Dugout Discussion
16 August 2025 656 comments
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Three more Premier League matches follow on from the goalless draw at Villa Park.

Sunderland and Burnley contest their first top-flight games since promotion from the Championship, while two of the sides who just missed out on Europe last season meet at the Amex.

Guiu Dubravka

Budget Fantasy picks take centre stage today.

Burnley have four £4.0m defenders – Kyle Walker being the odd one out – and a £4.0m goalkeeper in their starting XI this afternoon, with Martin Dubravka getting the nod between the posts.

Lyle Foster, a £5.0m forward, leads the line.

The Clarets make their Premier League return against Tottenham Hotspur, who make three changes from the Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Lucas Bergvall, Brennan Johnson and Archie Gray come in for Joao Palhinha, Kevin Danso and Rodrigo Bentancur.

In the north-east, the big hope from the £4.5m forward pool, Marc Guiu, is on the bench.

The Black Cats have two £4.0m defenders in their team, Jensen Seelt and Reinaldo Mandava.

Mandava is one of seven new signings in their starting XI, alongside Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Simon Adingra and Robin Roefs.

Mads Hermansen is straight into the West Ham United team, with Alphonse Areola having to settle for a place on the bench.

El Hadji Malick Diouf gets his Premier League debut but £4.5m midfielder Freddie Potts drops to the bench, despite having started West Ham’s final three friendlies.

Finally, at the Amex, Fabian Hurzeler makes just one change from his final pre-season line-up: Carlos Baleba is in for Diego Gomez.

Danny Welbeck is only among the substitutes.

Fulham boss Marco Silva matches Hurzeler in making one change from last weekend.

It’s an enforced alteration, too, with Ryan Sessegnon missing out. Jorge Cuenca comes in.

LINE-UPS

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbuggen, Dunk, van Hecke, Wieffer, De Cuyper, O’Riley, Ayari, Baleba, Minteh, Mitoma, Rutter.

Subs: Steele, Gruda, Welbeck, Milner, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomez, Veltman, Coppola.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Bassey, Anderson, Cuenca, Lukic, Berge, Wilson, Iwobi, Jimenez, King.

Subs: Lecomte, Reed, Muniz, Cairney, Adama, Pereira, Castagne, Diop, Emile Smith Rowe.


Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Seelt, Ballard, Reinaldo, Sadiki, Xhaka, Diarra, Talbi, Mayenda, Adingra

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Guiu, Roberts, Rigg, Alderete, Isidor, Le Fee, Jones

West Ham United XI: Hermansen, Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd, Wan-Bissaka, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Diouf, Bowen, Paqueta, Fullkrug

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Alvarez, Wilson, Mavropanos, Soucek, Scarles, Potts, Irving


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence, Gray, Bergvall, Kudus, Sarr, Johnson, Richarlison 

Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Joao Palhinha, Tel, Vuskovic, Solanke, Odobert, Bentancur, Davies.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Sonne, Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman, Mejbri, Cullen, Laurent, Anthony, Foster. 

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Bruun Larsen, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Tchaouna, Flemming, Ramsey, Lucas Pires.

656 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Ballard monster haul. He was on 3bps already.

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Was the obvious C pick this GW.

    2. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Knew he was a baller

  2. They are eating the dogs
    • 3 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    "The eye test, Chico, the eye test never lies"
    -someone with Richarlison in his team

  3. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Shove off, Diouf mate

  4. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Might WC, all players are shite bar Salah

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Salah was poor. U r lucky to get a goal from him last minute

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        Yeah, very much this

  5. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Potter first for the sack?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Some tipping West Ham for relegation before kick off

    2. el polako
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      My ex always was.

  6. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    I got laughed at on here when I said people were sleeping on Sunderland.

    Goal for Mayenda (own)
    Assist for Adringa (don’t own)

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Enjoy it

      1. _Freddo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        Got triple Spurs defence so the level of enjoyment is not high right now lol

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 months, 3 days ago

          Have they conceded?

          1. _Freddo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 3 days ago

            No yet but there’s still time for them to Spurs it.

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 6 Years
              8 months, 3 days ago

              Yea, Spurs could still lose this.

              1. _Freddo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                8 months, 3 days ago

                Just don’t want them to concede.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Adringa off for La Fee

      Mayenda off too

      1. _Freddo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        I’m watching it, can turn over now.

  7. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Trusting West Ham's defense, trusting West Ham's attack. Risking the Pep roulette. Season after season. And still we never learn, do we....

