Dugout Discussion
26 August 2018 4533 comments
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Eden Hazard (£10.5m) and Mateo Kovacic (£6.0m) make their first starts of the season as Chelsea attempt to win on Tyneside for the first time in the league since 2011/12.

Willian (£7.5m) and Ross Barkley (£6.0m), as would perhaps be expected, are the two men to make way as Maurizio Sarri otherwise rolls out the same team that beat Arsenal last weekend.

Marcos Alonso (£6.6m), who comes into this match on the back of successive double-digit hauls, is now the second-most popular defender in Fantasy Premier League after being bought by 470,266 new managers ahead of Gameweek 3.

Chelsea assets are popular in the Fantasy community after their 100% start to the season: five of their front six (the exception being Kovacic) have been bought by more than 100,000 FPL bosses since the Gameweek 2 deadline passed.

It’s all change in the Newcastle United starting XI, with six alterations to the team that drew 0-0 with Cardiff City. The injured Jamaal Lascelles (£5.0m) and Jonjo Shelvey (£5.5m) are among the players to drop out, while there are starts for new signings Fabian Schar (£4.9m), Federico Fernandez (£4.5m), Ki Sung-yeung (£4.9m) and Salomon Rondon (£5.9m).

Rafael Benitez seems to be rolling out a five-man defence, too, switching from his regular 4-4-1-1 system.

Slavisa Jokanovic has also rung the changes at Craven Cottage, with Ryan Sessegnon (£6.4m) and Fabri (£4.5m) among five players to drop to the bench. Denis Odoi (£4.5m) returns from suspension, while Marcus Bettinelli (£4.5m) is a surprise inclusion between the sticks. Andre Schurrle (£5.9m) also returns.

The Burnley team news is much more straightforward: Sean Dyche has named an unchanged starting XI for the third league match in a row.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic; Pedro, Morata, Hazard

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Ki, Diame, Murphy; Rondon

Fulham XI (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Fosu-Mensah, Le Marchand, Odoi, Bryan; Seri, McDonald, Cairney; Vietto, Schurrle, Mitrovic

Burnley XI (4-5-1): Hart; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward; Westwood, Cork, Gudmundsson, Lennon, Hendrick; Wood

  1. Rash
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Anybody happen to know which players in these matches today are highly owned in the top 10k please?

      1. Rash
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you hopefully not too much pain then with nobody else to play.

    1. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Alonso (34%), Pedro (14%). Nobody else.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Mainly Alonso at 34.9

    3. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Mitrovic a massive differential 🙂

  2. Khark
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Need Harry Kane to save my balls tomorrow.

    1. learnedlizard
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Same man same

    2. learnedlizard
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Need the Harry magic

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      he's coming up against the right team anyway, utd are a shambles

      1. TomSaints
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I actually see a 1-0 united win. Same as last season.

        Just seem to do well against Spurs who haven't exactly been great either.

        1. learnedlizard
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Feels like a Harry banger to me

  3. Stokelona
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    I genuinely almost captained mitro! It’s not the missed points that bother me but just imagine how smug I’d have been if I’d gone through with it!

    1. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I almost captained Aguerro last week.

      1. Stokelona
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Me too, and many more!

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Blessing in disguise

    3. maverickga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I did it ^^

  4. The Mighty Hippo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    just got home from the gym and seen the scores, so apologies in advance for this dial-up but...........Mittttrrrro!! 🙂 He's one of those players that are great to have in your team, always liable to nab a goal or two and exciting to watch even when he blanks.

    I think Newcastle were crazy to get rid of him for Rondon.

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Nah, doesnt suit Rafa's style of play. Selling him was beneficial for both parties.

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I don’t get this. When you have a striker who scores goals, you find a way to suit him in your system. Bonkers to get rid.

    2. Stokelona
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Yeh he’s much better than rondon

    3. Podge
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Personality clash apparently

    4. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      He was acting like a nutter at New, he had to go

  5. Srv210
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    #bottomed
    Aubameyang is really a pain to own now...11.0m striker giving no results , but only reason I have him are the arsenal fixtures ,

    Should I
    A) throw him out
    B) give him one more week, save FT & asses after international break

    1. Futile Tinkering
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Atleast you have a starter. I have Laca who I intend to keep until the Arsenal fixtures turn.

    2. Typo
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      A, 11 mill is expensive for someone who does nothing. Hes not even dangerous

    3. Khark
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Need to look at getting rid. Arsenal disjointed despite fixtures.

