Dugout Discussion
18 December 2021 2028 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The only Premier League match of the day sees Leeds United face Arsenal, with kick-off at Elland Road at 17:30 GMT.

Five other top-flight fixtures scheduled for today, the last of which was Aston Villa v Burnley, fell by the wayside after Covid-19 ripped through the football calendar.

The evening match is still standing, however, despite the fact that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad has been ravaged by injury.

Ten senior Leeds players are unavailable for the clash with the Gunners, with Diego Llorente added to the nine we already knew about.

Bielsa’s four changes are all enforced, with Jamie Shackleton, Llorente, Daniel James and Junior Firpo all out.

Robin Koch returns from injury, while Joe Gelhardt, Cody Drameh and Mateusz Klich also come into the side.

The Whites’ very youthful bench contains 15-year-old Archie Gray, with the average age of the hosts’ substitutes being less than 19 years old.

Arsenal’s team news is a serene picture by comparison, as the visitors are unchanged for the fourth match in a row.

Emile Smith Rowe remains a substitute as a consequence, with the fit-again Bernd Leno joining him on the bench.

The Gunners do have a confirmed Covid-19 case, however: Albert Sambi Lokonga misses out after testing positive.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang also sits this one out following a recent disciplinary breach.

GAMEWEEK 18 LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Drameh, Ayling, Koch, Dallas, Forshaw, Raphinha, Klich, Roberts, Harrison, Gelhardt.

Subs: Klaesson, Bate, Summerville, Greenwood, McCarron, Jenkins, Moore, Kenneh, Gray.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Saka, Partey, Xhaka, Martinelli, Odegaard, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Smith Rowe, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Chambers, Elneny, Nketiah.

  1. griffzinho
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I love ESR

    1. Dammit_182
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      My VC.

    2. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lol

  2. Bartowski
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Match of the Day is starting soon...

  3. Dammit_182
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Meanwhile in Scotland…Fog stops play.

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm getting nostalgic for fog-related abandonments with all this Covid stuff.

      1. Dammit_182
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Haha. Bring back the days when trains would get cancelled because there were leaves on the track.

  4. Will Kane
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hurry up FPL

  5. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    When does the game get updated?

  6. BrutalLogiC
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Coming off the bench with a point to prove, again!

  7. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Not that I'm bitter, but an early harmless injury for Saka so that Smith Rowe can come in, would be welcome. Around 15mins would be perfect. Ta

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      heres hoping for some explosive diarohea to save the gw

    2. Will Kane
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Oi, why pick on my new signing???

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      *Lacazette

  8. mr messi
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is this the longest time to update ever?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      There were some records last season. I remember 1.5 hours, or 2 hours

  9. Will Kane
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Looking at that Leeds lineup I am pretty sure we have more players unavailable than some of the teams who have had their games postponed.

    1. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Due to injuries not covid

      1. Will Kane
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes but in at least some if the other call offs (Villa was one I think) the PL statement said injuries and non-Covid illnesses were taken into account

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A joke that MUN got their game last GW called off

    3. BrutalLogiC
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      game finally back up and my cup opponent has 4 players

    4. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It;s a joke
      We have a 15 year-old on the bench

  10. Del Griffith
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Updated

  11. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Presume Martinelli is missing from Arsenal team above - only 10 listed

    1. Will Kane
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ha! They had one job...

  12. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    There's only ten players for Arsenal in the lineup

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      11 for me

  13. bench boost for every gamew…
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    That Leeds side is beyond ridiculess. Hopefully they can put up a fight.

  14. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Updated

  15. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Covid strikes again! Arsenal only playing with 10 men out of respect to Leeds.

  16. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    App is crooked, still in GW17 and O have a new FT... maybe I should take it?

  17. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Enjoy your team whilst each player has a prospective match this upcoming GW!

  18. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Feeling relieved i plumped for Saka over ESR. It was a v close call

  19. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    It's the end of Auba..

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      he will flourish at newcastle

  20. Tango74
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So many transfers made on fpl site in last 10mins lol

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      How can you tell?

      1. Tango74
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I was just nosing at leaders transfers made lol

        I did mine at 3.53 , you ?

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          3:58

  21. Cok3y5murf
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know if Moura was spotted in the Spurs training clip?

  22. Will Kane
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    My cup opponent took a -8 to bring in Ramsey, Watkins and Dubravka. He took out Raphinha.

    He'll probably still beat me but that's pretty funny.

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      My England & overall cup oppos both used FH

      1. Will Kane
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'll be honest with you, I only just realised there were two different cups 🙂

      2. Will Kane
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        My England cup opponent brought in Antonio and Tsimikas, and has Jarrod Bowen as captain....

        Mind you he has Jesus as VC so even this fool could challenge me!

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Not looking great for me. 9 potential playing (including ESR) with a -8 🙂

      3. Skorr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        This comment made me go and check and learn that there indeed are two cups!

        I'm amazed to find that I'm not out of both already by virtue of a free pass last week in the England cup.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Mine's FH too. That's my campaign in the mud.

        2. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, I've had a couple of byes. No idea how it works. Assuming less players means less rounds?

  23. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Damn, cup opponent used 2ft no hits and has XI players. That does include Chalobah mind

  24. FFSbet.com
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Damn just noticed i have 3xPool,3 Arsenal,3 City,2x Chelsea

    Soon they play each other,if its postponed i lose almost half team...

    Must transfer out players from these teams now(Alonso,ESR,Gundo)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You could free hit.

    2. Dammit_182
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think forward planning is a bit out the window just now. Try to save a transfer and do some surgery when they play.

      I would also add they can all score/keep clean sheets vs eachother so not a disastwr

  25. 272MK
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Cup match
    My team:

    Ramsdale
    Trent James Alonso Cancelo (C)
    Salah Jota Foden Bilva
    Laca(VC)(-4)

    Vs

    Trent
    Salah(C) Jota ESR
    Jesus

    Come on. Surely now

  26. BENOIT
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So which games are likely to be off on Boxing Day/next gameweek?

  27. BrutalLogiC
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    so 11 out for Leeds including 9 first team players, that's not enough?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      11 with Covid?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        1

    2. el polako
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      They're not rich enough...

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        My guess is murderball accounts for a high proportion

    3. JBG
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Well considering they are all through injury and they have a full squad showing up to this match, no.

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Then they should get a bigger squad.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Got a 15 year-old on the bench

  28. gera.bostock
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Great, just great. ESR out of favour and I one more unexpected problem to solve.

  29. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Top 10k EO:
    Salah 186%
    Alexander-Arnold 99%
    Cancelo 96%
    Jota 86%
    James 82%
    Ramsdale 78%
    Foden 62%
    *Watkins 54%
    Bernardo 53%
    Alonso 41%
    Smith Rowe 41%
    Lacazette 32%
    Raphinha 22%
    Rüdiger 20%
    White 17%
    Mount 17%
    *Antonio 14%
    Saka 14%
    *Dennis 13%
    Reguilón 10%
    Dias 10%

    Average is currently -1.9 points.

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The average team has 9.8 currently playing players

      2.09x Arsenal (though ESR with 41% ownership)
      1.65x Chelsea
      0.29x Leeds
      2.88x Liverpool
      2.37x Man City
      0.10x Newcastle
      0.23x Spurs
      0.15x Wolves

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The first XI is my Starting XI.