Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Manchester United vs Chelsea

After Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool the points at West Brom, our attentions now turn to Old Trafford as Manchester United entertain Chelsea in the 4.00pm kick-off.

The big news is that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named amongst the substitutes for the home side, with Jose Mourinho conceding that the veteran is “very tired” as he juggles his options ahead of the upcoming Europa League clash with Anderlecht.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also on the bench, though Antonio Valencia’s 15.7% owners can breathe a sigh of relief – he’s handed a first league start since Gameweek 30.

With a double Gameweek 34 against Burnley and neighbours City just around the corner, this afternoon’s match affords Fantasy managers the chance to cast an eye over Mourinho’s side.

Certainly, Ibrahimovic owners will be desperate for more than just a late cameo – he’s the second most captained player for Gameweek 33, with more than 621,000 handing him the armband.

Chelsea pair Diego Costa (7.9%) and Eden Hazard (4.3%) could emerge as differential captaincy picks, though United have been solid in front of their own supporters, conceding just twice in their last five at Old Trafford.

Indeed, that resilient record – allied with two goals in his previous nine appearances – goes some way to explaining why Costa was the most transferred out player last week, with over 121,000 owners looking elsewhere.

Marcos Alonso’s 15.9% owners are left cursing their luck, though, after the top-scoring defender in FPL was forced to withdraw prior to kick-off after picking up a knock in the warm-up.

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2,685 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 20 days ago

    Benteke, Ibra or Kane?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      For what?

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Snog, marry avoid.

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Marry Zlat, Snog Kane, avoid tekkers.

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 20 days ago

              That was quick.

            • Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 20 days ago

              Racist.

    2. Zebrahimović
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Origi out for who? 0.0 ITB

      1. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Keep

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Totally stuck. Help needed gents.

      Pickford
      Alonso - Valencia - Vertonghen
      Sanchez - Alli - Sigurdsson - Pedro - Zaha
      Aguero - Lukaku

      Foster, Origi, Nyom, Amat

      1 FT 0.2 ITB

      A) Foster -> Valdes
      B) Aguero -> Ibrahimovic
      C) Aguero -> Kane
      D) Foster + Aguero -> Valdes + Ibrahimovic (-4)
      E) Foster + Aguero -> Valdes + Kane (-4)

      1. Pocky
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        E

      2. Pocky
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        or...Aguero & Siggy to Kane & Sane??

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Wouldn't get Sane just for the United fixture. Wildcarding in 35 I think.

          1. Pocky
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 20 days ago

            Ahh, fair point.

      3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        E

    4. dhamphiir
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Harry Kane in the Premier League: 110 games, 69 goals.

      Luis Suárez in the Premier League: 110 games, 69 goals.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Harry Kane has pens.

      2. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        And both played for teams who choked in title run in

      3. drughi
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Kane is also only 23 years old, amazing

        1. fedolefan
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Incredible how he's only 23. He looks 28-30 to be fair.

    5. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      I could REALLY do with that DGW strategy article we had last year right about now. Head is absolutely fried.

      1. liiusions
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        This is as easy as it gets? Bring whoever you want in for GW34, WC them out GW35/36

    6. Henning
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Is it worth -4
      1. Out Foster McAuley Sigurdsson
      In Valdes Gibson king
      Or
      2. Out foster Alonso Vardy
      In Valdes Gibson Ibra

      1. DJ1000
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        I would go 2.

    7. boogle
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      What do we think of these moves for -8? 2FT 0.1ITB

      Heaton, Baines, Kun, Barnes > Valdes, Bailly, Kane, Negredo leaving me with:

      Valdes
      Valencia Bailly Alonso
      Sanchez Eriksen Siggy Zaha
      Kane Lukaku Negredo

      Pickford Holebas Redmond McAuley

    8. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Any Borough scoring tomorrow will suddenly become essential 😀

      1. n-doggg
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Negredo hatty

      2. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        I need either a Boro cleansheet or some Fabio attacking points to win my Frequent Posters Cup tie.

        I would prefer Sanchez to go utterly mental and score a hatrick though.

        1. Hooky
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          I need a Negredo hatty to win mine. I can see the pigs flying already!

