Dugout Discussion

West Ham v Chelsea team news: James returns, Lukaku and Benrahma subs

The dust of Gameweek 14 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has barely settled but we’re already up and running for Gameweek 15, which gets underway in east London this lunchtime.

A tasty-looking clash between West Ham United and Chelsea kicks off at 12:30 GMT.

Reece James – who rather curiously dropped in price last night – is back for this clash as expected and is one of four changes that Thomas Tuchel has made from the Blues side that unconvincingly beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road in midweek.

Thiago Silva, Jorginho and Hakim Ziyech also return, with Christian Pulisic, Saul and Cesar Azpilicueta dropping to the bench and Trevoh Chalobah missing out altogether with a hamstring injury.

Romelu Lukaku is again only a substitute.

Hammers boss David Moyes makes two alterations to the team that drew 1-1 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday.

Issa Diop and Manuel Lanzini return to the starting line-up, with Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma dropping to the bench. That will see the hosts turn to a wing-back system, a shape Moyes has adopted in the past when up against the big guns.

Aaron Cresswell remains out with a back injury.

GAMEWEEK 15 LINE-UPS

West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Diop, Johnson, Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Lanzini, Antonio

Subs: Areola, Yarmolenko, Fornals, Vlasic, Noble, Benrahma, Masuaku, Kral, Ashby

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Thiago Silva, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Alonso, Mount, Ziyech, Havertz

Subs: Kepa, Lukaku, Pulisic, Werner, Saul, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Azpilicueta, Sarr

1,332 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Would be nice if last five GWs data is deleted

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Make that fourteen

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Captain points deleted would be lovely.

    2. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      The last couple of years as well

    3. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Gone the other way, sorry.

  2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Alonso and James in this one, should be exciting

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      1-0 ft

    2. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Antonio points incoming

    3. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Fair warning. I sold Antonio.

  3. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    I was just starting to hit a few consecutive green arrows and then done Ronaldo to Lukaku last week. Worst transfer and for a -4 at that. Would have scored 84 last week if I didn’t do it and on the bench again ffs.

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Well why did u. U supposed to wait till he starts

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Yep, I thought he could do well from the bench against Watford and then start. Also got annoyed that Ronaldo could be a 12.4 rotation risk and rage transferred out with immediate regret.

        1. Grounderz
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Overthinking has been a popular factor in people missing out on points.

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah, I agree. In hindsight I’m not sure what I was thinking at all

            1. Grounderz
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              You had wishful thinking got the best of you. Kidding, take a hit to fix that, mate.

        2. Zimo
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Well u can always go back now

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            True. Lukaku now also has great fixtures after today. Feel like as soon as I switch back I will get burned again 😆

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Bizarre transfer

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        As above. He was benched and I regretted it immediately…

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

      Transferring in players before they've had a start is always risky. Sounds crazy to have done with United'd fixtures though, sorry.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed… my own fault really not sure what I was thinking

      2. Ian J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        just transfer back

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Possibly will

        2. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          One's pride simply will not allow for this

  4. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Only the top 4 teams with a positive goal difference so far.

    1. Zalk
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      That has to be unusual.

  5. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Just in: the FPL site admin DCAing crypto after the big crash. Will be back once he is done.

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

    Antonio due a haul, no?

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      due an injury

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        We've all forgotten about that 😮

    2. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      No, he needs to be kept as quiet as possible.

    3. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Off course. On my bench. Starting Alonso and James.

      1. Jacktastic
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Same here

    4. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Absolutely - hopefully not today though

  7. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Any post-deadline regrets?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah selling Reguilon.

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Reguilon has saved me last two GWs. Why sell?

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yes should not have eaten those flaming hot chips

      1. Mambino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        chips, mmmmmm

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Only that I trusted the site to work.

    4. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, but last weeks. Getting Regulion over Alonso would have earned me more points and made transfers in next two weeks easier 😀

    5. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Buying Ronaldo for a hit

    6. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Hacking the FPL site and deleting all the data.

      Seemed like a bit of fun at first, but FPL is going to have to be cancelled for the season now. No way to recover the data.

    7. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Not really besides Hwang dropping by .1 - but fortunately it does not affect my future transfer plans. Happy with my team overall.

    8. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Captaining Kane for a second GW in a row.

    9. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy out for Ronaldo, might backfire. PMA for now though.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        No regrets until Antonio scores. Sold him.

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Oh, I sold him too. Had a mini wildcard. Felt great at the time.

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            At first it does. Sold Raphinha last week - knocked me out of LMS 🙁

    10. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Captaining Salah.

  8. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Lets how Havertz to Jota FT goes..

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Let’s see how Antonio Gallagher > Jota king for a hit goes.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Could be close that one.

    3. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Done that two GWs ago for a hit. Two goals from Jota and nil points from Havertz. Best decision I made this season.

  9. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    There's a guy in one of my ML, he's taken 72 points in hits so far, and used his WC already too. Anyone seen more? (Outside of the players who go for the week high score every week)

    1. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      And what is current OR now?

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        He’s probably doing better than nearly all of us on here too!

      2. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Late replying to this but he's 1.6m

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      And he's still top?

