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. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Lads, I could really use some help here. Here's my team:

    Fabianski / Guaita

    TAA / Pereira / Doherty / Duffy / Wan-Bissaka

    Salah / Hazard / Sané / Fraser / Camarasa

    Aubameyang / Rashford / Jimenez

    Should I

    A. Keep Hazard
    B. Hazard, Camarasa out / Son or Pogba, Richarlison in (-4)
    C. Hazard, Camarasa out / Son or Pogba, Brooks in, upgrade defence in the upcoming GWs (-4)
    D. Hazard out / Son or Pogba in a FT.

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Hazard for HUD

  2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Have 2 FTs.
    Thinking of doing Auba and Pogba to Aguero and Son

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

      Why not to Sane

      1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Already own him. Sorry, should have mentioned that previously

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

          How much value do you have in auba? Looks good though

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

      This is the move I will likely make only if Pogs is hurt. If not, Fraser goes for Rich (Son is too pricey).

  3. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso and Trippier should start this GW right,or Alonso lost his place?

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

      Probably lost his place. But who knows now with sarri he has lost the plot.

      Also who knows with trippier he has been poor all season.

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

      from a tottenham fan i sincerely hope he doesnt start

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

      but I think he will

    4. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers,will sell both in 2-3 GWs.

  4. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Does Pereira play OOP for Leicester?

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

      Not any more

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      sometimes

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        generally no though

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

      Sometimes, not today though I believe

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

      Sometimes.

      He was RB tonight but still flying up, if he does that at Anfield it doesn't really matter if he's further back.

  5. Blame it on Traore
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I know Richarlison has a double but anyone else tempted to make the switch to Son regardless?

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

      No. I can see Everton turning a small corner. Back to back Home games with Wolves up first. They love City too.

      *Biased AF

      1. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Haha! Everton fan?

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

          Little bit...

    2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I don't have either at the moment, but Richarlison's second game is against a Man City who will be extremely disciplined after the Newcastle game.
      Definitely switch to Son if you can.

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

      I am

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

      Big difference in price, so I see them in different brackets.

    5. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I’ll be doing that gw26

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

      Son for me

  6. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Well I predicted it earlier and my man Claude puel delivered the goods. Absolutely made up with that poor Liverpool display and spurs win is fantastic. Prospect of them winning the league is delightful.

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

      Cope 😉

      1. Surfeit of Lampteys
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Idgi?

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

          I think thats what some guy (probably a pool supporter) responded with when you said it before the game. But maybe Im remembering wrong.

          1. Surfeit of Lampteys
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Lol no you're right. Absolutely no idea. Julian cope maybe? He's from Liverpool I believe.

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

              I believe he meant you were trying to "cope" with the fact that Liverpool are winning the league by making up unlikely scenarios for them to drop points

              1. Surfeit of Lampteys
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                Ah well deciphered!

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

      Why would you want spurs to win as a city fan

      1. Surfeit of Lampteys
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry i really should change that. I'm not a City fan, just anti Liverpool.

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

      Spurs' year to come 4th in a 3 horse race?

      1. Surfeit of Lampteys
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Keep grinding out the results. I wouldn't be so sure!

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

    Best city mid to bring in for Haz? Cba even tho he has Huddersfield..

    Already have Sterling.

    1. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Haz also had (cry SOU NEW bou) in 4 of his last 5. Did f all.

  8. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    3 red arrows for Auba on fpls...what the hell

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

      yeah seriously wth

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        genuinely ridiculous

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

      Straight swap to Kun is why

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

      People are doing the hokey coke with Kun

  9. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I think Auba to Aguero is a must for next gw

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

      disagree

      1. sentz05
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        why?

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

          Basically covered below, season keeper and lots of midfield options to cover this dgw

    2. Michelle Davin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not scared he wont play twice?

      1. sentz05
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I'm certain he'll start all of these three. Jesus doesn't start big games. Kun is a beast in bug games. Any man and his dog know this. Pep can't be that stupid.

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

          lol

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

      Auba's a season keeper and a great C option for the 3 GWs after the next one

      1. sentz05
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I'll transfer him back in for City's blank. I'm an Arsenal fan btw.

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

        Can easily be brought back in for a free after this DGW

        1. sentz05
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Do we think prices of kun or auba could change?

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

            Possibly, but not tonight I don't think. A 0.1 rise for Kun and 0.1 drop for Auba likely before Friday night tho.

  10. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard & Lacazette & martial
    To
    Sane & aguero & Jota for min 4?

    Just scared aguero wont play twice.

