Dugout Discussion
21 September 2025 565 comments
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There are two Premier League matches kicking off at 14:00 BST today, with high-flying Bournemouth facing Newcastle United and Sunderland hosting Aston Villa, who are without a win or goal scored this season.

TEAM NEWS

Andoni Iraola makes two changes to the side that beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 last week.

Alex Jimenez and Bafode Diakite start, as James Hill and Veljko Milosavljevic make way.

Eddie Howe makes seven alterations from the midweek Champions League defeat to Barcelona, handing starts to Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy and Nick Woltemade.

Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes drop to the bench, while Anthony Gordon is suspended and Fabian Schar is ruled out due to concussion protocols.

At The Stadium of Light, Regis Le Bris brings in Chris Rigg and Enzo Le Fee for the injured Habib Diarra and benched Simon Adingra.

Aston Villa’s two changes see Boubacar Kamara and Evann Guessand replace Lamare Bogarde and Youri Tielemans, who picked up a calf injury last weekend.

Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho are both named among the substitutes.

LINE-UPS

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Adams, Semenyo, Tavernier, Brooks, Evanilson

Subs: Dennis, Soler, Christie, Doak, Kluivert, Adli, Kroupi Jr, Hill, Milosavljevic

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Willock, Miley, Tonali, Murphy, Woltemade

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Lascelles, Joelinton, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Guimaraes


Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Rigg, Sadiki, Talbi, Le Fee, Isidor

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Ballard, Geertruida, Brobbey, Mayenda, Adingra, Traore, Masuaku

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Guessand, Watkins

Subs: Bizot, Pau, Lindelof, Maatsen, Bogarde, Jimoh, Elliott, Sancho, Malen

565 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    1 year, 1 month ago

    I can sense a Watkins goal today!

    1. have you seen cyan
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Hopefully in his own net

      1. Waynoo
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Agreed

    2. Shark Team
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I can sense a:
      SUN 2-2 AVL
      BOU 0-0 NEW
      ARS 2-0 MCI

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        SUN 1-1 AVL
        BOU 3-1 NEW
        ARS 2-2 MCI

    3. el polako
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I’ve lost hope.
      At least today Villa is not starting with McGinn as a winger.

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

      Might just be wind

    5. DeSelby
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Haha.

  2. Waynoo
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Another cleaner for Sensei please

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Is the last one not up to the mark?

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Covefe

  3. Zogzeg
    1 year, 1 month ago

    I’m tempted to get an Arsenal fullback, but don’t know which of Timber and Calafiori is more nailed?
    Any help greatly appreciated please.

    1. Admiral Benson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Is it worth it with Ben White and Lewis-Skelly around and champions league kicking in? CB or Raya feels safer for £5.5m plus

      1. Zogzeg
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Agreed, that’s what I’m weighing-up and wondering which of the fullbacks is less prone to rotation. Answer could be neither!

      2. Ron_Swanson
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Wise words

  4. theshazly
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Wirtz to ?

    A ) King
    B ) Stach
    C ) Xhaka

    So I can do Watkins > Haaland

    1. theshazly
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Wirtz to ?

      A ) King
      B ) Stach
      C ) Xhaka
      D ) Brooks

      So I can do Watkins > Haaland

      1. Haa-lala-land
        1 year, 1 month ago

        They are all good mate. We really just got to pick our 5.0 poison and stick with it.
        Stach and Xhaka for me. Some like Caicedo and KDH

  5. The Pep Revolution
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Would you WC this team?

    Sels Sanchez
    Porro Gabriel Guehi Struijk De Cuyper
    Reijnders Johnson Grealish Kudus Semenyo
    Haaland Ekitike Pedro

    Not going well in the rankings and think a change may help.
    Thanks.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I did with a v similar team but it wasn't necessary ...

      There's 5 changes you can make. I think I did 10 or so.

      I got a bit spooked by price drops for Ekitike and Reijnders which was perhaps a bit hasty.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Your defence is better than mine was

    3. Brosstan
      1 year, 1 month ago

      No for me

  6. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Early Gw6 wildcard picks with £1m itb.

    Where have I gone wrong with this lot?

    Are Sunderland a better option for BB?

    Assuming there's positive news with I Sarr fitness.

