Team News

The Weekend Team News

Christian Benteke is ruled out for at least six months with an Achilles injury. Aaron Ramsey is back for Arsenal. Moussa Sissoko adds to Newcastle’s injury problems. Marouane Chamakh returns for Crystal Palace. Scott Parker is available for Fulham, but Kostas Mitroglou will miss out. Mark Hughes rules Robert Huth out for the rest of the season, whilst Victor Anichebe is back for the Baggies:

Aston Villa were rocked yesterday after it was confirmed that Christian Benteke would be ruled out for at least six months, having ruptured an Achilles tendon in training. Elsewhere Gabby Agbonlahor will be assessed after missing training during the week with a sickness bug. Karim El Ahmadi is also struggling with the thigh strain that ruled him out of the United game last week, and is doubtful to face Fulham, though Nathan Baker will return to the squad after missing last Saturday’s Old Trafford loss with a foot injury.

Roberto Martinez doesn’t expect Phil Jagielka to be ready for Sunday’s home game against Arsenal, as the centre-half continues to struggle with a hamstring problem. The Toffees boss is a lot more optimistic on Ross Barkley, though – the youngster is still being assessed after picking up a calf problem last weekend but Martinez revealed he is ”very much positive” he will be available.

Newcastle’s injury woes have worsened with Alan Pardew revealing that midfielder Moussa Sissoko may miss the next two to three weeks with a hamstring strain. Loic Remy has also been ruled out, contrary to last week’s suggestions that he would be fit to face Man United this weekend. Newcastle also remain without injured pair Mathieu Debuchy and Tim Krul for the visit of United.

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Aaron Ramsey is back in the Arsenal squad for Sunday’s Goodison showdown after finally recovering from a thigh injury. Nacho Monreal also returns for the Gunners, though Kieran Gibbs and Serge Gnabry are both doubtful. Laurent Koscielny (calf) remains sidelined, however, with Wenger commenting; ‘The earliest [he will be back] is next week, the latest is the week after.’ Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil also remain on the treatment table, though Abou Diaby has returned to training for the Gunners.

Tony Pulis has confirmed that Marouane Chamakh is in contention for Saturday’s crunch clash with Cardiff after missing the last four league games with a hamstring strain. “Chamakh has trained all week and he is ready to go”, revealed the Eagles boss.

Fulham have no fresh injury worries ahead of their visit to Villa Park at the weekend, with Felix Magath also confirming that Scott Parker has returned to training after recovering from injury. Kostas Mitroglou remains sidelined, whilst Fernando Amorebieta returns to the squad after serving a suspension. Darren Bent is ineligible to face his parent club.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has confirmed the news that Robert Huth will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Oussama Assaidi remains out with a knee problem, though Stoke will be boosted by Jon Walters’ return from suspension.

Pepe Mel has revealed that both Claudio Yacob and Billy Jones have returned to training and will be assessed ahead of the trip to Carrow Road. Victor Anichebe is set to be fit to face the Canaries having recovered from a hamstring injury. Chris Brunt, though, remains sidelined for the Baggies who will have Jonas Olsson available once again following suspension.

Finally, Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that midfielder Victor Wanyama could return from injury this weekend and will be assessed later today.

All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Stream as breaking news unfolds.

571 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hmm.

    Play Mirallas or Noone?

    Leaning towards Kev at the mo....

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    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Start leaning the other way.

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      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        You backing Noone Sporting?

        I did like the look of this article...

        http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26860543

        Do you think Mirallas will start?

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        1. SPorting
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I'm playing Noone over Sterling.

          I'm never convinced that Mirallas is nailed on.

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          1. Connor's Calling
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks. Clearly you're not wrong with big Kev -but i wonder whether Martinez will want to use his pace vs. Mert & Co.

            Arsenal have been embarrassed by pacy teams since the new year.

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  2. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    start Adrian or Boruc?

    Thanks!

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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      boruc

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    2. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      adrian

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    3. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Flip a coin, neither will get a CS so I wouldn't sweat it.

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      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        home keeper

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      2. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah.. that's for sure.. but who could get some save points?

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    4. Dogba
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Adrian.

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  3. El Reagano
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Adrian or Boruc? (sad i know) who's likely to get more points this GW?

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    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Boruc will be quite busy.

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    2. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, good luck with that! Maybe Boruc if wanyama is fit...

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    3. Dogba
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Go with the home advantage, Adrian.

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  4. Proggy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Start Mutch or Sterling this week?

    Already have SAS, so if Sterling scores and I bench him, I wouldn't be too upset because Suarez or Sturridge are likely to be involved in the move and are likely to get an assist if he scores.

    However, if Mutch scores and I bench him, I lose my Ward clean sheet and I have no other Cardiff player to make up for that, so I won't get any points whatsoever.

