Dugout Discussion

Leicester hit by injury and unavailability as Rodgers hands debut to teenager

Premier League survival and European qualification places are on the line in this evening’s two 18:00 BST kick-offs.

Everton take on an Aston Villa side who are four points adrift of safety, while fourth plays eighth as Leicester City welcome Sheffield United to the King Power Stadium.

There is plenty of Fantasy interest in these games, too, with Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) and Lucas Digne (£5.9m) each sitting in more than 20% of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League sides and enjoying double-digit ownership overall.

Both players start this evening in their respective games.

Leicester are without the injured Marc Albrighton (£5.1m), James Maddison (£7.3m) and Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) for the visit of the Blades, while Caglar Soyuncu (£4.9m) begins a three-match ban.

Albrighton and Soyuncu’s absences have led to two of four changes that Brendan Rodgers has made to his starting XI following the 4-1 thrashing by Bournemouth.

Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.7m) and Christian Fuchs (£4.2m) also drop out, with Wes Morgan (£4.1m), Ryan Bennett (£4.8m), Harvey Barnes (£5.9m) and 19-year-old defender Luke Thomas handed starts.

This is Thomas’s first-team debut and he is yet to even be given a price by FPL.

Sheffield United’s team news is much more straightforward, with Chris Wilder naming an unchanged side.

John Lundstram (£4.6m) is again only a substitute, while the fit-again John Fleck (£4.7m) also makes the bench.

The most-bought FPL defender of Gameweek 36+, John Egan (£4.7m), starts again at centre-half, having plundered 31 points in his last three matches.

Dean Smith’s only change from the side that beat Crystal Palace on Sunday is an enforced one.

With Neil Taylor (£4.2m) ruled out with a hamstring injury, Matt Targett (£4.3m) returns to play at left-back in a like-for-like swap.

Carlo Ancelotti has rung the changes following the dismal 3-0 defeat at Wolves but Richarlison (£8.2m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.2m) aren’t among the alterations and they start again in attack.

The injured Yerry Mina (£5.3m) is replaced by Mason Holgate (£4.3m), while Alex Iwobi (£5.6m), Bernard (£6.4m), Andre Gomes (£5.2m) and Seamus Coleman (£5.3m) also return at the expense of Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.3m), Theo Walcott (£6.2m), Leighton Baines (£4.9m) and Anthony Gordon (£4.5m).


Everton XI: Pickford; Digne, Keane, Holgate, Coleman; Bernard, Davies, Gomes, Iwobi; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Aston Villa XI: Reina; Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Hourihane; Trezeguet, Samatta, Grealish.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Bennett, Morgan, Evans; Justin, Ndidi, Tielemans, Thomas; Pérez, Vardy, Barnes.

Sheffield United XI: Henderson; O’Connell, Egan, Basham; Stevens, Osborn, Norwood, Berge, Baldock; McBurnie, McGoldrick.

FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 36+

1,143 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else get Lascelles and Holgate on their wildcard after the restart? It's been pretty much just no-shows and 1 pointers

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

      I've got Lascelles. Now I've got to either get a new defender or play Kiko vs. Man City!

    2. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Unfortunate but yes. Luckily have mainly had on the bench. for my Doherty 2 points instead.

    3. Pulp Minion
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, mostly been on my bench though

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

      I think i sold Egan for Holgate after Egans red. That's gone well..

    5. Gav's Gunners
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I got Holgate, Taylor, Aurier and Nketiah on my WC after the break. Going from bad to worse. BB still to play aswell

    6. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep, sold holgate though

  2. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH looked a good idea now. 8 from 6 players.

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

      😮

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      holy cr@p batman, that is tough going.

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

      Need Bruno 2 go mad as captain.

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

    Sweet finish from Perez

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

      Guy can't score when he's in our teams 😀

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      4 months and a global pandemic too late.

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

        Pandemics are alwyas global

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

          Lol

        2. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Why are you wasting your time with me, go work on a cure!

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

          Not necessarily

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

          Tell that to Everton through and through right now 😀

        5. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Not correct actually.
          Pandemics can be categorised at national level also.

