Fixtures

Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 18 – The Strong

With the January wildcard just around the corner, we’re focusing on the short-term in this week’s fixture analysis. Looking solely at the next three Gameweeks, then, we begin with those sides whose fixtures offer plenty of festive hope:

Arsenal

A goalless draw against Chelsea means the Gunners have failed to win in the last three but Arsene Wenger has reason for festive cheer as his side travel to West Ham and Newcastle before hosting Cardiff at the Emirates. With Arsenal having shown just as much proficiency on the road as at home, Fantasy managers will be confident of points at both ends of the pitch from such fixtures.

Much of Arsenal’s defensive appeal comes down to the fitness of first choice centre-back Laurent Koscielny. If, as hoped, he is back for the Boxing Day clash with West Ham, both he and Wojciech Szczesny offer great value for money, whilst Per Mertesacker’s added goal threat and bonus point potential can be purchased for a premium. In midfield, those in search of a differential need look no further than Theo Walcott, whose return to form looks set to disrupt the Fantasy monopoly held by Mesut Özil and Aaron Ramsey. Up top, there seems no end to the decline of Olivier Giroud and he’s hard to recommend.

Everton

Edging past the Swans on Sunday, Roberto Martinez’s team continues to rake in the points thanks to a kind fixture schedule that won’t abate any time soon. Investment in the Toffees still looks well advised as their next three fixtures gift them two home games against Sunderland and Southampton and a trip to Stoke.

Seamus Coleman’s fourth strike of the season confirmed him as first choice defender in a backline that has kept eight clean sheets already this season. Such a figure makes Tim Howard an attractive goalkeeper and also adds sheen to the prospects of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka, while Leighton Baines’ return in time for Boxing Day strengthens the Toffees appeal further. In midfield, Ross Barkley notched his first goal since Gameweek 6 to reignite his appeal as a cut-price option, whilst Kevin Mirallas will be looking to continue the form which has harvested three goals and a trio of assists in his last six at Goodison.

Aston Villa

A defeat at Stoke leaves Paul Lambert’s side in a precarious position but the midlands outfit have a trio of fine-looking festive fixtures to help lift their form. With back-to-back home games against Crystal Palace and Swansea, followed by a trip to Sunderland, they have every opportunity to return to Fantasy relevance.

Lambert will be desperate for the return of Ron Vlaar to steady a defence that had kept five clean sheets in nine games prior to his injury. Pickings are very slim in midfield but if Christian Benteke remains sidelined with a knee injury up top, Libor Kozak has staked a claim for a regular role and has now scored in three of his last four starts.

Fulham

Rene Meulensteen’s impact at Craven Cottage has been obvious in the positivity of his team’s play, but a record of three defeats in four highlights the task ahead. Nevertheless, scoring two goals against Man City bodes well and The Cottagers now have a splendid little run of games with trips to Norwich and Hull followed by home games against West Ham and Sunderland. They won’t get a better opportunity to turn their season around and Fantasy managers looking for serious differentials may be minded to punt here.

At the back, Sascha Riether is the most attacking option, though injuries to Brede Hangeland and Philippe Senderos appear to have handed starting berths to Aaron Hughes and Fernando Amorebieta, both kindly priced in the Fantasy Premier League game. Adel Taarabt was handed an opportunity to lead the line against City due to an injury to Dimitar Berbatov but the Bulgarian is poised for a late fitness test and could make a quick return in time for Boxing Day, scuppering the Moroccan’s claims as an out of position prospect.

ALSO CONSIDER

Tottenham
Hogging the headlines this week is Tim Sherwood’s appointment as interim head coach at the Lane. His team selection against Southampton suggests an approach akin to Kevin Keegan’s in his attempt to win games and, with back-to-back home games West Brom and Stoke – teams who are struggling for goals on the road – before a trip to Old Trafford, Spurs look an intriguing short-term prospect. Vlad Chiriches has an eye for goal in defence, while new boys Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela could be real outside punts, having started at the Saints. It’s the return of the prodigal son – Emmanuel Adebayor – that has Fantasy managers sitting up to attention, though. Two goals on his first start of the season could signal the return of a former Fantasy heavyweight.

