Dugout Discussion
22 March 2026 331 comments
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The Tyne-Wear derby kicks off the action on Sunday, with Newcastle United hosting Sunderland at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side lost the reverse fixture 1-0 and come into this clash after Wednesday’s heavy defeat to Barcelona. They have, however, beaten Manchester United and Chelsea in consecutive Gameweeks.

As for Sunderland, they have only one win in their last six Premier League matches.

Kick-off is scheduled for 12pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Malick Thiaw drops to the bench for Newcastle, as Eddie Howe makes two changes from the side that lost in midweek.

Sandro Tonali misses out completely after going off injured in the Nou Camp.

In come Sven Botman and Nick Woltemade.

Anthony Gordon presumably starts up front, with Woltemade in midfield.

Sunderland’s only change from Gameweek 30 is an enforced one.

Luke O’Nien comes into the side in place of the injured Dan Ballard, who is not in the matchday squad.

Robin Roefs is also out for the visitors.

Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo Mandava and Enzo Le Fee are all named among the substitutes.

LINE-UPS

Newcastle United XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, Burn, Hall, Ramsey, Joelinton, Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes, Gordon

Subs: Pope, Wissa, Thiaw, Osula, Livramento, J Murphy, Willock, A Murphy, Neave

Sunderland XI: Ellborg, Geertruida, O’Nien, Alderete, Hume, Xhaka, Diarra, Sadiki, Rigg, Talbi, Brobbey

Subs: Moore, Reinildo, Cirkin, Mukiele, Le Fee, H Jones, J Jones, Mayenda, Isidor

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:

Newcastle v Sunderland team news: Thiaw, Mukiele, Reinildo + Le Fee subs 1

price change predictions
331 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. I have no Wirtz
      23 days, 5 hours ago

      Looks like a week getting in both, Wilson and Gordon was the way to go.

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

        Not if you had defenders blanking to get to 11

        1. I have no Wirtz
            23 days, 4 hours ago

            Same here, but what if the defender gives us 1 point?

        2. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Own neither and they destroying my rank right now

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        In what world do Sunderland score here? Absolutely limp.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Watch out, Brobbey’s about

          1. Mr. O'Connell
            • 13 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Who's getting it to him. Create zilch.

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              23 days, 5 hours ago

              Xhaka can

              1. Mr. O'Connell
                • 13 Years
                23 days, 5 hours ago

                I'll captain Thiaw again if we score today

        2. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Alderete header incoming

      3. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        At least Rayan to Gordon paying offf

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Same move here

      4. Ady87
        • 12 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        Brought in Ekitike last week and Thiaw this week. Follow for more exciting tips.

        1. Gudjohnsen
          • 9 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          This is the way

          F--- this game

          Only way to play is to play it casually

        2. Sgt. Schultz
          • 9 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          signed up to your OnlyFpl

      5. The-Red-1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        After all my blankers, flipping Thiaw is on the bench?!!!!

        What the actual hell is going on. Absolutely raging at this week

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Apparently he was poor in the last game when they conceded seven

          1. The-Red-1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Was he especially poor compared to the other defenders that night?

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              23 days, 5 hours ago

              Yes - was bottom of most of the player rating scores for the game or joint with Trippier.

          2. Freshy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Lamine Yamal destroyed him
            Imagine Botman would have been worse

      6. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        (G)ordon wants another!

      7. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        -4 punt on thiaw is going well over hall

      8. Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        I'm in the same boat as most on here this morning with the Thiaw benching, and I had gudmondson who possibly may have had a CS from yesterday if he didnt get a debatable red card last week.. But I have to say, although I am pissed internally, we have 7 GW's remaining.. keep the faith..
        Plenty of time for many curveballs, although i love seeing the toys being thrown out by my fellow FPLers.. makes up for a dull game.

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 5 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Same here with gudo & thiaw

      9. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        Will have to find a way to offload Thiaw now, clearly lost his place. Shame that I got him this week itself.

        1. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          my FT too

      10. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        Gordon moved yet?

        1. GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Yeah when he realised VAR wasnt interested

          1. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            He was offside either way

      11. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        Thiaw cleanie points gone

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          They were nailed as well. And the Defcons from the ball being pumped repeatedly long

      12. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        Elanga selfish

      13. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        Sunderland growing into this maybe trying to take it deep when Newc will tire

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          No doubt, but quality is seriously lacking that it won't mean anything. ONien on Gordon penalty coming soon too.

      14. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        Botman post

        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Would have been a hall assist

      15. Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        23 days, 5 hours ago

        Elanga's been taking "going down" lessons from Gordon I see...

      16. Moon Dog
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Who do you think is the most nailed Newcastle defender now? Dan Burn or Hall?

          1. Sandy Ravage
            • 10 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Both are very nailed

        • GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Not sure what I want, had a fiver on a Gordon ‘insurance’ brace at 12-1.

        • keefy59
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          23 days, 5 hours ago

          Okay lets hear some half time sob stories
          I transferred out Chalobah , Tarkowski & Rice for a -4
          Bought in Szoboszlai , Andersen & Thiaw
          Started Roefs with Raya on the bench
          Played only 10 players this week now down to 9 & 8 if Thiaw no show

          1. Sgt. Schultz
            • 9 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            tough luck

          2. WVA
            • 9 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Had a really strong look side for this GW and even had Rodon first on bench but Dubravaka VVD Anderson Hill and conceded and Enzo and Pedro differentials really flopped!

