Dugout Discussion

Torres benched for Chelsea v City as much-captained Ronaldo leads United attack

We have the unusual situation of two Premier League matches kicking off simultaneously in the Saturday lunchtime slot.

Chelsea v Manchester City is a mouth-watering prospect at Stamford Bridge, while there is plenty of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) interest at Old Trafford as Manchester United host Aston Villa.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the chief attraction from an FPL perspective, having been captained by almost two-thirds of the top 10,000 Fantasy managers in Gameweek 6.

Above: Ownership/effective ownership stats for Gameweek 6, via LiveFPL

Ronaldo is part of an unchanged Manchester United side from the win at West Ham United last Sunday.

Edinson Cavani makes the bench after recovering from injury.

Aston Villa’s one starting XI change is enforced, with Axel Tuanzebe, who is on loan from the Red Devils, ineligible to face his parent club. Kortney Hause makes his first Premier League start of the season as Dean Smith sticks with a 3-5-2.

In west London, Thomas Tuchel makes four changes to the Chelsea team that beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in their last league outing.

Edouard Mendy returns in goal after recovering from a hip problem, while Reece James, N’Golo Kante and Timo Werner are all recalled.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz drop to the bench, while Mason Mount misses out through injury.

“Thiago [Silva] had some issues yesterday in training, otherwise he would have started.” – Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel has stuck with the same 3-5-2 system he used in the second half against Spurs, with Werner assuming Havertz’s role alongside Romelu Lukaku.

Pep Guardiola has also made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Southampton in Gameweek 5.

Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden both make their first league starts of the season, while Rodri and Aymeric Laporte have recovered from injury to also feature.

Nathan Ake, Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho are among the substitutes, with the injured Ilkay Gundogan missing out entirely.

GAMEWEEK 6 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Kante, Werner, Lukaku

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Silva, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Saul, Hudson-Odoi, Chilwell, Ziyech, Havertz

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Ruben Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Grealish

Subs: Steffen, Stones, Ake, Sterling, Torres, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Palmer, Lavia


Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Pogba, Ronaldo.

Subs: Lindelof, Martial, Lingard, Dalot, Cavani, Heaton, Sancho, Matic, Van de Beek.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Hause, Mings, Targett, Jacob Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Ings, Watkins.

Subs: Buendia, Steer, Traore, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Archer, Bogarde.

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1,557 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    How bad did Shaw injury look?

    1. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He's fine, just went for his second breakfast.

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Ah ah

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Like Shaw to Alonso was written in the stars.

    3. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Difficult to say.. sometimes injuries that don't look too bad take longer to heal. I'm shipping him out anyway.

  2. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Douglas Luiz on free kick and corners,nice

  3. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Shaw, torres, bamford, raphinha, ayling, tsmikas. I've got the lot and STILL trying to cling on to my wildcard!

    1. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Don't call yourself crazy! 😉

    2. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      What did you do with the 1FT we all get each week?

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Gilmour > Gallagher.

    3. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Madness

    4. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Looking at the bright side, you don't have James atleast.

    5. Ligdon
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Me too

  4. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Shaw 0 means livramento off the bench. Could have been worse

    1. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      😆

    2. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      What a great sub to have

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

      Livra will now score 2 goals

    4. Fadi AMJK
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

  5. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Jesus donkey

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Shinned it

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Mary lamb.

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

      Sounds like a nativity scene….

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

    Lukaku has been awful

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone playing well today Bemba?

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Chealsea are happy to sit back for 1 point at home. Mourinho 2.0

  7. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Ronnie had any shots yet?

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

      Vaccine shots

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        😛 topical 😉

      2. Gunneryank
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Surprised i don't see this joke more.

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Barely touched it in the box

  8. AlCapwnUK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is a WC plan of 2 premiums and a sea of 6-7mil players with no bench fodder madness?

    3 premiums seems a waste and then there's no value currently in the no man's land between the premiums and the bargain picks

  9. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Fred leading the baps 😆

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

    Lukaku been a little bit of a donkey today.

    Rudiger has done really well.

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

      Christensen flying header, lovely!

  11. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Luke Shaw - worst GW1 pick out of all the highly selected players.

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He’s just testing our loyalty and patience

  12. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno could have had a brace and 2 assists

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

      I shouldn't have sold him

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Meh no damage done yet

  13. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Lukaku rusty touch as he hasn't seen the ball...

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, his first touch is usually on point....

  14. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Shaw has ruined my Saturday.

  15. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Kaku and Werner are so awful in keeping the ball. The first half has almost been entirely played in the Chelsea half.

  16. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think azplicueta is better pick than rudiger?

  17. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    This will be easily the worst GW of this and last season..Reece and Shaw + Torres benched

  18. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    James and Shaw off injured great start to my game week

  19. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Oliver forgot his cards...

  20. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What sort of injury did shaw get to come off,

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

      Obesity

    2. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Hunger pains.

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

      Apathy

    4. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bloody hell lol

  21. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso briefly looking like he can defend

  22. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno range…

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno Mars

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

        Bruno Toney-oli

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Poor, I thought your music taste was better

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Showaddywaddy for me…

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

    Half time. Thank god.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      How’s it looking? Tight game?

  24. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Got 0.1 itb so can do Shaw > Rudiger in one.

    If either look like moving will probably have to go early in the week - should be worth it.

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It's worth it anyway, look at the fixture swing.

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Yah. True true.
        Was think I’d upgrade other defenders rather than sideways with Shaw but he’s been garbage.
        Will be keeping eyes on the price change %.

        1. Dannyb
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          If you can do that move for free then it's a no brainer imo.

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

    Yep, this game is ending 0-0

  26. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    £5 says Chelsea win this.

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      What did 5 pound say about the United game?

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I haven't asked it.

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Have to get across the border that is the City half to score, have they been there at all? Mourinho gets criticism for being boring and defensive, Tuchel gets praised for the same.

  27. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Another big chance created by Bruno

  28. hueycho
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Shaw..just go on a diet will ya

  29. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sold James for Alonso. Sideways they said…

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

      Arent you the smarty pants!

    2. *Reformed-Character*
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      You've had an absolute shocker here with this comment. He got injured haha

  30. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Lunchtime kick off curse…

    They should just scrap 12.30 games

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

      Watching Chelsea City. Needs risk taken and inspiration from the bench.