Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 37

Upcoming Cup finals for City and Chelsea affect our thinking this week, with rest and rotation a real concern as Roberto Mancini and Rafa Benitez look to end the season with silverware. Everton and United feature prominently as David Moyes and Sir Alex Ferguson prepare for their final home games in charge, while Arsenal’s Emirates showdown with Wigan earns a couple of Gunners a place in our penultimate Scout Picks of the 2012/13 campaign:

Simon Mignolet gets the nod between the sticks for Sunderland’s home showdown with Southampton. Given their vastly superior goal difference over Wigan, a win for the Black Cats would help clinch survival for another season and with the Saints failing to score in each of their last three, Paolo Di Canio’s side will be confident of nullifying their opponents’ danger.

We’ve opted for Leighton Baines ahead of David Moyes’ last game in front of the Goodison faithful. The Toffees have been in stunning defensive form in recent matches, delivering six clean sheets in the last eight, and welcome West Ham side with 11 goals on the road all season – with free-kicks and penalties also in his locker, Baines could be set to plunder the points yet again.

Rafael’s suspension should afford Phil Jones the chance to shift to right-back for United’s home clash against Swansea. Jones’ all-round potential has harvested a couple of assists and two clean sheets over the last six matches and his raids down the flank are set to trouble the Swans time and again on Sunday, as Sir Alex Ferguson seeks to deliver the points in his last home game in charge of the champions.

We were all set to hand Glen Johnson a place in the XI but Brendan Rodgers’ hint at rotation earlier today was enough to scare us away. Instead, we turn to Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Wigan. The German has supplemented three clean sheets in his last four with a goal and maximum bonus and has found the net more often this season than the rest of his defensive team mates combined.

Confirmed as a starter for Chelsea’s trip to Villa by Rafa Benitez,Frank Lampard is handed a rare Scout Pick outing. The Blues boss is expected to make changes ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final with Benfica and while a repeat of the 8-0 Stamford Bridge annihilation back in Gameweek 18 won’t be on the cards, Villa’s record of 20 games without a clean sheet bodes well for Lampard’s chances of equalling Bobby Tambling’s scoring record tomorrow afternoon.

He may have suffered a rare blank in Wednesday’s draw at Chelsea but Gareth Bale’s outstanding form is impossible to overlook. A trip to Stoke is far from straightforward but with eight of his 13 sets of double figures arriving on the road already, the Tottenham talisman will roll up to the Britannia in buoyant mood, with Tony Pulis’ side managing just two clean sheets in the last 11 in front of their own fans.

We’re backing Marouane Fellaini to return to form after a run of five back-to-back blanks for Everton. The Belgian returned to his usual advanced berth behind Victor Anichebe in last week’s Merseyside derby and will relish the prospect of a physical battle against the West Ham backline as the Toffees go in search of a sixth straight home win this weekend.

With goals in each of his last couple of appearances, Theo Walcott has sparked into life once again. Arsenal’s final home game of the season sees Wigan roll up to the Emirates next Tuesday and with the Latics decimated by injuries to their first-team regulars at the back, Walcott looks a real captaincy contender as Arsene Wenger’s side try to keep their push for a top four finish on track.

Robin Van Persie will be looking to hand Sir Alex Ferguson reason to be cheerful in his last match in charge at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Dutchman had seemed susceptible to rotation over United’s final couple of matches but Ferguson will want to serve up a performance in front of his own fans after announcing his decision to retire earlier this week. With Wayne Rooney slapping in another transfer request, the United boss will surely hand “Robin Reliant” further chance to boost his 25-goal haul against Michael Laudrup’s Swansea.

Daniel Sturridge gets the nod for Liverpool’s trip to Fulham this weekend. Martin Jol’s side have capitulated in recent weeks, managing a single points from the last six fixtures, and welcome the Reds to the Cottages having just shipped four at home to Reading. Having scored or assisted in five or his six away appearances since arriving on Merseyside in January, Sturridge’s form on the road could reap reward once again.

