Dugout Discussion
17 January 2026 634 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

Five more Premier League matches to come now, following on from the Manchester derby:

James Palmer

TEAM NEWS

Having missed out in Gameweeks 20 and 21, and then made an appearance off the bench in the FA Cup, Hugo Ekitike is back in the Liverpool starting XI today.

Arne Slot’s side shows two changes from the goalless draw at the Emirates, with Ekitike and Curtis Jones in for the injured Conor Bradley and the benched Alexis Mac Allister.

As for Burnley, Scott Parker prefers Axel Tuanzebe and Jaidon Anthony to Josh Laurent and Hannibal Mejbri.

And after sitting on the sidelines for both of Chelsea’s cup matches over the last week, Reece James and Cole Palmer are passed fit to start.

Liam Delap is only fit enough for bench duty after illness, while Wesley Fofana is also among the substitutes as his minute management continues.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews almost goes with the same XI that beat Sunderland, instead preferring Mikkel Damsgaard to Keane Lewis-Potter.

On Wearside, Regis Le Bris reacts to that aforementioned 3-0 pummelling by handing starts to Reinildo, Romaine Mundle and Noah Sadiki. Simon Adingra, Lutsharel Geertruida and Chris Rigg are the fall guys.

Crystal Palace are without the City-bound Marc Guehi, of course, while Jaydee Canvot drops to the bench. Chris Richards and Jefferson Lerma are the new additions compared to Gameweek 21.

Leeds United are without the absent Jaka Bijol and Anton Stach this afternoon, so in come Jayden Bogle and Noah Okafor. There’s a change between the posts, too, with Karl Darlow recalled for the under-fire Lucas Perri.

Fulham’s Marco Silva brings in Sasa Lukic and Ryan Sessegnon for Tom Cairney and Issa Diop.

Finally, in north London, there’s a debut for Conor Gallagher.

Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert and Archie Gray are the other new additions from the last Premier League game. Djed Spence and Lucas Bergvall are subs, while Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur are both out.

West Ham are again without Lucas Paqueta but they hand a full debut to Pablo Felipe, one of their January signings.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sánchez, James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernández, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Pedro.

Subs: Jörgensen, Badiashile, Hato, Fofana, Acheampong, Santos, Delap, George, Guiu.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Henry, Janelt, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Schade, Igor Thiago.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Van Den Berg, Pinnock, Nelson, Ouattara, Lewis-Potter, Donovan, Furo,


Fulham XI: Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson, Lukić, Berge, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Sessegnon, Jiménez.

Subs: Lecomte, Diop, Amissah, Reed, Cairney, King, Traoré, Kusi Asare, Kevin.

Leeds United XI: Darlow, Bogle, Justin, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Gruev, Ampadu, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.

Subs: Perri, Bornauw, Byram, Longstaff, Tanaka, Buonanotte, Piroe, Nmecha, Gnonto.


Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Konaté, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Robertson, Ramsay, Endo, Mac Allister, Nyoni, Chiesa, Ngumoha.

Burnley XI: Dúbravka, Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Humphreys, Pires, Edwards, Ugochukwu, Luis, Anthony, Broja.

Subs: Weiss, Hartman, Ekdal, Mejbri, Laurent, Bruun Larsen, Foster, Tchaouna, Barnes.


Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fée, Mundle, Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, Cirkin, Geertruida, Neil, Rigg, O’Nien, Mayenda, Isidor, Adingra.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Lerma, Devenny, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Johnson, Yéremy Pino, Mateta.

Subs: Matthews, Benítez, Clyne, Canvot, Sosa, Imray, Riad, Uche, Drakes-Thomas.


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Davies, Gallagher, Gray, Odobert, Simons, Tel, Kolo Muani.

Subs: Kinsky, Drăgușin, Danso, Udogie, Spence, Bissouma, Bergvall, Solanke, Scarlett.

West Ham United XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Scarles, Souček, Fernandes, Bowen, Pablo, Summerville, Castellanos.

Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Igor, Mayers, Rodríguez, Potts, Kante, Wilson.

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 (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:


price change predictions
634 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    11 hours, 42 mins ago

    Come on Ekitike! I need a haul mate!

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 39 mins ago

      Wish I kept (c) on him, the Haaland masses scared me off...

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        11 hours, 36 mins ago

        I've gone against Haaland loads last couple of months and it hasn't really paid off - even when he's blanked.

