Scouting The Doubles

Scouting the Doubles – Chelsea

Having clinched a place in next month’s Europa League final following last night’s win over FC Basel, Chelsea can turn their attentions to domestic matters again. While a double Gameweek would typically have Fantasy managers scrambling for a piece of the action, a trip to Old Trafford and home clash with Tottenham somewhat lessen Chelsea’s appeal. Factor in Rafa Benitez’s rotation policy and it’s understandable that many are a little wary of the Blues’ main Fantasy assets ahead of tomorrow’s deadline:

The Prospects

Having already tasted defeat at the hands of Benitez’s side in the recent FA Cup quarter-final, Sir Alex Ferguson will be out for vengeance. United have won all but two of their home games this term and have scored in every match in front of their own fans –considering Chelsea have won just one of their last six road trips, with two draws and three losses also thrown in, and it’s fair to say that defensive returns look hard to come by in the first match of their double. United have four clean sheets in their last five at Old Trafford, with City the only side to score against them over that spell, though Chelsea will fancy their chances of finding a way past David De Gea – Benitez’s side have scored in all but one of their away matches since he arrived back in November.

The home game against Spurs could well prove an open affair. If Andre Villas-Boas’ side win against Southampton and Chelsea lose at United, they will square up on Wednesday level on points in the race for a third place finish. With Arsenal also firmly in the reckoning, though, neither can afford to draw in midweek – Chelsea will be optimistic of goals, given they have scored two or more in six of their last seven at home and Spurs have conceded in each of the last nine Gameweeks. The Blues impressive record of a single goal conceded in their last four at the Bridge will be tested to the full, with the visitors scoring at least twice in eight of their last nine.

The Likely Lads

With rotation set to play a significant part amongst Benitez’s backline, Petr Cech offers a security of starts that seems comparatively hassle-free. The downside, of course, is that Chelsea will more than likely concede in both matches – Cech will need to rely on save points to bolster his appeal; Fantasy managers looking for a premium priced keeper are likely to prefer City’s Joe Hart, given his kinder schedule.

A recent move to central midfield and share of set-piece duties makes David Luiz the most likely Chelsea defender to return our faith over the pair of fixtures. The Portuguese player’s attacking potential was highlighted only last night in the Europa League win over FC Basel and he seems to be almost immune to his manager’s rotational whims, having played eight of the last nine league fixtures. With clean sheets looking highly questionable, his eye for a long range effort will be crucial to his appeal.

Afforded no more than a 15 minute run out as a second-half sub last night, Juan Mata’s owners will be confident of back-to-back starts for the Spaniard heading into the double. Having failed to find the net since Gameweek 25, there’s no doubt his attacking threat has dropped in recent weeks but Mata has ticked over with five assists in his last five – his creativity will be key to unlocking his opponents’ backlines.

Replaced by Mata towards the end of the win over FC Basel, Eden Hazard’s owners will breathe a sigh of relief after Benitez revealed his withdrawal was purely precautionary. The Belgian has scored three times since Mata’s above-mentioned drought and is also on spot-kicks when Frank Lampard isn’t on the pitch – given the importance of both matches, it seems unlikely that Benitez would be willing to rotate such a key player at this point.

After a disappointing domestic campaign, Oscar is finally starting to deliver. The Brazilian has now notched in each of his last two league appearances, though with four starts in the previous six he is slightly more prone to rotation that Mata or Hazard. With a far kinder price tag of 7.8 and ownership less than 2% in FPL, he looks a real differential option heading into tomorrow’s deadline.

Cheeky Punt

In times gone by, Frank Lampard would have been one of the first names in the section above but as the season has progressed, he’s been used a little more sparingly by Benitez. Granted, his impact was obvious in last week’s win over Swansea but his appearance on the pitch came as a result of an injury to Ramires – Lampard has started just one of Chelsea’s last four league games and, having featured in the first XI against Basel, it’s more than likely he’ll warm the bench at Old Trafford on Sunday. With spot-kicks in his locker, he still has the potential to have a prosperous double but lacks the security of game time afforded by other midfield options.

With 13 starts in the last 14 Gameweeks, Ramires has been one of the key figures in the Benitez era. The Brazilian has picked up bonus in three of his last four home appearances and, while four goals and four assists fare poorly when compared with Mata and Hazard, he’s offered a consistency of game time that has been hard to better.

Having scored in each of his last two starts, Victor Moses is a man in form. Unfortunately for the Nigerian, both those appearances have come courtesy of the Europa League but, having been handed game time in two of the last three in the league, he is likely to be called upon at some stage during the Blues’ fixtures. At 6.2, he’s a budget-friendly option but his acquisition looks the boldest of punts.

