Dugout Discussion

Extensive rotation hits FPL teams in latest round of Gameweek 16 matches

Heavy rotation has struck Fantasy Premier League managers once again as the gap between Gameweeks 15 and 16 takes its toll.

Owners of West Ham and Brighton assets are suffering the most from Tuesday’s team selections while Southampton and Leeds have proved the more reliable squads to rely on.

David Moyes has dropped Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m), Jarrod Bowen (£6.4m), Issa Diop (£4.3m) and Ben Johnson (£3.9m) to the bench, where they are joined by the returning Michail Antonio (£6.2m).

Sebastien Haller (£6.1m) still leads the line supported by Pablo Fornals (£6.1m), Manuel Lanzini (£6.4m) and Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.5m) in attacking midfield, while Ryan Fredericks (£4.2m) occupies Coufal’s right-back berth.

By contrast, a relatively unchanged Southampton have kept key Fantasy assets such as Che Adams (£6.1m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.8m) in the starting line-up, where there is also a relatively surprise return of Danny Ings (£8.3m), who missed the last match with a hamstring problem.

Marcelo Bielsa has gone for a similar approach for Leeds’ trip to West Bromwich Albion naming a completely unchanged side, which means another start for Patrick Bamford (£6.5m), Raphinha (£5.4m), Stuart Dallas (£4.8m) and Illan Meslier (£4.6m).

West Bromwich Albion line-up in a 4-4-2 formation with Callum Robinson (£5.4m) and Karlan Grant (£5.8m) leading the line.

FPL midfielder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m) returns to the Arsenal line-up for the first time since sustaining an injury ahead of Gameweek 14.

The Arsenal star is set to lead the Gunners’ line ahead of attacking midfield trio Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m), Emile Smith-Rowe (£4.4m) and Bukayo Saka (£5.2m).

Aubameyang is the sole change to Mikel Arteta’s line-up from the 3-1 win against Chelsea in GW15, as Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) drops to the bench.

A positive Covid test rules Gabriel (£5.0m) out of Gameweeks 16 and 17, at least.

Graham Potter has made six changes from the XI that began the 2-2 draw at West Ham on Sunday.

Alexis Mac Allister (£5.3m), Pascal Gross (£5.8m), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£5.4m), Davy Propper (£4.8m), budget defender Bernardo (£3.9m) and Joel Veltman (£4.3m) are all drafted in for the Seagulls.

Adam Lallana (£6.2m) misses out through injury while Ben White (£4.4m), Solly March (£5.0m), Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), Neal Maupay (£6.1m) and Danny Welbeck (£5.5m) are all on the bench.

Tariq Lamptey (£4.7m) is still sidelined with a hamstring injury. On Sunday, Potter said of the right-back:

“Tariq is going to be a few days, maybe weeks. He won’t be ready for the next game [Arsenal].” – Graham Potter

Chris Wilder has made just one change to the Sheffield United XI for their clash with Burnley at Turf Moor.

Lys Mousset (£5.8m) replaces budget midfielder Oliver Burke (£4.4m), with the Scot only fit enough for the bench due to an ongoing back issue.

That means Rhian Brewster (£4.5m) earns a third consecutive start in the Sheffield United forward line.

Having announced today that they recorded a number of positive Covid-19 tests, the Blades name seven substitutes out of a maximum of nine.

The Clarets also show just one alteration to their Gameweek 15 line-up, as Robbie Brady (£5.0m) replaces Josh Benson (£4.5m) at right-midfield.

Sean Dyche had hoped to also have Dwight McNeil (£5.7m) available, though the winger is not even fit enough to make the Burnley bench.

On the two widemen, the Burnley boss said in his pre-match press conference:

“With the two games in three days, we had to make a judgement call. We think they both have a chance [of facing Sheffield United] but we just felt the fatigue element of two games and what it might do, when you are coming out of a minor injury, we just had to make a decision.” – Sean Dyche

Gameweek 16 Line-ups

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Sanchez; Burn, Dunk, Webster; Bernardo, Propper, Bissouma, Veltman; Mac Allister, Gross; Jahanbakhsh.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Tierney, Mari, Holding, Bellerin; Xhaka, Elneny; Martinelli, Smith-Rowe, Saka; Aubameyang.

