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. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reguilon smashing it.....1 x G and 1 x A .....

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He will get tired soon and will want to get sent off.

    2. Party time
        2 years, 10 months ago

        & bonus pts to be added

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

          Half an assist for the first goal too... 😉

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

      I sold Watkins for a hit to get Kane 🙂

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        ouch

    4. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Who oh why did I bench Watkins

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

      Richarlison ruins Digne assist

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

        Ohh noo

      2. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        They really should trade him in the summer

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

          too bad Everton's defence cant play as a 4, a 433 would really suit the attackers and midfielders

          Richarlison - DCL - James
          Allan - Siggy - Doucore

          1. Limbo
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Siggy / James should never play in the same team. Zero mobility.

      3. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Big chance created though?

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

          Digne will get baps if Everton get CS

          big if though

    6. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Any chance Lingard or Salah miss the game?

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

        Both gona play

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

        Or Antonio?

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

      Burnley 2 wins and a draw in their last 9 v Liverpool. Not a one hit wonder beating Liverpool this season.

      Today may not go all Liverpool's way.

      Albeit I suspect it will and Leicester will feel some heat and Chelsea too.

    8. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Solidarity with my fellow Watkins benchers.

      My only hope of getting those points is a Lingard benching.

      Oh well!

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        He must be one of the most benched players this gw

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I started Zaha and Son over him.

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

      Spurs looking horrible so far. Bale and Ndombele on at H-T please.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        yeah, they look uniterested.

    10. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Watkins got a red card when i started him hahaha

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Hahahaha

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

      Just came in , not looking good as Kane capper, season over if this stands

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        yeah yeah, captain fail is done and dusted. Salah could probably run riot against us Kane captainers

      2. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        True, not that I expected much from him but atleast one attacking return would be nice

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

      The amount of time Grealish spends on the floor is an utter disgrace.

    13. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dele Alli playing in slow motion

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

        Followed by their colleagues ...

      2. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        😆

      3. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        It's all that kissing Guardiola's daughter...

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

      I'll just take an assist from kane at this point.

      Watching mo later is gonna be grim.

    15. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Watkins has been steady throughout the season. Price next season?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        7.5, Jimenez-like

      2. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        7-7.5 should be about right

    16. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Get out of my team Kane you useless lump

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Captain?

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          My differential

    17. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Anyone else thinking of taking a break from FPL next season?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I did 1-year break. I might do it next season again, still not decided

        1. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          This season has just been so brutal. Want to be able to enjoy games again wo stressing about clean sheets and bps

      2. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Considering it.

        It's been a tough season to enjoy.

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

        i tend to take a break every other year...never played 2 seasons on the bounce.

        1. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Sensible strategy

      4. SteJ
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Sorely contemplating it. Might just stick a dead team in and check it once a month.

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

      Digne created 2 big chances & the only diffential amazing

    19. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Villa with grealish are beasts

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

        Bringing in Grealish GW38? Sounds fun to me ...

        1. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Tempted but they've got Chelsea

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

            I don't mind CHE ... still penetrable

    20. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      3 - Watkins (30)
      2 - Bergwijn (28)
      1 - Traoré (21)

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

        Future Says KANE

    21. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      El ghazi fluffs it

    22. BobB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Villa, Arsenal, Spurs competing for one place in the new comp

    23. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Own martinez, son, kane(c) *and bench watkins.
      This is going great...

    24. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Spurs trying to make sure Kane leaves

    25. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Willock misses sitter ffs

      1. djman102
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Of course. Brought him in for Jota and benched Watkins.

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

      You can see the body language of Kane. He is not interested in Spurs match, anymore.

    27. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pillock sitter missed

    28. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It was quite clear from that starting 11 that this was gonna happen...

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

      Newc G

    30. Baron Penguin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Why is it when you need your bench the scores are in binary and when you only have one player not red flagged on your bench, Watkins, you don’t get the jam! I want jam after this season, delicious undeserved jam.

    31. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Watching this Tot Im getting more sympathy for Mourinho...