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. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Made a big call to get Sanchez instead of Pope, looking decent. Still not convinced a Burnley defender/GK is worth investing in

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

      This. Don’t get the hype around Burnley, DGW or not

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

        Yup. Have Lowton as a cheapy .. he’ll probably play. That’s it.

        1. Alisson WondHaaland
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Might do the same tbh, Lowton is the most Im willing to get

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

            Agree, CRY ful WBA great fixtures and easy to get at 4.5

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This, screams trap to me

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think one defensive cover is as close to essential as possible.

      Ownership will be through the roof and they are nice fixtures

  2. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pieters a viable option for the dgw? Or will he lose his place when Taylor is back?

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

      Taylor likely starts when he's back yeah

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

      Likely loses his spot

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

    Has Minamino wagon left the station?

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

      Great goal ... then went missing

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

        good for the lad,should get his confidence back...

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Minamini Cooper

  4. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bruno(c) locking against WBA!

    Not falling for the DGW trap.

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh come on, where’s the fun in that!

  5. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL!!! What's going on. My bench the last 3 weeks alone has scored the same amount of points as my team all season (not true, but you get the gist)!