Dugout Discussion

Aubameyang set for more central role as Lacazette and Nketiah are benched

The penultimate Premier League match of the day sees Leeds United play host to Arsenal at Elland Road.

Kick-off is at 16:30 GMT.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.7m) – who hasn’t found the back of the net from open play in over two months – will be aiming to add to his paltry 2020/21 goal tally against a Leeds side that had the joint-worst defensive record in the division heading into this weekend.

And Mikel Arteta’s team selection may give him an additional boost, with the Gabon international set to lead the line given that Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m) and Eddie Nketiah (£5.6m) are both among the substitutes.

Arteta has hoodwinked us before with his teamsheets, of course, notably when deploying Willian (£7.7m) as a false nine against Manchester City, but his pre-match comments to Sky Sports suggest there is no such deception this time:

I mentioned that it is one of the options we have. We think we have a squad who score goals, a lot with Auba in his natural position on the left, so we will modify that depending on the opponent and the games.

Lacazette’s benching is one of four changes that the Arsenal boss has made from Gameweek 8.

Two of the alterations are enforced, with Thomas Partey (£5.0m) absent with a thigh injury and Mohamed Elneny (£4.4m) self-isolating after a positive coronavirus test.

Dani Ceballos (£4.9m), Nicolas Pepe (£7.6m), Joe Willock (£4.8m) and Granit Xhaka (£5.3m) are the players recalled, with Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) only a substitute after his exertions for England over the international break.

Marcelo Bielsa makes two changes to the Leeds starting line-up following their thrashing at Crystal Palace.

Brazilian Raphinha (£5.4m) makes his first Premier League start, with Helder Costa (£5.6m) omitted.

Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) is back from a shoulder injury, meanwhile, with Pascal Struijk (£4.0m) the makeweight to accommodate his return.

Rodrigo (£5.7m) is available after his recent stint in self-isolation but is only among the substitutes.

Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) is by some distance the most-owned player in this fixture, sitting in more than one in three FPL squads.

That figure rises to 41.5% in the top 10k.

Bamford has actually blanked in his last three home fixtures although did rack up a 14-point haul at Elland Road in Gameweek 2.


Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Alioski, Raphinha, Harrison, Bamford.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerín, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Ceballos, Pepe, Willock, Willian, Aubameyang.

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1,131 Comments Post a Comment
  1. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Auba hattrick incoming

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

      Would be nice to merry up the premium options

  2. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does Cresswell get 1 bonus?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      nope

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why's that

        1. BenDavies
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Haller
          Fabianski
          Masuaku

          Those three players will get the 3 allocated bonus point slots

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Oh well. Mustn't grumble. I will take the clean sheet for Aaron

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

          Masuaku and Fabianski did better

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yes Captain Obvious 🙂

  3. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Whats better next week?

    A) James Rodriguez
    B) Vardy (-4)

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I got Vardy in this week for a -4 pt hit because of Liverpool current situation and a beauty of a game v Fulham next week where I am tempted to TC. So B

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you don't have a standout captain in your team then Vardy (C)

  4. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Impressive 2 points from four players in the villa Brighton game yesterday smh

  5. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Feels nice to actually have a reasonably good game week

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tell me about it

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ok then I will, it all began with a delightful finish from konsa

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Snap! All my defenders got either cleanies, attacking points and/or bonus! Cresswell, Konsa, Chilwell and Reece.

  6. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bamford & Robbo > Vardy & Coufal -4

    yes or no?

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yep

    2. No Salah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No! Keep Bamford

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure on those moves

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

      Assume this is the only way to get Vardy for next week?

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Either that or ditch Kane

  7. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lamptey cresswell Semado Mitchell konsa

    Do you think it’s worth losing any of these for a -4 to either a city or Leicester defender ? If so which ?

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lamptey because he's facing a ban, then Semedo in that order

    2. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      not for a -4 no

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

      Not a -4. But Semedo to Castagne would be interesting.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah, problem is I’d like to get vardy or kdb as well so just doing a defensive transfer doesn’t seem great

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Semedo

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

    Need Vardy to bail me out of -8 hell. Worst -8 ever. Cost me so so badly.

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

      what did you do?

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Grealish and Vardy in for Barnes and Jimenez -8

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thought you got in Bruno(c) who got 22 pts?

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bruno was a free transfer for Salah

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

      Vardy to blank

  9. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you lose first Zouma or Reece James?

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zouma, why would you tho?

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Got Mendy as well, feels a bit much having 3 defence and fancy Castagne for Fulham

        1. luk46
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          ok, that makes sense then!

    2. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      james and it shouldn't even be a decision. he's more prone to rotation

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zouma

  10. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I am 5th in my main ML and nobody ahead of me owns Bamford. Hope he will be a deadly differential for me...

  11. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    66 (-8) all out. 750k rank before, red or green arrow?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      livefpl.net

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes I know 500k current rank, just fearing it will drop lower than 750k

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hmm will be close, comes down to how the rest of the high owned players perform but I think slight red if they do

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This

    3. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That sounds like an above average score to me.