    Raya Dub
    Calafiori Tark Munoz Senesi Esteve
    Semenyo Eze Sarr Bergvall Stach
    Haaland Isak Pedro

  7. Defcons are for Kinnear
    1 year, 1 month ago

    The Bournemouth pitch is the size of a 9 a side

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      It's the same width as all the others except for Fulham and Chelsea which are slightly narrower

      Most are a regulation length as well

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      It's probably the camera angle in a smaller stadium that changes the perspective

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Yeah like Highbury

    3. el polako
      1 year, 1 month ago

      It’s not the size of the pitch that matters, it’s how you play it.

      1. iFash@FPL
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Are we still discussing stadiums? 🙂

  8. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Sanchez, Dubravka,
    Munoz, Porro, Senesi, Cucurella, Andersen,
    Wirtz, Kudus, Reijnders, Semenyo, KDH,
    Haaland, J Pedro, Watkins,

    A) Play WC
    B) Save WC, take a -8 to do Sanchez, Wirtz, Watkins to Raya, Gyokeres, 8.9m mid (or Isak and 7.4m mid)

    1. Captain Mal
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I don't see the rush in doing Sanchez to Raya. Is Newcastle (A) better than Brighton (H)? I'd leave that for next week.

      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Will he not be suspended no? Have I missed something?

        1. Merlin the Wraith
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Suspended for the EFL cup match this midweek.

          1. Wolfman180
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Ah ok makes sense, thanks. Take the -4 or WC? 😛

  9. _Ninja_
    1 year, 1 month ago

    No way to get Haaland without losing Salah, time to WC or Salah/Ekitike -> Haaland/Mid -4?

    Sanchez Dubravka
    VDV Milenkovic Rodon Munoz Diouf
    Salah Bruno Semenyo Kudus Reijnders
    Pedro Wood Ekitike

    1. tbos83
      1 year, 1 month ago

      You could downgrade Bruno instead

      1. Brosstan
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Bruno and Ekitike removal can't get you Haaland

  10. RedGunPowder
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Hey did i miss something here. Sanchez got -1 point for 2 goals consided? Why? He was sent off after 5minuts of playing time. Goals came after...thx

    1. have you seen cyan
      1 year, 1 month ago

      His sending off contributed to the goals.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      His red card contributed so he takes the ongoing pain

      Always been the caae

    3. x.jim.x
      1 year, 1 month ago

      14 years on here kinell

  11. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Big lad was offside

    3 of them in fact

  12. el polako
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Ollie Watkins
    12 minutes, 2 touches.
    Promising.

  13. nanxun
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Why is Buendia in the first XI for AVL instead of Harvey Elliott?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Good preseason.

  14. F4L
    1 year, 1 month ago

    brooks offside goal

  15. Esraj
    1 year, 1 month ago

    J Murphy looking dangerous.

    1. iFash@FPL
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Is he carrying a weapon?

  16. JBG
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Think I'm starting to hate how well almost very team is setup now.. the game is so reliant on waiting for mistakes by pressing only, rather than actually creating some magic themselves or a "maverick" doing something out of nothing. Most matches look like chess games now. It's boring.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I made a similar comment last week. Teams are increasingly playing a low block and having the players to effectively counter. Realistically, only the big clubs can afford to play on the front foot and try and break them down.

      Look how successful Forest were last season and it’s understandable why other teams will try and copy.

    2. Captain Mal
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I was watching Fulham yesterday and thinking that Harry Wilson would be much more appreciated a decade or two ago. Now it's system/discipline over individuality, mobility over ball striking ability, marathon runners over footballers.

    3. Esraj
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Reminiscent of Serie A in the 90s. Highly tactical, but frustratingly boring.

      1. Haa-lala-land
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Ah man, I used to love Gazetta football Italia on Sunday mornings. James Richardson sipping cappucinos in Rome discussing the beauty of a 0-0 draw

        1. Waynoo
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Showing your age but I agree

  17. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Love watching this Bournemouth team. Not afraid to play progressive passes at the risk of giving it away.

    1. el polako
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Cheering for cherries.

    2. Haa-lala-land
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I like the contrast of your comment with the one just prior

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Yeah, JBG clearly not watching Bournemouth this season 🙂

  18. F4L
    1 year, 1 month ago

    senesi bicycle kick clearance should be worth 2 defcon

    1. _Greg
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Bring back man in the stand bps! :mrgreen:

      1. el polako
        1 year, 1 month ago

        And pre match preamble.

