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. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is DCL essential?

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

      Not essential, but he or Richarlison look very good

      1. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        And Hamm Ess

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

      about as close to a set and forget option as you are going to get

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

    McCarthy Steer
    Mitchell Justin TAA Egan Lamptey
    Auba KDB Havertz Soucek Reed
    Werner Martial Adams

    - Need to get Auba, Havertz, Adams, Martial, McCarthy out
    WC or - 8 hit?

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

      Not all those need to go - Martial certainly doesn’t

      Auba -> Anyone you want

    2. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would give Martial, Adams more time. Martial only one game, adams good fix coming up and unlucky not to have scored gw1 and 2.

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

    Where is the Leicester Burnley article? Snobs!

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Basil!

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

      Live on BBC

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

    Looks like folk are bailing on Werner so time to jump off before he drops.

    Best replacement? Thinking Jimi (for those of us who already have DCL).

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Jimi great fixtures

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

    Lampard is fraud. Tacticaly awful in 1st half and playing players out of natural position. He will be sacked before new year

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

      Always thought he tries too much to be a tactical mastermind

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nah, he went down to ten men. I like Frank

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

        Read what i wrote. Chelsea was bad until red card too.

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

    TM - Early LMS scores available?

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

        High fives.

  7. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Foden and Mitro
    B. Soucek and DCL

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

      If playing both each gw then A, if Socuek can be rotated with a defender probably B

  8. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    (A) ASM > Costa/Klich (3-4-3)
    (B) Justin > Saiss (4-3-3)

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

      A

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Both but i prefer first formation so A

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

    4-4-2 with Werner and Adams, best option
    Hold Che adams for next two or get rid for a -4 hit? max 6.5 to spend

  10. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    At what point for you does rank become important? Feels horrifying being down at 3.9 mil atm 😀

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I was at 280k at Xmas last season and finished 6 points off top 10k so around then for me I guess

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

        FPL is often counter-intuitive your turn around emphasises that

        Hold on

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah of course, I was like 700 in the world early on, then fell, then went back up. Never had such a bad start like this though and played my WC this week too. 4 to play tomorrow though I guess.

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

      I would care about where I am after about 5 weeks. Current rank means nothing. Got 38 points last week. On 67 + 3 players this week

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Is that a wildcard you played this week or patience?

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

          Patience. Did Ings to Richarlison but not because I wanted to sell Ings, just really wanted Everton attack this week and had no other route without hits.

          On WC now.

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

      Same rank mate after finishing 11k last season.I can feel a new hobby beckoning.

  11. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC?
    Yay or Nay?

    McCarthy - Button
    TAA - Digne - Tierney - C.Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - Auba - JWP - Soucek - Bissouma
    Werner - Martial - Mitro

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

      Maybe not this week. Just take a hit to sort out that midfield

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

    All GW1 dream team players have blanked so far

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hoping Vardy is quiet otherwise this just goes from bad to worse...

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

    Come on Harvey Barnes. Just one goal mate !

  14. Offside Trapattoni
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone know LIV BPS?

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

      Mane,
      Allison
      Trent

      1. Offside Trapattoni
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Grazie

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

      3 Mané (48)
      2 Alisson (41)
      1 Alexander-Arnold (27)
      1 van Dijk (27)

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

    Leics vs Burnley on BBC1

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

      Game ON

  16. noahzark22
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pereria or Podence?

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

    Why doesnt Lampard play the same team he had last year except with Werner in for Abraham rather than shoe horn in Havertz who clearly isnt ready? Clueless manager.

    However, Ralph takes the cake today with his brain dead approach and inability to change it even as everyone saw they were getting hammered.

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

    So many wildcards deployed right now.

    It's very tempting to join in. But if I WC out all my Chelsea right before WBA and they haul I'm gonna be so pissed and it will be entirely my own fault. WC'ing now to chase price rises seems very natural to do in order to keep TV high but there could be a lot of great value to be had in holding until GW 5 or 6. I don't think my team is beyond saving right now as long as Chelsea can keep delivering. -4 and we go again...

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      One voice in a Force 10 gale.

