Dugout Discussion

Fabinho starts at centre-half as injured Gomez and Matip miss Chelsea v Liverpool

The stand-out Premier League fixture of the weekend takes place at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Liverpool are Chelsea’s visitors, with kick-off in west London at 16:30 BST.

Both managers have made one change to their starting XIs for this clash.

Joe Gomez (£5.5m) misses out with a knock and with Joel Matip (£5.5m) also unavailable because of a minor muscle injury, it’s Fabinho (£5.5m) who is given the nod to partner Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) at centre-half.

New signing Thiago Alcantara (£6.0m) is only among the substitutes, while the rest of the Liverpool side is as expected.

Mateo Kovacic (£5.5m) comes into the Chelsea midfield in place of Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£6.0m) in Frank Lampard’s only alteration.

Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) is still only a substitute, so that means another start for Reece James (£5.0m) and Marcos Alonso (£6.0m) at full-back – the latter going up against Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) down the Liverpool right.

Kai Havertz (£8.5m) gets another chance to impress after his quiet debut at Brighton, while Timo Werner (£9.5m) – still the most-owned forward in FPL by some margin – again leads the line.

Despite his overall popularity, Werner was the most-sold player of Gameweek 2, with over half a million Fantasy managers ditching him.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) wasn’t far behind him for transfers out and no defender was sold by as many FPL bosses as the Liverpool right-back following his Gameweek 1 blank.

The England international scored home and away against Chelsea last season, with the two league meetings between the two clubs returning 11 goals.

Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) was captained by more Fantasy managers than Salah this weekend, meanwhile.

The Egyptian, who hit a hat-trick against Leeds United last weekend, was handed the armband by over 560,000 of us ahead of Saturday’s deadline.


Chelsea XI: Kepa, James, Zouma, Christensen, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Havertz, Werner.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Fabinho, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Salah.

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2,462 Comments Post a Comment
  1. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Now if Salah and Trent could haul in the same way as Son and Kane did, that would be great

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The way this GW is going, I’m expecting 2 x RC’s, with both been banned for five games.

      1. yousunkmybattleship
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        And 2 pens for each side

  2. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    what happened to Lamptey guy?

    1. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      guys*

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Potter didn't have him in his team so subbed him before clean sheet

      1. Neevesy
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Knew it

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Injured

  3. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Havertz playing right in the front 3 again?!

  4. yousunkmybattleship
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lamptey being subbed off at 57 mins about sums up the first two GWs

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Still my highest scorer amongst defenders and GK 🙁

      1. yousunkmybattleship
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I had Ryan at least but still hurts.

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      4 points is a lot more than some of us can ask for

  5. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    LMS safety score currently 15 with bonus.

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. Turbo Timo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Finally I can smile 🙂

  6. Agger
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Stuart Armstrong looked good today

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He always does

  7. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need Werner to score three after TAA has gone off after 60mins with a CS and goal/assist.

  8. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son saving my bacon this week, but my score is still so bad. Need this to be a really high scoring game

  9. Agger
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah and Robbo haul incoming

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes please

  10. Party time
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Captain next gw?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Unless something goes awry in this game, Werner v Baggies

        1. Party time
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Nice. Baggies are pants

        2. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Pick someone random. I'm sure they'll get a hattrick

          1. Party time
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks

          2. Joey Tribbiani
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I have no idea, might transfer in KDB or Sterling and captain them

            1. Party time
                3 years, 6 months ago

                I have no idea as well. So many good options next gw

            2. yousunkmybattleship
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Based on trends so far, any of the Man Utd front 4, they will win 5-1

              1. Ze_Austin
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Between Bruno and Son for me

            3. Azathoth
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Maupay

            4. Whats the Huth
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Has to be Werner. West Brom and Fulham are whipping boys

              1. Pep bites Kun
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Leeds & Sou also - not whipping boys, but it seems to be a goal-fest

          3. Benster
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Was SO close (finger hovering) to transferring Son out as part of a -8 to avoid 0.1 loss, but just held my nerve. I'm sure many on here are the same, but no doubt some unlucky sods pulled the trigger
            ...

            1. Tempestic
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              yeh yeh I did the same 🙂 , held my nerve and didnt get Rodriguez in... For ALLI

          4. Kodap
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Who's the best bissouma replacement for the next few gw's then?

            1. Ze_Austin
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Reed.

          5. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            who would you rather have?

            a. Thiago
            b. Ven De Beek

            Cheers

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 6 months ago

                B

                But neither

              • Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                You don't want to actually watch or assess the data then?

                1. the dom 1
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Not in the last few days Andy lol

            2. Slitherene
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Willian + JW-P -> For free?

              KdB/Sterling + Soucek/Jorginho

            3. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              On a WC:

              A) Would you put Son back in after foolishly removing him?

              B) Forget him, points are gone and move on?

              Thanks guys, hurting.

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Move on, Southampton essentially bent over

                • Pep Roulette
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  B. Not every team will play a highline like that!

                • Flair
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  B)

                  Southampton were dreadful.

