Dugout Discussion

Raphinha absent as Armstrong, Jimenez, Dias and Grealish are benched

Raphinha is absent for Leeds United’s clash with Southampton, one of five Premier League matches getting underway at the traditional Saturday kick-off time of 3pm.

The Brazilian was in action for his country in the early hours of Friday morning and a start always looked like being a tall order against the Saints given the swift turnaround but he has failed to even make the matchday squad today.

The injured Kalvin Phillips and Junior Firpo also make way, with Tyler Roberts, Jack Harrison and Pascal Struijk coming in.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl makes five changes to his starting XI, with Adam Armstrong a surprise omission.

Captain James Ward-Prowse begins a three-match ban and Che Adams is injured, with Kyle Walker-Peters, Theo Walcott, Nathan Tella and Armstrong all benched.

Romain Perraud, Armando Broja, Moussa Djenepo, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Ibrahima Diallo are promoted to Hasenhuttl’s line-up.

Manchester City v Burnley, Leicester City v Manchester United, Norwich City v Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers are the other top-flight games taking place this afternoon.

Pep Guardiola has sprung a few surprises with his teamsheet, with Ruben Dias and Jack Grealish benched.

Raheem Sterling gets the nod in the City attack, with Zack Steffen, Nathan Ake and Riyad Mahrez the other players who come in.

Burnley make three changes from the side that drew with Norwich last time out. Jack Cork, Erik Pieters and Maxwell Cornet replace Charlie Taylor, Aaron Lennon and Matej Vydra.

Aston Villa include Emiliano Martínez and midfielder Douglas Luiz despite their recent international commitments, while Emiliano Buendía and Axel Tuanzebe return in place of Kortney Hause and Jacob Ramsey.

Wolves make two changes from the side that beat Newcastle, with Adama Traore and Leander Dendoncker starting in place of the ill Francisco Trincao and the benched Raul Jimenez; the Mexican striker was in action for his country in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Man Utd captain Harry Maguire makes a swift return from injury to replace the sidelined Raphael Varane, while Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho also start for the Red Devils.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers makes five changes to the team that started the 2-2 Premier League draw at Crystal Palace before the international break.

Defender Jonny Evans comes in for his first league start since April, while Daniel Amartey, Ricardo Pereira, Boubakary Soumare and James Maddison also make the cut.

Ryan Bertrand, Harvey Barnes, Hamza Choudhury, Jannik Vestergaard and Ademola Lookman drop to the bench.

Brighton and Norwich are both unchanged.

GAMEWEEK 8 LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Tuanzebe, Mings, Cash, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Buendia, Targett, Watkins, Ings.

Subs: Sanson, Steer, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Hause, Philogene-Bidace, Archer, Jacob Ramsey.

Wolves XI: Jose Sa, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Nelson Semedo, Neves, Dendoncker, Joao Moutinho, Marcal, Traore, Hwang.

Subs: Hoever, Ait Nouri, Jimenez, Daniel Podence, Moulden, Boly, Silva, Ruddy, Cundle.


Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Soyuncu, Evans, Pereira, Maddison, Tielemans, Amartey, Vardy, Iheanacho, Soumare

Subs: Ward, Bertrand, Barnes, Albrighton, Perez, Choudhury, Vestergaard, Daka, Lookman

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fernandes, Pogba, Greenwood, Ronaldo, Sancho

Subs: Henderson, Bailly, Mata, Rashford, Lingard, Dalot, Telles, Van de Beek, McTominay


Man City XI: Steffen, Stones, Ake, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Foden, Mahrez

Subs: Carson, Walker, Dias, Gundogan, Grealish, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Palmer, Slicker

Burnley XI: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Collins, Pieters, Cork, Brownhill, Westwood, Cornet, McNeil, Wood

Subs: Hennessey, Norris, Gudmundsson, Barnes, Roberts, Lennon, Rodriguez, Bardsley, Long


Norwich XI: Krul, Aaron, Gibson, Hanley, Normann, Lees-Melou, Pukki, McLean, Sargent, Giannoulis.

Subs: Gunn, Rupp, Gilmour, Dowell, Rashica, Tzolis, Williams, Idah, Omobamidele

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Dunk, Duffy, Burn, Veltman, Gross, Lallana, Moder, Cucurella, Trossard Maupay

Subs: Lamptey, Connolly, MacAllister, March, Steele, Locadia, Roberts, Richards, Sarmiento


Southampton XI: McCarthy, Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Perraud, Romeu, Diallo, Djenepo, Elyounoussi, Broja, Redmond.

Subs: Forster, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Valery, Tella, S. Armstrong, A. Armstrong, Long, Walcott.

Leeds XI: Meslier, Shackleton, Cooper, Llorente, Dallas, Klich, James, Roberts, Struijk, Harrison, Rodrigo.

Subs: Klaesson, Drameh, Hjelde, Cresswell, Summerville, McKinstry, Forshaw, Greenwood, Gelhardt.

1,289 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Oof. Bloody brutal some of these benchings.

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

    eyes on buendia today

  3. Vlad Tepes
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone know why armstrong is benched?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      0 goals in last 6 games

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Oh my God, I managed to dodge him too. Sublime luck.

  4. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Went Armstrong over Toney... probably switching next week then.

  5. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Cancelo going to be so attacking today

    1. 2001: A Space Origi
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Fingers Crossed, clean sheet and attacking returns would suit me...

