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. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    They could play another hour and Chelsea still wouldn't push anyone forward.

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

      Wouldn't hold it against them

      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        They're very good at it. Played the same against United and got out of the game with 3 points.

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

          Yep, pretty awful to watch but if it gets them the title, will they care?

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

    Haha that was brilliant Ivan.

  3. Would an idiot do that?
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Who cares what Mourinho thinks

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

    Did everyone just fall asleep watching?

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

    Kosc on for 3 baps...sold for a hit

    1. Jar Jar Dinks
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      3rd on bench

      1. luke
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        me too right next to Siggy

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

      1st on my bench.

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

      For who?

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

        Skrtel, hopefully CS against Hull

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

          Not too bad then I suppose.

    4. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Typical 🙄

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

        lol

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

    I think I've got a shot at the lowest score out of the FFS users this week, can anyone do worse than 34(-4) 😆

    4 left to play...

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

      If Chelsea concede I'll do worse

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

      B2BB took a -20

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

        Ouch, I suppose I will beat Tom Fenley too... Maybe I should have nailed it down to gameweek score without hits taken into account 🙂

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

      A couple of people forgot to press the WC button.

  7. Would an idiot do that?
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    This is why Madrid hated Mourinho. They don't stand for this butchering of the game 😀

  8. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Just arrived in Mumbai... ask the reception the scores and he rattles them off without much thought as well as the assists... i say to him... u play fpl dont you... he smiled at me and said yes...

    Love it

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Where were you flying from?

      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Dubai... only 3 hour flight

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Emirates?
          I'm flying with them next week, hard to beat them these days.

          1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 6 months ago

            Yes..

            Definitely one of the best

  9. AIRMILES
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I think Ramires has been the most advanced player, on average, for Chelsea this match.

  10. Son is Rising
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Sky man of the match predictions?

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Kos.

    2. Would an idiot do that?
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      The ref

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

    5 players in this game, but only one of them defenders. This GW couldn't get any worse.

  12. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    I missed that Ivanovic yellow. FFS, EVERY blooming week since I got him in !!!!! He AND Silva this past 3/4 weeks....

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

    YC Ramsey

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

    Zouma on for Fabregas

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

    boooooooo

  16. Jairzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Fabregas clean sheet point banked.

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Pity about the yellow

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

    Boring, boring Chelsea. This is no way to win a title. At least City, Utd. and Arsenal used to win it in style.

  18. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Did Fabregas say something about arsenal? Or did he carry them to a tonne of victories?

    W*nkers booing.

    1. AIRMILES
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Fortunately it wasn't everyone. Enough Arsenal fans applauding.

      1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed.

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

          This

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

    Ivan late winner please

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

    Fab saved for midweek 😎

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

    Fabregas clean sheet - boom

    that's the excitement

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

    BTW Skrtel (C) looks really good now 😀

    1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      So does Schmeichel (c)

  23. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Wow Drogba can't do anything.

  24. Would an idiot do that?
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Chance!!

  25. Red Devil Swede
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Wow Welbz..

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

    welbeck
    😯

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

      Thats the danger

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

    Giroud would have scored

  28. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    FFS ÖZIL !!!!

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

    Dat Guy!

  30. Breadbin
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Any bonus for Coquelin?