Dugout Discussion

Bamford, Bale, Aguero and Forster on the bench for Gameweek 38 matches

Patrick Bamford is on the Leeds bench for their Gameweek 38 meeting with West Bromwich Albion.

Ahead of facing the Premier League worst defence this season, Marcelo Bielsa’s number-one forward was the most-bought player for the final round of matches.

But the Leeds boss has taken the return of Leeds fans to a home top-flight game for 17 years to offer farewell starts to Gaetano Berardi and Pablo Hernandez.

The latter starts at number 10, pushing Rodrigo into Bamford’s centre-forward berth with Raphinha and Jack Harrison on the flanks of what appears to be a 3-3-3-1 formation.

As promised, Kiko Casilla starts in goal ahead of Illan Meslier while Fantasy favourite Stuart Dallas keeps his place on the right-hand side of Leeds’ second bank of three.

Ryan Mason’s two alterations are both at the back, with Matt Doherty and Davinson Sanchez in for Japhet Tanganga and Eric Dier.

Gareth Bale is benched again.

If Sergio Aguero is to sign off his Manchester City Premier League career with a goal, he will have to do it from the bench where he is named alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres.

Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden appear to be either side of Gabriel Jesus while Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne look set for slightly deeper midfield roles.

Liverpool are as to be expected with Diogo Jota only fit enough for a bench role and Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah either side of Roberto Firmino in the front-three.

Crystal Palace have opted for a more robust set-up than their usual 4-4-2 set-up in what appears to be a 4-3-3 system featuring Cheikhou Kouyate, Jairo Riedewald and James McCarthy protecting a back-four of Tyrick Mitchell, James Tomkins, Gary Cahill and Joel Ward.

David Moyes has made two changes to the West Ham United side that beat West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.

Lukasz Fabianski has passed a late fitness test on a knee injury and replaces Darren Randolph between the posts, while Jarrod Bowen comes in for Said Benrahma down the right flank.

Southampton make five alterations to the team beaten by Leeds United in Gameweek 37.

The return of Danny Ings to the starting XI is the headline news, with Ibrahima Diallo, Nathan Redmond, Takumi Minamino and Jan Bednarek also recalled.

Alex McCarthy keeps his place, with Fraser Forster only along the substitutes.

The injured Che Adams misses out, with Oriol Romeu back on the bench after three months out.

Moussa Djenepo, Theo Walcott, Nathan Tella and Jack Stephens make way.

Dean Smith has named an unchanged team, with Jack Grealish handed another start.

There’s only one tweak to Thomas Tuchel’s line-up, with the injured N’Golo Kante replaced by Mateo Kovacic.

The fit-again Kai Havertz has to make do with a place on the bench.

Arsenal have made two changes to the side that won 3-1 at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka are back in midfield, with Mohamed Elneny and Bukayo Saka dropped.

Brighton also make a pair of alterations.

Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard start, with the injured Danny Welbeck and the benched Steven Alzate missing out.

Martin Dubravka, Joe Willock and Allan Saint-Maximin are deemed fit to start for Newcastle, with Sean Longstaff in for the injured Joelinton the only change that Steve Bruce has made.

Alphonse Areola, Mario Lemina and Harrison Reed make way from Scott Parker’s first XI, with Marek Rodak, Kenny Tete and Josh Onomah brought into the fold.

Burnley are in 4-5-1 for their trip toSheffield United, featuring Chris Wood as a lone centre-forward. Ben Mee and Nick Pope both miss out due to injury, replaced by Will Norris and Jimmy Dunne.

As expected, Manchester United are heavily rotated for Gameweek 38. Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are on the bench but Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are all absent.

Gameweek 38 Line-ups

Arsenal XI: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Ødegaard, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Sánchez, White, Webster, Dunk, Burn, Jahanbakhsh, Groß, Bissouma, Trossard, Moder, Mac Allister.

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

Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Rudiger, Silva, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Werner, Pulisic.

Fulham XI: Rodak, Tete, Ream, Adarabioyo, Bryan, Anguissa, Onomah, Cavaleiro, Carvalho, Lookman, De Cordova-Reid.

Newcastle United XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Fernandez, Dummett, Murphy, Willock, S Longstaff, Shelvey, Ritchie, Almiron, Saint-Maximin.

