Dugout Discussion

Ill Aubameyang misses out as Xhaka starts at left-back

The last of four Premier League matches to take place on Sunday sees bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United play host to Arsenal.

Kick-off at Bramall Lane is at 19:00 BST.

These two sides aren’t exactly hot property in Fantasy Premier League, with not a single asset on show owned by more than 10% of managers overall.

Looking within the top 10k, which is often a better gauge of popularity among ‘active’ FPL bosses, only Rob Holding (£4.2m) has a double-digit ownership.

There is more than one notable omission from the Arsenal squad this evening but the headline team news is the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.3m), who is unavailable today due to illness.

The news of his ailment only broke after the FPL deadline had passed on Friday, as did the confirmation of an ankle injury for Emile Smith Rowe (£4.2m), who is also sidelined in South Yorkshire.

There are four changes to Mikel Arteta’s starting XI from the Gameweek 30 defeat against Liverpool, with Aubameyang among the players to drop out.

Two further changes are enforced, with Martin Odegaard (£5.9m) and Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) also sidelined.

Gabriel (£4.9m) drops to the bench, meanwhile, with Pablo Mari (£4.4m), Bukayo Saka (£5.2m), Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m) and Granit Xhaka (£5.2m) all promoted to the side.

With Cedric Soares (£4.6m) benched, it appears as if Xhaka is playing at left-back this evening.

Paul Heckingbottom makes three changes from the side beaten 2-1 at Leeds United, with John Egan (£4.7m), Ethan Ampadu (£4.3m) and Oliver Burke (£4.3m) in for Phil Jagielka (£3.9m), Jayden Bogle (£4.3m) and Oli McBurnie (£5.6m).

The Blades are unbeaten in all four of their previous home Premier League matches against Arsenal.


Arsenal XI: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Pablo Mari, Saka, Thomas, Xhaka, Pepe, Ceballos, Martinelli, Lacazette.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Egan, Ampadu, Stevens, Baldock, Fleck, Lundstram, Norwood, Osborn, Burke, McGoldrick.


GAMEWEEK 31 SO FAR…

Ill Aubameyang misses out as Xhaka starts at left-back

Some of the lesser-owned Fantasy Premier League assets from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United took centre stage as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side triumphed 3-1 in north London.

Blanks for Harry Kane (£11.7m), Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m), Luke Shaw (£5.3m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.7m) meant that four of the five FPL players with double-digit ownerships in this fixture didn’t deliver anything more than appearance points.

Only Son Heung-min (£9.4m) from this quintet popped up with anything meaningful, tapping Spurs into a first-half lead for his first goal since Gameweek 23.

Edinson Cavani (£7.8m) and Mason Greenwood (£7.0m) both registered two attacking returns apiece along with bonus points to supplement their scores.

It was far from a convincing audition for Spurs assets ahead of Double Gameweek 32, with their defence looking particularly suspect again.

Son topped the shot count and key passes table to further his case for inclusion in our squads next weekend but there was more misery for those who retained the services of Gareth Bale (£9.2m), who was benched for the third straight Premier League match; his total pitch-time over the last three Gameweeks comes to ten minutes.

496 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Harry Kane a Spurs player next season?

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      who knows?

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can’t see a club paying enough for Levy to accept.

    3. David Brains - OH NO!
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Swap deal maybe

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        100m plus Dan James Benjamin mendy mata etc

    4. kingsingh88
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If Levy blocks the move, that's gonna be embarrassing. Kane needs a bigger club.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        They cannot block the move, nothing worse than unhappy player.

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          But then Kane isn’t like most modern footballers. He’ll be professional.

          1. Bene_the_horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Word up Horsy Homie! Been up to much? Found a great patch of Fantasy Football Grass to nibble on today. Field of Lingard!

    5. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane needs to move on, he’s not winning trophies at Spurs and he’s one of the best strikers on the planet.

      Chelsea, City and United should be all over him in the summer.

    6. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      PSG showing interest allegedly.

  2. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Done for this GW, onto the next for me. 1FT. Roll FT with this squad?

    Lloris
    Rudiger Shaw Dias
    Bruno Jota Lingard Son Salah
    Kane(TC) Nacho

    Martinez Watkins Phillips Mitchell

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks right

  3. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    José’s appointment is going about as well as most football observers expected, then.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Was a top manager, but Real Madrid changed him and he hasn't been the same since. Football has moved on.

      1. Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yes I believe the game has moved on both tactically and in terms of how players can be treated by managers - rightly or wrongly - and he’s too arrogant to adapt.

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          It’s also tough as you get older

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Winning the Carabao will be typical Jose now.

  4. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    with that kind of hair there's no way he would get anywhere near the pitch.

  5. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Feels awful but I have no way to get lingard 🙁

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You do. Raphinha and Bamford to Lingard and Vydra.

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      take a hit if he's worth it.

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Show me your team. I will show you a way for just $50.

    4. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stones and Raphinha to Holding and Lingard?

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Don't get him, find a differential 😉

    6. beric
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm gunna have to take a hit to get him back, I probably will too

  6. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Happy I went Lacazette as captain for this gameweek. Only penalty misses/red card will make things worse *jinx jinx*

  7. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez
    Dias Rudiger Phillips
    Salah Bruno Son Jota Gündo
    Kane Antonio

    (Fabri DCL Phillips Struijk)

    Have Exact cash for Gundo & Antonio ➡️ Lingard & Nacho for -4
    Will have to bench DCL (TOT) though

    Thoughts?

  8. Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A swift article tweak but the URL tells all

  9. David Brains - OH NO!
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is a wildcard worth -8 points at this stage? ...or hold for future gameweek?

