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. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Getting Saka and Laca in for -4 for two non playing players wasn't so bad in the end. Laca (vc) means 10 points if Salah doesn't play.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks

    2. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, could have been much worse, at least neither blanked (but had Saka not missed his firs chance...)

  2. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    White, just why do you have to be so crap

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

      Agent Ben White.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Lmao

    2. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He forgot to take Raphinha out of his team and had to get him a pen

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Haha! Fair point

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

      VVD idolises White 😉

  3. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Got Jiminez Antonio Tooneu for about 20 gamea and not even one penalty, rap got 3 in last 5 ffs

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

    So where will Raphinha ply his trade next season?

    1. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Newcastle

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully Liverpool.

      Anywhere he wants tbf.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure where hed get in at the mo

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bayern

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

      Would be great at Anfield

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Psg

  5. yanky
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    odegaardddd is a baller!! lets go!!

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Let's go to Eisengard?

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It was 20 years ago today
        The fellowship began to play

  6. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So 33 pts with 7 to play is pretty good so far? (OK I played fh, but still chuffed)

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why even ask such a stupid question?

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

        Haha

      2. tbos83
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Bc I so rarely get to brag I need to take my opps

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Awful attempt at bragging to be honest

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Won't get much love on here for that.

    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Did you set up your account just now to post that?!

    4. marcus2704
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes you are amazing well done!

    5. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      FH lost, who cares about few points?

      1. tbos83
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        300k rank boost so far - I'll take it

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          You'll lose places in the long run which is good.

    6. Qui-Gon-Joe
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      nice

  7. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone riddle me this please? If the Mayor of London has declared a 'major incident' in London (albeit to help London Hospitals), does this mean that Spurs won't host Liverpool tomorrow as the game would need to be called off maybe? Or are there reports of C19 in the Liverpool camp, anyone in the know?

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

      Should be announced that it is being played behind closed doors imo

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

        ^^^this

      2. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Sounds sensible imo.

  8. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Dare to estimate the average score?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thought it's down

  9. Old Bull
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    8pts with 8 to go (in theory)

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

      Nice

  10. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Finally got Ramsdale after weeks of watching clean sheets.Was always going to concede.

    1. drughi
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same here not even save points as he always gets. Well now he is broken for everybody atleast

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I miss Guaita already

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Lol .

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I just knew it was around the time for Leeds to score, I did NOT expect White to do that, absolute idiot

    4. DycheDycheBaby
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Aren't you a Leeds fan?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        What has that got to do with it. Leeds are shocking at the minute. Even as a fan I know that.

        1. DycheDycheBaby
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Interesting. I wouldn't have done it lol

      2. SINGH
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He is but likes to do Hokey Pokey with Bielsa and Klopp lol

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Elaborate please !

  11. drughi
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Fpl is just so boring 80% of the time

  12. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ben White is kind of like the Arsenal version of Luke Shaw. Good enough at football but probably has donkey brains.

  13. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thank goodness Laca didn't haul!

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah glad he didn't

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Has he ever?

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pretty sure people got him this week will sell him by -4 ay some points, 10.3 is expensive

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Laca is 10.3?!

      2. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It is but Laca is way cheaper

      3. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Only 8.4 on my team. I got a bargain!

  14. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    This gameweek stinks

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Season*

      As usual

  15. Firmino
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Gutted as a Saka owner. ESR almost matching feels very wrong. Unlucky again.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saka is cursed

    2. drughi
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Be glad esr didnt start, would have scored a hatrick

      1. Firmino
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Well he isn't starting at the moment. Part of the game to pick players that start.

        1. Going Home
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          No. The game is to maximise points from your squad. 6 from £5.9m arguably better than 7 from £6.5m (if you use the extra well). It doesn’t matter whether they start

  16. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Saka finally returning on his stats, to keep up with the over performing ESR
    Josh King take note

  17. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    20/27 of Arsenal’s goals this season have been a scored by players 23 or under

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

      Nice showing.

      Will Auba ever play for the club again?

