Dugout Discussion
3 January 2026 926 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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A chilly Vitality Stadium plays host to the final Premier League match of the day: Bournemouth v Arsenal.

Kick-off on the south coast is at 5.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Andoni Iraola continues to eke out the services of the exit-bound Antoine Semenyo, starting the winger against the Gunners this evening.

It may not even be the Ghanaian international’s swansong in a Bournemouth shirt, with his manager confident, or at least hopeful, of another appearance in Gameweek 21.

Semenyo is part of an unchanged XI following the 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

New signing Fraser Forster, snapped up following Will Dennis‘s injury, is among the substitutes.

Mikel Arteta has sprung a few surprises with his teamsheet, making three alterations.

One sees Declan Rice return from a knee injury and take the place of Mikel Merino in midfield.

The big calls are in attack, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard dropping to the bench.

In come Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli for starts alongside Viktor Gyokeres, who continues to see off the challenge of Gabriel Jesus.

Gabriel Magalhaes starts again at centre-half, fresh from his 15-pointer on Tuesday night. That appearance against Aston Villa marked his first start since Gameweek 11.

LINE-UPS

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Tavernier, Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson.

Subs: Forster, Cook, Soler, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Kroupi, Unal, Rees-Dottin.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

Subs: Kepa, White, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard. Merino, Lewis-Skelly.


LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout this season is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DC) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:


Introducing The Eye Test 2
926 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Rice a much better FPL pick than Saka clearly

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Glad I played him

  2. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Saka lol

  3. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    How on earth did Saka make the predicted line ups on Scout? 😡

    Mikel Arteta has been clearly reluctant to use Bukayo Saka three times a week.

    Every time Arsenal had a three-game week since start of December, he's had at least one game on the bench.

    Brentford (Dec 3), Club Brugge (Dec 10), Palace (Dec 23) and now today - after two starts in last week.

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Looks like the scouts pick don't do their homework and are as clueless as we are.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        The lack of research into this is difficult to excuse.

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Membership abort?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        I cannot express how angry I am. I've screamed into a pillow, smashed a mug and snapped at my nan. I was trying to get my season back on track and now my weekend is ruined.

        1. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          5 days, 1 hour ago

          Scout should take you to psychiatrist

          1. Deer-in-headlights
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 days, 1 hour ago

            To be treated for low frustration tolerance.

        2. MADCHESTER UTD
          • 10 Years
          5 days, 1 hour ago

          Saka can still maybe score off the bench if that helps

          1. chocolove
            • 15 Years
            5 days, 1 hour ago

            But the mug is already broken

        3. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 days, 1 hour ago

          Hope there are no guns in the house.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 days, 1 hour ago

            I've booked a double session with my life coach.

        4. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          5 days, 1 hour ago

          Think your nan would’ve appreciated a screaming or a smashing more than being snapped it. Would leave no doubt as to who’s the real boss.

    3. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      No credit given to Tony for the bits you robbed from him?!

    4. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Virg, you just rob opinions from different sources and play them off against each other. Do you have any opinions of your own?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        Saka had a significant hamstring injury last season and invested heavily in a back-up right winger over the summer. Of course Arteta was going to protect him ahead of Liverpool.

        1. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 days, 1 hour ago

          😆 captain hindsight!

  4. dansmusen
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Van Hecke got defcon last seconds?

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Indeed he did!

      1. dansmusen
        • 8 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        Love that

      2. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        Yay!

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      World cup star this year

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Piled up about 4 of them in the last three minutes.

  5. mad_beer ✅
    • 11 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Of course I sold Rice. I hate FPL

  6. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Gotta love your striker getting DefCon.

    Just score an effin goal will you!

  7. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Let’s go captain Odegaard!!

  8. F4L
    • 11 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    i wouldnt mind Bournemouth somehow being 2-0 up by HT

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Ban

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        but.....saka hattie second half to get the win 😉

        1. Yes Ndidi
          • 6 Years
          5 days, 1 hour ago

          You spelt Gabby wrong

        2. Philosopher's Stones
          • 5 Years
          5 days, 1 hour ago

          F4L for mod!

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Will Semenyo play vs. Spurs on Wednesday?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Possibly

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        Maybe I'll just keep and roll transfer...

    2. mad_beer ✅
      • 11 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      I don't know, but not selling him in GW 15 was one a very few good moves by me.

  10. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Van Hecke bumped to get DEFCON too

    https://x.com/i/status/2007498234940531082

    1. #1 Salah Hater
      • 1 Year
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      He'd better not steal that 3rd bap off Verbrug

    2. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Now they better bump him to get a bonus point as well.

  11. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Gabriel Timber Rice here we go!

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      That's the ideal trio. I have Raya, Timber and Saka...

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        Ouch.. could work next GW

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Gabriel Timber Saka, here we gooo
      *plays sad trombones

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        I'd bring the cello for greater effect

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Its going to hurt me this game, only Hincapie and Saka

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        Ouch. Better luck next time

  12. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    I’ve got Bowen and Sels playing each other next week. Guaranteed points. I’ve stumped FPL with this move.

    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      I heard John miraculously recovered

      1. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        Nice try, but won’t work.

      2. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        *From the embarrassment

  13. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Shout out to the scout for spot the differential, did Senesi to Kadioglu 🙂

  14. Kno
    • 14 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Petrovic to one of these or just save the transfer? No other fires to put put so far at least

    A: sanchez
    B: Roefs

    1. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      I feel so much better getting rid of Peteovic. Do it

  15. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Verbruggen had 3 saves, Burnley had 3 shots on target, fpl says 2, why are we getting scammed?

    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Verbruggen had 2 saves, one shot was saved by Kadioglu.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        5 days, 1 hour ago

        Shot saved by a defender isn't a shot on target though it's a blocked shot. I'm going off Fotmob I wasn't counting during the game, I know I heard two for sure without paying attention.

        1. Captain Mal
          • 1 Year
          5 days, 1 hour ago

          Fotmob says Verbruggen made 2 Saves. I really don't get you.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 11 Years
            5 days, 1 hour ago

            Oh weird it does, my mistake.

    2. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Violence isn't always the answer

    3. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Take the 6 points mate.

  16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Saka >

    A) Cherki
    B) Rice
    C) Gordon

    1. 1zverGGadeM
      • 8 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      B

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      B

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      b

  17. F4L
    • 11 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    gabriel defcon push

  18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Welcome to my team rice

  19. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    This ground is hostile. Cherries well up for this.

  20. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Timber super advanced.

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      15 points incoming

  21. Sandy Ravage
    • 9 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    This game needs more Saka

  22. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Eze still not getting a sniff. Why on earth did Arsenal buy him?

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Because he's a fan, like Carl Jenkinson.

    2. Glasner Ball
      • 13 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Done his England chances no good in World Cup year, would of been playing every game with us.

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Saka to Palmer?

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      No, no.

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Rested and plays Liverpool next. Could be worth keeping.

    3. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Remember, Chelsea have no manager and Palmer is still off it and will be load managed.

  24. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Timber playing upfront with Gyokeres

    1. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Pretty much

  25. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Saka is going to score a goal and assist in a 20min cameo second half and everyone will stop moaning

  26. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Madueke should have scored.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      Yeah that was really poor

  27. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Madueke WTF?!

  28. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Too many steppovers and skyed it.

  29. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Nice, just seen that Bowen got defcon and Verb a bap 🙂

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      silly game

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 days, 1 hour ago

      On the flip side, Bowen unfortunately still plays for West Ham

  30. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    5 days, 1 hour ago

    Fraser Forster... a blast from the past !