Dugout Discussion

Jimenez starts but Traore benched as Santo reverts to a 3-5-2 for Norwich clash

There are two matches kicking off simultaneously at 14:00 GMT this afternoon.

Both of the host teams were in UEFA Europa League action on Thursday night, with Manchester United facing Watford at Old Trafford and Wolverhampton Wanderers entertaining Norwich City at Molineux.

The headline team news comes from the West Midlands, with Adama Traore (£5.9m) suffering his second successive benching in the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo has reverted to a 3-5-2 for this clash with the bottom-of-the-table Canaries, making only one change from Gameweek 26: surplus winger Pedro Neto (£5.0m) replaced by Joao Moutinho (£5.4m), who is part of a three-man central midfield.

There are starts for Raul Jimenez (£7.8m), the most-bought FPL asset of Gameweek 27, and Diogo Jota (£6.1m), who scored a hat-trick against Espanyol on Thursday evening.

Norwich’s two alterations are both enforced, with the injured Christoph Zimmermann and Sam Byram replaced by Ben Godfrey and Jamal Lewis (all £4.4m) at centre-half and left-back respectively.

Todd Cantwell (£4.8m) keeps up his ever-present record in 2020, while Emiliano Buendia (£6.0m) is again only a substitute.

Over at Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made two changes to the Manchester United side that beat Chelsea 2-0 on Monday.

Victor Lindelof (£5.3m) comes in for Eric Bailly (£4.9m) in a straight swap, while Brandon Williams (£4.1m) is replaced by Mason Greenwood (£4.4m) in a move that signals a change in formation from 3-4-1-2 to 4-2-3-1.

Odion Ighalo (£6.5m) is on the bench, as is Scott McTominay (£4.9m), who returns following a two-month lay-off.

Nigel Pearson’s only change from the 1-1 draw with Brighton a fortnight ago comes at right-back, with Adrian Mariappa (£4.2m replaced by Craig Dawson (£4.8m).

Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m) is only fit enough for a place among the substitutes.


Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fernandes, Fred, James, Martial, Greenwood.

Watford XI: Foster, Masina, Cathcart, Dawson, Kabasele, Capoue, Doucoure, Hughes, Deulofeu, Pereyra, Deeney.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Patricio, Doherty, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Jonny, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Neves, Jota, Jimenez.

Norwich City XI: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Godfrey, Lewis, McLean, Tettey, Cantwell, Duda, Rupp, Pukki.

1,419 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TAT
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Really regret going Martial over Fernandes. Would've had an outside chance to catch up a few points with my mini league rival picking Bruno…

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Martial will be main benificiary of Bruno's passes.
      Stick and dont worry about it.

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not too confident about the upcoming fixtures though, but that goes for both of them.

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Think in the next 4, points would probably end up the same.

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Can only hope so. Need some decisions to go the right way now…

    3. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Martial still a fine pick.

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Hope so. I've been terrible at picking the right players this season.

  2. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore one pointer haunt me

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Traore is a big game destroyer. Wait and see what he does to Spurs.

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

        ...from the bench.

  3. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Worth bringing in Fernandes or is it too much of a kneejerk?

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I did it. Utd play well in tough fixtures.

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wait, it depends who you're bringing him in for. I had Alli so it seemed obvious, what about you?

      1. DV8R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Grealish but it would be for a -4

    3. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Fixtures look rough, but utd could still do well in them idk..

    4. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn't say it's kneejerk, he looks a perfectly fine pick.

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

      I’d say it’s a go from GW32

    6. Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think he's a good pick, not worth swopping out Martial for him though, too sideways.

  4. Party time
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Martial's goal deserves a bap atleast

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

        Offside goal

      2. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Great goal. Offside in the build up though.

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Couldn't have been. VAR check every goal for offside.

          1. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            VAR doesn't apply to United, ask Maguire.

    • JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Long-term?

      A) Pepe, Saiss (get pepe after this week)
      B) Bruno, Doherty

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

        B doesn't make me worried whether either will start each GW, but that's about it.

    • seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      23 pts with triple pool left.
      🙁

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        why sad? that's top 10 k average.....

      2. Neevesy
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'm 25 with triple Liv....not too displeased, could easily get up towards 50

      3. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Still got your C to play?

      4. Yes Don
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        37 with triple Liverpool & Bamayang

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

          Lol, love the grav and username...one of the craziest movies ever.

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

        17 -4

        3 pool including Salah (c)

        Beats you.

    • Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Any update on when the Man City DGW will be? I need to know if I should save my transfer or not.

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

        You’ll know before GW28 deadline if there’s a DGW29.

        1. Halftime
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks

    • goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What happened to Digne?

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Carlo's always switching around his defence...

      2. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Calf strain apparently

    • A girl has no name
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Traore blocks Awey's 5 pointer. Could have been inside 100K.

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Traore blocking my Mendy 6 pointer too. Annoying!

        1. Samwise
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          not annoying, just the wrong decision...

          1. SHOOTER MCGINN
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            To be honest thought Laporte would be rested for Madrid in which case City clean sheets are far less likely, and Barnes and Traore seemed to be in some form (plus always favour the attacker right?!). At least Mendy seems to be fit and City can defend again - maybe next time!

    • germanyozil10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Please rate my wildcard team, Thanks all!

      McCarthy (Button)
      TAA Soy Saiss (Stephans) (Lascelles)
      Salah Mane KDB Barnes (Hayden)
      Vardy Jimenez Ings

      0.1ITB

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

        8.5 or 9 out of 10.

        1. germanyozil10
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          How to improve?

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

            Not sure about Soy or Vardy. McCarthy as a no. 1 may be risky.

      2. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        6/10

        1. germanyozil10
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Any suggestion?
          Thanks!

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I'd want Fernandes or Martial. Hayden doesn't play. Bit too much Leicester for me.

            1. Royal5
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Double Pool defense has worked wonders for a while.

      3. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        How many 31 players?

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

          Lascelles to Taylor
          McCarthy to Pope
          Hayden to anyone playing regular
          Lose Mane to Bruno, Tony, Mahrez & upgrade a defender to Robbo or Virgil.

          1. Marmalade Forest
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Generous of you to point that out on an RMT.

            Lads played his WC before a big blank and not thought about the consequences - unless he’s FH.

            Personally I think playing the FH two weeks after a WC is silly.

            3/10.

      4. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I wud go Liverpool DD and spread the funds to get stronger bench to accommodate blanks and doubles

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Soy - VVD
          Button - Henderson
          Hayden - Maxim/adama
          Mane/salah - Bruno
          Saiss - Doherty

          These wud be my changes 🙂

      5. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        We have six same players. 8 imo.

    • Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A Kun to Vardy
      B Kun to Vardy and Traore to Bruno
      C Kun to Vardy and Traore to Barnes

      1. germanyozil10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        C

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        B

      3. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Just A

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

        Digne to Doherty was my ft which is great he is tho only player to return anything for me

      5. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Which move?

        A) Mahrez to Bruno
        B) Fleck to Barnes

        1. germanyozil10
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          B

        2. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          A

        3. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          B

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

          Both possible?

          B if one

      6. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        My only hope of salvaging my game week is Robbo doing well tomorrow.

      7. DycheDycheBaby
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Would you consider this for -4?
        Kelly --> Stephens
        Grealish --> B.Fernandes

      8. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Disappointed I joined the crowd and got Traore in for Son. Considered plenty of other options but didn't go through with it. Enjoy reading people's opinions on here and Twitter etc. but think I'll make an extra effort to go my own way for the rest of the season.

        Starting with a 4 point this week to get rid of bloody Traore (again).

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

          Why are you seeking him?

          He always turns up against the big teams.

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

            *selling

          2. SHOOTER MCGINN
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            He's becoming one of those frustrating players for me that returns whenever I don't have him but does nothing when you expect him to.

