Dugout Discussion

Three £4.0m defenders start in Saturday’s 3pm matches

Three £4.0m defenders have earned Gameweek 1 starts, two of them coming in the same match.

As predicted from our research of pre-season, John Lundstram (£4.0m) is deployed in the central midfield trio of Sheffield United, while Diego Rico (£4.0m) starts at left wing-back for Bournemouth.

The match at the Vitality Stadium also includes a Premier League debut for Cherries goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (£4.5m) who appears to have won the hotly contested race to start between the sticks.

Fantasy managers backing Ryan Fraser (£7.5m), Callum Wilson (£8.0m) and Josh King (£6.5m) will be happy to see them on the team sheet.

Callum Robinson (£5.5m) starts up front for Sheffield United alongside David McGoldrick (£5.5m).

Meanwhile, Martin Kelly (£4.0m) features at centre-back alongside Scott Dann (£4.5m) for Crystal Palace.

The Eagles are still without Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m), who sitds on the bench. Christian Benteke (£6.0m) and Jordan Ayew (£5.0m) lead the attack.

There are few surprises for visitors Everton as Seamus Coleman (£5.5m) holds onto his right-back berth for now and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) starts up front with Moise Kean (£7.0m) on the bench,.

Those unfamiliar with Graham Potter’s version of Pep Roulette were given a harsh introduction to it on Saturday afternoon.

After naming an unchanged 3-4-3 line-up for the last two pre-season friendlies, which included starts for Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) in the front trio, he has gone with 3-5-2 for the trip to Watford and benched the new Belgian signing.

Glenn Murray (£6.0m) and Jurgen Locadia (£5.5m) start in the front two while Pascal Groß (£6.5m) comes into central midfield alongside Davy Pröpper (£5.0m) and Dale Stephens (£4.5m).

Dan Burn (£4.5m) joins Lewis Dunk (£4.5m) and Shane Duffy (£5.0m) in the three-man defence while Solly March (£5.0m) and Martin Montoya (£4.5m) are the wing-backs.

Hosts Watford have gone with a 4-4-2 formation but Gerard Deulofeu (£6.5m), reclassified as a forward for 2019/20, has been named on the left wing of midfield.

Troy Deeney (£6.5m) and Andre Gray (£6.0m) lead the Hornets’ line.

TEAMS IN FULL

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale; Aké, S Cook, Mepham; Rico, Billing, Lerman, Smith; Fraser, Wilson, King.

Sheffield United XI: Henderson; O’Connell, Egan, Basham; Stevens, Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram, Baldock; Robinson, McGoldrick.

Burnley XI: Pope; Pieters, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Westwood, Cork, Gudmundsson; Wood, Barnes.

Southampton XI: Gunn; Bednarek, Stephens, Vestergaard; Valery, Ward-Prowse(C), Oriol Romeu, Bertrand; Adams, Redmond; Ings.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; van Aanholt, Dann, Kelly, Ward; Meyer, McArthur, Milivojevic, Townsend; Ayew, Benteke.

Everton XI: Pickford; Digne, Keane, Mina, Coleman; Schneiderlin, A Gomes; Bernard, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.

Watford XI: Foster; Kiko Femenía, Dawson, Cathcart, Holebas; Capoue, Doucouré; Hughes, Deulofeu; Deeney(C), Gray.

Brighton XI: Ryan; Duffy, Dunk(C), Burn; Montoya, Pröpper, Stephens, Groß, March; Locadia, Murray.

1,670 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SirStevieG
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Boring first halves!

  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    LMS safety score currently 34 with bonus.

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not bad for potentially going through the 1st GW

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Captain Salah or Sterling and you are practically through.

    2. JRO093
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      League code/how do I join?

        1. JRO093
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Thx both

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It's the code at the bottom of his grav. Enter the code and you are in automatically.

  3. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Why is Jeff Stelling wearing a 'Gentlemens Toilet' symbol on his lapel??

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's the prostrate cancer charity isn't it?

    2. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ball bag cancer

    3. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Catch up. It’s for testicular cancer. Men Utd.

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Can't catch up on everything!

        1. Limbo
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          They’ve been doing it for at least 5/6 seasons.

          1. Paul Psychic Octopus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Look pal, time is short, I've never even seen Game of Thrones or Strictly either....

