Dugout Discussion
6 May 2023 1067 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The television appearances of two jug-eared luminaries who some say are paid too much money bookend the day but in between, there are five Premier League matches to bring you.

Four of them kick off at 15:00 BST, including Manchester City’s clash with Leeds United.

The headline team news comes from the Etihad, where Erling Haaland once again leads the line for the reigning champions.

Kevin De Bruyne is back in the side, too, but substitute duty awaits Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and John Stones.

That trio are among seven players to make way from the side that started the win over West Ham United, with Stefan Ortega, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Rodri also dropping to the bench.

Ederson, Aymeric Laporte, Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden join De Bruyne in returning to Pep Guardiola’s starting XI.

Sam Allardyce has named his first-ever Leeds United line-up, making four changes from the Whites side hammered by Bournemouth last week.

Joel Robles replaces Ilian Meslier in goal, while Junior Firpo, Max Wober and Adam Forshaw oust Robin Koch, the injured Liam Cooper and Crysencio Summerville.

In north London, Spurs boss Ryan Mason recalls Richarlison, Emerson Royal and Clement Lenglet for the benched Dejan Kulusevski, Eric Dier and Ivan Perisic.

Opponents Crystal Palace are unchanged, as are Bournemouth for their clash with Chelsea.

Frank Lampard, however, makes five alterations to the side that lost 3-1 at Arsenal last Tuesday.

Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Mykhailo Mudryk, Conor Gallagher and Kai Havertz are brought back into the team at the expense of Cesar Azpilicueta, Wesley Fofana, Mateo Kovacic, Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Over at Molineux, Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui recalls Toti and Matheus Cunha for the benched Joao Gomes and the absent Hugo Bueno.

Unai Emery’s only change sees Leander Dendoncker replaced by Bertrand Traore.

GAMEWEEK 35 LINE-UPS

Bournemouth XI: Neto, Kelly, Vina, Senesi, A Smith, Ouattara, Lerma, Rothwell, Christie, Billing, Solanke.

Subs: Travers, Stephens, Cook, Mepham, Brooks, Stacey, Semenyo, Zabarnyi, Anthony.

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Badiashile, T Silva, Chalobah, Chilwell, Enzo Fernandez, Mudryk, Gallagher, Kante, Madueke, Havertz.

Subs: Mendy, Kovacic, Pulisic, Joao Felix, Loftus-Cheek, Sterling, Ziyech, Azpilicueta, Hall.


Manchester City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Ake, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Foden, Alvarez, Haaland

Subs: Ortega, Walker, Dias, Phillips, Stones, Grealish, Rodri, Silva, Gomez

Leeds United XI: Robles, Kristensen, Wober, Firpo, Ayling, McKennie, Forshaw, Roca, Harrison, Bamford, Gnonto.

Subs: Meslier, Koch, Aaronson, Summerville, Rodrigo, Stuijk, Rutter, Greenwood, Gray


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Forster, Romero, Lenglet, Davies, Porro, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Emerson, Richarlison, Kane, Son.

Subs: Austin, Sanchez, Perisic, Dier, Danjuma, Kulusevski, Moura, Sarr, Bissouma.

Crystal Palace XI: Johnstone, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp, Olise, Ayew, Zaha.

Subs: Guaita, Milivojevic, Sambi Lokonga, Mateta, Clyne, Hughes, Edouard, Richards, Riedewald.


Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Sa, Nelson Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Toti, Cunha, Neves, Lemina, Nunes, Neto, Diego Costa

Subs: Bentley, Ait-Nouri, Collins, Podence, Hwang, Sarabia, Moutinho, Gomes, A Traore

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Young, Konsa, Mings, Moreno, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Ramsey, B Traore, Watkins

Subs: Olsen, Carlos, Chambers, Duran, Coutinho, Digne, Bailey, Dendoncker, Kamara



  1. Utopsis
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2-1 at the Etihad. That will give the Leeds lads some belief. Time to stick £10 on them staying up

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Big Sam will turn them into 90s Italian defensive powerhouse.

  2. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No one beats Gandhi, not even Haaland but we are all sheep

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yeah kinda true my ml rival capped mo wise guy

      1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe he has cojones of destiny

        1. Cojones of Destiny
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          lolz cohones of wisdom more like

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is he a left back for Watford?

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

    Why didn't Haland take the pen?

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

      Gundogan on a hatrick

    2. boc610
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      because city are arrogant pi** artists

    3. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Haaland going for the 'good-guy, team player image boost'

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Or maybe he just is? Young and naive, but a good guy.

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He finds it very amusing when Pep tells him off.

