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16 May 2026 85 comments
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It may not have any direct say on Fantasy Premier League (FPL) rankings and mini-leagues, but today’s FA Cup final could still have an impact on Gameweek 37.

Will the respective managers of Chelsea and Manchester City rotate in their subsequent Premier League fixtures in midweek? Will there be any injuries sustained? And would the cup final going to extra-time increase the likelihood of some tinkering on Tuesday?

All eyes on Wembley for the 15:00 BST kick-off.

TEAM NEWS

Pep Guardiola makes five changes to the rotated side that beat Crystal Palace during midweek.

Predictably, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Nico O’Reilly all return.

And there’s the expected start for cup goalkeeper James Trafford, who is in for Gianluigi Donnarumma.

A bigger surprise is the reappearance of Rodri, who hasn’t featured since the 2-1 win over Arsenal due to a groin injury.

And there’s the eyebrow-raising decision to leave Rayan Cherki on the bench, with Omar Marmoush keeping his place.

Phil Foden and Savinho drop down to substitute duty, while fellow midweek starters Josko Gvardiol and Rayan Ait-Nouri miss out altogether.

Chelsea make two changes from the side that drew at Liverpool last time out.

Reece James and the fit-again Robert Sanchez are in for Andrey Santos and Filip Jorgensen.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Gusto, James, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella, Palmer, Pedro.

Subs: Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Neto, Jørgensen, Garnacho, Delap, Essugo, Andrey, Acheampong.

Manchester City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Semenyo, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Donnarumma, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Savinho, Foden.

85 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Not looking good as a Cherki owner. Hopefully he starts vs Bou.

    1. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      If he started this game, I'd be more worried about Bou

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      2 benchings and early sub in last 3, thought he would start today though

      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        Just Pep isn't it. He has his flavour of the month in those spots. It was Reijnders then Foden then Cherki and now its Marmoush.

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      He’s turning into super sub

    4. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Welded to my bench

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

      Marmoush has been invisible and Cherki has been warming up on the sidelines so there's hope yet!

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        There you go

    6. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Feel not starting today will start mid-week

  2. Sir Michael Taker
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Palmer doing a good job at RWB. Might get some defcon in these remaining games

    1. Naatie
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Do you ever stop whining, chill

      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        It was a compliment and an observation. Hes very very deep

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      playing for the team
      if continues as Chelsea get
      into game chance in other
      direction

  3. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Doku nutmegs Palmer lol

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

    Semenyo shot goes out for a throw 😆

  5. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Prizes for anyone who can predict Man City's lineup away to Bournemouth

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Caballero
      Zabaleta-Dunne-Kompany-Clichy
      Fernandinho-Gundogan
      Nolito-Dilva-Sterling
      Negredo

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

        Dunne always reminds me of City before the money.

        Their last lineup pre-takeover:

        Hart
        Corluka - Richards - Dunne - Ball
        Hamann - Kompany- Johnson
        Ireland - Jo - Wright-Phillips

        Micah at CB, and Kompany in midfield.

    2. Dubem_FC
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      GK
      RB CB CB LB
      CM CM
      RW AM LW
      CF.
      What's my prize??

  6. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    That’s a foul anywhere outside the box so it’s a penalty

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      100% agree

  7. Football is home
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    How is this not a penalty?

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      no where near the ball

    2. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      See above! Agree

  8. Capocannonieri
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Which Man City do we expect to be Pepped vs Bournemouth?

    Haaland, Semenyo, Cherki, OReiillu, Guehi?

    Guehi has not rested in many games

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Crystal ball job

    2. I have no Wirtz
      2 months, 1 day ago

      They all get 45min

  9. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Chelsea looking much better with James & Colwill back

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      100% agree

      Great tactical change with formation 3-4-2-1
      Doubling up on Doku

      both should go to World Cup - Colwill Chelsea have
      missed massively this season in our defence

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

        Makes such a difference when you have players that can pass through the press.

        If James is fit, he's 100% going. Colwill's putting in a strong case, surely a place for him.

  10. Ignasi M
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Is Isak injured again? Unbelievable.

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Probably doesn't want to play for Slot

      1. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        He was injury prone at Newcastle, but he's even more injury prone at Pool. Yeah, he is a mercenary.

