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. Gowiththeflow
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    How can Pool play so badly in an important game at home with the crowd for the first time in a while, and against a “ relaxed” team as Palace?

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

      Have been poor all season.

      1. Gowiththeflow
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Have been, indeed...

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

        Yet still in 3rd place

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

      Have you been watching them at Anfield?

      Lack depth.

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

      What? Are they not winning? Also I think your forgetting they have Reece Williams and Nat Phillips guiding them at the back. Hardly going to be cruising through games with them

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

        clear problem is your inability to score goals. Do you expect Nat Phillips to bag a header every week?

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

          I don’t think you understand the impact this has on the team. Trent and Robbo have to tuck in and can’t bomb forward as much as they used to. This takes away from the attack and leaves the front 3 isolated. Means they aren’t scoring as much

      2. Gowiththeflow
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Fair point, however they have been struggling to control the game in the midfield, more than at the back

    4. MissouriMarten
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      One of, if not THE worst title defence in PL history.

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

        Well, I've never seen a champion having to cope with so many key players dropping out so early in the season.

        1. MissouriMarten
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          They're one of the richest clubs in the world. They should be able to deal with a couple of injuries.

      2. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Don't let the facts get in the way of a good slogan will you.

        1. MissouriMarten
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          The facts being...Stumbling to 3rd place, 17 points behind the champions? Hardly a success story, is it?

          1. Supersonic Marv'
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Nor is it the worst title defense in history. Utd finished 7th after winning the title, Chelsea 10th I believe? Leicester were nearly relegated. 3rd isn't too bad in comparison.

            1. MissouriMarten
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              You must be ecstatic.

              1. Supersonic Marv'
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 10 months ago

                I fear we're wasting each other's time.

                1. MissouriMarten
                  • 8 Years
                  2 years, 10 months ago

                  They are 30 points worse than they were last season. 30 points.

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

    Aguero time 😎

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

      Way delayed though, can’t believe he wasn’t handed the start

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

    If Agüero scores, I'll be happy despite failing miserably this GW myself

  4. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Arsenal haven't played beautiful football this season, but they are underrated on here.

    3rd best defence this season for goals conceded.
    3rd most points in the second half of the season.

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

      It is because the star players (Auba, Laca, Partey, Willian, Pepe i.e. the ones that cost a lot or have high wages) don't perform. If you pay the money you do to those guys then you should not be battling for 7th place when Liverpool have been decimated by injuries and West Ham are crap.

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

    Come on Bamford/Raph/Antonio/Lingard/Dallas etc etc.

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

    Salah almost through

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Always almost with him these days.

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

      Seen that sentence a few too many times lately

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

    Antonio subbed. FML

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

      Omfg

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

      ..... what a fail.

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Oh just end it already.

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

      This and a Lingard blank should cement top 10k for me

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

        But I do hate playing the game negatively

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

      That is any slim hopes of winning my league now officially over

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

    10 games frozen wtf??

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

      No goals allowed once half of my clean sheets are gone.

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

    Just need Gundogan on now and a cheeky return please

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

    As a lifelong Leeds fan, that was absolutely class. Huge send off for two club legends, Bartley coming over aswell is top class!

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

      Great end to a great season.

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

    Come ooooon Crystal Palace

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

      Come ooooooon Tottenham!!!!!

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

    No chance of a green arrow then.

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

      Yep. Gone. Done and dusted

  13. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bale, Aguero and Saka coming on blocks Targett's haul from the bench

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

      My Coufal bench points blocked by Bamford

  14. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    i can't believe it. this game will have a huge impact on the success of the next 5 or more years and we are so passive. that will take its revenge. benteke would have killed us by now.

  15. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have United used any subs?
    Lets rest Grenwood today
    Got Coufal first on bench

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

      None so far

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not yet, but players warming up. Excited to see Hannibal Mejbri.

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

    Score Everton please

  17. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Going to have to rename the Europa League as 'the London League' at this rate.

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

    To confirm: Antonio subbed for Benrahma.

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

      Damn

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

    Antonio and Bamford huge huge fail !!! Brought them both ofcourse 🙁

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

    Ings, Bamford, any chance?

  21. squ1rrel
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    My Mahrez(c) sort of worked?

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

      Yep

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

      No

  22. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Me and rival on same points at mo, gonnae be tight now one Salah goal will tip it for him, mane me

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

    Chelsea goal...

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

      Offside ?

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

    Agueeeeeeeero

  25. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Aguero goal !

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

    So ‘relegation threatened’ Arsenal are going to finish above ‘title challenging’ Spurs ...

    1. MissouriMarten
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I know, right. So so sweet.

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

    4 nil at Manchester City

    And it's....

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

      Is it

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

        My man!!!

        AGUEROoooooo.

        Mahrez only got 4 points anyhow!

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

          Bottom left corner........

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

            183 and counting.

            Needs 4 to beat Andy Cole.

  28. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    😮

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

    Great, chelsea goal, please end it

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

    OMG aguero