Dugout Discussion
8 January 2026 582 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Gameweek 21 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) concludes at the Emirates Stadium, where Liverpool must face Arsenal without Hugo Ekitike (£9.0m)

It’s a huge clash between the league’s leaders and reigning champions.

TEAM NEWS

For the second successive match, Ekitike hasn’t made Liverpool’s squad because of a hamstring issue. Get your autosubs ready!

Arne Slot’s only change from the weekend brings in Jeremie Frimpong (£5.7m) for Curtis Jones (£5.4m), allowing Florian Wirtz (£8.2m) to keep starting.

Whereas tonight’s hosts have made two alterations to the victorious XI versus Bournemouth. Bukayo Saka (£10.2m) and Leandro Trossard (£6.9m) replace Noni Madueke (£6.8m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£6.8m), who join the likes of Eberechi Eze (£7.3m) and Mikel Merino (£5.7m) on a strong bench.

Arsenal are still without Riccardo Calafiori (£5.6m), as the Reds don’t have Mohamed Salah (£14.0m) or Alexander Isak (£10.3m).

LINE-UPS

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Subs: Kepa, White, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Norgaard, Madueke, Merino, Jesus, Martinelli  

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Frimpong, Wirtz, Gakpo

Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha, Jones, Chiesa 


price change predictions

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

582 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Lanley Staurel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    Both teams no adventure.

  2. Lallana_
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    This might be one of the worst title wins. First time fans stood up all match is for their corner.
    Martinelli also needs to relax a bit, you're not that guy.

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Aye!

  3. jacksonbarber125
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    Hincapie, O'Reilly, James, and Cherki all with 1 point and less than 60 minutes for me. I had Wilson and Wolte on the bench...

  4. NZREDS
    • 12 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    Rice 1 short of DEFCON - niggly

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      3....

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Hes 3 short

      1. NZREDS
        • 12 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Oh sorry, indeed!

  5. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    What a crappy no energy game. 1 player getting Def Con says everyting you need to know about the approach the teams had today,

    Arteta is a cancer on football

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Worst vibes of Allegrismo

    2. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Gyokeres is up there with Arsenal's worst signing's ever.

      1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Havertz?

  6. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    I would be finały in the top 100k but gambled on Heaven over VVD lol

  7. Supersonic_
    • 4 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    Saka owners what you doing? Was a nervous watch. Sold him for Palmer already (hopefully he'll start firing soon)..

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      May just keep, don't think Palmer is that hot right now

      1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Agree

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Keeping. Looked ok. Palmer placeholder for now.

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      They are two sides of the same coin - overpriced for what they return

    4. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Might as well just keep, I wouldn’t know who to switch him to. Nobody apart from Wilson stands out much

    5. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Keeping until my other fires are out

    6. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Palmer? He's been worse than Saka. I would go for Rice or the two Bruno's. I'm keeping Saka for one more week.

      1. Supersonic_
        • 4 Years
        1 day, 22 hours ago

        I went early on Palmer... to facilitate Gabriel. I plan to Go Rice and Gab for the foreseeable. Plan to get Bruno F in shortly.

        1. Ignasi M
          • 8 Years
          1 day, 22 hours ago

          Oh Yeah Gabriel is a must. he almost scored the winner at the death. The only match winner Arsenal have. I'll probably shift Saka to Rice next game week.

    7. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Swapping him for rice, weeks ago

    8. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Think il move him to Bruno soon and get timber, have rice and gabby

  8. RICICLE
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    Worst. Match. Ever.

    1. Voronins Pony Tail
      • 2 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Because it’s the start of the bottle job era?

      1. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        1 day, 22 hours ago

        I’ve no idea, I don’t even know if what I just watched can be considered football.

  9. Voronins Pony Tail
    • 2 Years
    1 day, 22 hours ago

    Martinelli should get a 10 game ban. Cretin. So Arsenal.

    1. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Horrible human being, absolutely no regard for a fellow professional

    2. I have no Wirtz
        1 day, 22 hours ago

        I am disgusted. Did not know Martinelli was so full of entitlement and disrespect. Bradley ankle looked very bad.

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Oh well. Rubbish football but it's a green arrow and I'm so close I can smell the five figure ranks. Enjoy your weekend off lads!

    4. 2EyedTurk
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      I know Saka isn't up to much this season, bit just had a look at his history. Last time he had less than 3pts.... GW6!!

      1. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        1 day, 22 hours ago

        This is what's made him difficult to transfer out. He does produce pretty much every game week, it's just he's expensive for weekly assists.

      2. Utopsis
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        He is absolutely not a priority sell for me, as I'm not short on cash to make my other moves.

        But Rice is proving time and time again to be a better value pick so he will probably go on WC.

    5. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Why dud gabriel lose bps? Missed chance?

      1. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        1 day, 22 hours ago

        Yeah, annoyingly.

        1. GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          1 day, 22 hours ago

          Yes that knocked me out the cup last touch of the game

        2. Stranger Mings
          • 5 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          So gets in good position to nearly score then gets penalised

          1. GENERATION X
            • 12 Years
            1 day, 21 hours ago

            Big chance missed

    6. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      I benched Van Dijk and he gets a cleanie..skill issue

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 22 hours ago

        I sat Guéhi (have 3 AVL)

    7. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Pool do get a bonus with Burnley home up next.

    8. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      2FTs Cunha/Dalot -> Wilson/Gabriel or WC?

