Dugout Discussion

Gameweek 20 team news: Lukaku, Foden and Grealish start as Alonso is benched

Gameweek 20 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) continues with two more matches this evening.

Chelsea v Brighton and Hove Albion is first up at 19:30 GMT, with Brentford v Manchester City getting underway 45 minutes after that.

On the team news front, Thomas Tuchel has made four changes to the Chelsea side that defeated Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Romelu Lukaku, Andreas Christensen, Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta return to the Blues’ line-up, with Trevoh Chalobah, Marcos Alonso and N’Golo Kante dropping to the bench. Thiago Silva misses out altogether after picking up an injury in Gameweek 19.

Kai Havertz is back on the hosts’ bench after his reported recent spell in self-isolation.

Brighton won for the first time in three months on Sunday but Graham Potter has nevertheless made three changes to the starting XI who impressed against Brentford, with injury forcing his hand in one instance.

There is no Leandro Trossard, who has a hamstring problem, while Adam Webster and Enock Mwepu drop to the bench.

Yves Bissouma, Solly March and the fit-again Joel Veltman return to the Seagulls’ starting XI.

Shane Duffy is back among the visitors’ substitutes after missing out on Boxing Day.

In the other match in west London, Pep Guardiola makes four changes to the side that beat Leicester City 6-3 three days ago.

Gabriel Jesus, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden make up the all-new front three, with Nathan Ake coming in for a start at left-back.

Raheem Sterling, Rihad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchenko all drop to the bench.

Two of Thomas Frank’s three changes are enforced, as Bryan Mbeumo is injured and Christian Norgaard is suspended.

Yoane Wissa, Frank Onyeka and Mads Roerslev are brought into the side, with Sergi Canos only a substitute.

GAMEWEEK 20 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Pulisic, Lukaku.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Kante, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Havertz, Sarr.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Sanchez, Lamptey, Veltman, Burn, Cucurella, Bissouma, Lallana, March, Moder, Mac Allister, Maupay.

Subs: Webster, Mwepu, Gross, Alzate, Welbeck, Steele, Duffy, Richards, Ferguson.


Brentford XI: Fernandez, Pinnock, Jansson, Sorensen, Roerslev, Baptiste, Jensen, Onyeka, Thompson, Wissa, Toney.

Subs: Canos, Forss, Ghoddos, Peart-Harris, Bidstrup, Stevens, Cox.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Ake, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Bernardo, Jesus, Foden, Grealish.

Subs: Sterling, Gundogan, Zinchenko, Steffen, Mahrez, Carson, Mbete-Tabu, Palmer.

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1,967 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Feel so jammy owning Alonso over James

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

      Cokesmurf or whatever had Alonso on bench over Bowen :mrgreen:

    2. POGON 1948
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      The first time I cheaped out and got lucky.

      But feel like I deserve it for going Saka over ESR earlier in the season

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

        Same. I had a horrid run of luck for first 10 or so games but it’s starting to ease up now. Luck just comes and goes and hopefully evens itself out over time

  2. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    James is gone from my team easy decision too many, 0,1&2.
    Just need a DGW player

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

    James was struggling for a few mins before going off. Saw it coming 🙁

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Knee

    2. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Regi, TAA, James get 3 between them. Bilva sitting 1st. bench laughing at me. Such a dip in output from the Newcastle game to now. Hope it’s not too serious

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

    Go Alonso gooooo

  5. FPL Joker
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Why am I seeing Alonso on the bloody pitch? I thought he wasn't starting. Now I won't get Bowen's points. Butt pony.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Thank you alonso

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      You'll see them, just look at your bench

  6. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I’ve just checked that we really won’t need Chelsea players until March, a relief…

  7. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    An angry Salah will rip into this patched up defence.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      That mummy couldnt even score against Lei defense

  8. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Wtf Christensen is still out there? 😆

  9. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Unbelievable luck .. owning James but not Alonso now watch Chelsea get a clean sheet...this game

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Haha got to love it

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah. I got too lucky with Alonso on my bench and James in my XI. Had to revert to form

  10. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    I don't like Maupay, good player but he whinges too much. But Lukaku fouled him. Took his goal well though. Them's the breaks.