    4. Licky
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I believe it's a pin for a cancer charity.

  4. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any bottom price fpl assets starting besides the 3 defenders in this article?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      They would be mentioned in the article.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not only defenders TM

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hanley 4.0 started last night v LIV also

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Plenty of 4.5m, Cantell, Trybull, Stephens, Scheilderlin, Romeu.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        mids

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for the list. Interesting mids

  5. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Overall will take that first half v Everton, apart from the yellow card for Max, thought he looked sharp carrying his pre season form into this season. We need to bring Zaha on second half though I think

  6. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    King + Wilson mega double fail on the cards

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Some have the triple with fraser

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Surely not?

      2. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Obviously didn’t follow the Blades last season

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      BOU inconsistency remains?

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's half time dude . Chill

      1. Depldax
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sterling was a fail at half time.

    4. tsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      How is Fraser fairing is he at least making key passes?

  7. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Dunk looking good for ya Christina.

  8. Fire Chief Moe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How o we see points breakdown on the new liveFPL site?

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not working currently, had to turn it off temporarily

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    C'mon Robinson!

  10. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Not a fan of quick changes but may end up dropping King or Deeney to Pukki before GW2 deadline

    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      45 mins. Hoooooold

    2. Siggy in the Middle
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Steady your knees

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      6.5 M fwd, what do we expect, scoring every gw?

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How do folks normally watch the 3pm matches live in the UK then, besides actually being at the match? 😆

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Online if I really want to.

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      IPTV

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I got a firestick with all the channels. It's fantastic.

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Which one?

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Amazon. Then buy a 12 month subscription from eBay.

          1. badgerboy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Ah ok. Around £25?

          2. Manani
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            what subscription? those american channel?

      2. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        What’s a firestick?

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Amazon product

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

      Streams.

    5. Oooof
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Radio or Jeff

    6. MTPockets
        4 years, 7 months ago

        the interweb

      • GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        illegal streaming

      • Mull
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        The wireless.

      • Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Are you familiar with the Internet ?

      • Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Damm, comment deleted eh. Kodi?

    7. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Benteke looked like scoring?

      1. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lol.

      2. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        4 years ago last time

      3. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If the question is Benteke about scoring then the answer is always no

      4. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No, not had a chance yet, just Max for us white a shot deflected over the bar

    8. tsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Watched the Everton 1st half their defence looked really bad. I know they have a nice run of fixtures but damn. Was nice to see Coleman have a crack tho!

      Siggy looks like he is having a bad day 🙁 hopefully he can turn that around in next half game is open for taking

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Bad? They conceded 3 shots only, 0 on target and have 70% possession. Not sure what you’re watching

        1. tsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          They got turned twice ....

    9. Nicks93
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      How is Che Adams looking ?

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Looked alright, but Tark and Mee have held strong. A good chance early that went narrowly wide, and has caused problems when pressing the CBs, but overall the whole team needs to do better in the final third.

        1. 1314
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          what about Ings ?

        2. Nicks93
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks for the insight

      2. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Should’ve been sent off tbh

    10. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Impressed with Sheffield and Robinson. Not sure why Howe felt the need to match Sheffield's formation, another classic case of him overthinking his team into trouble.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He is an overrated manager imo

      2. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        My man Adam Smith is gonna get sent off, can just see it

      3. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I dunno, the back 3 has nullified them both pretty well so far - back 3 vs 2 strikers is usually a good idea (although they are suffering going forward as a result) - could see a defender off for Wilson after 15 mins

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Prefer it when managers back their two defenders to take care of the opposition's two strikers. I guess with Bournemouth that ain't the case.

      4. tsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        How’s is O’Connell doing?

    11. TheGambler
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      We need Fantasy Championship. At least then we'd have some entertainment.

      1. Four Hit Wonder
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

      2. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        12 games like Sheffield vs bourn no thanks

      3. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        An all encompassing English football league game would be really good and get a lot more interest in lower leagues. Choose a team from any of the 4 leagues and have players priced appropriately for their league. I think this is a really good idea but obviously won’t be as popular overall but would increase appreciation for the lower leagues

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Sounds awful

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Wouldn’t be for everyone but I and I am sure many others would enjoy it

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              It would be impossible to implement whilst maintaining a level playing field across different leagues.

              1. Ask Yourself
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                It would require effort but I am sure it would easily be accomplished

        2. Oooof
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yes, agreed

        3. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          This is how the very first, original fantasy football game 'Dream League' started in 1991. All four divisions. 1x GK; 2x DEF; 3x MID; 5x STR.