      3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        De Roon your time has come mate!

    9. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Is this worth a -8pt hit:

      Out: Mutch/Lanzini/Baines
      In: King/Townsend/PVA

      Would leave me with:

      Valdes
      PVA Valencia
      King Siggy Sanchez Alli Townsend
      Benteke Lukaku Kane

      Subs: Williams Brunt Davies

      1. boogle
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Is Mutch even in the EPL?!

        1. manu4life99
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          No lol he has been my 3rd sub all season due to price

          1. boogle
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 20 days ago

            Fair enough haha

            Looks OK, maybe Lingard instead of King for an extra DGW?

            If you don't have WC then King probably better option though

    10. balint84
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      a, buy: Borough defender
      b, buy: MU defender (not cheap! sell spurs davies?)
      c, origi to negredo?

      1. Ephurion
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        a

    11. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Origi Sane Eriksen out
      Rashford Arnie Mkhitaryan In
      Thoughts?

      1. jiGGidyJ1
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Lol

      2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        I would go the opposite direction

    12. leocarter27
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      How's this looking for 34 lads please. Suggestions appreciated

      0 ft 3m itb

      Valdes / Pickford

      Alonso Valencia Vertonghen / Yoshida Kingsley

      Zaha King Sanchez Alli / Carrick

      Ibra Lukaku Benteke(C)

      Cheers

    13. Sergeant Garcia
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Walker & Carroll > PVA & Benteke? or not worth the hit?

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Can you afford just Carrol to Benteker ?

        1. Sergeant Garcia
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          No 1m short 🙁

        2. Sergeant Garcia
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Siggy > Zaha / Townsend is also an option. But it could backfire.

    14. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Any reports on the Alonso injury yet? At least is makes benching him next week that bit easier

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        There's something in the Scout Tweets. Can't be arsed to go and link it.

        1. liiusions
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Thanks, not sure how I missed that

        2. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          He was ill...

          So should be ok next week

      2. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Virus according to Conte

      3. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Just a Virus

      4. SUPERMAN
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Talksport suggesting he may have a hamstring problem too.

    15. Lingardium Leviosa.
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Siggy > Herrera then? 😀

    16. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Jaku Foster
      Robertson Valencia Naughton Gibson Coleman
      Sanchez Cout Alli Erikson Zaha
      Carroll Lukaku Kane
      1FT/0.3ITB

      A) Lukaku + Coleman ---> Ibra + Yoshida (-4)
      B) Carroll + Coleman ---> Benteke + Yoshida (-4)
      C) Save FT
      D) Other

      1. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        B if you think Coleman is definitely out

    17. vectorman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      You know what pee's me off is players who are reactive rather than proactive. Got a rival he saves up his transfers, keeps an eye on what you do and follows suit pretty much.. Boring tactics, so bloody lucky too this week in that I got in Kane he did nothing. Kane could have easily got another goal and an assist in that game... Grrr!!! sorry just bitter that's all lol 😀

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Proactive normally wins though , chill

        1. vectorman
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Hopefully yeah, cheers.

    18. dirtypino
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      anyone looking at a -12 or -16 for gw 34 as hits are really only worth half and you can wc week after?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        It's not a blank GW.

        1. dirtypino
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          what do you mean? any hit only has to to get more points intwo games than player they replace +2

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 20 days ago

            Who on your bench is another factor. If they get less than 4 more, you lose on the transfer.

      2. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Nope.. .too much uncertainty...

        I'll be on -4

      3. DJ1000
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Think I will go minus 8 for 3 transfers. Already have 3 dbgwers

      4. Hooky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        I don't think that this particular DGW justifies a big hit with poor teams, poor fixtures or uncertainty over starts

    19. Sjaugen
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      I slammed in Carroll ➡ Benteke early. Benteke's box shots stats made it easy

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        It's touches not shots

        The ball does bounce of him quite a lot inside the box

      2. Lingardium Leviosa.
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        I like it.

      3. n-doggg
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Those fixtures though

    20. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Thoughts on kun and brunt to Ibra and either Bailly and Gibson for a hit?

