Dugout Discussion

Possible formation change for Southampton with Ings in starting XI to face Chelsea

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has possibly changed formation going into Double Gameweek 25.

With Kyle-Walker Peters (£4.7m) sidelined for the Saints due to a hamstring injury picked up in Gameweek 24, the Austrian is without a senior right-back.

The solution appears to be a back three, which was trialled briefly in that GW24 defeat to Wolves when Mohammed Salisu (£4.3m) replaced Walker-Peters after 72 minutes.

Hasenhuttl hinted at a change of shape in the embargoed section of his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“If you have no players in one position, then it is always an option to think about a change of shape. This is not something that is too difficult to change quickly, especially when you have had a week to prepare.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl

The potential change of formation would also match Southampton up with Thomas Tuchel’s wing-back system.

Over 600,000 new owners of Danny Ings (£8.5m) will be hoping for immediate returns, irrespective of how the Saints set up. Hasenhuttl’s men also face Leeds on Tuesday in the second instalment of their Double Gameweek 25.

There was also a smattering of investment in Jannik Vestergaard (£4.7m) – who could be at the centre of that back three – and James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m), with both players starting.

It is also possible that Hasenhuttl’s preferred 4-2-2-2 formation remains, which could see Jan Bednarek (£4.9m) operate at right-back.

Che Adams (£5.8m) is once again on bench duty, while Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) is not part of the matchday squad. Asked by BT if the Scotland midfielder is injured, Hasenhuttl replied:

Yes, a slight injury. Hopefully not too long. Again, was punished after two games in three days. A little bit [of an] issue with his muscle.

On Thursday, the Southampton manager had said of the club’s injury situation:

Kyle Walker-Peters is another who is out definitely for the game, for a few weeks maybe. Hopefully, there is nobody else [out apart from Walker-Peters, Theo Walcott and Ibrahima Diallo].

Tuchel, meanwhile, continues to keep faith with Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) at left wing-back as Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) is benched for the fourth time in five gameweeks.

Kurt Zouma (£5.4m) earns a rare start alongside Antonio Rudiger (£4.6m) and Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.7m), while Reece James (£5.0m) returns at right wing-back after missing out on the Gameweek 24 starting XI.

N’Golo Kante (£4.9m) is preferred to first-choice penalty taker Jorginho (£4.7m) in midfield.

“Right now we have three strong midfielders with [Mateo] Kovacic, Jorginho and Kante, which I’m absolutely happy [with].

“They are, in the moment, the core of our game and the core of our team with quality, mentality, organizing and the structure. I want to have minimum two of them on the pitch.” – Thomas Tuchel

Mason Mount (£6.8m) and Timo Werner (£9.2m) will rove behind striker Tammy Abraham (£7.2m), who overcomes a knock to start.

Edouard Mendy (£5.1m) is also back between the sticks for Chelsea. Tuchel stated this week that the Senegal goalkeeper remains first choice ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m), who started the 2-0 win against Newcastle in GW24.

Southampton XI (3-4-1-2): McCarthy; Salisu, Vestergaard, Bednarek; Bertrand, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo; Minamino; Ings, Redmond.

Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Zouma, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Alonso, Kante, Kovacic, Reece James; Werner, Mount; Abraham.

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1,042 Comments Post a Comment
  1. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    11 dgwers atm for gw26, will probably have 12, bb or tc ?

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

      Really depends on your players. Both acceptable options.

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have 11 and 2fts, so planning to add 3 more and then BB

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

    How is this BB team looking?

    Pope*,
    Shaw*, Stones*, Cancelo*
    Son*, Barnes*, Bruno*, Salah*, Gundo*
    DCL*, Watkins*

    Martinez*, Bamford, Konsa*, Dier*

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

      Good

    2. Exxtreme
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Kane, that may hurt

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like a bench that needs to be boosted

    4. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get Pope down on the bench please. No cheating!

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

        Looks good. I'd have kane over son and captain him.

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

          I toyed with getting Kane in. Means a cheap 5th mid like Neto or someone around £5m!

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

    Alonso close

  4. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    so close goalonso! 21 pointer please

  5. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Alonsoooo

  6. Kitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would Dallas > Alonso for a -4 pay off?

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

      Probably not, atleast not till 29

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

    Ingsy will do well to get an xG of 0.05 in this game.

    1. Wet Knee Houston
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      9 points it is then.

  8. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With a possible DGW for Spurs in 32 and blanks in 32 and 33 for Spurs and City, Is it better to WC in 30/31 now to be able to navigate 33?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Blanks in 33*

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dont overthink man, just keep WC as long as your team dont need it

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes. Logging off for now.

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Best to play the game to suit your team everyone is different

  9. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is a BB of Pope Bam Raph Dallas worth burning the chip on in 26?

