Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Sunderland vs Manchester United

The first of two Sunday fixtures gets underway at 1.30pm this afternoon as Sunderland welcome Manchester United to the Stadium of Light.

The most popular captaincy choice for Gameweek 32, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been handed the armband by 15.7% of Fantasy Premier League managers ahead of a visit to the basement-dwellers.

Encouragingly for his owners, the veteran delivered his highest haul of the season against the Black Cats, with a goal and two assists helping him to 15 points back in Gameweek 18.

With eight fixtures remaining in the final six Gameweeks, including a double Gameweek 34, the likes of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan can play their way into our plans for the run-in today.

Those holding the hosts’ Jermain Defoe will be buoyed by the absence of David de Gea, who misses out for the first time this term with “a little problem, according to his manager.

Meanwhile, Antonio Valencia’s 17% owners are left frustrated yet again, as the Ecuadorian is omitted from the squad for the second match in succession.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,534 Comments Post a Comment
  1. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Bradley Lowery & Jermain Defoe >>

  2. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    DGW 34 Is OVERHYPED
    Earlier you realise it, Better it is for You.
    The Teams involved are just not Trustable.

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      It might be Palace, who have the hardest fixtures that bring us the most joy

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      True. Don't really want any players from the three teams

    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Fixture congestion is nothing that can make Ibrahimović a less attractive FPL-option. In fact, in the period of the highest fixture congestion for United this season, Zlatan enjoyed his best run of form.

    They played 11 games between the 24/11/2016 and 02/01/2017. On average, United played a game every 3.5 days.

    Yet, even with Rashford, Rooney and Martial available most of the time, Zlatan was simply undroppable. In those 11 games, Zlatan:

    - Played 90mins in every single game (!)
    - Scored 10 goals
    - Recorded 4 assist

    Now he is just back from a 3-game suspension, rested and hungry for goals.

    Make of that what you will.

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      if he blanks today he's gone for me

  3. F4L
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    AntoniNO Valencia

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      try harder

  4. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Come on Ibra (C), punish the doubters my son.

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Shame valencia doesn't play today, a goal and an assist in his last 2 away games. Thought he could have taken real advantage of the wing today too. I expected a double digit haul from him, the odds also favoured him to be in the goals. Real shame mourinho has decided to give up on the league

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      not given up on the league, any Utd team with just 6 or 7 regulars would be expected to beat Sunderland today do

  6. BobGeldof
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    So is it just United and Palace with two games in the upcoming DGW?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Don't forget the mighty Boro.

  7. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Love the mourinho pic, very apt!!

    Confused and lonely...verging on insanity by naming fellaini captain

  8. T444
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Now that Valencia is benched,

    Come on Sunderland!!!!! Pickford cleany and max bonus.

    1. Jakarta
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      This

  9. F4L
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Valencia ➡ to who?

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Keep for 34.

    2. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Are you winning your cup tie against Jafooli?

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I'm a gonna; he's got Baines + 8, I've got Ibra 🙁

        1. Oven Glover
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Exciting afternoon for you then. GL

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            cheers, i'll need it lol

    3. T444
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yoshida and use the spare million to upgrade someone else

    4. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Gibson

      1. T444
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Or Gibson!

  10. BobGeldof
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    So just the three of them? Pretty bad

  11. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Anichebe back in action.

  12. VFORVANDETA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Thanks Valencia..Yoshida coming from bench..

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Same. 2nd week in a row for me. Far too jammy 🙂

    2. minges
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Same. Not the worst thing yo happen

  13. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Smith -1 for Valencia. Mourinho you moron

  14. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Just curious as to the auto sub policy. If you start 3 Defenders and one doesn't play, why wouldn't it take the next defender as an auto sub(instead of a midfielder or forward who is lined up as the first auto sub)??? Otherwise you are getting an AOA without having to use the chip?

    1. Ravager
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      First defender is the one who gets subbed in. Have to have at least 3 defenders in the line up.

