Dugout Discussion
27 December 2025 661 comments
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There are five more Premier League matches up now, with the reigning champions among the teams in action:

Wilson fit

TEAM NEWS

The headline team news is at the Emirates and chiefly concerns Arsenal’s defence.

Piero Hincapie is fit to keep his place after a midweek injury scare.

He may not have long in the side, however: Gabriel Magalhaes returns to the matchday squad as a substitute after injury.

The biggest surprise is the absence of Jurrien Timber.

It doesn’t end there, as Riccardo Calafiori has pulled out of the Gunners’ XI in the warm-up. In comes Myles Lewis-Skelly.

As for Brighton and Hove Albion, Fabian Hurzeler makes three changes.

Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke and Diego Gomez replace Mats Wieffer, Olivier Boscagli and Yankuba Minteh, who loses his ever-present starter status.

Arne Slot makes two changes for Liverpool, with Federico Chiesa coming in for the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai. This is Chiesa’s first Premier League start of the season.

Jeremie Frimpong also replaces Conor Bradley, who is at least fit enough to be on the bench. Cody Gakpo is also back from injury as a substitute.

Four changes for Wolverhampton Wanderers: Mateus Mane, Yerson Mosquera, Hugo Bueno and Tolu Arokodare come in.

It’s nice and simple in east London as both West Ham United and Fulham are unchanged. That, of course, means that Harry Wilson is fit after Monday’s knock.

Kristoffer Ajer comes in for the absent Sepp van den Berg in Brentford’s only change.

Alex Scott, Adam Smith and Junior Kroupi oust David Brooks, Evanilson and Justin Kluivert for visitors Bournemouth. Antoine Semenyo starts despite speculation over his future.

Finally, at Burnley, the hosts are still without Maxime Esteve.

Armando Broja, Bashir Humphreys and Marcus Edwards come in for Zian Flemming, Jaidon Anthony and the unavailable Joe Worrall for the Clarets.

Everton are without the ill Jack Grealish, so in comes Tyler Dibling. Beto is also preferred to Thierno Barry.

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Raya, Rice, Saliba, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Jesus, Eze, Magalhaes, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Nwaneri.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, van Hecke, Coppola, Kadioglu, Hinshelwood, Ayari, De Cuyper, Gruda, Gomez, Rutter.

Subs: Steele, Minteh, Watson, Welbeck, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Wieffer, Veltman.


Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, Ajer, Henry, Yarmolyuk, Janelt, Jensen, Schade, Thiago, Lewis-Potter. 

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Henderson, Nelson, Damsgaard, Konak, Nunes, Donovan.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Tavernier, Cook, Smith, Scott, Semenyo, Kroupi. 

Subs: Dennis, Soler, Brooks, Evanilson, Christie, Adli, Kluivert, Hill, Unal.


Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Laurent, Humphreys, Ekdal, Pires, Cullen, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Broja, Bruun Larsen.

Subs: Weiss, Hartman, Anthony, Florentino, Tchaouna, Flemming, Sonne, Tresor, Barnes.

Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Iroegbunam, Garner, Dibling, Alcaraz, McNeil, Beto.

Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, Barry, Rohl, Aznou, Welch, Campbell. 


Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Chiesa, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Bradley, Gakpo, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha, Lucky.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Sa, Mosquera, Krejci, S Bueno, Doherty, Gomes, Andre, H §Bueno, Mane, Hwang Hee-Chan, Arokodare.

Subs: Johnstone, Wolfe, Strand Larsen, Arias, Hoever, Lopez, Gonzalez, Tchatchoua, Rawlings.


West Ham United XI: Areola, Todibo, Kilman, Magassa, Walker-Peters, Scarles, Potts, Fernandes, Summerville, Paqueta, Bowen.

Subs: Hermansen, Earthy, Mavropanos, Rodriguez, Soucek, Kante, Golambeckis, Mayers, Wilson.

Fulham XI: Leno, Robinson, Andersen, Cuenca, Tete, Lukic, Berge, Wilson, Smith-Rowe, Kevin, Jimenez.

Subs: Lecomte, Castagne, Reed, Diop, Ridgeon, Cairney, King, Traore, Kusi-Asare.


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  1. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Ekitike already beating Haaland, if if only ends up with an assist! fair play to captainers, never usually works going against Haaland

  2. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Wolves are going to replace Derby County in the record books,aren’t they?

    1. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Seems so. They have a better team than Derby had but thenlinger it goes on the harder the win will be. They are down but I get the feeling if they win one, they may get one or two more.

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

      They are setting losing run records this weekend.

  3. Gubby-Allen
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    How does Ekiteke compare to Haaland in captain % this week?

    Assuming he was the second most.