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

      Aguero will play 120 mins ish

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

    So will Emerson keep his spot?

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

      Would have been 6-0 with Alonso.

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Was wondering this myself. Doubt any Chelsea fans are knocking about after tonight though :/

  12. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best city midfield option? Thinking Sane myself but i could easily be swayed

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

      Sane for me. But could also be swayed

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

        My thinking also but I need to act quickly any price changes and im priced out

  13. GE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hate my team! 🙁
    Would you WC here?

    Current team:

    (1FT, 1.3 itb)

    Guaita
    Alonso*/Robertson/Doherty
    Salah/Haz/Pogba*/Martial*/Rich
    Rashford/Wilson*

    Bench: Button, AWB, Digne*, Kamara*

    WC-team:

    Guatia
    Robertson/Kolasinac/Doherty
    Salah/Sane/Pogba/Son/Jota
    Auba/Rashford

    Bench: Boruc, AWB, Bednarek, Kamara*

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

      Could be a good week for a FH. Martial/Pogba/Digne acll coming back. Alonso likely to start I'd say, after that shitshow.

      Or could just take a -4 for Hazard/Sane and Wilson to Rash

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

      whats wrong with pog?

  14. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A. Auba to Aguero
    B. Hazard + Anderson to Sane and Son
    C. Something else

    Fabianski
    Robertson Doherty AWB
    Salah Hazard Pogba Anderson
    Aubameyang Rashford Jimenez

    (Button Camarasa Schindler Digne)
    £1m itb

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

      B

  15. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Are hits worth -4 or -2 in a DGW?

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

      -3

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

      +4 if selling Alonso.

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      -8 when you include the blank

  16. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    FAnderson to Son and Firmino to Kun -4? Have Sane and Richarlson already

  17. YouReds
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    2FT, bring in Sane or Aguero for the DGW?

    Already have Sterling and Rich...

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

      Who for

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

        Auba to Aguero and reverse transfer week after

        Or Anderson to Sané with a downgrade somewhere (probably auba for one week)

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

          Aguero is 1FT
          Sané is 2FT

  18. TAT
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Preparing for DGW. What’s the best option?

    - Hazard > Sterling (save one free transfer and bench Digne)
    - Hazard/Digne > Sané/Laporte

    Alisson
    Robertson - Wan-B - Doherty
    Salah - Hazard* - Pogba - Richarlison
    Jiménez - Rashford - Aubameyang
    (Hamer - Digne - Puncheon - Balbuena)

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

      Wouldn’t bring in laporte cos if the blank 27

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Would obviously need to ship him out before then, but I get your point. It's easier to ship out one City player instead of two.

  19. Vobinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    All these Auba to Aguero moves surely means Auba hauls v City

    1. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Arsenal to haul to City is laughable. They were awful against Cardiff at home.

  20. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Next time, I should go with my gut feeling rather than listen to advice from the comments section

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Brooks on the bench they said.

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

      Always

  21. R.C
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Will Auba drop tonight?

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

      Have you checked?

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

      Worried about it tbh

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

        TAA has been closer than that for a week and still not dropped

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

      Doubtful, but slim chance, yes.

  22. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best Digne replacement up to 6.3m?

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

      Save it. Other priorities

  23. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Having the absolute season from hell.

    Would you free hit this week if you had:

    Pogba, Martial, TAA, Digne

    And no other Man City or Everton coverage

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

      Digne you can bench
      Taa might be back next gw

  24. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Alvaro come back ! we forgive you everything.......

  25. Dead Lift
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Son has 115 points in 1167 minutes!
    It's 10 pp90!!!
    Exceptional value.
    I brought Sterling instead of him this week to replace Alli and already regret it. If Pogba doesn't play, he will make way to bring in the Korean guy.

  26. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is hazard and firmino to sane and aguero a good move? 2FT

    1. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      If only it was not HUD. Same dillemma

  27. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard + Vardy => Son + Kun for free?

    Have Sane

    1. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I would

  28. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    *smug salah post*

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

      ban?

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Seems fair. I resisted for all of twenty minutes.

        Haven’t even mentioned auba captain yet.

  29. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Reasonable to expect a Hazard drop in price tonight?

  30. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fab
    AWB - Robbo - Digne
    Salah - Sane - Eriksen - Pogba
    Jiminez - Rashford - Auba

    (Hamer - Højbjerg - Peltier - Cedric)

    2 FTs 1 ITB.

    A. Digne + Eriksen --> Doherty & Son
    B. Digne --> Doherty
    C. Something else?