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. Canary_Kid
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Salah Fanderson Auba > Sterling Mane Aguero? -4

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

      I would not sell Salah tbh.

    2. the german
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Looks sweet.

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

      losing salah for higher return player until he hits (if) form is what i’m strongly considering

  2. as33
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Danilo nailed for the weekend? or just transfer TAA in, got Robbo asvel, and thinking to replace Richarlison>Sterling

  3. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi everyone 🙂

    Usually I know what to do and give much more advice than disturb. Yet today I lost h2h with basicly Captain Salah vs VvD and triple Pool defence, even though I have Alisson and TAA

    Alisson/ Rui
    Pereira, Doherty, TAA, Luiz, Lascelles
    Salah, Son, Pogba, Richa, Gunnarsson.
    Kunn is the problem.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      .2 itb, 1 ft, common strategy.

  4. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys, how nailed on is Hayden for Newcastle? Is he a decent pick for cheapest mid?

    Cheers

    1. the german
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nailed for now and has played well but not sure if he starts once Shelvey is fit.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        He had a relapse

  5. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Does this look good from now till navigating the blanks

    Auba + AWB to Higuain +Luiz(-4)

    I know Higuain has not done great till now..but his movements have been good and I expect him to get goals

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

      I was on this move for this gw.
      But getting Luiz would have out priced me from having forward line of
      Salah,Mane, Hazard,Gray/Maddison
      Barnes, Higuain, Wilson/kings in gw 31.

      So avoided it.

      So, my point is if you are nit able to play 7 attackers in gw 31, I'd suggest to take hit ON an attacker instead of Defender.

  6. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is it safe to assume that aguero is bound to start at the weekend, considering how city has struggled against westham?

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

      Kun will start all games til end of season unless he is injured!

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

      Most likely he'll start. One week rest after match too.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        if he does he will be a god punt for the armband i gues

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

          Away match so i won't be too keen to © him tbh buddy

  7. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Last few weeks have been a disaster in FPL.
    What would you do with this lot?

    Etheridge Ryan
    Robbo TAA Doherty Bennett Bednarek
    Salah Sterling Son Pogba Eriksen
    Rondon Barnes Kamara

    1 FT, 2.0 in bank, FH32, all other chips remaining.

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

      Eriksen to Hazard

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        That was the original plan but note sure if Haz is injured as he was subbed early.

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

          Wait for the news.
          I think he's being protected for next match

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

    Looking for my 3rd Lpool player and dilemma is big after yesterday match.

    A. TAA
    B. Robo
    C. VVD

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      robbo if u can afford

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

      Robbo all day long

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

      Robbo
      TAA
      VVD

      In that order. Despite VVD today, I still think Robbo has the best attacking potential followed by TAA (value pick)

  9. No Salah
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Building team for the BGW 31 and 33 with FH 32. Please suggest on below:

    2 FT and 2.5 ITB

    Alisson Stekelenberg
    Robbo TAA Doherty* Digne AWB*
    Sterling* Son* Pogba* Jota* Masuaku
    Auba* Vardy Jimenez*

    So far only have 5 GW31 players and the next 4FT are intended to used for that.

    Please suggest.

    1. Ojpsan1
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Auba to Westham/Newcastle forward then son or jota to hazard?

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

        Or Auba to Higuain. Also imo you need to decide between Salah & Hazard. Both might be too difficult

        1. Ojpsan1
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yep that works aswell, but guessing on his name im thinking he doesnt want Salah 😀

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

    Awful GW for me... 🙁 just 2 cappo fail till GW 25 and now 2 in last 2 🙁 Season over... rage transferred in Higuain(C) and Alonso for Auba and Laporte....

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

      Well as rage transfers go you could have done worse.

  11. mrceez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    VVD-> TAA & Jimenez -> Rashford for -8 worth it?

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

      Nope

    2. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Truly awful transfers.

    3. juho
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No way, mate

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

    Who do you prefer? (Richa replacement. max 7.3m)

    A) Fanderson

    B) Maddison

    C) Antonio

    D) Any other? (someone who plays gw31)

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

      B

    2. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Got FAnderson last week, but regretting it - think Maddison is the best choice.

  13. Ojpsan1
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Auba + Camarasa to Rondon + Hazard for free?

    Doing FH 32, it would give me this team and get 2 gw31 into the team.

    Ryan (Boruc)
    Robbo Pereira Bennet (Kola AWB)
    Salah Sterling Hazard Pogba (Fraser)
    Rondon Rashford Jimmy

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Good move

  14. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which move?
    (A) Patricio to Fabianski
    (B) Hamer to Boruc

    (A) allows me to get Fabianski over Boruc, who is a better keeper. (B) allows me to play Patricio (CAR) this week, then I only need Boruc for GWs 30, 31 and 33 (hud, NEW, BUR).

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

      B

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

      B

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

    Son>Hazard

    or

    Rashford>Higuain

    Thanks in advance

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    would u lose salah to get sterling or haz for two gw punt? got mane and robbo

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

      It's becoming more tempting I must admit. Sterling the one imo

  17. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you change anything?

    Alisson
    Robertson Shaw Jonny
    Sterling Pogba Maddison Anderson
    Aguero Vardy Arnie

    Subs: Speroni Matip Fraser Bednarek
    1 FT

  18. JM11
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best Mid up to 4.4? Won't play them except in GW31 potentially, anyone better than hayden?

