[sbu_large_image] Team News
1 February 2013 1616 comments
Paul Paul
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Contrary to earlier reports on twitter, Juan Mata is fit and available for Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle. Petr Cech returns from a brief calf problem, though the Blues are still without David Luiz due to an ankle injury.

Dimitar Berbatov is out of Fulham’s home clash with former club United, while Steve Sidwell is also unavailable for the Cottagers. Sir Alex Ferguson has promised to make one or two changes for the visitors – he’s hoping Jonny Evans will be back and has also revealed Rio Ferdinand will feature. Ashley Young is still sidelined, however.

Mikel Arteta could return for Arsenal’s home clash with Stoke, though Thomas Vermaelen is a doubt again due to an ongoing ankle problem. Swansea’s Michel Vorm remains sidelined with a minor knee problem, casting doubts over his availability for next week’s double. Liverpool have omitted Philippe Coutinho from the squad to face City – he is “away getting things sorted” after joined from Inter. Vincent Kompany is expected to remain on the sidelines for another three weeks for City, while Peter Odemwingie won’t be considered for selection for West Brom after yesterday’s transfer deadline day drama.

All this and more is collected and collated in our team news section, where you’ll also find our updated predicted lineups.

“Rate My Team” has also been updated to reflect the very latest, the Projections will be updated very shortly.

We’ll keep you informed of any new information via our twitter feed, as always.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. In Bale We Trust
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Onuoha under any threat from Bosingwa?

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      None IMO. Bosingwa is out in the cold after pissing Redknapp off.

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      1. Jax
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        and the fact that he's pants

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          Generally has seemed so, but it really confused me when he didn't mess up defending with 10 men against Barca in the CL semifinal.

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      2. In Bale We Trust
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I hope so. Never seen Bosingwa produce much anyway so hopefully Nedum can hold down his spot. Cheers.

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  2. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Dzeko, too much of a risk?

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      is he never not?

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    2. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Since Tevez is the risk to him, I'd say yes.

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        right that settles it, no GJ for me for DGW, Enrique will have to do, unless I forgoe City cover all together

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    3. ccc
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      yes imo

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    4. Doolittle
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say so.

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  3. Trigg ⭐️
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Time for everyone's favourite Friday Question.

    Who do you NOT own this weekend, but wish that you did?

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    1. Eboue
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Espinoza

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    2. Trigg ⭐️
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going to say Wayne Rooney.

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    3. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      same as last week, Bale

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    4. ★FC Borecelona★
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Bale

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    5. Doolittle
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Mata is always a concern.

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    6. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Suarez & Ba

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    7. Keane There Dunne That
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero

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    8. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Bale.

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    9. Viper
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      To be honest, not really that worried. Baines would be the one with his high ownership really..

      Rooney or Giroud maybe? Neither have high ownerships though and not owned by rivals so its all good

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    10. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      N/A, on WC. 😎

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    11. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Bale & Aguero

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    12. bbewekim
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Walcott
      Rooney
      Tevez

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    13. Flying Assassins
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I'm stupid for letting him go in the 1st place so I could fund Aguero. The name of the player is Walcott.

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    14. Trigg ⭐️
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Interesting. Seems like a lot don't own Bale or Aguero but are terrified that they can do major damage.

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    15. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      no one as im on my wc

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    16. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Rooney/RVP/Evra/Suarez/Lukaku/Giroud/Torres/Carroll/Taarabt

      Same as usual. 🙂

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    17. Syox
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Lewis Holtby

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  4. WithEase
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Am I mad to consider Samba? QPR's fixtures aren't dreadful and their defence has improved of late.

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      they're still bottom of the league with 2 wins. spending millions doesn't change anything.

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    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Yes i think. QPR's good defensive performances have come against the likes of Chelsea and City. Against good fixturers as you put it, they'd be more expansive, and more likely to conceded as they're going for the win. Plus he's 5m, which is .5 too expensive for me. Also, no more Nelsen.

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      1. WithEase
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, very true.

        Plus they have kind of been under siege in all of their recent games and managed to escape with points somehow.

        Thanks.

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    3. In Bale We Trust
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      A lot of better cheaper options. Fabio, Onuoha and Cesar.

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  5. sweper
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    I have some doubt about keeping Fellaini. He hasn't shown much of late. Could be an option to get him out in place of a cheaper mid in order to get Baines in. What do you guys think?

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  6. good biashara
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Hey, any Saints fan or anybody with a bit of inside knowledge who can tell me if Shaw should start or not?

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      don't think anyone but the manager knows that mate.

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      1. good biashara
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        you're probably right... my idea is that Fox was played at OT because he's more experienced, but who knows... the choice is between him (wig) or Martin (qpr) so I don't think we're looking at a massive point swing!

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        1. Demí
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          Shaw will start, play him!

