Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Chelsea vs Southampton

The third day of Gameweek 34 action brings us to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea entertain Southampton at 7.45pm.

Both Eden Hazard and Diego Costa return to the Blues’ first XI after appearing off the bench in the weekend FA Cup win over Spurs.

The Belgian’s goal and assist in last Saturday’s 4-2 triumph continued the form that has produced points in five of his last six league outings.

Costa attempts to address a run of two goals in ten appearances – indeed, he was the second most transferred out player for Gameweek 34, with over 136,000 sending the Spain international packing.

Pedro’s owners are left frustrated as the Spaniard’s run of nine successive Gameweek starts comes to an end this evening. Willian also warms the bench despite his Wembley double, as Cesc Fabregas comes in for the hosts instead.

Southampton, meanwhile, afford us some early scouting ahead of their back-to-back Double Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Up against a defence without a clean sheet in ten Gameweeks, Manolo Gabbiadini has the chance to catch the eye as a third forward option, while attacking midfielders Dusan Tadic and James Ward-Prowse could also play their way into our wildcard plans.

Nathan Redmond’s 6% owners are given cause for concern, however, as the winger drops to the bench for Sofiane Boufal.

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

2,941 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fpork
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Lukaku -> Costa this week or wait until next week?

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      This or never

  2. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Gabbi look good lastnight?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I liked the look of him

  3. *sigh*
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    How's this looking?
    Cech Pickford
    Alonso Monreal Stephens Yoshida Smith
    Sanchez Hazard Alli Sane Fraser
    Kane Costa Afobe

    Basically 3x Bourmouth and Pickford x2 for bb gw37

  4. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    As I want some City cover and want to bring Kane I need to get rid of Eriksen or Dele. What do you think ? Which one would you sacrifice ?

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I would sacrifice the citeh cover

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Can get Kane while getting rid of Walker however thought that some City may be nice

        1. 32chickens
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Appealing idea but which citeh and would that choice look iffy against what you are giving up?
          I am a citeh fan and ATM i am going forward without citeh cover because there are better nailed alternatives

          1. UnitedFan
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            What are your thoughts on the defensive assets at least like Clichy or Stones?

            1. 32chickens
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 11 months ago

              Pep has messed my pfl brain- use of navas and zabaleta for instance.
              Both clicy and stones could play most of the remaining games or they could not
              With my current ambitions ,making up a load of points,i find them too expensive given the tinkering factor and have gone for more reliable cheaper puntish options
              Worst scenario cheering for a rags euro win for citeh to get into champs!!!

              1. UnitedFan
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 11 months ago

                Thanks. Lots to ponder

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Would sacrifice Alli because I like to watch Eriksen play...

      Majority will probably say to take out Eriksen

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Same here. There's not much in it points-wise but Eriksen (set pieces & assists) has a different kind of threat from Kane & Alli (goals).

        1. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          However won't Dele be less productive with Kane ? I rly like Eriksen and would rather get rid of Dele

    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Nope. You're talking about picking players from a team who have a right winger playing at RB, who played Zaba in midfield, dropped Aguero for his new toy, consigned Sterling to the bench for no apparent reason.. and even manage to rotate their goalkeepers....blah, blah, blah....Just pretend City don't exist.

      1. jamie1972
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        ^^^^^ what he said.

  5. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Best budget defenders (apart from Yoshida, Stephens and Holgate)

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Britos

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yawn
      Read back loads

    3. Cabellafan
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Evans?

    4. Rover
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Maguire

  6. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Question of the day: will Townsend punish his ex (club, of course) like Benteke did?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I think he'll be in the points tonight

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      No
      Next question

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Next question: will Zaha earn a summer transfer to Spurs with a brace tonight?

        1. 32chickens
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Now that is a more interesting Q imo
          Well maybe he was saving himself V Liverpool for this.
          Depends if Mr levy can get him for the right price
          Certainly the match offers a showcase

          My question- how good a manager is BFS?

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Nice warm spot for him...on our bench

    3. MallettMan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      wishful thinking

    4. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      probably not

  7. Nesvy
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    WC for GW35

    DDG - Pickford
    Alonso - Baily - Clichy - Yoshida - Holgate
    Sanchez - Hazard - Eriksen - King - JWP
    Kane - Gabbi - Benteke

    itb 0.9.

