[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
31 January 2014 3169 comments
Paul Paul
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It’s less than 48 hours since the previous Gameweek concluded but already our attentions are firmly fixed on tomorrow’s deadline. Arsenal and United supply our Scout Picks XI with a couple of players apiece, whilst we opt for just one player from Monday evening’s Etihad showdown between City and Chelsea as Fantasy managers reel from yet another injury to Sergio Aguero:

Adrian makes his Scout Picks debut as West Ham prepare to welcome Swansea to Upton Park. Having defied Chelsea at the Bridge time and again on Wednesday evening, the 4.3-priced Spaniard looks to have cemented the number one jersey for the Hammers and, bearing in mind the Swans have netted once in their last three road trips, is a strong shout for a clean sheet.

Cardiff’s home clash with Norwich brings Steven Caulker into consideration. The Canaries have scored just three times in the last seven Gameweeks, boosting the Bluebirds’ chances of a clean sheet, and the big centre-half’s aerial threat from set-pieces and corners has already helped him notch twice this term.

With a single goal conceded in the last seven at the Emirates, Per Mertesacker’s owners will be confident of further defensive returns as the Gunners entertain Palace on Sunday. The big German’s eye for goal has already served up a couple of double-figure hauls in front of his own fans, whilst his propensity for picking up bonus merely strengthens his appeal for the Eagles’ showdown.

Patrice Evra gets the nod as United make their way to Stoke. David Moyes’ side have tightened up in recent matches and picked up three clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks – if the Potters find the net, though, Evra’s attacking potential (a goal and three assists so far) could help him pick up the points as the visitors go in search of a vital victory.

A home game with Villa brings Kevin Mirallas into the Scout Picks. With Romelu Lukaku and Lacina Traore both injured, the Belgian looks poised to lead the line for Everton tomorrow afternoon – Mirallas has notched in two of the last three Gameweeks and squares up to a defence that has mustered a single clean sheet in the last 10 league matches.

Christian Eriksen has been one of the most consistent midfield options around in recent matches. Tottenham’s summer signing has flourished under Tim Sherwood and has provided a goal or assist in five of the last six Gameweeks – at 7.3, he remains a solid mid-price option ahead of Spurs’ trip to Hull.

Four goals in his last five in all competitions sums up Santi Cazorla’s upturn in Fantasy potential. The Arsenal midfielder had struggled to replicate the form that took the Premier League by storm last time around but, after a below-par first few months of the season, looks a key player for the Gunners once again as Palace roll up to the Emirates.

Yaya Toure’s outstanding home consistency could prove decisive for City against Chelsea on Monday evening. The Ivorian has scored or assisted in nine of his 10 appearances at the Etihad and, with Sergio Aguero now sidelined, he looks first in line for spot-kicks, as well as set-pieces, as Manuel Pellegrini’s side look for the win that would take them six points clear of their opponents.

Liverpool’s trip to the Hawthorns will hold no fear for Luis Suarez. The Baggies’ backline have just shipped four to Villa in midweek and, bearing in mind the Reds have hit Spurs and Stoke for five over their last four away games, Suarez – yet again the runaway leader of this Gameweek’s Captain Poll – looks on course for his eleventh double-figure haul of the season.

Handed 63 minutes against Cardiff on Tuesday evening, Robin van Persie was immediately back amongst the goals. David Moyes admitted earlier today that he will continue to “be careful” with the Dutchman and Wayne Rooney after both returned from injury – he may not get the full 90 minutes, then, but van Persie’s predatory instincts will require little time to produce against a Stoke defence that conceded five to Liverpool in their previous home match.

Jay Rodriguez’ away form earns him a spot in our front three. The Southampton forward has scored six times in his last seven road trips and, with a visit to struggling Fulham on his agenda, looks poised to continue his impressive showings outside of St Mary’s.

Jose Fonte warms the bench as Southampton travel to Fulham. The big centre-half grabbed his second goal of the season against Arsenal in midweek and, with Victor Wanyama potentially set to start in front of the back-four, the Saints will be confident of keeping out a Cottagers attack that has scored once in the last three.

With Yohan Cabaye no more than a distant memory, the stage looks set for Hatem Ben Arfa to grab the mantle of Newcastle talisman with both hands. Having impressed against in Norwich, the Frenchman has the perfect chance to further endear himself to the Magpies fans this weekend as Alan Pardew’s side look to get one over bitter rivals Sunderland in tomorrow lunchtime’s Tyne-Wear derby.

With a goal in each of his last three, Christian Benteke is perhaps a little unlucky only to make the bench here. Ahead of Villa’s trip to Everton, his chances of notching again were handed a boost with the news that Seamus Coleman and Sylvain Distin are both still absent from the Toffees back-four for the Goodison encounter.

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  1. The ginger cafu
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    If you type Kim Kallstrom into Google the suggestions are a little odd, is he autistic?

