Dugout Discussion
4 March 2026 1399 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

Five more Premier League matches take place on Wednesday night, with the top four and Chelsea among the teams in action:

(times in GMT)

TEAM NEWS

There was plenty of uncertainty with the Gameweek 29 starting XIs, with several key names flagged as doubts.

The teamsheets provide mixed news for Fantasy managers, no more so than at the Etihad, where Erling Haaland is fit to start. Nico O’Reilly, however, misses out.

Haaland takes the place of Omar Marmoush, while Phil Foden comes in for O’Reilly.

Nottingham Forest also make two alterations as they change formation, with Nico Dominguez and Jair Cunha replacing Omari Hutchinson and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

At the Amex, Declan Rice shrugs off an injury to start for Arsenal, who are without William Saliba. He has an ankle knock.

Cristhian Mosquera replaces the Frenchman, while Gabriel Martinelli is in for Leandro Trossard.

As expected, Brighton hand rests to veterans James Milner and Danny Welbeck.

Carlos Baleba and Georginio Rutter come in for those two, while Olivier Boscagli replaces the absent Lewis Dunk.

Harry Wilson is missing for Fulham this evening, while Joachim Andersen has to make do with a place on the bench.

Marco Silva makes four changes in all: Antonee Robinson, Samuel Chukwueze, Tom Cairney and Josh King are recalled, while Emile Smith Rowe, Ryan Sessegnon and Oscar Bobb drop to the bench.

West Ham United bring in Jean Todibo and Callum Wilson for Konstantinos Mavropanos and Soungoutou Magassa.

Over at Villa Park, Unai Emery responds to the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers by swapping Jadon Sancho, Lucas Digne and Pau Torres for Leon Bailey, Ian Maatsen and Tyrone Mings.

Ollie Watkins starts again up top.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior drops goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, with Filip Jorgensen replacing him.

Wesley Fofana, Alejandro Garnacho and Malo Gusto come in for Mamadou Sarr, Andrey Santos and the suspended Pedro Neto.

Marc Cucurella is back from injury and on the bench.

Finally, in the later kick-off, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe makes two changes.

Aaron Ramsdale and Harvey Barnes are in for the benched Nick Pope and the ill Nick Woltemade.

Manchester United’s only alteration sees Noussair Mazrouai come in for Diogo Dalot, who is on substitute duty.

Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are fit to start.

LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Onana, Luiz, Bailey, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Digne, Torres, Bogarde, Barkley, Sancho, Abraham, Alysson.

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, James, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Caicedo, James, Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho, Joao Pedro.

Subs: Sanchez, Badiashile, Sarr, Tosin, Cucurella, Santos, Lavia, Delap, Guiu.


Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Boscagli, Van Hecke, Kadioglu, Gross, Baleba, Gómez, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Rutter.

Subs: Steele, Minteh, Welbeck, Milner, Ayari, De Cuyper, O’Riley, Veltman, Howell.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

Subs: Kepa, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.


Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Cairney, Chukwueze, King, Iwobi, Jimenez.

Subs: Lecomte, Castagne, Andersen, Sessegnon, Reed, Lukic, Bobb, Smith Rowe, Muniz.

West Ham United XI: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Disasi, Todibo, Diouf, Bowen, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville, Wilson, Castellanos.

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Mavropanos, Adama, Lamadrid, Magassa, Scarles, Kante.


Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Silva, Foden, Semenyo, Cherki, Haaland.

Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Doku, Nico, Savinho, Khusanov.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Cunha, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Jesus.

Substitutes: Gunn, Morato, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Netz.


Newcastle United XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Ramsey, Tonali, Joelinton, Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.

Subs: Pope, Botman, Murphy, Shahar, Willock, Wissa, Osula, Murphy, Neave.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Šeško.

Subs: Bayındır, Dalot, Malacia, Heaven, Kukonki, Ugarte, Fletcher, Zirkzee, Diallo.


LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout this season is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:

Weds team news: Haaland + Rice start, no Wilson or O'Reilly 1

price change predictions
  1. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 2 days ago

    Feels impossible to get points, who's even worth buying right now

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Oh, hi!

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Doesnt matter. Whoever I sell will haul and whoever I buy will stop scoring forever.

