Dugout Discussion
18 August 2025 319 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) comes to a head this evening, with Elland Road hosting its first Premier League match since May 2023.

Everton are Leeds United’s visitors tonight, with the game getting underway at 20:00 BST.

Jayden Bogle is fit to start for the hosts, having missed the last fortnight or so through injury.

He’s the only change from the final pre-season XI that Daniel Farke sent out, with Isaac Schmidt making way.

That means that Lucas Perri is between the sticks, with £4.0m FPL goalkeeper Karl Darlow only on the bench.

Summer recruits Sean Longstaff, Lukas Nmecha and Sebastiaan Bornauw are also among the substitutes, with fellow new boy Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who only signed on Friday – not in the squad.

Speaking of recent signings, Jack Grealish is on the bench for the Toffees.

So too is new striker Thierno Barry but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall makes the starting XI following his early-August move from Chelsea.

Beto leads the line for David Moyes’ side, who are missing key defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko through injury.

Two more full-backs, Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou, are absent, too.

LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, James, Gnonto, Piroe.

Subs: Darlow, Byram, Longstaff, Aaronson, Harrison, Ramazani, Nmecha, Bornauw and Gruev.

Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall, Gana, Iroegbunam, Alcaraz, Beto, Ndiaye.

Subs: Travers, Tyrer, McNeil, Barry, Chermiti, Grealish, Coleman, Armstrong, Onyango.


defensive contributions
319 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 26 days ago

    Don't think I've ever seen anyone get judged so harshly after 1 GW than Wirtz. I wonder if these people watched the Crystal Palace game... Best player on the pitch and got an assist. And now all of a sudden he's the new Werner

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      I read a comment where someone said he was related to Ali Dia and George Weah.

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      He was poor.

      I won't be getting rid of him. But the thing that concerns me is Ekitike. He seems to have that arrogance about him where he wants to be the man. That is good for Ekitike if he keeps the scoring up as he will hog the points in FPL, but not for Wirtz.

    3. Ghost Ship
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      Gyokeres says hi.

  2. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 26 days ago

    Did Grealish realise he was going to be warming another bench?

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      Strange comment, he's only just signed

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      What? He hasn’t played for ages. He will be nailed, and their most important player, if he finds his enthusiasm again.

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

      He's not had a pre-season which is pretty important.

    4. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      no real preseason

      If played at number 10 not on the left wing
      you will see the Grealish of a couple of years
      ago - Spurs should have gone for him anothr
      Gazza

  3. Viper F
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 26 days ago

    Come on Ndiaye!

  4. Unknown1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 26 days ago

    Cunha or Mbeumo for Gw3?

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      I think Mbuemo, because of set pieces. But tbf, either one can haul.

    2. F4L
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      both 😉

      think mbeumo will spend more time in the box, cunha likes to drop deep. so he probably edges it if you only want 1

    3. NoOneCares
        3 months, 26 days ago

        Gudmundsson looking good.

      • Unknown1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 26 days ago

        Thanks for reply. Yeah only one for Saka replacement. Edging towards Mbeumo

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      Who are people starting at the weekend..... Sanchez or Dúbravka?

      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 26 days ago

        Both will concede IMO, so Sanchez

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          This is like a championship game for Burnley and we all know how good their defence was in the championship last season.

      2. Zalk
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 26 days ago

        I'd go Sanchez

      3. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 26 days ago

        Sels

        Dúbravka on the bench

      4. Hairy Potter
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 26 days ago

        Ask Zoph

        1. Hairy Potter
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Then blame Zoph

        2. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Never again. He's the reason I'm currently Haaland-less.

          1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 26 days ago

            He makes your decisions for you?

    5. martynteresa
        3 months, 26 days ago

        Prediction. Dan Jmaes is going to run Mykolenko ragged and secondly high chance of a penalty because Dan doesnt go for the byline Dan goes straight in towards the penalty so Tark and Myko are going to have a job on their hands

        Penalty for Leeds. The assist Dan James, The taker Prioe

        Dan is good for 8 goals 8 assists this season

        PS I support a club that deosnt like Leeds.

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          lol, Mykolenko isn’t playing

          1. martynteresa
              3 months, 26 days ago

              oops, didnt check the everton line up but whoever is LB has a problem lol

              1. martynteresa
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Bogle back from inury too on that same side

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

            2-1 to Leeds United?

