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.

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1,034 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Vamos Los Celeste
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 29 days ago

    Any chance Shaw subbed off before Chelsea winner?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 29 days ago

        I mean, yeah there's a chance

      • PastaFasul
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Only if he gets injured most likely.

      • mezza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Also a chance he gets sent off

        1. Vamos Los Celeste
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          No chance, he is a good guy.

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

            Riveting thread ...

      • The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Also a chance Chelsea score jack

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

      Areola + Taylor to Fabri + Tierney for -4? Have Martinez as my other keeper.

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

      Reece James likely to be Chelsea's 1st sub.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        CHO off for him

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

          Is it? I'd prefer Ziyech off & CHO pushed up.

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

          Ah it is CHO, hmm.

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

      Tierney or Dunk for BGW29? Still few weeks to go I know ...

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

        I am thinking of getting Tierney. Better fixtures post 29.

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

          Yeah if no WC left Tierney the man

      2. jomikijiq
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Dunk easily

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Take a butchers at fixtures post that, he's a better pick in isolation on FH but otherwise not.

    5. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      I’ll be moving rashford on this week I think 29 in mind

      Son or bale?

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

        Son

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

        Depends on the 2nd game.

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Very true, minutes will tell us a lot

      3. jomikijiq
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Son

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

        Bale is exciting if he stays fit

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

      I only own two city assets, Gundogan and Cancelo. Is Foden a decent replacement for Barnes or will he continue to get little minutes.

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Little minutes probably
        Still another game to go, plus another dgw, see how that pans out

    7. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      CHO hooked again. Can't be good for his confidence

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

      Hold Chelsea..... hold

    9. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      That lino is massive

    10. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 29 days ago

      Odd, I'd thought James was gonna replace Ziyech

      1. ChelseaGuy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 29 days ago

        Ohh got the answer now

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Harsh on CHO again, not sure what he's doing wrong to make Tuchel take him off early twice

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Ah, he's injured never mind!

        • Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Bruno cappers quaking in their boots

          LOVE to see it!

          Oh yes i do

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

            I'm happy with 2 points from this game as long as he's not injured or suspended for Palace.

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

            Oh so do I lol , but there's the next one too

          3. Hect.OR 98th
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Didn't expect much from this game, it's the next I have expectations from.

            1. Gizzachance
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              True, this is a a bonus game I spose

            2. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              I really hope that I'm gonna enjoy captaining Salah this gameweek as he has been the source of so much frustration over the last few weeks. It would be nice to silence all the Salah "knockers" and have all the non owners running scared but?....................... was it all a dream.

        • FootieFan77
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          This game will finish 0-0

        • Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Turns out CHO was injured.

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

            Bruno TC fail

            1. Gizzachance
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Second half an palace game to go, Bruno my cap

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

          2 James on the pitch

        • _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Big miss from chelsea

        • Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Big Dave save.

        • Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Chilwell did well there. Ziyech should have buried that

        • Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Chilwell earning his spot.

        • Gizzachance
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Bruno cap v rudiger!

        • Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Mount red check?

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

            Nah he's a true blue

        • Chucky
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Worst GW ever... Barnes injured, sold chilly for dier and no kane..... 🙁 🙁

          1. Hect.OR 98th
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Barnes is unlucky. No CS for Chilwell yet, Kane on 6. It's not that bad.

            1. Chucky
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Thanks for those words... appreciated

        • Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Fred YC

        • Duke Silver ☑
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Commentators just ignoring that kick out by Mount?

          1. Duke Silver ☑
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Ah well they've turned a blind eye to the shítshów that this game has been so far so they're consistent at least.

        • OrmskirkFC
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          If Mount connected with that kickout he'd be seeing red.

        • AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Do any of you have TC on Bruno or Salah?

          1. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            DCL

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Bold, hope you get a return or two...

            2. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              I mean the fixtures are good and DCL can well score 1 or 2.

              To be fair he could haul with a hattrick too.

              1. Chucky
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                Cheers.. will take a 17 pointer

            3. mezza
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              D(TC)L here too

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

              me too . I hope it's a cunning punt.

          2. jomikijiq
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Yeah, Salah

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              Good luck.

              Could be gold.

              I thought Bruno would return too.

              1. jomikijiq
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 29 days ago

                Same to you!

                Are you on Bruno then?

                1. AC/DC AFC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 29 days ago

                  Nah.

                  I hit it on Sterling in the Gundo week 24!

                  Chasing so was bold.

                  On Kane normal this week.

                  1. jomikijiq
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 29 days ago

                    Hmm, could be worse than 7

                    I was torn between Salah and Kane all week tbh

                    Ideally would TC KDB in 27, but don't think we can be sure he starts both so I'll probably just normal C him/Sterling

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

            Bruno. Bite your arm off for a 3 point return tbh.

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

            Ri(c)hattrickson

        • Duke Silver ☑
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Ah Mount is one of the English golden boys. No wonder they didn't say anything.

        • FantaCity
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Brighton fans, will Veltman keep his place, or is Lamptey back soon ?

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

            Lamptey back training but will get injured soon enough

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

            From what I've read Lamptey may have to earn his spot since Veltman has played well.

            May be rotation (although Lamptey will naturally injure himself), but interesting to see if both can play somehow.

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

              just need him to play gw29 ,,, Burn a safer bet d'ya think ?

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

            Lamptey surely in once ready , toothess attack needs a boost

        • Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          Another bore fest ‘big game’ involving United, don’t forget to play your defenders against city next week every chance of a 0-0

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

            City will spank United next week

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

              1 0 United with a Dias Og

            2. Dannyb
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 29 days ago

              They won't

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

              I'm not too sure about that

          2. Woy_is_back
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            I put 20 bucks on 0-0, really good odds

          3. The Tinkerman
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            I’d take it with shaw, Cancelo and Dias in my side.

        • Chandler Bing
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 29 days ago

          How bad did the CHO injury look? James could be a real bargain if nailed.

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

            Nobody even knew he was injured till we saw he was iced up in the bench.

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

          Bruno going nuts

          Worth a yellow

          1. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 29 days ago

            Yep

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

            Bruno YC incoming

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

            Should have been yeah