    3. Moon Dog
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Well right now we just got to wait for the FA Cup games this weekend and then the draw on Monday. Might be some critical blanks/doubles news that changes who we buy.

        Hopefully the tortoises catch up to the hares in the coming chaos.

      • Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Haaland?

      • Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Rogers. He's due.

    4. Kantelele
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Rogers out, who in ? :
      A) Szobo
      B) Schade
      C) other mid (max 7.3)
      D) hold Rogers

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Wilson, Dewsbury Hall.

        1. DandyDon
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Have you seen Everton’s fixtures? If you are going cheap can’t argue but I’m going for Gibbs White

          1. GreennRed
            • 14 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Fair point on Gibbs White, will keep an eye. I think DH can also do well even against tricky opposition.

          2. GreennRed
            • 14 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Summerville too.

      2. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Wirtz

    5. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Am I missing someone obvious for the next GW?
      Apart from Anderson and Semenyo ofc…

      Raya
      Gab/Timber/VVD
      BrunoF/HWilson/Dango/Rayan
      Haaland/Ekitike/Pedro

      Dub/Enzo/Heaven/Dorgu

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Nothing to change, gtg

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Cheers mate

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Well done for still owning Pedro 🙂

            1. Atimis
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 2 days ago

              Yeah! I thought that I have to keep him considering the form, and had to reshape mid, which didn't go that well - no Semenyo

    6. JBG
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Congrats Semen(yo) holders and cappers

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Did he get the second goal yet?

      2. Not again Shirley
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Not really. 7 points ain’t great

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          15 tomorrow…

          1. Atimis
            • 9 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            ?

            1. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 2 days ago

              If second goal is added

              1. Scapegoat Salah
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 2 days ago

                5 + 3 bonus

                1. xuwei
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  1 month, 2 days ago

                  Is there any chance of that? It did look like it came off his side.

                  1. Atimis
                    • 9 Years
                    1 month, 2 days ago

                    No chance imo

          2. RICICLE
            • 3 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            No chance

      3. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Everyone who owned held him. In another world he would have picked the injury O'Reilly got and O'Reilly would have scored. There was no way to predict this or Timber getting A just now from that xA. Like said on previous page, this is bumpy ride and even good and correct decisions can be punished with bad outcome.

    7. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Everyone doing Ekitike to J Pedro now?

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Have both

      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        I've found 'don't sell players before they play Spurs' a decent rule of thumb!

      3. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Thiago or Haaland probs

      4. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Have both. Keeping Ekitike for GW31.

      5. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        I took a hit and sold Guiu for Thiago and Timber to O'Reilly. For free I could have sold J P for Thiago (who scored). This week I sold Haaland for C Ekitike. My current forwards are Ekitike, Thiago and J-P.

        After today I really do wonder if MCI are going to win Magpies in an away game. Chance of no bgw31 for MCI and CP has to be bigger than previously thought.

    8. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      I think a hatrick bonus should be a thing. Maybe 2pts like defcon.

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Why not really, rare enough

        1. Wet Bandits
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Exactly. I little reward.. Tark has a goal and clean sheet and very nearly the same score.

      2. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        I think we should be able to make a sub from our bench.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Ultimate FPL was the goat game, we just didn't know it at the time.

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

            Maybe it was just ahead of it's time. Bigger squad or even some sort of B team with less TV (and or same players) to start with might be interesting.

      3. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Every subsequent goal should be an additional point

      4. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Especially for forwards, since Salah has gotten 3 extra points for his hatties compared to Kane, Aguero and Haaland.

    9. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Doesn't look possible;

      Tark (15) out scores; Alison, VVD, Nunes, Rice, Rogers, Haaland, Thiago, Eki (13pts)

      1. The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Chuck in Cash, Guehi, Mbuemo for another 1 point in total as well

    10. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Seriously for those stuck in a rut do not give up. Ive just had two lucky gameweeks of 90 plus points it can happen at any time. Nobody has a bad side on this site just bad outcomes

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Subtle brag lol

        1. GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Not this time I know the feeling of treading water

          1. Amartey Partey
            • 6 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Yeah. This game is both brilliant and torturous. When my team does badly, I delete the app and take a few days' sabbatical from FPL. It's the only way.