            1. Bluetiger1
              • 3 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              half prediction I agree if Leeds win with your score AC/DC AFC

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              I would like Leeds CS and Piroe goal

              1. Bluetiger1
                • 3 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                (same with clean sheet)) FPL reasons only I would like Personally but with Rodon getting an assist or
                goal on top - really horrible GW1

          3. Bluetiger1
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            My prediction depending this evening game Leeds United v Everton
            which do you feel

            a. Leeds win 2 v 1

            or

            b. Everton away win 0 v 3 (Beto two goals)

          4. MarcusAurelius
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Free hit or wild card this week?

            On 73 after Bench Boost with KDH to play. Plan was to free hit GW2 but now I’m thinking wild card to keep hold of the price rises. Already brought in Semenyo and Ekitike just need to decide which chip to play.

            Current team for GW3 if I do free hit

            Sels (Areola)
            VDV Cucu Frimpong (DeCuyper) (Diouf)
            Salah Reijnders Palmer KDH (PMSarr)
            Watkins Bowen Wood

            Or pick a new starting 11 and roll with it with a wild card? Would lose price rises on Ekitike and Semenyo and soon to be Haaland it seems

            1. Bluetiger1
              • 3 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              play wildcard GW2 keep price changes

              GW4 possible after the International break - Free Hit

              Nice team

              1. Kiwivillan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                If it's a nice team then WC is stoopid just for sake of a couple of price rises.

                1. MarcusAurelius
                  • 9 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  It was always my plan to get bench boost out the way and then use either free hit or wildcard. I get your point though. Bit late now Iv made the transfers and I’m not taking a hit

                  1. Boxwoods
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    WC more important to preserve than FH in my view. I would sooner FH.

                2. Bluetiger1
                  • 3 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Fair shout

              2. MarcusAurelius
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Thanks man. I’m leaning more towards wild card. Possibly with Haaland and Salah

                1. Bluetiger1
                  • 3 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Already played GW2 Wildcard - disaster GW2 & gone with Salah & Haaland as cannot do any worse

            2. MarcusAurelius
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Would lose price rises if I free hit I mean*

            3. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Neither

          5. Miracle brown
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Hello

              1. panda07
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                It's good to be back........

            • Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Wood rising tonight

              1. The Bandit
                • 15 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                A FFS classic…

            • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Pulled the Wildcard, currently looks like this

              4.5 Dubravka
              Cucu Porro Muñoz Dorgu Acheampong*
              Salah Semenyo Rogers Reijnders PMSarr
              Haaland Ekitike 4.5

              Which 4.5 GK? Roefs, Petrovic

              Both Spurs boys to be benched against ManC

              1. Robcar24
                • 2 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Like it!

              2. MarcusAurelius
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Looks good I’m looking at doing something similar. You not worried about having no Arsenal for next game?

                1. Count of Monte Hristo
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Good point, I would want Saka for Leeds at home but I would definitely want some Arsenal defence long term.

                2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                  • 9 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  I'd totally get some Arsenal players if I was Free Hitting, but for one Gameweek, I'm not sweating not having any. Arsenal hasn't been great

            • g40steve
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Leeds will be gassed by HT, all out attack like it

            • riot
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Looking forward to seeing Grealish off the bench this week or next, no great fixture run in the near future but with a little rotation should be a huge differential.

              GW 5-12 isn't terrible if Everton are well coached (which I expect). Pool and Manu playable for sure, Spurs and City

              1. riot
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                * b2b 8 & 9 might be blanks but cheap enough to bench

            • g40steve
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Gudmund so close

              1. Bobby Digital
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Warming my bench

            • Bobby Digital
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Can't believe I actually own KDH... What was I thinking? Reijnders is only 0.6 more.

              1. The Reptile
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                I know and I had 0.5 itb and switched Milenkovic to Frimp last minute when I could have got Reindeer

            • The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Everton def looking shaky. Attack poor.

            • grooveymatt65
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              So this is my team for this week, already done KDH to Reijnders, really can't decide between captaining Watkins or Salah or punting on Evanilson what do people think?

