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. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Alonso with 2 pts in 2 games….

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      It was between him and Regi.

      Dumb move

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Terrible start to the gw with Rudi, Alonso and Antonio.

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

      Same. Indeed

  3. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Double Chelsea D been a disaster since I brought Alonso in.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      This

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      It's all your fault - James - Rudiger owner.

  4. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Hey guys - sorry for utterly killing James as a pick in the 3GW since I got him…

  5. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    CHO RWB, James LWB.

    Tuchel really getting fed up of Alonso!

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Tuchel special - he switched Mount and Ziyech first half. It led to the 2nd goal.

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

    Lukaku has done nothing.

    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bowen should have won it from Antonio.

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        reply fail.

    2. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      He has always been the same player. All the hype when he returned was ludicrous.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        You men a player who scores goals? Did you watch a single game of his over the past 2 years?

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          I never said he doesn't score goals.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Go on then, what was ridiculous? What is your naive criticism.

            1. Supersonic Marv'
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 3 months ago

              He has always been a player who disappears in big matches. When he returned from Italy it was being made out by many that he is now a world class player. He isn't.

              1. Postman Ty
                • 9 Years
                2 years, 3 months ago

                24g/11a in 32 starts last season and won Serie A. Belgium's all-time top goalscorer. Great holdup play. Sure, he's not world class...

                1. Supersonic Marv'
                  • 7 Years
                  2 years, 3 months ago

                  It's only my opinion mate, don't take it personally.

                  1. Abraham & Cheese
                    • 5 Years
                    2 years, 3 months ago

                    You're both correct, just arguing about different things. Lukaku is everything that BDA said and absolutely world-class. Does being world-class translate to EPL points? No - and that's where Marvin is correct.

    3. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Flat track bully - next 5 games should suit him. Score a few with his arse/neck/filtrum.

  7. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    A rival, in a nothing league and no real threat has Silva and Mount, when ya luck's in 🙂

    1. CBonci
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I’m in the same situation!

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

    What a sitter Bowen, Antonio assist denied

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Hardly a sitter.

    2. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Hahah sitter

  9. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I've had alonso for 6 GWs so far this season and got 4 points from him. Cracking returns.

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bowen so close for Antonio assist.

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

    Wow.

    Bowen misses sitter from Antonio.

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

      Stretching

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

    Think I’m heading for a midfield of
    Salah Jota Mount Bilva Bowen

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      I’m on wildcard and I just set up a midfield of Salah, Jota, Mount, Foden and Bowen

  13. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    WHAT A WASTE OF ASSIST!!!

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      For sure. Bowen hardly making any effort at all.

  14. Randaxus
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Bowen should have got a brace, missed open goal.

  15. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Amazing from Antonio.

  16. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Is this the end for Johnson's starts?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Injury & Coufal performance won't help.

      1. The Reptile
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Is he injured? Thought it was tactical

  17. jimmyharte
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Lol at everyone copying the so called experts. Dennis defo going to score more points then King till Jan.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      People copy experts?

    2. Randaxus
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      You are experts because they have finished in the top 10K multiple times which means they know what they are talking about, King is on pens Dennis is not that is a big difference.

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

        They've had 2 penalties all season.

        1. Randaxus
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          All being equal players that have penalties are better than players who don't have penalties also King has scored 16 goals in the premier league before Dennis has not.

    3. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      You lost me at "defo"

    4. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      King is more central, more minutes, better stats and on pens. It’s an obvious decision to go him over Dennis

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

        Dennis is more accurate.

        1. Randaxus
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          I just looked King has a 19% goal conversion rate and Dennis has a 22% goal conversion rate so you are correct.

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

    So close.

    Well played Antonio

  19. Zalk
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    The closest Antoino has come to getting a return in 6 games.

    1. bombonera
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Fornals underside of the bar against Brighton

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

    Bowen has been amazing today. Probably blanks next week now 😀

  21. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Who's better value Bowen or Antonio?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bowen

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bowen for sure depends what you want to do with the cash difference.

    3. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Bowen easy

  22. @persecuted_by_mods
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Antonio hasn't been the best during this run but he has been desperately unlucky to not get a few assists

    • nolard
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      That is not a stitter. What are you lot talking about?!

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

        Yeah it wasn't haha. Too far away from it.

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Everything is a sitter to people who've never kicked a ball

        • JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Tough chance but was inches in it

        • BeaversWithAttitude
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          For real. A sitter, lol. Said sat on the couch eating pies.

      3. Walter White (WW)
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Bowen too short to get there

        1. BeaversWithAttitude
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Lol.

      4. mad_beer ✅
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Alonso 1 pointer banked. Get in!

      5. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        What a mistake it was bringing in Alonso for Chilwell...

        1. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          This

      6. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Not sure I want to hang onto Alonso for long after those two games. Real disappointment

        1. VincentVega
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Same...likley to get a rest also..

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

          Next few are easier.

        3. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          You not looking at fixtures to come?

          1. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Fixtures are great, but he's been so bad I wouldn't be shocked to see him dropped or rotated much more

        4. MikeS
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Think I might transfer out for walker..

        5. DycheDycheBaby
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Oh come on. Nice two home games next.

          1. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            Who's to say he'll play? He's been terrible

      7. MikeS
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Anyone for a cornet-o?

        1. bombonera
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Think he will do well today. Very weak Newcastle defense

          1. MikeS
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            I think he'll score

            1. bombonera
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah me too. So clinical so far, he doesn't need many chances

        2. Randaxus
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          I have the Corneto against Newcastle

        3. Not again Shirley
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          I was sorely tempted by him but couldn’t justify bringing him in when already have decent midfield. Other areas required attention.

          Think he could do very well today (as I suggested a couple of days ago)

      8. Heiro
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Assuming no injures

        Raphinia & Jiminez --> Son & Broja?

        Borja most like fodder most weeks.

        1. JPSpurs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          If you don’t need to play Broja I would do it - Son looked the most dangerous in their last match with Kane playing quite deep

      9. JPSpurs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Glad I brought Bowen in last week to sit on my Bench - at least I should get some price rises before his blank

        1. Zalk
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          No shame in building value