Dugout Discussion

Vestergaard returns as Minamino makes Southampton debut

Southampton take to the field at Newcastle with some welcome boosts following their 9-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Fresh from a horrendous defensive display, their most important centre-back, Jannik Vestergaard (£4.7m) is finally back in the starting line-up for the first time since Gameweek 14.

The Danish international has struggled with a knee problem during the winter and is sure to improve the Saints’ defensive prospects as he features alongside Jan Bednarek (£4.9m), whose one-match ban was overturned midweek.

Vestergaard’s return sees Jack Stephens (£4.6m) push out to the right-back berth where Southampton have had some problems this season. Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.7m) is still not fit enough to be involved today.

But defence is not the only area where Ralph Hasenhüttl has been handed good news as Takumi Minamino (£6.0m) is ready to feature for the first time since leaving Anfield on loan in the transfer window.

He is stationed on the flanks of midfield, with Nathan Redmond (£6.4m) on the other side, in support of centre-forward pairing Danny Ings (£8.4m) and Che Adams (£5.8m).

Newcastle’s own January loanee Joe Willock (£4.7m) also makes his Premier League debut for his new club, his arrival allowing Steve Bruce to go for a more adventurous shape than usual.

Willock sits in a number 10 role with Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) and Miguel Almirón (£5.6m) either side of him in a 4-2-3-1 fronted by Callum Wilson (£6.8m).

The Magpies are somewhat short at the back though. Midfielder Isaac Hayden (£4.7m) starts alongside Fabian Schär (£4.9m) at centre-back.

Double Gameweek planners will have their eyes on the other 3pm match today as Burnley host Brighton.

As expected, the Clarets are in 4-4-2 formation with key Fantasy targets Nick Pope (£5.5m), Ben Mee (£5.0m), James Tarkowski (£5.3m) and Matt Lowton (£4.4m) all involved.

Charlie Taylor (£4.4m) is still not fit enough for a return and neither is Chris Wood (£6.2m), both players absent from today’s match-day squad, which means Erik Pieters (£4.3m) is at left-back again and Ashley Barnes (£6.0m) is paired up-front with Matej Vydra (£4.8m).

On a run of four successive clean sheets, Brighton are in 3-4-2-1 today with Dan Burn (£4.2m) and Joël Veltman (£4.3m) in the left and right wing-back roles respectively following Solly March‘s (£5.0m) injury at Anfield.

Gameweek 23 Starting Line-ups

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; Pieters, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Vydra, A Barnes.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-4-1-2): R Sánchez; Webster, Dunk, White; Burn, Bissouma, Groß, Veltman; Mac Allister; Maupay, Connolly.

Newcastle United XI (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Lewis, Schär, Hayden, Manquillo; Shelvey, Hendrick; Saint-Maximin, Willock, Almirón; Wilson.

Southampton XI (4-4-2): A McCarthy; Bertrand, Vestergaard, Bednarek, J Stephens; Minamino, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Redmond; Ings, Adams.

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1,274 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hope Pope isn’t a trap 🙁 could have went the ever impressive Martinez too

    1. Bilbao Baggins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I feel you. Getting rid of Martinez on tha blank many weeks back was my biggest mistake this season. Fair play to owners l.

  2. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez!

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hate 🙂

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Crossed my mind to captain him against his former club. Was never going to do it with Bruno’s ownership though.

  3. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal are amazing

  4. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DGW already killing me.
    Bought Pope not to burn a transfer and played him ahead of Martinez.

    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You are not alone!
      I benched Martinez & Konsa!

    2. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      exact same

  5. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    hate myself for getting rid of Martinez

  6. All For One
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard active:
    Pope
    Digne, Dias, Lowton
    Grealish, Gundogan, Bruno, Salah
    Dcl, Antonio, Bamford

    Martinez, Dallas, Maddison, Coufal

    0.4 ITB

    Will bench boost next gw

    Any changes?

    Thanks

  7. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal 4 shots on target according to the stats yet Martinez only has 3 saves on FPL. How does that work?

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Blocks?

    2. G0SS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely wrong. I counted 5 times he stopped the ball from hitting the net (one was a deflection but it was going in). Being done outs of 3 BAPS

  8. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2 transfers this week before wild card next week.

    Who is a good one week punt ? Thinking of Son to Rashford against WBA

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son has 1 week to go for me then he's off - Rashford is a decent pick although I hate owning him!