    Could save it for 27/28 but then there's the worry of City rotation

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

      worth it, not much to lose. Maybe change Dallas if you have a spare FT

      1. The VAR Team
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, will be on a -4 already so keeping Dallas

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

      I was contemplating the exact same bench boost. It's either that or sacrifice Pope and the BB to get a 3.9 GK and Kane.

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

      Dallas to dgw player and BB

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd be tempted to do Bamford -> Diagne / Watkins even for a hit.

      Worth using imo

    5. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all!

  10. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on Grealish?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds like injury is confirmed

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

      Nothing official.

      Speculation.

      The FPL Insider and a Leicester City itk account.

    3. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers lads

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

    All I want from Bednarek is to not score and OG or get sent off or concede 4 goals. Just it make it beyond 60 mins and your job is done. Am I being reasonable?

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

      A bit greedy are we?

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

    Got a horrible feeling Chelsea will score

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

      thats not a horrible feeling, it should be expected to happen

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

        It is when you start McCarthy off a WC

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

      Very likely

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

        Never which Southampton will turn up

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

          *know

    3. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I got a horrible feeling City will win the league

  13. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anything you would change in this BB team? Taking a -8 but think it’s worth it...

    Martinez - Sanchez
    Cancelo - Pereira - Shaw - Stones - Targett
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Gundo - Raphina
    Kane - DCL - Watkins

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What a team. Easy save! 🙂

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Coys! Appreciate it mate! 🙂

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

      Wow Son and Kane. I just don't have the funds!

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah pleased I can squeeze both in! Have a decent TV tbf which allows me to reach this team. Cheers mate

  14. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On my WC... (I'm chasing loads)

    1) Does it make sense to go Mane over Salah? He did better in the reverse game, is owned by far less and is a lot cheaper

    2) Is triple City actually worth it? I think if Cancelo, for example, starts tomorrow he'll be rested in the DGW so is there any point owning him?

    3) Can I go without Bruno? After the DGW he has City...

    4) Is Alonso a decent choice? I actually think a CS in both games is kinda likely but will he be rotated?

    Cheers in advance! Would really appreciate some advice 🙂

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

      2) yes.
      3) no.

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1 ) no
      2)yes

      3) Alonso a great choice but you gotta expect the annoying 1 pointer

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh messed up

      1 = no
      2 = bring in 1 defence, gundo and do Fernandes to KDB in 27
      3 = see 2
      4 = yes but expect 1 pointers too

    4. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If on a massive chase I think 1 and 3 makes sense

      4) He looks pretty nailed now so I think he's a risk worth taking on a WC

    5. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      My thoughts mate...

      1) I think Salah is still worth the extra with pens and Mane doesn’t look himself right now
      2) double defence carries rotation risk, so you either need to accept it or basically go with just one - Dias most nailed
      3) risky! Maybe rotate him with Salah for fixtures but would be burning transfers to do that?
      4) Alonso is on my watchlist but still at risk of rotation. Providing you’ve a strong bench, def worth considering!

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        My TV is low so sacrificing Salah for Mane would help elsewhere
        Definitely going Dias, will go Cancelo if he doesnt play tomorrow
        It is risky
        I don't think i'll go alonso tbh

        1. Andy Mac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sounds like a good plan! Good luck!

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

      Would get Vardy in if chasing too

      1. The VAR Team
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        this

    7. GoonerSteve
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1) No
      2) Yes, especially as the likes of Gundogan and Stones are quite cheap so enable decent players elsewhere.
      3) No
      4) Maybe, difficult to know for sure. Could be a great differential though and has history of scoring well.

    8. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1 No
      2 Not sure. Double yes
      3 Yes. I am betting against Bruno. But at 1M OR i gotta do it. Do it at your own peril.
      4Yes

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm below that too, cheers

    9. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Iv done my wildcard mate. I am keeping mo. I will be keeping three city but iv gone for ederson (nailed), dias and gundo for now. Will probably get kdb in eventually when he is back to full fitness. Bruno is staying because he is guaranteed points and although your trying to catch up your better off having the same guaranteed points as your rivals than not having them. I'm also looking at alonso but his fixtures for the double arnt great.

  15. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Petition to ban 5 at the back formation

    • Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Which looks better for BB next GW?

      A: Bamford & Coufal to DCL & Dias (-4) and keep Mee.

      B: Bamford, Mee & Coufal to DCL, Digne and Stones (-8)

      Martinez - Areola
      Cancelo - AWB - Mee - Targett - Coufal
      Salah - Bruno - Maddison - Gundogan - Raphinha
      Kane - Bamford - Watkins

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A

    • Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Games becoming more boring a season gets nearer the end?

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

        struggling to watch any games for 90mins nowadays, even with fantasy involvement.

