Dugout Discussion
18 September 2026 613 comments
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Brentford take on Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium in the Gameweek 5 curtain-raiser.

Kick-off is at 20:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Xabi Alonso makes five changes from the side that drew 2-2 against Hull City last weekend.

Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria and Danny Welbeck come in.

Reece James and Joao Pedro both miss out due to injury, while Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia and Jorrel Hato have to make do with substitute duty.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews brings in Michael Kayode and Mikkel Damsgaard.

Aaron Hickey and Mamadou Sangare drop to the bench.

LINE-UPS

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Schuster, Ajer, Lewis-Potter, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Anthony, Damsgaard, Schade, Thiago

Subs: Balcombe, Hickey, Henry, Ouattara, Wilson, Carvalho, Sangare, Diouf, Fredrick

Chelsea XI: Martinez, Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, Neto, Henderson, Barco, Chavarria, Palmer, Rogers, Welbeck

Subs: Penders, Acheampong, Gusto, Hato, Lavia, Nicoll-Jazuli, Gittens, Estevao, Quenda


613 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Feanor
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Think I should have done Slater to Schade and benched Konsa

  2. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Got my 1 week differential coming off the bench for Pedro. Gonzalo Garcia, before everyone does Barry > Garcia for next week vs Ipswich.

    1. JT11fc
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Couldnt decide between the 2 so got King amd Barry

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Same here!

        1. JT11fc
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Letsgooo

    2. Dank Squid
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Konsa benched, I hope Gonzalo goes Gonzo

      1. BUZZBOMB ♡
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Dont you mean Tonto?

        1. Dank Squid
          1 month, 16 days ago

          No but yes

  3. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Pedro quotes from Alonso?

    1. JBG
      1 month, 16 days ago

      "Haha jokes on you! I knew he was injured all along"

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Apparently there are quotes that he will be back for Bournemouth but that's too useful for Scout to find and include in the dugout discussion.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Xabi Alonso: “Reece picked up a little injury in the last game against Hull, and he was a few days short of recovering. Hopefully, he will be back for the next one. João as well, we tried, but we expect now to use the time for him to be back for the next one against Liverpool.”

      1. Zogzeg
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Thanks Virg

  4. JT11fc
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Seems I have captained big Dom Calvert-Lewindowski

    1. JBG
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Calvert-Lewgoalski

  5. leo_messi
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Hi all, which site is the most accurate when it comes to price changes?

    1. Feanor
      1 month, 16 days ago

      FPL

    2. Brosstan
      1 month, 16 days ago

      There is 0 percent reason to think any site would be more accurate than the official site

    3. ICE POLE CALMER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      FPLFocal.page, or just get the FPL Focal app.

  6. F4L
    1 month, 16 days ago

    kelleher peno saved needed, even at the expense of palmer

    can't have raya stealing all the glory

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      he is rather good at saving them.

      Has saved penalties from: Le Fee, Tzolis, Strand Larsen, Bruno Fernandes, Mbappe and Ronaldo

    2. JBG
      1 month, 16 days ago

      As a non Chelsea attack owner(besides JP), I wouldn't mind Brentford keeping a CS

  7. Mr Turnip 1
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Sad to see Sangare benched. That guy would be an S tier FPL pick if he was nailed

    1. Brosstan
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Walle-Egeli would also be an S tier pick if nailed for 90

    2. ICE POLE CALMER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      He’ll probably get a 20-minute cameo? Got him as first sub, with JP in my XI and Konsa as second sub.

  8. MetallicaJack93
    1 month, 16 days ago

    WC first draft for GW6, thoughts?

    Raya Kinsky
    Gvar Cala Munoz Egan Davis
    Saka MGW Rogers Barnes Gross
    Haaland Wissa Delap

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I will get Silva Tavernier and Gonzalo on WC6 and Kinsky to 4.0

    2. ICE POLE CALMER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Pending news, I’d try to slot in JP. Kinsky to 4.0.
      3 Forest seems overkill. Galsner is still working them. Would rather go with Gonzalo up top iso Delap if no JP.
      Two 4.0 defenders is at your own peril. Rotation may come for Calafiori, Konsa may be a safer pick at a lower price.

