Dugout Discussion

Lundstram starts as Zaha returns to the Palace line-up

Premier League football returns to Bramall Lane on Sunday as Sheffield United take on Crystal Palace. Kick-off is at 14:00 BST.

Both clubs drew in Gameweek 1, with the Blades snatching a late equaliser against Bournemouth and Roy Hodgson’s side being held by ten-man Everton at Selhurst Park.

Chris Wilder has named an unchanged starting XI from the team that drew 1-1 at the Vitality Stadium, so last week’s goalscorer Billy Sharp (£6.0m) is only among the substitutes.

That also means budget FPL defender John Lundstram (£4.0m) again starts ‘out of position’ in central midfield.

The Blades will line up in a 3-5-2 shape, with David McGoldrick and FPL midfielder Callum Robinson (both £5.5m) leading the line for the hosts.

Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m) makes his first start of 2019/20 for the Eagles, joining Christian Benteke (£6.0m) up front.

Jordan Ayew (£5.0m) is the man to make way.

That is the only alteration that Roy Hodgson has made from Gameweek 1, although Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m) has recovered from injury to take his place among the substitutes.

Budget FPL defender Martin Kelly (£4.0m) gets his second start of the campaign at centre-half.

Palace were much better on the road than at Selhurst Park last season and indeed had the sixth-best away record in the top flight.

Only three Premier League clubs scored more goals than the Eagles on their travels (32) in 2018/19.

Fifteen of Sheffield United’s 21 clean sheets last season came in a remarkable second half of the campaign in which they conceded only 14 goals in 23 matches.

The Blades recorded a shut-out in 12 of their 23 home fixtures.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Henderson, Baldock, O’Connell, Egan, Basham, Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood, Stevens, Robinson, McGoldrick.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita, Ward, Kelly, Dann, Van Aanholt, Milivojevic, McArthur, Townsend, Meyer, Benteke, Zaha.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 2

1,639 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    best 6.5m forward? just missed out on Pukki without hit

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

      Jota

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

      Probably Jota

    3. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Likely what they said above

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

        Check in tomorrow night

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

      Just jota left now.
      Barnes already 6.6

    5. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Barnes worth a look

      1. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        ! Whoops, missed that price rise

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

      Lundstram (semi serious)

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

    So you think Zinch is nailed now or could lose his spot?

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

      He's never been nailed. I don't think people who bought him ever thought he was

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

        I don't get the impression Peps a huge fan of Mendy though so what are basing this on?

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Because no one is nailed in that defence apart from Ederson and Laporte, all the rest have competition and Pep loves to rotate.

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

            Sure there'll be some rotation. I was thinking about whether he was first choice and hoping to get assessments from people that watched City play.

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I watched them play, own him and think he's first choice yeah but he's not nailed, nailed implies not susceptible to rotation.

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

          Cancelo , Angelino

          I think he's safe for the next few personally but far from nailed. It's Pep and when Europe comes he's at risk

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

        Voice of reason.

    2. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could lose it but cancelo is a RB so don’t know who it would be too.

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

        when he signed he said he’s ready to play across defence

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

        Cancelo can play both

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pep did say he could play both RB & LB.
      As a Zinchenko owner my ears pricked up.
      Pep also said he wants Mendy to prove his fitness & train for a month which made me more relaxed. Yes to above, don't think he's nailed long term but cheapest route into City defence & picked up a few assists last season made it a sensible pick for first few games.

    4. Rock n Grohl
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pep wants him to prove his fitness first for a few months, then will give him game time.

      https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/man-city-oleksandr-zinchenko-injury-update-after-tottenham/

    5. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not "for a few months" it's "a month" is what he said. Read the link you posted!

  3. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hopefully Kovacic, Willian and Abraham come on

  4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just need Martial and Jota to call in sick tmoz to get Lundstrams points second sub!!!! Haha

  5. Bolivian Seaman
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    ASHES: two down!

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

      Archer is a monster.

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Any chance to add him to FPL lol

      2. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He's on a mission.

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

    Chelsea and Leicester last season: 0-0, 0-1.

    Hoping for better things today.

  7. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mini-WC incoming. Resulting squad. Thoughts?

