Dugout Discussion
7 January 2026 1398 comments
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A whopping eight Premier League fixtures to come this evening, with six kicking off at 19:30 GMT and another two underway 45 minutes later:

TEAM NEWS

The tinkerer is back: there are five changes from Pep Guardiola this evening, one of which sees returning loanee Max Alleyne – who isn’t even listed in FPL! – come in at centre-half.

Abdukhodir Khusanov, Nathan Ake, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku are also handed recalls.

Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are injured, while Nico O’Reilly, Rodri and Rayan Cherki drop to the bench.

Pascal Gross is in for his first Brighton and Hove Albion start since his return from Borussia Dortmund, with Maxim De Cuyper and Jack Hinshelwood also brought in.

Joel Veltman, Brajan Gruda and Charalampos Kostoulas drop out.

As for the other Manchester club, the big news is that they welcome back Bruno Fernandes from injury for tonight’s game with Burnley. The Portuguese playmaker starts in place of Leny Yoro.

Hannibal Mejbri, Maxime Esteve and Marcus Edwards come in for Burnley.

Antoine Semenyo starts as expected for Bournemouth in what could be his final match for the Cherries.

Andoni Iraola brings in Eli Junior Kroupi and Lewis Cook for the injured Justin Kluivert and the benched David Brooks.

There are five changes for Tottenham Hotspur, one enforced as Mohammed Kudus is absent.

Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani, Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall and Joao Palhinha are back in the starting XI.

Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies and Archie Gray are demoted to bench duty.

Sander Berge for Sasa Lukic is Fulham’s only change as they prepare to face Chelsea.

The Blues welcome back Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo from injury and suspension, while Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap and Andrey Santos are promoted to the side.

There are two changes apiece at Brentford, who have Sunday’s hat-trick hero Igor Thiago in their starting XI.

The hosts bring in Rico Henry and Keane Lewis-Potter for Aaron Hickey and Mikkel Damsgaard, while the Black Cats’ Regis Le Bris prefers Dan Ballard and Chris Rigg to Dennis Cirkin and Eliezer Mayenda.

At Selhurst Park, there are also two changes for each side.

Crystal Palace’s alterations are enforced: Jefferson Lerma and Nathaniel Clyne are injured, so in come Jaydee Canvot and Justin Devenny.

Lucas Digne and Jadon Sancho replace Ian Maatsen and Emi Buendia for Aston Villa.

And would you believe it, also two changes apiece on Tyneside.

Nick Woltemade and Harvey Barnes come in for Yoane Wissa and Jacob Murphy for the hosts, while Leeds welcome Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon. Noah Okafor and Sebastian Bornaauw drop to the bench.

Up at Goodison Park, Everton bring in Harrison Armstrong for Tyler Dibling as they prepare to face an unchanged Wolverhampton Wanderers.

LINE-UPS

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jiménez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Cook, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Kroupi, Evanilson.

Subs: Forster, Soler, Brooks, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Unal, Milosavljevic, Rees-Dottin.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Pedro Porro, Palhinha, Bentancur, Xavi Simons, Bergvall, Tel, Kolo Muani.

Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Richarlison, Gray, Odobert, Davies, Scarlett, Williams-Barnett.


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

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Nelson, Damsgaard, Peart-Harris, Donovan.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Geertruida, Hume, Xhaka, Le Fee, Adingra, Rigg, Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, Cirkin, Neil, Mayenda, O’Nien, Mundle, Hjelde, Jones, Tutierov.


Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi, Devenny, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Johnson, Pino, Mateta.

Subs: Benitez, Uche, Sosa, Richards, Rodney, King, Benamar, Casey, Drakes-Thomas.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Sancho, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Buendia, Torres, Garcia, Malen, Jimoh-Aloba, Maatsen, Bogarde, Hemmings.


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

Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, Beto, Dibling, Rohl, Aznou, Welch, Campbell.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Sa, S. Bueno, H. Bueno, Gomes, Arias, Hwang, Arokodare, Mosquera, Mane, Krejci, Tchatchoua.

