Fixtures

Fixture Analysis – Rotation Pairs – Leicester and Southampton

We roll out our fifth article focussing on rotation pairs for the campaign ahead this afternoon. Having looked at Stoke and Swansea, Newcastle and Sunderland, Crystal Palace and West Ham, Burnley and Hull, we now take a look at Southampton and Leicester:

The Fixtures

sou-lei-rotation-ticker

Once again, this is a partnership that offers Fantasy managers a home/away rotation option over the entire upcoming campaign. Looking at the fixtures for the first 20 Gameweeks, however, a Southampton/Leicester pairing would hand you seven testing fixtures – ARS, MUN, MCI, LIV, MCI, CHE, ARS – highlighting a more difficult first half of the season which subsequently eases over the final few months.

As the ticker illustrates, the schedule does offer us some very viable away fixtures for five of those seven games, leaving only Gameweek 14 and 20 as troublesome, when Liverpool and Arsenal come calling.

Alternatively, Leicester also rotate with Hull on a home/away for 16 of the first 20 Gameweeks, leading us into the winter wildcard, whilst Southampton and Burnley alternate on 17 occasions. For each of these partnerships, there are only two occasions where both sides have a fixture marked as difficult by our ticker, suggesting they could also be viable to those on the lookout for alternatives.

The Defence

Southampton
It would be an understatement to say that the Saints have exceeded expectations since returning to the Premier League two seasons ago. Last term in particular, the Saints were a Fantasy goldmine in all areas of the park under Mauricio Pochettino and their defence picked up plenty of investment after delivering 15 clean sheets – seven at home and eight on the road.

There are concerns for the season ahead, though; a new manager, a plundered squad and the inevitable price rises for the remaining players. It remains to be seen whether Ronald Koeman can repeat Pochettino’s feat and the pre-season will shape our opinions somewhat but if a mooted move away for Dejan Lovren transpires, the Saints may struggle at the back.

Artur Boruc will surely continue as the number one and one look at last season’s statistics shows the Pole’s average of 4.3 points per game was greater than any backline option. Elsewhere, Jose Fonte’s goal threat came to the fore three times last term but his exploits are likely to ensure he’s amongst the costliest Saints defenders, whilst Calum Chambers or Nathaniel Clyne will be determined to nail down a regular role after both alternated for the right-back berth under Pochettino last time around.

Leicester
The Foxes won the Championship with the third best defensive record in 2013/14 and amassed 18 clean sheets, nine at home and nine away. Essentially, then, Nigel Pearson’s side conceded in 14 of 23 home games in the Championship, suggesting they may struggle to keep out their opponents in the top-flight.

The son of one the Premier League’s most celebrated goalkeepers, Kasper Schmeichel, can expect to be kept busy between the posts and with save points seeming likely, he could find himself subject to our Fantasy attentions. Former Man United right-back Ritchie De Laet showed plenty of attacking intent last season and produced two goals and five assists over 36 appearances last season, while Wes Morgan – also with a couple of strikes to his name – offers a security of starts in the heart of the back-four.

The Attack

Southampton
The departures of Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert robs the Saints of their top two scorers in last season’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game but Ronald Koeman has moved impressively in the summer transfer market. The Dutchman’s two signings so far have been widely regarded as good business; Graziano Pelle was prolific for Feyenoord with 55 goals in 66 games under Koeman in the Eredivisie, while dead-ball expert Dusan Tadic served up 16 goals and 14 assists in 33 games for FC Twente and has produced 10+ assists in each of his last four seasons.

If the new boys can settle quickly, they could be excellent Fantasy prospects from the off, given that Koeman’s side play only two of last season’s top eight in the first 12 Gameweeks. With Jay Rodriguez currently sidelined through injury, Koeman could turn to one of last season’s bit part players on the flanks – James Ward-Prowse showed a lot of promise under Pochettino and, as his record at Feyenoord shows, Koeman is a great believer in giving youth a chance.

Leicester
Pearson’s side notched 83 times in the Championship last term – more than any promoted side – with 46 goals in front of their own fans and 37 on the road. Up top, spot-kick taker David Nugent’s 20 goals and 12 assists catch the eye – he’s just signed a two-year contract and looks like a certain starter, though Jamie Vardy, depsite an impressive 16 goals and 10 assists, may struggle for regular game time once Pearson strengthens in the final third.

In the centre of the park, there are potentially a couple of options on offer. With a nomination for Championship Player of the Year, Danny Drinkwater will be eager to make the transition to the top flight; five goals and seven assists last season suggest that he could well be of Fantasy interest, with a share of corners also boosting his appeal. Right winger Anthony Knockaert is first-choice for dead-ball situations and chipped in with five goals and seven assists, also bringing himself into contention as a cheap fifth midfielder.

1,207 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AMZ
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I imagine a bright light will shine down and illuminate my screen while Mauro Bosselli's face spirals round and fades away to reveal the new game any minute now..