        That day, Liverpool vs Man City was hard to watch as well

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

          I’ve not watched a single game this season 😆

          No fans, no atmosphere, no point in watching

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

        It's ok, Burnley vs. West Brom on at 3pm, sure to provide some entertainment

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

          😀

          Hey Sun, you do the FPL professional summary right? Got a link to this GW?

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

        This is just a bad example of a game to watch. Saints have no real attacking threat and Chelsea are still quite cautious, hence their amazing current defensive run.

    • shearer9
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Are there likely to be any more big DGWs after 26? My team is in a good way so would like to save my FH as long as possible, but no point if we're not getting more. And blank 29 is a damp squib.

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

        No. Only small ones.

      2. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Only small ones.

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

        No

      4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        33 is where us who still have it get our advantage of those who don't
        No one talks about it. My theory is these influencers are scared because they don’t have FH left. So try and keep it under the radar

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

          This. I can't believe it is never mentioned anywhere. It's almost like they want everyone to burn it on GW29 and load up on those ever reliable Brighton and Arsenal players.

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

          But in 33, the teams people mostly have players from are Spurs and Man City. You could have 3/4 from those teams and just play 10.

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

            Or you load up on Liverpool and Leicester players who have great fixtures. Quality over quantity.

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

              Well I’m wildcarding in 31 and perhaps Free Hitting in 29, I’ll have those players in my team anyway.

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

                Plenty of ways to do it. Am liking the look of Salah, Mane and Trent v Newcastle and Vardy, Maddison/Barnes and Perreira against Palace. 10 gameweeks away from all that tho.

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

          Will likely ship one of Kane/Son soon after GW29. Bench the other. Then maybe sell 1 MCI asset.

          10/11 for GW33. (I don't have Fulham, and won't have Ings then either.)

          Bring Spurs back in for the following 2 good fixtures. It's not to tricky - but yes, you have an advantage if that's your plan.

        4. shearer9
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Interesting shout. I plan to have 4 players from MCI and TOT, though that could change if Gundogan is no longer a viable option and Stones gets dropped etc. I suppose there's a decent upside in getting Liverpool and Leicester players in. But does that outweigh the benefits of getting in all the best options for the double this week? I'm undecided.

    • Johnjo
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Best Spurs defender for next 5 GW?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Reguilon

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

        Hard to know who is nailed. Bavies?

      3. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Reguilon should be back this week, by far the best fullback we have

    • DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wildcard team

      Sanchez ederson
      Shaw, targett, white, stones, dallas
      Bruno, son, mo, saka, gundo
      Kane, watkins, dcl

      One eye on the black gameweek aswell. Any changes required?

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

        Look good only LEI probably missing which is not essential

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

          Cheers mate

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

      Chelsea looked transformed. Crazy what a competent manager can change.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Most of big transactions not even in squad

      2. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hm. Half decent opposition and to me they look absolutely bereft og any clues how to play? Not created anything and that saints goal is so bad defending.. Alonso exposed, the system was found out when Conte was in charge.

    • g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tuchel going mental on touch line 🙂

      1. L'Aeroplanino
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thats how i feel owning Alonso

    • Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thoughts on this FH Team?

      Ederson
      Digne Cancelo Castagne Reguilon
      Salah Son Ghazi
      Kane Vardy DCL

      ESR Kilman

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

      Ings down

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

        Ings back up!

    • Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish appears to have picked up a shin injury.

      Not sure how this could mean that he’s out for a prolonged period.

      Any thoughts

      1. EWH2020
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Perhaps because he wears inadequate shin pads

      2. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not surprised when you don’t protect your shins deliberately. This was always gonna happen

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

          He didn’t get injured during their last game against Brighton so he must have hurt himself during training.

          I really don’t understand how he could be out for more than say two weeks

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

        Wearing beer mats for shin pads not gonna help...

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

      Reckon Southampton are gonna have a shot in this match?

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, and more than one...

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

        Adams will come on and have a few off target.

    • JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Does Bruno outscore KDB by 4 pts this weekend?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Probably yeah

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

      I've forgotten the rules.

      Can you WC and also play TC chip in same week? You can't do this right?

      (yes I know I should know!)

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

        Nah can't do it

      2. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No you can't.

        One chip per GW...

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

        nope

      4. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Only one chip at a time

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

        If only there were a place to find the official rules. They should have implemented this at some point in the past 11 years! 😉

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

          Haha!! THanks I am horribly hungover so I'm going to blame it on that.

    • thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If Grealish does end up being injured....

      Then THAT is the reason why I love FFS!

      if he isn't....

      Then i hate this site.

      Sound reasonable?

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

        Fair assessment

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

      Alonso crocked

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

        Back up

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

          Chilwell warming up though

      2. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Behave