Dugout Discussion

Alonso benched and Higuain makes league debut as Son returns

Gameweek 24 comes to a conclusion on Wednesday evening as four top-flight matches take place.

Bournemouth v Chelsea and Southampton v Crystal Palace get us underway at 19:45 GMT, with Liverpool v Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur v Watford scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT.

Marcos Alonso is benched for the first time in the league this season as Emerson Palmieri – who impressed in the Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg against Spurs – is handed a start at left-back, while Gonzalo Higuaín makes his Premier League bow up front for the Blues.

Eden Hazard is thus deployed on the left flank for Maurizio Sarri’s side, with Pedro getting the nod on the other wing.

The Cherries are without Callum Wilson this evening, with Joshua King leading the line for Eddie Howe’s side.

Ryan Fraser starts as expected, while there are places on the bench for January signings Dominic Solanke and Chris Mepham.

Son Heung-min is back in Spurs’ starting XI and looks set to play just off Fernando Llorente as Mauricio Pochettino once again deploys a wing-back system.

Christian Eriksen is also primed for a more advanced role but Kieran Trippier only makes the bench.

Javi Gracia has made three changes to his side from Watford’s last league outing, with Daryl Janmaat, Craig Cathcart and Will Hughes drafted in.

Virgil van Dijk has recovered from illness to line up at centre-half, with one of Jordan Henderson or Georginio Wijnaldum potentially filling in at right-back after a cursory look at the teamsheet.

Xherdan Shaqiri joins Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in the Liverpool attack.

Claude Puel has made three alterations to his Leicester City side following the 4-3 defeat to Wolves: Jonny Evans, James Maddison and Marc Albrighton being handed recalls.

The fit-again Vicente Guaita returns between the sticks for Crystal Palace, with Wayne Hennessey named among the substitutes.

The Eagles are otherwise unchanged from the team that lost 4-3 to Liverpool in Gameweek 23.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has named the same eleven players in his starting XI that lined up against Everton, meanwhile.

Bournemouth XI (4-2-3-1): Boruc, Clyne, S Cook, Ake, Smith, Surman, Gosling, Stanislas, Fraser, Brooks, King.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Emerson Palmieri, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Higuain, Hazard.

Southampton XI (3-5-2): McCarthy, Bednarek, Stephens, Vestergaard, Valery, Hojbjerg, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Targett, Redmond, Ings.

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

Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson, Henderson, van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Keita, Shaqiri, Salah, Mane, Firmino.

Leicester City XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Maguire, Chilwell, Mendy, Ndidi, Albrighton, Gray, Maddison, Vardy.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (3-4-2-1): Lloris, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Aurier, Winks, Sissoko, Rose, Eriksen, Son, Llorente.

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster, Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Holebas, Hughes, Capoue, Cleverley, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.

4,426 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Pundits still think there is a gulf in talent between Chelsea and Bournemouth. Remove Hazard and Bournemouth's attack is miles better. Their defense is poor but Id have them as about par in terms of overall quality.

    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Clyne / Ake both decent players.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nah. Chelsea have better players, but poor tactics and management.

      1) Kante playing as an attacker
      2) Jorginho can't handle the pace and physicality of the PL
      3) Having two full backs who can cross, but having no striker on the pitch to cross to
      4) Not giving Hazard the role he wants - whatever that is
      5) Making the same predictable subs (Willian/Pedro, Kovacic/Barkley)

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Spot on Diesel

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Willian and Pedro are living on past glories. They (and Barkley( are worse than players like Brooks, Fraser and Stanislas. As you say Jorginho cant handle the pace, that makes him bad. King/Wilson are better strikers than anything Chelsea have. Ake is similar quality to Chelsea's CBs.

        Hazard is the sole difference. But yea Sarri's tactics are baffling too.

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would love it if Sarri quit live on TV. But he won't because he wants the pay off for being sacked

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

    Hmm, Haz to Sane or save, toughy.

    1. Blanka
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking same.

  4. I Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Haz has to go then?

    1. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Last chance I reckon.

      1. Fergus1107
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Get rid after Huddersfield. City then s blank.

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      hold for one more week

    3. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Gone for me. Sterling too tempting. Pep going to throw his best out to try and close the gap. Next few weeks are critical.

    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      3ppg last 5 for 11m 😆

  5. Lilac Breasted Roller
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard/Rich to Sane/Son ? (0 ITB)

    Alternatively could do Pogba to son, but would be now problematic to get him back

    1. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Son not going to rise and Rich I can afford to drop one. Guess I have time until hazard is about to drop

  6. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would like to apologise to everyone. Finally decided to play it safe and give Salah the captaincy for the first time since GW4. My bad, I've ruined him for everyone

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You know nothing 🙂

  7. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    61 all out with Salah(C)

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      53 here

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

      36 for me.

