Dugout Discussion

Injury-hit sides in action in two early-evening Double Gameweek 26 kick-offs

The narrative surrounding the two early kick-offs in the Premier League on Wednesday evening is as much about the players who aren’t involved as those who make the four starting XIs.

The most-bought player of Gameweek 26 is one of the most noteworthy absentees: Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) was transferred in by over a million Fantasy Premier League managers ahead of Saturday’s deadline but has now been ruled out for around six weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

His club, Leicester City, are also without James Maddison (£7.3m) and Jonny Evans (£5.5m), among others, for their clash with a Burnley side who are no strangers to an injury crisis.

In the other game, Aston Villa continue to be without Jack Grealish (£7.6m) for their trip to a short-on-numbers Sheffield United.

Evans and Barnes are among three Leicester players who make way from the weekend, with Luke Thomas (£4.2m) also dropping out.

Nampalys Mendy (£4.2m), Daniel Amartey (£3.9m) and Hamza Choudhury (£4.7m) are recalled as Brendan Rodgers sacrifices a bit of width to flood the midfield.

For the Clarets, Chris Wood (£6.2m) returns to the hosts’ line-up and replaces Jay Rodriguez (£5.8m) up top.

At Bramall Lane, budget FPL forward Rhian Brewster (£4.4m) starts in place of Oli McBurnie (£5.6m) in Chris Wilder’s only alteration.

Dean Smith sticks with the same starting XI that began the 1-0 win over Leeds, with Ross Barkley (£5.9m) again only among the substitutes.


Burnley XI: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Brownhill, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Vydra, Wood.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Amartey, Soyuncu, Ricardo Pereira, Tielemans, Mendy, Ndidi, Choudhury, Iheanacho, Vardy.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Ampadu, Jagielka, Bryan, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McGoldrick, Brewster.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Nakamba, Ramsey, Traore, Watkins, El Ghazi.

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766 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Bruno might be rested today

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Don't see it tbh

    2. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Let's hope so.

    3. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Sauce?

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        HP is the best...

    4. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I would take that as a non-captainer

    5. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Anyone on the United squad "might" be rested today.

    6. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      After 89 minutes.

  2. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    DGW fail continues

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Pain

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Speak for thyself

      1. Vamos Los Celeste
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        This.

    3. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      My DGW started off real fancy with Stones and Dias. But it's been miserable since then.

  3. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    14 from 7 so far in part 2 expected.

    Pretty standard I imagine. Not sure I'm even going to lose ground on that.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      8 from 5 so far.

  4. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    DGW is a Scam

    1. Plagued by indecision
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Indeed

  5. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Hearing it’s 50/50 whether Bruno starts tonight.

    1. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      He needs rest

    2. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Or hamstring waiting

    3. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      here we go

    4. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I heard the same thing! (from your post) Must be something in it.

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      If he doesn't I will cry real tears.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Ditto

      2. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        They'r only real if you share it in social media.

  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Have both Areola and Martinez. Just checked Villa vs Fulham fixtures. Fulham's are better. Plus they have more to play for. Lose Martinez, keep Areola?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Dangerous, maybe if you need the cash.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Not exactly but feel Areola should gather more points than Martinez in the next 12.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Posted earlier on Martinez record

      1 cs from 8 against top 8. He is the flat track bully of keepers. The end of season is so red that he could be a sell after his DGW. Surely you want to keep him for that.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        But we have no clue when that DGW will be. And one of the games in the DGW will be vs Everton and I think he will concede in that one.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Could still follow you by simply holding Konsa

          Actually fancy Sanchez a little more than Areola as I have Ederson too and Sanchez is the one with great fixtures in 29 and 33.

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            Sanchez is good too. The thing is even when Fulham and Brighton concede they do not concede bucket loads.

  7. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Well bench boost this week has been an abject failure. At least clean sheet wipeouts in first half mean I don’t have to sit through more boring football.

    1. Gazwaz80
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I feel your pain 🙁

  8. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Have a bad feeling that Shaw will be rested tonight.

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      That would truly suck.

    2. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      no he won't. UTD need the points

  9. nolard
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    How is Vardy?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Who?

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Vydra

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      He's ok I heard. Fanmily man doing his best

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Woah family*

    3. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      I take that as he is invisible?

  10. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Schmeichel chops off Wood

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      🙁

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Looked like his daddy there

  11. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    amazing save from Kasper

  12. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    El Ghazi thinks hes Jack...

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Likes Black women?

  13. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Bloody hell, kasper is getting all them baps here.

  14. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Thank the stars Vardy was just my (v), TC-wise...

  15. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    The Bruno rested rumours have started.

  16. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Ross Boss coming on

  17. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Hearing rumours the Bruno rested rumours have started.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      😀

  18. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Commentators always talk about how clever and how good Watkins is and I wonder are they talking about the right player

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Timing....

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Very selfless forward, makes really good runs and holds it up well.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Lacks a bit of technique and fair to be a star.

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          flair

          1. sminkypinky
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 25 days ago

            And ofc would need more end product.

        2. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          Of course but his first PL season, doing well. Will improve too.

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      just because he's not consistent as a fantasy player doesnt mean he's a bad footballer...

      Easily top 10-15 forward in the league

      1. CrouchDown
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        I’m not talking about Fantasy at all.

        His technique and movement are so poor.

        Top 15 in a league with 20 teams is a pretty low bar

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 25 days ago

          well, sure, but some of the teams have 3 of the the top ten on one team

  19. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Watkins bar from Targett cross.

    1. MoSalad
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Gutted

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        This

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Agh so close

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Ugh would of been perfect

  20. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Thank god that didn’t go in

  21. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    I know it would make it unrealistic but sometimes I wish we didn't have to have defenders. Clean sheets always seem unlikely in any match regardless of who is playing. It's always hope rather than expectation.

    As soon as that goal is conceded, unless the player has a particularly strong attacking threat, its basically an almost certain 1 or 2pts locked in and game over.

    Additionally I don't know about anybody else but matches were I only have defenders playing hold no interest for me in terms of watching it as what is the point of watching a game hoping that nothing happens?!

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      ^ double villa defence owner spotted

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        Close. Double Burnley.

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      should be required to own them, but no minimum on who to play, IMO. I should be allowed to play a 2-5-3 if I want.

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        or a 5-5-0 for that matter.

      2. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        I've thought for a long time that defenders and keepers should get something for only conceding 1 goal. Maybe 1 or 2pts.

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Woah check out War and Peace over here.

  22. Vamos Los Celeste
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    We dodged a bullet there Watkins G Targett A

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      That would be horrible.

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 25 days ago

        You misspelled incredible

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      why would that be horrible?

  23. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Of course I brought in Watkins, god I am unlucky

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Not just you mate. Loads of us. Still time.

    2. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      As a long time Watkins owner, the best advice I can give is; get used to it. About 3 weeks in a row of posts, offside goals etc

  24. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    It looks bad but I think he gets across there

  25. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Jagielka in trouble here

  26. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Should be red.

  27. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Jags RC

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      well that's just great. At least leave Brewster on til after 60 minutes, please!

  28. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Ffs, now jammy Watkins owners will get something

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 25 days ago

      Jammy? Non-owners were jammy that header hit the crossbar...

  29. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Now that United plays Man City, WHU and have a blank, is it a good idea to do Bruno + Barnes > Son (CRY) and J. Lingz (LEE) for -4?

  30. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 25 days ago

    Watkins blank still?