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.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,967 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Davies starting consistently for Spurs moving forward? Also is Maddison’s niggle serious?

    Debating taking a hit James and ESR to Son and Davies (can’t afford Emerson unless I ship Raph instead of ESR)

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Bavies usually starts. Was rested in GW19

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

      Rodgers said Maddison is 'fine' after the game. Cramp supposedly.

      1. demob
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Great news

      2. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        That's weird, it looked nothing like cramp when he went down and signalled to bench to swap him. High on my incoming list if so though.

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

    Would you move out ESR or Bilva for Bowen? Already own Antonio & thinking of taking a -4 alongside James > Bilva.

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

      Sorry, James > Bavies

      1. Rbyrne95
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Is Davies consistently going to start? Debating between him and Coady long term

  3. ILOVEBAPS
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What happened to James?

    1. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Hamstring, confirmed by Tuchel. Duration yet TBC.

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Makes it nice and easy for me sell him on! 🙂

  4. Carefree Crew
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    FPL statistics is getting access to official FPL site information to improve price prediction accuracy. When I logged into FPL official site earlier tonight there was a notice stating this & a reference to opting out. Has this been mentioned on here already?
    Good news if the price predictions become 100% accurate. I'm guessing we've all taken an early transfer in fear of being priced out & then the predicted price changes haven't happened.

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

      Really?!? Source or link, please. I doubt it tbh.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Why would the give access to one website admin and not make all info public?

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Straight up mate. I was on my lap top & logged into the official FPL site. A grey box came up stating what I posted above.
      So I can't post a link or anything.

    4. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      This can't be true

    5. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      This sounds suss.

  5. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who will Jonny replace when back?

  6. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance cancelo or Laporte are rotated and does Foden keep his place?

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Every chance all 3 keep their place against Arsenal!

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

    Is Dias ( or Laporte) a better long term replacement for James rather than trying to chase double week players?

    Currently in defence have
    DDG
    James* TAA Cancelo Reguilon Dalot

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

      I just brought Laporte in for Dias but unsure on game time. Already regretting my choice.
      If Laporte starts then he is identical to Dias but cheaper. It really just depends on if Ake or Stones ever get games?

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

        Basically if price no issue - Dias really is the safer option!

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I am thinking the same.I think it's worth to get Castagne for a dgw else i would downgrade James to a 4.5 defender with a possible dgw22.

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

      I'm thinking of dropping all the way to Amartey or Johnson.

      WH and Lei have good enough fixtures in the rare case that I need them.

      I'm currently overloaded with TAA, Alonso, Cancelo, Reguilon - and also with 8 viable attackers.

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think double up on any defence is worth it at the moment. City still giving teams chances and Cancelo is enough IMO/

  8. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    2FT
    What should my transfers be or too many question marks until next GW?

    Ramsdale, James to DDG, Laporte/Cash?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Rudiger James* Cancelo
    Son Bernardo Foden Bowen
    Antonio Watkins

    Steer Livra, Saka, Scarlett

  9. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any mods/admins online?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Hello, what's up?

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

      Yep, so don't get any ideas. 😉

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        They are always here, some even have VAR.

  10. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    James, Bilva, Kane out
    Reguilon, KDB, King in?

    Or just replace James and Bilva with Reguilon and someone like Foden?

    1. Lord of Ings
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Why on earth would you sell Kane with Watford up next..

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

        This. I wanna bring Kane IN

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Team not linked, so can't check if his OR is around two million, in which case this could perhaps NOT be trolling.

  11. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Out of interest ,What would’ve everyone preferred goalkeeper pairing on WC right now???

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

      ddg and sanchez

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

        I'd go this. Or Foster if you are short of cash. He may be back soon.

      2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        That’s my initial thoughts too mate, just done a cheeky little draft to get a feel for it if we get some news of the double gameweeks

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

      I went with DDG and Sanchez.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        These two were my thoughts too mate nice to hear others options too

    3. 824545201
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      DdG and Schmeichel

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

      I got DDG Sanchez on my week 19 WC

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      It would be between DdG and Sanchez or Ramsdale. I am still happy to have Ramsdale, but Sanchez is cheaper.

  12. George James
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best move for this sorry bunch…?

    DDG • Steele
    James* • Alonso • TAA • Cancelo • Williams
    Salah • Jota • Bilva • Mount • Ramsey
    Watkins • King • Antonio

    A) Salah >> Son

    B) Bilva >> Tielemans

    C) A+B -4

    D) Bilva / Mount / James >> Son / Tielemans / Dalot -8

    E) WC

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A.

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

      A

    3. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      I like D.

      Don't fear the hits, there's more than ever flying around at the moment.

      I've taken - 8, - 8, - 12 these past three weeks and had three green arrows.

    5. George James
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all

  13. Sir Edo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all!
    Anything new said about Saints-Newcastle game? Really need the game to go on with all the latest injury concerns..

  14. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    LMS safety score currently 27 with autosubs.

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Here I was patting myself on the back a couple of days ago about making it past half way for the fist time in years only to check yesterday and I am out! Must have been in the last couple of weeks.

      Oh well, thanks for running again TM, hopefully I can make it to the new year next season.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry Waldo666, needed 47 in GW18, 50(-4)

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Ouch! Guess it was the hit that caught me out.

