Dugout Discussion

Aubameyang misses out as Alexander-Arnold returns on the bench

Following on from Manchester United’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, five more Premier League matches kick off at 15:00 GMT.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has failed to recover from illness as Alexandre Lacazette leads the line for Arsenal, with the fit-again Henrikh Mkhitaryan returning to the Gunners’ starting XI for the first time since Gameweek 17.

Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil fail to make the match-day squad, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles returns at right-back/wing-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is only fit enough for a place on the bench at Anfield as Georginio Wijnaldum replaces Adam Lallana in Jurgen Klopp’s one change to his starting XI.

Xherdan Shaqiri misses out through injury.

Eddie Howe is again without Callum Wilson and David Brooks for the trip to Merseyside, though Jefferson Lerma returns from injury.

Jordon Ibe and Diego Rico are handed recalls as Junior Stanislas, Dominic Solanke and the ineligible Nathaniel Clyne make way.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison and Cenk Tosun return the Everton XI for the trip to Vicarage Road, with Theo Walcott, Bernard and Dominic Calvert-Lewin dropping to the bench.

Abdoulaye Doucoure for Tom Cleverley is Watford’s only change.

West Ham United are unchanged for their match against Crystal Palace – meaning Marko Arnautovic has to be content with a place among the substitutes.

Wilfried Zaha returns from suspension in place of Jordan Ayew, while Martin Kelly deputises for the injured James Tomkins.

Ralph Hasenhuttl brings Ryan Bertrand, Shane Long, Yan Valery and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg into the Southampton side at the expense of Callum Slattery, Matt Targett, Stuart Armstrong and the injured Danny Ings.

Harry Arter replaces Josh Murphy in Neil Warnock’s only alteration, with Victor Camarasa among the substitutes.

Jan Siewert makes four changes to his Huddersfield side: Ben Hamer, Zanka, Jonathan Hogg and Jason Puncheon come in for Jonas Lossl, Chris Lowe, Isaac Mbenza and Philip Billing.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Wan-Bissaka, Kelly, Sakho, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Milivojević, Schlupp, Townsend, Zaha, Benteke.

West Ham XI: Fabiański, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Antonio, Anderson, Snodgrass, Hernández.

Huddersfield Town XI: Hamer, Smith, Kongolo, Jorgensen, Schindler, Bacuna, Hogg, Mooy, Diakhaby, Puncheon, Kachunga.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Torreira, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Lacazette.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Keita, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Bournemouth XI: Boruc, Smith, Rico, Aké, Cook, Surman, Gosling, Lerma, Ibe, Fraser, King.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Valery, Stephens, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Hojbjerg, Redmond, Long.

Cardiff XI: Etheridge, Peltier, Ecuele Manga, Bamba, Bennett, Arter, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Paterson, Reid, Niasse.

Watford XI: Foster, Janmaat, Cathcart, Mariappa, Holebas, Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue, Sema, Deeney, Deulofeu.

Everton XI: Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Zouma, Digne, Gomes, Gueye, Davies, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Tosun.

2,792 Comments Post a Comment
  1. el polako
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    To be honest I never bought Kola for CS but for his offensive potential.
    But have to say this OG is just painfull, not having very good time with FPL at the moment, and there is only so much vodka one can drink over weekend.

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

      Those two minutes were heartbreaking. He was on for 12!

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sane ripped my heart out, Kola ate it.

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

      Cardiff and huddersfield scoring in extra time though, it is just a kick in the ...., plus he went from 2/3 bonus to zero in both games.

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

        plus only owned by 6% so would have been a good rank booster, very tough to take

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          This

        2. el polako
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Hopefully this 2 points will stop masses from buying him and owners will be finally rewarded in next 2 home games.

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

        as an etheridge owner ill take 5

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

      The one saving grace for Kola and Laca owners is that the 3 baps transferred directly from one to the other as a result of that OG.

      Laca was on for zero baps before the OG

  2. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which?

    A) button to boruc, play with 11
    B) sane out, play with 10
    C) lovren to periera, play with 10

  3. drughi
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Firmino>Lacazette seems like an easy trade going forward

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

      Laca will surely be their EL striker.

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

        Could be the case

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Auba will return next match...

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        BATE?

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Doubt it..

  4. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    question;
    ML second place - aguero + tripper vs haz + 12 points who’s gonna win ?

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

      With 12 GWs to go? Don't know or care.

