Dugout Discussion
30 August 2025 572 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

Leeds United v Newcastle United rounds off Saturday’s Premier League football.

Kick-off at Elland Road is at 17:30 BST.

Leeds’ line-up shows two changes from Gameweek 2.

Lukas Nmecha and, facing his old club, Sean Longstaff come into the starting XI.

Joel Piroe drops to the bench, while Ao Tanaka is injured.

New signing James Justin is named among the substitutes.

There are some real surprises with the Newcastle line-up.

We knew that Anthony Gordon and Joelinton would miss out through suspension and injury.

But the benching of Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes is an eyebrow-raiser.

Jacob Ramsey is handed his full debut, while William Osula makes his first Premier League start for the Magpies.

The recall of Sven Botman hints at a formation change, too.

Jacob Murphy comes in for Elanga, meanwhile.

LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Longstaff, Gruev, Stach, James, Nmecha, Gnonto

Subs: Darlow, Justin, Bornauw, Bijol, Harrison, Aaronson, Okafor, Piroe, Calvert-Lewin.

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Murphy, Osula.

Subs: Ramsdale, Hall, Lascelles, Thiaw, Krafth, Barnes, Willock, Miley, Elanga.

572 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Danstoke82
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Early thought on FT, which one?

    Cunha >

    A) Grealish
    B) Semenyo

    Thanks in advance

    1. ignado
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Danstoke82
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Many thanks

    2. Feanor
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A but I already have B

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Semenyo with more solid stats and fixtures, but Grealish is cheaper and could serve well + the excess money

    4. FantasyClub
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Go with your gut.
      My gut told me Grealish for this GW instead of BJohnson but my brain got involved

      A

    1. Vazza
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Any thoughts on this ?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        He's injured. Off straight away to not make it worse. You can walk on an injury. Wait for prognosis.

        1. lilmessipran
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I think the point is that even with the slightest hint of a hamstring scare they have to go for crutches, if the med team ruled that out maybe it is not as serious or some other type of injury.

  2. Old Gregg
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Brennan Johnson > what should I do?

    Hold or sell

    1. PartyTime
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Depends on if you like getting surprised by Thomas Frank. Do I? Hell no!

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Keep for now and monitor, at least fixtures are good

    3. jonnybhoy
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Keep

    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Too early to say, next GW is ages away
      Not impossible that they sign Rogers or Savinho still

    5. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      You hold on and see how likely it is he start vs. West Ham as that's a good fixture but IMO - one that needs to be shipped very soon.

      I was recommending people don't buy him/should be worried about his starting spot the other day, and to be fair, I didn't even mention the LW signing rumours that were still swirling.

      Had a poor game and goes missing all the time. Sours fans say the same.

  3. TafOnTour1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    A or B?! Currently on A!

    A) Mbeumo, Petrovic, Brennan Johnson, Calafiori.

    B) Semenyo, Raya, Gakpo, Senesi.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Need Isak info.

    2. Feanor
      1 year, 1 month ago

      BJ is a minutes risk

  4. Manani
    1 year, 1 month ago

    best liverpool player to get that is not Salah?

    1. Roshen
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Guehi

      1. Feanor
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Gakpo

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      It's probably Gakpo. But I'd wait now to see how they look if Isak signs.

  5. Pep Roulette
    1 year, 1 month ago

    If Isak joins Liverpool, surely he doesn't start in GW4 or maybe GW5 as well. No match fitness.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      He will gain match fitness/sharpness when he plays for Sweden (2 games) over the IB

      1. Pep Roulette
        1 year, 1 month ago

        And then start in GW4 for Liverpool? No chance!

      2. Flynny
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Rank tonight is 6.5m. Cunha captain

        Think i need to find a new hobby.....season almost over already!

  6. Dank Squid
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Last season, GW 30-38-ish: Premium players not worth the money. Salah dropped off, Saka struggled after the injury, KDB glimpses vs Wolves and Palace, Haaland, Palmer...

    DCs: Cheap defenders and midfielders ticking along. Salah + Haaland teams easily affordable? ("value" is a relative concept)

    New game.

