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

    Anyone (like me) who's having an bad week, Mark is currently on 18. (-4) Hope that makes you feel better.

    1. Liberate HK - antichinazi
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      what is the link of his team?

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

          Love the binary - all 0s and 1s

        2. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yikes. Brutal.

        3. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          ID 2? Who got 1? The leader of NWO?

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He knows

      • Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Same here. I haven't even checked my points.

      • g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        But he gets paid a fortune to tell you how to play 😉

      • Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Really!? Link?

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

          Ville Ronka also wiped out

          1. Chandler Bing
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Link for Ronka's team?

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

              Don't have it but saw this on Twitter:

              "Ville Ronka sold Son for Rashford and benched Mitrovic. If you are suffering remember even the best make mistakes"

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

      ASM + Bowen > Zaha + Periera -4?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I would

    4. Liberate HK - antichinazi
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bamford + DCL or T. Henry + C. Ronaldo ?

      1. Fero1905
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Rooney + Tevez

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bamford and dcl

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

        T. Henry + C. Ronaldo 🙂

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

      Everyone please sell Werner. Terrible pick

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

        ok

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

        German Firmino, get him out ASAP

      3. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Sell! Sell! Sell!

      4. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Wish I could but those fixtures are too good

        • Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I think I'll able to get him for 9.4m on wildcard

        • sambyy
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I'll give Werner and Havertz the wba game but it's not looking brilliant.

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

          Since you said please,go on then

        • Plant Based FPLer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Obviously we all prefer to have picked Vardy right now.

          On the bright side, Chelsea have a better fixture next week. Maybe Pulisic comes back as well, creating a front three of Pulisic, Verner, Havertz.

        • Don Van Vliet
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          It's been 1.5 games...

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

        Which option fam?

        A. Auba & Adams to Sterling & Jimenez (-4)

        B. Auba & Barnes to Sterling & Son (-4)

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 6 months ago

            A

          • diabydoesgallas
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            B

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

            A

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

            Is Son a forward now?

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

              Huh?

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

                My bad, the way you set it up I read Auba and Adams twice.

          • Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            A

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

            A

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

            Cheers everyone

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

          Bottomed: 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. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Podence not nailed completely but should get plenty of minutes

          2. jimmy12
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Havertz + Werner
            Worst choice ever there out

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

              We'll see when Werner hauls next week then

              1. jimmy12
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Might give Werner another week
                Not sure about havertz though

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

                  After seeing the sub, Havertz needs to go

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

              Wba is smiling

          3. BenDavies
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Sad as a Chelsea fan to say this but I will probably sell Werner. Doesn't seem comfortable in the team yet. Out for Kane soon.

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              You seem to be a Spurs fans 😀

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

              Jimenez is the one to go for imo.

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

              I’m giving him a week or two versus crap opposition. He looks very lively. Chelsea are parking the bus today

            4. HurriKane
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Hold those knees

              Werner faces westbrom next

            5. lilmessipran
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Vs West Brom sure go ahead, time to miss another hat trick

          4. teddypicker
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Has a ref ever been asked to look at VAR and then stick with their original decision?

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

            Does Christensen now miss some premier league games? Might consider a Chelsea defender if he’s guaranteed not to play

            1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Thiago Silva will come in

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

              Think it’s 3 for a professional foul? Could be wrong

              1. Limbo
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                That’s for dangerous/wreckless play.

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

                1 game for professional foul. 3 for violent conduct/dangerous play

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

                  Gotcha. I stand corrected

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

              Am personally not touching them. Can't think of any that are nailed though James may be the way to go

          6. Sz21
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Who do we think is best option at 5.5-6.0mill?
            Got a lovely ASM spot up for grabs.

            1. Podence. 2. Trossard. 3. Klich 4. Other.

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

              1

            2. GOTHAM City F.C.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              3

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

              1

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

              Maybe 4
              Try Costa

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

            Anything to change guys?

