The Watchlist – Wildcard Midfielders
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Paul
Next up is the third in our series of Winter Wildcard articles. Having rolled out pieces on the Goalkeepers and Defenders, it won’t be much of a surprise to learn that the midfielders are next on the agenda.
Juan Mata
Due to a hectic summer with his national side, the first three fixtures of the season were something of a write-off but after being rested for Gameweek 4, Mata has been simply sensational. Chelsea’s key midfielder has scored or assisted in 11 of his subsequent 12 starts, with only the occasional threat of rotation scuppering his prospects in a season that has so far seen him average 7.2 FPL points per start. As the Blues head into their double with Stoke and Southampton, we can only hope Rafa Benitez has learned his lesson, after the decision to bench the 9.9 priced proved disastrous last time round as Chelsea slumped to a 1-0 home loss to QPR. The stats say it all, really; the London outfit have scored two goals over the five games Mata has failed to start, compared to 37 strikes in the 15 fixtures he has been named in the first XI. According to our season ticker, the Blues have the second strongest schedule over the next 10 Gameweek; aside from the double, games against Reading, Wigan, West Brom, Fulham, West Ham and Southampton look set to continue the sensational displays that have already seen the former Valencia man better both his goal and bonus haul from his debut campaign at the Bridge. Tonight’s 90 minutes in the Capital One Cup defeat to Swansea might shake the double Gameweek confidence in Mata somewhat, but, given his league form, he remains difficult to ignore.
Theo Walcott
While a move up front in Arsenal’s recent league matches has bolstered Walcott’s appeal, he’s consistently produced the points regardless of position over the last few months. The first 10 Gameweeks earned Walcott a single start for the Gunners, with Arsene Wenger’s faith seemingly floundering, but from Gameweek 11 onwards he’s been hugely impressive. The former Southampton man has scored or assisted in seven of his last eight starts and despite a handful of sub appearances, has still managed to average 6.3 points per game – bettering Santi Cazorla’s 5.8 average, in spite of the fact that the latter has started every league game under Wenger. Walcott has racked up 956 minutes so far – almost a third of last season’s game time – yet has already equalled his goal haul and has supplied just three assists less than the previous term’s tally. Coming in at 9.0 in FPL, Walcott will be looking to take advantage of an upcoming run that hands Arsenal a home game in five of the next six Gameweeks (MCI, che & WHM, LIV, STO, sun, AVL) with the upcoming double against Chelsea and West Ham set to entice plenty more owners his way – over 87,000 managers have snapped him up heading into the weekend clash with City.
Gareth Bale
The Welshman seems to have upped his attacking displays since Andre Villas-Boas’ arrival at the Lane last summer. Bale has already notched nine times and racked up 20 bonus points and is clearly on course to smash last term’s totals of 10 and 21 respectively, with five lots of double figures already returned in 17 appearances. While he continues to frustrate at home, with just two goals in nine at the Lane, Bale’s away displays have proved sensational, with a 16 point haul at Old Trafford indicative of his fixture-proof potential. Indeed, Spurs seem to be suit playing on the road – they have scored 22 times in 10 away matches, compared to 17 goals in 11 games at the Lane; a reason for optimism ahead of a run of fixtures that sees them on their travels in four of the next six (qpr, MUN, nor, wba, NEW, whm). So far this season, Bale has averaged 6.5 points per game – top for midfielders, with Robin Van Persie the only attacker to prove superior; with that in mind, a price of 9.8 looks a bargain.
Marouane Fellaini
The rumour mill is buzzing over a potential move away from Goodison over the winter window but for the purposes of this article, we’re assessing Fellaini’s potential from an Everton perspective. With a goal or assist in 10 of his 16 appearances, the Belgian’s move to a more advanced role this season, tucking in behind Nikica Jelavic, has been hugely beneficial to his Fantasy prospects – he is just 11 points short of his best FPL tally of 111, set back in 2008-09. Having peaked at 7.9, Fellaini has tumbled down to 7.4, with huge numbers of Fantasy managers shipping him out in light of a result of a recent three-match suspension. David Moyes’ side are now handed four enticing home fixtures in the next seven (SWA, WBA, AVL, RDG) and with trips to Southampton and Norwich also on their short-term agenda, Fellaini’s mid-price appeal has persuaded almost 130,000 managers to scramble aboard the bandwagon since the end of the previous Gameweek. With eight goals, five assist and five lots of double figures already accrued, he looks primed to produce the goods once again.