Norwich
The Canaries’ second successive draw hardly helped their attempt to put comfortable distance between themselves and the relegation zone. They do, however, have fixtures on their side to help propel themselves to safety. Two of their next three look winnable – a home game against Fulham and trip to Crystal Palace either side of a visit from Man United. Martin Olsson is the choice in defence while Leroy Fer, Nathan Redmond and Robert Snodgrass all vie for attention in midfield. Gary Hooper has four goals in seven games and makes a strong case as the differential striker of choice.

Man City
Four goals at Fulham in their first game without Sergio Aguero bodes well. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are in a goalscoring mood and, with two home games – Liverpool and Crystal Palace – and a trip to Swansea in the next three, the only major question mark concerns rotation over the hectic schedule. Vincent Kompany looks safe enough in defence but few would invest in City’s rearguard after recent events. In midfield, there’s a feeling that Yaya Toure’s physicality makes him immune from rotation in a way that the slight frame of David Silva may not. Up front, Alvaro Negredo may be first choice ahead of Edin Dzeko under normal circumstances but the punishing schedule means rotation could be inevitable, even with Aguero out of the picture. Regardless, City’s free-scoring attack means the potential rewards outweigh any possible risk of reduced game time.

1,149 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Scroobius Mac
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Yo.
    A) Ward > Baines
    B) Ramsey > Walcott
    C) RavMo > Cabaye
    D) Bank it (rest of my team is fine)

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      yo scroob

      C defo

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        C

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    2. Just One More Thing
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      C

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    3. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B or C

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

      C

      Chiriches nailed on, right? Got him in for Johnson as a punt for the next couple of games

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      1. Scroobius Mac
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah. I wouldn't have though. FourFourTim has no intentions of defending.

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        1. rohan
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Saw that against Soton. Here's hoping he provides some sort of protection to Dembele

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    5. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      c, or b if really chasing

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  2. ADucksBehind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Got a decent opponent in the cup. Its going to come down to these players

    Me: Coleman Koscielny Terry Nasri Hazard Whittingham Lukaku Rooney

    Him: Distin Walker Kompany Yaya Ozil WardProwse Morisson Negredo

    Giving myself 7-4 score in players

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  3. The ghost of a Pug's g…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Guys

    In order. Place these players by how many points they will get this week

    Hazard, Ozil, Wally, Rambo, Hooper

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    1. Red Viper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Wally, Rambo, Hazard, Hooper, Ozil(reckon he'll be rested)

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    2. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard Wally Ozil Rambo Hooper

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    3. Just One More Thing
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Move Ozil to the end and you have the order (highest first) - big suspicion that Ozil will be rested & Cazorla will come in, but, in truth, Wenger never pinpointed exactly which game it would happen.

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    4. Indrandro
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard, Wally, Özil, Hooper Rambo

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  4. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    who is best gk till jan wild card ??

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    1. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Howard

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  5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    lol was hopin kosc might avoid a drop, but red to yellow = nti ceiling back down = defo droppin

    silver linin is yellow flag

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    1. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Season keeper for me

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  6. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    What's the scene with Distin?
    Likely to play or not?

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    1. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      What's problem with him?

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    2. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Sylvain had a knock, but he's fine and I don't expect anyone to be missing the squad on Wednesday. http://www.evertonfc.com/match/report/1314/54189/everton-v-sunderland

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      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate

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  7. Hurnt
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    ## please help - this is my first ever post ##

    Please RMT

    Howard

    Coleman - Baker - Santon

    Cabaye - Lallana - Silva - Hazard

    Lukaku - Negredo - Suarez

    Subs - Migs - Fer - Turner (Cardiff) - Gabbidon

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    1. Hurnt
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Pressed post on axx

      Bank 1.6

      1 free transfer

      Lookin at lukaku to Rooney - Fer to Barkley

      Any thoughts ??

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    2. Just One More Thing
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Fer on the bench at home to Fulham - I appreciate that Lallana is more consistent but I would tentatively swap....

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      1. Hurnt
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

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  8. Trigg ⭐️
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    I can see West Ham and Newcastle scoring against Arsenal.

