Dugout Discussion
1 January 2026 608 comments
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Two more Premier League matches to come now as Gameweek 19, and the first half of the Premier League season, draws to a close.

It’s Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland v Manchester City.

Kick-off in both fixtures is at 20:00 GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Pep Guardiola has kept changes to a minimum over the last month or so but he’s made two tonight.

The most surprising one comes in defence as Nathan Ake comes into the side in place of Josko Gvardiol.

Further forward, Savinho replaces Tijjani Reijnders, who drops to the bench alongside Gvardiol.

Jeremy Doku is also among the substitutes after recovering from injury.

Just the one alteration for Sunderland as Eliezer Mayenda is brought in to replace the benched Chris Rigg.

And there’s also just one solitary change for Brentford, who prepare to host Tottenham Hotspur.

Jordan Henderson is back in the starting line-up to replace Mathias Jensen.

Igor Thiago starts a midweek game for the first time this season.

Thomas Frank is back at his former club and makes three changes, one enforced due to the injury sustained by Lucas Bergvall at the weekend.

Joao Palhinha benefits from the Swede’s absence.

Cristian Romero returns from suspension to replace Kevin Danso, while Wilson Odobert gets the nod over Randal Kolo Muani.

Brennan Johnson is nowhere to be seen as he prepares to put pen to paper on a move to Crystal Palace.

LINE-UPS

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Lewis-Potter, Henderson, Schade, Igor Thiago.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Jensen, Nelson, Damsgaard, Konak, Donovan.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Palhinha, Gray, Bentancur, Kudus, Richarlison, Odobert.

Subs: Kinsky, Austin, Dragusin, Danso, Tel, Davies, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Olusesi.


Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin, Xhaka, Geertruida, Mayenda, Adingra, Le Fee, Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Rigg, Isidor, Mundle, Hjelde, H.Jones, O’Nien, Tutierov.

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

Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Doku, Rodri, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Mukasa, Lewis, R. Heskey.


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:

Sunderland City

price change predictions
608 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    FFS, expected to see the net bulge there

    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Haaland from Foden, the ultimate goal.

  2. el polako
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Haaland channeling his inner Gyokeres.

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      might need some finishing lessons from DCL

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        That was not on anyone's 2026 bingo card...

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          its starting to feel exactly like that sort of FPL season

          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 28 days ago

            Ha true, nothing make the sense it should...

  3. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Cracking darts, if not watching - great tungsten...

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      I can see the appeal of downing few pints and playing darts by myself but watching other drunks play on telly?

      Not thank you.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Give the 2 x SFs tomorrow evening a go, you might be surprised....

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      No spoilers!

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Noted, watching later?

  4. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Thiago -> DCL on the cards

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      The exact move i am considering

    2. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Thiago to mush when Bruno F is back

  5. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Better luck next year, lads.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      I’ve only just worked out your username :facepalm:

    2. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Only 364 days left. Time flies

  6. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Is VdB a transfer out now? Seems he has lost his place

    1. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Hasn't he got a flag?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        A white one.

      2. FPL Sanky
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Yes, knock....but he is a substitute which means he is ok but not included in the 11....plus Ajer has done well in his absence

  7. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Anyone’s FPL team scored a goal this gameweek? Asking for a friend.

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      No goals, no assists, no clean sheets, no bonus, no defcon. 🙁

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        I probably didn’t need to include no bonus 😆

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          😀 unlucky.

          I managed to start 4 defenders and benched my only CS.

    2. Monklane
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Nope.

    3. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Bruno and Bowen are Best

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Ha

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      What’s a goal?

    5. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Bruno G pulled through.

    6. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Nope, I do have an assist from Gordon though...

    7. Four Letter Wirtz
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Yeah, Enz9!

    8. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Got Bruno G as my first sub haha that’s it

    9. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Minteh assist highlight of my week

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        same. He better be fit for Burnley…

    10. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Bruno and Paqueta saving my GW

    11. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Tales of woe all round it seems. Better luck at the weekend… try not to knee jerk that shiny new wildcard!

      Happy new year all 🙂

    12. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Just Gabriel and Palmer

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Gabriel jam!

  8. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Thiago has looked very poor and ineffective the last few games

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Jeard something on the radio that he might be carrying an injury...

      1. The Reptile
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        That would explain his lack of pace and atrocious touch

    2. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Thiago unlikely to start this weekend based on previous data.

    3. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      He's gone for most likely DCL next

  9. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    2026 off to a great start

    1. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Going really well for me.

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Gabriel capper?

  10. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    This Game week feels like a disease

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      It's essentially a NY hangover GW...all the players seem like they've been on the lash since Xmas...

    2. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Absolutely delighted so far.

  11. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Gameweek from hell

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Season from hell, more like!

  12. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Lots of clean sheets for lowly owned players

  13. _Greg
    • 16 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    I have Roefs Alderete and Mukiele...on the bench lol.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      They’re a tough nut to crack at home.

  14. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Non Haaland capper here. Still in my bunker hole… wondering whether it is safe to come out or if Haaland is still bombarding non cappers

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Should have scored. One assist ruled out due to offside. Would stay in the bunker for now.

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Oh damn. I already crawled half way out. Will crawl back in. Thanks

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          I knock twice when it’s safe to come out.

          1. PartyTime
            • 4 Years
            4 months, 28 days ago

            I’m out now. Can’t hear any fireworks so I think it’s safe

  15. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 28 days ago

    Anyone considering Mane (4.5) for Wolves?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Only Sadio

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Mane Mane Mane must be funny

    3. Aim for the top
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Looked half decent the last 2 games , if he is picked and plays well again against West Ham at 4.5 could be a good pick to occupy a bench spot.

    4. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      Few weeks ago Rodon got a goal/cleanie and Gudmundssen went off injured for 1 point. This week got the karma on those two at just the right week.

    5. putana
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 28 days ago

      I was wrong about O'reilly, he is not a good pick. Feels crazy to pick a defender who never defcons

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 28 days ago

        Nowhere near as far forward anymore

    6. Basileus
        4 months, 28 days ago

        I need a contribution from either Haaland or Igor Thiago to win in my mini league.

        1. Supersonic_
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          I've just been overtaken due to this carcrash week and trusting pool

          1. Basileus
              4 months, 28 days ago

              I'm only on 27 points! We both have the same 3 Liverpool players: van Dijk, Wirtz and Ekitike. He captained Ekitike...

        2. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          Kicking myself for transferring in Van Hecke to add bench depth and then benched him in front of Alderete. Jeez. Talk about a colossal loss of points.

        3. Nightcrawler
          • 7 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          Nico O reily

          doesnt shoot
          doesnt cross
          doesnt make any defensive contribution

          turning into a nothing pick

        4. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          Oooooooo Heaven is a....player in the Scout Picks.

        5. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          Sav big miss

          1. Bobby Digital
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 28 days ago

            That was poor from him

          2. tutankamun
            • 16 Years
            4 months, 28 days ago

            Twice

          3. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 28 days ago

            Down injured off pitch

        6. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          City have definitely picked the pace up.

        7. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          Doku time

        8. wiseguy
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          You know it's a bad gameweek when Saka is in your top 3 point scorers.

        9. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          Doku coming on

        10. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          Ake good defending,

        11. Snoop Udogie Dogg
          • 5 Years
          4 months, 28 days ago

          Romero dogso?

        12. Absolutely Muñozed
            4 months, 28 days ago

            its so boring

          • Royal5
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 28 days ago

            Sunderland all over City