Fixtures

Frisking the Fixtures – The Weak – Gameweek 18

Having analysed those sides with Strong schedules over the next three Gameweeks, we turn our attentions to those who could be set for a festive headache. The league leaders and a raft of mid-table teams find a Christmas present to forget in the form of some unwelcome fixtures:

Swansea

Defeat to Everton began a prolonged period of daunting ties for Michael Laudrup’s side, from which they will be lucky to emerge clear of relegation danger. A Boxing Day visit to Stamford Bridge is followed by a relative breather at Aston Villa before they’re back into the fray with a home tie with Man City – it arguably gets worse after that, too.

Owners of Chico Flores and the bonus point-hogging Ashley Williams will not be confident of many more points, especially with first choice stopper Michel Vorm now sidelined after surgery. Jonjo Shelvey briefly looked like providing a genuine differential but a formation change, coupled with the fixtures, dampens that hope greatly, whilst the other budget midfielders in the Swans’ outfit haven’t really convinced even against weaker opposition. Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony got his first start after returning from injury but has his work cut out to finally find his feet in the Premier League.

Liverpool

A convincing, if expected, win over Cardiff City to go top of the league will keep the Reds full of the required confidence ahead of what is arguably their most daunting fixture of the season – a trip to the Etihad. That’s followed by a visit to Stamford Bridge before the waters calm with home game against Hull.

Luis Suarez clearly won’t be leaving any Fantasy teams but he may lose a few Captain’s armbands. Investment elsewhere in Brendan Rodgers’ flourishing team may be best postponed, though. Injuries to teammates have handed Jordan Henderson a central role behind Suarez and, whilst Raheem Sterling has also impressed with three goals in five, now does not look like the time to jump on board. A defence that has shipped goals to all but two of their last 14 isn’t winning any Fantasy fans and these fixtures may be the last straw for many still holding the likes of Glen Johnson and Simon Mignolet. John Flanagan’s budget price may see him keep his place in Fantasy teams, providing he shrugs off the hamstring problem that forced him off against Cardiff last time around.

Stoke
Stoke are now unbeaten in four games and are just three points behind Southampton, for all the latter’s plaudits. However, Mark Hughes has a job on his hands to keep that momentum in the face of a difficult run of fixtures that starts with trips to Newcastle and Tottenham, followed by the visit of Everton. Such fixtures mean that it’s a little late to invest in a defence that has kept three clean sheets in six games and admirers of Marc Wilson and Erik Pieters may wish to wait until the January Wildcard to invest.

BE WARY OF

Southampton
A toxic blend of injuries and relentlessly diffilcult fixtures have seen the Saints drop from their lofty early-season position down to ninth. Whilst the injuries could be starting to clear, the fixtures remain unkind, with a trip to Everton and a game against Chelsea in the next three. Anyone still holding any defensive assets may be weighing up the options, with Southampton having failed to register a clean sheet in the last eight games. Adam Lallana’s goal and assist were a timely reminder of his capabilities but now may not be the right time to bring him in.

West Brom
It’s hard to find anyone outside the West Brom boardroom who agrees with the decision to sack Steve Clarke but it’s clear that interim boss Keith Downing has a tough job on his hands after ”stopping the rot” with a draw against Hull. A trip to Tottenham and the visit of in-form Newcastle look fairly unpromising for any Fantasy managers hoping to benefit from a resurgence of form under a new manager. After seven games without a clean sheet, investors in Liam Ridgewell or Gareth McAuley will be looking to move them on, whilst the return of Ben Foster signals the end of Boaz Myhill’s appeal. Stephane Sessegnon has disappointed many Fantasy managers and an upturn in returns looks unlikely in the short-term.

Hull City
Investors in Steve Bruce’s gritty defence were hoping for another clean sheet last weekend only to be denied by a late goal from the Baggies. The pickings now look slim over the holidays for the Tigers, with games against Man United and Liverpool straddling a home game against Fulham. Owners of Allan McGregor, James Chester and Curtis Davies are likely to hold with the Fulham game in mind, but new investment doesn’t look worth a transfer with just that solitary promising fixture. Robbie Brady’s patchy game time and lack of fitness had already put him at risk and the recent news that he is likely to miss the festive games puts the final nail in the coffin of his Fantasy appeal.

