Dugout Discussion

Gameweek 38 team news: Salah benched, Kane starts, Alonso absent

There are 10 more matches of the Premier League season to go and all of them, of course, kick off simultaneously at 16:00 BST.

The destination of the title will be decided by the results of the matches at the Etihad and possibly Anfield, while the fixtures involving Leeds United and Burnley will dictate who drops to the Championship.

The two north London sides are still in a tussle for fourth place, with Tottenham Hotspur the overwhelming favourites to seal the deal this afternoon, while there’s even the final UEFA Europa League qualification spot at stake – West Ham United and Manchester United are competing for that dubious honour.

From a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) perspective, the headline team news comes from Anfield.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are only among the substitutes for Liverpool’s clash with Aston Villa, although it sounds like we’ll be seeing minutes from the pair at some point on Sunday.

“Both [Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah] are ready to come on but not to start. That’s the advice I got from the medical department.” – Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp otherwise goes full strength and makes seven changes from the win over Southampton, with Sadio Mane, Luis Díaz, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold among those recalled.

Jose Sa is back for Wolves.

The feared rotation has materialised at Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel makes five changes from the draw with Leicester on Thursday.

Kenedy, Saul Niguez, Cesar Azpilicueta, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz are given starts, with Marcos Alonso missing out altogether. Reece James keeps his place.

Daniel Bachmann replaces Ben Foster in the headline Watford news, with Samir, Kiko Femenia, Hassane Kamara, Tom Cleverley and Joshua King all returning after recent absences.

Harry Kane is, as expected, fit to start for Spurs after his bout of illness, with Antonio Conte making just one change from the side that beat Burnley: Dejan Kulusevski is back at the expense of Lucas Moura.

Tim Krul returns between the sticks for the Canaries, while Jacob Sorensen and Milot Rashica are also recalled by Dean Smith.

Pep Guardiola makes two changes to the side that started last week’s draw at West Ham, with John Stones and Phil Foden coming in for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jack Grealish. Raheem Sterling is among the substitutes again.

Emiliano Martínez misses out due to injury for Villa, as Robin Olsen steps in. Philippe Coutinho for Carney Chukwuemeka is Steven Gerrard’s other alteration, as Danny Ings has to again be content with a place on the bench.

Youri Tielemans, James Justin and Harvey Barnes are the three players recalled by Brendan Rodgers, who goes pretty much full strength against Southampton.

The Saints omit Armando Broja from the matchday squad, with the Chelsea loanee, Ibrahima Diallo and Nathan Tella replaced by Stuart Armstrong, Oriol Romeu and Adam Armstrong.

Cedric Soares, Rob Holding and Gabriel Martinelli start ahead of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Emile Smith Rowe for Arsenal today, with Tomiyasu absent due to injury.

Dele Alli makes a first Everton start and is one of six changes that Frank Lampard has made, with neither Richarlison nor Jordan Pickford involved in the squad.

Vicente Guaita and Conor Gallagher are among five players recalled for the visit of Manchester United, with teenage winger Jeserun Rak-Sakyi handed a chance to impress on the wing.

Edinson Cavani, Harry Maguire, Fred and Hannibal Mejbri start for the Red Devils, with Cristiano Ronaldo not in the squad due to injury. Raphael Varane, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata drop to the bench.

It’s one change apiece at Brentford: Vitaly Janelt is in for the injured Christian Norgaard for the hosts, while Leeds hand a chance to Sam Greenwood at the expense of Mateusz Klich. Patrick Bamford isn’t involved.

Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles return for Newcastle as Emil Krafth and Fabian Schar drop to the bench.

Opponents Burnley are unchanged, as are West Ham at Brighton.

The Seagulls replace the injured Leandro Trossard with Adam Webster.

GAMEWEEK 38 TEAM NEWS

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Soares, Holding, Gabriel, Tavares, Elneny, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Nketiah

Subs: Leno, White, Lacazette, Smith Rowe, Pépé, Lokonga, Oulad M’hand, Swanson, Patino

Everton XI: Begovic, Branthwaite, Keane, Holgate, Iwobi, Doucoure, Davies, Kenny, Alli, Gray, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Lonergan, Mykolenko, Coleman, Tosun, Gordon, Van de Beek, Price, Dobbin, Welch


Brentford XI: Raya, Ajer, Jansson, Sorensen, Henry, Jensen, Janelt, Eriksen, Mbuemo, Toney, Wissa

Subs: Fernandez, Canos, Dasilva, Onyeka, Jeanvier, Baptiste, Roerslev, Stevens, Young-Coombes

Leeds XI: Meslier, Koch, Llorente, Cooper, Firpo, Phillips, Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison, Gelhardt, Greenwood

Subs: Klaesson, Roberts, Struijk, Bate, Hjelde, Cresswell, Klich, Shackleton, Gray


Brighton XI: Sanchez, Cucurella, Webster, Dunk, Bissouma, Mac Allister, Gross, Welbeck, March, Caicedo, Veltman.

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Maupay, Mwepu, Lallana, Alzate, Duffy, Offiah, Ferguson.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Fornals, Lanzini, Bowen, Antonio.

Subs: Areola, Randolph, Yarmolenko, Noble, Fredericks, Masuaku, Johnson, Kral, Okoflex.


Burnley XI: Pope, Taylor, Tarkowski, Collins, Long, Cork, Roberts, McNeil, Brownhill, Barnes, Cornet.

Subs: Hennessey, McGlynn, Weghorst, Stephens, Lennon, Bardsley, Thomas, Dodgson, Costelloe.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Lascelles, Burn, Targett, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.

Subs: Darlow, Dummett, Schar, Krafth, Fernandez, Ritchie, Murphy, Gayle, Wood.


