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

    Of l times to get red arrows Xmas is certainly not the time.

    Need Lund and Mousset 65 pointer 2moro

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

    people who did tammy > bats and didnt rectify it for this week :/

    1. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I feel fortunate that Tammy to Rashford has been about even for me...

      1. Am sorry to say again it�…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It's been better

        1. Jayv807
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I did it for a hit, so pretty much a wash for me. should have mentioned that sorry.

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

        i did tammy to ings so happy enuf

        1. ted mcnure
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Me too, think I'll hold til wc..

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

      I did it, but got Mousset in yesterday.
      Still a shambles though.

  3. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1 FT any ideas?
    Robbo to Aurier? to free up cash for Jimi to Rashford next week?

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Lunds
    Son Alli Maddison Mane
    Jimi Vardy Tammy
    Button Cantwell Soyuncu Rico

    1. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save

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

    How long do we think Kelly will be nailed for?

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

      Until Ward is back.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      long enough

  5. Schwarzer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would you stick or twist for no hit? Need to sell VVD to afford it.

    Martial > Alli (BUR)
    VVD > 5.8

    Cheers

    1. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Actually yes.. what def do you have in mind?
      I also have VVD and he's on death row for me too..

      1. Schwarzer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not sure yet, not seeing much value in defence so someone cheap most likely.

  6. Am sorry to say again it�…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pulisic ownership going down is comedy

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

      How much he was bigged up was funnier.

    2. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      indeed people are ridiculously fickle, Jimenez was one of most transferred in, now most transferred out
      at least Abraham repaid the faith in owners

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

      Only bandwagoning casuals own him anyway..

    4. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Did he play poorly?

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

    Best below 4.7 enabling defender?
    Thinking Targett or Clark at the moment

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Guilbert Willems

  8. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Kane + Dendonk > Alli/Son + Greenwood

    B) Kane + Maddison > Tammy + son/alli

    2ft

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

    Prediction for the Manchester derby?

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

      3-1

    2. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Stadium won't be full. City will win.

    3. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      4 2 city

  10. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions here lads?

    Feel like my team is stagnating atm...

    1FT / 0.0 ITB

    Gazza Martin
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Tomori Rico
    Mane KDB Son Martial Pulisic
    Vardy Abraham Mousset

    1. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save. Tomori is your enabler for Puli or Mousse upgrade next ...

  11. slasken
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Selling martial. Have 9,3 for replacement.
    Midfield Mane - Pulisic - Zaha - Martial - Cantwell

    Do i do the easy Alli swap? Go down in price for Grealish or take a -4 for chillwell to aurier and afford Son?

    Help please 🙂

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

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

      Just get Alli.
      I did it half an hour ago.

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son owner here. I'd just do it Alli. If he stays fit, he'll probably be close in points to Son by end of season

  12. Mo Salah No Mane
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth getting Rashford?
    Tonight it was a goalkeeping error and a lucky penalty.
    Will he get goals every week?
    Also spurs have been awful defensively.
    Not sure if United can be trusted

    1. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      after city, looks like a must

      1. Mo Salah No Mane
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ok depends for who though
        Enough striking options

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

      I am monitoring him - a future swap with Jiminez if I can get the cash.

      1. Mo Salah No Mane
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Same
        Jimi only ever gets 1 goal
        Just not explosive enough

  13. 1895Reds
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    When does the 5 yellow card deadline pass? Nice one

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

      After the players team have played their 19th game.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      already has

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        ignore me, talking shite again

  14. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Was so excited to get a fourth mid afternoon Mane KDB and Alli.. it’s actually quite a depressing list below £9m

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      After

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        shave.

        1. Planet Head
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Gel

          1. Monkey Hanger
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            ato.

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

    One metric to rule them all. Really interesting article in how Liverpool analyse players using a metric called ‘goal probability added’.
    https://trainingground.guru/articles/ian-graham-the-one-currency-liverpool-use-to-judge-players

    After every action a player takes on the pitch, they analyse how the probability of goal has increased, no matter where on the pitch. Interesting way of cutting through the data and getting an accurate measure of progressing the play.

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

      “The thing that I’m really obsessed about is the risk-reward pay-off of passes. Some of the best passers in the game have some of the lowest pass-completion percentages in the game."

      That's a moneyball statement right there. Players with low pass accuracy are often dismissed as poor passers - Ian Graham doesn't.

      1. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah and then there was Alex Hleb who only played short back passes. Pointless stat, accuracy

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

          Never forget Denilson

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

          What's worrying is that Bruno Fernandes was rumoured to be dismissed by United in the summer because he loses the ball too often. To me this suggests they have an outdated scouting system.

