Dugout Discussion
25 May 2025 1310 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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It’s the final day of the Premier League season, with all 10 Premier League fixtures kicking off at the same time (4pm BST):

starts Isak

It’s difficult to know where to begin with the team news given the numerous talking points across the country.

But let’s do so at St James’ Park, where Alexander Isak starts for the Magpies after recovering from injury.

His recall at the expense of Callum Wilson is Eddie Howe’s only alteration, but the Newcastle United boss does at least have the fit-again Kieran Trippier among the substitutes.

Everton bring in Charly Alcaraz, Jack Harrison, Ashley Young and Michael Keane, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil dropping to the bench and injured duo Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman missing out as expected.

It’s teamsheet carnage at St Mary’s, with five changes apiece.

William Saliba is absent, while Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard are demoted to substitute duty.

In come Kieran Tierney, Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri. 

Riccardo Calafiori is unexpectedly absent.

Ross Stewart, Yukinari Sugawara, Charlie Taylor, Lesley Ugochukwu and Jay Robinson are the new faces in the hosts’ starting XI.

Jack Stephens, Tyler Dibling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are all injured, while James Bree and Joe Aribo are benched.

There are unexpected absences at the Amex, too, as Danny Welbeck and Pervis Estupinan miss out.

Jack Hinshelwood and Igor Julio take their places.

Ange Postecoglou makes just three changes from the starting XI that beat Manchester United in the Europa League final.

Mathys Tel, Archie Gray and Kevin Danso come into the team, with Sergio Romero, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison dropping out. The first two are injured.

The pre-deadline rumours were true about a Kevin De Bruyne benching, with Jeremy Doku coming in to replace him.

Nico Gonzalez for the suspended Mateo Kovacic is Pep Guardiola’s only other alteration.

Fulham boss Marco Silva meanwhile brings in Jorge CuencaTom CairneyAndreas Pereira and Harry Wilson for Calvin BasseySander BergeEmile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi.

Liverpool and Crystal Palace both pretty much go full strength at Anfield.

For the hosts, Virgil van DijkAndrew RobertsonCurtis Jones and Luis Diaz get the nod over Jarrell QuansahKostas TsimikasHarvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa

Trent Alexander-Arnold also starts on the bench.

As for Crystal Palace, four changes see Tyrick MitchellDaichi KamadaEberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta come in for Joel WardBen ChilwellRomain Esse and Eddie Nketiah.

At the City Ground, Forest are unchanged for their crunch match against Chelsea.

The Blues bring in Jadon Sancho for Tyrique George in their only alteration.

Brentford also name the same starting XI but Wolves make six changes, going back to pretty much full strength after some midweek experimentation.

Jose Sa, Matt Doherty, Nelson Semedo, Joao Gomes, Matheus Cunha and Marshall Munetsi all come in as Jorgen Strand Larsen (who had been a doubt for this game), Rodrigo Gomes, Pablo Sarabia and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde drop to the bench.

Dan Bentley and Nasser Djiga miss out altogether.

Another unchanged side are Aston Villa, whose opponents Manchester United side bring in Altay BayindirAyden Heaven and Victor Lindelof for Andre OnanaLeny Yoro and Luke Shaw.

Youri Tielemans is only fit enough for a place on the bench for the Villans.

Andoni Iraola makes three changes to his Bournemouth line-up. 

Marcos SenesiAdam Smith and David Brooks come in, with Dean Huijsen and Julian Araujo benched and Lewis Cook suspended.

As for Leicester City, three alterations see Victor KristiansenOliver Skipp and Patson Daka replace the absent Wilfred NdidiBilal El Khannouss and Jamie Vardy.

Kieran McKenna names two changes for Ipswich Town’s final match before the drop: Conor Chaplin and Nathan Broadhead come in for Jack Clarke and Julio Enciso, who is missing from the matchday squad.

Graham Potter makes five tweaks from Gameweek 37, with Lukasz FabianskiKonstantinos MavropanosOllie ScarlesEdson Alvarez and Niclas Fullkrug replacing Alphonse AreolaAaron CresswellVladimir CoufalGuido Rodriguez and Mohammed Kudus.

LINE-UPS

Bournemouth XI: Arrizabalaga, Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez, Adams, Brooks, Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson.

Subs: Dennis, Huijsen, Soler, Araujo, Hill, Scott, Winterburn, Jebbison, Silcott-Duberry.

Leicester City XI: Stolarczyk, Justin, Coady, Faes, Kristiansen, Skipp, Soumaré, McAteer, Ayew, Thomas, Daka.