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, James, Saul Niguez, Kante, Kenedy, Ziyech, Mount, Havertz

Subs: Kepa, Jorginho, Lukaku, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Barkley, Chilwell, Sarr

Watford XI: Bachmann, Femenia, Kabasele, Samir, Kamara, Sissoko, Kayembe, Cleverley, King, Joao Pedro, Sema

Subs: Elliot, Ngakia, Ekong, Masina, Cathcart, Gosling, Cucho, Sierralta, Baah


Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Andersen, Ward, Mitchell, Gallagher, Hughes, Schlupp, Rak-Sakyi, Zaha, Edouard.

Subs: Butland, Kelly, Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur, Eze, Ayew, Benteke, Mateta.

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Elanga, Mejbri, Fernandes, Cavani.

Subs: Heaton, Bailly, A. Fernandez, Jones, Varane, Mata, Savage, Garnacho, Shoretire.


Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Fofana, Evans, Justin, Mendy, Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans, Vardy, Barnes.

Subs: Ward, Soyuncu, Pereira, Amartey, Albrighton, Perez, Lookman, Daka, Iheanacho.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Stephens, Salisu, Redmond, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, S Armstrong, A Armstrong.

Subs: Caballero, Bednarek, Valery, Djenepo, Smallbone, Walcott, Diallo, Long, Adams.


Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson, Keita, Henderson, Thiago, Jota, Mane, Diaz.

Subs: van Dijk, Milner, Firmino, Salah, Jones, Minamino, Tsimikas, Kelleher, Elliott.

Wolves XI: Jose Sa, Boly, Coady, Gomes, Jonny, Dendoncker, Neves, Joao Moutinho, Ait Nouri, Pedro Neto, Jimenez.

Subs: Hoever, Marcal, Daniel Podence, Trincao, Mosquera, Silva, Chiquinho, Ruddy, Hwang.


Man City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Laporte, Fernandinho, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Mahrez, Jesus, Foden.

Subs: Carson, Ake, Walker, Sterling, Gundogan, Grealish, Zinchenko, Palmer, McAtee.

Aston Villa XI: Olsen, Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne, Ramsey, Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho.

Subs: Sinisalo, Sanson, Traore, Young, Nakamba, Ings, Chukwuemeka, Chrisene, Iroegbunam.


Norwich XI: Krul, Aarons, Byram, Hanley, Dowell, Normann, Rashica, Sorensen, Lees-Melou, Giannoulis, Pukki.

Subs: Gunn, Zimmermann, Rupp, Placheta, Tzolis, Tomkinson, Gibbs, Springett, Rowe.

Spurs XI: Lloris, Sanchez, Dier, Davies, Royal, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Kulusevski, Son, Kane.

Subs: Gollini, Winks, Rodon, Bergwijn, Moura, White, Scarlett, Devine, Craig.

1,806 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mentaculus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Sold Saka & kept Gabi. Mane (C). Leeds fan. 🙂

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Good top post. Enjoy.

    2. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Sold kulu and bought Bowen to chase a lead as Ive Kane and son and of course it’s kulu

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    12 points from 11 still good?

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I have 9 players

    2. Feanor
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I have 11 from 10 - no GK

  3. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    City game is just constant stoppages.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      VAR checks to give them a pen?

  4. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I thought Saka was on pens...

    1. Futureform
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Me too. 🙁

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      He usually is

  5. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Ah man. Mane your killing me.

  6. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    No goalie (Pickford/Foster) and I took a hit to play Maddison ahead of Bernardo. My Season from hell continues.

  7. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    How’s the Villa defence looking ?

  8. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which game is best to watch lads?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Liverpool end to end.

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Do I dare with no Liv attack?

    2. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      palace - united

    3. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Liverpool game has been relentless so far

  9. Third Eye Vision
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hard not to think VAR is corrupt.

    Ball comes off Iwobi’s sleeve. It’s clear.

    Isn’t that the rule?

    I know no one really cares. The frequent, shady decisions are hard to stomach though.

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      His sleeve or his arm?

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Not a handball if it’s off the sleeve.

  10. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    2-0 Arsenal

  11. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Goal arsenal

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Saka?

  12. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Eddie G

  13. asr
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Saka AA Nketiah G

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Dreamland!!!!!!

      1. asr
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Saka AA only unfortunately, took an additional deflection from his corner

        1. sinik
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          who cares about AA - don't confuse people with that ish lol

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            I got it

            1. Grande Tubarão
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              1 year, 10 months ago

              Me too

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Who is A the?

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            1 year, 10 months ago

            Then*

        2. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          No A?

          1. The Mentaculus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            Martinelli A? Commentary says he flicked it on

            1. asr
              • 7 Years
              1 year, 10 months ago

              Yes I believe so

      • DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Come on Pukki

      • TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        So Everton have been on the lash all week???

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Been on the lash all season

      • Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Jesus wasting the chance to lay it off to KDB there.

      • Rainer
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Eddie LAD

      • HonestBlatter
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        NKETIAAHHHH

      • tambourineman
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Kane goal

      • MIGHTY JOE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        YES NKETIAAAH

      • Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        2-0 Spurs

      • Rainer
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yes Haroldddddd

      • Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Top 10k dreams in pieces. It's all down to Young-Coombes now.

      • TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Spurs goal?!?! If this is Kane I might even make top 10k :haha:

      • Shultan
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Only matter of time until liverpool take the lead & go to get a few but city looking nervous

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Got a real feeling Liverpool are doing this

      • OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        KANEEEEEE

      • Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Awful goal to concede from Norwich.

      • g40steve
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Eddie

      • Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        We all know Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs are a guaranteed win

      • TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Triple spurs attack but captained Son

        1. Haalander
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Same