Dugout Discussion

Hazard starts and is boosted by Giroud’s inclusion in line-up

The west London derby is the first of three matches on a busy Sunday of Premier League football, with kick-off at Stamford Bridge at 12:00 GMT.

Chelsea are looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season and are up against a Fulham side who won last weekend for the first time since Gameweek 3.

The big team news concerns the inclusion of Eden Hazard (£11.0m) in Chelsea’s starting XI, with the Belgian having shaken off the ankle knock that forced him to miss the Europa League win over PAOK on Thursday.

A potentially positive omen for Hazard’s owners is that Olivier Giroud (£7.7m) has been chosen to lead the line over Alvaro Morata (£8.8m): the significance there being that all seven of Hazard’s Premier League goals this season have come while the French striker has also been on the pitch.

Hazard was the most-transferred out player of Gameweek 14, having suffered over twice as many sales as any other FPL asset ahead of Friday’s deadline.

Pedro (£6.3m) gets the nod over Willian (£7.4m) on the right flank and the last time the Spanish winger lined up alongside Giroud and Hazard in a front three, Hazard racked up 20 FPL points (in Gameweek 5 versus Cardiff City).

Chelsea are otherwise unchanged from the side that lost to Spurs last weekend, with Ross Barkley (£5.8m) not in the matchday squad after picking up a knock in the win over PAOK.

Fulham are also unexpectedly missing a player through injury, with Andre Schurrle (£5.9m) having “felt a twinge” in the lead-up to this match and rested as a precaution.

Stefan Johansen (£5.1m) comes in to take the German’s place in midfield, though Claudio Ranieri hasn’t otherwise tinkered with Fulham’s starting XI after the 3-2 win over Southampton last Saturday.

Such is the fickle world of FPL, Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.6m) was the most-bought forward of this round after his brace in that Gameweek 13 victory.

Chelsea XI to face Fulham: Kepa, Alonso, Rudiger, Luiz, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Pedro, Hazard, Giroud.

Fulham XI to face Chelsea: Rico, Le Marchand, Odoi, Mawson, Christie, Sessegnon, Chambers, Seri, Johansen, Cairney, Mitrovic.

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1,331 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Is Hazard not starting midweek then?

    1. J T
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Why not?

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Lack of fitness and City on Saturday.

  2. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Haz 90, Alonso cs

  3. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso clean sheet. Boom. Now go and score Fulham.

    1. piquiblanco
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Oh I'd absolutely love that

  4. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    FACT: Hazard has averaged 2 points per game over the past 6 games.

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Will change now u watch..

    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      FACT: Only two players in the whole game have more points than Hazard all season.

    3. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Fact: He missed one and cameo’d another, genius

    4. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      This comment aged well...

  5. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso off, not played well.

  6. UKG
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Yes Alonso clean banked and Hazard gets the 90.

  7. Speédy
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Brilliant sub.......

  8. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Hopefully Fulham score now.

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 4 months ago

        yep

    2. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso Cleanie secured

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Please concede now Chelsea.

    4. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Want to sell Aguero - I have no plyers from Tottenham...

      a: Kane and Sane/one of the Silvas
      b: Sterling and Mitrovic

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I think I’m going with A myself

    5. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Nice Alonso cs locked plus rested for midweek!!

    6. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso CS locked in.

      That was my C this week.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        You happy with 12 ?

    7. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso off... good time for Fulham to get their goal now 😉

    8. Guy Demel
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Chambers @ 4.2 looks good value

    9. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      ALONSO CS LOCKED YESSSSSS

    10. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard to start from the bench in midweek in order to be rested for City?

      1. J T
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        No he will play 70 minutes

    11. battystutor
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Brilliant derby day impressions https://youtu.be/0Rwi0pAT75U. Unai Emery particularly impressive.

      1. Jonny HOW SON?
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        pretty spot on

    12. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      We want Fulham goal now and 9 pointer from Alonso.

    13. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alfonso CS locked

    14. Bat Man
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Folks shipping Hazard after this won’t be able to get Kane

      1. Bat Man
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        With 1 free, I mean

    15. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso CS banked

    16. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Rigjt come on Fulham score please

      I sacrifice Hazard spinal cord just for a goal from Fulham - please!!!

    17. Vamos Los Celeste
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      GO NOW Fulham

    18. mrwinner
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Haz will be rested for Wolves (A) confirmed

    19. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso CS locked. 🙂 Come on Fulham.

    20. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Great. Alonso cleanie locked in and rested for next game.

    21. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      please Fulham score

    22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Would have been Alonso time

    23. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Fulham deserve a goal here