Ineligible for last night’s win over Basel, Demba Ba looks a likely starter at Old Trafford on Sunday. The former Newcastle man grabbed the winner against United in their recent FA Cup clash and will be desperate to stake a claim for inclusion against Spurs on Wednesday – ultimately, though, there’d be no surprise if Fernando Torres starts against Spurs but Ba looks to be in the driving seat for the weekend game, at least. A good performance and his manager may find it impossible to leave him out on Wednesday.

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928 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Right then. No money in bank, already used FT to do Remy to Kone and I have DDG and Cesar as keepers.

    Can't afford Hart without an 8 point hit so may as well get Kone in for 4 pt hit? Worst case scenario is he's insurance in case SAF plays Lindegard for the last few games.

    Or should I just take the 8 pointer and get Hart s direct replacement for DDG? Hart's last 4 fixtures are rather damn tasty!

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    1. unoaime
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      So you've already got Kone but want to also get him in with a 4 point hit?

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      1. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        😆

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      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Robles not Kone.

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      3. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        presume he means Robles?

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    2. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Splash the points and get in Hart. Robles won't pay back the investment whereas Hart will keep paying off beyond this GW and you get to add another two DGW players 🙂

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  2. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Right, Lambert > Lukaku is happening and I'm going without a City attacker having decided to back RVP to outscore them all. Time to spend the final stretch wrangling over whether Baines > Vert is worth a hit. Taking out a penalty taker for attacking threat feels counterintuitive.

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    1. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      everton liverpool too, agger will give a penalty

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    2. Test Eagles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      But an attacking defender in good form with a DGW... makes sense

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    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Much of a muchness really.

      I was going to make that move last week but then decided that having Vert meant I couldn't do Berbs to Tevez so I just downgraded Baines to Dawson.

      I doubt Spurs keep a cleanie against Chelsea so its really a case of whether you think he'll outscore Baines v Liverpool when he plays Southampton.

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    4. FridayNightFail
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Not feeling Lukaku myself. I guess he's in form but Wigan will be tight to avoid the drop and City away...

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      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Wigan could play well but can't see them not conceding. It's that game I have an eye on really, Lamb's the guy I'm least happy with in the eleven and the only other double option I can afford is Kone.

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        1. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Kone's 180 minute prospect is the one temptation, but he's not been scoring.

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  3. FridayNightFail
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Berbatov to Lukaku for a -4 points hit? Berb is playing Reading this week-end so surely he has good chances to score?

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    1. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      i have same conundrum .... going to keep berba

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  4. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    why is pantilmon playing fa cup final instead of hart?

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    1. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      He's played all their cup games, that's his thang

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      1. Licky
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Is that the guy from Castle of Cagliostro in your Grav?

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        1. TokyoRed 東京赤
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Yep, Lupin III. Bears a striking resemblence to Gareth Bale.

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          1. Licky
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Now that you mention it, he does doesn't he.

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    2. False no.2
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Because he's played in all their cup matches.

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  5. Test Eagles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Do Liverpool fans like Suarez... kind of a necessary evil but if u could get rid of him for someone more ... human ... I'm sure you would??

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    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      as far as liverpool fans are concerned, if you can't beat other teams, eat them

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    2. Licky
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn't get rid of him, just rather he wasn't as volatile. Having said that i'd rather he wasn't a generic robot of a player either.

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    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      fed up of defending his antics, but he is a gifted player......shame

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    4. Stykes
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      He makes me so angry some times, but I love watching him play football enough that I really hope we can keep - and "discipline"- him.

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  6. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    This will be Remy against Arsenal on the weekend: http://i.imgur.com/pa4dSTT.gif

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    1. /
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Could you rephrase that in question form so that I can respond with the shrug emoticon

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        ¯\_(シ)_/¯

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    2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      haha

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    3. Test Eagles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Haha... awesome!! Is that Christiano the Mad?

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    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      If Wenger has any sense he'll be playing for them next season.

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  7. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    bench nasri or kone?

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    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      nasri

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    2. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      or walcott

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      1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        walcott then, podolski will be striker again

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    3. False no.2
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      surely neither?

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    4. Back on the horse
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Nasri is on form - he's a must-have

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  8. Beautiful Game
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    who do u guys think will score more this gamewk???

    kone OR rvp???

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Kone ➡ 4

      RvP ➡ 6

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    2. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      RvP

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  9. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    As azpil played the full game yesterday is he likely to start v utd?

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yes and yes!

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      1. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Based on Ivanovic also playing 90 mins. yesterday.

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  10. tw
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Hands up if you're getting kolarov

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    1. Kim Kimani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      here here

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  11. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    My team: http://s22.postimg.org/v2roocem9/image.jpg
    Not as many DGW'ers as most of you (7) buy no hits taken and happy with it

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  12. Robbens Diving Instructor
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    The million dollar question, Walcott to Mata?

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      i wouldnt but im a fool

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    2. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Nah, not when he has such a good fixture. Got someone else to shift?

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    3. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

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    4. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Yes!!