    Open Controls
    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      glol 😀

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  2. heco87
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    For those who don't know, the first page to update will be this one: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/player-list/

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    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Shhhhh

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      1. Root
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        For those who don't know, the first page to update will be this one: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/player-list/

        Open Controls
        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          #shouldausedcapslock

          Open Controls
  3. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Updating the whole game should take a while, do we really expect it to go live today? I think it's gonna take a few days.

    Or?

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    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      You're trying to reason with addicts.

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      1. DonTheSpecialOne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😛

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    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Took a couple of hours last year

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      1. DonTheSpecialOne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Seriously? Woaah!

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  4. Mike Skinner
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I'm gonna go for a wee and when i come back i hope it's updated

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  5. SnowPea
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    AHHHH THEY JUST ADDED THE BURNLEY CREST

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      They've been there for a good week or so

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      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        in fixtures for GW 37...

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        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Oh right, yeah that is new. The badges at the top of the page have been updated for a while though

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  6. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    15.14, 16th July......... guaranteed

    Open Controls
  7. Ryan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    This is all rather exciting now isn't it. I might just stay up till 4am NZ time

    Open Controls
  8. Long Juan Silva
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    What's an FPL?

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    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Its a proper noun

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      1. CostaCoffee
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        its a verb

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        1. Long Juan Silva
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          As in "I love FPLing"

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          1. CostaCoffee
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            ya and i FPLed my team to a low ID

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          2. JustWatching
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            That's a gerund.

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  9. Zombie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Aaaaaaaand it's done 😀 :D!!!

    nottalkingaboutfplhere

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    1. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      just finished your daily wank?

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      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        coupled with that grav, lol.

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  10. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Nice, QPR crest in place of Norwich in GW 37...

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    1. Setting the Toney
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      according to badges, sunderland beat sunderland 3-1

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  11. Koflok
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    This is boring I'm out.

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  12. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    OPEN OPEN OPEN

    ...british open starts tomorrow!

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      The Open.

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    2. VougieDipond
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Brendan Todd for the win 🙂

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    3. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Graeme Mc Dowell

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    4. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Who do you fancy to win AB? I'm going to watch it this weekend and would be good to have a flutter so I can cheer someone on 🙂

      Open Controls
      1. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        lee westwood. clutch putter

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        1. SW6
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Poor form though

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        2. GreenWindmill
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Great, all over it.

          Open Controls
          1. applebonkers
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            translation: no idea, been too distracted by world cup and fpl opening madness

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            1. GreenWindmill
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 8 months ago

              I didn't expect any sort of serious answer to be honest - I might actually have a cheeky pound or two on him now just in case 🙂

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  13. FPL Touches
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    This year I will be going merely off my gut instinct for my first selection. The feeling of horror when one of your players then scores 9 points over the first 5 is a little less sickening, at least because you are responsible for your own selection and haven't blindly copied anyone else. 😆

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  14. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Happy FPL opening day!

    Open Controls
  15. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    oohhh I'm so excited that I've gone from I really couldn't care less about low ID to I could care less about low ID but not much

    http://37.media.tumblr.com/5af26cbe333012d4b66381bc1d87610e/tumblr_mva2zmOTFC1qkq4j4o1_500.gif

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  16. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    The History of Trains

    Including systems with man or horse power, and tracks or guides made of stone or wood, the history of rail transport dates to as early as Greek times.

    Wagonways were relatively common in Europe (typically in mining) from about 1500 through 1800. Mechanised rail transport systems first appeared in England in the 1820s. These systems, which made use of the steam locomotive, were critical to the Industrial revolution and to the development of export economies across the world. They have remained the primary form of land transport ever since for most of the world.

    Open Controls
    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      ^ THIS

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    2. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Very interesting. Care to elaborate on history of wagonways pre 18 hundred?

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Wagonways (or 'tramways') are thought to have developed in Germany in the 1550s to facilitate the transport of ore tubs to and from mines, utilising primitive wooden rails. Such an operation was illustrated in 1556 by Georgius Agricola (Image right).[10] These used "Hund" carts with unflanged wheels running on wooden planks and a vertical pin on the truck fitting into the gap between the planks, to keep it going the right way.[11] Such a transport system was used by German miners at Caldbeck, Cumbria, perhaps from the 1560s.[12] The first true railway is now suggested to have been a funicular railway made at Broseley in Shropshire at some time before 1605. This carried coal for James Clifford from his mines down to the river Severn to be loaded on to barges and carried to riverside towns.[13] Though the first documentary record of this is later, its construction probably preceded the Wollaton Wagonway, completed in 1604, hitherto regarded as the earliest British installation. This ran from Strelley to Wollaton near Nottingham. Another early wagonway is noted onwards. Huntingdon Beaumont (who was concerned with mining at Strelley) also laid down broad wooden rails near Newcastle upon Tyne, on which a single horse could haul fifty to sixty bushels (130–150 kg) of coal.[14]