  9. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    9 from 1 but cup opponent is on 18 from 3.

  10. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    First time benching Martinez in a while. Got an insight into what an annoying effer he is for non owners today.

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yup, painful. Highly owned too!

    2. CobraKai
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easily solved.. I got a non playing keeper at 3.9 as sub.

  11. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Got a word to describe Willian and it starts with the 3rd letter of the alphabet. No passion, no desire, no ability and has the audacity to demand more than 100k a week piss off

    1. tambourineman
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Willian, it was really nothing

    2. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's replaced Ozil well!

  12. fusen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else transfer Martinez out for Pope?

    Gotta hope the forward planning pays off

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yikes! I did it with Johnstone >> Pope. Martinez is suicidal

    2. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No but bought in Pope (for Forster) and benched Martinez.

    3. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez is like Bruno, even when he blanks he gets 4 (yes 4) bonus points. I never understood that to be honest...is fpl rigged?

    4. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yes with the next 3 GWs in mind for sure it makes sense, Pope has the double next week and then WBA, i will then most likey switch back for Martinez's doubles

  13. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez has been robbed of the extra bonus point hasn’t he? Surely it was 4 saves??

    1. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Last week he conceded 2 goals that my grandmother could save and he still got a bonus point. Please don't complain about Martinez.

      P.S. I own him as well

  14. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Stones, Salah to Mee and Sterling worth it for a one week DGW punt ?

    Salah playing Leicester away.

  15. Chemical76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish been booked

    1. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      only good thing from that match

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yesss

  16. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Villa are a very lucky defence. Just like Leicester were in their title winning season. But better to be lucky than good. Just don't expect Villa's defence to keep performing like this for a long time.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Only 15 more weeks I reckon 🙂

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Possible. Saw Leicester do it. But they collapsed the next season.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You don't get to be a "lucky defence" for whole season - for several games yes, but Villa are making the best of what they have - and good luck to them.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You can. Especially when you don't pick up many injuries (which in itself is fortunate)

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          A lack of injuries is lucky, I concede, but I still maintain a team still cannot be lucky for a whole season. You can see that their spirit is making them make blocks and tackles that teams like Arsenal won't.

    3. ppv
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Villa defended brilliantly no luck involved. Comfortable clean sheet

    4. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Been hearing this for months .........

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Could go on all season. They are lucky that a lot of blocks and deflections fall their way. They are also lucky that they have not picked up many injuries.

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mings is a beast

  17. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Emi Goat

  18. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Grealish 1 match banned following that yellow?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

  19. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Minaminotnine!

  20. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play GK of team in 8th vs 10th or of 17th vs 15th? 😉

  21. Custard Gannet
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Matt Targett appreciation post.
    Had since GW9 at 4.5m.
    63 points since.
    8.2% ownership.

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

      Sold him this week for ben mee.. you know what will happen..

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He's been my Martinez cover, and the reason I couldn't bring myself to go double City at the back.

  22. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope will concede now. Will be classic FPL.

    1. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      please no

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think people still underestimating Brighton. Joint 4th behind Man City, Man Utd and Liverpool for shots inside the box over the last 4 matches. In that same time period Burnley has conceded the most shots in the box in the league (albeit against tough opponents).

  23. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why are people looking at Mee when Lowton is 4.4?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Goal threat

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

        Hmm, I suppose, think I'd value the 0.6 more than the likelihood of Ben Mee scoring though.

    2. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Goal threat

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Because you just got a YC...

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

        😆

    4. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Because he's capable of a 15 pointer.

    5. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Impressive

  24. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Villa are the best value FPL team I have seen since Leicester in 2015.

  25. PogChamp
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez the gift that keeps on giving. Wonder if we'll see another price rise.

    1. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I sold him for Pope with the next 3 GWs in mind

      1. PogChamp
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Was tempted but went with Mee instead. Will do Leno > Pope for the double.

  26. McPollolocco
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is harry kane fit for tomorrow or for the next gameweek??

    1. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      could be a surprise tomorrow, if not should be back next GW i think

  27. UpTheCherries
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    YES WE GOT A NUMAN AD

    How I missed them

  28. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    As just a Grealish owner, that's a nightmare start

  29. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Just did Aureola to Pope. Hopefully i havent jinxed him into getting injured

  30. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Would like to see Martínez sneak into those 3 baps