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. Tronity
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Horror show of a bench with Digne, C.Wilson and Balbuena all rotting on there.

    With 2 FTs and £0.7m in the bank how do I fix it navigating the next three GWs?

    Patricio/Hamer
    Robertson, Shaw, AWB, Digne, Balbuena
    Sane, Richarlison, Hazard, Pogba, Salah
    Rashford, Jimenez, Wilson

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

      WC

      1. Tronity
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        You reckon? Don’t you think 2FTs is enough to fix it for now?

        Balbuena/Wilson > Bednarak/Mitro for example would mean I can field XI for the next few weeks and save WC until later in the year.

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          No need for WC lol.

          Digne only misses 1 game.

          1. bhh
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            I thought that too but I thought he got a straight red. Isn't that usually a 3 game ban?

            1. GREEN IS GOOD
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              3 is for violent conduct. This is just 1.

              He's available for the City game on Wednesday which is this coming GW.

        2. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I can't do the maths but Haz to Sterling somehow for the dgw could pay dividends.

          1. Tronity
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            I had been looking at that but is it worth it when my bench is as bad as it is? Seems a luxury when I have 3 plus Pogba injuries/suspensions

            1. GREEN IS GOOD
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Pogba might be back soon, don't panic yet.

              Belbue to Bednarek maybe if you worried about a playing XI.

              Or a Wolves defender? Good fixtures. Doherty if affordable is ideal.

      2. Donblaster
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Absolutely no need to WC that

  2. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Where can I find the GW average? Not Fantasy Football Fix.

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lol apologies that was terrible phrasing.

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Worth keeping richarlison for dgw? Or switch to son?

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

      Serious?

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

      Keep imo

    3. Ross From Friends
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sell but make sure you take a -8 hit...also do it ASAP price rises incoming...go go go!

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

      I think Son more likely to outscore vs Newcastle than Rich vs Wolves and City

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

        Agree with this, would rather have son going forward also

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

        Thats my thoughts too. Pluss blank in 27. But will probably hold and make the switch next week.

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

      He's a keep, don't buy, imo.

      Tempted by Son too though, maybe if Pogba is actually injured he'll be back in.

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

      Get rid. Get someone who plays once instead.

  4. lappingitup
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Remember

    We are now playing GW25

    Not GW 24

    Don’t take loads of hits

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      DGW 🙂

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

    "Aboubakar Kamara arrives in Istanbul, set to join Yeni Malatyaspor on loan"

    He better be careful, his stupid antics won't be tolerated in no nonsense Turkey.

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

      Benchwankery for one more week before he goes for Auba 😎

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

        Auba 😯 And here I am looking at replacing Kamara with the likes of King

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

          You're probably not still stick with a dud called Eden.

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

            Have him but he'll become Sterling so no spare cash for Auba.

  6. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard > Son for free this week? Hazard has HUD and Son has NEW.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I’m thinking a Man City player or stick.

  7. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Time to sell Chelsea assets if that's what u call them??

    Luiz and Hazard owner.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Luiz to laporte for me I think

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

      Sold Alonso for Duffy as part of -4 to get Sterling and combined total 0 and not sorry

    3. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Am considering the same. Fixtures tough after HUD.

    4. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      not before HUD, as painful as it might be, it might be worth holding for the HUD game then selling

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

      After Huddersfield, yeah

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

    Hazard + Digne > Sterling + Keane locked

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 2 months ago

        keane is optimistic

        1. BigBillyBass
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Very short term option

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

      How many hits is worth a WC at this point do you guys think? Im honestly looking at a -12 or possibly -16 if Fabianski or Pogba are ruled out too.

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

        16 is a WC. 12 is the max imo.

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

        Is that outwards or including transfers after the blank? If prior to that is lunacy, if after that’s probably still lunacy. Don’t see any players worth losing In my team for the options to put in

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

          I dont understand what you mean with "outwards or including transfers after the blank"

          Its for this gameweek. Of course I will make the transfers with the double and blank in mind. Probably looking at a -12

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

            Id mock up a WC, see how it feels...that may help you decide to do it or not.

      3. Jigger & Pony
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        -12 is WC territory for me

    3. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Siggy good option for DGW? Any Everton fans out there that know how he is playing at the moment?

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

        Crap - avoid

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

      Enjoyed all the people on here saying the title race was over, ficklest of the fickle on this site.

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

        5 points and City look knackered. Liverpool won't let it slip from here.

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I see what you did there

    5. Plymouth
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Whats this talk on Fabianski?

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

        Was hurt in game last night, looking like coming off but then Arnie off was the 3rd sub.

        No news on him since is good news.

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

        He said after the game that he couldnt straighten out his arm. Hes been told its probably just a few days to heal, but he will have to be assessed before Liverpool game.

      3. Plymouth
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        ty

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

      Hazard -> Sterling?

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Ye

    7. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      How is Pogba's injury? Bad or slight

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

        think its a knock, a days rest then back in training you'd hope

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

          He's having a scan

    8. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Big decision for Pep this week IMO.

