Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Boxing Day

Gameweek 18 continues in some style, with half a dozen three o’clock kick-offs boasting a strong cast of leading Fantasy assets.

All the top captaincy options are in action, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic carrying huge expectations into Manchester United’s Old Trafford meeting with Sunderland – he is the top choice for skipper, backed by 25% of Fantasy Premier League managers.

Equally, Arsenal pair Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott promise attacking returns of their own at the Emirates, though the latter misses out – he is suffering a calf complaint which allows Olivier Giroud to earn a recall up front. Sanchez is backed by 14.6% for the captaincy but finds himself deployed on the right flank today.

Stamford Bridge will also be a major focus.

Without the suspended Diego Costa against visitors Bournemouth, manager Antonio Conte deploys Eden Hazard as his central attacker, with Michy Batshuayi kept on the bench. Hazard has returned six of his eight goals at home but has recorded just a single strike in his last five Gameweek starts.

Elsewhere, Swansea City’s meeting with West Ham in South Wales also promises goals and returns, with Gylfi Sigurdsson the star turn on show.

Burnley’s meeting with Middlesbrough is, on paper at least, likely to be a far more dour affair, while Everton’s visit to Leicester City pairs two unpredictable sides.

Romelu Lukaku is by far the most popular asset on show as he seeks to exploit a Foxes defence without the suspended Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs. However, the Belgian has scored in just one of his last seven Gameweeks.

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

3,348 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bojack
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    If you've got an hour on your hands this is a fantastic piece of journalism, and pretty good web design too:

    http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/the-21st-century-gold-rush-refugees

    1. bojack
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Off topic top of the page success 😀

  2. zhi zhi
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Muy GW 17 rank 390k, failed to qualify for cup.
    Why? Help

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

      GW rank counts.

      1. zhi zhi
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry my bad... 390k is also my overall rank. Now?

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

          Qualifying

          The top 2,097,152 scorers in Gameweek 17 will enter the first round. If there are more than 2,097,152 qualifiers then there will be a random draw amongst the lowest scorers to see who qualifies.

        2. zhi zhi
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Oh ok... i got it. Thanks

  3. Hooky
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Why did Bradley not play Llorente today?! They need to sack him now as they have zero hope if he stays.

    1. bojack
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      No idea, he's got a good record. Bradley is all over the shop, they should never have fired G. Wee Dolan.

      1. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Monk and Leeds going to wave at them on the way past next summer the way things are going.

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      his team selection policy is truly random.

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Swansea team should be (3-4-1-1):

      Fabianski
      Amat VDH Fernandez
      Naughton Ki Fer Cork Taylor
      Sigurdsson
      Llorente

  4. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Will Amat play next game or is he finished?

    1. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Will probably start after they let in 4

  5. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    A. Mkh + kun
    or
    B. eriksen + ibra (+2.0)

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Mkh + Ibra

    2. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      The cheaper, nailed-on, settled, in-form option - B.

      (But Michy and Ibra would be tempting if Eriksen's form dips)

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        yep .. good idea may do eriksen to mkh this week myself

    3. JIM BOB
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      A, easy

  6. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Slightly similar post to last page.....Aguero, Kane, Ibra and Costa....

    I'll assume unless Kane scores a hat trick tomorrow most will get rid so that leaves just the 3 of Aguero, Ibra and Costa. Which 2 are you all now looking towards? (assuming you don't go all 3)

    Surely the money saved with the consistent Ibra and Costa is the way forward?

    Or is the thought of an Aguero differential too tempting with captain option v Burnley (h)?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I reckon Costa > Ibra > Aguero (in terms of value)

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

      Ibra + 1. Community articles has an idea.

    3. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero too expensive and there were doubts over whether he was worth his price tag before getting suspended. With Costa and Ibra in form I see no reason why Aguero is worth the extra money. His fixtures aren't that great either

    4. Canadian Football
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I have been eyeing that burnley match since Aguero's ban. No i honestly do not know. Ibra and Costa look so strong.

    5. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero needs to prove he's worth it before I buy him, so far this season Costa and ibra have been proven to be as good if not better

    6. PvA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ibra & Costa. Spurs aren't known to score loads of goals so Kane is kind of limited. While Chelsea and United like to get 2/3 goals

    7. MTPockets
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I want all 3. Probably Hazard out, keep Sanchez.

      • Reuser
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I guess the question is - "what does Kun give us beyond what Ibra and Costa can? And how much is it worth to us?"

        Whilst Ibra and Costa are consistently delivering, I don't see much upside to Kun, relative to his price.

      • Kermit Special
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I'm going all 3

      • Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I'm keeping Kane for Watford then based on how he does will upgrade to Kun alongside Ibra. Costa doesn't do big hauls. Kane scored 25 last year and has looked sluggish. If he can turn it around tomo....

