Dugout Discussion
4 March 2026 1399 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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. Ze_Austin
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 12 days ago

    Losing interest in Cash...

    O'Reilly to Ballard (DCs) or vdB (xGI) on the cards:

    Kelleher
    Gabriel VvD O'Reilly
    (V)BrunoF Mbeumo Semenyo Rice
    (C)Haaland Pedro Thiago
    .
    Roefs Hill Rogers Chalobah
    .
    2 FTs. 1.1 ITB

    If I sell NO'R, I'll start Hill over the replacement. If I roll, it's the same move next GW. Currently rolling. Next GW will probably be my first time ever reaching 3 FTs

    Waiting for news on his injury

    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      I'd roll, Benching a newly brought in player could backfire if you have a new fire to put out after GW30. I'm thinking of going with 2 defenders in GW31 and burning an extra transfer to beef up midfield with Iwobi or Tav

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Cheers

        It depends on the length of O'Reilly's absence, for me

        I still need bench cover if he's out, and I don't like his immediate fixtures after the blank. That's 3 GWs with a playing replacement, whether on my bench or starting. I can then decide by DGW33 if I want Nico back as my Chalobah replacement

        With how players randomly drop out these days, I want a good bench

        1. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Yeah appreciate the need for a good bench. It's been a freakish couple of weeks with injuries and no shows to well owned players. Chalobah isn't amazing but Newcastle look leaky atm and so not the worst bench option.

        2. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Hah just gave him the kiss of death!

          1. Ze_Austin
            • 7 Years
            1 month, 12 days ago

            Lmao

    2. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Rogers and Cash have scored 62pts in the last 9gws. Nearly combined 9pts/gw. Not too shabby, but just feels disappointing. Maybe too optimistic that one or both would have hauled more in that time. Anyway, one or both for the chopping block with GW32 WC, I feel, depending 🙂

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Cheers! WC long gone here, so every transfer is a headache

        Villa were good for a spell there, then fell a bit flat. The good run might be influencing the data

        The fixtures from GW31 are the main draw, but I wonder if it's yet another trap. I already know how the trap works, seeing as I've held Rogers for ages and probably won't sell him soon because of said fixtures 😀

  2. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 12 days ago

    Annoying Andersen lurking on Fulham bench. Alderete 7p waiting for subbing in.

    Also benched Rice which is hopefully not going to be disastrous.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Who's starting over Rice for you?

  3. Captain Mal
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 12 days ago

    Can't believe my entire XI starts and I'll be denied the Rodon bench jam.

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      All 2 points of it

  4. JayJay96
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 12 days ago

    Best GK for next few weeks?

    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Kelleher

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Lammens

  5. Manani
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 12 days ago

    anyone else playing with 10?

    my original transfer would have been Wirtz > Szobo for 11 men, so only lost out on 5pts., not the end of the world

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      I may as well be with with Andersen or Kroupi coming on for O'Reilly.

    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Lost both my goalkeepers
      Roefs & Sanchez

  6. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 12 days ago

    Sold rice. Kept Wilson and O Reilly... never ever get these random crap 50/50s in my favor

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      The news was much more positive on Rice

      Pep brushed over Nico

      Wilson was being re-assessed today

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Pep said exactly the same thing about Nico as Haaland..

  7. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 12 days ago

    Andersen still not being back is annoying

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Yeah, he will be coming of for O'Reilly for me if he makes it on, otherwise Kroupi massive 1 pointer.

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Do you think he will come on?

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Yep just to annoy us for a cameo

        2. DRIZ ✅
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Yes he is Fulham captain when starts

  8. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 12 days ago

    Of course Rodon's goal is offside and Leeds decide to concede a stupid penalty. And to top it all, Ballard coming on as a sub for my ML rival. This season has been all pain.

    1. Moon Dog
        1 month, 12 days ago

        That was a painful couple of minutes for Rodon owners.

        I just switched off the football and left to watch the chess instead. I was so tilted.

        Kind of wish I stayed to see the Liverpool humiliation 😆

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Newcastle team news - Ramsdale starts

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

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

      Man Utd team news - Maguire and Shaw start

      Man Utd: Lammens, Mazraoui, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha.

      Substitutes: Bayindir, Heaven, Malacia, Dalot, Kukonki, T.Fletcher, Ugarte, Amad, Zirkzee

    3. Here is Cash, give McGinn
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Cant believe Emery is still starting Bailey. Hasnt been a footballer for one and half season

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        And Watkins

      2. Here is Cash, give McGinn
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Well jinxed

    4. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      DCL > Sesko for free a good move?

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Too late if scores today and has had good run of points. Sure to end next gw now.

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Odd logic, so buy if he blanks and avoid if he scores?

          1. DRIZ ✅
            • 14 Years
            1 month, 12 days ago

            You heard it here first

          2. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            1 month, 12 days ago

            😆

    5. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Anderson cracks one in

      Blocked in the box but looked on target

    6. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 12 days ago

      Palmer and Semenyo hattricks would be most welcome

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        100% this!

      2. Moon Dog
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Please that happen... :pray:

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Villa goal

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Bailey assist

          Luiz I think

      4. DRIZ ✅
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Sanchez cleanie wiped

        1. Here is Cash, give McGinn
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Not playing

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          He's dropped

          Clean sheet for Sanchez tonight

      5. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Rogers doing Rogers things

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Great cross

        2. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Well thank god it wasn’t him right after I made the switch to KdH.

          Wake up now Chelsea/Palmer/JP!

      6. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Liiz G

        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Luiz

      7. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Didn’t even know Luiz was back at Villa lmao

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          First goal in 2 years

          Decent player

          Been back a while now

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            1 month, 12 days ago

            Thought he was at Forest

        2. Here is Cash, give McGinn
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Villa best 3 mids all injured so it was panic loan

        3. DRIZ ✅
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Yes his gf has joined Leicester City

          1. Here is Cash, give McGinn
            • 6 Years
            1 month, 12 days ago

            Not true

      8. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Rogers robbed.

      9. DRIZ ✅
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Rogers in celebrations

      10. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Rogers involved in the Villa vs Chelsea game?

      11. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Gabriel up to 13 BPS with that goal line clearance.

      12. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Pedro miss

      13. L'Aeroplanino
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Robot to punish the sellers today

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Rise of the machines, don’t joke…it’s happening

        2. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          At least I get real money if he scores goals

      14. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Semenyo cracks one into the side netting from 15 yards out on the left

      15. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Saka G

        1. tiger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Timber A

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            1 month, 12 days ago

            Brilliant

            Glad I kept hold of him at least

        2. Defcons are for Kinnear
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Essential

      16. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 12 days ago

        Chelsea pen

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Or at least should be

          1. Raoul Nogues
              1 month, 12 days ago

              Should be a yellow for James ?

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Arsenal GOAL

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            1 month, 12 days ago

            Saka megs Verbruggen

            Off a deflection

            His goal

            Corner of the box with a low shot

        3. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Saka was the one to captain….

        4. DRIZ ✅
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 12 days ago

          Saka essential