  4. Random Name
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Andy Madley with another disgraceful performance, shocking ref

  5. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Last minute Jota benching for Isak might come to haunt me.

  6. DARE TO BISCAN
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mac10 auto-sub to save my GW

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      All hail Mac10

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Praise be.

  7. Kane and Ablett
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    At least Pep didn’t bring Stones or Grealish on to give those of us with a decent bench plenty to look forward to

    1. snow pea in repose
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yessir

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

    At least I haven’t got Alvarez lol

  9. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mings, Watkins and Solanke are dead to me.

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

      Watkins goes for Wilson

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Same. Or Isak.

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins & Solanke here

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Honestly expected both to return points here.

    3. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mingus has gotten enough points for my rival over the last few, thanks very much

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

      Watkins definitely out for wilson or isak

  10. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Isn't Riyad on penalties?

    What a shame. It feels like he was one shot away from a 16 pointer.

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

      Since when was Riyad on pens.

    2. DLLM
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It’s haaland

    3. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Haaland is

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lot of misinformation below. They both are, Pep has said as much. Haaland slightly up pecking order and likely to take majority though.

  11. Vpan
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sometimes the best move in this game is making no move at all, even with 2 FT...

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Time will tell. Hindsight is always right.

      1. DMP
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This. Alvarez, Foden or Mahrez were good punts with early team news.

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What move(s) did you make?

  12. Casp123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I actually brought Alvarez in as a differential and triple captained Haaland for H2H league purposes. I actually did that.

    1. boc610
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      oof

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not all madness

  13. Bucket Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Alvarez transfer gained me 1 point on Watkins 🙂

    Bit more hope of staying up if we can defend like that but still looking bleak.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gained me one but lost me a FT

      1. Bucket Man
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I’m fortunate I can save next week as have Isak already got to bench two of Grealish, Alvarez or TAA

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Once Haaland was confirmed starting from a reputable source, he was clearly the best captaincy for this GW. Just unfortunate with the outcome he blanked and let captain Gundo try for his hatty

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Oops

  14. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have Watkins, Toti 3rd on my bench...

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      you really do have him ?!

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

        he autosubbed for kdb in my FH team last week with big fat 0
        this game.......

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

    Winner of bench jam of the week! https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/238856/event/35/

  16. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Son C not too disastrous in the end I guess, one point more than Haaland

  17. fish&chips
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I captained salah last week, but no way I was going to this week with haaland confirmed as starting. Fair play those that did, but it was a massive punt. Hope Salah bangs for you!

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I went even more risky with Son!

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pretty much said the same thing in the failed post above. Salah was only in my thinking if Haaland was benched. Right decision, unfortunate outcome.

    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      i hope not

  18. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I just don't understand this pen thing at City. You have a man on 35 goals record breaking streak, it's a no brainer. He has to be more like CR7, taking all the pens and that's it!!

    1. fish&chips
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's already broken the record. If he gets too many it will be too hard to break it again next season

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Citeh players complacent. TBF, usual mouthpieces would be bleating on about team togetherness/camaraderie if he'd scored. Pep rightly pissed, when they're still not over the Prem finish line

  19. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins > Wilson or Isak?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Too early to say.

    2. DLLM
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Without a doubt

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have Isak but I'd probably go Wilson if deciding now. He plays CF when they both play and his stats are massively better. 3 times the xG (can't recall how recent a period, between 4 and 6 last games) in less minutes.

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

    Did Watkins + Saka ➡ Mahrez + Kane this gw for -4 🙂

    Was at 3m OR around gw 20

    Now 225k with 7 to play this gw

    Top 50k finish is all I want 🙂

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nicely done

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well done

    3. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looking mega so far. Just pray for a Saka blank too

    4. fish&chips
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good going. I've come from 1.2m in GW18 to 25k. Still hoping to sneak into the top 10k but it's going to be tough

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

        Wow

        That’s incredible

        Keep it going

        1. fish&chips
          • 15 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers mate, hope you hit that 50k

      2. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        WOW

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

    Sold Jota for Alvarez. This is going to hurt.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've backed Jota goal, Jota brace, Jota goal and assist, Jota brace of assists, Jota hattrick to cover my poor decision to sell him.

  22. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Porro

    What a hero

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Enjoy - brave move against the template!

  23. dansmusen
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Last couple of GW have been hell. Did Kane to Haaland and Diaz in a -8 move this GW....if I get over 10 points I am happy

  24. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wow, just logged on; Ederson is a curse!

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Blame Akanji for that one.But yes, he is a bit of a FPL curse.