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Chelsea v Man Utd team news: Enzo starts + why Pedro is out

18 April 2026 257 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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There’s still another Premier League fixture to come today, and another match involving a side playing twice in Gameweek 33.

Chelsea get their double-header underway with the visit of Manchester United.

TEAM NEWS

The release of the Bournemouth, Leeds United and Brighton and Hove Albion teamsheets passed by without incident earlier in the day – but we can’t say the same about Chelsea’s.

Joao Pedro is absent completely from the Blues’ squad, so Liam Delap starts up front.

A minor thigh issue is the reason for Pedro’s absence but he could yet make an appearance in Gameweek 33:

“Joao felt his thigh a few days ago. He was touch and go for this one, so hopefully we’ll have him back for Brighton on Tuesday.” – Liam Rosenior, via the Chelsea website

Liam Rosenior’s other change sees prodigal son Enzo Fernandez return to the midfield and Andrey Santos drop to the bench.

The fit-again Trevoh Chalobah is among the substitutes, having returned to training this week after a month out.

As for Manchester United, there are four alterations from Monday’s loss to Leeds United.

There’s a veritable crisis at centre-half, with Leny Yoro joining Matthijs de Ligt on the injury list. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are suspended, too.

Ayden Heaven and Diogo Dalot come into the side, with Noussair Mazraoui set to form a makeshift centre-half pairing with the former.

Kobbie Mainoo and Bryan Mbeumo also return as Manuel Ugarte and Amad Diallo drop to the bench.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Estevao, Palmer, Pedro Neto, Delap.

Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Adarabioyo, Essugo, Santos, Chalobah, Acheampong, Guiu, Lavia, Garnacho.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha, Sesko.

Subs: Bayindir, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Amad, Ugarte, T Fletcher, Lacey, Thwaites.

LIVE GAMEWEEK PAGE!

New to Fantasy Football Scout this season is the Live Gameweek page, which you can see on the side menu.

Here you can follow the scores, watch the defensive contribution (DefCon) points roll in, see who the leading players are for xG and more as the games play out, as seen below:

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257 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. JBG
    • 7 Years
    23 hours, 48 mins ago

    What the actual fck was that Maz?

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  2. tutankamun
    • 16 Years
    23 hours, 48 mins ago

    Enzo BCM

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  3. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    23 hours, 48 mins ago

    Heaven all in on every challenge

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    1. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      23 hours, 39 mins ago

      He’s a red card waiting to happen today that lad

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  4. JBG
    • 7 Years
    23 hours, 46 mins ago

    Mbuemo and Cunha are starting to get on my nerves

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      23 hours, 39 mins ago

      Both over-rated

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        23 hours, 38 mins ago

        This aged well

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  5. JohnnyB10
    • 1 Year
    23 hours, 44 mins ago

    I just see that Gross is first in bonus, nice! Everything went really well until Pedro!

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  6. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    23 hours, 43 mins ago

    Palmer...

    Delap goal

    Offside

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  7. JBG
    • 7 Years
    23 hours, 43 mins ago

    Ben Crellin apparently knew that JP was out. Just wonder how??

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    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      23 hours, 42 mins ago

      Nevermind, people trolling online

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  8. tutankamun
    • 16 Years
    23 hours, 41 mins ago

    Hato YC

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  9. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    23 hours, 41 mins ago

    Feeling unlucky as a Enzo & Palmer(c) owner, lots of nearly moments

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  10. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    23 hours, 38 mins ago

    Get innnnnn

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  11. JBG
    • 7 Years
    23 hours, 38 mins ago

    Get the fck in!!

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    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      23 hours, 38 mins ago

      Bruno is so good!

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  12. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    23 hours, 38 mins ago

    Brunoooooo A

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  13. tutankamun
    • 16 Years
    23 hours, 38 mins ago

    Broooono

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  14. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 38 mins ago

    Rosenior has to go. Utterly clueless

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    1. tutankamun
      • 16 Years
      23 hours, 37 mins ago

      Strange appointment

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    2. JBG
      • 7 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      Boehly wanted a yes man, but didn't know he was getting a clueless yes man.

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      1. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        23 hours, 36 mins ago

        lol. So true.

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      2. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        23 hours, 5 mins ago

        Worse are the two sporting directors - ex Brigthon done F all

        So these guys are the reason why we always go for average players and now they also want to bring another average Striker..... Barely 4 years ago we conquered Europe and won the champions league. It seems we have now been relegated to an average team.

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    3. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      23 hours, 33 mins ago

      Should be renamed Rojunior........

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    4. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      23 hours, 7 mins ago

      yes

      Why did we get rid of Thomas Tuchel

      Potter - no
      Saltor - no
      ** We could have gone for Luiz Enrique or Julian Nagelsmann instead was free to get **
      Pochettino - no
      Enzo Maresca ok -
      Temporary managers Calum McFarlane & Liam Rosenior to in-experience

      GO BACK FOR EITHER Luiz Enrique or Julian Nagelsmann

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  15. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 37 mins ago

    Replaced Bruno with Palmer...lol

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  16. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 37 mins ago

    Bruno A

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  17. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    23 hours, 37 mins ago

    Yes laaaaadd

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  18. Moon Dog
      23 hours, 37 mins ago

      *Puts Cunha back in the FH team*

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    • thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      Beautiful time to score as well, just before H/T

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    • FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      Bruno breezing past Garnacho

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      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        23 hours, 4 mins ago

        Garnacho - why did we buy him when we had wingers

        Bang average & this week Alejandro Garnacho deletes all Chelsea posts with
        pointed Man Utd Message
        https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-utd-garnacho-chelsea-transfer-37012388

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    • threeputt
      • 16 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      yeah of course the week I finally got rid of Cunha

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    • g40steve
      • 8 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      Respect the ball 🙂

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    • The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      Yep, Bruno and Cunha left out in a bad case of dgw fever *sigh*

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    • FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      23 hours, 34 mins ago

      10 points ahead of Chelsea in 6th if this remains and they secure the win. Pretty much CL secured too. Opens the door for Everton if they beat Liverpool

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      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        23 hours, 33 mins ago

        Didn't realise until now that Everton can go ahead of Chelsea if they win haha

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      2. Ady87
        • 12 Years
        23 hours, 33 mins ago

        Bold of you to assume we hold on.