Burnley XI: Pope; Taylor, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; Pieters, Westwood, Brownhill, Brady; Wood, Barnes.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale; Robinson, Egan, Basham; Stevens, Osborn, Ampadu, Baldock; McGoldrick, Mousset, Brewster.

Southampton XI: A McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, J Stephens, Walker-Peters; Walcott, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo; Adams, Ings.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Dawson, Fredericks; Rice, Soucek; Fornals, Lanzini, Yarmolenko; Haller.

West Bromwich Albion XI: Johnstone; Gibbs, Ajayi, O’Shea, Furlong; Diangana, Gallagher, Sawyers, M Phillips; C Robinson, Grant.

Leeds United XI: Meslier; Alioski, Ayling, Struijk, Dallas; K Phillips; Harrison, Klich, Rodrigo, Raphinha; Bamford.

Article written by David Munday and Colm Hayes.

2,330 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wonder if they will try to get as many games as they can in this weekend given there is a break afterwards anyway.

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

    Covid wreaking havoc!

  3. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The Spurs game NEEDS to go ahead

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

    Here comes the Brewster brace... It's gonna happen.

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is his gw to shine

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

      Go Brewster!

  5. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Frickin Coufal....ugh

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's a nightmare

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

      The one week I need him with no DCL KDB and Lamptey FFS

  6. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Absolute destruction. A FPL GW to go down in history. To top it off, it's cup qualifying week 😆

    1. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      To be fair an Aubameyang brace could totally destroy the cup anyway. A lot of dead GW1 teams have him as captain.

  7. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dont forget guys chaos is a ladder... 😉

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think my ladder is on fire.

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        🙂

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not so bad for me. Might be able to get 11 players and no hits 🙂

    3. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Didn't end well for the fella who said that.

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I googled this expecting to find some great philosopher or important historical figure.

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

          You were expecting Tyrion and it was just bleedin' Littlefinger.

          1. Supersonic Marv'
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I've no idea what any of that means.

  8. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Going to be a circuit break at this rate?

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

    6 from 6 starters in the first games tonight... I even had time to go back and twiddle the Fantasy 5 picks as well 🙂
    Good luck everyone and may VAR be ever in your favour.

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

    xApperance stats incoming.

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

    This game is A bit more about luck/bad luck than Chess...

  12. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Telegraph:

    Top-flight chairmen have held informal talks over a two week "cooling-off" break in the season next month after a coronavirus outbreak in Manchester City's squad caused their game with Everton to be called off, with fears more will follow.

  13. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chaotic end to FPL 2020

  14. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm actually so upset about this. My rival has 11 players and such a great team. I feel so bad I could actually cry and I know that seems over the top but I don't care anymore.

    1. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus Christ man, you need to take a break away from fantasy if this is the extent of how it makes you feel. Real life is more important than fantasy.

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neither do we

    3. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure if this is funny anymore

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

      Before people comment under here going mad, please just appreciate Fudgy's posts and don't be so emotionally invested, the posts are entertaining and not harmful to anyone. The guy is obviously fine.

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        One way or another this person is far from fine...

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This, it’s a classic parody he is maintaining

    5. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Juust a game kid lots of things out of peoples hands this year good luck
      JUST A GAAAAAAMMMMMEEEEE

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

      We just need to stop replying to Fudgy and he'll go away. Pure attention seeking.

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

      Have a cry, you'll feel better. Have a w*nk at the same time. Nothing wrong with that.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I find that winking helps the tears to drop

    8. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can people stop replying to this guy he is clearly trolling

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, but the little fox looks so cute. 😀

  15. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Adams hatrick in the first 10 minutes followed by Fredricks getting injured in the 12th minute allowing for Coufal to get 3 assists for Souceks hatrick and a clean sheet....too much to ask?

    1. Mr. Funny Name
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think paddy power have that as a special

    2. Jacktastic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’d be happy with that

  16. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ings is good for Adams owners?

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sure is

  17. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Yesterday I thought my team looked decent, now I need welbeck and Burke to come on and score. Quite enjoying the carnage though

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

    Leeds to go mental tonight please.

