Team News

The Weekend Team News

John Terry returns for Chelsea ahead of the double Gameweek, though Rafa Benitez confirmed earlier that while the defender is in the squad, he will not start tomorrow’s game at Stoke. Petr Cech will travel with the squad to Stoke and will be assessed prior to the Britannia clash, while Benitez also revealed Demba Ba had a hamstring niggle in midweek and Fernando Torres was suffering from a stomach bug but both forwards are fully-fit once again:

Sergio Aguero is ruled out of City’s trip to Arsenal but could return in time for next weekend’s home clash with Fulham. David Moyes expects Leighton Baines to recover from an ankle problem in time for tomorrow’s home game with Swansea, though is continuing to monitor the left-back’s progress.

Nani and Anderson are back for United but Wayne Rooney remains on the sidelines as the league leaders welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford. Rooney could, however, return in time for next Wednesday’s FA Cup replay with West Ham. Aston Villa will be without Darren Bent, Marc Albrighton and Chris Herd for the visit of Southampton – Ron Vlaar has returned to training but Paul Lambert is wary of selecting him, due to a number of weeks on the sidelines.

Carlos Cuellar and Danny Rose are both sidelined with hamstring injuries for Sunderland, while Stephane Sessegnon should shrug off an ankle problem ahead of West Ham’s visit to the Stadium of Light. Martin Jol has ruled out Kerim Frei and Momo Diarra, while Steve Sidwell is a doubt for the Cottagers’ home game with Wigan.

We’ve collected all this in our team news section and added our current predicted lineups ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. You can keep in touch with the very latest via our twitter feed as always.

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1,110 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    The new and improved wildcard team, give us a mark out of 10 I will allow you to mark .5 off for no back up keeper

    Bego/3.9
    Gibbs/Zab/Luiz/Demel/Mariappa
    Mata/Michu/Fellaini/Walcott/Puncheon
    Rvp/Suarez/Ba

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    1. Van The Man
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      7.5

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

      Very similar to mine - I like it a lot. If you put Azpil in for Luiz and got a good second keeper i'd give it a 9.5!

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      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Had Luiz originally then changed to Azpi and now going for Luiz again, think he has more chance of playing both games than Azpi does, especially with Terry set to be on the bench

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    3. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      11/15 same as me. Who are you benching this week out of that front eight?

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      1. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Oh, and I'd give it 8.5 (still have question marks over my own team)

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      2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Walcott reluctantly

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    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Szczesny > 3.9
      Gibbs > Davies

      Does it work out financially? Mariappa > Harte, maybe?

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      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I think Mariappa is more nailed on than Harte, although Harte offers better attacking returns, I've gone for Gibbs for his Assist potential

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      2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I've just realised I got rid of Mariappa for Davies

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    5. @FPLMason
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      10.5 😉

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      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Too generous 🙂

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

    Don't know about you lot but I've decided to bench Bale and start Walcott. 😀

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      someone get this man a straight jacket

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

        😆 I just thought Harry's got something up in his sleeve to keep Bale quiet.

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

      Bale loves away games.

      & everyone loves thier players to be starting against QPR.

      Just saying 😉

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    3. Keane There Dunne That
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😯

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

        I like being a little different. 😆

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    4. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You cray?

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

        As sane as the Joker. Although the history stats speak for itself that City haven't scored at the Emirates for almost four seasons, I think this is when and the point where goals are pouring in!

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    5. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      your mad

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    6. Van The Man
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Ballsy but could turn out to be a good move. Good luck!

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

        Thanks! Need that.

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

        😆 Now, that's me. 😆

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  3. Keane There Dunne That
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sagna,mariappa and Suarez

    OR

    Gibbs,Cameron and Ba

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

      G,C & B

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    2. Van The Man
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Latter if Ba's more nailed on!

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  4. Cheggers
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    thinking my wildcard team is sorted -

    Jaaskeliaan
    Luiz, Hughes, Clyne
    Lampard, Mata (c), Puncheon, Fellaini
    Suarez, RVP, Berbatov
    Subs - Begovic, Cazorla, Demel, B Davies

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  5. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Right, straight up, I'm a bit pi**ed, so please help me 😀

    What news on Cech please?

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

      Late fitness test before the stoke game.

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      1. Keane There Dunne That
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        This so Turnbull won't get two matches

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    2. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Might play... travelling with the team.

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

        Many thanks 4zets & ellywood.....enough for me..... I'm out : grin:

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    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      assessed prior to game according to team news

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    4. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      If you're indirectly referring to Turnbull's gametime, I think it's risky to take him in with Cech possibly travelling with the team.

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

        Cheers Godzilla.....I do tab now what I diong
        .

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

    Would you do Cazorla -> Mata this and get Walcott / Cazorla in for Snodgrass next week or just keep Cazorla?

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    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'd do it.

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      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        me too

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

          Cheers guys

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  7. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Returning to the horrible neverending debate:

    Got to bench one of
    Fellaini Michu Walcott Puncheon.

