Watchlist

The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 15

Our weekly refresh of the Watchlist, taking in the next four to six Gameweeks, sees Liverpool’s assets come to the fore. Arsenal, West Brom and Spurs all feature prominently in our thinking, while Dimitar Berbatov leaps up the forward rankings ahead of four home games in the next six for Fulham…

Goalkeepers

Simon Mignolet holds firm at the top, in light of Sunderland’s impending double Gameweek 16, but with fixtures stiffening directly after that, Fantasy managers will be keen to plan an escape route.

Wojciech Szczesny looks a strong mid-term punt over the next few Gameweeks. Having recently recovered from injury, the Arsenal stopper now has four home fixtures in the next six (SWA, WBA, WHM, NEW) in addition to trips to Reading and Wigan and looks the safest route into the Gunners defence, with back-four rotation kicking in of late. West Brom’s fixtures also hold appeal but with Ben Foster ruled out for the next couple, uncertainty over his return sees him omitted from our thoughts for now.

Norwich’s John Ruddy continues his climb up the rankings; two goals conceded in his last six sums up the Canaries current resilience, while Pepe Reina and Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer are both favoured by the fixtures in the schedule ahead. The former has three home games in the next four (SOUT, wh, AVL, FUL) and with one goal conceded in their last four at Anfield, defensive returns could be on the cards for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Asmir Begovic takes a drop, with just one home game in the next four, while West Ham’s horrendous schedule keeps Jussi Jaaskelainen out of our thinking for now.

Defenders

Jose Enrique crashes his way onto the top of the defender rankings after his switch to the left of Liverpool’s front three. With the aforementioned run of fixtures on the horizon, the Spaniard potential for both clean sheets and attacking returns looks particularly prosperous over the next few Gameweeks – priced at 5.9 in FPL, a move from Leighton Baines would also free up budget for those who have become disillusioned with owning the Everton man.

Liam Ridgewell takes a leap in our estimations as the schedule smiles a little kinder on West Brom. Steve Clarke’s troop have three strong home fixtures in the next four (STO, WHM, NOR) and with four clean sheets at the Hawthorns already, the Baggies could be primed for further points. Carlos Cuellar remains in our thoughts ahead of Sunderland’s double, though with less options between the sticks, he doesn’t fair quite as well as team mate Mignolet in our refresh.

Javier Garrido’s recent form, allied with Norwich’s defensive resolve, earns the on-loan left-back another climb. Garrido has now produced assists or bonus in each of his last three, in addition to a couple of clean sheets.

Leighton Baines and Rafael both suffer big drops this week. The fixtures are against the former and with no attacking returns in his last four, many are considering a move out in order to free up budget. Rafael has stuttered over the last three – United’s inability to keep out opponents, in addition to the return to fitness of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, lessens his appeal considerably.

Kieran Gibbs gets the nod as our Arsenal defender of choice ahead of the Gunners’ kind run of fixtures, while Matija Nastasic, with five back-to-back starts, seems to have ousted Joleon Lescott as Vincent Kompany’s central defensive partner at City. With a single goal conceded over those five, the 5.5 priced defender offers us a relatively cheap route into the champions’ backline.

Ryan Nelsen, Nicky Shorey and Ciaran Clark are decent budget options. Shorey’s creativity from the Reading left has impressed of late and he also has a double on the horizon, while the QPR man will be hoping to take advantage of three home games (AVL, FUL, WBA) in the next five. Andre Wisdom is the cheaper alternative to Enrique in the Liverpool defence.

Midfield

Arsenal’s upcoming run of fixtures sees two of their midfield protagonists find a place in the top three. Santi Cazorla just edges it over Theo Walcott, in spite of the latter’s kinder FPL price. The return of Gervinho has brought uncertainty over Walcott’s starting berth but there’s no doubt he has the potential to outgun Cazorla if he retains a regular role; 20 points over his last two starts attest to that.

Raheem Sterling remains pivotal in our thinking. Guaranteed starts and with Liverpool in flourishing form, the 5.7 priced winger has produced double figures in two of his last three at Anfield – he’s set for plenty more investment in light of his upcoming schedule.

Gareth Bale climbed to second in the midfield rankings last weekend after producing a nine point haul in Spurs’ 3-1 win over West Ham. The Welshman will hold little fear heading into trips to Fulham and Everton – he has produced double figures on the road three times – and the following six Gameweeks (SWA, STO, avl, sun, RDG, qpr) look set to offer significant potential.

Marouane Fellaini comes back onto the radar after his one-match suspension last weekend. Granted, the fixtures are tricky for Everton but the Belgian’s role in “the hole” has wreaked havoc this term and he’ll be afforded plenty chances to add to his six goals and four assists, regardless of opponent. We feel that Fellaini is the most likely of the blossoming early season attacking midfielders to prove himself fixture proof.

City’s David Silva moves up as the champions prepare for three home games in the next four. While Roberto Mancini continues to rest and rotate his forward line, the Spaniard’s consistency of starts looks less likely to frustrate as the schedule begins to pick up pace.