    GW36 - Baily > Monreal
    GW37 - Benteke > Jesus

    Any suggestions ?

    1. MallettMan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I like that

  8. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Any news on Valdes and Aguero? I suspect Valdes won't play

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Valdes is ruled out.

      Aguero is expected to be fit.

    2. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      “Victor Valdes has a rib injury so will miss out. Grant Leadbitter and Marten de Roon have trained this morning. Everyone else is fit.” #UTB

      Aguero will be fine for the derby. Silva "hoping" to feature. Pep will make a decision closer to kick-off. #MCFC [via @Sammy_Goal]

      (From Ben Dinnery)

  9. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    On a WC: JWP or Romeu as cheap 5th?

    No, I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't for his free goal yesterday

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      JWP.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Jwp

    3. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers lads. Even if it allows King-> Sané for dgw in a mid of Sanchez, Hazard and Alli? Fwds Kane and poss. Gabbi

  10. Rex Lapis
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    which is better?
    A. Jesus, Coutinho, Anichebe
    B. Gabbiadini, Sane, Benteke

    the others:
    Lloris Pickford
    Alonso Holgate Yoshida Clichy Daniels
    Sanchez Hazard Alli King ___
    Kane ___ ___

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Costa Sane Anichebe possible?

      1. Rex Lapis
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        yes, but with Stephens instead of Yoshida

        1. thomashl
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Go for it

        2. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          well then.I.like this one or B at a stretch

    3. Skid Vicious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I'd be inclined to do B
      But If I knew Jesus is playing all games I'd go A.
      Gabbi and Sane probably more nailed on. Gabbi's doubles should count for something too

  11. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Budget no issue but if you could have any Defence or Mid what would that be?

    I will start with some must haves that most will have

    Alonso ____ _____ ______ ______
    Sanchez Hazard Alli ______ ______

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ignoring My rules/restrictions and budget, defense would be: Vertonghen, Monreal, Clichy, Bailly, Yoshida

      1. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Yoshida in a no budget defence. Interesting
        and Mids?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Hazard, Eriksen, Firimino, King and maybe Sanchez/Ozil

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Alonso Toby Montreal Bailly Clichy Yoshi
      Sanchez Hazard Alli Eriksen KDB

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        You can put Vert/Cahill ahead of Yoshi actually

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Alonso Cahill Azp Luiz Walker
      Sanchez Hazard Alli Firmino De Brunye

      1. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        5 chelsea 😛

    4. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Alonso Cahill Alderweireld Bertrand Koscielny
      Sanchez Hazard Alli Ozil Tadic

  12. Alnair
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this BB37 team?

    DDG Pickford
    Alonso Kompany Monreal Vertonghan Stephens
    Sanchez Hazard Alli Sane King
    Kane Gabbiadini Anichebe

    1. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Nvm, there's a better 3-5-2.

    2. Skid Vicious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Very solid 352 for the run up to dgw37. Looks good to me.

  13. Dele
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who do axe for Hazard?

    A) Eriksen
    B) Coutinho

    Already have Alli + Kane so I'm leaning towards A.

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Can't trust Liverpool V do you want spurs bapcornered
      Depends on your season ambitions - i think keeping Erik is puntish-walcott,spurs will be mad after the weekend i suspect

      1. Dele
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Well I'm top of my ML by 10pts, my rival also has Eriksen, Alli and Coutinho so feel I need to switch things.

        Or do I let him make the first move?

        1. 32chickens
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Small lead
          I hold steady and wait for him to crack

          1. 32chickens
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Review after this spurs game

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A if you don't want a Spurs defender and B if you want a Spurs defender.

    3. Skid Vicious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Flip a coin mate.
      Plenty of times a single gameweeker has outscored the doubler.
      Coutinho has great fixtures and could be a great differential as I reckon most will go heavy on spurs assets

  14. IWR
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Second in my ML for decent cash by about 20 points and my opponent has identical mids and forwards to me.

