Dugout Discussion

Wednesday’s FPL team news: Vardy and Antonio start, James and Gundogan absent

There are six Gameweek 14 matches taking place this evening, with four kicking off at 19:30 GMT and two getting underway 45 minutes later.

Southampton v Leicester City, Watford v Chelsea, West Ham United v Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley get us started, with Aston Villa v Manchester City and Everton v Liverpool to follow at 20:15 GMT.

Gianni, Toby and Ed will be following the action in the embedded video below and over on our YouTube channel.

As for the team news, it’s Thomas Tuchel who rotates the most – he’s made six changes from the Chelsea side held to a draw by Manchester United last weekend.

The injured Reece James misses out, while Hakim Ziyech, Jorginho, Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Thiago Silva drop to the bench.

Andreas Christensen, Christian Pulisic, Saul Niguez, Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicueta and Kai Havertz are recalled but Romelu Lukaku again has to be content with a place among the substitutes.

Opposite number Claudio Ranieri has made only one alteration from Gameweek 13, with Joao Pedro replacing the benched Cucho Hernandez. That means that Emmanuel Dennis is fit to start despite picking up a knock at Leicester.

Jamie Vardy and Michail Antonio both start their sides’ respective matches despite concerns about a midweek breather.

Leicester are indeed unchanged for their meeting with Southampton, who bring in Kyle Walker-Peters, Nathan Redmond and Nathan Tella for Lyanco, Romain Perraud and Armando Broja.

Antonio isn’t among David Moyes’s two changes; Vladimir Coufal and Jarrod Bowen come in for the injured Aaron Cresswell and the benched Arthur Masuaku.

Pascal Gross and Tariq Lamptey also have to make do with substitute duty at the London Stadium, with Adam Lallana and teenager Jeremy Sarmiento brought into the starting XI.

At Molineux, there are two changes apiece, three of which are enforced through suspensions to Ruben Neves, James Tarkowski and Ashley Westwood. Francisco Trincao drops to the bench as Leander Dendoncker and Adama Traore come in for the hosts, while Nathan Collins and Jack Cork replace their banned colleagues.

As for the later kick-offs, Jurgen Klopp has made only one change for the Merseyside derby: Joel Matip is recalled at the expense of Ibrahima Konate, with the front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota all starting.

Richarlison and Demarai Gray are in for Alex Iwobi and Anthony Gordon for the Toffees.

Jack Grealish and Phil Foden are only among the substitutes for Manchester City’s clash with Aston Villa, while Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones miss out altogether and Aymeric Laporte is suspended.

Nathan Ake, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fernandinho come into Pep Guardiola’s starting XI.

Douglas Luiz and Emiliano Buendia replace Jacob Ramsey and Ashley Young in Steven Gerrard’s two alterations.

GAMEWEEK 14 TEAM NEWS

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Tella, Adams, A.Armstrong.

Subs: Forster, Lyanco, Long, Perraud, Broja, Djenepo, Smallbone, Elyounoussi, Valery

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Soyuncu, Evans, Thomas, Soumare, Ndidi, Maddison, Lookman, Barnes, Vardy.

Subs: Ward, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Perez, Amartey, Choudhury, Dewsbury-Hall, Vestergaard, Daka.


Watford XI: Bachmann, Femenia, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Masina, Louza, Joao Pedro, Cleverley, Sissoko, King, Dennis.

Subs: Ngakia, Rose, Gosling, Fletcher, Tufan, Kabasele, Hernandez, Kucka, Elliot.

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Alonso, Pulisic, Mount, Havertz.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Jorginho, Silva, Lukaku, Werner, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Sarr.


West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Fornals, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio.

Subs: Masuaku, Yarmolenko, Lanzini, Vlasic, Areola, Noble, Perkins, Diop, Kral.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Sanchez, Veltman, Webster, Dunk, Cucurella, Bissouma, Lallana, Moder, Trossard, Sarmiento, Maupay.

Subs: Mac Allister, Mwepu, Lamptey, March, Steele, Duffy, Locadia, Burn, Gross.


Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Sa, Semedo, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Ait-Nouri, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Traore, Jimenez, Hwang.

Subs: Moulden, Ruddy, Hoever, Trincao, Silva, Cundle, Bueno, Campbell

Burnley XI: Pope, Lowton, Collins, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Cork, Brownhill, Wood, McNeil, Cornet.

Subs: Hennessey, Norris, Roberts, Lennon, Rodriguez, Pieters, Vydra, Long, Thomas


Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Mings, Konsa, Targett, Luiz, Nakamba, McGinn, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins.

Subs: Steer, Hause, A. Young, J. Ramsey, Chukwuemeka, A. Ramsey, Philogene-Bidace, Archer, Davis.

