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. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Started Forster ahead of DDG thinking Southampton had a better chance of CS and just in case McCarthy was dropped after last week. Lol

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

      Forster could come on at HT at this rate!

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Won't be surprised

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      nervous 45 more mins

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The 9-0, red cards didn't really show how bad Southampton are now....strange thing to say.

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

    A shame Callum Wilson couldn't capitalize on this weak Southampton defence.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      sure is very unlucky ;(

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

    Wilson's gone awol

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQaJ5L8f0BY

    1. Kingmasson
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks for that. When you are nearly 50 every second counts you know. And I’ll never get those 18 back

      1. Punty McPuntface
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hahahahaha

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

    Surely Bamford is the perfect TC candidate for 25. Talisman, on pens, gets tons of chances. Leeds a relentlessly attacking side vs two very exploitable teams in Wolves and Southampton. If one is BBing in 26 it seems best to take the opportunity gifted.

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I'm considering him too.

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Problem is for BB 26 i must WC 25

      Already have 5 DGWers for next week and triple whu so WC 24 is outta question

    3. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Idk if he is worth a TC but definitely C. Will throw in Dallas or Raphinha to join him

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely capping, just weighing up the use of waiting for a better TC opportunity or just take the fantastic opportunity waiting right here.

        1. Call Me Old Fashioned
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          You are right, if Bruno for example was facing those fixtures we would think twice and throw him the TC

          1. Call Me Old Fashioned
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Wouldn't*

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      captain maybe but will wait a bit longer for tc.

    5. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If BB26 then maybe. But KDB in DGW27 is better imo

    6. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Suspect it will be tight at the Molineux but as you say Leeds are wide open so could be any score.

  5. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2FTs
    Martinez to Pope confirmed before sleep... hopefully I won't wake up to a Pope RC tomorrow morning 😉

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Couldn't wake up and confirm the transfer in the morning?

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        FPL on the edge is always more fun

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Can't disagree! 1 am here but still awake despite no players playing. Maybe I should go to sleep as well 🙂

  6. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is there a strong risk mcarthy now gets dropped?!

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm getting worried

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If Forster plays well in the cup midweek there's probably a chance

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I guess we then go Forster or Meslier DGW25?

        1. Il Capitano
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Might just look at SGW keepers for GW25 if those are the options

  7. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Even Joelinton might score today 😆

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

    Can we short sell the Saints for the dgw

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

    My cup opponent has Bednarek 😆

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      OG cancelled

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And his opponent has this 😉

      Pope trap.
      Wilson injured.
      Burnley and Toon defeats.
      Gutted

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

      Own goal has been overturned

  10. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Must say life is much better in the Martinez tent weeing out!

  11. afcblegend
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    It's pretty crazy that the #1 player in the world is 63 points above 2nd place.

    Benched all 3 City players for this gameweek as well - knows something we don't

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Surprised he benched the City players especially as they've been so good for him. His lead might be at its maximum, this gw might trigger the slide.

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

      They've been very good in their decision. I think it was madness to bench Cancelo over Mee though.

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Like so many he has underestimated Brighton.

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

          Also I think you almost can view Cancelo as a midfielder at this point when he can get so advanced

  12. Del Griffith
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Southampton are hoping they stay up on 29 points, they dont look like getting any more.

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

      couple more draws all they need, doubt the drop line will be above 30 this year

  13. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guaita to Pope done for free transfer .. just saying.

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

      I done that this week.

      He replaced Martinez. :-/

      1. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not Martineez man unlucky
        Was so closeto doing it but couldn't handle -4 again so I just did it now

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

          I gad 2 free transfers wuth nothing else pressing.

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

    Jackie Weaver coming in to mediate the Southampton HT team talk.

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

      Only the chair can decide on a point of order

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

        Read the standing orders. READ AND UNDERSTAND THEM!!!!!!

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

    The only Almiron owner in the top 10k benched him in favour of Wilson - unlucky!
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/2930396/event/23/

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 1 month ago

        How on earth do you find all this?

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

          LiveFPL of course - amazing site!

    2. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing from Callum yet?

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

        Wils NONE

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        1 point and an early ice bath.

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

        You’ll be waiting a while

      4. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        he got one point

        enjoy

      5. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thanks for the great chat

    3. CrouchDown
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy getting dropped would be so annoying

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

        Why? That’d be great for owners

        0 is better than his usual minus points

      2. SH1M1
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Seems inevitable at this point

      3. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Would be gold if Forster replaced him. Not just in the second half, as I have started him ahead of DDG.