893 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Nadolig Llawen!

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    1. jdoyle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Nollaig Shona Duit

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      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Agus tusa freisin buachaillí 🙂

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  2. Ini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Beware of Stoke

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  3. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    What's going on with Stoke here?

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    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Just making sure you get the message loud and clear 😀

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  4. Harry (C)ane
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Play Gabbidon (vs AVL) or Ridgewell (vs TOT) ?

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  5. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Must...buy...Stoke....players

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    1. sy
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Its in bold so must be true

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    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      😆

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  6. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Seems crazy but I'll ask anyway.....Ramsey > Walcott (-4)?

    Ramsey due a rest and could easily be this week while Wally looks to be back to fitness and could be set for a monster haul....

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    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ramsey benched tomorrow

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    2. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I really hope ramsey gets benched since i not playing him tml

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  7. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Beware kids..
    http://youtu.be/jDYxIntaQug?t=1m4s

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  8. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Suarez > Crouch -8?

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    1. Jake Donahue
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      why not its christmas

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    2. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      EASY, GO FOR IT

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    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Should pay off

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    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      LoL

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  9. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    The message is clear everyone....just sell Suarez

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  10. Tinydancer
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Migz 4.0

    Walker Coleman Shaw Burner Ward

    Silva Hazard Ozil Barkley JWP

    Suarez Rooney Lukaku

    1Ft and 0.6 Itb

    Migz to Scz or DDG is a no brainer right? and if you agree who? i like the look of Scz but i want to get Kosc back in for Walker soon. Thoughts?

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    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Szczczcz

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  11. fridge
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Marshall
    GJ | Coleman | Dawson
    Silva | Hazard | Ramsey | Januzaj
    Rooney (c) | Suarez | Lukaku

    Boruc | Morrisson | Ward | Rosenior

    A) GJ > Sagna/Mert
    B) GJ > Kompany
    C) GJ & Morrisson > Sagna & Cabaye -4
    D) Save

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    1. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A) Sagna

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  12. Captain Shirokov
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Aaaaaghhhhh

    GET RID OF STOKE

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  13. PB-THE-VET
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Can only fit in 3 stoke players ........... Stupid rule

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  14. Jake Donahue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Christmas all.

    Now Lukaku please deliver that hatrick gift that is overdue 🙂

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  15. Blue Lion
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Such hatred for Stoke!
    😯

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  16. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    LET'S GO STOKE

    CROUCHY, BEGO AND ER... IRELAND

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ireland is a wise choice 🙂

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      1. TokyoRed 東京赤
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        THIS

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    2. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Walters was a hero for me a while back

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    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      "ADMIRERS OF MARC WILSON AND ERIK PIETERS " 😆

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      1. TokyoRed 東京赤
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Mrs Wilson and Mrs Pieters then...

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  17. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Who are you captaining?

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ireland

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      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        BOLD IT

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    2. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      between lukaku or suarez for me, leaning onto suarez atm

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    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going "balls out"

      Suarez

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    4. Jake Donahue
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lukaku, still getting pleanty of chances and looks like Sunderland will be without both first choice centre halfs

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    5. The Chosen One...
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Want a diff...Rooney now not a diff so maybe Remy

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    6. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Mine seems to be Coleman at the moment, maybe too much Christmas today

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    7. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Suarez
      Lukaku seems like good idea against depleted sunderland defence but he's burned me 3 times before.
      Grrrr

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  18. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Replacement for Ming needed under 5.5m

    A) Krul
    B) Stekelenburg
    C) Ruddy
    D) Others?

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    1. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Marshall/mannone combo is great

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      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        will consider for my wc team thanks 🙂

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      2. Wolverine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry for not answering question! Krul

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    2. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Krul I guess

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    3. Jake Donahue
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A

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    4. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      krul

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    5. Stephen - Robot Daniels
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A

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  19. Ini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Finally able to get rid of Brady. I have 5.9 to spend. I'm thinking Barkely, Whittingham or Sissoko. Which would be a good option, and are there others?

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    1. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      snoddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

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      1. Ini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah? He's fit?

