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

    Really don't want Pool to win the league but I do like the final day drama.

  2. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    All on Liverpool now.

    Pep and City with 2 all time fumbles this season, wow

  3. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Spurs winning the league next season

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

      Put the glass down my friend, you've had enough.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        hey, its a brown paper bag!

    2. Red Devil Swede
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      They can't play Norwich every game 😉

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

      Hahaha good one. Never going to happen.

    4. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Steady there

  4. Planet Jo
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    CORNETTO!!!!!!! Get in.

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

      Hes scored a 2nd?

      1. Planet Jo
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Give him time

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

          Lets hope so 🙂

  5. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Shouldn't have Free Hit!

  6. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Pool game against southampton might b the difference, if pool had gone at full strength goal diff could b the diff

  7. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I took a -4 to get rid of Couhtino and not have to play Cash. Brought in Foden and Jesus. WTF

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

    Ahhh those goals have cost me 2k rank, looks like I'll miss out on top 10k this year.

    Hope you're happy Steve the Spud, you grumpy fecker

  9. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Liverpool. It is time. Take it with open arms

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

    Son goal x 2

  11. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Wolves to score the next goal?

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

    Leics and Spurs treble attack was way to go

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

    Come on Liverpool

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

    I really don’t want Liverpool to win the title. Don’t really want City to win it either though 🙁

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

    Spurs 5

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

      Sonny

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

    0-5 Spurs

  17. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    5 nil Spurs

  18. Sailboats
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    It's literally yours Liverpool

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

    Eff off Son

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

    Imagine if Liverpool fail to win after all this

  21. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Vardy having a much better week than his missus 😆

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

    Son goal.

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

    C Son brace!!!

  24. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Salah save your golden boot

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

    Sonny

  26. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Cash points blocked by that Gordon cameo, fml

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

    Captain Son with his brace 🙂

  28. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Firmino wtf was that?

  29. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Son golden boot winner

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      so happy for Son, very well deserved. No one deserves it more

      1. Monklane
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        It's worth it for the smile

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          yep, love to see his dads face too

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

    OMG YES