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

      Would you play your BB next week if you had these subs or would you just wait til the DGW to play it?

      Forster
      Mee (cpl, FUL)
      Coufal(SHU)
      Bamford(ars)

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

        Nope, i want second playing GK if BB

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

          Which is why i shouldn't have sold Martinez for Pope.

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Be tempted to get it out the way, Forster might even nick McCarthys place. FTM.

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

      2 goals in 2 games for Bednarek, surely he’s close to essential at this rate

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        OG overturned

      2. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Only one unfortunaly

    6. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      6 hours til Bruno blank confirmed

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

        Just hope he gets a CS point. 6 points from my captain is a haul this season.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          You and me both. Fingers crossed for that magical 3 pointer.

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        better not !

    7. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Benched Martinez and Watkins, this is going well so far.

    8. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      don't understand why so many swapped Mart for Pope this week

      why not swap second keeper for Pope and BB next week - surely cash not an issue with so many premiums not firing

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

        Easy to say with hindsight

        Presumably they thought Burnley more chance of CS than Villa

        1. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Well Martinez also has doubles coming up and been in great form seems a silly player to lose

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

            Agreed (I’m a Martinez owner / starter) but I can see some logic in why people did it

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

        5.5 for Pope is an overpriced joke anyway

        1. Call Me Old Fashioned
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I have mee for 4.9 and feel that is overpriced

      3. dogtanion
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Probably related to fixtures and form which are two pretty big things in fpl

        1. TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Martinez has got great fixtures and form

          What on earth are you talking about?

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

        I sold my second Keeper and benched Sanchez 😆

      5. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Benching him was the problem,not selling

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

          Selling is the problem if you were to play BB next week.

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            He said,most People sold,I said,most people bench

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

              I benched

      6. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I really should have done this.

        I had 2 free transfers with nothing else pressing, i never even thought of playing my BB until now.

        So annoying!

      7. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cash may be an issue shortly
        People already used BB
        Long term rotating the 2 best (and quite expensive) keepers would be a nightmare

      8. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I benched Martinez for Fabianski,double with Coufal,to maybe gain some OR,why not?

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

        Surprised Ville did it but he couldn't afford to switch his second GW
        https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/617620/event/23

        I think also the fact that many saved a FT last week and had 2 this week encouraged more switching (to not burn the FT)

      10. Werder Bremner
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Reading through the posts I've been thinking exactly this. Saves a transfer getting Martinez back as well

      11. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I did that too, i guess its the pressure of playing your new signings 2ft had to do something. shame i was 279 2 weeks ago

    9. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford TC in GW25? Soton & Wolves!

    10. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Already have pope & was going to get mee but is 1 Burnley Enough for DGW24 now?

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Think it's prob still a good shout. Depends who he'd come in for

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Holding ?

      2. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah he's worth playing over Holding for sure. Don't think arsenal will keep a clean sheet against leeds

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ok cheers I have 2 FT

    11. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is Pope still only one 1 save?

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        On

      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry, I bought him, so he’s broken

    12. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Time to admit I suck at this game
      Sold Jesus 2 weeks ago
      Bought Richarlison over DCL
      Benched Sanchez last 2 weeks for Johnstone
      This week, did Johnstone to Pope and benched Sanchez
      🙄

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        just bad luck it will turn around i m sure

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        sanchez benching made total sense

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

      Even further reason why I won’t do Forster to Pope as he might start some games now

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Will delay the decision until the next pressers, at least. Doubt we will have any hints though!

    14. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      At least it is clear that keeping Wilson was the right decision. But Antonio is going to destroy me now.

    15. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gameweek going well.

      Saka 2 pointer.
      Pope transfer in (martinez on bench)
      Wilson 3 goals scored, no involvement and does his hammy.

      Gotta love it when its this good.

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

        Ah mate, that's a nightmare start.

      2. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'll do my captain hindsight:

        at the 5.5m price, Soucek and Gundo much better than Saka.
        Villa been very solid most of the season
        Villa beat Arsenal 2-0 at Emirates
        Arsenal not very good 🙂
        Villa good

        Wilson was incredibly bad luck tbf

        1. jason_ni
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, i already have gundo( and had soucek until he was the one sold for salah)
          And Pope was bought for ddg, hindsight is 20 20 lol.

          Cs incoming for utd now!

    16. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      would you lose soucek to an everton mid ? siggy possibly ?

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

        No I don't think so.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          cheers

      2. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        you must be joking

        Soucek is gold

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          thanks Ali

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            was thinking about dgw thats why 🙂