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. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Caicedo 10 defcons already....the only problem is he is soo close to getting a card almost every match which basically negates his defcon points

    1. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      The big surprise is Chalobah no defcon so far

      1. Zalk
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        He has atleast 3 tackles now, not sure why they're not counted.

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          What Ur counting were not tackles

  2. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    I think Pedro might be back on the cards just in time for their fixture run. I mean he is better than Bowen and Thiago surely

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      GW24 almost certainly if no other options of CHE and Palmer is too pricey

    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Wait until 24-27
      West Ham , Leeds & Burnley at home plus Wolves away

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      delap is back

  3. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Who is the best calafiori replacement here?

    . 3mitb and 1ft - so Gabriel is a hit

    Am I too late for Keane with branthdue back soon? Thanks

    Raya
    Oreilly andersen rodon (Calafiori richards)

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Gvardiol

      1. Flynny
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        I have 3 city

        Guess the replacement is keane - but feels too short term

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Brought Keane in last week, 4.7M and with those fixtures short-term may just pay off for swapping out if needed

          1. Flynny
            • 10 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            I think so too. Thanks

  4. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Am at the game and looks like Chalobah should be on 4 DC so far but nothing showing so far on the app. Do they get properly counted later after the game?

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Fotmob showing 5 recoveries tbf

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Bizarre

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Def's don't get Defcons for recovery

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Cheers

      2. Captain Mal
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Recoveries count as defcons for mids, not for defenders.

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          What a fantastic addition to an already tedious game

          1. Nightcrawler
            • 6 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            It adds variety to the player pool

            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 8 days ago

              Really cos everyone in my minileagues have 99% the same teams

              1. Nightcrawler
                • 6 Years
                2 months, 8 days ago

                That's more a reflection of the premier league season in general. Without Defcons everyone would have Munoz timber NOR in defence for most of the season

                Only reason I could enjoy Munoz points was the DefCon rule.

                Right now we have at least 10 template defenders

                1. Nightcrawler
                  • 6 Years
                  2 months, 8 days ago

                  It's the kids and forwards that are tediously similar and that's got a lot to do with tactics and lacks if goals this season

                  1. Nightcrawler
                    • 6 Years
                    2 months, 8 days ago

                    Mids

                2. x.jim.x
                  • 11 Years
                  2 months, 8 days ago

                  Everyone would have that defence anyway if Munoz was fit.

                  You’ve got a bloke in the stands at a game counting “defcons” - you will not convince me this is a positive and fun addition to the game.

                  1. Nightcrawler
                    • 6 Years
                    2 months, 8 days ago

                    Munoz was a semi differential for most of this season . His eo would have been the same as Semenyo Foden etc without the rule.

                    What makes a game more enjoyable is nore options, which we have had in defence this season. Remember last season it was a pool of 5 genuine defenders. Right now it's about at least 10.

                    Unfortunately the kids and forwards have been awful this season. That's got nothing to do with defcons

          2. Captain Mal
            • 1 Year
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Gotta love the debates whether Senesi/Andersen/whoever throwing the ball to row Z was their 10th defcon or not. Almost as good as the Saka assist ones.

            1. F4L
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 8 days ago

              😀 this is the thing that gets me with defcon

              you can have defenders that are extremely calm under pressure, take a long ball down and regain possession etc and then you have senesi hoofing it away at almost every opportunity and those types get more of a reward. does seem abit hmm meh

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Right - this make sense

  5. mookie
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Villa with zero shots in the first half.

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Chelsea are playing very well.

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        More like villa playing terribly and sitting back

  6. Captain Mal
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Malen has 5 touches after 45 minutes

  7. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Do you think Gusto starts midweek?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Yes

      1. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Thanks MS

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      yes - with rotation for James

  8. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    I am in doubt on what to do here with 2 FT and 0 itb.

    I suppose I should find a replacement for Ramsdale (as we expect Pope to be back next week, right?), but I also think Woltemade could do really well over the next couple of games.

    Current team:

    Ramsdale
    Timber VVD Richards
    Foden Cunha Semenyo Gordon
    Haaland Ekitike Thiago

    Dub Senesi Mukiele Ba

    Any suggestions from you guys?

