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. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    With 2FTs it’s going to be hard to choose which of the on fire players to get. Alli, Rashford, Ings all smashing it

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      And aurier

  2. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Alli or Son? ffs

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

      Alli if you're looking at the xG stats currently

      Son if you want xA

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

      I was gonna get Son, but Alli hard to ignore.

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Was leaning towards Son but might get Alli because he's easier to get and his price is gonna skyrocket

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

      But Son if you think Pochettino is still the manager.

    5. Mikeharbrw
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Both!

  3. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Salah-> Alli a no brainer now?
    Already have Mane.

    1. Rojo's Modern Life
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Of course

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

    VVD warming up for another brace

  5. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    When does the Leicester game kick off?

    I have Vardy (C) & Söyüncü

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Started already. They're benched

    2. Vlad Tepes
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      0 on both haha?

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

    Whenever there is a full consensus for a captain blank is imminent. Mane to explode?

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

      I don't own him, so yeah

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

    Horrible game week. Always the same. Look forward to midweek games only for it to be a huge disappointment.

  8. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Could afford Harry Kane, bought Harry Kane, would've got more points with pretty much any other option. He's got to go ASAP. What a mistake.

    1. Touré De Force
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      In the same boat fella! Lesson learned though

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Who are you looking at as a replacement? Quite like Rashford or back to Tammy again.

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

    Robbo to Mane, should do better.

  10. No Totti No Party
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench - Aurier rico dendo...

    1. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Guess ya should have played

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

      Same, but Connolly instead of Dendoncker.

      It is painful.....

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

    3 players on zero lol

  12. TAT
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Nightmare gameweek…

  13. One More Hit
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    All the popular changes are hauling or assisting. Not a good week for the as-was template

  14. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What’s the consensus on the Vardy pen - var harsh?

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

      Commentators used the phrase "flabbergasted that was given"

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

        *wasn't given

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He has a reputation for cheating

      Fully deserved

    3. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Don't think it was a yellow, there was contact but I don't know if thats enough for a pen either.

  15. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sub 5.0 def for one of TAA/Robbo replacement? Good rotation with Soy/Lunds preferably.

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

      Aurier

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

    Don't remember having such rotten luck in a GW before

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I say this every gameweek

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

        But genuinely lol.

        SOld Tammy and for some reason went Laca over Ings. Brought in Pulisic rather than Alli. Captaining Vardy, played Soyuncu over Rico/Kelly/Dendo

  17. Calvin Valance
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Chill, Leicester come good in second half usually

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

      VAR is against Vardy and I captained him for the first time this week, so Leicester will blank

  18. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else with single figures so far?

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

      ye only 3 goals so far

    2. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      My team is binary....0101010101

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        The humans are dead

  19. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Firmino and Salah benched in a derby game?????

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

      Strange. Klopp getting over confident imo

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

        Too right better get the stop done with who is out there. No go good game to give them a rest but this one?

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

    Mourinho getting the best out of Alli. Good man manager.

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

      LOL.

  21. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Did Mourinho celebrate?

  22. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    People only own Alli because they cant afford Son....

    1. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      k

    2. maaaaloney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have Alli and 2 million itb. Fake news.

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

      True story. I'm one of them.

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

      Some of us own both 😎

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cool kids have both 🙂

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

    Aurier second sub, Rico third. Cantwell first fml

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

      Soyuncu, Mount and Vardy on 0 and Salah benched ffs

  24. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Feels so much worse that the Vardy yellow wasn't even deserved. That's given as a pen probably 80-90% of the time. Load of bollocks

  25. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Still a whole half to go lads, take it easy and enjoy the inevitable points

    • marquinhos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      KDB or Maddison out for Alli?

    • diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      This might be a low scoring GW.

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

      The subs hurt, but at least my transfers are easy.

      2FT - Laca Maddison to Tammy Alli + £££

    • Yome
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I fear a Mane brace on the day I decided to remove the armband from him.

      1. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        This. Its started already

    • Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Casuals will benefit massively tonight as those of us that were patient with a good template get punished