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

        Yep. Not wildcarding is the differential move right now. All the WCs will make most of the teams similar. I imagine they will all have:

        Salah, City Mid, Rodriguez, DCL, Son, Jimenez etc.

        They will not have Chelsea (except the odd Werner but most WCs I've seen are cutting him too) and they will also not have any Southampton defense for bur WBA. That may be a good thing, but I don't think either team have a pacy forward that can actually take advantage of Southampton's high line the same way that Son did.

        They will also likely not have many City players because unless they blow out Wolves (highly highly unlikely) they will not score super well, so the likes of Jesus, Sterling and Foden could sneak by unawares.

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Camzy, you're only saying this with your invested interests. You have double Southampton defence, for instance.

          Let people do what they want to do - we each have different circumstances.

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

            I'm not, I'm just weighing options. I never force anyone to do anything.

            I am probably gonna wildcard but I'm not super happy about it.

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

          On WC and the only ones I'll have from who you listed are a City mid and Jimenez 🙂

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

      I'm not sure Kepa looks safer than Johnstone for next week 🙂

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

      You are right - this season is so unpredictable I want more data before I WC (GW6+)

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

      It's basically between GW3 and GW10 for me, any later and I miss out on the strong fixtures. As my team is in a poor state, right now is the time to WC.

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

        There's also 5 and 6. 5 is the IB which is a very good time to do it. It also is the end of Chelsea's great fixtures.

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

      Chelsea options are good reason not to WC. But I have atm 2x MU + ASM, Bissouma, Adams, Auba, Brewster, McCarthy and KWP and no Spurs, MCI, Jimenez etc...

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

    Selling Werner on WC and buying before Saturday once his price drops. Is that right folks?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      sell him before activating the wildcard

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

        Too late 🙁

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

      will be the plan until jesus scores a brace tmr night

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

      Woah, smart idea. Nice one

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

      even smarter if you dont activate WC until saturday so that your transfer out counts

  20. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Havertz, Auba -> KdB, Son?

    1. FPL Bond @ Twitter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thinking the same..

  21. Mr.K
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Who will take Bissouma's place next week?
    B) Is Doherty a waste of money?
    C) How bad was Wilson today?

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

    Alzate likely to start for Brighton most weeks? Looking for a 4.5 on a wildcard

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

    DCL & Rodriguez double too much on wildcard?

    Not sure if it's worth paying the extra for Chelsea mid or Son over Rodriguez.

    Zaha/Grealish worth considering over him?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Zaha and James both look like good picks

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have Hrod and might sell on Wc. Digne is the value @ Everton I reckon

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

        That's if they keep clean sheets I think. Not prepared to sell TAA for Digne though.

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

        What's your team looking like tina?

  24. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to swap Pulisic for?

    I’m thinking james Rodriguez

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      no brainer.

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

    So, casuals sold Trent for Digne ?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm sure they're regretting those 5 points.

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

      I was sorely tempted to do it but bought Keane in instead

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

    Anyone else getting Tariq Lamptey on their wc - just says a knock, did it look bad?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      went off on 58 mins but he walked off. I'd wait for news.

    2. Andre W
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wait for his injury but if he’s fine I’d definitely look to get him in. Has looked very good in his two games so far.

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

      Yep. Not needed next week anyway and looks the pick of the 4.5s so far.

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

    Come on Vardy let's go party

  28. Lebowski85
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Here's my wild card team....fill in the gaps for me.

    ___
    TAA Digne ___ Mitchell 4.0
    Sterling Salah JRod ____ Anguissa
    Werner DCL Mitrovic

    A) Zaha Taylor McCarthey
    Or
    B) Trossard Saiss Guaita

    The spine of my team was fine but all of my fringe players have been pony, so luckily I'm doing ok. Missed all of the hauls thus far apart from Salah though

  29. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    is this mccarthy getting dropped talk nonsense? might have to wc if theres a chance

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Basing your wildcard decision on a potential - 4?

  30. screamer73
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys, need some help. Have DCL. Get:

    A Zaha
    B James Rodriguez