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. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If Neto is out who to bring in for him? I'm fancy A, have Lingard and Jota.

    A. Mount
    B. Maddison
    C. Bowen
    D. Someone else?

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

      Son

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

        I have Bruno Son Jota Lingard Neto*

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

          Moura?

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

          I’d be looking at a Chelsea mid.

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

            Cup semi final and same general programme as City.

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

      D sounds good!!!

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

      Mount might be dicey in cup semi final week. Maddison too for that matter but Leicester don't have so many options are need to get back on track.

      Greenwood is the other name in that bracket assuming you're dodging Leeds. With Martial out go he picture he should be solid for starts.

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

        Thanks but Greenwood didn't start today.... Maddi clearly struggling, not a good price bracket is it

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

          It's tricky

          Think Maddison is most likely if you look at run of fixtures. Palace in 33 is especially juicy. But he came back really slowly last time so not exactly guaranteed.

          Can you not hold transfer and BB? Life might look rather different the other side when we know about CL and FA cup. City might have nothing left to play for bar the PL! Gundo back time.

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

            I set my team up for BB with my WC this week and just look at the fixtures, it would be a shame to not BB as I made sacrifices on my WC for such a strong bench?

            Lloris
            TAA Castagne Shaw Rudiger
            Bruno Son Jota Lingard
            Kane Iheanacho
            Leno DCL Coufal Neto*

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

              I can see it's irritating and maybe it's worth just getting BB done - but 34 works almost as well I'd say on that set up. But by then of course you may have more injuries.

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

                34 is very close isn't it, it's just that United Pool game. To be honest I desperately want rid, it's cost me quite dearly and all my chips have flunked anyway so not expecting anything.

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

    On WC.

    A) Leno and Targett

    Or

    B) Martinez and Holding?

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B all day

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

      The choice with Emi in it. I was thinking, if by some miracle he saved Trents shot yesterday, he would have got 7pts. Without a clean sheet. Incredible man.

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

    So the template has done okay then. Rank halved from 50 to 25k.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Arise!

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yup ... halved my rank too ...so I say aye!

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

      After a horrendous start to the GW on WC, have dipped back into top 50k after today

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

      54k after autosubs 🙁

    5. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wave as you pass me, my rank has doubled to 38k before autosubs and I don’t have Dallas coming in...silly me anti Liverpool and Nacho bias

  4. Punty McPuntface
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    GW35 still looking to be the best gw to play the FH chip?

    1. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah 100% if you still have it.

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If it pans out to e a DGW probably, But it will then be followed by a BGW36 probably, so I suppose the FH could be played then also. GW33 is alo an option, loading up on Liverpool, Leicester, ManU and Brighton, but most will be covered well already.

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Was thinking of fh33 aswell but decided to take few hits to cover the main players.

        Probably gw35 aswell for me

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          My original plan was FH in BGW29, but then I thought it would be low scoring and I had decent over, so changed my mind to FH33, but with DGW35 rumours I'm still undecided. Hoping we get some clarity before GW33 deadline

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

      Jesus I was going to FH33 then realised I hardly have any players that are blanking any way.

  5. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Worth bringing in Son for Jota or Mount both with good match ups?

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

      Prepare for trouble, and make it double....

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

      Not sure mounting anybody not from your household bubble is in line with current COVID restrictions

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

      Depends how you think Son will do.

  6. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone fancy Moura punt?

    1. jimbe4mXL
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Me, think ill do Gundo > Moura. Playing BB and i want players who will actually play.

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

      I am considering it. But that schedule means he could be rested. And he costs 4 pts more for me than Reguillon. Yet, he could become Maddison week later... ...hmm...

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Got him on my WC this week, although benched his assist in favour of Vydra

  7. G00LI0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Next week the best triple captain option left?

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Still Kane. Always Kane.

    2. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      not Bale.

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you mean in terms of weeks, yes. You could look at permutations but none I've seen suggest a juicer triple Captain than Kane

  8. trinzoo
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chances Cedric gets some minutes?

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

    Hold Holding just another min for CS mark!

    Only purchased this week and CS already!!!

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Still 30 mins to go ...

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

        None of my other defenders have given me a clean sheet:

        Dias, Amartey, Shaw and Phillips

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Holding hadn’t given you a clean sheet either ... not yet anyway ... hopefully when the final whistle goes he can deliver that for you.

  10. Gabhini Gupini
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    why didn't Sanchez start today? I got him for the dgw 32. Now I am unsure. What to do?