    1. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      85%

  4. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Petrovic OG and no assist confirmed

    https://x.com/i/status/2004941160830341206

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      I don’t get that, I’m watching it and saw the goal, Sky even thought it was a Thiago goal lol

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Don't know what you are watching, Diakite smashed it off Petrovic before it went over the line

        https://x.com/i/status/2004941527211192642

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Robbing my Thiago points, this is beyond luck 😆

  5. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Its over for non Ekiteke owners (me).

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

      Hardly

      With one assist

      Even a second half brace wouldn't be season over

    2. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Wirtz doing fine for me

  6. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Cunha Haaland (c) over Wirtz Ekitike (c) feeling like a total sheep lol have to go back to trusting myself over being afraid of EO%

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      same

  7. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Why has Thiago not been given assist for second goal?
    It’s either a Thiago goal or assist lol

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Dalot getting assist yesterday was mind boggling for me

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      It’s neither

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Yeah but I don’t get why?

        1. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Watch the raplay

    3. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Nah, a defender clared in the keeper

    4. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      It's not an assist. He shot, hit the keeper, comes out, defender smashes against keeper and in

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        it's time the assist assister got points

        1. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Nah, the game would be shabite if everyone got points for every action.

    5. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Sold by content creators?

  8. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Wlorian Firtz you beauty!

  9. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Konate shocking

  10. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Rogers is going to need to score a brace again to save the GW 😆

  11. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    What is Frimpong doing. Played 10 positions last 3 mins might as well take the gloves off Becker too.

  12. #1 Salah Hater
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Does Rob Edwards have no shame? Setting up every game with the sole intention of not getting battered, only to end up getting battered anyway.

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      His season won't be defined by results at places like Anfield

      1. #1 Salah Hater
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 9 days ago

        I meant more so that his approach is working against them. Liverpool have been shaky defensively all season yet they've made no attempt to put any pressure on them.

        Just sitting back and hoping not to concede more than 3 goals for 90 mins is hardly what an away end full of travelling fans want to see

        1. Utopsis
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 9 days ago

          Remember they are completely short on confidence as well. If they try to play against Liverpool they will get destroyed. Don't blame him for trying to keep things tight and hope for a jammy goal in the dying minutes.

  13. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    correct decision re the brentford second goal

    nobody's even mentioned thiago's initial shot was actually going off target until the defender challening him deflected it towards the goal.

    no chance he gets the assist

  14. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Thanks to whomever talked me out of Frimpong

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Better than Kerkez 🙂

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Always go with your gut

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Amen

    3. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Look in the mirror and say thanks then. Ha.

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        Nah

    4. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      He was the top Pool player for the preseason

    5. LarryDuff
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Man up

  15. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Frimpong Wirtz and Ekitike triple up looks enticing

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      (It’s Wolves)

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      That’ll be the FH pick for me next week. Guaranteed to end in tears

    3. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Ekitike is different class. Wirtz playing better. Frimpong showing some potential -from an FPL perspective

  16. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Rice on 3(!) defcons >:(

  17. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Need Senesi to shite some defcon points in the second half as I am not at all hopeful of an injured Richards starting tomorrow.

    1. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      He got up to 6 but back to 5.

      Should be fine though.

  18. Gubby-Allen
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Could you lose Defcons once you have them?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Yep. It happened to Xhaka last week

  19. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Ridiculous that's not a Thiago assist.

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Are you trolling? Because that is never ever a FPL and I own him

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        FPL assist*

      2. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 9 days ago

        It was definitely his assist. I own him and im not watching the match

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Damn rules etc

    3. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      He did all that work for now assist, mental

  20. Mighty Duck
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 9 days ago

    So, Chiesa wasn't the guy whose place Salah unfairly occupied.

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      I don’t think wide on the right is the gig for Chiesa tbf.

    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Ngumoha should get some minutes he would shred this lot

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      He’s matched Salahs output so far

  21. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Bournemouth defense fallen off a cliff

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Always on away games

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Adams was holding that midfield together

  22. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Last time I bought Rice he got benched, I got him again this week and he plays FB. I think we were just not meant for each other 🙁

  23. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Rice and Andersen poor Defcons this gw

  24. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    This game needs a Saka Rice combo

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Sake.

  25. el polako
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    This game sucks.
    It just sucks.

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      I agree

  26. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Reckon Chiesa goes off for Gakpo in the SH

  27. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Minteh warming up

  28. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Any news on why Van Den Berg decided to p*** me off today?

    1. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      Van Den Iceberg sinks ranks at Christmas.

  29. SomeoneKnows
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Early transfer thoughts: 1FT + 0.7itb who should I prioritize replacing?

    A) Semenyo
    B) Minteh (despite BUR next)
    C) Lacroix

    Raya
    Timber, Lacroix, Keane, Andersen
    Saka, Foden, Semenyo, Bruno G.
    Haaland, Eketike

    (Dubravka, Minteh, Gudmundsson, Guiu)

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      A as I am unsure of his mins with a move imminent.

    2. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 9 days ago

      A

  30. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 9 days ago

    Just one goal from Ekitike would be lovely