Dugout Discussion

Alonso and Werner benched as injured Cavani misses out

Two more teams get their Gameweek 26 double-headers underway this afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

Kick-off in the clash between Chelsea and Manchester United is at 16:30 GMT.

All eyes are on Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) from a Fantasy perspective, with his ownership in excess of 60% overall and sitting at 96.8% in the top 10k.

Over 14% of the leading 10,000 managers have made Fernandes their captain in Double Gameweek 26.

Thomas Tuchel continues to tinker with his starting XI, making five alterations from Gameweek 25.

Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) replace Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) and Reece James (£5.0m) at wing-back, with Andreas Christensen (£4.7m) in for Kurt Zouma (£5.4m) at centre-half.

There are changes further forward, too, with Timo Werner (£9.2m) benched and Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m) starting his first match since Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Barnsley in the FA Cup.

Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) is also preferred over Tammy Abraham (£7.1m) as the spearhead of the hosts’ attack.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer make two changes to the Manchester United side that beat Newcastle United last weekend.

Scott McTominay (£4.9m) and Mason Greenwood are recalled, with Nemanja Matic (£4.7m) and Anthony Martial (£8.7m) benched.

McTominay and Donny van de Beek (£6.6m) had been injury doubts for this weekend, with the Dutchman also recovering to make the bench.

Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) isn’t fit to feature, however.


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Kovacic, Chilwell, Ziyech, Mount, Giroud.

Man Utd XI: de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Fernandes, James, Rashford.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 26 SO FAR…

The game-changing impact that Gareth Bale (£9.3m) exhibited in a 45-minute showing at West Ham last weekend carried over into Tottenham Hotspur’s first Double Gameweek 26 fixture.

Bale conjured up memories of his Spurs heyday in the early-2010s, producing a performance that was brimming with confidence in the Lilywhites’ 4-0 win over Burnley: his 50-yard ball for Harry Kane‘s (£11.1m) 14th-minute goal evidence of that.

The Welshman scored two of his own, twice latching onto Son Heung-min (£9.5m) passes to beat Nick Pope (£5.6m). His second strike, in particular, could have been taken straight from his 2012/13 highlights reel.

Bale was actually the least-popular asset in the Spurs starting XI on Sunday, with just 0.4% of FPL managers owning the on-loan Madridista.

He would appear poised to feature in his side’s second Double Gameweek 26 fixture, with Jose Mourinho sparing the Wales international for the final 20 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Bale, Son and Sergio Reguilon (£5.5m) all banked double-digit hauls against the Clarets, with the Spurs left-back teeing up Lucas Moura (£6.6m) for the hosts’ third goal.

Owners of Kane, by some distance the most-captained player in the top 10k in the current Gameweek, may have been feeling short-changed with their six points, however.

Kane wasted a stoppage-time ‘big chance’ that would have doubled his Gameweek 26 score after bonus.

That was one of of a remarkable seven chances that Son created throughout.

As for Burnley, a rare day to forget defensively and the first time that Pope has shipped more than two goals in a single match since Gameweek 7.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,034 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Bricking it about having no Salah later! But so far happy I opted for KdB over him on WC

    1. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      You and me both. Will be hiding behind the sofa too.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      You did the right thing - just relax.

    3. KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Went KDB over Bruno. So I'm bricking right now but would be hoping for points later on 😛

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Same except I own Sterling instead of Salah

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      I don’t have DCL, have the others though

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        DCL calm, Salah is Salah and his EO is scary

    6. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      You are not alone. I think I will just stick pins in my eyes for 90 minutes. Might be less painful. 😎

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Haha

    7. gribude
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Sold Bruno for hit and TC-ed Salah!

  2. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    As a Bruno captainer, unclear situation and would’ve thought that as a hard decision if pen was given. That said, need Bruno points badly. 🙂

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Sums up my thoughts

  3. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    How bad is Crystal Palace atm? Thinking about getting Bale.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Terrible.

      ... but better than Brighton, apparently.

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Brighton has problems with converting pens....

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Will he play twice in a week?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Subbed early. Probably to start next match. You can imagine why after today.

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Good point

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Bad

      But back to basics defence makes them slightly less tasty than a few weeks back.

  4. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Pen could still be given...