    Sorry guys, I'm against the masses on this one. Lloris is coming in.

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  9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Lukaku v sunderland at home last season

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21482987

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    1. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      It's totally different. All West Brom aimed at him. All Everton MF ignored him.

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  10. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    theo
    hazard
    ozil
    ramsey
    hooper

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    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      well that's clearly a reply fail

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  11. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts appreciated guys.

    Mignolet / Lewis
    Distin / Ward / Clyne / Burner / Wilson
    Ramsey / Hazard / Özil / Walcott / Whittingham
    Lukaku / Negredo / Suárez
    1 FT, £1.2m in the bank.

    A) Wilson + Whittingham ----> Coleman + Meyler(-4)
    B) Mignolet ---> Howard
    C) Clyne + Mignolet ----> Coleman + Ruddy (-4)
    D) Save FT

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    1. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B

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    2. Hurnt
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Correct answer is B) IMO

      Tbh I wud bring In silva maybe for ozil as he may be rested

      Great side tho

      Are u tempted to get Gibbs/sagna?

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      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate.

        Not sure I'd lose Ozil. Will get Silva for Hazard next week if Hazard flops this week.

        Only Coleman is tempting me as he is scoring points with remarkable consistency and ML leader has him as well.

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  12. Blue Lion
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    My cup opponent does not have Suarez!
    His frontline is Negredo,Lambert,Campbell !!!!
    🙂

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      youve just condemned yourself 😉

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      1. Blue Lion
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        But his mid and defence is decent. If this guy beats me,then i will lose all hope in FPL!!

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        1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          trust me, when it comes to the cups nothing is written

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    2. Indrandro
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      My opponent's frontline: Lambert, Campbell, Remy

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  13. Schürrle Class
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Brought in Marshall for Migs for a -4 hit
    Will it be worth it in the end?

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    1. Red Viper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      depends on what you do with the extra money.

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      1. Schürrle Class
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I'm thinking of getting in Walcott or someone like that for Shelvey with my FT after Boxing Day
        Does that sound good to you?

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        1. Red Viper
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          absolutely

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  14. rohan
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Went for Chiriches ahead of Sagna/ Gibbs/ Kos as my Jonson replacement.

    😐

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    1. Red Viper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      If Sherwood is likely to name similar lineups to the one at Southampton, you should soon reconsider

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    2. Schürrle Class
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Brought in Marshall for Migs for a -4 hit
      Will it be worth it in the end

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  15. JT's Dog
      10 years, 2 months ago

      How did my cup opponent get to top 28,000
      Lamela, weimann, coutinho in team
      Previously owned bent and bony
      Never had saurez, aguero or Rooney at same time.
      And only made 6 transfers

      http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/382175/event-history/17/

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        immense

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        1. JT's Dog
            10 years, 2 months ago

            I am still dazed as to how he got points. Can only think he (c) aguero every week then saurez when he swaped.

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        2. Blue Lion
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Wow!

          I have an easier one.

          http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/313657/event-history/17/

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          1. JT's Dog
              10 years, 2 months ago

              I actually think mine might be easier for this game week
              Round two will be lionless 🙂

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          2. Red Viper
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            wow, makes me look like a fool for taking this game so seriously!!

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            1. the axolotl
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              sobering thought. we're probably being beaten by a number of players who are actually dead.

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          3. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            😯

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          4. Moorinho
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            1.4 k at one point of time. Bizarre brilliance.

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            1. JT's Dog
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Weird ,look at his history, normally in mid hundred thousands.
                I am hoping he is actually Santa and he is too busy this week

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                1. Moorinho
                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Haha.. he's a misunderstood genius.

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          5. FF Dirtbag
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Who do you captain?!

            Suarez
            Rooney
            Lukaku
            Hazard
            Wally???

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            1. Red Viper
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Adebayor?? Suarez out of those

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            2. Just One More Thing
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Hazard for me at the moment, but Suarez looks awfully lonely in my team without a (c) next to his name....

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            3. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Rooney.

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              1. Indrandro
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                This!

