Dugout Discussion – Wednesday

The extended Gameweek 34 continues with a big night that delivers three hugely anticipated matches.

There could barely be more Fantasy interest across the trio of encounters, with a scattering of key assets in action.

Firstly, Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo, signed by 201,000 and backed by an improbable 155,000 (3.5%), will bid to improve on a dismal 2-point return from his first fixture when he faces Sunderland at the Riverside Stadium. A crunch encounter for both teams, there will also be keen interest in the Boro defence with Ben Gibson signed by 118,000+ ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke was undoubtedly the weekend’s star performer with a brace at Anfield to provide his 506,000+ ownership with a 12-point return. Backed by 96,000 (2.1%) with the armband, he will look to build on that return in tonight’s encounter with Spurs.

But the title-challenging visitors will boast their own cast of key figures, with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen supported by an army of Fantasy owners. Kane is himself backed by 244,000 with the GW34 captaincy.

Finally, at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal will host Leicester City as they bid to revive their top four ambitions having navigated to the FA Cup Final at the weekend.

The big news from north London is that Alexis Sanchez may just be restored to the central striker role, with both Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud benched – Theo Walcott comes in and could also be a contender for that position if Wenger retains the 3-4-2-1 system.