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

    My bench.

    Kelly 6
    Rico 9
    Dendonc 8 maybe 11 if gets 3 bps.

    Nice.

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

      Same. And sold Mount for Pulisic this week. Tammy for Laca last week.

      Horrid luck

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

        Luck? I'd say there are a few poor decisions mixed in there as well...

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      My bench is Tomori Martial and Aurier lol

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Would have made good use of the BB chip.

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah and no doubt when I actually use it it'll get me 2-3 pts.

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

      Same + Tammy.......

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

    Lacazette Maddison Jimenez to Rashford/Ings Alli Tammy easy peasy for a -4

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

    Come on Maddison and Pulisic

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

    Best Martial getaway plan. Got 2 ft.

    A. Martial and Rash for Alli and Tammy
    B. Martial and Rash for Son and Ings
    C. Martial and Pulisic for Alli and Mount
    D. Martial to someone up to 7,9m and save 1ft

    Thanks

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

      Alli and Kelly for Martial and Tomori also an option

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

      got to be C or D surely... I dont see how anyone in their right senses would get rid of rashford now

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

      Selling rash lolol

  5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    28 points on my bench right now 😎 Duck this

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

      Same should of played BB?
      Not my worst 41, Lundy, Mousett, Rico 🙁

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

    What has Origi ever do wrong we know who he has ahead on him but it’s not like the schedule isn’t horrible. Give him a lot more minutes.

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

    Evans (35)
    Pereira (29)
    Fuchs (28)
    Vardy (25)
    Söyüncü (21)

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

      Vardy fail!

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

        So fsr yep

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

      plenty of time for a Vardy goal

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

      Vardy on 2bp then if stays like this

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

      Come on Pereira. You can do it!

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

    Come oooonnn Jimmy

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

    My front 3 doing great for a change. Jesus, Rashford, Vardy(c).

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Wow nice

  10. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any way of playing a 2-3-5 with Vardy, Jimenez, Rashford, Abraham and Ings up front?

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

      nah 253

      Mane KDB Son Alli Pulisic
      Vardy Tammy Rash

    2. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yea there was a chip called all out attack 2-5-3

  11. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone watching Chelsea? Is Pulisic doing anything?

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

      Yeah he's great. Just unfortunate the goals have come from other people.

      Villa shaky.

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

        Good to hear!

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

      not as much as a few games who, looks tired

  12. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Eriksen on

    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      For?

  13. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jimenez sitter omg

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

      FERK

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        🙁 I did Tammy to Jim for a -4 ffs

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

      Was it a sitter?

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

    TIV top three the way to go 🙂

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

      VRT

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

    Kane has done f-all tonight.

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

      Game will change now with Eriksen on

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

      Like most games thats not against Kosovo & likes.

  16. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jiminez you twit

  17. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Yeri Mina is a strange lad.

  18. tambourineman
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pukki goal

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

    Pukki G

  20. JJO
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jimenez and Saiss my 2 differentials missing chances
    Great

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

      I own Saiss too

      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        good for us 🙂

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

    Kane has been dire.

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

      Eric?

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

    Give up

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

    Bald. Pukki. Doesn't. Blank.

  24. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Cantwell A?

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

      Tettey assist

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

        Excellent in his prime. Another player robbed of an England cap

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

      Tettey A

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

    Canaries goal

    Cheep Cheep

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

    pukki party

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

    One thing I like about December – a boatload of PL matches on my TV screen
    One thing I hate about December – a boatload of points on my FPL bench ☹

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

    Time to bring back Pukki

    1. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bring back? We all got him?

  29. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Should've captained the Chelsea boy with a red flag on his head. Lol.

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

    Pukki still a better option than sterling