        Today (like all those other days) feels different.

        1. sminkypinky
          • 14 Years
          11 hours, 35 mins ago

          I really hope you’re right.

  2. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 41 mins ago

    May just sell Foden For BrunoF today, don't care if he plays WOL

    1. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      11 hours, 36 mins ago

      Same boat. If i knew he’s going to start I’d keep. O’Reilly needs to go too.

    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      11 hours, 14 mins ago

      I feel like doing the same for Mbeumo.

  3. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 39 mins ago

    Lovely Bruno 10-pointer at 9% EO before everyone jumps on

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 35 mins ago

      You love to see it. Bruno non owners don't understand football

    2. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      11 hours, 35 mins ago

      Nice!

    3. Babit1967
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 27 mins ago

      I was advocating for Foden to Bruno start of the week and then didn’t do it - Doh, but I did bench Foden so I’ll take that as a win lol

      1. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 hours, 21 mins ago

        Sometimes it's not what you do but what you don't do that makes or breaks a gameweek.

    4. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 24 mins ago

      Was lovely

    5. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      11 hours, 19 mins ago

      Couldn't get to him for this week, but he's in now.

      In hindsight, Bruno will always repay a hit.

  4. FC Hakkebøf
    • 8 Years
    11 hours, 38 mins ago

    Bruno essentiel again. Not for gw23 but definetely for gw24. United looked good today. Dorgu deserves to keep his spot on the wing and he hopefully will.

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 35 mins ago

      Always was..

  5. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 36 mins ago

    top 5 race this season is going to be very fun

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 25 mins ago

      2 to 5 you mean

  6. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 34 mins ago

    Nerds who sold Cunha due to rumors 10 minutes before deadline punished

    1. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 25 mins ago

      I moved him to first bench.

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 11 mins ago

      I sold for Bruno 😎

  7. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 34 mins ago

    gallagher watch

    1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      11 hours, 32 mins ago

      He feels like a lesser (FPL) version of Rice or Szob?

  8. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    11 hours, 27 mins ago

    Congratulations to Arsenal on winning the Premier League.

  9. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 26 mins ago

    Any fellow Saka captainers?

    He hasn’t done a lot of hauling but would be nice today, especially with Haaland blanking.

  10. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    11 hours, 26 mins ago

    Dorgu on bench:/

    1. Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
      • 3 Years
      11 hours, 16 mins ago

      I don't think many serious FPL players started him today. For sure some will get jammy bench points but my guess is most are in the same position

  11. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    11 hours, 24 mins ago

    Any chance of Alderete being injured on the warm up so Dorgu can come off my bench please

    1. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      10 hours, 40 mins ago

      As much chance as you getting hit by a car today

  12. All Hail K
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 hours, 23 mins ago

    Anyone quadruple up on ManC?

    1. Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
      • 3 Years
      11 hours, 21 mins ago

      Soon to be a quintuple up with Guehi

      1. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 hours, 17 mins ago

        Now that would be cheeky.

  13. Triple Free Bench Hit Boost
    • 3 Years
    11 hours, 23 mins ago

    No Guehi in Palace team. Does that mean the deal is already wrapped up?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 22 mins ago

      It is.

  14. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    11 hours, 22 mins ago

    James starting means Dorgu bench is nailed. Crap.

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 20 mins ago

      Might outscore him tbf, that’s how I’m looking at it with Gabriel, Senesi and Andersen ahead of him.

      Being positive and all that.

    2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 20 mins ago

      Need timber or gab not to feature

  15. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 19 mins ago

    Sold Cunha

    Benched Dorgu

    United fan so idgaf

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      11 hours, 17 mins ago

      Enjoy your weekend!

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 hours, 16 mins ago

      Captained Haaland instead of Ekitike too?

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 hours, 16 mins ago

        Oh yes, add that one in there

        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 hours, 15 mins ago

          lol

      2. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 hours, 15 mins ago

        Still DGAF tho

    3. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 15 mins ago

      Get the contract out

    4. Gerry Hattrick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 6 mins ago

      Same here!

  16. el polako
    • 8 Years
    11 hours, 16 mins ago

    Who needs to go first Cunha or Foden?

    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 hours, 14 mins ago

      Foden vs Wolves, think you got to give him next week.

      1. Sgt. Schultz
        • 9 Years
        11 hours, 13 mins ago

        but will Pep give him that

        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 hours, 9 mins ago

          I Don't think Pep is not going to overhaul just because of today. But I definitely know what you're saying.

