Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Tottenham Vs Chelsea

The last match of a quick-fire Gameweek 20 takes place at White Hart Lane this evening as Tottenham entertain London neighbours Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be desperate to avenge their 3-0 reverse at Stamford Bridge early last month and welcome their visitors in fine form, having dropped just two points in the last four matches.

Up against a defence with six clean sheets in eight, though, the home side face a tough task. Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen are the dangermen here – both players have served up four goals and two assists in their last eight, with Eriksen edging it for bonus by ten points to nine.

For Chelsea, John Terry will be looking for a third goal in four appearances in what has been a favourable festive period for the Blues’ skipper. Eden Hazard goes into this one with a goal or assist in each of his last four, though Cesc Fabregas has been the league leaders’ most consistent performer on the road, with returns in seven of his ten away appearances. Up front, Diego Costa’s underlying stats remain strong in spite of some limited recent returns – he’ll be looking to notch on the road for the first time since Gameweek 11.

The team news offers few surprises from the Chelsea camp as Cesar Azpilicueta is recalled at left-back, while Oscar and Willian return in midfield for Mikel and Andre Schurrle – Cesc Fabregas will switch to a deeper role alongside Nemanja Matic, then. Spurs make three changes in opposition – Danny Rose comes in for Ben Davies at left-back, Kyle Walker is recalled for Vlad Chiriches on the right and Nabil Bentaleb recovers from illness to replace Benjamin Stambouli in the middle of the park.

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3,261 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Terrible couple of weeks, time to wildcard?

    Guzan, Elliot*
    Terry Baines Moreno Yun* Virgini*
    Hazard Sanchez Silva Eriksen Bridcutt*
    Benteke Austin Bony

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

      Bony going to ACN

    2. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Fixtures ain't in your favour either. Wildcard

  2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    i know ppl will say its not worht it but im sick of azpi, so hes gone for terry -4 .......

    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      knee jerk! azpi should have scored today only for a wonderful save by lloris

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        could have but didnt...... sick of it, terry has out scored him by over 40 pts in 5 weeks!!!

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

          Wonder if Daniel is aware of that?

        2. walkman666
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Agree. The "almost scores" are a wash as Terry probably had a few of them in addition to his actual goals over the last few weeks. I am moving Azpi to Terry, even if it's -4, or maybe part of my WC (which I am intending to save for a few GWs).

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

    Oh my, those Kane points would have been nice, so frustrating to see him with a star on the bench...

  4. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    This is the worst FPL festive period ever

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Agreed.

      27 last week , 36 this week....

    2. Matt
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I agree 200%

    3. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      +1. From 4K to somewhere 14-17K in a 3 weeks.

      1. Matt
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I've gone 20k to 60k in that time 🙁

        1. Rushfort
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          11k to 100k in 3 weeks 🙂

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

      Best*

    5. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Dropped from 19K to 32K and seems like will drop again tonight 🙁

    6. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      won my cup match 38-34

    7. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I had 12 greens in a row and having 4 reds in a row now.

      I assume its red with a 42 score ?

      Rank 7.8k

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

    Need to free up a Chelsea slot. Who would you rather lose. Terry, Fab or Costa?

    1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Same position as me. Hazard is nailed on. Then it's between Costa Fabregas and a def

    2. Deep Sea Amphipod
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Costa I think...

    3. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Costa, you can then have Terry, Haz, Fab

    4. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Gun to my American head, Costa.

    5. bazrah99
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Costa

  6. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Many people including elitist Acqua laughed at me when I said Di Maria isn't better than Hazard anymore. I stand corrected. Thanks for another gorgeous game today, Eden.

    1. Scab
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      wouldnt that mean you didnt stand corrected?

    2. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I remember people saying Di Maria was the best player in the league a couple of months ago! He's a fantastic player and might be in the top 5 but he's nowhere near aguero or hazard

    3. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Not saying I agree but no fair comparisions can be made when Angel is injured

    4. bazrah99
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard is overrated but on great form.

  7. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Yaya off to Afcon?

    a) To Boyd (and play Kane)
    b) Sterling
    c) Lallana

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Kim Jong Kün
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      a

    3. Zasa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

  8. amol
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Downing or Siggy?

    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      siggy for me! Downing's purple patch is over

  9. Scab
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Hey all,

    bit of an unrelated question:

    Got a few box sets for christmas and want to start one with the missus. any recommendations of the three

    A) Luther

    B) Criminal Minds

    C) The Unit

    1. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Luther is great stuff. Can't speak for the other two, mind.

    2. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Throw the mall in the fire and start doing more interesting things with your missus than watching tv. 😉

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        the mall = them all.

        I wont mind if you'll throw the mall in the fire as well, however.

      2. Scab
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Stomach bug which kept my head in the toilet all day disagrees with this!

    3. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      put them all in the attic and get yourself on with The Wire

    4. Strawberry Jelavic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Luther is quality, criminal minds is good too but it's got a load of seasons to it, you get the first one?? Unit is OK but she'll have no interest. You've listed them in the order I'd watch them!