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

            Not correct actually... A pandemic cannot be national, that would be an epidemic or if it's truly national more accurately an endemic. Pandemics by definition span more than one country or continent (however not necessarily global). Sorry to be that guy ;P

            1. potatoace
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Not true. A pandmic is defined by the rate of infection over distance. It does not necessarily have to cross political country borders to be categorised as pandemic

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

        😀

  4. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I was considering Thomas all week but then couldnt bring him in because the useless blankets at FPL Towers didnt add him to the game. Truly painful to be a level above everyone else.

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

      What will he be? Def or Midf? 4.5?

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It's so lonely at the top.

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

      Does anyone at fpl towers believe in stakeholder management, or read this site?

  5. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worst GW for def

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

      I'm saying that since restart every GW

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

        There was a phase when there were so many CS's

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Azpi says Hi.

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

        Lol
        I have ALONSO

  6. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thomas the Tank engine

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

    Only way Vardy looks like scoring here is through a penalty.

    He is occupying the defenders and that is allowing Perez and Barnes to pick up the scraps and get the shots.

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

      Agree sadly

  8. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free Hit success. Would've been playing both Henderson and Stevens.

    Phew.

  9. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Can’t believe Everton paid £30m+ for Iwobi

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

      They thought he was going to do a Serge Gnabry and be better when he left Arsenal. Turns out he is actually just crap.

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

      I think they paid over 50

      1. Overated Mou
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Geez
        Wouldnt even sign him for free

      2. Overated Mou
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I think its because he is Jay jay okocha’s nephew

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

      Arsenal did well to sell him and ox for 70+ but didnt invest that money well

      At least pepe still has hope as he is new. Ox and iwobi are just bang average

      1. Overated Mou
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ox is way better than iwobi imo

        1. Leaf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          They’re both no good

          1. Overated Mou
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            At least ox has more threat in him though

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

        Pepe was the only one they invested in

        1. Overated Mou
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I think pepe will do good given the right manager and style of play

    4. Overated Mou
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I thought im the only one that think so
      I just dont get it too
      Seriously
      No offense though

    5. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They got big windows at the Emirates, saw Everton coming!

  10. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Just catching up, what happened to Holgate? Briefly thought I might actually have 3 defenders for next week.

    1. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He pulled up after about 15 minutes - couldn't continue.

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Oh great. Cheers!

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Its mind boggling really... Everton is 11th in the table do you really need to start an injured player???...wtf

  11. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope (Martinez)
    TAA, Saiss, Pieters (Lascelles*, Holgate*)
    KDB, Salah, Fernandes, Martial, Pulisic
    Vardy, Rashford (Connolly)

    Given that both Lascelles and Holgate appear to be injured, should I use my FT to improve my bench or do Vardy > Jesus ?

    Other transfer ideas are also welcomed

    1. Gangsters Allardyce
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Go for Jesus

  12. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best 4.6m or less defender for 1 week only? Already have Pope in goal.

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

      It’s still probably Pieters.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Double up. Get Pieters.

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

        Don't we think depleted squad would make them weak ?
        It's Norwich yeah ..

        He's on shortlist for me too actually so thinking

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Negotiate a discount on Tarkowski?

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

        Chelsea agent ?

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

    Wes Morgan is so dominating in the air.

    He’ll get his England call up yet!

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He's Norwegian.

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

        Jamaican

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          No, he wanted to go.

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

          Jamaican me confused with all these nationalities.

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

        Ur thinking of zaha

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Don't be daft. Zaha is Welsh.

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

            Wilfred in a Welsh accent is so hearable

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Meanwhile in Pontypandy...
              "Norman Price!"
              "Wilfred Zaha!"
              "Come in this second before I call Fireman Sam!"

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

    Anyone else have a worst defence than mine this week? Double wolves still hurts

    Patricio (2) Saiss (2) TAA (0) Holgate (1) with Lascelles (0) and Robinson (0) on the bench

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No, it's impossible. That is the very worst of defensive returns possible.

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

        Last week a ML rival had Söyüncü, TAA, Evans and Schmeichel for a grand total of -4 points!

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          ouch! That isn't even a bad defence.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not much better: Patty, Saiss, VVD Laporte. So Egan's off my bench. Not going well.
      Mind you through my whole squad only Willian on 3 points scored over 2. And I took a hit 🙁

    3. Mr. Chimes
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have the same thing only Egan instead of Lascelles.

  15. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Current defenders:

    TAA Alonso Lascelles* Simpson* Saiis

    For next GW: which is better?