    So, I think playing Mutch helps me out in that way...at least if I do lose my Ward clean sheet, Mutch is likely to play a role in that...but I don't really need Sterling's points if he scores, because Suarez or Sturridge are likely to be involved. But the main thing is, who is a better option for this week?

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    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mutch

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    2. Butthead
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, I need to know this too...but I'm going Sterling as he's potentially more explosive, but the last 2 GWs have presented this theory to be total cack. So, for me, it comes down to this:

      Q: Will Mutch score in 3 games on the trot?
      A: That's, like Suarez form, so 'no'.

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  5. El Reagano
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Lads need help!
    Pick 3

    1) Cahill
    2) Chester
    3) Zabaleta
    4) Ward
    5) Distin

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    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      3

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      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        sorry...not funny.

        To play?
        Zab, Cahill, Distin

        Bench: Chester, Ward

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        1. mojoindojo
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Thought that was funny. Got a smile out of me.

          On topic: zab, cahill, ward

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        2. El Reagano
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          aha it was but
          Distin (with no Jagielka in the team) over chester and Ward?

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  6. Mojo Rojo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I have a question... Youtube videos aside, is Diego Costa any good? Real deal or one season wonder?

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    1. Malkmus
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      The real deal. If Chelsea get him they will win the league by 10 points at least. FACT !

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      1. Butthead
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not really. They have to sell to buy for FPL, so, if Oscar or Hazard left to PSG so as to finance the purchase of a striker, they technically aren't that much better off.

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I saw that, not a chance they would sell Hazard 😀

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          1. Butthead
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Maybe Oscar though.

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          2. Dogba
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            +1. Chelsea can afford a striker without selling.

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            1. Butthead
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              But maybe not 2 and FFP is kicking in.

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              1. Dogba
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                We're likely to have serious cuts in the old-timer wage budget with Cole most likely leaving. The other guys are going to have to take a pay cut if they get a one-year extension. That frees up more cash than you would imagine.

                Chelsea are pretty well off FFP wise I reckon.

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            2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              they need a left-back too though

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        2. mojoindojo
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Oscar won't be that big a hit.

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        3. Siva Mohan
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          you meant FFP right?

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He is good, although this is the first season he has been the goal scorer rather than the battering ram for other scorers. He is very aggressive, liable to red cards, and dives a lot. He is a good finisher, but I wouldn't say clinical. He hasn't got the best let foot either. He doesn't win many headers though (earlier in the season he only won 14% of aerial duels! same as Walcott, compared to Girouds 50%) but he is very strong, very fast, a very good dribbler and works really hard. He would improve Chelsea, but he certainly isn't in the same bracket as a Suarez, Aguero, Lewy etc.

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      1. lifes a pitch
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Well put

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    3. Butthead
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's very good. However, the talk that he's off to Chelsea is garbage. This is a player who has more priciples than, say, Falcao. He has said he doesn't wanted to go to a big money club but a club with an ethos. I'd actually put money on him choosing Liverpool over Chelsea if both bid the same for him.

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Liverpool wouldn't buy him though. They can't exactly play Suarez, Sturridge AND Costa, can they?

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        1. Dogba
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, and you can't really bench any of them. Rodgers know how to set up a team, he's not gonna squeeze another striker in there. He needs a CB.

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          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            It would be very entertaining though! 😀

            Suarez Costa Sturridge
            Coutinho Henderson Lucas Gerrard Sterling
            Sakho Kolo
            Migs

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            1. Dogba
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              😆 I somehow doubt that'll happen.

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          2. Malkmus
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Do chels need to sell to buy costa? They will offload Torres, Ba and maybe eto as well as losing some of the 400 players they have out on loan so that should be enough I think. Can't see pool buying him. Real might come in for him too. Chels with Jose are a big draw I think

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        2. lifes a pitch
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          why not?? 3 upfront works for all of us...

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          1. Dogba
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            3 strikers != 1 or 2 strikers and 1 or 2 wingers.

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        3. Butthead
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Rogers was in for him in the summer but he signed a new contract. I believe he's looking at a front 3 of Costa -Sturridge - Suarez

          If Madrid bid the reported 100 mill for Suarez though then they'll most definitely get Costa. He was their back up plan for Suarez leaving last summer.

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  7. Henry Hill
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Big Fat Sam is gonna need a bigger boat this weekend:

    http://24.media.tumblr.com/1aad92ebf0e703666c7bf864f3b993b3/tumblr_mlnxkf6ern1sp06eqo1_400.gif

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    1. MCH
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I heard Russell Crowe knows how to build a pretty big boat.

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        No, I think that's just a movie.

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    2. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      😆

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  8. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone for Rooney (C)?

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    1. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me. Happy to have him in the team, though - but for the captaincy I don't want to risk it in case Moyes puts him into his withdrawn role behind Welbeck or Hernandez.

