Dugout Discussion

Out-of-position £4.0m defender Struijk starts in midfield for Leeds

Fantasy Premier League managers have confirmation of the latest starting £4.0m defender as Pascal Struijk (£4.0m) features in midfield for Leeds United tonight.

In his pre-match press conference, Marcelo Bielsa promised the budget option would be the replacement for Kalvin Phillips (£5.0m), who is out for up to six weeks with a shoulder injury.

While most of the FPL attention will be on Jack Grealish (£7.2m) and Emiliano Martínez (£4.8m) tonight, each owned by roughly 25% of managers, it will be worth assessing Struijk’s credentials, especially with Max Kilman (£4.1m) turning heads at Wolves.

The omens initially look relatively strong for Grealish and his differential team-mates Ollie Watkins (£6.0m), Ross Barkley (£6.0m) and John McGinn (£5.5m) though.

Not only are Leeds without their key defensive midfield Phillips, club captain and first-choice centre-back Liam Cooper (£4.4m) could not overcome his groin injury.

That has forced Marcelo Bielsa to put together something of a makeshift back-four, especially with back-up centre-back Struijk playing in midfield.

The tweak sees right-back Luke Ayling (£4.5m) join Robin Koch (£4.5m) in the middle, Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) switching flanks to fill the gap there and Ezgjan Alioski (£4.4m) comes in at left-back.

The Aston Villa defence, which has kept three clean sheets from a possible four so far, remains unchanged.

That means another start for Emiliano Martínez (£4.8m), Matt Targett (£4.5m), Ezri Konsa (£4.6m), Tyrone Mings (£5.2m) and Matty Cash (£5.0m).

After five Gameweeks this season, Villa’s two centre-backs are in the top three for most points per million spent among defenders.

Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; Barkley, D Luiz, McGinn; Grealish, Watkins, Trézéguet.

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Alioski, Koch, Ayling, Dallas; Struijk; Harrison, Rodrigo, Klich, Costa; Bamford.

1,443 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Samwise
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    link to game?

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

        How do I sub players in and out?

      2. Samwise
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        that will have me glued to my seat

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

      google watch prem games live

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Apt name

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

          game*

          1. Simon69
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Nein

      2. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Virus link

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

    Harrison was another I sold on WC for Podence. Regretting that move too.

  3. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    The attacker I own hasnt scored in the first 45 of a 90 minute match that's been quite open? Time to overreact.

  4. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Well done at the end of that half to stop the break by Dallas

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1st half summary please? Not watching.

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Leeds dominated for the first 15 or so. Villa came into it, Grealish had a shot cleared off the line. Villa threatened a bit more, Leeds ended with a few chances that Bamford missed.

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

      Exciting
      Should have had 2 goals at least

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        How’s jack been?

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

          Good
          Had a goal declined with inches to cross by Ayling

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      End to end stuff. Both bad in the final 3rd.

    4. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty even

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

      No sign of Ozil yet

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Haha

    6. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Leeds all drive but not finish
      Villa holding there own, goal denied on the line

  6. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hope I don't regret not wildcarding and bringing in Martinez and Targett

  7. Mighty Banana
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How's Grealish looking?

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      sexy as ever

    2. Hattrick Harry
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hair is bit awkward today, can’t score empty net, otherwise ok

    3. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bit less gel in his hair than usual

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        *Moroccon oil

    4. TwiggsJameson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Like a cheating diver 🙂

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

    With Bamford and Rodrigo as your forwards, no wonder leeds are struggling to score goals

  9. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Feels bad when you play Saiss and you bench Kilman because one's pts follow the other's

  10. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I wimped out of doing Podence > Henderson. Think the latter is going to get good attacking points this season.

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Liverpool's Henderson? You definitely made the right call.

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        we can come back to this in few weeks...

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          3 goals 5 assists last season? I'll be grand.

  11. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WATKINS DO SOMETHING.

