Dugout Discussion

Gameweek 20 team news: Lukaku, Foden and Grealish start as Alonso is benched

Gameweek 20 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) continues with two more matches this evening.

Chelsea v Brighton and Hove Albion is first up at 19:30 GMT, with Brentford v Manchester City getting underway 45 minutes after that.

On the team news front, Thomas Tuchel has made four changes to the Chelsea side that defeated Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Romelu Lukaku, Andreas Christensen, Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta return to the Blues’ line-up, with Trevoh Chalobah, Marcos Alonso and N’Golo Kante dropping to the bench. Thiago Silva misses out altogether after picking up an injury in Gameweek 19.

Kai Havertz is back on the hosts’ bench after his reported recent spell in self-isolation.

Brighton won for the first time in three months on Sunday but Graham Potter has nevertheless made three changes to the starting XI who impressed against Brentford, with injury forcing his hand in one instance.

There is no Leandro Trossard, who has a hamstring problem, while Adam Webster and Enock Mwepu drop to the bench.

Yves Bissouma, Solly March and the fit-again Joel Veltman return to the Seagulls’ starting XI.

Shane Duffy is back among the visitors’ substitutes after missing out on Boxing Day.

In the other match in west London, Pep Guardiola makes four changes to the side that beat Leicester City 6-3 three days ago.

Gabriel Jesus, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden make up the all-new front three, with Nathan Ake coming in for a start at left-back.

Raheem Sterling, Rihad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchenko all drop to the bench.

Two of Thomas Frank’s three changes are enforced, as Bryan Mbeumo is injured and Christian Norgaard is suspended.

Yoane Wissa, Frank Onyeka and Mads Roerslev are brought into the side, with Sergi Canos only a substitute.

GAMEWEEK 20 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Pulisic, Lukaku.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Kante, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Havertz, Sarr.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Sanchez, Lamptey, Veltman, Burn, Cucurella, Bissouma, Lallana, March, Moder, Mac Allister, Maupay.

Subs: Webster, Mwepu, Gross, Alzate, Welbeck, Steele, Duffy, Richards, Ferguson.


Brentford XI: Fernandez, Pinnock, Jansson, Sorensen, Roerslev, Baptiste, Jensen, Onyeka, Thompson, Wissa, Toney.

Subs: Canos, Forss, Ghoddos, Peart-Harris, Bidstrup, Stevens, Cox.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Ake, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Bernardo, Jesus, Foden, Grealish.

Subs: Sterling, Gundogan, Zinchenko, Steffen, Mahrez, Carson, Mbete-Tabu, Palmer.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,967 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DropkickMurphys
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    This city match is one of the most boring football matches I’ve seen.

    1. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Then turn off the telly 😉

      1. DropkickMurphys
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Wow you are a smart one.

        1. Thanos
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          As long as it's better than you!

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      City games barring a handful all season are usually the same.

  2. C_G
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Rudi ---> Laporte?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Monitor DGW announcements

  3. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Time to sell Jesus , feel sorry for any cappers

    1. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Own him and he goes out of the team first. Absolutely not involved in the game.

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Never been impressed by him outside of FPL anyway. Just doesn't seem to fit with the majority of the rest of the team

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Dreadful, and he always looks like he’s is permanently sulking.

  4. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling staying rooted?

    1. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Not the way City are playing

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Still no subs made, strange …

    3. Patron
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Well I guess Pep doesn’t like to use the privilege that he has. Hundreds of millions sitting on his bench just for him to use 0 to 1 sub every game.

  5. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Can’t wait to sell Bilva.
    I knew when I was bringing him in that it was going to be the end of his anomalous scoring run, but hit that confirm button regardless.

  6. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    So tempting to WC this week. Especially if we get DGW announcements

    1. C_G
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      not yet, especially w the transfer window opening

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        This. Coutinho, Hulk and Oscar will be essential when they move to Newcastle. Need to fit them all in.

        1. C_G
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          ha

        2. bso
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Barca will be thrilled to offload Countinho!

      2. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Can’t see myself getting in any January buys

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Hope we get them soon.

      Feel like any planning is on stand by until anything is confirmed.

    3. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      My team is a mess but I’m trying to last to gw22

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Tempting yes, but the issue is that before dgw:s are announced risks are too high.

      1. ClaudesMackerelelé
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Did you use a free hit the other GW?
        I Kept both for this DGW heaven Crellin is promising

  7. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    58 (-8) with Ronaldo and DDG to play

    First time i've ever took a -8 and the risk seems to have paid off, need Ronaldo to go big tomorrow to cap off a good week

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      What were the moves?

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Nice

  8. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    C'mon Brentford shake things up a bit.

  9. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Reece James.

    I would literally have fared better getting Matthew Lowton and saving myself £2m in the process.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He’s been a massive failure, no other way to dress it.
      But what were we supposed to do way back then? Ignore him scoring 15 points + per game and playing as an auxiliary right winger?

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        This is what I did. Feel like I got very VERY lucky most weeks

      2. It’s A Joke
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I had him for all the points then too so I’m not so down on him.