        By the 18th century, such wagonways and tramways existed in a number of areas. Ralph Allen, for example, constructed a tramway to transport stone from a local quarry to supply the needs of the builders of the Georgian terraces of Bath. The Battle of Prestonpans, in the Jacobite Rebellion, was fought astride a wagonway.[15] This type of transport spread rapidly through the whole Tyneside coal-field, and the greatest number of lines were to be found in the coalfield near Newcastle upon Tyne. Their function in most cases was to facilitate the transport of coal in chaldron wagons from the coalpits to a staithe (a wooden pier) on the river bank, whence coal could be shipped to London by collier brigs. The wagonways were engineered so that trains of coal wagons could descend to the staithe by gravity, being braked by a brakesman who would "sprag" the wheels by jamming them. Wagonways on less steep gradients could be retarded by allowing the wheels to bind on curves. As the work became more wearing on the horses, a vehicle known as a dandy wagon was introduced, in which the horse could rest on downhill stretches.

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        1. Camp No No
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Thank you. I suspect plagiarism, however.

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    3. Long Juan Silva
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Who needs trains when you have trucks, BALE TRUCKS 😎

      http://gyazo.com/32a18068f6c2ca1f36412ba130e7df57

      Open Controls
    4. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      What about train tracks? Would like to see a comparison on width throughout the world, maybe even town by town comparison , along with then they first built the railway in a particular location.

      Open Controls
      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        At the same time other parts of Britain built railways to standard gauge, and British technology was exported to European countries and parts of North America, also using standard gauge. Britain polarised into areas that had broad gauge lines or standard gauge lines. In this context standard gauge was referred to as narrow gauge to indicate the contrast. Some smaller concerns selected other non-standard gauges: the Eastern Counties Railway adopted 5 ft (1,524 mm). Most of them converted to standard gauge at an early date but the GWR's broad gauge continued to grow.

        The larger railway companies wished to expand geographically, and large areas were considered to be under their control. When a new independent line was proposed to open up an unconnected area, the gauge was crucial in determining the allegiance that the line would adopt: if it was broad gauge, it must be friendly to the Great Western railway; if narrow (standard) gauge, it must favour the other companies. The battle to persuade or coerce that choice became very intense, and became referred to as "the gauge wars".

        As passengers and freight between the gauges became increasingly important, the difficulty of moving from one gauge to the other — the break of gauge - became more prominent and more objectionable. Parliament intervened with an Act that forbade the construction of broad gauge lines unconnected with the broad gauge network, and the broad gauge network was eventually converted—a process called gauge conversion—to standard, progressively until 1892. The same Act mandated the gauge of 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) for use in Ireland.[10]

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  17. Heydudes13
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Hull have a new badge and Hull City is now Leicester.

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  18. Tadic is the new Eriksen
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    everton new badge been added

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  19. Kroos Kontrol
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    BOOM! Cech leaves! CECH LEAVES!

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14741545

    Open Controls
    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      😀

      loooooool

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    2. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      How will WBA cope without him

      Open Controls
  20. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    They've just added a full stop at the end of "The game is being updated".

    Open Controls
    1. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      ohmygodohmygodohmygod!!!

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    2. Pinoche
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      😆

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  21. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So today I'm going to eat my lunch at an Internet Cafè as FPL is blocked at work. What this game does to you...

    Open Controls
    1. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Did they block it because of you by any chance? 😉

      Open Controls
    2. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      You're at work?!? Someone needs to get their priorities straight, go home it's FPL Open day!

      Open Controls
  22. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Which is your favorite OPEN?
    FRENCH OPEN OR FPL OPEN? 😉

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    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Irish Open

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      1. CostaCoffee
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Then FPL Open and then US Open

        Open Controls
  23. Tadic is the new Eriksen
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    It's here!!!!!

    About time, I ordered that pizza ages ago.....

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  24. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    The FPL towers just woke up now!

    Open Controls
  25. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    OMFG....the game is being updated!!!!!

    Open Controls
    1. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Oh sorry I just got here

      Open Controls
      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😆

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  26. Blue Lion
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Relax guys,
    It will open only at 4AM tommorrow.

    Open Controls
  27. King Nil Miss ✩
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    As long as that bug between Hull city and Cardiff city isn´t solved the game won´t open... I presume.

    Open Controls
    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      *and Fulham

      Open Controls
    2. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Not a bug, they've just replaced old badges with the newly promoted ones so last seasons fixtures look wrong now!

      Open Controls
      1. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Still missing trading Cardiffs for Hull and Hull for Fulham is switched so they can add the Burnley one.

        Open Controls
  28. FPL Touches
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    As soon as I go out on my lunch break the game will update, I know it. Should I:

    A) Leg it to Tesco (10 mins away), sprint back then eat at my desk.

    B) Order takeaway (pricey) directly to office door

    C) Chill and eat out (Greggs), because the game won't be updated for ages

    Open Controls
    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      a

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    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      D) Starve until it opens. Suffer for your art

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    3. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      a... if you go now

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    4. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Tesco

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    5. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Tesco it is!

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    6. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Tesco, take your phone and refresh on your way. You're only going to auto-complete anyway.

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