Dugout Discussion
17 August 2025 795 comments
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Three Premier League matches take place on Sunday with a double-header up first at 14:00 BST.

Chelsea host Crystal Palace in west London, while Nottingham Forest meet Brentford at the City Ground.

Eberechi Eze starts for Palace despite transfer interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Oliver Glasner makes just one change from the line-up he used against Liverpool last week. It’s an enforced alteration, too, with Daichi Kamada missing out. Will Hughes comes in.

Tosin Adarabioyo is absent for Chelsea after picking up a “small issue” in training, so Josh Acheampong partners Trevoh Chalobah at the back.

Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro make up the front four.

At the City Ground, Morgan Gibbs-White is available for Forest after missing the final pre-season friendly to attend the birth of his child. He starts in a No 10 role.

Dan Ndoye is the only new signing in their starting XI, but Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha are on the bench.

Caoimhin Kelleher missed Brentford’s final pre-season friendly but he starts in goal.

Mikkel Damsgaard and the wantaway Yoane Wissa are both absent, but Kevin Schade is fit enough for a place on the bench.

Rico Henry gets the nod over Aaron Hickey at left-back as expected.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Neto, Palmer, Gittens, J Pedro

Subs: Jorgensen, Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Essugo, Santos, Estevao, George, Delap

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell, Sarr, Eze, Mateta

Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Clyne, Esse, Edouard, Sosa, Rak-Sakyi, Devenny, Cardines


Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Jesus, Jota, Yates, Jair, Boly, Abbott

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Carvalho, Milambo, Lewis-Potter, Thiago

Subs: Valdimarrson, Hickey, Henderson, Schade, Onyeka, Ajer, Peart-Harris, Roerslev, Arthur


795 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Zoostation
    1 year, 2 months ago

    If one was to consider WC hypothetically is this how it should look…

    Sanchez (Dubravka)

    Ait-Nouri Milenkovic VDV (Esteve, Rondon)

    Palmer Saka Reijnders Kudus (King)

    Haaland Ekitike Wood

    1. Kodap
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Would be getting rid of Palmer on a WC if I was using mine..

    2. g40steve
      1 year, 2 months ago

      That team will be different at 6pm

  2. el polako
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Forrest didn’t score in pre season and Nuno said that they’re not in a good place at the moment.

    Fair play if you own Wood but those who don’t own him shouldn’t be harsh on themselves.

    1. Nomar
      1 year, 2 months ago

      We should be when we picked Bowen over Wood. I have only myself to blame.

    2. The Philosopher
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I wanted to take a punt on him but was advised to go for Pedro. Can't blame those advices, but I might sue this site though.

    3. PartyTime
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Guts over fear screams Sia. Wood scored 200 pts last season. People thought it was a fluke, apparently, it ain’t one.

      1. NoOneCares
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Wood is your only striker who has done anything. Why you getting so excited.

        1. PartyTime
          1 year, 2 months ago

          That’s a GW 1 draft only. Don’t be an envious fella. WC 2 will be exciting too.

          1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Yeh like as a if my final team wouldn’t change from drafts on here 😆

            1. NoOneCares
              1 year, 2 months ago

              You don't even have Wood but pretending you do. You always pretend you have players that you don't.

          2. NoOneCares
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Why would I be envious of you having 1 striker that did anything?

            1. PartyTime
              1 year, 2 months ago

              Share your pts with us lil fella blabbing. All fart & no poo!

  3. Orion
    1 year, 2 months ago

    WC time… 😀

    1. Bobby Digital
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Tempted

  4. JBG
    1 year, 2 months ago

    https://x.com/LazyFPL/status/1957079857570918621

    They should write another article about how Brentford will be alright this season

  5. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I talked myself out of sticking with Wood after NFO pre season results. Got Mateta and Watkins. I’d say many many others in the same boat.

    1. JBG
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yeah did the same, but with JP. Had him for weeks. Oh well, thats FPL for ya

    2. Nomar
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yep

  6. TheBiffas
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Salah + Haaland with Reijnders + Anderson is the way

    1. Zilla
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Reijnders could really be the gem of the year

    2. SammyD
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Amen brother!

    3. PB-THE-VET
      1 year, 2 months ago

      This could actually be the way.

  7. Woy_is_back
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Us pros knew that Wood was a certain pick

    1. The Philosopher
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Well done for sticking. I replaced him with Pedro on Friday.

    2. PartyTime
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Love how Wood was piss-poor during pre season & absolutely vigorous today! I knew Wood won’t let me down 😉

    3. PartyTime
      1 year, 2 months ago

      He needs that match ball imo. Hatty would be the perfect way to party!

