Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Middlesbrough vs Arsenal

After Diego Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed a single point between them at Old Trafford yesterday, all eyes are on Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal roll up to the Riverside in tonight’s final Gameweek fixture.

Recently shuffled onto the left flank, a run of three matches without a goal has knocked our confidence in the Chilean ahead of the Gunners’ double Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Indeed, only 5.9% have handed Sanchez the armband as he attempts to reclaim his spot as top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League, having been knocked off his perch by Romelu Lukaku at the weekend.

Tonight’s team selection looks to have handed Sanchez a change of role. To everyone’s surprise, Arsene Wenger appears to have set up with a 3-4-2-1 formation or even a 3-4-1-2, with Sanchez perhaps joining Olivier Giroud up front – a concern perhaps for the 91,000+ who sold the Chilean ahead of Gameweek 33.

Tonight’s encounter also gives us the chance to run the rule over the hosts as they prepare for a potentially profitable double Gameweek 34 against Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Both Victor Valdes and Ben Gibson currently sit second for transfers in among keepers and defenders since Saturday’s deadline, though in the four matches under new manager Steve Agnew, Boro have been somewhat hot and cold – keeping two clean sheets and conceding at least three times in the other two.

Valdes misses out this evening with a rib problem sustained at Burnley last time out – an injury kept under wraps until tonight: Brad Guzan claims the keeper’s jersey.

Sitting six points from safety, the Teesside team are in desperate need of wins now. Having failed to score in six of their last eight, though, most will likely steer clear of the hosts’ attack unless they can punish the Gunners this evening.

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

4,192 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Visionaries
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Chambers & Tom Davies -> Friend & De Rooney
    Worth it?

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      You don't get more exciting than that

      1. Visionaries
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

    2. Sergeant Garcia
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Davies could easily outscore De Roon. No.

    3. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      No. Chambers can play next game

  2. purple.emu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? What do we do with Sanchez? ......and ....What do we do with Sanchez?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Keep

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Depends what you want to do with him

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Keep for DGW 37 the useless cretin.

    4. George James
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      It's coming down to him or Lukaku to find ibra. Swaying on shipping Sanchez as have WC to bring him back

    5. purple.emu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Plays Leicester then Spurs but I have a wildcard!!!

    6. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Get him back ???

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Might get rid for Townsend so I can do Barnes to Ibra

  3. grifster69
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Help Needed
    a)Brunt/Rondon> Bailly/Benteke -4
    b)Lukaka/Brunt> Bailly/Ibrahomovic(C) -4
    c)Lukaka/Brunt/Rondon>Billy/Beneteke/Ibrah (C) -8
    Thanks

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. MartialMatas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      C looks tempting. especially if you're chasing

  4. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Does the average points score on FPL discovery include auto subs?

    1. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Aye

  5. MartialMatas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Pickford
    Alonso Valencia Barragan
    Sanchez Alli Eriksen Siggy
    Kane Lukaku Benteke

    Heaton Robertson Pieters TCarroll
    1.2m itb 1ft

    Lukaku to Ibra before the price rise?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure I'd take the risk on Ibra.

    2. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Ibra not worth it, Lukaku>Negredo(C)

    3. Jethrik
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      No.

  6. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    'arry should of got 16 🙁

  7. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Couple of incredibly close FFS cup games for me assuming BPS stay the same.

    Think i will end up on 67 points ( assuming 2 Negrado BAPS) and post auto subs.

    So very narrowly beat Footopia on 65 points (assuming no Sanchez BAPS) in the FFS Cup

    But very narrowly lost to Swanseajackattack on 68 points (post autosubs and hits) in the FFS Members Cup, well done Swanseajackattack.

    Very fine margins indeed.......has kept my interest up though anyway.

  8. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Ibra + Siggy + Ayew OUT

    IN:
    1. Gabbi + Ozil + Hazard
    2. Barnes + Sanchez + Hazard
    3. Giroud + Firmino + Hazard
    4. de Jesus + Sane + Hazard

    GW35 transfer early thoughts

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Don't sell Ibra!

    2. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Why Ibra out?

    3. Sergeant Garcia
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      One GW at a time pls 😀

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I'm all set for this week

  9. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    hmm tekkers rising tonight...........hate an early tranny, but my gw37 depends on no net loss changes 😕

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Got to hate those early trannys.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        darn tootin

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Have Zaha ... not sure double Palace attack is worth it against Pool and Spurs

    3. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd wait. So much will happen between now and 37 that what you think you want now won't be what you want then.

  10. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Pickford
    Alonso Davies Robertson
    Sanchez Alli Eriksen ZAHA King
    BENTEKE NEGREDO Lukaku

    Foster Pieters Holebas

    1 ft / 2.2 itb

    Planning to WC and BB 36&37

    A) drop one from front 8 ?
    B) what should be my priority transfer(s) ?

  11. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    a) Negredo + Gibson/PvA

    b) Tekkers + Fabio/4.4 Boro def

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Sergeant Garcia
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Fabio injured, didn't look good :/

      1. Sergeant Garcia
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        B with Barragan maybe

    3. upforgrabs
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

  12. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Lukaku to Ibra ?

    Will WC in 36

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd do it

  13. upforgrabs
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What to do here?
    Heaton - Robinson
    Alonso - Valencia - Baines - Brunt - Chambers
    Sánchez - Alli - Siggy - King - Snoddy
    Kane - Lukaku - Negredo
    1 FT, 1.6 ITB

    Kind of lost on what to do. Was planning on Valdes + Ibra in, and Heaton + Lukaku out for a hit, but with the spaniards injury and Ibra running the risk of bench time I've gotten cold feet.

