Dugout Discussion
4 January 2026 977 comments
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After Leeds United and Manchester United cancelled each other out at Elland Road, the Premier League action continues with four 3pm GMT kick-offs:

TEAM NEWS

The absence of Hugo Ekitike from the Liverpool matchday squad is the headline team news.

The Frenchman misses out due to a minor fitness issue.

Andrew Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong drop to the bench, with Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo coming into the starting XI.

Issa Diop, Timothy Castagne and Tom Cairney start for Fulham.

Kenny Tete, Sander Berge and Kevin make way.

At Goodison Park, David Moyes makes two changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest.

Michael Keane and Jack Grealish replace Nathan Patterson and Merlin Rohl.

Keith Andrews brings in Aaron Hickey, Mathias Jensen and Mikkel Damsgaard for Brentford, with Rico Henry, Jordan Henderson and Keane Lewis-Potter dropping to the bench.

Jacob Murphy for Harvey Barnes is the only change for Newcastle United from Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Burnley.

Yoane Wissa consequently starts up front again in place of Nick Woltemade.

Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento return from injury as substitutes.

Oliver Glasner gives new signing Brennan Johnson his Crystal Palace debut as he replaces Justin Devenny.

Tottenham Hotspur give chances to Ben Davies and Mathys Tel.

Djed Spence and Palhinha drop to the bench.

Sunderland are unchanged from the side that drew with Manchester City in midweek.

LINE-UPS

Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Iroegbunam, Dibling, McNeil, Grealish, Barry

Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, Beto, Rohl, Aznou, Armstrong, Welch, Campbell

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Hickey, Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Jensen, Schade, Thiago

Subs: Valdimarsson, Henry, van den Berg, Pinnock, Nelson, Henderson, Lewis-Potter, Peart-Harris, Donovan


Fulham XI: Leno, Diop, Andersen, Cuenca, Castagne, Lukic, Cairney, Robinson, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Jimenez

Subs: McNally, Lecomte, Amissah, Berge, Ridgeon, Reed, Traore, Kusi-Asare, Kevin

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Gakpo

Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Ramsay, Frimpong, Gomez, Robertson, Nyoni, Chiesa, Ngumoha


Newcastle United XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, J Murphy, Gordon, Wissa

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, Barnes, Livramento, Woltemade, Willock, A Murphy, Ramsey

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi, Clyne, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Johnson, Pino, Mateta

Subs: Benitez, Uche, Esse, Canvot, Sosa, Rodney, Devenny, Benamar, Drakes-Thomas


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Davies, Bentancur, Gray, Kudus, Odobert, Tel, Richarlison

Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Spence, Bergvall, Palhinha, Williams-Barnett, Kolo Muani, Scarlett

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

Subs: Patterson, O’Nien, Ballard, Hjelde, Neil, Jones, Tutierov, Mundle, Rigg


Introducing The Eye Test 2
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  1. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Lerma has to come off, that was nasty - Canvot on.

  2. Baps Hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    I feel like hate transferring VvD out for a hit. But Ekitike is injured.

  3. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    VVD + Raya -> Gabriel + Verbruggen (-4) success. Season turning around finally? 2026 the year of the calculated manager instead of the casual?

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

    What happened to Ekitike? Thought he was starting??

    1. Effe
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      A “minor fitness issue” apparently

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      At no point was he starting

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

        Aha thought I saw him in the lineups

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Hammy

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

        At least I can get rid then. Been an awful investment.

      2. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Really?

      3. Crystal Alice
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Slot said slight hamstring injury

  5. nanxun
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 14 days ago

    Good lord, Konate's been atrocious.

  6. Machine Gun Skelly
      3 months, 14 days ago

      I was top 100k 3 weeks ago now I'm 500k god this game drives me crazy

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Still top %age

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Meaningless. All that matters is where you are for the run-in to the end.

    • PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      I hate this game

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        It was ok before these two goals

    • AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Live FPL app has done my Ekitike sub, in play.

      Switches to a 4-5-1 formation.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        https://x.com/i/status/2005684293280915473

        Links to the App here

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          iOS apps.apple.com/app/livefpl/id…

          Android play.google.com/store/apps/det…

          Collaboration with @FFScout

      2. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Weirdly, mine shows the subs on the pitch but isn't including their points...

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Probably updating

    • The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Thiago and Wilson saving my season!

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Killing my gw

      2. Pornchef
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        We want more

    • AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 14 days ago

      Joe Linton flagged

      No goal

    • Machine Gun Skelly
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Does anyone know if Paqueta will be available for the game vs forest?

      • mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Surprised to see VDV fell back to 4.5m. Great near future fixture run, although you’d expect bou to score next GW

      • Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        I think Slot is running out of time.

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

          One armed bandit

        2. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          When they lose 0-4 to Burnley at Anfield, hopefully.

        3. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Klopp back blank cheque

        4. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Ran out of time

        5. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Time slot over

      • RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Wilson and Raul punishing Liverpool and sellers

      • pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        O’Brien lost his CS

        That’s a bummer

        Hope he gets something

        1. mixology
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Ditto with Keane. Tark nearly there with DC

      • FOREST FOREVER 2
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 14 days ago

        gakpo is very good in hitting posts.

      • g40steve
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Gakpost

        1. FOREST FOREVER 2
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Hahaha

      • davewg59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Is it a big mistake to WC for gw22?

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

          I'm contemplating it

        2. FOREST FOREVER 2
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 14 days ago

          it's team dependent. I think th option of gathering upto 5 FT has made early WC more viable option.

        3. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Could be a good time, long break after GW21 with FA cup and maybe a few new January signings will be in play too.

      • Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        Tark on 9DC's already

      • Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 14 days ago

        A) Esteve, Ekitike, Woltemade to Gabriel, Watkins, Mane -4
        B) Esteve, Saka, Ekitike to Gabriel, Rice, Watkins -4
        C) Esteve, Ekitike, Wolt, Saka to Gabriel, Watkins, Wissa, Rice -8?

        1. Machine Gun Skelly
            3 months, 14 days ago

            A

        2. Tic Tacs
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Thiago third on my bench, stupid decision tbh but he’s been a frustrating own - nothing changes there

        3. Hughes Your Daddy
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Hughes 🙁 how did you miss that

        4. kempc23
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Rice to Rogers with my FT has made me want to rage quit.

          Raya
          Timber O Reilly Hall
          Cunha Foden Rogers Wilson
          Haaland Thiago Ekiteke

          Dubravka Gudmonsen Lacroix Dewsbury Hall

          I have had a couple of 9m ranks in a row, languishing around 600k.

          Bad enough to wildcard? Would pretty much replace the entire team.

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 14 days ago

            A rage wildcard for mid-week games doesn't sound like the remedy you need.

          2. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 14 days ago

            To what?

          3. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 14 days ago

            Consider yourself lucky to have Cunha, Thiago and Wilson!

        5. LeytonOrient
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Reminiscing of times when Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand were running amok in fpl for Southampton.

          The streets won’t forget.

        6. Bunk Moreland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Ekitike, Saka, Frimpong all not starting. Semenyo, Cunha and Dorgu all seeming like dodgy picks. Think I wait for Man U to play Burnley next Gameweek and then activate the wildcard.

        7. FOREST FOREVER 2
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Liverpool has made soem bad singings, but there wasn o way anyone coudl have replaced TAA proeperly.

          1. FOREST FOREVER 2
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 14 days ago

            * Signings

          2. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 14 days ago

            Konate has been much worse than him

          3. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 14 days ago

            Took Klopp’s prem winning team, then added £400m of dross & now getting found out.

            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 14 days ago

              Klopp and Slot have won the league the same number of times

        8. The Mandalorian
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Selling Thiago for Ekitike was like finishing with your GF because she burned your chips.

          1. Eightball
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 14 days ago

            He was a good pick with the fixtures, just unlucky. It happens in FPL. I think I will bench him next week and keep for Burnley, then move him on.

        9. Nightcrawler
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          Wilson autosub in for Ekitike

          finally some luck in this wretched season

        10. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          That medical delay covers half time neatly at Craven Cottage

        11. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 14 days ago

          At least Garner should get defcons, about the only good thing about the week.

          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 14 days ago

            How achievable is it to make back a 60pt gap in ML lead? 😆

            This week has me despairing.

            1. g40steve
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 14 days ago

              Easy, get a few decent players or get on the trains earlier.

              I’m playing my own game this season & just getting conformation on 50/50s

              Using the CS stats posted weekly is about only info that matters.

              You need a bit of luck & mine is high 😉

              1. Fifa las vegas
                • 13 Years
                3 months, 14 days ago

                I had it there for a while with Rogers but this week has been a complete disaster removing Rice while rival has kept him, Thiago and Wilson!

                Gordon goal being chalked off then to rub salt in. Might change in second half! Gordon and Garner points would help.

              2. Fifa las vegas
                • 13 Years
                3 months, 14 days ago

                Not sure what the new trains are nowadays? Feels a bit all over the place. Going back to Thiago or getting Wilson doesn’t really feel right either now?