    2. Capocannonieri
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Newcastle should be thankful they sold this dude.

      They should buy Thiago or Creepy Junior

      They better sell Woltemade to someone, that poor kid is garbage

  11. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Need NOR to exhaust himself into not playing Tuesday

    Virgil on my bench, ugh

    1. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      120+ minutes might do it....

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Ditto

    3. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      and me!! I had rogers and Watkins starting though. Villa v Liverpool are always high scoring games, so I predicted a large villa win but not two goals from bloody virgil!!

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        Both Watkins and Rogers?! Shiieeet...

        1. Ignasi M
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 1 day ago

          Yeah, I was going to captain Watkins but ended up captaining saka. Gargh. Hope he returns at least a goal and assist!!

          1. I have no Wirtz
            2 months, 1 day ago

            My competitor captained Watkins. Got to admit when you are beaten I guess.

  12. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Lovely finish Semenyo

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      No way he’s getting rested!

  13. JBG
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Slotted it in well Semen(yo).

  14. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Absolutely loathe semenyo. If there's any justice he's benched against Bournemouth

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      He'll surely score against his old team

    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Managers always play players against their old teams

    3. GunnerStorm
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Why?

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        String of 2s when I own him, change to Cherki who is in great form and for inexplicable reasons pep keep giving semenyo 90 minutes despite being crap since gw30 while benching cherki

  15. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Pedro wincing as he goes off and was struggling just before, could be injured

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Probably wincing because he has to play for this club.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        Savage

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Barca calling

  16. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 1 day ago

    And in the end, Pep wins.

    Chelsea gave a good game. Lovely goal from Semenyo.

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      That was special, role on Bournemouth

  17. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Chelsea have more than their fair share of cox, Caceido, Enzo, Cucu, Palmer and Delap to name a few.

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Billion ££ shambles, crazy

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      To spend £1.5 billion on transfers in 4 years and still play underdog against every team that’s better than them shows their failure

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Up there with Spurs in my estimation.

      1. Nomar
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        Hopefully they beat Spurs on Tuesday.

  18. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Semenyoooooo

    Haaland assist as well, nice..

    - practicing for Bou (a)

  19. FFS ManU
    • 3 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    So many empty seats at Wembley as the players got their medals and Man City lifted the FA Cup.

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Chalsea are bad losers...........

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        what do you expect from plastics...

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      The losing fans never hang around. Why would they?

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        Plus many want to get home before the riots start.

        1. FFS ManU
          • 3 Years
          2 months, 1 day ago

          The demonstrations could well be factor. I'm old enough to remember when it was unusual to see so money empty seats during the presentation.

        2. Bluetiger1
          • 4 Years
          2 months, 1 day ago

          Good call on both

          Majority of finals since return to new Wembley geared to winning team
          with music etc which allows losing teams fans to go & easier for the police
          particular down Wembley way

      2. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        Because they’ve paid a packet to be there

    3. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Because city have 0 fans.. most of the people there were Chelsea fans.

  20. Bluetiger1
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Congrats to Manchester City in win today
    A domestic double so far which seems to
    have gone under the radr.

    Sad seeing Chelsea loss but played well,
    a couple of tight pen calls before half-time &
    the second half which could have been given.

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Temu AI slop?

  21. I have no Wirtz
    2 months, 1 day ago

    All I can say about the final is I really liked the Semenyo goal. He seemed moved it had come off.

    1. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 22 hours ago

      It was a cracking finish

  22. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Eek benched Semenyo this week…

  23. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Salah to start next week, even after his latest comments?

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Have him on my WC

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 1 day ago

        100% starts

  24. I have no Wirtz
    2 months, 1 day ago

    Alonso at Chelsea. Don’t know what to make of that.

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 1 day ago

      Means Palmer will be electric next season at 8m

  25. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 23 hours ago

    Who do we think starts vs BOU out of NOR Cherki Doku Semen Haaland

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 23 hours ago

      All except Semenyo

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 23 hours ago

        Semenyo is nailed, he’s the chaos

        1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 23 hours ago

          Hope so but lot of 90 minutes recently

  26. Nomar
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 22 hours ago

    I can confidently say that I am not the Bangaranga.