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. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Cash 3rd on my bench!

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

      Cash out.

    2. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      2nd on mine but coming on for Rich as long as Mykolenko doesn’t come on…!

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Same. Needed that goal in atleast one of his double last 2 gws.

      Classic FPL trolling. (Learning from Digne)

    4. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Cash 2nd on my bench, but bench boost played luckily

    5. grooveymatt65
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Having so much Cash trouble ATM

  2. GoonerGirl
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I didn't remember to change Dubravka from Ramsadale. Damn.

  3. Ron_Swanson
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    That Just Eat advert was impressive

  4. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Sold Zaha for a hit. Benched Nketiah and Cash.

    Pain. And yet i will be here for more next season 😉

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      You do need to be a little masocistic to enjoy this

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

      Benched Nketiah??? Everton have probably been on the piss all week man

      1. MrZ
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I benched nketiah too.
        So far the blankers are diaz, mount, sonny & toney... Tough choices

  5. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Half time regrets
    I bought in Toney was considering Wilson
    Burying Cash 3rd on my bench

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

      Starting Cash vs City is just one those things that can't be done without help of hindsight.

  6. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    So just 10 starters last game. Sums the season up. All my bench players are on the bench lol

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

    Ramsdale the bane of my existence

  8. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Burnley circling the drain now. C'mon Leeeeeeds

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Toon up to 10th as it stands.

  9. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    11 playing, 12 points after 45 mins, I thought I had a great team 😀

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

    How's Son looking?

    1. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      South Korean

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      -_-

  11. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    4 goals so far for me assuming cash come on

    Cash Zaha Kane Kulu

    More of this pleaseee

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

    Milner on for Thiago 1st Liverpool sub.

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

    I really don't understand Pep. Makes some ridiculous team selections in the biggest of games.

    Stones out of position at RB
    Fernandinho out of position at CB
    Walker on bench.

    Makes no sense.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      He thinks he's smarter than everyone else that's his problem.

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Is Walker fit to play around 70? I guess no which means no options

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

        Well start him, and if he doesn't last, then bring on Fernandinho.

        Not that I care, mind.

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

    Will City bottle this?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      My guess is no

    2. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yep

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

      I doubt it

    4. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Nah

    5. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Liverpool have Salah to come on & score at Kopp end!
      Who is match winner for City
      Villa have a good defence

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Sterling winner or leveller Pool will love that

  15. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Great first 450 minutes of the gameweek

  16. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Gerrard not going to let it slip for liverpool this time

    1. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      He has been waiting patiently for this day

  17. 2999 - Lady of Legend
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Cash and Manè could cost City the league, who would have thought!

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Haha nice one

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      * Cash money

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Live by the sword, die by the sword.

    4. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      City bought the wrong aston villa player

  18. Walter White (WW)
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Gerrard not smiling!

  19. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Son not interested in the golden boot?

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

      Just unlucky, not gotten decent chance yet.

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

        he got one chance

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

          With pretty low xG, he didn't even manage to get decent shot.

  20. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Son has been abysmal

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

      Good

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

      Brought him in last GW after all the damage he's done to my rank. Classic FPL if he blanks against BUR and nor.

  21. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    City will boss the second half like they did against West Ham, nothing to worry about

  22. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    What happened to the final day goal fest?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Wait for last 20minutes

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      2nd half?

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

      I'm 5 for 5 on CS wipeouts here...

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

    Are those recent 5-goal thumpings by Man City going to be what decides the title?

  24. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Machester City will 100% bottle the title

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Liverpool is just one level above them this season. Luiz Diaz what a signing

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      All they need is a goal

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

        2 goals

        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          1 goal

          1. R.C
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            2 goals if Liverpool are winning

      2. R.C
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Villa will score more

      3. R.C
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        And yep they need 2 goals. Liverpool will win

      4. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        They need 2 goals. Currently they're still winning. Liverpool can only win the title if they win this match and City either draw or lose it

    3. Shultan
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Agree liverpool can dig deep & pull it out of the bag when they need to if go behind
      City struggle when go behind

  25. Neto
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Is Saka no longer on pens?

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

      Might be winner takes now they've nothing to play for.

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

      Martinelli won the pen. Could be a "whoever wins the pen, takes it" arrangement

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Very annoying to see Martinelli step up

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

    90+3 De Bruyneeeeeee incoming

  27. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Gerard half time talk

    “Lads, we do not let this f***in slip”

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

      Gerrard when City draw level: "Fk it, I'm subbing myself on"

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        They can draw. They can't let city win

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          1 year, 10 months ago

          "If anyone's gonna let this slip it's gonna be me!"

    2. TanN
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Cash to James has worked out well so far 🙁

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

      Come on, just 1 more good half and I will sneak into the top 10k for the first time this season.

      Started the day at 18.7k , currently sitting 10.9k