Dugout Discussion
27 December 2025 529 comments
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One more match to go today, and it’s an intriguing one: Chelsea v Aston Villa.

Kick-off is at 17:30 GMT.

It’s fourth v third based on pre-Gameweek table places, although Chelsea have slipped down to fifth after Liverpool’s win earlier.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca makes two changes from the 2-2 draw at Newcastle United.

One comes at centre-half as Benoit Badiashile replaces Wesley Fofana.

The other alteration sees Enzo Fernandez come in for Malo Gusto. That will mean a move back to right-back for Reece James, following his recent stint in midfield.

Estevao and Liam Delap return from injury and make the bench. 

There are two changes for the hosts, too, as Donyell Malen and Emiliano Buendia are preferred to Amadou Onana and Ollie Watkins.

LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Joao Pedro.

Subs: Jorgensen, Fofana, Tosin, Acheampong, Gusto, Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Delap.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Malen. 

Subs: Bizot, Digne, Garcia, Bogarde, Hemmings, Onana, Sancho, Watkins, Jimoh-Aloba.

price change predictions
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  1. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 39 mins ago

    Neto is shocking

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 days, 1 min ago

      sub for Estêvão

  2. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 35 mins ago

    Cash YC

    1. djman102
      • 16 Years
      2 days, 35 mins ago

      That's #5

      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 32 mins ago

        Cashed out

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 35 mins ago

      Cash out

  3. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 34 mins ago

    Cash 5th YC

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 days, 12 mins ago

      ouch
      misses next gw

  4. FourLokoLeipzig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 34 mins ago

    Aargh, talked myself out of bringing Keane in for Richards due to the old “no hit for a defender” adage. Might be time to retire that thinking in the defcon era

  5. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 34 mins ago

    Cashless society!!

  6. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 34 mins ago

    Shoot Palmer

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 33 mins ago

      needs a comma in there really

      1. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        2 days, 33 mins ago

        Yep that's what I meant lol

  7. Bobkat
    • 3 Years
    2 days, 33 mins ago

    26 point bench boost from 3 players so far, happy Christmas!!

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 days, 12 mins ago

      congrats

      especially on a low scoring GW

  8. Zalk
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 32 mins ago

    Anyone knows what happens in this scenario:
    If Caicedo makes a tackle on McGinn but the ref temporarily gives Villa advantage of ball. Chalobah then makes a tackle and clears the ball so the ref awards the freekick for the challenge earlier. Does that count towards a DC for Chalobah or is it like offside, anything that happened after the challenge is nullified?

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      2 days, 28 mins ago

      if the free kick is awarded, anything that happened after that didn't happen. I think

      1. Gubby-Allen
        • 4 Years
        2 days, 26 mins ago

        Officially that. I wouldn't be certain on FPL rules.

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 23 hours ago

      The DC would get cleared by Opta and don't count

  9. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 31 mins ago

    What to do with Foden?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 30 mins ago

      Keep, as long as he starts, as soon as you sell he will score

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 29 mins ago

      Might keep, might sell for Cunha

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 26 mins ago

      Tempted to sell for Cherki to free up some funds

  10. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 30 mins ago

    Rogers to go off at HT? Looks wrecked

    1. iFash@FPL
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 20 mins ago

      Ban

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 18 mins ago

        Do you know what a question mark means?

  11. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 30 mins ago

    United fans, does Dorgu continue to play RM until the AFCON players are back? At 4.1 with those next 3 fixtures, looks enticing

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 28 mins ago

      I’m honestly not sure what to expect. Reverted to normal in the second half against Newcastle.

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 26 mins ago

      Yes

    3. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 18 mins ago

      We have no idea and anybody claiming otherwise is guessing or lying

  12. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 29 mins ago

    Villa not even trying to attack. Def con monster Chalobah on 0 DC

  13. Zalk
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 28 mins ago

    Why aren't they counting Chalobah's tackles? He's had atleast two.

  14. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 28 mins ago

    James G think

  15. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 28 mins ago

    Might not be wise alright to dump all Arsenal assets against Villa. They’re shaky.

  16. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 28 mins ago

    Lol, JP goal

    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 27 mins ago

      James

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 26 mins ago

        It went in off JP’s back or arse

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 25 mins ago

          Or something

    2. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 26 mins ago

      I think Harry Kane got a touch on it

  17. Lallana_
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 27 mins ago

    Raya
    O'Reilly | Lacroix | Virgil
    Foden | Wirtz | Cunha | Semenyo | Wilson
    Haaland (C) | Ekitike (v)

    Bench: Dubravka, Hincapie, Gudmundsson, Marc Guiu

    Any ideas what to do? 1.6M, 1FT

    a. Wilson>Rice (need to do by tomorrow)
    b. Semenyo>Rice (leaves 2.0M ITB)
    c. Save FT - do Hincapie>Gabriel & maybe Semenyo>Rogers/Rice next week

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 days, 11 mins ago

      a.

      1. Lallana_
        • 11 Years
        2 days, 1 min ago

        cheers

  18. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 26 mins ago

    JP off his calf! He better do that next week

  19. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 26 mins ago

    Cash has been a stinker of a pick-up over these last couple weeks...

  20. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 26 mins ago

    It does hit Pedro shin

  21. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 26 mins ago

    Gonna be JP goal James A

  22. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 25 mins ago

    At least Villa have to come out and play now.

    It’s either Sanchez CS or Sanchez save points and Rogers return…I hope.

  23. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 25 mins ago

    João Pedro doing a kane

  24. Effe
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 24 mins ago

    Is Harry Wilson now banned for next gameweek after 5 yellow cards?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 23 mins ago

      If he had 5 yellow cards he would be banned yes. On 4 however

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 21 mins ago

      He's got 4 though, right?

      1. Effe
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 20 mins ago

        Thanks I think you’re right and he’s ok for next week as he’s only on 4

  25. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 23 mins ago

    JPedro on 1.35 xG

  26. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 23 mins ago

    I thought it got a very slight glance off Chalobahs head but maybe not.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 23 mins ago

      Haha wishful thinking

  27. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 23 mins ago

    JP credited with the Goal
    James Assist

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 22 mins ago

      Everyone could see it except you

  28. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 23 mins ago

    Palmer nearly

  29. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    2 days, 23 mins ago

    Neto is just soo amazing to watch

  30. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 22 mins ago

    Is Timber worth the extra over Saliba? Im concerned Hincapie might now be competition for Timber Saliba and Gabriel

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 21 mins ago

      No he's an awful pick. Owned almost all season , waste of funds

    2. Gubby-Allen
      • 4 Years
      2 days, 21 mins ago

      I would wait until he starts playing again.