Dugout Discussion

Rodríguez returns on Everton bench as West Ham recall Coufal

Everton and West Ham’s matchday squads are beginning to edge closer to full-strength as of their Gameweek 17 teamsheets.

James Rodríguez (£7.7m) returns for the first time since Gameweek 11 although is only fit enough for a place on the Toffees’ bench.

For now, Bernard (£5.8m) occupies his slot on the right-hand side of Everton’s attacking midfield, joined there by Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m) and Richarlison (£7.8m).

How long until Rodríguez will be ready to start games regularly again remains unclear but Fantasy managers will certainly have him on their radars.

However, anyone invested in Michael Keane (£5.1m) will be disappointed by Carlo Ancelotti’s team selection in Gameweek 17, with the centre-back named on the bench for the first time this season.

Mason Holgate (£4.8m) tucks inside from his recent right-back role to staff the heart of the defence with Yerry Mina (£5.6m) with Seamus Coleman (£4.8m) making his first start since Gameweek 8.

It is a similar story with West Ham who, once again, feature Michail Antonio (£6.2m) on the bench, which makes for a seventh successive start for Sebastien Haller (£6.1m), but suggests they could be back to full-strength soon.

Fantasy managers will certainly have their eye on that situation, especially with West Ham’s appealing fixtures in Double Gameweek 19, where they host Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.

David Moyes has recalled Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m) to the line-up, having rested him against Southampton but Issa Diop (£4.3m) and Fabian Balbuena (£4.4m) remain out of the starting XI, Craig Dawson (£4.5m) impressing enough in his Gameweek 16 audition to keep his place.

Everton XI: Pickford; Godfrey, Mina, Holgate, Coleman; Doucouré, T Davies; Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Bernard; Calvert-Lewin.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Dawson, Coufal; Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Fornals, Bowen; Haller.

1,770 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Praying for Targett YC tonight, so he misses GW18 where I'll FH & surely plays both the games in DGW19!

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m praying he doesn’t I need him next week!

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He’ll play both games in the DGW regardless unless if he is banned for GW18 (like you wish) and his replacement impresses 😉

  2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Last time DCL played West Ham at home he....

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

    Need West Ham clean sheet wiped asap!!!!!!!!

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

      Bless

  4. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Increasingly looking like 0-0 all over it.

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

      No chance,will finish 1-1 or 2-1

  5. Marvin Moon
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is Rice good enough for a Champions League team?

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Think he walks into City/Bayern/Madrid teams easily tbh

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Really? He struggles with Mark Noble playing behind him. He isnt the anchor or an attacking mid

        1. Marvin Moon
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Could he convert to CB?

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            If he cant play DM how will he manage CB?

            1. Marvin Moon
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I take it you don't rate him too highly. I'm not sure myself.

              1. Ginkapo FPL
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Nope. Its quite damning that I prefer Dier. At least Dier knows how to play his role.

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Is he better than Rodri, Fred, Winks etc?

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

          Yes

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Exactly

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

            Certainly better than winks and rodri, different sort of player that Fred

        2. Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          He has the potential to be. Hopefully he, Grealish and Kane all move to better teams soon. They're all wasted at their current clubs.

        3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Absolutely

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

          Nope. Not mobile enough. Unless you are willing to play him in a midfield three.

      • deshawn7
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        RJames to Saiss or Stones? No playing defender next week..

        Would like to swap tonight as James is likely dropping value and both Saiss and Stones may rise. (Not sure if Stones is nailed and given City's covid situation.)

      • Sean
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This game has 1-0 from a set piece written all over it, only question is which team

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Antonio will change the game

        2. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Remember that awful GK from WH last season

          1. Begbie.
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Roberto 😆

            He, Ramsdale and Hamer are the 3 worst keepers I've ever seen.

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              No Kepa?

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

            Hehe Roberto

          3. THL33
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            got to throw bravo in that mix (for city anyway)

        3. MoeZe3bi
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Bottomed—sorry for reposting.

          Sanchez (mci)
          Taylor (doubtful) - Stones - Maguire
          Son - Bruno
          Kane - Wilson

          Should I FH18?

