Dugout Discussion

Alexander-Arnold and Aubameyang benched as Martial misses out

A shortened Blank Gameweek 27 culminates this afternoon, with two Premier League matches kicking off simultaneously at 14:05 GMT.

Manchester United take on Liverpool in an intriguing clash at Old Trafford, while Arsenal welcome Southampton to the Emirates.

There were some notable omissions from the four starting XIs upon the release of the teamsheets.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the second-most-popular captaincy pick of Gameweek 27 – and Mesut Ozil are among the substitutes at the Emirates as Alexandre Lacazette leads the line for the Gunners, who appear to be playing in the same 4-2-3-1 shape they adopted against BATE on Thursday.

Sead Kolasinac returns at left-back after being handed a breather in the Europa League, while Sokratis is fit to start at centre-back.

Angus Gunn gets the nod ahead of Alex McCarthy for the Saints, while Stuart Armstrong will provide support for the “out of position” Nathan Redmond in attack.

Matt Targett is handed a swift recall at left-back as Ryan Bertrand drops to the bench.

Anthony Martial has failed to recover for Manchester United, though Jesse Lingard is fit enough for a place on the home bench at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata again join Marcus Rashford in a three-man attack, though United have lost Nemanja Matic to a training ground injury – Scott McTominay steps into midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera.

United’s back four is the same one that kept a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge last Monday.

Jurgen Klopp has sprung a surprise at right-back, meanwhile, opting for James Milner over Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool’s starting XI is otherwise perhaps as expected, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino again forming the front three and Jordan Henderson joining Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum in central midfield.

Salah, who has only one goal in seven matches against the “big six” this season, is again the leading captaincy candidate for Gameweek 27, having been handed the armband by over 1.3 million FPL managers.

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Herrera, Pogba, Mata, Lukaku, Rashford.

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Fabinho, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno, Lichsteiner, Sokratis, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Iwobi, Lacazette.

Southampton XI (3-5-1-1): Gunn, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Stephens, Valery, Hojberg, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Targett, Armstrong, Redmond.

1,626 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Auba +xG

  2. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    So out of Son, Salah and Pogba, Jiminez was the one to captain...

    1. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Lacazette

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I meant in my team

  3. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Liverpool only has one shot on target all game.

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Bottling it

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

      They play too much not to lose instead of playing to win.

    3. The Enlightener
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      They don't deserve the title this season. Or perhaps better said, they just don't have what it takes to win it. The mettle. Whatever you wanna call it. It has become evident as of late.

  4. Dakers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    SCORE DAMMIT PIERRE

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Absolute joke isn’t he

      1. Dakers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yes. You ditching for Kun or keeping?

        1. Srv210
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I'm also confused on this...auba instead of kun destroyed my season

        2. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Think i’m gonna ditch, rivals have aguero. I was comfortably leading and now gonna drop into third, something needs to be done

          1. Dakers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            agree mate

  5. diesel001
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mane has been rubbish today. He is only good on the counter attack.

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yep, not great against the smaller teams who park it.

  6. The Wise Owl
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    On the plus side, I get Lindelof CS points from the bench.

  7. Postman Ty
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Sack this idiot Sarri right now. HOW is Hudson Odoi still on the bench after a man of the match performance midweek. After the incoming transfer ban which means we need to rely on our youth players. After every fan and the club have told him every week to play Odoi. This man deserves what he's about to get.

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Honestly I think they've sat down with Hudson odoi and hes made it clear he wants to leave.
      I mean even against utd they were 2-0 down and he brought on a defender instead of him

      1. Postman Ty
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He's made it clear he wants to play, and he's happy to do that at Chelsea but they won't let him.

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          this

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      it should be

      Kante

      Odoi Barkley

      Pedro Higuain Hazard

      1. Postman Ty
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Odoi is a winger... no. And Barkley shouldn't be anywhere near a top 6 team. Loftus Cheek should be the first player in that midfield.

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          yeah u could say odoi can trackback with his pace better than pedro and barkley is awful .Ruben should play

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Serves you right for getting a manager set in his ways. Reminds me of Wenger and his stubborn approach of not getting a DM

    4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      mate its pretty frustrating but i am ok with this lineup.Better defensively.If we keep at nil-nil at 60 mins we can attack with higuain ruben cho but if sarri doesnt get his subs right it could curtains.Also early city goal will destroy this defensive plan

      1. Postman Ty
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        You know as well as I do it will be the exact same subs as every other game and Odoi will be lucky to get 5 minutes.

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          yeah odoi coming on is doubtful.But i think higuain rlc will

          1. Postman Ty
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            There's no excuse, literally none. Imagine if Mbappe, Sancho, Kane, Alli, Rashford, TAA, Gomez... so many more, were benched every week by their managers. If none of them had been given a chance. We have one of if not the best youth systems in the world, and none of them are in the first team.

  8. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Salah close to tears

    1. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Title not coming 'home'

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        who is top of the league? ive not checked

        1. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Doesn't matter, they don't 'deserve' it

  9. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Targett on target

  10. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    If anyone deserves a goal, it's Kola

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      OG?

    2. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If anyone owes me a goal it’s Kola

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, he deserves his own goal.

  11. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    worst GW ever

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Think i’ve heard this like the last 5-6 gameweeks

      1. Richd
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        From the same people 😉

  12. OPTA FPL
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Looks like LIV will be out of Champions League this year, how they can win Bayern with this form

    1. Mysterion
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Agree, they should just forfeit now

    2. Postman Ty
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A draw against one of the best teams in the world triggers that reaction..? Wow.

  13. FFSbet.com
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Terrible Pool performance,dont deserve title like this.

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

    Salah in tears, must have captained himself

  15. aborg
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I can’t believe Auba did not score that sitter !!

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Well believe it, he’s garbage

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He's an excellent striker actually.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Must be fun at parties

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What sitter ?

  16. Big Ping
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Come on then Saints, score a pointless last minute goal to spoil my Kola cleanie...

  17. OPTA FPL
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Why is Salah crying?

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He let Mark down.

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Handing title to Citeh

    3. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He knows he was not up to it today.

    4. jia you
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      because he is a fraud...all downhill from here 😉

  18. Sherif halawa
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Did well capping schar

  19. Richd
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    PEA owners
    DOH ing out loud

  20. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Should have captained Hayden ! Who knew!

  21. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    3 clear chances to Auba after he came on!

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      really lol fml

  22. Magumbo
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Auba could have scored 3

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Could have = 0 points

  23. The Tinkerman
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaw MOTM

    Zero baps. 🙁

  24. Business Cat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Has anyone actually captained anyone who got points this week?

    1. diesel001
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      There are some Lacazette(c) and Rondon(c) around....

      1. Essan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Had Laca (c)

        Also got Schmeichel in as a goalie ..... Swings & roundabouts

    2. Monkey Hanger
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes Auba. 🙂

    3. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, I got 1 point from PEA. 🙂

    4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Milijovevic 😎

    5. Lazymedia
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, Jimenez. Disappointed he only got one goal.

    6. jia you
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yup, only for my captain this GW would have been.a complete disaster!

  25. OPTA FPL
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Kola should have had 3 assists today! very very unlucky

  26. Richd
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Come on Rashford. Wrap this up for the boys

  27. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku has only just missed Smalling at the far post

  28. aborg
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Just can’t stand watching Auba play anymore. 2 pointer for me incoming 🙁

  29. Dakers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Aubameyang you waste of space

    1. JIMMY TUGGINS
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You have Auba?

    2. George Sillett
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I should have known .

  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mane has been absolutely terrible

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Other than Fabinho they've all been poor.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Allison made a world class save on Lingard.