Gaston Ramirez
The Uruguayan is expected to recover from a dead leg in time for Southampton’s visit to Villa this weekend for the first match of their double Gameweek. Coming in at just 5.6 in FPL, Ramirez has produced a goal, an assist and five bonus points in his last couple of appearances and looks a real differential prospect, with an ownership of just 0.5%. An average of 4.2 points per game is second only to Rickie Lambert for the Saints and with a home clash against Everton and a trip to Wigan in his next four, Ramirez could prove a canny short-term acquisition, with Nigel Adkins relying more than ever on his output, in light of Adam Lallana’s knee injury.
Kevin Nolan
A single goal since Gameweek 8 has lessened his appeal but a favourable short-term schedule could afford the Hammers skipper a chance to return to form. In addition to double Gameweek 23 (QPR, ars), Nolan also squares up to Sunderland, Fulham, Swansea and Villa over the next five Gameweeks – with Andy Carroll edging towards a comeback and the aerial threat of Marouane Chamakh also added to the options up front, Nolan will be looking to benefit from and still looks a reasonable shout for just 6.5, before the fixture list takes a turn for the worse once again for Sam Allardyce’s side in Gameweek 27.
Robert Snodgrass
A goal and assist in the opening 13 Gameweeks was scant reward for the Norwich playmaker but Snodgrass has flourished over the last few matches. With the majority of free kicks and corners in his locker, the summer signing from Leeds United has subsequently racked up three goals, three assists and 10 bonus points in his last eight matches in a series of displays that bring him firmly into our thoughts. Clearly, his contribution is vital to Chris Hughton’s side and a run of five home fixtures in the next eight (NEW, TOT, FUL, EVE, SOT) will hold no fear for a Canaries side that have already seen off the likes of United and Arsenal at Carrow Road earlier this season. Coming in at 6.2 in FPL, Snodgrass’ total of 16 bonus points has been bettered by just two midfielders so far (Gareth Bale and Yaya Toure), while four lots of double figure hauls is indicative of the explosive potential that will surely see his current ownership of 7.9% rise further.
Michu
A pretty obvious option but it’s impossible to ignore Swansea’s summer signing. A total of 13 goals and one assist, supplemented by 11 bonus points, earns Michu top spot in the current FPL midfielder standings, with an ownership of 46% indicative of our collective show of faith – a good Fantasy week for Michu can send you tumbling down the rankings if you don’t have him. While his price has leapt from 6.5 to 8.2, he still remains exceptional value for money ahead of a schedule that sees him play host to Stoke, QPR and Newcastle in his next three at the Liberty – eight goals in 11 home matches highlights his deadly form in front of the Swansea faithful, while trips to Sunderland and West Ham in the next four also hold appeal. Tonight’s strike in the Capital One cup win at Stamford Bridge underlined his qualities – Michu’s confidence in front of goal seems to be unwavering.
Adam Johnson/ Stephane Sessegnon
Sunderland’s enticing schedule brings the pair into our thoughts. Over the next nine Gameweeks, Martin O’Neill’s side welcome West Ham, Swansea, Fulham and Norwich to Wearside and also pay visit to the current bottom three, with trips to Wigan, Reading and QPR on their agenda. So far, Johnson has outperformed Sessegnon in terms of Fantasy returns, despite the latter’s role in “the hole”; although both have found the net three times, Johnson has provided four assists to the Benin international’s three. Indeed, Johnson’s average of 4.1 points per game is superior to Sessegnon’s 3.8 and is second only to Steven Fletcher for the Black Cats – a FPL price of 6.7 and ownership of less than 2% could well appeal to those looking for a real mid-price differential, who has scored or assisted in three of his last four home games. Sessegnon, at 7.2, has also ticked along in recent games, with attacking returns in three of his last six and is certainly the most explosive of the pair, as last term’s returns testify – if he hits form, he could prove the better option.
Raheem Sterling
There’s no doubt the recent displays of Steven Gerrard have kept the teenager out of the Fantasy limelight but an upcoming run of fixtures, which sees Liverpool travel to United, Arsenal and City in the next four, is likely to deter many from investing in the premium priced Reds’ skipper. Sterling, on the other hand, is priced at just 5.6 and could appeal to those Fantasy managers who still want Liverpool coverage without going overboard on budget – a goal and a couple of bonus points in the previous Gameweek against Sunderland suggest a return to form after a couple of bench appearances and with the schedule looking particularly enticing from Gameweek 26 onwards, many may decide to snap him up just now rather than spend a transfer later on.