      1. Deli Alli OxenFree!
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        That’s funny!
        But pretty sure he’s talking about their scores this GW!
        (Might even be a H2H ML, playing against someone?)
        If Not Tho?...yeah, that’s a really dumb question!!

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

          Yeah, I was possibly a little harsh on reflection 😀

          1. Cojones of Destiny
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            this

        2. Cojones of Destiny
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          not dumb use brain einstein

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Haz owner IMO

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

      Hopefully the 2nd.

    4. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      We have to wait for Aguero, Trippier and Hazard to play to find out

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

    Heavy rain at Brighton.

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

      Hope Jonty didn't leave his washing out.

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

        If he has Virgin will be wearing it now.

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

          Don't think Virg would wear leather jocks.

          1. Rash
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            How about synthetic's?

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

            After his banning probably more likely to be wearing his head as a hat

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

              Sin bin or gone gone? 😮

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

              Why is virg banned ? 😆

          3. Richd
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Bet he wouldn’t be anti meat when wearing them

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

    Knochaert on March off

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

      Injury? March had Taylor on the ropes a few times.

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

        Very likely.

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Marched off with a Knock?

  7. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    There will be someone who:

    1) Played AWB for his red card against Liverpool;
    2) Picked up Digne's negative points, but not his hauls;
    3) TC Sane last GW; and
    4) Had Kola this GW

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ban

  8. xRedArrow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Guys I feel like I've never needed the FFS community more than now. I am at a cross roads this season (OR 45K) and just off a torrid start to the game week.

    Never thought I would consider WC now with idea to WC last 6 weeks. But I've made many bad decisions that has made me drop from 22K to below 50K not going for high owned players who are performing like Pogba and Jimenez.

    But every time I contemplate WCing I do a hypothetical WC and see who I would keep for sure. This GW has seen a season low of 6 players I would keep without knowledge of BGW31.

    All three of my forwards didn't start along with TAA. There all going for price drops during the intl break. My team value is 103.6 which isn't great and I know a two week break won't destroy me. But if I keep trying to take hits or lose TV for the eventual GW32 or later wildcard means I am losing ground I can make up through the next four game weeks.

    My idea is to WC with knowledge of BGW31 fixtures and an idea of BGW33 fixtures and I am planning of Free Hitting in DGW34 which is more potent than BB in my opinion.

    Current team:

    Fabianski - Rui Patricio
    TAA-Holebas-Digne-Lowe-Doherty
    Salah-Son-Sane-Jota-Camarasa
    Rash-Auba-Arnie

    Should I WC or hold out?
    Thanks in advance.

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

      Hold out.

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

        I know but it's painful and Holebas got suspended for Cardiff GW31. I have 3 players losing value and at least 3 prospective players gaining value in the mean time.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If you saved for this long dont waste now

    3. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Do you lose value on Auba and any other droppers?

      I’d probably do it. Hope for an FA cup massacre. And then plan from there.

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Actually your team isn’t that bad. As long as it’s just Digne/Holebas/Sane missing out, you can probably get a decent 11 out. Injuries to 2/3 others and I’d wildcard.

      2. xRedArrow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I lose value on Digne, Auba, Sane and Holebas got suspended for Cardiff GW31. I have horrible picks like Lowe, Arnie and Sane and Digne blank GW31.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Team value doesnt matter anymore

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hold. You need to get rid of Digne and Sane to Robertson and Pogba IMO.

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

      stick to the plan. youve been very unlucky with those strikers

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

      Hold out

    7. ankil2009
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hold imo

  9. getfunky
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How has your keeper position gone for you this season? many cleansheets/points?

    I was checking my past gameweeks & I've had six cleansheets this season. It's been frustrating. I don't rotate so I started with De Gea (nothing), switched to Ryan (nothing), then Patricio (did well for a bit), then Edersen (his cleanies completely dried up right after I brought him in), then Fabs (still nothing) & finally Allison who's done okish (until the last few gws, not including today obviously)...

    So many wasted transfers. I think next season I'm just picking one keeper & leaving for the season. It's not worth all the chopping & changing.

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

      pat > fab > etheridge has been pretty great so far

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

      I’ve had Ederson since GW3 wildcard. It’s been ok actually. Just streaks of 6s followed by streaks of 2s.

      This week is annoying however as he has the blank incoming.

    3. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I got foster a few gems ago and he’s been soooo good

    4. Vamos
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I've had Foster and Fabs all season and whoever I start, the other does better. Guaranteed

  10. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Burnley vs Brighton not even worthy of a dugout discussion?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Kamara has more owners than either team and hes in turkey

  11. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    That linesman is jacked.

