[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
26 December 2014 5523 comments
Paul Paul
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After Chelsea strode six points clear at the summit with a 2-0 win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge this lunchtime, we now have a further nine matches on offer today.

Eight of those encounters take place at 3.00pm. Burnley slipped back into the bottom three last weekend and now face a Liverpool side that are hinting at shoots of recovery following a switch to 3-4-3. Raheem Sterling and co. face further scrutiny by Fantasy managers in light of the Merseysiders’ superb schedule.

Southampton have Dusan Tadic, Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama back for the trip to Palace, though of that trio, only the Frenchman starts, with Tadic and Wanyama amongst the subs. Graziano Pelle is edging back to form with two goals in his last three and, with some tough fixtures ahead, the Saints will be keen to kick on from last weekend’s convincing 3-0 win over Everton.

Speaking of the Toffees, Roberto Martinez will be desperate for a response after a disappointing display last time out. Leighton Baines has a chance to boost his stock after serving up five straight blanks, whilst Romelu Lukaku has four goals and an assist in his last five home starts ahead of the visit of Stoke. Kevin Mirallas shrugs off an ankle problem to return to the XI.

Tottenham head to Leicester looking for a third straight league win under Mauricio Pochettino. Harry Kane has earned plenty of new investors over the last few days after netting in each of his last three in all competitions, whilst in midfield, Christian Eriksen has returned 13 points in two of his previous three away appearances.

Man United have a host of attacking options all vying for our affections as Newcastle roll up to Old Trafford. Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao lead the line once again and Wayne Rooney is looking to score in front of his own fans for the third successive appearance. There’s no Angel di Maria for United, though, after he sustained another injury in training – Juan Mata retains his starting role once again.

Sunderland’s recent defensive displays have seen the likes of Costel Pantilimon and Santiago Vergini arrive on Fantasy radars. The Black Cats have four clean sheets in six and host a Hull side with a meagre two goals in their last nine, whilst further up the field, Adam Johnson’s goal and assist in the last two suggests he’s starting to find his form.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wilfried Bony both return as Swansea host Villa at the Liberty. With the Ivorian soon to depart for African Cup of Nations duties, Christian Benteke has the chance to step up as a potential replacement – the Belgian has two goals and an assist in his last four and has some excellent fixtures to follow.

Man City roll up to West Brom looking for a seventh straight win. As we saw last week against Palace, the champions still have the weaponry to cope without their first-team strikers, with David Silva, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri looking key for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. The City boss rotates his full-backs once again, though, as Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksander Kolarov are replaced by Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy.

In the 5.30pm kick-off, Arsenal will fancy their chances against a QPR side that have lost all eight of their road trips to date. There’s no doubt Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud are the form options for the Gunners, with Captain Poll favourite Alexis Sanchez notching just once in six appearances since a change of formation forced him onto the flank. Harry Redknapp’s side have scored a mere three goals on their travels, and for all his impressive home form, the odds are stacked against Charlie Austin grabbing the goals again.

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  1. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Relax, ShawX will concede another pen 🙂

    1. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah but I have Coleman too...

  2. Professor Abel X
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Rooney (vc). Hope Sanchez is completely rested

  3. BlueIncognito
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Could've captained Rooney or Costa yet went with Sanchez which I'm sure will now blank

  4. RyanFootballChatbox
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Silva!!!

  5. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Baines CS gone. Unless he scores he's out today from my team

  6. AH 🙂
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    ROONEY -. SEASON KEEPER

  7. coran2123
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Dead opponent in the cup has Bojan lol

  8. Lucy.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Cup opponent has Rooney (C). Dammit.

    1. Nobodinho
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      same 🙁

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Same 🙁 Bony do something.

    3. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      not alone my friend so sick

  9. nikobg
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Baines ruined my life. Worst transfer ever!

  10. Flynniesta
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Mr Giroud, this is the first time I have ever owned you in my fantasy career, would you please set lots,and lots, of goals up for my captain Sanchez today. It will take a lot of weight off my mind having sold Rooney to buy you and Fabregas. Thanks in anticipation, Flynny.

  11. Citizen kano
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    baines gone

  12. dudload
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Coleman, worst purchase all season. Can't remember a clean sheet

  13. mgilbert86
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Atleast selling baines wasnt a total fail

  14. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Everyone except my captain is scoring

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      This.

    2. Pablitto
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Bony C?

    3. BlueIncognito
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Same problem here mate

  15. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Everton are horrible

  16. Norfolk&Chance
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    1more week Baines u idiot.

  17. Waynoo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    i need Sanchez to be rested

    1. Flynniesta
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      With respect, I hope your wish doesn't come true.

  18. r0scr0w
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Why o why did I transfer out Rooney.

  19. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Rooney playing too deep. Doesn't really matter.

    1. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      *Mata

    2. Bojaninho
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Starts deeper make runs like a striker , nufc without tiote helps. So much room for him and mata

    3. Punty
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      People said that before ADM got injured in training before the match..

  20. Bojaninho
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Siggy to silva seems not so bad now

    1. FionnMac
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Where'd you get the money from though? Downgrading Baines poss to Hutton...

  21. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Damn got walters in thinking he was on pens

  22. Nobodinho
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    My cup opponent has Rooney(C) 😯

  23. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Rooney to Giroud was inspiring transfer

  24. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Baines C 🙁

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch

  25. Judeksi
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    DAMN!! My ghost cup-opponent has Rooney (C) and of course he explodes now.. this is going to be too tight :S (I'm leading 38 - 37 so far)

    1. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      so does mine..

    2. Nobodinho
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      same, 42-33 tho

  26. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Giroud could become the most hated FPL player ever on here later...

    1. Legendary!
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      You just expressed my worst fear

  27. AnfieldLad
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    oh my oh my i shall be dropping

  28. AH 🙂
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    What ever costa does rooney does better 🙂

  29. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Selling rooney for giroud this morning was a master stroke. Need more whiskey.

    1. r0scr0w
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Me too.

  30. RyanFootballChatbox
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Fergi on Rooney - No matter where he plays he will score goals for you 😀