Dugout Discussion
18 August 2025 319 comments
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Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) comes to a head this evening, with Elland Road hosting its first Premier League match since May 2023.

Everton are Leeds United’s visitors tonight, with the game getting underway at 20:00 BST.

Jayden Bogle is fit to start for the hosts, having missed the last fortnight or so through injury.

He’s the only change from the final pre-season XI that Daniel Farke sent out, with Isaac Schmidt making way.

That means that Lucas Perri is between the sticks, with £4.0m FPL goalkeeper Karl Darlow only on the bench.

Summer recruits Sean Longstaff, Lukas Nmecha and Sebastiaan Bornauw are also among the substitutes, with fellow new boy Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who only signed on Friday – not in the squad.

Speaking of recent signings, Jack Grealish is on the bench for the Toffees.

So too is new striker Thierno Barry but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall makes the starting XI following his early-August move from Chelsea.

Beto leads the line for David Moyes’ side, who are missing key defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko through injury.

Two more full-backs, Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou, are absent, too.

LINE-UPS

Leeds United XI: Perri, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, James, Gnonto, Piroe.

Subs: Darlow, Byram, Longstaff, Aaronson, Harrison, Ramazani, Nmecha, Bornauw and Gruev.

Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall, Gana, Iroegbunam, Alcaraz, Beto, Ndiaye.

Subs: Travers, Tyrer, McNeil, Barry, Chermiti, Grealish, Coleman, Armstrong, Onyango.


defensive contributions
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  1. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    Don't think I've ever seen anyone get judged so harshly after 1 GW than Wirtz. I wonder if these people watched the Crystal Palace game... Best player on the pitch and got an assist. And now all of a sudden he's the new Werner

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      I read a comment where someone said he was related to Ali Dia and George Weah.

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      He was poor.

      I won't be getting rid of him. But the thing that concerns me is Ekitike. He seems to have that arrogance about him where he wants to be the man. That is good for Ekitike if he keeps the scoring up as he will hog the points in FPL, but not for Wirtz.

    3. Ghost Ship
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Gyokeres says hi.

  2. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    Did Grealish realise he was going to be warming another bench?

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Strange comment, he's only just signed

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      What? He hasn’t played for ages. He will be nailed, and their most important player, if he finds his enthusiasm again.

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      He's not had a pre-season which is pretty important.

    4. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      no real preseason

      If played at number 10 not on the left wing
      you will see the Grealish of a couple of years
      ago - Spurs should have gone for him anothr
      Gazza

  3. Viper F
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    Come on Ndiaye!

  4. Unknown1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 months, 1 day ago

    Cunha or Mbeumo for Gw3?

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      I think Mbuemo, because of set pieces. But tbf, either one can haul.

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      both 😉

      think mbeumo will spend more time in the box, cunha likes to drop deep. so he probably edges it if you only want 1

    3. NoOneCares
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Gudmundsson looking good.

      • Unknown1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Thanks for reply. Yeah only one for Saka replacement. Edging towards Mbeumo

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 1 day ago

      Who are people starting at the weekend..... Sanchez or Dúbravka?

      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Both will concede IMO, so Sanchez

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          This is like a championship game for Burnley and we all know how good their defence was in the championship last season.

      2. Zalk
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        I'd go Sanchez

      3. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Sels

        Dúbravka on the bench

      4. Hairy Potter
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Ask Zoph

        1. Hairy Potter
          • 10 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Then blame Zoph

        2. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          Never again. He's the reason I'm currently Haaland-less.

          1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
            • 1 Year
            4 months, 1 day ago

            He makes your decisions for you?

    5. martynteresa
        4 months, 1 day ago

        Prediction. Dan Jmaes is going to run Mykolenko ragged and secondly high chance of a penalty because Dan doesnt go for the byline Dan goes straight in towards the penalty so Tark and Myko are going to have a job on their hands

        Penalty for Leeds. The assist Dan James, The taker Prioe

        Dan is good for 8 goals 8 assists this season

        PS I support a club that deosnt like Leeds.

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          4 months, 1 day ago

          lol, Mykolenko isn’t playing

          1. martynteresa
              4 months, 1 day ago

              oops, didnt check the everton line up but whoever is LB has a problem lol

              1. martynteresa
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Bogle back from inury too on that same side

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            2-1 to Leeds United?

