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
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 day 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
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      what is the link of his team?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Love the binary - all 0s and 1s

        2. Royal5
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Yikes. Brutal.

        3. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

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

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 1 day ago

        He knows

      • Karan14
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

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

      • g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

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

      • Royal5
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Really!? Link?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Ville Ronka also wiped out

          1. Chandler Bing
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Link for Ronka's team?

            1. Andy_Social
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 day 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
      4 years, 1 day ago

      ASM + Bowen > Zaha + Periera -4?

      1. Coys96
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        I would

    4. Liberate HK - antichinazi
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

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

      1. Fero1905
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Rooney + Tevez

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Bamford and dcl

      3. Pep bites Kun
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        T. Henry + C. Ronaldo 🙂

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Everyone please sell Werner. Terrible pick

      1. fauxfatale
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        ok

      2. Flair
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        German Firmino, get him out ASAP

      3. Coys96
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Sell! Sell! Sell!

      4. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Wish I could but those fixtures are too good

        • Karan14
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

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

        • sambyy
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

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

        • Bury94
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Since you said please,go on then

        • Plant Based FPLer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 day 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
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          It's been 1.5 games...

      5. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Which option fam?

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

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

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 1 day ago

            A

          • diabydoesgallas
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            B

          • Begbie.
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            A

          • AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Is Son a forward now?

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

              Huh?

              1. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

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

          • Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            A

          • Pep bites Kun
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            A

          • Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Cheers everyone

        2. diabydoesgallas
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 day 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
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Podence not nailed completely but should get plenty of minutes

          2. jimmy12
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Havertz + Werner
            Worst choice ever there out

            1. Pukki Blinders
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              We'll see when Werner hauls next week then

              1. jimmy12
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

                Might give Werner another week
                Not sure about havertz though

                1. Pukki Blinders
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 1 day ago

                  After seeing the sub, Havertz needs to go

            2. Peter Ouch
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Wba is smiling

          3. BenDavies
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 1 day 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
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              You seem to be a Spurs fans 😀

            2. Begbie.
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Jimenez is the one to go for imo.

            3. diabydoesgallas
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

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

            4. HurriKane
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Hold those knees

              Werner faces westbrom next

            5. lilmessipran
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

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

          4. teddypicker
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

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

          5. FPLShaqiri
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

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

            1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Thiago Silva will come in

            2. diabydoesgallas
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

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

              1. Limbo
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

                That’s for dangerous/wreckless play.

              2. Brosstan
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

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

                1. diabydoesgallas
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 1 day ago

                  Gotcha. I stand corrected

            3. Pukki Blinders
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

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

          6. Sz21
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 day 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
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              1

            2. GOTHAM City F.C.
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              3

            3. Peter Ouch
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              1

            4. Peter Ouch
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Maybe 4
              Try Costa

          7. Bavarian
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 day 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
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Bruno owners:

            Holding or swapping.

            If swapping then to who?

            1. Joey Tribbiani
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Holding 100%

              1. james 101
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

                Cool.

            2. Pukki Blinders
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Swapping after one game? Be my guest

              1. james 101
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

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

                1. Pukki Blinders
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 1 day ago

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

                  1. james 101
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 1 day 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
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 1 day 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
                        4 years, 1 day ago

                        Yes. Especially as Kun is out.

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

            3. Pep bites Kun
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Holding - like the fixtures

              1. james 101
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

                They are decent.

          9. Flair
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

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

            1. Liberate HK - antichinazi
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

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

            2. Royal5
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Tiago coming on

            3. M2.0
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Currently 69 with Adam Johnson (C)

              1. Royal5
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

                Lol

            4. Wild Card this!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Bale anyone? Lol

            5. Pep bites Kun
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Just a hand above you with Mara

          10. lilmessipran
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 day 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
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Really hope he's 5.5

            2. Pukki Blinders
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              5.5 I think, 6.0 is ridiculous

              1. lilmessipran
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 1 day 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
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              He's as 5.5 as they come!

          11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Thiago coming on

          12. SAUCY SALAH
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Really hope Soucek doesn’t drop this week

            1. Pukki Blinders
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Most likely will, already at -87%

              1. SAUCY SALAH
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 1 day ago

                Annoying

            2. Wild Card this!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              I hope we can get him for 4.8 in due time

          13. Kodap
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Which pairing would you prefer out of these options?

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

            1. SAUCY SALAH
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              1

            2. FFSbet.com
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              1

            3. Hospital Pass
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              DCL & Soucek by a country mile.

          14. Bobby Digital
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Thiago coming on

          15. Wild Card this!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

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

            1. diabydoesgallas
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 1 day 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
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 day 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
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Ooh, Thiago A on for Pool

          17. Brosstan
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Magnus knows... Mark no longer knows.

            1. Cymro
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Daniel in tears.

            2. Superflymonk
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              What's his team link?

          18. Flair
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

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

          19. Superflymonk
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 day 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
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              They both score.

          20. FFSbet.com
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

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

            1. Begbie.
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              More to do with how bad Southampton are tbh.

            2. Amey
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              😀

            3. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

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

            4. FFSbet.com
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Cheers so we target Sou and Leeds for (C)

          21. Royal5
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Havertz off?

          22. Kodap
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 day 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 ⭐
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Havertz subbed

            1. Bobby Digital
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Ouch

          24. Begbie.
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Havertz yikes.

          25. elchilangles
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Thiago debut goal coming up!