  12. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Did West Ham look solid?
    Should I be a bit worried about Triple Villa vs WHU next week? Will also have Coufal in that game lol

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Villa will trouble them more than sheffield. Barkley a big impact though

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        True

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

      Martinez Coufal Grealish here ... thinkering benching Coufal if I brought in Castagne

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

      Villa blow so hot and cold, hard to know ; but they’ve struggled in games like this. They’re a very mid table team who had one fluke result and played the most abject Arsenal team I’ve ever witnesed.

  13. Big Hands Barry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Trent & Son -> Dias & KDB
    B) Trent & Fornals -> Lewis & KDB (keep son)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  14. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any TAA update?
    Around which GW should he be back

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Think he is out for 3 weeks

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

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

      I don’t believe anyone has said

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

  15. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    The article pictures are usually some of the most reliable prediction tools in all of the ever expanding FPL land. Happy looking Auba, gulp.

    So as a non Auba owner, I'm gonna pretend its the Cat from Red Dwarf.

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

      Was wrong with Foden and Sterling yesterday?

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

      Does Auba have any owners since being played as a left winger?!?

  16. luk46
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    how would you use the ft here?

    A - Kane > Vardy
    B - Saiss + Son > Coufal + Sterling (-4)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  17. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Could Vardy double rise before the next deadline?
    Probably depends on how he does later tonight

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

      Too early to say.
      Blanks no, brace from open play yes.

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Brace from open play lol

  18. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I've got Son v Reece and Chilwell next week. Who do I play? Score prediction? I say 1-1.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Play Chilwell surely
      vs Harder opponents, Azpi has a good chance of playing over Reece

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah I'm benching Reece atm. Thanks

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        v harder opponents Frank tends to play 5 at the back.

        @CTA Depends who else you have but I'd play all three. We don't know what will happen in the match, but all three are premium players with good attacking threat so start them all imo. James and Chilwell are crucial to Chelsea's attacking play.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on your team. Obviously play Son minimum.

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Of course! So glad I didn't sell him (Son). He's a season keeper for me (unless something goes wrong).

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

      Depends on your bench dunnit

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Right now, it ain't great, but looking to improve for next week

  19. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is anyone on here going without city?
    have chillwell/Robbo/coufal/Justin in defence so over next 4 GWs happy to pick 3/4
    Plus their attack is yet to convince, I'd rather have Son over KBD
    & maybe Kane to Vardy rather than play pep roulette with kun/jesus

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fernandes > KDB for me next week

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I am not going near them yet. Who could I drop from Salah Bruno Zaha Grealish Kane Vardy DCL?

  20. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    LMS safety score currently 33

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

  21. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Justin, Zaha, Vestergaard to save my GW.

  22. Fergymac
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How nailed is Torres? Could be a good differential and route to the city midfield at 6.9...

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Could easily be dropped next game.

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I imagine Sterling will start most matches, with Kun or Jesus up top. That means Torres, Mahrez, Foden, maybe even Bernardo Silva competing for the final spot in the front 3. So not nailed at all. But could return points when he does play.

  23. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Aubameyang got to be right up there for biggest disappointment of the season so far, right?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      City.

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

        City I can understand because at some point almost all their big hitters have been injured/isolating/suspended. But Auba has only missed 4 minutes of the season so far...

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Deffo

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Him and Trent maybe?

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

        Agree - he's also on the Raspberry shortlist so far

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

      Arteta you mean

    5. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Auba, Pulisic, Martial, Everton defence, Pool defence, City attack, Sheffield Utd overall. All big let downs so far.

    6. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nah.

      Liverpool defence.
      Man City generally.

      Other than perhaps Villa last GW, has Auba really had loads of good fixtures to score in? Arsenal have played Leicester, Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd in that run. They have Leeds away and Wolves next.

      Judge Auba between GW12 and G19. That will tell us a lot about whether he is in form or not.

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

        I did say "so far". However, apart from Leic - Pool, City and ManU can hardly be considered the same tough fixtures this year

  24. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What does Willian offer?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Competition to Luiz in the hair stakes.

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        haha

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No idea, there are several players more deserving of the spot, not impressed with Arteta at all!

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        exactly my thoight

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I can't believe this guy peaked in GW1.

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

      A way of getting Auba back up front

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

    I have Martinez, Mings, Cresswell and Grealish in the Villa V Hammers game next weekend.

    Mings or Cresswell to Cancelo for free worth it?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope Ming's and Cresswell look great

  26. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Chilweell taylor justin cancelo mitchell
    Bruno son sterling soucek
    Watkins Dcl

    (Salah mitchell, davis)

    1.8 itb 1ft

    Already did lamptey to cancelo
    What else to do ??

  27. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bamford close

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

    Bam ford setting his sights

  29. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    wow Bamford looks like a clinical striker

  30. TKC07
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Jimenez to Vardy
    B) Jimenez to DCL
    C) Jimenez & Podence to DCL & Zaha (-4)
    D) Jimenez & Podence to Vardy & ASM (-4)
    E) Any other suggestions?

    1 FT 1.5 itb. Current team (3-4-3)
    Martinez | Forster
    Coufal | Konsa | Bellerin | *Mitchell* | *Lamptey*
    Bruno | Sterling | Grealish | *Podence* | Bissouma
    Kane | Werner | *Jimenez*