Dugout Discussion

Leicester v Liverpool team news: Vardy, van Dijk and Tsimikas start, bench for Tielemans

Following the rare sight of weekday 15:00 (GMT) kick-offs, Tuesday’s action concludes at the King Power Stadium when Leicester City host Liverpool.

Kick-off is at 20:00 (GMT).

Liverpool have made five changes from the 11 that played nine days ago at Tottenham Hotspur. Their Boxing Day match with Leeds United was postponed, giving more time for Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho to recover from Covid-19 and return to the line-up.

There are no shocks regarding much-owned trio Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota – all three start tonight, as do Sadio Mane and Alisson.

Their three-man midfield has changed completely, with Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joining Fabinho in replacing Naby Keita, Tyler Morton and James Milner. The final change sees Kostas Tsimikas step in for the suspended Andrew Robertson.

Takumi Minamino and Thiago miss out with minor muscle soreness, whilst Divock Origi still hasn’t recovered from a knee problem. Sat amongst the substitutes are Roberto Firmino and Ibrahima Konate.

Things are trickier for Leicester, as the hosts are without the likes of Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Ricardo Pereira. All are joined on the injury list by Caglar Soyuncu and Ryan Bertrand, as confirmed by Brendan Rodgers:

“Patson [Daka] will be three weeks, Soyuncu will be out for three weeks and Ricardo Pereira will be six to eight weeks. That’s so frustrating for him with how hard he has worked. It’s a fractured fibula and he’s lucky it’s not worse. Ryan (Bertrand) twisted his knee in the warm-up, which was disappointing.”

Unlike Liverpool, the Foxes played just two days ago and had to manage the minutes of Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi accordingly. Both start here, with Timothy Castagne replacing Marc Albrighton at right-back.

In-form James Maddison is chosen for the sixth consecutive time, having returned four double-digit hauls in his last five games. The 53 points of this spell average out at 10.6 per match, linking up well with Kelechi Iheanacho during a strong second half at Manchester City.

Yet their defence conceded six times on Sunday and Salah captainers will relish the sight of Daniel Amartey and midfielder Ndidi being paired at centre-back in the absence of Soyuncu and Jonny Evans. There is only a place on the bench for Youri Tielemans, as Hamza Choudhury makes his second league start of the season.


GAMEWEEK 20 LINE-UPS

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Castagne, Amartey, Ndidi, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Soumare, Choudhury; Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy

Substitutes: Ward, Daley-Campbell, Nelson, Vestergaard, Albrighton, McAteer, Tielemans, Lookman, Pérez

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane

Substitutes: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Jones, Beck, Williams

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2,337 Comments Post a Comment
  1. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    If crellin is right and Leicester, villa, Everton dgw in 21 i think a free hit for 21 and easily covering 22 is way forward. All depends on squad though of course

    Definitely works for me, would allow the likes of gerhaldt and Livramento to come back into contention too for 22 and favourable fixtures in 23.

    The villa v Burnley dgw 21 is already on the villa ticket office site but not announced yet

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I look forward to seeing the confirmed DGWs for 21 and 22 … the fixtures will determine what week I play my first FH as I think my squad will have natural doubles in one of the two.

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      This is my plan. Can field 10 DGW’s in 22 according to Crellin. Can only field 1/2 in 21.

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Good spot on Villa. I might pick up Watkins

    4. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Newcastle would likely be off so Southampton back to single game week

    5. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I've just been trying to work out a strategy for the 2 based on Mr. Crellin's expectations, and I can put out 12 doublers in 22 (plus DCL & Cancelo), and 6/7 (Broja dependant) in 21.
      This may be as close to BB territory as I'll get all season, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough quite yet.
      Was hoping to get a glimpse of Everton this week with a view to a D(CCC)L in GW21, but again would take a huge leap of faith to do that now.

    6. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I am not really that eager to fill my team with Villa, Leicester or Everton players … who may even get rotated or get a game cancelled

      Watkins & some other pick for -4 is fine for me and use my FH later in the season

  2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    No more transfers this year

  3. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Tielemans?

    Instead of Maddison?

    I need punts to claw back brutal 5 gw drops.

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Might as well go for Dewsbury-Hall

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No way. Maddison is the man.

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Maddy calf injury yeah?

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          He looked fine after the game whilst on the pitch, but they may not take any unnecessary risks with him against Norwich... 🙁

  4. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Captain Kane or Son?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Kane probably edges it due to pens

  5. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    It is absolutely bonkers that Norwich's XI against Crystal Palace, 19 games into a PL campaign had not one player with a goal this season.
    Madness.

