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. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Christensen doesn't make 60 mins.

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Clean sheet gone 🙂

  2. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez
    James, VVD, Justin
    Podence, KDB, Sterling, Son, Salah
    Calvert, Mitrovic

    Steer, Taylor, Mitchell, Brewster

    Currently on this WC.. any obvious transfers?

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Jimenez great fixtures

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

      Possibly just trying to get Jimmy in? His fixtures are unreal, unless you're happy with Podence cover.

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Think I'd have to sacrifice one of the big boys in midfield. Unless I go ultra cheap in defence and lose VVD.

        Completely agree though, I really want Jimenez

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

    Hames or Zaha? Both got nice fixtures coming up...

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hames

    2. Hospital Pass
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hames. He's the fulcrum of a team really on the up. They play each other next week.

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

      Zaha seems to be playing OOP, so him.

    4. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Both!

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

      Went will both Zaha low ownership

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

      Thanks all. Still no clearer after that but appreciate the feedback!

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

    Mcarthy
    Davies taa mitchell justin taylor
    Salah bruno kdb asm soucek
    Wilson davis werner

    Have to start wildcard ??

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

    On a WC.. how's this looking? Any changes?

    Martinez (Steer)
    Trent - Saiss - Taylor (Lamptey & Mitchell)
    Salah - KDB - Jrod - Soucek (Reed)
    Werner - Jimmy - DCL

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

      looking to WC as well and tthat's pretty much the same team I am going for

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son, Maupay, Kane???

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

        One, I SOU bent over this afternoon, Spurs looked useless up until that first goal, can't see them doing the same again next week... Kane, expensive, would have to rejig the whole team?

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

      template, I'd be considering Maupay too

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

        Who do you drop for Maupay though?

    4. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lamptey might be an issue for start...

  6. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I’ve been out and about in the countryside and Sept sun, just a quick question...

    Has the template wild card changed much today?

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No. We need to rush in united assets

      1. Hospital Pass
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hahaha.

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Good call ...

        The danger of thinking a months break won’t change much in football momentum...

        Everton look a different team, with a couple of changes. United still on the beach or in the police cells?

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

      Reverted back to gw1 strategy somewhat with Son + DCL, Zaha, Mitro

  7. Vpan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Zouma nailed now we reckon?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And Thiago might get a start

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

    Next week's captain choice baffles me. Will probably just go Salah - if I WC - for the home reliability

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

      Werner or Son good options too.

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

        Son against 5ATB Newcastle, no. Werner, yeah.

  9. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If Salah gets a penalty now, I swear to God...

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Casual thinking

  10. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi all,
    Current WC draft;

    Martinez
    TAA Saiss CTaylor
    Salah KDB/Sterling Zaha Podence JRod
    Werner Jimenez

    Subs; Steer Mitchell Saliba Brewster

    Really stuck on this, best combo on a WC?

    A) Werner, Brewster, Saliba £0.0ITB
    Playing 3-5-2
    B) DCL, Mitrovic, Reece James £0.2ITB
    Playing 3-4-3

    Appreciate any feedback, thanks in advance

  11. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ASM and Bissouma causing me problems. How many changes warrants a WC? Or ASM out for a -4? Klich/Podence tempting

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What problems could Bissouma be causing? Surely he’s just sitting on your bench

  12. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner the new torres. Glad i sold him

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You sold him after 1 game and have reinforced your view in one half against their rivals Liverpool?

  13. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Disappointing half, disappointing season so far.

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

      This season has been great thus far imo.

  14. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just finished work....
    Spurs. Wtf?!!
    Don’t own any 🙁

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Same. Just want to forget today haha.

    2. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs really weren't great. Soton and their high line was atrocious

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

        Kane was immense

    3. Hospital Pass
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Southampton played a very high line against Son. They've started like they need to be walloped 9-0 in order to come to their senses!