Jon Walters
A somewhat unglamorous pick, the Stoke man continues to steadily accumulate the points and currently sits in joint ninth spot for FPL midfielders on 92 points, alongside Yaya Toure. Walters’ appeal was somewhat diminished earlier in the season by a shift to the Potters’ right flank but a tactical reshuffle has earned him a role in “the hole” behind Kenwyne Jones and boosted his out of position prospects once again. Patience in the key with Walters; he has started every game under Tony Pulis this term, though tends to be less explosive than most, with just two double figure returns to his name. Walters has earned nine extra clean sheet points thanks to the resilient Stoke rearguard and with spot-kick duties also in his locker, he’s capable of ticking along nicely. After 10 matches at the Britannia, Pulis’ side remain the only unbeaten home side in the league and now have five fixtures in front of their own fans (CHE, WIG, RDG, WHM, WBA) to continue their impressive form. Coming in at 6.6 in FPL, Walters is the second top scoring Fantasy asset for Stoke, just one point behind Asmir Begovic – while the Chelsea clash lessens his appeal, the remaining above-mentioned home fixtures affords him plenty opportunity to add to his five goals, three assists and 10 bonus points so far.
Adel Taarabt
Omitted from Morocco’s African Cup of Nations squad, the maverick midfielder is free to aid QPR’s bid to beat the drop. Harry Redknapp’s arrival has made a definite difference to Taarabt’s Fantasy potential – he has averaged 4.6 points per game over the R’s eight games under their new manager, compared to 3.2 ppg beforehand. Up next, he has three home games in the next four (TOT, whm, MCY, NOR) and if he can turn his superb Opta stats into Fantasy points, Taarabt could yet prove a bargain at 5.6 for the short-term and beyond, as Redknapp looks to engineer a scramble to safety.
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paul
3,159 Responses to “The Watchlist – Wildcard Midfielders”
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January 10 at 8:15 am
Connor's Calling says:
hmmm…
I’ve got Mata.
Would you get:
Luiz
Ba
Hazard
?
January 10 at 8:17 am
Never Ever Bench Michu !! says:
ba or luiz
January 10 at 8:17 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
All three.
January 10 at 8:48 am
lilmessipran says:
bertrand
January 10 at 8:15 am
Never Ever Bench Michu !! says:
giving the armband to Mata ! even if he does not play both gamed he is sure to do the damage ! also have luiz and ba in my team too ! hope puncheon does something in the DGW ! if he did not have a DGW I would put fellaini in straight away
January 10 at 9:08 am
iakopu says:
! ! ! ! !
January 10 at 8:16 am
Di Canioooohhh says:
If you believed everyone on here you would be convinced that Rafa will field two completely different teams for each of the two DGW matches. He won’t. They’re vital league games for a manager who is under huge pressure to get results. He has tried resting Mata before and look what happened. I think Mata will play both games and I expect Ba will at least start both games too. Being on the bench last night was testament to this.
January 10 at 8:17 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
I think Ba will start both games too. Not so sure about Mata though.
January 10 at 8:18 am
Santiagounreal says:
+1000000
It’s as if people think he’ll play two different XIs…they don’t have that big a squad right now to do so!
January 10 at 8:23 am
Santiagounreal says:
Another thing worth pointing out…
He’s lost two home games in a row now without scoring a goal. Is he really going to bench his best attacking players for that game? Everyone keeps saying ‘He’ll rest his key players for this easy home game’
But look what happened against QPR! Only if he wants to get sacked would he risk this.
January 10 at 9:14 am
Di Canioooohhh says:
Yep. Totally agree.
January 10 at 8:16 am
ManTree(v2!) or just JAY! says:
Hey folks
Please rate my WCT out of 10:
Begovic, £3.9m
Luiz, Tomkins, Harte, Wilson, Demel
Mata, Michu, Bale, Walcott, Fellaini
RVP, Ba, Berbatov
Then for GW23 take -4 hit to do this:
Out: Berba & Luiz
In: Giroud/Podolski & Gibbs
How does all that sound?
Thank you!
January 10 at 8:18 am
Eboue Skills School says:
Nice team- defence a bit frail
January 10 at 8:23 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
See below.
January 10 at 8:17 am
when in doubt (C) him,his left foot will save ya!!! says:
repost
wildcard team help needed:
begovic, bunn
davies, demel, wilson, acole, zabaleta
michu, mata, walcott, bale, XXXXX
rvp, XXXXX, XXXXX
19 remaining in the bank
shud i go for 5man mid or 3 man upfront???
who shud be the preferred ones???