          1. All Hail K
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            11 hours, 8 mins ago

            Sorry for the double negative, think he won't overhaul.

      2. el polako
        • 8 Years
        11 hours, 13 mins ago

        I may give him one more week, not so sure Pep will though…

  17. FplmorelikeFml
    • 1 Year
    11 hours, 16 mins ago

    Guys, just want to say Haaland was the sound captain choice. If the scoreline was reversed, everyone would have piled on about how crap Man U is and loading up on Man City assets was the right choice. This result was quite a fluke in my opinion. Regardless, Ekitike still has to haul first and he might blank, so captaining him may not have been the right call too.

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 15 mins ago

      And if my Grandma had wheels, she'd be a car

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        11 hours, 14 mins ago

        This...

        If Haaland had been in the winning team and scored he'd have looked like the right captain pick.

      2. FplmorelikeFml
        • 1 Year
        11 hours, 5 mins ago

        Just helping some to cope on here, seeing a lot of rage posts especially about haaland!

    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      11 hours, 12 mins ago

      Pep just said the better team won. Hardly flukey.

    3. REDMOND IN SANDALS
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 11 mins ago

      LMAO

  18. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 12 mins ago

    again silly -4 bps for goals conceded otherwise donna would've fairly got 1 bonus which he deserved. please please remove it 🙂

  19. ididnt
    • 14 Years
    11 hours, 9 mins ago

    Can anyone console me after benching Dorgu? Feel like this is the worst season I’ve had in years. Can’t catch a break.

    1. Gerry Hattrick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 7 mins ago

      Exactly the same here. Badly needed those points.

      1. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 hours, 5 mins ago

        Love the name

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 hours, 7 mins ago

      I am going to use my Give A Hug chip for you.

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 7 mins ago

      No need to console you, it was the correct call at the time

      1. ididnt
        • 14 Years
        11 hours, 5 mins ago

        Actually made me feel better. Thanks. I’m being beaten in my work ML by someone who’s never played before and hasn’t touched their team all season. Them’s the breaks I guess.

    4. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 6 mins ago

      *hugs*

    5. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 5 mins ago

      It happens. Doubt it was a 50-50 call for you. Folks do randomly haul when on the bench.

    6. FPL DONKEY
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 4 mins ago

      Pretty much no-one would've started Dorgu today.
      His value will go up.
      He has great fixtures from GW24

    7. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 3 mins ago

      Know the feeling, I’ve got him 3rd on bench this week, and past few weeks have also benched El Kroupi hauls!

      Don’t worry, it’s a sign you’ve got a cracking 15!

      1. ididnt
        • 14 Years
        11 hours, 2 mins ago

        Thanks folks

  20. FPL DONKEY
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 5 mins ago

    Pretty much no-one would've started Dorgu today.
    His value will go up.
    He has great fixtures from GW24.

    1. FPL DONKEY
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 5 mins ago

      Reply fail.

  21. FPL DONKEY
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 5 mins ago

    Hardly anyone would've started Dorgu today.
    His value will go up.
    He has great fixtures from GW24.

    1. FPL DONKEY
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 4 mins ago

      Yes I'm a boomer.

  22. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 4 mins ago

    Anyone watching Liverpool
    Is Frimpong playing at right back or right wing ?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 8 Years
      10 hours, 55 mins ago

      right back

      1. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        10 hours, 50 mins ago

        Frimpong owner here I took a punt on him
        Hopefully Szoboszlai moves to right back if it stays 0-0

  23. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 2 mins ago

    Playing %ages

  24. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    11 hours, 1 min ago

    Tosin starting today. Think he will be nailed on now?

  25. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    11 hours ago

    Congratulations Ekitike captainers.

  26. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    10 hours, 58 mins ago

    Pen shout at Chels

  27. Gudjohnsen
    • 8 Years
    10 hours, 58 mins ago

    How's Chelsea looking?

  28. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    10 hours, 57 mins ago

    Come on Palmer, you’ve got to do well in your audition to get into my team next week!

  29. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    10 hours, 55 mins ago

    Hammers G

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      10 hours, 54 mins ago

      Summerville

    2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      10 hours, 54 mins ago

      ffs, well at least I dont have any Spurs

  30. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    10 hours, 54 mins ago

    Yess

    VDV non owner