Leeds United XI: Casilla; Berardi, Cooper, Ayling; Alioski, K Phillips, Dallas; Harrison, Hernández, Raphinha; Rodrigo.

West Bromwich Albion XI: Johnstone; Bartley, Ajayi, O’Shea; C Townsend, Gallagher, Yokuslu, Maitland-Niles, Furlong; M Phillips; Robinson.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Thomas, Fofana, Soyuncu, Castagne, Ndidi, Tielemans, Maddison, Albrighton, Vardy, Iheanacho.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Doherty, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Winks, Alli, Kane, Son, Bergwijn.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Robertson, N Phillips, R Williams, Alexander-Arnold; Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Mané, Firmino, Salah.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; Mitchell, Tomkins, Cahill, J Ward; McCarthy, Riedewald, Kouyaté; Zaha, Ayew, Townsend.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Zinchenko, Stones, Dias, Walker; Mahrez, Fernandinho, De Bruyne; Foden, Jesus, Sterling.

Everton XI: Pickford; Digne, Godfrey, Keane, Holgate; Doucouré, T Davies, Allan; Sigurdsson; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

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

Burnley XI: Norris; C Taylor, Dunne, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Cork, Westwood, Brownhill, Gudmundsson; Wood.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Lingard, Fornals, Antonio.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Salisu, Diallo, Armstrong, Minamino, Ward-Prowse, Redmond, Ings.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Boly; Aït-Nouri, Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Semedo; F Silva, A Traoré.

Manchester United XI: D Henderson; Telles, Bailly, Tuanzebe, B Williams; Matic, van de Beek; D James, Mata, A Diallo; Elanga.

2,075 Comments Post a Comment
  1. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mane 🙂

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

    You guys getting Mane must be fortune tellers, how did you know lol

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 10 months ago

        He's looked sharp last few tbf

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

          Wasted loads of chances though

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

        Took a hit for him

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

          Nice, my hit was for Aguero, Bamford and Gundogan

      • Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        He has some record v Palace

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

          Strange how they do better vs certain opponents

        2. WVA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I thought palace had a good record v Liverpool

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

            They did until we went against them, of course lol

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

            Mind you only 1-0, just our luck it happens to be Mane

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

          Finally

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

          Oops reply fail, yeah I get he’s been ok but hardly banging them in, esp for price

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bobby assist

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

        Bruno -> Mane winners!!!

      • Pompel
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Dammit Mané , final nail in the coffin for me 🙁

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

        Of course it’s a pen to Everton, of course

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

          SAved

      • Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bruno to Mane works nicely. Shame I didn’t captain!

        Cmon Salah and Trent

      • Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yuck Manè in for Bruno -4. I tossed and turned on this for so long and decided it would leave Mee too much of a benching headache so didn’t. Instead I have bloody Torres there along with Lingard

      • Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Who gets the Everton assist?

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Ederson

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

          Would’ve been Rich! Argghh

        3. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          No one....missed

      • SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Did Son to Mane, something has gone right at least 🙂

      • Ady87
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Coufal first sub with Dallas, Robertson & Philipps playing. Someone tell me I made the right decision?

        Bamford is going to feature isn’t he...

      • Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yes Bobby!

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

        I went KDB over mane so can’t be upset

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

          Still though

      • _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Who won Everton's penalty?

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

          Richarlison

      • NotsoSpursy
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Mane!!!!!!!!!

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Really not again??

      • Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        @Hazz better be happy with Bale to Mane now g

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

          I am indeed!

      • SINGH
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        BBC say Antonio flicked ball to Fornals so why no Antonio assist?

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

        Mane el capitain

      • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Big Ed pen save but possible encroachment....

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

        Chelsea have to score now for top 4.

      • FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Ederson penalty save damn

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Nooooooo please no

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

        Lol missed Everton pen

      • Del Griffith
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Ederson pen save .. wow

      • Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Teddy bear takes over the overall lead, could have an Irish winner.

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

        Crying for not doing Bruno to Mane for a hit

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

          Aw man ya should of done that

      • Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Did Ederson save a pen or not ?

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Save

        2. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yes

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

          Yep

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

          Yes

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

          Yes, VAR checked for encroachment but no retake.

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

          Saved

        7. Podge
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yes

      • Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Lol Everton

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

        Penalty saved....

      • seewhyaxe
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        nice my captain scored

      • Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Anyone but Mane FFS