Dugout Discussion
18 October 2025 808 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Five more Premier League games get underway at 3pm BST, with all three newly promoted clubs in action – so many Gameweek 8 Bench Boost outcomes ride on the next few hours.


TEAM NEWS

Starting with ‘El Boostico’ (rubbish), there’s one enforced change for Leeds United as Jack Harrison replaces the injured Noah Okafor.

Daniel James and Lucas Perri have recovered from injury but are only among the substitutes.

Scott Parker, meanwhile, makes three changes to his Burnley side, one of which is injury-related as Lyle Foster is absent with a dead leg.

Zian Flemming, Lesley Ugochukwu and Jacob Bruun Larsen come in, while Loum Tchaouna and Josh Laurent drop to the bench.

Jaiden Anthony is fit to start.

In another match that features a number of budget picks being ‘boosted’, Sunderland host Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 7%-owned Omar Alderete has recovered from injury and is joined in the starting XI by Chris Rigg and Dan Ballard, with Arthur Masuaku and Simon Adingra making way.

Wolves bring in Rodrigo Gomes and the fit-again Matt Doherty for the injured Hwang Hee-chan and the benched Jackson Tchatchoua.

There’s a surprise benching for Josko Gvardiol at the Etihad, which naturally comes a day after Pep Guardiola praised the Croatian’s powers of recovery.

Oscar Bobb is also demoted to substitute duty and Rodri misses out, with Nico Gonzalez, Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku handed recalls.

Omar Marmoush is on the bench after recovering from injury.

There are also three changes for Everton, who can’t call upon ineligible loanee Jack Grealish.

David Moyes brings in Carlos Alcaraz, Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry make way.

The absence of Evanlison, and a start for £4.5m forward Eli Kroupi, is the headline news from the Vitality. Evanilson misses out with a calf injury.

Alex Jimenez and Justin Kluivert also come in, with David Brooks injured and James Hill benched.

Crystal Palace are unchanged.

So too are Newcastle United for their trip to Brighton and Hove Albion, who bring in Georginio Rutter for the unavailable Brajan Gruda.

Kaoru Mitoma misses out again.

LINE-UPS

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Dunk, van Hecke, Kadioglu, Ayari, Gomez, Baleba, Minteh, Welbeck, Georginio.

Subs: Steele, Tzimas, Watson, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, De Cuyper, Coppola, Oriola.

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon

Subs: Ramsdale, Schar, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Murphy, Willock, Ramsey, Miley.


Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Ugochukwu, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman, Bruun Larsen, Cullen, Florentino, Anthony, Flemming

Subs: Weiss, Edwards, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Pires, Broja, Mejbri, Laurent, Barnes.

Leeds United XI: Darlow, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Longstaff, Ampadu, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Harrison

Subs: Perri, James, Piroe, Nmecha, Bijol, Tanaka, Bornauw, Justin, Gruev.


Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Richards, Wharton, Kamada, Sarr, Pino, Mateta.

Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Devenny, Canvot, Lerma, Sosa, Hughes, Esse, Nketiah,

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Truffert, Senesi, Diakite, Scott, Adams, Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo, Kroupi.

Subs: Dennis, Araujo, Smith, Cook, Adli, Hill, Milosavljevic, Christie, Gannon-Doak.


Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Ake, O’Reilly, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Foden, Doku, Savinho, Haaland.

Subs: Trafford, Stones, Gvardiol, Lewis, Kovačić, Cherki, Silva, Bobb, Marmoush.

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

Subs: Travers, King, Coleman, Aznou, Dibling, Rohl, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Barry.


Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Ballard, Alderete, Mukiele, Xhaka, Sadiki, Traore, Rigg, Le Fee, Isidor.

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Geertruida, Talbi, Brobbey, Mayenda, O’Nien, Adingra, Masuaku.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Johnstone, Doherty, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno, Munetsi, Trindade, J Gomes, Arias, Larsen, R Gomes.

Subs: Sa, Wolfe, Agbadou, Arokodare, Mosquera, T Gomes, Hoever, Lopez, Tchatchoua.


LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DC) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:

808 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Ange sacked

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Ruthless

    2. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Sad

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Ridiculous decision, thought they were unlucky today, definetly had the chances especially first half

      1. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        They were the better side today. A manager cannot be blamed for missing two sitters and giving a free header.

        Possibly the free kick but all teams are stupid enough to put walls up to help the attacking side. Then a shot that hits bar and post. They won games last season with 30% possession. That only lasts so long

    4. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      How much is the pay off?

      1. Dubem_FC
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Nothing or a body bag.

    5. Berkshire Hafaway-Line
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Big Ange Lostajobglu

      1. iFash@FPL
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        🙂

    6. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Such a shame, should of given him longer

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        it wouldn't have improved. Reckon they could go down now even with Dyche

    7. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      lol

    8. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      The owner is a Greek clown.