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      1. The ginger cafu
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Now I feel bad

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        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Haha honest mistake to make

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          1. Claret14
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            No body does it better than our danny

            http://kindnessblog.com/2013/12/16/boots-and-a-kiss-for-a-fan/

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  2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Ade out for benteka for -4? Have erikksen for spurs attack

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

    Adrian - Mannone
    Fonte - Terry - Evra - Ward - Vlaar
    Hazard - Mata - Toure - Johnson - Noone
    Suarez - Dzeko - Rodriguez

    WC team help? 1.2m free

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

      Since you double post, I will double reply:

      Terry -> Ivan/azpi
      Fonte -> Chambers/yoshi
      Evra -> Evans
      Toure -> Silva
      Johnson -> Lallana
      Rodriguez -> Ade/Benteke/Giroud

      I would never waste one striker spot on JRod when Lallana delivers like this. You already have one economy striker in Dzeko.

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      1. Colonel Klink
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        What about both Rodriguez and Lallana?

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

        Appreciate the advice mate but those downgrade are a bit too much such as Fonte to Chambers/Yoshi

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

      No good Tottenham coverage with their amazing fixtures in February is surely a bit strange?

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  4. Mr. Greedy
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Mata or Cazorla?

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

      Matata

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

        lovely fixtures.

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

      mata

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    3. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      cazorla 5 goals in last games

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

      Caz short term, Mata long term

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

    Ramsey --> Lallana (or Gerrard? or someone else)
    current midfield: Mata, Hazard, Adam Johnson, Eriksen, Ramsey (injured)

    Aguero --> Sturridge ?
    current strikers: Bony, Aguero (injured), Suarez

    thanks

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

    Looks like the transfer market is finally liking Giroud's fixture..now up to 3rd highest NTI in for the day.

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    1. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Palace bus? I'm hoping for ozil to shine but have doubts.

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    2. Qubit
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I dont like that move to be honest. Palace fairly resilient and Arsenals fixtures take a turn for the worse afterwards.

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  7. Clay Davis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Guys, help much appreciated on the following dilemma...

    A) Eriksen & JayRod
    or
    B) A. Johnson & Dzeko

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  8. the axolotl
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Have aguero, needs to go, can take 1drop no effect. Thinking selling ozil for puncheon, and aguero to RSVP but will wait for next week and do for free. Good shout / bad shout?

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  9. Aurora
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Frontline line of

    Dzeko Suarez JRod

    too risky?

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  10. There's Always One!
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Tayto really are the best Cheese and Onion crisps

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

      King are the man for crisp sambos though

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

      agreed

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  11. PGR
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Should I do Aguero to Sturridge/Rooney for a hit? If so which one to get?
    Or should I simply play Colback and make the transfer next week?

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    1. There's Always One!
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Rooney for me

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  12. gers23
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Best Aguero replacement?

    Benteke

    J rod

    Sturridge

    someone else? Have Giroud n Suarez

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

      Dzeko.

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    2. Colonel Klink
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Have Suarez, did Sturridge. City too much of a rotation headache, plus against Chelsea.

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

    With an overall ranking of 32,000 is a -4 hit (got in Dzeko and Mata for Aguero and Wilshere) gonna be costly?

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

      VERRY..same happens to me everytime as we ranked high..m at 33k rite now and always drop couple 10ks when i take hits...

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

        so Please take a hit so at least i will get ahead of u :p

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    2. There's Always One!
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I've a 1251 rank and just took a hit 🙁

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

      5 positive hits and 3 negative for me so far.

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  14. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    why are people going mata over cazorla? cazorla has 5 goals in his last 5 games. good form. mata is going to plonked out wide with rooney back, he is terrible on the wing

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

      Arsenal can only come down from their lofty position and manutd can only go up from their ludicrous position

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

      Mata can't play in the CL so he is nailed on when CL starts again, can't say the same for Cazorla

      I'll be doing Cazorla > Mata in a few weeks

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    3. Colonel Klink
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Cazorla's starting to look very good but going into a horrendous tunnel of fixtures.

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

        He has 1 tough fixture in the next 6.

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        1. Colonel Klink
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Palace, Pool away, United, Stoke away, cup games with Bayern and Liverpool in between.

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

    Who's the best 6m or less defender to own for the short to long term, taking into account potential blanks?

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

      Ivanovic

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

      Ivanovic or Azpi I would say

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    3. HNI
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Reid??If sammy says something in team conference tomorrow...

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

      Zaba..Rest him for the blank and the ready for the DGW..and very, very good fixtures from next week on...I'm going Silva Navas Zaba from next week...with three non blank fwds..Suarez, Studge and one other, so no worries with the bank Gw and swap one forward out for a DGWer..Make sense ?...

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

        Yeah fixtures leading up to that are good. Just worried about getting three defenders out, have a feeling i'll need to take a hit. And do you think Zaba is completely safe from rotation as it's around the Barca games iirc?

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

          No..not completely safe...Kompany may be better....Whatever I decide the best way to deal with the blank and DGW is to plan to play the blank with a 4-3-3 which allows you to bench three DGW players without affecting the blank GW too much ( two mids and one def) .and the bring them back in and add to them in the weeks between...That's the best strategy...making it work due to rotation is another matter.