    Thinking about transferring Zaha to Sané (-4) in an attempt to make up some ground. Leaves the below and 0.0 ITB:

    Jaku (Valdes)
    Alonso, Valencia, Yoshida (Davies, Holgate)
    Sanchez, Haz, Alli, Sané, King
    Kane, Lukaku (Negredo)

    A) TCarroll-Haz and keep Zaha (No hit)
    B) Carroll-Haz and Zaha-Sane (-4)

    1. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Zaha has Burnley at home this week. I'd keep

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Negredo > Gabbi and captain him? Benching Zaha

      1. IWR
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Don't mind that. Need to get creative with something...

  15. foley_fd
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Hello everyone

    If I wildcard this week, what do you think of this team?

    Foster
    Yoshida / Stones / Evans
    Hazard / Sanchez / Sane / King
    Benteke / Gabbiadini / Kane

    Pickford / Tadic / Stephens / Monreal

    A little budget left to look upgrade Tadic to Silva for the DGW potentially.

    Thanks

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      double westbrom?

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Get rid of Stones and Evans immediately

  16. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Gabbiadini to start against Hull?

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      He should.

  17. Sponge-worthy
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Harry boy! Bang a brace today!

  18. grecian3000
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    For the run in, would you go...
    A) Forster + Cahill
    or
    B) Cech + Bailly

    1. IWR
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B for sure.

    2. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B

  19. Sylas
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Please RMWCT

    DDG-Pickford
    Yoshida-Koscielny-Alonso-Blind-Clichy
    King-Hazard-Sanchez-Sane-Eriksen
    Gabbiadini-Kane-Anichebe

    0.5 ITB

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      that's strong.
      As you have only 2 spurs I and double utd defence I will do Blind to Vert or DDG to Lloris/Cech

      1. IWR
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Agree with this. Strong otherwise.

    2. L9
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      doing something similar.. i hope jesus will play tonight will be an incredible addition..

    3. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Basically the same as mine below. I'd go Cech over DDG and Vertonghen over Blind

    4. Sylas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Thank you, people. Some valid points for sure.

  20. fiveyears
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    West Ham getting a visit from HMRC

    A points deduction would spice things up down there 😀

  21. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    How does this Front 7 look for Wildcard?

    Sanchez - Hazard - Alli - King
    Kane - Costa - Gabbi

    Appreciate your thoughts!

    1. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Solid. No one can argue with that. What's your defence like though? And bench for 37?

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I'm still undecided on that. Less on cash because of this Front 7.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Templetish I guess 😳

      Looks fine

    3. L9
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      very good but no city cover .. city has an easy programme

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        But no one is nailed.

    4. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      front 7 is pretty strong

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I have to sacrifice Alonso for this but not that worried because Chelsea don't keep clean sheets now.

  22. ANON.
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team for GW36, BB GW37? Bench in 37 would be:
    Pickford(SWA, ars), Stephens(mid, MUN), Yoshida(mid, MUN), Anichebe(SWA, ars)

    Would I be better downgrading somewhere to upgrade this bench?

    Cech, Pickford
    Alonso, Kos, Vert, Yoshi, Stephens
    Sanchez, Hazard, Alli, Sane, King
    Kane, Gabbi, Anichebe

    1. L9
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      currently on wildcard and thinking about something very similar.. onl concern is city s easy fixtures .. it would be nice to double cover with sane and jesus as aguero is very expensive. Also i will but a city defender (stones or clichy)

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      The frontline is too weak for me. Can you get Costa by doing Kos+King+Gabbi --> Holgate+JWP+Costa?

  23. MGD
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    When will we know about Jesus...

    Chances of Aguero playing against Swansea?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      If Jesus is on bench for Derby, we'll know more...

  24. makaveli123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    New article

  25. WVA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Valenica Pedro and Rashford all benched so far. Looks like Mustafi is still out and it's possible Sane could be on the bench 🙁 tough to plan for these gdws and shows the importance of a good bench.

  26. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    A) eriksen markovic jesus
    B) Pedro markovice costa

  27. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Smith or Maguire for the rest of the season?

  28. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Finally a WC team I am quite happy with:

    Cech Pickford
    Alonso Vertonghen Yoshida Holgate Stephens
    Sanchez Alli Hazard Sane JWP
    Costa Kane Anichebe

    What's your thoughts?

  29. Kuyt Hero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Which one to play GW38?

    A) Monreal
    B) Yoshida
    C) Cedric
    D) Stephens