Our final forward slot goes to City’s Edin Dzeko. Roberto Mancini looks likely to start with Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez in Saturday’s FA Cup final and with changes aplenty expected for Tuesday’s trip to Reading, the Bosnian could well be handed a starting role at the Madejski – as he showed last week against West Brom, his eye for goal remains firmly intact.

Russell Martin looks a strong cut-price defensive option as Norwich welcome West Brom to Carrow Road. Aside from their recent win at Southampton, the Baggies have been particularly toothless on their travels in of late and with three goals and a pair of assists to his name already this name, the 4.2 priced right-back offers plenty going forward.

Shifted to the role in “the hole” behind Danny Graham in light of Stephane Sessegnon’s suspension, Adam Johnson will be key for Sunderland this weekend. With Steven Fletcher injured and Craig Gardner also banned, Paolo Di Canio is without his three top scorers for the visit of Southampton – the former City winger will be desperate to add to his tally of five goals and eight assists and shoot the Black Cats to safety.

Kevin Mirallas makes the bench for Everton’s home game with West Ham. The Belgian has scored or assisted in four of his last six at Goodison and with seven bonus points also thrown in across those fixtures, has offered a strong source of consistency in front of his own fans in recent matches.

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1,605 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Thomass
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    1st???

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    1. SPorting
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Worst first post ever. Insecure and pointless,

      Grow a pair and try harder next time.

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      1. JT's Dog
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Worst 1st post reply ever, full of security and very point based 😉

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          1. SPorting
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Grrrrrrrrrr.

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    2. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Fellaini (c) 😎

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      1. Sleep Talk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Not Baines? 😉

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        1. Bøwstring The Carp
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Don't have him 😕 would still go with Fellers even if I had Baines

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      2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Ramsey (c) 😎

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    3. The Badger
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Baines C anyone?
      other than that i've got Fellaini or could bring Theo in for a hit...

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      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah go on then.

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    4. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      *Repost alert*

      Honestly, why is there a need for Rafa to rest his key players? Only 3 games left before they have the entire summer off…

      do you really think he’s going to give Marin a chance to scupper their top 4 chances?

      b*tch please…

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      1. Thomass
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Agree!

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      2. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Rafa doesn't need a reason.

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      3. Evans
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I would be more concencered about Sunderland being relegated ... Than Rafa

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        1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          🙄

          as if I amn't

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        2. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😀

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      4. Acquafresca
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Ok think of it this way... you're rafa. You're leaving Chelsea in the summer.

        Do you:

        A) Please the fans and play all your starters
        B) Rest everyone and try to win Europa to have another title under your belt

        ....clearly B imo

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        1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          yeah but my point is I don't see him just rolling out with Marin in the hole like the FFS lineup prediction has it

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          1. Acquafresca
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I agree. Should look something like this:

            Ba
            Marin? - Mata - Oscar
            Lamps - Ramires
            Cole - Terry - Ivan - Azpi
            Cech

            It's not rocket science.

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            1. Acquafresca
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Moses over Oscar if fit.

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        2. CABAYE4
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Especially as doing A won't change the fact that the fans hate you.

          That said, I think/hope Mata will start with Moses/Hazard injury concerns and Oscar's need for rest.

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    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Liverpool team according to LFC Globe.

      ‏@LFCGlobe

      #LFC team vs Fulham on Sunday: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique; Lucas, Henderson, Shelvey; Downing, Sturridge, Coutinho

      https://twitter.com/LFCGlobe/status/332913609686536192

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Looks good...for Fulham

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      2. Sarnab
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I can also predict a team like that.. Sometimes its right sometime isn't.

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      3. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        No Wisdom 😯

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        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Rodgers to a tee. Thick as pig shite that's been left in the sun.

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    6. Evans
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Dullards !

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      1. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Jones, Lampard, Dzeko. It looks a little maverick to me!

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    7. SPorting
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Oh, it's only you lot again.