January 10 at 8:19 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Puncheon, Ba and what’s left?
January 10 at 8:19 am
Never Ever Bench Michu !! says:
fellaini ba and cheap forward ! 3-5-2 after the double game weeks
January 10 at 8:24 am
roganyosh says:
cant afford leaves him 3m
January 10 at 8:23 am
roganyosh says:
ba lambert and guthrie 19m
January 10 at 8:25 am
when in doubt (C) him,his left foot will save ya!!! says:
how about tevez ruiz guthrie???
January 10 at 8:26 am
roganyosh says:
ba amd lambert both have doubles either could be captain material. tevez and ruiz not so
January 10 at 8:28 am
when in doubt (C) him,his left foot will save ya!!! says:
actually this team is for a 24th gamewk wildcard!!!
January 10 at 8:32 am
roganyosh says:
good god that info might have been nice half hour ago!!!
January 10 at 8:32 am
TorresMagic™ - Join the "2nd Wildcard League - code 2412-1547". Millionaire Club qualifying starts GW22. Other codes in link. says:
It’s more fun this way.
January 10 at 8:36 am
when in doubt (C) him,his left foot will save ya!!! says:
ok…now u know…so fill in the blanks!!!
January 10 at 8:39 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
You’re a F……ing Pr…ck! How’s that?
January 10 at 8:36 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
At least he answered you.
January 10 at 8:44 am
when in doubt (C) him,his left foot will save ya!!! says:
am sorry…didnt notice that i hadnt mentioned it!!!
January 10 at 8:19 am
jdogg says:
Defoe hazard and azpiliqueta
Or bale ba and cuellar?
Cheers in advance gents.xx
January 10 at 8:20 am
Siva Mohan says:
BBC
January 10 at 8:22 am
jdogg says:
Cheers thinking that or could do hazard ba and cuellar if you think thats better?x
January 10 at 8:27 am
roganyosh says:
you got mata or other chelsea?
January 10 at 8:27 am
jdogg says:
Ye got mata.x
January 10 at 8:30 am
roganyosh says:
not much in it id go b just because you would then maybe have to use transfers getting out the not so nailed on azpil and getting hazard out as you have mata. i think b would edge in just in terms of points too
January 10 at 8:30 am
oxido_76 says:
Cuellar seems to be injured
January 10 at 8:32 am
jdogg says:
If not cuellar it would be demel.x
January 10 at 8:20 am
unitednations says:
Only have luiz as my dgw player so…
1) Ba or Lambert….sooo confusing
2) would you captain ba/lambert or luiz?
3) if i bring in lambert, would you take a hit for sterling >> hazard? which will lead me to benching michu
January 10 at 8:21 am
Siva Mohan says:
get Ba and captain him.. never bench Michu!
January 10 at 8:28 am
Never Ever Bench Michu !! says:
amen to that
January 10 at 8:24 am
doncastro says:
Ba will get about 2/3 of both games, thats the spread. Reckon he can do more damage in these 120 mins than lambert in his 2 away games
I dont know whether to captain Ba or Luiz myself
Take a hit for sure. You will get 2 of it back more than likely insta. I personally don’t fancy Michu at all in the near future. Graham is scoring a few goals and I feel he will play up front dropping Michu to just behind cos he can play there too. Don’t fancy Swansea have 3 away in the next 4. Don’t fancy it.
January 10 at 8:33 am
unitednations says:
I can’t do sterling >> hazard for a hit if I buy ba, that only works if I buy lambert
January 10 at 8:21 am
roganyosh says:
ba lambert and guthrie 19m
January 10 at 8:22 am
roganyosh says:
reply fail
January 10 at 8:22 am
m4me says:
rmwct – only 98.5M to spend
turnball, szczesny
gibbs, luiz, zabaleta, bassong, demel
walcott, mata, fellaini, michu, taraabt
suarez, ruiz, lambert
I have nothing in the bank, but can see ways to create 2.6m to improve mid and fwd through gibbs –> sagna, bassong –> martin r, szczesny –> federici.
This could pave the way to bale, berbatov etc.
Thoughts and criticism invited.
January 10 at 8:25 am
HVT says:
Too much in def and not enough up front – dont like Taara either > downgrade.
January 10 at 8:34 am
m4me says:
do you think sagna will get enough games to warrant the 0.5m saving vs. gibbs?
