Dugout Discussion

Robertson starts and Wilson returns as FPL managers turn to Salah for captaincy

The final Premier League match of the calendar year draws a shorter-than-expected Gameweek 16 to a close.

Reigning champions and league leaders Liverpool take on Newcastle United this evening, with kick-off at St James Park at 20:00 GMT.

This is the only top-flight fixture of the day, following the earlier postponement of Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham.

Amid all the rotation and cancellations elsewhere, Liverpool’s teamsheet is reassuringly familiar from a Fantasy Premier League perspective.

The usual front three and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) all start, along with Andrew Robertson (£7.3m), who hasn’t missed a single minute of Premier League football all season – earlier rumours that the Scot would be rested on Tyneside proving wide of the mark.

Jurgen Klopp has made two changes to the side that underwhelmed in the match against West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 15.

The injured Joel Matip (£5.5m) and the benched Georginio Wijnaldum (£5.3m) make way, with budget FPL defender Nathaniel Phillips (£4.0m) and the versatile James Milner (£5.3m) brought in to replace them.

That means another start for the cut-price Curtis Jones (£4.4m) in midfield.

Thiago Alcantara (£5.7m) makes his long-awaited return from a knee injury, taking his place among the visitors’ substitutes.

Steve Bruce has made just the one change to the side that lost 2-0 to Manchester City on Saturday and it’s a significant one from a Fantasy perspective.

Callum Wilson (£6.5m) is back in the starting XI following his benching at the Etihad, with Miguel Almiron (£5.6m) dropping out.

Jamal Lewis (£4.3m) is again on the bench, where he is joined by fit-again goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (£4.8m).

Wilson, whose points-per-match average is inferior to just two other Fantasy forwards, is the only Newcastle starter owned by more than 2% of FPL managers.

There is unsurprisingly a lot more interest in the Reds.

Salah was the most-captained asset of Gameweek 16 overall, with over half of the top 10,000 handing the armband to the Egyptian.

Given that over a third of the other top 10k managers backed a non-playing Spurs or Manchester City asset, Salah will no doubt also be on vice-captaincy duties for many others.



Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Murphy, Hayden, M Longstaff, Joelinton, Wilson.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Mane.

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1,622 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taa scuffs great chance

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

      He volleys that when fully confident

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

      Didn’t know whether to shoot or pass

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

    What is happening on here this evening? Has everyone got piles?

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The haters are out in numbers tonight that's for sure

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

    TAA playing scared - he should have TAGGED THAT ball

  4. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What robertos are going to be subbed ?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Firstly, what?

      Secondly, no

  5. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This liverpool team needs Bruno Fernandes

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

      needs Thiago fit

  6. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Time to sell Salah

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And then buy Salah back

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

        yes I mean for Blank GW 😉

  7. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wow Spurs off, awarded for keeping Kane,Son,Regulion,KDB,DCL,Dias.

    Looks like WCers real winners here with FH GW18 in mind.

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

    How's the confidence level of Salah [C] this far?

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

      Low. But I’d rather Liverpool lose. GGMU

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      70%

    3. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      80%

    4. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      20%

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

      2%

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

    Would you believe it? Salah (C) fail two weeks in a row :O

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

      No, I don't believe it.

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      In this gw it's a win that he plays...

      1. Muchentuchel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        not if your vc is bruno

  10. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The match is 20 mins in and it is 0-0 and people are already acting like Newcastle have won 10-0

    1. Napoleon IV
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout comments section

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        1 rum
        2 rum
        3 rum

  11. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    someone like Brighton should buy Trent, not sure he makes it into their starting xi tho

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

      Looool his price tag is around 70m
      Brighton... Hahahaha

  12. KEN YA DIG IT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    All I need is that liverpool cs wiped out

  13. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got a feeling that Bruno gonna outscore Salah again -.-

  14. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Robbo corner

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

    Salah looks like he's halfway to Spain or France already

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That would make him the world record holder for longest leg width span

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

    Do not be surprised if Newcastle score. Wilson looks dangerous

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

      and then Manu will win the league lol.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I won’t be surprised, they won’t score

    3. HellasLEAF
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think he will score yes. Might be from pen.

  17. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah wearing cement shoes. Turgid form.

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

      Touché

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Famous drinking toast in Cuba, that is

  18. Calculated Risks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Turgid.

  19. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Robbo with a sweet pass for Firmino who then wastes it

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

    Curtis Jones is a total liability.

  21. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How nailed IS Alioski then.

    Would he start both in the double game week 19 more specifically?

    If so may be tempted to bring in now, bench vs Spurs, FH GW18 then start with Dallas for 19 could be a nice haul.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s bielsa, the guy doesn’t rotate unless there’s an injury

  22. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    First half pretty much 0-0 now ...

    Will need to see goals in 2nd half now.

  23. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What is everyone snacking on whilst they watch the game?

    I have some Texas BBQ Pringles that I'm washing down with some Abbot Ale!

    1. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Finnish cold smoke lager

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

    Ffs

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

    Salah horrendous sitter

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

      Brilliant goalkeeping that

  26. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah misses 1v1

  27. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Oh Salah

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

    That was the chance Salah

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

    Salah miss

  30. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salad you are absolutely pathetic!