Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Boxing Day

Gameweek 18 continues in some style, with half a dozen three o’clock kick-offs boasting a strong cast of leading Fantasy assets.

All the top captaincy options are in action, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic carrying huge expectations into Manchester United’s Old Trafford meeting with Sunderland – he is the top choice for skipper, backed by 25% of Fantasy Premier League managers.

Equally, Arsenal pair Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott promise attacking returns of their own at the Emirates, though the latter misses out – he is suffering a calf complaint which allows Olivier Giroud to earn a recall up front. Sanchez is backed by 14.6% for the captaincy but finds himself deployed on the right flank today.

Stamford Bridge will also be a major focus.

Without the suspended Diego Costa against visitors Bournemouth, manager Antonio Conte deploys Eden Hazard as his central attacker, with Michy Batshuayi kept on the bench. Hazard has returned six of his eight goals at home but has recorded just a single strike in his last five Gameweek starts.

Elsewhere, Swansea City’s meeting with West Ham in South Wales also promises goals and returns, with Gylfi Sigurdsson the star turn on show.

Burnley’s meeting with Middlesbrough is, on paper at least, likely to be a far more dour affair, while Everton’s visit to Leicester City pairs two unpredictable sides.

Romelu Lukaku is by far the most popular asset on show as he seeks to exploit a Foxes defence without the suspended Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs. However, the Belgian has scored in just one of his last seven Gameweeks.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,348 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Z
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Origi to Rondon?

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      see tomorrow game.

    2. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Think Origi should continue to play. Firmino can't play v Man City cos of his court date I think. Then mane is going soon and Coutinho won't be back for a few games still

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Isnt the court date for the Chelsea game?

        1. ANON.
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Could be. Thought I read 31st Dec but could have been 31st jan

    3. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Wait til after the spurs game

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Rondon going up to 6.7 tonight

      1. rdamjan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        What court???

  2. VFORVANDETA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Kane to Costa right?

    Heaton
    Walker Alonso McAuley
    Hazard Siggy Sanchez Lallana
    Ibra Kane Origi

    Grant Fletcher Friend Kingley

    1ft 0.1itb.
    Any other suggestion?

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Fo' sho

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, nice team

      1. VFORVANDETA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        thanks.

  3. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Mane to Mkhi done.

    I simply love him.

    1. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Very bold

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Do you have triple United? Mkhi is a good flair pick. GL.

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      United doing much better since Jose got his Mikhi out!

    4. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      If only he could start every game

    5. dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      He's class.

  4. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Kane to Costa for free this week or save FT?

    Appreciate your thoughts!

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I'd rather have Costa.-

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Watford are crap though.

    2. Bleach †
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Im keeping Kane for Watford

  5. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Weird that players get a long ban for allegedly making racist or homophobic comments but nothing for risking killing people for drink driving. 😕

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Agreed. Absolutely disgusting!

    2. HVT
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      +42

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Should be automatic prison.

    4. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Surprisingly good point, agreed.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Surprising that WR made a good point? 😀

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I distinctly remember making one in in 2010, just forgot what it was 😀

          1. Je suis le chat
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Well said old boy, much more lucid after a few!

    5. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      *by drink driving

      #drink posting

    6. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Don!t

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        And to back it up in reality, Ciarain killed by a dd.
        https://youtu.be/dtyOq5ATw18

    7. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      That's what the law is for. The employer shouldn't get involved unless he's broken his contract.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Care to explain the bans for Gray and Shelvey?

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          What's that got to do with me? I've not stated my position for or against them. I just think Firmino should get a fine and a ban (from driving) like everyone else.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Well I would actually lose my job, as would many others. The bans on the two I mentioned were given by the FA, not the clubs so I'm not sure where employers come into the discussion

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              OK THEN. The FA. Would you lose your job because you're a driver? Or because you'd be breaking your contract in another way?

              1. Wild Rover
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                As I said, not sure why employers come into the discussion. It's about the FA having duel standards

                1. Deulofail
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  Shelvey broke FA's rules, and broke them actually DURING a football match. Gray broke FA's rules too.