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        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          23 hours, 30 mins ago

          I’m not assuming we do at all. I only said if this remains. I am happy with this score at HT though, feared the worst with Heaven being our only recognised fit CB

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    • Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      23 hours, 34 mins ago

      Bruno in for Gomez at least

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    • Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      23 hours, 34 mins ago

      Wish I left Bruno as a FH sub given Pedro issue!

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      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        23 hours, 33 mins ago

        Ah just saw JP might be back

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        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          23 hours, 33 mins ago

          Hope not

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    • Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      23 hours, 30 mins ago

      Hmmm if Utd add some depth to their bench, could we see them as title challengers next season?

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        23 hours, 30 mins ago

        To their bench? They need to add to their first XI.

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        1. Supersonic_
          • 4 Years
          23 hours, 28 mins ago

          United fan. This. We MIGHT get top 4 this season, but we still need to do some good business in the window to compete for top 4 again

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          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            23 hours, 25 mins ago

            100%. We had very little other competitions to focus on this season due to early exits and no European football. The squad needs a lot of work if they want to get CL again next season while competing in Europe. A 6, RB, LB to start

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            1. Ignasi M
              • 8 Years
              23 hours, 23 mins ago

              Ahh true. Yeah, I have to say competing in four comps has probably damaged Arteta's chances of winning the league.

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          2. Ignasi M
            • 8 Years
            23 hours, 24 mins ago

            You're looking decent in front of goal though. Mbeumo, Cunha, Bruno, and I'd rather Sesko over Gyokeres.

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          3. JBG
            • 7 Years
            23 hours, 23 mins ago

            We need 2 CMs/CDMs, 1 LW or LB(depending on Dorgu) and maybe even a new RB and a backup ST (or a experienced ST that can rotate with Šeško).

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            1. Ignasi M
              • 8 Years
              23 hours, 22 mins ago

              Yeah, replacing Casemiro will be tough and you'll need a quality understudy to him anyway

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            2. FPL Blow-In
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              23 hours, 19 mins ago

              I still think Dorgu is a risk at LB. Had his best games this season at LW. He is a squad player too imo.

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        2. Ignasi M
          • 8 Years
          23 hours, 27 mins ago

          Yeah good point. I like how they look offensively. Actually more creative than Arsenal. At least United players shoot at goal and create chances. It's just their defence that's lacking?

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          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            23 hours, 24 mins ago

            Yeah, need a RB and LB. I still think De Ligt and Licha are good options but need to stay fit. Yoro isn’t good enough. Maguire is a squad player after the extension.

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            1. thegaffer82
              • 14 Years
              23 hours, 14 mins ago

              Give over. Yoro is 20 years old. 20 is nothing for a CB. So much time for him to develop and get used to the Prem.
              He’ll be a top CB in a few years. Bags of ability and potential!

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              1. FPL Blow-In
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                22 hours, 59 mins ago

                Might be writing him off prematurely, and I’m not saying he is going to be a poor player but I don’t think he is title winning starting CB material. I don’t see him being good enough for that on viewing so far.

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      2. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        23 hours, 2 mins ago

        Covering midfielder for next season cover Casemiro
        & Defence cover - going forward really ok
        Keep Bruno

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    • Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      23 hours, 29 mins ago

      Premature, but Bruno or Salah captain next week?

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        23 hours, 27 mins ago

        Bruno is a good bit ahead of Salah imo

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      2. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        23 hours, 27 mins ago

        Bruno for sure

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      3. JBG
        • 7 Years
        23 hours, 27 mins ago

        Probably the player that's gotten return after return lately

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      4. tutankamun
        • 16 Years
        23 hours, 18 mins ago

        Monday night Broono FTW. Scrap Salah.

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    • bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      23 hours, 28 mins ago

      58 pts so far with Bruno as captain. Praying Haaland stays quiet over the next two games. (Have him in squad).

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      1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
          23 hours, 23 mins ago

          How?!?!

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        • thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          23 hours, 22 mins ago

          That’s a brave captaincy choice with Bruno away at Chelsea v’s double Haaland with 1 of those games against Burnley

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          1. Jimmers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            23 hours, 18 mins ago

            Brave is one word for it.......

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          2. bso
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            22 hours, 45 mins ago

            I had changed the captaincy to Haaland but must have forgotten to press the button.

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        • Cheeky Reijnders
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          23 hours, 16 mins ago

          57pts with H as captain. GL

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      2. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        23 hours, 18 mins ago

        Bruno blank was ordered for Chelsea away. How hard was it to deliver that.

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        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          23 hours, 13 mins ago

          Chelsea are woeful atm(Rosenior not helping either...) and Bruno is on fire. Went without him myself, but expected this.

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          1. Cheeky Reijnders
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            23 hours, 5 mins ago

            Check the game stats buddy.

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        2. Moon Dog
            23 hours, 12 mins ago

            Chelsea's a decent fixture for attackers!

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            1. Gizzachance
              • 11 Years
              23 hours, 10 mins ago

              Always is

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