Dugout Discussion
17 January 2026 634 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    11 hours, 39 mins ago

    O'Reilly in the XI. Dorgu and Rodon on the bench. Classic FPL.

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      11 hours, 31 mins ago

      Who knew that, instead of playing Bench Boost, I should have just benched Foden, Haaland and Semenyo 😀

  2. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 38 mins ago

    understat given bruno 1.94 xA, going back through his years at United dont think i can see one match where its been higher

  3. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    11 hours, 34 mins ago

    Burnley pushing

  4. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    11 hours, 32 mins ago

    No Saka in the XI today. GW going from bad to worse ffs.

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 31 mins ago

      damn really 🙁

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 30 mins ago

      Delicious

    3. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 29 mins ago

      Dorgu looking better to come on!

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        11 hours, 27 mins ago

        Is Saka not on the bench?

        1. Philosopher's Stones
          • 5 Years
          11 hours, 26 mins ago

          He is.

        2. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          11 hours, 21 mins ago

          Yes but unlikely to come on if game won

    4. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 4 mins ago

      Good god, was worried about that after the midweek game

  5. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    11 hours, 32 mins ago

    Of course, it's on the day I bring in Van de Ven that West Ham remember where the opponent's net is.

  6. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 32 mins ago

    sanchez keeping chelsea in it

  7. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 32 mins ago

    Neto's a lightweight

  8. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 31 mins ago

    Sanchez saves close range Scade

  9. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 30 mins ago

    Wirtz 😎

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 29 mins ago

      Dial up?

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        11 hours, 28 mins ago

        Just seen as I was out

      2. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 hours, 20 mins ago

        Carrier pigeon

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      11 hours, 27 mins ago

      Glad I kept the armband on him as opposed to switching to Ekitike (which I simply forgot to do, lol).

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 26 mins ago

        You don't deserve the points 😛

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 14 Years
          11 hours, 19 mins ago

          Jammy captain points are always the tastiest 😉

    3. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 25 mins ago

      Running the game today

  10. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    11 hours, 29 mins ago

    Come on Thiago! Stop being a troll. I bought you back after scoring those 5 goals..

  11. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    11 hours, 26 mins ago

    Bowen Y

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      11 hours, 24 mins ago

      And now Wilson, too.

      1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 9 Years
        11 hours, 18 mins ago

        I own both 🙂

  12. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    11 hours, 25 mins ago

    what the hell no saka??

    apology to the person i told with full conviction that he would start. didnt see this one coming at all

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      11 hours, 23 mins ago

      yup benched

  13. Sandy Ravage
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 25 mins ago

    Still gutted that I benched Saka for Cherki

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 25 mins ago

      Saka ain't starting mate

      1. Sandy Ravage
        • 9 Years
        11 hours, 23 mins ago

        he could still come on off the bench and get more points than Cherki

  14. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 25 mins ago

    Tosin coming off

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      11 hours, 25 mins ago

      Gnashers Off

  15. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    11 hours, 23 mins ago

    I told y’all. Saka is a bum pick. Glad I got rid for a hit

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 22 mins ago

      Don't ya sleep, mate...

      1. PartyTime
        • 4 Years
        11 hours, 21 mins ago

        Saka owner by chance? Ouch! I know how that feels

  16. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    11 hours, 23 mins ago

    GW from hell, this.

    1. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      11 hours, 21 mins ago

      Lucifer’s finest

  17. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 22 mins ago

    Foden -> Bruno now or wait until GW24 and risk being priced out? Will have 0.2 margin after tonight.

  18. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 22 mins ago

    has it got to the point arteta thinks madueke is like 90% as good as Saka? saka doesnt need another rest

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      11 hours, 20 mins ago

      yes got to be. inter is a dead rubber for arsenal. if saka starts that one its another trossard martinelli situation

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 20 mins ago

      Probably not 90%. May be around 87.23%. But yeah, he's a good enough deputy for Saka.

  19. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 hours, 21 mins ago

    Is Saka carrying an injury?

    1. Shteve
      • 16 Years
      11 hours, 19 mins ago

      Yes, since 1957

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 19 mins ago

        Ty

        1. Shteve
          • 16 Years
          11 hours, 17 mins ago

          Truth

  20. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 21 mins ago

    Jan 13 - Arteta update on Mosquera: 'Evolving really well, but they're not training yet, so they're still a few weeks away.'

    Mosquera on the bench today...

  21. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    11 hours, 20 mins ago

    Konate lolzz

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 19 mins ago

      What? What?

      1. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        11 hours, 17 mins ago

        Hit it straight to his keeper and lucky for him Alisson saved it

  22. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    11 hours, 20 mins ago

    I don't think I've ever brought in VdV on a week in which he hauled. This doesn't look like changing it.

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 19 mins ago

      I hate owning him

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

      I have benched him every single haul without fail

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      11 hours, 17 mins ago

      I sold him right after he scored 23 points on my bench. Knew he's such a trouble to own

  23. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 19 mins ago

    Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams, Sangaré, Anderson, Domínguez, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus

    Subs: Gunn, Morato, Savona, Luiz, Yates, McAtee, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Hutchinson

    Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Madueke, Gyökeres, Martinelli

    Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Merino, Saka, Jesus, Trossard, Havertz

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      11 hours, 18 mins ago

      Saka...

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        11 hours, 16 mins ago

        Benched!

  24. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    11 hours, 19 mins ago

    Liverpool CS wipeout...

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 hours, 18 mins ago

      The number of WCs with Liverpool triple ups was amazing. Awful picks the lot of them

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        11 hours, 16 mins ago

        Brilliant

  25. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 19 mins ago

    Edwards the man

  26. F4L
    • 11 Years
    11 hours, 19 mins ago

    lol burnley goal

  27. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 19 mins ago

    Burnley goal lmao

  28. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    11 hours, 18 mins ago

    I mean, I wouldn't totally hate it if Burnley were to score a leveler here...

    ...oh.

  29. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    11 hours, 18 mins ago

    Burnley goal ffs

  30. TheBiffas
    • 5 Years
    11 hours, 18 mins ago

    Slot out Alonso in