  19. My heart goes Salalalalah
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Watkins is never going to score again after that miss. Offside anyway

  20. F4L
    1 year, 1 month ago

    havent really watched that much of bournemouth, but no kluivert seems to be giving semenyo more room to come inside and central as tavernier drops abit deeper in possession. has this been happening all season?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yes, I think so. Semenyo playing as a second striker in transition, then drifts wider when Bournemouth have more measured possession.

      1. F4L
        1 year, 1 month ago

        cheers
        might have to get him in then

    2. iFash@FPL
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Kluivert seems to be yesterday news in Bournemouth, unless the dynamics change. He may have been distracted by wanting away in summer.
      And Semenyo has really stepped up his game from last season, now with productive end results. Long may he shine in FPL team!

  21. Nightcrawler
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Watkins is the best reverse differential. So many active teams still have him it's insane

    1. Feanor
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Watkins + Wirtz = 19 points on the season

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      He's streaky and they are seeing it out

  22. g40steve
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Murphy ankle roll 😳

    1. nonaynever
      1 year, 1 month ago

      no salad & extra mayo in mine, please....

  23. Feanor
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Considered doing Cucu to Virgil or Sensi on Friday, but rolled in the end. Guess I will keep him and Wood another week…. now I would like the people who held Wirtz and Watkins for 9 blanks.

    1. Feanor
      1 year, 1 month ago

      *sound like

    2. Brosstan
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Cucu is out for me after next GW. Just hope he doesn't drop in price with a decent fixture coming up but I can see him dropping

  24. Brosstan
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Semenyo cappers mudded?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      As a Palmer capper, I’d rather be in the Semenyo mud

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

      Oh man, I hope not!

  25. Mr. O'Connell
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Reinildo red for doing absolutely nothing

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Ooops, benched Konsa

      1. Brosstan
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Me too but he will come on for Cucu 0 pointer 🙂

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 year, 1 month ago

          such jam 😉

    2. Peteex
      1 year, 1 month ago

      U joking?

      Lost his head and kicked cash

      1. Feanor
        1 year, 1 month ago

        3 game ban?

        No bench boost for a while for me if so

        1. Peteex
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Yes, I think it will be 3 game ban

    3. DeSelby
      1 year, 1 month ago

      To be fair he did get fouled by Cash.

  26. Thanos
    1 year, 1 month ago

    I got Reinaldo and Sanchez starting

    Just got to laugh 😆

    1. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Ouch! Feel your pain man

      1. Thanos
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Crazy that Cash clatters into him and then Reimaldo gets a RC! Ffs

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

      Can’t you click your fingers?

      1. Thanos
        1 year, 1 month ago

        At this rate, I’ll smash my palm

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 year, 1 month ago

          unlucky mate 😀

    3. Zimo
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I have them on Bench Boost. I'm laughing

      1. Zimo
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I've effectively reduced my points playing the chip 😀 fun stuff

        1. Thanos
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Lolz

        2. Zimo
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Reijnders gonna make it a hattrick at this point

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            1 year, 1 month ago

            That will balance it back up

        3. Pedersen
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I have had bad BB before, all the way down to 1pts BB. But never ever have I had negative points xD

          1. Zimo
            1 year, 1 month ago

            I hope it's some kind of record at least

        4. nonaynever
          1 year, 1 month ago

          my BB is currently amassing 1 pt 🙂

          1. Zimo
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Wow that's a lot from my perspective

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

            super massive black hole

    4. Feanor
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Ugh, brutal luck

      One good thing about the Sanchez red is that his backup looked awful.

  27. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Did Kevin show anything when he came on for Fulham yesterday?

    1. F4L
      1 year, 1 month ago

      nah, fulham were just in close out the game mode. kevin didnt have a chance to get going

      1. Haa-lala-land
        1 year, 1 month ago

        What was his YC for?

        1. F4L
          1 year, 1 month ago

          time wasting, throwing the ball away when it was a brentford throw in

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Cheers

        Once he starts he might be dynamite

        He did get a YC tho

  28. Feanor
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Wow, I benched Reinildo for Grealish at the last minute

  29. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 1 month ago

    If Watkins (and Villa in general) can’t score in an hour against ten man Sunderland, just relegate us already!

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      1 year, 1 month ago

      this

  30. g40steve
    1 year, 1 month ago

    This year we could easily see three established clubs relegated.

    Brentford
    Villa
    West Ham
    Wolves

    All look worse than Burnley, Leeds & Sunderland

    1. Pedersen
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Well Brentford was only Brentford thanks to the manager Thomas Frank

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I think Wolves will turn it around and Brentford and Villa will be fine.