  12. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Livefpl.net ruined the mood on here after the games. No one really anticipates for bonus additions, GW rank updates, auto subs, mini league updates and OR updates. The score check posts have greatly been minimized also. To me personally however, it's a good thing. I can't lose sleep waiting for the FPL updates since I'm usually aware of my rank immediately the final whistle goes. Previously, I didn't have subscription to FFFix; with the development of livefpl.net, my life has been made much more easier.

    Thanks Ragabolly.

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

      I still wait for the actual update rather than checking.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ol skool 😉

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

          Damn right. I still remember the days of play by post fantasy football let alone waiting a couple of hours for an update.

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

      i still wait!

    3. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      When I had Aguero TC

      I checked it after every goal

      Three solid orgasms.

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I still wait

      In a word where everyone wants things now now now, I just go and do other things and come back in the evening to check my rank

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

        Do the other things rhyme with rank?

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

    which 3 sides do you fancy to go down?

    hudds, fulham, soton for me

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

      Hudd & Fulham are gone.

      3rd bottom will be a good battle.

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

        southampton team is diabolical on paper

  14. ankil2009
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Guys I am 6th in my ML trailing the first guy by 85 or so. Need some differentials ideally, who do i get for Richarlison:

    Budget: 8.1m
    Already have: Salah Sterling Son Pogba
    1. Fanderson
    2. Jota (have Jimenex & Doherty)
    3. Punt on Newcastle new player Almiron
    4. Someone from Leicester: Maddison or Barnes?
    5. Any other suggestion

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

      I'm looking at Demerei Gray tomorrow, if does well I'm gonna bring him in.

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

      jota is great option

      maddison is a good choice imo and no blank in 31

      need to see extended highlights of todays game to see how fando did but not been impressed with west ham at all

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

      martial isnt nailed but also worth considering

      1. ankil2009
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Good point about Martial can give it a thought........do you think Maddison is nailed going by his history he seems to have missed quite a bit

    4. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      For me it depends on the next FA cup round. Wolves triple possibly too much?

      1. ankil2009
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Already lost 0.3 on that bugger Richa, it hurts to lose more value to him now 🙁

  15. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    can people stop getting TAA in today please. He’s due to drop tonight, would be handy for us all if he was 0.1 cheaper.

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      you've spoken facts.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Casual af

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, it just seems completely utterly ridiculous people are bringing him in

      Just wait

  16. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Nothing like timewasting in the 58th minute.

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

      northampton started timewasting against us (tranmere) last week within the opening 10

  17. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Trent drops tonight for sure, right?

    Love that he and auba drop right when i want them in

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

      Shnap

    2. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Why do you want Trent vs Man U?

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Because he plays football good

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

      Doubt it, he's been near -100 for nearly a month.

      They don't want to make sure a valuable player cheaper.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        -132 atm

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

    wood goal

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

      mcneil assist

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

    Wood 2nd goal

  20. Mo Mané Mo Problems
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Work werk

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lol, Wood werk.

  21. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Woodwagon

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

    Hands up if you have wood.

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

      In my draft team, not sure if that counts

    2. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Every morning

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

      Typed this at the same time \o/

  23. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Get Wood.

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

    Wood doesn't blank... 😮

  25. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Ryan save close

  26. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pereira worth the extra 0.3 over Chillwell?

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

      yeah

  27. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Cue Wood jokes

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Wood on max BAPs?

  28. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If this result holds there will be 6 teams within three points for the drop.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes - hope it does. Would be a great for the relegation battle and will make the FA Cup ties with Palace and Brighton more interesting if they choose to rest players to save them for the league.

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely. Races for 4th and for the title also look promising, especially as all six are still in Europe as well.

  29. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So glad if Brighton go down. Horrible team with arrogant fans.

    Hope they go into administration

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

      they wont

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

      The year is 2004 and Brighton fans claim they can sellout a 80,000 seater stadium while playing in front of barely 7,000 at the local leisure centre.

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

      😮

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hot take, where is Jonty to defend the clubs honor? 😉

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

        I went to the Amex two seasons ago and their own fans were fighting each other at the train station.

        The only think good about that away day was the free transport as the ground is miles away

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

        Off being arrogant with Fatboy Slim somewhere apparently

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

    been saying this on here all week but mcneill is fantastic value. very strong underlying stats, dont think they can afford to rotate him

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Also plays gw31 and 33