Stephane Sessegnon holds steady with Sunderland’s double Gameweek edging ever-closer – he looks the most likely of Martin O’Neill’s midfielders to produce the goods. QPR’s fixtures earn Adel Taarabt a rise, while an injury to Youssouf Mulumbu prevents James Morrison from climbing higher with the Baggie’s improving fixtures – the Scot has dropped out of his regular role in “the hole” to cover in central midfield but could still take advantage of his schedule.

The likes of Juan Mata and Michu take a dive with stiffening fixtures. Mata has a blank looming in Gameweek 17 with tough opponents around that, while Michu suffers a bout of strong opponents that could restrict Swansea’s goal output in the next four Gameweeks. Like West Ham’s Kevin Nolan, he will have to prove himself fixture proof but, with strong alternatives available in Walcott, Silva and Sterling, the tide is shifting somewhat.

Forwards

Robin Van Persie remains at the top of the forward rankings in spite of back-to-back blanks. The schedule continues to offer the United forward chances of attacking returns, with trips to Reading and Swansea allied with home games against Sunderland, Newcastle and West Brom in the next six.

Luis Suarez looks primed for points in light of Liverpool’s strong schedule and could vie with Van Persie for our armband attention with three home games (SOU, AVL, FUL). Despite being a yellow away from a one-match ban, Suarez’s sensational form is too good to ignore.

Four home games in the next six brings Dimitar Berbatov into the top three. Fulham look full of goals under Martin Jol and the Bulgarian has been at the hub of most of their attacking endeavours – with Spurs, Newcastle, Southampton and Swansea set to visit the Cottage before the New Year, his mid-price appeal looks set to rise further. Rotation shouldn’t be a concern either – the Bulgarian is a rarity in that respect.

The double Gameweek 16 keeps Steven Fletcher high up the list, while Shane Long’s incredible home consistency earns the Baggies forward a climb. Long has scored or assisted in all seven of his home games and has three in four at the Hawthorns up next. Arsenal’s superb run of fixtures will surely see Olivier Giroud climb further over the next few if he starts to pick up in consistency, while Roberto Mancini’s rotation habit holds back Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez from moving higher up the list.

Spurs’ upcoming fixtures sees Jermain Defoe move up, though with question marks still remaining over his starting berth, we’re lessening our expectations, with Emmanuel Adebayor set to return from suspension in Gameweek 16. Christian Benteke’s recent form boosts his mid-price appeal as the likes of Rickie Lambert and Peter Crouch take a fall.

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2,408 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Predictions!

    2 Southampton
    0 Norwich City

    1 Stoke
    0 Newcastle

    1 Swansea City
    1 West Bromwich

    2 Tottenham
    2 Liverpool

    2 Chelsea
    1 Fulham

    1 Everton
    1 Arsenal

    3 Manchester Utd
    0 West Ham

    2 Wigan
    2 Manchester City

    Yours? 🙂

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Soton will concede, Chelsea will draw, West Ham will score.

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    2. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Southampton 2-0 Norwich
      Stoke 0-0 Newcastle
      Swansea 1-1 WBA
      Spurs 3-1 Liverpool
      Chelsea 2-1 Fulham
      Everton 2-2 Arsenal
      Man U 3-0 West Ham
      Wigan 1-4 Man City

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    3. Evans
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Mata will be leaving my team

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  2. Acquafresca
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Chelsea lineup??

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    1. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Cech - Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cole - Ramires, Romeu - Hazard, Oscar, Bertrand - Torres

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  3. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    So I want Mata out, Ba out and Baines out with only 1FT.

    THIS IS HITS TIME!

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    1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I want Tevez out.

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    2. The Dom-Bastic scale
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Theo Jose and ???

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    3. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      HAHA true that, I did the Baines to Enrique swap last night, risky but need the funds.
      Also want Mata out but don't fancy Silva after putting him in a few weeks ago and not getting a game out of him because of him getting injured. Considering Pablo Hernandez or Cazorla. Walcott's too injury prone for me.

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  4. Acquafresca
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    ML leader captained Tevez, 70pts back with RVP(C).. could claw back some points if RVP performs!

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    1. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Very well worked out that. So you think your captain the highest scoring player in the game last year could out score his captain who isn't in the starting 11. Decent chance mate. All the best.

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  5. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    So the two pressing needs seem to be Mata and Tevez out for I don't know who in. Pain in the flipping arse

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    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      surely mata will play next week though...

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      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Probably. But too much rotation risk for that price. May go with bale. Or silva If I take Tevez out

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  6. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Just got in from rugby training, anyone got a nice little summary list of tonight's lineups pleeeeassee?

    Much appreciated

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Mata Tevez benched. Rest start.

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        What you mean rest?

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks dude

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  7. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    WIGAN V CITY: Confirmed line-ups for both sides

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A8z8fd6CMAA3xJy.jpg

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  8. Doctor X
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    What's up with Podolski? Any news of an injury?