                  I don't understand the hoo-ha. If you watch the FA to change the rules then that's what you should be arguing for. Not for them to retroactively change them and punish him. That's not a just action for a just world.

                  1. Deulofail
                    • 8 Years
                    7 years, 4 months ago

                    want*

    8. Shultan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I totally agree! FA should be banning players caught drink driving.

    9. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      If the PL had NFL standards then criminal offenders would be in trouble.....

  6. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Who wins this battle?:

    A) Cedric (TOT) + Bertrand (TOT) + Mane (STK)
    B) Walker (sou) + Alli (sou) + Hojbjerg (TOT) + 4

    (If Hoj doesn't play, Love steps in with 1 point)

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      a

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Well I'm A, and B actually has +6 on me, so I'm not very optimistic

  7. HVT
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    With the Friday night deadline aporoaching and the Wednesday gameweek finish, this on paper looks one of the easiest weeks to save and monitor Kun, Costa, Kane, Ibra up see which 2 maybe even 3 are the best to keep.

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Costa & Ibra.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Problem is Kun doesn't always look good anyway, then pops up with 10 goals in a game after you think it's safe to ignore him.

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Yea and the pool game may not be the best to see him. I've Kane/Ibra right now, for me Kane looks the weak link but who to replace him with?

        Costa or Kun?
        Both (with Ibra) may kill the balance, it may be a case of interchanging all 3 really based on fixtures.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I think I'll be doing the interchangeable thing. I'm pretty sure at some point at least one of them will miss a few games for one reason or another. Problem is it's going to eat up transfers, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

          I'll have Costa this week, then next week decide which one to lose temporarily for Kun. But I'll definitely have Kun for Burnley.

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      If you'd be on wildcard this week. Would you Kun or not to Kun?

      1. HVT
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        If I thought I could I'd get all 3 as above. Though this makes Haz/Sanchez/Defence look unbalanced.

    4. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah .. I'm saving

      Trying to think of a mid field if we go for that top 3.

    5. MTPockets
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Easy but potentially wrong.

    6. WE ARE RANGERS
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      What's the top 10k average?

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        My 1st time on here. A thing of magic Torres those stats

    7. Shultan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Fellow siggy owners, are you keeping or getting rid?
      I'm going to save the transfer & give him one more week so I have 2 FT.

      1. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Plan was always to get rid gw20/21, I left £ ITB for siggy > Coutinho

      2. MTPockets
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Keeping & focusing on Aguero.

        • KUNingas
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Keeping few weeks

        • Heavy Data
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Keeping him for the next game then shipping him out for Phillips when West Brom play Hull.

      3. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Who scores more:

        A)64+son and Allen

        B)62+walker, Kane, lallana

        I'm B....

        1. dcarlito
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I give up...who?

      4. PapsH
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Bottomed!
        Gonna try life without aguero and stick with ibra & costa

        Who's the best 3rd striker to go with sub 8mil?

        1. PvA
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Keeping
          Pens, FKs, corners and general play threat. Nobody else like that in the game. Swansea are a mess atm, I think Bob will be sacked soon

          1. william prunier
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Ramires, snoddy?

        2. Odikostar
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Rondon or tekkers

        3. Sweetboi
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Benteke

        4. Too Mane Men
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I'm on Llorente but trusting Sawnsea isn't great. Beneke if he hadn't missed two panalties. Origi probably your best bet.

        5. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Benteke

        6. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          No one think Origi dor while?

      5. PvA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Damn this site is broken

        Loading takes like 2 mins

        1. Garlana
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Same

        2. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          How did the day go mate?
          Siggy captain disappointment 🙁

        3. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Been slow refreshing for hours for me

      6. Sweetboi
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Best mid for under 5.8m other than Snod?

        I'm thinking Phillips.

        1. william prunier
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Ramires, zaha

        2. Zareos
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          With those fixtures, definitely Phillips.

        3. WVA
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Yep

      7. Heavy Data
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Just made some pretty rash decisions with transfers. Dropped Kane, Hazard, Anichebe and Aderwiereld and brought in Costa, Aguero, Ake and Coquelin. Already thinking i shouldnt have but **** it.

        1. william prunier
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Knee jerk!

