[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
27 December 2013 6444 comments
Paul Paul
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We’re back with another set of Scout Picks for your consideration. This time around we plunder Tottenham, United and City for a couple of players apiece, whilst Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge supplies us with two of this season’s most explosive Fantasy talents as Chelsea go head-to-head with Liverpool:

We opt for Hugo Lloris between the sticks as Tottenham prepare for the visit of under-strength Stoke. The Potters roll up to the Lane with suspensions and injury concerns blighting Mark Hughes’ plans and, with a single goal scored in their last three road trips, they could be set to hand Spurs the chance of a first clean sheet in nine attempts.

A home clash against Southampton ensures Seamus Coleman keeps his spot in the Scout Picks. The Everton full-back remains the defender most likely to rack up the points up both ends of the pitch – Coleman has accrued four goals so far, double the tally of any other backline option, suggesting his attacking potential is worthy of a place alone, should the Toffees fail to register a ninth clean sheet against Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

City’s home game with Crystal Palace brings Vincent Kompany into our thinking. The Belgian has now scored in each of the last two Gameweeks to signpost his current form in the opposition box, whilst the hosts will be confident of a return to the form that produced three successive Etihad shut-outs prior to the visits of Arsenal and Liverpool.

Steven Caulker gets the nod as Cardiff prepare for the visit of Sunderland. The Black Cats have been woeful on the road, scoring just once (via the spot) in their last six road trips, whilst Caulker’s eye for goal has already come to fruition twice this term for the Bluebirds.

With two-goal salvos in each of his last couple of away games, Theo Walcott is in red-hot form right now as Arsenal head to Newcastle. Finally fully fit, the Gunners winger is looking vital to his side’s title chances at a time when Olivier Giroud toils for goals and Aaron Ramsey sits injured on the sidelines – given that the Magpies have conceded in each of their last four at home, Walcott’s growing band of owners will be confident of another haul.

Yaya Toure is our City midfielder of choice for the home clash with Palace. The Ivorian has scored or assisted in all but one of his nine Etihad appearances and, whilst Manuel Pellegrini could turn to Jesus Navas to protect David Silva from the possibility of a fifth caution and subsequent one-match ban, Toure has no such troubles and looks set for another 90-minute appearance against the Eagles.

Eden Hazard is the first of two selections for Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool at the Bridge. The Belgian highlighted just how crucial he is to the Blues’ cause by bagging the only goal of the Boxing Day home win over Swansea and is likely to give Glen Johnson a torrid time this Sunday as Jose Mourinho’s side look for the win that would lift them four points above their visitors.

With Antonio Valencia suspended and Nani sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Adnan Januzaj looks set to return to United’s XI for the trip to Norwich. The youngster is still being tentatively utilised by David Moyes but has already notched three times for the champions and could be set to pick up the points once more, having produced a goal and assist over his last two starts.

He may have served up a rare blank at City on Thursday evening but we’re backing Luis Suarez to return to goalscoring form against Chelsea at the Bridge. Jose Mourinho’s side have a single clean sheet in the last six in front of their own fans – conceding twice to West Brom and once to Palace – suggesting they may be hard-pushed to rein in the Uruguayan Fantasy phenomenon on Sunday afternoon.

Wayne Rooney rolls up to Norwich on the back of yet another stand-out Fantasy display. Despite being shifted to a more withdrawn role in recent matches, Rooney is still picking up the points regardless – he’s now delivered four sets of double figures in his last five road trips and will fancy his chances of extending that streak against a Norwich side that have just lost to Fulham at Carrow Road.

We also draft in Emmanuel Adebayor for Tottenham’s clash with Stoke. The Potters are reeling from the news that Asmir Begovic is out for up to six weeks and, with Robert Huth still sidelined with a knee problem, the Togo international will be confident of maintaining a streak which has produced three goals in three starts in all competitions under Tim Sherwood.

James Chester warms the bench for Hull’s home game with Fulham. The Tigers have already racked up five clean sheets in front of their own fans this term, whilst Chester’s eye for goal was highlighted in Thursday’s narrow loss to United.

Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham gets the nod for a home clash against Sunderland this weekend. The Bluebirds will be desperate to recover from their Boxing Day defeat at the hands of Southampton and the subsequent sacking of Malky Mackay – their playmaker’s creative endeavours will be key to breaching a backline that has now registered three successive clean sheets under Gus Poyet.

Romelu Lukaku retains his place in the Picks for Everton’s home game with Southampton. Yes, he’s failed to score in the last five but the Belgian is still registering plenty of attempts on goal and remains a real threat as Roberto Martinez’ side look to bounce back from Thursday’s shock home loss to Sunderland.

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  1. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    this week:Howard>Mannone and Terry>Distin?
    next week:Williams>Kos and Mirallas>Silva. Leaving me with?

    Mannone
    Distin-Evans-Kos(Chester-Olsson)
    Ozil-Silva-Hazard-Walcott(Jwp)
    Lukaku-Suarez-Negredo

    What do you think?

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    1. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      is that 2 hits pre WC? not worth it imo

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      1. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        i'm wildcarding last week possible

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        1. kennethrhcp
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          same. GL with the transfers

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    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Todays Net Transfers In:

    Negredo --- 36,000

    Dzeko --- 891

    So everyone is saying Negredo will be rested... but they're bluffing? 😉 I don't get it!

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    1. bitterandstout
        12 years, 2 months ago

        who is saying that?

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          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          No one official... just fellow FPL-ers. If Negredo is rested, Dzeko will play... so I'm surprised the NTI is so low.

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      • Podge
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        He MAY get out of intensive care in time to be included in the squad

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      • Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        He will be rested at some point, maybe tomorrow who knows. Hardly matters though because he is a great pick overall until Aguero returns

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          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Would you (C) him tomorrow though?

          I currently have neither, but really want one for tomorrow. Was doing Dzeko until I saw the NTI. Given me the jitters.

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      • A.T
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        36-1 is about the ratio between part time and full time managers.

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          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          You're saying Dzeko is the pick?

          I suppose you're right... all the other big transfers in are just those on form.

          Oh how I've missed the 'under the radar' successes this year!

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          1. A.T
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Dzecko is the pick for tomorrow IMO.

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Leave the casuals alone.

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            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Can't argue with them... just hoping they aren't right!

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          1. A.T
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            The casuals make the game. We need them to bugger up the prices.

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      • BONZ
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        not all of the 3m use FFS....and simply jump on the obvious choice!

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          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Yes.. see above. I hope you're right!

          I suppose the negative for Dzeko is that he'll probably be a one-game wonder, unless he really impresses.

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    2. premierglaser
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Pick up sczezny or mannone this week? Or neither, get lloris and transfer him out later?

      Thanks

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      1. premierglaser
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        And thoughts on yaya vs silva?

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        1. Strificus
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          I prefer Yaya for these next two matches; as he appears rotation proof.

          I enjoy Silva long term; as he's a bit of a differential and has better point projections.

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        2. HabitualLineSteppers
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          I have both.

          Yaya will be my (C) !

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          1. Strificus
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            I see... I'm going Rooney. Silva would be my choice for captain from those two; but the chance that he rests is too big a risk. I've never put the armband on Yaya; as his points rely too much on set pieces as he plays further back than Silva.

            With that said, Yaya presses pretty hard at the end of a match. Typically the only one forward when protecting a win. I think the strategy is that for a single man; he can leave the other team with their hands full controlling him. ha

            Either is a good choice and hard to predict. Personally, I'm going Rooney. The last time I captained Rooney he played CMD, so the fear is there... but, I have a gut feeling on this one. 😛

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            1. HabitualLineSteppers
              • 12 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              Its a tough one indeed.

              United are just too unpredictable for me at the mo -

              Best of luck

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      2. Strificus
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        I'm enjoying Mannone and the money saved

        Now I can contemplate an upgrade elsewhere

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    3. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Pick someone to start from:

      Ravel (WBA)
      Ireland (tot)
      Chico (avl)

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Put one bullet in a revolver ...

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      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Chico, then.

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        1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Is Chico OK ?

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          1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            If he is Chico, as he could get attacking points against a lackluster Villa.

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          2. Captain Shirokov
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Hopefully he was just rested.

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      3. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        ravel with chico first sub?

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        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          This^

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    4. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      repost...advice appreciated--which of these do you recommend?; 2 FTs, which to use (or save one)...