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  9. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    SO much rotation, so much uncertainty. It is only bound to increase in the next month. Brace yourselves, kids.

    P.S. Can't believe it's the third game in a row Tevez is on the bench. Shocked!!!!!

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    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Going to end in tears I feel. Can't have 9.4 rotation fodder. So annoyed

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  10. rohan
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Keep calm and know you are fecked

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  11. YingYang
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Gibbs and Mata not playing. Now I'm hoping for a swans clean sheet. No hope of that

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  12. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Some of the reactions on here, wow. Mata being benched was always likely.

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yup, same with Tevez.

      But Kolarov!!!!!!!!! Woah

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      1. Kostja
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Tevez really unexpected at least for me.

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      2. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Kolarov was a shock to be fair, especially with Clichy out.

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        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          We certainly didn't see Mancini playing Zabaleta at left-back.

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          1. Kostja
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            why not, I thought he was a natural left sided player. And I got this fact from a discussion here. Cant remember who reminded us of that though.

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          2. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            Apparently its Maicon on the left

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    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      yep, who expected Rafa to not change his team.

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    3. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      NBTM posted on the last page. No point. Just excitement that he starts today. 😀

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    4. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      the right side of the scoutpicks in cursed, the left is where the magic happens

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      1. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        well left side, but our right

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        1. Drip Doctor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          😆

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  13. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Just got home. What is the major team news?

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    1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      RvP starts, Mata benched, Tevez benched.

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    2. rohan
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      No Mata/ Tevez

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    3. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      No Mata, no Tevez

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      1. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Rafa rotation strikes!

        Bye bye mata

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      2. Qubit
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        No Mata was a likely outcome given Benitez' penchant for rotation etc. Makes it easier to get rid for me.

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  14. Dogba
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    So with that lineup, Man United are going diamond this game?

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    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yes as predicted. Valencia injured, Young shit. No better time imo.

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      1. Parm
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        and with Nani being even shitter....

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  15. SW6
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Got a lovely all draws treble on Nor/Sot, Che/Ful, and Tot/Liv

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  16. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Spike, looking at Mata > Bale myself.

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    1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Bale seems to be one of the few big hitters totally immune to rotation.

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      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Swaying that way too

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      2. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Suarez 😉 but for midfield choice, you're right it's tricky. Fellaini has got to be classed as a big hitter now. Cazorla is rotation immune.

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        1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Avoid chelsea mid now. And man city except for yaya or silva

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  17. GYM JUNKIE
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    tevez mata to both come on at 89th min?

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  18. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Balotelli first scorer. good bet?

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  19. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Mata --> walcott or cazorla?

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  20. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Most defensive Newcastle midfield I've ever seen tonight!

    Then again, we don't have too much of a choice with the injuries. Bring on 0-0!

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  21. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    moronic rafa, mata out whilst hazard clearly tired and should be the one benched.

    What an idiot, come on fulham. I hope fulham do them today, I really do

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    1. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      we could see this coming

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    2. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Indeed, Hazard has played a minimum of 60 mins in every game. He'll be rested soon no doubt. Chelsea more or less no go for me now.

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      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        + 1000000

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  22. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Here goes th reason why Nando can't score anymore https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403127_10151261939759614_466752563_n.jpg

    !!! He i cooking !!! For Christ sake !!!!!

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      So any player who knows how to cook is instantly not a decent footballer. I bet you will say that all women should be in the kitchen or bedroom.

      Sexist pig

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    2. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Nope, he's baking. Well actually he's putting the icing on cup cakes. Badly by the looks of it!

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  23. 4-4-who?
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Let's hope Mata stays on the bench so Nelsen can come in for me...

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    1. CarelessGenius©
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      + a few

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  24. El Asesino Pacheco
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Mata is my first judge talk of foresight his form is worse than Nolan and Puncheon"s

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  25. Just A Hat
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Looks like its time to get rid of Mata and Hazard, I can't deal with Rafa Rotaton

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  26. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Begovic – Foster
    Baines – Gibbs – Cuellar – Nelsen – Simpson
    Bale – Mata – Cazorla – Puncheon – Sterling
    Suarez – Aguero – Berbatov

    0.7 in the bank,

    A) Baines to Enrique and next week Sterling to Sess
    or
    B) Gibbs to Enrique and next week Mata to Fellaini

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  27. rohan
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Oh FFS, if you are gonna drop Mata, start Marin..

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  28. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Someone repeat mancity lineup please

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    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Tevez on bench. That is all.

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  29. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    AAAAAANNNNNNNNNNDEEEEEERRRRRRRRRSON-SON-SON
    He's better than Kleberson
    AAAAAANNNNNNNNNNDEEEEEERRRRRRRRRSON-SON-SON
    He's our midfield magician
    On the left, on the right
    to the samba beat tonight,
    he is class with a brass,
    and he sh*ts on Fabregas!

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    1. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Viv?

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    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      The last line 😐

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  30. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    One pound accumulator for £150 let down last night by Millwall scoring ten mins from time. That'll teach me. Could have bought five chomps with that cash.

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