Scouting The Doubles

Double Gameweek 31 – Cheeky Punts

Having run the rule over the main contenders for the upcoming double Gameweek, we assess those options that may appeal to those Fantasy managers willing to take a gamble or two:

The Defence

With a mere 6% ownership, Bacary Sagna is far and away the least popular option amongst Arsenal’s defensive regulars. The Gunners’ recent displays on the road at Bayern and Tottenham suggest Chelsea may struggle to break them down at the Bridge, whilst the home game with Swansea looks ideal as Arsene Wenger’s side go in search of their 14th clean sheet of the campaign. Granted, the next two league matches (against City and Everton) aren’t ideal but Arsenal’s schedule from Gameweek 34 is likely to earn plenty of new investment and the right-back could be a decent differential.

James Chester’s cut-price appeal brings him into consideration. Available for just 3.8, the Hull centre-half has games against West Brom and West Ham this time round and also has a pair of fixtures in Gameweek 37 for those with one eye on the long-term.

A switch to a midfield diamond has proven positive for Liverpool’s defensive prospects after back-to-back clean sheets at Southampton and United. The return of Daniel Agger has also made a difference – with the Dane in the first XI, the Merseysiders have registered seven shut-outs in 12, compared to two clean sheets in 17 without him in the starting line-up. If Agger’s 5.6 price-tag is too steep for your budgetary requirements, young Jon Flanagan looks to have nailed down the left-back berth and is available for a mere 4.3, with a 1% ownership.

We can’t have an article on “Punts” without name-checking Aleksandar Kolarov. On his day, the Serbian is capable of delivering consistently from the back – his last nine starts have produced a goal, five assists, 10 bonus points and three clean sheets – but given that he’s been named in the City XI in just two of their last five league fixtures, it’s clear his game time is far from guaranteed. Kolarov managed one minute off the bench in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Hull as Gael Clichy got the nod again – though if you’re prepared to take the risk for the home game with Fulham and trip to Old Trafford, the 5.1-priced left-back could be the ultimate joker in the double Gameweek pack.

Newcastle left-back Paul Dummett is another cut-price contender to consider. Coming in at 3.9, with an ownership under 1%, he has a share of corners for the Magpies and his delivery from the flank has already harvested an assist. The young Welshman has started four of the last five and welcomes Palace (one goal in their last five away games) and Everton (a single strike in their last four road trips) to St James’ Park.

Sunderland pair Phil Bardsley (4.3) and Marcos Alonso (4.5) are set for the first of three doubles in the final eight Gameweeks. The Black Cats roll up to Norwich and Liverpool on the back of three clean sheets in their last five league outings, and whilst a shut-out at Anfield looks unlikely, the Canaries have scored just three goals in their last six at home and could struggle to break down the Wearsiders. Bardsley may have caught the eye with two goals and an assist but Alonso’s underlying stats suggest he could outperform his fellow full-back over the run-in.

West Ham’s George McCartney comes in at 4.0 ahead of back-to-back home games with United and Hull. Sam Allardyce’s decision to drop James Collins last week suggests he’s still undecided over the centre-half spots – McCartney has started the last six and affords a cut-price route into a backline that has conceded just once in the last three at Upton Park.

Midfield

Injuries to many of Arsene Wenger’s midfield regulars promote Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky in our thinking. The former has scored or assisted in all three of his starts since recovering from a knee injury and is expected to shrug off a calf complaint in time for Saturday’s trip to the Bridge, whilst Rosicky has scored in two of the last three, earning him a couple of double-figure hauls against Sunderland and Spurs. Available for 6.6 and 5.5 respectively, both are also real differentials and are owned by less than 2% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.

Kevin Mirallas’ diminishing game time makes him a somewhat risky acquisition for Everton’s games against Swansea and Newcastle. Whilst his versatility has seen him play on the right, up front and in “the hole” in recent weeks, the Belgian last played from start to finish back in Gameweek 25 – all the more frustrating given he has scored in three of his last five 90-minute appearances. Nonetheless, since Gameweek 14 he has scored twice as many goals as Romelu Lukaku (4 to 2) and the 7.5-priced midfielder’s eye for goal could yet prove decisive if Roberto Martinez keeps him on the pitch long enough to deliver.

