Dugout Discussion

Cooper return sees Struijk drop to Leeds bench for Yorkshire derby

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has made just one change to his side for the Gameweek 30 meeting with Sheffield United.

Captain Liam Cooper (£4.3m) returns to the starting XI for the first time since Gameweek 27, named alongside Diego Llorente (£4.4m) at centre-back.

With Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) reestablished in midfield following a positive international break, there is no place in the team for Pascal Struijk (£4.0m).

The budget defender drops to the bench for the first time since Gameweek 14, having only missed the Gameweek 27 defeat at West Ham through injury.

That will be of some disappointment to Struijk’s 5.6% ownership considering Leeds’ latest opponents Sheffield United are the Premier League’s worst goal-scoring side on the road this season.

In 14 away matches, they have found the net just six times, working out at 0.4 per game.

Stuart Dallas (£5.1m) will be relishing this afternoon’s encounter though, considering more time on the bench for Mateusz Klich (£5.2m) should make for another outing at central midfield alongside Tyler Roberts (£4.6m).

The 13 goals conceded by Sheffield United in their last six matches has put some of the Fantasy focus on Raphinha (£5.7m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.7m) this afternoon.

They are the differential captains among the top 10,000 Fantasy managers for Gameweek 30, earning the backing of 3.6% and 3.2% at that level respectively.

Gameweek 30 Line-ups

Leeds United XI: Meslier; Alioski, Cooper, Llorente, Ayling; K Phillips; Harrison, Dallas, Roberts, Raphinha; Bamford.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale; Stevens, Jagielka, Bogle; Osborn, Fleck, Norwood, Lundstram, Baldock; McBurnie, McGoldrick.

Gameweek 30 so far…

West Bromwich Albion executed a shock win at Stamford Bridge in the lunch-time kick-off, making a mockery of recent claims about the Chelsea defence.

Matheus Pereira (£5.3m) and Callum Robinson (£5.2m) both found the net twice in a shock 5-2 win, Thomas Tuchel’s first Premier League defeat after a streak of two goals conceded in 10 matches.

The Baggies were helped by a sending off for Thiago Silva (£5.6m) in the first half but were arguably the better side throughout.

There was mixed emotions for those invested in Chelsea, whose line-ups are increasingly becoming as hard to predict as Manchester City’s.

Antonio Rüdiger (£4.7m) was benched for the second time in three Gameweeks and remained there for the duration while Mason Mount (£ was also among the substitutes, although the midfielder came on to grab a second-half goal.

While Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) beat the Tuchel Tombola as predicted, he ended the afternoon with just three points.

He did add plenty of attacking threat, hitting the post twice and coming away with an assist but he lost two points due to the number of goals Chelsea conceded.

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Matheus Pereira
  • 2 – Callum Robinson
  • 1 – Mbaye Diagne

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

767 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Wonderkid Brewster coming on.

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Bargain of the season

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        Have him as your 3rd striker in your pre season team. Good chance of a 4.5m striker if he moves to Sheffield!

  2. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Cancelo, Gundagon and Stones all benched. Im fairly certain that there wont be any City players in my wildcard team. Just not worth the anxiety every time the team sheets come out.

    1. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Same

  3. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Fairly predictable City line-up. Cheers Pep.

  4. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    I really need Cancelo & Gundogan to stay on the bench

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Diagne?

  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Sold Cancelo
    Benched Gundogan

    I actually predicted Pep!!

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Sold both to BB

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Who did you pick over Cancelo and Gundo?

  6. Bank$y
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Pereira injured? Not in the Leicester squad.

    1. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Never mind. Benched.

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Ricardo on the bench

    3. nothing_else_Mata
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      He's on the bench

  7. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Time to kick Bamford to touch from my team.

    1. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      To be fair he did deliver 11 points last gameweek, but with upcoming fixtures....yes.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Yep

  8. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Cooper just back from injury and I need point from Struijk. Come on Bielsa!

  9. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Dallas, Ralph and Bamford, after watching this, we’ve been done eh

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Always do.

    2. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      To be fair not too many expected the 'as good as down' sides to show such resilience today.
      The way it's going, we'll doubtless be in for Spurs being routed by the barcodes next!

  10. Gross Blank Point
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    I hope that's not getting classed as a concussion substitution! He was trying to look as dazed as possible going off.
    Making a mockery of the rule if it is.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      You’re going to feel like a mug if he’s actually concussed...

      1. Gross Blank Point
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        Obviously, but getting concussion from being hit on the nose is extremely difficult compared to almost all other parts of the head, as the nose tends to crumple on impact.
        His eyes looked like he'd done 10 rounds with Mike Tyson, yet there was hardly a mark on him.
        Wondering if managers instruct players to milk it a bit now with that new rule.

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Dude looked like he was on another planet lol. Having been concussed on the field I can say it’s definitely not fun!

  11. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Why in earth do I still have Stones 🙁

  12. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Come on Rapha.

  13. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Well no interest in city game then.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      it's about the subs is all

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Set a notification for when someone comes off the bench lol

    3. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      I sold Cancelo for Azpi but had hoped Gundogan would start.

      Never mind

  14. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Annoying with Cancelo being benched and Mendy starting. He's always likely to do something stupid and hooked early.

  15. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    4th sub for Shef

  16. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Is Iheanacho going to be another Justin where we say he’ll lose his spot soon and never does?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Could well be

    2. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Really fascinated to see how he does today. There's a seat in my wildcard squad for him if he looks half decent.

    3. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Considering him for Bamford.

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 13 days ago

        Me too mate, hoping he does well today to make the decision easier but also own Dias haha

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 13 days ago

          I benched Dias for Azpi... But he might come in for Gundo. Such a weird start to this GW.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Depends on Barnes likely - could be a while

  17. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    No surprise with Gundogan benched.

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Phenomenal start. Azpi FT 0pter, Leeds not doing much and Gundo benched.

    At least I benched Stones myself... please stay on the bench both of you

  19. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    KDB & Dias check. Shame about Gundagon.

  20. PogChamp
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Sterling, Cancelo and Gundo. Happy days.

  21. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Did some people really think this was a good week to bench boost ?

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      At least 4

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Me

  22. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Difficult to predict who to own from City vs Leeds next gweek. Same team as this gw?

    1. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Raphina is worth a shout, but otherwise I'm not sure you need too much Leeds for the next few.
      KDB looks to be returning (although I'd also expect Gundo back as a fixture from next week) and then there's the defensive lottery - wouldn't be at all surprised to see Dias rested and Stones back in next week.
      Be interesting to see how Aguero does...given that he's on his way I suspect he'll want to go out in style.

    2. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      You would assume so. City have 2 teams to rotate.

  23. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    have Dallas Rudiger and cancelo on. what more could I ask?

    1. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      TBH you've lucked out with Rudiger this week, assuming you have someone to come off the bench.

  24. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Would love a Struijk cameo to block rival's jammy Diagne bench points.

  25. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    FFS Dallas!!

  26. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Noooooooooo Dallas just wide

  27. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Dallas wtf man

  28. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Dallas messes up Raph assist

  29. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    So many "near" from Raphinha and Dallas. Painful.

    1. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      Its constant

  30. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 13 days ago

    Would of been a dream, nearly Raphinha A Dallas G 🙁

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 13 days ago

      It hurts, it really hurts ...