Dugout Discussion

Rashford, Lacazette and Sterling benched as Sane, Aguero and Aubameyang start

Six Premier League matches will take place this evening to bring Gameweek 28 to a close.

Two of those fixtures, Arsenal v Bournemouth and Southampton v Fulham, kick off at 19:45 GMT, while Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace v Manchester United, Liverpool v Watford and Manchester City v West Ham United start 15 minutes later.

The headline team news arguably comes from Selhurst Park, where Marcus Rashford is only fit enough for a place on the bench after suffering an ankle injury in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

Fred, Diogo Dalot and Alexis Sanchez are handed a start, as Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard miss out.

Palace are again without Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with Martin Kelly replacing the injured Mamadou Sakho in Roy Hodgson’s only change.

Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy are among the substitutes for Manchester City as Sergio Aguero is joined by Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez in the hosts’ starting XI for the visit of West Ham United.

There is no Marko Arnautovic in the Hammers’ squad as Andy Carroll gets the nod to lead the line.

Samir Nasri, Ryan Fredericks and Pedro Obiang also start, while 19-year-old full-back Ben Johnson is handed his Premier League debut.

Roberto Firmino has failed to recover from an ankle injury so Divock Origi leads the line for Liverpool. Trent Alexander-Arnold replaces Jordan Henderson in Jurgen Klopp’s only other change, so James Milner moves back into midfield.

Watford are unchanged.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is dropped after the farcical scenes at the end of the EFL Cup final, so Willy Caballero starts in goal.

Marcos Alonso is also recalled, along with Mateo Kovacic and Gonzalo Higuain. Emerson Palmieri, Ross Barkley and Willian make way.

Kieran Trippier, Davinson Sanchez, Erik Lamela and Ben Davies replace Serge Aurier, Juan Foyth, Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose for Spurs, as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min lead the line.

Alexandre Lacazette is the premium forward who misses out for Arsenal this time, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns to Unai Emery’s starting XI for the visit of Bournemouth.

Mesut Ozil is also recalled, while Carl Jenkinson gets his first league start for the Gunners since November 2016.

Emery has made six alterations to his line-up in total, with Granit Xhaka, Alex Iwobi, Aaron Ramsey, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Shkodran Mustafi dropping out.

Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Matteo Guendouzi are the other players to come in.

Lys Mousset replaces the injured Dominic Solanke up front for the Cherries in Eddie Howe’s only change.

David Brooks is back on the bench for the visitors.

Jack Stephens, Matt Targett and Stuart Armstrong make way for Southampton as Maya Yoshida, Charlie Austin and Ryan Bertrand are handed recalls.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Kevin McDonald replace Jean Michael Seri and Ryan Sessegnon for Fulham.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Jenkinson, Torreira, Guendouzi, Kolasinac, Aubameyang, Özil, Mkhitaryan.

Bournemouth XI: Boruc, Clyne, Mepham, Aké, Smith, Ibe, Gosling, Surman, Fraser, King, Mousset.

Southampton XI: Gunn, Bednarek, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Valery, Hojbjerg, Oriol Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Bertrand, Redmond, Austin.

Fulham XI: Rico, Odoi, Ream, Nordveit, Bryan, Chambers, McDonald, Anguissa, Cairney, Babel, Mitrovic.

Chelsea XI: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Higuain, Hazard.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Winks, Sissoko, Eriksen, Lamela, Son, Kane.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Kelly, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Schlupp, McArthur, Townsend, Zaha, Batshuayi.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelöf, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Dalot, Pogba, Sanchez, Lukaku.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner, Mane, Salah, Origi.

Watford XI: Foster, Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Masina, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sane, Aguero.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Johnson, Obiang, Rice, Antonio, Nasri, Felipe Anderson, Carroll.

4,674 Comments Post a Comment
  1. korbendallas82
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    76 p today. But I pulled my WC. Mane and Trent heroes. Aguero Captain.

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

      I hope you planned ahead!

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

    Which teams play the double GW32?

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

      Wolves and United confirmed

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/19909321

      Other teams we won't know till after GW31 (before GW32)

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/19903539

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

        If its announced that late can those be on GW32?
        Is 32 gonna be a small double?

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

          Predictions in the second link. I'm no expert, I'm afraid. Scroll down the thread to Ruth's comment for a breakdown of *potential* DGW32 fixtures

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

            Cheers

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

        Thanks

  3. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Why are people jumping for Higuain? Hasn't looked THAT good, and only attacking returns vs HUD...?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      BGWS

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        But is that the only reason really then? Would probably rather get Ahuero, play 1 up top (either Barnes or Rondon in for rashford) and go bigger in mid

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

      Looked good enough to me. Plus what Hit Me said. Plus Chelsea potentiall coming into form. Plus Fulham.

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

        And selling Auba gives a choice of Aguero, Higuain or Vardy unless you reorganise the team structure.