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

    Our CBs are doing all they can to ensure - they- are the one that gets sold.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Haha

      • Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        They care about the club.
        They are bringing money in!

        1. caldracula
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Not worth much though!

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You can't learn everything from 2 games but you can learn something

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

          Werner?

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah, looks like an all or nothing player

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

                Swapping him out until he gets form, the cheapies are killing me.

        2. ace3.1415
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Saiss or James?

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

            Saiss

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Saiss

            • Peter Ouch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Saiss
              Lovely fixtures

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

            Hope this means LFC clean sheets are locked, and Chelsea park the bus.

          4. Sgt Frank Drebin
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            As I thought, Dele is not playing because he wants to leave with PSG interested. From pure FPL perspective I preferred the transfer windows to end with the start of the season.

          5. Alisson WondHaaland
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Christensen would be a good fullback

            In rugby

            1. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              If only he was good under a high ball

          6. Bench-Life
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Christensen tackle was round the neck - would have been a Red in rugby as well

          7. waltzingmatildas
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Half time team talk.
            Current team (looks OKish but 4.4mil rank)
            Mccarthy nyland
            TAA James ayling Taylor mitchell
            Auba Mané Bruno soucek bissouma
            Werner Wilson adams

            Potential wc team
            Martinez button
            James coady saiss ctaylor Mitchell
            Salah kdb greenwood foden soucek
            Werner Jimmy dcl

            Do it?

            1. Crispo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Nope.
              As you say current team looks ok.
              What's happened it 2 game weeks to require a wildcard?

          8. Super Frank8
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Liverpool clean sheet guaranteed now. Congrats to those who doubled or even trebled up!

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

              Yikes. I got rid of TAA, Robbo and Kane on my WC 🙁

            2. nerd_is_the_werd
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Not guaranteed, but doubled up. 🙂

              1. Super Frank8
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                It’s guaranteed

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

            Azpi & Tomori warming up.

            Back 5 after the break? Wonder who the fall guys will be.

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

              Jorginho for one. Alonso?

            2. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Havertz I'd say.

            3. Pukki Blinders
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Havertz. Won't bring both on

          10. tinear
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Werner Asm Auba to KDB /Sterling, Jiminez, Hamez looks good for -4?

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

              Good

            2. caldracula
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Don’t think Auba to KDB for a hit is worth it

              1. tinear
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Need the fund for asm replacement. Got Bissouma as well.

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

            So a clear and obvious error obviously reviewed by VAR but not changed. Rules of the game are simple - player taken out no other covering defender. Red. Could not be any more simple than that.

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

              VAR has been fairly good since the start of this season.

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

            Anybody know the time of price changes? Can’t remember

            1. mattk lfc
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              2.30am ish

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

              9 hours to go.

          13. LewanGOALski
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Tierney + Auba + JWP ➡ Saiss + Sterling/KDB + Zaha for (-8)

            Yay or Nay..?

            1. tinear
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Not for -8 i reckon

          14. diabydoesgallas
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Need to transfer out ASM, 0 ITB.

            Is podence nailed? Costa from Leeds looks like the best option normally.. but those wolves fixtures are tasty, and I have no other wolves coverage.

            1. Pukki Blinders
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Not nailed. Wolves signing Semedo will push Adama forward again

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

                Thank you. Didn’t even know they were in for Semedo.

          15. FPL_DON
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            How many hits warrant a WC? Close to a -8 but could easy hit the magic reset button

            1. Cymro
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I'm in the same boat. A -8 and my team looks fine but could be much better with a WC. I think I'll hold because I think were in for a wild season with players unavailable due to self isolation. On too of that the window is yet to close.

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

                Yeah it is tricky one, i am very close to wildcarding myself

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

              12 or 16 in my book

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

                I could easy get to that but trying to steady my knees, cheers mate

            3. caldracula
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I think a -8 is the max I would take but wouldn’t do a wildcard for only 4 changes

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

                Agreed mate