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. BarryManilows
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Getting rid of all Chelsea, Lampard destroying careers here like Mourinho

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

      What?!

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

      You sound like the sort of person who sold Son last gw

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

      I'm going double or maybe triple on wc.

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

      They are up against the champion, mind

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What on earth to do with Werner on WC now ?

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

      Keep for me

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

      Sell and decide on Saturday

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

        Yes.

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

        Fair.

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

        Smartest decision

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

      Honestly think WBA will beat them

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

        Pereira brace

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

        He'll still score against them.

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

      Sell and buy back cheaper.

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

        This.

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

      Last chance against Brom maybe

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

      Keep for one more week

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

      repo him for 0.1 gain probably

    8. Pavsboot
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I reckon I'll keep. Chelsea's best attacking player and he's playing West Brom... Bunch of other forwards around as well so it's not like you're trapped with him.

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

    I need to come off the comment section for a while. Last week was convinced to swap my (c) from Salah to Auba. This week told not to do Werner > DCL.

    Time to do my own thing

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

      Correct

    2. Dennis System
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And yet, here you are

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

        Yep. See ya! GL

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

        ...I mean I hope you finish last ha

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

      As a bit of a veteran, you should trust your experience. It's good to get other views but if you've got a good ranking history, why let others make decisions for you?

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

        Advice taken cheers

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

      It’s always time to do your own thing mate.

      Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider other perspectives.

      Just be sure that YOU decide in the end.

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

        Agreed but then when so many are saying it’s the wrong decision it’s kinda hard to ignore and not second guess yourself

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

          Second guessing yourself is fine though

          We all choose to spend time here as it’s kind of fun

          Just make sure that after second / third / forth guessing yourself you make sure you are comfortable with your decision

          After all. It is only you that get so to decide.

          (Some great input on here, from some very knowledgeable people - but a lot of nonsense too. Just like real life...)

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

      Use the comments for insight. Don’t ask for transfer advice, use your gut there

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

    Have Liverpool been better defensively or has it just Chelsea's lack of quality tonight due to injuries?

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

      10 men?

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

        Yeah, red card probably has to do with it too but Chelsea barely had a shot before the red either. Hence, the question.

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

        Some are boys, relative to established Pool players in PL

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

      Think it's down to Chelsea

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

      Red Card is your answer

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Both compared to last week

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

      Bad game.

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

    Useless lump VVD wasting Salah A

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

      You need sugar for your coffee Bross. Always grumpy 😉

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

    Werner with a clearance back to allison

  7. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mcarthy Steer
    TAA Keane Bavies KWP C Taylor
    Auba Bruno Dele ASM Reed
    Werner martial Mitro

    Is there any reason to not hit WC?

    Dele dropped
    ASM injured
    Auba to KDB was planned this week
    Davies has had a replacement purchased so under threat
    KWP and Mcarthy shipping goals
    Could do with Salah or Mane
    Bruno and Martial looked out of sorts
    No Everton attacking cover
    No Wolves at all.

    Looks a strong case no?

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

      Son and Kane looked out of sorts last week and look at them today.

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

        True. I wouldn't be taking out Bruno and Martial for hits after one bad game. too knee jerk but another reason a WC might be needed.

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

      Yep that's a decent case

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

      I had very similar team apart from son instead of dele and I hit wc last night

  8. Party time
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah blank confirmed

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’ll miss Kepa.

    • TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner is 100% a hold

      If Chelsea score any goals he will be involved

      Havertz on the other hand....

      1. zdrojo187
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        This
        He is best Chelsea player today

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

        Shh let them sell

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

        This. Great fixtures

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

      Havertz essential.

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

        I had decided to hold for WBM before today’s game but I just can’t justify it now.

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

          No way Jose. I am even thinking of sellimg Werner now for Martial.

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

        Inconsequential

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

        Will keep another GW and ship Willian. Though 11 Gunners will get at least one v Pool.

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

      Is trossard worth the extra 0.5?

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

        Over who?

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

      Any news on Lamptey injury?

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

        No but he interviewed on BBC after the game and made no mention of it. Doesn't look to be a problem.

    • Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is podence nailed?

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

        he was for all of about 1 day between Jota leaving and Semifreddo joining

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

          How is Semedo a threat to Podence? Is Doherty replacement

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

        may be a waste of a Wol spot

    • Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Will TAA sneak a bap?

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

        yeh

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

      Anyone watch Rhian Brewster at Swansea last season? Strong rumours now we are the favourites to sign him (not exactly sure how the terms of the buy back with Liverpool would work though)

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

        I would prefer that over Sheffield. Do u think he'll be a starter if he signs?

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

      Salah blanked this week after i spent -12 bringing him in - should i get rid of him for Son for a hit?

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

        ...

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

        Serious?

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

        yes

      4. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        apologised for your Palace slander yet? 😀

      5. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        funny hahaha!!....you're joking right??

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

        Oh dear me

      7. Critical Observer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        -16 should do it this week.

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

        When you're in a hole, and IF and only IF, you want to get out, the first thing you need to do is stop digging. Think about the solution - you need a strategy that inclines itself to a more forward-thinking approach 😉

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

      Havertz! Hold or sell?

      1. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Definitely hold against Liverpool, then sell before West Brom

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

        Going going gone

    • Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      this game sure does need patience sometimes. almost sold mane for rashford ...for a hit

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

      Pool bought Jota so I guess minamino is a flop

    • Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wow, gained 2 pts changing my captain from Salah to Auba.

    • Kodap
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Can I improve this WC team at all?

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

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

        Looks perfect

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

          yay

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

        Looks nice

        I am waiting on going whether TAA. That money could help elsewhere. But I’m not saying it’s a bad idea.

    • diabydoesgallas
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      103 points all out. What a crazy gameweek.

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

        congrats!

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

          Thanks mate! Had a decent GW1 so now in the very unusual position of working out how to consolidate a lead now, suspect it won’t last long 😀

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

        Awesome! Grats mate

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

          Thanks man

    • Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This Kepas last game for Chelsea?

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

        Without a shadow of a doubt

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

        No

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

        Not playing next atleast

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

        Caballero will play until Mendy is ready

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

      Martial or Werner on WC?

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

        Jesus?

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

          Blasphemy

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

      Kane getting 3 bonus and Son 2 😮

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone that sold Mane for Salah reversing it back this GW?

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

        “Eventually I’ll catch those points. I just need to chase harder!!!!!”

    • Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone else feel Robbo is better to own than TAA?

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

      Mane almost a hatty

    • HNI
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Which option better long term
      1) Digne + Son + Bamford +
      2) R James/Saiss + Robertson+ Jrodriguez