Dugout Discussion
26 December 2021 830 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Aston Villa v Chelsea follows the 3pm goal-fest and on paper, this should be a tighter affair than the four Gameweek 19 fixtures that have already been and gone.

Steven Gerrard’s troops have been defensively sound since the change in management at Villa Park, keeping clean sheets against Brighton and Hove Albion and Norwich City and producing creditable rearguard efforts against Manchester City and Liverpool.

No side has conceded fewer goals than the Blues this season, meanwhile, although they’ve banked only one clean sheet in their last six matches.

As for the team news, Thomas Tuchel makes two changes from the side that started the 0-0 draw at Wolves a week ago.

Jorginho and Callum Hudson-Odoi are recalled at the expense of the benched Hakim Ziyech and Cesar Azpilicueta, who join Romelu Lukaku among the substitutes.

Gerrard, who is missing this evening after a positive Covid-19 test of his own, also makes two changes to his last league line-up, which came 12 days ago.

Danny Ings and Morgan Sanson are promoted to the starting XI, with Ashley Young and John McGinn both absent.


Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, Luiz, Sanson, Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins, Ings.

Subs: Steer, Traore, Tuanzebe, Trezeguet, El Ghazi, Hause, Chukwuemeka, Davis, Iroegbunam

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Christensen, Kovacic, Lukaku, Níguez, Barkley, Ziyech, Azpilicueta, Sarr

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  1. Pukki Party
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Need Lamptey to save my gameweek

    1. syke63
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Like a score here too. 1st sub in case Dalot doesn't play.

  2. sentz05
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    WC team for next week?

    DDG Bachman
    TAA Cancelo Tierney Regulion Dalot
    Saka Gundogan Son Jota Gray
    Ronaldo King Borja

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not a million miles off my WC this week. Looks good

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        How did your WC side score? 63 for me with DDG Ronaldo (c) to go

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          57. Same two left but no (C). Nice Tierney return kept me happy. Got Jota back now too. Upto 7k so think on the whole it was a success

        2. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          What will you do with the Arsenal boys now and no Jota?

          1. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Mahrez to Jota, Lacazette to Jesus ( rested today) or Antonio and possibly Saka to Gray in mind for -4 or -8. Will
            be another late call! And you?

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Just rolling my FT as it stands;

              DDG
              TAA. Cancelo. Reguilón. Dalot
              Son. Jota. Foden. Bowen
              Ronaldo. Antonio.
              (Foster, Broja, Tierney*, Martinelli*)

            2. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              -8 is crazy after all your good work. Can you get 11 out without a hit?

              1. dunas_dog
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Not sure good enough- as minimum Mahrez to Jota as always the plan. Would have triple Arsenal v City following week which is concern

                DDG
                TAA Cancelo James Reguilon Dalot
                Son Mahrez Bowen
                Ronaldo Broja

                Sanchez Lacazette * Saka* Martinelli

                1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 1 month ago

                  Yeah you might get away with just Mahrez to Jota. Tricky one. One reason I didn’t want to book in a transfer like you. But perhaps your got the points to spend the -4 or -8 from it now anyways

                  1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 1 month ago

                    You’ve

  3. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Average of 5 goals per game today. Shame Liverpool game got called off, could have had some mega scores on here if the trend continues and there was 5 goals in that game too.

  4. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Enjoyed that game as a non-owner.

    Some tough benching issues next week with the Pool guys back… is this right or crazy? Sure we might get a postponed like

    DDG
    TAA. Cancelo. Tierney
    Son(C). Jota. Foden. Bowen. Martinelli
    Ronaldo. Antonio.
    (Foster, Reguilón, Dalot, Broja)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Scratch this

  5. Salan
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    How come my ML rival again did something weird, captain Jorginho?!

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Haha really? Must have got a crystal ball for xmas

  6. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Could do with someone sneezing on Telles between now and tomorrow tbh

    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry this is wrong

    2. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I hope they also sneeze on Ronaldo!

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        'Rona-ldo

  7. EL tridente
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bernardo or Foden to Jota?

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bernardo

  8. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    As a Liverpool fan and owner of James and Alonso that game was pure misery.

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea aren’t too much of a threat imo. Between us and City

  9. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So with one match down another one to be announced, whose planning a FH this week?

    1. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      which is the one to be announced?

      1. Silecro
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Arsenal vs Wolves

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Free Hits until the end of the season 😉

  10. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Lovely a nice solid red arrow and no Ronaldo.

  11. Mike2795647
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know why ESR didn’t get the assist for Laca’s penalty, but Lukaku got one for Chelsea’s 3rd goal

    1. Kellz86
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Laca was fouled for the Laca penalty

      1. Mike2795647
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ahh, makes sense, cheers

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Have no more players for tomorrow's game. Onto gw 20.

