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. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why are all the Palace fans in both goal stands??

    Seems ridiculous they’re not spread out

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

      Better for the atmosphere

    2. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would be ridiculous if they were spread out

      1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Surely if they want to bring back crowds safely they wouldn’t be screaming next to each other??

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

      It's also easier to manage the seperate parts of the stands.

      When Palace have had event days (e.g. I've been there for a beer festival, and seperately for a charity match) - they almost always restrict most fans to the goal stands.

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

        Also, what you can't see is that there are plenty of fans below where the TV cameras are.

        My mate is at the match and I've just seen it on his Instagram story.

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

    Willock owner + NUFC fan = 🙂

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers.

    2. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      How much for Willock?? £40m

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Depends which team's asking.

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

    Just one Harry, just one. Please!

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

    is there an option to block people on this site?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      😆

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

      I would pay for it

  5. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Every cheap mid besides Greenwood has hauled lol. Now zaha will punish me for selling him.

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Raphinha 3p megahaul. What about Harrison?

  6. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
    Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Williams, Robertson, Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
    Subs: Adrian, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Tsimikas, Shaqiri, Origi, Williams, Koumetio.

    BURNLEY TEAM NEWS
    Starting XI: Norris, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Brownhill, Cork, Gudmundsson, Westwood, McNeil, Wood.
    Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Barnes, Rodriguez, Pieters, Vydra, Nartey, Dunne, Richardson, Glennon.

    WEST HAM TEAM NEWS
    Team to face West Brom: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Fornals, Lingard, Benrahma, Antonio.
    Subs: Randolph, Balbuena, Yarmolenko, Noble, Bowen, Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Odubeko.

    WEST BROM TEAM NEWS
    Team to face West Ham: Johnstone, Furlong, Bartley, Ajayi, Townsend, Yokuslu, Maitland-Niles, Gallagher, Pereira, Robson-Kanu, Phillips.
    Subs: Button, Robinson, Diangana, Diagne, Peltier, O’Shea, Grant, Gardner-Hickman, King.

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

      Lol what is a Norris

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

        Is that the rumour earlier then?

      2. PaladinVargas
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Hope it's not Chuck!

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

        Just not that Chuck guy, and we're fine

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

        Chuck

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

      Thank you!

      Lingard Coufal Salah [C] TAA let's go! Hope that kills ...

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

        same + Mane! lets go!!!!

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

      Thought they might play Allison up front?

    4. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C'mooonnnn!!

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

      Salah against third choice Will Norris, who's last game came against MK Dons in January (made 2 pen saves in a shootout that game)

      Either Salah bags a hat trick or this keeper plays out of his mind and gets a cleanie. No in between

      1. Burger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Mane will get the hattie, you juet know it.

        1. TLF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Hope so, got the armband on him this week

          1. Burger
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Ha, mega! Wish you luck. I bought in, but no armband. Tonight we feast.

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

      Salah (c), TAA and Firmino let's go!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Go where?

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

          Hilarious

  7. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    No Jota hurts

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He was never playing this game pal.

      Wake up and smell the coffee.

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

        you must be new around here

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

    Norris that Burnley GK

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mo Salah!
    Mo Salah!
    Mo Salah!

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

      runnnin down the wing

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

    ASM playing like Messi without finishing

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

    Burnley knew Peacock-Farrell had an awful record.

    Solution: Don't play Peacock-Farrell!

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

    Salah(c) in the mud. Chuck Norris in goal for Burnley.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep

  13. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hoping for a late Kane show like Bamford yesterday!

    1. Isco Disco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm praying for a late show by Kane

  14. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Norris masterclass upcoming then

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Will Pope start vs. Sheffield United?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Last game, what would be the point?

    2. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yet another Touch and Go..

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

      I have Pope and Messslier ((

  16. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Need Kane to blank, Arsenal to concede and DCL to score.

  17. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who have Burnley Chuck in goal?

  18. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    It's all set up for a Norris masterclass

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Definitely

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

        I can just imagine it. Him in tears at the end dedicating the clean sheet to a deceased family member. I'm very worried now.

  19. REDMOND IN SANDALS
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    iheanacho captain against this spurs backline looks tempting

  20. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dele Alli the culprit?

  21. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Son goal would be nice

  22. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reguilon up to -1. Yay

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

    Would be very like Everton to concede now

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

    Ryan Mason really is clueless. Winks over Ndombele is a joke.

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

      Ndombele's only fault is not being Mason's mate.

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

        100%

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

        He should be ahead of him but that's not true. He's put in some iffy performances hinself

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Deschamps chose Sissoko over Ndombele

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

      Apparently Mourino was clueless. Yes, the serial winner, Jose. This has always been a top 7 team. Some fluky CL qualifications. Average team.

      1. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Maybe if Jose had developed the players over the two years instead of ruining everyone except Son and Kane. Not to mention the terrible transfer business

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

      The most ridiculous problem is, 65 mins behind but still not sub in Bale to save the match.

  25. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Come on Harry!
    PLease save my GW and score a goal or 2

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

    Son has been atrocious

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

      His heads in the clouds. He's definitely leaving in the summer.

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

      Have you seen him? I haven't.

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

      I’m ready for Bale to outscore him

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

      It was the same last match. Definitely jinxed it now, but he's lost a bit of zip - wondering if he's carrying a minor injury at all.

    5. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That's your cue Son...

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

      *Spurs

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

    My planned transfer for 38 was Kane to A ntonio(depending on tonight) but i think i will -4 Son out too. No way we are scoring vs Leicester

  28. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Watkins the absolute troll. Had the first time for -1 dgw and now on bench.

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

    Watkins huge chance missed

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Good

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

      Offside anyway, but how's he missed that lol.

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

    Mason sleeping... Zzzzzzzzz