Dugout Discussion

Saka passed fit to feature as Aubameyang keeps his place in Arsenal starting XI

The two remaining Blank Gameweek 29 fixtures take place today, starting with West Ham United v Arsenal.

Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 15:00 GMT.

It’s mostly positive news on the teamsheet front concerning the most-owned Fantasy Premier League assets on show.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) was omitted for disciplinary reasons in the north London derby last weekend but he returned to the Arsenal starting XI in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday and keeps his place this afternoon.

The Gabon international looks set to be deployed on the right flank in east London, with Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m) still leading the line.

Aubameyang is one of three players who are recalled to Mikel Arteta’s line-up after missing out against Tottenham Hotspur, with Pablo Mari (£4.4m) and Callum Chambers (£4.5m) returning to the defence.

Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m), Gabriel (£4.9m) and Cedric Soares (£4.6m) are all benched.

Willian (£7.5m) misses out through injury but Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) has made a swift return from the hamstring strain that forced him off at half-time of the win over Spurs.

There are two changes for the Hammers from the side that were beaten by Manchester United last week.

Club captain Mark Noble (£4.5m) and young defender Ben Johnson (£3.9m) are benched, as loanee Jesse Lingard (£6.1m) and Said Benrahma (£6.0m) return to David Moyes’ starting XI.

Pablo Fornals (£5.9m) is still sidelined.

Having operated in a more conservative wing-back system last weekend, West Ham look to be back in a 4-2-3-1 this afternoon.

Lingard and Aubameyang were both transferred in by over half a million Fantasy managers ahead of the Gameweek 29 deadline.


West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Lingard, Benrahma, Antonio.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Chambers, Mari, Luiz, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

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2,005 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Right said Fred!

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Bale will be benched, Jose hates his attitude

    Kane is nailed

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Mourinho isn't the man to question atitudes. Bale is still well capable of magic. If he starts badly sub him off.

      1. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        So true. Too bad he'll never realise that himself.

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Did Jose tell you this?

  3. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Bam to Nacho 31

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Was thinking of getting Vardy, but maybe should just get the cheaper and more inform option

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Vardy has been the facilitator in that partnership for sure

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          It's a good point. He's back from surgery. May not have the same speed & agility which is his edge. Didn't see the last game. Does it look like he's playing a little deeper?

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 7 days ago

            Not so much deeper as peeling off and holding up more than running in behind

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Barnes may well be back on the horizon around then.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      32

  4. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    SpursITKhub on Twitter says:

    ‘MStarting 11 to face Villa:

    Lloris

    Tanganga, Rodon, Sanchez, Reguilon,

    Lo Celso, Hojbjerg, Ndombele, Lucas,

    Kane, Vinicius’’

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Wouldn’t doubt it

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Dropping Bale given Son is out seems bold?

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          Not with his effort level.. I think he’s an impact sub on an otherwise weak bench

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Bale to come on when Villa go 2 ip

  5. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Starting 11 to face Villa:

    Lloris

    Tanganga, Rodon, Sanchez, Reguilon,

    Lo Celso, Hojbjerg, Ndombele, Lucas,

    Kane, Vinicius

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Is it 6.30 already?

    2. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Where you getting this from?

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        encyclopediabrittanica.predictedteams

        😉

    3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I hope that is Spurs backline offside Watkins to score a hatrick

  6. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Iheanacho on a gw31 wildcard?

    How far off are Barnes and maddison ?

    Thanks

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Maddison close, should be back after break; Barnes 4 weeks off

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

      Won’t play Sheffield or United every GW...

      1. Dennis System
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        No one will

    1. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Love it.
      Love seeing pics of defoe and VDV playing. The good old days

  7. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    No Toby ?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      He’s been poor

  8. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    I will be breathing a sigh of relief if Bale is benched..........took a -4 for Aubameyang instead of him and am not pleased with the result

  9. fusen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Considering Bale basically never plays the full 90, if he starts or not isn't really that big a deal

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Every point is important and equally as valuable as every other point. You can win by a point

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        He's a tough one to call at times. Nice run of fixtures coming up from 32-35. The next 2 games will interesting to watch

  10. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    I’ve captained bale and only just realised my vice is on veltman 🙂

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      There is almost no chance Bale gets 0 minutes.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Wouldn’t be so sure, if they’ve fallen out he could stay rooted to the bench

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          It depends if spurs are winning

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      1 pt walk on incoming

  11. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Just read a reliable resource on Twitter that Winks and Hart will be in the bench tonight and if they lose Ossie Ardiles will be appointed the Director of Football and Jose will report into him

  12. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Bale bandwagon didn't even leave the station

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      ??

      Pretty sure this is Man Utd v Leicester...

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

        Maguire bail I think he meant.