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      1. lifes a pitch
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        yes....there is that. i'm 30 points behind in my league, i thought it may be a good dif

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        1. Kudo Warrior
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          30pts is not too much, you can pull it back.

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        2. Pasqualinho
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Well, in that case it's clear that somewhere along the line you'll need to take a risk. It's whether you feel confident enough to do it now. But, as KW says, 30 points means you don't necessarily have to do it yet.

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          1. lifes a pitch
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            thanks guys.....timing the risk i essential, maybe take a few punts in dgw's instead

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    2. Kudo Warrior
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Seriously considering it. Will be a last minute decision me thinks.

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      1. Johnny Unitas
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not beyond the realm of possibility that Rooney doesn't start. Just putting it out there,I wouldn't captain.

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  9. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Adrián
    Baines Chester Azpilicueta
    Yaya Mutch Hazard Nolan
    Suárez Lukaku Sturridge
    Boruc Ward John Ki

    1FT & 1.6ITB

    1. Nolan >> Eriksen
    2. save FT and do Nolan >> Mirallas next week

    Please choose..

    Thanks!

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    1. Dogba
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      3. Save FT and see how the Aguero situation pans out.

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      1. Dogba
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Or, if you can afford Sturr -> Suarez anyways (which seems likely since you got 1.6M ITB), I'd be tempted to do Nolan -> AJ/Eriksen this GW.

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        1. Dogba
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          *Sturr -> Aguero

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    2. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Below post was not meant as a reply but can be taken as one. 😀

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    3. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I have Mirallas, but not sure i'd buy him now, despite the DGW.

      1 seems fine

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  10. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Tottenham have some very tasty fixtures. So Nolan -> Eriksen it is.

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  11. ab9
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    2FT and 3.8m in bank what should i do

    mannone (adrian)
    flanagan vlaar john (r. bennet and wilson)
    silva cazorla hazard noone (sterling)
    rooney suarez lukaku..

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    1. Dogba
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Caz -> Yaya is what I would do.

      Other than that, Sterling -> AJ/Eriksen or Bennett -> Ward for DGW.

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      1. Dogba
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'd do only one transfer though, nice to have 2 FTs next GW.

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        1. COW
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          This.

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  12. Malkmus
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Mannone

    Baines - Cahill - Chester

    Mata - Haz - Yaya - Gerrard

    S Luka S

    Is it worth swapping out Mata for Silva this week or next? Newcastle on the beach but Silva is in good form and if kun is out will be a good shout. Doing gerrard to lallana next week

    Ta

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    1. Dogba
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'd be more tempted to do Gerrard -> Silva than Mata -> Silva I reckon. If you have only 1FT I'd just save.

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      1. Malkmus
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, tempted to save.

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mata will definitely play 90 mins against a poor Newcastle (as he is cup tied anyway) so I'd deffo keep him for one more GW.

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      1. Malkmus
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for that. I'm a utd fan so it has been painful watching mata do nothing while losing tons of value on him. Playing him against new does make sense tho, roon could fill his boots too

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  13. Sweetpea
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Mannone Davis

    Terry baines Flanagan olsson dann

    Hazard Mata mirallas Johnson noone

    Suarez Rooney sturridge

    Struggling to use my 2 fts, 0m in bank.

    Any eye dears??

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    1. Your Doing It Wrong
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I can see why your struggling as it's already a good team for this week. Mata > Nasri maybe as you have no City and you have Rooney covering United.

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  14. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    McGregor out for six weeks #UTT

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Otherwise known as the season.

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  15. New Post
  16. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    will Eriksen price go up during daytime, or only tomorrow? He's at 105% now

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    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      he'll rise overnight, about 1 or 2am GMT i think.

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      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        thanks - I may bring him in for Gerrard today,

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  17. Alejo - CFC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Suarez captain obvious choice ?

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    1. Your Doing It Wrong
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Obvious yes but if your not really chasing in your ML's don't see any reason to switch.

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  18. CapFive
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play this week

    Mannone or Szczesny?

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    1. saata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Szszesny

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  19. HNI
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    have a 1 ft
    Rmt
    mannone
    zaba cahill chester
    hazard silva mata mutuch
    SaS Lukaku

    bench Adrian Lallana Ward Shaw
    OK to bench Adrian n lallana??

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    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mutch* 🙂

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  20. dimitrismontana
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who should i play?De gea or adrian?Is adebayor a good choice for captain?

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  21. wh36tom
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Best option to bench one?

    A Sterling
    B Januzaj
    C Barkley

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  22. Bartos
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    guys, RMT pls
    Manone
    Baines/Azpi/Olson
    Schurrle/Hazrd/Yaya/Gerard/Mutch
    Sturridge(C)/Dzeko
    sub:Boruc/Kolarov/Carrol/Clyne

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