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

            Cheers Wakey, will look into that then

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

      evans or reid. save yourself some more money for the dgw players

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    6. Colonel Klink
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Fonte, maybe.

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  16. The EJJ
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero -> Negredo (-4)? Or do it next gw, Aguero's drop in price doesn't bother me.

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

    What's the f**kin craic with Aguero?

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

      Out for 1 month

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

        Shit

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

          yup, already drafted in RvP. My team is quite top heavy but that's ok

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

      injured

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    3. HNI
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      The MaraDona Curse for screwing up his daughter

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  18. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone know anything about Mergers & Acquisitions?

    Would M&S be given a loan of £1000 million to acquire either Thomas Pink, Ted Baker or Reiss?
    What % would be charged as interest?

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

      1 billion? Are those brands worth anything remotely close to 1 billion when the three are combined?

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      1. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Assuming this is right, then yes.

        Take Ted Baker current price GBP21.41 x Shares outstanding 43.65m = GBP934m.

        So anyone wanting to buy would need to pay over that amount?

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    2. dribbler
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      possibly you're on the wrong website mate

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    3. #Swish41
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I'm an M&A laywer but that's more for the CFhouse to advise of. $10 billion is a lot to fund out of debt but M&S would probably be deemed good for it

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    4. hobocopter
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      M&S would be able to get financing for acquiring any (or all) of those companies and it would probably be at a very low interest rate (around 3%) - however £1000m is far too much (none of them are worth more than £50m or so).

      Does that help?

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      1. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        So what about the above valuation, I am getting something completely wrong?

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

          Yes -if Ted baker is $20 with 40m shares outstanding then it's market value is 80m - which m and s could certainly get a loan for.

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  19. hobocopter
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you bench out of Haz Silva Lallana Mirallas and Januzaj?

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    1. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Who are your front 3

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

        suarez RVP Bony

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

      jan

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    3. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      janu

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

        Cheers!

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    4. Turtlepower
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Januzaj

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    5. no1baj
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Jan

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  20. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    It would appear I may only field one defender .....

    Is it worth taking a hit to field a second or 2 hits to field 3

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  21. Turtlepower
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    If I want a cheap and hopefully nailed on West Ham defender, should I go for Collins?

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

      yes--at 4.1

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      1. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        snap

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

          Snap?

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

      no, hes not guaranteed when winston comes back.

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

        Hmmm and Winston will be back soon, thanks.

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  22. Leelas legs 11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Negredo or Dzeko please (no man city midfield)

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    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I've gone dezeko

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    2. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Dzeko

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    3. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I feel Negredo is more nailed on but Dzeko's in great form and is cheap. 50/50 call imo

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      1. Leelas legs 11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers guys

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  23. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Ade out for benteke for -4? Have erikksen for spurs attack

    A yes
    B no

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

      b

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      1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

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  24. Lazarus
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Sky Bet have 10/1 on a Giroud hat-trick, whereas Sturridge is 25/1.

    I suppose the consensus on here is that Sturridge will outscore Giroud this GW, right?

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    1. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Yes ... but I agree with you, thinking Giroud could be better bet

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

        I'm not quite sure, I'm torn between both.

        I think Sturridge is more explosive, but Giroud is a solid pick and gives better balance to my team, whatever that means.

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

      Palace won;t concede 3 goals, let alone concede 3 to Giroud!

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

      well he's got 27 goals in 33 games...you can look uo Giroud for yourself

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

        and west brom have abandoned defence for the forseeeable future

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

        This season, 10 goals in 21 games apparently.

        But I get your point about Sturridge's goal scoring record, its phenomenal.

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    4. JONINHO
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge all day!

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  25. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Kolarov playing this weekend or benched again?

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

      No one knows, but I reckon benched

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    2. no1baj
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Probably benched imo as Willian and Hazard on wings so need pace to catch them

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

        Thanks guys! Just the boost needed to take a hit on my defence.

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    3. Mr. Greedy
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I think he'll start. Pellegrini will expect Chelsea to park the bus and Kolarov is a far better attacker.

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

    Ramsey out for Lallana or Gerrard?

    Sturridge in for Aguero? and would you consider Sturridge --> Dzeko in a few days, after this round?

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    1. no1baj
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Lallana and yeah

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  27. no1baj
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Best striker, fixture wise and form, for the next 4 weeks?

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    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      j.rod

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  28. HNI
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    lallana+Campbell vs
    noone+adebayor...who wins??

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  29. ZakAFC_
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Agüero to Negredo/Dzeko or Benteke?

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  30. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Plan your team for GW28 & GW 31...

    I don't think you'll get RVP/Rooney/Negredo/Dzeko if you are

    I'm planning to have 3 MUN, 3 MCI for GW 31, but I should also be able to field 11 in GW28 🙂

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    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      More important to field 3 strikers in GW28 than 5 mids. Gonna go with Suarez, Adebayor and Benteke accordingly.

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

      Just made the same point to Demi...

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