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          1. good biashara
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 2 months ago

            mmh, but Martin does have a bit of a goal threat about him, doesn't he?

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    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Should do yes. The midweek benching was clearly a rest. He had played so many games in succession, and he's only 17.

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      1. good biashara
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        thanks... nice flirting with the top 1000 there a week ago 🙂

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  7. Doolittle
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Can't decide on captaincy:

    A) RVP
    B) Walcott

    Currently on Walcott, but not captaining RVP is always very worrying.

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    1. good biashara
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      cointoss and I'm the same, last week I went for Mata over RVP and it paid off so it's on Walcott at the moment, but fearing RVP... at least if you get it wrong it's only half a disaster cos you still have him.

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      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        ^^^ 😉 I like your thinking!

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    2. ccc
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking about this. I would not be surprised if RVP gets a little rest or starts off the bench with Rooney's return and brace.

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      1. Doolittle
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Being top of my ML, and presuming everyone else will captain RVP, is a bit of a concern, but I think I'll stick with Walcott - fancy him to get a good score.

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        1. Viper
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          Exactly the same situation. I have no need to risk it with Walcott when those trailing me will captain RVP but I'm also looking to get as high as possible overall.

          Walcott is in good form and RVP hasn't exactly hit huge scores, just consistent returns..

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    3. Viper
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I'm captaining Walcott

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      1. good biashara
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        good man. I'm also tempted by Fella but surely that's stretching it?

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        1. Viper
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          Considered that too. Follow your heart 😉

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  8. Doctor X
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Dawson or Cuellar at 4.5?

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    1. Doolittle
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Cuellar for their run of fixtures.

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    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      dawson, cheap big hitter

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  9. Pinatta
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    So, Samba only 5.0 ..... Will he start this GW?

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      *looks into crystal ball*

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      1. Pinatta
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        ANd?!?!

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        1. good biashara
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          I think so.. with what they've paid for them! And Nelsen no longer there

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          1. good biashara
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 2 months ago

            him

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    2. @FPLStrategist
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Would be stunned if he didn't as he will replace Nelsen. Article on him http://fplstrategist.com/2013/02/01/burning-the-blueprint-christopher-samba/

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  10. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    De Gea (Cerny)

    Davies Sagna Onuoha (Clyne, Harte)

    Bale Walcott Fellaini Mata Michu

    RVP (C) Suarez (Le Fondrie)

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  11. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Do people fancy Podolski (STO) or Suarez (mci) this week, considering form and fixture? I can have either, for free.

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      pod v stoke is obviously the better pick.

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    2. Doolittle
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go Suarez out of those 2, but is Aguero not an option?

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      1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        No sir. No money.

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    3. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      If I already had Pod and 3M spare I wouldn't be selling him for Suarez (but I would next week) - but if you have the choice of which one to bring in now, it'd be Suarez for me to prepare for the DGW.

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  12. Liastro ⭐️
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Which 3 to play out of the following?

    Jose Enrique (mci) - Jones (TOT) - Davies (whu) - Demel - (SWA) - Clyne (wig)

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      ouch.

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    2. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Davies Demel Clyne.

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    3. COMH
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Davies, Demel, Clyne

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    4. ccc
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Davies, Clyne & unsure of 3rd

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  13. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Which team is more appealing to you:

    A) Mignolet FED
    GJ Cameron Davies Demel Clyne
    Michu Fellaini Mata Walcott MARVEAUX
    RvP Suarez STURRIDGE

    B) Mignolet BUNN
    HARTE Cameron Davies Demel Clyne
    Michu Fellaini Mata Walcott BALE
    RvP Suarez ALF

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    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Have about the same dilemma, think Im going with 5 big hitters in midfield and ALF

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      1. BOOM XHAKALACA
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Love the midfield, but obviously defense is going to suffer.

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        1. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          Yup, see mine above. I can manage though

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          1. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 2 months ago

            Do you really think marveux will play?

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            1. BOOM XHAKALACA
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 2 months ago

              Not really, but he'll be on my bench most of the time (might as well be Guthrie)

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              1. Hansel
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                13 years, 2 months ago

                But at the same time, ALF isn't guaranteed gametime

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  14. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Pick three to play this weekend please.

    Davies (whm) Distin (AVL) Rafael (ful) Dawson (wba) Pearce (SUN)

    Thank you kind gentle folk.

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      distin,raf,pearce

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    2. TeamSteam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Davies Rafa Dawson Pearce Distin in that order

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    3. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Who are you playing in goal?

      Davies, Distin, Rafael

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      1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Bego/Bunn

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      2. Ikey Warrior
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        This^^^^

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    4. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      davies, distin, rafa

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  15. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    How many teams had a DGW last year in that huge DGW last season due to the FA Cup? 5? Was around march if i remember rightly

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      8 teams.

