Dugout Discussion
5 September 2026 521 comments
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We’ve got five Premier League matches kicking off at 3pm BST today, including the fixture that influenced the activation of a flurry of chips: Manchester City v Coventry City.

Cherki Semenyo

TEAM NEWS

The big team news from the Etihad, after the usual wild pre-match rumours suggesting otherwise, is that Enzo Maresca largely sticks with the same Manchester City team that beat Crystal Palace. So, there are starts for Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

Nico O’Reilly had kept his place, too, but he has picked up an injury in the warm-up, allowing Enzo Fernandez to make his City debut.

Maresca’s other alteration sees another deadline-day signing, Iliman Ndiaye, replace the benched Phil Foden.

Coventry’s Frank Lampard switches to a back five as expected, with Ethan Pinnock and Frank Onyeka replacing Caleb Yirenkyi and Loum Tchaouna.

At the Amex, Fabian Hurzeler’s one change is enforced: the injured Mats Wieffer is replaced by Yasin Ayari.

One of Daniel Farke’s alterations is also necessary due to Joe Rodon‘s hamstring problem. Brenden Aaronson and Jaka Bijol drop to the bench, meanwhile, as Nico Elvedi, Ao Tanaka and the fit-again Gabriel Gudmundsson are handed starts.

It’s one change apiece in west London.

Dango Ouattara comes in for Jaidon Anthony for Brentford, while Sunderland manager Regis le Bris hands Kevin Danso a debut at centre-back. Trai Hume drops out.

Liam Delap makes his full debut for Nottingham Forest against Tottenham Hotspur, replacing Igor Jesus.

Daniel Munoz is named on the bench after his move to the Tricky Trees.

Savio also gets his first start for his new club, as Roberto De Zerbi promotes the Brazilian winger, Destiny Udogie and Conor Gallagher to his starting XI.

Archie Gray, Andrew Robetson and Mateus Fernandes have to make do with substitute duty.

Finally, at Fulham, Shea Charles comes in for Sander Berge.

Crystal Palace hand starts to two of their summer signings, too, as Axel Disasi and Quinten Timber replace Jorgen Strand Larsen and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

LINE-UPS

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Sangare, Janelt, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade, Thiago.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Wilson, Carvalho, Anthony, Diouf, Schuster.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Meunier, Mukiele, Ballard, Danso, Reinildo, Angulo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Hume, O’Nien, Alderete, Methalie, Ahoka, Rigg, Fofana, Isidor.


Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Vuskovic, Dunk, Boscagli, Gross, Yalcouye, Ayari, Gomez, De Cuyper, Kostoulas.

Subs: Steele, Hadjam, Struijk, Promise, Andres, Osman, Costinha, O’Riley, Oriola.

Leeds United XI: Trafford, Justin, Muharemovic, Elvedi, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, Gudmundsson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Zetterer, Bard, Bijol, Longstaff, Aaronson, Wilson, James, Bahoya, Nmecha.


Fulham XI: Leno, Robinson, Bassey, Andersen, Castagne, Iwobi, Charles, Palacios, King, Bobb, Garcia.

Subs: Lecomte, Larsson, Berge, Angel, Muniz, Affengruber, Kevin, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Disasi, Richards, Canvot, Mitchell, Timber, Wharton, Khalaili, Kamada, Pino, Nketiah.

Subs: Benitez, Tomiyasu, Gozo, Hughes, Doucoure, Larsen, Mingueza, Chilwell, Osorio.


Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol, Anderson, Fernandez, Ndiaye, Semenyo, Cherki, Haaland.

Subs: Rulli, Aït-Nouri, Lewis, Kovačić, Nunes, Bouaddi, Foden, McAidoo.

Coventry City XI: Rushworth, Van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Pinnock, Dasilva, Grimes, Onyeka, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Awoniyi.

Subs: Bentley, Latibeaudiere, Sakamoto, Yirenkyi, Torp, Hamer, Simms, Tchaouna, Thomas-Asante.


Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Cunha, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina, Schlager, McAtee, Williams, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Delap.

Subs: John Victor, Hudson-Odoi, Dominguez, Wood, Diomande, Igor Jesus, Yates, Netz, Munoz.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Kinsky, Porro, van Hecke, van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Tonali, Gallagher, Savio, Marmoush, Tel.

Subs: Dubravka, Robertson, Senesi, Gray, Bergvall, Fernandes, Solanke, Kudus, Mudryk.


LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE + MATCH CENTRE

You can follow all the day’s action via the Live Gameweek page, which you can find in the all-new FPL Toolkit section.

Here you can track 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.

And there’s also the all-new Match Centre to explore. Here, you’ll find stats, heatmaps, rolling xG graphs and more on every Premier League fixture.

A lot is free for all, with Chief Scout Members getting full access.

Enjoy!


Introducing our new UCL Fantasy toolkit! 7
521 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Haaland brace close there

    1. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      19 mins ago

      It'll come.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        17 mins ago

        So close to clicking with Cherki, you can see it developing

  2. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    51 mins ago

    Haaland Cherki will have many goals and assist between them

    Kane - Son, Vardy - Mahrez vibes

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      31 mins ago

      Ok, Cherki hasn’t assisted Haaland once this season

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        27 mins ago

        Talking about the chemistry here

        Returns will come

      2. Ninja Škrtel
        • 12 Years
        26 mins ago

        You mean after only 2 GW in which he put Haaland in 3-4 100% positions to score? that Cherki? check your logic mate best player in PL.

        1. GoonerSteve
          • 16 Years
          15 mins ago

          Would you keep him then? I was considering the switch to Rogers for Hull.

          1. Ninja Škrtel
            • 12 Years
            just now

            ez yes. I have Rogers as well.

  3. Bobby Digital
    • 9 Years
    50 mins ago

    Semenyo hugging the line here. People were probably right in that he won't score as many goals this season.

  4. F4L
    • 11 Years
    50 mins ago

    will tottenham score this season

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      8 mins ago

      Maybe vs Palace

  5. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    50 mins ago

    Haaland not happy

    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      just now

      Me not happy either...want more goals!

  6. Early days, guys, but how is this lineup looking for next GW?

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori Justin DeCuyper
    Palmer(C) Saka Cherki Tzolis
    Haaland Pedro Barry

    McNally Gvardiol Sangare Ajer

    1. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      14 mins ago

      Great

      1. Cheers! Sticking to your plan?

        1. pundit of punts
          • 13 Years
          just now

          Yep

    2. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      1 min ago

      Tzolis may be a risk.

  7. Brosstan
    • 12 Years
    49 mins ago

    Cherki sub loading

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      16 mins ago

      Balls through to Haaland most that half Cherki

      1. Ninja Škrtel
        • 12 Years
        13 mins ago

        You mean after only 2 GW in which he put Haaland in 3-4 100% positions to score? that Cherki? check your logic mate best player in PL.

        1. Ninja Škrtel
          • 12 Years
          12 mins ago

          ooff wrong thread

    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      14 mins ago

      Wouldn't be surprised. Sounds like a Maresca thing to do.

  8. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    49 mins ago

    I think City should get Foden on

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      16 mins ago

      +1

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        14 mins ago

        Foden owners spotted 2

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 mins ago

          Yep 🙂

        2. GoonerSteve
          • 16 Years
          just now

          Lol 🙂

  9. JBG
    • 8 Years
    49 mins ago

    Be a man Maresca and sub him off now, you know you want to.

  10. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    48 mins ago

    Brentford defenders lucky to have their clean sheets still

  11. Chester Pepperpot
    • 7 Years
    47 mins ago

    Cherki off

    1. Chester Pepperpot
      • 7 Years
      47 mins ago

      For half time snack and drinks

      1. But got injured eating a snack

      2. EffPeeEll
        • 6 Years
        28 mins ago

        Have a break, have a quick crap.

