Dugout Discussion
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:

Brighton unchanged

257 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    2 days, 22 hours ago

    João Pedro is he injured?

    1. Moon Dog
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        In the article above!

        “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

        1. Gizzachance
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Few days ago!
          Would have been transfer out if knew that !

          1. JBG
            • 7 Years
            2 days, 22 hours ago

            We sadly didn't get any info about this before deadline

            1. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              2 days, 22 hours ago

              Footy is the worst sport in the world for hiding injury information. NFL would have fined and suspended a team for hiding an injury like that. I’m surprised there isn’t an entire cottage industry of insider trading on PL injuries.

              1. JBG
                • 7 Years
                2 days, 22 hours ago

                Really wish they implemented that

            2. Gizzachance
              • 11 Years
              2 days, 22 hours ago

              Unfortunately

          2. Bluetiger1
            • 3 Years
            2 days, 22 hours ago

            ditto

        2. Bluetiger1
          • 3 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          missed article - annoying for tonight & DGW

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Always found it so strange the amount of shtick that Roman got as an owner.

      At least he wouldn’t fire a top coach in the middle of a successful season based on ego alone. Now 10 points out of Champions league and no investment in the future to show for it. This new ownership group is going to get us relegated before we win ANYTHING.

      Rosenoir is about as useless a manager as he was a player. When do the fans stand up and demand change?

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Boehly is as useless of an owner as Rosenior is a manager.

        Also Roman got more shtick for his "off the field" stuff... that weren't exactly the most legal stuff.

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Oligarchs gotta Oligarch man..

          No more immoral than any other society’s elite… Roman almost got sent to the Golag for speaking out against the Ukraine invasion. Bet they would let Trump own a team if he wanted, no questions asked

    3. tutankamun
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Delap bar

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      So this is why he’s called Cold Palmer

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        I was talking so much shite about him as a pick and yet I picked him in my FH, I'm such an idiot.

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Same here

    5. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      On fh

      Bench:Verbruggen,gross ,v hecke , hill 17 pts

      Played senesi ,Pedro no show.
      Enzo palmer blanking so far

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        At least you get people off the bench

        1. Gizzachance
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Only if Pedro still out

    6. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Do something Palmer ffs

    7. R Whites
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Gordon and JP on a bench boost, any chance.

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

        Same

      2. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Same, take it move on, games pure luck

        1. R Whites
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          In it together.

    8. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 22 hours ago

      Sesko and Boomo rubbish again

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Šeško actually did good there. Bruno passed it too late

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

          Yeah Sesko done nothing wrong

      2. Moon Dog
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          I think it's the supporting cast that's the issue. The midfield and the fullbacks are the engine room, and if they had the legs to get up the pitch and support quickly the forwards would get more space and options to pass to. They're always having to do too much by themselves.

      3. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Garnacho 😆

        1. thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Lol!

        2. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          They don’t seem concerned by him at all do they

      4. JBG
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        I despise Cucurella

      5. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        How many more misses are there going to be off Neto's crosses.

        1. thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          He’s from the Dalot school of crossing.
          Maybe a Portuguese thing?!

      6. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Cucurella is a weasel

        1. thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          Plus ca change!

        2. JBG
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 22 hours ago

          How he hasn't gotten a YC is incredible

      7. WVA
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 22 hours ago

        Any obvious changes on FH34? 10.7m ITB lol.

        Roefs
        Gab VVD Dalot
        Bruno(C) Rice Szoboszlai Wilson KDH
        Watkins Bowen
        Leno Tark Mav Beto

        1. thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Not even looked to be honest.

          1. WVA
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            I wouldn’t bother it’s not very inspiring

        2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 12 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Im actually getting some Spurs believe it or not. Probably Porro. Think they can do ok vs Wolves.

          Also playing either Mukiele or Neco Williams.

          1. WVA
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Not sure on Spurs

            Like Muk and Neco

          2. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            I was thinking of a wolves punt or two but might go for a spurs punt now. Wolves really were shocking again today.

