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. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TAA not at his best

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

      Meh, I'll happily take my 6 points.

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

      Still working back to fitness.

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

    would you WC this lot?

    McCarthy*
    Taa Lamptey(mun)* Ayling — Justin Vinagre*
    Salah Auba* James ASM(tot)* — Bissouma
    Werner Martial* Mitrovic

    *players I don’t like in my team/injured

    A: Auba + ASM >> Kdb + Podence (-4)
    B: Auba + ASM >> Son + 8.5m mid (-4)
    C: Auba + Vinagre >> Kdb + 4.5m (-4)...and then bench lamptey (mun)
    D: WC

    1. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No WC.

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

      Too early. >= GW8

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

      A

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

      *concentrate on injuries rather than players you dislike this week. Then make a decision (you might also need to *Bissouma)

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

    Kepa on a 7 year contract to 2025. lols

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

      Are you serious!!??
      How much is he making??

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

        Yeah, the TV commentator just mentioned it - I never realised his contract was so long.

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

      Will he do a Winston Bogarde?

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

        😀

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

      Really?? What a disaster

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They should have sold to Madrid when they were sniffing

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

      for real?!

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

    Liverpool sensing blood here

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

      Ture, it feels like it will be more misery for che

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

    Kepa cant keepa.

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

      superb

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

    Just in case it hasn't sunk in how bad Kepa is, take a look at this stat.
    "Kepa has let in 8.4% of the goals Chelsea have ever conceded in the PL"

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

      Wow. Thats unreal.

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

      He's probably played in close to that % of their PL games anyway and they had a few incredible defensive seasons before - meaningless stat

  7. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    who needs cheering up?

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/5383/history

    My wildcard - gotta make the rough and the smooth.

    I sold Antonio, Son and Mane on my wildcard. Also shipped TAA and VVD who look set for a clean sheet. Blanked all of my picks, and Greenwood is blocking my only defensive return on the bench 😀

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

      Eurrrrgh

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        i feel physically sick

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

      That is quite something. Condolences.

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

      Very unlucky mate. Glad you're not moaning about it too much like some here (maybe even myself included)!

    4. Hect.OR 98th
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Give it 10 weeks and this will look like a blip. Massive tank swings all over the place this week.

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

      Sorry for your loss

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

      It's so bad it's funny. Sorry mate!

    7. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That’s not as bad as me- swapped Son, Kane, Mané, Ings and TAA...urggh...

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yowzers 😀

        gotta see the funny side

        I'm now looking forward to a season of green arrows 😀

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

      Unlucky,if Man.Utd show up if would have been different scenario.

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        yeah the thought of all the manchester players (sterling included) being a differential was just too much and i went balls deep on a wildcard.

        I would say lesson learnt but i do have the maverick streak 😀

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

      I like the Greenwood pick.

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        not my proudest moment 😀

    10. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      thanks for all the love guys 😀

      One's pride does take a good spanking on a week like this.

    11. Black Belt Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Oh my... With Jimenez still to come from your original team! I felt really bad after shipping Kane for Martial this week, but you have cheered me up

    12. Black Belt Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm sure your new choices will come through though mate, you're an experienced player

  8. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do I need to wildcard? Or just take a -4?

    Mccarthy (Button)
    TAA Davies Justin Holding (Mitchell)
    Salah Rodriguez Auba (Soucek Bissouma)
    Mitro Werner Ings

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

    I said all along that Mane didn't need to be sold any more than Salah. If you would've kept Salah, you should've kept Mane as well. Logically, they're both similarly good picks who had a difference of 18 points in one gameweek only due to variance.

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

      Which nobody should have disagreed with, playing the Salah Mane game is asking for trouble. Pick 1 and stick with it.

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

        Some people actually rage-wildcarded just due to picking Mane over Salah. Rage-wildcard over that one position. Madness

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

          Insanity. Though it was extremely frustrating for those owners, an 18 point swing, but those that were patient have been rewarded.

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

        Yep - won't be much between them come end of season

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

      Similar to KDB blanking in the same game Sterling scored a hattrick last season

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

      Yadayadayada

  10. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone with any nouse, knows defences win titles. Lampard doesnt know this?

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

      And also Ralph H

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I dont think they are contending anything 😛

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He’s brought in a keeper, a left back and a goalkeeper?

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Centre back*

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

      Literally bought 2 CBs, a left back and a GK. Not his fault they got injured.

  11. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC confusion. So many players scoring, so many other good prospects people will be scared of ditching.

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Don’t they have Caballero?

  13. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bissoma to lose his spot now after red? Best to switch o another 4.5 if on WC?

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

      Best alternative 4.5? There aren't many...

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah I would say so but for who I dunno. Zambo Anguisss?

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

    Werner a deer in headlights

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

    Fabinho has owned Werner all game.

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

    Roman bringing out the $$$

  17. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Considering two separate points hits (8pt total instead of a WC).

    A) Aub
    B) KDB(-4)

    1) ASM* (mitchell 1st sub)
    2) Podence(-4)

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

    Milner to steal Salah pens

  19. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any news about Wan-Bissaka? Why didn't he play, is he in the freezer?

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

      Not match fit. Was on bench

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

    Aw man salah off pens

  21. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner the latest on my WC axe list.

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

      Before West Brom?

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

      West Brom

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

      don't complain when he hauls next week against wbu then hey

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

      Wait for Pulisic.

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

    Milner on

    Salah off pens

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

      Do you get phone alerts for that? If not there should be an app for it.

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

    Salah off pens

  24. twisterteo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How is Werner looking?

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

      Terrible

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

      Over priced

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

      Another trap.

  25. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I saved 2 ft for this nightmare? I did auba to jrod earlier...should i just wc?

    mcarthy
    taa tierney justin
    salah auba asm son
    werner adams dcl

    subs, nylan, taylor, mitchel, bisouma

  26. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah off pens now 🙁

  27. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wait - is 54 points suddenly not sh*t.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Stop boasting 😉

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

        YES! I am boasting? Oh you know how to cheer a guy up.

        So Jammy over here. Son and VVD/TAA the only light though. Up the fluke!

  28. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Getting rid of Werner is probably the only decision i got right this week

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

      Until he braces next week

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

        if he blanks against baggies then hes gooooone

  29. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mane avenging me after Salah got a hat trick last gameweek and placed me so down the rankings !
    Kept Mané throughout and will
    keep.

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

    fabinho has been immense