    2. King Carlos
      • 11 Years
      35 mins ago

      Baaaaaan

  12. Ninja Škrtel
    • 12 Years
    47 mins ago

    Cherki is ridiculously good..he must have 1 return at least

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      13 mins ago

      He should have, yes...

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      13 mins ago

      18bps at ht tells the story!

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      12 mins ago

      Twinkle toes, dances through tight areas, crazy to watch

  13. F4L
    • 11 Years
    45 mins ago

    is it just me or are defcons starting to look like they're down across the board for all CBs this season? small sample size but have they changed some of the definitions etc for clearances

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      just now

      Too small sample size, I think.

  14. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    44 mins ago

    Where was this version of Rushworth when I needed him

  15. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    44 mins ago

    Anything less that a hat trick will feel disappointing

  16. GoonerSteve
    • 16 Years
    42 mins ago

    No assist showing for the 2nd Fulham goal. Will that change?

  17. OverTinker
    • 8 Years
    41 mins ago

    Don't give him 5 minutes this time Please

  18. Bored Ape Jota Club
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    41 mins ago

    Haha. Ffs. I just noticed I enabled TC but somehow forgot to change the armband to Haaland.... How is that even possible.

    Bruno, save my gameweek..

    1. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      7 mins ago

      Shame it isn't last week.

    2. Brista
      • 3 Years
      3 mins ago

      Just realized I did the same, I thought I had changed it but obs I didn't save it properly . Its going to be a long weekend !

      1. This helps actually

  19. There should be a defcon version for trekkers. Those Cherki stopovers might yield something

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      11 mins ago

      Tekkers?

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        11 mins ago

        Sequel to Tekken 8

  20. JBG
    • 8 Years
    34 mins ago

    Beef Jerky getting extra minutes to cure.

  21. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    34 mins ago

    Cherki on 2 bonus!

  22. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    33 mins ago

    As a PL manager, Lampard has only won one game of last 20 😮

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      7 mins ago

      Still better than Gerrard as manager, somehow

  23. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    32 mins ago

    Cherki just pulls so many out of position

  24. JBG
    • 8 Years
    31 mins ago

    Brighton are such a weird team, every season

  25. Kodap
    • 9 Years
    30 mins ago

    De Cuyper YC and another conceded

    1. Kodap
      • 9 Years
      5 mins ago

      ahh offside

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      5 mins ago

      DCL?

      1. GoonerSteve
        • 16 Years
        just now

        Thankfully not

    3. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      4 mins ago

      Ffs

  26. Supersonic_
    • 5 Years
    30 mins ago

    DCL doing owt?

  27. F4L
    • 11 Years
    30 mins ago

    leeds have had so many chances so far

    maybe chelsea's attack was made to look abit better vs fulham and brighton defence? we'll see

  28. The Tinkerman
    • 11 Years
    29 mins ago

    Wissa, Gross and De Cuyper all going from hauls to 1 pointers and yellow cards as soon as I bring them in

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      4 mins ago

      Did you bring in Cherki as well?

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 11 Years
        3 mins ago

        Yep

        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          3 mins ago

          Good

      2. The Tinkerman
        • 11 Years
        3 mins ago

        And Sangare, also booked

    2. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      3 mins ago

      Same but Sangare for Gross.

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 11 Years
        1 min ago

        I have Sangare as well

        1. GoonerSteve
          • 16 Years
          just now

          Ouch

  29. el polako
    • 9 Years
    27 mins ago

    Sangare off.

    The first week I play him…

    1. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      4 mins ago

      Subbed off?

      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        3 mins ago

        Yep

        1. GoonerSteve
          • 16 Years
          2 mins ago

          Ffs.

          1. el polako
            • 9 Years
            1 min ago

            Yeah.
            I watched on his haul on my bench week 1, 4 points last week.

            I’m getting 0 today.
            This game really tests your patience.

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 mins ago

      The Brentford train?

  30. Brosstan
    • 12 Years
    25 mins ago

    Semenyo this wide is such a waste of his talent