Dugout Discussion

Son and Lucas return to Spurs XI as Saka is benched for north London derby

Two clubs in contrasting form meet in the 187th north London derby this afternoon.

Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is at 16:30 BST.

Spurs produced a limp display on Thursday night, failing to register a single shot on target in a 0-0 draw with struggling Bournemouth.

That came a week after a poor showing at Bramall Lane, although the Lilywhites are unbeaten on home soil in three post-restart matches.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have taken 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four fixtures, conceding only one goal along the way.

Jose Mourinho has made three changes from the side which drew at the Vitality Stadium.

The pacier Davinson Sanchez (£5.3m) returns at centre-back in place of Jan Vertonghen (£5.2m), while Son Heung-min (£9.6m) and Lucas Moura (£7.0m) are recalled on the flanks in place of Erik Lamela (£5.7m) and Steven Bergwijn (£7.1m).

Harry Kane (£10.9m) leads the line yet again, while Serge Aurier (£5.1m) starts once more at right-back.

There’s just the one change for Arsenal, with Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) only among the substitutes and Nicolas Pepe (£8.9m) taking his place on the right flank.

Mesut Ozil (£7.0m) is once again omitted from the matchday squad, while Eddie Nketiah (£4.4m) misses out through suspension.

Son and Kane were both jettisoned by over 100,000 FPL managers ahead of Gameweek 35+.

Of all the players in today’s two matchday squads, Saka was the most transferred in, with almost 75,000 Fantasy bosses recruiting the teenager.

These sides drew 2-2 when they last met in Gameweek 4, although both clubs have changed head coaches since then.

Kane and Son both registered attacking returns in that match, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) on target for the Gunners.


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Winks, Sissoko, Lo Celso, Lucas, Son, Kane.

Arsenal XI: Martinez, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Tierney, Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

1,285 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sir Jorieh of tottenham is not doing so well in the jousting thus far

  2. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    32 points away from Top 10k.

    A) Digne (AVL) + Sarr (whu)/DC-L (AVL)
    B) AWB (cry)/VvD (ars) + Pulisic (NOR)

    Which option for this next GW only?

    1. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B by a country mile

      1. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Have digne and pulisic tho

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  3. Zen_Master
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Aurier gonna get a red card now innit? Lol

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Goal first

    2. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hope so!

  4. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Aurier MOTM

    bookmark this..

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Couple of A or a G would be nice

  5. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    It is sad.. but looks like Kane is not a top striker anymore 🙁

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The Mourinho effect

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This one is not on Mou
        It's on himself. Running into ground.
        Ankle Injuries killed all momentum

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah he really doesn't look threatening.

      I think English players in general can almost never become truly world-class because they don't get coached on football intelligence. Sterling and Foden are probably the two best and it's because they started young with Pep.

      1. Up the tics
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Foden

  6. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Having an absolutely rancid GW in normal FPL. 26pts and captain played.

    But I have nailed what was a very competitive cash draft league. On 71pts from 6 players, with 9 goals, and a CS.

    Always a bright side. 🙂

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Congrats! 🙂

      1. Monkey Hanger
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers.

  7. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bench 2?

    Aurier - NewC
    Boly - Bur
    Lamptey - SOU
    Taylor - Wol
    Digne - Villa

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lamptey and Taylor

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for confirming my thoughts

  8. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Repost to hear thoughts and opinions.

    I wish Mourinho would retire from management. The game has unfortunately out grown him. He’s tarnishing his incredible legacy taking on jobs with these teams. His second stint at Chelsea didn’t end great, and his Man Utd stint ended sour. This Spurs job isn’t exactly going well for him either. When he was working for SkySports doing punditry, his insight into teams and their tactics was fascinating, everyone just sat and listened. At the end of the day though, I suppose money talks.

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Agree that he was doing great work for Sky, offered a level of tactical analysis that is very rare with tv pundits.

