Dugout Discussion

Rashford fit to start while Hazard remains on the left flank

Six Premier League matches take place this evening before the Gameweek 21 showpiece of Manchester City v Liverpool brings the frenetic festive fixture schedule to a close ahead of FA Cup third round weekend.

Four of tonight’s games kick off at 19:45 GMT, with Bournemouth v Watford (due to a delay) and Newcastle United v Manchester United getting underway at 20:00 GMT.

There aren’t too many surprises in the team selections this evening, with many of the more widely-owned Fantasy Premier League assets getting a start.

Marcus Rashford has recovered from a groin problem to keep his place in Manchester United’s starting XI, with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial also unsurprisingly named in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Jesse Lingard, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez make the bench.

Fabian Schar replaces the injured Federico Fernandez in Rafael Benitez’s only alteration, while Florian Lejeune makes the matchday squad for the first time in 2018/19.

Eden Hazard is again deployed on the left flank as Alvaro Morata replaces the injured Olivier Giroud, but Chelsea are otherwise unchanged from the side that beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in Gameweek 20.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has really shuffled his pack for this encounter at Stamford Bridge, making eight changes – including the recall of Danny Ings – following the 3-1 defeat against Manchester City.

In the delayed kick-off on the south coast, Ryan Fraser returns to the Bournemouth starting XI after his benching at Old Trafford.

Javi Gracia has made five changes to his team, with Jose Holebas, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Troy Deeney among the players handed a recall.

Andy Carroll makes his first Premier League start in over a year for West Ham, who have new signing Samir Nasri among their substitutes.

Glenn Murray replaces Florin Andone up front in Chris Hughton’s only change.

Joao Moutinho and Helder Costa return to the Wolves starting XI, while Jordan Ayew gets his first start since Gameweek 17 as Roy Hodgson switches to a 4-3-3.

David Wagner has made two changes to his team and seemingly reverted to a 4-2-3-1, while Sean Dyche trusts the same 11 players who beat West Ham three days ago.

Bournemouth XI (3-5-2): Begovic, Cook, Ake, Daniels, Brooks, Lerma, Gosling, Fraser, Stanislas, Wilson, King.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster, Femenia, Cathcart, Mariappa, Holebas, Sema, Capoue, Doucoure, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Hazard, Willian, Morata.

Southampton XI (3-4-3): Gunn, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Valery, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Cedric, Armstrong, Ings, Redmond.

Huddersfield Town XI (4-2-3-1): Lossl, Kongolo, Schindler, Zanka, Hadergjonaj, Hogg, Billing, Mbenza, Pritchard, Kachunga, Mounie.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Heaton, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Cork, Westwood, Gudmundsson, McNeil, Barnes, Wood.

West Ham United XI (4-4-2): Fabianski, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Obiang, Snodgrass, Anderson, Arnautovic, Carroll.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-3-3): Button, Montoya, Dunk, Duffy, Bernardo, Stephens, Propper, Gross, March, Murray, Locadia.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (3-4-3): Patricio, Bennett, Boly, Coady, Doherty, Saiss, Moutinho, Jonny, Costa, Cavaleiro, Jimenez.

Crystal Palace XI (4-3-3): Guaita, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt, McArthur, Milivojević, Kouyaté, Townsend, Ayew, Zaha.

Newcastle United XI (3-4-2-1): Dubravka, Yedlin, Schär, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden, Diame, Atsu, Pérez, Rondón.

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Lindelöf, Shaw, Matic, Herrera, Pogba, Mata, Martial, Rashford.

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5,260 Comments Post a Comment
  1. zon
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Are people actually serious with these captaincy fail comments after 15 mins into a game?

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

      Are you seriously taking them seriously?

    2. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It's painful alright, absolute bellends!!

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Just general toxicity or hopeful reverse jinxing

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      12 minutes late.

    5. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It's like going to the pub. The first drink settles the nerves. You don't like waiting for the first one.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Are you saying I should do a few shots? Well if you say so.

  2. Modest Bob
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Some call them casuals.
    Some call them novices,
    i call them Hazard owners.

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Reported

      1. VFORVANDETA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        This

    2. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch

  3. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    My Goodness

    4 games 20 mins still 0-0

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Doing my best switcing bewteen here, other footy forums, twitter, BBC Live text and PL site, but can't generate a goal yet.

  4. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hate listening to carragher when watching Utd

    1. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He should have been sacked by sky.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Worse listening to McManaman when watching Liverpool.