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

            Yes FH and get in Kdb

          2. Pep bites Kun
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            I would

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

          This is finishing 0-0 no attacking qualify on the pitch

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

            Quality***

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

          For FH19 would you rather:

          A) Dier, Maguire, Rashford, Podence

          B) Holding, Stones, Sterling, Saka

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

            FH18 even

          2. DandyDon
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            b

          3. Hutchiniho
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Dier, Stones, Rashford and Saka

        6. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Fabianski not even watching the game in the stadium. Must be a very bad injury

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Could have swore they showed him in the stands

              1. Flycroft
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                they did just show him watching

            • CRO KLOPP
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I wouldnt watch too if I was him

            • Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I suggested covid, but TM cant take a joke

            • ChickenTikkaMoSalah
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Or just covid?

              1. Ginkapo FPL
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Careful, your posts will get deleted

            • WE GO FOR IT
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              He is!

          2. jammie26
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Awful game so far.

            1. Gudjohnsen
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Been like that for a few weeks now.

          3. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Haller is absolutely awful

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

              He was flavor of the preseason in 2019/2020 season

            2. jammie26
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I concur.

            3. El Presidente
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Great player but Moyes system is just rubbish. ...he needs to play with someone else up front but Moyes is always licking Antonio's ass instead...

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

            Bowen donkey ruined Creswell assist

            1. DandyDon
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              damn

          5. Over Midwicket
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Cresswell grinning like a Cheshire cat..

          6. turd ferguson
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            De Gea
            Maguire Dias Holding
            Bruno KDB Sterling Grealish Neto
            Kane Wilson

            Subs: 4.0 GK , Konsa, Brewster, Mitchell

            Thoughts?

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

              Looks sexy

          7. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Forgot I had soucek 😯

          8. McSauce
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Fabianski injury bad?

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              No

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

                Source?

                1. Rupert The Horse
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Just as he’s there watching. He’d be off somewhere else if bad.

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

              We don't know yet, however he didn't look in pain when they showed him in the stands watching the game.

          9. Rash
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Soucek even playing?

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

              No corner no party

          10. Hybrid.power
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Guess I should have played coufal

            1. Rash
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I've started soucek benched coufal :/

              1. The Overthinker
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                I've benched both xD

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

                Same

          11. DandyDon
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            FH Team Draft, 0.0 left

            Ramsdale
            Tierney Holding Saiss
            KDB Sterling(C) Fernandes Grealish
            Kane Martial McGoldrick

            - Yedlin Stephens(Dale) Mitchell

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

              Ramsdale and McGoldrick are a no for me

          12. Hutchiniho
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Anyone know who the missing City players are?

            Walker, Jesus, Ederson and .....

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Doyle and Torres

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

                Confirmed?

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

              Rumors say cancelo

              Not sure avout the 5th

          13. Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Is it worth a free transfer to get a playing keeper in GW18? Surely not?

            1. jammie26
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Ive got 2 playing keepers, swap for a defender?

              1. Bobby Digital
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Sure, you can have Lewis 🙂

            2. WE GO FOR IT
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              If oyu're getting a Villa, City, Burnley or United GK, maybe, as they have a double as well.

              1. Bobby Digital
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Yup, got money for any of those. My keeper is McCarthy though and he has a DGW too.

          14. WE GO FOR IT
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            I pray for West Ham's sake Antonio stays fit cause god Haller's awful!

          15. Nightcrawler
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Why do people still have DCL?

            Terrible form
            No DGW
            Tough GW18 fixture

            1. Sean
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Lack of players to replace him with and more pressing issues

            2. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              No idea tbh

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

              'Value'

            4. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              So many fires to put out would be the obvious answer.

            5. jonnybhoy
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Had no JRod and Richarlison which has impacted forn

          16. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            This is exactly the type of game you don’t want 2 attackers involved in!

          17. Over Midwicket
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Both these teams are so rubbish. Mediocre clubs with mediocre mindsets

          18. jonnybhoy
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Any double defence for GW18? Thinking of double city?

            1. Hutchiniho
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              If Ederson and Cancelo are out as rumoured, clean sheets could be questionable.

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

            Typical Premier League game. Such a boring league.

            1. Hutchiniho
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Why are you here then?