    5. megatronaldinho
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      criminal minds is all about murdering women i think. or at least every ep i ever caught was. honestly seems perverse. luther is very good. ain't never seen the unit

  10. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Last week of Last Man Standing @ 5% elimination.
    Could see some big names out.

    1. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      safety score?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        No idea, probably something low, 30?

  11. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Repost

    Kick out Rooney or Austin for Kane?

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Austin

    2. Yome
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Austin. Roo has great fixtures, QPR and Leicester after Saints

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      roo

    4. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks. Austin it is

  12. Zombie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Any Spurs fans around? Does Chadli look like starting next matches or will keep coming on as Subs like in previous matches?

    1. Scab
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      should be a regular, he was eased in after injury, rather slowly I may add

    2. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      chadli nailed on after today's performance! Lamela or Soldado will come in for Townsend. Unless Chadli has 2/3 poor performances in a row he should be safe

    3. Kim Jong Kün
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Totally injury related. He is critical.

  13. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    could have really done with those haz baps tho

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

      Yeah a cheeky one would have been nice

  14. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Chelsea pay the price for not rotating their squad

  15. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is the Fabregas to Hazard debate settled? I think Hazard will easily outscore him by 20-30 points

  16. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Average scores?

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Judging by the scores being posted here, about 80, 36 for me 🙂 🙂 🙂

    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      30 points less than those shouting off their mouths on here 🙂

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

        🙂 so true

    3. Wouter
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'm 50 pre baps, with probably 3 from Clichy and some from Creswell and maybe Costa coming.

      1. Lukey27
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Costa? not likely

    4. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      About 43 overall
      45.6 top 10k 😯

    5. jackluhg
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      48 pre baps with kane on bench 🙁

    6. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Will be higher than we are expecting: Kane, Chadli, Hazard, Costa, Southampton defense, Terry, Clichy....Many highly owned players gave returns

    7. Lukey27
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      39 pre baps

  17. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Benteke > Costa for free.

    Yay or nay?

    Also, should I ship Baines first?

    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Get rid of Baines.

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Ship Baines.

    3. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I have both and Baines is the first 2 go for me. Tekkers gets one more chance against Leicester.

  18. Yanited
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Play Wisdom, Hutton or Baines next week?

    1. Zasa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Wisdom

    2. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Wisdom

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

    Podolski may be off to Inter

    1. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Seems likely, he's slowly being moved out

  20. djenzio
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    good replacement for Bony...have 9.7mil to spend. already have Kane and Austin

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

      Ings

    2. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Jovetic.

    3. djenzio
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Ings and Jove both good shouts....

      it will only be till I play my WC at end of the month too....

  21. Kim Jong Kün
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Pre bonus:
    Bench:
    Bony (5)
    Kane (15)
    S. Taylor (7)

    Played:
    Baines (1)
    Sanchez, Silva, Downing, Austin (2 each)

    #fail

    1. Hurri Kane 42
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      #Epicfail

  22. bammer
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Filipe Luis will be the player to own in 2015

  23. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    My 4,0 to Guzan transfer and benching Pantilimon netted me a 2 point profit.. not sure if i'm happy about it or not 🙂

  24. boc610
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone have a tin foil hat for Jose?

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

      Ball boys were a bit of a let down

  25. Hurri Kane 42
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    What worries me is Siggy .....anybody know why he was subbed out on 70 min ???

    1. Calm
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Tactical. He's fine.

      1. Hurri Kane 42
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks 😀

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Tactical.. still tempted with a Siggy to Chadli punt since i bought Siggy @6.8 and i can get him back in on WC

      1. Hurri Kane 42
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I would check out the other team players form first

  26. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    i assume jose toook the defeat with good grace post match?? 😉

  27. Vardy Gras PBFC
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    All that worrying about Rooney(c) and Sanchez coming off the bench for my dead team opponent in the cup was for nothing.

    It was Shawcross, Ward, Gerrard, Fonte and Terry I should have been worried about. FFS.

    1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      And Kane...

      1. Vardy Gras PBFC
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        They didn't have Kane, but all the others. Got a tonking!

  28. Game of Stones
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Hazard, Sanchez, Kane & Austin are all good captaincy options next week - will be a though decision!

    1. boc610
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Haz all day,far and saw best player in the league

      1. walkman666
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Agree. He is so involved offensively, creates, scores, and is on fire. I captained last week and this week, and will captain again.

    2. Takedog1
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Austin has proved hat past 2 gw's I don't really think he is a reliable captain option. I understand he got hat trick but a lot better options out there

      1. Game of Stones
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Still an option though, but think it's Hazard for me.

  29. Sweetpea
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Lose rvp or Austin for Kane?

  30. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    How many people went Zabaleta Over JT because a CS was a given and Zabaleta was playing in strike?