  8. DR0GBA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard to Sterling?

    Already got Sane but had enough of how bad Chelsea are at scoring goals

    1. shearer9
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm pondering this too but Haz at home to Hudd could still be a goalfest.

      1. DR0GBA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        yeah us Hazard owners have been saying that for the past 5 or so weeks and all he's given us is an assist. No thanks

      2. gonzalocampos
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Is not going to happen, Hazard out for the rest of the season.

  9. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Brooks saves my gameweek. Cheers lad

  10. Come on you Kante
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A)Hazard to Pogba ?
    B)Digne to kola ?
    C)Hold ?

    ?

  11. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    VCs & Autosubs to raise the Top10k average by roughly 1.2 points.

    Top10k - 43.65
    Overall - 43.09

    https://www.livefpl.net/autosubs

  12. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Actually Haz to Sterling could really back fire couldn't it. Hmmmmm.

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

      yes

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard is a dud

  13. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    LMS safety score of 35 with current bonus but no autosubs.

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

      Dizzying heights! 😆

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      oh hell
      38(-4)

      NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, is this the end for me :'(

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

        Hope Digne is the autosub 🙂

    3. thischarmingman
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Daaamn, I'm out then

    4. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Oooh 36

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Might finish on 36, https://www.livefpl.net/LMS should be updated soon if bonus stays the same.

    5. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      43....still in the game!

    6. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Autosubs added actually, just bonus can change.

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

    Right - onwards to next game week!

    Gtg?

    Ederson

    AWB Doherty Matip
    Sane (vc) sterling (Tc) salah haz Pogba
    Llorente Rashford

    McCarthy ings Bednarek Doherty

  15. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Digne, TAA, Pogba, Kamara flagged. Want Son for Eriksen. What would you do? £0.5m and 1 FT.

    Guaita
    Holebas Bennett AWB
    Salah Sane Pogba Eriksen Jota
    Aguero Rashford

    Subs: Button TAA Digne Kamara

  16. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Pogba is ok?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Possibly injured.

    2. Fergus1107
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Source?

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Flagged

  17. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hello top 10k, my old friend...

  18. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Be Spurs
    Spend no money in summer
    Get all players injured
    Be only 7 points off top after 24 games

    Fair play to them - great way to bounce back after the cupexits

  19. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Went Sterling (C). Massive Risk after City loss yesterday. At least Salah didn't do the damage. Bring on gw25!

  20. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Well this has been a special GW... more red arrows. 8 from 4 tonight. 34 (-4) all out.

    I’d love to rage WC but wouldn’t even know who to bring in after so many crappy performances.

    With Luiz and Haz in my team I feel both have to go but who to?!

  21. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Haz + Martial -> Sane + Son. Just wonder if I should do Auba -> Kun as well just for the one game week.

  22. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Salah blank saves my Rashford(c) blushes.

  23. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Up to 3k or now 🙂
    24 points on the bench tho 🙁

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Well played!

  24. azz007
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    71 all out. Took the risk with King captain.

    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Any evidence of your genius captaincy?

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      King captain was ballsy

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      where is the proof ?

    4. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      wtf

    5. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Team link or it didn’t happen

    6. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Bull sh1t

  25. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Did Richarlison look good yesterday or was it just a lucky goal?

    1. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He should and could have scored in 2 of the last 3 but for goal line clearances

    2. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Played wide. Ran channels. Created a few chances. Took finish well after missing first chance. Still a bargain at £6.8m IMO. Especially if Everton stick to this formation with him Siggy and Bernard

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        (With Tosun in centre)

        1. Lukakuna
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers, might get him for Anderson mostly cause of the double

  26. frenchfries
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Alisson
    Robertson AWB Doherty
    Salah Sane Richarlison Pogba Anderson
    Aubameyang Rashford

    Boruc Bennett Digne* Kamara*

    2ft 0.3itb

    Alisson+Anderson->Etheridge+Son?

  27. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Screw it. Transfers done.

    Ederson
    Keane, Robbo, Shaw
    Hazard, Salah, Richarlison, FAnderson
    Aguero (C), Rashford, Jiminez

    Speroni; Doherty, WB, Billing

    Auba back in for Kun next week.

    1. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck. I can't do it, afraid Kun only plays one game

  28. zotter
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Right. Hazard goes and auba

    Aguero and who?

    I think sane only because sterling seems to flop in big games ?

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      This for me too

  29. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Haz+FAnders / Martial >> Sane+Son for free?