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. jimbe4mXL
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah + Dalot, or KDB + TAA? What a hard choice....

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kdb and taa, extra double for kdb, plus everyone will captain haaland in 34 anyways

  2. Yozzer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have exact funds for a -8

    Salah, Trent, Jota , greenwood --> Saka , Watkins, Kane , Ake ?

    After tonight it's impossible and I probably have to go without Jota or Trent. Means keeping Bruno too

    Thoughts?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like it mate!! Thinking something similar!! Neto, Martinelli, Kane, Watkins to DDG, KDB, Jota and Greenwood

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

        Yeah looks good too. It's the KDB Vs Salah the big call

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah it is mate! I’ve got Salah already so it’s a little easier

      2. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yep looks good. Do you have salah or KDB is a punt instead?

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks a bit backwards to me 🙂

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

        😀

        1. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          DDG (Raya)
          Trent Trippier Zouma (Henry, Botman)
          Salah, Grealish, Rashford. Mitoma, Martinelli
          Haaland, Watkins (Edouard)

          Thinking

          A. Watkins, Martinelli, to Jota, March (-4)
          B Henry to Stones -8

          (wish i could afford both KDB and Salah, i think Salah will be KDB after CL. GW37

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

            Good moves. Should certainly get your 8 points back and most bar the wildcarders will be taking hits so it won't put you too far behind. Watkins is a risk but tough games. I've just made the move my self

            1. Crunchie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Thanks!

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

    best GW34 midfielder

    a. Rashford
    b. Grealish

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B because City have easier fixtures and Rashy isn't fully fit yet.

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

        Thank-you

  4. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I know it’s early, but I assume it’s safe enough to bring in Salah and Jota? If I don’t do it tonight, I’ll be priced out of any further moves later down the line.

    1. pablo discobar
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Will Jota even start after the missed chances tonight? He'll share mins over the dgw regardless

      1. asquishypotato
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He misses chances, but he’s arguably one of the best finishers at the club, let alone for getting into the right position

    2. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd just bring in Salah as he seems to be the only nailed on starter. That leaves Nunez, Jota, Firmino, Gakpo and Diaz fighting it out for just two places. Jota is too big a rotation risk for me.

      1. asquishypotato
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Stuck for a forward as Kane needs to go to fund salah

  5. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Isak and Rashford v Kane and DDG who wins?

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Isak and Rashford

  6. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    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) Saka, Maddison & Kane > KDB, Rashford & Jota (-4)
    D) Chillwell, Saka, Maddison & Kane > TAA, Salah, Rashford & Martial (-8)

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B or C

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    2. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd do Saka and Kane for Salah and Isak.

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

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

    Are you starting Estupinan next week?
    Or would you start him if you had him?

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm debating it now. I want to start Isak who is first on my bench.

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Similar dilemma with Isak and Tripps vs Estupinan and Jota.

    2. jimbe4mXL
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would start him if i would have him, why not 🙂

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

        I kinda feel he’s been shiettt for some time now

        1. jimbe4mXL
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Well, it depends over who would you play him, if you have him, play him tho, but i would find better options if bringing in/using FH.

    3. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm really not sure now. Might play Trippier at home to Southampton.

      Bit concerned about benching Isak for Jota also.

      Original plan was to play 11 dgwers and tc Haaland.

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think Jota will be fine. Clearly no.1 choice on the left. May get two 75 mins though

    4. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      no avoiding brighton defence. May get Steele GW35

  8. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mitoma or Mac?

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      On the beach look inland.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Who do you reckon at that price mate?

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ward-Prowse.

          1. Crunchie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Beachy Head !

            1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              😆

          2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            And before you say it we have not got a beach here in Southampton only docks and shorelines where they dump the sewage into. People do swim there but they often end up in our over burdened hospital.

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

    Best 4 defenders on FH next week?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Trent Dias Stones Akanji

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

        Have Haaland, KDB, Ederson and Trent.
        Thanks for your comment

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Robbo, Shaw, VVD, Trippier

  10. Sam (Team Sam)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) De Gea and Stones

    B) Ederson and Shaw

    Same total cost.

    Which combo until the end?

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have had DDG for 3 weeks, 3 CS, but played Raya tonight. Kane always scores.

    3. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  11. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    FH34

    Any changes?

    DDG

    TAA Stones Shaw

    KDB Salah Rashford March Mitoma

    Haaland(c) Jota

    1. Heiro
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks perfect

  12. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain for next GW (34)? Haaland? Salah? Other?

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

      Haaland

      Anyone using TC trip?

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        me

    2. jimbe4mXL
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      TC Haaland here o/

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The man with the golden locks

  13. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Foden punt anyone?