  19. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Football cannot stop. I suggest putting all footballers in strict quarantine and they're only allowed to train and play games. No contact with anyone

    1. Plagued by indecision
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Are you joking?

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They can earn energy bars and power the lights via the treadmills and hamster wheels

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For £100k a week, I would live in solitary confinement

      1. CheesyZoot
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

    4. dogtanion
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Have to agree. In fact I'd ensure all players are chained to berths at their training ground complex 2 metres apart being fed twice a day with a dish of water within reach of their heads and they are ONLY to be released on matchdays .

  20. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Leeds Burnley CS Bamford goal needed

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And Dallas goal

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

      With Raphinha and Bamford scoring...

  21. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please let the spurs game be called off

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

      Provided Brewster scores brace tonight!

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      GONE

      My mini league is shattered!

      The leader C-Kane and VC-Son. He could be destroyed. He even -4 from KDB and Mahrez.

  22. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If nfl and nba managed to play through Covid then the premier league should be able to.

    It sucks for players, but if they’re serious about finishing the season they need a proper bubble. Big fines for breaking it and games go on regardless. There’s been nfl fixtures where a team has no quarterback as they broke protocol.

    A couple week circuit breaker would allow testing and isolation while setting up / firming up facilities.

    That or accept it’s just a game and health is more important. Shut it down and start up in April.

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The PL should look to implement strong security protocols like they did post-restart.

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

      NBA play in a total bubble right? Last time I saw news about it, all holed up at Disney Land...

      As for the NFL, pretty sure they are hiding all sorts of stuff.

      1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        nhl did the same

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

        Yep total bubble for nba.

        Nfl, quite possibly! But they are treating it seriously. Any rules broken then track and trace kicks in and players isolate. Doesn’t matter who it is and how much it’s made a few games a total farce.

    3. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too many Man City players sharing the same WAG.

      OSG needs to contact trace MU groupies to avoid Pep Disease at Old Tratford

    4. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The NFL has been a disaster! My he Broncos had to play a 4th string wide receiver at quaterback because all of their quarterbacks broke protocol!

  23. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else see no reason to stop given the small amount of cases ?

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

    Les ho Balbuena and Coufail. Med sine points after the tragedy yesterday with James and DCL.

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

      Autocorrect disaster.

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nynorsk stavekontroll?

      2. The Gambler.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Looks in better shape than my team

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

      Presume you are writing in jest.

      Balbuena not in squad. Coufal benched.

  25. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Potter, a coach who's started three strikers in one match and has all of them fit, has gone strikerless today

    Am I even surprised? Nope.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Must be magic.

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

      Overthinking it. Also hasn't materially improved Brighton since Hughton.

  26. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Spurs game going ahead or not could be season defining for FPlL. Those with Kane and Son any well have captain and vice captain on them too.

    If the game goes ahead spurs will play a depleted Fulham so could run riot. If they don’t, 0 points for spurs players

    Potential 40 point swing there

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Luckily has been hedged somewhat either way with City postponement.

      I’m Kane (C), Salah (VC) and also own Son so would love it to go ahead

  27. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Really need a goal from bamford, assisted by Dallas, and a Burnley CS to be in with even a slight chance of getting decent points this week.

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

      Everyone has those players so won't help

      1. boc610
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        everyone has them?? only 13 percent ownership for dallas

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

      Spot on! Everybody’s got them, but points will still cheer us all up A bit

  28. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    New sort of ownership questions will be arising tonight. "If I have Kane but not Son do I want the Spurs game to be called off? My ML rival has both"

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

    Finally people are agreeing with me this game is all luck. No KDB DCL Coufal or Lamptey for me this week

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

      Limptey we knew about for ages.

      Coufal is just general rotation and nothing beyond the norm.

      Only KdB and DCL I will give you.

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why did you keep KDB, you are complicit in your own luck

      I get it. Many people dumped KDB for Son, he won't play either.

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

        I kept KDB as I had too many other fires to put out and I would have done KDB and Brewster to Soucek and Vardy so wouldn't have been great either

    3. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      80:20 judgment:luck on squad, otherwise there wouldn’t be such a template, now captain picks that’s a flip of the coin every week for 20% of your return so levels or obliterates the playing field

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

    Riedewald 3-pointer feels like a haul this GW