      Brunt --> Sterling
      Brunt --> Januzaj
      Lukaku --> Dzeko
      Boruc --> inexpensive keeper

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Brunt to Januzaj
        Boruc to Marshall or Speroni.

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

        Get away from Sterling.
        Let's have a faith on Lukaku.
        Brunt -> Januzaj is a good idea

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    5. copps
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      someone was saying zab is to be rested tomorrow, is this true?

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

        No. All that is true is Pellegrini told a Manchester Radio reporter that he may rest Zabaleta, whilst also confirming that Nastasic is back

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        1. Takedog1
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Is nastasic to return to the team then for tomorrow?

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      2. Dago
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        If it was Pellegrini yes.

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      3. JWF
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Would love to know this. Team news suggests he will be. Would leave me with only two defenders starting.

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    6. Strificus
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Sort of a repost; as I had no responses:

      I need help fixing this group of defense:
      Distin (5.1), Jagielka (5.8), Lovren (5.4), Debuchy (5.0), Baker (3.9)

      The 4 options I'm contemplating:

      1) Lovren → Mertesacker (rotating 1 out each week)
      2) Lovren → Chester (£3.4 to upgrade mid)
      3) Distin → Meresacker (break up Everton brigade)
      4) Other (please specify)

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    7. Dago
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Play Mannone or Harper?

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    8. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Who would you choose out of Dzeko or Welbeck (already got Silva as Man City att cover and my other STs are Suarez and Lukaku

      Any help would be appreciated

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Welbeck.

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    9. chunk
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Is Baines likely to start this GW

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      1. Breadbin
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Yes. But don't risk getting him in.

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    10. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      My mid is in a bit of a state, assuming Harper can play Fulham what move is best?

      *Howard *Harper
      Shaw Chester Mert Coleman Burner
      *Mirallas Walcott *Ramsey Whittingham *Ravel
      Rooney Suarez *Negredo

      3.9M in bank, 1FT

      1 - Ramsey ---> Silva or Yaya (and cross fingers I can play XI)
      2 - Ramsey + Ravel ----> Sterling/Henderson + Silva (-4)
      3 - Ramsey + Mirallas ----> Silva + Cabaye (-4)
      4 - Ramsey + Mirallas ----> Silva + Nasri/Navas (-4)

      Leaning to 1 or 2 here, cant see Cabaye being worth a -4 with Arsenal and City in next 3

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Like the Irishman, I wouldn't start from there ...

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        1. Call Me Old Fashioned
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          huh?

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Your midfield needs a lot of work. I am not sure that Yaya is the answer.

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            1. Call Me Old Fashioned
              • 15 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              I have 3 duds of which 1 is out for certain, Ramsey so he has to go surely. Which other one to get rid of for a hit? Ravel or Mirallas

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      2. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        1 or 2, would keep mirallas for this game,should be fit.

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    11. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Chances of RavMo playing?
      Chances of Clyne playing?

      Need to replace one I think in case Silva doesn't play.

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      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Is it worth replacing ravmo or ramsey for a hit ?

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        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Million dollar question! Not sure about RavMo but yes to Ramsey.

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      2. bitterandstout
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Silva will play. He's only been back for the last 3 fixtures. He's rested..

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      3. Tozier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Does anyone know how many teams there are in total in the sky game?

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        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          At least 100k

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        2. Namtab Nomolos
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          It's impossible to tell how well you are doing because you have no idea if people ahead of you have blown all their transfers or if the people behind you still have lots in hand. It's very hard to find any kind of stats in that game now, I've pretty much lost interest in it with the need to babysit the captain changes every week.

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      4. copps
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Odds of januzaj avoiding a booking and suspension tomorrow must be pretty low

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Unlikely to get booked sitting on the bench

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          1. copps
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            think kagawa will play?

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            1. MJ6987
              • 15 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              Who knows.

              Young / Zaha / Januzaj..... Rooney...... Kagawa / Young / Giggs / Welbeck
              Welbeck / Hernandez / RVP

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        2. Breadbin
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          He dives a lot, wouldn't be surprised to see him booked. He deserves one every game.