    I had Walcott on the bench because I can see Arsenal and City being yet another very tight, possession-based game. Arsenal v City last 4 Prem meetings: 1-0, 0-0, 0-0, 2-0. Arsenal blow hot and cold - against teams that are disciplined and compact, they tend to struggle.

    The only thing making me reconsider this is that Walcott's returns in the center forward position have been very good (GW14 = 8, GW17 = 8, GW18 = 6, GW20 = 26, GW21 = 7). None of those was against a top 4 side though, so it's hard to know if this will continue against City.

    It's getting difficult not to consider benching one of my duo in the Everton v Swansea game. This finished 1-0 to Everton last year and looks like another very tight affair because Swansea defend incredibly tightly away, keeping clean sheets at Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea (in the league cup) while they kept United and City down to 1 goal. They could well play on the counter given how attacking Everton have been, and it could be a very cagey game. Michu's goal this week against Chelsea came out of a defensive error - he wasn't given loads of shots.

    Unthinkable as it is, maybe I need to look at benching one of Fellaini or Michu.

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    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      walcott he will struggle Puncheon will probably outscore him over 2 games

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    2. Touré De Force
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm benching Puncheon and have all the other ones bar Walcott(Lampard).

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        The two bites of the cherry, one against one of the worst defence of the league in Villa who they've already thrashed... that's really tempting me.

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          (Plus the additional 2 points just for playing against Chelsea, virtually guaranteed)

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    3. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Michu for me, if I had him, but no matter what, you'll bench the wrong one.

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Oh of course. Michu v Fellaini is a nightmare to bench one. They even come out very similar in the stats, with Fellaini having marginally more shots but Michu having better goal conversion.

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          (It's the reverse in Michu's last 4 matches though, possibly with Michu playing center forward?)

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    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bench Michu. It's not as scary as everyone thinks it is. Play the players at home.

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

        Don't forget to take in to account Everton taking Swans apart this season(3-0 away) and the fact Swans have had 2 days less rest after chasing the ball around on Wednesday. I don't have Punch, but would be benching him out of all the other heavy hitters. He's never going to score twice, all the other have potential to. Walcott on set pieces too. Everton conceded in every game and tend to score 2 most games. No brainer for me.

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    5. Headless
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      The Swans' success has been one of the great football stories of the last couple of seasons, but it may well have passed some Everton supporters by entirely – the Blues haven't so much as conceded a goal in their three Premier League meetings thus far, which have finished 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0 in their favour. Fellaini scored in the last of them, a most emphatic stroll in September which saw Nathan Dyer come on at half-time and get sent off 13 minutes later. This is surely the most one-sided head-to-head record in the Premier League: Swansea may have beaten Manchester United on six occasions and Liverpool on nine, but in 16 meetings against Everton they have lost 12 (75%), and not won any.

      From the Guardian

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      1. Still No Eye Dia
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😯 You've almost convinced me to bench Michu, and Noble is the alternative!

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      2. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Nice one. That's about as much as I can go on. I think I can bench Michu. He doesn't score every game. He does fire blanks. He is human, allegedly.

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

      Puncheon probably

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    7. Still No Eye Dia
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Michu will either get you a goal or 2 points. Trouble is it's been goals as often as not of late :). Go with the home player, purely as a deciding factor. Bench Michu and brace yourself...

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Michu's scores away:

        Reading 3
        Spurs 2
        Arsenal 16
        Newcastle 9
        Southampton 2
        City 2
        Stoke 2
        Villa 1
        QPR 18

        Exactly what you're talking about - feast or famine. I'll go with the assumption Everton are one of the tighter teams at home. Michu benched.

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    8. Van The Man
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bench Michu!

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  8. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi nailed on yes?

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

      No, Terry is coming back and no one knows what Rafas defence will look like.

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    2. bdwhite91
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Hope so. I have him currently.

      Debating whether I should go

      A)Walker + Turnbull
      B)Azpi + Federici

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    3. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      no. He'll no doubt play tomorrow but Terry being back after that could well meaning Ivan to RB and Azpi dropping out

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  9. bdwhite91
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Should I bring in Lambert over Suarez this week?

    I was thinking I could mess with that striker spot for the next 3 weeks. Lambert this week, then Podolski next week, then Suarez for the long haul.

    I haven't had Suarez this season yet, so he'd be 10.4 for me.

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

      Pod over Suarez (Nor H)? Think Suarez my outscore him regardless of the DGW.

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      1. bdwhite91
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        You're probably right. Arsenal is so hit or miss. What do you think about Lambert this week though?

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

      Suarez is arguably a slightly better shout than Lambert this week, but that's debatable. But I think Lambert + a wisely invested 4M is better than Suarez.

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      1. bdwhite91
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        It is a lot to work with. This is my WC right now.

        Federici Bego
        Azpi Walker Demel Davies Martin R
        Bale Puncheon Fellaini Walcott Mata
        RVP Ba Lambert

        4.6

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    3. Van The Man
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm thinking on the same lines mate!
      Might get Berba for him.
      Depends on how you see the United-Liverpool game going too!

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

    a) Davies, Sagna, Ba
    b) Zabaleta, Gibbs, Lambert

    Which one do you reckon?