  13. Arsenal vs Wolves Postponed GW20
    Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Confirmed by PL, @Arsenal v @Wolves on Tuesday is off.
    https://twitter.com/sistoney67/status/1475186341822533644?t=H-fTvYN8JOjhAII48zGYkg&s=19

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pity with triple Arsenal. Can bench Saka and White but no other cancellations. Ramsdale might have to go

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        https://twitter.com/Wolves/status/1475186177854648320

        Confirmation from Wolves.

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Current top 3 most transferred in players are all Arsenal 😮

    2. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thankfully only own Martinelli and Saka from that game

    3. Free Hat
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That solves my benching headaches

    4. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You are having a laugh... what, why? The whole Wolves team have just had the booster jab.

    5. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Oh ffs, absolute joke this now

    6. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Well I have Ramsdale and Tierney but was planning on getting rid of one, and my rival just brought in Ramsdale and Martinelli so can't complain much

      1. syke63
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He'll be hitting the FH button to hide his shame.

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          He'll only have TC left after that so I can't say I'd mind too much!

    7. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nobody has HT-ed the Leeds Leeds cancellation.

  14. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ah, it’s officially off already! Yikes

  15. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Guaita due back? I have Ramsdale and Guaita.
    Was really hoping to roll a transfer but also have alonso, James, ESR, dennis that I need to deal with!

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Really not sure, I heard earlier he dislocated his finger but there has been no flag on the fpl site.
      Weird

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Oh no idea then! Might free hit then....

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ben Crellin Twitter said he had Covid (presume his finger is better now). I can’t find anywhere when he’s due back

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    3. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He was on the bench first game after that finger injury, but not after that.

  16. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Leicester vs Liverpool being called off would create some right old SCENES

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Some very upset FHers

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The whole thing is getting pretty exhausting now tbh. Don't know how much fight I've got left in me.

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        We need extra WCs not FHs

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I liked the idea and challenge of it at first, but I'm in cba mode now. And also it turns out you can't even wait til the last minute either.

      2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I get this, I've gone for the whole big 15 man squad this year and even that has offered little to no protection so cba.
        We haven't even hit the true carnage part yet, when the doubles all arrive.

    3. Feloh
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      We'll FH this week then.

  17. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    5 points from Alonso, James, Mount and Watkins

  18. Mweene
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bernardo and Lacazette to Salah and Broja might be on the cards!

  19. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GW20 team with the benching headaches quickly going… probably end on 8 players 🙂

    DDG
    TAA. Cancelo. Reguilón. Dalot
    Son. Jota. Foden. Bowen
    Ronaldo. Antonio.
    (Foster, Broja, Tierney*, Martinelli*)

  20. Randaxus
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal win 5-0 is the dream of finishing 7th place real this year? haha

    1. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      One season out of Europe and you have people saying this stuff like this

      1. Randaxus
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        8th place 2 years in a row, at least they are consistent.

        1. Qaiss
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Aye but you also probably laughed when they finished top 4 for two straight decades

          1. Randaxus
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            The problem is that you have to dust off the old history book to remember when Arsenal last had a good team.

  21. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best Laca replacement? (Have Ronaldo & Broja)

    1. Mweene
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio?

  22. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wolves match getting cancelled isn't great news for the following United fixture, but it is at least on 3rd January which is 8 days from now. Current player isolations may be over by then.

  23. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Quick question about the FHs

    Is the first time you can have 2 Free Hits (next GW 20) or the GW after (GW 21) If you haven’t used one already

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You can use only one once.

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I used my first one this week, next week I cannot use it.

  24. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Made leaps on my rival, and then of course he free Hitted and brought in Jorginho. My season in a nutshell

  25. mdm
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know why Benteke was not in the squad today?

  26. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can i use 2nd wc now?

  27. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hmm, Carson -> DDG it seems.

  28. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    No more FH's please, some of us took some pain not playing it today.

  29. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I have my Lacazette replacement pencilled in already. Owned by a mere 2.5% overall

    1. syke63
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      DCL back?

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah mate. Benitez was saying he may have to play him for todays fixture before postponement so hoping he is fit. Will wait for news of course.

        1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Replacing someone who won't play gw 20 with someone who won't play gw 20, maverick call 🙂

          1. Paqueta Rice
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I think you missed the last sentence of the post you replied to 😉

            1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Haha well the news is that Finch Farm is plague island but let's give a few days to become official.
              I'm with you though, would like to see how the doubles land but DCL could be gold.

  30. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I do genuinely feel for those who were unable to make transfers because of the site crashing.

    However the only thing I will say is that leaving it until literally 1-2mins until the deadline is ridiculous and unnecessarily risky.

    There was always going to be a possibility of the sites server struggling to cope with so many people doing transfers around the same time.

    Games arent going to be postponed 90 mins before the kick off so there was no reason to leave it so late. The Villa late postponement was unusual but was 2hrs before kick off.