  5. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Why did Saints change keeper?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wanted to give Morata a chance

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        People are on fire.

  6. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hazzo just cant score with Morata on the field.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      17 mins in mate

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Same will be after 90 .

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Just how does your brain work like it does? 🙂

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            It doesn't......

          2. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I will ask you after game 😉

    2. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Man up cupcake, I had to wait 80 mins for Auba

  7. Patch
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Overrated mess...who am I describing?

    Cmon Hazard no need to live in Morata's shadow ya one trick pony!

  8. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Just realised I can do Fanderson & Auba -> Salah & Arnie for a -4. Exact money to do so.
    Is this a goer?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't sell Auba ahead of WHU

      1. J to the T
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Hmm. Yeah but Salah at Brighton is a good fixture too. And surely Sala is better than Auba long term and Arnie is better than Fanderson long term.... no?

  9. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Arnie strolling around the place.

    He is either injured still or dont like the fact Anderson seen as the top dog at WHU right now.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Neither...
      I have him that's the reason

    2. BoleynWin
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It’ll be the fact he’s playing in the hole rather than upfront as the focal point, starting Carroll is a strange one tonight to be honest.

  10. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Still 0-0 4 games !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Be positive - no clean sheets lost (yet)

    2. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wait 5 minutes

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      6* games.

    4. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Now 6 games 😉

    5. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      six games ...

  11. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Let's go Fandy. Can't do with another blank.

  12. Modest Bob
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hazard to Salah????

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      It’s 20 minutes in

    2. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wait till half time??

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Yes do it now and throw a few hits on it

  13. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    MUN game to score first, bet.

    1. Alli 3',17',64�…
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      yea im gonna switch to Man U game, this Chelsea game just isnt intresting tbh

  14. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hard to believe when Utd beat Newcastle 3-2 earlier in the season it basically kept Mourinho in his job

  15. Licky
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Has Pogba scored his hattrick yet?

    1. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone ever scored a hat trick in 4 minutes?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Mane?

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Mane?

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Jinx. Less than 3 minutes.

      3. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Fowler

    2. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Was a genuine question, didn't know lol.

    3. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Mane?

      1. Licky
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        That would be lovely.

  16. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Well this is shite

    1. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Next time tell me when you plan to cap Haz!!!

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I captained Kane actually

        1. Patch
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Ah ok for some reason associated you with bad luck (maybe unfairly).

          1. Bubz
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I just like to complain

            1. Patch
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Ha fair enuf, thankfully not watching Morata prohibiting Eden

  17. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    First goal scorer tonight?

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Morata

    2. Alli 3',17',64�…
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kante or Pogba

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Arnautovic

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Jimenez

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

      Kante?

    5. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Logba

    6. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Mane, your're gonna have to extend it to tomorrow PoP.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        😀

    7. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Mounie HUD

    8. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Barnes.

    9. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sakho

    10. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No scorers.

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

      Rashford

    12. Legendary!
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Fabianski

  18. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Just put €200 on all games finishing 0-0. Get in you beauty

    1. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      25 euro budget for the rest of week groceries?

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Likely story! 5000-1?

  19. King Sheep
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Defence>Attack lol

  20. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    First team to score tonight?

    I go Huddersfield

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Probably United despite starting 15 minutes later, lol.

    2. The Enlightener
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wolves

    3. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      First to concede more likely. I have schindler

  21. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Mo Diame vs Paul Pogba. Should be a good physical battle if Diame can be bothered to get into a tussle

  22. Shultan
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I've picked the wrong captain 6 GWs in a row so haz owners dont expect much from him tonight...

  23. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Ok, give it one more minute, then we'll see a couple go in.

    1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      1 min is up still 0-0

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        15 more seconds.....

    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      You were saying?

  24. Dele
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hazard is crap isn’t he

    1. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Far from it. Morata plaguing the pitch.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah just the 101 goals

  25. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Yellow Wily Boly

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Nice

  26. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    So eh??? How Is everyone? Anyone been up to anything nice?

  27. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Wwho scores the first Goal?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Hud

  28. Baked baines
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Stat from the Chelsea game..."Alonso has hit the woodwork 5 times this season, the most out of any player" Haven't owned him from the start that hurts!!

  29. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Desperately need a Bemba omg[insert player name] post asap or I'll go nuts.

  30. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    You know what, I think I will sell Hazard for Salah afterall..