Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

With no early kick-off, Gameweek 16 belatedly begins with a batch of six afternoon fixtures, before Arsenal host Newcastle at the Emirates for our tea-time treat.

Fantasy managers will be fixated on fortunes down at the Bridge, where leaders Chelsea are expected to dish out a spanking to Hull side that’s stuttered badly in recent weeks. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa both start and sport the armband for the majority in the Gameweek as Jose Mourinho recalls his big-hitters. Cesar Azpilicueta is the only casualty, he’s left on the bench as Filipe Luis retains the left-back role following Wednesday’s European tie.

Second placed City also bristle with a host of Fantasy talent as they make the trip to basement dwellers Leicester. Like Chelsea, they carry the weight of expectation today, with Fantasy managers monitoring their progress without the services of Sergio Aguero. Yaya Toure’s output will be of keen interest, while David Silva starts and will be under the microscope. Edin Dzeko was due to take his place in the City lineup but was injured in the warm-up. He’s let me down before kicking a ball – a new low in my relationship with the Bosnian.

Elsewhere, Southampton have the opportunity to snap back into form with their trip to Burnley, while West Ham’s ascent will be tested by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Palace are unchanged for their Selhurst Park meeting with Stoke, while at the Hawthorns, Alan Irvine gives starts to Brown Ideye and Silvestre Varela in the derby clash with Villa as Saido Berahino remains benched.

Our Twitter feed includes all this and the full starting XI’s and we’ll update you again prior to Arsenal’s meeting with the Magpies this evening.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

5,588 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else worried that Azpil might not start? I have no good back up replacements only Moore and Duff + Hutton is banned. No idea what to do my other defender is Baines

    1. Sheep Flavour
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yep 🙁

  2. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Just seen the Chelsea highlights, Cahill should have gotten sent off for that dive 😀

  3. Sheep Flavour
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Sooooo Joetvic worth a punt?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No

    2. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He is also injured until the new year.

      1. Sheep Flavour
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Oh they are short up front!

    3. Evans
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Prob get injured within 5 mins

      1. Sheep Flavour
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Least thats 1 pt 😉

  4. Evans
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Can't believe I got waste a transfer on dzeko

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      another one you mean 😀 in the same boat

  5. Red-United
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Giroud or Austin to replace Dzeko?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Autism

  6. yash
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is Mangala the best city defender to get now with Kompany injured?

    1. Sheep Flavour
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Apologies but what happened with Kompany?

      1. yash
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Hamstring injury,out for a couple of weeks.

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Demichelis is 0.1 cheaper 😎

  7. Zeeco
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Best city defender to have?

  8. Guidinho
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you prefer in your club team and who do you think will finish higher in FPL, Sanchez or Hazard?

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Both very good, I think Sanchez when both Hazard and Fab are playing. I choose Hazard as captain today so its very tough call 🙂

      1. Guidinho
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Both just seem to be so direct, great on the ball...nice to see the Prem still having some of the worlds best talent on show

    2. The Queen of England
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sanchez, but only just

  9. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Hutton suspended means I have to keep Baines another week no matter what..so who in for Chambers?

    1 FT, 1.1m itb

    Guzan
    Yun ᴰ Baines ᴰ Hutton ᴰ Chambers ᴰ Moore
    Hazard ᴹ Yaya ᴹ Sanchez ᴹ Downing ᴹ Marney
    Bony ᶠ RVP ᶠ Austin

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Baines isn't such a bad idea for next week. Soton are struggling to score

      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        yeah but my reasoning was that I want Terry in and can't afford it unless I downgrade Baines 😐

        1. Bolivian Seaman
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Wait till the end of the week. I have the strangest feeling kolarov will play up front, maybe just hope

          1. sinik
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            ugh but that's so much doubt week in and out..I owned Kolarov at the start and it's annoying

  10. Back on the horse
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    If I had Dzeko I would be looking at giroud as a replacement.

    I don't have him though... he get injured quite easily. 😉 (cue Lukaku warm-up injury)

  11. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Citeh are such a minefield in the last third I think I'll avoid the uncertainty and go for Mangala.

    Chances are they won't score all that many with no recognised striker (I include Pozo!)

  12. DOCTOR J
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Azpi?

  13. The Queen of England
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Don't know what to do about Azpi. Will he get back into the starting 11? Was thinking of bringing in Clichy in his place, but Kolarov might spoil that party. Any ideas? Cheers!

  14. JAC THE CAT
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Zabaleta Injured today?

  15. Mane Of Steel
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Howard---> Hamer then Ullola---> bony -4?

    1. Mane Of Steel
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      http://fantasy.premierleague.com/my-team/ ; my team, only problem would be who to start

  16. 5os
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is there a better option than Yun for a 4.1 defender? I have Ivan, Naylor, Hutton, Moore, Duff and thinking for replacing Moore with Yun.

  17. GunsnRoses
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Sigurdsson 🙁

  18. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Time to ditch Clyne? I got him at 5.0 so the fact he is now 5.9 or whatever it is makes it unlikely I would ever bring him back.

    Clichy a decent bet? I have Wisdom and Hutton as back up.