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Ramsdale 4.8m to Bayindir 4.8 (Wolves at home)

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Also, Gordon (New) 7.4m to Cherki (Man CIty) 6.6m

      2. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Guarantee you Bayindir blanks

        1. Bluetiger1
          • 3 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          yeah - I know but a possible alternative but United v Wolves should be a certain

          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Mate he hasn’t played since September, we signed a new keeper months ago

  9. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    On a Free Hit for next week

    Any must players with fixtures/rotation etc

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Sorry - current team who to bring in / take out - heard Wilson cannot play as
      5 yellow cards

      Donnarumma
      J Timber / Guehi / Chalobah
      Wilson / Foden /Cunha / Rogers / Rice
      Ekitike / Haaland

      Bench
      Dubravka / Woltemade / Cash / Van De Ven

  10. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    saka 7 shots and 4 chances created today, have to go a long way back to find a match where saka was so involved in chances in a single match

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      He is a good pick. The question is, however, if he is worth his pricetag. Rice seems better value for money.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Would rather have Schade this week 😆

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      If Arsenal were a team who were attacking and also had players who could finish he would be worth it

      As the season goes on they will likely become even more defensive which means whilst he will get the odd haul not sure if he justifies 10m over the defence, rice etc

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        More value in triple up in defence I feel esp for a good run of fixtures

  11. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Staggering lack of goal scorers making this one of the dullest premier league seasons I can remember. From an FPL POV, one player being so far ahead of others makes it even worse

    Only ones I can recall being this dire were 09 and 11. Berbatob getting golden boot without being first choice all the time lol

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Captaincy as a thing makes it even more awful. You can't bet against Haaland so it's essentially a 10 player game

  12. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    How could I still have Virgil, seems not worth even for the WOL LEE bur fixtures ... Gvardiol in, Y or N?

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      no

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Every time I try to get rid of him something more pressing comes up. Might need WC to do it.

  13. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Pretty sure Rice should be on 14 defcons and also counted Esteve from sideline getting 10 defcons. Where are my points ?

  14. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Pen

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Should’ve been

  15. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    35 points 🙁

    A good week to have a bad week?

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

      Stop boasting!

      1. FCSB
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        7 points off a green arrow so not boasting I’m afraid 🙁

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

          I’m on 29 with Chalobah in play and Mukiele and Vicario to come. Benched Dalot which is annoying

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      (lol)

      Is that all in or do you have some scores to come

      1. FCSB
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        All in :/

  16. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    that easily couldve been a pen. neto tucks that in no if it doesnt hit maatsen?

  17. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Wow so lucky

  18. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Palmer starting to tick

  19. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Which players would your prioritise for GW20?

    Looking for differentials for my H2H and willing to take a short term punt. Not really any stand out fixtures.

    Spurs?

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      United & Leeds could be high scoring.

      We (Sunderland) will do a job on Spurs.

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Both have Cunha already and not sure I’d be tempted by any others

  20. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    does var check GK going out the box with ball?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      * i guess not

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

        I think it was checked

  21. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Do something Palmer

  22. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Villa seem to pay too much respect to big teams. Probably Emery always fearful of a thrashing or something. They even managed to give Liverpool a clean sheet.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Away from home yes

  23. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    I was 80k 6gw’s ago and now I’m almost 400k. Normally Christmas time is when I make ground…

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      I blame the countdown to next deadline on the homepage

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

        😆

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        How dare they spoon feed them with that information

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Telling people what players to buy is one thing, but I draw the line at this. Game is gone.

  24. SomeoneKnows
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Early transfer thoughts: 1FT + 0.7itb who should I prioritize replacing? and with whom?

    A) Semenyo
    B) Minteh (despite WHU next)
    C) Lacroix

    Raya
    Timber, Lacroix, Keane, Andersen
    Saka, Foden, Semenyo, Bruno G.
    Haaland, Eketike

    (Dubravka, Minteh, Gudmundsson, Guiu)

  25. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    I think Smith is doing James a disservice by suggesting he wasn’t trying to score there.

  26. HD7
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Maaan... starting Petrovic instead of Dubravka because I didnt want to double with Esteve ( who didnt play)...

    And not buying Keane... (got Mukiele instead). 20 pts swing

  27. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Rogers YC

  28. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Passes in final third: Chelsea 110, Villa 7.

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

      Wow, that’s mad. It was the first time in Emerys Villa reign that they failed to take a shot in the first half

  29. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    How the hell was Rogers booked? It was all James

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Rogers shd have been booked earlier I think the ref just making up for it

  30. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Lol, Cucu had JP and Neto open, but he gives it Nacho

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Rubbish, no vision