  7. Vote Joke
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Caliafori or Timber? I can’t decide. Thanks!

    1. chocolove
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Raya.

      For 5.5 m you want a player that start every week. After IB, Arsenal RB LB spot become nightmare.

      1. Vote Joke
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Got him. Want to double up on their defence. Was thinking similarly to you, but I think Timber is less secure because of White.

        1. chocolove
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Yes. Cala above Timber, if I want to double up, Raya + Gabriel/Saliba. That's it

          1. Vote Joke
            1 year, 1 month ago

            0.4 short sadly!

    2. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Probably neither. I think Calafiori will probably get more mins than Timber but both will get rotated with MLS and Ben White

    3. Vote Joke
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Ok. I’ll take your points on board. Guaranteed starts are so important, which is why I’m not getting City players.

      What Spurs or Chelsea defenders look nailed on? Seems Chalobah and VdV are viable?

  8. Three Pints of Schlager
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Just saw the penalty decision in ManU on MOTD.

    How is this a penalty when the foul is outside the box?

    1. Vazza
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Because it continued into the box

    2. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      If a defender starts holding an attacker outside the penalty area and continues holding inside the penalty area, the referee must award a penalty kick.

      https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct

      1. Vazza
        1 year, 1 month ago

        You really are awesome!

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Nice

      3. Three Pints of Schlager
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

        I really didn't know that rule. Probably because it was never applied when I was in such a situation. Should have been awarded many penalties in hindsight. 😉

        1. Radulfo28773
          1 year, 1 month ago

          It was a joke but not as funny as the ones for Chelsea

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Big 6 bias. Big 6? Big 15 ...

  9. Vazza
    1 year, 1 month ago

    If guehi joins pool, is he likely to be ahead of konate in the pecking order?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Konate hasn't been particularly great so potentially yes but I would rather see him start first

      1. Vazza
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I might take a risk and transfer out Dorgu for Guehi ahead of pool’s game against Burnley.

    2. Vote Joke
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Not sure. He likes to play in the same side as VVD and is theoretically being bought as his long term successor. If he is shifted to his less favoured side then maybe. Konate is in poor form but he was very close to DJ so there is a psychological aspect to his form too, so the club is quite understanding. Still, he may benefit from some time out of the side.

      In a nutshell, VVD is your only guaranteed LFC starting defender.

      1. Vazza
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Thanks - this is v useful info

      2. ffs casual
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Leoni is Virgils long term successor. He has a couple of years to learn from the master before stepping up. Konate is in the last year of his contract and so far hasn't shown any signs or extending. I would expect Guehi to compete with Konate, but I guiess we'lll see what happens in the next few weeks / months.

        1. Vote Joke
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Leoni may be VVD’s long term successor but he plays predominantly on the right, whereas both VVD and Guehi play in the left. Long term the plan is Guehi & Leoni, with Leoni the VVD clone, but Guehi will take his side.

    3. Three Pints of Schlager
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Who really wants a Liverpool defender when they keep conceeding two goals each week?

      1. Bleh
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Agree with this. Defence doesn’t look great right now!

      2. Feanor
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Senesi seems like a better pick to out it mildly

  10. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Watching the Everton highlights and I'm really impressed. That 2nd goal was really well worked. KdH and Grealish combining super well. Grealish looks rejuvenated.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yeah, looks good alright

  11. Tonyawesome69
    1 year, 1 month ago

    MOTD quicktnotes - Wolves v Everton:
    - Great build up for Beto's goal
    - good cross to Hwang and good run through the centre of defence for his goal
    - Great press from Everton to win the ball back in the lead up to Ndiaye's goal
    - Wolves probably should have done better with the defending in the lead up to KDH's goal
    - far too easy for Gomes to run in between FB and CB to score the 2ns goal

    - Grealish/Ndiaye/KDH working well together.
    - Everton defence maybe not as solid as last season.
    - Wolves probably ignore their players

    1. FPL Brains
      • Has Moderation Rights
      1 year, 1 month ago

      You are awesome.

