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. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Spurs BOOOD off.

  2. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son has been terrible, not the only one though...

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

    Now if there ever was a downer of a gameweek..

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rank. Perfect microcosm of this season. At least now I can totally ignore Sunday and begin planning for next season.

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

    fellow Kane non owners

    NOW we FEAST!

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

      On carcasses?

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Don't get your hopes up too high. Burnley have real fans.

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

      Yes yes yes!!!

  5. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    My mate, spurs fan. “Spurs don’t want Europa league next season so they can focus on getting top 4 and CL following season” 😆

    1. Salan
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      This may not be reason but Spurs really doesn't want to win this one. We can see the body language from Kane and decisions from Mason.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Kane rumour mill has upset the camp likely

      2. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Love your comments about Spurs not wanting to win the game. You’re clueless

    2. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hmm I guess he's forgotten about the conference thingy

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

    Tbf

    Unlikely and unlucky Kane captainers.

    Levy your move now, block all summer?!

  7. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kane had one foot out the door

  8. BIG TONES
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not a City fan by any stretch, but have to say Kane would be a lovely fit for them. They could obviously afford him as well.

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

      Could probably throw in a few players as trade too - e.g. Ake

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This is how he will be signed by whatever club he goes too due to funds being tight after this past year. I’ve already heard rumours of city offering Gabriel Jesus plus cash and United offering Martial plus cash

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

    Oh f##k off Spurs! Putrid.

  10. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If Leicester beat Spurs and Villa beat Chelsea, it'll be a crazy final GW.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That would be wonderful - especially if Burnley wallop 'Pool tonight.

  11. Party time
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Kane & Dcl blank

      You love to see it?

      Oooh! Yes I do

    • Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That Salah EO is about to kill me. Ffs...

    • MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rudiger & Godfrey waving from the bench having a laugh. Oh well. At least I got Kane (C).

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Watkins and Ihenacho here, sold Rudiger :/

        1. MIGHTY JOE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          The horror.

    • Party time
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Antonio hat trick tonight

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I’d like that

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

          Are you ever right tho?

      • jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Grim as kane capper.

        Salah gonna tear it up.

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Awful to get in and see that result ffs. Salah gonna kill us with that EO. I hate owning a player and wishing they get no points

      • Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Wow arsenal have a genuine chance for europa now

      • Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        No good decisions this week. The other said of every 50/50 would’ve been better so far...

        Only saving grace is having not taken a hit, I guess

        1. DickFranDyke
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Yawn.

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

        Bring in the Burnley...

        To really upset actual football further.

      • The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Lucky lucky Palace, should have been 2 red cards.

      • Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Over to Salah(c), Trent, Bobby and Antonio

      • HonestBlatter
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        KANE (C) + SON huge failure...couldn't see this coming with fans

        1. MIGHTY JOE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Nope. Shocking performance.

        2. Salan
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Hard to predict this poor performance. It's very poor.

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

            Easy for you to say

      • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        If Kane was Dutch or German or Zimbabwean, do you think there’d be half as much hype about him?

        Contributed nothing in 12 of the last 19 gameweeks

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

          Talksport said he's the best striker in the world yesterday lol

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

            He's the best on Football Manager

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

          Well considering he averages around 25 league goals a season for 6 years id say so

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

          Yes. Because he would score 30+ goals a season in those weak leagues. Bundesliga is a weak league. It is a monopoly and if there were actual anti-competition laws it wouldn't be allowed to continue in the form it is in. Fan ownership. You are having a laugh.

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I mean if he was Dutch or German or Zimbabwean and playing in the premier league

            Would he get even half the publicity & plaudits he currently gets

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

              Of course. Look at the publicity other foreign footballers with sinilar socring records got

      • Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheer me up guys…anyone doing worse. Im on 11 from 7 🙂

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

          Are you feeling cold?

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Didn’t think anyone could beat it!

        2. DickFranDyke
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Season nearly over,chin up.

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Cheers. Could’ve done with it ended after 35!!

            1. DickFranDyke
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              At least you didn't quit every week like some others

      • Chandler Bing
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Kane (c). Season over. What's the point of fans if that's how you lineup and play?

      • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        That Kane performance just knocked me out of my H2H semi final!

      • Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        So I guess DCL to Antonio was the move to make this gw.

      • pjomara
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Combined with Bruno and Greenwood only getting 6 pts combined, last 24 hrs have been better for seeing others fail than own success

      • Party time
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Give Salah the golden boot already

          1. DickFranDyke
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Hope so

        • Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Hey Salah - fancy getting a case of the skids and missing the game please?

          Non captain and Watkins first sub...

          1. djman102
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I second this.

        • Oggle22
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Bamford to Ings last week is hurting and now I've got Lingard first sub this week as I started Ings for his 1 pointer not going to end well!