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      True

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      100% agree
      He knows that too
      Just taking his last big fat paycheck

    4. riot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He's all about the money, took a big Russian payday for the WC

    5. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't retire if I was receiving his wages

  9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Please not David luiz with the free kick

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This

  10. screamer73
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Crazy to consider Barkley over Willian for the upcoming GW?

    1. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      batshuyi insane

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bold move but can understand the reasoning... too ballsy for me

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Batters!

  11. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Took out Son and Jiminez for minus 4. Was being proactive, was happy with my move. Need Vardy haul.

    1. supperspout
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lesson learnt not to be proactive anymore?

    2. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lol i was told the same on here in the comments but i stuck to just jim >> vardy

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I needed the hit to do it though, got Pugilist as well, hope for next week.

  12. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Arsenal need to counter quicker because Kane is getting caught a long way up the pitch

  13. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Auba just wide from the FK

  14. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    WOW Auba so close

  15. Shankly611
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Digging deeper in my KDB/Sterling rest research...

    DGW 30+ KDB comes off early against Arsenal, still gets a breather the next game vs Burnley (29 mins) so he could rest for the GW31+ and the match vs Chelsea

    Sterling plays 90 minutes against Arsenal, doesn't play a minute vs Burnley so he could rest for the Chelsea game

    I think we have a similar scenario here. KDB came of early and Sterling played 90 mins vs Brighton. Expect both of them to be benched vs Bournemouth so they can play against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

    Furthermore, KDB started the last two matches and will start the match vs Arsenal, and I don't think there's a significant chance for him to start 4 matches in 11 days, especially given the fact that Bournemouth at home is an ideal chance for a rest.

    That being said, I give KDB less than 10% chance of starting against B'mouth, while I'd say Sterling has around 40% because he was rested against Newcastle and came of early against Southampton...

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think KDB starts both Bournemouth and Arsenal. Sterling starts both aswell. Mahrez will sit out

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        My thinking as well

    2. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Very interesting. Any views on mahrez?

      1. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'd say he starts against Bournemouth. He started against Arsenal in DGW 30, started against Burnley, and then started two important matches against Chelsea and Newcastle. He got a rest vs Liverpool. He got a breather in the next two GW's as well coming of in the 58th and 74th minute respectively. He played 90 mins vs Brighton, I say he gets around 60 this midweek vs Bournemouth.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What do you reckon his midfield & attack will be for BOU?

      1. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        DSilva Gundogan BSilva
        Mahrez Sterling/Jesus Foden

        Could also argue that both Fernandinho and Gundogan will start, giving Mahrez or Sterling/Jesus a breather, but I don't think it's likely both Dinho and Gundo start

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best way to stay sharp is to play?

      1. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Of course, but I think it's very unlikely Pep forces his injury-prone best player to start 4 matches in 11 days, especially given the fact Bournemouth are awful and the match means nothing to City.

        Besides that, KDB has played the most minutes of all City attacking players since the restart and I think it's his time for a rest vs Bournemouth.

    5. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB only played an hour against Brighton as well.

    6. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB sitting is indeed quite likely.

      But I think Sterling starts. He already had a rest, he's super fit and he's one of only two players who can play upfront with Aguero out. Do they rest Jesus or Sterling next week? I think they rest Jesus for the Cup.

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        U dont reckon the cup front 3 will be Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling?

    7. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe working backwards from the cup lineup? Which could be:

      ___?___, Rodri, KDB
      Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling

      It’s just hard to predict who the feck he starts vs Bournemouth then??

      Gundogan, Fernandinho, Foden
      Bilva, Sterling, Dilva

      Haven’t got a clue tbh - he could start anyone, he’s mad

    8. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      ur using the gw30 benching vs Bunley as evidence that KDB will be benched agian but that was so early on in the restart and they'd just had 3 months off. I reckon he'll be fitter now and Pep would be more confident in giving him 60mins vs BOU

      1. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        GW 30 benching
        Played the most minutes since the restart
        Played the most minutes last 3 GW's
        Won't start 4 matches in 11 days, so more likely to rest against Bournemouth than against Arsenal

        I think all of that goes against KDB

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yeh tbf the fact he played all 90 vs newcastle isnt a great sign

  16. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How does this FH team look?
    Kepa
    TAA AWB digne
    Salah dilva pulisic bruno
    Jesus giroud ings
    (gk, foden, def, def)

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Stopped reading at Kepa

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Against Norwich?