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

          Spurs away is a fantastic game for Traore - probably as good if not even better than Norwich home

          1. SHOOTER MCGINN
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Probably true, if he plays. 3-5-2 seems to be working nicely right now and Jota in top form.

        3. TM44
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Same here did the same move, disaster!

      9. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        My rank is showing a red arrow and a drop of...2 places!

        1. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          That's a screenshot moment. At the end of last week Az's OR was exactly 10,000.

          1. tiger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Oh yeah I heard that on the podcast 😀

        2. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          The elusive grey arrow!

        3. Maddi Son
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          You have 22 net points don't you?

        4. Samwise
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          mine shows green, by two arrows

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

        Can I keep and play Greenwood next gw now? Risky to think has he played his way into starting again?

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Same dilemma.

          Probably still going to sell him, no bench next week.

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

            I’d rather bring in Jota the following week as opposed to for a hit next week.

        2. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Depends on whether Solksjaer makes changes after the Europa League game again or decides to play Greenwood in the FA cup instead. Probably risky if you got no bench cover.

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

            Rico my only cover

      11. Manani
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Mahrez replacement that is not united players?

        1. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Pepe (if you're willing to wait until 29) or Richarlison

      12. tom2224
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Grealish > Bruno Fernandes?
        Rest of midfield is salah kdb martial and traore

        1. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yes, Villa's fixtures turn soon

        2. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yes

        3. Werner Bremen
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Too much Utd. Get someone from Leicester

      13. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        2fts..
        Auba & lundy out for
        Vardy & Doherty?

        Exact money for it at the moment.

        Or just go cheap and get boly or saiss?

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

          I chose Boly makes their defence bonus magnet & close to goal today.
          Vardy has the fixtures & looks hungry again.

      14. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thoughts on Lucas Moura?
        Looking for Grealish replacement, have 7.8m to spend

        1. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I can't tell if I'd rather buy him or Stevie.

        2. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I wouldn't

        3. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          No

          1. yakirh
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Any other options you would recommend?

            Rest of midfield:
            Salah KDB Martial *** Fodder

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

              If you dont have 2 other Pool, get Mane.
              Considered Bruno?

              1. yakirh
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                I have TAA and VVD
                Not sure about double man utd with their next 3 fixtures

        4. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Garbage.

      15. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Aguero Grealish Fleck
        To
        Jota Fernandes Martial (-4)?

      16. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Mahrez >>> Fernandez?

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          FernandeS, even.

          1. BNMC
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Bruno, not Gedson!!

        2. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yez

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

        Who plays GW31?

        1. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          WOL-BOU and BUR-WAT for sure.
          One of TOT-WHU and NOR-EVE for sure.
          Rest is undecided.

          1. Halftime
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Sounds like Free hit will be a useful chip

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              People tempted to FH this week should be linked to this post.

            2. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              FH for big double imo is better

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

            Thanks.

            Gonna have to be FH.
            Disaster otherwise

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

              Good chance Liverpool might also. Most will aim to have 3pool and 3 wolves imo and keep the FH for a dgw

              1. HamezMace
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Full strength Liverpool beat Chelsea.

                Question is will they go full strength?

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

                  If it’s the kids then you’d back Chelsea

        2. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          We will know who plays or blanks before the Gameweek 29 deadline.

      18. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Auba Grealish Kelly > Jiminez Fernandes Saiss -4

        A. Yay
        B. Nay

        1. yakirh
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          A

      19. migas2k7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Bruno stolen an assist on that martial goal.

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

        Anymore news on the possible dgw29?

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

          We will know before GW28 deadline if any DGW will take place in GW29.

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

            Have to hold off on transfer until then I guess

      21. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Can field this 11 next week:

        McCarthy
        TAA - Williams - Dunk - Saiss - Stephens
        Salah - Cantwell - Donk
        Ings - Firmino

        Given the uncertainty of GW31, stick or do something like Maz > Bruno despite United’s fixtures?

      22. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        New thread lads