Dugout Discussion

Fabinho starts at centre-half as injured Gomez and Matip miss Chelsea v Liverpool

The stand-out Premier League fixture of the weekend takes place at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Liverpool are Chelsea’s visitors, with kick-off in west London at 16:30 BST.

Both managers have made one change to their starting XIs for this clash.

Joe Gomez (£5.5m) misses out with a knock and with Joel Matip (£5.5m) also unavailable because of a minor muscle injury, it’s Fabinho (£5.5m) who is given the nod to partner Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) at centre-half.

New signing Thiago Alcantara (£6.0m) is only among the substitutes, while the rest of the Liverpool side is as expected.

Mateo Kovacic (£5.5m) comes into the Chelsea midfield in place of Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£6.0m) in Frank Lampard’s only alteration.

Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) is still only a substitute, so that means another start for Reece James (£5.0m) and Marcos Alonso (£6.0m) at full-back – the latter going up against Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) down the Liverpool right.

Kai Havertz (£8.5m) gets another chance to impress after his quiet debut at Brighton, while Timo Werner (£9.5m) – still the most-owned forward in FPL by some margin – again leads the line.

Despite his overall popularity, Werner was the most-sold player of Gameweek 2, with over half a million Fantasy managers ditching him.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) wasn’t far behind him for transfers out and no defender was sold by as many FPL bosses as the Liverpool right-back following his Gameweek 1 blank.

The England international scored home and away against Chelsea last season, with the two league meetings between the two clubs returning 11 goals.

Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) was captained by more Fantasy managers than Salah this weekend, meanwhile.

The Egyptian, who hit a hat-trick against Leeds United last weekend, was handed the armband by over 560,000 of us ahead of Saturday’s deadline.


Chelsea XI: Kepa, James, Zouma, Christensen, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Havertz, Werner.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Fabinho, Robertson, Henderson, Keita, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Salah.

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2,462 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    imagine getting rid of Son and Mane after 1 gameweek

    1. Captain_Shirokov
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      fact

    2. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Jokes on you. Never had them

    3. elchilangles
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      anyone have and get rid of them both?!

      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Yep wildcarded-stupid knee jerk, got rid of Mane, Son, Kane, Ings and TAA..hey ho such is life, I’ll learn...

  2. Flair
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Kepa statistically the worst keeper the PL has ever seen

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Didn’t need the stats to tell us that

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Eye test wise though that Roberto guy at West Ham was even worse lmao. Ben Hamer is a disgraceful keeper too.

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Karius?

    4. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Chelsea needs Jamal Blackman to come back

    5. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Taibi?

  3. EmreCan Hustle
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Mane to Bruno 🙁

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      No problem, this week you can do the opposite.

  4. Wild Card this!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Caballero good option? LOL

  5. Royal5
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Frank should look in the mirror. Used billions on attacking players when everyone knew the keeper and defense was the main issue.

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Out before Christmas

    2. Gobigorgohome
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      this

    3. Slartibartfast
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      But they've signed a CB, LB and GK also...

      1. BenDavies
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        This lmao we have signed loads of defensive players. Also we signed 2 CB's

      2. Royal5
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Tiagho Silva turns 36 in two days. He will never be the answer.

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Maldini played when he was 40. Silva is also class and a good stop-gap for one season.

          1. Royal5
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 1 day ago

            Maldini played in serie A. Have you watched the tempo there? And you can't really compare Maldini to anyone. He was something special.

            1. Paul Psychic Octopus
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 1 day ago

              Silva is still class and a good option for one season, with all the young centre backs in Chelsea's squad.

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      They had a transfer ban

      1. Royal5
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Deserved for sure.

  6. sirmorbach
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Crazy to think that two of the worst coaches in the league are Chelsea's and United's

    1. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      3rd and 4th in the league last season?

      1. F_Ivanovic
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        1 season wonders

      2. Wild Card this!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        With those players - they should be...

        1. Bubz
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Chelsea played a bunch of kids last season

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Prodence best option at 5.5?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Benched for the new signing it seems

      2. diabydoesgallas
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Wondering this too. Apparently he’s not nailed. Leeds options look best to me..

    3. elchilangles
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      young managers can often have a good start then a sharp decline after a couple of years!

  7. jimmyabs1987
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    I don’t need to wildcard right?