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I missed all his hauls. Just got him for his crap run. Thought he was a season keeper.

  10. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Blimey, last time I checked KDB was on 2 baps, right down to 0 now haha

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Missed a couple of shots yeah? Hitting the post is bad for bps.

  11. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Is Jesus good at anything but occasional tap ins?

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

      Water to wine was fairly impressive.

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Not really! They need to sign a striker

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

        If they got Kane or get Haaland it'd be game over for everyone else.

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Yep, and it’s pretty much game over for everyone in the league already (without a traditional number 9)

          They’re insane.

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      No. No he is not.

  12. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    A Gundo cameo goal from a Foden assist would be a real treat. Please Pep.

  13. Sterling Archer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Pep not happy, grealish n jesus have been really bad!

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling and Mahrez coming straight back in Vs Arsenal.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        and Gundo

        1. RogDog_jimmy
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Hope so - for who though?

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Foden based on how things have been recently. But Foden has scored and looked bright tonight..who knows

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yet still no subs

  14. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    A few sneaky Dias baps would be glorious

  15. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    36-33 in the cup. Hold double City defence!

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Jinx.

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Canos wants to see you out …….

    3. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I'm out - he / she has more points than me already with Ronaldo (C) to go. Schooled.

  16. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I can’t decide who I want to get rid of more, James or Bilva.

    1. Patron
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Well James might not even play so

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Bilva may as well not be.

        1. Patron
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          At least he’s not injured what I meant. Suit yourself but it’s pretty straight forward to me.

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

    Pep wanting 5 subs then barely using 1 will always be great.

    1. Patron
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I was wondering if he ever said that. If so such a bald hypocrite.

  18. griffzinho
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Will we know DGW fixtures for next GW prior to deadline?? Surely we will. Otherwise it’s a void game.

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

      For 21, we should. 22 is a lottery.

    2. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I would expect so. Not long left, mind.

      1. griffzinho
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Yes surely by midday tomorrow at latest.

    3. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone remember whether there was a fixture change last season after a deadline?

  19. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Make a sub Pep.

  20. C_G
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Laca, Bilva and Rudi OUT this week.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I might sell James, Alonso, Salah & Ronaldo 😀

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Only for a -20

  21. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    James might be crocked -

    Tuchel: "No prognosis on Reece James. Hamstring injury. We have no more wing-backs, we have everybody injured. I will always protect my players. No we need to not talk about the next game."

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Hammy injury - he's out for at least 4 weeks imo

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Not the worst time as Liverpool is tough game at the weekend, then 2 weeks off and then 1-2 fixtures after that

    2. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Will he try to get his games postponed too? His remarks seems something like that to me.

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I took his words that way as well, and why wouldn't he?
        He's not daft, & I'm sure there's a few 'sickies' been pulled in amongst the genuine cases for tactical reasons.

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Thx. I was always going to bench both James and Alonso, but James has to go now. Alonso later but he is hardly worth a hit

    4. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He’s got the hump

  22. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Back to my pet peeve.

    Pep can never complain about subs / fixture congestion / players going on strike.

    He absolutely stinks at substitutions and relies on having a bigger squad than anyone else to just so mad rotation between games to destroy player form and confidence

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, his players are always in bad form and without any confidence. Spot on.

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Sterling playing well. Benched. Just the latest example.

        He has great players who obviously play well but form seems to play no part to his decision making.

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Given how successful he's been in the game, perhaps his approach is the right one?

    3. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I think he probably knows what he’s doing.

      1 player @60mins + 1 player @30mins is not necessarily better for squad rotation/rest than 1 player @90 + 1 @0.

      Theyll have whole teams of doctors and physios etc.

      It is funny he wants more subs still…

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        I believe that you are correct. I doubt it's Pep who has come to this conclusion, it's their medical staff. It makes sense that 90 + 0 is better and safer rest than 60 + 30.

  23. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Jesus tap in anyone?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Nope .. Jesus SOT will be his lot.

  24. Jump in Micah
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone noticed that the Man City, spurs, Brentford and villa assistants look like Kevin keegan, Joey Barton, Alan Shearer and Gary McCallister

    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I've noticed the Kevin Keegan one. Always makes me laugh.

      1. Jump in Micah
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        🙂 (the Gary McCallister one was a joke I know it’s him)

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

    Ah Jaysis.

  26. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Through the motions...

  27. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Brentford running out of players to field a squad again.

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

    Mahrez & Sterling are awake.

    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling's had a long day. Up early for the Today Programme. Sadly he was a bit underwhelming.

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Fair play to them. It's not been an exciting watch 😆

  29. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Whenever Foden starts he always seems to be in the thick of things and returns..really don’t want to but probably will ship for Son/Maddison.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      It’s annoying, he’ll be benched next week, then back in… ad infinitum

  30. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Is Ronnie or Dalot likely to be benched tomorrow?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Hard to see Ronaldo benched. Dalot could be. He was poor last match.

    2. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Doubt Ron gets benched. More chances for Dalot though.

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

      Ronaldo being 36 and played 90 3 days ago helps but he'd probably come on anyway.

    4. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks guys