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        1. Toonzie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          yeap he started last gw

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    2. floydy_floyd
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Whitts tho beware poor fixtures after the next 2.

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  20. Blue Lion
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    SHAWCROSS,Reither,Azpi,Ben Davies which two defenders to play?

    For a draft league and its DGW in it...So..

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    1. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      azpi, reither

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      First 2 mate. Azpi may not play and Davies won't keep a CS

      You want to just hand me the title now?

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      1. Blue Lion
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers JK.

        Never!!!
        You are lucky you got the first pick. We should have excluded Suarez in the game!

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Haha

          In fairness, Sir Chesney and Stirling are working for me

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  21. Wingate
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Carrick back... Rooney (c)??

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    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Welbeck also back....maybe not

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    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Is he? Makes me feel better about doing it, then!

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  22. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Guys, do we think Baines will start tomorrow or come on later in game? Am contemplating bringing him in for a hit.

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    1. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone who isn't guaranteed a start isn't worth a hit I feel. Just get him in for free the week after. Besides it's probably unlikely he will start both the next 2 having just come back from injury even if he is fit to play full 90 mins

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      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        If I knew he was guaranteed to start, then I would. Not sure about him starting as he has the game two days later. Still think he might, however. Kinda need to get shot of Remy after this week. The Baines move would leave him with zero funds, though. Is a Real conundrum !!

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  23. Zep
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Definitely no subliminal messages in here...

    *starts twitching uncontrollably*

    Stop
    Taking hits
    Or I'll
    Kill
    Everyone!!! 😯

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    1. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Woah after reading this post, I took a hit to get crouch in

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  24. juvelova
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I got Ozil and Ramsey on my team , i really want to get Wallcot in there but who to drop him for ? should i stick to Ozil and Ramsey and get 2FT next week and get Wallcot + Yaya ?

    Krul(boruc)
    Terry-Evra-Dawson(Fonte-Mcshane)

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    1. juvelova
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Fail , I'm new to this.
      Krul(Boruc)
      Terry-Evra-Dawson(Fonte-Mcshane)
      Ozil-Ramsey-Barkely-Whitts-Ravel
      Negredo-Suarez-Lukaku

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    2. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ozil to Walcott this week

      Ramsey to yaya the next?

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      1. juvelova
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Might just do that .
        Thanks for the Reply much appreciated .

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  25. Kerrazy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Rooney(C) ? naah learnt my lesson.

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    1. Sunny 😎
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Suarez(C) until he fails!

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    2. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      GW16 still fresh in the memory

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    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Even if liverpool lose they'll score a few.
      City defence not great.
      Suarez for C

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  26. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Benched Ramsey this week for Fer ( FUL) have Walcott. That's my punt

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    1. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      haha i bench ramsey too..good luck!

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  27. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    CROUCH (C) Y'ALL

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  28. Deulo10
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Damn you people, I was all set on saving a transfer, but now I'm convinced that Ozil --> Wally is a good move :(.

    Merry christmas btw 🙂

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    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I was exactly the same. Planned to save, now convinced Ozil will be rested, did that move!

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      1. Deulo10
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Well, good luck to us! After seeing his record vs West Ham, I'm even tempted to captain him now...

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    2. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      forget it..i was convinced when ppl sae ozil will get rested against hull..n i did the transfer and every1 noe wad happen

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    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I did Ozil to Yaya. Not convinced by Walcott yet

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  29. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I think if you're overall team is strong enough, you don't need a (non-Suarez) differential captain.

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      so why am I captaining Walcott ?

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Sub-conscious doubts?

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          maybe, I definitely have doubts about Suarez this week

          But by the same token, with his form how do you back against him

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    2. No Luck
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      One differential is all you need in your team, 5pts a week and that 100pt gap is gone by the end of the season!

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Unless your rank is utter shite!

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Ok, or that 🙂

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  30. Wolverine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Decided I'm not going to capt Suarez. So:

    A) Walcott
    B) lukaku
    C) adebayor
    D) hazard

    ??

    Thanks

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    1. juvelova
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A)

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      1. Wolverine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

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      2. Wolverine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Also since Walcott is your capt pick from those, shows how well you think he will do so doing ozil to Wally should be easier as you'd be going with your gut

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    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      E) Suarez

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