Dugout Discussion

Wednesday team news: Havertz and Martinelli subs as Rudiger misses out

Four more Premier League fixtures take place this evening on the penultimate night of Double Gameweek 33.

Chelsea v Arsenal, Everton v Leicester City and Newcastle United v Crystal Palace all get underway at 19:45 BST, with Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion kicking off 15 minutes later.

Pep Guardiola has made six changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Liverpool at Wembley on Saturday, with many of the big guns returning.

Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez are all brought into the midfield, with Ederson and Aymeric Laporte recalled at the back.

Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Zack Steffen and Oleksandr Zinchenko drop to the bench, while Ruben Dias is once again a substitute.

Graham Potter has made two alterations to the Brighton side that prevailed in north London at the weekend, both of which are enforced.

Yves Bissouma is suspended and Leandro Trossard is absent from the matchday squad due to illness, so Solly March and Danny Welbeck come into the side.

Over in west London, Chelsea make four changes from their own cup semi-final.

In come Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku and Malang Sarr, as Kai Havertz and Jorginho drop to the bench. We knew that Mateo Kovacic would not be in the squad due to injury but Antonio Rudiger‘s absence has caught us on the hop – he is not involved due to a minor groin problem.

Opponents Arsenal make three changes from the defeat at Southampton, as Emile Smith Rowe, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny come in for the benched Cedric Soares, Gabriel Martinelli and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Alexandre Lacazette is on the bench after recovering from Covid-19.

The Leicester rotation continues on Merseyside as Brendan Rodgers makes seven changes following his side’s injury-time loss to Newcastle on Sunday, reverting to the bulk of the side that played in the Europa League last Thursday.

The back four are completely overhauled, while James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho are all reinstanted in attack.

Yerry Mina returns in place of Michael Keane as one of two changes for Everton but Frank Lampard has lost Dominic Calvert-Lewin to a quad muscle injury that could keep him out for 10-14 days. Demarai Gray steps in.

An unchanged Newcastle, still without the injured Ryan Fraser, take on a Crystal Palace side showing five changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Chelsea on Sunday.

Conor Gallagher, ineligible at Wembley, returns alongside Vicente Guaita, Nathaniel Clyne, Michael Olise and Odsonne Edouard.

Jack Butland, Joel Ward, Eberechi Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta and James McArthur all drop to the bench.

GAMEWEEK 33 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Azpilicueta, Sarr, Christensen, Alonso, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Lukaku, Werner

Subs: Kepa, Jorginho, Thiago Silva, Pulisic, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Havertz

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Holding, Tavares, Xhaka, Elneny, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Saka, Nketiah

Subs: Leno, Lacazette, Soares, Pepe, Lokonga, Martinelli, Azeez, Swanson, Hutchinson


Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Godfrey, Mykolenko, Allan, Delph, Iwobi, Gordon, Gray, Richarlison

Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Doucouré, Gomes, Van de Beek, Alli, Rondón

Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Pereira, Fofana, Evans, Castagne; Mendy, Maddison, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes, Iheanacho

Subs: Ward, Justin, Söyüncü, Amartey, Albrighton, Pérez, Choudhury, Lookman, Daka, Lookman


Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett, Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton, Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin

Subs: Darlow, Lascelles, Ritchie, Fernandez, Manquillo, Murphy, Willock, Gayle, Longstaff

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Kouyate, Andersen, Guehi, Clyne, Olise, Gallagher, Schlupp, Mitchell, Edouard, Zaha

Subs: Butland, Ward, Tomkins, Ayew, Eze, Hughes, Mateta, McArthur, Benteke


Man City XI: Ederson, Joao Cancelo, Stones, Laporte, Ake, Rodri, Gundogan, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Foden.

Subs: Dias, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Grealish, Zinchenko, Steffen, Fernandinho, Palmer, Lavia.

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Veltman, Dunk, Cucurella, Lamptey, Gross, Caicedo, March, Mac Allister, Mwepu, Welbeck.

Subs: Webster, Maupay, Lallana, Steele, McGill, Leonard, Offiah, Ferguson, Sarmiento.

1,000 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    1-1 tomorrow night with no horseplay will do.

  2. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    A truly pathetic BB with Ramsdale, KDH, Rudiger & Broja combining for a massive 8pts. Looks like I'll squeak over the 100pt mark though, so I'll just about take it.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      First world problems.

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Subtle brag not so subtle

    3. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      I got 14 on BB but 66 net points so you are doing well!

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

      Broja might still haul 😉

  3. jacob1989
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    So Laca to Werner an obvious move?

  4. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Could Mahrez be a decent punt after having came off? Minutes obviously a huge concern, but might ride the wave until the end of the year.

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

      He's Peps UCL man.

      Anyone needed for UCL probably rests vs Watford.

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

      He's Mr Champions League, basically always starts then so very likely to be rested next couple of games

    3. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Yeah, unfortunately the case. I could only imagine his output in the league if he had more regular minutes.

    4. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      If he didn't play tonight I would have got him on FH. Might punt on Sterling instead now.

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 days ago

        An awesome FH candidate, that's for sure.