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      5. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Good to go for tomorrow

        marshall
        coleman - chester - vlaar
        hazard - wally - yaya - cabaye
        rooney (c) - suarez (vc) - lukaku

        speroni - sterling - clyne - molsson

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        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Great side! Loverley.

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          1. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks

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      6. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Number one aim for your differential player?....for them to quickly become a template player

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        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          To do amazingly, while still staying under the radar :-/

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          1. MJ6987
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Maybe....

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          2. MJ6987
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            I just think that the difference between a good FPL player and an OK one is buying the right players a week or two before the masses. Easier said than done though.

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          3. copps
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            i had this with odemwingie a few years back. best differential player ive ever had in this game. i finished top 1K that year thanks to him.

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      7. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Hart
        Boyata Kompany Nastasic Clichy
        Garcia Yaya
        Milner Nasri Kolarov
        Dzeko

        🙂

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        1. LOCO ABREU
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          kolarov oop 🙂

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        2. ADucksBehind
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          I notice that in all of these predictions Nasri is always in the hole B)

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      8. bitterandstout
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Arse fixtures look good from GW20: Car(h) Villa(a) Ful(h) Sot(a) Pulis(h) Liv(a)
          Sczezny for me..

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          1. LOCO ABREU
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            ozil,wally and kos for me!

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        • kennethrhcp
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          sorry for asking a similar question to earlier... I can afford either navas or nasri (would love silva/yaya but it would mean a hit).

          any thoughts on who to pick: navas or nasri

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          1. FishFingers
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Navas looked quite threatening against Liverpool

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            1. kennethrhcp
              • 15 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              thought the same, cheers

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        • box of horses
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Kompany or Zaba in for Rafael?

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          1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Komp. will reward.

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        • FishFingers
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Harper or Gazzaniga for the next few weeks?
          (Will be a -4 hit and need to pick one so I can have Walcott)

          Harper* or Gazzaniga* (Lewis)
          Coleman Mertesacker Chester Mcauley Gabbidon
          Walcott Silva Hazard Cabaye JWP
          Suarez Negredo Rooney

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        • Judas
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Really unsure who to captain now. Don't have Rooney so its between:

          Silva
          Negredo
          Suarez
          Lukaku

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          1. Peggi
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            1.Negredo
            2.Suarez
            3.Silva
            4.Lukaku

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          2. A.T
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Suarez c
            Lukaku vc

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          3. Podge
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            If this week proved one thing, you dont lose much ground captaining Suarez.

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          4. kennethrhcp
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            neg (gamble re: rest though)

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          5. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Neg. cause he will be a start or a no show imo. Suarez VC.

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        • Dazspurs
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          With Ramsey injured and Oscar not really scoring heavily I'm thinking of:-

          Ramsey and Oscar ----> Nasri and Walcott

          Do these sound like solid moves?

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        • Sif
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Will Silva start tomorrow?

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          1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            I wish I knew

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

            I hope so, he is my differential in my mini league.

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          3. bitterandstout
              12 years, 2 months ago

              why wouldn't he? he's only been back in the squad for three matches. how knackered can he be?

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          4. A.T
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Who to play?

            Burner (SUN)

            Evans (Nor)

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          5. goonerbeatyaa
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Is ManCity really such a dead cert for massive points tomorrow... Pulis at CPalace parking the bus could prove frustrating for City to hit their normal goal amounts like when playing more open teams like Spurs manu arsenal etc!

            Am i really the only one thinking this i.e. making me crazy and ulitmatley wrong?

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          6. Dago
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Silva instead of Kolarov

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            1. Dago
              • 15 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              Reply fail

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          7. Captain Shirokov
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Ravel is in the expected WHU team in the team news section yet many on here don't think he'll start, why?

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            1. sully sonic
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              hamstring injury - no other news on his recovery though

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            2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              BFS is not too keen.

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            3. ILOVEBAPS
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              Not sure myself. I think he'll start.

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          8. HabitualLineSteppers
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            The likelihood Chamakh will score a cheeky goal away to Man City ?

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          9. iron2010
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Lads any help would be much appreciated

            A. Lakuku / Oscar to Hazard Dzeko (-4)

            B. Evra / Oscar to Hazard Nastastic (-4)

            C. Save transfer and stck with Oscar, Lak and Evra (only City cover Silva)

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