Dugout Discussion

Bale benched as Grealish makes first start since Gameweek 24

Gameweek 37 has seen not only the welcome return of home supporters to Premier League grounds but also the revisiting of simultaneous kick-offs.

There are three top-flight fixtures getting underway at 18:00 BST this evening: Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United v Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa.

Crystal Palace’s clash with Arsenal begins an hour later, meanwhile.

The headline story from north London is the benching of Gareth Bale (£9.2m) – something that Ryan Mason had hinted was a possibility when he faced the media on Tuesday.

Giovani Lo Celso (£6.9m) is also only among the substitutes, with Harry Winks (£5.1m) and Steven Bergwijn (£7.0m) coming into the side.

Despite widespread rumours about his future, Harry Kane (£11.9m) is part of the Spurs team this evening.

Aston Villa are the visitors to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and Dean Smith’s troops will have Jack Grealish (£7.5m) in a Premier League starting XI for the first time since February.

Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) recovers from injury and Marvelous Nakamba (£4.3m) is recalled, as Ahmed Elmohamady (£4.2m), Douglas Luiz (£4.8m) and Jacob Ramsey (£4.5m) drop to the bench following the defeat to Crystal Palace.

There are two changes for Everton as Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.9m) and the fit-again Yerry Mina (£5.5m) come into the side.

Mason Holgate (£4.8m) is benched, while – surprise, surprise – there is no James Rodriguez (£7.7m) in the matchday squad.

Nuno Espirito Santo has run wild with the changes over the last two Gameweeks and has made another five of them this evening.

Goalkeeper John Ruddy (£4.3m) makes his first Premier League start of the season, while there are also appearances for Rayan Aït-Nouri (£5.0m), Rúben Neves (£5.1m), Willy Boly (£5.4m) and Max Kilman (£3.8m).

Rui Patricio (£5.3m) drops to the bench, along with Vitinha (£4.7m), Romain Saiss (£4.9m), Leander Dendoncker (£4.6m) and Ki-Jana Hoever (£4.4m).

This game comes too soon for Raul Jimenez (£8.1m), who had been seeing a medical consultant on Tuesday in a bid to get the all-clear from a long-term head injury.

Newcastle United are unchanged from their seven-goal thriller with Manchester City last Friday.

Opponents Sheffield United hand another start to teenage forward Daniel Jebbison (£4.5m) and have made just one change from Sunday’s win at Goodison Park.

Jayden Bogle (£4.3m) comes in for the injured George Baldock (£4.9m) at right wing-back.

Roy Hodgson makes two changes to his line-up for his final home game as Palace manager, with James Tomkins (£4.4m) and Vicente Guaita (£4.8m) returning to the side.

Jack Butland (£4.5m) is on the bench, with Eberechi Eze (£5.9m) out with a long-term injury.

Mikel Arteta has also made a couple of alterations to the side that beat Chelsea last time out.

Calum Chambers (£4.5m) replaces Pablo Mari (£4.4m) in defence, while Nicolas Pepe (£5.6m) is in for Martin Odegaard (£7.6m).


LINE-UPS

Everton XI: Pickford, Godfrey, Mina, Keane, Digne, Coleman, Doucoure, Allan, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Holgate, Delph, King, Iwobi, Nkounkou, Bernard, Andre Gomes, Davies, Olsen.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Ruddy, Boly, Coady, Kilman, Nelson Semedo, Joao Moutinho, Neves, Ait Nouri, Traore, Silva, Gibbs-White.

Subs: Hoever, Marcal, Rui Patricio, Willian Jose, Vitinha, Dendoncker, Sondergaard, Saiss.

Newcastle United XI: Dubravka, Dummett, Krafth, Fernendez, Shelvey, Ritchie, Murphy, Almiron, Willock, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.

Substitutes: Gillespie, Clark, Lewis, Manquillo, M Longstaff, Hendrick, S Longstaff, Carroll, Gayle.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Bogle, Stevens, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Fleck, Norwood, Osborn, Jebbison, McGoldrick.

Subs: Foderingham, Lowe, Jagielka, Gordon, Boyes, Lundstram, Seriki, Brunt, Brewster.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Tanganga, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon, Winks, Hojbjerg, Bergwijn, Alli, Son, Kane.

Subs: Hart, Doherty, Sanchez, Bale, Lamela, Lo Celso, Aurier, Moura, Ndombele.