Man City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Mahrez, Jesus.

Subs: Steffen, Carson, Grealish, Foden, Mbete, Palmer, McAtee, Lavia, Wilson-Esbrand.


Everton XI: Pickford, Keane, Allan, Richarlison, Gray, Digne, Townsend, Doucoure, Godfrey, Coleman, Rondon.

Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Delph, Iwobi, Tosun, Gordon, Gbamin, Branthwaite, Dobbin.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Fabinho, Van Dijk, Thiago, Mane, Salah, Henderson, Jota, Robertson, Matip, Alexander-Arnold.

Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Oxdale-Chamberlain, Minamino, Tsimikas, Origi, Williams, Morton.

2,748 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    It's bizarre to have little FPL interest in a game where we have 3 players in and the captain. They're so highly owned it literally makes no difference to rank.

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Know what you mean. In a couple of MLs, Jota is enough of a differential for me to care about him - but in terms of OR it’s minimal.

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

      Cancelo & James too.

      Only about 6 spots in our teams matter...

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I haven't captained salah, am taking great interest lol.

    4. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Only 1 in 4 for Jota. I presume much more for top 10k though eh

  2. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso has had an absolutely stinking start to this game

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yep, I’m selling after this game

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        can't be serious? you must of only just got him?!

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          GRRRRRRR - *must've

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            the hell is wrong with 'must of'?!

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE! When people say
              " ....must've ..." it's short for "must have" but people like Shearer and Wright say must of, could of and would of all the time - it's total and utter bollocks English.

              Apologies - it's my pet hate.

              1. Salah’s Sonnet
                • 12 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                it's fine lol, i'm very diligent when it usually comes to spelling but never relly come across this so much, must've sounds better anyway haha

                1. Old Man
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  😀
                  I like your style!

        2. Sam (Team Sam)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Must of?

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            yes, must of.

            1. Sam (Team Sam)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Sorry, I was being annoying.

              You've misheard "must've", which is short for "must have".

              "must of" literally makes no sense

              1. Salah’s Sonnet
                • 12 Years
                2 years, 4 months ago

                thank you for the english lesson lol

                its's cool.

                1. Sam (Team Sam)
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  2 years, 4 months ago

                  No worries.

                  Used to make lots of mistakes myself. Was annoyed people didn't point it out and just let me keep getting things wrong

          2. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Plus 2 for how downhill this site has become lol

            1. Sam (Team Sam)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Not sure I understand this

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      This is true. Rusty, or just standard Alonso.

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      He wasn't any good in the last game either

    4. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Why what's he done?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Poor touches.

    5. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Fortunately for owners his competition is out for the foreseeable future though.

  3. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Salah nearly again

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Top of my ML mysteriously captained Lukaku.

      This is annoying 😆

  4. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    TAA max BAPS loading...

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

    Pickford denies Salah G Mane A

  6. Lanley Staurel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    11 points from 10. Happy with that 🙂

  7. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone have any stats on Salah's actual shots on target % since he's been at Liverpool?

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

      Typing that into Google might give you some links and info, someone will be tracking it.

  8. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Close from Salah. Good save Pickford.

  9. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Went for TAA captain.

    Can feel Salah will make me pay dearly. Oh dear! 🙁

    1. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Nah that's not a bad shout mate, could go well

      1. Thanos
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Early minutes indicating differently. Let's see.

  10. Marvin Moon
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Am I the only one with no commentary on the derby?

  11. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Salah should have 2 already, gonna be one of those low scoring weeks which could’ve been oh so high scoring

  12. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Who is this Saul clown in the middle for Chelsea

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Better call Saul

  13. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    What a save!

  14. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Robbo A
    Hendo G

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

    Hendo G
    Robbo A

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      TAA BAPs mudded.

  16. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Robbo Assist

  17. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Henderson goal Robbo assist

  18. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hendo G
    Robbo A

    Great strike. Weak foot. Lovely

  19. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hendo goal robbo assist

  20. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    So easy. Good finish from Hendo.

  21. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Robbo starting to make a case for him again.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Jota made case for himself last week. Only 3 spots.

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

    Tsimikas really woke Robbo up 🙂

  23. Fish up a tree
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Guys is Antonio a busted flush?

    I’m thinking Watkins is a better option right now…

    1. One More Hit
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Until his EO substantially drops it’s not worth the risk

  24. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Hendo belter

  25. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Liverpool are a brilliant side

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Indeed they are. Different class.

  26. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    This is horrible without salah

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Salah cap sorry

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      He'll blank tonight

  27. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    The atmosphere feels toxic at Goodison. Fans livid.

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

    Hendo with a finish Salah would be proud of!

  29. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Saul is rubbish

  30. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Should bring Salah off at 60 mins now.