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. Towsor44
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    What a match!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Which one?

      1. Towsor44
        • 13 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Newc Leeds

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Yep, basket ball

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      From game of the season...

      To One Of The Greatest Games in Premier League history!!

  2. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Bruno assist right?

    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      I think it is!

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Lovely stuff!

  3. RICICLE
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Wow!!! Newcastle win it!!

  4. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Perfect

    Had to be

    0-1
    1-1
    1-2
    2-2
    2-3
    3-3
    4-3

    Newcastle United

    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Thrilling match. Terrible performance. Got lucky. Bruno captain fantastic

  5. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    How many points on those benches? I'll start...

    21 points... Dubravka (3), H. Wilson (9), Guehi (6), Senesi (6)

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      I can't even count! 24. Forgot Dubravka. Luckily he scored the same as Pickford so not too much lost...

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      14 with Ekitike to play.

    3. Zilla
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      I understand all them being benched except Wilson, why?

      1. @ocprodigy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Started Foden, Bruno G, Rogers and Rice. Hard one this gameweek to be honest - could have benched Rice but assumed Chelsea would shut Fulham out.

  6. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Will that be Bruno assist?

    1. Towsor44
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Looked like it came off another Newcastle before Barnes hit it

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Depends if intended or not for Barnes, bit of a grey area

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          That doesn’t matter anymore

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            1 day, 15 hours ago

            Well that’s a bit silly but ok

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      No

    3. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Looks like it, don’t think Barnes was Botman’s intended target

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        😆

    4. The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Wish it was, looked too messy though

  7. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Botman assist

  8. Starskyb
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Did anyone see the Keane red? Is he definitely suspended for 3 games?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Yep

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Wait, wtf is this. In what world is that a red?

        1. tutankamun
          • 16 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Pulling hair with excessive force is deemed violent conduct

  9. putana
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    did Botman get a touch on it?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      FPL already chalked it up to Botman

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Don’t think he touches it, will probably change

      2. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Eurghhh

      3. putana
        • 7 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        could always change if Botman didnt get the touch

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Not seen it but it was awfully quick to be added given the apparent chaos

  10. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Wasn't the last goal a Bruno assist too? He crossed it in

    1. Rwilliams90
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Took about 5 touches before it went to Barnes

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Doesn’t matter, it’s the last intended pass

      2. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Still a case for an FPL assist

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Not really clear, but I think Botman touched it

  11. Rwilliams90
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Are people claiming that's a Bruno assist blind?

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      No but they own him

    2. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Need to see replay again but it looks like it hit Barnes then dropped for him

    3. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Must be needing points

    4. Capocannonieri
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 14 hours ago

      Bruno F would be given that assist.

      That's because the Kid that runs FPL is a MU homer and usually owns Bruno F.

  12. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Leeds robbed of a point. Sickening.

  13. WVA
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Bring in Rogers or DCL?

  14. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Come on get that changed to a Bruno assist lads

  15. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Is it just a 1-game ban for Keane and Cucurella?
    And is it competition specific, or will they simply miss the FA Cup game at the weekend?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Violent conduct is 3 games but they will likely appeal.

      Yes I think he could serve it in the FA Cup

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Cucu wasn’t violent conduct.

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      3 for Keane, 1 for Cucu

  16. Zilla
    • 8 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    saka got the assist for even messier cross, maybe they will give it

    1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      There will be many crosses and assists tomorrow again.

      Can't wait for Saka (c) to punish all his sellers.

      1. Utopsis
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Saka (C) is very bold!

  17. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Rogers over Bruno G. in gw20.The show must go on.

  18. Kiyoshi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Even though I wish it was a Bruno assist, no way it is.

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Oh well he got BGC BPS so now gets bonus at least thanks to the cross

  19. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    That dude on Sky saw one of the best games in PL history.

    Okay, 4-3, seven goals, 12 minutes extra time, but I have seen hundreds of games.like that. No one will remember it next season.

    But these days everything must be exceptionell, outstanding, world class, etc.
    At least for that dude on Sky.

  20. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Sky now removed it from a Botman assist on the score app

  21. aleksios
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Another great gwk 60 all out!

    1. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Nice! I’m on 48 with Gabriel, Timber and Rice to play.

      1. aleksios
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Gabri and Rice still too!

  22. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Difficult to give that assist to Bruno

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      No chance if Botman touched it

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Sky removed it from being a Botman assist interestingly…

  23. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Lacroix or Thiaw?

    1. Punned It
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Was thinking about Lacroix myself. Are Palace back?

      • Bleh
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        I have Lacroix and was looking to get rid!

        1. Khalico
          • 10 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          He has decent run 4 out of next 6 games

    2. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Wait, how on earth is that Keane incident a red card?? Bonkers decision

      1. tutankamun
        • 16 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Pulling hair with excessive force is deemed violent conduct

        Whether it was excessive is up to the ref.

        1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          And growing hair was the reason why Cucurella got his red card?

      2. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Lol what. He pulled his hair, always a red for violent conduct.

    3. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Bruno G or Enzo for the next few GWs?

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Probably the guy who just put up 3x double figures and is playing the worst team in the league next

        1. Utopsis
          • 5 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Hmm yes I need to put my argument that he's over performing to bed - thanks

    4. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Ekitike owners moving to Thiago?

      1. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Him or DCL, can’t decide.

        1. Bleh
          • 9 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          I need to get rid of Bowen too. Been absolutely useless since I brought him in.

          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            1 day, 15 hours ago

            The teams shocking

        2. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Got DCL already

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Is he out of the burnley game?

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          The way Thiago & Brentford are playing does it matter?

        2. Bleh
          • 9 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Back in training today apparently. Think I’ll keep for Burnley and then maybe switch out.

      3. Utopsis
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        I still have both. Holding for BOU, need to ship NOR and get Bruno G 1st I think

        1. Utopsis
          • 5 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Sorry BUR

      4. tutankamun
        • 16 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Before Burnley at home?

      5. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Before Burnley and Bournemouth?!?

    5. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      A front 3 of DCL, Kroupi and Mane costing 15m outscoring 15.1m Haaland lol

    6. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      I watched Harry Wilson play vs NFO and he was nowhere to be seen, 2 pts, 0.03 xGI. Then he plays vs CP and Whu gets one assist. After that Liv and Che, I sell him, and he scores vs both. Thiago to Ekitike and he blanks and gets injured. Thiago got one A in six games and then hattie + brace. Both Thiago and Wilson hauled vs Burnley, but Cunha gets nothing. These things happen, but is this annoying or what... I beat top 10k, average and elite managers according to livefpl, but end up with red arrow.

    7. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      2 FT’s. Thinking Bowen to Thiago and Palmer to mid up to 11.6m. None of the mids are leaping out at me though, fixtures are not great.

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        You have triple Ars?

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Just Gabby and Timber. I guess Rice or Saka?

      2. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        I’m probably pulling the trigger on Bowen > Thiago too. Allows for Cunha > Bruno Fernandes in a few weeks.

    8. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Exact money for Ekitike & Minteh to Bruno F & DCL...

      1. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Bruno F has City and Arsenal next. Ekitike has Burnley and Bournemouth.