    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      That's exactly what it does.

    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Wot

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      you must have 3 defenders in a valid formation at all times do, so in your example above a defender will be subbed in first

    5. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Perfect... thanks for clarifying Mates!
      So if I didn't start 4 defenders this week, I wouldn't be the Jammy Git with King coming in with 9 points off the bench for Valencia! Cheers!

    6. Gangster Panda
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      I never expected having a healthy Valencia & Walker in my starting 11 would frustrate be so much as it has.

  15. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    C'mon Zlatan

  16. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    De Roon get rested...?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      possibly, do my thinking is it's the new manager trying to work out what his best XI is

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        To get results in the Championship?

  17. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    I got labelled a troll for suggesting that this player would be the highest points scorer in the next 3 GWs.

    3 GWs and 28 points later...

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/03/29/assessing-shakespeares-leicester-city/?hc_page=3#hc_comment_15299151

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      This ones for you Fulham4lyf

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        😛 I sold him 🙁

    2. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Hazard hit 28 points too, maybe signing of the season for me

  18. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Oh f**k off Mourinho. I understood Valencia getting a rest midweek, but why today? Now I get -1 Smith off the bench! Argh!!!

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Needed a proper rest. Bigger games coming up.

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Last week he basically said he was going to be rested, but this week there was no indication. Godamnit.

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          He's still having that rest I guess.

  19. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Guys,

    Lukaku > ....... a or b ?

    a) kane

    b) ibra

    I dont have wildcard. Ibra has 2 dgws. Kane has 1.

    Tnks for help.

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Hhold for this GW. Burnley have the worst away record in the prem, and Lukaku is sure to get at least one goal.

  20. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Imagine Utd win the Europa League. What a victory it would be. Sack the PL.

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 27 days ago

      Then Chelsea and Spurs in CL -and Pool, City, and Arsenal fighting for third place and the final open CL spot

  21. borat
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    My three main def this gw
    valencia benched
    walker benched
    brunt 1pt
    now waiting for baines who is my 1st sub to also be benched.
    bye bye fpl

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Would love a Baines benching. Jammy Yoshi points off the bench then.

      1. borat
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Lucky you. But for me no such luck.

    2. BALOOO
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Baines YC and missed pen 🙂

      1. borat
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Lol

  22. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Come on Pickford! Clean sheet and bonus points please!

  23. Big_Bear
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    My cup match has come down to:
    Opponent: 18 points
    Me: Lukaku, Sánchez, Baines

    Odds on victory?

    1. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Lukaku will score today (fingers crossed)

    2. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      you win.

    3. T444
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      2pts, 8pts, 2pts

  24. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Imagine if Valencia comes on from bench in the 80th minute. I have Yosh as first sub btw

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Will be difficult

    2. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      He's not on the bench.

    3. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      He is not even on the bench

    4. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      It is fun to imagine but Valencia is not in the squad

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Thank God then. Though he was in the bench

    5. Bring the Cavalry
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Don't think he's even in the team

  25. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Best Captain Choice GW33?

    Kane
    Alli
    Alexis
    Lukaku
    Coutinho

    1. BALOOO
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Im going with Kane.

      1. nkhoughton
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I will most likely I have him and ml rival can't get him without going - 4 so I am tempted to get in lukaku as well to play defensive

  26. JackBetherz
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Who do I transfer in out of Shaqiri and Arnautovic? As feeling a bit of a Stoke differential with their decent fixtures to try and climb my mini league.
    Thanks in advance and reasons why if possible would be great!

    1. nkhoughton
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Arnie

  27. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Worth it for free?

    Son & Lukaku -> Zaha & Kane

    1. nkhoughton
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      No not this week, week after yeah

  28. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Shaw yellow

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Hope he gets sent off

  29. ChristoBisto
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Pickford on for 2 baps

    1. Carcetti
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Steady on