      Rival is 60 behind and has Ibra

      Pickford heaton
      Alonso walker pieters Robertson brunt
      Alli siggy king zaha snoddy
      Kun lukaku Kane

      Thanks

    21. DJ1000
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Hi. I have Kane, Costa and Lukaku up front. Costa going down in value tonight and had enough. Should I get Benteke and Ibra in and get rid of both Costa and Lukaku?!

      1. EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Costa to Benteke for now and consider Ibra after he plays Anderlecht.

        Advice below please?

        1. DJ1000
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Thanks! That was what I was thinking. Captained Benteke a couple of years back when he was at Villa and had a dbgw

    22. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Sod all this Ibrahimovic nonsense, is anyone else thinking of bringing in Afobe this week?

      1. EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Nah
        King is the only asset from Bournemouth imo

        1. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Hes matching King for points and stats over the last few weeks.

          Actually, stats aren't great for either of them over last 4. Kings are downright gash.

      2. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Hmm , now that you mention it ..

      3. DJ1000
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Being a Bournemouth fan Afobe should be the last person on your mind! I would be happy if he didn't start

        1. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Lol. Ta!

    23. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Any transfer suggestions for a hit. Already used my ft.

      Heaton-Pickford
      Alonso-Walker-Pieters-Yoshida-Holgate
      Sanchez-Alli-Eriksen-Zaha-T.Caroll
      Aguero-Lukaku-Benteke

      0.8 ITB , 0FT

      A)Walker to Gibson (DGW and frees up third Spurs slot for Kane the following week)
      B)Aguero to Ibra( My initial plan but now he has been rested, I am unsure)

      Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

      1. Petr Cech the Table
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        A

        I think you'll need a Spurs defender on a WC presuming you still have it

        1. EDEN THE MAN
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Yes I do
          Thanks

      2. jamie1972
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        A, by some distance

      3. DJ1000
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        I think it depends on who your captain is for gw34. I am thinking of bringing Ibra in and giving him captaincy. Can't think of anyone suited better. Not convinced about Negredo. Surely rested today. May be one to mull over till late in the week like you said earlier.

    24. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Thoughts on Costa + A. Carroll --> Ibra + Benteke (-4) with the following team?

      Foster - Grant
      Baines - Valencia - Davies - Robertson - Amat
      Sanchez - Alli - Eriksen - Zaha - T. Carroll
      Lukaku - Costa - A. Carroll

      Thanks!

      1. EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        I like those transfers considering the players you are removing but I am unsure on Ibra playing both games myself

        Advice above please

      2. DJ1000
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        I would do it. Carroll so unsafe in terms of playing. Costa can't hit a barn door at present.

    25. KJT123
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Choose:
      A - PVA
      B - Rojo
      C - Bailly
      D - Valencia

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        PVA

        1. Gooner Kebab
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          reckon he'll play ahead of schlupp?

      2. EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        C/D

        Advice above please

      3. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        C

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          C

    26. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Which Utd defender to get - Valencia or Bailly?

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Bailly

      2. Petr Cech the Table
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        Bailly more nailed imo so him. I am a Valencia owner as well.

      3. Gooner Kebab
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        yea, save a few quid in Bailly too.

    27. Petr Cech the Table
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      (A) Origi --> Benteke
      (B) Save and hope Gabbiadiani finds his form

      A would give me front 8 of

      ZAHA - DE ROON - Alli - Sane - Sanchez
      BENTEKE - Kane - Lukaku

      (Caps = DGW).

      1. EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        A and then consider Gabbiadini if your WC is intact?

        Advice above please

        1. Petr Cech the Table
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 20 days ago

          Nope, no WC

    28. Chasing Waves
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Chances of Negredo starting tmrw? He's my 3rd striker got him last week and keeping for gw 34.

      Ta

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        90 %

    29. 824545201
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 20 days ago

      Opinions about which move is best for the DGW?
      A) Sterling, Barnes to Zaha/Townsend, Benteke (means no United assets)
      B) Sanchez, Barnes to Zaha/Townsend, Ibra
      C) Brunt to Bailly
      D) Lukaku to Ibra

      1. EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        A with Zaha

        Wouldn't ship Sanchez before he plays.

        Advice above please

      2. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 20 days ago

        A