          3. Mr. O'Connell
            • 13 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            2
            3, -1, 0 (c) benched
            13, 2, 2, Rogers
            4, 2, 1

            1. WVA
              • 9 Years
              23 days, 5 hours ago

              Haha I have Rogers to come too, he’s lost me more value holding him than points he’ll get I suspect

              1. Mr. O'Connell
                • 13 Years
                23 days, 5 hours ago

                I just want him to look interested for once

                1. WVA
                  • 9 Years
                  23 days, 5 hours ago

                  Villa are being handed 4th on a plate so they should be very interested, I just don’t think he’s that good.

          4. Bigbars
            • 15 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            But you've still got an utterly enviable rank, more than average GW points and good squad for the next GW... it happens. but i wouldnt begrudge your rank and position....I purposely just did the sole thiaw transfer this week and gudmondsonn last week, as I had a feeling we'd get screwed so thought i'd not gamble this GW. Now I've got 5FT's for the inevitable internationals/champs league injuries/rotation that will happen before the next GW.

            Most would pay for your rank.... Amazing !! Well done Sir !!

            1. keefy59
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              23 days, 4 hours ago

              Thanks
              How about this for a stat this season
              Only two -4 hits & here's the big one
              I don't think I've had a single incident where
              My Goalkeeper or defenders have played against my midfielders or forwards

              1. I have no Wirtz
                  23 days, 3 hours ago

                  Wow. That is both impressive. More so than the ranking.

          5. WVA
            • 9 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Did anyone on here watch the Barcelona v Newcastle game and bring in Thiaw?

          6. Kane Train
            • 11 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Do we think Thiaw is just being rested or is he not in there best XI

            1. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              23 days, 5 hours ago

              Rested

            2. Free Hat
              • 7 Years
              23 days, 5 hours ago

              Not performed well lately. If they keep a cs now, or Botman impresses, I dont see a reason why Howe would change imo...

              (Thiaw owner btw)

              1. Scapegoat Salah
                • 9 Years
                23 days, 4 hours ago

                Thiaw has been excellent all season though

          7. fusen
            • 14 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Dan Burn is going to have about 90 DCs here with all these headed clearances from every Sunderland long throw

          8. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Aston Villa team news
            Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Barkley, Onana; Sancho, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.

            Subs: Bizot, Maatsen, Bogarde, Mings, Tielemans, Luiz, Buendia, Bailey, Abraham.

            West Ham team news
            West Ham: Hermansen; Mavropanos, Disasi, Todibo; Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Fernandes, Diouf; Bowen, Castellanos, Pablo.

            Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Wilson, Traore, Magassa, Scarles, Potts, Kante.

            Tottenham team news - Vicario and Solanke start
            Starting XI: Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Grey, Sarr, Spence; Tel, Richarlison; Solanke.

            Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Palhinha, Simons, Udogie, Bergvall, Gallagher, Souza, Kolo Muani.

            Forest team news
            Sels, Williams, Murillo, Sangare, Hudson Odoi, Andersen, Gibbs White, Jesus, Hutchinson, Milenkovic, Aina

            1. Jigger & Pony
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              23 days, 5 hours ago

              Nice. Cash starts.

              1. FPL Blow-In
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                23 days, 4 hours ago

                Yeah, needed that myself

          9. Mr. O'Connell
            • 13 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Thiaw warming up

          10. WVA
            • 9 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Tottenham to get relegated?

            1. Not again Shirley
              • 9 Years
              23 days, 4 hours ago

              Can but hope.

          11. SpaceCadet
            • 12 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Botman down, thiaw could be on.

          12. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Thiaw warming up for his clean sheet points

            1. Biggsy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              23 days, 4 hours ago

              I'd take a Thiaw 1 pointer over the Hill -1 that I'll get if he doesn't show

              1. Biggsy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                23 days, 4 hours ago

                Boom, as if by magic

            2. Gudjohnsen
              • 9 Years
              23 days, 4 hours ago

              Doesn't work like that

            3. Pablitto
              • 15 Years
              23 days, 4 hours ago

              If Sun scores it will be 0 for him

          13. Jigger & Pony
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            23 days, 5 hours ago

            Thiaw on for Botman

            1. ball c
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              23 days, 4 hours ago

              Better late than never. Bought him in. Let’s hope for a goal

          14. Mr. O'Connell
            • 13 Years
            23 days, 4 hours ago

            Bye bye Bruno VC points

            1. Moon Dog
                23 days, 4 hours ago

                Oof so unlucky... 🙁

              • keefy59
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                23 days, 4 hours ago

                Sorry but he doesn't deserve them for captain Thiaw & not Bruno
                It was a high risk with potential low reward

              • Josh.E
                • 4 Years
                23 days, 4 hours ago

                I told you he wasn't keeping a clean sheet either way

            2. Pep Roulette
              • 8 Years
              23 days, 4 hours ago

              1 pt for Thiaw lfg

              1. Mr. O'Connell
                • 13 Years
                23 days, 4 hours ago

                Hell get booked or sent off

            3. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              23 days, 4 hours ago

              Well, at least I'm up to 11 players

              Goal

              Sunderland

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

                Busted right away

                Probably for the best

                Plenty had Hall too

                1. FPL Blow-In
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  23 days, 4 hours ago

                  Yeah, good thing for sure

              2. FPL Blow-In
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                23 days, 4 hours ago

                Talbi