Dugout Discussion

Hazard and Hudson-Odoi start for Chelsea as Higuain returns

The final match of Blank Gameweek 33 takes place this evening, as West Ham United make the short trip across London to face Chelsea. Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is at 20:00 BST.

Eden Hazard and Callum Hudson-Odoi keep their places in Maurizio Sarri’s starting XI and are joined in Chelsea’s front three by Gonzalo Higuain, who replaces the benched Olivier Giroud.

Given Chelsea’s congested fixture schedule and Sarri’s comments on Friday about “having to change”, there are perhaps not quite as many alterations as we anticipated to the Blues’ line-up.

Sarri’s only other change is an expected one, with Antonio Rudiger replacing Andreas Christensen at centre-half.

Pedro has recovered from injury to take his place among the substitutes alongside Christensen, Giroud, Willian, Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic.

There is no Marcos Alonso in the squad, with the Spanish left-back having been a doubt for this match after suffering a hamstring injury.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has recovered from back and hamstring problems to start, however.

After the Hammers’ dismal display against Everton in Gameweek 32, there is perhaps no surprise that Manuel Pellegrini has made five changes to his starting XI.

Marko Arnautovic isn’t one of those changes, however, despite Javier Hernandez‘s return to the West Ham team.

Felipe Anderson and Ryan Fredericks have recovered from injury to start, while Fabian Balbuena is in the Hammers’ starting XI for the first time since December.

Mark Noble is also recalled as Issa Diop, Pablo Zabaleta, Robert Snodgrass, Pedro Obiang and Lucas Perez make way.

All bar Zabaleta of that quintet are among the substitutes tonight.

West Ham were the first team to prevent Hazard from registering an attacking return this season when the two clubs drew 0-0 in Gameweek 6.

The Belgian winger was the third-most-bought and third-most-captained Fantasy asset of Gameweek 33.

Noble is the only member of West Ham’s starting XI to score or assist an away goal this calendar year.

The Hammers are without a victory away from the London Stadium since December.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have kept clean sheets in seven of their last ten home league matches.

Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi, Higuain, Hazard.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Fredericks, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Anderson, Lanzini, Arnautovic, Hernandez.

3,259 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone think Llorente is a shoo in for Hudds?

    1. Richd
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      He’s injured I believe

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Back from concussion, but I'd be massively surprised if he started vs Huddersfield.

      2. Hungry Singh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Well that puts that theory to the sword. City thrice in 10 days surely takes its toll.

    2. Fernando Torres
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Lol and play instead of who?

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      no Kanes wants to score at home for the first time, what better way to do it then a hat trick vs hud 🙂

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, M.P. will want one final push. He could potentially play Son up front, also...but I reckon Kane starts the match.

    4. Zen_Master
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Kane is a shoo in for Hudds. Golden boot things.

    5. Vinyl78LP
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe assess Spurs rotation credentials after we know the 1st leg score against City.

    6. Richd
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      It sounds mental but the reason I’m happy to go triple spurs attack is so I definitely have a couple of players in that game.

      After the WC while preparing for the bench boost we will have benching headaches. So if there’s a no show it doesn’t hurt much.. if anything it stops you having to make a decision

      Obviously nothing can prevent the dreaded cameo

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Son may be rested tho.

        Moura to start

  2. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Attack in GW 35 can look like:

    Sterling, Son, xxx, xxx, JWP
    Kane, Jim, xxx

    a) Mane, Eriksen, Deeney
    b) Mane, Jota/Deulofeu, Lacazette
    c) Salah, Jota/Deulofeu, Deeney

    1. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      C if you have FH for pool vs HUD. A if not

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        *TC

      2. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I have..and was planned -4 to get him...

        1. Bambi
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          that -4 swings the decision towards having him right away

    2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Toby Lerone
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      B. Salah still looks poor

  3. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    pretty set on this. Can you see a weakness?

    Lloris - Gunn
    Laporte - TAA - Duffy - Dunk - Valery
    Salah - Sterling - Son - Jota - JWP
    Kane - Deeney - Jimenez

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, looks good!!

    2. Manani
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Eriksen instead of Son?

      feel like Son will get rotated more heavily

    3. Toby Lerone
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Pretty close to mine which is good 😉 i have doherty eriksen vardy instead of laporte son deeney.

      Will do vardy to deeney gw35 though

    4. FredrikH
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Looking good. Got Similar. Foster Bednarek Eriksen and Deulofeu instead of Gunn TAA Son JWP.

  4. The 12th Man
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    A) Foster,Laporte,TAA
    Or
    B) Gunn,Kolasinac,Robertson

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A

  5. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    RP. Thoughts on this WC?

    Lloris Foster
    Robbo Laporte Doherty Duffy Valery
    Sterling Mane Eriksen Jota Hoj
    Kane Jimenez Deeney

    Cheers

    1. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Very good. Can’t really fault.

  6. Eytexi
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Deulofeu still a good pick for DGW?

    1. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      wait for news

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      If fit, yes

  7. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    On this page's header image, the ball is an FPL haul

    Notice Higuain too...

  8. Fernando Torres
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    RMWCT

    Foster Ryan
    Duffy Dunk TAA Doherty Valery
    Son Eriksen Jota Sterling Camara
    Kane Aguero Jimenez

    1. Peter Ouch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Dream team

    2. Mayo for Sam
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Same bunch of lads of myself, apart from Camara/Doherty (Kiko/Deleufo). Triple Brighton should return the points

  9. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Better combo to fill in the blanks on WC:

    1) Salah, Doucoure; TAA, Kola, Boly
    2) Mane, Jota; Robbo, Trippier, Doherty

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      2

  10. NUFCAndrew
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Who to make way for Eriksen, not on WC. Hazard or Mane?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard

    2. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      after that game i'd say Mane, but if you need funds to buy other players for a potential BB then it may have to be Hazard

  11. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    A Doucouré or
    B Jota

    as 4th mid?