            1. GENERATION X
              • 12 Years
              1 month, 2 days ago

              Correct. You need years of playing to handle the variance. Not too high not too low if you can..

              1. Qaiss
                • 10 Years
                1 month, 2 days ago

                Yeah I feel this way and don’t mind doing badly this season but I don’t like the way the game is going with defcons and points being changed from day to day

                1. GENERATION X
                  • 12 Years
                  1 month, 2 days ago

                  Its got worse but there have always been dodgy assists and the like for years. Just have to hope you land the right side but thats the variance

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

                    Having VAR and more correct results is more important than some changes. God's hand scoring isn't nice when everyone can see the situation and replay in slow motion with sharp ultra HD quality.

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

                    I mean I agree.

    11. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Does Mark own Semenyo? Asking for a friend.

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Yes and capt

        1. Amartey Partey
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Oooo nice one! Second goal imminent.

      2. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        And Bruno capper so he finds the extra defcon

    12. Kantelele
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Rogers out, who in : ?
      A) Szobo
      B) Schade

      1. tbos83
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Neither?

        1. Kantelele
          • 3 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          so you would hold Rogers ?

    13. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Carrick, difficult time starts here? 😉

    14. emyoueffsee
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Why Semenyo 2nd goal not added?

      1. DALEDOBACK
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Hits his back. Very clear. Should be given

        1. DALEDOBACK
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Semenyo capper!

      2. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        It should be added soon. Definitely comes off Semen.

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Who does what now?

        2. DALEDOBACK
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Let's hope so

        3. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Sangare's arm if anything?

          1. Atimis
            • 9 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Sangare's arm even shakes after being hit by that ball

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

            Correct.

      3. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Check the slow motion on previous page. It didn't touch Semenyo.

        1. Scoring freely
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          I've watched it twenty times, it definitely hits Semenyo's back and is heading towards the goal before it hits Sangare's elbow. According to fpl rules it should be awarded as a Semenyo goal.

    15. DandyDon
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      My teams been doing much better last few weeks apart from one exception, Roger’s! Get out my team!
      Rogers - Gibbs White looks a good shout before he drops tonight?
      Just the 7.6 to spend.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Would not be doing early transfers with FA cup at the weekend

        1. DandyDon
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Good point, Forrest have a European game before next prem game as well

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

        MGW does look a good pick

    16. Manani
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      who would you bench out of these:

      Wilson Wirtz Rice Semenyo Dango
      Haaland Ekiteke JP

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        JP as I don't own him

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

        Wait for news on Wilson but him or Wirtz

      3. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Rice or Dango. Injuries might decide for you though

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

      Rogers and Watkins to Semenyo and JP for free?

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Yes

    18. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Haaland (whu) to Big Teeks (TOT), or nah?

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

        No

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Agree. Feels wrong to not give Haaland a chance to feed on West Ham.

          Did you/anyone watch the game? Did he look in form?

      2. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Yes, Haaland doing absolrielt nothing now Semenyo is the main man

        1. RICICLE
          • 3 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Absolutely*

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Will Haaland even play the West Ham game?

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Yes

    19. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Senesi 11 pointer, Anderson 12 pointer. These are for 1 return btw

      If they make more changes to the game, like allowing changes after the deadline then it’ll time for FPL retirement

    20. I have no Wirtz
        1 month, 2 days ago

        I need need need JP back in my team. Who should make space for him?

        A) Haaland
        B) Ekitike
        C) Thiago

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          B

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

          Does Haaland play vs CP gw31? If he doesn't are you forced to take a hit or 2?

          1. I have no Wirtz
              1 month, 2 days ago

              No hit. I have 5 blankers gw31 but will have 2FT to make sure I can start 11.

              Semenyo
              O’Reilly
              Haaland
              Munoz
              Gabriel

        3. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Rogers, Rice or Mbeumo to Wirtz?

          Well... No matter what, I got away for selling Haaland to Ekitike before price rises. At least for now. FA cup injuries are possible and now is time to wait for everyone, even for those of us who value TV and SV almost too much.

        4. Kantelele
          • 3 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Sell one :
          A) Sanchez
          B) Rogers