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      1. Jax
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        in may that one was

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  16. Locarno
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Fair play to Beckham for giving his wages to a children's charity, but let's not forget Rooney has been giving his to the elderly for years.

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    1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Ouch.

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    2. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      nice to see beckham give his money to the under nourished. say his wife is happy...

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    3. Demí
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Michael Chopra's been giving his away to Ladbrokes for years too...

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    4. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      *giving it

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  17. UnderstandablyDistraught
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    On WC and would love some opinions.

    1. De Guzman, Giroud, Sturridge, Zab and 4.8defender

    or

    2. Suarez, Michu, Pog, Evans and cheapie def

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  18. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    WC team linked.

    How would you improve it? Thanks.

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    1. Eboue
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Excellent!

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    2. Koflok
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Exactly same as mine except for Aguero Dawson instead of Giroud Baines.

      Quality team, can't complain.

      Baines to Johnson I assume for the DGW?

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      1. Lizard Lips
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, then back to Baines 🙂

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  19. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else captaining Giroud? 🙂

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    1. DynamoTomato
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      i am going with walcott....giroud (vc)

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    2. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      reckon so. he's in form.

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  20. DynamoTomato
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Hi folks,

    What do you reckon of this wildcard team??? I was thinking downgrading azpil to bertrand and upgrading Distin to Baines......thats if the rest i ok. Thoughts appreciated.

    Mignolet Bunn
    Davies Clyne Clichy Azpilicueta Distin
    Bale Mata Walcott DeGuzman Puncheon
    RVP Sturridge Giroud

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  21. drughi
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    dzeko or ba to giroud ? or save transfer and have 2 free next week to get liverpool coverage ?

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    1. MathGeek
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Ba to Giroud...I dont think Ba is going to do anything from the bench and Torres is going to start again

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    2. DynamoTomato
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      i would be inclined to save transfer Ba and Dzeko hardly had any game time midweek so may have good chance tomorrow and sunday to play.

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  22. MathGeek
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    First time poster....do I play a 3-5-2 or a 4-3-3

    3-5-2

    Mignolet
    Baines Davies Harte
    Mata Walcott Michu Fellaini Taarabat
    Giroud(c) Sturridge

    or

    The same but drop Michu for Lambert?

    Thanks folks!

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  23. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    last spot for a cheap defender:
    R Martin
    Demel
    Harte
    Onuoha
    ?

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      very weak mate.

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    2. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Onuoha

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    3. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      A

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    4. Ikey Warrior
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Do you have those 4, and you want 1 more? Or pick 1 out of those 4?

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    5. Pinatta
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Onu

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  24. hellothere23
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Report from last page:

    Play Lukaku or Puncheon?

    And who to play out of

    Clyne, Demel, Davies, Zab, (Gibbs)

    Thanks a lot!

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    1. Ikey Warrior
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Lukaku IMO, although it's tight.
      Demel, Davies, Zab, Clyne (in that order).
      Gibbs is out for +- 6 weeks.

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  25. Kloppinho
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    a) Reina + GJ + Suarez

    b) Reina + JE + Suarez

    c) Reina + Suarez + Sturridge

    I think Liverpool has a good change to get at least 1 cleanie...

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    1. Ikey Warrior
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      C

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  26. Ikey Warrior
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Who should I bench out of this lot?
    A) Fellaini vs Aston Villa home
    B) Mata vs Newcastle away
    C) Michu vs West Ham away
    D) Fletcher vs Reading away
    E) Lambert vs Wigan away

    And captain?
    1) RVP vs Fulham away
    2) Walcott vs Stoke home

    Cheers! 😀

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  27. dfroes
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Any Wigan fans in here? What do you think about Espinoza?

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    1. TeamSteam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      He looked lively

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  28. Runaway
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    i would appreciate any comment for my final WC draft team and DGW strategies:

    Mig Bunn
    Zaba Enrique Davies Onuoha Clyne
    Mata Bale Walcott Michu Guthrie
    RVP Suarez Giroud

    GW26: Giroud->Sturridge
    GW27: Suarez+Enrique->Aguero+Azpi

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  29. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Slowly filling up my team.....

    ??? bunn
    ??? cueller davies harte onouha
    michu bale ??? walcott ???
    rvp sturridge ???

    have 35.8m ITB….

    A: DDG enrique guthrie mata suarez
    B: reina fabio maloney mata augero
    C: DDG baines maloney fellaini suarez

    - So far leaning on C which will allow me to baines >> GJ next week

    - B is a good option for this week but then i will have to take a a hit in gw26 to do
    baines + kun >> GJ + suarez and another hit to get rid of them

    - A and C are really tough to call...

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  30. AK ⭐
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Gibbs Replacement?

    A) Samba
    B) Monreal

    I am tempted by Samba. He's a beast, and proven FPL prospect.

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