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


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  1. Zoostation
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 9 hours 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
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 9 hours ago

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

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 9 hours ago

      That team will be different at 6pm

  2. el polako
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 9 hours 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
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 9 hours ago

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

    2. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 9 hours 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
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 9 hours 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
          8 months, 9 hours ago

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

          1. PartyTime
            • 4 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

            1. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

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

              1. NoOneCares
                  8 months, 9 hours ago

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

              2. NoOneCares
                  8 months, 9 hours ago

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

                  1. PartyTime
                    • 4 Years
                    8 months, 6 hours ago

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

        • Orion
          • 15 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          WC time… 😀

          1. Bobby Digital
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Tempted

        • JBG
          • 7 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

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

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

        • FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 months, 9 hours 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
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

          2. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Yep

        • TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          Salah + Haaland with Reijnders + Anderson is the way

          1. Zilla
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Reijnders could really be the gem of the year

          2. SammyD
            • 12 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Amen brother!

          3. PB-THE-VET
            • 15 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            This could actually be the way.

        • Woy_is_back
          • 8 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          Us pros knew that Wood was a certain pick

          1. The Philosopher
            • 5 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

          2. PartyTime
            • 4 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

          3. PartyTime
            • 4 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

        • Kodap
          • 8 Years
          8 months, 9 hours 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
            • 12 Years
            8 months, 9 hours 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
              • 12 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              exactly

          2. g40steve
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            6pm different again, who you fooling?

        • The Philosopher
          • 5 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

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

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

        • Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

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

          1. Mambino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

        • Bob_the_builder
          • 9 Years
          8 months, 9 hours 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
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 9 hours 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
              • 9 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

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

        • Jordan.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          i never selected wood in any tinker

          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Same

            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              Or at any point last season either 😆

          2. _Greg
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

        • g40steve
          • 8 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          Hughes YC

        • Hughes Your Daddy
          • 13 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          lol Hughessss 😀

        • Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          Palmer 0 defcons. Pull your finger out.

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Looking more like a one season wonder by the day!

          2. JBG
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 9 hours 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.

        • g40steve
          • 8 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          Cucu playing as fwd

        • bso
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 months, 9 hours 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
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Nothing yet, looks rusty as

          2. Freshy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Saka time

        • Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          Why is Palmer not applying himself anymore?

          1. Bobby Digital
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Balmer?

        • F4L
          • 11 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

          cucurella's positioning is ridiculous tbf, so attacking

        • Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          8 months, 9 hours ago

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

          1. NoOneCares
              8 months, 9 hours ago

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

            • Mr. O'Connell
              • 13 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              Watkins, Bowen, João Pedro. Points galore.

          2. PB-THE-VET
            • 15 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

            1. Bobby Digital
              • 8 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              Palmer to Salah for me

          3. Mother Farke
            • 2 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Take to take an Estevao.

            1. Mother Farke
              • 2 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              Time*

          4. Mr. O'Connell
            • 13 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            João Pedro 59th minute sub written all over it

            1. JBG
              • 7 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              Delap to come in and score 2 goals

          5. Bram
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Neco Williams YC

          6. Pedersen
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

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

            1. Mr. O'Connell
              • 13 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

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

            2. JBG
              • 7 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

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

            3. Mother Farke
              • 2 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              They are actively after a CB.

          7. Judeksi
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Watkins (C) against weakened Brentford next week.

            1. Nomar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              Will reward our families th with another 2 points

              1. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                8 months, 9 hours ago

                Will reward our faith not families

            2. Revival
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              Usually scores against his former club

              1. FPL Blow-In
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                8 months, 9 hours ago

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

          8. F4L
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            cunha and bruno time

            1. F4L
              • 11 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              *mbeumo starts as well

          9. JBG
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Sesko on the bench, as expected

          10. DaniCT
            • 12 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            How much time until Estevao becomes a starter?

            1. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 12 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

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

            2. _Greg
              • 16 Years
              8 months, 9 hours ago

              5 games?

          11. SpaceCadet
            • 12 Years
            8 months, 9 hours ago

            Palmer > Saka if he misses this fk