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      You*

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      i didn't trust West Hams defence.
      I picked Konsa instead 😀

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        At least you didn’t pick Watkins 😆

        1. tiger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 months, 3 days ago

          I did pick Watkins too 🙁

          1. Sun God Nika
            • 5 Years
            8 months, 3 days ago

            He’ll pay us back against Brentford
            Have faith

            1. tiger
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              8 months, 3 days ago

              Yeah I'm ok with him to be honest...Konsa, not so much

      2. TiAgoFPL
        • 6 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        Excatly , was on AWB and swapped for Konsa

    3. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      I do 😉

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      I didn't trust any WHU but got two roulette players who both starts on my BB

  8. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Hermansen isn't an upgrade on Areola

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Not much he could have done on both occasions.

      At least not creating danger situations by himself like Areola.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        This

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        Both decent headers but Hermansen should have done better imo. Seems slow/heavy feet to get across

  9. ritzyd
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Best price change prediction site now FPL statistics is no longer?

  10. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    So West Ham are still crap.

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      water is wet

  11. Studs Up
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    world needs a hindsight antidote

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      It's amazing how obvious things seem once they've happened

  12. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    You deserve those 2 goals Hermansen

  13. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Bowen yet another frustrating pick

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      I was flipping between Bowen and Ekitike

      Then it dawned on me: one plays for WH and the other for Liverpool

      I know, genius

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        You flopped when you should have flipped.

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 9 Years
          8 months, 3 days ago

          I chose Ekitike

          Because he plays for Liverpool

  14. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    I have always used the website to set up my team rather than the app. But this year the new website interface is very bad. Is the app interface the better choice this year?

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Same...some of the changes they have made are annoying.
      Not used the app yet

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Website on mobile browser is poor, the app is better.

      1. HD7
        • 9 Years
        8 months, 3 days ago

        "if it aint broken, dont fix it"

        The website was fine, why did they even bother changing it

    3. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      I have both and I only open the app by mistake. It’s far worse. I don’t even know where the stats filter are in transfers.

  15. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Is Sunderland a defensive team who can get these kind of results against mid table teams consistently? Or just WH been utter shite?

    Roefs 4.5 could be a punt.

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Reinildo in my starting Xl

    2. Golden Oldies
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      This they'll der be good for defensive points.. after all mg quality experienced signings in defence and another soon to join from PSG..

    3. fusen
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      The tactic is to mainly sit back, give up possession but don't allow it to get too close to the goal and then counter as quickly as possible

      West Ham have also been a bit crap though

    4. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      They spent a fortune and even got Xhaka to lead them. I don’t know all their players but it could’ve been very good business.

      Let’s see how Brentford, West Ham, Wolves, and god forbid Bournemouth with their awful defence do. They might be in trouble. This year’s promoted teams shouldn’t go down immediately like in the last 2 seasons.

    5. Jekori
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Roefs was a great GK in the Eredivisie. Don't understand why Ajax chose to loan Liverpool's third goalie instead of spending a couple million on maybe a future dutch national team goalie. I started with Roefs when the coach confirmed he was the first choice.

  16. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Guiu behind Mayenda and Isidor. Fun times.

    1. fusen
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      He isn't fit

  17. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    West Ham completely clueless

  18. OverTinker
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    The only hope was Haaland captain but with this lineup I am not so hopeful anymore

  19. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Kudus subbed. Awesome performance

  20. TOBY1
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Reijnders starting as a 10???

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Yes

  21. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Need 2 more DC from Esteve & 3 more from PMS! 5 mins to go!

  22. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Quite funny Pep starts one of Reijnders or Bernardo behind Haaland instead of Chekri or Marmoush

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Reijnders vulnerable to an early subbing if it doesn’t go well.

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Why did I go with Bowen?

    He's an attacking midfielder classified as a forward

    Stupid pick

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Loads did

  24. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Need De Cuyper and Porro to hold their CS

  25. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    26 with Dorgu, Gudmundsson, Palmer, Saka, Bruno and Haaland to go. I’ll take it.

    1. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      43. Haaland (C) Reijnders Palmer Cucurella and Sels to go.

  26. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Milner on

    24th season

    1. boombaba
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Watching sky sports news ? 😉

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      what a guy!

  27. boombaba
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Which price change site is working and accurate this season ?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      LiveFPL.net has had coding challenges but was the best last time out

  28. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    hanging on Vicariously for the double cleanie

  29. Eightball
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    Diouf Wirtz Fulkrug Watkins Porro - FPL is back then.....I want to wildcard already!

    1. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 3 days ago

      Porro?

  30. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 3 days ago

    2 more DC for Reinildo please