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. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What happen to Chelsea?

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Apparently Sarri had a fag at half time...that’s as much as I know so far.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Disgraceful to be homophobic in this day and age. They should support Sarri regardless of his sexual orientation.

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Don’t start with all that American talk on here. A fag is a woodbine...end of...

          1. Yank Revolution
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            He was kidding, but it is amazing you still call cigarettes that.

            1. Dr Dream
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I know...I know...

          2. Uncle Gamst
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Not sure our American cousins will have heard of Woodbines. My dad used to smoke those, Capstan Full Strength and Navy Cut too...but not at the same time 😉

            1. Dr Dream
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Agreed. No culture whatsoever apart from Sylvester Stallone and Madonna.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sarriball

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      They let 4 in.

  2. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    After this week.

    Would you sooner manage a somewhat complacent and almost arrogant City or a nervous looking Liverpool?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Or a downbeat Chelsea

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Pffft. I think that managerial relationship with his team is now fkd.

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

      City

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Mmm...maybe...quite easy to throw a few tea cups at them for being complacent...nerves maybe harder to get over.

        I agree.

        1. Uncle Gamst
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          He tried the verbal equivalent to 'tea cup throwing' and look where that got him 😉

          Overpaid Prima Donnas who know they can get a manager sacked if he doesn't stroke their ego's...euphemism not intended 😉

          1. Uncle Gamst
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            They need a Tony Mowbray...not that we want to see him go anywhere just yet.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd take the wages for either, I'm not picky.

    4. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think City will be out for blood after yesterday's embarrassment.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        If they have enough pride...you might be right.

    5. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool will win it for England and the hope of an unemployed homeless ex-working man busking outside the Cavern Club.

      With his dog Margaret.

  3. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Laporte the most likely City defender to play 2 games?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Walker should too

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

      Ederson

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Dont want to swap keepers, its a Digne replacement.

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah Laporte then

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            ta

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

        Agreed. I've pulled him in for this one. No chance he gets two CS but hoping for one.

  4. the Penman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So, did Alisson just not make any saves tonight or what?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Made two

      1. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah. I’m just miffed that I brought in Boruc to save £0.1m on Hamer cos I had so little else to do and he goes and scores 10 points.

    2. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      And by that I mean: only 2? Really?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Leicester fluffed their lines a lot before shooting. Balls across the front of goal, sloppy final pass.

        They should have won.

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

      Leicester 2 shots on target.

      1. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Uuuuuuugh.

      2. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Something doesn't add up there if he made 2 saves and the scored :-/

        1. Uncle Gamst
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          *Foxes

  5. windowview
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can I please get some opinions as to what I should do with my trash garbage fire of a team:

    Fabianski

    Van Dijk - Doherty - Digne - WB - Laporte

    Pogba - Snodgrass - Salah - Richarlison - Hazard

    Wilson - Ings - Rashy

    3.9m ITB, 2 free transfers

    1. windowview
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone giving Hazard another chance?

      1. moz_1983
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Home to Hudd, yes. Out after that with a City away game and blank.

        1. DR0GBA
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          and he'll probably blank against Huddersfield as well, nice

      2. Steve Stiffler
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Honestly don’t know what to do myself, did you see the game tonight? Have no city attackekrs and Haz is doing my head these last couple of weeks... City will be out for blood in the next few games too, just who to get in out of there attackers, Sane Sterling or Aguero?

        1. windowview
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Sane all the way

      3. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Hazard to Sane and Richarlison to Pogba was what I had lined up but not so sure now

  6. jose1
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard > Sterling (c)
    Or
    Auba > Aguero (c)

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Auba to Kun

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Can't decide on same options

    3. pjanns
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bottom:

      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

    4. Punty
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      D.Silva, B.Silva or Sane for DGW?

      1. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sane

    5. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso surely comes back in on Saturday now

      1. BigBillyBass
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        (non owner)

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

        Why?

        1. BigBillyBass
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          He was poor tonight. Gave away the free kick for the last goal, didn’t link up with Hazard much, if at all.

      3. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Due to today's performance of their D as a whole?

        Maybe!

      4. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        The result helps but it probably would have been worse if he was playing.

    6. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      So being that I have no value tied up in Auba, Auba to Aguero and back again isn't the worst idea is it?

      1. Punty
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Im doing it

        1. moz_1983
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Same.

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        YOLO

      3. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Considering the same

    7. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Any word on Fabianski?

    8. C'mon the Fylde
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      What's my priority, guys?
      Digne out?
      Pogba out?
      Higuain out for Jesus/Aguero/Aub?