    Reply

    0

    DAVID BRAINS - OH NO!1 min ago

    Current team (with -8)
    Martinez
    TAA Dias Coady
    Bruno Son Jota Lingard Salah
    Kane Iheanacho
    Subs: Foster Bamford Coufal Lascelles

    1. David Brains - OH NO!
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sorry, lost on last article

  10. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mates, Im in a big struggle so would appreciate the help here

    Mendy
    Fofana, Rudiger, Holding
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Jota, Neto
    Kane, Vardy

    Forster, Masuaku, Philips, Davis

    Plan was to do Gundo to Son for next GW

    Should I also do Neto Vardy to Lingard Nacho (-8) before price rises?

    1. HD7
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I switched TAA Lingard Nacho to Philips Neto Vardy just before deadline... :/

      But I have got to focus and regroup!

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy, Neto and Gundo to Son, Lingard and Iheanacho.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I will reassess and probably will chin up and make a -8. I dont have a problem that TAA beat Philips or Lingard Neto but Nacho beating Vardy with such a difference... its too much

    3. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Relax and reassess nearer the time.

    4. nolard
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wait.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks mates. Need to let it go and continue

  11. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Xhaka playing LB. Interesting.

  12. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Does Kane start both in the double despite the City Cup final?

    This hinges my TC decision

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It’s impossible for anyone to answer this with any degree of certainty.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane starts every game. Out of the EL and Top 4 the only route to the CL.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I can't imagine kane not starting every game he is fit till end of season

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jose needs top 4 and they're Harry Kane FC, expect him to start both. Extremely fit player anyways and they don't have EL midweeks now.

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  13. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Holdini 3 BPS + jammy assist needed please, round 2.

  14. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Just not taking a hit in GWs 32 and 33 will probably be enough for a green arrow =)

  15. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Given City rotation, is there any better use of the TC chip going forward than Kane's DGW32?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No. Kane (or Son) TC is a no brainer.

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably not.

    3. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      There could be a DGW35 but no point risking it

    4. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No

    5. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No

    6. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Everyone will captain Kane so what's the point?

      10 extra points if he gets 20 pts?

      I might save and use it on Salah or if there is another double something else. I have some breathing room and my rival has no TC

  16. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wow. Surely the FA have to take action as Ole now? That’s twice in a few weeks he’s verbally gone after correct decisions.

    1. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      genuinely hilarious how bitter you are

  17. Henning
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lingard in for Gundogan for free?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What do you think?

      1. Henning
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Think its a greate move , but i have done so many great moves that wasnt so great after all

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Well before his last game he was the most in form player in the league. He’s continued that.

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yea

    3. FPL Bond @ Twitter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes bro. Planning the same move myself..

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Easiest move you will make all season.

    5. Henning
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thanx all.

  18. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling to Lingard and bank the change?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Of course

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Oh yes! Bank it or send the balance to me.

    3. ZAMUNDA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Salah the change

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I have Mo

    4. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      are you still asking?

  19. A-L
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I wonder how boring playing Fantasy La Liga must be - everyone would just captain Messi every week

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bundesliga, Ligue Un, La Liga are pretty uncompetitive leagues. People say the PL is crap, but if it is so crap, why does it keep producing CL semi-finalists and EL finalists?

  20. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Just pressed the cancel button on my triple captain. First time I've ever done that. Suddenly very doubtful after that performance- what have spurs really got to fight for?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Top 4 and CL. Otherwise Kane and Son might get itchy fingers and put in those transfer requests

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Kane will probably do so anyways soon.

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I hope everyone else follows you.

    3. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mourinhos job.

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

    4. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane has been in phenomenal form and the fixtures are good. Not sure what else you’re waiting/hoping for.
      MU are a good team! Way better than Spurs

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It's the cup final straight after. Worried mourinho will put all his eggs in that potential trophy basket

        1. RogDog_jimmy
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Aye fair enough. Glad I don’t have any chips left to fret over to be honest.
          Hope you make the right decision whatever it is!

  21. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Apart from the frustrating ads, I have to click post a minimum of 2 times for it to work.

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Is this from your phone or pad?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Phone.

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I see, I visit this site from the laptop, so no issues with ads.

        2. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Use Duckduckgo browser it blocks ads nicely.

  22. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I’m not seeing any of these ads on mobile

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can we swap before I go back to being broke from gambling?

  23. Alex_thekid
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kane or Son TC or wait for a Villa dgw and TC Grealish or Ollie?? Uncertain about it now after today's performance

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The former.

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane.
      MU are the clear second best team in the league with a good defense.
      No need to overreact to this game imo.

  24. Nimby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any other Leno owners out there who really want Arsenal to lose?

  25. Life_Ban
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Can't believe I will actually get a clean sheet from Holding!!!

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don’t do holding, hence my bed sheet bill.

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      don't jinx it.

    3. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I feel like relying on 2 points from him is ambitious.

    4. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Clean sheets aren't really a thing this GW.

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The mighty Coady 🙂

    5. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      gl 🙂

    6. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Congrats!!!

  26. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is there any risk Son rises tonight?

    I know he is miles away on FPl statistics but worried his stats are wrong given he never dropped

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe in the morning.

  27. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    would you do dcl to nacho for free? thanks

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes probably. But ask again tomorrow night.

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What Rupert said. DCL gave me heartburn for weeks. But at least wait see how he goes.

  28. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    May as well WC this week and get Lingard in.

  29. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    That should’ve been Auba 🙁

    1. Life_Ban
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Holding should have assisted that

  30. space mercenary
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Evening all. What are everyone's scores looking like? I am on 68 with DCL left to play here. I was hoping it's good enough to elevate my lowly rank.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That score is certainly in the upper eschelons