            1. WVA
              • 9 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Wolves a definite no

        3. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Jokeres maybe

          1. WVA
            • 9 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Yeah higher ceiling than Rice I guess

      8. Cheeky Reijnders
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 days, 21 hours ago

        Really looking forward to an A or G from Cucu just to wind up the yanited fans on here even more! 🙂

        1. thegaffer82
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Got a long wait on your hands methinks 🙂

      9. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        2 days, 21 hours ago

        Os Delap the worst striker in the PL?

        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Might genuinely be

        2. Moon Dog
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Must be. Barry has 6x more goals than him.

        3. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Mount goal would be class

        4. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Mazraoui had been visiting Turkey

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Lol

        5. gooberman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 days, 21 hours ago

          Palmer will be coming right out of my team after this double. Don't know if its the injuries but he just doesn't have the quality anymore.

        6. Moon Dog
            2 days, 21 hours ago

            Hmm, maybe just ignore United attackers except Bruno next week.

            With Mount & Amad coming on for two of the front three every game, it's going to be difficult to find 90 mins from one...

            1. JBG
              • 7 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Unless Dorgu is back, Cunha seems safe

              1. JBG
                • 7 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                Nevermind, didn't read the 90mins part.

            2. Moon Dog
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                And now all 3 have come off.

                Sesko, Cunha, Mbeumo âž¡ Zirkzee, Mount, Amad

            3. thegaffer82
              • 14 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              What a tackle from Maz!
              Even better it’s on Garnacho

            4. MVDP
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 1 Year
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Palmer and Pedro double up on a DGW. What could possibly go wrong ?

            5. shirtless
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Freehit fired up

            6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
              • 12 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Down 0-1 in 81st minute? Let’s get two new center backs on

              1. thegaffer82
                • 14 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                It’s the sort of substitutions Amorim would make

              2. JBG
                • 7 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                Straight out of the Amorim playbook

            7. DeSelby
              • 3 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Idiot announcer declares "Penalty!" then when it's actually a goal kick says that the Chelsea fans thought it was a penalty. Well, maybe some did but so did YOU! Jerk.

            8. Wolfman180
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Urgh, just seen the difference in points benching Gross for Hinselwood.

              1. denial
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                Yeah I took Gross out for Hinshelwood last minute gw32. Annoying.

              2. Feanor
                • 16 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                I got Scott instead of Gross

            9. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 12 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Rosenior is a total fraud, he doesn’t have a clue what he is doing and just another charlatan earning big money in the game from people who should know better.

              1. JohnnyB10
                • 1 Year
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                What a fraud! Just look at the last 4 PL games including this one, no goals scored whatsoever! 0-1, 0-3, 0-3, 0-1! Tf is that lol??? What a top notch manager, Maresca was at least decent!

            10. FPL Blow-In
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Garnacho has been woeful

              1. JBG
                • 7 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                So basically what's he's been like since the end of his MU career.

              2. thegaffer82
                • 14 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                Must be warm & comfy in Dalot’s pocket, cos he’s been in there for over an hour now

              3. Cheeky Reijnders
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                Like that great buy Mount, ay?

            11. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
              • 9 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              Amazing how bad Chelsea are after all the money spent

              1. Cheeky Reijnders
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                Boring years ago and still boring.

                1. The Suspended One
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  2 days, 21 hours ago

                  Hey those are the World Champions you are talking about

            12. Albrightondknight
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 days, 21 hours ago

              C Palmer season ended - oh well took a punt to go for rank

            13. Moon Dog
                2 days, 21 hours ago

                Didn't expect this result given United have lost their best four CBs.

                Credit to Carrick for finding solutions to a difficult problem.

                1. JBG
                  • 7 Years
                  2 days, 21 hours ago

                  Having Mainoo back helped alot tbf and also Bruno playing much better.

                2. tutankamun
                  • 16 Years
                  2 days, 21 hours ago

                  Pathetic from Chelsea

                3. JohnnyB10
                  • 1 Year
                  2 days, 21 hours ago

                  Give credit where credit is due.