January 10 at 8:37 am
m4me says:
turnball, szczesny
gibbs, luiz, zabaleta, turner, demel
walcott, mata, fellaini, michu, mccarthy
suarez, berbatov, lambert
January 10 at 8:23 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Its sounds poor. You are planning a hit immediately after a wc. So Berb has to score at least one goal to pay for the hit. May as well put arse cover in now. Apart from that the teams alright.
January 10 at 8:24 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
@ mantree
January 10 at 8:23 am
FantasyFreak says:
I need more Chelsea. QUICK POLL:
a)Foster->Turnbull
b)Suarez->Ba
January 10 at 8:25 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
C) no
January 10 at 8:31 am
Bullet Tooth Tony says:
Are you ‘avin a giraffe?
January 10 at 8:46 am
Michu Picchu says:
B) at least you won’t be trying to trade Ba next week
January 10 at 8:24 am
Snowman says:
Toughts on Luiz?
I finally got him to my team yesterday and ditched my opportinity to have 4 che players.
You think he could be someone to keep also after double or just make boring Luiz => Gibbs for gw23.
That would allow me to get Lambert in for Ruiz, but then again both Luiz and Gibbs have good fixtures to come, so maybe keep them for few weeks at least?
January 10 at 8:26 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
I think Luiz is the best def to have short term.
January 10 at 8:28 am
HVT says:
We don’t know , terrys back although Ivan had a horror show last night so he now may be under pressure ,
I wonder tho does Rafa trust luiz in defence either – I mean if he was that good , he would be left there…..
January 10 at 8:35 am
Snowman says:
thanks guys – not sure what to do, but that’s life in the wild card week!
January 10 at 8:35 am
roganyosh says:
rafa has found luizs best position. he was excellent again last night. i think he will become chelseas most important player.. ahead of mata (bookmark please;))
January 10 at 8:44 am
HVT says:
You forgot your
January 10 at 8:26 am
Jafooli (c) - Up the Jags says:
Can’t see Torres being worth more than 12mil on the market atm?
January 10 at 8:27 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
That’s why they won’t sell him. Too embarrassed by his value. He’ll prob go to china on a free when his contract runs out!
January 10 at 8:28 am
doncastro says:
Try 12 pound
January 10 at 8:29 am
HVT says:
If he was on a free I don’t think too many PL teams would take him.
January 10 at 8:30 am
HVT says:
Ok so – West Ham , they did after all take Carroll
January 10 at 8:33 am
tw - season 2 of the leagues begins gw 20. congrats to the 18 new managers! says:
hmmm… what about torres and carroll up front? that would be quite a dangers combination with their deadly finishing!
January 10 at 8:39 am
HVT says:
Yea they could be like shearer and Sutton , robin van Rooney – I can just see the headlines now – ‘Ferrnado why has Carrollnine forsaken You’ , if only Carlsberg did Strike partnerships
January 10 at 8:43 am
tw - season 2 of the leagues begins gw 20. congrats to the 18 new managers! says:
January 10 at 8:45 am
Bullet Tooth Tony says:
Torres
Deadly finishing
Pick one.
January 10 at 8:27 am
danishdynamite says:
Morning all
Was gonna bring hazard in for Silva for a hit …………….. getting cold feet though.
Whaddya reckon – should I warm em up and take theplunge, or hold fire (already have Mata & Azpil)
January 10 at 8:32 am
HVT says:
Haza could easily be top scorer this week , I don’t like Silva anyway IMO hes a luxury player.
Might be worth the hit DD.
January 10 at 8:35 am
Matakuko says:
Mata and Haz is overkill IMO
January 10 at 8:42 am
HVT says:
Dgw – silva normally doesn’t do more than an assist ,
Haza might score and start Fallin in the box – Wouldn’t rule it out.
January 10 at 10:08 am
danishdynamite says:
Thanks fellas (sorry for the long wait between posts, had some work to do)
January 10 at 8:27 am
when in doubt (C) him,his left foot will save ya!!! says:
is it ok for a wilcard(24th gamewk) team to have tevez ruiz in it???are they good value for money???
January 10 at 8:29 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Yes but id wait on aguero news
January 10 at 8:28 am
diz says:
eeny meeny miney mo
who to bench? michu, walcott, puncheon
cheers
January 10 at 8:28 am
danishdynamite says:
walcott
January 10 at 8:29 am
doncastro says:
Feel Everton will destroy Swansea this week. Walcott is at home and gonna play up front. Arsenal score goals. He’s got returns in his last 4 games. People benching Walcott are mad!