    Ryan, Pope
    Robbo, Zinc, Dunk, Kelly, LUNDY*
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Donck, DEBRUYNE*
    Wilson, Jimenez, GREENWOOD*

    1. danlynch13
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Two up front seem odd choices Jota just as good

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Fair. But getting KDB means less than 5.5 for that third fwd spot.

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

    Robbo, Barkley and Moura to AWB, Ceballos and KDB for a -4?

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

      has awb played

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

        Last week, yeah. Looked surprisingly good to me. Imminent price changes mean timing is important...

      2. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No but its only Palace up next, sure he could take to the field with only one leg and one arm against them and they still wouldn't score!

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

    Thoughts on mini-WC...?

    Pope (Button)
    TAA Digne Laporte (Montoya Rico)
    Martial Salah Sterling Fraser Pérez
    Jota King (Greenwood)

    Transfer:

    TAA Laporte Montoya Fraser

    >>>

    VVD AWB KDB Lund

    (-8 using 2FT)

    Cheers

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Minus 8 for one player improvement too much.

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

    My 4 ML rivals who have Lundstram all have him on the bench. Small victories.

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

      3 of mine started him.

      On the plus side I have Henderson, so not as painful as it could have been.

  11. Marmalade Forest
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Been slagging Lundstram off as a viable option since day 1. Feel a bit silly.

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

      same, and I own M.Kelly, Rico AND Hanley ffs, think I might just do Rico -> Lundstram and keep the turd defence for one more week

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

        tbf, his two 'shots' last week were bloody terrible and he (like Rico) both didn't play as well as everyone made out, imo

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      still dont think he is

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

        Fleck's potential injury certainly helps

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

          didnt look too bad though

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Started him this week, 14 points from 4.0m defender - what can bw better ?

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

      Good that you can admit your mistakes and move on well done v mature wish politicians could do this you can now work on correcting this

  12. InRafaWeTrust
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    WC activated

    Ryan Pope
    Christensen VVD Maitland Lundy KWP
    Mane Sterling Salah Cantwell Cabellos
    Pukki Barnes Chicharito

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

      Some top jerking in there.

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

      Formation?

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

      chicha wont start when haller fit, keeper rotation waste of money

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

      No if WC I would rather KDB over Salah and use cash to improve defence and change Chicharito

    5. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      lose chica

    6. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Need to get rid of Chich, Christensen and Maitland

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

      The jerkiest WC team I’ve ever seen

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

      A third of that aren't even nailed.

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

      Need kdb big hitter up front wouldnt get chicarito no utd defence not very balanced

  13. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Do you think this nice TAA + Dendoncker + Wilson -> Pukki + Lundstram + Martial + 1.4M for a -4 hit is worth it?

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

      No

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

        Why

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

          TAA is gonna be one of the highest points scorers in the game.

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

            Its him or robertson 🙁

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

    Thank you very much. Gonna be a fortress this year

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

      lol

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think you are banned from having an opinion now.

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

      congrats on beating palace 1-0 at home

    4. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      😆

    5. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Didn't you say Lundstram would not start?

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

      Question: did you have and play Lundstram?

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

      In fairness, you have played two teams with barely functioning attacks.

      The next 5-10 games are not as kind.

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

      😀

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

      Guess we'll see. Can only beat who's infront of us :). And no I didn't have lundstram but have Hendo. FF wasn't in my mind at all

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

        48 with perez left not bad should have had lundstrom though lol

  15. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Seriously considering ditching VVD and TAA - LFC defense looking way to shaky to justifie their price tags.

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

      theyll settle

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not with Adrian in goal.

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

          even with adrian in goal

          1. el polako
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            On a current evidence very doubtful.

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

      got teh same 2, may ditch one to fund my KDB or Kane

    3. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If you are on WC then yes, but for now will hold for 2 more weeks

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Got Haller, Robinson & Cathcart - so might be tempted to use WC and catch all in form risers.

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      They are a shadow of last years defence...Alisson injury has exposed a huge weakness which was there before they signed him. He obviously instills a huge confidence in the back four when he's present and they are nowhere near the same without him. I've reluctantly sold Robo and kept VVD for now to attain KDB.

