Dugout Discussion
27 December 2025 529 comments
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One more match to go today, and it’s an intriguing one: Chelsea v Aston Villa.

Kick-off is at 17:30 GMT.

It’s fourth v third based on pre-Gameweek table places, although Chelsea have slipped down to fifth after Liverpool’s win earlier.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca makes two changes from the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.

One comes at centre-half as Benoit Badiashile replaces Wesley Fofana.

The other alteration sees Enzo Fernandez come in for Malo Gusto. That will mean a move back to right-back for Reece James, following his recent stint in midfield.

Estevao and Liam Delap return from injury and make the bench. 

There are two changes for the hosts, too, as Donyell Malen and Emiliano Buendia are preferred to Amadou Onana and Ollie Watkins.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Joao Pedro.

Subs: Jorgensen, Fofana, Tosin, Acheampong, Gusto, Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Delap.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Malen. 

Subs: Bizot, Digne, Garcia, Bogarde, Hemmings, Onana, Sancho, Watkins, Jimoh-Aloba.

price change predictions
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  1. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Neto is shocking

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      sub for Estêvão

  2. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Cash YC

    1. djman102
      • 16 Years
      1 day, 5 hours ago

      That's #5

      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        1 day, 4 hours ago

        Cashed out

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 5 hours ago

      Cash out

  3. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Cash 5th YC

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      ouch
      misses next gw

  4. FourLokoLeipzig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Aargh, talked myself out of bringing Keane in for Richards due to the old “no hit for a defender” adage. Might be time to retire that thinking in the defcon era

  5. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Cashless society!!

  6. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Shoot Palmer

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      needs a comma in there really

      1. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 4 hours ago

        Yep that's what I meant lol

  7. Bobkat
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    26 point bench boost from 3 players so far, happy Christmas!!

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      congrats

      especially on a low scoring GW

  8. Zalk
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Anyone knows what happens in this scenario:
    If Caicedo makes a tackle on McGinn but the ref temporarily gives Villa advantage of ball. Chalobah then makes a tackle and clears the ball so the ref awards the freekick for the challenge earlier. Does that count towards a DC for Chalobah or is it like offside, anything that happened after the challenge is nullified?

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      if the free kick is awarded, anything that happened after that didn't happen. I think

      1. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        1 day, 4 hours ago

        Officially that. I wouldn't be certain on FPL rules.

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      The DC would get cleared by Opta and don't count

  9. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    What to do with Foden?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      Keep, as long as he starts, as soon as you sell he will score

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      Might keep, might sell for Cunha

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      Tempted to sell for Cherki to free up some funds

  10. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Rogers to go off at HT? Looks wrecked

    1. iFash@FPL
      • 1 Year
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      Ban

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 4 hours ago

        Do you know what a question mark means?

  11. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    United fans, does Dorgu continue to play RM until the AFCON players are back? At 4.1 with those next 3 fixtures, looks enticing

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      I’m honestly not sure what to expect. Reverted to normal in the second half against Newcastle.

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      Yes

    3. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      We have no idea and anybody claiming otherwise is guessing or lying

  12. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Villa not even trying to attack. Def con monster Chalobah on 0 DC

  13. Zalk
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Why aren't they counting Chalobah's tackles? He's had atleast two.

  14. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    James G think

  15. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Might not be wise alright to dump all Arsenal assets against Villa. They’re shaky.

  16. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Lol, JP goal

    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      James

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 4 hours ago

        It went in off JP’s back or arse

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 4 hours ago

          Or something

    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      I think Harry Kane got a touch on it

  17. Lallana_
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Raya
    O'Reilly | Lacroix | Virgil
    Foden | Wirtz | Cunha | Semenyo | Wilson
    Haaland (C) | Ekitike (v)

    Bench: Dubravka, Hincapie, Gudmundsson, Marc Guiu

    Any ideas what to do? 1.6M, 1FT

    a. Wilson>Rice (need to do by tomorrow)
    b. Semenyo>Rice (leaves 2.0M ITB)
    c. Save FT - do Hincapie>Gabriel & maybe Semenyo>Rogers/Rice next week

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      a.

      1. Lallana_
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 4 hours ago

        cheers

  18. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    JP off his calf! He better do that next week

  19. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Cash has been a stinker of a pick-up over these last couple weeks...

  20. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    It does hit Pedro shin

  21. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Gonna be JP goal James A

  22. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    At least Villa have to come out and play now.

    It’s either Sanchez CS or Sanchez save points and Rogers return…I hope.

  23. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    João Pedro doing a kane

  24. Effe
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Is Harry Wilson now banned for next gameweek after 5 yellow cards?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      If he had 5 yellow cards he would be banned yes. On 4 however

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      He's got 4 though, right?

      1. Effe
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 4 hours ago

        Thanks I think you’re right and he’s ok for next week as he’s only on 4

  25. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    JPedro on 1.35 xG

  26. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    I thought it got a very slight glance off Chalobahs head but maybe not.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      Haha wishful thinking

  27. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    JP credited with the Goal
    James Assist

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      Everyone could see it except you

  28. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Palmer nearly

  29. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Neto is just soo amazing to watch

  30. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 5 hours ago

    Is Timber worth the extra over Saliba? Im concerned Hincapie might now be competition for Timber Saliba and Gabriel

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      No he's an awful pick. Owned almost all season , waste of funds

    2. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      1 day, 4 hours ago

      I would wait until he starts playing again.