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

    Low chances but Fernandes & Schar starting tomorrow could be massive for me!

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

    A) Saka Kane to Salah Isak (-4)
    B) gabriel kane to stones jota (-4)

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

    Dalot or Shaw? Needs to be done tonight to fund the other moves

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

      Shaw for me

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

      Shaw

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

    Thoughts on these moves please folks? Leaning towards B but worried about no TAA..

    Saka, Chilwell & Kane (-4) to..

    A) Salah, TAA, Ferguson (bench fodder)

    Or

    B) Salah, Stones, Isak

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

      B

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

        Thanks

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

      With B, who do you bench in coming weeks? I'd also just go thr whole hog and get Greenwood with A - last thing you want is not being able to grab a second Brighton mid or something for a later double

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

        Thanks. Would be benching Maddison next week if B, which isn’t ideal..

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

      B

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

        Thanks

    4. EMILE FOR ONE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Any room for Robbo instead of TAA?

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

        Afraid not. 5.8 max

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

    Going back to the start, would you get Jota, Mitoma or TAA?

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

      TAA

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

        TAA

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

      I think Brighton will recover and double looks tasty so probably Mitoma. Trent close second

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

    Anyone considering Robertson for the third pool spot?

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

      Yes, d3cent home stats and assisting

    2. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nah not with Tsimikas lurking

    3. dabber7
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Liverpool have kept 1 clean sheet in their last 8 (and that was against toothless Chelsea), I'm not sure I'd want a Liverpool defence double up.

  7. 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 ?

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

    Chilwell, Martinelli, Watkins
    To
    Moreno, De Bruyne, Greenwood -8 Y or N

    Steele
    Ake Shaw Trippier
    De Bruyne Salah March Mac Rashford
    Haaland Jota
    Raya Schad Moreno Greenwood

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

      Essentially Martinelli to KDB for a -8. Still tough but probably no. Chelsea are terrible

  9. EMILE FOR ONE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I'm currently on C1 but worried about Pep Roulette. Am I missing anything obvious? Small lead in MLs

    A) Martinelli > Rashford
    B) Martinelli Ode > Rashford Macallister - 4
    C) Martinelli Ode > Rashford Foden - 4
    D) FH

    1) TC Salah
    2) TC Haaland

    Raya
    TAA Trips Estu
    Salah Mitoma Andreas Ode* Martinelli*
    Haaland (C) Isak

    Kepa Watkin Schar Mee

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

      B2

    2. Under my Cucurella
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A2

    3. RashFraud
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A. Not sure Mac scores more playing deeper over Marti v Chelsea

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

        A2*

    4. DangerFC
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      March/2

  10. Slitherene
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What was Mac Allister's position today?

  11. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    How's this team for gw34? Would you start coufal who has a dgw over Trippier who has a sgw?

    Steele
    TAA Trippier Estupinan
    Salah KDB Grealish Rashford Mitoma
    Haaland Isak

    Raya Coufal White Greenwood

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

      I’d start white

    2. EMILE FOR ONE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Trippier for me

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

      Trip (SOU) has huge potential.
      Coufal, if he plays, goes to Palace and the Etihad. Could easily be a 0 and a -
      No contest.

  12. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 10 months 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

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

      Veltman possibly back ?

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

      Holding. I expect Veltman to start at the weekend and for him to return to the 10 role, Enciso isn't really convincing in it and Brighton look better with Mac there

      1. Gandalf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Good points. Chance of a penalty as well even if stays deep and is still taking long distance shots even if deep.

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

          Yeah and hopefully Welbeck and Ferguson being back fit should also be better for Brighton across the board

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

    For a hit:
    A. Martinelli > grealish or gakpo
    B. Watkins > jota

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

      B

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

      B

    3. NotsoSpursy
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

    Ake & Bruno time to remove?

  15. Sun God Nika
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dawson and Watkins to stones and jota - minus 4

    Benching solanke or martinelli if yes

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

      Yes

  16. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pull the trigger on Kane & Saka > Isak & Salah (-4) tonight? Don’t usually like early transfers but have no money to spare and looks like Saka going down tonight

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

      Only risk is Isak plays 90 tonight and Wilson starts vs Soton

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

    Hi all,

    A: Trent Isaak Salah
    B: Dalot Jota Salah

    ?

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

      A

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

      B for 34

    3. DangerFC
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    4. Under my Cucurella
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

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

    Isak single gw or jota dgw? Im on FH

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

      Jota

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

      Not on FH but have 2FTs and preferring Isak now, although probably not if he starts tomorrow given the turnaround to Soton is very tight

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

        Yeah just think shampton he could get a brace maybe

    3. dabber7
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I guess that question might end up being easier to answer after tomorrow's match.

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

      Surely you go for the doubler on a FH?

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

      Isak if you intend to hold him for his DGW in 36

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

        Oh free hit. I'd go Jota

    6. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Wilson on FH

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

    Brought Estupinan for attacking threat, but he's done no better than the likes of Webster/Dunk. Thinking of letting go soon

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

    Paqueta?

