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. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    I’m dreaming OMG

  2. Karhumies
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Havertz to Son C transfer backfired, and now I want Soyuncu and Werner not to get leftover minutes so they don't block Cash coming off my FPL bench...what a gameweek!

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

    Saints goal

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

    Son was the smart C choice.

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

    There goes the Lei clean sheet 🙁

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

    SONALDO

  7. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Gerrard would rather let Liverpool win the title than pick up a £15m add-on for Grealish winning the PL in his first season at Man City.

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

    Leicester lose the clean sheet

    I've lost a mini league

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

    Son triple captain paying off , w/ goal again

    1. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Nice one. Well done!

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

    Son again! Bye bye top 10k :'(

    Well played everyone. Enjoy your summer break, I know I will as a Newcastle fan. Hoping for a few more astute singings and maybe 1 or 2 big ones.

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

    Schmeichel cleanie busted 🙁

  12. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    SON YOU LEGEND

  13. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    What a finish I’ve had to the season, just a shame about the start and middle!! Lol

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

    Son golden Boot here we go

  15. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Damn SONALDO did it

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

    Every player returning for Andy except Pool and City players

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

    JWP G

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

    Golden Sonshine

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

    I actually can’t believe that.

    Why has Lampard brought Gordon on there needlessly?

    Robbing me of 15 Cash points in the process

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

      Same here

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

    All those writing off Liverpool's title last week.

  21. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    The worst possible outcome.

  22. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Gundo - G
    Sterling - A

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

      Drama!

  23. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Fair play Son

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

    Gundo G

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

    3 1 to Leicester City

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

    Son its happening- goin for the golden boot

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

      Guess the title is more important.

      Wolverhampton should score again.

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

    Oliii G! Yessss

  28. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Come on son need a hasty:D

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

    I need a King Kev hatty!

  30. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Those with Son captain are the real winners.

    Show your hands