                • Salah’s Sonnet
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Thanks guys

                • Tasty Jerk
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Yep, Saints were dreadful - even we beat them first game of season. I would move on.

                  1. Salah’s Sonnet
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Cheers bud, think i’ll forget about him now then, move on 🙂

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

                Heads up the Leics vs Burnley later is on BBC HD 🙂

              3. dshv
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Asm to podence (-4)
                Wilson to dcl (-4)

                Both (-8)

                1. g40steve
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Wait games in play

                2. Brosstan
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  why are you already on a -4...

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

                What to do with McCarthy?

                1. TorresMagic™
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Obvious isn't it?

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      🙂

                    • Pep Roulette
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Don't fancy taking a hit for a GK! Auba & Adams are other concerns!

                      1. dunas_dog
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 8 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        McCarthy biggest problem though

                      2. TorresMagic™
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 14 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Guess you have no choice. Burnley have less pace at least.

                  2. the dom 1
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    changing to Martinez i think

                    1. g40steve
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Or Guita?

                  3. dunas_dog
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Get Guaita

                  4. TAT
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Would consider looking at options. I took him out of my team when I played the WC yesterday afternoon. Looking at Saints defensively, I might have wildcarded just to jump off that train.

                  5. Pep Roulette
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Cheers everyone

                2. Gudjohnsen
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Last night I was kicking myself for not doing Son, Adams to JRod, DCL for -4

                  DCL and JRod 29 pts-4 /25
                  Son and Adams 26 pts

                  1. FISSH
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Haha

                3. TAT
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Come on, Havertz. My gamweek relies on you!

                  1. @persecuted_by_mods
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Might want to turn away for 90 minutes

                      1. TAT
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Won't be able to watch the match – and for once I'm glad I'll miss a game!

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

                    Werner on interview mode ??

                    Keep or Sell

                  3. Bury94
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Wildcard active. Midfield of KDB, Salah, Barnes, Rodriguez and Podence with Martial and Werner up top is already starting to make me forget about this dreadful GW. Looking forward to next weekend

                    1. MINUS FOUR
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Grealish vs Fulham over Barnes for GW3 to get your Wildcard off to a flyer. You'll thank me later.

                      1. Andy_Social
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Grealish could be a great diffy.
                        Good to see you avoid the front line cliche of DLC, Mitro & Bamford

                  4. Flair
                    • 3 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Vardy brace, Havertz showing semblance of life would make me keep my WC probs

                  5. iL PiStOlErO
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Ramsdale (Steer)
                    TAA Justin KWP Mitchell (Taylor)
                    Salah Auba Son (Bissouma/Romeu)
                    Vardy Werner (Davis)

                    2ft, 0.0 itb

                    Waiting for gw to finish of course but then plan is Auba for Kdb/Raz. Currently leaning on Raz. What do you guys think - Raz or Kdb?

                    Also planning to keep Sonny now...any ideas for second transfer or just Auba to city boys?

                  6. FPLMarc
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    It'll have to be a GW4 Wildcard but this is getting too much. Removing Ings for Martial? Picking Ryan over McCarthy? Too many fires to fix.

                    Going forward, who would you go without:
                    (a) Salah
                    (b) De Bruyne
                    (c) Son
                    (d) Werner
                    (e) Martial

                    1. Fred54
                      • 9 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      What's stopping you doing it now?

                      1. FPLMarc
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        I want Son (NEW) and Mitrovic (AVL). Feel GW4 is more acceptable than GW3.

                    2. Bobby Digital
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      E aym

                    3. seewhyaxe
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      C and E

                    4. the dom 1
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      E

                  7. Weeb Kakashi
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    McCarthy (!)
                    TAA Digne Saiss Tierney (!) Ayling (!)
                    Auba(!) Havertz Alli(!) Bissouma Reed
                    Werner Jimenez DCL

                    FT used. Would you WC? WC saves about 4-5 sure drops that will happen this week.

                    Thoughts??

                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Do a -8 and save WC imo, 6 good players there

                      • MrZ
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Bissouma & reed should go too... Enough reason to wc

                      • how now brown cow
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        You ran out of exclamation marks there

                    2. Bobby Digital
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Still could be a great game, not that the other games this week have been bad.

                      1. Azathoth
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        A 7 goal thriller it's what we need.

                      2. @persecuted_by_mods
                          3 years, 6 months ago

                          Goals galore, love it. People prefer a boring Sheffield 0-0 Burnley for some reason

                        • Bobby Digital
                          • 6 Years
                          3 years, 6 months ago

                          *this

                        • Flair
                          • 3 Years
                          3 years, 6 months ago

                          With both team's defenses, can easily see a goalfest

                      3. @persecuted_by_mods
                          3 years, 6 months ago

                          Werner on the left and havertz through the middle

                        • Flair
                          • 3 Years
                          3 years, 6 months ago

                          Mane brace would be very amusing

                          1. Azathoth
                            • 9 Years
                            3 years, 6 months ago

                            bring it on!!!!

                        • Sandy Ravage
                          • 8 Years
                          3 years, 6 months ago

                          Havertz will probably smash it and make me regret activating my WC last night.