    This look reasonable?
    Brunt -> Gibson or MUN
    Snoddy -> Zaha -4

  14. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    4 DGW players is enough for me!

    I will not let DGW fever hit me, I will not let DGW fever hit me, I will not let DGW fever hit me...

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Giong with 4 here too

    2. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      4 here with potentially de roon starting.

      Can't see where the option are for many more.

  15. Legomane
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Pickford
    Alonso Valencia Davies
    Sanchez Alli Eriksen Sigurdsson
    Aguero Lukaku Origi

    (Heaton Pieters TCarroll ASmith)

    2 FT 0.1 ITB

    A. Kun Origi > Ibra Benteke TC rival cover...
    B. Kun Origi Davies > Kane Benteke Gibson (-4) tonight...
    C. Origi Siggy ASmith > Benteke King Gibson (-4) bench-ache...

    Cheers 🙂

  16. EDEN THE MAN
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Walker to Gibson (-4)?

    Free up third Spurs slot for Kane next week

  17. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Seriously considering Alexis and Origi to Zaha/Townsend and Ibra. Those moves will enable a front line of Lukaku Ibra Kane. Do it or not ?

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't be keen on losing Sanchez unless you can get him back.

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Getting him back for sure in GW36.

    2. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Not. Alexis will punish you.

    3. darthwader
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Do it. I did Carroll+Sanchez to Ibra+Townsend myself.

  18. Optic1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Which option is best?
    A)
    Origi > Negrado (free)

    B)
    Origi > Negrado
    King > Zaha
    Foster > Hennesey (-8)

    Not really sure how vital Palace are with those fixtures.

    1. upforgrabs
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A imo. King has decent home fixture.

  19. Manani
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    for those still have it, when are you using WC?

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 1 month ago

        35/36

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

          Either this or 34.
          37 if I don't use it before.

      • FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Week36

      • EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        35/36

        Most likely the latter

      • CloudSky
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        36

      • matiakez
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        35 or 36.

      • Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        36

        1. Here's Tom with the We…
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          35

    2. lordkippe
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Anything worth a hit you reckon ?

      Jakupovic

      Valencia - Gibson - ALonso - Walker

      Sanchez - Alli - Coutinho - Zaha

      Lukaku - Kane

      Pickford - Gabbiadini - Carroll - Stephens

    3. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Any de roon owners going to start him?? Doesn't exactly appeal even with the two fixtures.

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Goal disallowed tonight.

        1. matiakez
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          He's got the odd goal in him hasn't he? Which I guess is more than most boro players. It's whether to drop king or siggy

    4. Origi-nal
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Defoe > Negredo for a free a no brainer?

    5. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Asking again:
      How does Kun, Llorente, McAuley to Ibra, Benteke, Gibson sound for a -8?

      1. Origi-nal
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Just the latter 2. Keep Kun.

        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Have to sell Kun to fund Benteke!

          1. Origi-nal
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            I'd miss Benteke then.

            1. WE GO FOR IT
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Negredo over him?

    6. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Now realistically can I catch a 67point deficit?

      Me: WC, BB, AOA
      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/46787/event/33

      Him: BB, TC
      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/389435/event/33

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

        Probably not.

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Just too much now... 🙁

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Not really

      3. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Tough but not impossible.
        Need his TC to flop

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          It isn't looking good unless he really does fail.

      4. EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Possible I reckon. If you can cut it down to 40 in the next 3 weeks then GW37 could be make or break.

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I have been picking up small differences but he has been ridiculously lucky recently. I'm going Ibra, Benteke, Zaha, and Chambers for the dgw. Don't think he will do similar... Will have to wait and see.

      5. Mattymo23
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Unlikely but possible as his team isn't the greatest rn. I'd play your WC soon though

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Want to make the most of the DGW37. Might play it next week.

    7. purple.emu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Negredo is temting!

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Who are you guys benching in 34? (Excludes AOA and BB users).

        Could end up being Siggy.

        1. MTPockets
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah Siggy

        2. Moosie the Staggie
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Tarroll

      2. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Stan, Siggy, Alonso>Zaha, Herrera, Gibson for -8, yay or nay?

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Herrera? No thanks.

          1. Moosie the Staggie
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            More likely to get a red than a goal imo

      3. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        How many minutes likely for Darmian GW34 anyone please? Played last two 90's.

        Thanks.

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

          118

        2. Arctic monkeys
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Don't even think about it

        3. Legomane
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Darmian won rival the ML last year with his GW34 17-pointer

      4. Kanteisking
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Grant, Jaku
        Valencia,Stones, Alonso, Stephens, Holgate
        Sanchez, Ali, Siggy, Zaha, Davies
        Lukaku, Aguero, Kane

        1FT 0ITB
        Want Hazard to replace Davies and a DGW striker perhaps. Which striker can I part with for Benteke or Negredo?

        1. Sotamendi84
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Lukaku

      5. Sotamendi84
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        which combo is the best?
        A) benteke (c) + friend + lukaku (bench siggy)
        B) ibra (c) + townsend + holebas (bench origi)

      6. King Sheep
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Cech

        Koscielny, Toby , B.Davies

        PUNCHEON, Siggy, King, Son

        NEGREDO, IBRA, Lukaku

        Subs - Jaku, Barkley, Brunt, Love

        I have 2 FT's, any idea's folks?

        Lukaku + Barkley + Brunt >>> Benteke + Pogba + Bailly worth a -4 ???

        1. Moosie the Staggie
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Why get rid of Everton against the Hammers?Personally I would lose siggy before Barkley

          1. King Sheep
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, losing Siggy is an option, cant say I'm confident getting Pogba in either ...