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            That’s interesting. Maybe I should Look into starting one up x

      4. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Championship games arent really on TV much outside of UK tho, right? We dont get them in the US. That would be a huge negative for participation (no televised games).

        1. Oooof
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Worth remembering though that the Championship is the third best attended league in Europe in the last few years.

          It’s probably more popular than people outside the UK realise and it’s a very unpredictable league.

          I take your point though about televised games.

    12. Four Hit Wonder
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Glad I dodged the Fraser / Wilson / King bullet. But still...placed a bet on Bmouth scoring over 0.5 goals. So it evens out.

      1. Depldax
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        45 minutes to go

      2. Mull
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        "placed a bet on Bmouth scoring over 0.5 goals"

        I bet you drive at 72mph on motorways as well.

        1. Point-one short
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Steady now

      3. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It’s literally F***ing HT. Unbelievable 🙄

      4. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        So matches are only 45 mins long now????

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

        Four Hit W*n*er

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

          *spells Wonder, obviously

    13. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just saw Che Adams tackle on Mee.

      How’s that not a red card is beyond me. VAR said no

      1. Four Hit Wonder
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        But isn't technology overseen by grumpy old men infallible?

      2. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Agree, a clear red, I was already accepting that he was going to be sent off, but somehow VAR decided no. Happy it went our way, but I'd be fuming as a Burnley supporter.

    14. thunder_mike
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bournemouth vs Sheffield Utd.

      Bournemouth getting into the final third, but threatening very little. Fraser needs to be a deeper with Brooks missing. Wouldn’t be too worried as an owner though. Bring on HWilson to move Fraser to midfield.

      Rico looks good as an LWB, his place to lose on the first half. On corners.

      Ramsdale made some good saves.

      Sheffield Utd look good forward. Robinson looks great. Lundstram playing well in Midfield and could have had an assist.

      1. Oooof
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for this update

      2. Four Hit Wonder
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Rico on all corners or only one side?

        1. thunder_mike
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Left hand side. I only think they have had the one.

          1. Four Hit Wonder
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers

      3. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        +1 on Rico. A good bench pick.

    15. Manani
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      know it's only half time, but BOU looked pretty bad.

    16. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is montoya going to get the assist?

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Answers in the name

        1. Rains of Castamere
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Ya?

          1. Nightcrawler
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            He's not getting it

        2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Sweet

    17. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A cleanie, save point or 2 and three bonus for Pope would be just swell

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Saints looked like they would score soon tbh. Hope not as I have Pope too

      2. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

    18. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ryan made any saves?

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yes

        1. Rains of Castamere
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Tell me more, Nightcrawler

    19. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hoping Trossard stays on his bench so I can get Pukki off mine.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        That's the only disappointment for me so far. I've got Kelly on the bench so a Trossard no show could work out for me as well.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        probably need an injury to a defender or something for that to happen 🙁

    20. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Code for Last Man Standing?

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It's at the end of TM's user name, near the top of the page.

      2. TOBY1
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        BCVY39

      3. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Never mind. Silly me.

      4. squ1rrel
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        BCVY39

    21. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is anybody on here not having a good week ?

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        People without sterling

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          That would rule out an exceptional week, but most of the other premium picks have preformed so far.

      2. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Anyone who doesn't have sterling

      3. Poseidon.
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Had flu for most of it and my Amazon delivery was 2 days late but apart from that it’s been alright

      4. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Works been tough. Short staffed, people phoning in sick and haven’t had a day off in 13days... today as far as saturdays go has been ok so far

      5. tsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah I forgot to take bacon out the freezer and my hash browns are lonely

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          My condolences 🙂

    22. davies
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts on double Liverpool defence with no Alisson for 2 months?

      1. trikster102
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Is that how long he's out for?

        1. davies
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          4-8 weeks apparently

          1. trikster102
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Okay. I have VVD and Alison so Alison to Ederson seems like the most obvious change for me.

      2. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not much regression.

    23. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      How did Haller look?

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lonely at being good

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Type of player who can’t do it alone. Will need the rest of our players to switch on to succeed but he was good yes

      2. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Rubbish

    24. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Quite happy with Pope + Button so far, Pope made a worldly save 1st half.

    25. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thought Besic might start over Lundstram so I got a 4.5 Def for the bench instead, could have saved some money there

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He won’t last long in the first team he is poor I promise you. They signed 4 players this window alone who can take his place: Freeman, Morrison, Osborn and Besic