      Petrovic
      Timber Alderete Guehi
      Saka Foden Rogers Cunha
      Haaland Ekitike DCL

      Dubravka Cherki Thaiw Dalot

      1. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Don't WC

        Consider Enzo with Chelsea fixtures?

        1. _Ninja_
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 19 hours ago

          Yes i like him but would like to see how they get on under a new manager first. cheers

    9. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 22 hours ago

      Anything on Ekitike?

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Missed late fitness? Should play after the break imo

      2. TheBiffas
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Not really but you have to assume he'll be alright for the Burnley game

      3. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        there is an article I read that that said he hadn't trained for the Arsenal game.

    10. Khalico
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 21 hours ago

      Next GW good for BB?

      Roefs
      Lacroix, Thiaw, Gabriel
      Bruno F, Bruno G, Saka, Rice, Palmer
      Thiago, Haaland

      Dubravka, DCL, VdV, Bijol

    11. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 21 hours ago

      Is it the week to do saka to Palmer ? Then I can get Gabriel following week to dle arsenal def with timber?

      1. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Enzo could be better value. Palmer could just be another Saka

    12. hawkeyes
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 21 hours ago

      Which Arsenal trio please?

      A) Saka + Timber + Gabriel (1 FT)
      B) Saka + Rice + Timber (1 FT)
      C) Rice + Timber + Gabriel (2 FT)
      D) Saka + Rice + Gabriel (2 FT)

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        C looks good

      2. MIGHTY JOE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        C

      3. Utopsis
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        A or C

      4. Jimjams
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          C

      5. Vasshin
        • 7 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Probably adding extra 5 defcon points for Timber might be too much of a ask this gameweek 🙂

      6. MIGHTY JOE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        114 pts in total over the last three gameweeks. Absolutely shocking stuff. Wildcard away from this, or go to bed?

        Verbruggen/Dubravka
        Hincapie Gabriel O’Reilly (Andersen Rodon)
        Saka Cunha Gordon Foden Schade
        Haaland Bowen (Marc G)

        1. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          Bowen to Thiago then go to bed 😀

        2. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          Schade!

      7. Bolivian Seaman
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        collins just got upgraded to defcon points, 13 for the gameweek

        1. Utopsis
          • 5 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          My rival is killing me with Kelleher and Collins

      8. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        People at Opta just randomly adding DC to the players they own way after the games are finished. Rigged af. Remove all FPL points that are based on Opta BS

      9. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Haaland to lose bonus? honestly sick of these adjustments, they can go do one. Finalise them right away and stop the teasing and cutting corners. Sick of it.

      10. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 21 hours ago

        Who to buy

        A Palmer
        B bruno

        Who to sell

        1 saka
        2 foden

        Cheers and gl

        1. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          Do you have rice? If not, B2

        2. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          I would.do both even for a hit.

          1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            1 day, 21 hours ago

            Sorry..I'm going to both for free. 🙂

        3. BerryMaze
          • 8 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          B2

        4. I have no Wirtz
            1 day, 21 hours ago

            Both, first A2 then the next week B1

        5. HD7
          • 8 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          Bottomed
          I would really appreciate advices how to get this wreckage back up mates

          1 FT 1.8 ITB

          Pickford
          Timber Mukiele Richards
          Foden Palmer Rogers Wilson
          Haaland Ekitike Bowen

          Dubravka Miley Gudm Esteve

          1. FantasyTony
            • 8 Years
            1 day, 21 hours ago

            Foden and Bowen to Bruno F and Thiago

        6. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          Did Frimpong win a trophy for the dive of the day?

          Or at least something for faking an injury?

          I can't believe I had him in my first GW squad. Totally overrated average.

        7. OptimusBlack
          • 12 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          Question for all Would u do ur transfers today or entire those 10 days or wait till last day before GW 22 ?

          1. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            1 day, 21 hours ago

            Only reason to make early transfer is if youre getting priced out somehow. I have 3m ITB and Im looking at getting players who cost less... price is a non factor this season.

            1. RICICLE
              • 3 Years
              1 day, 21 hours ago

              My midfield would disagree here haha

            2. Baps Hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              1 day, 21 hours ago

              Unfortunately so. Usually I play for high TV or especially high SV, but now it looks worthless. Salah wide thx to Slot, Palmer not good yet and Rice being better than Saka.

              1. I have no Wirtz
                  1 day, 20 hours ago

                  Not to forget DCL and Thiago better than Isak, Watkins, Ekitike, Gyökeres,… to name a few.

          2. Vasshin
            • 7 Years
            1 day, 21 hours ago

            Current team
            Verbuggen
            Timber Gabriel Andersen
            Rice Gordon Rogers Foden
            Bowen Thiago Haaland
            Dubravka Semenyo Oreilly Esteve

            4ft

            If no injury happens in the fa cup. I could basically save FT and bench Semenyo and have four city players for game against wolves(h) after that. But will have to roll over 1 transfer as it can’t get more than 5ft.

            Or should I make one transfer now and I am not sure who to transfer as well?

          3. Nightf0x
            • 10 Years
            1 day, 21 hours ago

            Alison (dub)
            Richards mukiele gabriel (clyne keane)
            Saka rice foden gordon (king)
            Tiago haland watkins

            2ft, which?

            A) saka clyne to wilson timber, bench tiago/richards/mukiele
            B) foden king to enzo wilson, bench tiago
            C) saka king clyne -4 to enzo wilson timber, bench tiago richards/mukiele