    2. Halftime
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Thanks

  12. Bleh
    1 year, 1 month ago

    First stab at a WC draft - what do we think? Main dilemmas are Senesi vs VdV & Grealish vs Kudus.

    Raya (Dubravka)
    Livramento, Chalobah, Senesi (Rodon, Esteve)
    Salah, Eze, Grealish, Reijnders (King)
    Haaland, Pedro, Wood

    1. MJF
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yeah it looks pretty decent. I would want more than one Liverpool attacker v Burnley though, that looks the fixture of GW4.

      1. Bleh
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Thanks, yeah fair point. Isak in would change things I reckon.

  13. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Gudmundsson first on bench. Could really use a Watkins benching tomorrow.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Can't see that happening surely ?

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        1 year, 1 month ago

        No, of course not.

  14. MJF
    1 year, 1 month ago

    I think VAR gets more right than wrong. probably by a big margin, but I still wish it was never introduced. I just think it upsets the flow of matches too much, its a much better experience attending EFL matches without it than watching PL with it IMO.

  15. martynteresa
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Hmm, Enzo ahead of Pedro for pens

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Only until Palmer returns

      1. Abaddon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I still think Enzo is ahead of JP after Palmer returns 🙂

  16. Meta12345
    1 year, 1 month ago

    I hope man city can show man utd tomorrow how to win a game, without penalties

    - man utd fan, haaland captainer

  17. Ajax Hamsterdam
    1 year, 1 month ago

    No need to wc that team is there? 1ft and 5.5m itb
    Sels(dub)
    Porro de cruyper truffert (Estève dorgu)
    Salah Bruno kudus Sarr kdh
    Watkins Pedro (guiu)

    I can sell dorgu for tarkowski/Munoz and maybe Watkins for Isac for -4?

    Any thoughts? Cheers

  18. Assisting the assister
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Worth doing Diouf to Cash - exact money so need to do tonight? No other issues and no other 4.5 option

    1. Minion
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Nah. Don’t make unimportant transfers ahead of a two week break filled with transfers and internationals. Log off for now my friend.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      No, consider Bournemouth defenders instead. Senesi, Diakite and Truffert

    3. Assisting the assister
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Thanks great tips

  19. Minion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    If you were FH4, who would be an absolute lock for you outside of Salah?

    Are there many of us FH4 crew here?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      3 Liverpool players plus Isak...

    2. AK-ATTACK âš½
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Can I please see your team before the FH players please Minion

      Also what is your take on a FH during an international break ? in regards to not gaining any prise rises on the FH players (you will bring in) only for the next GW

  20. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Is there any reason to go Cucurella over Chalobah?

    1. Feanor
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Goal threat I suppose

      1. The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Isn't Chalobah more attacking though?

        1. Feanor
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Cucu had 5 goals last year

  21. DeeJazz
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Early thoughts, what would you prefer ? 0.9 mln in bank
    1) Anderson -> Dango Outtara, Tavernier, Caicedo or Rejinders
    2) Larsen -> Thiago or Evanilson
    3) Richards -> Lacroix, Mitchell or Livramento

    Can you please advice which option would you prefer ?

    1. _Ninja_
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I'd wait 2 weeks till the IB is over then decide. Injuries etc.

      1. DeeJazz
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Yes, I will wait, but any idea what would you prefer from this option ? Let's think that everyone from this list is healthy 😉

        1. _Ninja_
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Not sure any of those moves are worth using a FT on at this stage. Larsen could end up at Newcastle. Anderson and Richards have good fixtures coming up

          1. DeeJazz
            1 year, 1 month ago

            What about upgrade Esteve to Konsa/Cash or Truffert/Senesi ?

            1. _Ninja_
              1 year, 1 month ago

              Yeah Esteve to Sensei is a good move.

