Dugout Discussion
7 January 2026 1398 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Wiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllsssssssoooooooonn

  2. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Wilson!!!!

  3. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Is that Keane red card really violent conduct. Can they appeal and get the bad reduced to 1 game or is that definitely 3 game ban?

    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Felt smug brining him in for a hit about half an hour ago.

  4. tutankamun
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Grealish YC

    1. tutankamun
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      RC

  5. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Haaland could have scored 4 today!

  6. fantasist
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Grealish sent off

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      What is all this madness

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Loss his head

    2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      lol

  7. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Foden and Gordon > Wilson and Rice too kneejerky?

    1. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Nope…wise

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Think I just have to now. Not even worth persisting with Gordon for Wolves I think.

        I’ll keep Ekitike for Burnley and continue to ignore Thiago for now

    2. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Yes

  8. Voronins Pony Tail
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Love Wilson as a player

  9. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Everton heads gone..

  10. Supersonic_
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Foden to Bruno?

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      If Ole returns

    2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      wait. week and half till next GW

  11. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Senesi, Guehi and Wilson all laughing on my bench.

  12. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Everton supporting the Wolves rescue mission

  13. Voronins Pony Tail
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Mad set of potential results tonight

  14. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Come on WOL get a goal

  15. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Rogers big chance

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      ffs

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Big chance won’t cut it I’m afraid 🙁

  16. DropkickMurphys
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Lol what happened with Grealish

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Couldn't shut his mouth. Two yellow cards for dissent

    2. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Clapped the ref

    3. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Paqueta’d it

    4. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Two dissent YCs, 3 minutes apart

  17. MikeS
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Dorgu, cuhna, ekitike, bowen, foden... Think I need to activate WC!

  18. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Apologies but at what point did Wilson become prime Messi?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      He is actually really technically gifted

    2. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      About the same time Thiago became R9

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Before I had him and after I sold him...

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        I watched one game and he did nothing. All attacks were Robinson crosses. I hate eye test.

  19. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Come on Cash, Rogers, Watkins!!

    1. Effe
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Particularly Watkins!

    2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      would cancel the Guehi points sat on my bench currently

  20. henrysquire
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Villa are a joke. Chelsea are a joke. Screw this season.

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Man city bigger joke

  21. Supersonic_
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Just caught the Brentford Pen. Absolute gift penalty save for my ML Rival and ML Leader. Who also has Thiago.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Any player doing a panenka while losing are not professional in my opinion. What a stupid decision. That would have made it 1-1 and a different game

      1. Absolutely Muñozed
          2 months, 27 days ago

          100%

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Is that deemed serious foul play by Keane? If so, Branthwaite'll be back before he is.

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Straight red for violent conduct is a 3 game ban. They'll appeal, not sure if it'll be successful as not seen it.

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          They jump for a header and he gives a slight pull to the hair. Was nothing violent about it

          1. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            It'll be reduced to 1 on appeal then probs

    3. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Cherki could have scored 2 goals, 2 assists since he came but of course nothing

      1. Voronins Pony Tail
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Such a class player, on a fine run of form, madness he wasn’t started

        1. MikeS
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          He was rested pep roulette and now spying the price!

    4. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      I'm a casual, I barely even watch the highlights. But it would have been useful to see Emery's train wreck of a record against Palace before this week

    5. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Garner one very small plus point in a largely negative GW.

      Martinez and Thiago can f**k right off. And Rich.

    6. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Wow - was not expecting that performance tonight with our injury ravaged squad. Canvot my man of the match, what a signing.

    7. dansmusen
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Rogers,Watakins and Cherki big pile of almost this GW

    8. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Rogers has always been a troll

    9. fantasist
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Semenyo G
      Who else

      1. Effe
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Parting gift maybe

      2. Firminooooo
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        This is absurd.

        1. Firminooooo
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Brought in Gordon for him.

    10. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Right, FPL team is a write off. Can Man Utd at least do something!

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        no