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. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Need Bamford or Greenwood to stay rooted to the bench. Mahrez first on my bench

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

      Both stay, I get Holding... might be okay.

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

    Comon Salah, think of the Golden Boot now.
    Someone plz tell him Kane scored.

  3. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Chances of bamford, Bale & greenwood coming on in 2nd half?

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

      Stretching.

      Not Greenwood at least.

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

    Top 3 9 points apart.

    18, 28 and 38 in that order on a quick look.

    As long as Greenwood stays benched but 3rd spot can win it.

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

      Half time scores.

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

    Having seen the Spurs goal now. That isn't a Son assist in FPL. And I own Son.

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

      Yup.

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

      Yeah not sure what people are complaining about.

  6. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Surely Bale Bam2 to come on now?

    1. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Hope so

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

    What a surprise, worst first half possible, Son assist not given

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

      Did they even review that?

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

    That first have couldn’t have gone much better. Fifteen points behind my rival before kick off and now five ahead. Fingers crossed for more of the same second half.

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

      Well played

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

        So far. Nervous as f**k now.

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

      *half

    3. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      You'll win

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

      Lucky day

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

    Ederson on for a haul to ruin my ml chances. Damn you Siggy, please score Everton

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

    Funny - just noticed my points for the season atm is the highest in 10 seasons of playing FPL - but my rank is easily my worst of the seasons.

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

    OR 3 deserves to win for taking an all out punt on Mane (c)...

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

      Why when Salah was statistically the better option?

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

        Because if he captained Salah he’d likely not win, as others above would’ve. So he punted, good call...

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

      But you could argue number 1 or 2 deserve it more? Having said that I am sure there is a number 6743 out there who statistically made te best decisions and truly 'deserves' it but I guess your point is he punted with the way he had to go all the way but I think that would have been an obvious move for any of us on here if the players we were chasing had Salah cap.

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

      OR1 has made loads of brave calls too but yes, it’s ballsy to back a differential to go for the win

  12. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pulsating first half not bothering with the tv but listening old school on radio 5 live
    Still got potentially 5 clean sheets if Bamford doesn't come on

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

    What decides the winner in mini leagues in the event of a tie?

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

      Fist fight!

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

        I hope not I’d be murdered 😆

    2. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      # of transfers

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

      fewest transfers made i believe.

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

      Rick, scissors, paper....virtually

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

      A cage match

    6. Perthite
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      The greater distance of the person's home town from Wembley

    7. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Quality of team name

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

        The least number of vowels in the team name

    8. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      HIAC

  14. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    That son assist is vital to those who have him.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      And Antonio? I have both Son and Antonio. Rival has neither. And as it stands he is 5 points ahead!

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        GL 🙂

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks!

      2. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I've both too.

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          What's happening here?

    2. Party time
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Lol. Did Son assist? Wow. At least I got a return

      • KAALI_DAAL
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Duh

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Will the assists get added after the games end?

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

        Not if they're not given.

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

        Never an assist. Sorry.

    4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Too many scores to concentrate on at once here!! Haha not used to it now!!

      1. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Just like old times
        I know they wont but TV companies should do this (all fixtures at the same time) 3 or 4 times a season

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah it is great fun mate!! Just a lot to take in today when we have been used to only one or two games on at a time!! Haha

    5. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Will son get the assist?

      1. Drogo
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I wanna know as well!

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

        Not likely

      3. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Compared to Bruno’s last week got to be given

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

        NO. Why are people continuing to ask this?!?!?

      5. Jimmy Boy
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Reguilon got one added at the end of the game on Wednesday

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

      Still waiting for Sons assist. It looked like he was aiming for Kane so why no assist?

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

        If he is aiming for Kane, why has he played it low when there are a bunch of defenders in the way. He wasn't playing it to Kane. He was playing it into the six yard box and got lucky with the deflection.

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

          This

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

      Just forget the Son assist people, he won't get it

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

      Just saw the Kane goal. If that's Bruno instead of Son it's an assist.

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

        He’s not aiming at anyone ; kicks the ball in low it deflects and happens to land at Kanes feet.

    9. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      OR3 bossing it so far - 38 points.

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

        I was like same... but that's pre-bonus 😮

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

          Subtle brag

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

            It did come with a -12 so perspective 😆

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

      Would Bruno have gotten that Son assist?

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

        100%

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

        Of course

      3. Perthite
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        No - obviously it would be a penalty.

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

        No

    11. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Another 45 mins and this pain is over.

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

      Kane smashed it home but that Son cross was deflected 90o.

    13. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Forget Son. Where’s Robertson’s assist?

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

        Firmino touched it before Mane got it

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

        Firmino touched it

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Not only that but it was even flicked on before that too!

        2. Party time
            2 years, 10 months ago

            In Firmino’s pocket

        3. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Currently knocked out the Top 10k. Only Kane and Willock returns. Come on lads!!

          Frustrating times!

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

          After the absolute disgrace last GW with Bruno's phantom assist everything is possible. Pandora's box has been open

        5. Party time
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Come on fpl, can you give me Son & Antonio assist for my last fpl season pleasers

            1. Party time
                2 years, 10 months ago

                Please Mark Please

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

                No leave it with Coufal please

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

              What's the story with people asking for Antonio assist?

            3. Sun Jihai
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              I still can't believe someone in the top 500 captained Fornals - such a random choice!
              https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/47626/event/37