  9. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Was very tempted to pull the trigger on Pedro > DCL but playing Konsa from bench instead. Hope Leeds don't batter palace

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      DCL is away to Arsenal in GW6 so better to hold Pedro anyways assuming he is back fit after international break

  10. DeSelby
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Barco and Martinez. Doesn't get much worse than that. Good job, Chelsea.

  11. leo_messi
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Which Fulham attacker will be better for their juicy run of fixtures?King or Garcia?

    1. TheBiffas
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I'll be having Garcia personally

    2. Dank Squid
      1 month, 16 days ago

      King is a talent, still finding his feet - occasional haul followed by blanks. Garcia is experienced but PL is tough. The choice is yours

  12. Brosstan
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Why are we paying for this site if they cant even tell us that Pedro and Sangare is out?

    Class action lawsuit pending for false advertising if I don't get a refund

    1. Feanor
      1 month, 16 days ago

      You're suing them in America?

    2. JT11fc
      1 month, 16 days ago

      You have to pay in advance of paying in advance to access future data

    3. BUZZBOMB ♡
      1 month, 16 days ago

      What do you pay? Slap another tariff on us. Or go cry to your mum / mom.

    4. Dank Squid
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Who are "we"? I might be able to provide advice, but only if I won't be accountable for anything

  13. Brosstan
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Brought in Munoz to play instead of having to play De Cuyper in place of Pedro. Should pay off..

  14. Lucky Z
    1 month, 16 days ago

    When Calibrating status usually changes for Prices tab after GW update?

  15. Count of Monte Hristo
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Sangaré, more than meets the eye.
    Sangaré, Reijnders in disguise!

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Sangare, Reinders in disguise
      Just makes me think
      Transformers, Robots in Disguise

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        1 month, 16 days ago

        These are the Transformers lyrics 😉

        Sangaré is a Decepticon.

    2. Haa-lala-land
      1 month, 16 days ago

      FPL'ers battle to defeat the evil forces of, the one pointers.

  16. Emiliano Sala
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Chelsea team looks awful
    I would bet on brentford win

    1. JBG
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Spend 1billion to start Welbeck, Henderson, washed Emi, Barco and whoever that LWB is.

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        1 month, 16 days ago

        The Bash Street Kids.

      2. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Welbeck and Henderson. What happened to the signing of highly promising young players for huge money on 8 year contracts?

  17. JT11fc
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Rogers brace

    1. ICE POLE CALMER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Sangaré 20-minute cameo.

  18. Count of Monte Hristo
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Palmer owners, if he is sub-par tonight and Rogers scores is that a downgrade that would appeal to you or you think Palmer is a good long term hold?

    1. JT11fc
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Lersonally holding him long term, I havnt owned Bruno or Haaland so my premium combos are my differentials.
      Besides that hel keep getting back to best I think

      1. mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 16 days ago

        What’s your team looking like? No haaland or Bruno myself

        1. JT11fc
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Trafford Kinsky
          Munoz Van Hecke Cala Davis Muha
          Saka Palmer MGW Rogers King
          JPedro DCL Barry

          5.5 in the bank for a rainy day

          1. JT11fc
            1 month, 16 days ago

            Couldve had Bruno in for King but didnt feel worth it

    2. Unliklinho
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I have both. Palmer is a sell for me unless his performances pick up. There is more value elsewhere atm and I'd be happy with just Rogers.

    3. F4L
      1 month, 16 days ago

      keeping hold of palmer unless hes gets injured tbh, hard to see him scoring less than 210 points this season.

    4. ICE POLE CALMER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      He’s on pens. His performance will turn a page sooner or later.

    5. BUZZBOMB ♡
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I shipped Rogers for MGW earlier. I have a feeling in 3 weeks time I'll be doing Palmer>Rogers.

    6. Dank Squid
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Rogers is still too cheap, probably worth 9m. Palmer still "comes and goes", pens being the only reason to consider him. Villa Rogers was efficient, often scoring/assisting from only one chance, so much easier now.

