[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. MITHRRANDIRR
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    everton 3 CS all season. Martinez turning them into Wigan defensively

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

    Come on Bony!

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

    Come on Bentekkers.

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

    At which second exactly did Kane scored?

    1. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Nice nanoseconds past the 11th parsec.

    2. Kerrazy
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      2nd minute i reckon

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

      58

    4. Podge
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      57 I think

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

    Want to do Bony -> Rooney but with all this rotation-talk for Sunday I might just save FT and not kneejerk..

  6. GAMBIT
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Baines to 5.0 and Bony to Rooney for free?

    Who's the best 5.0 def to get if I already have cresswell, Hutton, Demi and Duff as my other defenders

  7. Fin
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Feeling good after starting Heaton

  8. Prince of Persia
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Not another captain fail... RVP please !!!

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

      Relax. It was always a punt.

  9. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Bony and Siggy to Austin and Silva is oh so tempting

  10. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    How has Sterling been doing?
    badly need some output from him

    1. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Burnley being better says it all really.

  11. lespaul
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    getting sanchez for 1m cheaper than current value is making it hard to swap, hope he delivers later ,

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

    So far so sh1t

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

      yep

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

    10min additional minutes in everton game
    half time treat

  14. In Bale We Trust
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    How is Bony doing anyone?

    1. Notorious
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      He is not looking good to be honest, Swansea are not creating enough.

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

    2FT

    Bony&Baines out for Rooney&Naylor

  16. Sheep Flavour
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Silva waking off in the snow....He looked lie he wished he played in Spain again!! 🙂

    1. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Like*

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

    For those laughing at people that said Rooney is playing deep, you might remember the reasoning for that being ADM is back and would play in the hole? Difficult to predict injury to players

  18. Sharkytect
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Desperately need sterling and giroud to do something. Two players i hate relying on

    1. Sz21
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Same as this..

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

    When does Yaya depart?

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

      Hopefully before the 2nd half.

  20. gers23
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Come on Bony!!

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

    Who is better pick for next 2?

    A. Demi
    B. Clichy
    C. Kolarov

    Now i have Demi, no money for Zaba...

  22. oven
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Zaba cameo please. 1 pointer is better than negative from wisdom.

  23. The Nuttmxn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Am a little RVPeed off with this GW.

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

      😆

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

      My stand-in captain has not impressed 🙁

  24. Kerrazy
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Baines no show = Baines>Demi/Mangala.

  25. UnderstandablyDistraught
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Need that Saints cs wrecked

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

      COYS COYS COYS.

  26. gers23
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    What is the bonus for the Chelsea game?

  27. Pedram
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Guess what, the dead team who i am facing this week has Rooney as captain.

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

      Makes you wounder why we try and play this shite

  28. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    FPL rule #334

    never buy a striker for over 12m that isn't Aguero

    🙁

  29. Fin
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Baines -> Saylor and Tadic -> Haz for a hit?

  30. Kip
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    My opponent in the Cup is a Dead Team with Rooney(c) + Costa

    that's gonna be close 😕