January 10 at 8:33 am
AA says:
Won’t play up front. It’ll be Giroud I think. Oxlade played for the U21′s yesterday so I think he’ll be benched with Theo starting wide.
January 10 at 8:34 am
diz says:
i agree on the walcott part. but look at michu. that man is a goal-machine. he just scored against arsenal and chelsea, he is fixture-proof.
tempted to bench puncheon, if he plays both matches, sure 4 points. michu / walcott only have to score one goal to get 7.
January 10 at 8:36 am
doncastro says:
Yea he is but his team isn’t
January 10 at 8:35 am
HVT says:
I ain’t got Wally
January 10 at 8:29 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Walcott
January 10 at 8:41 am
doncastro says:
What is the reasoning behind all the Walcotts? Michu has played 3 of the last 4 games and scored 1 goal. Walcott has played 4 of the last 4 and got 4 goals and 4 assists.
Arsenal are favourites to beat City at home. Swansea are big outsiders to win. Everton are about 6/4 for a clean sheet….City are about 4/1. No sense at all in it.
January 10 at 8:45 am
G-G-Granville says:
Walcott hasn’t played City in any of those games. Michu scores against anyone.
January 10 at 8:47 am
Santiagounreal says:
Except Villa, Everton, Stoke, City, Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool and Spurs.
January 10 at 8:48 am
Santiagounreal says:
Wait, scrap that Chelsea one
I was going by league games though
January 10 at 8:48 am
G-G-Granville says:
I guess he doesn’t score every game. Sell him!!!
January 10 at 8:50 am
doncastro says:
Nah… he doesn’t. H’es scored in 10 different games this season. 7 have been at home. Swansea playing 3 of the next 4 away.
They just had a tough game vs Chelsea where they gave a lot. Everton had a breeze through 5-1 win a a days extra rest. Nobody can think Swansea will get anything out of this game. Everton are 6/4 for a clean sheet.
Walcott is playing up front (more than likely). Arsenal score goals. Arsenal are favourites to win the match. City are 4/1 to keep a clean sheet. Any more points needed?
I stil havent heard anyone give a reason why people should bench Walcott over Michu. Other than ”hes fixture proof”. What probably happened here is that the questions came up earlier in the week. Some people said Walcott and now everyone thinks this is the standard play.
January 10 at 8:55 am
G-G-Granville says:
No one is saying it isn’t a close call, but based on Everton’s record this season, 6/4 is a crap price for a clean sheet.
January 10 at 8:58 am
doncastro says:
You’re right. It should be 13/8 true price. That’s what it is on betfair to lay.
January 10 at 8:51 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Everton don’t do cleanies. So michu is most likely to score. Walcott I don’t think will play central. I think it will be a tight game. It’s s close call but I think Walcott forvthe bench.
January 10 at 8:56 am
doncastro says:
Theres every indication that Graham will start this game too, with Michu in the hole.
January 10 at 9:05 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Even better then
January 10 at 8:42 am
G-G-Granville says:
Walcott for the bench.
January 10 at 9:01 am
doncastro says:
In summary anyway all you guys should back the 0-0 draw Arsenal vs City at 14/1. And while youre at it back City clean sheet. You will get 7/2 in the bookies. Big price.
January 10 at 9:09 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Oh I do apologise I thought I was talking to an adult. Please forgive me.
January 10 at 9:11 am
TorresMagic™ - Join the "2nd Wildcard League - code 2412-1547". Millionaire Club qualifying starts GW22. Other codes in link. says:
An Arsenal goal can occur without Walcott…..
January 10 at 8:28 am
Jafooli (c) - Up the Jags says:
Rather than rotation, I think the fact that Chelsea as a team, must getting really knackered is more of a worry.
Can see them getting turned over by Stoke (playing same pressing game as they did vs Liverpool) and then thumping SOT on the rebound with Terry back kicking arse…..
January 10 at 8:29 am
Gopher: good FPL season so far! says:
William Hill says:
Anytime goal, 2 goals+, first scorer odds
Ba 1.91/5.0/4.50, Torres 2.25/7.00/6.00
Looks like the bookies has priced in Ba’s likelihood to start vs sto?
Also interesting to note that Fellaini at 2.20 has shorter odds to score than Jelly, Defoe, Bale, Berba, Benteke, Suarez
January 10 at 8:31 am
TorresMagic™ - Join the "2nd Wildcard League - code 2412-1547". Millionaire Club qualifying starts GW22. Other codes in link. says:
Ba starting after 80 still has more chance of scoring.
