Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Sunday

Although Sunday beckons in just two Premier League fixtures, there are plenty of points at stake as four sides rich in Fantasy talent do battle. Everton play host to Manchester United in the lunchtime kick off, with the Red Devils looking to cast aside their defeat to Chelsea and snap the Toffees’ five-match unbeaten streak. Arsenal’s home clash against the Blues caps headlines the weekend’s action, with Jose Mourinho’s men all but securing the Premier League crown in the event of an Emirates win.

Everton welcome United to Goodison Park in search of their fifth victory in six outings. Roberto Martinez’s side have been particularly resilient at Goodison in recent weeks and have served up five clean sheets in the last six in front of their own fans, as Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman make a late scramble up the Fantasy standings. United are now enjoying goals from midfield, with Juan Mata (three in four), Marouane Fellaini (two in five) and Ander Herrera (two in three) all contributing to the cause.

The team news from Goodison is significant for both sides. Everton hand a start to striker Romelu Lukaku after he saw action as a substitute in the win over Burnley last time out. Leon Osman also returns to the teamsheet as Kevin Mirallas and Arouna Kone drop to the bench. As for United, they are able to welcome back Daley Blind to the midfield engine room, allowing Wayne Rooney to shift to the attack against his former club: Radamel Falcao makes way.

Sunday’s main event promises to be a tight affair that could become attritional; Arsenal and Chelsea have both conceded just seven goals in their previous 12 matches and it’s fair to say that Jose Mourinho’s side will be containing the Gunners threat as a first priority. Arsenal have recorded eight straight wins since a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur back in early February, with Olivier Giroud’s red-hot form (seven goals in as many starts) driving their success. With two goals and three assists in four league outings, Aaron Ramsey is showing glimpses of least season’s breakthrough star. Eden Hazard has delivered attacking returns in 13 of his last 17 appearances and promises to keep Arsenal occupied at the back.  

2,794 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Willian yellow

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

      can't really see why, he got the ball 😉

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Should be red

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

        true story in all seriousness

  2. Ludo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    After 0 clean sheets from the first 6 DGW matches of the season (Spurs/QPR/Villa), we could be looking at 4/4 so far this week (Liverpool/Hull/Leicester/Chelsea), with all four away from home!a

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

    Ivanovic is utter shite for getting bps. He doesnt even attack anymore. Terrible value.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      incoming Ivan goal.

    2. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      He needs a goal but seems unlikely.

    3. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Just bought him and I'm rather disappointed. 0 attacking threat.

    4. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Wonder why no one talks about azpi

      1. Mull
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Because Mourinho likes to f**k us over once in a while by starting Luis.

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Agreed

      Was put on a leash attacking wise about a month ago

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

      he was always going to be defensive in this game. Should be more attacking against Leicester.

    7. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      They're away at Arsenal. Were you expecting them to be attacking?

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

        When was the last time Ivanovic was attacking?

  4. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Lol , Merte

  5. fedolefan
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Koscielny beheading

  6. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    of all the players to get the ball

  7. Demí
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    If it was a 7-man shortlist for PFA POTY, instead of 6, who would you nominate as the 7th?

    I'd say John Terry

    1. Wouter
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero

    2. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Austin

    3. The Light Knight
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Harry Kane
      "So good, they nom'd him twice"

    4. Green Arrow
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Matic

    5. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Bertrand

  8. Wild Rover
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Lol, he should lose all bappage for that 😆

  9. Richd
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    This is gonna hurt if arsenal score now. Come on double Chelsea defence.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      they'll keep the clean sheet.

  10. The Enlightener
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Point, Daneilson (willian)

  11. Richd
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Schmeichel
    Ivan terry skrtel

    Please keep this cs. Perfection.

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Never had all my defenders get CS in the same week yet.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I have chelsea def but hoping for arsenal goal more than ever now

    3. Towsor44
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Can I play?

      Schmeichel
      Terry, Ivan (C), Kolarov

      1. Richd
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Nice!

    4. Nabs Kebabs
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Have the same

    5. BabyB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      exact same players. Fingers crossed!

  12. The ghost of a Pug's g…
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    If only Bellerin was to play every game until the end of the season

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

      Will play most. Has really come on this season. But yeah Debuchy will get some gametime too

      1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        And maybe chambers.

        Bellerin is the best of the three

  13. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Come on chelsea

  14. Les Bleus
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    It's funny how BAPS are usually allocating to the defenders of the more attacking team in a 0-0 game just because of completed passes.

    Like in this game, Arsenal defenders are hogging the BAPS even though Chelsea have done all the defending.

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

      good way to punish bus parking

  15. The Machine
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Oh no welbeck coming on. 3 mins for arsenal to get a goal

    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      nah need some more pace to break the lines

  16. Red Star Toro
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Well, kudos to those who predicted 0-0. Saw couple of such posts here.

    1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I suspect Che will nick it.

    2. Les Bleus
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      It was pretty obvious.

  17. The Nuttmxn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Wally sighted.

  18. Heels_Over_Head
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Theo and Danny shaking off the cobwebs on the sideline......

    More drama on the sideline than on the pitch.

  19. Richd
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    3 bellerin
    2 mertesacker
    1 azpi

    As of now.

    1. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Get out of those baps Azpi.

  20. Norco
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Silva, Sterling or Fabregas > Sanchez?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      there's a match on.

      1. Norco
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        0-0 no excite lol

  21. Mike2795647
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    With Fab now on 10 yellow's is he banned for the midweek game?

    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      no

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Has to get 15 now. Unfortunately.

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Ivanovic yellow

  23. ZTF
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Ivan booked

  24. Bubz
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    God I hate you Ivanovic.

  25. Nobodinho
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Ivan YC

  26. Les Bleus
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Finally Ivan yellow

  27. Nabs Kebabs
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    ivan YC

  28. Wild Rover
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Long overdue

  29. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Ivanovic didn't have a YC previously???

  30. SamH123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Ivan and Fab both yellows now great