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

        “These are sort of awkward, ungainly-looking players or players that have been overlooked for various other purposes,” he said. “One of my favourite players is Andy Robertson, our left-back, one of the best left-backs in Europe, and now European champion of course.

        “So Andy Robertson’s problem was his background as much as anything. So he only started playing English Premier League football maybe at the age of 22. And he played for Hull City, which was not a very good football team.

        “They got relegated from the Premier League. And he was the best young full-back in Britain at the time. He was a really strange case of a really attacking full-back playing in a really poor defensive team.”

  16. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Was Tammy's injury his hip again?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Knee

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Knee to knee hit

    3. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks people.

  17. Paulie Walnuts
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kdb and Jimmy

    To

    Alli and rash

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Naj

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Better not

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

      too knee-jerky and sideways

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

    Klopp might just be best off keep benching Salah. Team looked way better without that ball hogging fraud occupying the best areas...

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

      Shaq was great but the Origi resting is telling.

      Origi Firmino Mane

      Shaq 1st sub, Salah if desperate.

    2. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think you're overstating it a bit, but if I were forced to sell one it would be Salah to be honest.

    3. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah just struggling a bit for for form but he will come around again soon.
      Pool did look livelier than ever...

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sell Salah and get profit like Coutinho?

  19. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender 5.0 or under? (not Lund or Rico)

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Someone from CP

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

    watch this alli goal and tell me alli isnt officially back, sick skills. Young needs to watch the replay to even figure out what happened

  21. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    It's a season, love and understanding

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Marry Christmas Everton

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        merry

  22. Pulp Minion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    You have to wonder what exactly VAR is for:

    1) Liverpool should have given away a penalty
    2) Leicester should have had a penalty and no Vardy YC
    3) United penalty proably exact same as Leicester but given

    Alli goal touch and go but no complaints really.

    Just watching the highlights now any others tonight?

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

      No but Jimenez offside in the build up to the goal against Sheffield last week is the worst of the season.

      1. Pulp Minion
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That handball at the weekend when they found a different camera angle 10 minutes later

  23. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Evening all. A. Tomori + Greenwood to Kelly and Mousett to strengthen bench for free or B. Pope to Henderson/ Gazzinga and save 1 ft?

  24. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    get Williams (Utd), Femenia or Mariappa? 😀 don't really care if he scores points, bonus if he does

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

    65 + Lundstram any good?

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

      Time to retire

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It is quite good

    3. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Similar to mysekf 61 + Lund and hendo content enough regret getting rid of Tammy last week though

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

        Thanks all, I'm glad I kept Mount and got some real jam with Mane VC and Rico off bench

    4. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks pretty good imo.

  26. Donster
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2FT 1.0 ITB and really would like to get Alli

    A: Maddison —> Alli exact funds
    B: TAA, Mount -> Alli and 6m defender

    1. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't sell Maddison or Trent but B outta those

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

      A

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

      Thx, I’m not sure I want to sell them. My only other trade is to ship Sterling

      1. Ohh1454
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'd get rid of sterling give you money itb aswell

  27. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do Kdb/son > alli or keep both ?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keep both

  28. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    The kneejerk is strong today with 2ft!

    Can have this team with a -4

    Button/Pope

    Taa Soy Lundy Rico 4.1
    Mane KdB Maddison Alli Pulisic
    Abraham Jiminez Vardy

    Changes... Robertson > 4.1, Son > Alli, Cantwell > KdB

    yay nay!? gota bench a premium each week, could also get a 3.9 def and upgrade Pope at some point...

    Great team but not sure if it's the way to go. High TV gives me the option, but yeah any takers?

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

      Tempted by Rashford after City?

      1. Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        yep for jimi

        just not sure about united

        looked great today for sure

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

    Any clue of who I should get rid of to get alli? 2ft 0itb
    Worth mixing up here to get alli?

    Heaton Pope
    Trent VVD Soy Rico Montoya
    KdB Mane Zaha Mount Den
    Tammy Vardy Jimmy

    One of Pope and Heaton + VVD + mount/zaha - > Alli + Aurier + 3.9 keeper for a minus - 4

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

    Pope
    TAA / Pereira / Lundstram
    Mané / KDB / Alli / Pulisic / Tielemans
    Vardy / Jimenez

    Button // Aurier / Connolly / Rico

    Thinking I should start Aurier? I'd do it for Tielemans, although Villa's defence is pretty poor.

    ...and Jimenez back to Tammy?