Subs: Iversen, Okoli, Pereira, Aluko, Golding, Buonanotte, Monga, Braybrooke, Evans.


Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson, Lukić, Cairney, Traoré, Pereira, Wilson, Jiménez.

Subs: Benda, Bassey, Berge, King, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, Vinícius, Iwobi, Willian.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, González, Gündoğan, Silva, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Ortega, Aké, Lewis, Rodri, De Bruyne, Echeverri, Foden, O’Reilly, Savinho.


Ipswich Town XI: Palmer, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy, Cajuste, Hutchinson, Chaplin, Broadhead, Hirst.

Subs: Walton, Woolfenden, Burgess, Boniface, Taylor, Szmodics, Luongo, Delap, Clarke.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Todibo, Kilman, Mavropanos, Wan-Bissaka, Álvarez, Souček, Ward-Prowse, Scarles, Bowen, Füllkrug.

Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Paquetá, Rodríguez, Irving, Kudus, Guilherme, Ings.


Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konaté, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Díaz.

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Endo, Elliott, Núñez, Jota.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Lerma, Muñoz, Hughes, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.

Subs: Turner, Ward, Kporha, Esse, Devenny, Nketiah, França.


Manchester United XI: Bayındır, Lindelöf, Maguire, Heaven, Mazraoui, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu, Diallo, Mount, Højlund.

Subs: Heaton, Dalot, Evans, Fredricson, Eriksen, Ugarte, Mainoo, Collyer, Obi-Martin.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Kamara, Onana, Rogers, Asensio, McGinn, Watkins.

Subs: Olsen, Mings, Digne, Garcia, Barkley, Tielemans, Bailey, Ramsey, Malen


Newcastle United XI: Pope, Schär, Botman, Burn, Murphy, Guimarães, Tonali, Livramento, Barnes, Gordon, Isak.

Subs: Dúbravka, Trippier, Lascelles, Krafth, Willock, Longstaff, Miley, Wilson, Osula.

Everton XI: Pickford, Young, O’Brien, Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Gueye, Harrison, Alcaraz, Ndiaye, Beto.

Subs: Virgínia, Begović, Patterson, Welch, Doucouré, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin, Chermiti, Broja.


Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams, Sangaré, Anderson, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Domínguez, Wood.

Subs: Miguel, Morato, Toffolo, Boly, Yates, Danilo, Hudson-Odoi, Silva, Sosa.

Chelsea XI: Sánchez, James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernández, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Neto.

Subs: Jörgensen, Badiashile, Chalobah, Gusto, Acheampong, Dewsbury-Hall, Lavia, George, Guiu.


Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Sugawara, Wood, Taylor, Welington, Downes, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Robinson, Sulemana, Stewart.

Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Bree, Kayi Sanda, Moore, Aribo, Smallbone, Archer, Onuachu.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Partey, White, Kiwior, Tierney, Merino, Rice, Zinchenko, Nwaneri, Sterling, Martinelli.

Subs: Neto, Ødegaard, Jorginho, Henry-Francis, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Trossard, Havertz, Kabia.


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Danso, van de Ven, Udogie, Gray, Bentancur, Sarr, Johnson, Solanke, Tel.

Subs: Kinsky, Spence, Davies, Bissouma, Olusesi, Richarlison, Odobert, Moore, Ajayi.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen, Hinshelwood, Webster, van Hecke, Igor, Baleba, Ayari, Wieffer, Gruda, Adingra, Minteh.

Subs: Rushworth, Dunk, Cashin, Veltman, Milner, Mitoma, Gomez, O’Riley, Howell.


Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Sá, Doherty, Agbadou, Gomes, Semedo, Gomes, André, Aït-Nouri, Munetsi, Cunha, Guedes.

Subs: King, Bueno, Lima, Sarabia, Bellegarde, Larsen, Hee-chan, Gomes, Mane

Brentford XI: Flekken, Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Lewis-Potter, Nørgaard, Yarmoliuk, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade, Wissa.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Henry, Pinnock, Ajer, Jensen, Konak, Thiago, Nunes.



  1. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Had Asensio subbing in for Saka, now need Saka in

  2. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Saka on at HT would be nice

    1. MikeS
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      No chance

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        Probably get the last 10 mins

        1. Debauchy
          • 13 Years
          10 months, 24 days ago

          Enough

        2. MikeS
          • 11 Years
          10 months, 24 days ago

          Come on at 60-70mins I think

  3. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Double Everton defence that can’t sub on. Pickford and O’Brien 3rd sub

  4. el polako
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Just one more hour and it all will be over.