    McCarthy
    TAA, Egan, Doherty, Mitchell
    Son, Salah, J Rodríguez,
    Kane, Jiminez, DCL

    I have ASM and Bissouma on bench who are suspended and injured and want to get Saiss in for Egan, Guita for McCarthy
    Zaha for ASM
    Lamptey for Doherty

    I’m already on a -4 but to do all those changes I need a WC

    Question is, is team already good enough to take my time?

    1. Greasy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Your team is good I wouldn’t WC

    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      No rush, team looks good.

      Only issue is... no Man City.

      1. jimmyabs1987
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        I want to do eye test on city first to see how they set up

  8. Fer Fuch's Ake
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Sarri should have dealt with Kepa when he refused to leave the field

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Kepa cannot keepa.

    2. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      He tried to but was told not to by Abramovich and that sports director woman. He wanted Kepa dropped for good.

  9. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Mane and Salah switching between hauls and blanks between GW 1 & 2. Literally an exact repeat of last season

    1. El Presidente
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Salah at home vs Mané away from home

  10. HippY
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Mane is the new troll of the hour 🙂

  11. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Salah captain fail. Auba 1 assist feels like haul!

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Careful mate, bit early for this...

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      hes hardly a differential given last season

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Differential is based on ownership not performance

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Yep

        2. elchilangles
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          to be a GOOD differential it's best on both!

      2. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        He has low ownership this season = differential

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Given 3 of their first 5 were away, I thought Mane was a good pick, probably better than Salah as you dont want to cap Salah away.
      I didnt get either tho

    3. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Looks like people just aren't keen on him at the price which is fair enough IMO. At the same price you can get a better player in Salah or for 0.5 less you've got Sterling and KDB whose output will be just as good as Mane's if not better.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Fair play. I sold him cos his cash gives more scope. But, like yourself I kept faith in some stalwarts 😉

  12. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Kepa off to Besiktas now?

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Lampard said hes happy with him

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        I know. Failed attempt to compare to Karius.

  13. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Cmon Mo(C) !!!

  14. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    GW from hell...

    1. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      It was yesterday, but Son saving it for me.

  15. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    come on salah lad, score please

  16. Kodap
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Which pairing would you prefer?

    A. Son & Bamford
    B. Werner & Soucek

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      A

  17. sirmorbach
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Imagine Kepa's head now. If I was a Liverpool player I'd be shooting from anywhere really, he'll let more in

  18. Tasty Jerk
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Remember there was reports Chelsea made "enquiries" to us about Guaita last season (prays for transfer window to end asap)

    1. Andy_Social
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      The new guy is in town. A week will be enough to prepare him for the Baggies game next weekend.

  19. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    You could make a pretty good FPL team out all the players people sold this week.

    1. Black Belt Jones
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Yep, I shipped Kane for Martial and feel a bit nauseous.
      Currently working out how to fit him back in, looks like Werner will be the fall guy.
      When will I ever learn to just stick with the tried and tested?!

      1. diabydoesgallas
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 day ago

        Reason I like kane is because he’s a decent captain option. Likes of martial you can’t reliably captain.

        1. Black Belt Jones
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 day ago

          Yep, that's right mate, and him being on penalties really helps.

  20. Red Devil Swede
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Kepa and DDG..

  21. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Werner, what a dud.

  22. Niho992
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    And then experts said that Chelsea bought good players Hahahaha

    Werner isnt better than Origi and Havertz is flop

  23. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Best bet on wildcard.....

    A.....werner

    B.....jesus (plus sterling )

    Thanks

    1. The Mandalorian
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      J

  24. OrmskirkFC
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    I don't want to play the Salah/Mane switcheroo game again this year, will just avoid both if they are fit.

    1. Red Devil Swede
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      Just pick one and keep

  25. LewanGOALski
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Team is:

    McCarthy - 4.0
    TAA - Digne - Tierney - C.Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - Auba - JWP - Soucek - Bissouma
    Werner - Martial - Mitro

    I am considering those 2:

    A) Tierney + Auba + JWP ➡ Saiss + Sterling/KDB + Zaha (-8)

    B) WC

    Which one..?

    1. JohnBlack
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      B

    2. ⚽️ Barry Chocolate ⚽…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      No WC. Max 2 changes

  26. KGFC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Robbo comn and get an attacking return boy!

  27. Flair
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Mendy over Kepa gains Chelsea so many points

    1. KGFC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 day ago

      I think even Caballero would be much better

  28. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Robbo has great vision tbh

  29. The Mandalorian
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 day ago

    Chelsea in real trouble now