Dugout Discussion
29 December 2020 2330 comments
Colm Hayes Colm Hayes
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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.

  1. @persecuted_by_mods
      5 years, 1 day ago

      Own up, who Zambian witch doctored raphina

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        He reeks of a classic FFS 'all fart no poo' bandwagon.

    • how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 day ago

      So far this season I've had taylor and Chilwell subbed inside 10 mins and pulisic in the warm up.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Same minus Puli fs

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Had Mane off injured into a DGW TC one season too

          He missed the 2nd game too

          1. Rash
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            All this minus taylor

      2. Brehmeren
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Same for me. Quite frustrating.

    • ivantys
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 day ago

      Spurs vs Leeds prediction? I'll go 4-4

      1. Jindaljain
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        7-8 saves

      2. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Spurs dont do 4

    • Zimo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 day ago

      I did it. Deleted my account. It feels so freeing. No more fpl for me this season. See u maybe next year guys. Goodbye!

      1. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Kinda annoying history goes too but it is what it is

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          That’s the thing isn’t it. This is my 14th season with the same team.

          1. Zimo
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            It's my 8th season 🙁 i want my history but i don't wanna play this year cuz of all the covid hysteria. But i can't stop playing if i still have a team to tinker with so i have to delete it.

      2. el polako
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        See you tomorrow.

        1. camarozz
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Lol. No way u did that.

        2. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Small possibility i get deleters remorse and get my account back in the 21 designated days 😛

      3. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Yeah I think I’ll do the same. It’s just pointless.

      4. Gooner Kebab
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Bye

      5. Flair
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Aw, enjoyed talking to you 🙂

        1. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          You too my friend 🙂

      6. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Fake news

        1. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Well if i stop posting you'll find out

      7. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Sawyer TC owner?

        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Vardy captainer here...

      8. jonnybhoy
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Everyones in the same boat this week just a bad gameweek

      9. Fudgy
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Good bye big bro

        1. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Bye fudgy!!

      10. Party time
          5 years, 1 day ago

          I did it in gw 5 or so but activated my team back after 5 days. Took crazy hits & now I am back on track 😉

          1. Zimo
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Haha I'll probably end up doing that won't i 😆

        • Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          No Zim0! Why?

          1. Zimo
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            I dunno. Just not feeling it anymore. There's a big chance I'll end up reactivating though. Sigh. Why can't i quit it 😛

        • GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Just as well i dont do this as admin of a 48 team league

      11. Bruce Lee
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        was happy to see burnley keeping a clean sheet until i saw taylor came off after 8 minutes

        call me fudgy because i quit

      12. Fudgy
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        Wood you are a useless idiot

      13. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        This game is completely pointless. Not sure what I could have done better really

        1. Fudgy
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Jokes on us. The gift of life and we spend it playing this utter rubbish

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Can you believe Taylor got injured after all my luck? I mean what are the chances.

            1. All Hail K
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              Pretty good apparently...

          2. Capocannonieri
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            This is true, I actually think it's sinful to play this game.

            It uses too much brain power that could be allocated to stock-trading, Options pricing, or being a better citizen

            But I am playing right along with you, sinfully

            1. Fudgy
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              Exactly

            2. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              You can use your interest and passion in it to make a living (or attempt to).
              Start a YouTube channel like Andy, he’s smashing it

        2. Gooner Kebab
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Commented by Tim Sherwood, Robbie Savage

        3. EmreCan Hustle
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Keep going. Chances are everybody is affected one way or another.

      14. AC Pilkington
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 day ago

        https://twitter.com/Liam__whu/status/1343985726162153473?s=20

        How the hell is that not a red???

        This week is cursed, West Ham should be a man down!

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Week?

        2. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          OMG

          1. camarozz
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Accidental

        3. @persecuted_by_mods
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Dangerous outcome rather than dangerous play, never a red

          • Joey Tribbiani
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            wtf, straight red

          • moment
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            It does look bad from that angle, but less so from others; he was obviously striking at the ball

          • Deulofail
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Hahahaha

          • Capocannonieri
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Does Che Adams get Bonus Points for his sacrifice?

        4. Cok3y5murf
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Went Raphina over Harrison because the pros here said he had good stats. Thanks all

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Nothing like blaming others for your own mistakes 🙂

          2. FPLtfs
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            I got slated for saying something similar for fun a couple of days ago, be careful.

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              Think he means it.

              My bad otherwise 😉

          3. el polako
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Bielsa's Leeds is bit like discount Man City of previous seasons - pick your players and wait, points wi come.

          4. All Hail K
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Still time, lots of football to go.

          5. Seanigula
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Your Barbies will never let you down, go back to them

        5. BrockLanders
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          2 point hauls are the new 10 points

        6. Flair
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Apparently there's a football match going on over there at Brighton

          1. ivantys
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Even the Burnley game got more interest than that one lol.

