Dugout Discussion
3 March 2019 997 comments
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Fulham take on Chelsea in the second of three Premier League matches to be contested on Sunday afternoon.

The kick-off in the west London derby is at 14:05 GMT.

Maurizio Sarri promised to change “three or four players” in his press conference on Friday but has gone one better at Craven Cottage, making five alterations from the side that beat Spurs in midweek.

The stand-out team news sees David Luiz and Marcos Alonso make way from the Chelsea starting XI, with Andreas Christensen and Emerson Palmieri handed recalls.

Luiz is among the substitutes but Alonso misses out altogether.

Kepa Arrizabalaga returns between the sticks after his benching at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, so Willy Caballero drops out.

Willian and Ross Barkley replace Pedro and Mateo Kovacic in two of the more predictable changes that Sarri has made.

Scott Parker takes charge of Fulham for the first time against his former employers.

The ex-Chelsea midfielder has made only one change to the starting XI that Claudio Ranieri named in the 2-0 defeat to Southampton on Wednesday: Ryan Sessegnon is in for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

That alteration could well mean a return to a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 formation, with Sessegnon and Ryan Babel flanking Aleksandar Mitrovic in attack.

Chelsea won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in December, with both of their goalscorers that day – Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – on the bench this afternoon.

The Blues have lost their last three away matches on the spin, conceding 12 goals without reply in that time.

Eden Hazard has blanked in his last four appearances on the road, meanwhile.

The Blues and Hazard have an excellent chance to break those barren runs today: Fulham have conceded two or more goals in each of their last eight Premier League games.

Fulham XI (4-3-3): Rico, Odoi, Nordtveit, Ream, Bryan, Chambers, McDonald, Cairney, Sessegnon, Babel, Mitrovic.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Barkley, Willian, Higuain, Hazard.

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  1. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    *swears loudly*

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      ban

    2. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      shouda scored ...

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

      We'll take the BPS 🙂

  2. Merlin the Wraith
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Oh bugger! this sofa feels smaller to hide behind & even less comfortable to zzz on later. Not even h/t & missus grinning at me. Scary!

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      It is YOUR missus, right?

      1. Merlin the Wraith
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yup, last I looked. Laughed at her for buying in Chelsea. Gonna be a long night

    2. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Bit desperate to beg for a hot topic mate

      1. Merlin the Wraith
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Read fella, that's half time not hot topic. I don't crave the attention that you might.

        1. Deulofail
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          😆

          1. Merlin the Wraith
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Appreciate the humour tho chap hehee! Best wishes

  3. QUEN
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Hoping luiz stays on the bench

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      If Chelsea score again expect a cameo sadly

      1. QUEN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Hope not heart was in my mouth when Azpilicueta was down and luiz got up.

  4. HollywoodXI
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Will Hazard ever score again?! So frustrating to own.

    1. Dannyb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Penalty today

      1. Fred54
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Hopefully he'll miss.

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      You just got an assist. One more half to go. Chill

      1. HollywoodXI
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I need one goal from him to go top of my ML...it matters.

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Ofc it matters. But you got points already.

          1. HollywoodXI
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            I also had Pogba as captain...

            1. FPL.team
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              So why are you moaning about Hazard and not Pogba then?

    3. QUEN
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I personally love owning him (as a long term owner)

    4. MTPockets
        7 years, 3 months ago

        assist feels like a hattrick the way this gw is going

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Optimistic! I love it

    5. QUEN
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson/king or Rondon for rest of the season?

      1. Dannyb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        King

      2. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        The ones that play the team who gave Rondon a wagon next week.

    6. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Bag another before the day's out, Higgy son. Thanks very much.

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Higgy is such a bad nickname. Sounds like a the name of a drunk guys lazy dog

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Pot, kettle...??! 😉

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            😀

    7. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Come on, Eden, son. Bag one in the 2nd half please.

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Appearantly a lot of you are fathers to football players

    8. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Well then... spread over the next 2GWs I could do

      Anderson Rashford Sterling Camarasa —> Hazard King Mane Brooks

      To give me:

      Fabianski/Boruc
      Robertson Pereira
      Salah Mane Hazard Brooks
      Higuain King

      For the blanks, keeping Pogba Jimenez Doherty etc

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I’d even do a hit further. As long as they play 31 and 33 it breaks even as a minimum you’d expect

        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          The above still leave me with 1.5 ITB that could be used to get another defender, potentially.

