Dugout Discussion

Lampard rotates but key Chelsea assets all start

Chelsea’s key Fantasy assets all start against Bournemouth with Christian Pulisic (£7.4m) joining Tammy Abraham (£8.0m) in the front-three.

Meanwhile, Mason Mount (£6.6m) is also in the starting line-up but may well be sat in a central midfield trio alongside N’Golo Kanté (£5.0m) and Jorginho (£5.0m).

However, those who made a move for the differential Reece James (£5.0m) were left disappointed as he was named on the bench.

The exciting right-back has started four of the last five but is among the substitutes against Bournemouth.

The Cherries have gone with something relatively experimental in light of recent injuries.

Eddie Howe has opted for a 4-4-2 diamond system featuring Josh King (£6.1m) and Ryan Fraser (£6.9m) as the central strikers.

That sees Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.8m) return to the right of defence with Emerson Palmieri (£5.5m) starts on the left.

Meanwhile, Leicester have kept the exact same line-up rolled out in the 4-1 win at Aston Villa, hinting that Brendan Rodgers may continue using it after Gameweek 16.

The Foxes once again are laid out in a 4-3-1-2 system, with Dennis Praet (£5.3m) and Youri Tielemans (£6.6m) either side of Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m) and James Maddison (£7.8m) behind Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) and Kelechi Iheancho (£5.7m).

Opponents Norwich include Todd Cantwell (£4.7m) in their starting line-up after he was benched in Gameweek 16.

Sheffield United name an unchanged side to face Aston Villa, Dean Smith hands rare starts to Kortney Hause (£4.4m) and Henri Lansbury (£4.4m).

After coming back into the team for the 5-0 defeat at Spurs, Matt Lowton (£4.4m) returns to the bench for Burnley.

Phil Bardsley (£4.3m) reclaims his right-back berth after an injury, while Ashley Barnes (£6.3m) and Ashley Westwood (£5.4m) return after missing out on Gameweek 16.

Chris Wood (£6.2m) has also shaken off the knock Sean Dyche revealed on Thursday to start up-front in the 4-4-2 system.

In light of recent injuries to Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.4m) and Jonjo Shelvey (£5.1m), Steve Bruce is somewhat limited in the team he can name at Turf Moor.

He has stuck with a five-man defence but looks to be deploying three central midfielders behind a front-pairing of Andy Carroll (£5.4m) and Joelinton (£5.6m), rather than sticking with a 5-4-1 formation.

Burnley XI: Pope; Pieters, Mee, Tarkowski, Bardsley; McNeil, Westwood, Cork, Hendrick; A Barnes, Wood.

Newcastle United XI: Dúbravka; Willems, Dummett, Schär, Fernández, Manquillo; Atsu, S Longstaff, Hayden; Joelinton, Carroll.

Chelsea XI: Kepa; Emerson, Rüdiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Mount, Kanté, Jorginho; Pulisic, Abraham, Willian.

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale; Rico, Mepham, Francis, Stacey; Lerma; Gosling, Billing; L Cook; J King, Fraser.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Chilwell, Söyüncü, Evans, R Pereira; Tielemans, Ndidi, Praet; Maddison; Iheanacho, Vardy.

Norwich City XI: Krul; Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Byram; Tettey, Trybull; Buendía, McLean, Cantwell; Pukki.

Sheffield Utd XI: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Mousset, McGoldrick.

Aston Villa XI: Heaton; Guilbert, Engels, Hause, Targett; McGinn, Nakamba, Lansbury; El Ghazi, Wesley, Grealish.

1,988 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Tammy blank

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Noo, brace coming!

  2. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Let's get this party started!

  3. Jealous Viper
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Salah (c) went well. Just need Tammy and Vardy to stay quiet. 🙂

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Have Salah but now get ready for Vardy party(c)

      1. 1zverGGadeM
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Same her Cho-choooo

    2. Pedi
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Fook off

  4. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy party about to commence

  5. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy hat-trick incoming. Norwich are rubbish.

    1. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Think iheanacho increases threat level but also can share the goals.

    2. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yasssssssssss!!!!!!

  6. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling > Salah before GW16 my best move this season. Especially since I don't have Mane and most would have gone for him that GW

    Cheers Mo, see you again on GW20 wildcard 🙂

    1. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Similar held on to Salah but got off Sterling and KDB for likes of Maddison Son.

      Tho Salah might back in gw23 for me!

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Might as well wait until 25 if you want him for 23. 20-21 home games are the crucial ones imo

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have had Salah from the start. FPL King!

  7. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    That Bournemouth midfield is like if Ashley Barnes was 4 people. Incredible shithouse

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy overdue a blank.

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Norwich at home? Think again

    2. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You’re overdue a period of not spouting bollocks

      1. Kane-harry Island
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Oh wow!

    3. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Will still be overdue after 2 hours.

  9. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    C'mon jamieeeeeeeeeeee

  10. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Probably getting the sack in the morning - good chance I’ll drop out of 3 cups in one weekend.

  11. Our Tiny Windows
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is Jesus Firmino Maddison out

    for Abraham Ings Salah

    worth -4?

    1. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Salah for a hit in a blank gameweek? You missed the bandwagon.