Subs: Johnstone, Doherty, Andre, Moller Wolfe, Strand Larsen, Lima, Chirewa, Lopez, Ojinnaka.


Fulham XI: Leno, Diop, Anderson, Cuenca, Castagne, Berge, Cariney, Robinson, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Raul

Subs: Lemcomte, Sessegnon, Amissah, Reed, Lukic, Ridgeon, Adama, Kevin, Kusi-Asare.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella, Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Delap.

Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, James, Fofana, Hato, Estevao, Garnacho, Gittens, Joao Pedro.


Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Alleyne, Khusanov, Ake, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Trafford, Lewis, Mfuni, Cherki, Rodri, O’Reilly, Mukasa, McAidoo, Heskey.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper, Gomez, Hinshelwood, Ayari, Mitoma, Gross, Rutter.

Subs: Steele, Boscagli, Coppola, Tasker, Gruda, Milner, Howell, Watson, Welbeck.


Burnley XI: Dúbravka, Walker, Laurent, Esteve, Humphreys, Pires, Mejbri, Ugochukwu, Luis, Edwards, Broja.

Subs: Weiss, Hartman, Ekdal, Sonne, Bruun Larsen, Foster, Anthony, Tchaouna, Barnes.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Heaven, Martínez, Shaw, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu, Fernandes, Cunha, Šeško.

Subs: Bayındır, Maguire, Malacia, Yoro, Mount, Mainoo, Fletcher, Zirkzee, Lacey.


Newcastle United XI: Pope, Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon.

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, J.Murphy, Livramento, Wissa, Willock, A.Murphy, Ramsey

Leeds United XI: Perri, Justin, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Darlow, Byram, Bornauw, Tanaka, Harrison, Gnonto, Okafor, Piroe, Nmecha.


price change predictions
  1. F4L
    • 11 Years
    20 hours ago

    bruno not really going to get defcon playing CAM. do you think United's attack is going to click enough that he'll get enough attacking returns for his price?

    1. adstomko
      • 9 Years
      19 hours, 59 mins ago

      Yes. When UCL fixtures are back on the menu, he'll be the most essential midfielder.

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 57 mins ago

      Check the last time he got DC points, youll be surprised..

      As long as he plays the attack will click well.

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        19 hours, 54 mins ago

        fair. its just that sort of thing to fall back on to help him tick over but granted so far this season its not been that big a deal for him. haven't seen highlights but heard he hit the woodwork so unlucky it sounds like today

        its just when mbeumo returns i think i dont want both but maybe it'll be closer between the pair now. unless mbeumo loses mins to amad

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        19 hours, 53 mins ago

        Racked up the DC, but missed out so often. Really is less that you recall isn't it. Should be much better in his natural position...

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          19 hours, 48 mins ago

          Yes, considering he didnt really get that many DC bonus to boost his score and he was still seen as essential. In his natural position he should be even better. I dont think Mbeumo over Bruno is a real consideration. Rather if doubling up is an option.

  2. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    19 hours, 58 mins ago

    What a crock of

    Planned move was Bowen & Cunha > Mane & Palmer in advance of the Chelsea fixture swing. Now its all gone very Pete Tong.

    Pickford (Dub)
    Van Hecke O'Reilly Gabriel (Keane VDB)
    Gordon Foden Cunha Wilson Rice
    Haaland Ekitike (Bowen)

    I don't think Keane can appeal a blatant hair pull, no matter how soft. That's him done for 3
    VDB is deadwood now. They're keeping cleanies without him.
    Bowen, or rather WHU, is an embarrassment to be seen with
    And don't get me started on why I went Ekitike over Thiago on WC16, or Gordon over Gruno for the pens when the only one they get is after he's been subbed!

    But I am not using the WC!
    I'm down now - I can only imagine what it'll be like with no WC when the doubles & blanks come around.

