Dugout Discussion

Richarlison and Zaha start up front in Sunday’s only FPL fixture

Everton take on Crystal Palace at 16:00 BST in the day’s only match in the English top-flight.

The headline team news concerns one “out-of-position” midfielder playing up top and a recently reclassified Fantasy Premier League forward who seems to be back in a more central role after a spell out wide.

Richarlison (£6.8m) was the third-most-bought FPL midfielder of Gameweek 9 and for the second league match running the Brazilian will line up as the spearhead of the Everton attack, with Bernard (£5.9m), Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.4m) and Theo Walcott (£6.5m) playing just behind him.

Andre Gomes (£5.4m) makes his first Everton start in central midfield, while there is also a return from injury for Seamus Coleman (£5.2m) at right-back. Tom Davies (£5.3m) and Jonjoe Kenny (£4.3m) are the men to make way.

Crystal Palace’s team news announcement suggests Wilfried Zaha (£6.9m) will – as he was against Wolves in Gameweek 8 – be back in a striker’s role again today, either alongside Andros Townsend (£5.8m) in a 4-4-2 or as the spearhead of a 4-3-3 flanked by Townsend and Jeffrey Schlupp (£4.5m). Jordan Ayew (£5.8m) misses out as Roy Hodgson recalls Cheikhou Kouyate (£4.8m) to central midfield in his only change.

Zaha had been a slight doubt for this match but has passed a fitness test on his adductor problem.

Two names returning from injury make the bench today: Yerry Mina (£5.4m) for the hosts and Connor Wickham (£4.9m) for the visitors.

Having scored four league goals in as many matches, Sigurdsson is one of FPL’s form players. Eden Hazard (£11.4m)  was the only midfielder to have been bought by more Fantasy bosses than Sigurdsson ahead of Gameweek 9.

The Icelandic midfielder also scored in this fixture last season, which ended in a 3-1 win for the hosts.

Zaha was the most-sold FPL forward of this Gameweek but the Ivorian forward has delivered an attacking return (three goals, one assist) in every one of Palace’s four away league matches this season.

Everton XI: Pickford; Coleman, Zouma, Keane, Digne; Gueye, Gomes; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Bernard; Richarlison.

Crystal Palace XI: Hennessey; Van Aanholt, Tomkins, Sakho, Wan-Bissaka; Schlupp, Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur; Townsend, Zaha.

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1,512 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Can't believe 13.5% of FPL have Pickford - seems like the opposite of the sweet spot for a goalie - he's not 4.5 and he's not playing for a top 6 team...

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Dead team casuals who got him during the World Cup.

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Popular name

    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Must be mostly post world cup casuals.

    4. DLL18
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Probably mostly casuals picked him because of his good world cup.

      1. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Casuals who are right now about to get around 15 points...

        1. DLL18
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          To go with his previous collection of 1's and 2's.

          1. ClassiX
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Waiting for the guy who TC'd Sterling to pipe up and say they had Pickford...(or, even worse, the guy who TC'd Pickford...)

    5. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I could not find a decent option for 4.5 at beginning of the season and never had chance to replace him without a hit. Was waiting for my WC to do it. Finally return of investment!

      1. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Must feel like finding a Picasso sketch in your grandfather's attic...

    6. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      0.6% where it matters.

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        The top 235,675?

      2. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Top 1k?

  2. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    This game has come alive

  3. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    No way can these guys maintain this pace for the entire half.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Judging by the comments on here, it sounds like all the players are having a Sunday ramble down the park.

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        They were racing for a good 10 minutes, now they're all tuckered out.

  4. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    I've seen enough. Sub off Obi-Wan please, Woy.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Putting Shaw ahead of him on the bench as a Mane owner... what was I thinking.

  5. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Bernard has been woeful...

  6. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Both teams determined to see this end 0-0.

    1. Ini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Indeed

  7. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    someone tell me how overrated Bernard is? He looks so crappy. Can't hold up the ball, misplace passes left and right and just so poor.

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      So he's Salah then

  8. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    walcot's awful finishing is reason why is he just mediocre

  9. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Casuals must be transferring Pickford in like mad 😆

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      They already have him 😉

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Wan BAPs.

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Dont jinx

  11. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Digne seems to be a decent player.

