Dugout Discussion
2 December 2018 1331 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Seri is just a cheap Kante knock-off

    1. Nicks93
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Totally different players

  2. My Name Is Pepu
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hazard involved in the celebrations 😎

    1. DeathoftheParty
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      This ahahahahahhaha

  3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Haz unmarked 2 yards from goal 🙁

  4. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Floodgates open

  5. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Watching this wondering why I sold Hazard instead of Mane.

  6. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    always bet against a team with Denis Odoi in it.
    they'd be better off bringing Franck Queudrue out of retirement

    1. Limbo
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      From what I’ve seen he looks class..?

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        😀

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I don't know who any of them are so will just smile and nod like a poorly informed shop assistant.

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Odoi = awful Fulham defender.
        Franck Queudrue = ex fulham player, not great, retired 5 years ago

  7. mrwinner
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    if you think about it, surely Hazard gets subbed early today with so many matches coming up. Especially if they take a 2-0 lead..

    what it does mean is that a Hazard hat-trick at the very least is now highly unlikely as it's doubtful he'd still be on the pitch to score his 2nd or 3rd as they'd already be comfortable

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Let's see if he scores before talking about hattrick possibilities

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      That Pedro goal wasn't good for Hazard's points potential as Chelsea will be more focused on not conceding than scoring now. Of course they will create chances, but not as attacking as if it was 0-0. That could mean an early sub for Hazard too.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        That is absolute hornswoggle

        1. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Really? Game on Wednesday and game next week too. You're winning 1-0 and 60 mins are gone and you are going to go gung-ho?

        2. DeathoftheParty
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          We can all agree on something here....

          And that is Hornswoggle is a primo word.

      2. mrwinner
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        100% agree. Don't get me wrong, he can still get double digits (10-12) but for him to 'haul' i.e. 15+ I now see that very unlikely

      3. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        This is not Mourinho. This is Sarri ball.

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Full 90

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

      Hazard has hardly played this season, go look at his minutes

  8. Steinburg FC
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    i did Hazard to Sane to get ahead of the curve and set up my spurs transfers... i might just not watch the game... X-)

  9. Feloh
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    going behind the sofa. Goodbye guys, see you after 90.

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Surely its more comfortable to turn the TV around and stay seated on the sofa

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Or just change the channel?

        1. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          No, no that's far too simple.

      2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        or watch another channel.
        Chmpshp season review on Sky sports football (16/17)

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

    Sarri is so annoying. Pedro should be a first choice in this team over Willian imo, but constant rotation and reduced minutes stops us picking either.

    1. Chi not God
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      this.. from a fantasy point of view it's very annoying what sarri does with thise two., and as a fan I have been saying this for a while, I'll pick Pedro ahead of Willian all day .

    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Sarri doesn't like to rotate and I actually think he prefers Pedro - he's a lot more like Callejon than Willian is. It may be that he has been ordered to give gametime to the likes of Willian and Morata.

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Let's not forget that Willian almost left in the Summer...would need some gametime to keep him happy or he'd be gone. Would leave Chelsea's attacking options very thin.

  11. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Odoi almost giving aqay the ball again. Comedy

  12. Richd
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Simon March essential.

  13. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Is there a worse defender in the league than Denis Odoi?

  14. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Blow the whistle ref, we've seen enough.

  15. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hilarious how the English media have been going on all week about why Kante isn't playing in Jorginho's position. Just highlights how poor the tactical knowledge is in England. Sarri is a proactive manager who's style of play much better suits a ball winner higher up the pitch. And that goal shows exactly why.

    1. DAZZ
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      This. Nightmare for midfielders when you’ve got someone like Kante hassling you in your own half

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        spot on...and this allows the best passers in the team (Jorginho or Fabregas) to play in the centre and dictate play more effectively.

    2. Rsforstar
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      +1

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      It's embarrassing how much attention they gave to that. Sarri needs Jorginho as the pivot.

  16. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Games like this wish i owned Giroud!

  17. DAZZ
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Wtf is callum chambers playing in the middle for

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      *Callum Chambers playing at all.

    2. CaTriEm
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      He's been playing in the middle since we signed him from Southampton, can't say it's worked out all that well though.

  18. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Seri has been a huge liability today so far. Outmuscled, careless and just looked amateur so far.

  19. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hazzzzzooo captain please score for CHUCKY

    1. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yes chucky

  20. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Patch, ask for Alonso to Haz

    1. Patch
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Hehe sorry buddy, I think Scotty has Alonso as VC and I don't have Hazard any more

      So I am kind of pursuing Morata to come on ...

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Stop it

  21. french holiday
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    it is frustrating to own pedro..had him for his last double digit score but since then saari continues to rotate him with willian

  22. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Chelsea defence is suspect. Think they will concede against Wolves & Man City over the next 2 GWs

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, the back 4 isn't great. It's the possession and Kanté that gets them cleanies

  23. Birds of Prey
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    woke up nicely to see Barkley out now I count Duffy. and my vice Hazard started. My 22 may actually go up.

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Inb4 Haz penalty miss and then red card

  24. BenDavies
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Chelsea look VERY attacking

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      ... they're up against Fulham.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        And look attacking

  25. french holiday
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    is aguero really injured or can we see him play for atleast an hour midweek?

  26. DAZZ
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso being boo’d by Fulham fans.

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Well, he is a murderer

      1. DAZZ
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        True true. What are they chanting can you make it out?

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      They must have known her.

  27. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    C'mon Haz, need some goals buddy 🙁

  28. french holiday
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    danilo can be the new mendy ****

  29. mrwinner
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Only 75 mins left chaps

  30. french holiday
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    i want all three bonus points for alonso this time

    1. Digital-Real
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      not at this rate, few misplaced passes and crosses