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

      Also interested in this. Slim pickings

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      McNeil

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

    A) Salah/Son > Sterling/Hazard
    B) Salah/Rashford > Sterling/Higuain
    Sterling > Mane for the blanks
    C) Son/Anderson > Sterling/4.8m
    D) Son/Anderson > Hazard/5.3 - Barnes maybe
    E) JWP > Brooks straight swap, bench this week
    F) Son/Jiminez/Digne > Higuain/Fraser/4.9 -4
    G) let a transfer burn!

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

      H

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

        8 years a member but gravless. What even are you?

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

          What’s that got to do with it?

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

            Nothing my friend. Just an observation 🙂 Thanks for the reply.

        2. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          We are not all tekkies. (smile)

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

        Ship son tho

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C has some potential, other moves feels like sideways with not much improvement

  20. JonSnow
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Luiz or Alonso?
    Didn't see the game over the weekend, is Alonso still much of a threat going forward?

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

      Would stay away from Chelsea def. went with double up on Liverpool

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

      cannt believe you're still asking this question at gw 29
      Luiz over Alonso by the distance from earth to moon

  21. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Tell me about how Salah looked vs. Watford. I see he took the same number of shots as Mane, but they were more low-percentage. Did the eye test tell the same story?

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

      He passed the eyes test for me, looks better than before, even in the games he scored (lucky goals or tap ins, pens)

      Some dribbles, some good passes, some good movement, seems back to good form.

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Would you captain him above Pogba this weekend? (tempted by Aguero too but the number of minutes recently and the CL tie stops me)

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

          Pogba > Aguero > Salah this gw

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

          what CL tie? it's one week later (March 13), not like United
          They will have 10 days off after this weekend til the next game

          1. Pierce34
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            You're right of course. Probably still going for Pogba.

    2. Donkey_Sanctuary
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      He was pretty good and had a couple of ok shots but none that should ever go in against semi competent GK. He was also out on the right quite a lot and sometimes would hang back a bit when others were getting into the box. I have him and am happy to keep but it certainly doesn't look like Liverpool and playing in a way to make everything go through him as has been the case sometimes in the past.

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

    Please fill in the blanks. Budget 17m.

    Patricio
    vvd schar XXXXX
    mane dsilva son Anderson
    XXXXX vardy jiminez

    McCarthy Mkhitaryan digne balbuena

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

      Robertson and Higuain

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

      luiz, taa/kun/hig

  23. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Arnie has to go surely?

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

      too late, dont buy dont sell

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

        Helpful

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, I got on early.
      A mistake for sure, but I'm not going to compound that by getting rid before these upcoming fixtures.
      I guess I'm trusting Pellegrino and going with the 'hes ill assessment'.
      I also can't really stomach the thought of switching him to Rondon, Barnes etc when we all know that he is a FAR superior player.

  24. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Kola + Son -> TAA + Hazard (-4)
    B) Richarlison + Son -> Maddison/Barnes + Hazard (-4)

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

    Time to dump Arsenal assets. Which two would you sell out of these?

    a. kola
    b. mkhi
    c. laca
    d. All 3 for -8

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

      A & C
      Congratulations on Mikhi haul 🙂

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

        Thanks! Tempted to dump all 3 for taa, Pogba and higuain. Worth it for a double hit?

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

          Can work out mate.
          I'll still get taa after next gw, as Everton will do all they can to stop pool 😉

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

            Actually thinking Tarkowski over Taa as a punt. Mkhi style

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

              I won't do that tbh 😛
              But you are great with that, so follow your gut

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A and C
      Yep nice with Mkhi, a real smoooooth

  26. Amey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Guys, Higuain & Sterling completed matches yesterday right ??
    No injury worries ??

    Thanks all !

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

    None, though I'm a bit skeptical about Higuains gametime

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

      Thank you 🙂
      Fulham is juicy fixture though & I'm bleeding chips with Auba 😀
      Dropping in value + scoring nothing. So definitely want to sell him

      Hazard + Aguero / Raz + Higuain is the option.

      Going for the differential one of as I'm chasing ML

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

        Sounds good, might do the same and hope he starts

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

          Thank you !!

  28. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    In view of the blanks, would you lose Sterling > Hazard for the coming GW?

    Sterling has BOU, which is not great defensive wise, but rotation is so un-pep-dictable at City.

    Hazard has FUL, the worst def in PL and admitting defeat to relegation.

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lose Sterling for 31 not before that

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Need CHE cover for FUL though.
        Can be a cricket score with Sarri up to prove something.

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

      Raz to Hazard in gw 31 us the perfect move imo.

      Having rested in last match Raz should start against Bournemouth, Watford which is mouthwatering prospect

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

    Son brace v Arsenal?

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Possible

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

        Keeping I think

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      at the rate he's playing, no way.
      Transparent and no threat.

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

      Spurs are off the boil
      Very boring NLD in our way imo

  30. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone thinking of using the FH chip for GW31?

    Yes or No?

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

      HT it !!
      (Answer is No)

    2. altan8797
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm doing it

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

      no

    4. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like i will join you

    5. Saint Steve-O (@EliteFPL)
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nah, be better used further down line

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

      No, sir.