    9. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      39 - Ange Postecoglou spent just 39 days in charge of Nottingham Forest, the shortest managerial reign of any permanent Premier League manager to leave a club during the season. Steps. #NFOCHE

      At least they spared him the press conference.

      Owner needs to own it.

      At least he got to tell him in Greek?!

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        21 mins after the final whistle

        He was probably doomed at 2 nil down when the owner sulked off

    10. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Piss poor guess from this fans singing sacked in the morning.

      Even if you allow 12 hours until morning, 5 minutes is about as far away as you could get from that

      1. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        They were singing "sacked in a minute" at the end

    11. SUPERMAN
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Bit of a joke really. But wasn’t he just saying he always wins a trophy? I guess he was wrong this time…

  2. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Decent start on bench boost, Chalobah 6 points

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Snap

      Who else have you got?

      If you manage to get 15 playing then that's all that can be asked of any virtual manager!!

      😉

  3. tucaoneo
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Time for JP to F off?
    1 shot, 0.04xG

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      That's better than his stats in the 3 games prior combined tbf

      No, that is not a joke.

  4. Amartey Partey
    • 6 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Mate

  5. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Was Pedro showing really poor? Couldn’t see the game. Time for him to go?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Not before Sunderland at home

    2. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      He was poney

    3. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Much better after Guiu went up top

    4. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Should have gone weeks ago

    5. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Keep still

    6. Four Letter Wirtz
      • 10 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Garnacho got taken off at halftime and the entire Chelsea attack became so much better...
      JP is essential to the team, he's still class, playing in that Bergkamp half-space

    7. mookie
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      0,04 xG this game
      0,03 xG in his previous 3 games

      A goal is just around the corner. Probably around GW 30 or so.

    8. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Thanks guys. Playing BB coming week…will think about what to do with him.

  6. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Think it’s time for J Pedro to go. Think it’s an easy swap to Bowen.

    Thoughts???

  7. Ballito
    • 2 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Ange needs to back to Aussie and buy a cattle farm with his millions!

  8. Mighty Duck
    • 1 Year
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Dan Ballard's in start and ready for another 17-pointer. High five the other two happy owners.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Backed both him and Alderete to get a goal at 12/1 each

  9. Ausman
    • 2 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    BREAKING NEWS: Ange Postecoglou leaves Nottingham Forest
    Nottingham Forest announce the departure of Ange Postecoglou as head coach of the club. More to follow.

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      *pretends to be shocked*

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      18 minutes after the final whistle.

    3. Silecro
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      More to follow, dont know what's more to be said

  10. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 20 days ago

    Forest deserve to get relegated

  11. z13
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Chris Wood is very clinical, if he was playing Forest could have had two or three. Have to feel sympathy for Ange

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        For failing to get anything out of their only good attacker?

      2. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Historically has been, not so much this season - he hadn't scored with his last 14 shots, with some proper missed sitters amongst those. GW1 was his last goal.

    • Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Captaincy taken off Semenyo for next week, then

      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Put it on Senesi if Dyche comes in.

    • Mighty Duck
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 20 days ago

      This time the matest mate's the Nottingham's owner not Ange.

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        it's who he is mate

    • iFash@FPL
      • 2 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Ange didn’t even try at all…
      Would have been better to still have him on for the Bournemouth match of next game week.

    • el polako
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Wow I thought he was going to be sacked in the morning.
      Forrest owner have no respect for rules and clearly didn’t hear Chelsea fans.

      1. OverTinker
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Brutal world

      2. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Sacked at 2.45pm...you're getting sacked at 2.45pm

        Yeah doesn't have the same ring to it.

    • lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Did Ange even complete the post match press conference?

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        no

      2. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        No

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        He'll do that in his next position.

        Like the Spurs story in the pre match presser.

    • brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Not surprised

    • Ballito
      • 2 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Which Manager will want the job with that crazy big fat Greek owner as a boss!

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Marinakis wants them to play like prime Barca

      2. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Plate smashing Kebab shop manager.

      3. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Sam Allardyce

    • Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Eight players in this kickoff... Lets fn go!

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Have 7 ... Burnley and Sunderland cleanies needed

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          5 months, 20 days ago

          Yeah indeedy, BB active for me

    • FPL Sanky
      • 2 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Ange sacked....time to buy NFO defenders again

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Not unless they sign Dyche

      2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        I still have Sels, everything's coming up Millhouse!

      3. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Not yet

    • el polako
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Looking forward to watching Palace vs Bournemouth

    • Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Semenyo yellow

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        -1 for everyone

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Season over

      3. fantasist
        • 15 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Jaundice?

    • Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      KDH down

    • RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Oh marvellous, just realised Gvardiol is benched, joke

    • tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Bournemouth goal...

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Kroupi G

    • JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Welp Palace CS already lost

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Groupie G

    • Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Kroupiiii

      1. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 20 days ago

        Who?

    • F4L
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      no assist?

    • PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      semenyo red card imminent

    • lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 20 days ago

      Pedro to Kroupi Jr done