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

      because he is an awful player and cost them at newcastle

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

    Have not had Bruno for the last 3 games, and he's managed just one assist. Overpriced pen merchant imo

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Highest scorer in whole game.

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Dipped a bit but I’ll be holding for now.

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

        Not "in form" when Pogba plays.

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

          This is what I’m thinking about - Pogba slowed him down earlier in the season and if he continues to play the Bruno out makes more sense to me.

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

        Cresswell was highest scoring defender a few weeks ago, since then 0,1,0

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers Cheeto Bandito love the analysis but I hate to break it to you that there's more than 3 gameweeks in a season

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

    Holding up to 2 BPS, HOLD

  13. RAMZES666
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any viable defenders to bring in for Cresswell?
    Curently have Stones Cancelo Dunk Dallas (benching for Lvp game)

    1. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coady or Regulion for the DGW

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm looking at holding, coady and Phillips. If you can afford it get TAA.

  14. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Think I might break TC Kane next week just for the fun of it.

    Pretty sure I have it in my power. A fairly impressive 15 captain blanks in last 18 matches (not game weeks)

    2
    6
    7
    1
    2
    2
    3
    3
    6
    2
    6
    0
    2
    2
    3
    2
    1
    3

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

      Won't happen, my cap record has been excellent - cancels your jinxing out 😛

  15. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this? Had planned originally to wildcard for GW33 when Spurs and City blank.

    Martinez
    TAA Cancelo Azpilicueta Coufal
    Bruno Gundo Son Jota
    Kane Antonio
    (Sanchez Raphinha Bamford Targett)

    A) Sanchez to Lloris for the double
    B) Raph to Lingard, bench Cancelo/Azpi
    C) both for a -4
    D) Wildcard now, with only Kane/Son/KDB for Spurs/City coverage

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

      I'd probably wait. Can't see many upsides to doing it now.
      Wouldn't do A - spurs can't defend. B looks good.

  16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Happy Pubmas Eve, everyone!

  17. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2 nil

  18. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What happend? Just putting my kids to bed and now Saka is off.

  19. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    HOLDing!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Brilliant

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It's Martineli, but I am calling for a CS here !

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

        just misfortune post, sorry all

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

        Jeez don’t do that!

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

          Sorry, sorry

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Liar

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

        Apologize

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          No probs

  20. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Of course saka is subbed early.

    Horrible week

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

      And injured it seems. Rough.

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

      Oh he’s injured. Poor bloke

      1. A. PRISE
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It's Arteta's fault

  21. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    DCL, Bamford, Gundo

    to

    Son, Keinan Davis, Nacho

    -8?

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

      Just Son + Nacho for -4?

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

        He can't afford (I guess).

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

        Because he's taking the other -4 just has a good feeling about the lowest priced striker in the game?

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

      Seems excessive. Wait see DCL tomorrow.
      Bamford returned against MC and Liverpool ain’t been defending great.

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Punty. Should technically get you 6 points (Son 2x2pts and Nacho 2pts) so could be a -2 and you'd fancy at least one return.
      Anyway to just bring in Lucas Moura and Nacho for -4?

  22. fusen
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    As a Holding owner I'm tempted to bet £5 on Sheffield to score, would return £25

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Haha ... think even Arsenal are okay against this lot.

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

      What’s a Holding OG payout?

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

      I have won all those (similar) bets this season 🙁

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

    Pepe finally decides to show up.

  24. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Come on Leno...one more save.....

  25. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Really now, when will this Arsenal cleanie be wiped?

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

      Very very soon

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

      Not tonight.

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

      I own Holding

  26. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Really hope I can make the top 10k, been stuck in the 30's for a while, will it be green or red with 52 points this week?

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

      Does it matter? No significant change.

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

        57 after BAPS took me from 35k to 26k and I have DCL to play, not insignificant in my opinion.

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think green, safety at 39k is 44 points.

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

        Ah ok thank you.

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      69 pre-subs is currently taking me from 34k to 16k so make of that what you will (or use LiveFPL and actually find out the size of your green arrow)

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

        Nice one, thanks mate.

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

      im stuck in the 40s

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

        Dunk goal and you're into the 50's and top 20k, good luck

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

    Odds for Brewster to score?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      V high

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

      Has he scored this season?

  28. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Laca goal

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Zip 3

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

      Class assist.

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

        This it was Thomas Partey actually

  29. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    0 3 Arsenal

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Brilliant through ball...

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thomas Party

  30. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Auba captainers so unlucky... This would have been a big haul for him...

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

      Flu... ...they say...