Dugout Discussion
31 December 2016 2216 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

Six afternoon kick-offs get Gameweek 19 back underway, with our attention fixated on a cast of key assets.

More than 27% of FPL managers go into these matches with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as their captain.

The Swede needs two goals to surpass Lionel Messi as Europe’s top goalscorer in 2016 across the top flight leagues, with the Middlesbrough defence in his way at Old Trafford.

Diego Costa ranks next in terms of armband popularity, claiming the support of 15% of FPL managers ahead of a meeting with Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.

The striker is recalled following a one-match suspension and is part of a reassuringly familiar Blues line-up that also includes Eden Hazard, backed by 6.7% of FPL managers.

There are teamsheet changes elsewhere, however, with Southampton innevitably shuffling the pack for their St Mary’s meeting with West Brom. Jay Rodriguez, Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte and Ryan Bertrand are among the notable names omitted from today’s Saints line-up.

Tony Pulis also makes a key change to his Baggies starting XI for the south coast clash – Salomon Rondon is benched with Hal Robson-Kanu earning a first Premier League start for West Brom.

Meanwhile, Alan Curtis takes the temporary reins for Swansea City against Bournemouth and makes no less than seven changes, recalling Fantasy favourites Jordi Amat and Leroy Fer, along with Fernando Llorente up front.

Elsewhere, Burnley host Sunderland and Leicester City take on West Ham at the King Power Stadium, as they attempt to end the visitors run of three successive wins.

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

  1. FALCAO & MOU
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is Jones nailed for United?

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Did he play to tonight?

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Wasn't today.

    3. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's probably just rotation. Bailly will be in Africa soon regardless.

    4. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Highly likely to start the next one but no where near nailed even when Bailly goes to AFCON.

      1. Flynny
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        He will play n3xt game

  2. Bampot Co.
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Likely getting knocked out of the FPL Cup by a Polish ghost team who has a squad value of 93.9.

  3. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Time to drop Alonso, esp with those upcoming fixtures? Need the funds for Aguero

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Might do it myself.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Wow.

  4. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    choose one:

    a) clyne, hazard, origi -> friend, phillips, kun for -8
    b) siggy, ibra -> phillips, kun for -4 (hope for Origi to play)
    c) no kun next week vs Burn

  5. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So which defender will be at fault for Liverpool conceding? Likewise for City.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Stones and Lovren

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Damn, I have Lovren.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Benched him for Amat 🙂

    2. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Lovren and Stones

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Milner & Bravo.

    4. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Regardless what team concedes, it'll be Mignolet's fault.

      1. Flynny
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Moreno

    5. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      stones and lovren

  6. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Can an 8 point hit be justified for a front line of Kun ibra Costa??

    Can be done with:

    Kane llorente and Hazard

    To

    Costa Kun stanislas

    Thanks

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      In the long run, think it'll be worth the hit.

    2. pilgrimchris
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      what would the rest of your team look like?

    3. Crow
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      definitely.

      1. Flynny
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers lads....if I do it I get....

        Heaton pickford
        Alonso Jones cedric Pieters amat
        Sanchez lallana zaha stanislas capoue
        Kun ibra Costa

        And just enough to cash for zaha to Phillips.

        Shall I do it??....ta

        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 29 days ago

          Would not do a -8. Costa can wait another GW

  7. Aubaaaaa
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Question: Origi is on the bench against City; what are the chances of him starting in the next game against Sunderland?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      50/50 depending on Sturridge

    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pretty high I'd say. Though Sturridge not starting this game is a slight worry.

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Doesn't bode well

  8. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    No attacking coverage from either team, with a defender from Liverpool.

    I'm so screwed.

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You never know. Lovren 1-0 or 0-0

  9. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Seeing Kun on the pitch and not having him in my team does not feel right!

  10. AA33
      9 years, 1 month ago

      As a Man Utd fan, Zlatan owner and Costa captainer, the last few minutes were a relief !

      1. Crow
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        not a man utd fan, but it really was a relief

    • SuperDan
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Phillips nailed?

      1. AA33
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yes

        • Rainer
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          He makes them tick but you never know at this time of the year. Chadli off early suggests he'll start next one but got to be hopefully Philips does too!

      2. New Post
      3. Ady87
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Francis and Evans first/second sub coming on with 8 total helps me out with Fonte and Jones not playing. 38 with 3 to go. Can't see me not using my WC to sort out my team.

      4. FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Siggy to who?

      5. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        my ML rival has Phillips as his 3rd sub behind Holebas & Pieters.... WTF!

      6. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thought I was on for a great week when Baines got his 7 points last night. Never, ever get optimistic

      7. Sonic Huth
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Lallana lukaku anichebe vs Costa capoue negredo?

      8. HazardAGuess
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Team:

        Heaton - Foster
        Alonso - Bellerin - Brunt - Cedric - Amat
        Sanchez - Hazard - Lallana - Can - de Roon
        Ibrahimovic - Costa - Defoe

        Which transfers to do this week?:
        A) Can > Phillips & Cedric > Ake
        B) Can > Phillips & Cedric > Friend
        C) Can > Phillips & Defoe > Carroll/Gray/etc. (7 max. price range.)

      9. Mr Q
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Grant-randolph

        Kosc - azpi - walker - mee - amat

        Haz - Eriksen - firminho - siggy - snoddgrass

        Ibra - costa - anichebe

        2 ft, 1.0 itb

        * any suggestions? Jet lagged and hardly slept, so i cant think straight!
        * thinking siggy --> lallana.
        * anything else that needs to be Done?

      10. JJeyy
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Lallana assist

        1. MTPockets
            9 years, 1 month ago

            nice

        2. GREENDREAMS11
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Great stuff from lallana all about the timing great wee player

        3. Paanmonkey
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          done ! -8 for this

          Kane > Kun
          Azpi > Smith
          Capoue > Philips
          Defoe > Gray

          worth it ? for long term maybe ?

        4. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Pick one
          A. Aguero, Phillips and Lallana in for Costa, Zaha and Hazard -8
          B. Aguero, Phillips and Stanislas in for Defoe, Zaha and Hazard -4 (KOBRA)
          C. Aguero, Sims (4.2), Jones in for Defoe, Hazard and Kingsley -8 (KOBRA) (go 433)
          D. Leave Hazard, Costa in my team, Benteke in for Defoe FT

        5. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Pick one
          A. Aguero, Phillips and Lallana in for Costa, Zaha and Hazard -8
          B. Aguero, Phillips and Stanislas in for Defoe, Zaha and Hazard -4 (KOBRA)
          C. Lallana, Phillips, Crouch in for Morrison, Zaha, Crouch -8
          D. Leave Hazard, Costa in my team, Benteke in for Defoe FT

        6. Conte Cristo
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          why peoples add jakupovvic on their team? 4701 tir currently

          1. jam
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            One guaranteed starting keeper to play every game, and a 3.9 on the bench

        7. Somalion
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          The Pep masterclass continues