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      My brother took a forty point hit last week. Says it was to prepare his team for December so he could win our manager of the month prize. 😆

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Makes sense, that. You're not gonna win FPL, but you can win ML cash prizes.

    4. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      It's you. Isn't it?

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I’ve taken 44

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        This season

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Hits?

  10. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    It's working!!!

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Calm down, Anakin. All this emotion is only going to lead one way

    2. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Great song

    3. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Your wife must be happy.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        4.0 Johnson?

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 4 months ago

            She's easily impressed

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              Don't worry, he's rising

        2. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          More likely the opposite actually

    4. ClaudesMackerelelé
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Any ideas as to why Fornals has been rested?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        For a rest

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Can only put 11 on the field

      3. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        They saw him @ FPL towers with a black mask...

      4. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Will happen to majority of players, be glad that he is getting a rest in a difficult game. Should be good for upcoming easier ones.

    5. Jacktastic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      First time I’ve managed to have my 2 Chelsea defenders starting together. Antonio to score within 5 mins as I’ve benched him.

    6. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Warning everybody - buy now. Salah's going up tonight.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        They are already dead...

      2. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Deulofail finally buying?

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          He's due not to haul

          1. Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Every non-haul by Salah is banked for future GWs

      3. Amartey Partey
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks! I might buy him this week.

    7. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Am I the only one with Sancho???

      1. Grounderz
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Magnus Carlsen has Sancho.

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          He is a tad preoccupied at the moment

          1. Grounderz
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Taking too long to eat a cake.

      2. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        You could be driving the bandwagon

      3. DARE TO BISCAN
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Yes. There can be only One.

      4. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Just 2.6%

    8. Green Arrow
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Stayed up all night to watch this game. Let's go Chelsea!!!

    9. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Maguire has transferred Ronaldo into his FPL team.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 4 months ago

          A man known to make excellent footballing decisions 😛

      2. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Let the Shenanigans begin!

      3. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Antonio dropping before juicy fixtures 😛

        1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Which start in 3 games

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

        Exact money for Kane to Ronaldo

        Can someone please text me if either of them look like rising or dropping in price

        Thank you

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          No worries http://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/

        2. Grounderz
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Kane will likely remain a stagnant if he does haul tonight because it puts people in a split situation. Lots of sales if he continues to blank.

          Ronaldo is likely to rise for his upcoming fixtures and he has the higher likelihood of scoring points than Kane.

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

            True mate, but he’s miles off a rise atm so I’ll just sit tight and pretty

      5. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Rudigar brace please

        1. Grounderz
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Ohh you cheeky, I want him to bag the brace too.

        2. Gooner97
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Rudiger in yellow = goal

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

        2 ft for the first this season!

        What a time to be alive!

        1. Gooner97
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Santa came early

        2. Grounderz
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Mini wildcard incoming.

        3. DARE TO BISCAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          I turned my first 2ft into a -4. Felt wrong, but also right.

        4. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Same

      7. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Hoddle: Cresswell will be doing well to get back ahead of alonso if he picks up that early season form.

        Think he'll need a transfer as well Glenn.

        Co commentator just keeps quiet.

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          He meant for England

          1. jason_ni
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Hmmm.. OK 😉

            Ian darke was chatting about how Cresswell plays well with back 5 when west ham play it and Glenn starts talking about how Cresswell will be doing well to replace alonso

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Alonso for England!

        2. ZimZalabim
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          LOL

        3. Gooner97
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Did the commentator call Johnson by "4.0m"?

        4. DARE TO BISCAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Cressy was Chilly in a previous life.

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

          Hoddle is a shocking commentator

          Not a heart attack joke btw

        6. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          We all make mistakes, no big deal.

          I usually like Hoddle's insights. Experienced and knowledgeable man.

        7. The Mighty Hippo
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          The commentary on Amazon Prime in midweek was much better than the dross BT and Sky serve up.

          1. Marvin Moon
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Yep. Commentary these days has become mostly gibbering unrelated to the action on the pitch.

      8. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Chelsea CS under threat in this game.

      9. fantasist
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        BT commentators getting Cresswell and Chilwell mixed up

      10. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Reece James SOT

      11. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        What was that weird Mendy goalkick all about?

      12. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Raph and Wilson > Foden and Dennis (2 FT)?

        1. OPTA FPL
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Yeas

        2. The Mighty Hippo
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          yes

        3. thegame983
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          I'd take B. Silva personally

      13. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Not much sparkle in the game yet.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          West Ham look solid. Perfect defensive shape to counter Chelsea.

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah.

            Dropping to a 5-3-1-1

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 4 months ago

              And breaking forward into a 3-4-2-1

        2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          It has a 0-0 or a narrow 1-0 win feel about it for either side. As a another poster said West Ham playing on the counter.
          If Chelsea score first it will be very hard for West Ham to change to game plan.

      14. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Interesting Fact - in 11 Game weeks that King and Dennis have played together they have averaged 10 points.

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Even Hornets fans would not have said that that that start of the season.

      15. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Ref plays advantage, play goes on, and another foul is committed and ref pulls it back to the original foul, for fk is worse position.

        Seems wrong, what if the 2nd foul was in the box?!

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          I think he said he blew.

          But he had played on too.