Dugout Discussion

Abraham fit to start as Martial misses out for United

There are six Premier League matches taking place this evening, with all bar the Merseyside derby kicking off at 19:30 GMT.

Liverpool v Everton gets underway at 20:15 GMT, meanwhile.

Perhaps the headline team news comes from Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea take on Aston Villa.

Frank Lampard is able to call upon Tammy Abraham (£7.9m) as the England striker makes a swift return from the hip injury that forced his absence in Gameweek 14.

Mason Mount (£6.6m), Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) and the recalled Willian (£7.1m) make up the attacking trident behind Abraham but there is no place in the starting XI for Fikayo Tomori (£4.9m), who is replaced by Andreas Christensen (£4.9m).

Jorginho, Emerson (£5.5m), Olivier Giroud (£6.6m) and Pedro (£6.8m) also drop out of the team, as N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) and Cesar Azplicueta (£5.9m) return.

Dean Smith has made three changes, two of which are enforced.

Douglas Luiz (£4.5m), the suspended Frederic Guilbert (£4.4m) and the injured Anwar El Ghazi (£5.5m) make way, with Marvelous Nakamba (£4.4m), Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.2m) and Trezeguet (£5.2m) taking their places.

The swirling media reports that suggested that Anthony Martial (£7.7m) would miss out have proven to be accurate, with the Frenchman not in Manchester United’s squad.

Speaking to MUTV before the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said:

Anthony got a slight injury on Sunday so he’ll be out for a little while.

Brandon Williams (£4.1m), Juan Mata (£6.2m) and Andreas Pereira (£5.0m) all drop to the bench, meanwhile, as Jesse Lingard (£6.3m), Ashley Young (£5.4m), Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) and Scott McTominay (£5.1m) come into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI.

Jose Mourinho is back at Old Trafford after a 12-month absence and has made two changes to his Spurs team, with Harry Winks (£5.3m) and Lucas Moura (£7.0m) replacing Tanguy Ndombele (£5.8m) and Eric Dier (£4.9m).

There were shocks at Anfield, too, with Jurgen Klopp making five changes: two of which see Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.4m) drop to the bench.

Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.3m) and Divock Origi (£5.2m) come in, while Adrian (£4.2m) replaces the suspended Alisson (£6.0m).

Everton are unchanged.

Brendan Rodgers has made only one change to his Leicester City XI, with Christian Fuchs (£4.3m) replacing the absent Ben Chilwell (£5.9m).

Chilwell reportedly has a minor groin injury.

Hayden Mullins, in temporary charge of Watford, also makes a sole alteration, with Troy Deeney (£6.2m) in for the injured Jose Holebas (£4.7m).

That would seem to indicate a change of shape, with the 3-5-2 abandoned for a back four.

Continuing that trend, Nuno Espirito Santo has only made one tweak to his Wolves starting XI: Romain Saiss (£4.4m), who was banned for the 1-1 draw against Sheffield United, ousts Max Kilman (£4.0m) at centre-half.

West Ham’s only change sees Sebastien Haller (£7.1m) come in for Michail Antonio (£6.9m), who failed a late fitness test.

There is just one alteration at St. Mary’s, meanwhile: Norwich City are unchanged, while Shane Long (£4.6m) starts in Michael Obafemi‘s (£4.9m) stead for the hosts.


Chelsea XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, James; Kante, Kovacic; Pulisic, Mount, Willian; Abraham.

Aston Villa XI: Heaton; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Elmohamady; Hourihane, Nakamba, McGinn; Grealish, Wesley, Trezeguet.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Fuchs, Soyuncu, Evans, Ricardo; Ndidi; Barnes, Maddison, Tielemans, Perez; Vardy.

Watford XI: Foster; Masina, Mariappa, Cathcart, Femenia; Capoue, Doucoure; Hughes, Deulofeu, Sarr; Deeney.

Liverpool XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Lallana; Shaqiri, Mane, Origi.

Everton XI: Pickford; Digne, Keane, Mina, Holgate, Sidibe; Sigurdsson, Davies; Richarlison, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Young, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Lingard, James; Greenwood.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Gazzaniga; Vertonghen, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Aurier; Winks, Sissoko; Son, Dele Alli, Lucas Moura; Kane.

Southampton XI: McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, Stephens, Cedric; Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Djenepo; Ings, Long.

Norwich XI: Krul; Byram, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Aarons; Trybull, Amadou; Hernandez, McClean, Cantwell; Pukki.

Wolves XI: Patricio; Saiss, Coady, Dendoncker; Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Doherty; Jota, Jimenez, Traore.

West Ham XI: Martin; Cresswell, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Fredericks; Rice, Noble; F. Anderson; Fornals, Snodgrass; Haller.

3,820 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kip
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    As a seller, we always knew Tammy might be fit again this.