      For the first time I think City now look better with Jesus than Aguero...maybe...we’ll see what he thinks this weekend.

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        He could play both

      2. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        We don't have time to see

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Just saying the same on the last page. Jesus actually looks sharp and in-form right now.

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

          Definitely food for thought for Pep at the very least.

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

        if Pogba misses a game I might go maverick with, Haz & Quaner -> Bilva & Jesus and hope for the best

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

        Aguero scores within 25 seconds, I don’t think he’s the issue or that Jesus is anywhere near his league. Lack of midfield creativity & a suddenly shaky defence are the two issues Pep has to address.

        People will start to doubt City & they are more than capable of knocking 8 past Arsenal

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

      Need to deal with Button Digne Kiko and Snod. Think Kiko can wait

      Button>Boruc looks good but can play Pat so
      Snod>JWP? Was keen on Brooks before came off injured

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

        What’s your full team? Not convinced with JWP - is he your bench option?

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

          Would be 5th mid only in of Pogba out. Rest of front 8

          Salah Pogba Sane Sterling Aguero Rash Jimi

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

            If I was going for same place in my squad I’d go McNeil

    10. asdf_1
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard and anderson to sane and son for free?

      1. jimmy.floyd
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yes

    11. dark91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Digne's price is locked till he is back right?

      1. MTPockets
          5 years, 2 months ago

          wrong

          1. dark91
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            So he is allowed to drop/rise but at a slower rate because of the red card?

            1. MTPockets
                5 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah the lock will only happen after next game when he's available again (when goes from red flag to no flag)

                1. dark91
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  Oh yes true. Thanks for the explanation

        • HD7
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          1 FT
          6.4M to change Digne...

          A)Laporte, Mendy, Duffy, Holebas...or maybe If you have any other suggestions

          B) for a hit: Digne Success to Bednarek Jimenez and mostly play 3-4-3

          C) Wait for Pogba news

          Fab
          Doherty VVD Robbo Digne*
          Salah Pogba Richa Sane
          Rashford Auba

          Subs: Button, AWB, Camarasa, Success

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

            definitely C... no rush

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

            6.4m! You can get Maldini for that

            1. HD7
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Ha! Wish I could 🙂

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

          On fplstatistics Son hasn’t changed. Is he locked or something?

          When do you think he will rise / the lock come off?

          Thanks

          1. MTPockets
              5 years, 2 months ago

              click the white/green cross next to his name

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

              Freeze after red flag change

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

                Ah ok, thanks.

                When will it unfreeze?

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

                  Unlocks: 02 Feb 03:50 PM, GMT

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

            david silva or pogba to score next gameweek?

            1. dark91
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Neither

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

                ok sterling or hazard (to score more?)

                1. dark91
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  Sterling according to my crystal ball

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

              deffo silva

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

            Digne to Kola DONE

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

              Kola of Man City away fame?

            2. Dybala10
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              The move I'm making.

              Will pay off long-term and frees up cash for Son next week.

          4. jaguar shark
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Serious question regarding gw24: WTF??!!

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

              It's beautiful. My 46pts near top score in my ML top 10

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

            Pogba > Son this week
            Rich > Pogba after the DGW
            Thoughts??

            1. jaguar shark
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Seems easier to just keep Pogba

              1. MarcusAurelius
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                Ideally I’d do Rich to Son this week but would be hard with this DGW

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

              is Pogba confirmed out?

            3. how now brown cow
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Possibly. How much energy son will have for early saturday kick off is my only worry.

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

              I bought Pogba 7.9m can't sell for 1 game week

              1. MarcusAurelius
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                Fair enough. What if you only lost 0.1?

          6. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Not fpl related but I wish the refs would clamp down on persistent low level time wasting.

            All teams do it, but watching Watford, and Burnley in particular at Wembley has been painful.

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

              Agreed

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

              30 min halves, stop the clock when it goes out, easy

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

                Such a great idea, would love this.

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

            Fabianski
            Doherty VVD Robertson
            Richarlison Hazard Salah Pogba
            Jimenez Rashford Wilson

            Hamer AWB Dunk Snodgrass

            2 FT, 1.4 ITB

            What to do with this lot with DGW in mind???

            Appreciate I'm not giving any options but I'm literally stuck for ideas, so any help would be really welcomed!!

            Upgrade Hamer perhaps?
            Get City cover for DGW?
            Sort out Snoddy / Dunk?

            Thanks...

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

            Didn’t watch CHE: how did Higuain do?

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

              Very good

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

            Hi..... advice on what to do here please.....1.1mitb....1ft

            Ederson fab
            Robbo doherty lindelof awb bednarek
            Salah hazard sane pogba richi
            Rash jiminez kamara

            A.....save ft
            B...Hazard to sterling

            Thanks

          10. Super Squirrel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Lorente earned his place in the XI or his last game as a starter?

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

              Don’t go there

            2. how now brown cow
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              50/50

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

              I kinda expected Moura to start instead, so looks like it could be his place

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

            Cant wait to rid of Hazard for Son after next GW...