Dropped to the bench for Liverpool’s win at Southampton, Raheem Sterling still found time to grab one of his side’s three goals as a second-half substitute. Having previously looked nailed-on in a 4-3-3, he now seems to be alternating with Philippe Coutinho at the tip of the midfield diamond and has played 57, 34 and 71 minutes in the last three Gameweeks. Jordan Henderson, on the other hand, has played the full 90 minutes in all but one of his side’s league games this term and, at 6.4 to Sterling’s 5.9, is also favourably priced. Though has netted just three times compared to his team-mate’s six strikes thus far, Henderson has still managed to register three sets of double-figures and is owned by just 7% of Fantasy managers.

It’s a sign of the times that Juan Mata can only find a place in our Punts article. After warming the Chelsea bench for much of the first few months of the season, a move to Old Trafford was meant to kick-start the Spaniard’s Fantasy campaign – so far, he’s managed just three assists and has drawn blanks in each of his last four appearances. Only 800 Fantasy managers have turned to Mata this week ahead of the trip to West Ham and home clash against City, with over 22,000 parting company in spite of the double. If Robin van Persie is ruled out with the knee injury that saw him stretchered off against Olympiacos last night, though, a move to the middle could help ease the 9.5-priced Mata out of his current malaise.

Whilst Yaya Toure and David Silva understandably garner the attention for City’s pair of fixtures, Samir Nasri remains under the radar. The Frenchman has scored in two of his four starts since returning from injury, though, and at 8.1, offers a relatively cheap route into Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield – having started 15 of the last 16 league games he has been available for, he looks guaranteed to feature in the XI and could appeal to those looking for a City midfield double-up for the run-in.

A Gameweek 28 brace against Hull has earned Moussa Sissoko plenty of new owners for his back-to-back home games with Palace and Everton. The Magpies could toil without their top scorer Loic Remy, though, and have failed to score in each of their last four games without the Frenchman. Sissoko is reasonably priced at just 5.8, but having netted in only two of the opening 30 Gameweeks and with a tough schedule to follow, his appeal is somewhat limited.

There’d be no real surprise if Swansea failed to produce anything from their trips to Everton and Arsenal over the coming week. Nonetheless, Garry Monk’s side have scored in all of his five fixtures in charge, finding the net three times in a recent defeat at Anfield. Jonathan de Guzman, at 5.7, has scored or assisted in four of his last seven starts, whilst Michu is finally out the treatment room and back on the pitch – the 8.4-priced Spaniard’s goal threat could be vital for his side, who also have a favourable set of fixtures to follow.

Forwards

Few will be willing to gamble on Gerard Deulofeu for Everton’s pair of fixtures but he could be worth a flutter at just 5.4. Despite being fielded on the right, Deulofeu – who netted at the weekend – has scored in three of his last eight appearances, despite four of those arriving off the bench.

Shane Long has two goals, an assist and three bonus points in his last six and, coming in at 5.7 (with an ownership of 3%) could appeal to those who feel Nikica Jelavic’s 6.7 price tag is too steep for a Hull striker.

Having failed to score since Gameweek 18, Papiss Cisse has hardly done much to justify our faith here but, with Loic Remy still injured, the Senegal striker is in the driving to start both Newcastle’s home matches. If you reckon he can roll back the years and rediscover his debut season form of 2012/13, he comes in at 8.0 and is owned by 1% of FPL managers.

Andy Carroll is perhaps less of a punt that most here, though his injury record remains an issue. Since returning from a heel problem earlier this year, Carroll (priced at 7.1) has grabbed a goal and three assists in just over 300 minutes – providing he can steer clear of further problems, he looks likely to pose plenty of questions to United and Hull’s defences as Sam Allardyce looks to pick up the points and scramble to safety.

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598 Comments Post a Comment
  1. nevertrustbony
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    No scout cast tonight?

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    1. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      It is a bit late because they had to do extra talking for the DGW

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  2. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    First to three please folks?
    Are any of these worth a -4? (all transfers in have 2 double gws I think) if so which is best move??

