Dugout Discussion

Mount, Pulisic and Ings benched as Boxing Day rotation strikes

There are six Premier League matches kicking off simultaneously at 15:00 GMT this afternoon.

Aston Villa v Norwich City, Bournemouth v Arsenal, Chelsea v Southampton, Crystal Palace v West Ham United, Everton v Burnley and Sheffield United v Watford are the half-dozen fixtures in question, with two more games to follow later this evening.

The headline team news perhaps comes from Stamford Bridge, where there are benchings for Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Danny Ings.

Frank Lampard has seemingly stuck with a 3-4-3 for the visit of Southampton, with Fikayo Tomori again lining up at centre-half.

Marcos Alonso, the suspended Mateo Kovacic and Mount drop out of the team that defeated Spurs, with Jorginho, Emerson and Callum Hudson-Odoi promoted to the starting XI.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s alterations both come in attack, with Ings and the injured Shane Long replaced by Che Adams and Michael Obafemi.

Bjorn Engels, Frederic Guilbert, the injured John McGinn and Conor Hourihane make way for Aston Villa, with Ahmed El Mohamady, Ezri Konsa, Marvelous Nakamba and Trezeguet recalled.

Norwich City are unchanged.

At the Vitality Stadium, Jack Simpson, Callum Wilson and the fit-again Steve Cook replace the suspended Diego Rico, the injured Simon Francis and the benched Philip Billing.

Mikel Arteta makes three changes from the side that started the goalless draw at Everton.

Sokratis returns from suspension and replaces the banned Calum Chambers, while Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil oust Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe from the starting XI.

Mamadou Sakho returns from suspension for Crystal Palace, with Cheikhou Kouyate moving back into midfield and James McCarthy dropping to the bench.

Max Meyer replaces Christian Benteke in attack.

Neither Lukasz Fabianski nor David Martin have recovered from injuries, so the much-maligned Roberto starts between the posts for West Ham.

Pablo Zabaleta replaces the suspended Ryan Fredericks at right-back in the Hammers’ only other change.

Carlo Ancelotti makes two changes for his first match in charge.

Seamus Coleman and Bernard start, with Tom Davies and the injured Alex Iwobi dropping out.

Robbie Brady replaces the suspended Jeff Hendrick for Burnley, while Jay Rodriguez is in for the benched Ashley Barnes.

There is one change apiece for Sheffield United and Watford: John Fleck is back from suspension and replaces Luke Freeman for the hosts, while Nathaniel Chalobah is in for the banned Abdoulaye Doucoure for the Hornets.


Aston Villa XI: Heaton, El Mohamady, Hause, Konsa, Targett, Nakamba, Douglas Luiz, Grealish, El Ghazi, Wesley, Trezeguet.

Norwich City XI: Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Hanley, Byram, Tettey, Trybull, Buendía, McLean, Cantwell, Pukki.

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale, S. Cook, Mepham, Simpson, Stacey, L. Cook, Lerma, Gosling, Fraser, C. Wilson, King.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, David Luiz, Sokratis, Saka, Xhaka, Torreira, Nelson, Özil, Aubameyang, Lacazette

Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Rüdiger, Zouma, Tomori, Azpilicueta, Kanté, Jorginho, Emerson, Willian, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Soares, Bednarek, Stephens, Bertrand, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Højbjerg, Redmond, Adams, Obafemi.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Kelly, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt, Milivojevic, Kouyaté, McArthur, Meyer, Ayew, Zaha.

West Ham XI: Roberto, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Snodgrass, Noble, Rice, Fornals, Antonio, Haller.

Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Digne, Sidibé, Sigurdsson, Delph, Bernard, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.

Burnley XI: Pope, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Brady, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Rodriguez, Wood.

Sheffield Utd XI: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McBurnie, McGoldrick.

Watford XI: Foster, Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenía, Capoue, Chalobah, Hughes, Sarr, Deeney, Deulofeu.

1,485 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    C'mon Rashford, lets get a few now!

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      they needed pogba, that midfield is absolutely horrendous at creating chances

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I agree. Just hope a sub appearance creates a few for Rashford.

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

        They have Greenwood

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          True I like he starts but they need someone to feed in the balls. Greenwood can't constantly be scoring shots from long range shots.

          Martial looks lost playing striker, rashford gets frustrated playing out wide.

          Maybe I am wrong for this game but to me it's a big mistake

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I agree. Especially after all of us could clearly see what happened in the last game when Pogba came on. Dont know which game Ole was watching while that was happening!

