[sbu_large_image] Preamble
24 August 2013 1892 comments
Mark Mark
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This is new territory. Traditionally, my team limps, almost apologetically out of the blocks, sits somewhere around the half million mark and makes me sweat blood and tears to achieve respectability by Christmas. This season, it’s been very different.

A “flyer”. There’s no other word for it. A few timely tinkerings at the death. A few sensible, unsexy signings (Kevin Nolan, I’m looking at you) and suddenly I’m nestled in the upper echelons of the Fantasy Premier League, dreaming of how this encouraging start might build into my highest rank ever.

Of course, I know better. This is very much a marathon we’re running and it’s very likely that, a few miles down the road, I’ll be pulling off a scenario equivalent of Paula Radcliffe squatting to take a pee. It will probably involve several points hits and Edin Dzeko.

For now though, I’m going to enjoy the ride, rein in the rash decisions and remain calm. Plan A has worked so far, there’s no need to consult plans B to X just yet.

So I turn instead to this morning’s papers, where I find immediate reassurance on the aforementioned Dzeko. Selected for the Scout Picks, there’s undoubtedly a risk that Manuel Pellegrini will opt to give Alvaro Negredo a first full start at Cardiff on Sunday but, for what it’s worth, the press don’t see it that way. The Guardian are the only one of our six sources this morning who fail to list Dzeko in their City teamsheet, opting for a 4-5-1 formation with Aguero up top and Javi Garcia added to bolster the midfield.

Garcia may well feature at Cardiff, we can see him slotting in alongside Joleon Lescott in defence in the absence of the injured Vincent Kompany. Only The Times shares this view, however, with every other source suggesting that Matija Nastasic will be fit enough to make a return having resumed training this week.

Away from the City lineup, there are few contentious issues to trouble Fantasy managers. Nathaniel Clyne could make a return to the Southampton lineup at home to Sunderland but only the Daily Mail backs this decision, with Calum Chambers listed in all other five of our sources this morning.

Robert Snodgrass returns in each one of the Norwich teamsheets on show, with Steven Whittaker retaining his start in all cases, aside from the Independent and the Daily Telegraph. They, like ourselves, feel that Seb Bassong’s return to fitness will see the Scot benched, despite his goal and assist returns against Everton.

Fulham’s Pajtim Kasami is another budget bandwagon that could be derailed today. Despite the winner at Sunderland last time out, Kasami splits the morning press: he’s listed in three of our teamsheets this morning with the Guardian, The Sun and The Times backing him to hold his starting role for the visit of Arsenal in the early kick-off. The rest, like us, feel that a return for Bryan Ruiz will see the 21-year-old make way.

Untroubled by the potential teamsheet shuffling, then, there’s little to dent my giddy optimism other than the reality that I can’t possibly pull off another haul like Gameweek 1.

That’s the thing about a “flyer”, it’s almost certain that the knee jerk anxiety I avoided last weekend, will hit me by Monday night when perhaps Robin van Persie fails to deliver a £14 million haul. Suddenly those price tags hanging around Christian Benteke and Roberto Soldado’s necks will look all the more appealing, my rank, that little less comforting. That’s when my Fantasy Football season really begins.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,892 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Viper
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    I asked on the previous page whether to captain dzeko or RVP, first to 5.

    Dzeko took a 4-1 lead before RVP somehow pulled it back and won 5-4. Its going to be an interesting gameweek!

    Thanks to all who voted!

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    1. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Dzeko for a late vote 🙂

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  2. Mak_Gold
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Will Ravel Morrison start??

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    1. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Doubt it

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    2. Ellipsis
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      I wish! What do you know? He's on my bench...

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  3. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Play Chester or M Turner?

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    1. Joebin
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      same question, leaning towards murner at the moment but im not convinced

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  4. The Painted Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    ZZzzzzzzzzz

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  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    4 pt hit with ivanovic to zabaleta or coleman I am still considering

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    1. Xhaka Kahn't
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Save the 4 points

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    2. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      No Bemba, don't do it mate!!

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    3. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Zab a better choice than Coleman

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    4. Thick Of It
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Do it next week for free Bemba, you won't gain anything from it this week.

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    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      thanks

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 17 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        do it

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    6. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Ivan to Zaba makes sense if you look at it over the next 3 GW's. Did to me anyway.

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        thanks, i might do next week 🙂

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    7. Ellipsis
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Why don't you wait? He might get up there and score again...or elbow someone in the face and get a red!

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    8. Silly Sausage
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Ivan 2 pointer and another 10 point haul from Zab would make it worth it

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    9. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Why for a defender, why?
      You'll be getting rid of Ivano this week at some point anyway.

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  6. Torres76
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Heres my team

    Mignolet
    Shaw, Whittaker, Zaba, Coleman
    Mirrales, Barkley, Coutinho, Walcott
    Benteke, Sturridge (C)

    Davis, Hazard, Iva, Anelka

    1. Should I play any of the Chelsea boys on bench?
    2. Should I sell Hazard for Silva and play him instead of Barkley for a 4 point hit? Its a transfer I am going to take a hit for anyway ready for next week

    Cheerrs

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      ivanovic has to play if you have him I guess

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        same with hazard

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        1. Exilizer
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 10 months ago

          Agreed.

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    2. Xhaka Kahn't
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      I would go for silva. Roll the dice. His fixtures are good anyway and he could hit double figures today

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    3. aussiegooner
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Benching Haz? Seriously?