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      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Source?

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        1. SPorting
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          The rejected gene pool.

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          1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Come join us in the shallow end

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            1. SPorting
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I'm already shallow.

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    8. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Dzeko

      🙄

      will the scouts ever learn?

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      1. Acquafresca
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I think he's a good shout this week. Pretty much nailed to start.

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        1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          he's not though

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      2. SPorting
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Next season.

        It will all be better next season.

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        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          The call of the lesser spotted Liverpool fan

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      3. Home Run Baker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Surely Tevez and Dzeko will start the cup final .... MC's 2 best forwards this season.

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    9. xtina
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      i'm a crazy 90 points away from 1st place (i'm 2nd, 3rd place is 26 points away from me). Worth taking a 4PH & doing mirallas -> sturridge leaving 0 in the bank?

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      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I don't think it matters what transfers you do. You're not winning your mini league.

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        1. Evans
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          This^^

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      2. JT's Dog
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Could help you secure 3rd spot

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      3. The buck stops with me
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        May 10 at 7:11 pm
        THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME SAYS:
        Bench 1 from
        Azi, clichy, Dawson and Martin r.
        Fancy Norwich to keep a cleanie

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        1. SPorting
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          May 12 at 19:11

          THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME SAYS:

          Why did I choose Martin????

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        2. Bøwstring The Carp
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          More than likely Clichy could be rested...

          Otherwise bench Martin

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        3. Valar(Keith)
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Dawson.. he'll come on anyway for clichy

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      4. Sarnab
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        No Coutinho ??

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          That's right.

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        2. pirlo
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Most likely he'll show up in the "Spotting the Differentials" article.

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      5. Fancy Feet
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Fellaini or Ben Arfa?

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Afro.

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        2. CABAYE4
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Fellaini if you want to play safe. Ben Arfa if you want a big gamble. Simple.

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          1. pirlo
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Cabaye4 says gamble?

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      6. Butters
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        RvP to start the last 2?

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        1. Doctor X
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Hopefully. But Chicarito will get a runout for the last game, either with or without Persie.

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      7. Doctor X
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Final check please?!

        De Gea
        Zabaleta - Dawson - Sagna
        Walcott - Coutinho - Mata - Fellaini - Bale
        Tevez - Van Persie (C)

        Cheers everyone and GL to you all 🙂

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        1. Butters
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Looks good, very very good.

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        2. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          9 players in common 😯

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      8. Valar(Keith)
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Cant really take mirallas out for sturridge now can i.. michu to Lamps/Fellaini it is 😎

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        1. Butters
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Flampard 🙂

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        2. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Lampard, obviously.

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          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            as a chelsea fan i gotta agree.. will have to bench one of kone/maloney but i dont mind really

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      9. Super-Hans
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Because of rise/fall I had to sell Michu to Coutinho yesterday. So it's quite annoying to see that Michu might make it this weekend. I only have three defenders, with Wilson and Turner out injured. I quite sure Dawson and Sagna will play, but not so sure about Nastasic. Should I take a hit to get Carragher, or gamble on the aformentioned three?

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        1. Butters
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Gamble

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          1. Super-Hans
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers, Butters.
            I guess a hit for a defender is not the way to go.

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            1. Butters
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Not when the maximum benefit is a singular CS. Rather play it safe imo

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              1. Super-Hans
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Will do.
                Cheers for talking some sense into me.

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      10. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Only three for me. That seems about right.

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      11. CFC1990
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        My team:

        Hart,
        Dawson, Sagna, Zabaleta
        Mata, Walcott, Bale, Fellaini
        RVP, Lukaku, Benteke

        Bunn, Dawson, Maloney, Wilson

        0.1m in the bank.

        1FT

        20 points behind my rival who has this team for GW36

        Begovic, Jaaskelainen
        Azpilicueta, Monreal, Johnson, Smalling, Rafael
        Bale, Michu, Santi Cazorla, Fellaini, Mata
        Defoe Benteke, Remy

        0.1m in the bank with 2 transfers made. This was for no hit.

