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, 22 hours ago

      Own up, who Zambian witch doctored raphina

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 22 hours ago

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

    • how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 22 hours 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, 22 hours ago

        Same minus Puli fs

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

          Had Mane off injured into a DGW TC one season too

          He missed the 2nd game too

          1. Rash
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

            All this minus taylor

      2. Brehmeren
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 22 hours ago

        Same for me. Quite frustrating.

    • ivantys
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 22 hours ago

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

      1. Jindaljain
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 22 hours ago

        7-8 saves

      2. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 22 hours ago

        Spurs dont do 4

    • Zimo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 22 hours 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, 22 hours ago

        Kinda annoying history goes too but it is what it is

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

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

          1. Zimo
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 21 hours 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, 22 hours ago

        See you tomorrow.

        1. camarozz
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

          Lol. No way u did that.

        2. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 21 hours 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, 22 hours ago

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

      4. Gooner Kebab
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 22 hours ago

        Bye

      5. Flair
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 22 hours ago

        Aw, enjoyed talking to you 🙂

        1. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 21 hours ago

          You too my friend 🙂

      6. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 21 hours ago

        Fake news

        1. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 21 hours ago

          Well if i stop posting you'll find out

      7. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 21 hours ago

        Sawyer TC owner?

        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 21 hours ago

          Vardy captainer here...

      8. jonnybhoy
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 21 hours ago

        Everyones in the same boat this week just a bad gameweek

      9. Fudgy
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 21 hours ago

        Good bye big bro

        1. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 21 hours ago

          Bye fudgy!!

      10. Party time
          5 years, 21 hours 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, 21 hours ago

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

        • Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 21 hours ago

          No Zim0! Why?

          1. Zimo
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 21 hours 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, 21 hours ago

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

      11. Bruce Lee
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 22 hours 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, 22 hours ago

        Wood you are a useless idiot

      13. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 22 hours ago

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

        1. Fudgy
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 22 hours 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, 22 hours 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, 21 hours ago

              Pretty good apparently...

          2. Capocannonieri
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 21 hours 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, 21 hours ago

              Exactly

            2. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 21 hours 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, 22 hours ago

          Commented by Tim Sherwood, Robbie Savage

        3. EmreCan Hustle
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 21 hours ago

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

      14. AC Pilkington
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 22 hours 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, 22 hours ago

          Week?

        2. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

          OMG

          1. camarozz
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Accidental

        3. @persecuted_by_mods
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Dangerous outcome rather than dangerous play, never a red

          • Joey Tribbiani
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

            wtf, straight red

          • moment
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 21 hours 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, 21 hours ago

            Hahahaha

          • Capocannonieri
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

            Does Che Adams get Bonus Points for his sacrifice?

        4. Cok3y5murf
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

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

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Nothing like blaming others for your own mistakes 🙂

          2. FPLtfs
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

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

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 21 hours ago

              Think he means it.

              My bad otherwise 😉

          3. el polako
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 21 hours 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, 21 hours ago

            Still time, lots of football to go.

          5. Seanigula
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

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

        5. BrockLanders
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

          2 point hauls are the new 10 points

        6. Flair
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

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

          1. ivantys
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

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

          2. All Hail K
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

            Nothing to see folks, move along

        7. Shark Team
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

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

          1. Salarrivederci
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            +1 😀

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

          2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

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

        8. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 22 hours 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, 22 hours ago

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

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Good on him

          2. Kun Tozser
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Maybe he didn’t fancy the popular pick

            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 21 hours ago

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

          3. Jimmy Boy
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Good lad

        10. BenDavies
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

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

          1. Wizardh
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

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

        11. Wizardh
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

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

          1. Jimmy Boy
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 21 hours 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, 22 hours ago

          Come on Raphinha....

        13. ☈☾
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

          Man that Charlie Taylor injury...

          Those were the guaranteed 6 points this season

          1. Revival
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

            just saw this now. So annoying!

          2. Dr Van Nostrand
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

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

        14. Salarrivederci
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 22 hours 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, 21 hours ago

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

        15. Pedram
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

          Pointless game

          1. Duke Silver ☑
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 21 hours ago

            Literally 😀

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Went Taylor in the end and Mee scores 😆

            1. ivantys
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 21 hours ago

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

              1. Paqueta Rice
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

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

          2. BenDavies
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

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

            1. Paqueta Rice
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 21 hours 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, 21 hours ago

            I just don’t know what to do.

        16. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 22 hours ago

          Come on West Ham score a goal

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Which website is that ??

          2. Chucky
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 22 hours ago

            Carrier pigeon?

            1. Party time
                5 years, 21 hours ago

                Hahahahaha

              • Matjes_taet
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

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

            2. Pedram
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 22 hours ago

              Fark

            3. Party time
                5 years, 21 hours ago

                Just woke up? 😆

              • Digital-Real
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

                Old news

              • Bobby
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

                Please say its not so

              • g40steve
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

                Jeez this was posted like four hours ago!

            4. Vazza
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 22 hours 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, 21 hours ago

                TC Salah if things look ok to do so

            5. tbos83
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 22 hours 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, 22 hours ago

                Apart from 2 days ago

                1. FPL_Motty
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 21 hours ago

                  Yeah weird comment, Bamford scored last game weem

                2. tbos83
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 21 hours ago

                  Well there apart from that 😉

              2. All Hail K
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

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

            6. Flair
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 22 hours ago

              4 goals and no Meslier involvement FFS

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 22 hours ago

                Shocking innit 😉

            7. For Fuchs Sake
              • 15 Years
              5 years, 22 hours 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, 22 hours ago

              So did matip to Taylor 🙁

              What now ????

              1. GOTHAM City F.C.
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 22 hours ago

                Ask for refund

                1. All Hail K
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  5 years, 21 hours ago

                  Unable, got him in the discount bin.

              2. BenDavies
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

                now you cry

              3. camarozz
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

                Have a drink. And be merry

                1. Tango74
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 21 hours ago

                  Lots of differentials this week .

                  Makes transfers harder now

            9. Total Slotball
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 21 hours ago

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

              1. BenDavies
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

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

            10. panda07
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 21 hours 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, 21 hours ago

                A

              2. Lord.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 21 hours ago

                See what you did there.