      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        If the leaked XI of him being benched is right (>500k+ net transfers in this week)

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          More value for free hitters with bench cover if so.

          Greenwood goal!!

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      It's fine, he can come off the bench and score

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Like the good old days when he was the the best

    3. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Laca first on my bench so hoping it doesn’t

  13. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Discuss:

    The planet ravaged by international variants of a killer disease

    or

    Some Welshman playing a game of ball before the international break

    Cheer up lads. Spurs v Villa should be a cracking game later.

    🙂

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Is Bale out?

      Lingard VC.

      Every silver cloud has a lining...

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Dunno but if he plays I hope he outpoints Lingard for you.

      2. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        I have Trossard coming on if so...

  14. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Transferring Auba in 3 weeks ago and capping him the last two weeks, amongst the worst decisions I've made in life.

    1. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      How so?

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Guess life is pretty sweet then.

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

      Supporting Arsenal still clear as the worst? 😛

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

        It's up there

      2. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Keep em coming 😀

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Comiserations, but he hasn't been near his great level this season. If no-one tells him the clocks change next weekend he might turn up to training on time.

      1. bigshlong
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        It's international break next week.
        If no-one told him the clocks changed he would actually be an hour later.

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          He's fkt so

    5. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      I’ve owned Maupay for 15 gameweeks combined over this season and last.

      0 goals
      0 assists

      There’s always worse!

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Nice one! 🙂

  15. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Pogba with the deception of the year, good to see him uninjured.

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

      they'll add that to the Youtube highlights with 1m likes

  16. lewis1290
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    is bale out????

    1. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Leaked team on twitter puts him in the bench.

      1. Don Van Vliet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Like Lynch put Josie Packard in the doorknob?

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          I literally have no ideas what this means.

        2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          WTF ?

        3. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 7 days ago

          Is that you array?

  17. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    All about that pass from VDB

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Clever guy

  18. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Why people fussing about Bale anyway. Relax and enjoy FA cup lads

  19. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Skysports doing Bergkamp goals show. Unreal player.

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

      Bergkamp has Trossard off the bench if Bale no show.

  20. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    My midfield in this game: Bale, Son, Grealish...not looking good. Hope Martinez and Kane(C) can help me out.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Pretty offensive mids in both sense of the word. 😉

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Lookman 5 Lingard 12. I'm boosting the mood telling myself that means 19 for Moura 😉

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Jus checked your team - didn't feel like mentioning Lingard and Raph? 🙂

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        In this game: Aston V- Tottenham

    4. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      very weird selection if I may say so sir!

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Kept Grealish for ages hopping he plays. Son for some GWs. Transfered in Bale this GW.

  21. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    No one leaking the Villa team these days 😀

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      They don’t live In The fantasy world anymore.

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        They would if they ever decided to drop Martinez

  22. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    A. Saka to Havertz
    B. Auba to Salah

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Is Salah back in favour again? I never got around to transferring him and now he’s got all these good fixtures including 3 goals in 32 mins Arsenal. Incidentally 3 of the top 4OR have him which is encouraging. After all that I’d be tempted to suggest going for Saka to Havertz but I think Auba’s too much of a liability at the moment

  23. lewis1290
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    surely bale
    is gonna start

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      It's not a given.

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Nope team leak with Bale benched.....and a heavily rotated back line......we will have the truth in 35 mins

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Even if he does there's no guarantee he'll be on form.

    4. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      He starts

  24. Geordie19
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    65 points behind ML leader...can I realistically catch him? 6 same players but I have FH and TC left.

    1. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Yes I’ve caught up 30 points this game week alone in mine with triple Brighton defence JLing and Laca as my ‘differential’

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Yes

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      For sure

      BGW and DGW (or two) ahead and a swing of 20 can happen in any week.

      Also template is breaking up rapidly so imagine that will give you opportunities too as teams change.

    4. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Reduce the 6 same players down to zero

  25. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Son’s boot bag spotted on the team bus

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      That's John Smith's boot bag.

  26. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    FA Cup Semi-final draw:

    LeicesterMan Utd v Southampton

    Chelsea v Man City

  27. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    Chelsea v Man City

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      A dress rehearsal for the UCL final.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 days ago

        Bayern v Chelsea

  28. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    At least Ole won’t lose another SF in this years FA Cup.

    Tonight or final it is.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      That just means they’re going to bottle it tonight

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

        Bruno. Is. Inevitable.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Sure.

      Southampton have no record against United in the cup as underdogs 🙂

  29. Don Van Vliet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 days ago

    What time does Munday's 'FPL managers apoplectic following Bale benching' headline drop?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 days ago

      Probably 10.30AM tomorrow morning. He's always fashionably late.

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

      Nowhere to hide for stunned Bale band wagoners...