Dugout Discussion

Saturday Dugout Discussion

Gameweek 35 kicks off with a game between third-placed Arsenal and sixth-placed Chelsea. Champions League qualification (and all the money it brings) is at stake, and the Dugout Discussion opens to see how it plays out. The line-ups from the early game have been released, and are as follows…

Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey, Song, Walcott, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, van Persie.

Chelsea XI: Cech, Bosingwa, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand, Essien, Romeu, Malouda, Sturridge, Torres, Kalou.

From the defeat at the hands of struggling Wigan there are four casualties, with Johan Djourou, Andre Santos, Mikel Areta and Yossi Benayoun all out of the eleven. In comes Laurent Koscielny, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Juggling his priorities, Roberto Di Matteo makes eight (8) changes ahead of the second leg Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Petr Cech, John Terry and Gary Cahill are the only survivors from the first leg.

After the game at the Emirates we’ve got five 3pm fixtures to enjoy, before the day’s football concludes at Loftus Road for the game between QPR and Tottenham.

The Dugout Discussion chatroom will be open for the entirety of today’s action, and can be accessed right here.

Akers Richard or Akers, as he is known, has been regularly haunting this site since July 2008. He is young and foolish, take what he says with a pinch of salt. Follow them on Twitter

3,426 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dom Salahnke
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    TEAM NEWS

    Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Adriano; Xavi, Busquets, Thiago; Tello, Messi, Iniesta.

    Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Xabi Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema.

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    1. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      Don't rate that Tello fellow at all...

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      1. Dom Salahnke
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 20 days ago

        He was linked with Liverpool earlier.

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    2. Spoiler
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      what time is kick off?

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      1. Dom Salahnke
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 20 days ago

        7pm, GMT.

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        1. Spoiler
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 20 days ago

          cheers

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    3. Cheggers
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      still cant believe i managed to get a bet on messi anytime at 2/1. serious scenes.

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    4. michaelington
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      Really hope its a good game and not full of diving and cheating like the last few

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    5. kaz 96
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      no pique, is he injured?

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      1. Dom Salahnke
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 20 days ago

        Maybe saved for Chels?

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    6. afcblegend
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      Gone with Coentrao again? He's useful going forward but would have thought after his mare against Robben/Lahm he'd shield him and go for Marcelo.

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    7. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      tello..are you joking?

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  2. El Pulpo Paul
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    Jesus its tough deciding who to bring in for the DGW.

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      +10000

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  3. Gravless wonder
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    are Taarabt and Kyle Walker long lost twins!

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    1. सनकी
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      hahaha they doo look alike !

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  4. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    Well luckily I forgot to change my subs so Collins is sitting on the bench and Simpson played. That was a waste of a 4pt hit.

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  5. सनकी
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    VDV has been lively, but Spurs overall are playing shite. kept ball in their own half too much.

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  6. Hay Number 2
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    I am going out for a cycle and when I get back I expert a Bale hat-trick with BAE a Hat-trick of assists. 🙂

    Laters!

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  7. ★FC Borecelona★
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    This is why DGW are so overrated

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  8. Hopper
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    Come on Spurs, show some bloody energy and pace. The most frustrating thing is QPR are an average team. P.S Bale stay on the left, stop trying to be Ronaldo all the time

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  9. Alan The Llama
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    new post

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    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      Mirror....

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  10. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    Conclusion: Pienaar, VDV and Maxi are all worth keeping an eye on for next week (on for Theo).

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    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      Agreed...

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  11. Jax
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    next season i'm making 1 change each week. no more. 2 wildcards will be used, 1 in january the other on the final day. let's see how long this lasts haha

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      lol why the final day?

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    2. सनकी
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      suree you will.

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  12. Nopli
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    GW 36 Hotshots. 🙂 Anyone got a better team???
    Friedel(2)
    Terry(2) BAE(2) Simpson(2) Caulker
    Mata(2) Petrov(2) Sigg Sess
    Suarez(2) Pog(2)

    Bench: Vorm Evans Valencia Tevez

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    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      I don't think Suarez or Mata will play two games

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    2. ★FC Borecelona★
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      4 DGW defenders?

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    3. Blue Lion
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      not enough quality!

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    4. beric
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      I'm thinking of having;

      Bogdan(2)

      Jagielka(2), Caulker, JEnrique(2)

      VDV(2),HBA(2), Dempsey(2),Siggy(2)

      Ade(2?),Cisse(2),RVP

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      1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 20 days ago

        Holy Moses!

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        1. beric
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 20 days ago

          Good or bad?

