Wednesday Dugout Discussion

Gameweek 22 is brought a conclusion at Stamford Bridge tonight as Chelsea face off against Southampton in a 7.45 kick-off. The interest of Fantasy managers depends so much on Rafa Benitez’s teamsheet with the likes of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, David Luiz and Demba Ba all vulnerable to rotation having started Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing of Stoke at the Britannia. With big investment in those assets ahead of the Gameweek, their new owners are reliant on Rafa granting them minutes, if not starts, in tonight’s encounter with the Saints. I can tell you already, in the main, the news is good.

Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open to discuss the fallout from Rafa’s rotation policy and capture your thoughts throughout the game.

Thankfully, it seems that our fears of major rotation were unfounded. Benitez starts with the crop of Gameweek 22 transfer targets, making just two changes to the side that begun Saturday’s encounter. Gary Cahill returns after missing the Stoke victory following the birth of his child, while Oscar is drafted into an attacking starting XI. Ryan Bertrand makes way, along with Branislav Ivanovic: the top owned Chelsea defender misses his first league outing since Gameweek 12. The other disappointment is the deployment of David Luiz in defence, as John Terry is again named amongst the subs. Fernando Torres joins him on the bench once again.

It’s the Southampton lineup that perhaps provides the major surprises, as both Gaston Ramirez and Rickie Lambert are dropped to the bench to make way for Steven Davis and Guly Do Prado. Nigel Adkins looks to have firmed up his midfield, then and can call on Luke Shaw at left-back, despite the young defender suffering a gashed leg in the win at Villa.