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            4. FF Dirtbag
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Such a ridiculous decision. Suarez is the man at the moment but away at city... Makes me feel uneasy!!

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              1. The Enlightener
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                I'm going with Hazard. Screw it. You gotta take a risk once in a while. I captained Suarez against Totty, so I'll weigh the risk against that successful move.

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                1. FF Dirtbag
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  I'm thinking hazard too at the moment but I keep changing my mind. There are some good options!!

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          6. EmreCan Hustle
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            How serious is Boruc's hand injury? Will he play again this season?

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            1. Wavey Wambz
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Of course! His Return is imminent.

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          7. Sarnab
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Choose:

            1. Chico > Coleman
            2. Brady > Cabaye
            3. Brady + Cabaye > Mutch + Walcott (-4)

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            1. Just One More Thing
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              2.

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            2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              eh how can you do 3 if youre suggesting 2

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              1. Sarnab
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Sorry

                Brady + Deguzman > Mutch + Theo

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                1. EmreCan Hustle
                  • 11 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  3

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                2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  if youre goin to play mutch then yes ... if not then 2

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            3. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              1

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            4. @FPLMason
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              1

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          8. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            I'd love Deuce back in my team (especially if he brings the 3 game rule back with him)

            But my midfield is

            Silva, Hazard. Walcott, Ramsey (JWP)

            Don't see a home for Deuce in there

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            1. Red Viper
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Who is Deuce?

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              1. The Enlightener
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Clint Dempsey

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              2. Wavey Wambz
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                A Tennis Player 🙂

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          9. Lao Tzu
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Any news on Zaba?

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          10. LeBron - King of Argentina
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            @SZ defender budget is 4.5m.

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          11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            anyone considering bentelab? Sherwood had him in the youth side and said he knows him more than capoue which is why he put him on v southampton.

            Could be a decent pick if he starts

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            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              A decent FPL pick?

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            2. JT's Dog
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Let us know how that one goes

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            3. UnitednationsXI
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Which combo would you prefer:

              A: Wally + Nasri this gw with the view to do Nasri >> silva next gw
              B: silva + Nasri this gw with the view to do Nasri >> Wally in gw20 after city play cpl @home
              C: Wally + silva for a hit this gw

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              1. @FPLMason
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                B
                Maximum risk
                Maximum reward

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              2. Sarnab
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                A

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              3. UnitednationsXI
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Conflicts

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            4. Sarnab
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Koscielny likely to drop tonight ??

              I think Total fpl has an error. cannot be -187%

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              1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                thats correct, his flag changed from red to yellow, thus lowering the nti requirement .....hence 98% became 190%

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                1. Sarnab
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  So he'll drop tonight right

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                  1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
                    • 12 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    most def

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            5. Seamy
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Can't think of a decent transfer to do this week. Any advice or should I save the FT?

              Speroni
              Terry, Dawson, Coleman
              Hazard, Walcott, Silva, Whittingham
              Suarez (c), Rooney, Lukaku

              Subs: Davis (gk), RavMo, Burner, Gabbidon

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              1. @FPLMason
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Save imo

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            6. @FPLMason
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Howard Gazza
              Distin Ward Chico Ridgewell Chester
              Ramsey Ozil Mirallas Sessegnon Williams
              Aguero Suarez Rooney

              2 fts 0 in bank
              Thinking abt Aguero & Distin---> Lukaku & Sagna
              Any other Suggestions?

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              1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                calm even

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            7. John Nerdelbaum
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Evening and a Merry Xmas. Rank these in bench order. Playing Marshall

              Ravel (ARS) Ward (avl) and B.Turner (SOT).

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              1. @FPLMason
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                ward burner ravel

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            8. Arsenals Number 19. Santi C…
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Any word if Shaw will play this gw ?

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              1. the axolotl
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                he tweeted himself he would be ok, but i think the manager said he was still a doubt.

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                1. Arsenals Number 19. Santi C…
                  • 11 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  thanks I will go with what Luke said cant be listening to most of those managers e.g Moyes

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            9. Fabreghastly
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Bench Jan the Man or Rambo?

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              1. Wavey Wambz
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Rambo.

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