          1. Heavy Data
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            i know, but to hell with it. It could pay off or Pep will bench Kun and Costa will do nothing while Hazard gets a boat load of points.

        2. Carlton P
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Kane + Toby > Costa + bellerin would have done

          1. Heavy Data
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Wouldnt off been able to afford Aguero if id dropped Toby for Hector though.

        3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          -8? -12?

          1. Heavy Data
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            -8, which isnt so bad. My keeper scored more points than that today.

      8. Z
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Heaton Pickford
        Alonso Brunt Cedric Jones Amat
        Hazard Sanchez Eriksen Siggy deRoon
        Ibra Origi Benteke

        2.9ITB, 1FT

        Anything need changing?

        1. Zareos
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          None right now, wait until all the games are finished and reassess. If nothing else happens, save and use 2FTs for Aguero if you want him v Burnley.

        2. Scotty B
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Amat

          1. JustPark
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Nahh. He's perfect for a 5th def.

        3. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Aguero vs Burnley < Ibra next 4

      9. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry if it's been posted answered previously but
        What's the deal with Walcott? Any news on the injury?
        Cheers

        1. william prunier
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          In for answers

        2. Too Mane Men
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          We get qoted saying he had a 'slight' calf injury. Almost certainly just a precaution given the Ox is also injured. I reckon he'll play against Palace.

          1. Too Mane Men
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Wenger*

        3. dcarlito
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Minor calf thing apparently.

      10. Jolly Good
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Which one of haz, costa, sanchez, ibra and kun would you drop?

        Kun gives max saving for def. But then there would be weeks where he is the obv captain option.

        No point having haz and costa if you can only captain one I think... but which one??

        This is so hard....

        1. Zareos
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Hazard for me.

        2. william prunier
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Hazard
          Chelsea are happy with Costa 1 nil

        3. MTPockets
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Hazard personally.

        4. Zareos
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Firmino and Kane to Phillips and Zlatan?

          This would leave money in the bank for Aguero the following week.

          Should I do this before the price rise of Zlatan later tonight. I have a 0.3m buffer for the Aguero move.

          Should I pull the trigger?

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Like it - Phillips underrated IMO - fixtures looking nice.

        5. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Can someone please stop me from rage transferring siggy and Defoe.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Not me

          2. WVA
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            I just got rid of Defoe for rondon, do siggy after sat

        6. Scotty B
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Is Holgate of Everton an option at 4m?

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Possibly.

          2. Carlton P
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Not in the slightest

        7. Rhinos
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I'm dropping ibra for a hit. Screw this game

          1. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            why?

        8. Kaneyonero
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Need Walker Eriksen Lallana and Kane to go mental. 57 pts so far

          1. Hooky
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Behave

        9. MidasBoys XI
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Hey TM, what's the safety point for LMS?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Too early. Guess high 20s or low 30s.

            1. MidasBoys XI
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Cheers TM,

        10. Ange Ball
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Thank you Yaya for proving me right that I should have taken hit to put you in.

          Sitting on 60pts with Kane Clyne Mane

          1. Ange Ball
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Green or Red Arrow? Anyone no?

            1. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Find out soon.

          2. Odikostar
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Complaining are we?

            1. Ange Ball
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Nope just wanna no if I will drop or go up in rank

        11. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          GW rank updated

          1. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Not yet

        12. Cocky Spaniel Alves
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Best midfielder for up to 7.0?

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Antonio

          2. Cocky Spaniel Alves
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Cesc not an option? Thinking about a replacement for Pedro.

            No good options really 🙁

        13. Odikostar
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Heaton 3 baps without any savepoint. Did he create chances with longballs, or what else does he get bonus from?

          1. FPL_Hazards
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Catches

          2. Odikostar
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Ah, never thought of that for some reason

        14. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Thoughts on Haz + Origi -> Costa + Phillips/Chadli?

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Could work. Thinking of Haz + Defoe -> Aguero + Phillips.

          2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            People knee-jerking before the article is even out!

            1. The Overthinker
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              That's manly because I missed on ibra captain after bringing him in
              Frustrating

          3. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            What position did Antonio play today?