Dugout Discussion

Fabianski and Phillips fit to start as West Ham face Leeds

West Ham United will attempt to once again reduce the gap between themselves and a UEFA Champions League qualification spot to two points when they face Leeds United in east London tonight.

Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 20:00 GMT.

Chelsea were victorious over Everton in the early-evening fixture, leaving the Hammers five points adrift with two games in hand.

West Ham have won seven of their 10 Premier League matches this calendar year, scoring 17 goals in the process; only the two Manchester clubs have netted more.

Inconsistency has dogged Leeds’ otherwise commendable first season back in the top flight, with Marcelo Bielsa’s troops unable to string together more than two wins on the bounce.

There is plenty of interest in this fixture from a Fantasy perspective, with three players on each side owned by 10% of FPL bosses or more.

Patrick Bamford (£6.8m) features in more than one in two Fantasy squads going into tonight’s game, while Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m) remains FPL’s most-owned defender.

On the team news front, there are two changes for the hosts.

Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) is fit again and replaces stand-in Darren Randolph (£4.3m), who himself is unavailable through injury.

Said Benrahma (£6.0m) comes in for Ben Johnson (£3.9m) as the Hammers change shape to a back four.

Bielsa has made only one alteration following his side’s defeat by Aston Villa last time out.

Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) is back following his recent lay-off, replacing budget FPL defender Pascal Struijk (£4.0m) in the middle of the park.


Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Costa, Roberts, Klich, Raphinha, Bamford.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Fornals, Lingard, Benrahma, Antonio.

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1,234 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gross Blank Point
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm getting no return from Raphina aren't I? To go with Digne in the earlier game.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Some ya win some ya lose.

    2. not_astarte
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      forgot Antonio is still playing.

  2. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Blantonio

  3. BeWater
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Benhrama is so selfish. Has no intention to ever pass.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This is so true. He just runs straight into the defence every time??

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Poor man’s Mahrez

    3. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mahrez v2.0

    4. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lamela 2.0

    5. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It is the show off mentality unfortunately with skillful players from North Africa. As is with Mahrez, sometimes Trezeguet, .. etc

  4. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Game off
    Meghan interview on

    Joking

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You tease. You know you’re watching it.

    2. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Guy in my auction league, his team name was 'Meghan Markle's Muff'.

  5. Tcheco
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How is Antonio playing?

    1. Says
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      with dangerously high short legs

    2. The VAR Team
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No ones willing to pass to him

    3. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hold up play been good. Nothing clear cut for him though but with Leeds that could come in an instant.

    4. BeWater
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doesn't really matter. Lingard and Benhrama are never going to pass him the ball. Just going to shoot every chance they get and ignore every Antonio run.

    5. Tcheco
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Well that sucks

  6. Vazza
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to bench next week

    A. Antonio (Man U)
    B. Watkins (New)

    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Antonio

    2. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Watkins

    3. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      if you aint playing Watkins vs Newcastle when will you?

      1. Vazza
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        For the BGW

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        After his yearly visit to Specsavers?

  7. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    That Rudiger no show is the jammiest 14 points Ill ever get. Ive probably used up all my luck for the season now

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Share that jam brotha

  8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    tyler roberts tc fail

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      At least they're back up to 11 men now.

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      OK boomer.

    3. FPL DONKEY
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Unlucky mate. That was a good shout.

  9. not_astarte
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    when was the last time bamford scored?

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      5th minute of the match.

  10. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Cresswell range

  11. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Set piece

  12. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Corner is better than a pen for West Ham tbf 😆

  13. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Raph goal denied by Fab

  14. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Flappy...

  15. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Cresswell max points again for taking some corners

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      & Bamford finishing.

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Heard some calls for him to be in the England squad. All he does is take a good corner. By that logic Phil Jones should be in with a shout.

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He takes a good corner.
        What does Phil Jones do on a football pitch that it good?

        1. FPL DONKEY
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Make up the numbers

    3. TOPCAT1960
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Assist, CS, AttackingThreat....the list is endless mate

  16. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    oh Raph

  17. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm getting triggered by all these close calls.

  18. djman102
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This is going to be another one of those games where Raphinha gets 2 points, but should have about 20, isn't it?

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Feels that way. I desperately need a Leeds goal

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I feel sick.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Triple mid table team. Were getting what we deserve. Nothing.

    3. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I desperately need a Bamford goal

  19. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Those 14 points last on my bench sure are an eyesore...

  20. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Watching this game with Raphinha Bam and Antonio is pure agony. Switching off now, that'll show them!

  21. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    West Ham CS fully locked in!

    1. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Praying to the jinx gods?

  22. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    The way he's playing, it'll be disappointing to come away with a blank after doing Barnes>Raphinha.

  23. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Strike 1

  24. not_astarte
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    imagine having, DCL, salah, Watkins,digne,dallas and Pope this GW.

    1. Ode
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Have them all, half on the bench though

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Try:

      Cancelo, Dias, Dunk, Salah, Gundogan (c), Raphina, Bamford, DCL - yes that is 9 blanks

      1. Brehmeren
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Three of those still have a game to play

        1. FPL DONKEY
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          They'll get benched I'm sure

          1. Brehmeren
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Probably.

        2. Old Bull
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Pretty sure we won’t see all three

          1. Brehmeren
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yep, I expect the worst.

    3. Brehmeren
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Try Digne, Pereira, Mount, Vardy, DCL for at grand total of 7 points.

  25. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Customary 3 BAPs for Cresswell

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's so annoying.

      1. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        His first haul I’ve not had!

  26. Don Kloppeone
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    3x defs in my starting XI = 3pts
    2x defs on my bench = 20pts

    Hatred burns

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dallas, Dias, Cancelo - Shaw & Aina

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Dias, Stones, Dallas (Shaw, Coufal)

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tough.. but you picked the right 3 if its any consolation.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Haha in what way were they right?!

        1. jason_ni
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I mean, its easy to say after the fact, but playing the 2 city, and dallas ahead of coufal and shaw was the right selection.

          I have awb last on my bench, not quite as bad as shaw tho!

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Just one of those weeks for me

            Bruno out for Son
            Shaw 3rd on bench
            Coufal CS on bench
            Capped Gundo (could be ok)
            My big differential Lingard gets a YC and pen miss

            It’s a good story 😆

            1. jason_ni
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Lingard is rough!

              Some bad luck there..

              I punted on salah for capt, which went as well as I thought it would. Kane vc 🙁

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                It’s been such a rollercoaster this season

                I haven’t got higher than I was in GW19!

                One step forwards, two steps back!

  27. JBG
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Please Bamford.. 1 goal or 1 assist, all I ask for.

  28. Vazza
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to bench next week

    A. Antonio (Man U)
    B. Watkins (New).

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      NewC must be the fixture for Ollie?

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  29. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    2nd counter that JLingz has shown his true quality.

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He had the right energy at least.

      1. Rainer
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        +xE

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He can't pass the ball

  30. not_astarte
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    don't worry mates, next gameweek will be a week of redemption.