          Do the moves look good? I was surprised I could do em myself

          1. Richd
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Seems fine.

            I know Fanderson has been poor but if you can do 4 moves and keep him.. why not ? Extra points and you could get a lucky goal or two

            1. FPL Scoop
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah, can’t get Hazard then is the issue

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

      Auba Anderson Etheridge to higuain Mané boruc for a -4?

      1. The 5% Team
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        yes

      2. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        I would

    10. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Sub hig and Haz off at half time to show your authority!

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Kepa wouldn't do that to his mates.

      2. MTPockets
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Kepa says no

      3. Srv210
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Higuain captain working well till now...it was between Pogba,Aguero,Salah and Higuain ..now hope Salah keeps quiet !!

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          3 of my main rivals captained Pogba. Wonderful...! 😀

      4. Victor6359
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        How does Sarri usually play it? Have Deeney on the bench as first sub hopefully for Luiz.

        Is he likely to come on or only in the event of an injury?

        Cheers

        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Generally doesn’t sub his CBs I don’t think

        2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          only injury but u know how christensen gets injured loll

          1. Victor6359
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers fellas. Fingers crossed.

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

          Christensen off on 59 mins...

      5. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        sergio rico robbing me of points...

        1. Rains of Castamere
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Eggersforf's love child

      6. L'Aeroplanino
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Higuain close

      7. Zladan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Azpi + Higuain looks a deadly combo.

      8. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Am I getting these hair transplant ads because higuain's name keeps getting mentioned?

      9. Differential C (Mark)
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Tell you what, Rico's not a bad player, isn't he?
        Can see him snapped up by a PL side in the summer. Very decent.

      10. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        jorginho essential? lollll

        1. Differential C (Mark)
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Still lmao at the skippy penalty run Jorgiho does.

      11. FPLGeezer
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        This move worth it? Have exact money before any rises or falls

        Laca, Son & Jiminiez> Higuain, Barnes and Mane -4

        1. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Looks v good

          1. FPLGeezer
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Yep gets blank gw players in and allows to hold onto Sterling for another week

      12. TAT
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Alright; HiguaIN it is.

      13. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Higuain has a lavvly stroike on him. He should take Chelsea's corners.

      14. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Morata leaves but the Spanish connection stays with Azpi & Higgy!

        1. Duka
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          ?

        2. Deulofail
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Was originally planning to get Azpi for this reason, but had to go for Kante to afford HazHig. I'll be envious of anyone who manages to fit him in, though.

          1. Amey
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            I will.
            On FH in gw 32 if they get dgw 😉

          2. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Might punt on Emerson for the blanks if it becomes apparent that its his spot in the league.

            1. Deulofail
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              Frisky

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

          I'm all for nicknames but not a fan of "Higgy"

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 17 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Ok Rashy

          2. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Apologies, Rasher!

            1. Rash
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              🙂

          3. Forza Papac
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Higgo? Higgers? Higgsy?

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

            😮

            1. Big_Andy_GAWA
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              What on earth is wrong with 'Higgy'?! Lol. I know 3 people nicknamed that...

      15. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Moutinho + Aubameyang > Mane + King -4?

      16. Differential C (Mark)
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Might do Son+Deeney->Higuain+someone else for a hit this week. Looks very involved, but it is Fulham though.

        1. Richd
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          That’s the thing. It’s Fulham

          I think I’ll end up getting him but it’ll be a last minute move and not until 31 eve

          1. Differential C (Mark)
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            Tim Ream.is hardly PL level. The gulf in class is huge.

      17. Miniboss
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        If this result stands, do you think Luiz will come off the bench?

        1. Rash
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          My crystal ball says Christensen will come off around 59 mins for him

        2. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          He will come on regardless of result because Christensen wont last 90

      18. shearer9
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Sterling -> Mane or Hazard?

        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          I’m doin mane

        2. sunzip14
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Hazard

        3. LǝgleSs e|even
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Just wait for Liverpool to play. Salah gon get injured today

      19. Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        So Salahs EO at 98%.

        So for a non captainer every goal will be a green? A tiny green ? Or am I misunderstanding EO

        1. Rainer
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Assister likely makes it red.

        2. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Triple captains ?

        3. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          You are understanding EO

        4. Deulofail
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Not necessarily, but yeah more likely green than red

      20. AuFeld
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Start AWB home to BHA or Jimenez away at CHE?

        1. sunzip14
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          AWB

      21. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Rash, Son & Guaita > King, Hazard & Fab for a - 4

        setting up for GW31

        1. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Hazard could go Mane too

      22. Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Higuain or Vardy?

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Both.

          Hig if pushed

        2. LǝgleSs e|even
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          V