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

      Hiya. Yes, I'm from Nigeria. Thanks for the podcast. It's gonna hurt me to hear the earlier days of the cancer that is Nigerian corruption, so I'll skip it

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

        No bother. I enjoyed the pod, did mention politics at the end alright.

    2. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Every player moans too much.

  11. Assisting the assister
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    Who in for James? Dias?

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

      Some DGW defender.

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Rudiger

    3. Fadi AMJK
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      One of spurs wingbacks
      Was already planning it, even before the injury

  12. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 3 months ago

    James to ...?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Anyone that can get a 2 pointer

      • The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Lowton?

      • DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Varane

      • dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Cash

        1. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          If i got Cash he'd get his 5th yc and miss the 2nd game of the dgw.

      • Atimis
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        AV or Spurs

    2. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      A free hit in GW 21 looks more and more likely now..

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

      Come on Marcos BAPlonsooo!

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

      Absolutely no players in this game now, boring.

      Makes James and Sissoko to Johnson and Maddison easy though

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Haha shocking moves

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

        The injured Maddison?

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

          Rodgers said he was fine after the game

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

            *sore

    5. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      James & ESR > Bavies & Bowen for -4?

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        If your desperate go for it

    6. rozzo
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Laporte nailed?

      I know Stones is injured but surely he will play a few when fit?

      1. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Laporte has played every match he has been available for, except maybe against Southampton early on, not sure if he was injured or just benched.

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

        other than Ederson perhaps as nailed as it gets in a Pep team,

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

      Doesn't matter how many goals Lukaku scores, I will not get him again this season.

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

        Same, ultimate troll

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

        Teammate Reece is also on the list

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

          Yep Mount was the one

    8. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Best Leicester defender to replace James?

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Justin

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

        None

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

        Doesn’t exist

      4. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        None

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

        Castagne

      6. I Must Break You
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Leicester has defenders?

    9. Gunnerblurrg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 3 months ago

      Did James injury look serious? Didn't see the situation. Thanks

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        3 weeks min

    10. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 3 months ago

        James hammy

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

          Bloody hell, must've been some hamstring injury.

      • g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        James hammy problem

      • Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Rudiger really wants this CS.

        1. POGON 1948
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          He started Alonso

      • TOBY1
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Alonso coming in before 30 - can he get a CS now?

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

          unfortunately yes

          1. TOBY1
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            I want him to. He’s stolen my king bench points

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

          Sure

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

          Yes if he plays rest of the game

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

          For double Alonso and James owners, bizarrely this may end up a better outcome

          1. Mighty Banana
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            This. Alonso CS + Return would be nice 🙂

      • DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Rudiger baps incoming

      • brixtonBob
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        My delight at James starting didn’t last long. Now i wish he had been rested.

        1. DRIZ ✅
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Aslong as James blocked a sub

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

          Glad he blocked points.

          1. brixtonBob
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 3 months ago

            I can’t imagine many people having much to spare on their benches this week.

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

          Same. Had King waiting on bench

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

        Can see livpool ripping che def apart next gw

        1. DRIZ ✅
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Another 0-0

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

        Can’t even stress how I need big BIG things from
        Foden tonight, anyone the same?

        1. DRIZ ✅
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Bilva

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

          Here here.

        3. Tcheco
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          Yes I crave the feeling of wishing I captained him over Son

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

            Same

      • Agamenmon
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Not a great gw for me Salah (c), TAA, Jota and now James a grand total of 5 points from 4 players, expected 25 points +

        1. DRIZ ✅
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 3 months ago

          We have all been there

      • WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 3 months ago

        Selling Rudiger over James a few weeks ago has not gone well