    1. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Jota.
      He’s my 5th

  12. ZakAFC_
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    How’s this WC team looking?

    Ryan
    TAA, Laporte, Duffy
    Sterling, Eriksen, Jota, Mané
    Kane, Jiménez, Deeney

    Foster, Doherty, JWP, Valery

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I have Robertson over TAA & Deulofeu over JWP

      Other than that it's the exact same so I approve 😆

      1. ZakAFC_
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate

      2. Manani
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        practically same team as mine, but I will get Camasara this week and go to JWP next

  13. Viper
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    A. Murray for gw34 and then Murray - > Deeney in gw35

    Or

    B. Just go Deeney this week vs. Arsenal

    1. Marty McFly
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Deeney

  14. The 12th Man
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    How does this look?
    Foster,Ryan
    Laporte,TAA,Doherty,Duffy,Valery
    Sterling,KDB,Erikson,Son,Jota
    Kane, Jimenez, Deeney

    1. Big Chris Wood
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Am looking at something really similar. Do you think KDB is back to his best?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        He looked good in the cup and played a lot of minutes in the last couple of league games.

        Mane or Salah can come in for Huddersfield in 36.

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Very nice!

      Similar to my option B below but you have much better TV. Your KDB, Laporte vs my Mané, Dunk!

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.
        Would you downgrade Jota > JWP to fund TAA > Robertson?

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Not a bad shout at all actually. Robbo def a better pick for nailedness imo

  15. Don Kloppeone
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Which WC team do you prefer? BB35

    A)
    LLORIS, Foster
    ROBBO, LAPORTE, Duffy, JONNY, Valery
    Sterling, Mané, Eriksen, Jota, DEULO
    Kane, Jimi, Deeney

    B)
    RYAN, Foster
    TAA, DUNK, Duffy, DOHERTY, Valery
    Sterling, Mané, Eriksen, Jota, SON
    Kane, Jimi, Deeney

    Cheers!

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Just post the differences

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I can’t win. Whenever I do that ppl ask for context of rest of the team...

        So no opinion?

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          I like B.

          I don’t think context matters, each player should be looked at in isolation.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Appreciate the reply

            A is my current draft. B was the riskier all attack option I came up with

        2. Not again Shirley
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          To be fair the way you laid it out is fine with me. Clear enough.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            It’s ok I get the view that it’s wasted space also

            Can’t please everyone 🙂

    2. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Both are good.
      B is more of an all in approach

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Yeh I do like both tbh. Which do you think is better if chasing? Prob B right as riskier? A feels very template

        1. The 12th Man
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Template is good.
          You chasing OR or ML?

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Both unfortunately. I’m climbing back in the OR. Just moved from 124k to 70k this week.

            I’m unlikely to win my main cash ML as I’m in 7th and 80pts behind the leader

    3. Tsparkes10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Both solid. Prefer A personally

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

        A is current team

        B is the riskier approach which goes all in on attack

    4. Uncle Gamst
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A

  16. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Take a hit to get Kane tonight before price rise or wait until after tomorrow's games?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely wait.

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Wait. I’ve made that mistake before.

  17. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    JWP: 3 goals, 3 blanks, 3 goals, now 2 blanks...

    Amazing consistency 😀

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Yet so much better than Redmond

  18. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Which option?:
    A) Lloris, Sterling, Vardy
    B) Ederson, Son, Aguero

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Well B gives you an extra fixture so that

      1. JJeyy
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        But I think Son vs vardy is close

        1. Viper
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          It's extremely close. That extra fixture just about edges it for me

  19. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    If I get Kane I need to lose Hazard Salah Mane or Sterling.
    Which one?

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Salah

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I sold Hazard yesterday and probably selling Salah keeping Mane

    3. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Salah no brainer

  20. Vinyl78LP
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Will AWB fall in price tonight, on WC and dont want to lose any team value before Friday afternoon.

  21. Viper
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Camarasa or Murray for this week?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Camarasa is likely to play 2 games

    2. Manani
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Cam

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Murray

  22. jimmy.floyd
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    TC Kane?

  23. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Baps updated.

  24. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Pick 2 goalies for WC from

    A Lloris
    B Foster
    C Ryan

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A, B

  25. Eytexi
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    What happened to Deulo? Any guesses for how long he's out?

  26. tafrère
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    73 pts this Gameweek, up to 7.5k, divided my rank in two since GW31. Chip season is going well for me. Now a good Wildcard an I could end the season inside the top 5k !

    Thoughts on this draft :

    Foster Ryan
    TAA Holebas Boly Duffy Valery
    Sterling Mané Eriksen Jota Hojbjerg
    Kane Vardy Jimenez

    Considering Deeney instead of Vardy to upgrade TAA to Robertson and Boly to Doherty but not sure it's worth it.

  27. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Lloris
    Duffy Dunk TAA
    Son Sterling Deulofeu Jota
    Jimenez Kane Aguero

    Foster Valery Doherty Hojbjerg

    0.4 ITB, BB to be played DGW35

    This is an early draft, would appreciate comments on what needs changing??

    Thanks.

  28. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Barnes or Wood for a one week punt?

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Wood

  29. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Lol just realised 93 two weeks in a row

  30. Sepp Blattered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    For those thinking of captaining Kane v Huddersfield, remember that Spurs always struggle the game after Champions League no matter the opposition.

    For that reason, I’m going punty and captaining Murray (c)