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Where the hell is pogba Ole?Swine!

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Ole has no clue!

  2. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Tammy+Dendonker to Maddison+Greenwood? (-4)

  3. dark91
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Couldn't watch the Everton game but would like to know how the following guys performed today:
    Richarlison and Digne

    And is it worth bringing any Everton players?

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

      digne

      richar is awlful

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Keep an eye on Sidibe

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yes it is between Sidibe and Digne for me

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

          Will Sidibe continue to play right midfield under Ancelotti? Nicer price but Digne feels more nailed on...

          1. dark91
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Agree

    3. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Richarlison had him for two GW's now and regretted it might get Maddison back against West Ham

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        But is he not getting enough chances or just being wasteful?

        1. Lecky Legs FC
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          He's not getting chances really if I'm honest can only see him struggle against Newcastle on the weekend who like to sit it with 5 in the midfield

  4. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Imagine beating Chelsea at the Bridge with Obafemi/Adams up top.
    I'd rip your arm off for a draw prematch, more so a win.
    Think Ralph was the difference. Tactically destroyed Lampard, who reacted poorly. A midfield of Kante/Jorgi should not be outplayed/outworked by PeH and JwP. Not in a million years.

    1. Agger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Sarri >

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Lampard, perhaps this shows his naivety and inexperience? Still relatively new to the game.
        But yeah, he should get the schtick for this display. Poor.

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He played 3 at the back against Southampton, just clueless. Chelsea over performed at the start of the season. They'll prob sign a couple in Jan

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Put too much respect on us. Were better with a back four, but by the second half it was too late, we had the momentum and the lead already.

      2. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Still better than arsenal

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          V*rgin nightcrawler at it again. Better than Man Utd too

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

            Ars worse than utd

            1. Qaiss
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              I would hate to be you

  5. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Where are the points?

  6. Agger
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I feel like that over protecting boyfriend whenever Lord Lundstram gets fouled. Keep your god damn hands off my dream asset.

    1. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      lol true

    2. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Shame he can't get you any points

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

    Nice wee Heaton Grealish double up today.

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

      Excellent

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

    If you get Sidibe in before half 5 do you get his points?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      always worth a try, do it and send fpl an email and see what they can do

    2. Agger
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, of course

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I said I wanted him before the game kicked off so I think I will get the points

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

    POINTS BETWEEN YOU AND TOP10K
    79

    You guys?

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

      44

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

        42*

    2. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      16. Rashford to take care of that soon.

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

      No idea

        1. Agger
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks!!

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

            Np

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

      56

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

      86 (338k)

    6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      44

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

      30 but it will get worse, only got 4 left and cap gone.

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

      94....but Im about to kick ass w Vardy, Maddison, TAA, Salah, Rash and KDB(C) points right quick.

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

      How many points is 10k?

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

        1118

    10. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      was 0, until Pope lost clean sheet. Now 6

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

        Ooof

    11. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      1 million

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

        10

      2. One Wheels Enough
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Currently got 1100, not sure how close though

        1. One Wheels Enough
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          18 then.... 🙂

    12. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      28

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

      200 🙁

    14. clempro
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      10

      1. Liberate HK - antichinazi
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        -10

    15. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      40

    16. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      70.

  10. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any suggestions for the wildcard? Who to keep, get, discard?

    Heaton / Pope
    TAA / Soyuncu / Lundstram / Guilbert / Kelly
    Salah / KDB / Maddison / Grealish / Alli
    Vardy / Ings / Connolly

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

      Dont like keeper rotations.
      Kelly is a risk to lose his job in a few weeks
      Ings and Connolly (Id pick one cheap striker to bench and upgrade the second)
      Otherwise, good.

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

      Triple AVL?! One of heaton/guilbert need to go surely? Maybe Ryan or Ramsdale instead of Heaton? Or Rico or Dunk instead of Guilbert? Greenwood or Ayew instead of Connolly? The rest I like a lot. Nice team.

    3. Plagued by indecision
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks both. This is my team as it is currently, not a draft wildcard. Suggestions most welcome though, thanks!

  11. theodosios
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    22 with 4 left (KDB captain). Anyone worse?

    1. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      20 with 5 left Rashford (c)

    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      16 (-4) from 6. Salah cap to save the day

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

      40 with KDB, Sterling and Vardy

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

      15 from 5 so far. Pog on bench too.
      Awful.

