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

    Sterling goal
    cout assist

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

    Yeees Liverpoolfan AND Sterling(C) !!!!!!!!!!!!

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

      That really was punty. 😉

  3. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I sell Clyne two GW's ago and they go on two back to back 3-0 games.

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

      Our fixtures were easing up briefly, I don't know why you dumped at that point.

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

    have put in sterling already

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

    Heskey has scored in seconds of coming on for his Bolton debut 🙂

  6. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling 😀

  7. Jay_
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Yessss well done my boy, well done

      1. Total Foot 5
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        jay how r ya mate. did u go sanchez, dcosta or sterling C? went w sanchez altho rationale was for dcosta.

    • Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Need moar goals!

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

      COME ON BURNLEY

    • Just A Wooden Spoon
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Come on, need a Spurs goal for £900 😯

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

        Wow. Good luck!

      2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Nice....

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

      Sterling!!! Yes

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

      wohoooooooooooooooo

    • Gobigorgohome
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Steringggggggg my capainnnnnnn

    • Sarnab
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Thank You Sterling

    • donkey73
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Rooney (VC)...

      Please please please no Snatchez in ARS squad

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

        I need Sanchez to play since I brought di Maria and only one bench player got points

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

          Rival has Rooney VC-I desperately need Sanchez to play

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

      Sterling goal. I dont believe:-)

    • KelvinMateus
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      RVP>Rooney and Bony>Kane, thoughts?

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

        Before Spurs-Utd? Dont.

    • Gobigorgohome
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Thank God..... huuhuuu

    • Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      score check? should have got sterling 🙁

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

        Im on 69 with Bony(C) 😯

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

          Wow, pre-bps?

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

            Yeah

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

        Same, would have got him for Oscar 🙁
        No point in looking back now though

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

          *50 with Sanchez & Austin

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

        Rooney lots of points, me -4 🙁

    • Pedram
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Boxing Day and the rise of dead teams from the ashes

    • UnderstandablyDistraught
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Kolarov streching his gams

      1. Jimbo123
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        eh?

    • BRONALDINHO
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      weather is ridiculous at the west brom game

    • chrisdale98
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      This is painful. 2 city defenders and watching City get battered with attacks

    • MITHRRANDIRR
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      some really poor cutbacks from Nasri and Navas denying Yaya clear shot at goal.Ugh !

    • yer old da
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Will Costa get any bonus today?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Probably 2

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

        Yes

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

        yup, 3 points

    • MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson coming on

    • mattyrobinson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Hadn't really noticed Liverpool's fixtures. Hope Brendan perseveres with 4-3-3

    • Richd
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      How's Yaya playing please ?

      Enjoying the snow I hope !!

    • DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Falcao -> Wilson

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

      RVP stays on!!