          2. All Hail K
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Nothing to see folks, move along

        7. Shark Team
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          I hope WHU concede or at least be bad defensively as a Coufal & Balbuena owner...

          1. Salarrivederci
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            +1 😀

            West Ham may score also to wipe out Bednareks, Walker-Pieterss & McCarthys

          2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Yeah I’d like a goal at both ends ....

        8. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Unless injuries keep on piling up Watkins to Rodrigo is my move for dgw19. Long way to go

        9. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Of course jammy rival got alioski because he couldn't afford dallas

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Good on him

          2. Kun Tozser
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Maybe he didn’t fancy the popular pick

            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              He told me he wanted Dallas but would have to 'settle for alioski'

          3. Jimmy Boy
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Good lad

        10. BenDavies
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Hoping for a Burnley penalty in the 2nd half because Wood is not scoring otherwise.

          1. Wizardh
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            People buying Burnley assets like Mark just don't make sense to me

        11. Wizardh
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Alioski is a hidden gem been saying that a lot this week. What a beautiful strike

          1. Jimmy Boy
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Makes amends for the -1 points he got me against Man United whilst Dallas owners lapped up the points, fingers crossed we get a fourteen-pointer

        12. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Come on Raphinha....

        13. ☈☾
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Man that Charlie Taylor injury...

          Those were the guaranteed 6 points this season

          1. Revival
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            just saw this now. So annoying!

          2. Dr Van Nostrand
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Chance of muscle injuries goes up huge on 2 days rest so was more like Russian roulette

        14. Salarrivederci
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          I should be happy as long as Rashford starts right? 😀

          Martínez (3)
          TAA - Robertson - Coufal (benched)
          (C)Salah - Fernandes - Son - Rashford - Grealish (2)
          Bamford (4) - Welbeck (benched)

          (Balbuena (not in squad), Brewster (1), Mitchell (2)

          1. JONALDINHO
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Definitely. I only have 8 starters and Brewster off the bench

        15. Pedram
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Pointless game

          1. Duke Silver ☑
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Literally 😀

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Went Taylor in the end and Mee scores 😆

            1. ivantys
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              Mee punishing the cheapskate Taylor buyers. You could have gone Lowton and saved more cash though.

              1. Paqueta Rice
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                You’re right, I was being a cheapskate...

          2. BenDavies
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            ifs and buts. taylor was always the best value burnley defender to buy.

            1. Paqueta Rice
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              I was strongly considering the other two for their attacking threat at set pieces though. In the end it is ifs and buts, just like you said.

          3. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            I just don’t know what to do.

        16. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 day ago

          Come on West Ham score a goal

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Which website is that ??

          2. Chucky
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 day ago

            Carrier pigeon?

            1. Party time
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Hahahahaha

              • Matjes_taet
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Sorry, i am alway to late, unless there is free beer somewhere.

            2. Pedram
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              Fark

            3. Party time
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Just woke up? 😆

              • Digital-Real
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Old news

              • Bobby
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Please say its not so

              • g40steve
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Jeez this was posted like four hours ago!

            4. Vazza
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              I have thrown the idea of BBing in DW19. Its all about being able to field eleven players these days

              1. GENERATION X
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                TC Salah if things look ok to do so

            5. tbos83
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              Bambam's goals have really dried up - his assists masking it. Hope he starts firing again soon (ideally in about 15 mins..)

              1. GENERATION X
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Apart from 2 days ago

                1. FPL_Motty
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 1 day ago

                  Yeah weird comment, Bamford scored last game weem

                2. tbos83
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 1 day ago

                  Well there apart from that 😉

              2. All Hail K
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Two goals in last 3 games. I'll take it!

            6. Flair
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              4 goals and no Meslier involvement FFS

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Shocking innit 😉

            7. For Fuchs Sake
              • 15 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              I'm assuming last night's cancelled game's players will be auto subbed? It's just that FFFix are saying DCL got 0 points?

            8. Tango74
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              So did matip to Taylor 🙁

              What now ????

              1. GOTHAM City F.C.
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Ask for refund

                1. All Hail K
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  5 years, 1 day ago

                  Unable, got him in the discount bin.

              2. BenDavies
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                now you cry

              3. camarozz
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                Have a drink. And be merry

                1. Tango74
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 1 day ago

                  Lots of differentials this week .

                  Makes transfers harder now

            9. Total Slotball
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              Auba doesn't have any willingness to close down. Teenager Martinelli even instructing him. Shambles

              1. BenDavies
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                the guy has lost all motivation since his new contract. ozil v.2

            10. panda07
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 1 day ago

              How would you spend Brewster's millions? 1.6m ITB, Brewster >

              A) Rodrigo
              B) Adams

              1. WE GO FOR IT
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                A

              2. Lord.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 1 day ago

                See what you did there.