            Ryan
            TAA-Saiss-Kwp (Justin-Mitchell)
            Son-Salah-KDB-Grealish (Alzate)
            Mitro-DCL-Jimenez

            0.3itb

          8. james 101
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Bruno owners:

            Holding or swapping.

            If swapping then to who?

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

              Holding 100%

              1. james 101
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Cool.

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

              Swapping after one game? Be my guest

              1. james 101
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Asking for opinions. Not staring my intent. That’s what we do here mate.

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

                  Fairo mate, just feel selling after 1 game is madness, I'm definitely keeping

                  1. james 101
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Likely I’ll do the same.

                    Typically I’d only sell someone rapidly if I was concerned.

                    I didn’t see the game but I feel like I have heard from a lot of posters that he seemed really off match pace. Which makes sense.

                    He’s absolute quality. One of my favourite players. So really do want to give him a run.

                    Alternative would likely be sterling. On a free.

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

                      Sterling on a free is very tempting, makes the decision tougher if a Sterling rise will lock you out... I'm giving United assets another week then will reassess if they still look off.

                      1. james 101
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Yes. Especially as Kun is out.

                        I have both Bruno and Martial so I’d not be united-less!

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

              Holding - like the fixtures

              1. james 101
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                They are decent.

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

            80 with Pele and Maradona (TC) still to go, anyone better?

            1. Liberate HK - antichinazi
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I have Messi (TC) (2011/2012 version)

            2. Royal5
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Tiago coming on

            3. M2.0
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Currently 69 with Adam Johnson (C)

              1. Royal5
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Lol

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

              Bale anyone? Lol

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

              Just a hand above you with Mara

          10. lilmessipran
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Semedo to Wolves almost done.. 5.5 and he comes straight in to my team but he will be 6 I reckon

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

              Really hope he's 5.5

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

              5.5 I think, 6.0 is ridiculous

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

                I hope it's 5.5 but a nailed on Wolves rwb who also happens to be really good, 6 seems more likely

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

              He's as 5.5 as they come!

          11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Thiago coming on

          12. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Really hope Soucek doesn’t drop this week

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

              Most likely will, already at -87%

              1. Big boy Bowen
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Annoying

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

              I hope we can get him for 4.8 in due time

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

            Which pairing would you prefer out of these options?

            1. DCL & Soucek
            2. Maupay & Klich
            3. Maupay & Podence

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              1

            2. FFSbet.com
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              1

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

              DCL & Soucek by a country mile.

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

            Thiago coming on

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

            Lampard might be out by Christmas if Chelsea is not in top 4 by that time I recon...

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

              Hang on. He’s won one game out of one so far! Also most of the new signings haven’t even played yet. He’s going nowhere imo.

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

              From the money they've spent and number of players brought on board, this is obviously a wip team. He must have the backing of the board for at least 2-3 years. They're not daft enough to back a short-medium term plan and then stop supporting it 6 months later. Eh?

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

            Ooh, Thiago A on for Pool

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

            Magnus knows... Mark no longer knows.

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

              Daniel in tears.

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

              What's his team link?

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

            Going to be watching Thiago's impact on Pool extremely closely

          19. Superflymonk
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            What do I not want in this match, the highest owned forward (Werner) to blank, or the Liverpool double defence to keep a cleansheet? Only have Werner and TAA

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

              They both score.

          20. FFSbet.com
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Wow Son 4 goals Kane 4 assists,what happened with Mou?

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

              More to do with how bad Southampton are tbh.

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

              😀

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

              Southampton kept making the same mistake playing the same stupidly high line.

            4. FFSbet.com
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Cheers so we target Sou and Leeds for (C)

          21. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Havertz off?

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

            Which pairing would you prefer out of these options? Should mention I already have Jrod in midfield.

            1. DCL & Soucek
            2. Maupay & Klich
            3. Maupay & Podence

          23. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Havertz subbed

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

              Ouch

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

            Havertz yikes.

          25. elchilangles
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Thiago debut goal coming up!