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Weakest 11 I've probably ever seen start a league game, and of course Guaita comes back for it for a guaranteed clean sheet on my bench after I wasted another keeper transfer (forced to my 4th keeper of the season...) to get De Gea. If United don't keep a clean sheet I'll be on the verge of throwing it in.

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yes, I probably would've traded Ramsdale for Guaita if I knew he would be starting. Instead, I just took the blank.

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Had Raya and Guaita since the early WC. Raya of course gets injured for the season and never had the luxury of taking him out. Guaita then apparently lost his place, which I heard after was possibly a finger injury, so I swapped Raya to Ramsdale, but then Guaita missed the second game which I heard after again was potentially covid meaning he would surely miss this game as well given the proximity. Coupled with Ramsdale's game being postponed and more blanks booked in now the best longterm option was to switch again. Of course if I knew he was coming in I would have stuck with him for this game and potentially the rest of the season.

          1. Gabbiadini
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Yeh. The postponements/blanking of games really adds an extra component to the inability of predicting injuries.

            1. Postman Ty
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 3 months ago

              My strategy has been to keep two keepers the whole time and even the other full 13 playing players. Despite that and -16 in hits over the last 4 weeks I haven't been able to field 11 the last 4 weeks in a row. Getting a bit much for me.

  6. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do Livra to Ben Davies for free ?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah

    3. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      You seen Spurs' fixtures?

  7. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    2FT
    Should I do Ramsdale to DDG tonight before the price swing ?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Nah

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Not when there is some uncertainty over Wolves covid situation

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Wait

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, mates!

  8. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    So three weeks in a row of correctly not captaining Salah and how have I been rewarded? Foden (0), Foden (1), Jota (2). Awesome.

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      But who was your vice in the first week?

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        VC fell back on Salah in the end for his 2. Last week it was on Lacazette with his 11 but of course Foden came on at the end for his 1.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Captaining Salah not always a good thing in fairness -

      I went Cancelo 36 - Tierney 26 - Salah 0 in the past three gameweeks.

      Smashes the myth about never captaining a defender...

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Fair play to you, well done. The only reason I didn't have Cancelo vc that week actually was in case the City game got postponed so I went Salah vc just because he was in a different game. Tierney was a good shout, I ironically went Tomiyasu because Tierney is injury prone and that somehow backfired. I think there's definitely weeks where defenders look primed for points.

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          I planned the Cancelo one because he was suspended the previous gameweek.

          But I sort of fluked the Tierney one to be honest - because I thought the Spurs game could be off. Saw Arsenal were playing Norwich and threw C on Tierney. Then left my team alone and was surprised when the Spurs game went ahead - would likely have went Son if I had known in time.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Take it and run.

    3. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Can understand captaining Jota tonight - at least that one wasn’t a mistake!

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Foden the first time looked a sure bet, if it wasn't for the clubbing incident we learned about after. The second time was maybe a poor decision, just figured he would be right back in the best 11 after his punishment.

  9. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Have the PL or any of the teams showed any inclination that they are immediately planning to fill in postponed games in Jan?

    By all means fit in the odd game so teams aren’t really behind but seems daft to me to try to fit in a full set of cancelled fixtures in January when they could wait till later in the season and fit them in without as much of a Covid issue.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelling FAC replays, which would have been in the midweek after GW22 is a clear sign.

      Get as many done when possible because more will still fall...

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        In addition AVL & SOU have dropped hints that they'll have DGW21 (see Crellin twitter).

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          SOU vs BRE might now happen in 21 but SOU vs NEW has to be very doubtful.

        2. CABAYE4
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks

  10. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    With a dgw for Burnley,would you start Lowton over
    a)James
    b)Edouard
    c)Bowen
    d)Jota
    e)Cancelo
    f)Bench Lowton

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Possibly b, definitely none of the others.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Who would it be against?

      Might bench Jota myself if DGWers come into play...

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Probably F to be honest, we always end up selling and benching sgw players for weaker dgw players and the sgw players outscore them.

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Need to know the fixtures

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Most likely Leeds & Villa, both away. Can't see a Lowton haul in either personally

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Depends the state of the Leeds team if they are still struggling with injuries to main players. Also Burnley haven't played a game in a while

    5. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      cheers all

  11. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Maddison injury bad?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Rodgers said not too serious but worth waiting till Friday.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      It didn't look great the way he pulled up. I haven't seen what BR has said about it

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I think I read couple of pages back that BR said post match that he thought Maddison would be ok. But Vardy may have ankle problem

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

      People are seeing shiny Norwich and bringing him in but he’s played a lot lately so I can easily see a benching that game

  12. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Any big updates?