January 10 at 8:32 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
^^From the horse’s* mouth…
*read Donkey’s
January 10 at 8:34 am
TorresMagic™ - Join the "2nd Wildcard League - code 2412-1547". Millionaire Club qualifying starts GW22. Other codes in link. says:
Torres to score vs SOT though.
January 10 at 8:52 am
David Luiz says:
Ba should start v Stoke, in all likelihood. Need his physical presence up there. Has a good record vs Stoke. Was rested last night.
It’s the So’ton game that we (who hold him) would rather see him start though, wouldn’t we? A bit unsure about that.
January 10 at 8:59 am
Jafooli (c) - Up the Jags says:
Doubt Rafa will go back to Nando after the booing they both got…….was fearsome by all accounts….
January 10 at 8:30 am
Jafooli (c) - Up the Jags says:
Might be heading back to the safe harbour that is RVP for captain this week.
Mata and Ba……emm, just not sure. They’ll get plenty minutes but……
January 10 at 8:31 am
It's The Kompany That Mata's says:
Bit bored so thought I would compare the cost of the most favored 15, had you got them at their cheapest price. Compared to what they would cost now, not that this has any meaning or value.
Begovic = 4.5m now 5.8m
Jaaskelainen = 4.5m now 5.3m
Luiz = 6.5m now 6.7m
Zabaleta = 5.7m now 5.9m
Gibbs = 5.4m now 5.6m
Rafael = 5.5m now 6.0m
Davies = 4.0m now 4.2m
Bale = 9.3m now 9.8m
Mata = 8.8m now 9.9m
Walcott = 8.5m now 8.7m
Fellaini = 6.5m now 7.4m
Michu = 6.5m now 8.2m
RVP = 13.0m now 14.0m
Suarez = 9.4m now 10.4m
Ba = 7.5m now 8.6m
Cost at cheapest: 105.6m
Cost now: 116.5m
January 10 at 8:45 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
I think “a bit bored” was a bit of an understatement.
January 10 at 8:32 am
Supersonic says:
Ba is rising tonight
January 10 at 8:35 am
diz says:
ba has risen 300k, maxed out?
January 10 at 8:37 am
TorresMagic™ - Join the "2nd Wildcard League - code 2412-1547". Millionaire Club qualifying starts GW22. Other codes in link. says:
Go check GW rise on FPL.
January 10 at 8:41 am
Jafooli (c) - Up the Jags says:
Yes 82% and then again one more time before deadline as the crowds pile on…..
January 10 at 8:42 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
This Ba-ndwagon is beginning to get a bit crowded…
January 10 at 8:45 am
Jafooli (c) - Up the Jags says:
Steady now……I think it’s got a very long way to go……must have by seasons out, is my guess.
Baring injury and force majeure….
January 10 at 8:32 am
van der irwin says:
is it worth ditching defoe (who i’ll get 8.1 for) to get ba???
January 10 at 8:32 am
Matakuko says:
My wildcard team is .1 over budget, HELP!
Vorm, Turnbull
Gibbs, Zabaleta, Demel, Shaw, Harte
Mata, Walcott, Michu, Bale, Sterling
RVP, Ba, Ruiz
Where would you cut?
January 10 at 8:36 am
It's The Kompany That Mata's says:
If your playing Turnbull this week remove Vorm for sub 4.2m GK and then transfer Turnbull to Vorm after this GW.
January 10 at 8:41 am
Matakuko says:
Haft thought about this, good thinking.
It does mean my Ft is used to sort out the gk though :/
January 10 at 8:45 am
It's The Kompany That Mata's says:
Will you have any other transfers you would want to do though? Maybe one to get another Arsenal/West Ham player in (Podolski, J.Cole, Nolan). But the team looks pretty solid to me.
January 10 at 8:37 am
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
A) Turnbull out Bunn in (for the future)
B) Sterling out Puncheon in (only for the DGW22)
January 10 at 8:32 am
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
My front 8 are:
Mata Walcott Fellaini Michu Bale
Ba RVP Berbatov
Who to bench this week???
January 10 at 8:34 am
oxido_76 says:
Walcott
January 10 at 8:39 am
Santiagounreal says:
Berbatov
January 10 at 8:40 am
Santiagounreal says:
But really Michu
January 10 at 8:42 am
Santiagounreal says:
But actually Walcott
January 10 at 8:43 am
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
There are some who say “Michu scores when he wants”… Should be risky to bench him…
January 10 at 8:43 am
Jafooli (c) - Up the Jags says:
Michu scores when he kicks the ball
January 10 at 8:39 am
TonyClifton says:
Maybe Michu?