    Anyway, got that off my chest

    Bowen, Cunha & Keane > Thiago, Bruno & Alderete for a -4 for starters. Even with the next 2, Bruno is the sort that can bring home a 10 pointer in a 3-1 defeat.
    Then hopefully, unless the gods decide to urinate in my cornflakes again, Ekitike & Gordon > Mane & Palmer the week after for another hit.
    And finally VDB > my main man Munoz to bring me back to where I want to be.

    Sound like a plan, or the ramblings of a desperate man?

    1. Modest Bob
      • 7 Years
      19 hours, 43 mins ago

      1.You are not the doer, chooser or decider.
      2. Nothing is lucky or unlucky, there is only what IS.
      3.There are no Gods.

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        19 hours, 36 mins ago

        I appreciate your modesty as ever.

        There is, however, no fate but what we make

    2. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 31 mins ago

      I don't think Palmer is worth it right now. Why not just do Cunha/Ekitke -> Bruno/Thiago for free? Maybe even do Foden -> Bruno instead of Cunha. No reason to take a hit for Keane, and even though WHU are trash, they have some good fixtures coming up and Bowen could still score.

  3. Il Capitano
    • 5 Years
    19 hours, 58 mins ago

    2FT 0.2m ITB

    Raya Dub
    Chalobah O'Reilly Senesi Andersen Alderete
    Saka Foden Cunha Rogers Bruno G
    Haaland Ekitike Guiu

    A hit to shift Raya to Rice in the third Arsenal slot probably pays off right? Something like: Raya, O'Reilly, Cunha to Roefs/Kelleher, Gabriel, Rice (-4)

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 31 mins ago

      Maybe do Cunha -> Rice next GW to avoid a hit?

  4. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    19 hours, 58 mins ago

    Wildcard this week seems too obvious during this long break, despite the double/blank gameweeks.

  5. Wet Bandits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 57 mins ago

    Got 2FT, 1.6m ITB and itchy fingers. Is this just a simple roll? Slight headache with Thiago away to Chelsea..

    Sanchez
    Gaby, Tark, Nunez
    Saka, Gruno, Foden, Wilson, Rice
    Haaland Eki

    Dub, Thiago, Dalot, Esteve

    1. SalahFingers
      • 8 Years
      19 hours, 55 mins ago

      I wouldn't bench Thiago the form he's in.

      1. Wet Bandits
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        19 hours, 52 mins ago

        I know..I have most definitely reaped the rewards over the last few weeks.

        I've held Eki for Burnley.. so maybe is Wilson (Leeds) who sits the bench!

        Hopefully a flag pops up to make my decision for me.

        Roll the FT though right?

  6. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 57 mins ago

    Choosing Gordon over Bruno G a few weeks ago is hurtful but swallow my pride and swap or just give Gordon Wolves now???

  7. F4L
    • 11 Years
    19 hours, 55 mins ago

    senesi very solid 6 pointer. 4 assists for the season now, for a CB not half bad. seems like he deserves those assists as well looking at the underlying stats

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      19 hours, 54 mins ago

      He's a class a player. Threads passes very nicely through players. Shame it sounds like he is leaving Bournemouth after this season.

    2. SalahFingers
      • 8 Years
      19 hours, 54 mins ago

      even ignoring the assists, he has one of the highest DCs in the game, so is a decent defender for the price even if his team isn't getting many clean sheets anymore.

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        19 hours, 51 mins ago

        Esteve can do that and he is much cheaper.

    3. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 51 mins ago

      Yeah, happy to have him as a rotation option still in spite of the lack of CS

  8. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    19 hours, 55 mins ago

    Evening 🙂
    1 FT & 1.6m ITB.

    Raya
    Gabriel VVD Thiaw
    Foden Cunha Rice Bruno G Szoboszlai
    Haaland Ekitike*
    Dubravka // Alderete Keane* Guiu

    Another painful week (been a few lately), but really the main damage was Thiago. Keane red card didn't help.

    Providing Ekitike is okay for the next match in 10 days time, feels wrong to sell before BUR/BOU. If he's out I'll replace him though, even for a hit.