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Yep

      Bruno has already had one after a game finished so not safe till the players leave the pitch at the end

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Not safe till United kick off on Wednesday.

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          😆

  5. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    VAR check...Brighton goal not given, given, not given, penalty to Chelsea not given, Man Utd to get penalty soon...

  6. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    How sad is it that because of FPL people want a penalty for that? I mean aside from the fact it was actually a freekick for Chelsea.

    1. Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Do you ever stop moaning?

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I’m moaning???

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      How sad are you with your constant ABU comments?

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Aladdin was a good movie

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Because Greenwood handballed it? (He never)

      • ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Too many delusional man united fans around.

      • Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Bush you are right , clearly hit Greenwoods arm first

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      That sound you hear is Bruno Triple captainers rage

    5. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      I think there wasn't any VAR check required.
      But referees give penalty for even slightest handball touches. Not sure why ref has not followed book rules here and instead gone with right decision.

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Because it clearly hits Greenwood first

    6. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Why don't United get penalties?

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Lol

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Refs told not to make it too obvious.

    7. LSK
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Think Greenwood knocked CHO’s hand onto the ball.

    8. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      If you look closely you’ll see the ref has a blue shirt underneath with the Chelsea badge.

      Absolutely criminal

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Lol

    9. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Do people here actually think that was a penalty?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        No one with a fully functioning brain would think that.

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Are you saying United supporters are brainless ?

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        If Bruno C or TC or United fan... yes

      3. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Only United supporters , but they depend on penalties

      4. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 29 days ago

          By the rules it is, should it be? Probably not

        • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Nice to see I am in the company of some wise ones here!

      5. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Has the pen been awarded yet?

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          VAR still doctoring footage

          1. Mr. O'Connell
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            They should get the 3rd umpires from the India v England series to lend a hand

      6. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        So many Chelsea haters around here just because their players aren't good fantasy assets lol.

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Not even good real life assets either

          1. ivantys
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Who's playing in UEL?

            1. Pukki Blinders
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Would rather play EL and win than be embarrassed out of the CL, like Chelsea will be

              1. ivantys
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                You act like they will even win UEL rofl.

        2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Or many united fan boys

      7. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Any chance Mitchell started next game for Palace?

        Absolutely raging that he didn’t play today

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Impossible to say

          Think he might. Feels as if RH may be rotating a bit. That and CF are the two positions we have actually have an option

        2. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Who knows with him, thought he'd be nailed now after coming in for a CS and PvA leaving on a free in the summer.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Don't think end of contract is any issue at all tbh - Roy is out of contract too after all 🙂

        3. Tango74
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Why raging? He is a budget defender who is not nailed.

          And you took a risk

          1. TheDragon
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            I bench boosted - yes a gamble but he started last week and they won so was expecting him to start this one

            1. Tango74
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              I took a hit for Aina lol

              4 defenders and I picked the one subbed.

              After deadline I don’t rage as what can you Change

              I avoided TC as I could not decide who to pick lol

        4. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Get rid

      8. SB007
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        66 with 15 to play. DCL captain

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          26 with average BMI.

        2. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          147 ; all blacks

        3. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Beat you! 70 with 4 kids and 6 grandchildren. DCL(c)

          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Keep em coming 🙂

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              my score is currently only 35 though 🙁 Red arrow tonight.

              1. Debauchy
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                You've done your stuff already , great to see you in these parts and still enjoying

                1. Old Man
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 29 days ago

                  Thanks! 😀

              2. Mika-eel
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                On 38 with TC played. Still long to go. Hope DCL bangs them in for you!

                Them 6 grandkids must bring you so much joy.

                1. Old Man
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 29 days ago

                  Thanks - they do, but I haven't seen much of them over the past year. 🙁
                  One of them is at Sheffield Uni and it's been a rotten start for her life away from home. She had covid too.

                  1. Mika-eel
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 28 days ago

                    Sorry to hear that. Hope she well now. I know the feeling, haven't seen much of my mom either this past year.

                    Kids are going crazy at home, but at the same time we have never spent so much time together as a family, being retrenched has helped in that regard.

                    All the best Old Man, and I echo what Debauchy said above.

      9. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Dan James should not be playing at this level.

        1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          This

        2. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Need his dives

          1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            The king of dives is playing later today

            1. Bushwhacker
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Lamela played earlier

        3. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          He’s decent, especially on the left. Too one dimensional on the right.

