Dugout Discussion
5 April 2025 286 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Gameweek 31 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) kicks off at Goodison Park.

Arsenal are Everton’s visitors, with the action getting underway at 12.30pm BST.

“The best way to prepare for Real Madrid is to win and play really well tomorrow”, said Mikel Arteta on Friday.

However, the Arsenal manager’s teamsheet this lunchtime suggests he has more than one eye on Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League tie at the Emirates.

Firstly, there’s no Bukayo Saka in the visitors’ starting line-up. The fit-again winger is only among the substitutes again, following his half-hour cameo in midweek.

As for changes, Arteta has made five of them.

One is enforced as Gabriel Magalhaes suffered a season-ending hamstring injury against Fulham.

Jurrien Timber, another fitness concern from midweek, recovers to make the squad but drops down to substitute duty.

Regulars Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli are also benched.

Jakub Kiwior, Ben White, Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling all come in to what is a mixed bag of a starting XI.

Everton boss David Moyes has himself made three changes from the side beaten by Liverpool on Wednesday.

Once again, one is enforced as Vitalii Mykolenko is absent with an ankle knock.

James Garner and Carlos Alcaraz drop to the bench, meanwhile.

Iliman Ndiaye is fit to make his first start since Gameweek 24, while Nathan Patterson and Tim Iroegbunam are surprise inclusions.

Dwight McNeil is back after four months out with a knee injury, taking his place among the substitutes.

LINE-UPS

Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Patterson, Gueye, Iroegbunam, Doucoure, Harrison, Ndiaye, Beto.

Subs: Virgínia, Keane, Young, Coleman, Alcaraz, Garner, McNeil, Chermiti, Broja.

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling, Merino.

Subs: Neto, Timber, Tierney, Zinchenko, Partey, Gower, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka.



286 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Neale totally called the Saka benching
    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-news

    The maestro.

    1. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      He didn't 'totally call it' at all. He speculated that it might happen.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        It was still a huge predicted line up decision that was right. Credit where credit is due.

      2. Gorky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        that's what a call is...

    2. boc610
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Regular nostradamus..any tips for the horses?

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Bookies drive Bentleys!

      2. Sir Michael Taker
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Back them on the exchange if its the National. Overround with the regular bookies is hideous

    3. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Anyone ever seen you and Neale in the same room…thats not a bedroom that is?

    4. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Lick lick lick

  2. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Arsenal basically conceding the title to Liverpool.

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Correct.

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      title was already over though. good call by arteta

      1. Dubem_FC
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Exactly. People acting as if his only trophy chance isn't UCL, which by the way, Madrid will end.

    3. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Leicester basically conceding the title to Liverpool

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Leicester concede to everyone this season!

    4. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      As if they're in the hunt. No chance, with Temu Pep at the helme

  3. twoplustwo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    For those complaining about the admittedly dreadful content creators, simply stop following podcasts and posting here.

    1. El Presidente
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Well, can't we complain about them AND post in here?

  4. Bob_the_builder
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    My Merino differential in the mud. Hopefully Trossard has an off game so that he can return back up top in the DGW.

    1. SM001
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Same. Bring him on WC and he's moved back to midfield. Hopefully he'll be moved upfront at some stage when Sterling and Trossard inevitably put in s**te performances.

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        LOL this aged well

        1. Bob_the_builder
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 9 days ago

          Only a Merino winner off a Saka corner can make it better 😛

  5. FantasyTony
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Saka against tired legs, just as planned.

    1. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      I like the positive thinking!

    2. El Presidente
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      He did get his 8 pointer from the bench last GW...

    3. Babit1967
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Need a Saka penalty miss for extra Pickford points lol

  6. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    At 920k-odd I’m conceding the title too!

    1. El Presidente
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Ah ah ah

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Tis an outrage! Still had a jouster's chance of pulling it back.

    3. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Im capping Asensio today thats how my season is lol

      1. Merlin the Wraith
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Top work fella, hope he gets a H/T for you as a Villain who benched Milenkovic 😀

        1. GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 9 days ago

          Cheers lol..at least Ive had a real relaxed season if nothing else!

  7. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Do we think Arsenal keep a clean sheet today or nah?

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Nah

    2. El Presidente
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Odds say yes

    3. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      I'd say no.

  8. Gorky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Does Arteta clearly prioritising the Champions League over the Prem mean that Saka and co are likely gonna be rested in the Ipswich game? I tend to think he will be rested.

    1. El Presidente
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      It'd quite probable indeed

    2. Merlin the Wraith
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Those thinking of BB with Saka in 32 & TC him in 33 be wondering if that's a wise move.

    3. SM001
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Saka needs minutes.

  9. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Merino points prediction? 19pts?

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      19-18 = my prediction

    2. Merlin the Wraith
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      As C? (9.5pts x2?)

    3. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Will owners be merry? No.

    4. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      That's only just over 2 points per gameweek, so should be achievable by the end of the season.

  10. el polako
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Sterling in the first XI, Arteta gave up on life.

  11. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    So blatantly obvious that people like FPLHarry got news on Saka benching. I am sure w3e will see later the content creator cartel will have 90% benched Saka after discussing it in their little watsapp group.

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      He said he didn’t

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        ofc he would say that lol

    2. Merlin the Wraith
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Be a laugh if they get him on as a 1pt bench jam if there's an Isak no show. 😀

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        😀

    3. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Its probably still just minutes based. He may get 45 today then 60-75 in the week.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        He got 24 minutes last week and scored within 6 mins. Why would you bench Saka, make it make sense. Only explanation is leak. He has Everton lol.