    Elsewhere, Cunha & Keane possible issues to sort.

    A) Cunha > Bruno F
    B) Keane ... > someone?
    C) Other?

    I had planned to bench Keane in at least two, if not all three next matches so could just bench. Aware his place under threat soon though.

    Not rushing with moves, plenty of games to go before next GW.

    1. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      19 hours, 51 mins ago

      I think I'd go sideways and Kean to Tark

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        19 hours, 49 mins ago

        Go sideways, meaning?

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          19 hours, 44 mins ago

          If you meant this, being Keane > Tark as the same things, gotcha.

          I'll consider it but Aston Villa is not a great fixture to buy into.

    2. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      19 hours, 47 mins ago

      MU has two tough(?) fixtures now, I may sell Cunha for someone else and buy Bruno later.

  9. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    19 hours, 53 mins ago

    Have the exact money for and really tempted by Foden + O’Brien ➡ Fernandes + Richards despite Foden’s good fixtures. Team would be -

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel - Richards - VdV
    Palmer - Saka - Fernandes - Rogers - Gordon
    Haaland - Watkins

    Dubravka - Reinildo - Gudmundsson - Barnes

    P.S. - Foden looked gash on the eye test.

    Save in GW 23 and do Gordon + Verbruggen ➡ Enzo/Sarr + Sanchez in GW 24.

    Thoughts? 🙂

  10. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    19 hours, 53 mins ago

    Thoughts on WCing this

    Petrovic
    Timber Dalot Thaiw
    Saka Foden Rogers Cunha
    Haaland Ekitike DCL

    Dubravka Cherki Alderete Guehi

    to this

    Roefs
    Gabriel Chalobah Cash
    Saka BrunoF BrunoG Rice Wilson
    Haaland DCL

    Dubravka Thiago Nunes Collins

    1. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      19 hours, 50 mins ago

      You can there other 2-3 weeks and maybe 1 hit. I'd save the WC

  11. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    19 hours, 53 mins ago

    I still have Minteh and only 6.8m. Is Enzo worth the swap?

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 51 mins ago

      Enzo seems a great pick with Chelsea's fixtures.

    2. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 51 mins ago

      Sure

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      19 hours, 50 mins ago

      Decent pick. Much better than Minteh at the very least. We may struggle a bit in the next two & unclear of role under new manager, is the only thing.

  12. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    19 hours, 53 mins ago

    Cunha to ?

    A) Rice
    B) Wirtz
    C) Rogers

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 51 mins ago

      rice

    2. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 51 mins ago

      A

  13. F4L
    • 11 Years
    19 hours, 51 mins ago

    went Saka cap, think would've taken a haaland 7 pointer if offered. sounds like he should've got at least a brace. up to saka now, anyone else cap Saka? lets go bukayo 🙂

  14. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    19 hours, 51 mins ago

    I owned Barnes from GW14-17 for 3-0-1-1pts Can't go back

  15. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    19 hours, 50 mins ago

    Think Id rather go Enzo than BrunoG as Cunha replacement. And hope Bruno reverts to mean. Chelsea fixtures are extremely good especialyl from 24 but 22-23 arent bad either.

    1. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      19 hours, 45 mins ago

      I was thinking of doing the same but waiting to see how the new manager sets up

  16. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    19 hours, 42 mins ago

    Just saw that Le Fee penalty, what a dream for Kelleher owners!
    https://x.com/theawayfans/status/2009004525924028429?s=20

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      19 hours, 38 mins ago

      Wow, we what a gift. Two recent gameweek where Kelleher & Collins have walked out with hauls due to terrible penalties.

  17. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    19 hours, 35 mins ago

    Transfers done. Good luck all. 🙂

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel - Richards - VdV
    Saka - Palmer - Fernandes - Rogers - Gordon
    Haaland - Watkins

    Dubravka - Gudmundsson - Reinildo - Barnes.

    0 m in the bank.