    3. MINUS FOUR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Fulham. BGW31 and BGW33. Scored 2 goals against a poor team and is set to play a few more of them.

    4. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm not touching any Chelsea players, tbh

  4. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else will sell Doherty after gw29?

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

      It was my plan for Luiz/Azpi, but I already got 3 Chelsea now, so not sure what to do. He has good fixtures at the end of the season, which makes me want to keep at the low price of 4.4, but then Wolves might be on the beach by that point, so I'll might still sell anyway.

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

        it's not like they rack up many clean sheets is it...

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

          Right! But he still scores well regardless, and they come so mightily close to a CS so often, he's bound to get 5 CSs in the last 5 games!

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

    Auba > Kun sensible?

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

      Definitely

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

      Depends on your chips strategy

  6. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Do people think that 51 points this gameweek will be enough to get me into the first round proper of the FFS Cup2?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rumour the the cutoff is 52

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Joking

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

      Might have a look a bit later.
      Should be thereabouts.
      300 people from LMS scored 51 or more.
      There are 512 spots for qualifiers and past winners.

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

        LMS average was 54.69
        Think that's a decent guide.

  7. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I am done with FPL....
    Pool scored 5... and Salah gets nothing ....

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

      be happy they looked free scoring again...

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

      Tell me about it!

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

      Mate i had from Gw1 to 17
      Dropped and missed all his big hauls.

      Brought back on my WC GW24 and he's gone 2 2 8 3 3 against 5 pretty average defenses.

      And people say this sh1t isn't luck?

  8. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How have I not made 40 points FFS Kola and Hazard off before 60 too? No Salah involvement in 5 goals!!!! I give up. Another huge red arrow,

    Ryan
    Pereira Kola Keane
    Salah Hazard Son Pogba
    Aguero Jimenez Rashford
    Boruc Jonny Westwood AWB

  9. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Cheapest defender that plays both blanks ?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Westham defender

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

        Not sure for Gw33 yet

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

          Sorry. They are nailed to play in GW33 too.

          1. Buck The Trent
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Already got Fab.

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I kind of like BUR defender...lovely fixtures from 31 to 34 with three out of four at home.

  10. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Ederson
    VVD,Robbo,Luiz,Bennet
    Salah,Pogba,Sterling(c)
    Rondon,Jimmy,Rash

    Guita Jota,Bednarek,Puncheon

    Good to go guys GW 28?Any suggestion for the above team is much appreciated.

    Played Jota or Rash guys?

  11. NATSTER
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Feeling sideway but tempted to hit the button for Salah > Mane.

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

      dangerous.
      I looked at Salah/Son > Sterling/Mane eariler. For the lolz

      1. mgilbert86
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        You wouldnt have considered it if it was crazy though

  12. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hope hazard qas subbed due to 120 min cup final?
    How many minutes is he likely to play v fulham?

    1. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      All

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

    Hey folks, a bit stuck on what to do here for GW29. 2ft 2.0 itb (FH32)

    Any suggestions appreciated, thanks.

    Fab
    Robertson TAA Bennett
    Salah Son Pogba Fanderson
    Aguero Rashford Jimenez

    Hamer Digne AWB Hojb

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

      Would consider taking son out

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

        Me too. I can do Son>Hazard, good move..?

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

    Yedlin likely to start this GW?

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

    Morning all - best move here? Planning to FH32 & WC34.

    A) Save FT
    B) Ings -> Rondón/Barnes
    C) Camarasa -> Snoddy
    D) Auba -> Higuain

    Fabs
    TAA, Doherty, Holebas, Pereira
    Salah, Mane, Siggy, FAnderson
    Auba, Vardy

    Steele, Kolasinac, Camarasa, Ings
    Bank 0.5m, 1FT

    1. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Whats your score this week ? Must be great

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

        83(-4) - much needed after a terrible month!

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ballsy going w/o city, struggling w whether or not to do Auba to Aguero myself.

      Maybe A tbh.

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

    What are folks thoughts on shipping wolves assets after next gw?

    Have jiminez and Doherty

    Prob is I cannot afford to bring back both after shipping just one or the other.

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Difficult one. I’ll probably keep at least 1 of them, but don’t know which. May end up w both.

      Atm, leaning towards very reluctantly moving Doherty on

  17. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else w/ no City (namely Aguero) planning on going without for the next 2???

    Really want to do Auba to Kun, if only cos I’ve been burnt so often, but
    a) doesn’t help build for blanks, though I’m not convinced by higuain
    b) chance Kun gets benched in either bou this weekend or WAT next???
    c) were City that convincing today w/ Fernandinho out?