I have quite a same problem here too?
My front 8 is:
Michu Fellaini Walcott Gerrard Bale
Suarez Ba RVP
January 10 at 8:42 am
doncastro says:
Easy choice. Michu!
January 10 at 8:43 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Walcott
January 10 at 8:43 am
Jafooli (c) - Up the Jags says:
I was gonna go for Michu but reckon it’ll be Walcott now. not a nice choice…..
……then again even Punchy might be on the bench.
jeez, no idea for me…
January 10 at 8:45 am
super zlatan says:
Walcott.
Michu scores when he wants apparently
January 10 at 8:44 am
tw - season 2 of the leagues begins gw 20. congrats to the 18 new managers! says:
theo
January 10 at 8:50 am
Gopher: good FPL season so far! says:
either Wally or Michy
January 10 at 8:57 am
Daniel - Captain, Leader, Legend. Super Frank !!! says:
Downgrade someone
January 10 at 8:32 am
oxido_76 says:
Hi guys !
Any news on Olsson (WBA) ? Will he play this week ?
January 10 at 8:40 am
Matakuko says:
Obviously I’m going to bench sterling, bringing in puncheon causes me the who to bench debate?
January 10 at 8:40 am
Matakuko says:
@mata is cr7
January 10 at 8:46 am
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
If you bring in Puncheon, I would then bench Ruiz for the DGW…
January 10 at 8:44 am
super zlatan says:
Morning lads. Happy new year. Haven’t been around in a while.
Any thoughts on my wildcard team?
Bego. Jussi
Luiz. Gibbs. Demel. Davies. Clyne
Mata. Bale. Michu. Walcott. Punch
Rvp. Ba. Lambert
0.4 in bank
January 10 at 8:46 am
G-G-Granville says:
Template. Which is good.
January 10 at 8:48 am
super zlatan says:
Alternatively I could bring in turnbull for jussi and upgrade Luiz to baines?
January 10 at 8:48 am
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Is this the template for the season or the template for the DGW… Because I think Suarez and Fellaini should be in a template team for the season based on current form…
January 10 at 8:51 am
super zlatan says:
I agree but you can’t have everyone. I stil have my other wildcard to fix any mess
January 10 at 8:51 am
Jonny says:
I’m looking at something fairly similar, but two questions:
1) Who do you bench this week?
2) How do you feel about not having Suarez?
January 10 at 8:56 am
super zlatan says:
I will bench Walcott
Not having Suarez makes me nervous however I can see him doing nothing vs united. I can bring him in when I wildcard again
January 10 at 8:45 am
Sammy says:
Need helps lads..
A) This DGW
Elliot -> turnbull
Fallaini -> hazard
Next DGW
Harazd -> Santi
B) this DGW
Elliot-> turnbull
Berb -> ba
Next DGW
Ba -> Giroud
Fallani -> Nolan
Thank..
January 10 at 8:46 am
super zlatan says:
A
January 10 at 8:48 am
Home Run Baker says:
Thoughts on this WC move?
A: Berbatov, Luiz, Zabaleta, Davies, Turnbull
B: Ba, Azpilicueta, Nastasic, Wilson, Bunn
Thanks
January 10 at 8:51 am
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Can you fit Ba into A instead of Berba… If you cant, I would say neither…
Cech could easily replace Turnbull for one game in the DGW and after that Turnbull is a waste
Ivanovic can replace Azpi and then Azpi will be a waste…
January 10 at 8:51 am
Bullet Tooth Tony says:
Ba, Luiz and Zabaleta an option?
January 10 at 8:54 am
Home Run Baker says:
Cash very tight so these permutations are difficult. A is what I have currently.
Thanks both.
January 10 at 8:54 am
It's The Kompany That Mata's says:
Looks like a Ba vs Berba to me, A looks a lot stronger without Ba or Berba included.
Starts aren’t guaranteed for Ba, Azpiliceta, Nastasic and Wilson is currently injured where as all should be starters from A.
So A.
January 10 at 8:57 am
Home Run Baker says:
Thanks. You’re right – B is all about freeing cash to get Ba. I think I’ll stick with A.
January 10 at 8:49 am
The Gamesmaster ™ says:
Any news on cech return for Chelsea? As I’m thinking of getting turnbull for the double