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  7. Darth
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Bring on the football!

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  8. Assisting you all day
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Aguero start?

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    1. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      My captain so I hope so

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  9. Anonymous
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Who is likely to score more?

    A) Silva+Sturridge

    B) HBA+Aguero

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      A - Mainly because of HBA's 2 pointer.

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      1. Anonymous
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        Ty

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  10. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Wtf the pages just go too quickly?!

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    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      well this helps...

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  11. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    A. Boruc or migs
    B. play two from Chester, mertersacker, Collins and turner?

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    1. aussiegooner
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      A. Migs
      B. Merte and Collins

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  12. Viper
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    *rp
    I asked on the previous page whether to captain dzeko or RVP, first to 5. Dzeko took a 4-1 lead before RVP somehow pulled it back and won 5-4. Its going to be an interesting gameweek!

    Thanks to all who voted!

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      You going with RVP then?

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      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        Yes

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    2. Silly Sausage
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      No worries, going with RVP myself

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    3. aussiegooner
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Had the same dilemma, came to the opposite conclusion.

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  13. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    As an RVP owner, I feel like I need him to score every week to justify him at the moment!

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    1. The class of 92
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      As a United fan I'd feel wrong not having him in my team

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    2. rdpx
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Well he has delivered so far.

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    3. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah imagine of he goes 2 gwks or more with blanks. Wholesale reviolution in these parts.

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    4. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Yup brace last week and you felt that was simply satisfactory

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  14. Jafalad
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    First rub-a-dub: Kimbo or Murner?

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    1. Mull
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Murner.

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      1. Jafalad
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, just switched back to Murners. Hard to Kim getting much against Nasty and co. These promoted teams at home though will probably nick one.

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  15. Jubilanus / BSC Small Boys …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    last minute tinker.

    soldado or dezko for captain?

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    1. SouthCoastSaint
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Dzeko, give Swansea some respect!

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      1. The class of 92
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        +1

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    2. snowman
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      If city playing 4-5-1 aguero up top on his own im going with soldado

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    3. Hyperion
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Soldadooo

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  16. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    L, S and C

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      S

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  17. SouthCoastSaint
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Quick poll, Welbeck, Ivanovic or Yanga Mbiwa? (Rooney potentially starting scares me)

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Ivanovic.

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    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Yanga

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      1. SouthCoastSaint
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        Ta, think I'm going Yanga for an ambitious clean sheet!

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  18. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Keep calm & captain Man. City Player.

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  19. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Actually Collins or M Turner. Currently Collins...

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  20. Ole Gunnar Kush
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Who to captain??

    Sturridge, Silva, Walcott, Benteke, Lambert

    On Walcott at the moment.

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    1. hazza
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      we cant play the game for you.

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      1. Ole Gunnar Kush
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        I wasnt asking anyone to play the game for me..

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      2. KLOPPTOMANIA
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        You new round here Hazza?

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    2. Xhaka Kahn't
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Silva I reckon

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    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Go with your gut, which for me would be Walcott too. Possibly Lambert.

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    4. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      I have gone for Wally too. Stick with it

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      1. Ole Gunnar Kush
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        cheers

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  21. rdpx
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Am thinking of dropping Hazard.

    Can't decide whether to get in SILVA or YAYA

    or JOE COLE and stock up some moolah...?

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  22. Ed
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Should i star clyne or toure - as I don't want to be in a situation where clyne just comes on for 5 mins at the end?

    Also start Hazard or Koren?

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Hazard def

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  23. FPL Daniel
    • 17 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone benching Benteke.. ?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      You

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    2. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      No chance. I have him as my VC

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    3. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      lol

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    4. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      😯

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    5. Podge
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Against Toure 😯

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    6. @FPLMason
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Change your question to "Is anybody drunk?"

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  24. SirStevieG
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Mignolet or Boruc???

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Boruc

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    2. Dilzy
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Boruc

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  25. Mitchacho
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    RVP or Aguero + 3m?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Kun + 3

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    2. Dub
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      Aguero and 3m
      I have RVP 🙁

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  26. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Who should i put for first sub!!??

    Jrod or Chester or Pozuelo

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    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      J Rod

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    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      JRod, although I'd start him instead of playing 4 in defence

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  27. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Start Boruc or Mignolet ??

    Already have Shaw

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    1. Ellipsis
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      I think Boruc has a better chance of a clean sheet. The beast will be hard to tame! Having said that I'm hoping big Kolo might...I'm starting with him, and then mignolet is a great keeper. It's all so confusing...10 minutes to go and my brain is fried. Sure this doesnt help...sorry!

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  28. Bring on the shots
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    Walcott or Soldado as captain??!!

    Thanks

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  29. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    First to 3...
    Marshall or Vorm as GK this week???

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      vorm

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  30. Dub
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    12 years, 10 months ago

    I've seen lots of people asking who to play out of Murner or Chester. There's actually nothing wrong with fielding 2 opposing defenders, whether playing each other or 2 other teams you have no less chance of either/both keeping clean sheets. I think Hull aren't aren't going to score many goals but will be tight at the back so a 0-0 is quite possible.

    Completely different if you're playing a defender and opposing attacker as you can't have both be successful in the game.

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 10 months ago

      I have both but hoping for a 0-0 has never worked for me before

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      1. Dub
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        12 years, 10 months ago

        But it's about the same odds as getting two clean sheets in separate games.

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