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. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    just an off topic question, why Keita got the captain armband when hendo left, haven't other pool players been in the club more than him?

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

      Doesn't depend on tenure

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

      Van Dijk was captain. He probably just gave the band to Keita to give to Milner.

      1. NULL-X-VOID
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Oops

  2. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who is more essential if you had to pick
    A) Salah/Mane
    B) Kdb/Sterling

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

      Luckily i’ll have salah sterling and kdb on wc

      1. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Helpful thank you

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

      A

  3. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Milner on and playing like a thirsty virgin, Chelsea is real trouble now.

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

      Thirsty 😉

      Not ho3n€€

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

    Kepa save, grear keeper!

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

    Thiago reminds me of Greyworm

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

      Ex PSG?

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

    Who are you getting this week?
    The safe pick which is KDB, or the wild pick that is Sterling?

    Sterling for me, hatti inbound!

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

      Leicester isn't an easy fixture atm

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

        At the start of the season most were saying it was tho (considering their injuries)

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

      I have KDB

      Considering adding sterling

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

      Zaha for Willian

  7. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    90 millions for German Lingard. Well done Lampard

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

      Shockingly useless. What on earth is Chelsea's scouting department

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

      How many times have you seen Werner play? The kneejerk reactions on here are hilarious

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Werner isn’t 90m

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

        I think they're talking about havertz

      3. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who talk about Werner

  8. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pretty pleased with my Sky Sports team this week...Antonio, Son, J.Rod, Mane captain today, KDB (capt) to come tomorrow.

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

    Which pairing would you prefer on a WC?

    A. Son & Bamford
    B. Soucek & Werner
    C. Soucek & Jesus

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

      A

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

        chasing

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

      C

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

      a

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    5. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A. As long as you have City 'cover' elsewhere.

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

        Own KDB!

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

      B

    7. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why would anyone consider Soucek or Westham asset on WC?

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

        Soucek is fixture proof.

      2. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        soucek best enabler. soon to be 4.9 as well

  10. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    It is going to be a long hard FPL season ahead, isn't it

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

      Like a virtual roller-coaster full of whinging, hindsighting experts, merriment and hopefully some great football. Best of luck Roller.

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Exactly. You too mate.

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

      For me yes.

      For those who picked wisely in the last 2 weeks then this is great.

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

      Yep - wc will soften the blow, hopefully when used at the right time 🙂 If not, it's going to be an even longer, tougher road

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

    Anyone think Harvey Barnes is a good pick?

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

      I hope so.

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

      I did

      Went for Zaha instead

      Barnes gets loads of chances. Zaha far more clinical

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

        Needs to be. Barnes not playing up front like him. Both decent picks for that money.

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

      He better be, took a hit this week for him and Martial

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

    KEPA MADE A SAVE

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

      Straight at him tbf.

  13. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Liverpool playing a 6-man press in Chelsea's own half. I know they have an extra man but it's still pretty impressive.

  14. primal33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 6.5m??

    1. primal33
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Should be best 6.5m mid

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

        See if Foden plays tomorrow and might answer your question

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

      No standout yet

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thiago

      1. primal33
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Great player but not a great FPL player imo

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

    I have to sell Havertz. Probably fill his boots against WBM but I don’t care. Such a bad choice to begin with.

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

      You didn’t know mate

      And who knows what’s ahead...

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

    Mane's had a REALLY good game. Impressive stuff.

    Amazing how even with COVID, the Mane away, Salah at home rule still seems to hold true.

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

      Only after the red card though

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

        Would have scored if he wasn't taken down by Christensen for the RC

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

        Same card for both. Salah still more of a homer. Will be few points between them at end of season though.