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

Subs: Steer, Taylor, Luiz, Wesley, Barkley, Elmohamady, Ramsey, Philogene-Bidace, Chukwuemeka.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Mitchell, Townsend, Kouyate, McCarthy, Schlupp, Benteke, Zaha.

Subs: Butland, Van Aanholt, Ayew, Mateta, Clyne, Batshuayi, Kelly, Rak-Sakyi, Riedewald.

Arsenal XI: Len, Tierney, Gabriel, Saka, Aubameyang, Holding, Partey, Pepe, Chambers, Elneny, Smith Rowe.

Subs: Ryan, Ceballos, Lacazette, Odegaard, Willian, Cedric, Mari, Xhaka, Martinelli.

867 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Crazy crazy var again.. stone cold pen lol.

    Lloris just slid out, no attempt on the ball and wiped him out.

    Just cause you raise your hands doesnt negate it!

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      ML rival have Regulion?

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        No, nothing to do with fpl, I actually lose a point as son owner, but its a clear pen.

        Lloris completely lost himself.

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          No idea why he would even do what he did (Lloris)...

    2. dabber7
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Has the ball crossed the line (so not in play) when Lloris makes contact with him, that's the only reason I can think of?

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        That doesn't really matter, I mean if the ball goes out of play, I cant just slide in and wipe out a player regardless..
        Or maybe you can, who knows the rules anymore.

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          As long as its not violent conduct if the ball goes out of the play its not a foul

          1. Abaddon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            That is not correct at all

  2. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What’s the best Euros fantasy game that lets me set up a minileague?

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Are any of them even live yet?

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Doubt if there are any live yet but Mcdonalds usually do a popular one

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cool. Thanks mate.

  3. Boxwoods
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bruno Cappers licking chops to be awarded assist on that Bergwijn goal!

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Has it not been given yet?

  4. dansmusen
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    The week you start Meslier before Martinez.....i am cursed

  5. Steinburg FC
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    stone wall pen...

  6. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I am no Spurs fan and live nowhere close to London, but I'd absolutely love to attend a game in that stadium!!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      NFL?

  7. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Are Everton looking as dire as I expect them to?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not watching but yes.

      1. Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I've just seen that Ruddy made a save which impressed me.

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I'm not feeling good about my Kane(C)

    1. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He need to play today or else I m losing my ML title

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Looks like he might have left already and taken son with him.

      Wishing I owned grealish right now.

  9. tisza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Don't get it. Defender takes out a player like that outside of the box and it's a yellow and a free kick.

  10. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Wonder if anyone has Meslier Patricio combo lol

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Saw some with Meslier/Forster or Meslier/Hendo.

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Rival on fh last week went ederson and forster, which didn't work out so well.

      Still got more points than me!

    3. Aubameyyanngg
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pope since 31, Then brought in Meslier as back up last week Rip

  11. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    ngl, as a Kane owner, but non-captainer, the best thing about this match is getting that Villa CS ruined.

  12. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reggie og lol

    1. Londongeezaa
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Great finish 🙂

      1. Sandy Ravage
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        How do you score an own goal from that far out?

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It's a beauty of a slice with dip...

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        A curl too.

        Shinned it.

      2. Jindaljain
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yaya

    3. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      My opponent with regullion

  13. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What a goal. Reggi

  14. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Villa GOAL

  15. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Probably Grealish is the GW38 punt! Greenwood > Grealish on the card?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Possible the one...

      Newcastle at Fulham worth thinking through too.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Targeting home fixture here

    2. leeboy104
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Against Chelsea. No thanks

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Well you rate CHE too much, final game of the season!

  16. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reguilown goal

  17. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dubravka assist incoming

  18. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Great finish by Reguilon

  19. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Son cs wipeout

  20. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reguilon robbed of an assist and now scores own goal

    Unbelievable

  21. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reguilon what a strike!

  22. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Lol Reguilon huge fail.

  23. Salan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reguilon is a joke

  24. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    ARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH

  25. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Goal of the season contender that

  26. Hooky
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    That was a beautiful shinner 😆

  27. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Does Reguilon know which end he's meant to be scoring at? Not even the first time he's done this recently.

    What a strike though!

  28. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What was he doing there?

  29. Party time
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Commentator laughing at Reguilon Lmaoooo 😆

    • BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That's just great. There goes my keeper's clean sheet...