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

      Thanks for this as always!

      Just curious, how many teams started out and how many are left now?

  15. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I've only stills to go on, but Laporte's goal looked onside... anyway, 47 with Dalot & (C)R7 to come. If Dalot is dropped, as could be the case, I've a decent 3.7% owned 2 off the bench. Son vice-captain in case.

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

      Laporte had a goal ruled out? Missed that. That would have been sweet.

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

        Sweeter still if it held up, as I'd predicted him to score on Twitter in the same thread where I said James would be injured early.

        1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Can you provide a detailed explanation please? I need this type of insight

    2. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely off mate. Good score all the same

    3. space mercenary
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      64 here with CR7 and DDG to go. First green arrow for a while incoming.

  16. SINGH
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone know if there will be press conferences on Friday before the weekend games ?

  17. Grande Tubarão
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Guarantee we end up hammering Burnley the one time I actually need us to lose

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      You prefer fantasy over real life?

      Actually, who doesn't 🙂

      But seriously man, cop on to yourself

      1. Grande Tubarão
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Rival has CR7 (C), DDG and Dalot

        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          You could still win 3-2 without any involvement from those guys, and not affect anything

          1. Grande Tubarão
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Mate, win 3-2 and those players don’t contribute? I’ll pray for it but seems impossible

            1. HuttonDressedasLahm
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Concede 2 that’s 1 point for defence
              Ronaldo no goals isn’t impossible

              1. Grande Tubarão
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah, the defence I get but I really struggle to see CR7 not getting so much as an assist while we score 3 - thanks though

                1. HuttonDressedasLahm
                  • 14 Years
                  2 years, 2 months ago

                  **I own Ronaldo too

  18. 824545201
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Luke Thomas nailed even when Bertrand returns?

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

    GW rank of 8000. Could have been so much better as, like many others, captained Salah! 8 point keeper sitting on bench too. Still have foden naps to come in come in. Moved up from 4.5 million rank 6 weeks ago to 1.5 million. Still pretty awful and my worst season of FF ever but on the up now.

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

      that's an awesome GW rank - nice work!

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      similar score here, having a shocker of a season so it's nice to have a good GW!

  20. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on what to do here? 1.5m in the bank & 1FT. James out definitely but for who? & either ESR/Bilva out but again for who, Bowen or Maddison?

    Lloris
    TAA - Rudiger - James - Cancelo
    KDB - Son - Jota - Bilva
    Antonio - Dennis

    Bachmann - Broja - Lamptey - ESR

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

      James to Dias

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

        Or vvd

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Keep livra on wc? cheers

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Johnson @4.0

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

        mmh he is not nailed though isnt he?

        1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          missed a few through injury but was nailed before that and back in the team now

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

            ok thanks 🙂

          2. Grande Tubarão
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Nailed is one hell of a stretch

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

      yeah and Coufal hasn't been great when he plays.

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I did, not sure it was the right move however.

  22. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Cucurella
    0 Goals
    1 Assist
    6 Clean sheets
    13 Baps!
    That’s pretty impressive

    1. demob
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Also luxurious hair

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I’m a sucker for great hair, like the old baps guy used to be
        Wasn’t there a Burnley player with long hair who used to always get baps?

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

          boyd

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

      He's a good player.

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

      He's the xLively player that people think Lamptey is (Lamptey also is)

  23. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Triple Liverpool with Jota(C) fail and Dennis points benched but still scored 70 points! Quite the turnaround from last GWs 23!

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Well Salah and Bruno scored 0.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        haha yup, poor ole Bruno is barely a thought anymore...who would've thought that before the season kicked off eh!

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

    Best James replacement?

    I currently have Dias and cancelo so quite fancy Tierney.. or maybe vvd

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

      one of the spurs defender?
      cash
      saiss

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

        Got dier already

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      VVD is a decent shout
      Will depend on doubles though

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

        Yer easy run after Chelsea, and can see that being a tight game itself

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

      Arsenal has sour fixtures and Tierney could be injured when you need him.

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

        Only for next 1 gameweek (spurs are easy)

  25. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    No news on potential doubles yet?
    Been at work all day

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

      Nothing announced. A few murmurs and mentions of tickets going on sale, but nothing seemingly concrete from PL side yet.

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

    Are people playing WC before we know If there will be DGW21?

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

      i think so yes

  27. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    New post!

  28. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    ok - if not a WC then how's this seem....DGW fixtures might change it I suppose...

    DDG
    Cancelo, TAA, Reguilon
    Foden (vc), Gundogan, Jota, Martinelli
    Antonio, Ronaldo, Watkins (c)

    Foster, Alonso, Gallagher, James
    1ft, 0.4 itb

    a/ Gundogan > Bowen
    b/ James > Amartey (cheap 3rd bench)
    c/ James > Davies (double Tot def...)
    d/ James > Cash
    e/ Roll it

  29. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    With all bar two away from home and two FH chips would you use one to get in triple Leicester v Norwich and Kane v Watford?

    Lloris
    Cancelo Trent James
    KdB Foden Son Jota Bowen
    Watkins Edouard
    (Gunn Dennis Livra Tsimikas)
    1FT
    1.0itb

  30. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Surely if there was going to be matches next tuesday and wednesday we would have heard by now!?!?