          United has too many left sided attackers

        4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          If Tyler Roberts can, then everybody has a right!

      10. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Presume as a bruno non captainer I want bruno to blank?

        1. fusen
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          yeah, depending on your tier.

          1. fusen
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            He has a 120% EO in the top 100k, so if you don't captain him then anything he scores is bad for you.

            1. jonnybhoy
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Cheers

          2. jonnybhoy
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Circa 40k

          3. Brimble82
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            At what tier is he below 100%!!!
            7m+?

        2. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Yep, as per

        3. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Red card.

        4. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Depends on how many of your direct competition have Bruno

        5. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Never like seeing my players blank but in this case 2 or 3 points might be satisfactory

        6. schwing
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Ideally you want your captain to match or better his tally, points is points!

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Bruno points mean your overall rank drops unless captained.

        7. jammie26
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          But OR isn't the issue is it. It's all about winning mini leagues isn't it? So if your rivals don't have him you want a hattrick.

          1. fusen
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            if your rivals don't have him then you should already be comfortably beating them 😛

      11. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        best barnes replacement?

        a perreira
        b lingard (would be for one game only)
        c mount
        d tielemans

        thanks and gl

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          I am thinking mount as am looking to BB 28

          Lingard will be popular here though. Boom or bust asset

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            thanks

          2. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Like Mount option but still wary of Tuchel - so many options there

            1. Scholes Out For Summer
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              He’s the probably only attacking asset in Chelsea that consistently starts under Tuchel so far though

            2. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              cheers pingi. he has been playing regularly under him though

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Lingard

          Just on fire and returns against City and Spurs.

          Why just the one for him?

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            fixtures not great. thanks for reply

          2. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            He misses 28 as plays MUN (loan) but I agree he could be decent beyond.

        3. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          IMO:

          - Not A, as plays for WBA
          - Not C, as not 'talisman' n G/A
          - Not D, as key LEI players out

          Out of those, B is a good option (and a good option in general) given Leeds could be a good fixture for him & a bonus fixture in 29.

          He doesn't have a game in 28 as on loan from MUN, but shouldn't affect you. It might affect me as I have Triple LEE vs CHE!

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            thanks hazz

          2. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Oh forgot the loan thing - need to rethink

        4. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Trossard

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            will respectfully give him a miss 🙂

        5. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Foden?

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Assuming you have 3 city already though

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              yes 3 city already but thanks 🙂

      12. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        There’s no way the two United fans commentating are still going on about it...

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Oh yeah.

        2. DropkickMurphys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Side commentator- whoever he is- is clearly a Chelsea fan...

          1. DropkickMurphys
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Andy Townsend- checked it now

      13. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Let's goooo Rashford!

      14. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Kane completely out of bonus points is annoying tbh

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          He missed that chance created by Son right there at the end.

        2. jammie26
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Extremely pleasing.

        3. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          He was on 33 BAPs near the end. Know he missed a sitter but that's only -3. Dropped off big time :/

          1. lespaul
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Mark doesn't own?

      15. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Ziyech playing in the hole...

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Which hole...

          1. Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Number 10 spot

      16. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Chelsea very happy to allow united play out from the back and are crowding the midfield.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          We've fared badly in the past letting them counter, can understand why...

        2. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          oh Giroud , nearly

      17. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Hands up for breaking own rules, should have been focusing transfers on the weakest links in the team rather than following hype. Get punished so far!

      18. Lukakuna
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Fernandes going from 3 to 0 baps has taken me from a red to a green arrow. And I own him...

      19. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        David de guff

      20. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Ben White nailed? Looking to stock up players for 29.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Yeah

        2. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Think so, in my transfer list if I want to save 0.5 from Dunk

        3. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Nailed on for 2 points yeah

      21. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Any chance Cancelo to miss the second game as well?

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          I hope not!

        2. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          yeah zero

        3. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          50/50

        4. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Anything is possible.

        5. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Nah

      22. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        When you own no players in a game it drags on for ages and is absolute torture, despite being pretty exciting.

        When you have a triple captain, the game is extremely dull and goes by at light speed.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Who did you TC in the Palace Fulham game then?

        2. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Absolutely this!! I know the exact feeling, the Spurs game flew by earlier