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

      I've liked the idea of picking him after Moyes' comments last week about playing him closer to the CF, seems to be paying off. Don't like those fixtures though

  21. Slitherene
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    WC Active | 0 ITB

    Steele | Iversen
    TAA Shaw Stones
    Salah KDB Rashford Mitoma March
    Haaland Jota
    ¦ Coufal Neco Greenwood

    Wanted to know what percentage of people would be on a WC this week?

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

      I was on Grealish since I activated WC but changed to KDB today aswell, he may be at risk for mins.

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

      Not many I’d think. But good team

    3. SpaceCoyote97
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Neco just had a horrible injury, so get rid of him.

  22. Under my Cucurella
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Would appreciate any help with my moves for 34

    A: Saka Toney > Salah Fodder
    B: Saka Chilwell > Gakpo TAA
    C: take a hit or two to get Salah and Trent, (have a few options here)

    If it makes any difference my ML rival currently has TAA and no other Pool and I'm 11 points ahead.

    Steele Raya
    Shaw Estupinan Trippier Chilwell Henry
    Rashford Grealish Mitoma Bruno Saka
    Haaland Watkins Toney

    2FT 1.9ITB

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

      I think C myself. Watkins is benchable so no need for fodder yet

      1. Under my Cucurella
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks, which of these moves do you prefer then?

        A: Henry Saka Bruno Toney > TAA Salah Andreas Isak (-8)
        B: Chilwell Bruno Saka > TAA Salah Andreas (-4)

        Only have 0.1 left after A so likely to be priced out tonight and have to move early

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

          Tough. If you're set on Bruno to Salah then A could work well but wouldn't go for Isak until after tomorrow's game.

          Maybe your original A is the move and then look at Watkins to Isak in 35

          1. Under my Cucurella
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            I'm not set on it just unfortunately can't find another way to afford Salah + Trent. Yeah it's essentially is Toney > Isak worth a -4 for A, which it probably isn't so B is the best of the moves here. Really tough one, might have to come back to it tomorrow. Appreciate your help!

        2. tricky80
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          B - don't cede all of your advantage on hits. Toney can still bang against big teams. Do Isak transfer ahead of DGW.

          1. Under my Cucurella
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah I was thinking the same RE hits, in an ideal world I'd like both Salah and Trent but it costs a lot in hits and shaking up the team to get there. B is slightly safer in that I know my rival has TAA, just depends what they do this week, if they go Salah I'll have to hope Gakpo can at least match him. Will probably come back to this tomorrow.

  23. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Repost-

    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!!

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

      Tough, I don't think KDB is worth it. He won't play Arsenal every week. I can also see Arsenal tearing Chelsea apart.

      1. tricky80
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I brought KDB in as a one week punt, I'm likely to sell but absolutely will sell him if he gets two rises before the deadline. Stranger things have happened!

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          are you selling him for Salah tho mate??

          1. tricky80
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Got him already. Salah at home is a must have. Grealish is more likely to have an impact against the lesser teams, Foden may get the minutes too.

            1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Yeah I agree he is maté definitively!! Would you go for Grealish then if you was me?? He was my original choice

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

        Cheers mate!! Just weighing up some
        Options, would you got for Grealish??

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          *reply to Biggsy

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

          Yeah possibly. Bit annoymous tonight, apart from being a little b*tch and getting booked but seems most nailed outside of the big man up top

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            He was my initial planned move for this week, so maybe I just stick with the original planned moves

  24. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Saka def expected to drop in price tonight?

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

      I thinks so yes

  25. NotsoSpursy
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) white -> stones
    Or
    B) Watkins -> jota ?

    I was on B but now worried about jota minutes/rotation

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

  26. Firminooooo
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Could do Watkins and Chilwell to TAA and Jota with 0.1 itb (-4) Go for it tonight?

    Would give me:

    Steel
    TAA Trippier Shaw
    Rashford Salah MacAllister March Grealish
    Håland Jota

    Bench: Isak, Botman, Henry, Kepa.

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

      Maybe. Would be tempted to just get Trent and play Isak ahead of Ollie

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

      yup looks decent

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      You’d think Wilson starts vs Southampton if Isak starts tomorrow night

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

      Maybe wait until tomorrow and see If Isak starts.

  27. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Struggling here a bit trying to decide. What would be your moves?

    A. James & Chilwell > Trent & Estupinan (bench Saka)
    B. James & Saka > Robertson & Gakpo

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

      Probably A in isolation

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks, am leaning that way.

  28. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    GTG?

    Steele
    TAA Trippier Estupinan
    Salah KDB Grealish Rashford Mitoma
    Haaland Isak

    Raya White Coufal Greenwood

    1. LC1
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Thing of beauty

      1. LC1
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Had to come back to this to say this is genuinely the dream team. Wish I could afford it / was able to make the transfers to have it!

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Envious

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

    Weird how the price change sites can be so different e.g. Martinelli:
    FPLstats -104%
    FFFix: -52%
    FFHub: -3%

    Just going to wait I think

  30. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Remember when people used to say years ago if Messi comes to the PL, that will be bad for FPL?

    Well we have a Messi in FPL now, in Haaland. And it's been said numerous times by everyone I'm sure but FPL really do need to price him smartly next season, where it needs to be a decision. Anything less than £15m and he's at least 80% owned in GW1 next season.