              Sels
              RAN Porro Diouf
              Rogers Palmer Reijnders Salah (c) Wirtz
              Watkins Evanilson
              Dubravka Guiu Tosin Esteve

              0.0 ITB 0ft

              thanks!!

              1. Sting
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Like the Evanilson punt but may be safer to go Salah who has the annoying habit of playing the full 90 and getting late returns

              2. riot
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                I am also an Evanlison owner but I really wouldn't consider capping, I'd rather punt on rogers

            • NoOneCares
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Gudmundsson looking good.

                1. Count of Monte Hristo
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Starting Gudmundsson and Reinildo this week, quite enjoy rolling the dice with 4.0 defenders.

              • The Reptile
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                KDH touched the ball once I think

                1. tutankamun
                  • 16 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  On for 3 baps currently. Lol.

                  1. The Reptile
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    Wtf

                    1. riot
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      3 months, 26 days ago

                      world class touch

              • g40steve
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Everton have gone past half way line, not for long!

              • ash and swanson inc
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                I dont normally post teams but wondering which looks best to you lot of experts!

                sels / dubravka
                cash / De Cy / Aina / Alt Nouri / VDV
                Semenyo / Gakpo / Reijndeer / Cunha / Kudus
                Haaland / Wood / Richarlison

                or

                sels / dubravka
                Gudmunsson / De Cy / Aina / 4.5 / VDV
                Semenyo / Rutter / Reijndeer / Salah / PMSarr
                Haaland / Wood / Watkins

                free hitted in 1, always planned to WC in 2 as my trigger finger is too jumpy...

                1. riot
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Rutter being subbed off early concerned me last week idk if I'd buy

                2. Count of Monte Hristo
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  A looks great, would just change Cash and Richarlison.

                3. The Bandit
                  • 15 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  No experts here.. just residents of the Fantasy Hotel California.

                4. MarcusAurelius
                  • 9 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  B looks good but would downgrade Watkins and upgrade defence

                5. ash and swanson inc
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Cheers for comments! was hoping people would respond as leeds game a bit dull

              • FPL Sanky
                • 2 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                This game has 0-0 written all over it

                1. Magic Zico
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Until somebody making a blunder probably

                2. The Bandit
                  • 15 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Just top left corner for me

              • Freshy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Who are your 3 Leeds players?

                1. g40steve
                  • 7 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Gudmundsen

                2. Royal5
                  • 14 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Yeboah, Cantona, Viduka

                  1. g40steve
                    • 7 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    Showing your age 😉

                    1. The Bandit
                      • 15 Years
                      3 months, 26 days ago

                      Ha, I’d have picked Eddie Gray, Peter Lorimer and Allan Clarke 😆

                      1. g40steve
                        • 7 Years
                        3 months, 26 days ago

                        Ferdinand

                      2. tutankamun
                        • 16 Years
                        3 months, 26 days ago

                        Bremner, Hunter, Jordan

                        1. The Bandit
                          • 15 Years
                          3 months, 26 days ago

                          Thugs

                3. DeSelby
                  • 3 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Cantona, Giles, and Bremner.

                4. Count of Monte Hristo
                  • 12 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Radebe, Kelly, Kewell

              • g40steve
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                That was out?

                1. tutankamun
                  • 16 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Only by a metre. Play on.

                2. keefy59
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  I could see that first time .
                  Watching it live .

              • Jafooli
                • 13 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Are Everton aware there's another half to the pitch?

                1. Magic Zico
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  Yes, the plan is to play there in the second half

                  1. g40steve
                    • 7 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    Flol

                  2. Jafooli
                    • 13 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    😛

                  3. The Bandit
                    • 15 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    Nice 🙂

                  4. Count of Monte Hristo
                    • 12 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    😆

                    Moyes got it covered.

                  5. Reedy
                    • 15 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    😀

                  6. The Reptile
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    Ha ha ha! You're not wrong

              • The Train Driver
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                This Ampadu guy looks good. Pretty attacking as well as good for DEFCON. Also on long throws.

              • Count of Monte Hristo
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                DCL at Leeds now, unsure if he adds much to their squad. Serious lack of goals for a striker.

                1. g40steve
                  • 7 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  & speed vs injuries

              • Thanos
                • 4 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Leeds look like a team which will huff and puff a lot but won’t score. Just like last time they were in PL?