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

        Hope not. He doesn't bring anything to the team anymore. Crazy to think his last match that he carried Arsenal in was the FA cup final 2020.

  18. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Esr owners....he had to be kept right?

    Impossible to know if he starts next game tho.....so may be first sub for me...

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don't buy don't sell

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully he doesn't play 90 vs Sunderland but very hard to sell regardless.

      20 mins vs Norwich is better than most mids, City/Jota excluded.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        As a Sunderland fan it's quite surreal to us mentioned on an FPL forum once again. Expect Arsenal will need to go full strength on Tuesday.

    3. drughi
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah first on bench but probably wont matter as games will be postponed

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

      Selling feels a luxury with so many players without even a game

  19. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If the spurs game is called off tomorrow, at least I can relax knowing I've got a monster Ramsdale (vc) haul in the bag

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

      Lucky

  20. Firminooooo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Nightmare second half with Ramsdale, Saka and Lacazette. CS gone, ESR goal, Raphinha goal, Ødegård assist. From green to red arrow.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Red arrow with those bunch? Taking hits?

      1. Firminooooo
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes.

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If that's a red arrow then there's not much hope for anyone (assuming no hits of course)

    3. Free Hat
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. Frustrating watch, especially watching the missed chances

  21. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Raphinha and Smith Rowe, please kindly just fu*k off!!

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

      now now, don't be hard on yourself...

    2. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Smith Rowe was a good goal but the Raphinha jam irks me too especially having Ramsdale as well.

    3. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Smith Rowe the luckiest player I think I've ever seen

      1. Firminooooo
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He and Raphninha has made me feel sick every GW lately.

      2. Firmino
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        This 100%

  22. drughi
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsdale and lacazette in for a hit, 3 points netto wohoo

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

      Saka Lacazette here. Good enough. 8 point gain from my blank players.

  23. EL tridente
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Are still keeping Smith-Rowe? 🙂

    1. EL tridente
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      We

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

        Oui*

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve had him since gw 1. Kept him for this weeks free hit. Can’t imagine selling him this season.

  24. Hooky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    That was the first time this season that Lacazette has lasted 90 mins.

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

    Surely Ben White should get the assist not Gelhardt

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

      I wholeheartedly agree with u

  26. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So everyone keeping ESR now?

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

      him and raph

  27. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Plan was to bring in Martz this game week I thought he went off injured last match. He grabs two night now everyone getting him.

  28. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    13 from 2 any good?

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

      Veey poor

  29. Salarrivederci
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can't believe the -12 actually worked out 😀

    Schmeichel, Zaha, Sissoko & Pukki -> Ederson, Saka, Ødegaard & Gelhardt 😀

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

      Did it?

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

        Surely ?

        Had 7 players without those 4.

        Now I'm hopefully on 11.

        Saka (7) + Ødegaard (7) + Gerhardt (4) = 18

        18 + Ederson > 12 + FT

        1. Going Home
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Enjoy the points. People will always criticise. I’d probably not want those players going forwards, but I’d love those points today. Swings and roundabouts

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

            Yeah you're right. I am, but I'm actually kinda happy with my picking going forward.

            Obviously Ederson blocks me from getting a City midfielder, but I've decided to simply not take part in that, and I'll try to equal those KDB/Foden/Bilva/Grealish/Sterling/Mahrez/Jesus/Gündogang points from a triple in the back.

            Saka and Ødegaard looks great value and have Norwich in next GW.

            Gelhardt was just for today, and now ha can sit next to Gilmour on the bench. Kinda want two cheapies on the bench, and yes next GW King will be on the bench, but it will be Ødegaard against City.

  30. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ah, well. Laca 5 better than Watkins 0

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah but he didn't look too good. I won't have him too long.

      1. BIGREDDOG
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He looked decent enough early on. He spent a lot of energy pressing though and looked sluggish later didn't he

        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I think I agree.

      2. Kitman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Great player in real life, average FPL asset

        1. Flynny
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I'll aim to keep for Norwich and then lose...probably back to watkins!

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Me too