      Etheridge
      Doherty AWB Robertson
      Jota Sane Salah Fraser
      Rondon Rashford Higuain

      Button, Pogba, Shaw, Digne

      2.8m ITB

      1FT

      1. zotter
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Jota to silva. Any of them ?

      2. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Why pogba out?

        1. C'mon the Fylde
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Injured

    9. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A) Hazard > Sterling
      B) Hazard + Ings > Jota + Aguero (2FT)
      C) Hazard + Digne > Sterling + Doherty

      I'll be looking at getting Auba in either 26 or 27 so having Aguero would also make it easier

    10. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard owners -what do you do now?

      1. MTPockets
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Hope Pogba's fit, then sell asap

        • Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Already sold for Sane. Patience only goes so far.

        • Champ
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Holding for sure. Then out before city and blank.

        • FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Think gonna (C) him

        • moz_1983
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Keep for one more gme home against HUD, after that he's gone.

        • EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          sell after hud

      2. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        26 points all out... wow! (12 from auba)

      3. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Was Brooks injury bad? Need Snod replacement

      4. QUEN
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        D silva b silva or KDB

        Have sane

        1. Aubamazette
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          D silva

      5. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you! You know who you are!!!

      6. Aubamazette
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Who to captain? Sterling or Sane

        1. zotter
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Sane imo

        2. tucaoneo
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Sane likely to get more minutes.

          1. shearer9
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Why? Who replaces Sterling?

            1. tucaoneo
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Mahrez of course.

      7. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Emerson owners should be worried, very likely to be dropped after this performance. Alonso lurking...

        1. Wılly
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Along with Luiz, Rudiger, Azpi and Kepa?

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

          Lol Emerson owners should be worried about a lot of things

          1. Limbo
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Indeed.

        3. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          alonso essential

      8. FPL_DON
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        whats the consensus on pogba is he gonna play this weekend?

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          wait and see, its wednesday. you know this

          1. FPL_DON
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I am aware of the day of the week, that is correct

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              It’s Thursday tomorrow : D

            2. EMBOLOFAN
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              then consider not asking tiresome unanswerable questions

      9. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Worth doing Digne Martial> BSilva Kola free

        1. EMBOLOFAN
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          id just do digne > kola

      10. Dannyb
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Asking again, Firmino to Kun tonight? Would give me 1ft to see if Pogba is out and switch him to son or Dilva later on in the week.

        1. MTPockets
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Why tonight?

        2. Plymouth
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          What a horrible GW. Worst so far.

          1. Plymouth
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            The prem so random. United 2-2 at Burnley, Chelsea 4-0, City 2-1, Pool 1-1

            1. Champ
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Yes. That’s why gambling on football is a nightmare imo. Go down the leagues and it’s even more bizarre

          2. Rhodes your boat
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            How many points mate, think this is my worst ever

            1. Plymouth
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              34...

              1. Rhodes your boat
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Ouch mate, 26 here, how’s your rank

                1. Plymouth
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  19k, probably worse now

                  1. Rhodes your boat
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 1 month ago

                    At least you’re still in a fairly good place for run in

        3. Champ
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          4 goals and no Fraser haul. Don’t think cherries fans will mind too much.

        4. Bonus magnet
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Hi All

          Is this where i wildcard ?

          Fab
          Azpi Doherty AWB
          Haz Pog Sterling Felipe Richarlison
          Rashford firmino

          Hart Kola Zaha Digne

          1. KunDogan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            No, save WC for dgws

        5. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Jesus to play more mins than Aguero this DGW.

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            doubt

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              They’ve been playing well when he’s led the line and he’s been scoring. Pep might use his work rate to press Arsenal’s back 3 or 4.

              He could then easily start Everton away, given he’s mainly used for away fixtures. Aguero 2 x sub appearances then plays vs Chelsea and Schalke?

              Who knows.

          2. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Is Jesus not injured? I was assuming he was with all these Aguero buyers.

            Auba out for a hit central 😮

        6. windowview
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Mahrez worth a punt?

          1. windowview
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Thinking of him and Jesus as my city cover

            1. MTPockets
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Differentials for the sake of it usually goes wrong.

              • Yank Revolution
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                No

          2. Monkey Hanger
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Chelsea, what is going on?

            Possibly another case of Chelsea players deciding this manager is yet another they do not get along with?

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

              Who cares.

              Just sit back and enjoy it.

            2. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Couldn't happen to a better club.

          3. Herman Toothrot
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Chances of D. Silva playing both?

            I fancy him in for Nasri.

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Slim