        1. GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 9 days ago

          Im just looking at it from a minutes and medical sense. As others say seems crazy to buy him then bench tbh

        2. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 9 days ago

          Because their focus is on the Champions League now, it makes a lot of sense once you calm down

          1. Merlin the Wraith
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 9 days ago

            To be busted in less than 2 weeks time. 🙂

            1. Nightcrawler
              • 6 Years
              1 year, 9 days ago

              It's closer than people make it out to be especially now that kiwior doesn't have to play CB. Real Madrid aren't great this season either. 2nd leg at Emirates would have made it more interesting expect real to squeeze through

              1. x.jim.x
                • 11 Years
                1 year, 9 days ago

                Try not to OD on that hopium

    4. Sir Michael Taker
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      I dont have much time for the CCs but I dont see what benefit there is in owning Saka and benching him. How are they justifying owning him at all to the followers? Bit wierd as hes not cheap

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Thats a wierd spelling of weird

      2. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Yea, that's why it makes zero sense.

    5. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      The lizard people's ultimate goal finally reveals itself. Their conspiracy is unraveling, at a pace!

    6. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      I don’t understand why people care this much. If he got some insider info, woohoo it’s just a benching. The meltdown is insane.

  12. DagheMunegu
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Now that he's back do you think Ben White is nailed ?

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      No

  13. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Happy anniversary. This time in the season 10 years ago I was OR2. Today not in top 2 million. All the luck I had then being paid for this year…

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      C'est la vie.

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Mais oui

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Back then you chose your team with few million playing.

      Now spoon feeding & paying content creators for everyone to have the same teams but with 11M playing.

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        100%. Do the undercover detective work and use the chips properly and you were probably guaranteed top 50k already

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 9 days ago

          You could crunch your own stats off the transfer page in Excel

          That in itself provided an edge

          Minutes per goal
          Points per game etc

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Also it’s a different game

        Some are fed team news early and use it to their advantage, others leak team news to the masses and those not hooked to their phone or laptop are punished

        Skill and luck has decreased and it’s more about who you know and follow these days

    3. Merlin the Wraith
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      '.....that's what they say... OR2 in April 2m in May....'

      1. Custard Gannet
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Incredible *claps and nods respectfully*

        1. Merlin the Wraith
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 9 days ago

          Thank you! thank you... now to finish a song about a little town called Chicago...

      2. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 days ago

        At least I did it my way…

    4. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Regression to the mean

  14. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Is merino the best arsenal attach pick apart from saka ?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Yes. Yes he is.

  15. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Need a Pickford CS here!

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      No chance, Ive started him and Im the FPL anitchrist

  16. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Started Saka and Timber. Benched Nwaneri. Gotta love this game.

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      You Timber owners used up your luck last week.

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Certainly looks like it. Cameo guarnteed

  17. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    How does FPL Harry get it right all the time? He benched Saka

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      He got secret information, and then pretended he didn’t get secret information. But he got secret information.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        This. One of his fans obviously gives him info so that they can message him on watsapp and it makes them feel important.

      2. Merlin the Wraith
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Where do you get your secret information? the bottom of my glass whispers mine to me. 😀

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 9 days ago

          From the dungeon, they all talk in the end!

      3. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        He used the Homeromanteion.

    2. Dubem_FC
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      You actually thought Saka would start with Madrid waiting midweek?

      1. FPL Sanky
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Yes he should have.....match practice and fitness is also important....with this lineup, Arteta has basically given up with the league...now was the time to push especially with LIV not as good as they were previously

  18. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Sterling picked and Saka left out? Is Arteta mad?

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Always been

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Vote now,

      O/

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Real Madrid coming up. Hardly a bad decision a age just came back from a lengthy injury.

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        As he just*

    4. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Sterling is an old, bald man.

    5. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Generally, yes. Over Saka benching? No.

    6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Well r Madrid is a much more significant game so no

  19. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Should have picked White over Saliba. Forced to take a hit now for 33 as I didn’t do it. Damn.

    1. xuwei
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      ??

  20. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    I cannot get Livefpl to update to gw31. Anyone else?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Fine here - Raya's shiny red one point is smiling at me.

      1. Merlin the Wraith
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Yeah, together with my Saka pink fat Easter egg.

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 9 days ago

        Cleared cache and all that jazz too. Still shows gw30

  21. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    How are Arsenal's backline looking? I need them to concede.....

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Shaky

  22. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Such a dull game

  23. HelmutCool
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Trossaes G

    1. HelmutCool
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Trossard even

  24. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Tross goal

  25. Andy_Social
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Sterling A
    Trossard G
    points for everyone, yeh?

    1. Merlin the Wraith
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Er... No. Saka can stay on the bench now. One nil to the Arsenal.

    2. HelmutCool
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      In a sense yes. Chaser got pickford and perhaps Arteta plays Saka less...

    3. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Pep is a madman

  26. HelmutCool
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Sterling A

  27. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Trossard scores Merino’s goal.

  28. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Sterling assist

  29. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    A gab to saliba for bb 32, dgw 33
    B gab to konsa for same
    Have raya, villa dgw not great

  30. JBG
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 9 days ago

    Arteta showing why he's a world class manager, he saw that Sterling assist coming a mile away.

    1. Merlin the Wraith
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 9 days ago

      Pickford saw nothing...