      1. Our Tiny Windows
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Noted. Oops.

    2. Jealous Viper
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bringing in Salah for a hit when he won't play doesn't really sit well with me.

  12. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A Sheff Utd CS wouldn't go amiss, doubt it'll happen though.

  13. FPLGeezer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Salah for a hit in a blank gameweek? You missed the bandwagon.

  14. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Imagine not captaining Salah vs Watford at home.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mane (c), Salah (vc) here 🙁 as always could have gone either way, both epic

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Unlucky. Both good calls. But having them both is tasty enough

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          cheers - yeah, immediate reaction is to be annoyed but can't have it all - hopefully Vardy goes easy on me

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yep that’s 2 whole weeks he’s outscored Mane who blanked embarrassingly in 16

  15. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wow I saw the scoreline and I’m pretty excited.

    Went to check my team and realised Robertson had a cameo. What!!!

  16. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy and Pukki ... Hope the party doesn't crash

  17. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Well that salah brace gives me a tough decision now... Which one to sell for Son?

    A) Mane

    B) Salah

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  18. Elfozzie 42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Cup opponent has Salah (c) - end of the run, ta VAR!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What did VAR do?

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Made the correct decision

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Hahaha!

        2. Elfozzie 42
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          To be fair I've not seen it, sounds like it was something to do with an armpit (a rule that's going to be changed soon apparently anyway).

          So yes, not VAR, just frustratingly tough rub of the green today. Could so easily have been Mane with a 14 point hall and everyone crowing the other way.

  19. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    OMG I forgot the cup. FTs my opponent had salah C come one Vardy please

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      FFS*

  20. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    No Baps for Mane?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Correct

  21. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What do you think of a strategy to switch Mane out and bring Salah in after the blank? Differential and would get 7 attackers/midfielders for next gameweek?

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Im doing it. Looks like Salah is back to his best.

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I am planning to go double with Salah & Mane

  22. clempro
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mad to go with no Liverpool on WC?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No.

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

      Luck over form all the time

    3. Gaddafi
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      they are blanking

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You'll want them back soon enough. This is why it is a tricky week to WC

    5. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Think I am. Tough fixtures all through Jan so can bring a couple back in gradually without too much worry about missing hauls

  23. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Iheanacho?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Can be brilliant at times

      Can be useless at time

      Brendan has certainly got him playing well

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You’ll want to sell him the week after you get him in.

    3. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Was tempted to bring in this week but poor option in following weeks when Rogers will switch to more in midfield and just Vardy up top.

  24. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Fanteam with the €250,000 prize pool i capped Salah and had Mane & TAA too, as it updates automatically in running i'm currently up to 10th spot in the world with 45pts from 3!! My assault on top spot has now well and truly begun?!!

    1. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What’s the rest of the team?

      1. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Hendo
        TAA / Soyuncu / Lundstram
        Mane / Son / Salah(c) / Alli
        Vardy(vc) / Jesus / Abraham

        McCarthy, Aurier, Dendo, B.Williams

        1FT 0.4ITB TV = 107.9

        1. Krafty Werks
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Sorry that's now actually 2FT's to take into GW18 not 1.

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Calm down

      Vardy hatty and your back down 😉

      1. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Indeed but do have Vardy so won't affect me too much, started today in 35th.

      2. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Just a Vardy assist leaves me in 12th spot with Son, Alli & Jesus still to play, game on?!!

  25. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone has salah's second goal VAR frozen picture?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He was onside

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I know. Need to explain to someone else

        1. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          If he is arguing otherwise you are wasting your time

          Never argue with stupidity

          1. Emiliano Sala
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            He turned tv off just after goal. Didn't see VAR check

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Even the City fan won’t argue that one’s off.

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        We accept that the deep state are doing everything within their powers to help LiVARpool win the title 😉

  26. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Trying to decide whether to hit WC button. This is how existing team would line up- assuming no injuries. Would you

    A WC
    B Stick for November but transfer Mané to Son and play over Cantwell and WC in week 19

    Henderson
    Soyünücü Lundstram Rico
    Pulisic Zaha KDB Cantwell
    Abraham Vardy Rashford

    McGovern Mané TAA Diop

    1. Gaddafi
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      WC

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Hold.

  27. tisza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    As a Salah owner last 2 weeks just about covers the 3 rubbish weeks before that.
    Mane and salah going to end up with similar totals.

    1. Gaddafi
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No it doesn't cover it.

      1. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Actually 32 vs 32 pts

    2. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah I think that's accurate.
      Mane has been on the up (and still looks very dangerous), Salah has been poor by his standards since injury but improving.
      Odd thing is that there was literally a wafer distance between them today (or an armpits distance) and it could have gone either way yet people are already talking about ditching Mane. Madness.

  28. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Saints-Hammers prediction?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      2-0

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      2-1, up the saints

  29. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Captaincy is going to be tough next week. Probably Rashford Cap, but meh, don't fancy him that much tbh.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy away to a high city line with a 35yo DM at the heart of it flanked by dodgy fullbacks could profit immensely

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I’m thinking Vardy tbh

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Just leave it on the player playing one of the worst backlines in the league?

    4. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Son

    5. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      KDB for me atm

  30. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Come on Rico! Need an upset here, sorry

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I second this, but not as a Rico owner. Just as a non Chelsea players owner.