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. korbendallas82
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I got to follow my plan. Team set:
    Heaton
    Pereira, Doherty, Lundstram
    Alli, Son, Pulisic, Mane
    Ings, Mousett, Vardy.

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ok, good luck

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

    Oh my! Just realised Maddison scored. Guess everyone won't sell him after all

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

    Plan was Maddy -> Alli

    Still do it?

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

      Same here.. Yeah I think so

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

    FFS Captained Mane last week, but switched to Vardy this week. AArgh

    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      And Moutinho & Rico on the bench again.

    2. Yome
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I captained Mane the last two. I also captained Vardy. Mane could have been rested tonight.

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

    Always do shite in midweek games.

    Currently 30 with 1 to play.

    Anyone top that?

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

      Damn.

    2. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      29 previous gw to make you feel better 🙂

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

      Oh and 26 pts on the bench

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

      🙂 28 on the bench

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

    Trent lucky not to get a 2nd yellow there for hand ball.

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lol, 20 players so far lucky not to get yellows so far, taa bot one of them...

      1. Mo Salah No Mane
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        2nd yellow

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

    So Tammy got knee knock now as well as the hip.
    Should be ok though? He ran around a bit after getting knock to knee before going off.

  8. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    How badly was Abraham injured?

    1. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      nothing, will play saturday

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

        Thanks for your reply.

  9. Yome
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic looks like he will be frustrating to own. I am selling him for Zaha and will rely on Tammy for Chelsea points.

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

      Lol at zaha not being a frustrating option

      1. Yome
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Can't beat Palace fixtures though, he will come better and better

    2. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      zaha plays for palace

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

      Erm you sure about that?

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

    Sold.Dendoncker for Pulisic. Whoops

  11. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    No need to overthink Mount>Alli transfer right ?

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

      I am overthinking.

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

      No need

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

      I'm currently overthinking whether the boat has sailed on Alli and it's too late to benefit.

  12. MiLK2018
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking about Tomori -> Aurier,

    Y) Yay;
    N) Nay

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

      Tomori is a bench player, wouldn't trust Aurier.
      So nay.

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

    VVD G Lallana A

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

      What are you on about?

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ban? Or seer?

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

        accident soz

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

        Ban or both.

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

    will salah even get in the team with origi doing bits?

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lil

  15. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Here's a weird stat.

    Last year on same day, Liverpool played Burnley.

    Firmino and Salah were both benched.

    And both came on to play 24 minutes

  16. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    VDVDVDVDVDVVD

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

      Sorry Chuck.

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

    Not sure what to do about Tielemans next week.

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

    Trent could have had 2 reds.

  19. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Cmon Salah(C),warm up

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

    Dammit

  21. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What to do with 1.6m

    Pope — Heaton
    Taa Lundy Tomori — Rico Lascelles
    Kdb Mane Pulisic Mount — Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Ings

    A: Tomori + Mount >> Kelly + Alli (-4)
    B: Lascelles + Mount >> Hanley + Alli (-4)
    C: Pulisic >> Alli
    D: Mount + Rashford >> Alli + Tammy (-4)

    1. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      c if anything, dont take a hit, all players are good

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

      D is crazy, can't bin Rash.. I'd do B

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

    17 lovely points on the bench and my planned move for tonight (Mount > Pulisic) in question!

    Do the move anyway? I didn’t watch the CHE match at all. Pulisic looked close to anything?

  23. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Horrible horrible gw. Ole costs me 12 points! Had he confirmed martial Injury before deadline I would have done martial to Alli instead of mount to pulisic.

    Abraham unexpectedly starts and hauls.
    Main rival has Abraham, mount and Alli.

    Captain vardy over mane fail.
    Nothing by Robbo

    Also considered getting guaita for pope but unnecessarily did mount to pulisic.

    Currently on an embarrassing 40 points

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

    Getting Alli/Son..

    Keep Pulisic or Madder?

    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Keep Maddy. Pulisic is hot and cold. Not worth hanging on to him for too long.

  25. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Tomori and martial to.....

    Suggestions?

    Was thinking chilwell and zaha

    Rest of the team is
    Gaz
    Trent lund tomori
    Martial KDB mane son mount
    Laca vardy

    Rico greenwood Reid

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

      Alli & Kelly, did it last week

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

    VVD turned on the goals in the second half of the season last time around, too.

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Is my live feed delayed by 5 mins or something?

  27. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So... Alli or Son guys?

    1. Igz08
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      thinking of doing Alli to Son hmm

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

        Why?

        1. Igz08
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Outscoring for 1,5 less

  28. Igz08
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son -> Alli
    Tielmans -> Maddison
    (-4)

    Y or N ?

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

      No

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

    Not seeing any vvd goal

  30. GE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Auba and Tielemans -> Rashford and Alli good moves? 🙂

    (2FT, 0.0 itb)

    Pope
    TAA/Soy/Tomori
    Mane/KDB/Mount/Tielemans
    Auba/Vardy/Tammy

    Bench: Button, Lundstram, Dendoncker, Rico