    A. Shaw > Kolarov
    B. chambers > Chester
    C. Azpilicueta > Distin
    D. Mata > Caz/Silva

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      B and D Silva

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      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        U reckon both are worth an 8pt hit then?

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  3. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Why is it so slow tonight?

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    1. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Maybe you had a few drinks?

      Give it a wee minute.

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        I'm getting there. 😉

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    2. Mr. Bean
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Everyone's still looking for Flight 370?

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  4. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    On a WC, am I wrong to ignore all Arsenal and United players? Here's my team so far https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/45786544/Screen%20Shot%202014-03-17%20at%2022.55.15.png

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    1. Darth
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Not wrong no. Don't like the double hull defence tho

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    2. JWF
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      I'd start Manone considering you've got Chester and I'd probably go Nasri over Silva (although it's a punt) but looks good.

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      1. For Fuchs Sake
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        Why Nasri over Silva?

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  5. Darth
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Is ivanovic to baines for a -4 worth it when I already have Coleman? That would take me up to 9 dgw players

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Could be. I'm on the fence for this one.

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      1. Darth
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        I have Azpi as well. So it's either double Chelsea vs arsenal or double double Everton.

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      No.

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  6. GREENDREAMS11
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    2-0 sevilla. 🙂

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  7. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    PORTo: WAT A TREMENDOUS GOAL BY QUAresma.class.

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  8. the axolotl
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    just reading a retweet from joey barton saying giggs has 162 PL all time assists. lampard 2nd most with just 101.

    true?

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  9. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    My wish list:

    1) Aguero secretly returns from injury completely under the radar, and I am the only fool to have him.
    2) the Rosicky punt pays off.
    3) Van Persies injury means Mata plays behind Rooney and he smashes all expectations.
    4) sturridge and Suarez go on a spree, assisting each other and scoring hundreds. Stevie G's inevitable penalties saved countless times by Manonne.
    5) Yaya gets a red for missing a penalty and picking the ball up and angrily kicking it into his own net

    Not too much to ask I should think. Anything else?

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  10. Johnnyboy UK
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Adrian
    Cahill Coleman. Chester

    Mata Gerrard Silva Yaya

    Suarez Sturridge Rooney

    Any good??

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    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      You know it is

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    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Meh

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  11. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Adrian (Speroni)
    Kosc Mert Evra (Cahill, Burn)
    Nasri Gerrard Mata Hazard (Noone)
    Suarez Lukaku Lambert

    £1.4m

    For -4
    A) Lambert->Carroll/Giroud/Dzeko/Gouffran/Jelavic
    B) Hazard->Silva
    E) Cahill->Skrtel/Coleman/Zabaeta

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    1. ccc
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      A imo. Giroud or Jelavic imo

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    2. oscardo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      A- Dzeko... Still holding Mata, granville? Me 2, Hope he moves into the hole behind rooney! 🙂

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    3. Kazza_
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      caroll for me more upside than rest

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    4. r0binh0
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      A) Lambert->Jelavic

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    5. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      4 different answers. Typical, too much choice.

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    6. JWF
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      I'll be so annoyed if your double Arsenal defence pays off.

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        Looks like 8 points each per game. 😉

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        1. JWF
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 days ago

          I know, I can actually see that happening! So annoying especially as I'm relying on Collins as one of my only two double gameweek defenders.

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    7. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      A with Carroll for the short term or Jelly for the longer term

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    8. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      I did similar to A: Ade>Carroll for -4..

      Mannone
      Coleman Kosc Ivanovic
      AJ Mata Toure Hazard
      Saurez(c) Sturridge Caroll

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    9. Johnnyboy UK
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Lambert to go. Crazy Dzeko punt

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    10. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Kosc or Mert -> Coleman/Baines

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        I'm keeping double Arsenal defence for the rest of the season.

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        1. r0nh
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 days ago

          -1

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    11. theloveburglar
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      would u be totally against a -8?

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    12. You Must Be Jokin Ere
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      (B) (but will mean you would have to take a hit to get Hazard back immediately)

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    13. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Sell Arsenal defense & a striker.