            1. Bluetiger1
              • 3 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              half prediction I agree if Leeds win with your score AC/DC AFC

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              I would like Leeds CS and Piroe goal

              1. Bluetiger1
                • 3 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                (same with clean sheet)) FPL reasons only I would like Personally but with Rodon getting an assist or
                goal on top - really horrible GW1

          3. Bluetiger1
            • 3 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            My prediction depending this evening game Leeds United v Everton
            which do you feel

            a. Leeds win 2 v 1

            or

            b. Everton away win 0 v 3 (Beto two goals)

          4. MarcusAurelius
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 1 day ago

            Free hit or wild card this week?

            On 73 after Bench Boost with KDH to play. Plan was to free hit GW2 but now I’m thinking wild card to keep hold of the price rises. Already brought in Semenyo and Ekitike just need to decide which chip to play.

            Current team for GW3 if I do free hit

            Sels (Areola)
            VDV Cucu Frimpong (DeCuyper) (Diouf)
            Salah Reijnders Palmer KDH (PMSarr)
            Watkins Bowen Wood

            Or pick a new starting 11 and roll with it with a wild card? Would lose price rises on Ekitike and Semenyo and soon to be Haaland it seems

            1. Bluetiger1
              • 3 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              play wildcard GW2 keep price changes

              GW4 possible after the International break - Free Hit

              Nice team

              1. Kiwivillan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                If it's a nice team then WC is stoopid just for sake of a couple of price rises.

                1. MarcusAurelius
                  • 9 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  It was always my plan to get bench boost out the way and then use either free hit or wildcard. I get your point though. Bit late now Iv made the transfers and I’m not taking a hit

                  1. Boxwoods
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    WC more important to preserve than FH in my view. I would sooner FH.

                2. Bluetiger1
                  • 3 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Fair shout

              2. MarcusAurelius
                • 9 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Thanks man. I’m leaning more towards wild card. Possibly with Haaland and Salah

                1. Bluetiger1
                  • 3 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Already played GW2 Wildcard - disaster GW2 & gone with Salah & Haaland as cannot do any worse

            2. MarcusAurelius
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Would lose price rises if I free hit I mean*

            3. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Neither

          5. Miracle brown
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Hello

              1. panda07
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                It's good to be back........

            • Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Wood rising tonight

              1. The Bandit
                • 15 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                A FFS classic…

            • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Pulled the Wildcard, currently looks like this

              4.5 Dubravka
              Cucu Porro Muñoz Dorgu Acheampong*
              Salah Semenyo Rogers Reijnders PMSarr
              Haaland Ekitike 4.5

              Which 4.5 GK? Roefs, Petrovic

              Both Spurs boys to be benched against ManC

              1. Robcar24
                • 2 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Like it!

              2. MarcusAurelius
                • 9 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Looks good I’m looking at doing something similar. You not worried about having no Arsenal for next game?

                1. Count of Monte Hristo
                  • 12 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Good point, I would want Saka for Leeds at home but I would definitely want some Arsenal defence long term.

                2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                  • 9 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  I'd totally get some Arsenal players if I was Free Hitting, but for one Gameweek, I'm not sweating not having any. Arsenal hasn't been great

            • g40steve
              • 7 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Leeds will be gassed by HT, all out attack like it

            • riot
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Looking forward to seeing Grealish off the bench this week or next, no great fixture run in the near future but with a little rotation should be a huge differential.

              GW 5-12 isn't terrible if Everton are well coached (which I expect). Pool and Manu playable for sure, Spurs and City

              1. riot
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                * b2b 8 & 9 might be blanks but cheap enough to bench

            • g40steve
              • 7 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Gudmund so close

              1. Bobby Digital
                • 8 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Warming my bench

            • Bobby Digital
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Can't believe I actually own KDH... What was I thinking? Reijnders is only 0.6 more.

              1. The Reptile
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                I know and I had 0.5 itb and switched Milenkovic to Frimp last minute when I could have got Reindeer

            • The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              Everton def looking shaky. Attack poor.

            • grooveymatt65
              • 12 Years
              4 months, 1 day ago

              So this is my team for this week, already done KDH to Reijnders, really can't decide between captaining Watkins or Salah or punting on Evanilson what do people think?

              Sels
              RAN Porro Diouf
              Rogers Palmer Reijnders Salah (c) Wirtz
              Watkins Evanilson
              Dubravka Guiu Tosin Esteve

              0.0 ITB 0ft

              thanks!!

