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. Ibra
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is TAA essential anymore? He has blank soon and pretty tough fixtures after that. I'm thinking of:

    Jimenez + Mount + TAA -> Abraham + Alli + Aurier (-4)

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

      He’s more essential than Aurier

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

        And Alli + Abraham is more essential than Mount + Jimenez

    2. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Spurs still look poor

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

      He just assisted two goals last gw, get rid if you dare

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I might actually downgrade him. Rico and Kelly are killing it

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Eat those words after that worldwide pass.

  2. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Saiss Donkey Rico bench going to outscore my starting XI comfortably at this rate.

  3. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Nothing ever works the way you want, so frustrating

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

      I'm this close to giving up

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Season is a write off

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

      I don’t believe you

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tammy straight back in, sellers?

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

      Yep Jimmy-->Tammy

    2. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It will be him or Rashford.

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

        I’m seriously tempted by Rashford

    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeh, after I’ve ditched that french git Martial.

    4. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Guess I should. The problem is, in for the same guy (Jimenez) or a different guy (Auba)?

    5. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Laca straight back to Tammy I think. Allows Maddison to Alli. 2FT. Easy peasy.

    6. Touré De Force
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Confirmed

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

      Nah, Ings doing okay. Might get Rashford as a differential

  5. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Today is probably the first time that Fred has looked good for Man United

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

      Did you not see the Alli goal?

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

      Didn’t play very well against Alli

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone to be so kind and please to post the mods league? Thanksn

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Scroll up to the league codes

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I can't find it on mobile version only on desktop one 🙁

    2. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It's legit on the right side of this page.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Surprised you don't have bookmarked.
      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/539/standings/c

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks lads you are the best

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

    9 points from my team as things stand (including Baps), 26 from bench (Abraham, Rico, Dendoncker)

    1. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ouch haha!!

    2. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Harsh

  8. Karhumies
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Auba and Traore out with -4 to get
    Tammy and Alli in with exact change for next GW?

    After Alli rises, I will not be able to afford this anymore.

    Mids: Mane, KDB, Mount, Tielemans, Traore/Alli
    Forwards: Vardy, Auba/Tammy, Jimenez

  9. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Already eyeing up this:

    Mount, Moura, Batshuayi, Kane > Alli, Son, Abraham, Mousset/Ings (-8)

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Decent

  10. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2 FTs
    exact cash

    Tomori + Zaha ➡ Kelly + Alli

    Yay or Nay..?

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

      I would do that move (not before tonights matches are over of course)

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Why you guys would bench Tammy having kept him is beyond me. I just wish I'd never sold

    1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      behave

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ikr weird, you always start best xi crocked or not just incase

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

      Casuals... no other explanation

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        lack of experience? idk, too much reliance on flags i guess. no offence anyone who did, but care explain the logic?

        1. OLLY G
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Fear of a cameo off the bench vs a player with a good fixture. I never would have benched him if my subs were poor.

    4. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I benched him for Soyuncu, do you think that was bad?

      It seems like a fair call at the time.

      1. OLLY G
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Was concerned about a cameo. No idea if that would have happened though tbf.

      2. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        well all here say play the attacker, soy isnt bad tho

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          ah cameo, that makes more sense

  12. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    That was dive?

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

      It only gets clearer on screen(var). I'm confused.

  13. Taking the Mkhitaryan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoroughly enjoying the bigger than usual meltdown on here

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same

  14. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How did Mount look, any hope for some points ?

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Someone posted that it didn't look good for sellers .... and then got booked.

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

      YC for his troubles

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

      Not really.

    4. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      he's been involved

  15. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Vardy 'dive' and YC ridiculous from the ref. WTF

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

      A Vardy red card would be like a thermonuclear cat among the pigeons.

    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      16 point swing!!

  16. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    48 home games unbeaten in the premier league if we manage to beat these lot. That is an unreal stat, Anfield is a fortress.

    I remember in the mid 00’s when Chelsea went on an 86 game home unbeaten record, 1,460 days. Staggering. Liverpool would have to go another 2 full seasons unbeaten at home to match it, i think that puts Chelsea’s dominance in context!

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

    What time does the Vardy Party start?

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

      in 4 weeks time

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How has Pulisic / Maddison looked?

  19. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How to get Alli in without damaging squad?

    £0.8m itb

    Hend Heaton
    TAA Lund Soy Tomori Aurier
    Mane KDB Maddison Pulisic Dend
    Vardy Jiminez Tammy

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      KDB > Alli

  20. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A good week to bench boost !

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

      Yeah mine is on 20 at the minute.

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

    Var has ruined football. Taken all the fun out of it.

  22. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Shaqqqqqqq

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

    SHAQQQQQ

    MANE ASSISTTTTT

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

      What a pass!!

  24. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    This is laughable

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Really is lol

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

    SuperMane

  26. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Wow

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

      Wow indeed.

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

    Mane - the new KDB

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

    Should hand over the PL to Pool RIGHT NOW!

  29. twoplustwo
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane C top lad

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

    Silva done for it.