      • diesel001
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        If you have a high TV (105m+) then you could afford:

        Pickford - Hennessey
        Jones - Evans - Luiz - Chambers - Amat
        Hazard - Sanchez - Phillips - Capoue - De Roon
        Ibrahimovic - Costa - Aguero

        Then you would rotate between Capoue and De Ron as your 4th midfielder.

      • Shultan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I expect kun to get a brace v Burnley at home, but I'm keeping Ibra & Costa as they are providing value for money. Got Costa for 9.9. & ibra last week for 11.2.

      • Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Going for Aguero + Ibra.

      • tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I'll take the consistency of Ibra & Costa for now.

        Are we also not getting to a stage when the captaincy is always going to get more evenly spread across all these big hitters?

        Could Sanchez as at Bournemouth just as easily limit the damage of Aguero at home to Burnley for one tricky GW ?

        there's still the fact that most teams would still have to further downgrade 3rd/4th mids to get Kun back. It's still nearly 2m the difference between Costa/Kane and Aguero.

    8. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ibra is love. Owning him since GW15 has been a blessing.

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Tell us the exact amount of points he got you and it would be a better brag

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

          Why is everyone so salty when someone says something good about their team? Even if he was bragging why so salty? Guess your rank is 3,000,000th

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

      Deadline is on Friday.

      Stay ready. Stay woke.

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Hadn't noticed there was a Friday fixtures - cheers

        1. PvA
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          You're welcome

          Stay lit

    10. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      So much luck in this game. Kdb hits inside of post whilst ibra gets an assist for an under hit cross to an offside player

      1. Parm
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        That's soccer for you.

        1. Jimmy Boy
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Soccer?

    11. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Should I replace Firmino with Walcott, Sterling or anyone else (feel free to suggest)

      1. The Cisco Kid
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        He's in line for a good game, especially if Coutinho comes back firing. Maybe just hold him, hope for the best, and swap for Coutinho when he returns?

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Can you just wait til Liverpool play before asking this question?

    12. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      13 take-ons by Hazard vs Bournemouth, imo the best player on the league when he cares

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Doesn't usually translate into fantasy points though

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Beat Bournemouth 3-0 like 4 of the last 6 teams. Give him the Ballon D'or now

    13. The Cisco Kid
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      With both heading into runs of great fixtures, how would you choose between Negrado and Rondon as a third striker?

      -OR-

      Would you bring in both Negrado and Rondon to fit in a stronger 3rd/4th MID?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Rondon. He is playing in a better team and a team in form (WBA top half of the table)

        1. *sigh*
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Had to be Rondon Shirley with Brunt Chadli and Phillips behind him?

      2. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Rondon is rising. Make it quick!

    14. PvA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Heaton
      Alonso, David Luiz, Brunt
      Sanchez, Firmino, Sigurdsson, Snodgrass
      Ibra, Costa, Defoe

      Pickford, de Roon, Holebas, Amat

      1 FT

      What would you do?

      Snodgrass and Sigurdsson on the radar because of their team's form. But, both are on pens, FKs and corners... and some decent fixtures. I want to keep them. Defoe has been quiet and I need to monitor Firmino tomorrow.

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks to all who replied

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

        Sit tight until the Firmino situation is clarified.
        You can keep Siggy for one maybe 2 GWs (palace away)
        If Firmino plays then I'd probably carry the transfer.

    15. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Kane and Pieters to Costa and Ake -4? Yes or no? To give a context I have 4 playing defenders, Pieters has Chelsea away and Gibson has United away

    16. AdamB
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      When is the second wildcard of the season going to be available ?

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

        The Wildcard chip can be used twice a season, once in the first half of the season (before 30 Dec 19:00) and once in the second half of the season. The Wildcard chip is played when confirming transfers that cost points and can't be cancelled once played.

      2. Jamin
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Next year!

      3. FPL_Hazards
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        New year

      4. AdamB
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers.

    17. AZERTY
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Play Philips (A sou) or Snodgrass (H eve)? Thx!

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        A

      2. *sigh*
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        A

    18. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      A) Coutinho and Aguero in for Hazard and Kane (When Coutinho's back, may do Lallana in the meantime)
      B) Costa in for Kane (Keep Hazard).

      1. Jamin
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Wait to see how Harry gets on 2moro. If blanks then B

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        B

    19. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Any other suggestion?
      Kane to Costa right?

      Heaton
      Walker Alonso McAuley
      Hazard Siggy Sanchez Lallana
      Ibra Kane Origi

      Grant Fletcher Friend Kingley

      1ft 0.1itb.