    5. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Got rid of taa liverpool defence lookin shakey no clean sheets v expensive

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

    That moment when you start building a potential WC team after the Saturday results and can only squeeze in a 4th defender who's 4.0m...... Then he goes and actually scores, further cementing your decision to fire that WC button.

    This bloody game.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Let's see it then 🙂

  17. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kelly and Lundstrum was "no balance" on WC they said.

    lol

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

      lets see how theyre doing in a few weeks

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This.

      2. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I dont care, They dont make my starting eleven.

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

          ok

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Well yeah, they’re not the best to provide balance are they

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

        you again...

    3. Lets Talk About 19 Baby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Having Kelly and Lundstrum was best way I thought to get Kane into my team for gw 1.

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

      Balance is a load of crap that's why. Nearly as bad as 'cover'.

  18. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Very poor from Palace. Not up for the fight.

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

      They didn't replace AWB or Batty (Ayew doesn't count). Wilf can't do it on his own

  19. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which 4.5 mids worth having??

    A. Dendo
    B. Cantwell
    C. Luiz (AVL)

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

      Dendo and Cantwell for sure. 3rd I'd still say Stephens

  20. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with this team?

    DDG Button
    VVD KWP Zinchenko Lundstram Rico
    Salah Sterling Martial Hayden Dendoncker
    Aubameyang King Deeney

    0.3 ITB

    I am planning to bring Kane in for Aubameyang with my 1 FT!

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I will not mind doing King >> Pukki
      get on the bandwagon early.

  21. Lets Talk About 19 Baby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last minute i benched Trossard, to play Lundstram. Annoyed when Trossard got his 7 pts. Lundstram got his early yellow, i thought here we go. Very happy 4 million owner after the final whistle.

    1. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I had both in my starting XI. I benched Moura though.

  22. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Did Mark play Lundstram - I'm told that he already has Lamela on the bench.

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 7 months ago

        yep

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

        Yes he did. Lamela 3rd on bench. Started a lot of 2 pointers too. Got away with it, as did all Lunny starters.

        Trick is, you'll get a CS vs Palace.

      • Agger
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Go check yourself.. The ID is 21074

      • Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you gentlemen

    2. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is FPL Discovery not running this season?

      Any alternatives that show top 10k ownership? I usually start using that tool around 6 weeks in.

      1. Bolivian Seaman
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        livefpl.net

        1. Marty McFly
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers

        1. Marty McFly
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Cherrs

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

      This term "mini wildcard" is really getting on my tits now.

      Its not a wildcard is it if your taking hits.

      Stop it . Just stop it !

      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Just hope that Jota tweaks something in the warm-up and Greenwood stays benched tomorrow

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

          Ok,
          Hope it works out for you.

          1. SPorting
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            That's what YOU need

    4. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      lampard says he has hard decisions to make in midfield, specifies that kova didnt deserve to be dropped. no mention of barkley.

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

        Kova didn't deserve individually, but you don't win with 3 DMs. He's the third so has to go to play a creative midfielder further up. Mount is the right choice for me. I think that team is balanced now.

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

          recall kova being a bit more box to box before arriving at chels

    5. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could be a bit on the cards later. Just waiting for the Perez Vardy Party.

    6. 1314
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If Spurs continue to play Ndombele-WInks-Sissoko combo, it means only 2 spots are left for attacking midfield, for 5 of them (Son, Eriksen, Lamela, Moura and Lo Celso) to fight for..isn't that too risky to go for Son ?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I would of though Son would slot straight in

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

      Looks reasonable?
      Wilson + Aké --> Jimenez + AWB

      Team is
      Heaton
      Robbo, VVD, Ake*
      Salah, KDB, Perez, Trossard
      Kane, Wilson*, Jota
      (Button, Lunds, Diop, Dendo)

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

        Considering Wilson+Robbo --> Rash+AWB if Manu does very well again.

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

      Salah and Moura to Mane and De Bruyne for -4 - yes or no?

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

        no

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        2FTs possibly; a hit would tip my answer to 'no'

      3. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        either that or Moura to Martial if he looks good.I really think Moura could be benched this week

        1. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          funny how when you rephrase the sme question you get different responses too!

    9. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jofra - get in! (or out)

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

        He's got that Bob Willis 'in the zone' look in his eyes!