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      2. beric
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 20 days ago

        siggy(1)

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        1. crystalpalaceRus
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 20 days ago

          Is Enrique gonna play tho? I have Enrique and want to count him as a DGW player

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          1. beric
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 20 days ago

            I hope so, if he doesn't play 90 tommorrow I might take a hit for Chelsea/Everton/Spurs Defender

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  13. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    C'mon Jose! Get Barca really really tired for Tuesday's clash.

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    1. yash
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      +1

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  14. Simon March
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    So my long thought out plan to bring in Ade and Baines for DGW glory might now have been reduced to doing Kelly to Hibbert with a saved TF for GW 37.

    I guess it's true what they say about best laid plans...

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    1. Dante
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      Ditto...

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  15. COMH
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    Are we all being a bit blind continually talking up Bale and VDV for the DGW while they continue to disappoint?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      well I still own Bale so might as well keep him. Am now thinking he might be my only Spurs coverage and I may go Huth or Cahill over Kaboul (will have Howard so not sure on Jags)

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  16. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    JKs DGW Analysis - Defenders - Part 1

    Tottenham

    Moat likely Target - Benoit AssouEkotto

    The man otherwise known as BAE, has form in DGWs as those of us that owned him for his last one can testify. Priced at 5 million at the of the game, the current 3rd placed defender's price has sky-rocketed up to 6.3, making him a little more restrictive on budgets, so props to those who kept him. But, if money if no issue and you want a Spur's defender, BAE is your man, his attacking returns are the reason his price has shot up.

    Alternative Option - Younes Kaboul

    Priced at a more reasonable 5.5, the Spurs' centre-halve's absence could be seen as major reason behind his sides recent defensive woes. Although he has delivered just 1 goal this season, he remains a threat from set-pieces and offers a nailed on route into Spurs' defence. That being said, there are still doubts over whether he will make it back for DGW, so potential investors may wish to hold off until Friday's press conference. But if he's fit, Kaboul offers a great chance of DGW returns

    Doosra Differential Punt - Kyle Walker

    It was felt at the start of the season that Walker was the bet for Spurs' defenders. However, after a fine start his returns have tailed off, and he no longer looks the safe bet he once was. But for those seeking something different Walker may be the guy.

    Everton

    Most Likely Target - Phil Jagielka

    This spot would have gone to Leighton Baines, but with him ruled out, the Everton skipper moves into the top spot. With 2 goals to his name already the Everton skipper appears nailed on for both games and and 5.3 million could offer excellent value for money

    Alternative option - Tony Hibbert

    With Baines out, Phil Neville's will play left-back meaning Choppa Tony is almost certain to play right-back in both games. At 4.6 he is dirt cheap, but for a man who offers so little in the way of attacking returns, what do you expect. Hibbert is the man to pick if you are shopping in the Everton defence on a budget

    Doosra Differential Punt - Sylvain Distin

    Almost certain to start alongside Jagielka at centre-back, the Frenchman appears to have the edge on John Heitinga for a starting berth. Not as prolific as in previous seasons, Distin still offers a decent attacking threat and could be a great punt if you need to make up some ground

    Newcastle

    Most likely target - Danny Simpson

    An ever present for Newcastle this season the 4.7 million priced full-back could see an increase in investment in the run up to DGW, especially after delivering a 14th clean sheet of the season. Simpson has provided 2 assists this season and his marauding runs down the right always leave the promise of more. But he was subbed early in GW35, with a potential injury, so would be buyers should exercise caution.

    Alternative option - Mike Williamson

    Coming in at just 4.2, Williamson is nailed on alongside Coloccini at the heart of the Newcastle defence. Williamson has returned 1 assist so far and will continue to be a threat at corners. If Simpson is too much of a stretch, or you own him but fancy doubling up, he could be the man for you.

    Doosra Differential Option - Davide Santon

    A run of games from the bench seemed to have signaled the end of Santon's run this season. However, his patience, and that of his owners (points to self) has been rewarded as Santon has returned to the first team and delivered his owners 3 straight clean sheets and a bonus point. At 4.2 with 0.6% ownership Santon could be that cheeky punt that makes all the difference

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  17. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    What you'll still doing over here, fools. NEW POST

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2012/04/21/the-knee-jerk-breakdown-van/#comments

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  18. COMH
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    Pique is back to where he started. Out of favour at Barcelona 🙂

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  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    Bale injured

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      🙁

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    2. mufc802
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 20 days ago

      wonderful 🙁

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  20. Bendy Busdriver
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 20 days ago

    Spurs are hopeless right?

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