    1. Heiro
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have Mahrez and I can't see him starting either game.
      Foden Def won't

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Leeds game a bettet call prior to CL i guess

  14. Riggs
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Raya Kepa
    TAA Trippier Shaw (Botman) (Henry)
    Salah Rashford Grealish Mitoma March
    Haaland Watkins Isak
    1.1 ITB

    A) Henry OUT - Stones IN
    B) Kepa, Watkins OUT - Steele, Jota IN - 4

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both -8 unless you are top 5k

      1. Riggs
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        0.5 short for both

  15. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have played Chilwell + James for combined 15 games this season

    2 cs in total

    Oh my days totally useless.

  16. Origi-nal
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have 8 dgw players pre transfers for this gw and BB and WC left to play.

    Best time to play both chips?

    Thinking WC now and BB in 37.

    1. MarkRenouf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      that's what i'm doing atm

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

      GTG

  17. Jon Snow
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How would you find 0.6 to go Watkins >>> Jota? Planning BB34
    A) Downgrading Trippier (lots of lost value)
    B) Estapinan >>> 4.2
    C) De Gea + Esta >>> Steele + Akanji/Shaw (-8)
    D) Calm down and go without

    De Gea, Iversen
    TAA, Trippier, Esta, Castagne, Neco Williams
    Salah, Martinelli, Mitoma, March, Rashford
    Haaland, Isak, Watkins

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go Marty to Grealish

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

    Thoughts on these transfers guys?

    Chilwell Gabriel > TAA Coufal

    2 FTs and exact funds to do it.

    1. Jon Snow
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like it

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

    A. Jota (benching Isak or Mac A)
    B. TAA (benching Trippier or Estupinan)

    1. pablo discobar
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easy B

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

    Who scores more next week? Estupinan (WOL + MUN) or Trippier (SOU)

    1. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wondering the same.

      Also Isak vs Jota.

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

      I think Tripps. But I'm probably playing the doubler

    3. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Estupinan

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

      What are Mac Allister owners doing? Seems to me like he's lost the 10 spot.

      Really don't want to consider -4 to March

  21. Dunster
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I do get the boring comments. I went Salah. Obviously Haaland better captain pick and I knew that. No one to blame but me.

    But when the game gets so one dimensional you have to push to have fun, and the reality is to unusually get stung which isn’t fun.

    So what is the answer. I don’t know. Not a complaint. I made the wrong call. But this season is definitely less fun than prior seasons

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks_ Confucius has nothing on you.

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

        Not sure if that’s a dig or not. I wasn’t trying to be clever. Not sure if you were.

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

          A little bit of intelligence is a dangerous thing - you name drop Confucius thinking people will think you are oh so clever then go back under your rock

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            That's a lot of judgemental assumptions.

    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think it’s striking a balance between fun picks and safer options that limit any damage to your team. For me the (c) pick leans towards the latter 9 times out of 10.

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

        Sensible comment - probably right. I should focus the “fun” on wider squad picks

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

    Ouch, just realised my late decision to switch from Steele and KDB to Ederson and Grealish on
    my WC cost me 30 points

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

    Jota & Stones or Isak & Trent?

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For GW34 I'm on the latter I & T

  24. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Grealish a hold for now?

    1. Steve Stiffler
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Im on WC and going with KDB instead

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not too concerned about rotation?

        1. Steve Stiffler
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I little yes, he looked so good tonight im knee jerking i think

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            He hadn't scored big for a fair few weeks, so maybe a little

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely

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

      Still probably the most nailed player outside Haaland and Ederson

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Big Man. Start Estupi or Isak for next GW?

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

          Bah, tough. I think if Isak doesn't start tomorrow or gets hauled early then him. Estu no attacking returns in last ten and few CS either

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I'll monitor the situation over the next few days. Cheers pal

  25. Touré De Force
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Managed to get away with one here....

  26. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    FH team almost settled.

    DDG
    TAA - Robertson - Estupinan
    Salah - KDB - Rashford - Grealish - Mitoma
    Haaland - Martial

    Thoughts? 🙂

    Iffy about Martial but gotta take chances with a dgw striker like him when fit. Huge differtial to non FHers

  27. Fit_to_drop
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mad to sign Alvarez on FH with Haaland? KDB will he third.

    1. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Can't be any worse than Martial lol

  28. Sam (Team Sam)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Oops, posted in an old thread.

    RMWCT

    DDG, Steele

    Trent, Trippier, Stones, Estupinan, Toti

    Salah, Rashford, Martinelli, Mitoma, Andreas

    Haaland, Jota, Isak

    Keeping enough money in the bank to get Kane in for Jota next week (exact cash)

  29. jay01
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Has anyone noticed how KDB is nearing the assists record.. does anyone think he can beat it this year?

  30. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah or KDB?

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah for me

    2. Sandy Ravage
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      both