    1)Africa cup delayed rumors?
    2)Any games that are postponed already? Heard about Newcastle?
    3) When should we know if there is a DGW next GW?
    4)If I use a FH, I lose one of my 2FT, right?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Serves seemed updated at deadline.
      No.
      Newcastle issues, Everton off, Southampton next GW probably off too.
      By deadline.
      Yes.

      Trivago.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Still going ahead
      Newcastle Everton already postponed
      Maybe later this week
      Yes

  13. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Looked on the live text for the fixture but cant see why.
    Reguilon hooked at half time because he was booked? Having a mare?

    Or is he injured?

    Having a mare this week...... hoping dgw attracts me to wc for next week as the che v liv and ars v city matches make me worried ill have consecutive bad gwks.

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Because he was booked and very angry

      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers. Did Doherty do enough to suggest he Will take the spot?

        1. Grande Tubarão
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Not a chance. I like Doherty but he just isn’t of that level.

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He was in an angry mood and heading for a red card

    3. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He kept falling over and had been booked.

  14. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Obviously pending covid, doubles injuries etc.

    Early thoughts on these moves

    Salah, Bernardo and Gallagher to Son, Maddison and Bowen (-4). Maybe look to offload one of the CHE defs

    2FT 0ITB
    Ramsdale
    Cancelo James Alonso TAA
    Jota Foden Salah Bernardo
    Antonio Watkins
    (Foster Gallagher King Livramento)

  15. Goooo Rickie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Time to WC and BB22?

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I'm probably leaning more towards the FH as I have to use 2 of them.

    2. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      BB22 not looking a good idea mate. Probably the way I’d usually play it but the way things are we could get to GW22 and fixtures scheduled to be played that GW could still be cancelled

    3. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      If you're confident all the mayhem will have eased a bit in a fortnight.

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Two week gap would put me off any season but in peak Covid...

      Late Sping/Summer time for the WC/BB back to back GWs, for me.

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

      Better to use the wildcard after BB imo

  16. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I know both free hits can't be played in a row.

    But could you play FH for 21 and then WC for 22?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

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

    How many players do you currently have in the early Ars v City game and are you likely to transfer any in/out this week?

    I’ve got Cancelo Bilva Foden ESR White - not ideal

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      5 and no as it stands - 3 I can prettt happily bench

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      4 - Ramsdale, Cancelo Bernardo and Foden and likely to transfer out Bernardo next GW

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

        Maddison would’ve been a good swap but reckon he gets rested vs Norwich

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      None probably - have Bernardo - Tierney - Cancelo.

      Other issues I have is double Chelsea defence.
      For the first time this season I have no clue what transfer moves to make.

      Will likely hope for a Chelsea 0-0 or 1-0 - and can see City beating Arsenal - hopefully a clean sheet.
      So I will likely just bench Tierney.

  18. Goooo Rickie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    If Leicester, Villa & Everton get doubles in GW21, will they still double in gw22?

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

      It’s still possible but covid may have other ideas

      The 2 week gap in between gameweeks will make things interesting

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly this. Carabao Cup SF and FA R3 in between GW21 and 22

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      All 3 with at least 2 games to play, possibility.

      DGW in either GW doesn't rule out the other.

      Only Liverpool/Chelsea/Arsenal/Spurs can't double in 21.

  19. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like we’ll get confirmation of DGW21 tomorrow. Villa, Burnley, Soton, Brentford all very likely to double. Everton, Leicester, United, Brighton all likely. West Ham, Norwich, Palace, Watford possible. All this according to Ben Crellin. A lot of people will be free hitting including myself

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Can't wait to throw this team in the bin, even if it is only for a week.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I am not sure I like the sound of that. Except Leicester and West Ham - they are all very weak teams IMO.

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        You'll get a great fh out of Leicester, whu, utd, Watkins, cash, dcl, pickford etc

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Maybe you are right. That does not sound as bad when you put it like that.

    3. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      What date is is the dgw for? The midweek after this coming Saturday? Then fa cup the Saturday after?

      Another plus for fh 21 is if you fh 22 you could miss out on 2 weeks of price rises on a target

    4. lugs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      if they all double then its a FH for sure for me, only problem is my team will revert back to 3 City playing Chelsea, 3 Spurs vs Arsenal & 2 Arsenal vs spurs

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      can’t see Norwich having a double in the week they blank 😉

  20. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Maddison or Mahrez for Mount?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez is heading to AFCON, so it has to be Maddison (assuming he's fit)

      1. bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Right you are…forgot about that. Would like Sterling but would need a hit.

      2. bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Fabulous rank mate…way to go!