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

        Sterling benched tonight has cemented him in my team that's for sure!

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

          You'd say so.

          Mahrez definitely benched home to Watford

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

      Sterling is the man for Watford

  5. g_jannyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Cancelo and Laporte come through

  6. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Schar back on a bap is a nice surprise.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      I need them all.

  7. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Barnes coming in clutch

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

      Getting max bonus with a 22bps score is pretty sweet

  8. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Arsenal beat Chelsea after three straight losses. You just knew it was coming and still love to see it!

  9. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Great work from Trent, Cancelo & Salah in their SGWs!

  10. Crunchie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Is Nketiah getting a new opportunity to play for a new contract and finding his way into my WC team?

    How did he play tonight?

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

      Christensen & Sarr are the reasons he scored more than himself.

      I wouldn't go there, Laca will be back in soon.

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 days ago

        If Laca's decided to go . . .then maybe Arteta is going to build for next year. . . assuming he can get Eddie to sign.

  11. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Last minute Everton goal and late Saka pen was very helpful.

    1. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Why was the Everton goal useful

      1. BeWater
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 days ago

        Mini league rival has Schmeichel.

  12. Pegboy
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Turns out my triple Newcastle defence on FH saved me from a complete car crash.

  13. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    have 2ft and 1.1m itb. FH&BB left. Bbgw36? What moves could be done here?

    dubravka
    taa cancelo targett rudiger*
    salah saka barnes mount*
    kane weghorst

    (ramsdale broja white ramsey)

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Wait for news on Rudiger. I'd consider Rudiger > Laporte if he's out. Other than that, don't think you need to do much! Might be worth saving the other FT.

  14. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Who to sell for Mount?
    A) Saka
    B) Coutinho

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      B

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      B

    3. dabber7
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      B

  15. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Aaaaaaaand breathe. Triple Newcastle defence came through 😀

    1. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Same! That was nervy. Could have been an incredible week if Lookman hadn't have scored with Leicester's only shot on target in the first game.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Targett was excellent tbf! Been a brilliant singing

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 days ago

        Tenor or baritone?

        1. NorCal Villan
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 6 days ago

          Castrato

      2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 days ago

        Need your help again.
        Would you take a -8 for
        Fernandes, Doherty, Pope OUT
        For exact money if done tonight.
        Salah, Alonso, Schmeichel ?? ( all double in 36 BB)

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 days ago

          Yes I think so mate 🙂

      3. Arteta
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 days ago

        He's better than Digne I tell you.

    3. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Good stuff!

  16. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Bruno is f**king Magic! Love to see Az from the blackbox had him as captain! Class 🙂

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Great player.

    2. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      yeah. That was a brilliant move from az

  17. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Barnes still easy sell?

    1. Rohirrims
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Yeah

  18. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Kane + Martinelli out -4 (have Son, Salah, Rudiger, TAA, Laporte)

    A) Mané/KdB + Pukki
    B) Mount + Werner

  19. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    17 points on BB. Marginal success I guess and glad to get it out of the way

  20. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Would you sell Saka or Maddison?

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Maddison. Rotation

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Saka is nailed, Maddison isn't. Arsenal is focussed on top 4 and Leicester on European trophy.

  21. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Richarlison, Mount, Barnes, Saka, Dubravka returns mildly covering up my no Salah and Bruno (c) 🙂

  22. Grande Tubarão
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Am I allowed to bring in Mount, Alonso and Gelhardt for Martinelli, Doherty and Adams (-4) now or I have to wait until Friday?

    1. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Allowed?

  23. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Intention was to do Saka > Mount but I can’t lose him ahead of Man Utd. Maddi > Mount?

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Struggling with this myself

    2. MARVELLUS
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Yeah thinking the same

  24. Meechoo115
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Humble brag time …

    Stinker of BB. Foster. Davies. Kulu. Trent.

    107 points though with three Burnley to come

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      You posted on last page

  25. Claudio555
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Alonso being subbed off means he will start next game you think?

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

      I think so.

      No one else to play his position, Sarr is horrendous too, can't see him starting over Alonso if it's a back four.

  26. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Following a rough FH, I'm returning to this team. Any ideas here?

    Ramsdale
    TAA James Saiss*
    Salah Barnes Saka Havertz Raphinha
    Weghorst Kane

    Dub; Broja, Ait Nouri, Doherty....1.7itb, 1FT

    Thinking of people it simple with a Doherty > Alonso move, or Barnes > Mount (if it seems Saiss would come back in)

    The other option is some hits for City players...

    Kane, Barnes, Doherty > Werner, Foden, Cancelo, for example

  27. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Bigger priority this week:
    a) Mount
    b) Cancelo

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      This one a real coin toss for me, though I think both are worthwhile, and worth a hit if possible.

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

    1 person in the top 10k triple captained Bruno G!

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Az's burner

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

    90pts with no FH or Salah and with how bad the week started, I'll certainly take that

  30. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 days ago

    Raphinha & Kane to salah & Werner worth it?

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 days ago

      Certainly is.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 days ago

        Thanks really tempted but guess depends if Werner will play both DGW34 games