              1. Sting
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Like the Evanilson punt but may be safer to go Salah who has the annoying habit of playing the full 90 and getting late returns

              2. riot
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                I am also an Evanlison owner but I really wouldn't consider capping, I'd rather punt on rogers

            • NoOneCares
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Gudmundsson looking good.

                1. Count of Monte Hristo
                  • 12 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Starting Gudmundsson and Reinildo this week, quite enjoy rolling the dice with 4.0 defenders.

              • The Reptile
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                KDH touched the ball once I think

                1. tutankamun
                  • 16 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  On for 3 baps currently. Lol.

                  1. The Reptile
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    Wtf

                    1. riot
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 15 Years
                      4 months, 1 day ago

                      world class touch

              • g40steve
                • 7 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Everton have gone past half way line, not for long!

              • ash and swanson inc
                • 11 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                I dont normally post teams but wondering which looks best to you lot of experts!

                sels / dubravka
                cash / De Cy / Aina / Alt Nouri / VDV
                Semenyo / Gakpo / Reijndeer / Cunha / Kudus
                Haaland / Wood / Richarlison

                or

                sels / dubravka
                Gudmunsson / De Cy / Aina / 4.5 / VDV
                Semenyo / Rutter / Reijndeer / Salah / PMSarr
                Haaland / Wood / Watkins

                free hitted in 1, always planned to WC in 2 as my trigger finger is too jumpy...

                1. riot
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 15 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Rutter being subbed off early concerned me last week idk if I'd buy

                2. Count of Monte Hristo
                  • 12 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  A looks great, would just change Cash and Richarlison.

                3. The Bandit
                  • 15 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  No experts here.. just residents of the Fantasy Hotel California.

                4. MarcusAurelius
                  • 9 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  B looks good but would downgrade Watkins and upgrade defence

                5. ash and swanson inc
                  • 11 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Cheers for comments! was hoping people would respond as leeds game a bit dull

              • FPL Sanky
                • 2 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                This game has 0-0 written all over it

                1. Magic Zico
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Until somebody making a blunder probably

                2. The Bandit
                  • 15 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Just top left corner for me

              • Freshy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Who are your 3 Leeds players?

                1. g40steve
                  • 7 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Gudmundsen

                2. Royal5
                  • 14 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Yeboah, Cantona, Viduka

                  1. g40steve
                    • 7 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    Showing your age 😉

                    1. The Bandit
                      • 15 Years
                      4 months, 1 day ago

                      Ha, I’d have picked Eddie Gray, Peter Lorimer and Allan Clarke 😆

                      1. g40steve
                        • 7 Years
                        4 months, 1 day ago

                        Ferdinand

                      2. tutankamun
                        • 16 Years
                        4 months, 1 day ago

                        Bremner, Hunter, Jordan

                        1. The Bandit
                          • 15 Years
                          4 months, 1 day ago

                          Thugs

                3. DeSelby
                  • 3 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Cantona, Giles, and Bremner.

                4. Count of Monte Hristo
                  • 12 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Radebe, Kelly, Kewell

              • g40steve
                • 7 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                That was out?

                1. tutankamun
                  • 16 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Only by a metre. Play on.

                2. keefy59
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  I could see that first time .
                  Watching it live .

              • Jafooli
                • 13 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Are Everton aware there's another half to the pitch?

                1. Magic Zico
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  Yes, the plan is to play there in the second half

                  1. g40steve
                    • 7 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    Flol

                  2. Jafooli
                    • 13 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    😛

                  3. The Bandit
                    • 15 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    Nice 🙂

                  4. Count of Monte Hristo
                    • 12 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    😆

                    Moyes got it covered.

                  5. Reedy
                    • 15 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    😀

                  6. The Reptile
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 months, 1 day ago

                    Ha ha ha! You're not wrong

              • The Train Driver
                • 10 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                This Ampadu guy looks good. Pretty attacking as well as good for DEFCON. Also on long throws.

              • Count of Monte Hristo
                • 12 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                DCL at Leeds now, unsure if he adds much to their squad. Serious lack of goals for a striker.

                1. g40steve
                  • 7 Years
                  4 months, 1 day ago

                  & speed vs injuries

              • Thanos
                • 4 Years
                4 months, 1 day ago

                Leeds look like a team which will huff and puff a lot but won’t score. Just like last time they were in PL?