        I am really stuck.

        What would you do?

        My thoughts are:

        a) Benteke to Sturridge

        I fancy Benteke more than Lukaku but it gives me a completely different front three yo my rival.

        Thanks a lot guys and have a good GW.

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        1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          As on the last article: (c) Wally and get Sturridge for Luk or Tekkers if you canafford it, otherwise stick.

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          1. Surfreak
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            This ^^^^.
            Just done Wally(C) and Sturridge in for Lukaku

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      12. jimmyskyblue
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Guys, need your expert opinions:

        Lampard or Coutinho for the final 2 fixtures?

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        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Coutinho

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          1. jimmyskyblue
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers

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        2. Scratch
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Lampard will likely only start 1. Liverpool missing Suarez, Gerrard and Agger for their final two could make them look more ordinary than usual, especially when Shelvey is one of the replacements.

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          1. jimmyskyblue
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks, you'd go with neither then?

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      13. Scratch
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Has there been any word on whether it will be Lindegaard or De Gea getting the nod on Sunday?

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        1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          yeah, not telling though because my rival has Lindegaard

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        2. SW6
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Nothing useful. I think DDG will start though.

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      14. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        this was kolarov week!

        szczesny
        baines, kolarov, jones
        walcott, bale, lampard, a.johnson
        dzeko, sturridge, cisse

        (terry, fellaini, rvp)

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        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          And I have Clichy 😥

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      15. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Start Rmartin or Dawson?

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        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Dawson - West Brom have been in decent attacking form, Stoke never are.

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        2. Live4pool
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          dawson

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        3. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Dawson for me: don't see Stoke scoring against Spurs.

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      16. Live4pool
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        your (C) choice this week?

        mine is RVP

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        1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Bale

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        2. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Lampard or Walcott.

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          1. Jawain - 9th overall 2014/2…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            i have that same decision to make. on lampard atm

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        3. CABAYE4
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Bale

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        4. JT's Dog
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Baines

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        5. Jinswick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          A) Michu -> Coutinho
          B) Berbatov -> Sturridge
          C) Aguero & Berba -> RVP & Anichebe (4 pointer)
          D) Michu, Aguero & Berba -> Lampard, RVP & Anichebe (8 pointer)

          Would bench Anichebe next week if doing C or D...

          De Gea
          Baines, Sagna, Zabaleta
          Bale, Fellaini, Walcott, Michu
          Aguero, Tevez, Berbatov

          Robles, Maloney, Dawson, Demel
          Bank 0.2m

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          1. Scratch
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Think I would do Aguero -> Sturridge

            I've the same two keepers as you, are you okay with starting De Gea? I'm strongly considering De Gea -> Hart or Robles -> Lindegaard

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        6. /
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          No Kolarov in the picks? This is a travesty

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          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            That's because it goes without saying that Kolarov is the best pick.

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          2. Mílanista
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Did part of AB's post dry off on you? 😉

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        7. jimmyskyblue
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Guys,

          Need your expert opinions:

          Lampard or Coutinho for final 2 fixtures?

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        8. Evans
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Sell Michu or Silva ?

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        9. Valar(Keith)
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          So does the lampard logic go Start this week, rested europa, start next week? course this is b4 rafatation fecks us

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          1. Mílanista
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            If Chelsea win tomorrow they are guaranteed CL football so Lampard will start his final home game next week. The lineup against Spurs will play the Europa final imo.

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            1. Valar(Keith)
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              so lamps good for 2 games then logically

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              1. Mílanista
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Logically, yes.

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

          What if Dzeko starts the cup final (cos he's more in form) and Kun starts at reading?

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          1. Mílanista
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Why would their worst striker start the only game they can win a trophy in? Don't see it.

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          2. Dr Dream
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Nah...Kun still needs more rest yet before playing either game...He played a full seventy minutes last week you know...poor lad must be knackered still...

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