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Thank god

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Finally

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Another excellent season for ME!

  5. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Any chance of Fulham wiping that City clean sheet?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Absolutely not

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        Ah the jinx machine Mr.O'CONNELL is back.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          10 months, 24 days ago

          I live to serve

          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            10 months, 24 days ago

            Thank you

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      In the very last minute of added time is usually the case

    3. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Yes. They are all over them at times

  6. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Who has Martinez?

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      🙁

    2. MikeS
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      I do, on the bench

    3. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Me me me, played him ahead of Sels!!!!

    4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Played Raya instead 🙂

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        Same

  7. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    2nd half goal fest, right?...Am I right?

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Don’t count on it.
      Just go for a tea now.

  8. GoonerSteve
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Sarr first sub with Saka playing. It's the hope that kills you.

  9. Silecro
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    24pts this half, is that bragging teritorry?

    1. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Yes

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        I'll keep schtum over my 25 then

  10. HD7
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Goals galore in the final week... a tradition.
    Just sums up this season

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      FPL gods have been cruel all season , why did you think they would stop.

  11. Drizzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Capped Diaz and just switched channel to see sky have dedicated an entire section in their half time analysis to 'Diaz Misses'.

    My season in a nutshell.

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Same here.

    2. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Absolutely in the same camp this season can’t end quick enough

  12. Not again Shirley
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Has to go down as the most boring final week of the season of all time. Not a lot to play for any club and barely any goals. Roll on next season.

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      No, don’t roll on.

      Let’s enjoy the summer

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      The race for CL is quite exciting

    3. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Aside from the 5 teams playing for Champions League qualification

      1. Not again Shirley
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        That goes down as quite exciting I guess.

  13. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Not looking good for Konsa clean sheet, should have started Neco..Chelsea are shite

  14. Els365
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Martinelli returns and a Saka no show would be welcome. I need Soton to wipe that Arsenal cleansheet

  15. WVA
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Shocker of a first half, last 8 game weeks have been dire

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Aye

  16. threeputt
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Goalfest gw38 they said, snoozefest so far

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      That’s what I want though, nothing crazy, protect the minuscule lead

    2. Vinyl78LP
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Cancelling Sky sub, in t-minus 50 mins. Cant wait.

  17. swanseag55
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Hi all, seen Martinez sent off but no penalty, what happened?

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Martinez ran out to barge Hojlund around the half way line

    2. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Was channeling his inner rugby player outside the 22

  18. MikeS
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Does Salah look like doing anything?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      No

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Hasn’t for weeks

    3. el polako
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Yeah, he’s doing Aubameyang.

    4. MikeS
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Knew I should have kept arm band on bowen

      1. djman102
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        I tried to change from Bowen to Salah last minute, but forgot to hit save. Looking fortuitous so far.

  19. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Stupid decision by Emi Martinez. Højlund had pushed the ball wide and he's not exactly full of confidence right now. Even if he'd scored they still can turn it around in the second half.

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Martinez isn’t one for smart decisions

  20. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    2nd half goal fest incoming?

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Nah

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      A Soton goal and a Fulham goal please

    3. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Nah. Clean sheet fest

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    well done bowen c ...so far 🙂

    1. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Need more I’m struggling damn

  22. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Where goals?

    1. MikeS
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Saka not on the pitch yet, then they come

      1. lilmessipran
        • 13 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        Hopefully

  23. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Taa on

    1. MikeS
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Qué a second goal for palace

  24. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Too much to ask for Marmoush, Wood and Palmer to score?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      yes

  25. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    1 home team goal...spurs

  26. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Boo no Arsenal HT subs

  27. MikeS
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Anyone firing their fpl manager?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      me

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      He keeps telling me he always wins in the 2nd season...

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Giving him a fat raise, actually

  28. T C
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    I'm just glad Spurs' EL win has saved my fantasy and their league season.

  29. el polako
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Liverpool fans showing no class.

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      Expect nothing less

      1. el polako
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        Looks like Trent needs to walk alone, despite everything he did and gave to the club…

        1. MikeS
          • 11 Years
          10 months, 24 days ago

          They should change their song to green day boulevard of broken dreams

    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 24 days ago

      What is this Yank obsession of being “classy” that’s plagueing football these days

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 24 days ago

        Oh boy, cue the American basher in residence with his words of wisdom...don't you have a King Crimson record to go trip out to, man?

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          10 months, 24 days ago

          Finally a funny gimmick on here

  30. GoonerSteve
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 24 days ago

    Any chance Saka stays benched?