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

      I brought in Sane just couldn’t afford Aguero. I really think Chelsea assets are gonna bounce back this coming gw so Higuain might be safe route

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, might be a good shout. Just seems so risky looking past Aguero after him wrecking me for the past month of owning Auba instead

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

      I am.... kinda terrified of it especially Sterling after watching the Bournmouth game tonight. But I just think bringing in Hazard makes way more sense than bringing in Sterling. Considering a -8 to bring them both in though.

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

    Last Man Standing GW28 🏆 (456 teams)

    Safety score = 46
    Top score = 83
    LMS average = 54.69

    78 eliminated, 378 teams through to GW29.
    18% or minimum 69 out next GW.
    Congrats to all the survivors 🙂

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

      Still somehow managing to stay in LMS despite the 38 last GW.

      Think the furthest I've been is GW 31 two seasons ago.

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

        Fantastic, keep it going. 🙂

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

          Let's hope! 🙂

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

      Squeaked in by 2 pts...closest yet...yikes.

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

    LMS Overall Ranks (378 teams)

    Top 100 = 5 including world #3
    Top 1K = 27
    Top 10K = 136
    Top 50K = 270
    Top 100K = 319
    Lowest rank = 492K

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

    King or Fraser?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Probably King. Though would get Wilson if he’s back for the blanks. Anyone know if he is?

  21. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best option to complete this? Budget 11.5m

    Mane dsilva Son anderson mkhi
    Xxxx Vardy jiminez

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Higuain probably best bet with that budget

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

        Cheers. His gametime is a concern tho. Giroud could start next gw or even haz up top. Thoughts on lukaku?

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Could work out but I’d expect rashford back soon, and Lukaku also blanks twice

  22. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    New crowd. Could I get a few opinions up in here?
    Who would you give the captain and vice?
    How about the bench order?

    Patrício
    Robertson, Doherty, Alexander-Arnold
    Sterling (bou) / Pogba, Martial (SOU) / Hazard, Kanté (ful)
    Agüero (bou), Higuaín (ful)

    Boruc | Solanke (MCI), Digne (LIV), Clyne (MCI)

    0FT. 0.0 ITB

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

      Sterling(c) Kun (vc). Bench order good

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bench as it should be.

      Would probably go sterling (c), hazard (vc)

      Different team, quite like it. How you been getting on w/ no Mo? Elated this week I’d guess! Bit mental result

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

        Cheers TLD. I've been getting on pretty well all season without Salah. Even during his flurry his flurry of goals and assists from GW18-23, while he was supposedly actually properly essential, I was moving up the rankings (94k-30k), as there were other players scoring well, too 🙂 Don't be bitter about the result, mate. I've had plenty of big dissapointments from other players, don't worry.

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling for the armband, Hazard vice, Digne first on bench.

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

        Cheers Jia You. You'll be captaining your man, Sterling, again, too?

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          be rude not to 😉

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

            Interesting. So if I captain Higuiain, I think I'll be back on level terms in the unique season captains tally.... Hmmmmmmmm 😆

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              haha, bet nobody comes even close on here to our number of different captaincy picks this season!

  23. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Current team is

    Fab

    Robertson TAA Luiz

    Sterling (C) Salah Son Fanderson

    Laca Jimenez Barnes

    Boruc Trippier Kola Stephens

    Thinking of just Laca to Hugain for free?
    Good move? Building to 31 with FH 32

  24. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys thoughts on Snoddy starting against Newcastle? TIA

  25. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How's she looking?
    8 players for 31 atm. Doherty and Mr. Quaner could go to Mee and Barnes to make ten and hope Burnley take advantage of their nice fixtures (3/4 at home from 31-34).
    I know their result mid-week doesnt bode well but Burnley are a funny team! Thoughts?

    Alisson
    Robertson / Luiz / Doherty
    Sterling(c) / Hazard / Pogba / Mane / Son
    Vardy / Rondon
    (Speroni, Lascelles, AWB, Colin Q.)
    -8

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I take it from the lack of a comment that my team is mint...cheers all 🙂

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

        np

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

          😛 Team looks grat. Wouldn't wanna be up against that in any ML

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            🙂

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

    Back to GW5 rank, wasted 23 GWs playing 🙁

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Been a crappy last few weeks not owning Kun especially eh

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

        indeed 🙂

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

      wow we're on exactly the same points 🙂

      It can seem a waste, but it's good going to remain at the same or better rank, onwards and upwards 🙂

  27. FPL-(VAR)dy
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Have two Liverpool players already
    Should I go for Mane or TAA??

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

    Anyone looking at Clyne?

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

      Already got him and semi-regretting it 😀

  29. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Tough times. Have TAA and captained Aguero and yet I have a red arrow.

    so difficult to climb ranks

  30. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can see wolves drawing vs cardiff 1-1 for some reason

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

      See my reply in a thread a while back (on my post history) - they've really struggled to beat the sides you'd expect them to beat comfortably.

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

      are you the same person that thought Watford would take points off of Liverpool?