  8. Kodap
    1 year, 2 months ago

    If I was WC'ing I'd be going something like this.. 1m in the bank too.

    Sels
    Lacroix - Milenkovic - RAN
    Saka - Kudus - Reijnders - Bruno
    Wood - Haaland - Ekitike

    Dubravka - Gudmonsson - Esteve - King

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      1 year, 2 months ago

      What happens if GW1 players who did great generally have a poor GW2? There won’t be a wildcard in GW3 for the darlings of the day next Saturday.

      1. Mambino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        exactly

    2. g40steve
      1 year, 2 months ago

      6pm different again, who you fooling?

  9. The Philosopher
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Wood already has his 2/16 goals for the season. Too late to get him now?

    1. Nomar
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Won’t play Brentford every week, but still……

  10. Nomar
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I think I have to accept already I’m finishing in the high millions this season.

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      After less than one GW you don't have to admit that at all

  11. Bob_the_builder
    1 year, 2 months ago

    The highs and lows of FPL in full 6/6 hindsight view:
    Me leaving Semenyo on the bench > "I am an idiot"
    Me picking Wood > "I am a genius"

    1. Nomar
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Me: I picked Bowen , he’ll haul.

      FPL: We think not

      Me: Watkins saves me money over Haaland.

      FPL: Go Knock yourself out!

      1. Bob_the_builder
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I picked Watkins too 😛 and, to be fair, Bowen (talisman against a newly promoted side) made perfect sense too.

  12. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    i never selected wood in any tinker

    1. Fifa las vegas
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Same

      1. Fifa las vegas
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Or at any point last season either 😆

    2. _Greg
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Might of put him in at the beginning of FPL opening but not back in drafts after that.

  13. g40steve
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Hughes YC

  14. Hughes Your Daddy
    1 year, 2 months ago

    lol Hughessss 😀

  15. Mr. O'Connell
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Palmer 0 defcons. Pull your finger out.

    1. Nomar
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Looking more like a one season wonder by the day!

    2. JBG
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I genuinely believe him and Foden are overrated. Good players, don't get me wrong. But I've seen multiple football fans online calling them better talents than Rooney for example.

  16. g40steve
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Cucu playing as fwd

  17. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Just got home...how is Palmer looking? He takes up so much of the budget and has to go if not worth it.

    1. g40steve
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Nothing yet, looks rusty as

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Saka time

  18. Count of Monte Hristo
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Why is Palmer not applying himself anymore?

    1. Bobby Digital
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Balmer?

  19. F4L
    1 year, 2 months ago

    cucurella's positioning is ridiculous tbf, so attacking

  20. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Hands up if you have Haaland and Wood upfront! |/

    1. NoOneCares
      1 year, 2 months ago

      You don't have Wood. Stop posting utter nonsense.

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Watkins, Bowen, João Pedro. Points galore.

  21. PB-THE-VET
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Palmer -> Haaland will be the momentum of the moves this gameweek. Early WCs in play

    1. Bobby Digital
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Palmer to Salah for me

  22. Mother Farke
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Take to take an Estevao.

    1. Mother Farke
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Time*

  23. Mr. O'Connell
    1 year, 2 months ago

    João Pedro 59th minute sub written all over it

    1. JBG
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Delap to come in and score 2 goals

  24. Bram
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Neco Williams YC

  25. Pedersen
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is Acheampong show a one off or nailed now? 4m defender from Chelsea

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Still 2 weeks left of the window. Chelsea could sign another 3,682,109 players by then

    2. JBG
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Tosin should've started today it seems, but Maresca withdrew him as a precaution.

    3. Mother Farke
      1 year, 2 months ago

      They are actively after a CB.

  26. Judeksi
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Watkins (C) against weakened Brentford next week.

    1. Nomar
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Will reward our families th with another 2 points

      1. Nomar
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Will reward our faith not families

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Usually scores against his former club

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Usually scores against Newcastle also. Didn't this time around!

  27. F4L
    1 year, 2 months ago

    cunha and bruno time

    1. F4L
      1 year, 2 months ago

      *mbeumo starts as well

  28. JBG
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Sesko on the bench, as expected

  29. DaniCT
    1 year, 2 months ago

    How much time until Estevao becomes a starter?

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Not long, he looks excellent and very direct. Gittens will be another Sancho.

    2. _Greg
      1 year, 2 months ago

      5 games?

  30. SpaceCadet
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Palmer > Saka if he misses this fk