    5. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      That should be about the average, I guess

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

      19 from 6. Was 14k before today lol

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

      9 with 7 to play, KDB C

    8. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      13 from 5 so far

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

        11 with Rash(C), Pogba, TAA, Vardy, KDB, Sterling left

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

      40 from 6. Not great.

    10. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      29 (-4), Mane, Rash, Vardy and KDB(c).
      My first and last time I capped Tammy.

    11. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      22 .. 5 left inc Salah (c)

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

    Lads will there be press conferences before next GW?

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

      Unlikely

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

      Tomorrow?

  13. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Abraham needs to go right?

    Poor form and potential rotation at weekend....

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

      Get rid

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

      Depends who you get.

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

        Nothing springs to mind as cant get to rashford.

        Maupay??

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

          Ings, Deulofeu, Jimenez

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

      Yeah

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      they will say he's due

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

        Due a rest tho at arsenal.....

    5. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yup. Not sure who for yet

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

      He relies on service. Got absolutely none. Was fine against Spurs. It’s Arsenal.

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

      Chelsea have no one else up front though lol

  14. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ayew's goal is an absolute peach 🙂

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

    Just sold Son and Abraham for Salah and Greenwood.

    Will see what happens with prices tonight but likely getting rid of Grealish for Alli, and I'll take Cantwell down to Dendoncker too.

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

      WC ?

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

        Yup, thank god.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Greenwood is not going to start regularly.

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

        Don't need him to with Mane, Salah, KDB and Alli in midfield.

    3. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Why get rid of Grealish?

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

        Alli a big upgrade , can't afford to keep Grealish as a fifth mid

  16. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So... how does it feel, Lundstram captainers?

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

      Just as good as us Tammy captainers, I'm sure.

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

      Dunno. Most of them probably don't post here to celebrate other's misfortune....

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

        Certainly.

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

    Can't believe I bench Heaton and brought in pogba as a 1 week punt

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

      Ouch

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      H i n d s i g h t

      Both those decisions were sensible I would say

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Played Heaton over Schmeich.. smooth. Him and Aurier all my points... rough.

  18. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Abraham to Ings?

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

      Maupay?

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Punt on Callum Wilson’s Fixtures snapping him out of drought

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

      Calvert-Lewin

  19. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bye bye Mousset!

  20. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Disgusted with Tammy captain. Watched the whole game and I must say he was disappointing in all areas of pitch. touches/finishing/runs into box/ hold up play all v poor

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I didnt see the game but thought Pulisic was poor

      1. XABI 15
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Pulisic only played about 20 mins...

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Should have perhaps stayed on the bench

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

        Hard to good off the bench with 20 odd minutes to go. Southampton had them beat before then.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No service. Had one half chance, one clear chance that went because Mount can’t pass ten feet.

  21. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Can you suggest changes to this WC team?

    Ryan (Button)
    PvA Soyuncu Aurier (Rico)(Simpson)
    KdB Alli Maddison Sterling Grealish
    Kane Vardy (Greenwood)

    0.1 ITB

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No Pool?
      Sterling -> Salah/Mane

  22. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    43 and 5 to go. Finally good week

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      who made the difference?

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

        Kane(C), Heaton, Grealish and Alli

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

      Kaptain Kane?

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

        Yes

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

    if Rashford hauls, total disaster :/

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      His EO isnt too high.

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

        ah ok, I figured many caps

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Hopefully you didn't use TC on that guy

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

        no thank god, I was so close. Changed it last night, only because I havent watched Pukki recently. And whenever I get players without eye test it goes wrong
        Pukki was my cap, just not triple

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

    Where best to trim 0.4 from this WC squad?

    Gaza, 4.0
    TAA, Aurier, Söyüncü, Otamendi, Kiko
    Salah, KDB, Alli, Cantwell, 4.3
    Vardy, Abraham, Ings

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

      Otamendi or Ings

  25. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    went for Salah + Ings over Kane + Grealish,

    hope Salah get a brace or something to justify my decision

  26. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is David Silva back anytime soon?

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

    Did Heaton really have 6 saves ?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cant recall 6 but except one, majority of them were poor shots

  28. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sheffield is so annoying with these goals they concede like today, Watford only 5 shots and 2 on target 🙁

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

      But Baldock still produces some points for us even when they dont keep a clean sheet 😉

  29. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ole's evil twin brother is taking charge of todays game

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

    Foster in feels good at least, he has been quality recently

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pay a smidgen extra & get Guaita

      He’ll repay you ten-fold soon

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

        its just for 5 weeks, already got Kelly.