  6. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Didn't realise Slabhead was back

  7. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    TAA non-owners survive one more week by the skin of their teeth - punishment imminent

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

      I couldn’t afford TAA so went VVD over Dias on a coin toss. Got lucky

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      *repeat the message every week till GW13

    3. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      More than happy with City and Chelsea defenders right now.
      Besides, that is one less spot that you need to reserve for Firmino!!

    4. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      yeah 6 points aint enough punishment, a haul against united is a must before everyone gets him back again against brighton

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Took a -4 to get him in after Rudi injury. Was tempted by James, maybe next week for Azpi but it was a short term plan of TAA not being sure if fit when WC7, which didn't work out, Not has Dias so far, but that cool. I want TAA moving forward and would have to had done it at some point

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

      5 goals and no assist - everyone keeps waiting for this ‘haul’….

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        If you had watched the game you would know how good he was again today

    6. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Minor. Got others that can match him.

  8. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I am fked. Only 10 players

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

    Scared of Foden and Ronaldo today

    1. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ronaldo I can understand but that stuff with Foden in Iceland was entirely consensual....

  10. drughi
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    How did sarr look today ? worth keeping for everton and southampton ?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Very good. Only an excellent save from the keeper kept off the score sheet.

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        keeping for the next 2 then, cheers

      2. 2001: A Space Origi
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Horse got blinkers on today then.....lol

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Watford's only threat, didn't have much service but still hit the post late on, I'd keep

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Did absolutely nothing all game and still incredibly unlucky not to score with the effort that hit the post

      Woke up for a little 5 minute spell around the 85th minute and could have done serious damage

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        We're hopefully looking at an accentuated talisman situation here

        Where Ranieiri realises that if Watford are to have any, *any* hope of staying up, they need to emphasise the guy who is undoubtedly their most talented player by about 175+ miles

        Should hopefully see him in a totally free, no defensive responsibility, penalty taking, talismanic star-man type role post-haste

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sarr woke up late on, great Kelleher save denied him a good goal.

      Can't judge him or Watford vs Liverpool but keep him as you probably have bigger fires to put out.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        He 'woke up' when Trent was taken off and Sarr was instructed to burn Milner at right back.

        1. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Yep. They are a one-man team. Sissoko played well, but that was it.

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Watford are worse than burnt toast. I would get rid.

    6. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      2nd highest xGI of all players today (behind Bobby)

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        wow really ?

  11. ANGRY PERSON
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Jota owners, are we selling or keeping ??
    The kind of form Firmino is in Jota is no longer the first choice, is he ?

    1. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He’s gooooone

    2. We Go Again
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Getting rid. Might get Mbeumo to free funds for another move

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Great hat trick today but what form? He hasn’t played.

  12. ManofKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I'm guessing Cancello & Laporte will be given a week's rest before another big CL game. I think Dias & Walker will still generally play...

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Laporte definitely is. Just glad Cancelo started (maybe Pep is true to his word in recovery time 🙂

  13. 2001: A Space Origi
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I don't think you could make 1 positive comment about Watford today!!!
    They only started playing when they were 4 nil down. Welcome back Ranieri... lol

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The positive for Watford is it was only 5.

    2. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Their bright yellow was pretty. That's a positive

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

      His worse ever defeat as a manager.

      The only positive is that they can see how bad they were!

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Well if you put two negatives together you get a positive, and Watford conceded 5 goals, so if you reduce it down that that's two positives and a negative, which net out to a positive overall

  14. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Need one more WC to sort out my WC.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ooofff

  15. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Well there goes the idea that Dias was the one nailed option. Still, not allowed to be annoyed by pep roulette. Cancelo benched next week!

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah just have a good bench.

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Tough to this week, but yeah

    2. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yes Laporte & Cancello will get a rest another week. I think Dias, Cancello, Walker and Laporte are still the first choice for PL games.

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I hope so too

    3. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      In a normal week I could take a city benching, but with Raph/Rudi out too it's tough

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Considering he was only benched one time all last season I wouldn’t be too worried

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

    Man United on the front foot early on.

    Leicester knocking on the door too.

    Good game.

  17. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Let's go Vardy!!!

  18. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Let's go Cancelo (C)!!!

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nope. He’s my vice.

  19. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Nacho looking sharp

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      They are pretty pointy.

  20. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Villa Wolves nil nil.... come on!!

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

      Banging!

  21. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Let’s go (checks notes) Samedo and Cancello (with a jimi cameo goal late on). Oh, and for foden to not go nuts.

  22. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Leicester lively!

  23. One More Hit
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Might just sneak 11 players out if Jimenez makes a cameo.

    Rudiger, Jota and Raphinha all out

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wait you Touchel roulette

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

    1 nil Man City

  25. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Foden assist

    Bilva goal

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      F**k sake, are we still doing ‘Bilva’?

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        There will only ever be one "Silva" in Man City terms

        It's like a reserved word in Javascript - can't be used otherwise

  26. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Chances Mahrez at least matches Salah?

    1. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      You didn't captain Kane??

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Not this week, if Son was fit I would have done

  27. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    FODENNNN

  28. We Go Again
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Foden assist let's go

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Go where?

  29. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Cancelo's footwork > Salah's footwork

  30. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    GOALONSO later lads, we looking forward to it?

    1. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Transferred him out for Dias.