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Even against a strong gust of wind

      2. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I don't think there's any point in getting a City player and benching him. You need as many lottery tickets as possible!

      3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Think I’d rather have five mids

      4. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        OK.
        DDG
        TAA AWB digne
        Salah dilva foden pulisic bruno
        Jesus giroud

        1. Tempestic
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          yeh this is better

    2. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hopefully Martinez scores a winner.

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        He'll save a pen

    3. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      laca yc

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Laca Yc

    5. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lo Celso shouldercharge

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Looked a foul to me

    6. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I was going to transfer Salah out but looking at the state of this defense, I might consider captaining him instead.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Chelsea and Newcastle after sounds perfect.

      3. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        They are individually poor, with mistakes in them, but collectively not terrible under Arteta. I think they reward attacks sporadically, regardless of how good the opponent is. I suppose the Pool press could force mistakes, but might heighten Arsenal's focus or solidity or determination. Swings and roundabouts.

    7. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Score a goal Aurier

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        *own goal

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

      And it was all yellow.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Look at the cards, look how they shine for you.

    9. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ben YC

    10. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Chances of Iheanacho starting tonight?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Likely.

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers TM

      2. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Very high

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers mate

      3. Patron
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Have him too. My question would be: Chance of scoring more than two points?

      4. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        My guess is Barnes..

    11. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just realized went from top 3k to 12k in 2 weeks....

      Please stop the bleeding

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s still an awesome rank this season

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers mate but was pushing for top1k and dropped Salah for a hit last week and didnt take a hit on Antonio this week. Will be working hard to push back into top 10k as I lost my ML this week as well.

          How's your post lockdown season going?

          1. TheDragon
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Abysmal - absolutely terrible season. I usually finish in or around top 10k but this year I seem to have got every 50:50 decision wrong for huge points.

            Feel like my overall strategy / team has been decent. Very frustrating season.

    12. LIARS POKER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Which transfer should be the priority this week?

      A) Mane -> Pulisic
      B) Jimenez -> Ings
      C) Both for -4

      1. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        B

      2. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        B

      3. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Mane vs this Arsenal should be fun.
        See how Ings does.

    13. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DDG
      TAA, Doherty, Saiss
      Salah, KDB, Foden, Fernandes, Pulisic
      Rashford, Jimenez
      4.0 l Holgate, Fernandez, Gordon

      What’s best here? Will free hit in 38

      A) Jimenez -> Ings
      B) KDB -> DSilva/ Mahrez
      C) Salah -> Sterling
      D) A combination of the above -4

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A & B with DSilva

      2. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Have you thought about B to Willian?

        Avoid the Pep roulette altogther and aim for the other juicy fixture this GW?

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Unfortunately I watched the Sheff Utd vs Chelsea game and it’s really put me off Chelsea. It’s probably going to mean I don’t captain Pulisic

          1. Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Food for thought: After West Ham loss, there was a big reaction from Chelsea in the next game vs Watford

    14. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looking at a BB this week

      Pope/Martinez
      TAA Digne Doherty Mendy Lamptey
      Bruno KDB Mahrez Martial Willian
      Greenwood Vardy Ings
      1FT 1.1m ITB

      A KDB to Dilva
      B Mahrez to Foden
      C Save FT
      D Something else?

    15. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bottomed last page

      Current team:

      Martinez
      TAA Doherty CTaylor (Saiss Lasc)
      Salah KdB Foden Martial Bruno
      Vardy Green (Jimi)

      How is this plan?

      36 Salah to Puli
      37 Jimi/Vardy to Auba OR Puli to Sterling
      38 FH

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Salah out before Arsenal?