  12. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm hitting Martinez and a Villa Def in. They'll keep massive amounts of cleans

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      ? They've looked very open this half, none of the midfield three are sitting, and neither of the wingers are tracking back.

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        They are about to keep a 4th CS out of 5 and that 1 was against pool. Stats don't seem to matter to villa

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          About to? There's 45 mind left ourlad.

        2. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          its too small a sample size. The two worst offences in the league, one of which had 10 men for 80 minutes, and then a Vardy-less Leicester. It's been great for those that got Martinez GW 2, but I bet Mendy/Guaita will have better PPG between now and the end of the season.

  13. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    (Former) #8 OR forgetting to hit WC. Oh dear!

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/780039/event/6

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      -56 hahahahaha

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

      Oh dear

    3. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Oh my word that has to hurt

    4. Jdpz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      omg

    5. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I just noticed this too
      Wtf
      Likely forgot to hit WC button.
      Sucks for him

    6. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He also got Batshuayi

    7. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Oh no...

  14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    get out of my team grealish

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

      this

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’d like you to take a deep breath

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Are those knees jerking Bemba?

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

    If Villa keep another bloody clean sheet...

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’ll love it

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

        Will love it more when it goes pop.

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

      You'll get martinez?

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      They will 100%. CS banked. They have the best defence in the league

  16. F4L
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Villa not pressing a newly promoted side on the ball at home is concerning.

  17. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Yupp this ones a guaranteed 0-0, both sides lack quality going forward and defenses will hold solid.

    Congratulations on the Martinez/Dallas/Ayling CS points!

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sickening

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bit harsh on Villa

  18. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Watkins really is a championship level player

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      One game wonder against very poor side?!?

  19. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Grealish such a busy player and involved with everything. If only he was surrounded by better players.

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

      I think a better striker will go a long way to fix things

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        They just bought Watkins tbf

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

          I know. They messed up 😆

    2. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      if only he knew when to pass and when to shoot 😉

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He should probably pass earlier

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He hogs the ball so much though. Watkins likes space to work with to use his turn of pace, but by the time the ball gets to him he's got 2/3 defenders in the close vicinity.

      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Very true

  20. shiraz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Watkins need to pull up his sock during the break. Fluffed too many chances that grealish had put on the plate for him. Took his time waltzing through when he can just shoot.

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Don't see it that way. Grealish beats two men, then holds onto the ball for 2/3 seconds, so by the time the ball gets to Watkins the defenders are back in position.

  21. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bamford back to being wasteful. I would be hella annoyed if I had him.

    1. Kindness
        3 years, 5 months ago

        You reckon?

    2. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Amazingly, Alisson is expected to be back next gameweek.
      Should I put him back in goal instead of my supposed backup keeper Martinez (AVL)?

      Last time this happened, I missed out on a clean sheet bonus in GW3.

      1. Supertrooper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Obviously yes, if he plays he plays... if not you get martinez from the bench

    3. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Benched ayling and have grealish and Watkins I see where this is going

    4. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish to pulisic done.. good riddance...

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Well done mate. Read my comment below.

      2. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Silly

    5. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      All I’m hearing is that Grealish is good at going down on the floor.. I mean what the hell!! I didn’t invest 7.2 million of my precious FPL currency on such a useless asset!!

    6. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not watching the game because I have principles. How's it going? Grealish done anything?

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Read my comment above

      2. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Missed a chance..cleared on the goal line by ayling

      3. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lol

    7. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Matty Cash caught my eye, might be Justin replacement should Leicester player loose his place to Fuchs.

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

        Targett is cheaper

    8. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      As a grealish and Martinez owner I can see s total of 3 or 4 points coming..

    9. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How is Watkins looking ?

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Good hold up play. Needs support uptop

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

        with impaired vision

    10. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How many are paying tonight?

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        O/

        10€ per month to see all the games

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Nice. Where do you live?