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      makes captaincy quite easy choice. you could almost justify owning both in fact

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

    Chelsea are absolute schoolboys against this Liverpool press

    Allegri will fix it soon enough

  18. Ronaldo 7
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hit the wc last night
    How’s this looking 0itb

    Martinez/steer
    Swiss, Digne, lamp
    Jrod, salah, son , kdb
    Mitro, jimi,dcl

    Kiltch/justin/Mitchell

    1. Ronaldo 7
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss not Swiss

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

      Benching Klich is unappealing to me. And Mitro I still don't like even with his goals. Fulham are a poor, poor side.

      1. Ronaldo 7
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Reckon downgrade mitro to someone like Brewster and upgrade elsewhere

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

          Why not Mitro > Brewster and Klich > Zaha?

          Zaha's fixtures are about to get really nice. And he has pens and form on his side.

          1. Ronaldo 7
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Good shout thanks

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

      Good to go, like it.

  19. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How do we all feel about Werner? I still like him, but he needs a decent uninjured midfield behind him

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

      Looks ineffectual to me for now, possible sell until he gets on a run

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

      Hold until Pulisic is back ; Chelsea are missing that final piece.

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

        Why not sell until he's back?

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

      I’m sceptical at the moment. I want to bin him but typically he has WBA next. I really don’t know what to do as I’m pondering switching it up to a 3 man attack of DCL-Jimi - Mitro

    4. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just posted the same. Do we believe that Puli and Ziyech will be back next week?

      Could be 2 or 3 before they start firing

    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Without Willian and Ziyech they aren't creating much. Glad I don't own him.

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

      Ross Barkley coming in next for his one haul per season game

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

      Needs time to get used to the Prem?
      Looks lost.

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

      Get him out asap

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

      Got West Brom next weekend. If he can't get something out of that then get rid.

  20. Ray Kinsella
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone thinking of selling Salah? As he and Mane are both in form, it’s a lot of money to tie up in a player who shares the points?

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

      Nah I’m keeping. He and Mane will do this most weeks.

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

        Have you got aubameyang as well? I do, thinking one of them should go.

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

      If sharing the points is a hattrick or brace every home game then for Salah then why would it matter?

  21. Puncheon Guly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner looking miles ahead of his teammates. they'll be desperate for Pulisic and Ziyech.

  22. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I can just see it now. Own TAA and Robbo and no Liv attacker and they go and concede a late goal without getting any goals/assists.

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

      Yep, inevitable!

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

      Yes and probably Ross Barley or some other useless player will score it.

  23. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts with 2ft 1.5itb, had a poor week.

    McCarthy
    Taa holding Justin
    Salah auba havertz asm soucek
    Werner ings

    Button Mitchell buur davis

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

      Werner out

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

      Auba - Havertz -> Sterling - Hamez

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This was my plan last night, wanted to hold havertz for wba but not sure I can now after he’s been subbed after 45!

  24. BarryManilows
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    You Chelsea fans need to learn that you’ll not win anything with Lampard in charge he just hasn’t got it as a manager I’m afraid, he failed with derby & he’ll fail here too, he’ll be gone by Christmas.
    All that money he’s spent & Liverpool are miles ahead it’s actually really really embarrassing today for Chelsea fc.

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks for sharing.

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

      was 0-0 before they had 10 men mate

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

      A fair few of the players we've signed are not on the pitch. I don't expect to become better than Liverpool in the space of a transfer window.

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

      His first year in PL git them to CL, nó transfers. Get the boat before it leaves....

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

      A massive failure for you Chelsea fans for sure

  25. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    keep TAA on wc ? thanks

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

      Think its time to shift on wc for a bit

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        cheers

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

      Depends what you do with the extra ££

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

    Just don't understand how Salah performs so poorly away

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

      Well he didn't perform poorly. Just doesn't have a return

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

    needa Salah goal from a TAA/Robertson cross

  28. AA
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need to bin Havertz. Do I get in Zaha or James Rodriguez? Already own DCL.

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

      Opted for James

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

    Kepa should go back to Segunda division

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

    Chelsea watching the game from the stadium now