Dugout Discussion
18 April 2026 257 comments
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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
    • 4 Years
    5 months, 2 hours ago

    João Pedro is he injured?

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 2 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
        5 months, 2 hours ago

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

        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          5 months, 2 hours ago

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

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 months, 2 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
              • 8 Years
              5 months, 2 hours ago

              Really wish they implemented that

          2. Gizzachance
            • 11 Years
            5 months, 2 hours ago

            Unfortunately

        2. Bluetiger1
          • 4 Years
          5 months, 2 hours ago

          ditto

      2. Bluetiger1
        • 4 Years
        5 months, 2 hours ago

        missed article - annoying for tonight & DGW

  2. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 2 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
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 2 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
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 1 hour 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
    • 17 Years
    5 months, 2 hours ago

    Delap bar

  4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 2 hours ago

    So this is why he’s called Cold Palmer

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 2 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
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Same here

  5. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 2 hours ago

    On fh

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

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

    1. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 2 hours ago

      At least you get people off the bench

      1. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 2 hours ago

        Only if Pedro still out

  6. Royal5
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 2 hours ago

    Do something Palmer ffs

  7. R Whites
    • 10 Years
    5 months, 2 hours ago

    Gordon and JP on a bench boost, any chance.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Same

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Same, take it move on, games pure luck

      1. R Whites
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        In it together.

  8. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Sesko and Boomo rubbish again

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Šeško actually did good there. Bruno passed it too late

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Yeah Sesko done nothing wrong

    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour 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.

  9. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Garnacho 😆

    1. thegaffer82
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Lol!

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

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

  10. JBG
    • 8 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    I despise Cucurella

  11. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

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

    1. thegaffer82
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

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

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Cucurella is a weasel

    1. thegaffer82
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Plus ca change!

    2. JBG
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      How he hasn't gotten a YC is incredible

  13. WVA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 months, 1 hour 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
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Not even looked to be honest.

      1. WVA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        I wouldn’t bother it’s not very inspiring

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 1 hour 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
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Not sure on Spurs

        Like Muk and Neco

      2. Fifa las vegas
        • 14 Years
        5 months, 1 hour 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
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 months, 1 hour ago

          Wolves a definite no

    3. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Jokeres maybe

      1. WVA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Yeah higher ceiling than Rice I guess

  14. Woking Wanderers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

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

    1. thegaffer82
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Got a long wait on your hands methinks 🙂

  15. Royal5
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Os Delap the worst striker in the PL?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Might genuinely be

    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

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

  16. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Mount goal would be class

  17. Royal5
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Mazraoui had been visiting Turkey

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Lol

  18. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 1 hour 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.

  19. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    5 months, 1 hour 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
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Unless Dorgu is back, Cunha seems safe

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Nevermind, didn't read the 90mins part.

    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      And now all 3 have come off.

      Sesko, Cunha, Mbeumo ➡ Zirkzee, Mount, Amad

  20. thegaffer82
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

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

  21. Jacquet or chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

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

  22. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Freehit fired up

  23. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

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

    1. thegaffer82
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      It’s the sort of substitutions Amorim would make

    2. JBG
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Straight out of the Amorim playbook

  24. DeSelby
    • 4 Years
    5 months, 1 hour 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.

  25. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

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

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

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

    2. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      I got Scott instead of Gross

  26. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 1 hour 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
      5 months, 1 hour 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!

  27. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Garnacho has been woeful

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

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

    2. thegaffer82
      • 15 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

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

    3. Woking Wanderers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Like that great buy Mount, ay?

  28. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 10 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

    Amazing how bad Chelsea are after all the money spent

    1. Woking Wanderers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Boring years ago and still boring.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 1 hour ago

        Hey those are the World Champions you are talking about

  29. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 1 hour ago

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

  30. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    5 months, 1 hour 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
      • 8 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

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

    2. tutankamun
      • 17 Years
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Pathetic from Chelsea

    3. JohnnyB10
      • 1 Year
      5 months, 1 hour ago

      Give credit where credit is due.