[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. The Chosen One...
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Chadli ruining Eriksen...

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

      When I had Chadli for 4 games, he did nothing/got injured/played 45 mins/was useless. As soon as I drop him, he finds assists. Typical FPL.

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

      Had Chadli for a great stint, think he's really good.

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

    Baines to Zab was a brilliant transfer

  3. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Kane becoming one of my all time favourite players.

    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      My best buy so far.

  4. Would an idiot do that?
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Baines goal and cs to save himself

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

    Sakho->Kane was a excellent transfer this week...

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

      Will reserve judgement until giroud plays

      1. luke
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        thats Mr. Hat trick Giroud to you

  6. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Chadli assist again. Makes you wonder why he was benched for weeks when fit. He starts, he gets points. Poch surely learned his lesson.

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

      And those weeks were when I had him. Dammit.

    2. The Machine
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Pochard doesn't play fpl

      Their best performance came when he was benched. ..

      1. Ady87
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Pretty sure this is wrong ^

        1. And we all have legs
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Spurs fan here and he is right

    3. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      He's not playing FPL

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

    So -8 to di maria and zaba was brilliant

    1. Ady87
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Nearly did the same but ended up just doing Zaba,

    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Bottled getting ADM and at least got Zaba last week. We'll be OK for next game week.

  8. Corkers
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Kane already really?

  9. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Feck sake cup opponent has johnson

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

    Hangover FFS, the Saturday dugout discussion. Saw the mistake haha 🙂

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

    Is AJ hitting a purple patch like last year?

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

    Dzeko to Kane, blessing in disguise 🙂

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

    Mity score - Fernando

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

      *Man City

  14. Jax
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    fernandgoal

  15. Bellerinmondo
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Wassilewski in for zabs already bad news

    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      zab on bench

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

        Hmm 1 point cameo might be better than wazza

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

    Fernando!

  17. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Fernandooooooo

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

    Fernandoooooooo. No pressure on Toure to score now

  19. Davros
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Wow just saw early result. Very happy Terry owner here!

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

    Goals everywhere!

    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      no only 3

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

        In 8 mins

        1. Jax
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          everywhere no.

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

    assist?

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

      Foster 😆

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

      Navas if given

    3. Arse Craic
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Navas I t hink

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

    Think assist was navas

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

      Think so too

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

    Johnson I love u. Xx

  24. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Pitman 😀

  25. Waterwheel Inc.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    "Alan Pardew looks like he's got a new pen for Christmas, very shiny!" - This is the quality coverage I expect form the BBC 🙂

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

      Still waiting to hear what colour it is. Tenterhooks

  26. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Foster cleanie gone with no yaya involvement. Great

    NOT

  27. Caesar, Hot Mustache
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Fernando essential

  28. Caesar, Hot Mustache
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    there goes my Foster CS. fml

  29. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    YESSSSSS

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

    Rooney will score today not as deep as last game and I sold him