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. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    84 with Moura and Perez to go. I'll take that.

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

      Apologies for the not so humble top post, ha.

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Decent start to the season, very similar here 82 with Moura & Perez to go, you beat me by 2!!

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

      Nice one. Hopefully break into 50k this year (118k last season).

    4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same here, have them both. Come on Lucas!

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

    Cmon Kane, time to make August your favorite month.

  3. Budweiser
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Montoya back on 0 baps

  4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    BOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!

    Clean sweep of three 3pm clean sheets to add to TAA & Laporte’s points

    Big at the back going well so far

    Robbo bit of a bollocks considering VVD’s goal but you can’t have it all 🙂

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

      5 at the back here too! Only Robbo spoiled the party.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Coleman Digne picking up straight where they left off

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      5 at the back - VVD, Coleman & Laporte ... AWB & Azpil to go

  5. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    One week in and reminded why i hate rotating defence/goalie. Thanks Cathcart 1 point while Dunk is chilling on the bench with 9.

    Feel free to sit out tomorrows game Barkley

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

      I actually think Mount will start. Have him in my team instead.
      Whether that means Barkley will still, I am not sure. But I would not be surprised if that happens for you.

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

      I don't think Lampard will play wing backs, so Mount, Barkley, Pulisic, Kovacic, Jorginho competing for four CM/Attacking MID spots, assuming Willian and Kante both out this week.

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

    Trossard piss in Potter's cornflakes or something? auto-sub time!

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

      Wasn’t needed. Will get his welcome at the Amex i’d Imagine. But can’t see potter changing anything except maupay for murray

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I generally avoid these newbies until they’ve proved themselves in the premier - this sort of nonsense is always a risk unfortunately

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

        agree - if GroB had started over him in the preseason games I wouldn't have gone anywhere near him tbh

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

    Played Rico ahead of Montoya... ffs

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      same

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        but encouraging that he seems failry nailed and even more as he was there in most set pieces alongside Fraser

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

    Looks like Dunk 3 Ryan 2 Duffy 1

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

      I miss DGW34

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

      Blimey...

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

      Nice Brighton triple defence and duffy TC could pay off this year

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

      The Three Musketeers

    5. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think Andone will steal the Bap from duffy

    6. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yasssssss!!!!1

  9. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Dunk you beauty!

  10. Bram
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope 7pts
    Ryan looking like 9pts
    This Heaton owner with no Spurs players is moving behind the sofa .........

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

      Ryan has better fixtures too.

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

        This

  11. skybluecam
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Grr disappointed about losing 5pts from Ake with that goal. 79 with Perez/Barkley to play but it seems as if everyone is doing well.

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

      Not everyone but having Salah and Sterling with captaining one of them will do good GW1

  12. niko mate
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    2 bps for Ryan is awesome.

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

    Bit strange Trossard didn't come on at all. If it's not injury related, then Buendia looks a good bet.

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What about Robinson?

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

        Robinson looked alright, and him not being subbed off was a good thing imo, but Sheffield didn't look very clinical in and around the box, I'm not totally sure they'll score many goals.

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

      Wasn’t needed. Hard to see potter changing anything after that except maupay to Murray imo

  14. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    74 with Perez, KWP and Jota to go. Bang on the ffs average.

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      oops forgot Baps from Raz and KDB.

      78 with 3 to go.

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

      86 but just Perez and Jimenez to come.

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

        Sterling captain?

  15. RabMac
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Yesterday I started with Robertson and Vardy but later in the day I switched to Walker and Firmino. Just hoping that Vardy smashes it tomorrow to make me not regret my decision.

    That being said 64 is respectable for first week and still have 3 players to go.

  16. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    And that's why me and Kiwi said no Bournemouth :). Robinson promising aswell and deno some good saves 🙂 loving it

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah but I got Wilson so...

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        5 points from 8 mil player against an awful side. Pathetic 😉

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

      You guys played well. Hope you have a good season.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers 🙂

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good result and good luck for the season, except for when you play Newcastle. Not so sure Kiwi went with no Bournemouth in the end...

  17. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    69 not that great comparing to many but some exiting playera left to go, ayoze, auba, jimenez and.... Dendonk of the bench...

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      + raz baps

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      nah it's great

  18. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ah Ryan was too obvious wasn't he. Heaton to save a Kane pen would be nice.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same points as Pope so all good 🙂

  19. niko mate
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    78 points so far. Only my strikers failed me (Deulofeu, King, Firmino). Need some changes there.

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

      Yeh my strikers failing me too

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

      It is first game week chill.

      Deulofeu and King are not going to get big points every week, hence the reason they cost 6.5M

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

    Deu subbed at halftime. Any reason why?

  21. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How did Moise play ?

  22. ENZO SZN™
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last minute Heaton to Pope paid off so far. Unless Heaton save a pen or something.

  23. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I dont like this bonus system. Bring back Charlie Adam please

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Barry Ferguson was getting max bonus points without even assisting in the old system.

  24. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How many Bonus will Ryan get?

    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Probably 2

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

        thanks dude, just scrolled up 😀

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

        Click on the game on the FPL points page it expands to show you details btw - including leading bps players.

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

          yeah, was just unsure with two players on 29 bps - couldn't remember how they were distributed if two players scored the same. Thank you 🙂

  25. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Heaton to save Kane pen and let in 2+ Moura goals please

  26. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    82 with Kane & Perez to go 🙂

    Anyone see how Norwood looked?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      And tongue in cheek 'with eyes' comments!

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        *no

  27. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Cashed out 20$ (return was 80$) on over 1.5 goals Bou vs She around the 85 min mark, expecting no further goals and had Rico starting on FPL. Failed!

  28. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    No Salah, Didn't captain Sterling. All hopes on Kane(C). Kane captainers Unite!

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

      Villa with a defiant 1-0 win. Lets Go!!!!!

  29. Artemis Titans
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Eriksen fail. First transfer?

  30. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is fpl statistics, the price change website gone?

      1. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate, it wasn't loading earlier for some reason

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

      No.