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. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bloody Jota cameo

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

      Missed that . 1 minute!!

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

        Really...

        Funny.

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

      Yeah he blocked me getting Dunk’s one point second sub!! With Greenwood no show!! Haha

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Dawson cleanie for me. Ah well. Huge red to end the season. This is the way.

  2. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Q: so if Chelsea wins UCL do they go thru qualification?

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

      We're already qualified.

  3. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ha!

    Brodge is a perma-tanned, mini-clapping, media soundbite uttering, note taking FRAUD.

    Enjoy Slovakia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

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

    Where is EURO fantasy?

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

        thanks got my dose

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      On the UEFA website and App.

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

    I think I might of won my mini league by one transfer if Bamford gets that 1 bonus point

  6. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Top 10k average?

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

      56

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

        Get in, smashed it

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

    Okay, how did that -12 go?

    - Bale > Mané 😆
    - Jota > Raphinha 🙂
    - DCL > Bamford 🙂
    - Shaw > Coufal 🙂

    Technically that's broken even & not much more (Holding would have played if didn't make the Shaw move).

    Made the final day more interesting though!

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

      Nice lol

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

      Wow solid

    3. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cool.
      I also did Bale to Mane(c)
      It’s the Greenwood not transfer for me but managed to get el Ghazi off the bench

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

        El Ghazi was a nice bonus. I was very tempted by the Mané (C) but wanted to cheer on ALL my players, hence Salah.

        Nice pick!

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

      Nice one Hazz, final rank?

  8. Gross Blank Point
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Great end to the season for me, think I was only a few hundred off 10K, and that's with leaving Bale on the bench today for Nacho!!! Ah well

  9. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Manchester United unbeaten away this season!

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

      Props to their B team. 2 games, a win and a loss.

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

      The only unbeaten record in the Prem.

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

    75 points all out, hope that’s enough to take me from 14k to be within the top 10k, really really hope!

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

      Should be good enough.

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

        Hope so, can’t check as livefpl is back!

  11. grumpyman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Dropped out of top 30k in the final 10 mins. Was close to my first top 10k with 6 game weeks left but injuries and red cards screwed my run-in.

    Looking forward to a break from the madness now.

  12. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Season ended on a red to 7k, not top5k but i'll take it.

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

      What’s your total score, can’t access live fpl to get rank , cheers

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

        around 2500 i think

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

          Cheers

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

    76(-8)68
    What a crazy finish (of course).

    All week it’s been “should I sell Greenwood for Wilock, Pepe, Foden or just hold”....hmmm
    Held him and got El Ghazi off the bench
    Last minute Bale to Mane(C) instead cause we all know he loves scoring against Palace.

    Harry pips Mo for the golden boot.
    Poor Leicester

  14. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Right, onto Euro fantasy then 😆

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No please need at least a weeks break after this heartbreak

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

    Have just missed on top 10k by a couple of hundred places. Bit gutted ...

  16. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    How accurate is live FPL? Live rank 1018.. hoping for an approx +-19 place accuracy margin

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

      Can’t even access the site!

      Usually spot on though.

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

    Why has Coufal just had a bap taken away from him, assist and clean sheet FFS he was on two a second ago, that would have won my my league!?!?

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

      Dispossessions maybe

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

      Mark manipulating again

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

      That’s just lost me a money league. Need some transparency here

  18. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Livefpl not working. Hows everyone doing for an average? I am currently on 65 from 10 post baps (no keeper)

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

      74(-4) from 10

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

      74ish (-4) rogue changes to bps taking place

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      85

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

        Some result that

    4. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ohh dear Im not doing great

  19. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Haha dropped out of 10k!
    8k>11k and lost my mini league lead by 3 points. Just a game innit 🙂

    Thanks everyone for all your comments and help throughout the season and looking forward to doing it all again next season.

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

      Unlucky! Hope you will get top 10k next season!

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I'll keep trying that's for sure 😉

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

      Oh so unlucky. Hard season though!

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

    Very similar teams but 86.5 pts in Fan Team and 55 pts in FPL. WOW, how that happened? I care about FPL more!!!

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

      Points for winning and playing 90 mins is one factor

  21. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mane you absolute dream

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

    Having been in top 100k for half the season, today I dropped out. Ah well, it's been a ride.

  23. Crunchie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thank you everyone for your tips.

    NEW PRE-SUBS 970 OLD 791
    NEW POST-SUBS CALCULATING.. CHANGE % -22.63%

    Praying for Top 1k finish 🙂

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Congrats

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

        Thanks

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

      Wow, well done!

  24. tricpic
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Looks like Michael Coone has won it with a Mane (c) punt.

  25. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    7th consecutive season top 100k

    Snuck in at 99,300!

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

    If Arsenal's first half of the season was the same as their second half (in terms of points and goal difference), they'd have come second in the PL.

  27. Dreams
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Benched Bale ffs.

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

      Oh god. Commiserations.

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

        Cheers Deulo. Glad this mad season is finally over.

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

      I sold... for Mané. Mixed feelings!

  28. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Was 130 k before today, looks like I'll finish inside top 80 k...triple cap Mane the savior.

  29. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A Fofana over Targett decision today costing my first top 1k finish.. stings like hell

  30. blauriecon
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Since Everton finished 4th in 04-05 only Leicester in 15-16 has been a non-top 6 team occupying the top 4 positions.
    Man United 5-5-1-1-4
    Man City 5-3-2-1-5
    Chelsea 4-3-4-2-3
    Liverpool 1-3-3-3-6
    Arsenal 0-1-4-6-5
    Tottenham 0-1-2-3-10