      Get Chester & Sturridge!

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 days ago

        If I was getting a cheapy it would be Dummett, but I'm happy with both Arsenal defenders.

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    14. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      A.

      Not Gouffran, not Carroll... basically don't stick someone in who will be an eyesore in your team once the DGW has passed.

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    15. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      Lambert to a differential striker. Jelavic my pick.

      I too like the double arsenal. Cahill, double arsenal for the duration looks good.

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    16. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      A) Jelavic
      B) You are a bloody fool.
      C) No.

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  12. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Quaresma:after that goal, he showed serious class. if he can play like that, him + CR&.look out.just needs defence to be safe and portugal can cause damaage.
    Porto 2xnapoli 1

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Quaresma need to be called in 1st place... not so sure about that.. although he is improving, hope he goes

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    2. Froes
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      you need to see quaresma game again sporting

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      1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 10 days ago

        why ag sport?

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    3. Froes
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      Because was a perfect match from him if you havent you must see the shoots and crooses he made being the erliest game before this one

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  13. ccc
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    No Gerrard for me. I'm a bit scared. I have Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, so it would be tough to get him in.

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    1. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Only be scared if LFC get penos!

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      1. ccc
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 days ago

        well I guess one of my three players would be getting the assist.

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  14. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Mata > Silva for a hit?

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    1. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Oui!

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    2. r0binh0
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      I don't think so. Mata's GW32 and 33 fixtures give him the nod I think.

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  15. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Scoutcast has landed at last

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  16. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Any Newc players worth getting in?

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  17. New Article Posted
  18. Pigvig
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    So the plan has always been to do Lallana and Adebayor to Nolan and Lukaku with my two free transfers. No need to change this?

    Rest of my team is:

    Adrian
    Coleman, Koscielny, kolarov
    Gerrard, Hazard, Yaya
    Suarez, Sturridge,

    Subs: Mannone, Azpilicueta, chambers, Mutch

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    1. Froes
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      Pretty good team yours

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  19. Froes
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    I will lose 12 points but its better :

    A-Mcgregor over Marshall putting osman

    B-Jelavic over rodriguez putting rosicky or sissoko

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  20. Bakeyournoodle23
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    A) Shaw & Dyer to Chester & Nolan (-8)
    B) Shaw & Dyer to C.Davis & AJ/OX (-8)
    C) Keep Dyer, Play Hazard & Gets Zabs in For Shaw (-4)

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    1. Froes
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      C

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  21. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    Why on earth is Van Persie's price protected ?..

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    1. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      totalFPL seems to think it is - Fiso doesn't.

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      1. There's Always One!
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 days ago

        I don't know what it was thinking the other night when mata dropped

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  22. sonabert
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    Is it worth a 4pt hit to replace Kyle Walker with one of either :-

    Rafael, Bardsley or Alonso

    and if so which one ?

    Stuck between Rafael & Alonso at the mo.

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  23. Tronity
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    Fonte, Snodgrass & Llalana > Davies, Nolan and Silva for -8 hit?

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  24. top556677
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    I have 2FT.

    Dawson -> Baines
    Adebayor ->Dzeko

    seem good?

    Consider a 4pt hit to do Lallana -> Silva...

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    1. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      Id do all 3 but with Coleman instead of baines

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  25. nevins84
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    Yes its decision day.... woohoo

    Lads I am on a -8 with 9 DGW players playing, Haz and Apzi are my 2 non-DGW..

    Should i stick or be greedy and drop Apzi for Distin or Sagna or another???

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  26. ninja101
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 days ago

    RMWCT

    Speroni - Stockdale
    Coleman - Dave - Shaw - Baker - Chester
    Gerrard - Hazard - Yaya - Rosicky - Ward-Prowse
    Studge - Suarez - JRod

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    1. Aziz Marzog
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 days ago

      Mannone/ Marshall
      Collins,Evra,Dummett--- Azpelicuta+Ward

      Nasri,Oscar,Hazard,Sterling--- Janozaj

      Lukaku,Suarez(c),Sturridge

      this is mine, am i good ?

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