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    5. Manani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      i did it.
      based on the fact that mata is a big game player, and is against United (already won the title), and a chocking Spurs

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  13. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Benteke to Kone for free? Yay or nay?

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    1. Robbens Diving Instructor
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      keep the big belgian!

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      1. Declan-
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        +lots

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  14. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    I need to bench one

    A Walcott
    B Rvp

    Yes I know I've made a stupid mistake by putting my self in this situation

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    1. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      B then.

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  15. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    I'd love to see a dugout discussion on a matchday performed in mime...

    Your player gets an assist: 🙂
    Your player scores a goal: 🙂 🙂
    Your captain scores: 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Your player has a shot off target: 🙁
    Your player gets a YC: 🙁 🙁
    Your player gets a RC: 😯 😥

    Your captain blanks: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
    Your captain blanks and gets a YC: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
    Your captain blanks and misses a pen: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    Your defender concedes: 🙄
    Your defender concedes two: 🙄 🙄
    Your defender concedes and gets a RC: 👿

    Your player gets a lucky assist: 😈
    Your player gets subbed off after 59 minutes: 👿 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 👿

    Your player doesn't even start: 😥 👿 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 🙄

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      My eyes

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    2. Back on the horse
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      your mum calls you for your tea :mrgreen:

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    3. Something Clever
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      You feel like being dirty: 8=====D---¯\_(ツ)_/¯

      Yes. I am 12.

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    4. Perthite
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      What about:
      Bale not awarded assist or
      Mata missing a penalty assist?

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  16. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    So, no to Kolarov too.
    I feel people here think only Mata is worth buying for a hit.

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Nah get Kolarov for a hit. It will be paid back when you captain him

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      1. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers. Finally some sence 😉

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  17. b3- bish bash bosh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Pearce is out of favour at reading
    Worth doing Pearce to stam? -4

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  18. rez-rez
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    new post dam it im playing first on my own,., someone go fourth

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  19. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    will nasty start both? one?

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    1. Robbens Diving Instructor
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      he should start both

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    2. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I bet one. Probably be rested for WBA. Who knows with Mancini though?

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    3. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Probably not both. Possibly one.

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    4. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      im looking for a defender at or below 5.4, who else?

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      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        boyce?

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      2. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        McAuley.

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  20. QPR expects... glory!
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Flashback: DGW 26 - Davies gets 1 pt in total and seduced by the DGW I play him against my instincts leaving a cleanie from a single GWer on the bench.

    I can see the same thing happening again. Do I fall into the same trap or play O'Brien or Enrique instead?

    NB: I've already got 9 other DGWers so it's not like I'll be leaving myself short 🙂

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    1. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      im playing demel over davies

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    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Thinking the same. More goal threat, more CS chance, can't see Swans getting anything.

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    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Quite a few players could be in that situation. Outide the bigger clubs who may keep a cleanie or two with a bit of luck I can only see Boyce who offers anything at all...

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        having said that I got him last week and left him on the bench..

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  21. leelaleela
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Good evening,
    Hazard or Mata please

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Has to be Mata at this stage.

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    2. .
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      yes please

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      1. .
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        no please

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        1. .
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          yes sir

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          1. .
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            no sir

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            1. .
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 11 months ago

              MATA!

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              1. .
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 11 months ago

                Indeed.

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    3. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Mata's been on such a dry run, I have gone for Hazard. Will regret it im sure.

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      1. bitterandstout
          10 years, 11 months ago

          you must speaking of goals only. He's returned four assists in the last three gameweeks.

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    4. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      What would you recommend for my transfer(s) this week

      Bunn ( ddg)
      rangel, zabaleta, evans (demel, harte)
      michu, mata, bale, walcott ( puncheon)
      Rvp, tevez, benteke

      0.9m in the bank

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    5. Burd Turglars
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Who are you most scared of not owning this week? Lampard for me.

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      1. ZeleniMD
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Lukaku

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      2. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Mata and Aguero, but the rest of my team should make up for it....

        ... . Cech
        Kompany Vertonghen Luiz
        Hazard Bale(c) Maloney Yaya Michu
        . .Tevez Lukaku

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    6. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      What is my best option

      a) Evans to luiz (-4)
      b) bench evans and play demel

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    7. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      A) Michu, Oscar or Nasri ?
      B) Kone or Lukaku ?

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    8. leelaleela
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks for you comments people think it's goin to be Mata!

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    9. holtbyisthenewmessi
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      sagna or davies?

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    10. asyrafdanial
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Owning Mata & Lampard too risky guys ?

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    11. Javed0512
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Hi All,

      My Midfield is Sissoko, Schneiderlin, Fellaini, Bale and Carrick
      My Forward is Ba, Kone and Tevez...

      Option1: Fellaini > Mata and Carrick > Nasri
      Option2: Fellaini > Hazard and Ba > Aguero

      Option1 or Option2?
      Or any other proposal?

      Thanks.

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