[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. drinkup245
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    hey mates, will lineups be out before the deadline closes for the next gameweek?
    cheers

    1. Game of Stones
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Only for Spurs - United

  2. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    How does the following moves look for next gw?
    Baines, Siggy & Lukaku -> Zaba, Silva & Kane (-4)

    Guzan
    Baines / Azpi / O'Shea
    Sanchez / Siggy / Haz / Yaya / Downing
    Bony / Austin
    (Mccarthy / Lukaku / Saylor / Wisdom)

    2 FT & 0.4m itb

  3. Ser Football 42
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Bertrand. Yes!!!

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

    Bertrand!!!

  5. Zasa
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I'm not emotionally or psychologically ready for a Rooney hattie

  6. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Triggerlips

    Rooney(c)

    *lifts cap

    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Picks up voodoo doll

  7. JÆKS ⭐
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Just to get your thoughts on this:

    2FT: eriksen, bony --> silva, benteke?

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

    fester score

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

    ulloa!!!!

  10. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    lmao Bertrand

  11. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Ulloja!

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

    Mane is utter rubbish for several weeks and then gets a goal and an assist. Lucky for us!

  13. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Who's keeping Baines?

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

      Me

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

      People who arent playing any more.

  14. southernpacific
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    could palace, villa and west brom all score please!

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

    Poor defence from Spurs!

  16. BenDavies
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    BERTRAND YOU LOVELY MAN

  17. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Wanted another week to decide between Sterling and Silva 😆 .. Watchin the pool game and theyve been so poor 🙁 .. Silva it is

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

      Yeah, I was about to pull the trigger last week (and would have captained Silva). I also would have got Naylor off the bench this week and last and be well up in the world...

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

    Should I get Silva for next GW or would it be a knee jerk?

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

      Go for it. No striker in form good fixtures whats not to love?

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

        That I have Nasri and am 99% convinced he will bag a brace as soon as I take him out for Silva. 😆

        Will probably put Silva in though, great form. Cheers.

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

          I know....I feel the same with Erik...but I am selling this GW.

  19. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Silva down

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

      He just wants to get out of the snow.

  20. Zasa
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Mahrez assist

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

    Remember that poor soul who was debating whether to keep Mane for one last week. Hope he kept.

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

      (Mane assist)

  22. Sejuta77
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Thank you Bertrand

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

      Thank got Bertie

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

    So it turns out Clyne > Zab last week was a bad move

  24. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Silva dead

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

      Head roll off?

  25. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I've got Bertrand first sub. Here are the perils of having strength in depth.

    Please say chambers or Sanchez are rested!

  26. amol
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I've got Clyne lol

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

    currently snowing @ wba

  28. Woy
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Berty and clyne still strong

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

    So Spurs are now 1-1. I make that Eriksen time?

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

      I hope so..

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

    Foster make some bloody saves.

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

      how many does he have now?