    20. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Cech Pick
      Alonso Lovren Holebas Pieters Chambers
      Alexis Lallana Siggy Pedro Carrick
      Ibra Kane Defoe

      1 FT 0.0 ITB

      Pedro out I guess, but who to get in for 7.0 max?

      1. Jamin
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Well done with ped this GW! Antonio just keeps scoring or you could downgrade to Philips and the upgrade sig or lala either for a hit or next gw. Maybe wally or Pogba?

        1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks. I owned Antonio for like 5 gws and he gave me zilch. Still scarred 🙂

          Phillips could be ok but not the best fixtures.

    21. Deano
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      So with Walcott injured again for a while I suppose everyone is dumping him given the great alternative mids available,

      Pogba
      Micki
      Sterling
      Yaya
      Cout
      Firm

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Why do persist with posting this nonsense? It's like a weird obsession

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        lol @ failmino listed as an option

      3. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        You don't happen to think Walcott is injured do you?

    22. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Do folk think Gayle can cut it at the highest level?

      1. ONSIDE 9
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Not as a lone striker, potentially yes, in a partnership.

      2. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        No

      3. Speédy
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Yes,of course

      4. *sigh*
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I hope so WR

    23. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Might do something completely unheard of and not make a transfer!

      No real urgency to get rid of anyone, some deserve one more chance, some gained an extra life (Hazard), but plenty on my Watchlist and need to probably do 3 transfers because of finances. However this is a strange time to commit to anyone as games come thick and fast, rotation etc. so not maybe a true picture of the scene/

      So may as well save and do the old 2FT - 4 triple sweep when things settle again.

      1. Neeskens Under Matip
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Never. Just done mine.

        Negrado and Clyne to Costa and Ake.

        Will keep Hazard and double up for the Stoke game, and then ditch Hazard and Mane to get Aguero in for Burnley.

        Any suggestions for value midfielders?

    24. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Mane -> Mkhi

      Yay/Nay?

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        not before city and sunderland imo.

      2. MTPockets
          7 years, 4 months ago

          no

        • rohan
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Gonna say yay because its MkhiT. Looks like doing something every time he runs with the ball

        • Canadian Football
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          nay.

      3. United10
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Should I transfer KDB out for Hazard?

        1. Hy liverpool
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          yep

        2. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Not sure. KDB looks good, and could do better when Aguero's back. Hazard looks good, but not scoring many points. Watch MotD to decide. If you have plans for the little extra cash, then do it. If not, it might be worth saving the free transfer. Neither have awesome fixtures, and you might end up with a new idea involving downgrading him completely

          1. United10
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Thanks for the in depth reply. I will sleep on it, no rush. I have an important H2H gameweek 20 and KDB has a better fixture than Hazard so might wait on it. Cheers!

          2. Ephurion
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            What do you mean Hazard not scoring many points? #3 in the FPL atm, only 2 behind Costa :O

      4. Kermit Special
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Ultimate showdown v Heaton and Pickford. Who will win?

        1. Speédy
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Put grant on too

      5. Speédy
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Walcott ruins my AOA chip,back to 3-4-3

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Wasted mine ages ago for similar situation. Worthless chip

      6. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        no chelsea defence hurts ...

        Lloris to courtois worth a ft ?

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          You need Alonso or Azpil

          1. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            can't afford without a hit (0.1 short) ... clyne to cahil ? not fan of him tbh .

        2. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Cheap goalkeepers are such good value. Could you downgrade to Heaton/Pickford and upgrade a defender to Alonso/Azpilicueta?

          1. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            cheers ...may do this , not sure this week for a hit or next for free

        3. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          tbh spending that much on a gk is silly.
          just get Alonso

          1. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            cheers...see above

      7. rohan
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Eyeing a cheeky Zaha> Mirallas trade

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          oooh, that is cheeky

      8. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        One of Pedro's goals been changed to an assist?!?

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

          Own goal

          1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Never saw it but is that the correct decision then?

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

              Final decision regardless.

        2. CloudSky
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah, it was an own goal.

        3. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          yes, it was an own goal

          1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Ta

      9. Shakshuka
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Thoughts on this wildcard? Sacrifising a lot for the attack, but man they're going to save some GWs, right.

        Heaton Pickford
        Alonso Cedric Ake Chambers Amat
        Sanchez Lallana Chadli Cabaye De Roon
        Aguero Ibra Costa

        Thanks guys!

        1. Jamin
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Cedric > Jones
          Chadli & Lala > Philips & Wally (depending on injury news)

          1. Shakshuka
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Im struggling to get behind Jones, surely he'll be benched when Bailly and Smalling are fit?

        2. MTPockets
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Something as to give to afford fwds. Looking at similar; phillips over chadli may leave you extra £ for elsewhere?

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              And Amat to Nyom?

              1. MTPockets
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  I'd probably just keep Amat, because seldom start anyway.