom teams are going to avg 2 pts per game?

        3. Danno - Emre Canada
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          The bottom 6 would have to score some points then!

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

      Didn't think it was mathematically possible even with a complete wipe out from a few weeks back.

      Tuchell ensured survival.

      I'm sure the bottom teams will play each other etc.

  6. Heiro
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thought on this for a -4?

    Kane, Saka, Chilwell ---> Jota, Salah, Dalot?

    Or try get Trent/Robertson in and do

    Isaak, Salah, Trent?

  7. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is TAA worth investing?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I mean, we are not sure that anyone apart from him and Salah will play both games?

    2. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      for sure!

    3. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If you think of him as a mid then yes.

    4. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      TAA - Yes

      DGW & playing similar to Stones at Man City as moving more into mid-field

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

    I really have to stop betting against this man. Captained Watkins over him.

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A lot in my ML did, was surprised by it as most normally play it safe. Tbf I thought Villa could have spanked Fulham but they played very deep and didn't seem to want to attack, if they were at home or had something to play for it might have been different

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

      Are you Luca Becel?

      1. Scalper
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Not shiny enough

  9. faux_C
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Burnley and Sheffield Utd coming up. Zzzzzzzz.

    Fingers crossed for a surprise from the playoffs.

  10. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    KdB + Haaland (c): 40 points before BAPs
    Six others: 9 total
    Steele and Stones on bench: 15

    Good times…

  11. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Knew Salah would blank felt wrong bringing him in for Bruno.

    Worth minus 4

    Salah Havertz > KDB Jota

    1. faux_C
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      All day.

    3. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Chasing points with Kev

      1. Ange Ball
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Chasing in my league since day one not owning Haaland 1-3GW lost me my league this year. Trying to move away from template

  12. Chalobah's Witness
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Madders and Martinelli to Rashford and Grealish is a no brainer, right?!

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Grealish?

      1. Chalobah's Witness
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        yea, talking about the guy with the ugly hairstyle who joined City a few years back.

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Do you mean the guy who was hauled off, having done absolutely nothing and who is likely replacement going forward provided an assist in five minutes’ worth of contribution?

          1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Whose*

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      yes, i thought Grealish might have got an assist in the first half, 2nd half was a non event anyway

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

    Which MU def other than Shaw is sure to start twice next gw?

    1. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Harry the beast!

    2. faux_C
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ddg

    3. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Probably Lindelof

    4. Shultan
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Lindelof
      Dalot can be rotated with AWB

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

      Thanks guys

  14. JJO
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Saka + Kane to Salah + Jota?
    Do it tonight cause Im tight on cash?

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

      Moved I'm looking at but means I can't get Trent. Might go Dalot instead

      1. pablo discobar
        • 16 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Can't see jota starting both games. Poor tonight

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

          Gotta move Kane to someone for the funds! Haha

        2. JJO
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Cant see it to but 30 + 70 mins is still ok
          And i need funds for Salah

      2. JJO
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Me too, i will go for Ederson as my third transfer probably

  15. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Rough & Smooth!

    Rough;
    Blanks from Salah, Grealish, Mitoma and Watkins all had me scared for a red arrow
    Benched the wrong defender AGAIN, this time Henry instead of Estu (double BHA defence again...)

    Smooth;
    The chase for top 100K is still on! Green arrow to 403K OR now (10% rise / 45K rank gain)
    Young returns again
    Steele penalty

    53 w/ Kane & Burn to play

    1. Mainoo Magic
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Rough - 26 points on my bench! Blanks from Watkins, mac, saka and salah

      Smooth - despite all the bench points still got a green arrow to just inside 25k

  16. Steve Stiffler
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Chances of winning this ML cash tie:

    Me: Shaw, Rashford (+2)
    Rival: De Gea, Tarkowski, Fernandes, Kane

    Its not looking good is it 🙁

  17. Eliano
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Sanchez Iversen

    Taa Dias Shaw Veltman Trippier

    Salah Rashford Mitoma Gakpo Andreas

    Haaland (c) Watkins Isak

    Bench boost and tc available, which to use?

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

      BB actually

  18. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kane/Saka -> Salah/Jota confirmed.

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep

  19. romperstomper
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    is it naive to think that not every will have captained haaland?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Very. Massive EO this week, over 150%

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

      92% Haaland, 4% Salah, 2.5% Watkins, 0.5% Mitoma

    3. Ange Ball
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      My rival cap Isak

  20. mdm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kane and Saka to Salah and Jota?

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

      KDB + Jota instead perhaps?

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeh question is whether to do it tonight

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

        If budget isn't a problem, I'd wait until deadline.

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

    Who are the best 4 defenders on FH next week?
    Cheers guys!

  22. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    How is Haaland the 'Man of the Match'? So biased!

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

      KDB was MotM on BT

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

        I just saw Haaland named on my Premier League app. What a bunch of suck-ups.

      2. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Agree but really pleased I captain Haaland against the comments does not come out in the big games against the top six sides

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pretty sure they gave it to KDB

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Although tbf Haaland set up both KDB goals and if not for Ramsdale could have had 4 or 5 goals himself

    3. Heiro
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It was Kevin, announced on 89th min in the stadium

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

      He's talking about the bps guys. Are we all trolling him?

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

        Her.

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

          Sorry, I nearly corrected myself, but that would have required another assumption

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

            Lmao. I'm not hung up on pronouns... him is fine. Hahaha!

        2. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          love your name then.

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

            Yah, I get that a lot! Lol.

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

    Fat Frank Quote
    "Sometimes football just bites you in the bum"

    I think there are too many bums in football, especially when you have two of em.

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He is an absolute clown. I can’t see how on earth he ever gets a management position with any team agin. A spoofer who has just got paid a fortune to lose every game until the end of the season.

  24. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dunk or Estupinan?

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dunk, i think

  25. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    FotMob gave it to Haaland

  26. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    best GW34 defender

    a. Shaw
    b. Stones

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If Shaw is now playing CB it has to be Stones, obviously.

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

  27. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    If I knew how to link to a previous post predicting the correct 4-1 score tonight, I would remind people why the Octopus indeed has psychic powers.

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

      I put a squid on it.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Raya did bits for me, Sterling cappers lol, stop getting your jokes off penguins

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

          I humbly bow while spewing again.
          Never again_Never never again, I'm joining a Gym so I can become more self loving.

    2. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A worried Gooner on Talksport had it bang on today

  28. Shultan
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ffs just realised I'm down on saka >grealish move
    Would've rolled FT but with bruno injury news decided to bench bruno & use FT

    Knowing my bruno plays tomorrow & scores a penalty

  29. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hetting very tired of being trolled by Rico Henry

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      he follows you on social media?

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Always in my DMs

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

      I benched him too

    3. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I think everyone bench him TBH.

      Raya though my hero over DDG

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I benched Rays and Henry. Schar no show would do me

    4. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Only averages 2.7pts for last 10 games, I benched him as well. Watch all Bees games and certainly should have had some more assists and a couple of goals…

  30. Sterling Archer
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    will captain haaland in 34, is it worth tearing up the team to get Salah? Maybe kdb is a better shout as he has the extra double aswel