      1. ICE POLE CALMER
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Except for the start of last season though…

        1. Dank Squid
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Agree, that was weird. No Europe, yet, and they (Rogers and Watkins) blanked. November-december, hauls every week. Anomaly? Emery is a tough nut

  19. F4L
    1 month, 16 days ago

    anyone else tc erling? fingers crossed he can get 2 attacking returns

    1. Fifa las vegas
      1 month, 16 days ago

      No, just regular captain MGW…for my sins

      1. F4L
        1 month, 16 days ago

        fair, good luck 🙂 looks a great shout this week, hope you're rewarded for looking elsewhere away from the premiums!

      2. ICE POLE CALMER
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Didn’t have the guts to go there. Best of luck!

        1. Fifa las vegas
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Cheers!

      3. Dannyb
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Ha same, feels good someone being in the same boat.

    2. Dank Squid
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Rested Haaland vs Europe/fatigue Sunderland, F4L ftw

      1. Fifa las vegas
        1 month, 16 days ago

        This worries me

      2. F4L
        1 month, 16 days ago

        😀 yeah it just felt like that, cant be many times the whole city first XI basically gets the week off before a match between now and when the first tc chip has to be used by. and i like cherki central, with foden out he should be there and when he is there i feel that city attack creates some chances at the very least

        1. Dank Squid
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Go for it, if it feels right

    3. have you seen cyan
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I captained Isak :/

      1. F4L
        1 month, 16 days ago

        good luck as well, differential captains are the best when they come off! sort of thing you remember at the end of the season, all those haaland 7-13 pointers just sorta fudge together dont they tbh

        1. have you seen cyan
          1 month, 16 days ago

          ty u 2

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I will be in gw7!

      1. F4L
        1 month, 16 days ago

        the smart play

        how about braces in both this gw and 7 😉 🙂

    5. Calafiornication
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Two or three in my work league

  20. PartyTime
    1 month, 16 days ago

    KANEEEEEEE

  21. F4L
    1 month, 16 days ago

    genuinely why did chelsea ditch this formation last gw, feel like it just more attacking anyways than 4231 like

  22. have you seen cyan
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Is it just me who feels like Danny Welbeck is a dinosaur, feels like the guy has been in the PL for 40 years.

    1. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      People said the same about Groß.

      I thought Welbeck was fantastic against Leeds.

      1. have you seen cyan
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Yea Danny is still good. Won't be surprised to see him score tonight.

        1. Moon Dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 month, 16 days ago

          I remember when Welbeck was tasked with man-marking Xabi Alonso against Real Madrid in 2013.

          I think Real won that game, but Welbeck did great.

          1. Moon Dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            1 month, 16 days ago

            Ah yes, that was the match with the Nani red card. Awful decision!

            https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21583952

          2. Moon Dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            1 month, 16 days ago

            Carrick also played in that game!
            https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/358622/real-madrid-manchester-united

            God I feel old.

            (Sorry for the spam)

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Yeah has felt that way, he left Arsenal in 2019 and ended up signing for Watford

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      One of those players where overall experience has made them flourish in their late years

    4. Il Capitano
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Was at Wembley for his 1st England goal 14 (!) years ago

  23. JBG
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Chelsea look shite on paper, but actually playing decent atm. Annoyingly

    1. Dank Squid
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Not a Chelsea fan but they finally found a proper manager. We need them up there. Predicted the 2nd spot, behind Arsenal

      1. el polako
        1 month, 16 days ago

        What i like about him is how upfront he is.
        He tells you straight up how it is.

        1. Dank Squid
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Xabi could tell us, but he won't. If you sense something, whatever it is, it could be an advantage. FPL is a multi-dimensional game

  24. JT11fc
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Barco defcon monster

  25. -GK22-
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Worth pulling wildcard trigger early this f some players (Sangare/shaw) about to drop?

  26. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Chelsea putting in the work for a road match

  27. PartyTime
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Rogers is due a blank

  28. el polako
    1 month, 16 days ago

    I have Sangare coming in for JP.
    How is he doing?

    1. JBG
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Already on 7 defcons

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Great, doing exactly what the manager ask of him so far.

    3. ICE POLE CALMER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 16 days ago

      O sweet summer child…

  29. JBG
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Schade down -_-

  30. King Carlos
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Wasnt that a pen for che?

    1. Feanor
      1 month, 16 days ago

      No, outside the box