    Its the fact his price was so blatantly manipulated that annoys me. A lot.

    1. Kip
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      *this GW

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Was pretty obvious if you look back at Martials first injury

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        and KDB

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          And him

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

      I am also annoyed on the price manipulation. Does not make sense.

  2. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Selling Salah this weekend.

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Already late

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I was gonna as I thought that would be when he got his rest!

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Got a hat-trick away to Bournemouth last time though...

  3. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah you twonk

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

    Salah is on bench
    Booby on bench

    Klopp wants the sack?? 😛

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Everton too easy

      1. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Overconfidence is often a recipe for disaster

        1. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Not this year

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A kick in the sack.

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Whose booby? Ur booby?

      1. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        😀 ... you know whom I was referring to!

  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks for the early deadline Amazon..
    Tammy last on my bench ffs!

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tax dodging zero hours contracting bellcheeses

  6. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah owners getting more points than usually this GW.

  7. Slam
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Don't ever deviate from the template
    Salah and Firmino means I'm ____ed

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Slammed ?

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Worried ?

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

      Rogered

    4. dark91
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Provoked?

  8. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    no salah. season over..

  9. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    This doesn't affect anyone here. Casuals are the only Salah owners left.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      And Magnus Carlsen (C)

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        The chess player

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      (Cough cough)

    3. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Well, I take the game quite serious and often look at this page, yet didn't transfer him out due to other issues and because it feels weird somehow... still 220k, aint too bad

    4. fantasyfog
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      who are these 'casuals'

  10. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Stay on the bench Salah. Kelly points await

    1. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Can see him come on once Everton are 2 up

  11. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who else getting Rico jam off the bench for Tomori? 🙂

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wait for the games to finish and then we can talk about jammy bench points.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        True, surely he won't bring a centre back on at home against Villa....

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

    Any guess as to why Klopp didn't start Firmino? Perplexed.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lots of minutes lately.

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1161 minutes out of 1260 max. - you're probably right.

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fixture congestion...robbo will be rested as well

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Robertson I expected. Firmino not so much.

  13. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone remember Stoke away?

  14. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah (C) benched

    Game over 🙁

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don't worry, he'll come in and score a brace.

  15. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So Salah to start next two vs bou n watford...time to get him

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Time to get an injured player for over 12m?

  16. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Raga bolly and Egypt knew.

  17. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Lovren and Adrian, RIP double defence owners

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am here!

      No Fabinho as well!

      Crying already on my pillow!

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No Walcott doesnt help also

  18. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Liverpool team is a touch risky...
    No Matip, Fabinho or Alisson
    And then to rest Salah and Firmino.....

  19. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    WTF Salah, ya twerp

  20. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Cocky Tammy owners with salah put your hands up!

  21. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I’m feeling much better about my -12 now...

    Firmino / Martial / Hanley / DougLuiz >
    Zaha / Pulisic / TAA / Greenwood

    🙂

  22. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Am I the only one who isn't entirely happy because of Abraham starting as I will lose Rico's 9 points 🙁

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He might haul, alternatively he might return 1 point, the night is young!

  23. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who's watching which match? Scouse derby probably best, but need to eye test Tammy and also captain Party!

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am watching both chelsea and UTDSpurs....later will switch the chelsea game to liverpool

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m going Goal Centre to start off with.
      I’m guessing it’s a bit like Soccer Saturday, but they show all the goals...

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Which channel and where's that broadcast?

        1. The Wanton Trader
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Amazon Prime Video

          1. Evasivo
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Goal centre? Okay, cheers will check it out

            1. The Wanton Trader
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Just starting now.
              Got the look of Soccer Saturday.

              1. Evasivo
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Cheers mate!

    3. fantasyfog
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      torn between derby and mancs v spuds

  24. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah captain Vs Watford looking incredible now

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Will he play? With that ankle.

  25. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Klopp in midweek games is consistently unpredictable

  26. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Big Shaq masterclass incoming!!!!

  27. Soto Ayam
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Somebody's gotta score for everton cause I've gotta double pool Def. Who's is gonna be? Richarli?

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Probably pickford

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah likely this

      2. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Zimo knows

    2. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Siggy free kick

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pickford last minute header

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don't think so.

    5. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Adrian own goal is a given

  28. jez_wright
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Started Tammy and Mount 🙂

    1. Gaddafi
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mount overrated though.

    2. fantasyfog
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      4 points incoming

  29. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Things I am hoping for:

    1) Salah and Firmino 1pt cameos
    2) Abraham blank

    1. fantasyfog
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      this × 1000

  30. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I know it's a totally different sport, but RIP Bob Willis. As a Saffa, I never got to see him play, but his 1981 Headingley test performance are the stuff of lore, and I really enjoyed his direct commentary and comments through the 90's and 2000's. 70 seems far too young to shuffle off this mortal coil.