              1. 3 A
                1 year, 1 month ago

                Sensei? U truly a ninja. Lol

  22. g40steve
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Guiu dropping are there any playing 5.5 or less fwds?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Mayenda, Foster, Muniz...take the price drop

    2. tutankamun
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Beto, Muniz, Sunderland strikers…

    3. g40steve
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Thx

  23. lilmessipran
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Noob question can you make money off double risers if you are on a Free hit?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Nope

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yes, but only for that Free Hit week. Squad and anything ITB goes back to normal after FH is over.

    3. _Ninja_
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Your team will revert back to before any transfers were made during the FH so not really, unless its players you already had.

  24. lilmessipran
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Anyone worried about the Porro sub? I mean Spence was even on a yellow card. I am afraid with Udogie back he might prefer Spence ahead of Porro.

    1. Minion
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Nah I think he was just getting rinsed by Semenyo.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      1 year, 1 month ago

      No at the moment, Semenyo was very good

    3. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Not worried but I don’t understand the hype with him. Saw him in the scout picks and was surprised. I own him but I find myself questioning whether yo start him over some of my other defenders to be honest.

      Spurs defenders are highly owned and fixtures are still good so it’s an easy keep for the time being

    4. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I guess there's a chance but would just ignore it for now. Porro has been the starter at RB so far.

      Bowen probably needs to be managed, which following your Spence hypothesis would mean he'd probably stay on the left.

    5. _Ninja_
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Just noticed he got 12 DCs, nice extra 2 pts. I think he'll keep his place, just one of those games v Semenyo.

    6. lilmessipran
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Cheers folks, hope it was just the Semenyo factor

  25. NZREDS
    1 year, 1 month ago

    No Pedro is killing me in my league - basically everyone captained him. Tempted to rage transfer Watkins out straight away for Pedro! Need Wood (c) to save me this week

    1. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      As long as Palmer is out, Pedro becomes central to their attacking returns. Obviously he could keep it up when Cole returns. Doesn’t make sense not to back him. Chelsea are still annoyingly good and can beat decent teams 2 nil like they did today

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      1 year, 1 month ago

      W(o)od could easily outscore JP this week.

  26. The Big Fella
    1 year, 1 month ago

    I can’t wait for the transfer window to close on Monday and I will then have 3 weeks of data to get players in. I intend to bring in another Liverpool attacker (wanted to see what happens with Isak first), will bring in JP, will downgrade Cucurella to Chalobah for the extra million and higher DC and correct the mistake I had made of bringing in BJ and sell him for Grealish. Problem with the latter is that I already have Ndieye and double Everton seems too much (although he has scored twice in two matches and Grealish has four assists) despite the alright fixtures

    1. The Night Trunker.
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Grealish feels like a great fit at Everton and I wasn't even close to considering him after their first pathetic g/w1 showing.
      Fair play if you went to that left field but can't argue the quality and freshness he has bought to the team.
      I was targeting the Toffees, guess I hold my hands up and admit I was wrong.

  27. Feanor
    1 year, 1 month ago

    On 69 from 3 players in Challenge where DCs are worth 10 this week. Tarkowski, Senesi and Bruno captain.

    I had forgot about it till now

  28. Skout
    1 year, 1 month ago

    WC this?

    Verb
    Porro Milenkovic Diouf
    Salah Bruno Wirtz Cunha Reijnders
    Pedro Watkins

    Dubravka Rodon Guiu Esteve

    1. Feanor
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Not totally necessary but not a bad time

    2. The Big Fella
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Personally I’d wait until after GW4 so you can see how the end of the transfer window will affect how teams set up

      1. Feanor
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Could be a fire sale on Guiu, Diouf, Wirtz, Watkins and Cunha

  29. Tonyawesome69
    1 year, 1 month ago

    As a Semenyo and Evanilson owner, probably should have got another 1-2 attacking returns from them.

    I really like Bournemouth defence - Petrovic and Senesi/Diakite/Truffert are my preferred options in the 4.5m bracket

    1. DeeJazz
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I/m consider upgrade Esteve to Konsa/Cash or Bournemouth defender like Senesi/Truffert.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Easy decision.. Also Bournemouth don't have midweek European fixtures