    A- Sell Alonso to anyone?
    B- Sell Lascelles?

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

      B

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

      Lascelles. Guy is 100% out. At least Alonso has a chance of playing and you can bench him.

  16. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Vydra as an option vs Norwich next GW with Rodríguez out?

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

      Wood or none for me

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

      Thought Jrod was fine and only taken off as a precaution?

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not sure, with such a short turn around I’m not sure if he will start again...might be wrong

  17. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Brought in Justin last week for the Bournemouth match.

    Free Hit him out this week. He's tacking up the BAPs already oh dear!

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

      That is some bench 😉

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        My team this week? Yes, although hopefully not required.

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

          Yes.
          Taa Doherty Greenwood Patri

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Free Hit, had funds. Made the decision at 19.14 - not much time to think too much about alternatives!

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

              Yeah
              I have 3 of them in my 11 😀

  18. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My Richarlison (c) punt looking like a massive fail at the moment.this game is dead

  19. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    mcarthy/ederson
    TAA digne egan saiss aurier
    antonio kdb willian bruno,martial
    ings, green, Jesus

    37-TC martial
    38 FH

    Any suggestions

    1. Saint Channon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I was considering Willian to D Silva,but I might sort my defence instead.

      1. Saint Channon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Very similar team by the way

  20. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If playing BB would you sell El Mohamady or leave him in?

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

      Hit ?
      No
      Free
      Yes

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Will be taking hits to sort out Button & Lascelles so yes

        1. Rt505
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Also playing BB with Lascelles. Do you think he’s out? I think he had a chance of making it and the fixture is ok

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

            He's operated if I'm not wrong

          2. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            He's out out.

            1. Rt505
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Thanks. Pieters or Lamptey in then for me

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

          GL 🙂

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers mate, gonna need it, had awful luck recently

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

              Same here

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

    Digne drifting in and shooting from pen spot. Dangerous!

  22. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thinking about it, it would still be really funny if Man U miss out on the Champions League again.

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

      OGS sacked if that happens. Easy fixtures and couldn't deliver while others around them slipped up.

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

        Nah he's at the wheel.

      2. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        OGS owes Bruno his life

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just for all the London based Man Utd fans I know.

      I have a friend who grew up next door to Highbury and he still supported Man U for the glory

    3. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Even if they finish 5th, they can still qualify through the Europa League.

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        ?? World of difference that.

        1. Robson-Canoe
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          What do you mean?

          1. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Qualifying directly into the UCL is very different to having to win the Europa (which is hardly a given) and use a whole season again. Not to mention the financial disparity.

            1. Robson-Canoe
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              It surely won't be easy but United look like the best team left in the competition. I don't get the second part of your statement, they are finishing the EL in August and could therefore qualify for next season.

      2. Bartowski
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nah destined to lose to a Lukaku goal when play Inter in the final.

        1. Robson-Canoe
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Sanchez assist and Ashley Young with a last minute goal-line clearance. Lovely.

  23. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How has DLC looked?
    Coming on for KDB for me

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

      Donkey. But even a Donkey has its day. See Giroud earlier this GW.

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

      Overheard effort over in the 1st min, decent link up, nothing dangerous since.

    3. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same as the other games he has played after lockdown, bang average

  24. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If Jesus plays 90mins vs arsenal do we really think he starts vs Watford?

  25. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I think Wood and Tarkoski may repay a -4. You dig?

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

      Yes.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        cheers

  26. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Well be funny if Leicester and United make through the top 4 and Chelsea misses out.

  27. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hennessey. 6 nil Utd

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Should've kept the armband on Tony.

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

      As long as Rashford don't get the goals I am happy with that.

  28. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Great afternoons cricket . Sibley now faced 221 deliveries!

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

    A Villa goal would be sweet.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Think we've used our quota for month already.

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

      A villa own goal assisted by Digne you mean

  30. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any ideas on how I get a reasonable bench boost for 38 with this mob? Thinking need minimum 8 point hit:

    Pope/Button
    Azpi/Mendy/Doherty/Lascelles/Taylor
    Mane/KDB/Fernandes/Pulisic/Saint M
    Rashford/VardyGreenwood

    0.3itb

    4 flagged and a non playing keeper at the min!