      I’m much more comfortable just having Mkhitaryan as my way into the Arsenal attack. 4m cheaper than Aubameyang makes sense

  6. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard and Zaha

    OR

    D Silva and Morata

    Ditching Townsend and wood. Have 6.3 in bank

    Or could ditch Richarlison instead of Townsend

  7. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Cant be too long until Giroud is nailed. 😀

  8. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Newcastle deserved to be relegated playing this kind of pure dross

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      To be fair, Chelsea's slick passing kinda forces you to play like this.

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Ashley's fault

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      What do you expect?

      Play attacking football and get zero points?

  9. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Firmino + Richarlison to Mitro/Wilson+ Hazard is gonna irritate me all week until I do it

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Considering similar

    2. yakirh
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I would do it in a heartbeat

    3. Typo
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      If you can afford that, i would go for it

  10. CYN
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Ederson
    Bailly, Robertson, Mendy
    Hazard, Salah, Rich, Moura
    Ings Kun Arnie

    Skele - AWB - Peltier - Stephens

    Worth a WC?

    Lots of players I wanna clear :/

    Looking at Mitro, Zaha, Alonso, Walcott etc

    1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Defo

    2. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      No. Fix it over 2 weeks with maybe 1 hit.

      1. learnedlizard
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        If I were you I'd wait for the break that's when the tables turn cheers

  11. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard can't be justified with Pedro looking nailed.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Does have pens and all set pieces tho

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        4m in the difference

  12. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Alonso doesn't like crossing?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Because he is bad at it

      1. Fred54
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Dempsey was captain material bruv.

        1. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Replay fail.

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      he is bullshit except when in the box

  13. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else can remember an MLS player doing well in PL? Yedlin has been decent going forward today, just curious.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Rooney did quite well in pl

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Lol, meant MLS to PL, not vica versa.

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Ibrahimovic, Rooney, Henry 😉

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Altidore and BWP were any good?

        1. Differential C (Mark)
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Altidore was okay-ish.

    3. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      McBride, Dempsey

    4. Monkey Hanger
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Fulham forward. Can't remember his name. 🙂

      1. Ragabolly
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Dempsey

        1. Monkey Hanger
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          That's the one. 🙂

    5. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Landon Donavan

    6. tutankamun
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Tim Howard

    7. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Geoff Cameron

    8. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Stu Holden was pretty good for a while.

    9. TheTwelfthMan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Defoe came back from the MLS to do very well for Sunderland.

  14. Monkey Hanger
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Please a Chelsea goal. Not bothered who get the pts. This game is crap.

  15. tm245
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Zola would have scored by now.

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Hell even Chris Sutton.

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      *Ben stiller

  16. Four Hit Wonder
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A point is not worth the disgrace of playing 10-0-0 with 21% possession.

  17. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Alonso, Kante and Azpi never cross when out wide.

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Huge problem for us imo.No width

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Oh God.

  18. mitro
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Serbian god

  19. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    This game needs Giroud

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      have to agree

    2. TAT
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Every game needs Giroud. Impact player numero uno.

  20. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard now on the right??

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Goes/Does what he wants.

  21. Ask Yourself
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Can we get an Auba drop this week

    1. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Deserves a couple drops

  22. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Scenes if Walcott gets injured

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Cup game midweek.

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      ban

  23. The Mighty Hippo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    So is Pedro looking like a decent replacement for Richarlison? How's he been playing against Newcastle?

    1. Marcos Alonso is god
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Hard to judge when he’s playing against 9 at the back

  24. Adro3
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Just got back from work. Why did Tomkins not play? Not complaining though, Cairney first sub

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Muscle injury in the warm up.

      1. Adro3
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Ah right cheers. Hope it's nothing serious

  25. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    What a shite FK from Hazard

  26. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Jorginho in the middle of everything

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Even my donut 😮

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Probably 🙁

  27. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    That Newcastle Gk looks quality, 4.5?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      5m

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      He was great last season. Keep your eyes on him as an option when their fixtures start to get a bit better.

  28. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Would you WC this lot or can it be fixed with a -4?

    Hart
    Rudiger Robertson Shaw(!)
    Salah Mahrez Richarlison(!) Mkhi
    Aguero Firmino Wilson

    Subs: Stek Peltier Bennett Romeu

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      yes

    2. zizoo10
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      wc

  29. Monkey Hanger
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    So Newcastle sold Mitro, and brought in Rondon. Great business. 🙂

    1. Marcos Alonso is god
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Rondon has played decent this game imo hasn’t been given much to work with

    2. HNI
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Mitro is more of a jerk and was not manageble for Benitez

  30. Grettir42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Just committed the cardinal sin of rage transferring players mid gameweek. Oh well, this feeling of frustration is all part of the fun (apparently). Roll on next week when I rue my lack of patience once again 🙂