    Got Luiz, Mata, Shaw & Puncheon at the moment.

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

      A

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      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        +1

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

      A

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

    have some big problems... 1 chelsea player and 4 injured defenders.

    Initial plan was silva > hazard and then hazard > santi next week but with injuries, thinking maybe another approach.

    How does Silva > Fellaini and O'brian > Luiz sound?

    Any suggestions welcome, a little stumped.

    Current team, 0.5 in bank

    Bunn/Jaas

    Fonte, O'Bian, McCartney, Cuellar, Davies

    Mata, Bale, Silva, Walcott, Punch

    RVP, Suarez, Berbatov

    thanks

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

      Sounds good. Think Luiz will get a big score this week.

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  12. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys,

    On a WC, any changes needed? Federici in for Turnbull?

    Turnbull (Begovic)
    Gibbs, Shaw, Demel (Mariappa, Davies)
    Mata(c), Michu, Bale, Fellaini, Walcott
    RVP, Ba (Suarez)

    Next week - Ba & Mariappa out for Ruiz & Evra.

    cheers!

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

      looks good. Think Turnbull may be worth a gamble this week. You can always play Beg if he gets dropped over the next few and switch at a later date. could be points in him this week

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

    Chelsea defender for a hit or play Davies against Everton? Gotta be the hit, right?

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

      Yes if it's Luiz, imo.

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  14. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Torres owners: What are you doing with him? Ditch for Ba or keep?

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    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      keep if Ba starts vs stoke Torres might be play vs Southampton

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      1. Van The Man
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        +1
        I think Torres against Saints is a decent choice anyway!

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  15. Adro3
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    My TV is low, I have a fairly weak back starting 3 - R Martin. Demel Harte Mignolet (GK)

    Who are you guys captaining. Torn between Mata and Ba

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  16. Declan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A or B, please?

    A) Migs, Azpi, Mariappa

    B) Fed, Cahill, Jones

    other GK is Jussi

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    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A

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  17. In Bale We Trust
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard, Bale or Silva? One week punt only.

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    1. Adro3
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bale

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

      Hazard

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    3. Still No Eye Dia
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bazard or Hale :neutral:. Not very helpful - maybe you should just live up to your name!

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  18. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    WC team looks ok?

    Bunn / Federici
    Sagna / Davies / Azpilicueta / Shaw / Demel
    Bale / Fellaini / Mata / Michu / Walcott
    Berbatov / Van Persie / Lambert

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    1. The Mousa is Loosa
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldn't want to bench any of your front eight

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  19. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I'm off my t1ts........help......someone sort my team......

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  20. Henry Hill
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How do I play wildcard? Seems to make me take a 28 point hit when I make my transfers

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    1. Henry Hill
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Its ok I figured it out, it was Play Wildcard button 😳 😆

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      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yep they definitely need to make that a bit clearer next season. 😆

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  21. The Mousa is Loosa
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    RMT lads
    Foster
    Baines Luiz Clyne
    Punch Bale Mata (C) Michu
    RVP Berbs Benteke

    Bego Walcott Reid Gorkss

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  22. BullDogTevez
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ba V Mata discuss.

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      heh

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  23. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    aLRIGHT gone with advice and done Bale in for Lennon, Shaw in for Luiz, and with the extra .1 brought in Azpi (one game I reckon at least right?)

    Begovic
    Gibbs Azpi Shaw
    Bale Fellaini Mata(c) PUncheon
    Berbatov RVP BA

    rudd, michu, harte, demel

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  24. casalinie31
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Is there any value anyone can see in not playing rvp and using the funds elsewhere?

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    1. Touré De Force
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sure, he's not essential.

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

      no

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  25. Touré De Force
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ivanovic Luiz or Cahill? Money no object. No interest in any of the other Chelsea defenders either.

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    1. cptn obct
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      out of position luiz for me

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

        Luiz just about (over Ivanovic)

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    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Luiz. OoP, on some FK and possibly even penalties if Lamps doesn't play

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

      luiz

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  26. pressdpm
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    ............................. Turnbull .............................
    .......... Cameron .... Gibbs .... Nastasic ...........
    ...... Michu .. Cazorla .. Puncheon .. Mata .......
    ................. RVP ..... Suarez .... Ba ..................

    Subs: Cerny, O'Brien, Fonte, Cameron.

    Already used my FT on Ba. Shall I just risk Turnbull?
    Or 4pt hit for a new goalie? I really wanted 3 chelsea.

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      i only want 1 chelsea.

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  27. Captain Shirokov
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I can't believe Luiz has more votes than Bale in the captain poll.

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  28. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ebanks-Blake?

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  29. BLitZ MaFiA SQuAD
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    now that cuellar is injured. who is the cheapest most probable starter (defender) for sunderland in the foreseeable future?

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    1. Declan
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Kilgallon

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    2. reply fail
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Kilgalon

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  30. A2U
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Which combo would you rather have?

    1) Mata + Nolan
    2) Walcott + Hazard

    Help much appreciated!

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      2)

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