  12. bialk
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Why Walcott, why...

  13. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Tosun to replace Bernard.

  14. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    On WC, have to leave one out:

    A) Alonso
    B) Maddison
    C) Richarlison
    D) Mitrovic

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      B for me, followed by D

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Interesting, cheers.

    2. melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      b

  15. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    I don't like Richarlison up front. He just gets fouled and taken out of too many plays. Much better when he's in the support striker role.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I also get the impression he has no idea what he's doing, being flanked by Bernard/Walcott doesn't help

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Owner myself, hope Tosun (or why not Niasse) starts next few

  16. TAT
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Richarlison for a hit seems to cost me 8 points this GW.

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Is the game over?

    2. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Who did you ditch for?

      if you have you would possibly keep

      Not sure why folks would buy now given fixtures

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Stephens (who looked like dropping to 4.3 – only he didn't). Would have played Steve Cook if not for the transfer.

  17. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Tosun coming on, Richarlison will get pushed out wide then, ideal really

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Ideal for owners? Bit of a frustrating watch for me tbh. Think he plays better with someone in front of him

  18. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Richa free to create, nice.

  19. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Come on now Richarlison

  20. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    This is a general question. At what point to players learn to use their hands to control the players around them?

    I don't remember anyone doing that when I played as a kid, and when I've played as an amateur adult, it would be disrespectful to be pulling and pushing people and pretending you haven't broken the rules.

    I guess that's the difference: emphasis on sportsmanship vs ultra competitiveness.

    1. TAT
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I did that all the time as a kid. I was (and still am) skinny, so I used all the tricks I could to get an advantage.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Interesting. Maybe I have a poor memory. Or maybe I was always too honest as a kid: scared to break the rules, as I saw them.

        It's true even as an adult, I get disheartened when someone fouls me and doesn't immediately own up to it haha! But that's at a very amateur, play-for-fun, level. I always hold my hands up and apologise if I trip someone for example.

        1. TAT
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          That's the way it should be – fair play and all! I think the reason I played that way, was because every opponent we played against as kids were the same way too. Even though we were just kids, you could expect receiving some pushes and bad tackles.

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Ask Moussa Dembele.

    3. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Here in Ireland you learn how to use your hands in field sports from a very young age.

      Lots of players are very shrewd in the application of the hands and arms.If you ever watch Salah closely he is all hands.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I wonder to what extent it's taught/trained. It can't be something that's completely ignored at this level.

    4. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      And now you know why Mane couldn't play with a broken thumb...

  21. Yoshioka
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    AWB playing like a young Ashley Cole. So rare to see a rookie fullback who's genuinely as good at defending as he as at going forward.

    1. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      What are the odds Fulham try to lure him in the winter transfer window... 🙂

  22. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Boly autosub ahead of AWB 😎

  23. The Cherry Picker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    AWB is actually a very very good full back.

  24. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Richarlison passing it much quicker now he isnt upfron

  25. 1zverGGadeM
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Siggy take that F^$&N ball and do something FFS
    Why on Earth that dwarf Digne taking corners :@

  26. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    This tension is too much. Hate late loss of clean sheets.

  27. BDMC5
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Cmon Richarlison you slag!

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      😆 😆

  28. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    3 - Pickford (40)
    2 - Sakho (28)
    1 - van Aanholt (27)

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Hopefully Wan-B can wrack up a few more BPS...!!

  29. Pratik
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else transferred Pickford out this week? Transferred him out for Rui Patricio 🙁 🙁 ....

    1. Pratik
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      And that too for a hit, misery pile up

      1. Dannyb
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Why on earth would you take a hit for a goalie? Silly beyond belief.

        1. Pratik
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Pickford's been a pain to have in the team, Everton have barely kept a clean sheet.

          I think long term is fine, but agreed it was a silly decision to take a hit, even though it was needed to support the other transfer.

    2. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Wow - a seasoned manager like yourself should have totally foreseen this... 🙂

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Hard luck, I've never got near to a 15 point haul from a keeper. Happy with Edersons steady 6 points.

  30. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Andre Gomes (Everton) finds himself with a great opportunity! He unleashes a shot from the edge of the box, which whizzes just wide of the left post!

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Uhm nice commentary

      1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        xD

    2. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      He should have squared it to siggy